Rolled 5 (1d14)

>>4305869

>>4305883
I forgot to mention D20s.

so close anyway tho

Rolled 11, 6 = 17 (2d20)

>>4305869
>>4305883
Oops. I'm dum.

Rolled 17, 10 = 27 (2d20)

>>4305869

Rolling closed; writing now.

File: brainy statue thing.png (125 KB, 366x489)

125 KB PNG

>[X] Ataru Opening Strike
>[X] Shii-Cho Sweeping Slash
>[X] Force Reinforcement
>Ataru Roll
>DC14
>+8 Modifier
>Rolled 17 + 8 = 25
>Success!

>Shii-cho Roll
>DC16
>+8 Modifier

The Hawk-Bat Swoop is quite possibly the deadliest Lightsaber form maneuvers ever. A surprise leaping attack to either the neck or head with a firm stick, much less a lightsaber with a reinforced arm swinging it, would kill anyone unprepared for it. You doubt the sweeping attack will do much with training sabers being as they are, but it will at least force them back.

You bend your knees, shattering the ground beneath your feet, and spring towards the nearest alchemical statue.

It raises its Sith warblade too late to block your strike from shattering its head free of its body.

A grunt escapes your lips as you shift to Shii-cho, spinning with the momentum of your swoop to sweep slash the two other statues.

While they recoil, Khem steps forward and takes the opportunity to cleave them in half through the lines you made on them with his massive vibroblade. "Rest with master, servants of alchemy."

"Khem!" You turn back to face the remaining statues mid-attack.

It was inevitable they'd try to flank you, but at least you got them to just exploiting an opening.

>[ ] Force pull the holocron of Tulak Hord to you, this entire complex might collapse or something if the statues can't take you two.
>[ ] Let Khem take the blow to move to their flanks, he's a tough alien.
>[ ] Take the attack for him, you know you can.
>[ ] Write In.

Two practice sabers allow for two melee attacks

>Ataru Attack (Can be aimed)

>Juyo Attack (Can be aimed)
>Juyo Assured Blow

>Makashi Attack (Can be aimed)

>Niman Attack (Can be Aimed)

>Shii-Cho Attack(Can be Aimed)
>Shii-Cho Sweeping Slash

Only one force attack can be made a round. You can simultaneously reinforce yourself to strengthen your melee blows but you can't channel more force energy through your emotions. Force absorption is an automatic action.

>Telekinesis (Needs specification)
>Emotional Channeling
>Force Reinforcement
>Force Lightning

>>4306044
>[X] Take the attack for him, you know you can.
>Juyo Attack (Can be aimed)
>Juyo Attack (Can be aimed)
>Telekinesis (Needs specification)
Push the statues away from us and the Holocron, make some room to maneuver.

>>4306071
Any specific places you want to attack (vitals, limbs, and head?"

>>4306144
Let's go for their vitals. Bigger targets.

>>4306147
Alright

>Juyo Roll(s)
>DC16, DC16
>+9 Modifier

>Telekinesis Roll
>DC12
>+3 Modifier/Additive +6 if potency is used

Rolled 9, 18, 8 = 35 (3d20)

>>4306159
No potency.

>>4306161
First two rolls were almost guranteed but damn was that third close.

Anyone else want to spin the dice?

>>4306170
Can I roll again if nobody else does?

>>4306171
Sure.

Rolled 3, 18, 12 = 33 (3d20)

>>4306159
C'mon dice, don't be jerks now.

>>4306187
wanna try again one last time?

i'll use the best one, unless you crit fail

Rolled 7, 1, 1 = 9 (3d20)

>>4306188
Might as well go for broke.

>>4306189
hm
seems I actually went broke

>>4306189
>>4306192
....i'm so sorry for goading you anon

Rolling closed; writing now.

>>4306194
Ya win some, ya lose some.

>[X] Take the attack for him, you know you can.
>[X] Juyo Attack (Vitals) 2
>Juyo Roll(s)
>DC16, DC16
>+9 Modifier
>Rolled 7 + 9 = 16, 1 + 9 = 10
>Success, Critical Failure!

>Telekinesis Roll
>DC12
>+3 Modifier/Additive +6 if potency is used
>Rolled 1 + 9 = 10
>Critical Failure!

You're not going to let him get hurt on your watch. Nox would never let you hear the end of it. Even if you didn't, you'd probably never hear the end of it either. This is more for your own peace of mind before she violates it again. It'll hurt but you're used to pain of almost unfathomable magnitudes.

Like the manly man of men you are, you jump in the way of the statues' attacks.

Heat and force carve through the layers of your cortosis-weaved clothing, reddening the top ones of your skin.

The statue to your left receives a brutal reprisal as you swing the tip of training saber right through its throat.

You make the greatest mistake a 'rapid-fire' form user could ever do and stop partway through to ready your arm for a strong yet slow blow.

Middle Stoneman sees your attack coming, swiping his warblade across your unprotected wrists.

Grunting, you hop back and channel the force before pushing yourself sending yourself back in your anger haste. You fly through the air and through a good few statues until you thump against the stone ground of the tomb. The only thing to escape your lips is a long, frustrated yell.

Two sundering smashes resound through the tomb followed by heavy steps culminating in Khem standing over you. "Master's concubine is sloppy."

"...You caught me on a bad day."

"Excuses are beneath a Sith."

"...Do you ever get that feeling when you're very skilled at something but get into an encounter that shows you that there's still a lot for you to learn?"

"Never."

A sigh seeps out your lips.

You're feeling that a lot right now.

>[ ] "Seriously, why statues? Sith Alchemy could've made some sort of cortosis giant in the shape of Tulak Hord to kill all intruders."
>[ ] "Let's get the hell out of here before even more of these guys wake up."
>[ ] "...Our relationship needs some work, big guy. I get the distinct feeling we'll be around each other a lot."
>[ ] "Can you pick me up? My legs are numb."
>[ ] Get up and walk out back to the academy dorms, you've had enough tomb raiding for one day.
>[ ] Dad, are you there? I think we need train a lot when I get back.
>[ ] Pick yourself up and get the holocron, fuck this place.
>[ ] Write In.

>>4306247
>[X] "Seriously, why statues? Sith Alchemy could've made some sort of cortosis giant in the shape of Tulak Hord to kill all intruders."
>[X] "...Our relationship needs some work, big guy. I get the distinct feeling we'll be around each other a lot."
>[X] Pick yourself up and get the holocron, fuck this place.
>[X] "Let's get the hell out of here before even more of these guys wake up."

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Seriously, why statues? Sith Alchemy could've made some sort of cortosis giant in the shape of Tulak Hord to kill all intruders."
>[X] "...Our relationship needs some work, big guy. I get the distinct feeling we'll be around each other a lot."
>[X] Pick yourself up and get the holocron, fuck this place.
>[X] "Let's get the hell out of here before even more of these guys wake up."

>(1/2)

Everything about their aesthetic is all over the place. For some strange reason, they have brainy-looking heads with no eyes, no armor beyond their stony-like 'flesh,' are in the shape of a man, and wield electronic warblades instead of alchemical ones. It's like they had three different designers that were all equally shortsighted.

"Seriously, why statues? Sith Alchemy could've made some sort of cortosis giant in the shape of Tulak Hord to kill all intruders."

Khem snorts. "That would've dishonored the master."

"I don't see how: he was an absolute beast who destroyed everyone he considered a combatant of war."

"Yes, an alchemical being in his likeness would've been degrading for that reason. The suggestion makes me want to bite out your throat in his honor."

You blink. "...Our relationship needs some work, big guy. I get the distinct feeling we'll be around each other a lot."

"Master's concubine states the obvious, being master's concubine."

A sigh escapes your lips followed by a groan as you stand your aching body back up. While a couple of minutes pass from the array of statues to the coffin, it feels a lot like hours to your sorry sore ass. You pick up the holocron and hold it close to your chest.

>(2/2)

"Good, understand and protect its unfathomable greatness."

Rolling your eyes, you start walking down the steps of Tulak Hord's resting place. "Let's get the hell out of here before even more of these guys wake up."

"That is the obvious and wisest thing to do yes." The big guy wraps an arm around your back and lifts you as he leaps down from the steps to the floor, drawing a cry out from your lips. "Your stupidly self-inflicted wounds will slow us down. This is better. I will prevent you from being hurt to the point you can no longer service master."

You shoot him a look before cringing when you start dashing through the tomb.

Khem takes you from Tulak's burial chamber all the way back to your now awake mistress' office and lets you down.

"What the bloody hell happened to you?" Nox raises an eyebrow at her alien servant. "Khem, explain."

"Master, he did it to himself."

Another groan escapes your lips.

Now is not the time for this, you've got a holocron from Tulak Hord to learn from.

>[ ] "Is there a saying in your language equivalent of snitches get stitches and often end up in ditches?"
>[ ] "Khem couldn't stop me from hurting myself. I think you need a better bodyguard."
>[ ] "One of Hord's super statues got me while I was protecting Khem."
>[ ] "How about we train for real? I've gotten rusty."
>[ ] "...Well, I didn't mean to do this to myself."
>[ ] "I brought you a gift."
>[ ] "No time to explain."
>[ ] Walk out, you can explain later.
>[ ] Write In.

>>4306418
>[X] "One of Hord's super statues got me while I was protecting Khem."

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "One of Hord's super statues got me while I was protecting Khem."

May as well be honest and get it out of the way. It's not like Khem can deny it or be offended by your selfless sacrifice. Bringing up or running away with the holocron can wait until after you explain yourself. You'd be very rude if you just jumped to it, and Nox doesn't like it when you're being rude.

"One of Hord's super statues got me while I was protecting Khem."

Your dear mistress turns her eyes to your direction. "Oh Magnus, you played bodyguard for mine?"

"He foolishly jumped into several enemies' attacks before sending himself through several alchemical statues with telekinesis."

"I was defending you!" Blinking, you groan. "...That last bit was an accident."

"Sounds like quite the accident." Nox giggles.

"Well, I... I was... Things were..."

"Nothing can explain or excuse your monumental failure."

The Dark Council member's giggling transforms into full blown laughter.

You shrink as you lament your colossal fuck up.

Without a doubt, that was the biggest malfunction of ability in your enire life. You are almost always an efficient, effective duelist. What went down in that cave was neither efficient nor effective on your end whatsoever. The first takedowns and strikes were decent enough, but by the Force you dropped the ball momentously in your final ones.

"Aww, you're so cute when you're embarassed and brooding."

You groan before looking away from your lover's soft smiling face.

There is almost nothing that can make you feel better about this.

>[ ] "Khem couldn't stop me from hurting myself. I think you need a better bodyguard."
>[ ] "...How about we train for real? I've gotten rusty."
>[ ] "...I brought you a gift."
>[ ] Walk out, you want to torment some trainees of yours.
>[ ] Find a secluded place to use the holocron, its knowledge should be yours.
>[ ] Go find the tuk'ata that won the free-for-all, you've got cute powerful tuk'ata pups to breed.
>[ ] Write In.

>>4307511
>[X] "...I brought you a gift."

>>4307514
Suppin'

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "...I brought you a gift."

This will get both of them off your ass for the next couple of seconds. Nox won't forbid you from borrowing what you rightfully recovered from the tombs, considering she said so in your mind when you brought it up to her. It will be in her possession when it isn't in yours from here on out though.

"...I brought you a gift." You hold out the holocron in your dusted hands.

"You brought me too presents: a priceless holocron and your cute misery! That's a good boy, Magnus." Her lips part to reveal smiling teeth. "I should reward you... in every way I can."

"Please don't. I'm not in the mood."

"When are you ever?"

"I'm pretty sure you know it's when I'm unconscious."

Nox laughs. "True, you are rather lively when closest to being dead." She looks down from your face to the treasure. "Have you used it yet?"

