[GJW XI] Clan Arcona: Team Late Start

Legorii - 8893
Strategos Thanatos Entar Arconae - 1279
Zakath - 9096
Rulvak Qurroc - 14025

Fiction Prompt

Civil War has befallen the Brotherhood. The Clans have split into three factions: the Loyalists, who have rallied behind Grand Master Ashen; the Rebels, following the banner of Jac Cotelin; and the New Order, led by the mysterious Sith Lord Esoteric. Each faction has stormed the surface of Korriban, establishing impressive fortifications and moving towards the Valley of the Dark Lords. Loyalists, Rebels, and the New Order clash across Korriban’s surface, all three attempting to gain control of the Valley of Dark Lords and the secrets it holds.

The Valley of Dark Lords has erupted in carnage, forces from every unit in the Brotherhood streaming into the ruins and temples, establishing makeshift defensive positions behind virtually every wall. Blood is spilled over every inch, each of the three sides gambling the lives of thousands of Jedi in an attempt to put an end to this conflict once and for all. The Loyalists, following Ashen’s command, seek to break through to the Tomb of Marka Ragnos, where the Disciples of Ragnos once sealed a chamber with writings on the Rite of Immortality. To open it, Ashen has sent three of his most skilled advisors in ancient dark rites and alchemy, but the way is not yet safe or clear for them, as the One Sith were originally entrenched in the Valley and still maintain a strong control over most of the area. Esoteric’s forces have a base of operations at the Tomb of Ajunta Pall, a fortified location that allows them a great deal of mobility throughout the Valley, which they use to harass any operations by the other two sides. The Adept Dantella Novae reluctantly commands Esoteric’s forces in the region, though she seems more interested in stealing the secrets of Marka Ragnos than in defending the Valley itself. Cotelin is seeking to contain and control whatever the Tomb of Marka Ragnos holds, through any means necessary… and before Ashen’s forces can reach it.

You and your team have found yourselves just outside one of the few entrances to the Valley of the Dark Lords. You know that inside the Valley, death and destruction have overtaken the ruins, but you also know that ultimately, victory for one side of the other is likely to come within the walls of the ancient tombs. Your runon should detail the battle within the Valley, and must illustrate (either through success or failure) at least one of the sides in the conflict - this will play a major role in your Story grade.

Valley of the Dark Lords
Korriban
39 ABY

Legorii surveyed the battle, shoulder-to-shoulder with the unlikeliest of teams – Strategos Thanatos Entar Arconae, his one-time master and a former Consul of Clan Arcona; Zakath, a Galeran Battlemaster and the veteran of innumerable conflicts; and Rulvak Qurroc, a relative newcomer to the Clan, but one who had immediately showed great promise.

“I don’t know what we’re going to find down there, but it’s unlikely to be good news,” Legorii murmured.

Strategos nodded. No one said anything more. The civil war had overtaken the Brotherhood quickly. Pre-existing fault lines had been blown wide open by the machinations of some of the organization’s most respected Elders. The death toll was rising exponentially, and it was still unclear who would be sitting upon the Iron Throne at the end of the day – or whether the Iron Throne would still be around at all.

“Rulvak, stick with us, we’re your best chance at surviving this chaos,” Strategos declared. Typically carefree and somewhat tipsy, the Adept was somber and stone-faced. He understood the severity of the situation they found themselves in, not just in terms of the consequences it would have on Clan Arcona, but the repercussions that would be felt throughout the entire Brotherhood.

“We need to find Marick, meet up with his team. I’m sure they’re still alive down there, somewhere,” Legorii said. There was muttered agreement, though nobody seemed thrilled at the prospect of charging headlong into a battlefield without troop support.

“Lead on, Proconsul,” Zakath said simply.

Rulvak stood there listening to their words without hearing what they had to say. He had two things on his mind: to prove his master he was ready for the big assignments, and to join the Nighthawk. Rul knew that this mission was a big deal, and jumped at the thought of finally getting to do something important, regardless of who he was going with. He knew this was not the best place to showcase his skills, but he needed to help his Clan if he were to get any chance at doing what he really wanted to do. Looking around, he realized that one of his team members, that he only slightly recognized from the Clan Hall’s leadership photos, had begun to lead the others down a path.

