Myriad Reckonings

ChieTheWriter · 2024-05-09T15:24:30Z

The moonlight glistened on the surface of Atoa's moon. It was cold, the planet and her moons were so far from their sun that they were forever cold. But there was little moisture on this moon to freeze. It was even colder at night, but Sirejj preferred the shadows. His bright green eyes could see well in the dark. And this exploration must be quick and silent, for he was being hunted. Hunted by two or three this time, he supposed. They had somehow discovered that magic wasn't the only power he could wield. Magic was a part of the force, but it was not the brutish, violent Dark Side to which these crude Sith were accustomed. It was a delicate, beautiful, but dangerous strength that destroyed the minds of an opponent rather than snapping their neck. The Sith seemed to enjoy that practice specifically. Imperials. Always poking their noses where they don't belong. This was a sacred place, where magic flowed from deep within the moon. But it wasn't a power that the Empire understood, only one they'd heard of. He knew these inquisitors, being the mindless lurker hounds they were, knew nothing of the beauty of this moon, no. They were after their target. After him. The wielders of magic had been stamped out almost has fiercely as the Jedi since the beginning of the Empire's reign, even before. Anything that the Empire could not control, it eradicated. It had been close to a decade since the appearance of the inquisitors, but their numbers had exploded. Never in all of his knowledge of history could he think of a time where so many Sith crawled around the galaxy, hunting and killing by order of their master. So much for there only being two. Though if he remembered correctly, there was never a number mentioned in their code of conduct. When the shadows had become long and dark enough for his liking, Sirejj moved from his hiding place and headed out on foot. He could feel the turmoil beneath his feet. This entire system had a history, and not a kind one. Even the moons remembered the battles that were fought here. But deep in these caves was said to be great knowledge of magic, and perhaps relics and items of power to add to his collection. Though he rarely took sacred items, there were some things that were not meant to be taken. All he needed was a few moments, and then he would be out and back to his ship and gone from Imperial sights once again. ~~ "I've got eyes on him. He just entered the caves." The inquisitor stood up and stretched. They'd been laying there some time waiting for Sirejj to enter the cave. They'd scouted and discovered that this small cave system, used in ancient days as a sacred place for the priests in the system, had only one way in or out. "Get up." He turned and delivered a kick into the side of one of his companions, who'd dozed off on the rocks. With a snarl he rose. "You'll get a saber in your ribs if you boot me like that again, you hear?" "Enough fighting." The third inquisitor stepped forward and leapt over their small rocky hideout and began walking towards the caves. "Let's go have a talk with our new friend." She laughed. "I'll wager he'd make a better inquisitor than the both of you combined." "If you'd like to test that theory, Sister, feel free to face him alone." The first hissed. "He doesn't even carry a saber. He knows nothing of our power. We'll easily take him down if he puts up a fight." With that the three of them took off at a fast clip, making their way to the cave. @Ljungtroll

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Sat May 18, 2024 4:37 pm

Ljungtroll says... · Sat May 18, 2024 4:37 pm

Spoiler

Hemlock is such an important antagonist because he encapsulates everything wrong with the Republic and the Empire's treatment of the clones. Tarkin embodies the fascism of the Empire and the colonist agenda, but Hemlock is a different monster entirely.

"Ha! If only." Tarkin set down his glass of wine. "I swear half the meetings I attend every week are petty pissing matches."

"I'm sure you're far above all that, Wil," Gideon said primly, reaching for the wine bottle to pour himself some.

"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik

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Sat May 18, 2024 4:52 pm

ChieTheWriter says... · Sat May 18, 2024 4:52 pm

Spoiler

In a way he's more terrifying. He simply has no sense of morality, he just calmly does the most abhorrent things in the world and then acts like it's nothing. Somehow that's worse than Tarkin's genocide. Tarkin at least believes in a cause of some kind. Hemlock needs no excuse to do what he does.

The imperials originally being pretty much space nazis is fitting. Hemlock is just a terrifying part of it we never really saw before (on screen) with all the other villains.

"And still there remains disorder." Sirejj mused. There was never going to be answers so long as short-sighted senators were left to make decisions, bickering Jedi councils, or Sith so jealous for power they would destroy themselves reaching for it.

A galaxy was not so easily controlled. A planet was simple. Luckily, his was primarily interested in the fate of one world, not the rest of the universe. It would be next to impossible for one entity to control it all.

Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. - The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

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Sat May 18, 2024 5:02 pm

Ljungtroll says... · Sat May 18, 2024 5:02 pm

Spoiler

I would say Hemlock's cause is science. He's a person driven by the desire to advance society in some way, to push boundaries that haven't been pushed before. It's difficult for me to say that's worse than destroying an entire planet full of people--they represent different sides of the same power hungry coin. It's just one of them exercises control on a macro scale and the other on a micro scale.

