Aeotheran: The Red Scepter Tavern
Jinx sits by the bar that is carved from obsidian and illuminated by eerie red crystals. Behind the bar, an impressive collection of Sith alchemical elixirs and forbidden libations is displayed, all guarded by dark totems and idols. She is sitting with a crimson hued cocktail before her. Lord Vossar approaches Jinx and bows deeply, Lord Vossar is a figure draped in an aura of malevolence and mystery. Tall and slender, he possesses an imposing presence that demands immediate respect. His skin is pale, as if untouched by natural light, and his piercing, sapphire-blue eyes seem to hold the secrets of countless dark rituals. He always wears a crimson hooded robe adorned with ancient Krath symbols embroidered in black thread. A silver medallion hangs from his neck, bearing the Krath sigil, which signifies his rank as a High Priest.“ Your Master told me you would need one of these” as he slides a Krath amulet bearing the Red Scepter logo the very amulet needed to get past the wards to gain entry to the tavern, “ He orders you to take this amulet to the one known as Arshus Wren and bring him to the hidden temple here on Aeotheran, he also has given you permison to use his ship the Horizon. Good luck and May the force be with you” he says as he walks away from the bar to entertain other guests at the tavern.
Jinx looks down at the amulet that has been given to her. She studies it’s detailing, sliding her thumb across the top of it before putting it away. She downs the rest of her cocktail before laying credits on the bar top and heading back to her living quarters at the shar dakhan barracks gathering any materials she may need for the trip including her droid Lola who despite her sarcastic personality is a loyal and helpful droid. Jinx and Lola head to the hanger and board the Horizon. She takes a seat in the pilot seat and starts the ship up bringing it to life. Lola hops in place next to her. “Let’s have some fun shall we.” She states before taking off.
Fueled by an unrelenting thirst for revenge, Arshus traversed the galaxy in pursuit of the Dark Jedi responsible for shattering his life. Chasing shadows across distant worlds yielded only fruitless leads and mounting exhaustion. Now a man apart, hardened by time, Arshus stood amidst Tatooine’s desolate landscape, the remnants of his abandoned home silent in the distance. Unwilling to confront ghosts within, he fashioned a makeshift dwelling in a nearby crag.
Arshus ignited his lightsaber, the crimson blade cutting through the air with a familiar hum. With determination, he began precise and controlled movements, each holding a silent promise of vengeance. Days unfolded into nights of rigorous lightsaber combat, the sandy ground bearing witness. In the solitude of Tatooine’s desert, he found solace and strength, the Force resonating within him.
Retreating to his makeshift dwelling at sunset, Arshus meditated, drawing on lingering dark energies. Memories fueled anger, channeled into his connection with the dark side. In reflections amidst shifting sands, he embraced solitude and silence. Tatooine, once a place of joy, now molded him into a vessel of the dark side. As days turned into nights and nights into days, Arshus continued his relentless pursuit of power, a silent vow echoing to avenge the family he had lost.
The wind howls and sand blocks out the sky as a sand storm rages across Tatioone, minewhile aboard the GX1 named the Horizon the stars are lines of blue and white as the ship travels though hyperspace. The little Lola droid beeps and chirps at its owner telling them that they should be arriving within the hour.
The Horizon lands on Tatooine and Lola let’s out a string of chirps and beeps. “Yes its a desert what did you think it was gonna be a beach paradise” Jinx asks. Lola chirps and beeps in disapproval as they leave the ship and start walking on the sand.
Jinx closes her eyes focusing on using the force to locate Arshus. When it doesn’t quite work she has Lola locate him using dark Jedi brotherhood location. The droid takes the lead and Jinx follows.
Amidst the wind-swept dunes, Arshus found a moment of respite in meditation. However, the tranquility was interrupted as he sensed an unfamiliar presence in his mind, a faint echo eluding his focus. Returning to lucidity, he became aware of his growling stomach. His once-thriving home, a source of nourishment, now lay barren and neglected, its sustaining plants withering to a dry and useless end.
Realizing he needed supplies to survive, Arshus wrapped himself in rags from his old workshop—the only place he dared enter. He packed his lightsaber and other essential equipment, embarking on a journey to the nearby town. The rations that had sustained him for days had long since run out, compelling him to seek sustenance beyond the desolate confines of his isolated dwelling.
Quentin Shadows sits behind his desk going over reports of Shar Dakhan knowing it would soon be time to leave and meet his students. The cool breeze through the open window was refreshing in Aeotheran warm climate.
Jinx and Lola walk for a while before reaching the end of a town. Lola let out a chirp and circled Jinx’s head before taking off into the town Jinx following closely. “Yeah I see we are close” she mumbles to herself.
Quentin rises from his desk closes the window and heads to the hanger as he pulls a comlink out of his robes, “ This is Archpriest Quentin shadows to the Coven send a shuttle to Shar Dakhan I will be joining you” he said as he rushed to the hanger. “Yes My Lord” could be heard as the door to his office closed.
