[IC] Hirak's Holo Diary

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((Originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, October 2017))

The Sith Lord


Entry 31: The Night before the Storm


*Hirak steps into the frame of the holoprojection. He’d be adorned in what looked like Lordly robes. He’d be maskless, whilst the frill of his new adorned clothing would curl up behind his neck, a long cape would swoop down behind his back. The chestguard and the shoulderpads would indicate his status. As Hirak walks into view he remains exceptionally stoic in his presence. He’d regard the camera for a moment before smirking, as if he were simply an acolyte again. Offering the palm of his hands, Hirak would use them to indicate his new attire.*

“Amusing, right? A Rattataki in such fancy robes. My Master bade me to find more appropriate clothing as I am now a Lord of the Sith. So I have, and I rather enjoy the fanciful nature of it. No doubt I will return to a hooded robe eventually, but seeing as well… tomorrow is the big day, there’s nothing more that I would enjoy than to simply -feel- my title’s full grandeur.

But I digress. I am rather in a good mood, despite the feelings from my other compatriots. You see, in our planning for the upcoming assault against Zarrious myself and Trakaton have been busy. We’ve enlisted the help of a few others, those who have a connection to the exile himself as well. The lorekeeper Lord Jadie Priaa, her apprentice Aljo and another apprentice called Occularis, who was taken by the wretch Sith Cautus. I mentioned her previously… she was an annoyance, and I still consider her one - a pest who caused me more issues than help. Her involvement has… tempered my anger towards her somewhat however. I’ve learnt to restrict myself fully in the times that she’s been present. Perhaps at some point we may see eye to eye, but I shall be wary for now for today is not the day.

We had been working hard continuously the last few months to find ways to stop Zarrious and his shade army…. more on what those are later. We even discovered that his old master, Hazlem, was still living despite the fact that Zarrious claimed to have killed him. How wrong he was; I feel that this is a recurring trend. Regardless, Aljo handled herself well during the meeting and we managed to gather some information about how the Shades worked with Hazlem eventually offered his own aid in the battle so long as what was his temple was returned. I have no doubt that Lord Priaa and her contingent will see that he is -not- rewarded. One as slippery as Hazlem cannot be trusted. He should be put down.

And so, everything was put in place… we had a night to rest and prepare for tomorrow. It was an evening that went by too quickly, far quicker than it should’ve done. More than likely due to the nature of our plan.”

*Hirak opens his hands wide to motion to the Kalkoran estate before pointing outside towards where the door to his room would be.*

“Out there, Trakaton, now Lord Kalkoran, sat with his wife-to-be Aregra. Alongside them was Lord Priaa and Zaryaa Kalkoran, Zhaixe Kalkoran  and even Apprentice Temekel. It was a… happy occasion. I have not been that happy in a long time, a moment to relax and simply drink tea whilst enjoying the company of those around me. Contentment… it is a strange feeling to have.

And in that great mood I gave Zaryaa what she had been looking for. She had asked me for aid in taking another's lightsaber, and at the time it had been aimed at that wretched fool Acarious. But instead I thought that I was going to take her along to kill Stygian. I thought It might rectify our troublesome relation by offering her the chance at the lightsaber she so desperately desired, and a way to impress her master. Although she did not take part in the fighting she was useful in the operation, so I took the lightsaber from the Apprentice of Stygian. It was a double bladed lightsaber, and I explained that she forgotten it in the ship after she claimed it from another apprentice. How she wishes to deal with it, and use it for herself, is up to her but I said that I had no doubt that she would find a way. She seemed gracious in receiving the gift, and pledged that she would find a way to use it against our enemies. Despite all our differences, I know Zaryaa will safe-guard the Kalkorans alongside Zhaixe long after me and Trakaton eventually perish.”

*Hirak taps a hand against his chin in thought.*

“Which could be tomorrow. So, a good thing she does have her lightsaber. Eventually Zhaixe will too, and the cycle will continue. But enough of that doom and gloom. I'll head back to the sitting room and continue my conversation with Apprentice Aljo who arrived before I left. If this is the last time I post in this holodiary, I wish it known that if someone finds this after my death that it should be given to Izasi for safe-keeping. If I survive, one day all of this will be put into a holocron. If not.. a reminder for those who attempt the hubris of killing a Darth.

End transmission.”

*Hirak pauses looking into the camera for a moment as his reflection suddenly turns sour. It's clear from his facial expression that his previous comments went down like a lead brick. He’d continue his stare before twisting away leaving for good as the blue light of the holo-recorder disappeared into the device.*

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((Originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, November 2017))

Entry 32: Demise of the Exile

*The holodiary bursts into light and Hirak is quite clearly holding it hand held, standing on a giant almost collapsed piece of rubble with one foot perched onto it and he other on the ground. Unmasked, clearly tired but almost offering a beaming sadistic smile. He speaks, his voice unrestrained and blazing brightly in tone colouration.*

“A Sith’s greatest weakness is doubt. It makes them foolish. But not nearly as much as overconfidence. Today, I proved that I have conquered my fears for our greatest enemy has perished. I am standing in the literal rubble of the exiles temple palace, bombed to destruction. I'll detail it from the beginning.

We met with the coalition aboard Th’Ssra, many darths and lords who also shared our vision of a deposed Zarrious. These Darths and Lords had, over the long time period that myself and my colleague had been active, pledged themselves to aid us in a time when we considered the Empire in peril. So, via our machinations and the twisting of our words we revealed Zarrious for what he was, a megalomaniac traitor,  secluded away in his fortress and sitting on a stockpile of weaponry. So they all willing agreed to bear their weapons in defence of the Empire, and so we planned. We had also learnt that some of House Kallea and those who supported a Sith by the name of Khairon had leant their aid to him in case of a sudden attack. We expected a large pitted battle in a different system in which we would board his ship and hand him his jewellery, the ones my master had stripped from him upon his exile. So, our coalition tried to draw him away from his temple. Instead, he was rather adamant on staying. It was almost like he already knew that this was our plan… a strange affair but one that was not unexpected. So we switched to plan B.