You shake your head. "I just picked it out of Hord's sarcophagus."

"Ooh, so it's a fresh personality recording. What fun one could have being the first to greet old holographic Hord. It'd be very fun to tell him my last name, I know that for sure."

Khem kneels. "Master, I understand the holocron contains a technological phantom of my master, but please do not taunt him so."

"I don't know whether to shock you or hug you for being a sentimental big lug, Khem."

"An embrace would be preferable, though I can take and understand the pain of your force lightning as your affection."

"Oh Khem, you're just so adorable."

You roll your eyes.

This is what you get for getting involved with your father's 'rival.'

>[ ] "Khem couldn't stop me from hurting myself. I think you need a better bodyguard."
>[ ] "I'm going to go and learn from this now, if that's okay with you."
>[ ] "...How about we train for real? I've gotten rusty."
>[ ] Walk out, you want to torment some trainees of yours.
>[ ] Place the holocron on Nox's desk, you can get it later.
>[ ] Find a secluded place to use the holocron, its knowledge should be yours.
>[ ] Go find the tuk'ata that won the free-for-all, you've got cute powerful tuk'ata pups to breed.
>[ ] Write In.

>>4307757
>[X] "I'm going to go and learn from this now, if that's okay with you."

Voting closed; writing now.

File: hord.png (218 KB, 400x474)

218 KB PNG

>[X] "I'm going to go and learn from this now, if that's okay with you."

You've got a lot of training to do so something like what happened in the tombs never happens again. Even if it's just for a couple of hours, you can learn a lot from the Master of the Gathering Darkness' teachings. So long as you get something from this whole experience, you'll be fine.

"I'm going to go and learn from this now, if that's okay with you."

Nox nods. "So long as you know who you both belong to."

"Pretty sure you imprinted that on my subconscious."

"Huh, noticed that, have you?"

Blinking, you take a few steps back. "I'm going to go now."

"You just said that a couple of seconds ago."

"I don't think I needed to specify 'away from you' in that second one." You turn to the exit and start walking. "I'll be back in your bed soon enough."

Your mistress purrs as you exit her office.

It doesn't take long for you to make your way through the academy on your own two feat and out into the sands of Korriban far from any prying eyes.

Groaning, you sit down and look down at the holocron still in your hands. "Tulak Hord, I'm in need of your wisdom."

The data pyramid glows as a holoimage of Tulak projects itself before you. "This is the first time this holocron has ever been used and several thousand years after my recording no less. Who has the honor of learning from me, the Master of the Gathering Darkness?"

"Magnus Faxerus." You bow your head.

"Who are you?"

"Son of Caeles Faxerus of the Faxerus family founded by Faxerus Ra—"

"Names are irrelevant." The holocron image stated in a low-pitched tone. "Who are you?"

"...A Sith warrior."

"Are you? I see a boy who has yet to find his true calling. Blood or wisdom, child? Blood or wisdom?"

You raise an eyebrow.

As usual, experienced Sith are vague and never fully explain anything they ask or say without enough prodding.

>[ ] "What do you mean by blood and wisdom?"
>[ ] "I drown in one and seek the other."
>[ ] "Power is above both."
>[ ] "I'm still undecided."
>[ ] "Freedom."
>[ ] "Wisdom."
>[ ] "Blood."
>[ ] Write In.

>>4308051
>[X] "I drown in one and seek the other."

>>4308051
>[ ] "I drown in one and seek the other."

>>4308051
>[X] "I drown in one and seek the other."

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "I drown in one and seek the other."

Good and vague an answer as any to say to an ancient Jen'ari. It's partly the truth and partly a lie: half-truths are how intelligent Sith manipulate other people, so he should be pleased. He may be honorable but even they among your kind understand the need for skulduggery every one in a while.

"I drown in one and seek the other."

It lifts his projected hand underneath his chin. "Clever answer. Foolish when given to a master however. You seek power, regardless of blood or wisdom, as all Sith do. I have more than enough to offer. The question is if you're willing to learn."

"Yes, I'm ready to do what I must."

"Is it that or what you wish? Far too many mistake their wishes for their musts in this life. It is a foolish and naive delusion."

Tilting your head, you stare at the helmet of the old Dark Lord. "Both what I wish and must: I am undergoing trials and have powerful enemies in my future."

"Good. Never mistake one for the other lest you lose yourself and your life to misguidedness." His focus turns down to your wrists. "A potentially crippling blow. Either you are in desperate need for a teacher or challenged a master."

A groan escapes your lips. "The latter and that's why I retrieved you from your formerly living self's tomb."

"What do you know of duelist forms?

"I'm an expert in Juyo and Shii-cho, advanced in Ataru, and have a basic knowledge of Niman and Makashi."

"Ah, a Juyo practitioner too slow to slaughter his enemies before they wound him. What a rare sight. You are fortunate to have found my holocron to teach you more."

You twitch and hum.

The only other thing you're really greatful for right now is that your father will never hear of the great shame you suffered.

>[ ] "Sith Sorcery has been al but forgotten for the past millenia. I would be grateful for whatever you could teach."
>[ ] "Are there any merits worthy of investigation in the other forms?"
>[ ] "Can you tell me what force abilities you were proficient in?"
>[ ] "I want to learn more of Sith Alchemy first."
>[ ] "Tell me and show me how I can improve."
>[ ] "How did you use Juyo?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>4308369
>[X] "How did you use Juyo?"
>[X] "Are there any merits worthy of investigation in the other forms?"
>[X] "Sith Sorcery has been al but forgotten for the past millenia. I would be grateful for whatever you could teach."

>>4308434
+1

>>4308369
>>4308434
Dis

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "How did you use Juyo?"
>[X] "Are there any merits worthy of investigation in the other forms?"
>[X] "Sith Sorcery has been all but forgotten for the past millenia. I would be grateful for whatever you could teach."

As usual, you've got a lot of questions to ask to beacons of knowledge. They're never answered as in depth as you want them to be, but that's part of the journey of a learning force user. Least Hord seems far more direct in comparison to the other Sith in your life, with the exception of your father.

"How did you use Juyo?"

"Like every other form, I took what worked and discarded what did not."

You raise an eyebrow. "Are there any merits worthy of investigation in the other forms?"

"Of course there are. How can you master Juyo if you cannot master any other style? Learn what you will from them all and discard them, even your precious Juyo. Only then will you truly be a master."

A hum chimes in your throat.

He was the supreme master of lightsaber dueling in life. Your father could've maybe stood against him for a while but would still lose in the end. The Jen'ari and Sith of old were lightyears above what you are now. It took infighting for you to fall and degrade into this shadow of what you once were. Maybe you can stop that from happening again. Most of what remains of the old holocrons were taken or destroyed by the Jedi when they genocided your people, but this one still exists.

"Sith Sorcery has been all but forgotten for the past millenia. I would be grateful for whatever you could teach."

"Truly? I despised my kind's reliance on the arts, but I did not wish for us to completely forget them."

"We know some of alchemy but nothing anywhere close to the ancient levels of skill. I can permanently transmute matter at the moment."

Tulak Holocron nods. "Then we must begin your training immediately. I'll let you choose which subject you practice first as a courtesy. Sorcery, force powers, dueling, or alchemy?"

You smile.

Now this is what you've been waiting for.

>[ ] "Force powers."
>[ ] "Dueling."
>[ ] "Alchemy."
>[ ] "Sorcery."
>[ ] Write In.

>>4308898
>Dueling.

>>4308898
>>[ ] "Alchemy."

>>4308898
>[X] "Dueling."

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Dueling."

Never fucking up on the level you did back in the tomb is your foremost goal right now. It's also the most obvious choice to pick when this holocron is Tulak 'I duel entire armies of Jedi and win' Hord. You could learn more from him than you could your father. Nox hardly compares to him either.

"Dueling."

"A wise choice I predicted you'd make. Those wounds to your wrists say enough about your current skill. Your survival is worthy of praise however, seeing as how you endured what would make an average Sith drop his saber."

You bow your head again. "That's high praise coming from you."

"Nonsense: It's praise that you are due. Moving on, I can teach you lightsaber forms you don't know, help you master the ones you already do, or how to fight without form at all."

"What?" Raising your head, your eyebrow rises.

"Can you tell me what the greatest dueling form is?"

"It depends on the situation." You tilt your head from side to side. "But I'd have to pick Juyo."

Tulak Holocron raises a finger. "You had it somewhat right the first time: the best form doesn't depend on the situation, but is in actuality performing the correct attack or maneuver at the right time. It is adapting to any situation you may encounter. Shii-cho, Makashi, Soresu, Ataru, Shien, Niman, and Juyo are all far too stifling. They each put you in a frame of mind where you must attack a certain way or use certain maneuvers. Transitioning from one to the other is never smooth. The best form is no form."

"Yet you mastered them all."

"So I could discard them." Holak Hord begins pacing in he air. "You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water into a skin, it becomes the skin. When you pour water into a clay urn, it becomes the urn. When you pour water into a bowl, it becomes the bowl. Become like water and go even further beyond until you're vapor, until you're air, and until you're light."

A hum murmurs in your throat. "That sounds unfathomably difficult, but I can try."

"There is no try: you do or you die."

"The Sith way at its core." You sigh.

Technolak Holord nods.

Clearing your throat, you steel your gaze.

It's do or die time, as always.

>[ ] "I've been so much about attack, I've been neglecting my defense. Shouldn't I learn Soresu before I go 'formless?'"
>[ ] "Schii-cho's the basic form, but I still haven't mastered it."
>[ ] "Juyo is what I'm best at so let's go with that."
>[ ] "Niman is the closest style to formless there is."
>[ ] "Makashi was designed specifically for dueling."'
>[ ] "My Ataru could use some work."
>[ ] "Teach me formlessness."
>[ ] Write In.

Sorry for the waiting times as of late. How are you guys doing? My fellow burgers keeping safe as the country burns?

>[X] "I've been so much about attack, I've been neglecting my defense. Shouldn't I learn Soresu before I go 'formless?'"
We probably should get a better understanding of advanced defensive tactics if we decide to abandon form altogether.

>>4309264
Doing good. Unfortunately, I live in the shadow of a pretty big city, but my governor is doing a great job at stopping any bullshittery from taking place. Hope you are also keeping safe OP.

>>4309263
>[X] "I've been so much about attack, I've been neglecting my defense. Shouldn't I learn Soresu before I go 'formless?'"

>>4309264
Doing alright. There hasn't been much rioting in my area so I can just watch as the country lights up.

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "I've been so much about attack, I've been neglecting my defense. Shouldn't I learn Soresu before I go 'formless?'"

Lot of ingredients make a fine soup. You, however, are overwhelmingly the robust kind of meat. Sure, you're tasty and filling, but you don't really have as much nutrients as a vegetable. Many people prefer taste over nutrients, such as your meaty self. That's something this horribly out of hand soup metaphor for formlessness is lacking

"I've been so much about attack, I've been neglecting my defense. Shouldn't I learn Soresu before I go 'formless?'"

"No, you should master it and every other form. I can help you with that or hasten your training by jumping to formlessness."

You furrow your brow. "Wouldn't that be insanely difficult?"

"Why do you think I said do or die?"

"It's a figure of speech."

"No." Hord shakes his helmet. "Not in this life or as we are."

Clucking your tongue, you set the holocron down on the sand and sit back. "So what do you recommend I do?"

"Either benefit from my ancient knowledge or master all forms as they never were before like I did within a decade of my life."

"...I don't have a decade."

It nods. "Which means you should do the former rather than the latter."

"That still means I'm likely not going to learn it even if I tried my hardest."

"You're using that word again."

You shake your head and slap your hand against your forehead. "I know, I know, just... I'm not sure what I should do right now." Lowering your hand, you sigh. "I'm not sure about very important things I shouldn't be unsure about at all."

