Prologue II - A Final Test (Naijix, Sindor, Zara)

[Manah]

PROLOGUE II

A FINAL TEST

(Naijix Morha, Sindor Krow and Zara Blacklight)

The Outer Rim planet of Mustafar. A dark, volcanic world of little more than dark rocks, rivers of magma and dusty ruins dating back to the Clone Wars. And yet, assembled as they were, the small group of Force users could all sense the powerful echo in the Dark Side that seemed to permeate the very planet they stood on. Yet none of them knew what they were there for yet.

Naijix, Sindor and Zara stood before the ruins alongside a lone, dark, tall and caped figure, turning its back to them. The only noise other than the distant rumbling of rocks as the ground shook once in a while and the constant flow of lava, was the regular, unnatural and eerie breathing of the dark figure's armor's life support system, as the Dark Lord of the Sith stood before them.

"It is here. We have arrived", Darth Vader said, in his dark, synthetic bass tone, turning back to look at his apprentices.

[Mephistel]

Naijix

The young togruta smiled slightly. His eyes were gazing upon the ravished landscape of laval and rocks. The dark energy flowing trough the earth and at the core of the very planet was pretty exciting. Standing there, he could feel it course trough the air around him. This place had that strange feeling of power. The young apprentice watched his master's back as they were led trough the place, until they reached their destination. This was to be their last test before they would head out there, in the big old galaxy. He wondered what the final test would be. A fight against the dark lord himself? Or perhaps the three apprentices would have to face each others? That wouldn't be surprising. Plans were already forming in his mind, but still, he waited, at the ready, eager to engage whatever task his master had for him.


--------------------------
2 in use the force, Sense surrounding, to feel my surroundings, know what's here, get a general idea of the feelings around me, what left such a dark force presence and stay alert and focus.

[Janus]

Sindor looked around, taking in his surroundings whilst allowing his mind to feel the living force around him. This place was strong in the Dark Side of the force, this wasn't particularly a problem but the force always had things to tell and he was ready to listen.

Naijix he knew had his back, they had trained together for months now, Zara however he had yet to trust. Was it the shadows of his past coming back to haunt him? Probably, but there was something about her that put him on edge.

"Master?" He asked.

He had learned during his training that Vader tended to explain things in his own time and in his own way but prompting explanations never hurt.

===============

Actions

Use the force: 7 - Sense the force

Health 3/3
Energy 7/14
Defence 5 (reflexive dodge 3, armour 2)

==============

[GPMC]

Zara Blacklight

"Errrr...
yes, that we are !"

quietly mumbling to herself she continued:
_{"But are we .. safe here ?
Forget the question, stupid question.
Vulcano.. lava..
of course we're NOT safe here.
But what good does it do us ?
Survival Test ?
I sure hope not.."}
*Mental Fortitude Test ? Now THAT I could get behind..*
She had wisely brought one of "her" light sabres with her, in case it was something else, and it likely WAS something else.
The "Dark Aura" of this place didn't bother her much, she barely noticed, especially as she was concentrating on "sealing" her mind, which she still hoped the task was...
*unlikely*
Still, for now the best she could hope for.. untill "Lord Vader" decided to .. in his infinite wisdom o_0 grace them with .. some more explenation.

---
Action 1: 3 stones to use force
-> for meagerly 2 stones effect thanks to tiresome
"shifted to defence"/"Stealth"
To "hide" her "force self"/"mind" as best as she can.. or at least a little.

In the mean time fiddling with one of her ("found") light sabers behind her back.. not yet activated though.

---
Action 2: 3 stones to social skills +3 from presence
Mostly to NOT make a bed impression despite her behaviour and thoughts.
Strong and Sassy specialty (was it?)
Not trying to become friends with Vader, but if he shares some .. "whatever they are here for reason" .. she'd be happy.
---
Health: 2/2
E-pool: 12/12
E-spend/E-Regen: 6/6

inni(agil) 5
def (physical) = 5 (Reflexive Dodge)
Mental = 1+2 = 3

OOC: "loading" the force mental shield, or her idea of one about half way through the panel, so people who "feel" will "feel" her disappear.. or at least fade some into the background "noise"

[Manah]

The Dark Lord stood there, silent for a moment, allowing his apprentices to get a feel of the Force around them. The felt death, the final throes of a large scale conflict from years ago. Murders... slaughter. This location was not only already bathed in the Dark Side long ago and to the planet's core, but it had been relatively recently the site of merciless killing ending the aforementioned conflict. This much was all Naijix was able to grasp from his feelings.