Plan B was focused on humiliating the exile’s meagre resistance. At first, we wanted to give him a death fitting of his station, and worthy of our individual martial skill, but this was a folly. Truly, Zarrious deserves the death he given. So we approached Dromund Kaas in the usual fashion that is expected of military ships especially with the fleet stationed nearby. As we gazed upon the temple using our location scanners, I must admit, the lavish decoration of his sanctuary was enough to assume he considered himself a god. It was stunning and filled to the brim with armaments and reinforcements. To take an army through that would have been a slaughter, there was just no way it was possible which thankfully we had considered in our options. Upon our arrival, we hailed the Exile and he called Trakaton to the surface. Naturally, I would join him down on the surface.

Utilising a similar plan that we had used against the now deposed Stygian, Doppelgangers were sent into the temple to check that the crazy bastard was actually present in the flesh, to be sure no trick would be played on us. The rest of the coalition and our true selves watched from the cameras installed in the fake Hirak’s mask, ready and prepared to descend into the madman's lair…”

*Hirak took a seat on one of the broken columns before continuing. He motioned towards the ruined central walkway below*

“So they walked through the fortified lair, past all the defenses and into the main cave where Zarrious’ throne room lay. Spread out before him we're a few shades, the deathly alchemical creations he and his master had created in previous years. So our doppelganger stood there whilst Trakaton’s ‘Clone’ conversed shortly with Zarrious calling him out as a traitor. After the Exile had his rant, proclaiming himself the saviour of his people and the next best thing since Vitiate, he sent his shades to kill what he thought was both myself and Trakaton. They of course killed the two clones, to which Darth Archayon has our thanks for his lending of pawns for the occasion. Seeing a prime opportunity to level his beloved palace whilst the fight between them and the clones was occurring, we began our aerial assault.

Harrowers and Terminus unleashed their hordes of fighters and bombers, who surged towards the temple structure and began to bombard the location under the guise of a weapon test on an old ruin as was acceptable under the reign of Empress Acina and the laws of the Empire as of current. The armament defences, the beautiful scenery, soldiers under the exile's command and all his reinforcement contingents were destroyed apart from the cave which somehow managed to  withstand at the centre whilst it’s entrance and the back end where the throne was erected had collapsed. If House Kallea or others had been there to support him, we did not see it nor did we hear much from them after. We believed him finally put to rest but Zarrious feigned death, as we found out after going planet side to excavate the ruins. It is not hard to sense the presence of a being so twisted within the rubble.

It took a few hours to bust through the rock face to get inside. Standing within the broken cave at the precipice of his ruined throne, the Exile seemed alive and as unhinged as he had alwasy been. Yet before us were a multitude of shades, black against the cave’s stone backdrop and deathly silent in the wake of the Coalitions full Sith ground force.  Most of the exile’s undead soldiers had been pulled away by his recently resurfaced master’s ritual, sixteen were left. The shades we encountered here were more frightening than the ones from before; they were armoured and resistant to the effects of lightning. Therefore, with far and few ways to kill them, we had only the option of decapitation. Trakaton himself was gripped away from the main group into a furious one on one duel with the Exile, battling him fiercely whilst the rest of us held the shades off from striking the Lorekeeper who was busy meddling with Zarrious’ mind so that Trakaton could land a successful killing blow. So we fought on, strike after strike side by side in a gulley of death. I personally took down the most shades, of course, whilst others like Lord Venom and Darth Archayon focused on protecting our number or hampering the exile’s tumultuous sorcery. Apprentice Aljo and Occularis also had my back during the fight. They had been proficient during the latter half of the campaign, and backed this up during our fight against the shades. My opinion on them has slowly risen with their usefulness.”

*Hirak offered a smirk in thought before returning his state back towards the holorecorder’s lens.*

“I found this was a perfect opportunity to practice what the holocron had told me of Lord Rai’s personal Jar’kai technique; a double blade in one hand with a single blade in the off hand. This time I opted to utilise a cortosis blade from the downed mechs we had used against Stygian and Begeren. One shade struck, it’s lightsaber switched off from the strike as I blocked with the metallic-like weapon. Then swift like a flash my own lightsaber severed the head. It's dead, silent corpse crumbled as he turned to the next shade. I repeated this action indefinitely until the Exile sudden blew up into flame, summoning the largest storm of pyrokinesis I’d ever witnessed in my life. It was… glorious. He was very powerful, and certainly the deadliest enemy we’d ever faced. I can still feel the heat….”

*Hirak’s hand moves to his face a she wipes it, visibly sweating in his battle armour.*

“But with the shades mostly dead I tried to do what I could to help Trakaton. His death would leave me in charge of not only my half but also his share... I enjoy my freedom. So my hand outstretched as I aided the Lorekeeper in breaking the exile’s mind with Subjugate whilst Trakaton ventured into the burning flame inferno. An explosion, and suddenly the flames stopped. The shades that remained we're slaughtered and we found Trakaton stood over the corpse of the Exile. With his last breaths, the Exile smirked wildly muttering incoherently as my colleague offered the last nail in the coffin with a few spoken words. Thankfully, I do not know what was said nor do I wish to know. Regardless, a strange yet apt way to go perhaps. I left pretty swiftly after this, allowing those who felt any real closeness to him to deal with the body, my beastmaster marines aiding in the removal to the Kalkoran Estate. Instead, I focused on maintaining the good relations of those who had fought there today in the Coalition whilst ensuring that they will receive their fair share of the reward as promised.

Truly we achieved that which not even our master had done, nor any other Lord in our powerbase. On our second days as Sith Lords, we had achieved what I thought would be the impossible. For us it was survival versus death and we triumphed. This is what freedom feels like. Our chains were finally broken with his last breath. I finally feel like I can breathe again.”

*Hirak pauses and looks around at the devastation wrought by the bombing. Eventually another figure juts into frame. Armoured in what looks like black gear with a long cape whilst sporting the face of a Sith Pureblood who wore his hair neatly brushed backwards across his scalp. He’d nod towards Hirak before leaving the frame of the shot as Hirak held the camera towards his own person. Looking back into the lens he snorted a bemused smirk.*

"End transmission.”

