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>>2255377
Korriban - home.

At least it was, until you left it behind for something greater. As the shadowed Valley of the Dark Lords comes into view out the Fury's cockpit, you don't feel like a returning conqueror. Instead, you feel like someone in danger of being dragged back into the mire of warring acolytes and cruel teachers waiting below. But you remind yourself that it wasn't luck, or Lord Veredious' good graces that had plucked you out of there - you had stood out from the other students through your actions. One way or the other, you would have succeeded. The status you've achieved was the inevitable result of who you are.

With a roar of landing jets you set down on one of the cliff-side landing pads beside the academy pyramid, a delicate task which takes you a bit longer than it should. You've become used to Hacna doing all the piloting, but this time left her on Voss with instructions to examine the Kyber crystals you gathered from Tion. There's a chance she might be able to figure out some creative use for them.

By the time you land the Fury and walk down the lowered ship ramp, there's already a red-robed Imperial Guard waiting for you on the winding metal walkway connecting the pad to the pyramid. He - at least you assume there's a man beneath that finned helmet - greets you in customary silence, without so much as a nod before turning and leading you into the academy.

The Imperial Guards directly serve the Emperor, at least in theory. With the Sith Empire's reclusive ruler having removed himself from the day-to-day running of things, even his hand-picked retinue has ended up under the command of one of the military Spheres. The Imperial Guards still hold onto some of their old behaviors, namely that complete refusal to show deference before anyone but the Emperor himself. Yet here they are, the elite of the elite, doing nothing that a Twi'lek slave couldn't accomplish with twenty minutes of training. Your own guards, when they are ready, will be put to better use.

Do you go straight to see Lord Zhaho, and the holocron she hopefully still possesses? There are a few other instructors you remember well, but none you're jumping to speak to again.

>>2255380
We could go visit our swordsmanship teacher whose name I forgot. He sort of liked us I think.

New rules look good OP

>>2255380
Let's visit our old instructor and also see the old master that helped us unveal Sebuk's tomb.

>>2255389
Instead of just having a chat maybe he has some spare training equipment we could use with the Tionese. Idk. I can't think of any great reasons to visit anyone else since our background with them was pretty vague in the first thread.

>>2255380
Lets go see the Map guy, Sword dude and the Lord Zhaho

>>2255380
Let's go see Zhaho. We're a busy guy these days.
it sort of drives me crazy how hard it is to pronounce star wars names, even just mentally as I read them

>>2255395
And if nothing else we could ask for advice on either how to train them or who would best prepare them for their job

I can't decide if I'd prefer if Sebuk already took over Zhaho or if she was still just a holocron.

>>2255380
Do we have any of the Tionese lightspears or did we just harvest all the crystals from them?

>>2255456
Depends if Zhaho went completely crazy with Sebuk's knowledge or if Sebuk manage to trick Zhaho into doing a body possession ritual.

>>2255460
>Do we have any of the Tionese lightspears or did we just harvest all the crystals from them?

Just the crystals. I glossed over it quickly when you first met Sadon and took apart a spear, but they're just super-primitive lightsabers the construction of which your character took in at a glance. Not something worth taking back.

>>2255467
Ah. I was just impressed that a small number of postapocalyptic tribal survivors were still able to replicate that technology.

>>2255380
Instead of going straight to Lord Zhaho's office and whatever - or whoever - awaits you there, you make a slight detour at the central chamber of the academy, heading to Lord Ustay's office. He did help you and Tuija with little in the way of compensation for himself, and you're a bit curious how he's doing.

It's a very brief visit. You find out from the man now occupying his office that Ustay passed away nearly half a year ago. You didn't know the old Sith well enough to be seriously struck by the news, but you do feel a bit defeated. Still, there are other teachers in this place you're familiar enough with to make a quick visit. You go to the temple's main training chamber, the very same stone room where you lost to Loman. That feels like a lifetime go.

The dozens of initiates lined up within come from all over Imperial space, and are even more diverse in appearance than your own former classmates. Yet as they swing their practice sabers back and forth, engaging in the practice drills barked at them from the edge of the room, they couldn't look more alike. You step inside to spot Ukarme tracing his way through the lines of students, haunting the room like some ghastly spirit. Like Lord Ustay, he will almost certainly die here - but neither ever seemed to mind the station they've found in life.

The thin, black-haired man spots you as he makes another turn, and lowers his hands from behind his back before approaching.

"Leera Varrus," he marvels, giving you a look over. Notably absent from the way he addresses you is any sort of honorific title, like 'Lord'. Non-Sith might address you as such as a show of respect, but you are not a Lord yet. There's nothing strange about that at your young age, but your low status cuts a sharp contrast with your position within the IRS. That state of affairs shouldn't bother you - after all, the job is the real power. The title is just a title. Nevertheless, you find your lip twitching whenever you're addressed by your given name.

>>2255592
"Blademaster Ukarme." You extend your hand, giving his a firm shake. The eyes of the students are travel to the two of you, their interest and curiosity growing. Unlike the teachers, they aren't aware that you're only an apprentice. For all they know, you're a master here to scout out a potential apprentice of your own.

"Have you come for remedial training?" he asks, gesturing to an empty position at the end of one of the training lines.

You force a polite laugh and shake your head. "I just happened to be in the sector and thought I'd visit."

He wrinkles his lips and looks back at the frozen students, who quickly resume their repetitive strikes.

"Not to teach this Tuk'ata fodder?" he shouts back at them. "They could stand to see how real Sith fight." When he turns back to you, his expression turns doubtful. "But you're with the Reclamation Service, aren't you? Not many worthy opponents to be found in old tombs."

Do you volunteer yourself for a demonstration? You could challenge Ukarme, a student, several students... Narrowly losing to Ukarme would be no great embarrassment, but losing to a student is another matter.

>>2255601
Let's spar with Ukarme. We're best in one on one situations anyway.

>>2255604
This. Our Juyo style sucks against multiple opponents. Maybe we'll learn something too.

>>2255601
Lets fight Ukarme

Also assure him that we have not neglected our training with the blade

>>2255601
"I suppose you're right," you admit. Though you did end up defeating Loman in just such a place. "I doubt *you* can find them *here*, either." you nod at the assembled students, and Ukarme's slight smile turns into a frown. "Maybe we could both use the practice."

His smile returns, though it's a tense one, and he nods. "Maybe we could."

With a quick turn he strides back towards the center of the room, taking two practice sabers from a pair of students before ordering them all to the edges of the room. The excited students do so quickly, eager to watch the duel preparing before their eyes. Ukarme stops and tosses you a saber, and you catch it, nearly thumbing the switch before stopping short.

"Let's keep these off," you say to him from across the arena that's been formed by the watchful students. "I wouldn't want you to have to continue instructing from the ground."

Ukarme laughs. "And I wouldn't want you to fly back to Nal Hutta with one working arm."

He knows full well that you don't make your home on that mud ball - but he's just goading you. You ignore the verbal jab, and ready yourself to deliver a very physical one of your own. Ukarme assumes his own ready stance with his left side facing you, his saber held in line with his chest and his left hand held in a loose fist. A duelist as experienced as Ukarme doesn't have preferred forms, which are merely a method of delineating training. But he does have a personal style, which you are vaguely familiar with from those rare occasions he paid personal attention to you. He likes to lure opponents in with false openings, then use his free hand and long reach to grapple and open *them* up for a strike of his own.

What Ukarme *doesn't* handle well are forceful attacks meant to batter down his defenses, instead of slip through them.

This duel will end in the customary manner - when one of you has delivered a blow that would seriously wound an opponent in a real fight, with real swords or lightsabers. A chop to his hand, a jab at his shoulder, a slash across the thigh - any of these will do.

Be aware that should your attack fail, Ukarme will make use of the opening you give him. The greater a risk you take in your action, the greater the consequence if you fail. Going for a bold 'killing' blow right off the bat could have him ending this duel just as soon as it begins.

What do you do?

>>2255660
Go for a forceful thigh strike to limit his movement. The less he moves around the better our forceful and direct Juyo will work.

>>2255666
I'd say go for a thigh strike but only to make him focus on guarding more than just his torso, arms, and head. If we roll well enough we could actually land a hit but otherwise we could open him up to other attacks.

>>2255666
>>2255675

I'll need a 3d10+2

Rolled 9, 9, 10 + 2 = 30 (3d10 + 2)

>>2255684
We're not using the unbalance/stun system right?

>>2255687
Jesus fucking christ

>>2255687
>We're not using the unbalance/stun system right?

No, I simplified things (it's all in the pastebin/google docs). This system is more free-form, but might be too easy. We'll see how it goes.