The middle of the path? Clearly someone would be waiting for us down there… Rulvak thought to himself.

Thinking it wiser, he traveled closer to the jagged valley wall that ran along the path leading deeper into the valley.

After a few hours, Rulvak decided to climb up the wall a little, to better scout ahead of his group. He methodically placed his hands and feet, scaling the wall gracefully. The group continued as he went higher, unnoticed. Rul looked out at a fork in the path and he saw a couple of people that looked to be deep in conversation in the middle of the fork. Quickly and carefully, Rulvak dropped from ledge to ledge, just as slyly as he had went up them. He caught back up to the group to report his news.

“A group ahead you say? And how do you know this?” Legorii said, looking down at the fresh member of the clan.

Rulvak started to explain how he had went to scout when Strategos cut him off.

“I thought I told you to stay with us?” he said, looking hard at Rulvak.

Zakath, who had been silent most of the journey, had realized that he was looking forward to battle, and was tired of having to listen to the pointless explanations.

“Never mind that,” Zakath said quickly, “let us find out if they are friend or foe.”

Well put, Zakath. Rulvak thought to himself in envy. Spoken like a true member of Nighthawk.

“Very well. Let us continue on to meet these strangers,” Legorii said decisively.

The Valley descended once more into chaos. They were skirmishes now, not the pitched battle that these blood-soaked sands had seen previously, but they overlapped and spilled into one another. Some flared furiously and then sputtered out in an instant, lives extinguished like tiny candles, while others burned slowly like long fuses, tensions mounting until they erupted.

How the Brotherhood would recover from such a disaster as this, Legorii could not fathom. Even their central hierarchy had been sundered, torn to pieces by the treachery of Jac Cotelin and his Taldryan allies and the mysterious, and as-yet-unidentified, Lord Esoteric. But, more importantly, Legorii wondered what the war would mean for Clan Arcona. The Brotherhood’s dominant unit would surely be forced into a leadership role, keeping their fellow Clans and Houses on life support.

Soulflayer sprang to life in Legorii’s right hand, its emerald blade splitting the air. He didn’t wait to see if his fellow Arconans were assessing the threat as he was, and trusted that they would be at his sides when he charged. His lightsaber arced tightly, cleaving through the lead soldier like he was little more than a flank of bantha meat.

Good. They’re not Force sensitives. This won’t take long.

The others had responded appropriately. Rulvak took to the task without hesitation, demonstrating a level of poise far beyond what was expected of one with his rank. The others were as reliable as ever. In seconds, the engagement was over. Arcona had won again, as was to be expected.

“Rulvak, take point. We’ll watch your back. Move us in the direction of those ruins, I want to establish a foothold in this Valley.”

Rulvak nodded, obeying the Proconsul’s orders without question. His heart was still pounding after his first real battle in Arcona’s service, and his chest swelled with pride. Despite the thrill of victory, he knew that they were far from out of the woods. They were vastly outnumbered and outgunned in this Valley. They didn’t know who their allies were and who their enemies were, or even if they had any of the former left alive. They knew nothing.

Strategos seemed to be lost in his thoughts, absently stroking his chin. He was by far the most experienced of the quartet, and their previous skirmish had been little more than a training exercise to him. Legorii moved to stand beside him.

“What do you think, Strategos? We gonna make it out of here.”

The Adept, and former Consul, smiled. “No, young master Entar,” he responded with a wink and a sly smile. “But why would we want to? I’m in no mood to clean up this mess.”

Legorii nodded grimly. “You’re right on that count, at least. But young? I’m quite a bit older than you, and you’re no spring chicken.”

Strategos chuckled. “You may have a few years on me, but I made you. Neither of us would be here if not for that.”

The Anzat grinned. “I’m glad you’re shouldering the blame, for once in your miserable life.”

“You guys are gonna want to see this!” Rulvak called from up ahead.