*Hirak looked back over the landscape one last final time that must have lain before him before looking back to the holodevice. He’d fiddle around with it before allowing it to turn itself off, the blue light disappearing back within the machine.*

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((Originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, November 2017))

Entry 33: Lords of the Sith 

*Hirak entered into the frame of the holodiary. He was dressed in the long black robes with a hood over his head. This time he was without the mask, his eyes burning directly against the backdrop of nothingness simply appearing stoic against blue horizon of the holodevice’s blue hue.*

“My duties have changed somewhat since becoming a Lord. One of the noticeable changes is how myself and Trakaton work. He has become very focused on the internal politics of the house whilst I have continued our focus on external matters. Our master has left Sith space to deal with important issues, leaving behind what has been reffered to as the Triumvirate of Houses (whether it’s official or not, who knows and who cares?). The house’s powerbase is ruled by Trakaton, Tokiai and Saud in joint custody. It seemingly works. I've also found that my relations with the latter two have not been as strained as previously. Perhaps my position offers a slight nullifying effect to their hatred seeing as even the Dark Lord acknowledges my position. I have made sure not to laud that around.

Amusingly, on this topic, Cautus has decided he doesn't wish to call me by my title, asking Trakaton if he could call me ‘Beastmaster Sanguinis’ so that no ‘issues’ would arise which as an aside is not a wrong title. It appears that both Saud and Tokiai have copied him, which is most interesting because I never thought I'd see the day that the two of them followed in the footsteps of such a failure. Maybe I should point that out to them… I wonder if the realisation may shock either Pureblood? Either way, it is known that those who hold little real power feel the need to assert their titles on their political equals or betters, and as such I have no desire nor want to sink to their level.

I digress. The bestiary has also grown, with more money being funnelled into it through my own devices and our contacts. Lord Venom has continued to be a favoured ally in what he’s brought to the table and soon I can truly be the Dark Lord’s eyes as he trained me to be. Through my vigorous training practices I have continued to spar with others outside the powerbase. House Vossen has been a prime target, and I hope that others worthy of my time will also crop up. I've even included Raeniu Vipion in a few of my training sessions. It's a shame, she had the potential but now she’s wasting away into obscurity. I suppose that does serve her right for her betrayal.”

*Hirak sighs loudly and rubs a hand across his face. He noticeably groans also*

“I'm clearly still vindictive. Besides the usual things have progressed in the house. New acolytes are pumped in everyday to aid in our revival of the old ways. More and more aliens flock to the banner of Horuset, much to my masters perpetual annoyance. I'm unsure why beyond his natural hatred of them; we can relish that even the aliens want to adopt a way that brandishes them as a disease.

In other news the Neophyte Siors has displayed his interest in being taken as an apprentice. Whilst Therdel was present he was a part of the Kalkoran powerbase, and having left the Horusets he left behind his wanton apprentice. With his desire to remain in our caste he is decided who to press his allegiance to. I hope he chooses Trakaton, I despise the thought of teaching another. For now, I'll focus on myself and train harder.

I'll do my master proud and one day soon even those who consider themselves my equal or better will understand the full power of my talents.

End transmission.”

*Hirak waves a band towards the holodevice as it cuts out completely, the blue light flickering as the device shuts off drawing the beam back within its compartment.*

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, November 2017))

Entry 34: The Charity Ball

*The Rattataki Sith Lord was dressed in the red adorned lordly robe with the cape flowing out the back of the tightly fitted chestpiece that wrapped around his broad pectorals. Moving his hand to his neck he unclipped the drape as it fell down, whilst his other hand pressed something on the side of his neck causing the mask to peel off the Sith’s face.*

“I have witnessed possibly the strangest occurrence of political suicide. Whilst I might not be so publicly detestful of his twi’lek mistress, Darth Iradox has finally lost his last grip on sanity. This rodent of a Rutian preached her Jedi-like sympathies to a room of Sith and Imperials alike; an embarrassment beyond any other. If she had been my apprentice I would have killed her immediately due to the embarrassment of such actions, let alone an ex-slave fiancée. The thought of it boils my blood to a rage I could not fathom into words. Yet within that is a sense of pity… pity for a bloodline lost in heresy. Thankfully Aregra’s personal stock is admirable though in time I shall forge her into the wife she should be. Best to keep that notion quiet from her husband to be though.

The gathering itself, known as the Charity Ball, a rather Jedi-like naming in itself, had good intentions. By good, I mean they served a purpose. For those who have the commanding capability above that of a womp rat will understand that morale is important to the war effort. In fact it is exceptionally important. For even during the Jedi Civil War, which I extend my thanks to the Lorekeeper and Trakaton for giving me more information on the topic, Jedi Bastila Shan’s battle meditation was key to victory alike Naga Sadow’s during his campaign for supremacy. Of course, Bastila’s was inherently worse as she is Jedi scum.”

*Hirak coughs, clearing his throat at his last comment following it up with what appears to be the cheekiest smirk one might ever possibly see on this Rattataki’s face.*

“To tip the balance in your favour, morale of those fighting the battle is important and what better way to show the Empire still supports the imperial dynasties and enterprise than offer funds of reparation to the families of the fallen so they can continue to support the Empire’s visions with their lives. Perhaps almost like livestock…”

*Hirak moves a hand to tap his pale face, the racial tattoos visible as he turns his head slightly as his nose ring wobbles. A hairless frown appears on his forehead.*

“But I digress. I entered the ball sadly late, I missed the opening speech. I would note that the transcript afterwards was insightful; no heresy was insinuated in that. In fact, it made sense. As the event progressed, the Kalkoran powerbase offered credits to orphanages which we later found out had been named after us. I'm sure that the one in question will become useful, force sensitives and such ripped from its plump resources or a stream of ready soldiers for the imperial segment prepared to die for an Empire that kept their lives well... lively. Either way, there will be some providence procured from our decision.

As the ball progressed I spoke with various members of the well known ilk that patrol Dromund Kaas, like Darth Iradox himself, Lord Ahlaro and Darth Avar, some further Nyash spawn and various other unrecognisable sith. Some members of House Horuset who also attended like Neophytes Vaenra and Siors, as well as the Lorekeeper were seen about discussing their various pseudo-unimportant opinions. Trakaton also brought his new apprentice Zutauha Ronith. She is most curious, and has been useful in the past. In the sense that she has not died fetching animals for me and my bestiary. I am sure the faith Trakaton has put in ber capabilities is not misplaced. I wonder if she’ll consider my watchful gaze? Regardless, she was present. I also met a Rattataki Acolyte who I spoke to for a short while. She seemed shy, and tamed. A pity. I had high hopes. Another useless alien, how I tire of them.