Rolled 2, 5, 8 + 2 = 17 (3d10 + 2)

>>2255684

>>2255687
Holy shit...we just kicked his ass.

>>2255694
I think it'd be hard to make a single roll system as opposed to a best of three system too challenging. Quests tend to have best of three. From what I've seen of the rules this seems solid though. We've managed to be really lucky with our rolls somehow though.

>>2255703
*too easy, not too challening. I've been drinking, not gonna lie.

>>2255660
You Succeeded with Style. You now fight with a lasting +1 to combat rolls, as well as another +1 for the next turn alone.

You begin the duel by taking a few quick steps forward, then drawing your saber back and delivering a forceful jab at Ukarme's left thigh. It seems like an easy target, but you suspect it's bait - and you're right. The moment he sees where your blade is directed, he slides his left foot back and prepares to intercept your blow.

But he isn't the only one who can think tactically in the heat of battle. You're already stopping short of a full lunge, and instead of stabbing at where his leg once was you bring your saber down on his, slamming both blades into the ground with yours on top. The move worked better than you could have hoped for. Ukarme grunts, eyes focused on the tangle of blades between you two. The blademaster is once again full of openings. Except this time, they're real.

What do you do?

>>2255716
He'll be expecting a strike to his torso or to his right arm/shoulder. Strike his left shoulder instead to rid him of his grappling ability.

>>2255716
Use this chance to strike his right arm since we're already in the perfect position to do so. If necessary just slide our lightsaber along his to strike his right hand. He has no defense against this unless he deactivates and reactivates his saber.

Rolled 89 (1d100)

>>2255716
MUSK

>>2255727
uh... what?

>>2255716
Do this:>>2255722

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>>2255722
>>2255745
Just to be clear, you're using metal sticks that are sometimes electrified (but not now, right now they're deactivated). I haven't described them since Part 1 so I can see why people forgot.

>>2255749
For some reason I thought training sabers were basically lightsabers that couldn't really cut but just burned and bludgeoned. My bad. My vote still stands.

>>2255722
>>2255745

Oh and roll me 3d10

Rolled 6, 9, 6 = 21 (3d10)

>>2255754
No bonus?

>>2255757
>No bonus?

+4, but there's little point in rolling with it since the 4chan dice system adds that to the total and not to each individual roll.

>>2255757
>10, 14, 10
Hell yeah.

>>2255765
13, not 14. Apparently I'm shit at math.

>>2255716
You have Ukarme trapped, and he knows it. But you're not enormously better off. The moment you lift your saber up to strike, Ukarme will make a move of his own - and he's undoubtedly gone through countless options in his mind in the few seconds you two have been straining against each other.

With one last shove downwards to set him off-balance, you slide your saber up his blade hand and rest it on his wrist, still pressing down hard enough that he can't hope to dislodge you. At this close a melee, you can't gain enough momentum to deliver a convincing blow to his exposed chest, not without drawing back and exposing *yourself* to a counter-strike. But you don't need to. You stare Ukarme in the face until his gaze meets yours, and after a few moments realization sets in and he relaxes his arms.

"The duel is over," he shouts, both to you and the students. As the two of you disengage, he lowers his voice to a mere whisper. "You win."

The students exchange confused glances, uncertain about what exactly happened. It was a very anticlimactic end to what was shaping up to be an interesting fight. But even if a duel begins with a flourish, it doesn't have to end that way.

Your 'winning strike' was the sustained pressure you put on Ukarme's wrist. If you two were dueling with vibroswords, the force you applied would have sawed right through to bone after a few more seconds. If you had been using *lightsabers*, his hand would have ended up on the floor along with his weapon. Ukarme isn't magnanimous enough to explain your victory to his students, but he's at least honorable enough to see his defeat and admit it to you.

"Well fought, blademaster." You hand your saber to him, and he accepts it without comment or emotion.

Should you leave him to his lessons and continue on to Lord Zhaho?

>>2255787
Sure. Ask to see him when he's finished with his lessons for pointers on training others on how to fight force sensitive opponents.

>>2255787
Yep let's bounce. I was hoping to gain something from this interaction but oh well. At least we learned an effective technique.

>>2255787
Before leaving make a backhand comment about how we managed to improve thanks to his trainning or something like that. Then go visit Zhaho

>>2255787
Leave

>>2255787
"I'd like to speak with you," you say to Ukarme. "Once you're finished with classes."

His thin lips press together and his eyes narrow, as if he's trying to decide whether or not you're somehow mocking him.

"If you're willing to wait two hours, I'll have time in between sessions." He's very clearly not thrilled about the idea of having a conversation with a former student who just defeated him in front of his *current* students, but hopefully those two hours will soften him up some.

"That's fine," you say. "I'd like to go see Lord Zhaho while I'm here." Which is, in fact, the *only* reason you came all the way to Korriban from Hutt space. You're just wary to admit that - you hardly interacted with the woman as a student, so making a trip to see her would seem quite strange.

Ukarme's expression stiffens. "Just be certain not to call her that," he cautions.

"Lord?" you say, a bit confused.

He nods. "She insists on 'Lady' now. Throws a fit when someone addresses her otherwise."

That's quite a reaction, assuming he's not exaggerating. It's not unusual for Sith women to prefer 'Lady' over 'Lord', though the latter is more commonly used. The thinking is that 'Lady' calls to mind soft noblewomen and not philosopher Kings. As for why the sudden change with Zhaho... you can venture a few guesses, one of which you hope to confirm.

Leaving Ukarme to his instruction, you make your way back to the central chamber, go down another floor into the first of the pyramid's many sublevels, and come to 'Lady' Zhaho's office. You've attended her classes countless times during your years at the academy, but you've never actually been to her personal chambers. You knock on the metal door, and a few moments later the control panel beside the door lights up.

>>2255874
"Yes?" comes a voice through the intercom.

"This is... Leera Varrus," you say into it, sounding a bit awkward. If this *is* Zhaho, you're not sure she'll even remember you. Your most significant interaction with her had been when you handed Sebuk's holocron over to her, and she had paid far more attention to the artifact than you.

"Ah," Zhaho says, her tone unreadable. "Come in."

The door slides open, and you step into the office. It's a small room, made smaller by the clutter gathered around the desk at the center. Every square inch of wall space seems to be taken up by bookcases or random archaeological items. None of it looks very valuable, but the sheer variety is astounding. At the left side of the room stands Lady Zhaho, who is busy examining one of the potted Bloodflowers stuck between wooden bookshelves.

She drops the black petal in her fingertips and turns to face you, a polite smile on her face. She looks much the same as you remember her, with a few distinct differences. Her dark brown hair is much longer, for one thing. It used to stop before her neckline, but now it hangs past her shoulders. She also now wears what you consider an excessive amount of jewelry. Two gold diamond-shaped earrings dangle from each ear, and three similarly-colored chokers are wrapped around her neck.

What do you say?

>Remember me? I was your favorite student.

>Darth Sebuk? Is that you?

>I was here on other business and thought I'd see what happened with that holocron. Did you ever get it to work?

>Wildcard

>>2255874
Can we inquire about training our newly gained body guards after our meeting? Or are we keeping it simple

>>2255877
Yeah, once you go back to see Ukarme after Zhaho.

>>2255875
>I was here on other business and thought I'd see what happened with that holocron. Did you ever get it to work?

>>2255875
>Wildcard

>>2255875
That's all for tonight

>>2255875
>I was here on other business and thought I'd see what happened with that holocron. Did you ever get it to work?
Might as well play it safe.

>>2255875
>Remember me? I was your favorite student.

Be cautious never know who might be hearing.

>>2255875
>Remember me? I was your favorite student.

So I'm suspicious about Ustay's death so soon after we left. There's a decent chance that since we publicly recognized him for his help the Overseer redirected his hatred of us to Ustay and killed him for helping us. But he also might have just died of old age. Hard to say right now. But the real question is whether or not we actually care. I'm not sure I do.

>>2256696
I don't think we'd care, he was some stuffy old man with boring lectures who was somewhat useful for a time.

>>2256696
Most likely figured out so.ething about Sebuk's skull/holocron so she had to kill him.

>>2255875
>Remember me? I was your favorite student.

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>>2255875
"Yes?" Zhaho says, staring at you expectantly from across her office. When she let you in it certainly sounded as if she remembers you, but the reception is not a warm one. She just stands there, face a blank except for her tight-lipped smile, waiting for you to say something.

"Lady Zhaho!" you beam, placing your palms on your chest. "It's Leera, your favorite student." You put a bit of embarrassment into the statement, as if you can't believe she's forgotten you so soon and are mortified to have to remind her.