"Solve your inner conflict with hard work. Choose what that is now."

Clucking your tongue, you focus your attention on Tulak Holord.

He's right, now's not the time to be glum about your fuckup, wavering beliefs, and the numerous little plans you have in your head.

>[ ] "Schii-cho's the basic form. Shouldn't take me that long to acheive mastery with your guidance."
>[ ] "Niman is the closest style to formless there is, so let's start with improving that."
>[ ] "Juyo is what I'm best at and the one form I'm in most need of improvement in."
>[ ] "Makashi was designed specifically for dueling, why go formless?"
>[ ] "My Ataru could use some work."
>[ ] "Soresu it is then. Let's go."
>[ ] "Teach me formlessness."
>[ ] Write In.

late again, fell asleep

thoughts or questions while i'm still conscious?

>[ ] "Teach me formlessness."
We must learn from Sith Bruce Lee

>>4309502
>[X] "Teach me formlessness."

>>4309505
How bad were our injuries exactly?

>>4309502
>>[ ] "Teach me formlessness."

>??? Roll
>DC18

best of the first three d20s

>>4309529
You've sustained some tendon damage. It's not that bad but you nearly escaped a crippling. Thank Juyo for your survival as any other form except shii-sho would've probably fucked you.

you did crit fail

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>4309723
Go, dice, go!

>>4309746
And off to the races they went.

>>4309746
You've certainly redeemed yourself

Rolling closed; writing now.

>[X] "Teach me formlessness."
>??? Roll
>DC18
>Rolled 20
>Critical Success!

When it comes to doing and dying, you prefer doing every time. Giving up or taking the easy way out isn't in your blood or your nature: you take things on by the head. Either you learn this or remain a failure who nearly got crippled by a freaking statue of all things. That's not going to happen ever again.

You steel yourself. "Teach me formlessness."

"Good, my first student as a holocron isn't a coward. Stand up and draw your blade: I will instruct you and you will listen."

Nodding, you stand up before drawing your practice sabers.

"[I]Assume a formless stance."

You clench your saber handles and blink as you relax. "I'm already in one."

"Exactly. At any point when you have both your feet on the ground, you are in a formless stance. You must fight against your instincts to stiffen into the telltale stances of the seven forms. I can tell you make quick short savage strikes. You must learn when to when to strike an overwhelming blow either to break a guard or finish off an enemy."

"So something akin to a Shien slash?"

"Yes but it will not be Shien, it will be a normal strong strike. Let us begin."

A grin spreads across your face as you bob your head once again.

The philosophy is easy enough to understand at first and gradually seeps into your mind like water, the basic form of formlessness you must become. Striking without resorting to any forms is far more difficult in comparison though not below your capabilities. Formlessness is even applicable to your unarmed martial art skills.

You don't how much time passes by, but you could hardly care about that with your progress.

>Special Ability Gained: Advanced Formlessness - +4 Modifier to every attack and maneuver. Cancels Ataru, Juyo, and Makashi bonuses to single dueling up to profiency.

Wiping the sweat from your brow, you collapse the warm sands of Korriban. "Bloody hell, I think I might be able to stand against my father with this."

"You can stand against anyone with it, so long as you're skilled enough. I must say your progress is nothing short of miraculous."

"I know right?" You lift your upper body of the ground. "I royally screwed up twice, but now I'm in the greatest form I've ever been!"

"The Force has a sense of humor."

"Well it can go fuck itself, this is all me!" Plopping yourself back down, you kipup to your feet.

"That also makes your failures yours. Are you ready to continue?"

You scoff.

Of course you are but there are other things you need to attend to.

>[ ] "Let's train in formless some more."
>[ ] "What did you know of alchemy?"
>[ ] "I need to learn sorcery."
>[ ] Return to your mistress, she should be waiting for the device.
>[ ] Back to the academy, you want to torment some trainees of yours.
>[ ] Go find the tuk'ata that won the free-for-all, you've got cute powerful tuk'ata pups to breed.
>[ ] Write In.

>>4310096
>[ ] Write In.
List our skills , strengths and weaknesses, and ask him what he thinks we should work on.

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "What do you think I should work on?"

You do want to and should improve on everything, but there's only so much time in a day. This holocron already has a decent understanding of where you excel and where you're lacking. He'll know what you should improve on first. It is ultimately your decision though: he is a fancy holographical recording device.

"What do you think I should work on?"

"Everything."

"I meant specifically what I should improve on now while I'm in your company."

"Force use."

You raise an eyebrow. "Explain."

"While I understand the aesthetics in using solely your martial might, you refrain from using Force abilities when possible or even necessary."

"All do respect, you've never seen me in a actual fight, so how would you know that?"

"I've encountered hundreds of training Sith such as yourself in the past. Lack of reliance on the Force is an admirable quality, but neglecting it will put you behind everyone else."

A smile makes its way on to your face. "You have no way of knowing this, but I've already mastered the manipulation of minds through the Force."

"I doubt that though I have little choice but to take your word for it. Still, you must practice using force abilities with your formlessness. If you didn't integrate it, the form truly wouldn't be formless."

You nod and hum.

Mind manipulation is incredibly useful but it's not the not the only Force power out there. You have telekinesis, though you failed on a cosmic scale the last time you tried using it. The other abilities you have either reinforce your martial ones or are too meager to use in combat efficiently. Whatever your decision, so long as you're improving, it's fine.

>[ ] "Force lightning is the quintessential insane Sith's tool to make everyone subservient and die to them. Let's go over that."
>[ ] "Force absorptions can effectively make me immortal under the right circumstances and I like not dying."
>[ ] "My life draining needs work and it seems useful enough."
>[ ] "Let's train in formless some more."
>[ ] "What did you know of alchemy?"
>[ ] "I need to learn sorcery."
>[ ] Return to your mistress, she should be waiting for the device.
>[ ] Back to the academy, you want to torment some trainees of yours.
>[ ] Go find the tuk'ata that won the free-for-all, you've got cute powerful tuk'ata pups to breed.
>[ ] Write In.

>>4310668
>[ ] "Force absorptions can effectively make me immortal under the right circumstances and I like not dying."

>>4310668
>[X] "Force absorptions can effectively make me immortal under the right circumstances and I like not dying."

Getting late. Will close voting and update when I can tomorrow.

Thoughts or questions, my anons?

>>4310721
How are you doing? Riots keeping you busy?
Also a tad curious about your comment about your slower update speeds.

>>4310735
Eh, the lockdown actually.

I've been aloof as of late. Not a lot to do for work to the point I'm applying to places just in case and for extra cash. Getting sidetracked real easily into looking up job positions in areas I'm not even qualified in just to try and figure stuff out. Add in my vidya addiction, what is either fireworks or gunshots going off in the vicinty of my neighborhood, and my focus on keeping up with all the crazy shit that's happening you get a recipe for long update wait times

>>4310793
keep yourself safe, this quest is fun

>>4310668
Shit, I'm sorry to have missed this for a few days, Happy it's back.

And I'm actually going to vote for sorcery. Nox can teach us Absorbtion later, in much more painful ways, probably.
But learning proper sorcery? That's the good shit. Getting even a basic grasp is important.

>>4310943
+1 for sorcery

Of another note, formless is fucking potent as shit. +4 to every attack is effectively an expert to master level of the other forms without situational modifiers, which I think we may get more of as we progress through it's training. Holy crap.

I think mastering formless over Juyo may be our best bet.

>>4310668
>>4310679
Alright, guess I'll change to sorcery also.
We should finish up our training for today after this though.

>>4310963
Water is the strong.
Photons are even stronger.
Tulak Hord didn't gain his infamy just by killing a few Jedi after all.

Voting closed; writing now.

File: mindmind.jpg (60 KB, 640x360)

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>[X] "I need to learn sorcery."

>(1/2)

Formlessness is fine and dandy, but you snatched Holo Hord from his grave to learn more than just the ultimate combat form. The ancient arts are dying and this is the only hope your kind has to ever relearn what was lost. You're not sure why the Emperor hasn't passed on the art. It's probably too powerful for most of the Sith of today to be trusted with it.

"I need to learn sorcery."

Tulak Holocron raises a hand to his chin. "Tell me, what is alchemy?"

"Altering matter into different states."

"No, you are altering nature itself, the byproduct of the Force. Sorcery is the alteration of the Force itself. You twist what is to what is not for it to be. Curses, enchantments, and charms can be made with sorcery. The laws of reality itself are whims to your tampering."

"...That sounds too good to be true."

"It's not. Only trouble to it is that you will most definitely kill yourself if you attempt something far beyond your capabilities. Too many apprentices were lost in my day due to their foolishness. You won't die so long as you stick to what you know you can do without killing yourself."

"Going to be hard considering I don't know anything right now."

Mini Tulak lowers his hand. "Close your eyes and feel the Force around you."

You obey, focusing on the neverending well of power.

>(2/2)

"It feels formless does it not? That isn't the truth, however. The Force exists in gravity, space-time, and causality. To learn how to manipulate these forces, you must start with yourself as a being. Alter the Force to be more receptive and helpful to you."

"Do you have any idea how insane that sounds?" You tilt your head and raise an eyebrow, eyes still closed.

"Focus on the Force around your being and implant your will on it. It may take hours but it will obey if you are strong enough, focused enough, and intelligent enough to manipulate the ultimate power."

Relaxing your form, you seat yourself down and concentrate.

You don't know how many hours pass until you can finally understand the way the Force regards your being and is connected. Neither attuned to you or accepting, it pass by you like a stone in a river. Almost everything has small holes of some sort: humans have pores as do stones. Like how skin can absorb water, your body absorbs the Force as it can.

>Force Skill Learned: Basic Sith Sorcery - You can alter the functions of the Force in your body's vicinity, boosting your regeneration of force power and augmenting your force powers with a modifier equivalent of your sorcery ability.

A deep breathe brings air into your lungs as you will the wellspring of energy to flow more into your body then past it.

"You've done it. Good job."

You open your eyes to the sun still up yet falling in the sky.

Now if only you could alter time to give you all of it that you could ever need.

>[ ] "Let's keep at sorcery, this is amazing."
>[ ] "Let's train in formless some more."
>[ ] "What did you know of alchemy?"
>[ ] Return to your mistress, she should be waiting for the device.
>[ ] Back to the academy, you want to torment some trainees of yours.
>[ ] Go find the tuk'ata that won the free-for-all, you've got cute powerful tuk'ata pups to breed.
>[ ] Write In.

>>4311701
>Find the tukata who won
Then we can go back to box and get some absorbtion training/sleep done.

>>4311701
>[X] Return to your mistress, she should be waiting for the device.
Then we can go play tuk'ata breeder.

>>4311701
>[X] Return to your mistress, she should be waiting for the device.
then
>[X] Go find the tuk'ata that won the free-for-all, you've got cute powerful tuk'ata pups to breed.

Voting closed; writing now.

File: Tuk'ata.jpg (199 KB, 894x864)

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>[X] Return to your mistress, she should be waiting for the device.
>[X] Go find the tuk'ata that won the free-for-all, you've got cute powerful tuk'ata pups to breed.

The time you've shared with mini-holographic Tulak has been fun, but all good things must end. Hopefully, your dear mistress won't abuse poor Holo Hord. Khem is too loyal to turn against her, just not loyal enough to Tulak Hord to prevent his holocron recording from being tortured with her insanity. It'd probably amuse her if you stole it back right before she force lightning shocked your testicles.

Standing up, you pick up your shiny technological friend. "I think that's enough for now. Time I took you back to your real owner."

"Do not forget my teachings or that you must practice your formlessness."

"I won't." You tighten your hands around the holocron and begin making your way back to the academy.

About fifteen minutes pass in the time it takes you to go from your secluded desert spot, back to the academy defenses, through the wandering tuk'ata filled academy, and into your lovely insane mistress' office.