By the end of course, the Rutian Kelly made her speech and that is when the occasion went sour. Sensing the emotion running through the room, myself and Trakaton recalled House Horuset assets back to us and from there we began to depart whilst the raucous continued promptly. An inquisitor quickly stepped into the fray, and that was the last I saw.

My thoughts on the occasion are pretty obvious in private but for now I shall reserve judgement. In fact, I've found time to issue a challenge to Iradox’s apprentice and personal bodyguard Lord Moric Dar. As far as I know, he’s one of the most able soldiers that is known through the powerbase. More fierce than Tokiai, more powerful than Saud. I have no doubt that even my master would find that he’d only eventually win under duress. But that is why I shall fight him. After all, I have a reputation to keep up and power to harness.

End transmission.”

*Hirak waves a hand across the breadth of thin air in front of him, the hum of the holodevice stops and a clicking sound is heard as it begins to turn off. The light disappears into the mechanical emitter before it entirely comes to a close.*

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((Originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, December 2017))

Entry 35: Lord Moric Dar

*Slowly Hirak hobbled into the scene; he was topless with a large kolto weave bandage across his chest and one along his left arm. He’d smirk widely at every step and although the blue hue of the holodevice discoloured his eyes, it was clear they burned with an unbridled passion. In fact, the Rattataki’s bare face contorted into a depiction of  savage bliss. He took a moment to sit down upon a seat which he grabbed manually and pulled closer to the holorecorder.*

“What a rush! What glorious combat. Truly, Moric wields power. Power that I too have come to crave and love. His strikes struck home with horrific magnitude, magnifying his natural strength with the presence of force augmented ones.

A few weeks prior, I had issued through his master Darth Iradox a challenge to his prized pupil. As the apprentice of Darth Horuset, I seek only to grow in my own mighty power and spar with other Sith who carry themselves with true strength. This Lord, this Moric accepted with but a singular message:

‘I accept your challenge. We shall meet on Korriban.’

So we met upon the dusty outcrop of Korriban’s plains far away from the academy. Clad in my dark red and black robes I walked up the gangway of the metallic platform the other Sith Lord had perched himself upon. A few long strides and we were there facing one another. My red fiery eyes stared towards the two yellow suns that sat baleful in the dark skin of his face. I noticed he was tattoo’d visually on his face, much like my own tribe’s tattoos. Moric had clad himself in fairly nondescript garments. I understand that the human had no taste in finery much like I had seen some Pureblooded Lord’s crave. I came to know almost instantly that we both took part in the appreciation of not wasting time. So, I dropped my robe, allowing the shoulder-body weights to collapse  from my form with a crunch against the metal plates that held the platform together beneath my feet.

‘Lord Dar.’ I stated. The red and black markings of my mask were illuminated by the sun as I locked eyes with the larger male, dust battering it as I continued by gaze unwavering.

‘Lord Sanguinis.’ he offered in return, as cold and uncaring as any other. As my sense reached out around the two of us, I noticed at this point that he had dampened his presence considerably, or rather that it had always been this way but only now finding myself away from the others I could distinguish how lacking it was. A most curious decision.

I offered him a quick remark before we began by stating my desire not to waste our time and that we should begin. So, my right hand shot forward as the force gripped my shortened double-blade hilt into my hand. As I took my grasp around the centre, I ignited one end and sank into an Ataru stance, raising my combat barrier and locking my senses into place as  preparation for the onslaught I thought was to come. I expected power, and I was ready to brace for it. As I bent the force to my will, I reached out to crush Moric’s willpower through the use of ‘Crush Opposition’, a force aura power I had been focusing on for months. I had grown very proficient, almost expertly so, at utilising it in battle to barrage my foes by draining them of their will to even fight me. It was a process that was slow, and gained momentum as I latched onto their physical tiredness. However, the dark-skinned human stroke towards me with speed as he stepped in towards my form. The crossguard lightsaber he wielded burst into action at the last might, slashing in a singular arc towards my chest. I spun aside as our blade clashed. Weaving and dodging, we exchanged blows. His were heavy, like lava whilst mine focused on the strength that followed intense speed. As if a waterfall or a volcano had erupted in a small valley of the Sith homeworld, our clashing sabers distorted sound throughout the lone dust red foothills as we matched one another. One block came from a strike of my own, attempting to expose his right shoulder. The smaller vents on each side of the main blade ignited, which he used to pause my assault. Moric’s main blade was long like the hilt, crimson red, but on each side were two extra vents produced a similar red colouration which jolted outwards moments later after the initial blade had ignited.

After what felt like mere seconds, the senior Lord swung at me with force, a swipe slashed towards my chest once more as if to cleave myself open. My own inertia saved me as I thrust myself backwards off the structure. Disigniting the one singular blade swiftly, my arms thrust out towards the larger metal structure that lay before me. The force within me surged as my anger and hatred fueled it, snapping simultaneously two of the structure’s plinths that kept it upright. Moric had approached the edge as the rear two stands collapsed immediately, flinging him backwards towards the sand below. It kicked up a storm that almost blocked our vision but not our senses. Snarling within the mask, the love of battle riling up my spirits, I once more turned one end of the lightsaber on as it sprung into crimson birth. I funneled the force into my legs, launching myself upwards into the air over the structure and down towards where the dark male had landed. Moric attempted to strike my down from the air; an attempt I had been accustomed to from my many battles. Inertia turned me and I swung past him. Moric’s lightaber swung past me as I turned back towards him. I struck back as he feet twisted my form, carrying my weapon from left to right towards his back. Moric’s speed surprised me as he retaliated once more, slamming his own plasma weapon into a parry behind him, utilising the movement of his previous action to carry himself well.

A few more blows were exchanged until Moric attempted a falling avalanche. Now, often Trakaton and myself will teach those who wield the form never to open with it. Moric demonstrated the perfect execution of the form. His posture was strong, his grip was powerful and he had just forced me backwards in ataru. However, I have spent most of my battle career as a Sith fighting Djem So focused warriors and understand the use of a falling avalanche and how to effectively counter it. I utilised Tràkata, turning my weapon off to allow his to swing past my form as I used speed and footwork to dash to his right igniting the other side of my weapon to turn my grip into reverse Ataru. My blade attempted to cut across him but Moric had already switched off his own weapon before attempting a forward roll away from the blade. Turning to look back to me at a stronger position than he, his face contorted into a savage death stare.