Indeed, but not for long, Tarkin thought. So long as the money kept coming in.

"I do wish we got a little more training in the political side of things," Gideon said with a sigh. "Strange that Mother and Father were so adamant about the militant aspects of ruling when the social game is equally important."

"The social game was our responsibility," Tarkin pointed out. "Jova couldn't be expected to know everything." Why would Gideon bring that up in front of a stranger? He reached for the wine, but Gideon held it out to Sirejj instead.

"It's just strange, is all," his brother went on. "If they wanted us to succeed, why would they only give us some of the tools to do so?"

"We're a family with military ties, Gideon. It's natural they'd foster those skills over others. But that's enough, I think."

"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik

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Sat May 18, 2024 5:22 pm

ChieTheWriter says... · Sat May 18, 2024 5:22 pm

Spoiler

they are different and yet the same. If Hemlock thought it would benefit his science to nuke a planet he probably would though

also, I totally forgot Maul made an appearance in Solo and referenced Dathomir and all that. Do we even consider Solo canon? I forgot most of that movie for a reason haha. Apparently there's a whole story between what happened with Maul on Mandalore and when Ezra finds him on Malachor.

Sirejj gladly took it and poured himself some. There was not much left after the Tarkin brothers were through with it.

He wondered why Tarkin was so guarded witheverything. If he'd have been solving a mystery for Gideon, he'd have already gathered all of the necessary information and been well on his way to completing the mission. Their family history was interesting, but Sirejj had no interest in using it against him, unless the need arose.

Family. That was an uncomfortable subject, he agreed with Tarkin. He set his jaw when those memories crossed his mind.

Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. - The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

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Sat May 18, 2024 5:31 pm

Ljungtroll says... · Sat May 18, 2024 5:31 pm

Spoiler

Yeah I remember that! I really enjoyed Solo. I kinda wish they'd given more background

"It just puzzles me." Gideon finished off his glass. "You're damned lucky Palpatine took you under his wing. Think about where you'd be now." His brow furrowed. "Where we'd all be now. Eriadu would have suffered, I think."

Tarkin steepled his fingers. "Eriadu would have done as it always does and thrived under adverse conditions. You give me too much credit."

"Do I?" Gideon raised his eyebrows. "You're the one that made it essential to the Core. You got rid of the pirates, you put us on the map. And now you're one of the important people in the entire galaxy."

"Have some water, Gideon, why don't you." Tarkin slid the pitcher over to him. "Thin out your blood, little brother."

"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik

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Sat May 18, 2024 5:51 pm

ChieTheWriter says... · Sat May 18, 2024 5:51 pm

Spoiler

I felt like it could have been done better but I need to rewatch it. Watching the sequels killed a lot of interest I had in SW so everything after that was kinda meh till they revamped clone wars and the bad batch and all that.

I'm hanging onto hope we get some more dathomir content. Maul's story is an interesting one. It's almost tragic, since him ending up a Sith was literally Sideous orchestrating a horrible life that drove him to the dark side and then to being his apprentice. I feel like Obi Wan saw that even through all the horrible things Maul did and why Maul finally found peace knowing Luke would eventually help orchestrate Sideous' demise. (One of the reasons why the sOmEhOw pAlpAtInE rEtUrNeD thing is so irritating is because it kinda ruins the Skywalker/Chosen one thing)

Sideous is really the worst of them all. If they ever cross paths with the emperor in this RP or even contact him with a hologram, it'll probably freak Sirejj out a little. And I can imagine Sideous being suspicious of him since his bridges burned with the Dathomiri long ago, but not before he learned much of the Nightsister magicks.

Sirejj watched the discourse, sipping his wine. Brothers. A familiar and yet so distant concept. He looked towards the windows and watched the lights of the rest of the city flicker through the darkness. He remained in thought for a moment before coming back to the conversation.

Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. - The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

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Sat May 18, 2024 5:56 pm

Ljungtroll says... · Sat May 18, 2024 5:56 pm

Spoiler

Oh for absolute sure--Sidious is gonna be scary any time he shows up. I'd bet he'll try and peek at Sirejj's mind a bit.

I can never forgive the sequels for what they did to Luke and Sidious as characters. What they did to EVERYONE.

"I'm only paying you a compliment," Gideon said snippily, accepting the pitcher.

"Compliments are never compliments when they come from you." Tarkin got to his feet. "I'll see you tomorrow, Gideon. Sirejj?"

"Fancy a bit of hunting in the next couple days?" Gideon asked.

"I'm afraid I'll be otherwise occupied."