"There you are!" Nox coos. "And here I was thinking you'd be playing with your new toy too long to have energy to play with me."

You roll your eyes as you hold out the holocron. "I got what I needed from this for now."

The ancient device levitates from your hand over to her desk. "You shouldn't be too dependent on toys." The Darth caresses the holocron. "In my experience, they don't compare to the real thing, no matter what improvements they have."

Blinking, you turn and walk out the office.

There's the matter of the tuk'ata for you to resolve. To be exact, there's no issue with the cute curious Sith alchemy dogs but you need to see the alpha one who won the battle royal for breeding the mightiest tuk'ata bitch, who is your bitch. He shouldn't be that far now: you can feel him through the force.

You hop down from the third floor to the first, pet a nearby tuk'ata pup, and walk to the kennels.

Inside the animal pet chambers, you see many adorable little alchemy dogs run in circles around the stressed and annoyed caretakers. One large, blood-stained purple-ish tuk'ata sits in the middle, eyes closed to the kennels' chaos.

You raise an eyebrow as it opens its blue eyes.

He's not as big as the bitch, but he looks and feels strong.

>[ ] "Red Fang, I presume? How was the competition?"
>[ ] "Don't care much for exploring, huh?"
>[ ] Mighty Queen, come and breed with this alpha male.
>[ ] Pierce, you lost to a strong tuk'ata. Be glad you survived.
>[ ] Plop yourself down and let the pups nuzzle against you. Why not?
>[ ] Write In.

getting late, tired

thots, questions?

>>4312232
>[X] Plop yourself down and let the pups nuzzle against you. Why not?
>[X] Pierce, you lost to a strong tuk'ata. Be glad you survived.
>[X] "Red Fang, I presume? How was the competition?"

>>4312235
I feel the Character Sheet is due a bit of an update.

>>4312232
>Pierce, you lost to a strong Tuk'ata, be glad you survived.
>Red fang I presume?
>Use alchemy to check him for crippling recessive genetic imperfections.
>Queen, breed him.

>>4312235
I've been having a think all day about how much I want to run a starwars system like this one, but then realising that this one only works so well because it is a /qst/ and would collapse if taken out of this context. Kinda sad.

And because I am a number autist, Turns out that daddy emperors wrath is actually completely invulnerable against blaster fire.
+12 from master form 3 [purely defensive moves + against blasters]
+3 from master form 1 [purely defensive moves]
+4 from master form 5 varients, so possibly +8 [defense against blaster fire]
+6 from master form 6 [purely defensive moves, defending against blaster fire]
If defending against a single target, then Grandmaster form 7 gives another +5.

Then add on Master force re-enforcement for another +4 and you get a total of:
1d20 + 29/33 against a group of blasters going off against you
1d20 + 34/38 against a single target shooting at you.
AND THEN you have force potency which can give an extra +6 to re-enforcement if needs be. So the maximum defense that our dad has is against a single target is 1d20 + 40/44 depending on ruling.

Now if we throw on formless, it just keeps getting higher. Tl;dr, Use force powers on dad.

Voting closed; writing now.

>>4312734
Playing someone at their own game is typically a bad idea.

>>4312754
Or make sure we go first and roll above 20 with Juyo.
Instant kill.

But if he goes first.......Aaaaaaaahahahahahahahaha

>>4312759
Or we eventually mindfuck nox to be our toy, and then go on adventures with bro dad.

>>4312854
Big dreams but I was more talking about how to take down the greatest living fighter of the sith empire with a lightsaber

>[X] Plop yourself down and let the pups nuzzle against you. Why not?
>[X] Pierce, you lost to a strong tuk'ata. Be glad you survived.
>[X] "Red Fang, I presume? How was the competition?"
>[X] Use alchemy to check him for crippling recessive genetic imperfections. Only the strongest will survive.
>[X] Oh mighty Queen, come and breed your new mate.

He seems strong enough at first glance to give you the strongest tuk'ata pups there ever was. You're not that familiar with tuk'ata biology, but you can try your best to sense for any defects with alchemy. After that's done, your mighty bitch who ruts can come on over and fuck him however she wants. It'd be good for you to get to know him before that happens.

First things first, however.

You fall down on to the floor and click your tongue against the roof your mouth.

Not a second after, the horde of pups encircle your body before nuzzling themselves against it.

A laugh thrums in your chest as one licks your face.

Quadrupedal beasts genetically engineered by sentients are truly sentients' best friend.

Pierce, you lost to a strong tuk'ata. Be glad you survived.

Not greatest t'akatan alpha.

You don't need to be.

Wanted to be.

A sigh escapes your lips.

Lot of people want to be someone they're not. Now that your dreams have been crushed, you can focus on being the best version of you that you can be. Clinging to a broken dream is for the weak who can't accept the reality.

Remember your words Pierce will.

Nodding, you lift your upper body up to face the awake winner. "Red Fang, I presume? How was the competition?"

Disappointing.

A hum chimes in your throat before you beckon him to you.

The little pups at your feet make way for the prowling giant.

Closing your eyes, you touch the beast's forehead and focus on his alchemically influenced DNA. Another hum rumbles in your throat at the remarkably stable sequences in the acid. You open your eyes and pat the beast on the head.

He's goood enough.

Oh mighty Queen, come and breed your new mate.

Not a second after your thoughts reach the queen bitch's mind, deafened cries seep through the kennel walls. The floors beneath you tremor as a great beast approaches. Your pup caretakers' annoyed groans are replaced with yelps when your mighty bitch jumps into the room.

You lift yourself up, pet the baby pups goodbye, wave to the lucky tuk'ata, and get out before the noise starts.

Still some time left in your day.

>[ ] Check-in with your apprentices, they should be learning/suffering when they're not recovering.
>[ ] Go to your mistress, she may be annoying at times but she is your lover.
>[ ] Great ancestory, what was t̡̥̫͉ͅh̷a͍̟̥̠̪̜͎t͚̩̣̭͕̟̣͝?
>[ ] Father, can you hear me?
>[ ] Mother, can you hear me?
>[ ] Write In.

>>4313011
>Great ancestors, what was that?
We heard nothing...so always open pandora box. Unless this is just asking to talk to our ancestors, in which case ignore it.

>Return to Nox.
Welp time for more electrical burns

>>4313011
>>[ ] Great ancestory, what was t̡̥̫͉ͅh̷a͍̟̥̠̪̜͎t͚̩̣̭͕̟̣͝?

I'm voting for this because I'm getting a little tired of this dependence on nox and the constant sex.

>>4313059
Thats fair.

Month should be up soon. then we get to have a murder death battle between children. That's gonna be fun, probably.

But if it is annoying you that much, I'm fine to deal with our apprentices and their probably still shitty force abilities.

>>4313066
So be it, it is high time we gain some independence, the only reason now we should associate with nox is for the holocron and training
I'm a bit over this bitch boy attitude towards her..

>>4313085
I'm fairly certain that is the reason we associate with her. Powerful mind controlling sith lady had other ideas on what interaction meant and A led to B led to C led to current situation.

Though, that isn't to say it hasn't been profitable.

>>4313011
>>4313042
This.

>>4313066
I thought we still had several months, considering we're supposed to be here a year.

>>4313109
Child gets dropped every month anon. And by dropped, I mean murdered. Last man standing wins unless darths or other masters intervene.

>>4313115
Oh it was like that huh?

Voting closed; writing now.
>>4313085
some people may feel neglected, albeit amused at your rebellion
>>4313109
>>4313115
You can end this now if you want. None of the trials ahead will be challenging to you unless you make it so. In many ways, the outcome to your academy days on Korriban won't matter unless you make it so.

Simply by going along with all this, you've grown more in a manner of weeks than you have in years however.

>>4313121
The parasitic nature of the sith, to drain the knowledge and skills of their superiors in an attempt to grow more powerful, is largely the reason I'm fine with going along with Nox's odd whims.

Because while yes, it is physical abuse of the most severe kind it is basically the way dad taught us, if I am reading it right.
The only not strictly advantageous means in this relationship is the part where we are a none consenting concubine without much say in the matter. But then if it was anyone but Magnus that wouldn't be all that bad anyway.

Anyway, to get back to the clinical and driven exploitative point, The training to acquire from Nox at this point is force absorption because getting that high makes us largely invulnerable against all but the greatest users of the force.

Meanwhile, we should be training formless and sorcery from the holocron, though perhaps a bit of alchemy could also do us some good. The furthest the sith in modern times have is a dark council member who is manipulating DNA. To beat her to the punch and master it would be SUCH an insult it would be hillarious.....until she tries killing us for it.

>>4313116
Pretty sure, yep

>>4313116
>>4313140
It was more like whoever survived the trials and won against the other survivors became a Sith. Flunkies who survived could be put to work at the academy. Someone died every trial because they are actually pretty fucking dangerous to anyone without some experience in combat or the force.

>>4313145
The trial or the other participants?

And I distinctly recall that there was supply and demand. If a sith lord wanted or needed 4 apprentices, the overseers changed their priorities to match.
Then again, Daddy dearest organised this for some reason so I doubt he wants more than one apprentice. But having some friends on this world when we inevitably come back for our own apprentices could be....Beneficial.

>>4313150
Yes.

More or less, yeah. Your father doesn't really care about the outcome of this either. You dying might surprise him though. Good thing you have plenty of siblings to replace you.

>>4313175
Curse these familial bonds that make me instinctively desire parental affection. Fuck it, from here on I'm gonna vote the way that helps us and the empire, Not out of any misplaced familial loyalty.

Fawning younger sibling relationships where we are the cooler older brother can still be helped. Those are rare though.

>>4313132
That lady is already going to kill us for stealing her apprentice's knowledge though.

>>4313150
To me, Nox isn't that bad, it's not like she's restricting us in anyway, she's more playful than anything.

>>4313185
Magnus doesn't really have any strong familial loyalty, or a strong attachment to being a Sith.
He's stopped considering himself a Sith already, and doesn't even see the Empire or the Republic in a good light.

>>4313198
Yeah, but just imagine her face when she gets news of our [very public] showing off of our new genetic abomination.

As for Magnus' loyalty, I disagree about not having a strong attachment to the empire. The Sith as they are, he couldn't care less because he was brought up by a pragmatist and the sith ideals actively conflict with that social programming. The empire though? that's his home. Even if you dislike your home you still like it more than the other guy beating it over the head unless it has wronged you severly.

>>4313205
You can develop a dislike for your home easily, although I'd say right now it's more like apathy in Magnus' case.

>>4313205
Although I was more thinking that he'd just leave both behind and go his own way honestly.

>>4313207
Yeah a dislike is a dislike, but dislike doesn't mean you would be happy for some forgine pricks who want you dead to walk in and take over the place. You dislike your home less than you dislike the negatives such an occupation would bring.

And to come back to Nox, she isn't that bad but I get where anon is coming from when talking about growing tired of her. We seem to do little else, so perhaps a break would be nice.

I got an idea, why don't we take them all hunting at some point for a day or so...without water.
Learn alchemy or die of thirst and heat stroke motherfuckers.

>>4313216
There is no power to be gained from going solo at this point.

When we have learned all that we can and it no longer serves us, then we can go our own wandering way, meet jedi and other sith, expand our knowledge....Kill more than a few of each.

>>4313221
Well, we were spending a majority of our time training with her, yes.
I think after mastering Mind Manipulation we're in a better state to go around doing other things.
We should return to her when we can though.

>>4313228
Magnus may be a training nut right now, but he isn't completely consumed by a search for power like other Sith.
I could see him ditching the Empire to go his own way just because they're that distasteful to him.

>>4313268
There is an old Maxim anon.
"The wolf that runs with the pack is the strength of the pack, the wolf that runs free of the pack feels it's strength" or something of that nature. Until we are able to defend ourselves properly against retaliation, you stay with the pack and operate in that structure.