Roll me 3d10+1

Rolled 1, 8, 5 + 1 = 15 (3d10 + 1)

>>2256915

Rolled 2, 3, 3 + 1 = 9 (3d10 + 1)

>>2256915

Rolled 4, 5, 5 = 14 (3d10)

>>2256915
Lets save this roll!

>>2256915
For a few tense moments, Zhaho simply stares at you. Then, her eyes go wide, and she throws her arms outward as a bright smile crosses her face.

"Yes, yes, Leera! Of course!" She strides over to you, stopping a few feet short and looking you up and down. "What has it been... nearly a year now?"

"Almost," you respond. You're still not quite sure who you're talking to here. This doesn't *seem* like the Zhaho you know, but it could be that your feigned familiarity was simply convincing enough to get her to reciprocate. And you were never very familiar with the woman in the first place. Perhaps the jewelry and new hair style are simply signs of a mid-life crisis.

You need some way to trip her up and make her drop the act - if there's indeed an act being put on here. Could you casually move the discussion to another topic, and trick her into revealing information only Sebuk would know?

>"Remember that thing we said we'd do if I ever came back?"

>"Drop the act or I'll go to Harkun right now."

>Get her talking about the holocron.

>Player's Choice

>>2256968
What was Zhahos field of expertise?

>>2256973
>What was Zhahos field of expertise?

>She is one the academy's many instructors whose portfolio encompasses general lessons in use of the Force, but you know that she has a personal interest in Sith artifacts--one that goes beyond practical considerations of the power they can grant.

>>2256968
>Get her talking about the holocron.
I just need a little more confirmation

>>2256968
>Get her talking about the holocron.

Also we could call her Lord and see her response. If she doesn't address it she's just trying to avoid alerting us to the changes in her personality from Sebuk.

>>2256968
Maybe we should test her see if she really is the same person after all.

>>2256989
I really don't think this is Zhaho but I want to eliminate the tiny chance that it is. Her recent changes are too much to be a coincidence. But I also don't want to reveal that we intentionally gave Zhaho the holocron to help Sebuk to possess her if it didn't work. If it did work then we could make an ally out of Sebuk for doing so.

>>2256968
You're not sure you know Zhaho *or* Sebuk well enough to box in either one in a conversation. You might as well simply ask about the matter of the artifact directly.

"I was curious if you were ever able to get that holocron to open up to you."

Zhaho sighs and takes a few steps back to sit on the edge of her desk, wrapping her fingers around the edges and drumming them up and down.

"I'm afraid your hard work went to... well, not *waste*. But I was never able to get it to talk."

"Do you still have it?" you ask. If Sebuk *is* still in there, you could at least verify that fact. After so long trapped in a storage room she'd probably be dying to talk to someone who is already aware of her presence.

Zhaho gives a sad shake of the head. "I gave it to Darth Zash after informing her of my failure. Perhaps she will have succeed where I couldn't."

Somehow, you doubt that. Darth Zash is a brilliant Sith who has dedicated her life to experiments in sorcery and alchemy, but even she won't get an answer if she's knocking on the door of an empty home.

"Well, that's too bad... Lord Zhaho."

Her left eye twitches, and she gives a slight nod before looking idly around the room as she sighs with whatever display of false regret she's trying to sell you.

Do you push further? You could offer Zhaho comfort by letting her know that Sebuk was clearly no one of power or influence.

>>2256993
Tell her the jig is up, we know that Sebuk successfully took over.

I just don't know what we could do with her. We could say she owes us a favor for enabling her to take over a sith lady. It's likely that it was even easier to influence her mind due to the more similar brain patterns, as they were both sith. And she's not being subtle about the change at all. Not to mention that Zhaho didn't even like us and never would have given away the artifact.

>>2256997
This combined with the sudden title change makes sense and we are not one to be lied to. Blackmail is an option and maybe even having her as a contact on Korriban.

>>2256993
Tell her that this is growing tiresome and ask to speak to her as Sebuk instead of this mediocre imitation of Zhaho. She has no reason to hide it from us, we're the reason she was able to get this body.

>>2256993
>push further
Rustle her jimmies by mentioning what clearly nobody Sebuk was anyway

>>2256997
Not really sure what we could even gain from this, I am not sure Sebuk is any ally of value if they try to us down already

>>2257002
I'm pretty sure she can't exactly leave her station here at the academy even if she wanted to. But it wouldn't hurt to have an ally here anyway. Maybe in the future she could groom a promising apprentice specifically for us when we eventually become a master.

What are we even trying to do here?

>>2257055
We helped Sebuk come into contact with a suitable vessel to possess after we resisted the temptation to let her possess us. Now we're seeing the results of what we set in motion, partly out of curiosity and partly out of a vague hope that we'll gain either favors or training from an ancient Darth spirit.

>>2256993
>tell her about our new job plundering old tombs and ask if she has any pointers to artifacts in need of reclamation.
We may be able to help each other out.

>>2256993
>tell her about our new job plundering old tombs and ask if she has any pointers to artifacts in need of reclamation.

>>2257074
>>2257094
We have to give every artifact we uncover to the Imperial Reclamation Service though.

>>2256993
You're getting tired of this act. "Enough!" you say, in a half-shout, half-sigh that makes Zhaho jump in surprise.

"Enough what?" she shoots back, put on guard by your outburst.

"This act!" You give her a dismissive look over. "I know who you are. I'm not an idiot."

Zhaho scoffs incredulously as she pushes up from her desk. "Who I am? What is that supposed to mean?"

"Sebuk!" you shoot back, gesturing at her face. "The hair, the jewelry... 'Lady' Zhaho."

Her hostile glare slowly morphs into an amused smile. "So you think, what... that because I decided it was time for an image change, I've been possessed by some long-dead Sith of immense power and prestige?"

You don't bother dignifying that with a response, and she snorts in amusement as she circles back around the desk.

"Quite a theory," she says as she sits in her high-backed chair. "Perhaps you could take it to Overseer Harkun? I'm sure he'd love to hear it."

That's not an option, for a few reasons - all of them very compelling. For one, you're on Harkun's permanent shit list after killing Loman. Two, you were the one who handed the holocron over to Zhaho in the first place, putting her in this position... assuming she's still somewhere in the body sitting before you. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it's simply insane. Holocrons don't contain full-fledged consciousnesses that invade the bodies of other beings. At least, they're not supposed to.

And going to Darth Zash isn't an option, either. The woman is notoriously reclusive, and Harkun is her gatekeeper. Even when you were a student it would have been nearly impossible to get a face-to-face.

"Well?" Zhaho says, eyeing you expectantly. "Was there anything else?"

She clearly has no interest in taking the risk of revealing herself with no benefit to doing so. Assuming this is truly Sebuk - and at this point, you're fairly certain it is - you'd like to get to the point where you can openly discuss the Old Sith Empire, which she would have first-hand knowledge of - knowledge that could be *very* valuable to your work. But even if you get her to talk, she's not going to part with valuable information out of the goodness of her heart.

>>2257096
>We have to give every artifact we uncover to the Imperial Reclamation Service though.

Only the ones they know you've found, like the ones they provide leads for. What they don't know can't hurt them.

>>2257102
We could offer her some of the jewelry to get her to open up. Then propose an arrangement with her to recover ancient artifacts that she knows of to share with her in exchange for knowledge of the ancient sith empire. Plus I'm sure she's bored being an instructor here, this would be more interesting.

>>2257114
Support this. she's more useful as an ally rather than an enemy.

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>>2257102
>Ask if she already developed a like for Zeltrons

>>2257102
With my position and resources and your firsthand knowledge of the ancient sith we could form a partnership that is beneficial to both of us.

I'd rather not just give away the jewelry since that's our only real wealth asset right now. Maybe give her some of it in exchange for our first solid lead on a good artifact.

>>2257102
Pretty sure we're not interested in outing her to the higher ups here anyway

Maybe offer to get some old shit of hers? Someone of her "immense power and prestige" won't have just left behind that one tomb

>>2257102
>'So I can collect dust in another frigid vault?' She spits in disgust. 'I have too much to teach to just be... stuck away again!'

Remind her of this. Imply that she's not doing anything worthwhile in this office, and compare it to what it was like in the tomb.

If she has any ancient sith sorcery expertise I'd really like to be trained in that too.

>>2257131
>>2257134
Both of these options are better actually.
We get to preserve our resources all while convincing her of the benefit of dealing with us.

>>2257134
ties in with
>>2257136
this

We could have a flesh and blood Master secretly teaching us spooky witchy Sith magic

She can't really leave her post on this planet unless she's ordered to by the Empire right? Our ability to travel freely would be useful for her too if she worked with us.

>>2257134
Well to be fair she is already teaching a bunch of students. But I guess she can't teach them anything too unique unless she wants to blow her cover.