Rulvak was prone on a hill looking into the the war down below. At first glance, it was like an unfinished painting; red, green, blue, purple…all colors from sabers and blasters alike in a flurry in the heart of the valley. He was in awe, but remembering his mission, Rulvak called to the others. Ahead was another sentry guarding a communications tower, armed well, but obviously just average troops.

This point will be perfect for getting in contact with our allies, Rulvak thought; it is time we took a chance at swinging this war in our favor. Surely Legorii will agree with taking out these mediocre troops and establishing a forward operating base in Death Valley for all of the Dark Brotherhood’s true allies, Rulvak concluded.

Proudly, he forwarded his ideas to Legorii.

Legorii, in all his wisdom, seemed to concur with the newbie’s ideas. Strategos thought hard on the idea, and decided that this was a good path to take.

Zakath, who was far from satisfied with the first encounter of the day, looked at the others.

“What are we waiting for? Let us come down on them with all the fury of the Arcona! We will take this damn tower if it is the last thing we do!”

The rest of the team exchanged looks of determination before nodding and continuing down the path.

Drawing closer to the sentry, the team made their battle plans.

“Zarkath, we need you to stay with us, and defend our weaker links,” Legorii said while looking in the direction of Rulvak.

Zarkath nodded reluctantly, not caring if the others would enjoy battle, or perish therein, so long as he would enjoy it.

“Strategos, your expertise would be greatly appreciated if you would have anything to add?” Legorii inquired.

“Indeed,” replied Strategos, “if we come at them from the front and the flank, we would likely be done with this before it began. I sense very little within the tower, making this an easy and great victory for Arcona.”

Everyone agreed upon the plan. Zarkath and Rulvak took the flank while Legorii and Strategos approached from the front.

“HALT! WHO GOES THERE!?” exclaimed the sentry with weapons drawn.

Legorii and Strategos paused a moment, acting startled, before replying.

“What’s going on? I just was taking a stroll with my good friend here!” said Strategos innocently.

“None of that! Answer the question! Who are you? What are you really doing here?” barked the guard.

The exchange ended abruptly as Zarkath and Rulvak jumped out from behind their nearby cover and felled both the nearest guards with one great swing each. The other guards, startled by the sudden loss of their comrades, began to charge the newcomers. Strategos and Legorii both joined in without skipping a beat.

The fight lasted only a couple minutes before the four of them came back together with hardly anything but their slightly labored breathing to show that they had even been in combat.

This seems too easy, Rulvak began to think to himself. Where’s the resistance. What would be the purpose of such a small sentry for something like this?

“What is it Rulvak?” Legorii asked, noticing Rulvak staring at the tower.

“I feel as though we are being deceived. We sensed little, but I fear it is because someone does not want to be found within the tower,” replied Rulvak.

Strategos gave Rulvak a pat on the back before saying, “Well I suppose we will find out soon then!”

Rulvak nodded, and they all approached the towers only entrance. Zarkath entered first, ready for anything.

“I see nothing,” he said from just within the doorway. “Perhaps it really is empty?”

They all moved inside, and up the tower stairs. After climbing about halfway up the tower, they all realized they were definitely not alone. Everyone glanced upward, but all they could see was the hatch to the top of the tower and more stairs. After exchanging looks, each of them realizing they were on the same page, they continued up the stairs. Legorii opened the hatch, each of them prepared for anything and everything except this.

“Marick!” Legorii shouted without realizing how loud he had yelled his name."

The rest of them climbed into the room at the top of the tower, noticing that Marick and his group had already secured the tower without even alerting the sentry below. After everyone had their cheerful hello, they got back to the task at hand.

Legorii looked at Marick with hope, “we came looking for you, and we had looked forward to the strategy you might have to get us moving through the Death Valley.”

Marick looked back at Legorii and the rest of his group, “Though you have brought yourself and three able-bodied allies, I fear it will still be difficult. We have tried to make contact with our other comrades, but no one else has come up on any of the frequencies. We may be alone out here.”

Everyone turned to look out upon the rest of Death Valley. The devil’s cauldron was waiting for them, and their goal on the other side. They turned back and continued to make plans on how to reach that goal, all in better moods to be working with more friends.