Despite the combined use of the Force and technology, Arshus Wren treaded cautiously when in town. The fear of being recognized, especially by someone who knew him well, loomed large—perhaps even his Brother-in-law, owner of a butchery just down the street. The very thought of a Dewback Steak, particularly one from Rothon’s establishment, was enough to make Arshus’s mouth water. Rothon might not have been the brightest, but his skill in crafting delectable steaks was unmatched.
Lost in the daydream of savoring one of those succulent steaks, Arshus was abruptly brought back to reality by the reminder of why he couldn’t indulge in such a delight. Swiveling on his heel, he made his way to the black market, only to have his foot unceremoniously run over by a small droid determined to impede his progress. The cheeky droid managed to stamp its foot on Arshus’s toes before backpedaling and sizing him up.
“Son of a Krayt Dragon,” Arshus spat, kneeling down to rub his sore toes.
“Leave the poor man alone Lola.” Jinx says with a smirk. The small droid folds her legs into herself and hovers over to float by her masters shoulder. Jinx reaches out and rubs the top of her head as the droid beeps and chirps in approval.
“Arshus Wren was it? I remember seeing you at the Temple. I see you met my droid. I’m sorry about her.” She says with a small chuckle finally looking over to the man. “I’ve been sent by my Quaestor to come get you and bring you back to Aeotheran were we live. He has summoned you.” She says holding out her hand, Resting in her palm is the amulet she had been given at the bar by the mysterious man.
The amulet is a small octagonal silver amulet bearing a red scepter logo at its center with Krath runes around the boarder of the amulet.
Arshus glances up from nursing his sore toes, surprised by the interruption. The small droid, Lola, had retreated at Jinx’s command, and now floated by her master’s shoulder. Jinx’s smirk and the droid’s approving beeps hinted at a camaraderie between them. As she extends her hand, he notices the amulet resting in her palm-the amulet bore markings he recognized from his studies in the Shadow Academy, it had been a while since he last saw them but he knew they were related to a once Prominent Order. “Guess I can’t avoid the wider galaxy forever,” he mutters, a mix of reluctance and curiosity in his voice. With a deep breath, he rises to his feet. “I hope your ride is better than the shambles core worlds shuttle I got here on.” His interaction with another Dark Jedi provided him levity by steering his attention towards Brotherhood matters. And away from his own thoughts.
“I can assure you it is no shuttle.” Jinx says with an amused smile. “If you are ready you may follow my droid and I we can lead you to the ship not far from town or if you need to collect things from where ever you are staying we can wait here for you and then bring you to the ship. It’s up to you.” Jinx says to the man as she looks into his deep purple eyes.
It’s the first time she has took the time to stop and notice the man. He has tan skin and a few freckles dotting his face something she is sure is from his time living on the planet Tatooine home of not one but two suns. He is a tall man with a slender build and long black hair pulled up into a ponytail with a well maintained beard.
She gives the man a small simple smile as she awaits his response.
As Jinx smiled Arshus found himself momentarily captivated by the depth of Jinx’s blue eyes but shook his head, refocusing on the task at hand. “I need to gather a few things. I’ll head to these coordinates and meet you there.” He shared the location, and after Jinx’s response, he turned away, retracing his steps to the remnants of his makeshift dwelling among the crags.
The twin suns cast long shadows across the desert as Arshus swiftly donned his armor, packed essentials into a small bag containing survival gear, secured his lightsaber, and gathered a few personal items with sentimental value. His gaze lingered on the desolate landscape, a home now filled with echoes of memories, both painful and comforting.
Arriving at the coordinates he had provided, Arshus settled on a nearby rock, his eyes scanning the horizon for the approaching ship.
Jinx and Lola head back to the horizon, Lola headed inside and rested on a table as Jinx practiced with her lightsaber outside the ship for a short while. Throwing it and using the force to call it back to her before it could land. Trying new combat motions in attempt to be prepared for anything.
After about a half hour of this She boarded the ship and flew towards the coordinates. Jinx lands the ship and opens the loading door to see Arshus sitting in a rock simply staring. “Welcome to the horizon. Good to see you grabbed some stuff.” Jinx says as she waves the older man into the Ship eager to start the trip home. She was starting to get tired and she knew her master wouldn’t let her go straight away, knowing he will be waiting for them. “Now this isn’t my ship it’s my Quaestors so let’s bring it back in one piece both inside and out.” Jinx joked as she walked back towards the cock pit sitting in the pilot seat. Lola as always climbs up and takes her spot next to her.
Within moments the Gx1 transport lifted off and made the climb into space the bright atmosphere turning to the black of space lite only by stars. A holo-communication buzzed to life revealing a hooded figure clocked in shadows “Good i see you have found him, head to the Antei system to the planet Geles” before the transmission broke up and flickered out. Lola begins to chirp and beep frantically then moments later the ship begins to shake violently, Arshus quickly runs to a the view port and begins scanning the black of space “Pirates, they must have us in a tractor beam” he says loudly
Jinx runs a quick scan to see it is a Heavily modified Baleen-class Heavy Freighter “It says crew for this is 6 but with the added guns it could be greater” she says as she goes over the data coming in on the screen
Jinx stands up calling Lola to follow her. She heads over to door of the ship and checks all of her hidden holsters making sure her knives are in place before sliding her blaster into its holster and used the force to call her lightsaber to her from the table Lola was standing on.