>>2257157
I agree
I imagine that she can find the time to at least mentor us in a few things. Luckily 'too much to teach' was vague enough for anything that OP can bring to mind. (even if it's just telling us the locations of ancient points of interest that we can explore to grow in power on our own)

But the important question is:
Does Sebuk count as a GILF OR A MILF?

>>2257134
This is actually good idea, plus we can offer an deal of using our "connections" to get her out of here if she opens up about her knowledge

>>2257102
You stare at her for a few moments before cracking an uneasy smile and letting your head droop in mock shame. "I may have gotten ahead of myself," you say.

She lets out a sharp breath of annoyance and folds her arms across her chest. "Just a little bit."

"And I doubt someone who's been trapped in a tomb for a thousand years would want to possess you, anyway." You give a concerned look around her cluttered office. "She would have traded one prison for an even smaller one."

Zhaho lets out an offended gasp - something that would be not at all surprising if this really is her.

"A *prison*?" she spits out. "I am a teacher at the most prestigious center of education in the Sith Empire!"

"Oh," you say. "So you can just leave whenever you want?"

She doesn't respond. You and Zhaho both know that she can't abandon her position teaching at the academy. The Sphere of Knowledge wouldn't throw her in a prison cell or anything of that sort, but she would have burned her connections within the Sith Order and left herself jobless. As a practical matter, she's trapped.

"Why would I ever want to leave?" She's smiling, but it's a mean sort of smile - and there's a harsh edge to her voice. "I enjoy teaching." Sebuk herself told you as much before, but her expression says there's something behind her feigned contentment.

You raise an eyebrow curiously. "You like the students here?"

Her eye twitches, and her lips curl is a sneer as if she's smelled something unpleasant. "Limitless potential, each and every one of them."

"Ah... and the teachers, too?"

She lets out a barely-audible groan and heaves forward in her chair. "I'm privileged to be able to call them my peers."

>>2257215
You watch for a few moments as Zhaho rocks back and forth in uncomfortable silence. She glares at you, clearly unhappy about the words you've drawn out of her.

"I serve with the Imperial Reclamation Service, you know. It's very interesting work." You walk to the edge of the room and look over one of the bookcases. Little stone figurines of people and animals are tucked in between the leather-bound books, presumably dug up from one of the tombs. Knick-knacks, not worth shipping off Korriban. "I was hoping to talk to that holocron." You flash a smile to Zhaho, who watches you carefully. "I know it's silly, but I thought maybe she and I could help each other."

"How would you help a holocron?" she asks. Despite the way she phrased the question, it carries far more interest than doubt.

You turn to her and shrug, folding your hands behind your back. "I could get it out of it's cage, for one thing."

Zhaho purses her lips, her eyes narrowing as she leans further forward in her chair, before finally shooting upright and throwing her hands in the air.

"Very brilliant, you figured it *all* out!" she exclaims, rolling her eyes and storming over to you. "Are you a detective, too? Did the academy teach a course on that before I took over this woman's body?" She jabs a finger into your chest, delivering a sharp jolt of electricity that makes your muscles seize in pain.

"What the hell was that for?" you stammer as you stagger back.

"For giving me a life that's hit a dead end!" She continues advancing on you, trying to deliver another shock. You grab her wrist before she can connect, and throw her arm away from you.

Well, you got her talking. How do you convince her to help you locate something of value?

>>2257217
Say if I were to uncover ancient sith knowledge that only someone who lived in those times could know of, we could both make use of this knowledge to imrpove our station in the Empire. My freedom when combined with your knowledge could lead to promotion and therefore more freedom for you as well.

>>2257217
>Oh knock it off sweetie, You didn't need to take it over. We can help each other out, I can go get it and if its what you say you can get the presitage too until you can leave. IN return we get taught stuff.

>>2257223
>sweetie
dude what

>>2257224
I want to sass the fucking force ghost. Let me sass it.

>>2257222
This works
>>2257223
Please no

>>2257217
Not my fault you took the first best body that came along. Although I might be open to a....partnership of ideas. You scratch my back I scratch yours.

>>2257217
This here: >>2257222
Also bark back that she was trying to take our freedom by trying to posses us so she should have expected something far worse from us, but instead we gave her a new body and a chance to catch up to current events.

>>2257222
Something along this line

>>2257231
In theory the best body she could find was us...so. Yeah.

>>2257235
I like this

>>2257222
Support

>>2257217
"You wanted to take over *my* body!" you shoot back at Sebuk, keeping your distance from the fuming woman. "Am I supposed to feel bad for you?" Actually, Tuija had been the first person offered such a deal. And judging by how she had carried the skull around with her when you two snuck up on Loman, Tuija had seriously considered accepting Sebuk's offer. You were a bit more hesitant.

Sebuk glares daggers at you, though she's stopped chasing you around the room. "You were *supposed* to get me into someone that was going places."

You certainly would have fit the bill nicely. Tuija too, wherever she is with the Imperial military.

"Maybe I still can," you say in your most diplomatic tone of voice. "Let's help each other."

She scoffs and puts her hands on her hips. "What could you possibly do for me?"

"I could get you out of *here*," you offer. "Wouldn't you rather work somewhere with a bit more freedom? Say, the Reclamation Service?"

"Oh?" she says dryly. "And you have that sort of pull?"

You don't - not directly, at least. But you do have the rough makings of a plan.

"Do you know what the Service does?" you ask her.

"They dig up trinkets for bookworms like this academy's instructor."

"Yes," you reluctantly admit. "But some of what we find is of serious interest to high-level Lords. Even members of the Dark Council have been known to pay attention when someone digs up a holocron."

"Is that so?" she says, her interest clearly piqued.

"You're old," you continue. "Absolutely ancient. You must know a lot about the Old Sith Empire. Things no one else knows." You walk closer to her as you speak, no longer fearing another jolt of electricity. "Say, the location of undiscovered tombs and ritual sites."

A smirk spreads across her face. "Maybe I do, maybe I don't."

"Well if you *did*, and you helped me find something big enough to draw the attention of someone important, I'm sure they'd be more than happy to transfer you out of here." It's the same move that had gotten you out of Korriban and into Veredious' service. If it worked once, it can work again.

She lets out a derisive laugh. "And you would share the credit out of the kindness of your heart?"

Why do you want to help Sebuk? Do you just think she's entertaining and would make for an interesting co-worker? Do you now see the truth in her past statement that no other Lord besides her can serve as an effective teacher to you? Are you specifically interested in her ability to transfer her consciousness into a willing host? That's quite the trick.

>>2257446
You can also help me find things that the IRS isn't aware of. Meaning I don't have to turn it in to them. And if you wish to be a teacher I am very interested in the ancient sith techniques that you can't teach here without blowing your cover. Especially your little "holocron" trick.

>>2257446
>Do you just think she's entertaining and would make for an interesting co-worker?

Actually yeah that's pretty much why i want to help her.

She lived in the time when Sith shared information more freely and without the rule of two right?

>>2257446
Veredious seemed to only train us in how to be an effective IRS employee. We need someone to help train us in the ways of the sith.

>>2257446
Having a teacher such as her would greatly help actually increase our skill as a user of the force and possibly how to act as a sith lord.

>>2257466
I think we're not in the time where the rule of two applies right now either.

>>2257446
I'd say we see her as an unique teacher...she knows things noone else knows anymore

>>2257446
I agree with the people who say we need a better teacher.

>>2257446
>>2257459
Support

>>2257459
This sounds nice.

>>2257446
"No, not out of the kindness of my heart," you say. "I want you to teach me what you know." You'd also like her help finding items of value that the Reclamation Service won't have their eyes on - but you'll keep that reason to yourself for now. It wouldn't stroke her ego as much as desiring her knowledge would.

Sebuk gives you a sly grin. "Is that Master of yours not working out to your liking?"

"I'm the one who's now in a position to help *you*, so I'd say it worked out very well." She's pushing your buttons, but she's also right on the mark. Veredious may have cleared your way up the societal ladder, but he hasn't been the most diligent of teachers. And now, not even a year into your apprenticeship, he's stationed clear across the galaxy.

"Yet here you are, begging for a new Master."

"I'm not *begging* for anything, let alone a new Master. I'm just looking for some supplemental instruction."

"'Supplemental instruction'." She gives a short laugh and traces a statically-charged finger down your chest. "You make it sound so risque."

You move to shove her hand away again, but she's already pulling back and considering you with a critical eye. "I want to believe your offer is genuine, but I've been burned too many times by such guarantees." Her judgmental expression turns downcast. "People always said I was 'too trusting'. It's one of my few faults."

You start to say something in argument, but just shake your head and decide to address her concerns seriously.