It was at this point that Moric began to show his power with the force, dropping the charade with his dampened presence and unleashing the fury that came from within. The rage burst forth from him entirely in retaliation caused me to rethink my strategy.  I decided to attempt a different approach. Leaping backwards away from the positions we had created after the structure’s collapse in order to create space, I spun around by body swiftly, whipping up a storm of sand around me using the force to aid in the creation before immediately dampening my presence to become invisible in a cloud of dust particles. My mask allowed me to continue my visual of him, despite the thick smog-like cloud surrounding me. I switched off my lightsaber blade and crouched to the floor. No further movement from him. So, I placed my hand down into the ground and thrust lightning through the particles that lay within. The blue lightning burst out from the ground, zig zagging towards the larger male. Instead, as if he knew what my plan was all along, he hefted the hilt of the blade up and redirected the lighting away as it came up towards his form. Then with one movement, he turned the blade like a javelin or a spear and launched it as if it were a missile with controlled targeting with the aid of his telekinesis. I did not expect the attempt. Like a terrifying red bullet it swung inside the storm cloud of sand, slashing past my left arm. I snarled, instantly pushing myself away from my sandy defence as it cut across my flesh. I launched myself out from the coverage of this red stained sand cloud into the air before coming down from above to strike the top of Moric’s guard again with furious vigour in the style of a Falling Leaf. I could.. feel his glee at having hit me. It hung like a damn sickness in the air...

Again, our weapons shuddered together at the clash. A few more strikes were exchanged before the mountain of a human struck back forcing me backwards as I weaved in between and away from his heavier strikes. My own retaliations forced him into defensive parries, only to strike back with even more pressure than the last. He pinned me as fatigue wore in, both our brows laden in sweat as the intensity and emotion had built up within us. Like the potent sting of chemical warfare, the duality of our rage spread through the small valley to encompass all we had envisioned in our spar. His blade rose, the twin bent cross guard came down towards my centre as I was forced to bend down onto one knee to sustain my footing. The barrage of strikes were like meteors falling down upon the hardened tectonics of a planet.  But I was not without my machinations. My blade sat neatly above my head as the second blade shot from the emitter, cutting into the side of Moric’s abdomen during one of the parries. A cut across his side at shiim length formed, offering an orange hue in the wake of the move. With a simple execution, Moric retaliated by turning his blade to disarm my weapon from my hand as tiredness finally overcame me before performing a downwards strike across my chest again in shiim format. He was not wounded like I, but mere moments later I crumpled backwards in defeat as my entire body slammed into the floor. Staring up towards the sky I groaned as the pain sustained me. My weapon switched off as I landed, as did his almost simultaneously. Two yellow suns stared down to me before he spoke, giving me a solid nod of what seemed like respect. I responded in kind with my own singular nod, although far more sluggish than his.

‘We should do this again sometime’, a response I did not expect but relished. I agreed with his sentiment wholeheartedly, offering a short response:

‘That we should’.”

*Hirak brings a hand to where the blade had struck him earlier in thought, touching along the kolto weave bandages that adorned his chest.*

“And indeed we shall again in the future, I have much to think about. Even as he walked off into the distance I craved for the opportunity for our blades to clash once more. I shall become the strongest… no one will stop me. I will continue to learn as I always have… through practice.

End transmission.”

*Hirak takes a hand off his chest and waves it towards the holorecorder causing the blue light to diminish and return into the casing ending the holorecording almost immediately.*

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((Originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, December 2017))

Entry 36: The Second Vossen Party


*Dressed elegantly in a deep red material chest covering with a cape attached to the tops of his shoulders, the billowing material seemingly stretched down to the floor touching it lightly at it’s end. Hirak’s beast mask disintegrates from covering his face as he steps into frame, his right hand moving away from his neck . The Rattataki sighs and then offers an astute smile towards the camera before speaking, the holorecorder offering a pure version of his vocal tones.*

“Darth Vossen is an amiable host, one that has in the past both proven to be pro an empowered empire in the face of the alliance’s dubious connections as well as a woman of strength and mind. Indeed, such tenacity has caused the powerbase to offer her an alliance and one that mutually benefits both us and the Empire. Synergy with the Dark Side. No doubt when the war restarts our fury will overcome the pathetic Jedi…

Moving past the obvious politics, we were all ushered onto theVossen flagship, the ISS Praetorian, finding ourselves in a central eastern section of the ship where sofas and a bar were laid out for the guests pleasure. We were the first to arrive: myself and Trakaton were naturally invited, so we brought along some of the more prominent Apprentices of the generation below us. Apprentices Tashha, Soyut and Trakaton’s new apprentice Zutauha who is the matriarch of the Ronith family. We also brought the Kalkoran heir Zhaixe, an astute if not rather… ugly Pureblood.”

*Hirak shivers slightly, starting from his shoulders then descending down to his feet almost. A full body repulsion.*

“I will never understand long hair it must feel so waxy upon one’s scalp an-... nevermind, I digress. I like the boy regardless of his outward appearance, unlike Cautus whom I hate entire both outwardly and inwardly. And of course, we met up with Aregra, the bride to be of my colleague.

Eventually a toast was made, and we toasted to the empire and the old ways like the true traditionalists we are. I made sure that I led by example. I overheard the Raeth lot toast to progression. Much like their resolve and philosophy it was a weak attempt at countering our offertory words. So then once all was said and done we mingled with many of the other guests.

I however had a single matter in mind. The blademaster of House Raeth was an alien called Ailac. I know my master has had good interaction with him, whether or not his distaste for aliens has been tempered by my apprenticeship is unknown, but there is no bad blood there. I converted with him and asked for a spar. He accepted and told me to meet him in one of the training rooms after business had concluded. So, after I had gathered a fair few contacts more on behalf of my powerbase I ventured forward to the upper atrium of the Dreadnought to find the Twi’lek blademaster.

As we stepped into the square ray shield arena, I gauged him up and down and throughout our spar I recognised what type of saberist is trained in Raeth. Defensive, full of counters and movements. They wait and tire their foes. Though, regardless, I pressed the attack and kept viciously affronting the twi’lek Lord to test my theory. It was a resounding success. He reacted to my moves before enacting his own, backing away and recovering after a combination. It was only until I forced his hand utilising tràkata that he utilised his second weapon in Jar’kai. At this point I had found my peak in terms of visible fatigue, I was dipping and angered by the infallible defence. A wrong love cost me a disarm, and a shiim strike.