However, Sindor sensed more. Like his companions, he was aware of the planet's history, explaining their feelings as they sensed the very end of the Clone Wars, how the Confederacy of Independent Systems' leaders had been massacred in those ruins back when they were still in one piece, by a lone Darksider filled with hatred and fury. He sensed how said Darksider was none other than...

"Good", Vader said finally. "You sense it. This place... is where my former self died, allowing me to rise from the ashes... rise for the first time as a true Sith Lord", he said, not with melancholy, but with disdain and scorn, seemingly aimed at whoever he had been before. "...The man I used to be was weak, foolish. Blinded by the lies and false hopes of the Jedi. Here... that man perished at the hands of my former Master and the fires of lava."

He glanced at each of them, one by one. They sensed him search their feelings, their emotions.

"...Here, I was reborn. I deemed it an appropriate location to complete your training before sending you on your way."

[GPMC]

Zara Blacklight
**original post list in editing**

Zara complained in a monologue, which turned out to be a deliberate act of distraction, an at the same time a means to steer her comerades' feelings towards anger and action (for use against their Target Lord Vader).

Also she seemingly grudgingly, but actually amused and optimisticly, activated (one side) of her lightsaber.
Showing a darkish hue of orange.
Not unlike the planet's (lava) they're currently on.

---
Action 1: 3 stones +3 (presence) to social skills
Strong and Sassy
Rambling/distracting Vader

Action 2: 4 stones spend statecraft
Commander (option)
and tiresome (drawback)
-> to add 2 points for her comerades action "inspiring"/"pushing" their emotions and actions

===
Inni: 5
Health: 2/2
E-Reserves/E-max: 12/12
E-Spend/E-Regen: 7/6

[Janus]

Sindor changed focus, this place was strong in the dark side of the force and that didn't happen just from someone suffering a defeat, no matter how powerful that someone was. There was more to this so Sindor stretched out his consciousness, looking through the force for what more there was to see of this place.


===============

Actions

Use the force: 7 - Sense surroundings

Health 3/3
Energy 7/14
Defence 5 (reflexive dodge 3, armour 2)

==============

[Mephistel]

Naijix

From what they were told, it looked like this place was of important significance to his master. This scenery, this feeling of hatred. The very source of his master's demise and rebirth. It felt almost poetic. He certainly hoped they were not to be burn in that lava of his, but if it was drama, well, the place was well chosen. His eyes lift up toward the dark figure, he was ready to move on, but then again, he waited. Eager to prove himself, then again, what was it he needed to do in order to do so. It could easily be felt. Patience and other calm emotions that were taught to him a long time ago were long gone as he stretch his fingers toward his sabre and extended his feelings of the force around him.

-What shall be our final tast master?-

He asked.

---------------------------
3 in Use the force, sense force for any aggressive feeling, actions toward him.
3 in Meelee combat, shifted to defense, while not having his sabre in hand already, just been careful. We are talking about the dark lord after all!

[Manah]

Sindor managed to sense a bit more from the Force, namely that the planet's corruption was indeed not 'merely' from the Clone Wars and the birth of one of the most powerful Sith Lords in known history, but also due to a long history of darksiders both living and dying on the planet over thousands of years, as well as the death of many Jedi a long time ago. He was unable to get more details from it, however. The accumulation of Dark Side power over time, along with the fall of such a powerful being as Vader to it; both were responsible for the feelings he was experiencing.

"I sense unrest, aggression in you, Naijix. Use them... draw from your emotions' power", the Dark Lord said, audibly satisfied by his apprentice's readiness to fight. The young Togruta knew at that point that he had been correct in his assumptions, as Vader ignited his lightsaber, the red blade humming to life as he stared them down one after the other. "As you seem to have guessed already... your final task to complete your training is to face me. All of you... together. Show me your power, show me your skills. Work together, and prove that my trust was not misplaced. Now, come!"

[Mephistel]

Naijix

Naijix was ready, eager even to fight, and no other then the dark lord himself. This was a given chance for him to show just how strong he had gotten under his tutelage, but also a chance to test his own strenght against one of the most powerful sith lord of the galaxy, if not, the strongest. Togruta's were known for being agressive hunters and like wolves, hunted in pack. He glance toward Sindor, whom he had work and trained for a long while.

There was need to try and hide using the force, he knew his master would easily find him, so the best way to go straight for the target, but nothing was said about getting the environnement involved.

