GM Jac Cotelin vs. DA Aabsdu di Plagia Dupar

Grand Master Jac Cotelin

Grand Master, Grand Master tier, Clan Taldryan
Male Human, Sith, Sorcerer
vs.

Dark Side Adept Aabsdu Dupar

Elder 1, Elder tier, Clan Plagueis
Male Human, Krath, Seeker
Hall Fading Light
Messages 1 out of 4
Time Limit 3 Days
Battle Style Alternative Ending
Battle Status Closed by Timeout
Combatants GM Jac Cotelin, DA Aabsdu di Plagia Dupar
Force Setting Standard
Weapon Setting Standard
GM Jac Cotelin's Character Snapshot Snapshot
DA Aabsdu di Plagia Dupar's Character Snapshot Snapshot
Venue Begeren - Mass Grave
Last Post 18 July, 2014 2:59 PM UTC
Member timing out Jac Cotelin
Assigned Judge Mandalorian Declan Roark
Posts

Begeren. Once a prosperous Sith world, it has been the site of numerous battles throughout the millennia. Grand halls and monuments were torn down and re-purposed by looting Republic forces thousands of years ago, before they were driven from the planet. Isolated settlements still dot the planet's surface, but the inhospitable, craggy, and desert-like terrain, along with the beasts common to many desert and Sith worlds, have kept most humanoids from colonizing. Occasional skirmishes have left debris scattered throughout the desert, and battles were fought here as recently as the Galactic Civil War.

The One Sith’s hold on Begeren is all but broken, though a few small pockets of resistance remain. The Clans and Houses of the Brotherhood now swarm the planet to defeat them, but attention has returned to plunder. Roaming bands of Jedi, adherents to light and dark alike, claim—or destroy—priceless artifacts at every turn. One of the few remaining untouched areas on the entire planet is the Valley of Monuments, so named for its glorious architecture. The valley is a patchwork collection of sand dunes and massive canyons, inhospitable even in the best of times. Despite this, the One Sith maintain control over the area. Exactly how—or why—this place has not yet been claimed by the Brotherhood, you do not know, and nor do your superiors, but you know it is ripe for the picking. Perhaps one reason is that access is limited—the One Sith maintain control over the valley’s entrances, save for a small handful of paths that tread directly through canyons used long ago as ancient burial grounds. Intelligence suggests these entrances are virtually undefended. Your plan, at the moment, is to find your way into the Valley of Monuments through one such canyon, and it is there you now find yourself.

Somehow, despite the windswept sand dunes mere meters away, the canyon before you remains virtually free of sand. Macabre hills fill this canyon, thousands of exposed skeletons laying atop one another, the sand dunes of most of the planet replaced by dunes of stark white bones. The dark side hangs thick in the air over this massive valley, flanked by four incredibly large crystals placed at each cardinal direction. This is one of a handful of ancient mass graves, the final resting place of literally thousands of slaves forced to give their lives millennia ago to create the massive monuments of Begeren. Far in the distance, massive Sith monuments rise before an impressive ancient palace, but your attention remains here, now, where the bones shift beneath your every step, crunching noisily. Ancient clubs, whips, and other weapons occasionally break through the bony landscape, testament to the vicious past of this place. To those that can even sense the most rudimentary of emotions through the Force, an even more sinister feeling permeates the air here: not only death, but suffering, anger, and hate.

The sun slowly creeps towards the mountains far beyond this impressive valley, casting long rays of light that reflect off many of the white bones littering the canyon. The heat here is oppressive, but the sun will depart soon, leaving you in cool darkness. You notice that the large crystal to the north, situated in the shadow of a large canyon wall, begins to shimmer a faint blue, causing the bones beneath it to take on a ghostly glow. You think you hear rustling of bones in the distance, and almost think you notice something movement, though it could just have been the wind. Your step hastens as you move quickly through the canyon, hoping to escape this place before sunset takes it, and reach areas with more valuable items to claim or destroy. But before you can make much progress, you begin to hear the telltale signs of another living being—the sound of footsteps crunching bones—and they are coming from just over one of the boney dunes that litter the area.

Dark Side Adept Aabsdu Dupar laid his hands across the field of dusty shattered bones before him, soaking in their memories. He was no archeologist, but he knew how to pierce the fabric of the Force that cloaked all things. This place was thick with the Force; with dark side energy aged and evolved over thousands of years. The power of the Valley of Monuments had been fermenting like a good wine, and like wine it craved a being to taste it. The Consul could feel the pain and terror of the dead, and it gave him strength.