Although the match had ended I had learned a lot more, I had understood what the other Twi’lek was thinking whether he’d blindly retreat or if he watched me like a hawk. The latter was the answer, and it's been useful to observe such.

So afterwards I returned to my colleague and the apprentices, having changed again and made myself presentable once more. I got a drink, enjoyed people watching and then called it a night. Truly, it was a very different occasion than last time
But memorable I suppose in its own way.

End transmission.”

*Hirak waves a hand before the blue light suddenly disappears back into the device to signal the end of the recording loop. After a few moments the machine shuts down completely with a slow clicking sound.*

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((Originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, January 2018))

Entry 37: The Beast Trial

*Shadowed by the hood of his robes, Hirak pressed forward into the picture of his usual holodiary hue, completely dark blue with his mask firmly fitted around his face. His hands come forward to just in front of his waist, gripping tightly together as the gauntlets notably click upon friction with one another. From the shadow of the hood Hirak speaks out in robotic tone for his words only to be exaggerated in their tonality by the speakers of the holo device.*

“I have yet to document my true studies into the beasts that I capture, break and tame for Horuset control. The force allows for many kinds of bonds, ones where I simply break their independent will, ones where since their inception I am present and ones where I have made myself the alpha. Domination comes in many forms and whilst I am nowhere near to understanding the full potential that this has wrought I am growing closer with every step.

The animals I collect and put into my pseudo-environment are experiments of a greater form…”


*Hirak opens his hands wide almost inviting applause or some sort of query upon the identity of his machinations. His head tilts upwards as he regards the camera fully betraying a horrific glint in his eyes as if welcoming a heretic into a trap.*

“Force Subjugate. The ability to drain the willpower away from both those who have the force and those who do not. Upon those who do not I am able to inflict my will totally upon them; control their actions and force them to be subjugated. It has a stranger effect upon force sensitives. The humanoids I have attempted this on over my tenure after discovering the ability have shown their desire to fight diminished, their forms and movement sluggish under its effects. If I am able to stand and channel this fully I have found I can bring a charge to a waddle given the space. However, I have found that in combat many stronger opponents have blocked their minds to this. I will need to find a way to crush this mental defence in the future. A different way of envisioning it perhaps? To pull like a hurricane away from their embedded defenses, or to rip away the ground they embed themselves in within their mind... so many questions with too little time to discover..."

*Hirak shakes his head a little and offers a robotically altered sigh. After a few moments pausing, he looks back up towards the camera and regains a seeming composure.*

"Regardless, I sidetracked. This ability allows for beasts, those whose intelligence and connection to the force are nowhere near as strong as the humanoids, to be put under my direct control. It means where I would once have to wrestle control I can now shut down completely for a time as long as my strength is present. So, I thought to make use of this in an acolyte trial. Three beasts: a Queen Frynock bred for one purpose by Occularis in her lab, a Bull Rancor imported from Felucia and a couple of Nexu that roamed Taris. These creatures were tested before I allocated them for the acolyte trials which allowed three groups to face either one of them via lot.

The acolytes efforts are meaningless to me, although I did note the Mirialan Jedi convert strangely garnered Traditionalist Pureblood support which included the heir to the Ronith house, Lythare, a competent beastmaster in the making. A tragedy to see such heretical behaviour starting in the acolyte pool.

Aside from that the trial went perfectly and my tests were carried out with reasonable results. A testament to the patience required to enact a step by step strategy, despite that connotation not exactly applying to either my birth race or my Sith training. However, if my own master can find patience then so can I.

I will further my studies with this data.

End transmission.”

*Hirak waves a hand towards the holo recorder as the blue hued light disappears silently into the mechanical emitter from which it originally sprung cutting out the recording from sight.*

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((Originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, January 2018))

Entry 38: The Jedi Padawan

*Hand held, the holodevice’s lens would not be on Hirak’s head which was covered in a red and black mask that sported the beast maw across the front where his mouth would be. It would appear he’s sat on something as his whole body is visible. He looks around for a few seconds before then looking back towards the camera.*

“I'm currently on Tatooine of all places, that barren and horrifically dull planet on the outer rim. It's a strange occurrence when an enemy of your past emerges so drastically onto your radar. That's why I am here in fact. It's because of her that I've come here. I am sure I have mentioned in previous recordings that I met a padawan in the early days of my Apprenticeship to Tokiai on Hoth who was on a mission with her master and became separated from him. I engaged her in combat before being forced to flee as her master eventually turned up in the nick of time. In the recent years I put her out of my mind as I grew and became stronger.

Following the expansion of my network and the reach that it has achieved, a few weeks ago I ended up growing curious. Curiosities have always lead me down a path of excitement, so I started a search with the prerogative that if any notable occasions of a human of her description popped up on the radar I should be alerted.  Eventually she did and I was told she had arrived here on Tatooine. I hunted down her exact coordinates and movements, arrived incognito via the unaligned Kalkoran transport ships. After touch down I spent the next few days tracking her movements until I watched her exit into the dune sea for training. I followed her, cautious of her ability. After watching her for what felt like hours it was clear that her training had fallen by the way side unlike my own. She was sloppy, she had lost her way with the force and her connection to the light was faltering.

I dampened my presence and approached her. She had knelt down to scavenge parts from some sort of large engine that had broken down on the wasteland. Curious as to how much she had changed. I remembered long flowing golden hair in my mindseye only to find her hair was cropped and put up, dusty from the Tatooine dunes. Even her clothes were ragged. Oh… what wonders insecurities do to the poor minds of the jedi. So unsure of their purpose when they lose their way. It was rather easy.

I unhooked my lightsaber and ignited it to draw her attention. She turned and questioned me. She asked who I was and what I wanted. I simply laughed. The stupid girl didn't recognise me. Of course she wouldn't, I've gone through so many metamorphoses that I do not even recognise the figure that now speaks into this holorecorder from the one that started it. So I just stared her down and reminded her of our first encounter.

‘The mere Sith apprentice you met before is gone. Now only a Sith Lord remains. And you… are weak.’