"Ah, yes. Lassa mentioned something about that."

Tarkin stopped short and turned to look at his brother, shoulders stiff. "She what?"

Gideon shook his head. "Sorry, sorry, your business is your business. Go off in a huff like you wanted to."

"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik

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Sat May 18, 2024 6:06 pm

ChieTheWriter says... · Sat May 18, 2024 6:06 pm

Spoiler

let's just pretend they didn't happen.

Sidious would definitely try, and Sirejj is further freaked out by the fact Sidious just casually knows how to look into his mind. He's used the magicks for a long time to hide from Sith and Jedi alike, so Sidious understanding the magicks he's hidden behind for so long is super disturbing to him. He would be real bothered by that encounter.

One of his greatest fears when he was young was being taken by a sith or jedi, like what had happened to several others of his kind. Jedi, Sith, and other powerful people liked to use Dathomir as a supplier of dangerous servants, and he was not about to be subjected to that. That was sort of the beginning of his hatred of both Sith and Jedi and why he refuses to wield a saber.

Sirejj raised an eyebrow at that comment. He stood up to follow Tarkin.

"Perhaps some other time." He nodded his head to Gideon. "I hear the hunts here are thrilling."

Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. - The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

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Sat May 18, 2024 6:09 pm

Ljungtroll says... · Sat May 18, 2024 6:09 pm

Spoiler

Sidious may very well try to pull Sirejj over to his side somehow.

"That's a word for it." Gideon wrinkled his nose. "It's only thrilling in the hunting grounds. The Carrion is a fucking nightmare."

"My brother prefers tamed adversaries," Tarkin said dryly. "Come along." He headed for the doors, fuming in silence. He'd have to have words with his wife about secrecy and the risks of sharing their investigation with Gideon. Why would she tell him anything? Why did they talk at all?

"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik

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Sat May 18, 2024 6:16 pm

ChieTheWriter says... · Sat May 18, 2024 6:16 pm

Spoiler

And Sirejj would want nothing to do with it. If he suspected such things he would get real suspicious of the inquisitors showing back up to capture him and start looking over his shoulder. That would really knock him off balance.

"Pleasant company," Sirejj said, once they'd left the room. He couldn't resist poking the krayt sometimes. "Too bad our time is limited here."

Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. - The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

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Sat May 18, 2024 6:19 pm

Ljungtroll says... · Sat May 18, 2024 6:19 pm

Spoiler

I love that. I'll keep it in mind for potential future conflicts

"He's a disgrace," Tarkin said, allowing a little venom to creep into his voice. "Pay him no mind; he'll be of no use to you one way or another." It was bad enough Gideon had never completed the Carrion initiations and married into a disreputable family; he was a second-rate military officer and a lazy oaf who dwelled too often on his own trauma. He'd never been able to rise above it.

"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik

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Sat May 18, 2024 6:24 pm

ChieTheWriter says... · Sat May 18, 2024 6:24 pm

"Entertaining nonetheless." He chuckled. "I hope he doesn't know any of your dark imperial secrets, he might spill them to anyone over a glass of wine."

Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. - The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

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Sat May 18, 2024 6:27 pm

Ljungtroll says... · Sat May 18, 2024 6:27 pm

Tarkin gave him a sharp look. "I would watch my tongue if I were you. You forget where you are and to whom you're speaking." The unruly Dathomirian could very well end up prey if he didn't take care. There had been a few rare occasions in Tarkin history when the family had entertained themselves with more intelligent game. That hadn't been for a long while, though.

"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik

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Sat May 18, 2024 6:47 pm

ChieTheWriter says... · Sat May 18, 2024 6:47 pm

The bond between brothers is still there then, if only a bond of pride.

"Strange. My memory is usually quite sharp." The smile remained on his face but his eyes flashed at Tarkin's biting remark. He would do wise not to challenge him yet. Perhaps once they'd both completed their objectives. Sirejj was not above backstabbing if it drew him closer to his goal, and if Tarkin thought he was going to shove him around like a chained watchdog, then he was sorely mistaken.

Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. - The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

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Sat May 18, 2024 6:51 pm

Ljungtroll says... · Sat May 18, 2024 6:51 pm

Tarkin squared his shoulders, resolving not to choose this particular battle just yet. There would be time for that later. "You know," he said in lieu of arguing, "my grand-uncle has spent the majority of his life surviving out in the jungles of Eriadu. He has a habit of shooting first and asking questions later...I've seen a variety of sentient heads mounted on his cabin walls. Not a very forgiving person, my uncle, nor is he tolerant of non-humans." He glanced at Sirejj. "I'm sure he'd be eager to meet you, though." Let the Dathomirian digest that.

"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik

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