"What do you want me to do?" you say. "I need a location to check out, if you have one. Until then, I can't do anything to help either of us."

She leans back on the edge of her desk, chewing her lip and mulling over your response. Then, she shoves off and strides back over to you with her hands held high.

"Let me take a peak in that head of yours," she says. "I want to see if you're lying to me."

What do you do?

>>2257890
Might as well agree. She has a brand new body, so she's not stealing ours anytime soon.

>>2257890
Are we strong enough to resist her?
If so there shouldn't be a problem

>>2257896
She might want ours to be free rather than stuck on korriban

>>2257890
And now you're asking me to be too trusting. I think we ought to build trust the old fashioned way. You have nothing to lose by giving me information that you can't use in your current situation and everything to gain.

>>2257890
Fuck it go ahead.

>>2257896
Except she hates her new body.

>>2257916
>>2257898
>>2257896
How can you all be so dense, this is the same body snatching ghost we said no to last time.

>>2257923
I said yes last time

>>2257923
She just got done telling us how much she dislikes her new body, and oh I just want to get into your head for non- Sinister reasons

>>2257923
I'm aware, but she's got a body now, so I don't think it's as risky. I think she's just more curious this time around. Unless any anons think they have a better way of gaining her trust, this is a decent option.

>>2257933
Here's an option we don't use her because the risk of being body snatched is too high

>>2257938
This is fair as well. We could always look for other options to gain power.

>>2257890
No. You really think i would let a Darth get inside my head? Besides if i would have betrayed you i would have told Darth Zash about you already.

>>2257947
This is actually a really solid argument. I wanna support this.

>>2257953
Fun thing is that Zash is so old that Zebuk might have heard about her before.

>>2257947
This is so much better than letting ourselves be vulnerable

>>2257890
Do it

>>2257890
You back away from her, moving to the right side of the room. "Not a chance in hell," you say as she continues stalking you with hands held like claws. "Why would I be planning to betray you now? I could have told the Overseer about you anytime."

"And I'd like to believe that!" she says enthusiastically. "I'm just an over-cautious sort." The two of you keep circling the room, until you find yourself behind Sebuk's desk with her between you and the door.

"You think I won't defend myself?" You edge your right hand towards the lightsaber at your waist, a movement Sebuk quickly takes notice of. She bends at the knees, and at first you think she's getting ready to dash around the desk. You prepare to run the opposite direction, but then she steps onto the desk and leaps at you in a flutter of black robes and a jingle of earrings.

Roll me 3d10+1 to grapple with her.

Rolled 3, 5, 8 + 1 = 17 (3d10 + 1)

>>2257988
haha fuck

Rolled 6, 1, 7 + 1 = 15 (3d10 + 1)

>>2257988

>>2257988
You are still accepting only the first roll right?

Rolled 8, 10, 10 + 1 = 29 (3d10 + 1)

>>2257988
lewd

>>2258016
Correct

>>2258018
Dam what a nice roll.

>>2258020
Cool just checking.

>>2257988
Sebuk hits you head-on, and her fingertips touch your temples for a fraction of a second before you wrap your arms in hers and hug her tightly enough that she can't move. The contact was impossibly brief, but in that moment you had felt her trying to gain access to your mind - like a living electric current snaking its way between the folds of your brain.

"Let me go," she hisses. She thrashes in your grip, but even with her Force-enhanced strength she can't hope to break free. You're no weakling in the Force either, and you're also twice her size. Realizing this, Sebuk whips her head back and brings her forehead crashing into your chin. You sputter in pain, nearly losing your grip on her before you manage to grab her and slam her down chest-first on the desk in front of you. Before she can rise again you lean your forearm on her upper back, putting her in an even worse position than before.

"You're not taking a walk through my brain," you bark at her.

Jaw clenched tight and teeth bared, she twists her head to the side to look up at you. "How can I trust you if I don't know your deepest secrets?" she says.

You could offer to let her escort you to the location of whichever relic she has in mind, unless you have some better idea. Even academy teachers get time off.

>>2258037
Letting her escort us seems like a pretty sensible option.

>>2258037
Sure, let's take a trip.

>>2258037
>The same could be said to you, How about using some time off and we both go to one of the sights.

>>2258047
Support.
We might as well be safe around her and show some authority.

>>2258055
I don't think we should present ourselves as above her if we want to learn from her. She is a darth after all. I'm not saying we should act like her apprentice or anything but we shouldn't act like we're in charge either.

>>2258037
Let's go on a date in the sith way. By pludging into ancient tombs!

>>2258037
"Come along, then." You lift yourself up from her back slightly, though you're careful not to give her too much room for movement. "We'll find whatever you have in mind, and you can deliver it to Dromund Kaas with me."

She glares up at you in anger, but even she has to recognize the reasonableness of your offer.

"How do I know you won't betray me?" she asks.

You flash her the same smug smirk she's been giving you since you walked in here. "Are you saying I could overpower *you*? Darth Sebuk?"

Her orange eyes flash hot and deadly, and she shakes against the desk. "Of course not!"

"Well, then. I think--"

Your words are cut short by the door to Sebuk's office opening. A young man stands in the doorway, his eyes wide and pointed at the awkward sight before him. Sebuk - or Zhaho, as he knows her - with her chest on the desk and her buttocks in the air. And you, looming over her with your forearm dug into her back. He hurriedly backs out, and the door automatically closes a few silent seconds later.

"Get *off* of me," Sebuk snaps. For the first time, she seems genuinely embarrassed. It's comforting to know that there are real emotions somewhere inside her, and not just cold manipulation. You slowly back away from her, allowing her to stand up from the desk while you stand ready for another surprise attack.

"Fine," she says, working out the kinks in the arm you bent behind her back. "We will go together."

You're a bit surprised at how quickly her mind changed. "When?"

She slumps into her chair and looks back at you. "When I can get *time off*," she snaps. "I will contact you."

Is there anything you want to do here before you return to Ukarme?

>>2258120
Lmao no I think we're ready

>>2258120
Sounds good. Have fun dealing with those rumors. Or maybe that could be our excuse for our little vacation.

>>2258120
Wew lad, There are gonna be some rumors after that.

Lets go learn some shit from the swordsmen in terms of training adn head out.

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168 KB JPG

>>2258120
Jobs done here. Also guess some rumours are bound to spread soon.

Also:
>Her orange eyes flash hot and deadly, and she shakes against the desk.

That was...interesting

This quest inspired me to rewatch the movies, starting with the prequels. Jar Jar was just introduced. This is all your fault Hurt.

It's good to have some lighthearted fun in this quest with Sebuk. I guess attempted forced mind reading is about as lighthearted as a Sith quest should get.

>>2258166
>attempted forced mind reading

That's basicaly the sith equivalebt for reaching the second base.

Does R4-K4 actually communicate and have limited free will or does it do only what we say? It hasn't communicated with us yet but I feel like that's be hard to convey with writing anyway.

>>2258196
I've been writing under the assumption that it's got 0 personality, but is intelligent enough to follow verbal orders along the lines of "Go back to that terminal we passed 5 minutes ago and slice it."

>>2258209
I've always liked droids with personality. It could be fun if it developed one over time. But it doesn't matter that much really.

>>2258209
I feel like some level of personality is what differentiates droids from any other machine in the star wars universe

HK-47 was the best KOTOR character. Prove me wrong.

>>2258229
They have a personality core, it could just be ours doesn't have one.

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14 KB JPG

>>2258233
>not Visas Marr
fucking pleb. miraluka waifu when?

>>2258240
That's KOTOR 2 anon. I believe anon is refearing to the first KOTOR game.

>>2258240
Arent those guys extinct?

>>2258244
Wasn't HK in KOTOR 2? It might have been in both.

>>2258247
Yeah she was the sole survivor of her planet. Damn. I need to replay those games. I still can't believe there hasn't been a sequel. That shitty MMO doesn't count.

>>2258249
HK 47 is in both kotors

>>2258240
Handmaiden was my waifu of choice. Echani>Miraluka every time.

>>2258274
>Handmaiden was my waifu of choice. Echani>Miraluka every time.

t. Kreia

>>2258274
>Not superior force force waifu

I bet you never got a force job

>>2258277
Didn't banging Visas too early kill you? It's been so long but I have a vague memory of that. Hard pass. No thanks.

>>2258120
You excuse yourself from Sebuk's office and make your way back to the training hall, where Ukarme is still conducting lessons. Your talk with Sebuk may have been interesting, but it didn't actually take very long. Leaning up against one of the shadowed walls, you pass the time by losing yourself in the repetitive saber strikes of the lined-up students. Sometimes it's tempting to think that you haven't improved much in your own swordsmanship, but watching these initiates dispels any such notions.