I ignited one end of my lightsaber and leaped down, entangling in combat with her. She wielded Jar’kai like a puppy, so I dismantled her defence like I would a non-force sensitive. As I broke her, I launched her back into the side of the machine and gripped her there before she passed out from the barrage. I could feel her emotions, her fear buried beneath the guise of a Jedi and I relished as it tried to fight to the surface before she lost consciousness.”

*Hirak suddenly disappears off the image of the holorecorders display to show a female human sat up against something. Her head drooped downwards as she was clearly unconscious. Her hair was notably deranged and strewn across her face. Of medium build, her hands were tied together behind her back by something that was not shown on the recording. She was obviously breathing but nothing further.*

“When I return to the temple I will break her spirit and tempt her to the dark side through machinations I've had planned should I ever get the chance to turn a warrior of the light to the darkness. A little labyrinth around the ruined temple, a chance to test a theory of mine. We will see if she performs adequately or if she’ll fail like the pathetic order she originated from.

End transmission.”

*Hirak fumbles with the device that he clearly reaches for before the blue light retreats from its display back into the machine causing the low humming that had initiated at the start to stop slowly before the device powered down.*

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, January 2018))

Entry 39: Siors, Apprentice to Sanguinis  

*Hirak appears suddenly as the holodevice springs into life. Clad in a new outfit but still sporting the same mask, Hirak stands tall. A billowing single colour cape falls down at his back whilst two spaulders cover his shoulders of clear metallic design. The front of the chestpiece design zigzags with purpose across his sternum wrapping around to his back. Twin metallic boots stretch up his shins to his knees connected under matte styled trousers. With his hands tucked underneath the cape clasped behind his back, Hirak began to speak with his usual robotic gait.*

“I first met Siors in the training pit in the Horuset Spire. We were both acolytes at the time. He was in Tsuotas Jiaka, the failures and I in Dujozi, the victors. I remember him as this… strange looking human, with gelled pointy hair that stuck up at the front with this absent goofy expression. He always considered himself to be some prodigy, some strong fighter who could beat anyone. Well, he thought so until I broke him in hand to hand combat, forced him into submission and asserted my dominance. Siors was one of many I pummeled on my way upwards, he was just a footnote in my history. Eventually, I ascended as an apprentice and started my real training to become a Sith. Another acolyte season on and Siors, who had his throat ripped out by Tokiai for ‘huffing’, as an example of his idiocy, only just to survive due to the medical bots, was chosen as the apprentice of my ally Therdel. Therdel began to teach him but such teaching was cut short as  the Alderaanian Sith left to pursue his own power leaving both bullheaded apprentice and the powerbase by the wayside. The boy barely improved, left to his own devices he was lost like a lonely goat on an island away from home only just learning how to swim. But the sea is filled with all manners of deadly creatures. So, out of pity I took him and taught him how to make a saber crystal. Obviously I had him kill his family first to create a powerful place of dark side energy in which he could a saber force to craft his first crystal.

So he killed them, and made his crystal. I’ve heard rumours that he utilised some of their blood and placed it within the crimson crystal but I hardly care for the details. From then on the path was his own until recently. After I took the Lord title as mine, I had a few acolytes and neophytes interested in my teaching but too afraid to learn from an alien. Too afraid of doing what it takes to be noticed. After all, I outmanoeuvred two Sith Lords to be noticed by Darth Horuset, my own master, when barely an apprentice.So this was consistent they all disappointed me and even now when I watch them with their own masters they disappoint me still. Everyone except Siors. Don’t get me wrong, he was very disappointing at times but his tenacity was impressive. He kept coming back asking for tasks and even when he failed he kept bashing his head against the wall hoping it would fall. Eventually that wall fell hard.

His first task was the get me the head of Korse. The massassi was once a pet of Tokiai until it grew too attached to Zirvesh, so myself and her threw the creature out and exiled the beast under the orders our then master. Now, her death was required by further higher orders so I sent Siors to do the work. After sometime it was accomplished and I handed the head to Tokiai personally. It took Siors a long time to do this thus his lack of urgency annoyed me. Whilst patience is not a Sith virtue, it is part of being deceptive and training oneself to understand the sure thrill of deception is a positive regardless.

Next  I tested him in combat against three acolytes. I had hoped he’s string them together more, make them work as his underlings to push me to my limit but it was made very clear to me that he is just a brute who rushes forward and doesn't stop until something's dead, like a Marauder. He doesn't think or plan before he moves often. Sometimes that works, and sometimes it does not. He is not aware of anything further currently. So I bested the four with Subjugate and the single blade. My interest was peaked however, as I do have uses for a brute. So, I staged the next part of my plan.”

*Hirak moved a hand to his metallic chin, tapping it in thought before continuing to speak towards the camera slowly as if to savour the process of his mind at work.*

“I gave him an impossible task. Best a Lord in single combat. If he had won, I knew this boy from Tatooine was a worthy apprentice. If he lost but performed admirably, he’d be an apprentice to mould into something stronger but if he lost utterly he’d have nothing left to give me except his life. Of course, Siors did the last option. He miscalculated. So when he returned I paraded him like a mule, I scorned him so he knew just how pathetic he really was and then finally when his emotions sky rocketed and he had nothing but horrendous rage mixed with disappointment I asked him what more he had to offer me other than his failure and miserable existence? Then he screamed the following:”

*Hirak moves a hand up to his neck and presses something. The following voice belong to Siors, and it played out of what seemed to be Hirak’s mask.*

‘ONLY MY LIFE! I CAN GIVE MY DAMN LIFE!’

*Hirak let the silence after allow the words to sink in before continuing himself.*

“So I took him, with his life very much placed in my hands like a grip. Though I have not trained him since he ascended as an apprentice, I will correct the bad habits instilled in erratic behaviour so that he has a use now that he is mine. When his training is complete I shall have forged him into a lethal weapon. One that will be aimed at all my enemies and those who do not bend the knee.

End transmission.”