Magnus has a drive, no doubt but he also doesn't have any grand ambitions. Why would he? He's been put here to train by his father so that's what he's going to do.
Once we get an ambition that necessitates leaving, I can see it happening.

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>[X] Great ancestor, what was t̡̥̫͉ͅh̷a͍̟̥̠̪̜͎t͚̩̣̭͕̟̣͝?

In spite of how much it hurts to even think about t̡̥̫͉ͅh̷a͍̟̥̠̪̜͎t͚̩̣̭͕̟̣͝, you need to know what i̱̬͎͜t̷̙̤̖̳̹̱̙ is. Something like t̡̥̫͉ͅh̷a͍̟̥̠̪̜͎t͚̩̣̭͕̟̣͝ shouldn't exist in this world. Ḭ͍͞t̨̩͙̮̤̠'s of the force but not like anything else you know of. Everything about i͞t̡͖̪͍ is wrong down to the sight of i͞t̡͖̪͍'s form.

The world turns red.

Blinking, you wipe the blood oozing out your eyes.

Great ancestor, what was t̡̥̫͉ͅh̷a͍̟̥̠̪̜͎t͚̩̣̭͕̟̣͝?

You feel your mind set as ease when the phantom of your dynasty founder's progenitor appears in it.

Worry not over things outside of your control, blood of my blood. Your mind is strong enough to think of the being. Take solace in that. Perhaps in the future you can assist, but you cannot as you are now.

You grit your teeth.

Come on, you can't just show me something... and expect me not to ask questions.

That was Tulak Hord.

Well, you're stil out of luck. I unfortunately know what's going on and want some answers.

You're not getting any.

You part your lips, pause, and sigh.

It'd be blasphemy if you kept at it with this Sith of all Sith to have ever existed. You've already done more than enough for him to bitch slap your through the Force. Really, you should be thankful to have the old man as your ancestor.

>[ ] Check-in with your apprentices, they should be learning/suffering when they're not recovering.
>[ ] Go to your mistress, she may be annoying at times but she is your lover.
>[ ] Call it for the day, your mind is tired and so is your body.
>[ ] Father, can you hear me?
>[ ] Mother, can you hear me?
>[ ] Write In.

>>4313434
>[X] Call it for the day, your mind is tired and so is your body.
>[X] Go to your mistress, she may be annoying at times but she is your lover.

I think we should go train our apprentices tomorrow, we've had a pretty draining day.

>>4313456
+1

Getting late and I'm getting tired. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8)

I'll try and focus more on writing from tomorrow on out. I can't help but feel shame at how little I can get done compared to when I first started quest writing.

>>4313583
There there mate. You've got vidya to stick your head inside. An important passtime

>>4313456
Support this as well.

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] Call it for the day, your mind is tired and so is your body.
>[X] Go to your mistress, she may be annoying at times but she is your lover.

Just thinking about... took all the energy you had left. Even if your dear mistress tries to fuck you, it'd be worth it just to sleep on her ever growing comfortable bed. You've been cuddling as of late instead of fucking, which is a good sign. Maybe you'll cuddle some sanity back into that diseased brain of hers someday.

You walk away from the bestial grunt emanating kennel entrance back towards the staircase.

Nox raises a curious eyebrow as you enter her office yet again. "What brought you back to me?" She scowls. "Don't tell me it's for the holocron you gave me literally several minutes ago."

"Actually, I'm tired and want to sleep on your bed."

The Darth blinks. "...Are you willingly playing the role of my bedwarmer?"

You shrug.

"I'll take that as a yes."

"What can I say, your sheets are made of dragon spider silk."

Your lover raises a finger. "Ackbarian Dragon Spider silk."

"I don't know what Ackbarian is."

"That's because you're a philistine, my dear."

Shaking your head, you shuffle your way into the woman's quarters and plop yourself on her bed before nodding off.

...

...

You open your eyes and feel rested as your dear mistress is atop you again.

Well, at least you weren't molested in your slumber, as far as you know.

>[ ] "I'm borrowing Tulak Hord again."
>[ ] "Get up. I'll make us breakfast."
>[ ] "Do you do this on purpose?"
>[ ] Khem, be a dearie and wake up your master.
>[ ] Ooooooooh, this iiiiiis the ghooooosts you've absoooooorbed~
>[ ] Write In.

>>4314167
>>[ ] "Get up. I'll make us breakfast."

>>4314167
>[X] Ooooooooh, this iiiiiis the ghooooosts you've absoooooorbed~
>[X] "Get up. I'll make us breakfast."

Voting closed; writing now.

>>4314167
Confusing Nox makes me laugh more than it should. Not having our mind read without effort also helps I suppose.

And huh, we know she ate ghosts?

>>4314360
You've heard rumors.

>[X] Ooooooooh, this iiiiiis the ghooooosts you've absoooooorbed~
>[X] "Get up. I'll make us breakfast."

This will probably earn you a shock, but it will be worth it for the split second of annoyance it'll give her. You haven't cooked in a while either. While not bad, the food you can cook far outmatches the novice cafeteria staff members. Hunting and surviving away from civilization tends to turn one into a gourmet chef, in your experience.

A grin spreads across your face.

Ooooooooh, this iiiiiis the ghooooosts you've absoooooorbed~

"I thought you were all too disgusted..." She yawns. "To speak with me when I was with the company of my concubine."

You blink.

Very much, you hope this bitch is fucking with you, you do.

"Get up. I'll make us breakfast."

Nox opens her Dark Side corrupted eyes and blinks. "You're offering to make me breakfast?" A smile forms from her ruby lips. "How domestic of you."

"Who knows what will happen next; maybe you'll act loving and feminine rather than insane."

"Ooh, I think I'd like that."

Rolling your eyes, you ease out from under the Dark Council member and make your way to the cafeteria kitchens.

The staff are confused at your presence as they would and should be but go on with their business after you grab the ingredients you need.

A tune chimes in your throat as you arrange krython sausages in circles on a melted butter with herbs sizzling pan.

The smell of searing sausage intermixes with two slices of tag-pig bacon strips cooking beside them.

You crack two dragonhen eggs against the pan and let them fill the circles of sausages.

Six or so minutes later, you're back in Nox's office presenting two plates of protein goodness for breakfast.

Nox coos and rubs her hands when you set her plate on her side of the desk.

You set yours on the space parallel to hers and sit down on the visitor's chair.

If only she were a loving, relatively normal woman to enjoy this meal with.

>[ ] "All we need is a proper table, some children, and adjusted ages to be a family having breakfast."
>[ ] "I would've made some for Khem, but he's off doing Khem things right now."
>[ ] "Now kiss me on the cheek and call me husband."
>[ ] "Have you ever cooked for yourself?"
>[ ] "You're welcome."
>[ ] Dig in, you cooked it.
>[ ] Write In.

>>4314739
>I would offer to make some for Khem, but he sort of eats the potent aura of evil you exclude.
>You're welcome.
>Have you ever subsumed ghosts?
>Dig in

Hmmm, be unpredictable and you win against the crazy lady. Good to know.

>>4314739
>[X] "All we need is a proper table, some children, and adjusted ages to be a family having breakfast."
>[X] "I would've made some for Khem, but he's off doing Khem things right now."
>[X] "Now kiss me on the cheek and call me husband."
>[X] Dig in, you cooked it.

>>4314821
I'm against raising then notion of family around the table. Especially before we have consumed food.

>>4314829
We've already done that before though.

Voting closed; writing now.

File: in SPACE.jpg (51 KB, 474x585)

51 KB JPG

>[X] "I would offer to make some for Khem, but he sort of 'eats' the potent aura of evil you exclude."
>[X] "Have you ever subsumed Force ghosts?"
>[X] "All we need is a proper table, some children, and adjusted ages to be a family having breakfast."
>[X] Dig in, you cooked it.
>[X] "Now kiss me on the cheek and call me husband."

A lot of foolish but fun things are running through your mind right now. You feel good enough from just thinking about it to do it though, in spite of all the risks. That seems to be a growing trend as of late. Until you receive a crippling shock from the dear missus, you'll keep at it. Never have you ever been so glad to have a slippery mind.

"I would offer to make some for Khem, but he sort of 'eats' the potent aura of evil you exclude."

Nox giggles. "He thinks every part of me tastes savory."

You blink.

This was a mistake.

"Have you ever subsumed Force ghosts?"

"Depends on what you mean by 'ghosts,' dear Magnus." Picking up her eating utensils, she carves into her sausage-wrapped sunny side up egg. "There are many different kind of force entities that exist from beyond the veil of death. Korriban's tombs are littered with them."

"...But did you?"

Nox munches on some sausage, giggling all the while.

You look down at your own food and look back up to your lover with a smile. "All we need is a proper table, some children, and adjusted ages to be a family having breakfast."

"I'd be your wife in such an arrangement." The Darth swallows her meat and laughs. "How forward of you to suggest such a thing, dear Magnus."

Cutting your own sausage-wrapped sunny side up egg into individual pieces, you lift one into your mouth.

She actually enjoys this kind of odd, wholesome-esque banter.

"Now kiss me on the cheek and call me husband."

The woman giggles, rises from her chair, saunters over to you, and kisses your cheek. "Okay, my manly hubby."

You put your hand against the small of her back and slide it down towards her rump as she walks away, drawing a purr from your dearest lady.

A part of you has no idea why you're doing this, but you really can get used to this without all the craziness.

>[ ] "I'm going to need that holocron of Tulak Hord, so I'll be taking it and keeping it, dear."
>[ ] "Look at you all obedient and loving. I should cook food for you more often."
>[ ] "Still pining after my father, dear wife?"
>[ ] "Have you ever cooked for yourself?"
>[ ] "You're welcome."
>[ ] Finish eating, you've got a day ahead of you.
>[ ] Write In.

>>4315375
>>[ ] "Have you ever cooked for yourself?"
>>[ ] "You're welcome."
>[ ] Finish eating, you've got a day ahead of you.

late sleep sleep update eventually

>>4315375
>Have you ever cooked for yourself?
>You're welcome.
>Finish eating.

When we've had our nice meal, we can get a training session with Nox, then get our apprentices training up into a proper form.

>>4315375
>[X] "Look at you all obedient and loving. I should cook food for you more often."
>[X] "Have you ever cooked for yourself?"
>[X] Finish eating, you've got a day ahead of you.

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Look at you all obedient and loving. I should cook food for you more often."
>[X] "Have you ever cooked for yourself?"
>[X] Finish eating, you've got a day ahead of you.

Maybe you should play these games more often: Nox seems to enjoy them almost as much as you do. She'll never be the traditional ideal wife, but she acts the part when it suits her. That's kind of enough for you if this relationship lasts forever, even if you'd prefer a much stabler partner.

"Look at you all obedient and loving. I should cook food for you more often."

"You should, I would kill to eat like this every day for every meal."

Raising an eyebrow, you tilt your head. "Have you ever cooked for yourself?"

"No."

"...And you were a slave?"

"I was, yes."

"Then how did you never cook for yourself?"

"Other slaves fed me."

You scoff. "Missing out on a vital life skill then."\

"I have servants to do that for me now." She rolls her eyes and smiles. "And you."

Shaking your head, you return your attention to your breakfast.

The savory sausage-wrapped eggs meet a swift yet dignified end by your teeth before you scarf down the scrumptious dragon tag-pig strips of bacon.

You wipe your lips with a serviette and sigh in satisfaction.

Really, you should cook food more often lest you get lazy here.