You were once like them - only capable of adhering to rigid forms. Ukarme had seemed untouchable. The other teachers had seemed so wise. You had been a little fish in an endless ocean, desperately trying to navigate the raging currents of life in search of... something. Power?

You are driven, but you struggle to put into words what drives you. The lightsaber crystal at your waist had been forged from boundless anger, directed at everyone and everything - even yourself. But that's not a reason to act, or a problem to be solved. That's just pure emotion.

There are many things you want, but not one of them is an end goal. Knowledge, skill, prestige, wealth - these are all tools to be wielded in pursuit of something else, just like your anger. As your eyes travel across the students who have now split up into pairs of dueling partners, your gaze falls on the center of the room, where you had once knelt after your initial defeat by Loman.

There, you had recited the Sith Code. Sebuk's incorporeal form had chastised you, saying that you hadn't even managed to turn your passion into strength - and she had been right. There were faults in your understanding of the Code, and you rectified them.

A year later, you have gained power through strength, and the way seems clear - but you cannot see where the road ends. Through power you will gain victory, and through victory your chains will be broken.

You know what those chains look like. Shame, fear, love - but you cannot imagine the freedom that comes after. Freedom to do what? To float unmoored in a vacuum, free of any attachments whatsoever? It seems more akin to oblivion than paradise.

Why do you want power?

>You don't know yet. But power is a currency that can be spent anywhere on anything. No matter where you go in life, it's a resource that is worth gathering.

>Fear of losing it. You came from nothing, and you could easily turn back into nothing if you let contentment creep in.

>Autonomy. The strong do what they will, and the weak suffer what they must. You will not suffer for another's benefit.

>You trust in the Sith Code. This vague unease you feel is just another test on the long, winding path to freedom. The Code brought you this far, and you will let it take you to the end.

>Write-In

>>2258289
>Autonomy. The strong do what they will, and the weak suffer what they must. You will not suffer for another's benefit.

>>2258289
>You don't know yet. But power is a currency that can be spent anywhere on anything. No matter where you go in life, it's a resource that is worth gathering.

>>2258289
>Autonomy. The strong do what they will, and the weak suffer what they must. You will not suffer for another's benefit.
Power without autonomy is someone else's power and not your own.

>>2258289
>Autonomy. The strong do what they will, and the weak suffer what they must. You will not suffer for another's benefit.

>>2258289
>>You don't know yet. But power is a currency that can be spent anywhere on anything. No matter where you go in life, it's a resource that is worth gathering.

>>2258289
That's all for tonight

>>2258289
>Autonomy. The strong do what they will, and the weak suffer what they must. You will not suffer for another's benefit.

>>2258289
>Autonomy. The strong do what they will, and the weak suffer what they must. You will not suffer for another's benefit.

>>2258289
>>Autonomy. The strong do what they will, and the weak suffer what they must. You will not suffer for another's benefit.

>>2258289
>>You don't know yet. But power is a currency that can be spent anywhere on anything. No matter where you go in life, it's a resource that is worth gathering.

>>Autonomy. The strong do what they will, and the weak suffer what they must. You will not suffer for another's benefit.

Should we train our guards in melee or teach them to use blasters?

>>2258289
>Autonomy. The strong do what they will, and the weak suffer what they must. You will not suffer for another's benefit.

>>2258289
>You trust in the Sith Code. This vague unease you feel is just another test on the long, winding path to freedom. The Code brought you this far, and you will let it take you to the end.
I think we are unimaginative enough for this, and it's true. Also two of the other options are different expressions of fear. Fear of impotence and fear of being controlled.

I feel like everyone just chose anger because they wanted a red lightsaber. Our anger is pretty well controlled.

>>2259201
A unfocused anger makes us no different from a rabid animal.

>>2259205
Yeah I totally agree. I just don't think we're very angry for a sith so a different emotion would have been more appropriate

>>2258648
I would see to it that they had the ability to use blasters effectively but since they already have experience with melee fighting we the best option would be to train them in their preferred style.

>>2259213
If we find another crystal later on we can possibly change it?

>>2259390
So how are we actually gonna use them? Are we gonna bring them with us whenever we're on a IRS mission or just on hostile planets?

We need to cash in that jewelry to properly outfit them with weapons and armor. I'd like to get some armor at some point before the wars breaks out too.

>>2259479
I say bring then only intohistile planets. Also most of the time brigging non-force sensitives to Sith rruins always ends badly.

>>2259505
I also think if there is some way to train them to resist mental force influence we should.

How do you picture the Tionese guards roles? We haven't really seen them fight much but here's what I picture.

Amaza seems very stealthy and quick. If she knew anything about the outside world she could be a decent assassin. Maybe she could be a long ranged specialist with the right training.

Jevan is the one we know the least about. Doesn't seem too smart but is loyal and seems strong. Probably a good melee fighter.

Kalyan is strong, tactical, and intelligent. If she were more loyal and a better leader she could compete with Sadon's spot.

Sadon is clearly the most loyal to us and the best leader. We've still hardly seen him fight but if he was able to beat all of the others then he must be very skilled. Seems less intelligent than Kalyan.

Also what should our guard unit be named? The Tionese Guard is pretty mediocre

>>2259201
Well you're wrong, go read the comments again.

OP you've spoiled us with your daily sessions and now I'm hooked and I need my fix. You better take responsibility, senpai

>>2259772
This.
I'm addicted now. You can't cut me off now.

>>2258289
You're not sure what sort of 'freedom' the Sith Code promises, but you can clearly see the freedom that your own power has brought you. Freedom from dependence on others, or submission to them. Neither the slave nor the master is *truly* free, but you would rather wear cuff-links than shackles.

A sharp clap of hands rings throughout the training room, and you snap out of your thoughts to notice Ukarme standing at the center of the students now quietly leaving. You wait for the shuffling lines of initiates to pass, and emerge from the shadows as Ukarme turns to face you. Then, you explain what you came to ask him.

"Jedi killers?" he scoffs.

"Surely someone out there has trained people for such a purpose."

Ukarme gives a thin-lipped frown. "Only Sith can hunt Jedi." He holds a lecturing finger between the two of you. "Only *we* have nurtured the hatred required to do so."

He might have had a point, if the Jedi hadn't been embroiled in so many galaxy-spanning wars and minor conflicts over the past few centuries. The Mandalorian Wars are the first to come to mind. The intervention of the Revanchists had turned certain victory against the Republic into a crushing defeat that the Mandalorians have yet to recover from. That old shame was half the reason they had aligned with the invading Sith Empire some 28 years ago.

"What about the Sith, then? Did we ever teach non-Force sensitives to hunt Jedi?"

He shakes his head. "A waste of time."

>>2260281
"But Revan's schismatics did exactly that."

Ukarme raises an eyebrow, surprised by your extensive knowledge of history. Or perhaps he's wondering why you're so interested in this topic.

"Only because they had so *few* fallen Jedi of their own," he responds. Ukarme might be right - but only from the point of view of what training is economical for the Sith Empire as a whole. Your interest in this topic is directed at those four warriors you plucked off of Tion. But you'd rather keep the specifics to yourself, for no other reason than modesty. Telling Ukarme that you'd like to train a group of savages to go toe-to-toe with Jedi seems a bit... far-fetched.

"Did they train the Jedi Hunters themselves?"

"They did," he says, before considering his words and adding, "Along with specialized training from the Echani. One of the few people in this galaxy whose bladework can match that of the Sith and Jedi."

You're taken aback by the vaguely respectful tone Ukarme uses to speak about them. That alone is enough to grab your attention. "They're mercenaries?"

"They're a species," he corrects you. "Near-human. Pale as ghosts."

You have to keep from cracking a smile at Ukarme commenting on someone else's lack of color. The man looks like a sun-bleached skeleton left out in the Korriban sun.

"That's very interesting." You give a thoughtful nod. "I'll have to do some reading on these 'Echani'." It's not just a polite aside - that sounds like just the sort of skill to have drilled into your new guards. Assuming, of course, that this vaunted Echani battle prowess is a *skill*, and not an inherent racial trait.

Is there anything else you want to ask Ukarme or do on Korriban? Or is it time to head back to Voss?

>>2260284
Thank him for the information. Let's get back home.

>>2260284
Time to go. Let's see if any IRS assignments just happen to be on an Echani planet.

>>2260295
Supporting this

>>2260284
We can go, there is no one we would want to meet here and no leads to any tombs

>>2260284
Thank him while also insulting him, then leave.

Did we ever get Hacna a tutor for Basic? I think we forgot all about it. Oh well. I'd rather she spent that time messing with the crystals.

>>2260284
Just thank him and go home we did what we wanted and needed to do. Now we look into this Echani.