*Hirak waves his right hand across towards the camera before the holodisplay of himself ends and the blue hue light dissolves down into the machine once again. After a short few moments the device stops humming to switch off.*

[Trakaton Kalkoran]

((Originally posted by Hirak Sanguinis, January 2018))

Entry 40: New Apprentices and an Expanded Powerbase

*Hirak strides into frame with one singular movement that defines his character. The straight turn feels almost unnatural in hair as he twists his body so that he faces where the holorecorder would be in direction. His mask, beast maw design and all, adorns his face completely as the two eyes peer outwards at the ‘viewer’. He clears his throat with a few short bursts of technologically sounding rumbles before starting to speak with his robotic tone, despite his lively sounding gait.*

“In recent times, I’ve always said to myself and to Trakaton that I never wished to take more than one apprentice at a time. There are many reasons behind this. The first is that I personally believe that much like my own master that an apprentice should learn how to survive and become powerful through their own machinations. I am there to facility the learning of forms that are hard to learn on their own, for example powers like Force Lightning, Force Burst and Animal Bond. I am also present to make sure that the apprentice learns the chosen forms like Djem So, Makashi or Ataru. Should they serve to impress, I would teach them about the joys of Form VII otherwise known as Juyo or the Ferocity form.

Trakaton and I both agreed that this would be our way forward and how we would progress our own power. I was to take… Elayzek, the Cathar, and he would take Zutauha the soon to be Matriarch. But both our plans fell through, I suppose. I lost the Cathar to an ally who killed him and Trakaton decided that one was not enough. He has now taken three others to fill up his slots. All of them have neither stood out nor done anything in my eyes to earn the position that they have. By the Dark Gaze of the Dark Lord, they are not truly fit to learn under an apprentice of Darth Horuset himself. Not only do they waste my colleagues time, they make our powerbase look weak and pathetic. In comparison to some of the other sturdier apprentices like Tashha or Soyut, like Aljo or... Occularis - Generation Three and Four are miles away from the competency that they should be at.

Either way the deed is done…”

*Hirak sighed loudly, the robotic emitter of the mask’s mouthpiece rumbled at the Sith Lord’s exasperations. He was clearly annoyed by the entire outcome. If one looked hard enough, they would notice that his hairless brows furrowed into a mass of crevices and disappointment. Either way, he folded his arms underneath his pectorals to display his displeasure.*

“I will detail a little about each. I’ll start with Zhephra Aeros. I know only very little about her, but out of the three she seems the most competent. I’ve noticed that she is one of the few of them not to ask for aid from myself, and that she speaks very little. I also do not get many reports of her ill disciplined behaviour, if it even exists at all. In my eyes and in my mind, hearing nothing at all is a good sign for an apprentice who has just ascended. More room to grow into a reputation. Next is Cerberus of the Black Hair. A human with some cybernetic enhancements. He is unremarkable, other than some good scores in his acolyte trials and some notable points. Thankfully, he was not one of the humans or purebloods who sided with that alien jedi acolyte who died. It was a tragic state of affairs truly that so many were involved. But regardless, none of them exist anymore, they are a footnote in a greater lesson. Again… I digress. Cerberus I have sadly heard reports of some intense disagreements with others. He has a lack of clarity and can be foolhardy. Let us hope he does not further such a reputation any further. Finally, I fall onto Vaenra. Now, Vaenra’s reputation has been dragged through the mud on multiple occasions. Firstly, when she slapped Tokiai in the face during an exercise and was removed from his apprenticeship. The latter has been her annoying pursuit of knowledge with little to no initiative. Now, she is a child of the Horuset line I expected much more from her. I still do, it is why I decided to take her as a Neophyte and deal with her construction of a lightsaber crystal. She still pesters me and it grows annoying with each passing day.

At the end of it all, this lies at Trakaton’s feet. I will not babysit any of them, I do not do that for my own apprentice and Siors knows very well by now that if he wishes to learn from me he needs to be prepared with some solid foundations before I expand upon them. I do not teach children only those who desire to be Sith.”

*Hirak moved his hands to his hips and shook his head before he finally steeled himself against the disappointment and stood fully straight with his arms slowly making their way to the small of his back resting there at the precipice of his spinal cord becoming his tail bone.*

“In other news, we have finally made concrete work with House Vossen. I spoke with Darth Vossen herself in private and after a lengthy and interesting conversation we came to an agreement on an alliance. Written into the contracts that we have made in the past to secure our powerbase with the aid of another, through the Sphere of Law of Justice.

Darth Vossen has presented us with a unique possibility of having a closer relationship with some of the more well known Human houses of the Sith Empire. Most notably are the two parties that our house has attended in the past. As well as boasting a rather reputable fighting force due to her intense desires to do everything for the Empire, I have come to understand Darth Vossen as almost… selfless in her desire for the power to strengthen the empire. A strange way to put it, and I do not mean for it to be confused with Jedi selflessness as that’s not the case. She cares not for how it is done, only that the Empire grows stronger and our military might is extolled through the galaxy again.

Lord Kalkoran and I have been also been securing further business deals in the form of Shiera Mining Corp to increase our profits. This has also been secured by an ally who has replaced Venom, known as Lord Pseudea, who has been handling the Black Guard end suitably well. She is a figure I am most interested in learning more about as Venom made her out to be weak. Yet the more I speak to her the more convinced I am that there is more than meets the eye, a darkness beneath the veil. Only time will tell…

The massive improvements we've made on the estate itself has been progressing finely alongside with part of the Kalkoran Armada. Th'Akdura and Th'Kitsana are currently in station at Wayland preparing to be fixed from their battle with the Exile, or rather our attempts to render them unusable during our strike. The two ships, Th'Akdura our Dreadnought Flagship and Th'Kitsana my personal Destroyer, are fully outfitted with skeleton crews currently to make sure that their repair operations go without a problem. When they return fully to Sith space around Dromund Kaas we'll be able to fully outfit them as we had down Th'Ssra before it. Thankfully, now that we are both Sith Lords, we'll not have to be as discreet as we have been previously. As for the estate, we have finally fitted our Shield Generator. The source of this power lies underneath the Kalkoran Gardens, as I may have previously mentioned. The power supply underground was a stroke of genius on our part, keeping it well protected from bombardment if it ever happened. It does mean that the caves that were once mine to roam and utilise for training have now become more preoccupied with our imperial assets... a slight annoyance but not one that will affect me majorly. I still have my spaces far from life to meditate on the Dark Side.

This is all for now... I am sure further upgrades will take place.

End transmission.”

*Hirak waits a moment in thought before raising his right hand towards the holoprojector, allowing it to wave slightly as the machine begins to switch off, the blue light disappearing and taking Hirak’s form with it down into the lens. After a couple of seconds the machine rings with a hum before shutting down completely into silence.*