>[ ] "I'm going to need that holocron of Tulak Hord, so I'll be taking it and keeping it, dear."
>[ ] "...Out of curiosity, have you taken a pregnancy test? I mean... you know what I mean."
>[ ] "There are some acolytes I must torment further on the road to Sith. See you, woman."
>[ ] "How was Khem while I was off learning under his old master?"
>[ ] "Is it possible for me to subsume force spirits?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>4316076
>[X] "...Out of curiosity, have you taken a pregnancy test? I mean... you know what I mean."
>[X] "There are some acolytes I must torment further on the road to Sith. See you, woman."

>>4316076
>[X] "...Out of curiosity, have you taken a pregnancy test? I mean... you know what I mean."
>[X] "How was Khem while I was off learning under his old master?"
>[X] "There are some acolytes I must torment further on the road to Sith. See you, woman."

>>4316076
>How was Khem?
>How did you learn to subsume spirits?
>I need to torment some acolytes.
>[WI] I'd like training later, giving you advanced warning.

Don't bother asking "Is it possible" because the answer is always yes. Ask how it is done.

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "...Out of curiosity, have you taken a pregnancy test? I mean... you know what I mean."
>[X] "How was Khem while I was off learning under his old master?"
>[X] "How did you learn to subsume spirits?"
>[X] "There are some acolytes I must torment further on the road to Sith. See you, woman."

Something of utmost importance, avoiding it, you have been. Too young to be a father, you are. Nox, mother material she is not. Driven mad, your child would be. Fate worse than death, madness is. Struck mad, you yourself have to be thinking like this.

"...Out of curiosity, have you taken a pregnancy test? I mean... you know what I mean."

Nox raises an eyebrow. "Why would I?"

"...To see if you're pregnant?"

"And why would I care?"

You blink.

She really is insane.

Clearing your throat, you raise an eyebrow of your own. "How was Khem while I was off learning under his old master?"

Laughs erupt from your lover's lips. "The big boy was so jealous! Of course, he couldn't bring himself to interrupt what he thinks you rightfully earned, but he wanted to see his dear master again." She scowls. "If only he realized he belongs to me now, much like you."

A hum chimes in your throat.

This may not be the best time or a smart thing to ever bring up, but you may as well.

"How did you learn to subsume spirits?"

"Don't even bother trying to learn: it takes natural talent yet still leaves you with bickering voices in your head."

"...Sure that's not just you?"

Nox parts her lips, pauses, and raises a finger to her chin. "Now that you mention it..."

You cluck your tongue.

No part of you knows what you were expecting from trying to follow up on rumors.

"There are some acolytes I must torment further on the road to Sith. See you, woman." You stand up from your chair and walk out the office as your dear mistress' laughter thrums from behind.

You make your way back to the cafeteria, sit down on an empty table, command your apprentices to meet you there telepathically, and smile as they arrive accompanied by their tuk'ata.

It'd be such a shame for all of them to die acolytes rather than Sith.

>[ ] "...I think I might be a father soon and I have no idea what in the Force I'm going to do when I am."
>[ ] "How would you all like to fight for your lives against deadly statues?"
>[ ] "I'll let you eat and converse before I beat lessons into you."
>[ ] "Are you all prepared for the next trial?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>4316606
>Are you all prepared for the next trial?
>What training have you done without me?
>Have you all had breakfast?

Once we have established that, I suggest we train them in basic alchemy out in the desert. If they haven't drank anything, all the better motivation to learn.

>>4316606
>>4316699
Dis

>>4316699
+1

>>4316606
>>4316699
+1

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Are you all prepared for the next trial?"
>[X] "What training have you done without me?"
>[X] "Have you all had breakfast?"

While you could jump straight into the thick, you'd prefer to ease them into a false sense of security before you pummel them. Your experiences like that with your father have taught you much. Learning to get used to stability is a vital experience they must have. The Force knows you've had learned far too much from it though.

"Are you all prepared for the next trial?"

Naziha nods. "That tomb was nothing compared to you?"

"We don't even know what it is." Yang shrugs.

"I can only hope I don't die too quick or too slow." Arezoo gulps.

You blink and raise an eyebrow. "What training have you done without me?"

Ms Degenerate whimpers. "The walking cat broke one of my teeth."

"It's not my fault you didn't have your guard up."

"We were eating lunch together!"

"And that's any excuse for not being ready at all times?"

"Yes!"

"How the bloody hell have you survived this long?"

Yang shoots you a look that you return.

Women will never not be strange to your gender.

"Have you all had breakfast?"

Both kitty cats stop fighting to shake their heads while Yang nods.

A hum chimes in your throat.

Maybe time for a test of your own or another session of cooking to bind them to you more.

>[ ] "Time for you to unlearn what I've taught you because this weird thing I picked up is the ultimate form."
>[ ] "None of you have anything against eating meat, do you?"
>[ ] "Alright, back to the training grounds we go."
>[ ] "Come on, we're going hunting."
>[ ] Get up and go make them breakfast, why not?
>[ ] Write In.

>>4317526
>We are going hunting.

Hunt down an animal, kill it, cook it.
Nice bonding exercise and then we can begin teaching alchemy, which I feel is a very important part of our time here, spreading the twin pillars of sith supremacy back amongst the crowd rather than keeping it all to oursleves.

I dont suggest giving them formless though. That's ours, not the siths at large

>>4317526
>[X] "Come on, we're going hunting."

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Come on, we're going hunting."

Hunting is quite possibly one of the best bonding experiences, in your oh so humble opinion. The hunters need to work as a pack and play their own individual role in taking down the prey. Fresh meat is also the absolute best state of meat before it's roasted. Best you don't stray too far from the academy lest you get attacked by a different horde of tuk'ata seeking the mighty bitch.

"Come on, we're going hunting." You rise up from the table.

Naziha scoffs. "In the desert?"

"Lot of wildlife if you know where to look for it. Hell, look down at your feet to see what I found out there?"

The Sith beast runt yips as it nuzzles the cat's ankle.

"We're... We're not going to eat tuk'ata are we?" Arezoo scratches her nearby big lug's head, making him twitch his leg.

"If that's what we find, yeah."

"Dude," Yang speaks up, "they are Sith and Sith acolyte's best friend. I don't want to eat one."

You tilt your head.

This is an unprecedented situation you've encountered.

"Fine, we'll hunt something that's not tuk'ata... But if we get ambushed by a pack, we're eating them."

"...I guess that's fair."

"Yang!" The degenerate of the pack cries.

"Always the bleeding heart, aren't you Pinkie?" Naziha shakes her head. "I swear, it's like you want to die."

"I don't! I just don't want anyone to!"

"Everyone dies, Arezoo... Everyone." Yang sighs.

"...That doesn't mean we have to kill each other."

"I'd hate to interrupt this fascinating, possibly-turning-philosophical conversation you're having, but you need to get up and follow me now."

With no further words, the party rises from your group table and follows you through the academy and out into the desert.

There's not a lot of divers prey on desert planets, but they do exist.

>[ ] "My acolytes, we hunt the most dangerous game: sentients... I'm not a cannibal, but I have eaten people at some point."
>[ ] "Shyrack are attracted to caves and areas they can hide in. Let's go for them."
>[ ] "I don't know about you guys, but it's been a while since I had some slugs."
>[ ] "On second thought, we are hunting tuk'ata."
>[ ] "T'akatan, what do you guys usually eat?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>4317867
>"Shyrack are attracted to caves and areas they can hide in. Let's go for them."

>>4317867
>[X] "Shyrack are attracted to caves and areas they can hide in. Let's go for them."

>>4317867
>>[ ] "Shyrack are attracted to caves and areas they can hide in. Let's go for them."

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Shyrack are attracted to caves and areas they can hide in. Let's go for them."

It's been some time since you've had something avian to dine on. They're not exactly the healthiest thing to eat but anything not domestic has a risk of being diseased. You'll have to thoroughly cook the meat. Seeing its properties through alchemy couldn't hurt either.

"Shyrack are attracted to caves and areas they can hide in. Let's go for them."

"How are we going to find caves out here?" Arezoo asks.

Naziha hums. "Most likely near cliffs. We can go into the tombs if necessary, but that has its own dangers."

"What are Shyrack anyway?" Yang asks.

"Bat-like creatures made or tampered with Sith Alchemy. They're like tuk'ata except less house-breakable."

"They probably hang out in swarms then. Not a good idea to hunt if that's the truth."

"And that's why we're hunting them.

Pinkie whines. "Why can't you people ever do anything that doesn't threaten your life?"

You shrug.

That is a question you've been asking since your childhood yet still have no real answer to.

You four and three tuk'ata trek through the endless dune to one of many cliffs with a dark crevice.

Like a scene from a comedic holoshow, you all peek your heads out a nearby boulder.

"Are you guys sure there's some in there?" Arezoo asks the tuk'ata also, with the exception of Yang's, poking their heads out from the behind the rock.

The big beast nods, careful to not make any loud noise.

You raise a hand to your chin.

It would be smart to flush the Shyrack out into open space where you'd have more room and visual cues to manuever with. You could sneak in and take them unaware, but you have no light on you, and the others aren't attuned to the force to fight blind with it. There's also the matter of roles to consider.

>[ ] "Alright, I'll run in, get their attention, and run out. The three of you jump in to flank when I turn around to face them."
>[ ] "Dear Arezoo, walk into the cave entrance and do your usual noisy thing."
>[ ] "Do you boys think you can make enough noise to attract their attention?"
>[ ] "Let's head in. Naziha, take point: you're the expert scavenger here."
>[ ] Come out. There are fresh t'akatan pups you can eat here.
>[ ] Write In.

>>4318247
>[X] "Alright, I'll run in, get their attention, and run out. The three of you jump in to flank when I turn around to face them."

>>4318247
>>[X] "Dear Arezoo, walk into the cave entrance and do your usual noisy thing."

It's not cruelty but she needs to toughen up and kinda painted a target on herself

>>4318263
Dear arezoo, make your noises and draw them back here.

Bog rat and cat, get hidden and when the daft degenerate comes running past us, we attack the swarm.
Force or physical, just deck them. I think we have basic lightning which should be flashy enough to scare them into disarray.

>>4318336
I mean, if they are batlike they might not get that confused by the lightning, as they won't notice the light and there's no sonic boom from Sith lightning.

Also, I was thinking. If at the end of it we do want to keep out trio around there may be loopholes we can use.
the rule as stated is that only one person can graduate from this pod, right? And that is assumed to be the last man standing.

What might happen, in theory, if we got the ones who do end up impressing us expelled and thrown out of the academy and then claimed by ourselves?
We're already training them, they're already reliant on us and if we had agents/servants who were force users without technically being part of the Sith order they'd have nothing to gain by betraying us... In fact they'd probably be reliant on our goodwill/patronage not to be hunted down and killed for being rogue force users.

It'd be a win-win, they get to live and we get servants... And as a bonus we get to engage in some long term planning and scheming, which is always good fun.

>>4318387
If they all survive to the end, they join the workforce in the academy.

If we genuinely want to keep them around, we can induct them as retainers to the feraxus household, ie personal servants, thusly circumventing their losing performance. Or just straight say "they are coming with me, anyone want to oppose the ruling of the wraths son?"

That being said, I dont see much use taking them with us. Having them here could yield some nice insider information and eyes around a place that a lot of lords go to gain apprentices

>>4318387
As for lightning, it isn't the light that we are looking for. It's the heat, pain and ease with which a lightning torrent can leap from person to person in a small area.

>>4318434
Yea, but we're not exactly the most skilled lightning and so I wouldn't guarantee that we're able to create chain lightning style effects... I'd say we'd be much better off using simple telekinetic powers, not only could it blast a fair few of them but if they do use echolocation it might actually mess with the sound waves they emit. Depending on how the evil space magic works.

>>4318464
Fair enough. We are better with telekinetics than lightning anyway.

>Telekinesis Roll
>DC12
>+3 Modifier/Additive +6 if potency is used

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>4318782
Lets go standard lads, we need a 9.

I like to think that between three of us we can make it.