-Sindor with me! Zara, left! -

He called out, being the fastest of the group and acting as the leader of the pack. His lightsaber ignited as he went straight for his master. Of course, he didn't expect to give in a first blow, he just knew how frighteful Darth Vader's defensive skills were and he was counting on Sindor to have his back on the defense as well. Using his environnement, he looked quickly for a large rock that he could quickly lift using the force and while running straight at Vader, sent the rock toward him to create a distraction while delivering his master the first blow.

-----------------------------------------------------
3 in Use the force, telekinesis, to throw a large sized rock toward the Dark lord before I hit him with...

10 in meelee combat, +2 from pack hunter (Apply if my allies go after him as well in close quarter.) +6 from Double lightsabre. 9 to actually attack Vader, 9 shifted to defense. (+1 from Shien form)

Attack: 9
Defense: 10 (+2 from Force defense if apply.)

[Janus]

Sindor's light sabre ignited and he moved in low, just as they had practiced.

In reality they probably had less than no chance of hurting Vader, but aiming for a leg would make sure of it, even if they did make contact.

Of course he would be waiting for attacks, his defence ready and practiced over hundreds of such battles, so going all out was also not useful. You didn't hit someone where they were strongest, you waited for an opening.

===============

Actions

Use the force: (Force Field) 3

Melee Combat (Trained by Darth Vader): 9 (4 + Light Sabre 5 )

Health 3/3
Energy 5/14
Defence 12(reflexive dodge 3, armour 2, Shien/Djem So Style 1, Force Field 6)

==============

[Manah]

(OOC: Meph, please do not apply your Pack Hunter bonus to your stones allocations. I will know if it's in effect and will apply it myself if appropriate. It will be less confusing for me to do it this way, if you please.)

Before Zara could attempt her distraction tactic, Naijix already launched himself at the Dark Lord, attempting to use a Force thrown large piece of rubble as his own trick to draw his lightsaber away long enough to land a hit. Vader, however, was very much ready for it, and managed to slice the projectile in half and parry the attack, the sabers clashing as the two Form V lightsabers wielders repositioned.

Meanwhile, Zara attempted to distract the Sith lord, assisting her other companion in his own attack, allowing him to nearly strike Vader. "Hm!" the black armored warrior let out, surprised, yet backing off as he attacked Sindor and Naijix with strikes of his own. While Naijix managed to parry the attack headed his way, Sindor received a glancing blow to his shoulder. It hurt, but he wasn't out of the fight.

"Impressive. Perhaps I underestimated your teamwork... Again. Attack!" he commanded.

---

OOC: Sindor took a glancing hit to the shoulder. Take 1w of damage. Still, Vader seems pleased so far, as Naijix managed to deflect his attack whereas Sindor came quite close to hitting him.

[Janus]

Sindor swore as Vader clipped him, it hurt but that was all. It could easily have been a killing blow.

He hated being toyed with, but after all the opponents he had faced being taught by Vader the anger didn't cloud his mind, anger would never use him again, he would use it.

"Naijix, Wingmaw!"

They had worked on their routines through months of training, naming them after predatory animals. This one was special. It involved a little bit of trust but would allow Naijix to go all out in attack whilst Sindor defended him.

Sindor's force field spread out to encompass Naijix and pieces of rubble flung themselves in the path of Vader's blows, parrying the light sabre so Naijix didn't need to.

Sindor could parry with a light sabre well enough one handed but now Naijix could hit him, hard!

===============

Actions

Use the force: 10 (3 to force field applied to me, Naijix and Zara if she gets into range, telekinesis 7 + weapon mod from rubble applied to Naijix's defence)

Melee Combat (Trained by Darth Vader): 9 (1 + Light Sabre 5 ) - into my defence.

Health 2/3
Energy 0/14
Defence 15 (reflexive dodge 3, armour 2, Shien/Djem So Style 1, Force Field 3, Melee combat 6.)

==============

[GPMC]

Zara Blacklight

"Boys !
Later or sooner there's gonne be a window of opportunity open.
Don't wait for me then, and use it as best as you can!"
Her eyes firmly fixated on her target she held her lightsaber in what seemed like an impracticle angle, but as it grew a blade on the other side as well it was clear why.
This ONE weapon was more then that, with one side ready to block an attack it could at the same time be used to strike back.
Basicly using the "force" that was thrown at it on one side to benefit her own offence on the other side.
But that look a bit of efford, an possibly more "training" then Zara had till now.
But she didn't seem very worried about that.
Focused, was a better word to discribe her feelings.