>>2260307
She is messing with the crystals at least that was what Hurt had posted as her task. But then again see how long she took to make R4-K4.

>>2260284
Lets head out and get a proper jedi killer for our body guards. a Mandalorian.

>>2260338
We'd need to waste millions of credits on the armor tho

>>2260312
Support

>>2260354
For besk'ar armor? Nah, Dursteel and coritis weave

>>2260465
Why use credits in normal armour? Just buy then a personal energy shield.

I bet we would benefit from echani training as well.

>>2260488
To bad they seem to be sided with the republic.

>>2260485
And then the lightsaber cuts straight through your shield

>>2260284
You say your farewell to Ukarme, who comments that you're no longer the middling duelist who had been defeated so handily by Loman. It's a compliment by anyone's judgment, but the reminder of your defeat bothers you enough to leave Ukarme with the musing that all it took to improve was being out of his classes for a year.

After that you depart Korriban, and a few days later arrive on Voss in the dead of night, which makes for an eerie drive through the capital city. The bronzed roofs are nearly invisible without the warm sun shining down on them, and the conservative Voss make a habit of not leaving lights on unnecessarily. A few sparsely-spread crystal lamps light your way through the winding streets, and the servant in the pilot's seat of your cruiser manages to reach home without colliding with one of the darkened building facades.

As per your orders to Olub'cree, no one is there to greet you. It's late enough that you don't particularly feel like enduring Sadon's inevitable questions about your time on Korriban. It had only been a day into your return journey when you received a call from your head servant - an unusual event, which you took for a sign of a major problem having developed back home. One of the Tionese killing Minn-Jarol, or something of that sort. Instead, Olub'cree had patiently asked you to give Sadon verbal assurance that you were alright. From what Olub'cree told you after he got the commlink back in hand, Sadon had become uncontrollable to the point where Olub'cree simply had to bother you with this.

You let out a low laugh at the memory as you walk through the many rooms connecting the manor's entryway and your bedroom. In true Voss fashion, the servants have switched nearly all the lights off, and you allow the Force to guide you safely through the maze of shin-level wood tables and rugs thick enough to trip a Varactyl.

Roll me 3d10+1.

>>2260490
Maybe we could use Thyrsians as a fallback. >>2260516
dice+3d10+1

Rolled 3, 5, 8 + 1 = 17 (3d10 + 1)

>>2260516
>>2260521
well that's embarrassing

Rolled 5, 3, 4 + 1 = 13 (3d10 + 1)

>>2260516

Rolled 5, 6, 1 + 1 = 13 (3d10 + 1)

>>2260516

>>2260516
You move into the dining area, a high-ceilinged room with a long wooden table running down the center surrounded by many low-backed wicker chairs. Your brow furrows as you continue on, but there's no emotion attached to the wary expression you feel forming on your face. For a few confusing seconds, you have no idea what has set your heart pounding.

Then, your hand snatches your lightsaber from your belt, and in that instant you know something is wrong. You ignite the red blade, spinning this way and that to search out the source of whatever has sent adrenaline pumping through your veins.

Then, you spot him. A blue-skinned Chiss man, seated at the far end of the dining table, his elbows propped up on the wooden surface. His blood-red eyes meet your lightsaber, and he leans back in the chair, still keeping his hands where you can see them. Lightsaber pointed at him you approach cautiously, angling in from the side until you can get a good look at him. He's wearing the buttoned gray uniform of Imperial Intelligence.

"I have a doorbell," you remark, still keeping your weapon trained on him.

"I thought you would appreciate the discretion of a private interview." His voice is deep and steady, and his chiseled face betrays not a single hint of unease. "Would you like to sit down?" The Chiss gestures at a chair a few seats away from his own.

What do you do?

>>2260574
I'd prefer to stand

>>2260574
Have a seat then.
this guys is probably gonna question us about the coup

>>2260574
Remain standing, ask him what he wants.
Can we try to see if we can sense anything/anyone else that might be present?

>>2260574
Also get our light saber out of his face

>>2260574
I think I'll stand. Go on then, what do you want?

>>2260600
Oh shit my vote didnt go through? I'm for standing as well

>>2260581
actually it might just be about how we were on the hutt's ship when it disintegrated

>>2260609
Or he's here to tell us to do our good.

>>2260613
Job**

>>2260613
That definitely wouldn't be something Imperial Intelligence cares about

>>2260574
>Sit down

>>2260574
>deactivate your ligthsaber

You know just a little advice. Doing this kind of stuff with other Sith would get you choked to death or worst.Also i prefere to stand.

>>2260643
He knows that, he just doesn't respect us.

So are skills improved by training in that field or do we just get to allocate one at certain milestones regardless of what we trained in-quest?

>>2260657
Skills are freely allocated, but Aspects are story-dependent. The latter are bonuses to specific/situational rolls - like the bonus to single-target physicality rolls you got because people chose to use Juyo over and over.

My rationale is that the skillpoints assigned after time-skips represent what you spent your idle time improving in.

>>2260574
You draw your lightsaber away from his face and switch it off.

"I've been sitting all day," you say. "I'll stand." Keeping one eye trained on the Chiss, you go to the wall and flick on the overhead lamps. The alien's appearance is no less unnerving in full lighting. His hair is as deep a blue as his skin, though slightly darker. His eyes, which before looked to be one seamless shade of crimson, do in fact have irises and pupils. If you were not already familiar with his species, you would think he were a man with the galaxy's worst cases of both colloidal silver poisoning and pink eye.

"I assume you know why I'm here," the man says as you walk back over to the table.

You smirk at the entry-level interrogation tactics. It's the sort of thing even an intelligent child wouldn't fall for.

"No, but *I* assume you're going to tell me," you shoot back. Now that his torso is no longer wreathed in shadow, you notice the rank plaque affixed to his chest. There are a few things that tells you, besides the fact that he's a mere Cipher - a lowly Imperial Agent. It tells you he's making a show of who he works for. No Imperial operative travels around in full dress to make house calls. He's trying to intimidate you - and doing a poor job of it.

"The Kwee-Kunee," the Chiss says. "I'd like to know what happened."

You give him your best tired frown, an expression you don't have to fake given the late hour. "I recommend you start by reading the report my Master filed with the Reclamation Service."

"I read the report. But there are some... discrepancies."

"Oh?" You raise an eyebrow curiously as you lean your hands on the chair in front of you. "And you want me to clear them up?"

"That would be the preferred outcome, yes." He folds his hands on the table, then points two joined fingers at you. "The report said that a Jedi escaped with item number 1313."

>>2260691
You nod. "That's right."

"But you don't know what the item was?"

You fix him with an impatient glare. "As I'm sure the report said, I was never told what the item was."

"You never asked your Master what you were risking your life for?"

"Bothering Sith with unnecessary questions is a *greater* risk to one's life," you say pointedly. "So, no. I didn't ask."

He nods slowly, glancing off to the side as if processing some new information. But you told him nothing new - just the story you and your Master had gone over countless times.

"There was a discrepancy?" you say, growing tired of this Agent sitting in your dining room. His gaze snaps back to you, and his mouth opens as if you've just reminded him what he came here for.

"Just one small thing," he says with a slight tilt of his head. "The Jedi you fought never escaped. She died on the Kwee-Kunee. From some... *curious* looking wounds. Almost like blaster holes, but narrower - and far better cauterized."

At that, your blood runs cold. If they found her body among the floating wreckage, those telltale wounds would point right to you and Veredious. And that would raise many questions about *why* you two had lied about the events that unfolded aboard the Hutt's ship.

You narrow your eyes and steady your voice as you address him. "If you have something to ask, then ask it."

"Alright," the Chiss says, shifting his body in his chair to face you fully. "I would like to know why Lord Veredious stole from a Hutt, killed a Jedi, and then lied about it."

What do you say?

>>2260694
And I would like to know why your wasting my time, you've read the report and I have nothing more to add.

>>2260694
If you want to know why my Master may have done something then I suppose you ought to ask my Master.

>>2260694
"The Jedi escaped. There is an indefinite number of things that could have happened afterwards."


I suggest we play dumb. If they have more evidence, then we will deal with it. Right now, there's nothing damning us besides speculation.

>>2260694
As you can must already know the one that stole something was the jedi. She pierced the Hutt with a strange ligthsaber then ran off with whatever was the 1313 item. The Kwee-Kunee, was pulled out of hyperspace and was destroying itself due to the pull. Besides if you found her body she must have the item with her or she was caugth by some debris while trying to run away.

>>2260694
Maybe she tripped over and impaled herself?
This >>2260694

>>2260715
Of yes, ask after the item. Like
>oh you have recovered the item, the IRS will be pleased.