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>4318782

Well shit, we need 2v or xiu to save us now.

It occurs to me that we could have used mind spells.

If there isnt a third in 20ish minutes, I'll roll again for the third.

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>4318782

>>4318951
Absolute save!

Rolling closed; writing now.

File: shyrack.jpg (57 KB, 500x469)

57 KB JPG

>[X] "Dear Arezoo, walk into the cave entrance and do your usual noisy thing."
>[X] Disorient the coming wave of Shyrack with telekinesis.
>Telekinesis Roll
>DC12
>+3 Modifier
>Rolled 9 + 3 = 12
>Success!

Ms degenerate needs to toughen up for what's likely to come for all of you. She won't be in too much mortal danger with that giant Sith dog of hers. The woman just has to muster up some courage. The Force knows a little fearlessness can take someone a long ways: it certainly brought you far from where you started.

"Dear Arezoo, walk into the cave entrance and do your usual noisy thing."

The girl looks up at you. "...What?"

"Go over there and make some noise to draw them out."

"Why me?"

You scoff. "Other than why not, you're the one person in this group who wouldn't. Going to have to get some fire in the pink belly of yours."

Whining, the girl walks out from the boulder.

Her big boy runs out in front of her not even a second after, tripping her on top of his back.

The three of you left behind watch as the beast takes off towards the cave with a screaming Zeltron on its back.

"...Does that count as fire in her belly?" Yang asks.

Shaking your head, you hop to the top of the rock and center yourself.

A dozen seconds pass by before the big tuk'ata spins back around, fleeing a small swarm of alchemized bats.

They're floating in the air one second and flopping to the ground the next as you use the Force to push against their fragile wings.

You spring at them and crush ones head with your hands alone.

Naziha follows your lead, springing to and from the boulder at the nearest shyrack with her practice saber. Yang does the same while Arezoo's beast pounces on a recovering one. Ms Pinky rolls off her boy by a shyrack, screams, grabs it by the back of the head, and drives her practice saber's tip into its eye.

Crossing your arms, you watch your acolytes and even their littlest of pets stab, slice, chomp, nibble, and purr their way to victory.

Now if only all were ready to do the same to other people.

>[ ] "Do you want me to twist your mind into something more Sithy? It will only wear off if you want it to."
>[ ] "I feel like I need to introduce your pink self to my... acquittance. She'll straighten you out."
>[ ] "Time for you all to learn how to skin and prepare an animal."
>[ ] "Seriously, big guy, what was that?"
>[ ] "Well, you at least did something."
>[ ] Write In.

>>4319395
>You all need to learn how to skin and prepare an animal
>Analyse the bats
>Pinky, you are frankly a disgrace. I'm going to give you this offer once, do you want me to make some adjustments to your mind to make you adapt?

She either accepts or she refuses. No need to force the issue here because if she refuses then at least she has some backbone. No pussy footing around, plain understanding of what we are going to do. Sith her may also be a danger to us....so maybe add in some undying loyalty to us as deep as we can reach, loyalty not obsession, please not more mad women.

>>4319395
>[X] "Well, you at least did something."
>[X] "Time for you all to learn how to skin and prepare an animal."
>[X] Analyze the bats.

I don't feel like we should call her a disgrace or offer to twist her mind.
She can either learn the hard way, get helped by her peers/tuk'ata, or die.

>>4319432
>>4319532
Would you two like time to debate this or should I coin flip?

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>becomus a sithus

>well, you dindu nuffin

>[X] "Time for you all to learn how to skin and prepare an animal."
>[X] Analyze the bats
>[X] "Pinky, you're not cut out for this. I'm going to give you this offer only once, do you want me to make adjustments to your mind?"

There comes a time in everyone's life where they must learn to defend and provide for themselves. While not exactly that, this covers exactly one of those things. You also have more alchemically manipulated genetic material to work with here too. You'll have to try and fix your broken acolyte after.

"Time for you all to learn how to skin and prepare an animal."

Naziha raises an eyebrow. "Here? In the desert where that'd attract predators?"

"Obviously we're going to take them back with us."

"A bit more than we can carry, isn't there?" Yang speaks up, prodding one of the twitching Shyrack's corpse.

"You do realize I can use the Force to lift them all up with me, right?"

"...Oh, right."

You walk to the nearest bat-like creature, crouch down, and place your hand on it.

The ever complex acid that acts almost like blueprints lays itself out before your mind.

Humming, you remove your hand from the creature, having seen the alchemical influence.

Arezoo caresses the ugly bald head of one.

You shake your head as you walk up to her. "Pinky, you're not cut out for this. I'm going to give you this offer only once, do you want me to make adjustments to your mind?"

"...What?" She rises and furrows her brow.

"I can alter your mind to make you slightly different or an entirely different person. Despite seeming complicated, it's actually pretty easy. Only thing hard about it is the altered subject trying to break out of the implanted traits, thought patterns, and overall personality."

"So you'd turn me into Naziha?"

You tilt your head from side to side. "If that's what you want."

"...No." Arezoo shakes her head. "You'd just be killing me completely and utterly: a death beyond death where I can't even die as myself. Even if it scares me, I'd rather die as myself than some fake person who wears my face."

A hum chimes in your throat.

She has a spine after all.

>[ ] "Something tells me if you survive this you'll be one of the absolute strangest Sith to ever exist."
>[ ] "Maybe if you weren't a degenerate, we could've been friends in different circumstances."
>[ ] "Up and at 'em, we're going to eat well for an entire weak."
>[ ] "Actually, we are skinning and preparing them here."
>[ ] "I'm going to go find us some kindling."
>[ ] Write In.

>>4319948
>[X] "Something tells me if you survive this you'll be one of the absolute strangest Sith to ever exist."
>[X] "Up and at 'em, we're going to eat well for an entire weak."

>>4319948
>[X] "Up and at 'em, we're going to eat well for an entire week."
>[X] Write In. Compliment Arezoo for standing up for herself

If we are trying to foster some manner of backbone in her it'd be just as important to point out when she performs well as when she disappoints.

>>4319975
I'm for praise as well.

sleepy sleepy update when can, man

>>4319975
+1

>>4319975
I will support.

And tossing on my own idea, lets move away from the cliffs and then field strip our prize in the desert. More predators is merely more chances to test ourselves

Nice to see that people are agreeing with me, and yea I think it makes a lot of sense because what she said is literally calling upon the Sith code here. She is making an argument of self actualization, of freedom to do as she pleases even if it is ultimately self destructive.

In fact she is being a very good Sith by rejecting an outside force attempting to influence her to better fit into a community (*cough* the Jedi *cough*) and choosing to be the master of her own fate. This is what it means to be Sith; to be strong enough that none can take that freedom away from you.

>>4320140
The sith code can also make for a case of "the strong survive, the weak die" in which the better choice is to accept the power that comes from having your identity altered.

Personally, I see the dilemma here as one which her reasoning is more important than the answer. If it wasn't fear of us and our alterations that made her refuse, good job, you have just made your own choice. If it was fear of losing her empathy then bad degenerate, letting fear rule you.

>>4320171
Yes, and she acknowledged the very fact that she is likely going to die the moment we met her.
The weak will die, the strong will live and she knows she is weak.

But here we did not offer her power, we did that the moment we begun training all of these individuals, and to their credit they have all tried to overcome their weakness in that.

But here we did not offer her power, we offered conformity. We offered nothing but to shackle her, to drag in the code again, to our worldview in the faint hope that she might maybe survive and instead she chose freedom. Freedom to die, yes, but what Sith would live a slave?

>>4320178
Most of the cunning ones. There is a reason that many of the greatest rises to power are founded on the death of their masters.

But eh, let's make some breakfast and get to work on training.

Voting closed; writing now.

How you dooin'?

>>4320433
Pretty cool man, watching some first season nuwho. 9th doctor, it's good shit.

Also looking over our "Uberskills" and working out their wording. For example, the "formless" skill removes the modifier up to the skill we learn it for both ourselves and the enemy. So there are two ways this can be ruled, either it's Rank - formless rank = modifier.
Or it is rank > formless = no removal of modifier while rank < formless = usage nullified.

I think the first interpretation is right, but either works.

>>4320433
All good mate, now that the sun has set and I'm no longer melting. Also glad to have caught you after reading up on the quest

>[X] "Up and at 'em, we're going to eat well for an entire week."
>[X] "You put your foot down and decided to stick to a path. That alone shows you've made some progress."
>[X] "Something tells me if you survive this you'll be one of the absolute strangest Sith to ever exist."

You could camp out here for breakfast, but the scathing sun tends to make enjoying cooked meat difficult. Better to cook inside where you have actual tools to work with. Ms. Degenerate is owed a compliment for her surprise fortitude before you go on with things. Really, she surprised you with that.

"Up and at 'em, we're going to eat well for an entire week." You lift up several of the Shyrack with the Force.

"...Did I make you mad?" Arezoo asks, dragging one of her own bat-like creatures.

Shaking your head, you hum a 'nuh-uh.' "You put your foot down and decided to stick to a path. That alone shows you've made some progress."

"Oh..." The alien's eyes glitter as her usual smile returns to her face. "Thank you!"

You blink. "Something tells me if you survive this you'll be one of the absolute strangest Sith to ever exist."

A happy tune thrums in the woman's throat as she puts the shyrack on her tuk'ata's back before following you and the others back to the Academy.

The four of you receive odd looks when you arrive back at the garrison but are uninterrupted in your journey to the cafeteria kitchens.

For about an hour, you show and instruct your dear acolytes in skinning, disemboweling, and carving what you hope are scrumptious pieces of alchemized bat-like animal meat.

The next half hour the four of you spend turning the intestines into succulent sausages, fatty back into scrumptious bacon, and putting your all protein breakfast on plates.

You pour your acolytes' cups full of Imperial fruit nutrient juice mix before sitting down among them yourself.

If only your father was here to see your motley little crew of acolytes.

>[ ] "...My father is having all of us, but mostly me, go through these trials for some reason. I can't for the life of me understand what that is."
>[ ] "Do you wonder maybe we've been brought together for a reason?"
>[ ] "I am going to miss you all after I kill you."
>[ ] "A part of me is ashamed I've already eaten."
>[ ] "Up for more training after this?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>4320716
>Hmm, anyone have insights into how these trials serve a purpose?
>I'm going to be disappointed if you died after all this.
>What do you all know of the sith power base?

Give them a little bit of background on how powerful the old siths are and explain that he ancient sith have two means of power. Then we can take them to train alchemy away from prying eyes

>>4320738
+1

Voting closed; writing now.

>>4320716
>>4320738
supporting

>[X] "...My father is having all of us, but mostly me, go through these trials for some reason. I can't for the life of me understand what that is."
>[X] "It'd be disappointing if you died after all this."
>[X] "What do you all know of the Sith ways? The way we form power bases and use the Dark Side of the Force?"

>(1/2)

Really, this trial of yours is more like a vacation than something you need to advance as whatever you are now. Maybe your old man was just running out of ideas that pertained in putting you within an arm's reach of death. He couldn't have so elaborately set this all up if it was his intention for you to make these misfits into your acolytes.

"...My father is having all of us, but mostly me, go through these trials for some reason. I can't for the life of me understand what that is."

Naziha hums a purr-like hum, chewing on some tender bat bacon. "I've heard you single-handedly excavated the tomb of Tulak Hord. Created a massive boulder they're calling 'The Archeologist's Rock.' Maybe he wanted you to explore?"

"Wait, they're calling it that?" You cluck your tongue. "Should've just called it mine then; idiotic slaves."

"Maybe he wanted to see what you'd do?" Yang speaks up. "Gauge your patience for doing something you're painfully beyond the league of? Preparing you for a real test that'd last a year or years?"

You tilt your head from side to side.