His hand gripped a fragile femur, subconsciously burrowing deeper, pushing down just past his wrist. The air seem to fuel his drive for more. The entire planet was intoxicating. If only he could bury himself completely in its welcoming embrace.

"Hmm," came a mellow voice from behind, "Dupar."

Aabsdu pulled himself to his feet at the sound, yanking free his hand, though he thought he felt the slightest tug back. The former Headmaster immediately recognized the imposing man addressing him. Who in all the Dark Jedi Brotherhood, at least among those smart enough to see their future, did not know of Grand Master Jac Cotelin.

The Dark Lord of the Brotherhood stood tall and strong, his back straight, arms crossed to show his strength. The golden trim of his tunic glistened in the warm hues of the setting Begeren star; a contrast to the frosty halo backlighting the Adept from the glowing crystal across the gravesite. Cotelin at once showed great power and wisdom, carrying himself like a man cast into the flames more times than can be counted. Each time he returned, though not without cost. Jac was aged and world weary, his brow wrinkled. The recognition was not an insult but a compliment. Aabsdu had great admiration for the Grand Master. He could only wish to accomplish as much and lived so long.

"Master Cotelin," the Adept addressed him with a smile and bow of the head, "Getting your boots on the ground again?"

"I could ask the same of you," Jac countered. His tone was friendly but cautious, instincts honed by years of great friendship and great betrayal, "Do you not have a bug or face feeder to sift through the dead?"

Aabsdu Dupar had never worked directly for the Grand Master. His history as Consul and Headmaster were under his successors, Muz Ashen and Aristan Dantes, but Cotelin and he were acquainted through reputation. Even as a young Journeyman in Clan Exar Kun, Grand Master Cotelin had made his presence known during the Dictum of Two Skies. The shift had been culture shattering and had thrust Aabsdu on a path he had yet to leave.

"Cleaning up a few loose ends," Aabsdu answered, "while Plagueis busies itself on matters more important than the Crusade."

Cotelin stepped toward Aabsdu, dropping his arms in a non-threatening manner. The movement made the Adept aware of the setting star’s denouement as the golden trim faded into a sapphire fog.

"Great riches lie at the end of the Dark Lord’s Crusade," Cotelin teased, "And things even greater than treasure and artifacts. The Star Chamber foresees it."

"That may be," said the Consul, "but we all grow weary after a time. Even you."

Cotelin made to speak but stopped at the sign of movement beyond. Aabsdu’s attention drew to his left as the Begeren star disappeared entirely and cool, blue darkness swept over the Elders. Yet light emanated all around as the bones of the dead hummed and vibrated, shaking about in a supernatural pattern.

They watched as frail skeletons assembled themselves in mix-mashed groupings. Large skulls were grasped by uneven arms and placed atop half-caved in chest cavities. Some only partially assembled as legs snapped upon standing or their entire structure simply dissolved into dust.

Jac Cotelin and Aabsdu Dupar acted immediately, neither desiring to waste time with such dark magic. They drew nearer, backs together, and pushed forward a hand palms turned out. Twin waves of force rolled out from their center, blasting apart the wights and sending bones, stones, and earth flying out like the impact of an asteroid forms a crater.

Aabsdu took note of the greater size and impact of the Grand Master’s attack against his own. While experienced, skilled, and young in his own right, Aabsdu considered himself intelligent and felt little need to risk his future for the dead.

"Good show," the Adept chimed, hoping to make the conversation light and move quickly. Cotelin grinned, his smile granting a glimpse of the glorious man who had led the Brotherhood through some of its darkest times.

A new hum drew their attention. They looked to the northern blue crystal and saw its glow intensify, color darken. A second noise pulled their gaze right, to the eastern crystal now emanating a deep amber aura. The crystal to the west glowed a crisp green while the south radiated magenta. The cool air seemed to drop several degrees in an instant as a breeze whipped gusts of dust through the valley and the sky darkened with ominous clouds.

Aabsdu looked back to Jac, the Adept’s face contemplative, "Tell me, what does my future hold?"

All around, the broken, crumbling bones of the undead started to wiggle and reassemble with rusted swords and tattered whips in hand.

The Grand Master grinned wider as he answered, "The same as us all — Death."