She still was at a decent distance, and that distance was well calculated.
More then just "lucky coincidence".
What her plan was however ?
Wasn't that easy to guess.
Possibly the strange word order..
later or sooner.. had something to do with it ?
However that just as well could be another deception.

There was more to her then meets the eye.
Slowly, well controlled, and continuing, she turned the blades.
Slow movements, but very precise, very controlled.
At every moment her grip was firm enough to.. speed up, turn the direction or reverse the direction she was rotating them.

But that display was only visible to Lord Vader as her comerades were about to strike.
Slowly she started to move her feet as well, adding another "rotatiob" to her movenent, slowly circling the fight at a fixed distance.
One hand spinning the double blades, relatively "far" from the fight, giving any possible manouvers tiny bit of extra time before it needed to be finished.
The other hand, her right, actually further in front.
Ready to grasp something and pull ?
Or was it to get pulled back quickly, exchanging "force" with the other arm and tossing the weapon into melee ?

Turned out non of these assumptions were accurate, or at least, nothing more then "options".
The real action was a PUSH,
Vader's lightsaber the target
At the same time she grabbed a handful of hot lava and threw it at him.
He got his "war wounds" in this place ? Then there could still be a lingering fear from "burning" she could use.
Sure "fear" was part of the dark side as well, but actually benefiting from that .. wasn't easy.
Last but not least she also threw some rocks at the "old man"'s feet.
From somewhere out of his sight.

If he'd see how minor the rubble was he'd simply ignore it, but this way he might move on reflex.
Another minor cut into his movement of choice.

For now Zara hoped, those things together 'd be enough of a "window" to make a difference.
====
Action 1: 2 stones to statecraft
costing 3 (tiresome)
-> area 2 so she can keep at a good distance
2 stones for both boys each
2 for Sindor's force field
and 2 for Naijix's attack
---
+
-> using the Force Form VI: Niman (Way of the Rancor)
.." Grants +1 to either offense or defense,
and +1 to Use the Force actions while using this Form."

Action 2: 5 stones (+1 from Force Form) to "use force"
-> for effects/control
+2 stones cost (tiresome)
2 for the lightsaber hilt push, weakening Vaders grip, 1 for the push itself 1 for the "best" direction that very moment.

1 for a fans full of lava tossing at him from "within" his line of sight
(but also where the boys can see it, so it won't end up taking THEM by surprise)

finally 3 stones for a small rock thrown at Vaders feet.
1 for the action itself
1 to keep the origin out of his normal line of sight
1 for presicion, so it's end up hindering his mobility as best as it can (if he didn't dodge)
-> So he should "have to" dodge as stating above.
---
Health: 2/2
E-pool: 11/12
E-spend/E-Regen: 8/6

inni(agil) 5
def (physical) = 5+1 = 6
(RD+Force Form)
Mental = 1

OOC:
Took me a while to figure out this move, so I'm hoping Lord V won't have an easy time with it either, especially while facing the "two boys" in melee at the same time.
Ok, so here the final version.
Hope with the tiny tosses and pulls that's also enough to trigger Najix "Pack attack".

[Mephistel]

Naijix

The young togruta grin as he parried his master's sabre. There was nothing better then the thrill of a fight you know you can't win and this just made it even better for him. Maybe not all shared his enthusiasm in this situation, but he was trying to win. There was no need to show him skills if they weren't mean to lead to victory. When his partner called out to him, his grin grew larger but he kept his focus, chaneling his emotions toward his next move. They worked on that tactic for a while and they needed to be syncronised, so he adjusted his timing to Sindor and launch in. Trusting his comrade to cover for him while he would simply go straight for his target. He would hit him, at least once! He had too or he wouldn't be satisfied!

His lightsaber ignited strongly as he charged, twirling the blades in different directions to make it harder for the dark lord to know from which angle he would strike, then there he was as he sliced with a slight jump to gain speed and enter Darth Vader's reach, but would he be able to hit? He certainly hoped so!

----------------------------------
11 in melee combat, (double lightsaber, weak spot, sith might) +6, x2 damage, AP3, 16 vs Darth vader, 1 shifted to defense.

Adjusting my timing to match Sindor's.

Attack: 16 + pack hunter if apply.
Defense: 1 + 1 from form V. +2 from Force Defense if apply. + Whatever bonus Sindor is giving me.