It could very well be that, knowing your father. Still unlike him to be so indirect and time-wasting. That's something more along your precious new mistress' lines. Although, what Yang said doesn't seem entirely implausible: he could be gauging you for something.

>(2/2)

"Your father is a distant man, isn't he?" Arezoo asks, breaking you out of your thoughts.

Nodding, you raise an eyebrow at her.

"It's in the way you interact with us... How you don't like people getting physically close to you... Why you don't consider anyone a friend here that isn't an animal. Your family is the only real company you've ever had, huh?"

"...Yeah."

Yang's eyes dart from you to Arezoo and Naziha. "This just got oddly personal."

Sighing, you close your eyes. "It'd be disappointing if you died after all this."

"Aww, that's his way of saying he likes us," Ms. Degenerate says.

Naziha thumps her over the head, drawaing a yelp. "Don't push it."

"What do you all know of the Sith ways?" You ask, changing the subject. "The way we form power bases and use the Dark Side of the Force?"

"Killing, extorting, bribing, creating a rapport with officials in power, forming cults centered around yourself, literally brainwashing people with the Force, and just getting in bed with the right people in general," your surprising loyal and knowledgeable kitty cat says.

"Been having conversations with Tremel?"

"No, just seen more than enough of that part of the Sith lifestyle back on Taris."

A low hum rumbles in your throat.

Well at least one of your disciples understands something.

>[ ] "The ancient arts, alchemy and sorcery, have made themselves known to me. I'll teach you sometime."
>[ ] "Do you wonder maybe we've been brought together for a reason?"
>[ ] "A part of me is ashamed I've already eaten."
>[ ] "Up for more training after this?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>4321184
>[X] "The ancient arts, alchemy and sorcery, have made themselves known to me. I'll teach you sometime."
>[X] "Do you wonder maybe we've been brought together for a reason?"
>[X] "Up for more training after this?"
The Force works in mysterious ways.

Getting late. Will close voting and update tomorrow when I can.

>>4321190
Support, though don't mention "known to ME"

>>4321369
>>4321190
Now that I am not up at an ungodly time in the morning, a bit of fluffing up.

"That is how the modern sith build their power base, from which they can strike and attack and gather and defend. But the sith are Antiluvian, the ancient masters far outstrip the modern means, Tulak Hord for example was that great a sith that he faced an army of jedi alone and slew them all.
But back to the point, the ancient greats had two special means of forming power which have been lost to the new, that of Alchemy and sorcery. None living save maybe the emperor is a master in these things, with the art of alchemy being held by only two lords, one of which rules on the council, while sorcery is lost properly."

>lean in slightly, shiteating grin optional.
"So do you want to learn some alchemy?"

>>4322035
Change that last part to "I will teach you alchemy" and I'm in. your version just seems so very relaxed and informal compared to the history lesson.

>>4322146
Fair catch.

"I'm going to teach you some alchemy." sound better?

>>4322185
Much better indeed, sorry for being a bother but I've quite grown to like the characterization of Magnus and the scars his upbringing has left

( For an example just look at the last post, instead of saying "I hope you don't die" he centers the viewpoint on himself "It'd be disappointing if you die".
Actually I think the only time we gave any of them a choice in anything was when we tested Azeroo)

Voting closed; writing now.

>>4322204
I do like his characterization as well, but I'm not the author so I do hope that is taken into consideration when measuring up the writing, but no bother it is.

As of the last post as well, The empath is really rather perceptive. Our actions and thoughts in contrast with the others vs Pierce is rather telling of what we could have ended up like if we had a less...Uhh...yeah, upbringing. Partly why Nox is also really strange to see, since we are effectively boiled down to a moody teenager around her due to the fact we can't actually establish our usual "Do not touch me, stay well away" attitude.

As a side thought, I did consider suggesting giving tremel a lesson or two about alchemy but then I remembered that though spreading the art is a good idea, maybe we should not do so publicly or often as to an overseer.

>>4322224
I agree with that line of thinking, yea,
the overseers can do it themselves, they're Sith and should be expected to act as such. Nono, our secrets are ours to share with our acolytes as we choose and please.

>[X] "Do you wonder maybe we've been brought together for a reason?"
>[X] Long good speech of sorts.

Despite being non-sentient, the Force has a subconscious will of sorts. Visions of the future are often had by those who use it for their own ends. Your father defeating Baras was practically destiny. Who's to say this isn't either? Also, you need to pass along some of the lost arts if you're going to reintroduce them to your 'people.'

"Do you wonder maybe we've been brought together for a reason?"

Naziha raises a kitty eyebrow. "You mean brought together by fate?"

You nod.

"Well, this is all kind of too convenient to be just a coincidence, isn't it?" Yang says.

"Stranger things have happened in life within this galaxy.." Arezoo sips her glass of nutrient juice mix. "It could be or it couldn't be."

A sigh escapes your lips.

You'll never know for sure, like a lot of things in life.

Turning to your resident cat person, you clear your throat. "What you said is more or less how modern Sith establish their power." You turn your attention to the group. "Now more than ever, Sith are advancing by nepotism and politics rather than power, knowledge, or merit. The ancient masters could slaughter Jedi by the thousands. The thousands. Through sheer martial power and the ancient arts, sorcery and alchemy."

"You mean what we're doing now isn't actually magic?" Yang asks in-between sausage bites.

"More or less. I know some of both, but I'm not a master. Planning on teaching you all after this. It's not as dangerous or hard as our other training, but you should still be prepared."

The munching faces of your acolytes steel themselves in an adorably odd manner.

You resist the urge to laugh.

They'll all be the strangest Sith if they make it out of this.

>[ ] "Since you're fond of mind reading, why don't you dissect Yang's mind, Pinky?"
>[ ] "You're going to be hunting other acolytes soon enough."
>[ ] "Do any of you know any big names around here yet?"
>[ ] "If you'll excuse me, I have a mistress to see."
>[ ] "What do you think of your first hunt?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>4322692
>[X] "Do any of you know any big names around here yet?"

>>4322692
>Do you know any of the big names yet?
>Try dissecting Yangs mind pinky.
>What do you know of the other acolytes now? You would be served well by knowing your prey.

Voting closed; writing now.

File: scaled degenerate.jpg (244 KB, 700x1008)

244 KB JPG

>[X] "Since you're fond of mind reading, why don't you dissect Yang's mind, Pinky?"
>[X] "Do any of you know any big names around here yet? It's good to know your competition and who you should be making friends with."

You're due a little amusement after that rather uncomfortable dissection of your family dynamic's effect on your personality. Time for your maybe-friend to squirm in his fresh bandages for once. After you've had your fun, you should check in to see what they're learning independent of you. Someone who can't learn on their own isn't cut out to be a Sith.

"Since you're fond of mind reading, why don't you dissect Yang's mind, Pinky?"

The Huttese Bog-Rat blinks as the degenerate turns to him.

"He's... uncomfortable around us. He doesn't know what to do here, what to think of it, or how to feel." Arezoo hums. "...I'm not picking up anything else." She tilts her head. "How do you do that?"

Mr. Yang washes down his sausage bits with his fruit juice mix.

Laughing, you look the orphan in the eye. "He has the most potential out of you all, not that he's progressing more. I think he would if he was actually into becoming a Sith or harnessing the Force."

"Really?" Naziha asks, giving the young man a side-glance.

The man sets down his glass, picks up his bat bacon, and bites into its savory goodness.

"Do any of you know any big names around here yet?" You ask, changing the subject. "It's good to know your competition and who you should be making friends with."

"Shiva, a Zabrak from our cluster of acolytes, is said to have killed three others in secret with her bare hands." Arezoo answers.

Naziha nods. "Heard about her. Some 'Jaffaleq' is the talk of the entire academy though: he's from a different group and been around for half a year now."

"He's that scaly lizard guy." Yang speaks up.

You blink. "Oh yeah, the Trandoshan. I heard about him killing other acolytes in the tombs under the guise of k'lor'slug attacks the last time I was on Korriban. Tallying kills for the Scorekeeper of his people most likely."

"Scorekeeper?"

"Goddess of theirs that kept track of kills, hunts, and other achievements. Jagannath points I think they call it. Determines their place in what they believe is the afterlife."

Arezoo raises an eyebrow. "What kind of people thinks killing others will give them salvation beyond this life?"

"Trandoshans apparently." You scoff. "This galaxy is filled with degenerate species with equally degenerate cultures like that."

If only you could rid them of your people's misery along with the degenerates of your species.

>[ ] "I've actually communicated with spirits of the Force: turns out you just exist in a dream-like state for eternity after you die. Can't say it sounds that bad."
>[ ] "...Say, who's apprentice is he lined up to be?"
>[ ] "So that's all the ones you've heard about?"
>[ ] "How do you know about him, Yang?"
>[ ] Wait for them to be done, it'd be rude to interrupt their breakfast.
>[ ] Write In.

>>4322961
>[X] "I've actually communicated with spirits of the Force: turns out you just exist in a dream-like state for eternity after you die. Can't say it sounds that bad."
>[X] "So that's all the ones you've heard about?"
>[X] "How do you know about him, Yang?"

>>4322961
>[X] "I've actually communicated with spirits of the Force: turns out you just exist in a dream-like state for eternity after you die. Can't say it sounds that bad."
>[X] "So that's all the ones you've heard about?"

Voting closed; writing now.

>tfw your big sis is getting married
>tfw your reaction is "Fucking finally" instead of disbelief
weird timeline

>[X] "I've actually communicated with spirits of the Force: turns out you just exist in a dream-like state for eternity after you die. Can't say it sounds that bad."
>[X] "So that's all the ones you've heard about?"
>[X] "How do you know about him, Yang?"

No harm in telling them to get rid of whatever underlying existential anxiety they have. You didn't fear death or the prospect of oblivion before you found out the spirits haunting the Sith tombs were the real things. The degenerate's fear is more about dying than non-existance but still: the thought should be comforting.

"I've actually communicated with spirits of the Force: turns out you just exist in a dream-like state for eternity after you die. Can't say it sounds that bad."

Karimi hum-purrs. "Sounds like it's own kind of Hell in a way... Pretty much every afterlife seems like it'd be Hell in some manner."

"A part of it is comforting and a part of it is horrifying." Pinkie sips her juice. "I guess I'm fine with some part of me existing after the end of my life."

You raise an eyebrow at a silent Yang.

The young man raises his gaze to yours and blinks.

"Well, what do you think?"

"...I don't really care so long as my life in this galaxy inevitably ends."

A hum murmurs in your throat.

You thought that'd be his answer.

Turning back to the group as a whole, you cluck your tongue. "So that's all the ones you've heard about?"

"I mean, there are other people outside our group that are up and comers but there's nothing concrete about them." Naziha answers. "There's apparently this one-eyed alien who eats the acolytes he kills, a bone-faced alien who bows and prays to every Sith staff member as they pass by, a pureblood that's awfully polite to us alien peasants, some twi'lek whore who sleeps with acolytes before or while she kills them, and eye-less twins who feel...empty."

"Scaly face is the only one who's really bonafide." Mr. Orphan adds.

"How do you know about him, Yang?"

"A big name acolyte or two came in with wounds he caused."

You raise an eyebrow.

It might be worth looking into all of them with the exception of the whore degenerate, who you want to die in a fire.

>[ ] "You know, some of the native wildlife are actually possessed by dead Sith."
>[ ] "A polite pureblood? This I've got to hear and see for myself."
>[ ] "Eye-less twins... Who and what exactly are they?"
>[ ] "...Say, who's apprentice is he lined up to be?"
>[ ] Wait for them to be done, it'd be rude to interrupt their breakfast.
>[ ] Write In.

>>4323342
>[X] "You know, some of the native wildlife are actually possessed by dead Sith."
>[X] Wait for them to be done, it'd be rude to interrupt their breakfast.