>>2260706
>>2260711
>>2260714
Should we try to bait him by asking if she was holding her ligthsaber? So we can check if they really found her body? Then if he say yes we know they didn't found nothing.

>>2260715
I feel like this is saying too much. The less we say the better.

>>2260694
Lets say this instead.

I think you're fishing. You must have failed to recover the artifact even after finding her and now you're trying to deflect blame onto someone else.

>>2260694
In the report, did we mention that we pursued? We could also say that we DID fight with her, but yet she still escaped. That could deflect things a little with regards to her wounds.

>>2260724
He did mention 'holes'. Our Master stabbed her once, right? Our attack was a slash at her chest. If they have found the body then they'd know there was only one 'hole'.
But I suppose it could just be a lazy manner of speaking on the Chiss' part.

>>2260759
>In the report, did we mention that we pursued? We could also say that we DID fight with her, but yet she still escaped. That could deflect things a little with regards to her wounds
Support this we need to have them off our back at least for a short while.

>>2260759
He might be saying holes because he thinks we somehow were involved with our master in the plan.

But i guess he's just fishing as other anons said.

>>2260694
You swallow hard, and when you open your mouth to speak your voice is trembling. "You say she was found with lightsaber wounds?"

The Chiss nods, his expression still unreadable.

"Maybe she tripped and impaled herself on her way out?" you say with a slight smile, your tone suddenly smooth and confident. "That's my working theory, anyway." The Chiss had made a fatal mistake in his questioning of you - he had referenced 'holes' in the Jedi caused by a weapon. The only piercing wounds the Jedi has suffered was a *single* thrust through her chest. The others were mere glancing blows and superficial burns.

The agent frowns and looks as if he's about to speak, but you stop him with a harsh glare. "If you have some reason to suspect wrongdoing beyond wild speculation, say so." Again he tries to speak, but you hold up a hand. "And if Imperial Intelligence has questions about my *Master's* actions, they should ask *him*."

You pause, letting your declaration sink in. This time, the Chiss does not respond.

"Or..." you trail off, doing your best to appear thoughtful. "Does Imperial Intelligence not have questions *at all*? Are you here on your own?"

No response. For the first time, you spot the barest hint of frustration break the agent's stony facade. You've hit the mark. He was trying to blind you to the truth by making a big show of sneaking into your home at night in full uniform - but all he's doing is throwing darts at a board in the dark. With a deep breath in he puts his knuckles on the table and pushes himself to his feet.

"Is that it?" you wonder. "Is the interrogation over?"

He shoots you a single glance with those strange red eyes before smoothing out his uniform and walking past you to the manor's entryway.

"I want your name, Agent!" you call after him.

Stopping at the threshold of the dining room, he turns back to face you, his face half-wreathed in shadow.

"Cipher Nine, Mr. Varrus." He gives a short tip of the head, too shallow to be called a bow. With that final verbal barb he leaves, and a short time later you hear the front door open, then close.

You need to decide what level of concern this merits. Cipher Nine was clearly here with no backing from his superiors, but if he keeps digging he might find something to take to the higher-ups within the Intelligence service.

>Send a message to Veredious informing him of what happened. You can do so with simple language that doesn't hint at any wrongdoing on you or your Master's part - just in case the message is intercepted.

>It's time to get ahead of this. Find someone at a high level within Imperial Intelligence to come clean to. Just because your Master goes down doesn't mean you have to.

>Do nothing for now. You have enough plausible deniability that you feel comfortable letting this play out. When events progress further, there may be a way to gain from it.

>Player's Choice

>>2260801
>Send a message to Veredious informing him of what happened. You can do so with simple language that doesn't hint at any wrongdoing on you or your Master's part - just in case the message is intercepted.

We should keep our master abreast of the situation.

>>2260801
>Send a message to Veredious informing him of what happened. You can do so with simple language that doesn't hint at any wrongdoing on you or your Master's part - just in case the message is intercepted.

He has more experience than us, and there are others in league with him. We should just inform him and see what he has to say before we take further action

>>2260801
>Send a message to Veredious informing him of what happened. You can do so with simple language that doesn't hint at any wrongdoing on you or your Master's part - just in case the message is intercepted.

>>2260801
That's all for tonight

>>2260813
thanks for running, man.

>>2260801

>Send a message to Veredious informing him of what happened. You can do so with simple language that doesn't hint at any wrongdoing on you or your Master's part - just in case the message is intercepted.

>>2260801
>Send a message to Veredious informing him of what happened. You can do so with simple language that doesn't hint at any wrongdoing on you or your Master's part - just in case the message is intercepted.

Although one might find suspicious us sendi g a message to him. But at least we will show our master we are on his side.

>Cipher nine is a Chiss.

Uh interesting.

>>2260801
>Send a message to Veredious informing him of what happened. You can do so with simple language that doesn't hint at any wrongdoing on you or your Master's part - just in case the message is intercepted.

>>2260813
Yeah this quest is really amazing.

>>2260813
Thanks for the run boss.

Yo Hurt the next time you make a thread you should use this archive link. We can't vote from the link you're using now.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=A%20Fragile%20Balance

>>2261030
Thanks, I'll do that

Keep up the good work dude this shit is lit

>>2261905
Enjoying the quest boss, really the only good one on /qst/ right now

>>2262382
For me I only actually care about this and Lamplighter Quest.

>>2262383
I mean lamplighter and the black company are good, but they run like once a month(if we're lucky)

>>2260801
After you hear the door close behind Cipher Nine, you continue on through your home, striding quickly up a staircase to a tower in the far corner. Peering out a window, you watch as the agent gets into a cruiser waiting in the street below. As soon as both are gone, you make your way to your office and begin composing a message to have sent to Lord Veredious in the Outer Rim.

Communication is difficult in that region, and there's a solid chance whatever you say to him will be intercepted by eavesdroppers. So you word it carefully - a rogue Imperial Agent came to your home in the dead of night, throwing around wild accusations about Veredious killing a Jedi before running off with an unspecified treasure.

You also mention what the agent said about multiple stab wounds. Your Master is intelligent, and will realize, as you did, that the Jedi's body wasn't *actually* recovered. Or, if it was, that it was in such bad shape they couldn't perform an accurate autopsy. In any case, that particular bit of evidence isn't a concern.

Which doesn't mean that the situation as a whole isn't concerning. Cipher Nine had meant to spook you, and he succeeded. A single agent poking around could eventually turn into something more. For now, you'll wait and see what your Master has to say. Maybe he or the people he is working with can apply leverage in the right places and get this agent shut down.

As you leave the secluded office and go to your bedroom, you're struck by the notion that there's something funny about your new predicament. You've spent so long thinking of yourself as the underdog, the one who triumphs against all odds - yet here you are, someone of relative power and influence, trying to quiet a whistleblower. Obtaining power is a constant struggle, but you are quickly discovering that holding onto the power you've already accumulated is its own challenge - and a far less satisfying one.

The next morning, you leave your bedroom to find Amaza waiting in the hallway outside. You stop, expecting her to say something, but she simply meets your gaze briefly while standing with her hands clasped in front of her. Her stance looks casual, but there's a certain prepared tension to it - like she's a tiny Gundark waiting to pounce at any moment.

>>2262850
You continue down to the first floor, and Amaza trails you at a good distance - you wouldn't even have noticed her, had you not glanced back before descending the stairwell. On your way to the dining room, you pick up a second trail - Jevan, who waits for you at the bottom of the stairwell. The two Tionese continue to follow, though Amaza trails to the left through the rooms running between yours and the central courtyard. It's a startling sight to see - they're *actually* behaving like bodyguards.

Sadon and Olub'cree are waiting in the dining room, and both approach you at once, but Sadon is far younger and far faster. He looks irritated, though you can't imagine what about.

"I only put guards this morning because I do not know you're here last night." He nods at Jevan, who stands behind you.

"That's fine," you say. "I got back very late."

His expression remains frustrated, and you realize that he's not offering excuses. He's genuinely upset that you didn't notify him. Olub'cree's slow shuffle finally reaches the two of you, and Sadon decides to change the subject before he can be talked over.

"We need weapons," he says. "And I go with you now."

Still suffering from the last vestiges of a brief and fitful sleep, you rub your tight forehead and turn to Olub'cree. Minn-Jarol's rapid training program seems to have done its work - perhaps it's time to arm the four.

Do you give them all weapons? If so, what do you give them? You're sure you can scrounge up anything that isn’t too fancy, whether from the Fury's armory or your own personal store. Vibroblades, hand blasters, rifles, all of that good stuff.

For now, their equipment is purely stylistic. The advanced training they receive later on will confer specific bonuses.

You also would like to think of something else to call the four guards. 'Tionese' sounds too much like a Core world merchant family.