Research Director Titius Osseus vs. Lontra Boglach

In the distant past, the Catacombs of Cadera were a series of ancient structures located beneath the surface of the sacred moon of Jedha. Hidden within was a monastery, serving as a burial ground for an Order of NiJedha Monks. In the wake of tbe Death Star's attack, however, the moon's surface was sundered, all but annihilating the Catacombs and the monastery hidden within.

You have fallen into darkness. Deep below Jedha's devastated surface, you find yourself lost within the remnants of the Catacombs—only ruins now remain. As your eyes adjust, you realize only a few shafts of hazy, pale green light are all you have to see by. Every step, every breath you take echoes off of the cavern-like walls. You run a hand over a hand over one of the pillars adorning the ruins and feel the carved stone flake at your touch. That they still hold the ceiling in place above your head is a miracle.

You must tread cautiously. Taking careful steps forward, you feel the sickening crunch of skeletal remains beneath your feet. The hollow sound of shattering bones rings throughout the catacombs. Announcing your presence to whoever or whatever may reside here. The air is fetid and clouded with dust you stir up with every movement.

As you wander you realize these ruins are labyrinthine—a tangled maze of broken and collapsed tunnels crisscrossing haphazardly leading to who knows where. Each path you take is fraught with hazards or dead ends. From deep within the darkness, you begin to hear whispers—a constant buzzing in the back of your mind that quickly puts you on edge. The spirits of the dead slumber restlessly here. You must escape this place, but, before you can begin to search for an exit, you hear footsteps methodically moving toward you.

Tread lightly in the Ruins of Cadera... for you are not alone.

Titius looked around awkwardly, his vision clouded by the ever present darkness. This deep into the ruins, it felt as if even spotlights were swallowed instantly by deep shadows. Even the air was dead as still as it was. But sound still carried and the footsteps crept ever closer. They were slow, as if their maker was navigating deep vegetation.

Titius had been mid thought when rhythmic sound first appeared. He was concerned his always pristine armor was likely covered in a layer of fine silt from all the freshly disturbed debris he had blasted through so far. It also meant intruders had a path straight to him if they wished. Lifting himself upright, the mercenary stood still and waited for the next sound.

The footfalls were punctuated by a dull click as if from an armored boot but too soft to be a droid. As fast as Titius became aware of them, they stopped dead. Several seconds passed...then several more. Titius decided to let it be. A few simple raiders probably found the entry and attempted to venture in a ways. Nothing a primed explosive could not solve, one way or another. With a disinterested shrug, the researcher crouched back down and felt around for his tool pack. Just as he wrapped a glove around a tool he felt a slight shift and froze again. The air was dead this deep down, still as the deceased monks that once roamed these catacombs. It should not move... But something was disturbing the space and it was low down. Something was brushing against his leg that was decidedly alive and quite squirmy. Titius was not knowledgeable about native fauna on Jakku but he was pretty sure nothing from the surface would willingly enter the ruins much less find the nearest other creature and mingle. Something else must be at play and Titius quickly formed a theory as the sensation slid away. There was a Force user around and that was their companion that had located him. It was time to move and quickly.

The catacomb hall was briefly illuminated as Titius checked his vambrace. He had loaded a map of the catacombs before arrival that had so far proven accurate. A quick glance showed several paths, most converging on a central space. A narrower line caught his eye, leading deeper into the structure. It appeared to end in a small room off the main complex. The second presence would either follow or move on.

Lontra could barely see his hand in front of his face. He smirked as his dark wit twirled. At least if I die, I am already in the ground. Beats getting boiled on a space walk. Tossing another globe of light, he was just able to make out the intricate carvings on the walls and rubble strewn across the floor. A few turns ahead, he could feel Bubbles sliding around the safest path. Lontra sent out warm feelings and telekinetic pets as thanks. Bubbles sent back a feeling of dusty squishiness that turned into a cold solid sensation of stone again. Lontra knit his eyebrows as he sensed the change and closed his eyes. The Force felt heavy as he reached out through its ripples. There was so much death, rotting decay and sudden fear that threatened to overwhelm the Jedi as he felt around. An image flashed past of a sterile operating room covered in ichor but was gone as Lontra registered its alien presence. A small pit began to form in his stomach as he ventured forward. Someone or something truly evil was ahead.