Jinx catches her lightsaber without taking her eyes off the door in front of her as Lola comes to over by her left shoulder once more.
“Are you ready for a fight?” jinx asks the older man as she lights her lightsaber. The color red bouncing off the walls of the ship around her.
The ship continues to shake, and Arshus braces himself, a surge of determination welling within him. He takes a deep breath, steeling his nerves for the imminent confrontation. “Ready as I’ll ever be,” he replies, his voice steady despite the palpable threat that looms ahead.
Taking a defensive stance beside Jinx. “Six or more?,” he asks the young woman rhetorically, a hint of wry humor breaking through the tension. “That’s an even split, I’m going to have to remember to save you some,” he adds, activating his Lightsaber and preparing for whoever might breach the door. The crimson glow of his weapon mirrors hers and bathes the room in crimson.
The ship shutters and shakes and with a thud you hear it sitting down on a metal hanger deck. Then silence follows for a while only sound is all to familiar hum of Jinx and Arshus Wren’s lightsabers.“Whats taking them so long” Jinx says impatiently “We could always go out and say hello” Arshus says sarcastically. “We will do just that” Jinx says hitting the ramp button, as it lowers the pair runs down the ramp taking a defensive stance almost back to back the little droid floats over their head scanning the hanger.
It’s quiet. Eerily quiet. Jinx thinks to herself as she looks around the dimly lit room the red glow of her lightsaber bouncing off of the floor. Lola comes to float by her shoulder the quiet hum sounding louder than usual.
“Lola stay with Arshus Wren. Don’t leave his side. Until I get back to you.” Jinx says to her small droid who beeps back to her.
Jinx holds her lightsaber in a defensive position as she starts to walk away from the man and her droid rounding the corner of the ship looking for someone, anyone. “Why would they take us and then not show themselves?” Jinx thinks to herself it’s odd this situation they have found themselves in and Jinx is in no mood to be in it.
The tempretures inside the hanger gives the impression life support is failing on the ship, lights flicker here and there the red hue of the lightsaber lights the young females way in the cargo hold.
The ship rocks with a growning sound as if it was in pain but in reality its just the ships hull under strain. Both students can see their breaths the cold is getting worst.
Jinx walks using her lightsaber for what little light it provided. She has made it a solid distance away from her droid and Arshus Wren by now. She is looking for any signs of life or even just a way to turn the lights on more hopefully.
She lets out a whistle hoping she isn’t too far way from her droid that the droid can’t hear her call out for her. Lola has a flood light she could use to help her see better. When the droid fails to recognize the whistle and join her master Jinx continues on walking using the force to sense for people around her.
Arshus felt a wave of unease sweep over him as he emerged into the hangar. The strategic choice of staying close to the ship for protection, their sole means of escape, seemed logical. Observing Jinx as they ventured away to explore the surroundings, he kept an eye on the distant red light, noting glimpses of cargo and equipment whenever the flickering light allowed.
In the eerie expanse of space, Arshus, accustomed to darkness planetside, found the experience unsettling. The presence of the small droid oddly offered some comfort, and he expressed his gratitude by saying, “Don’t get in my way,”
As shadows played in his peripheral vision, he strained to discern any forms, using the light from his saber. Despite their ship’s illumination, the hangar still concealed vast areas in darkness. The air becoming colder could only mean the situation was deteriorating by the minute.
Arshus retrieved his commlink, hoping Jinx had theirs as well, and signaled.
Crossing the cargo hold you come to a door that leads deeper into the ship, it slides open without being forced revealing a long hallway that has multiple doors or intersecting hallways something lay further down the hall way leaning against the wall
The ship makes a long groan once more this time way longer then before and as it does the ship jerks and rolls slightly, cargo begins to slide in the cargo hold one crate almost smashing Arshus but he managed to dodge just in time. Jinx holding her comlink in one hand and her lightsaber in other when ship jerked and rolled she slammed hard against the wall.
Jinx let out a groan from the impact of being slammed against a wall, her lightsaber being knocked out of her hand. She uses the force to call her lightsaber back to her after she stands up. She picks up the com link to see it broken deciding to toss it to the side and head back towards Arshus to see how he is doing.
Executing the maneuver proved straightforward, deftly dodging the cargo just in time to avoid a direct hit. However, recovery was a different story, especially in his current state. Arshus harnessed a touch of the Force to alleviate the pain, silently scolding himself for relying on it. Memories of a time before he wielded the Force and a younger more resilient image haunted him, contrasting sharply with his present vulnerabilities.
The cargo that had narrowly missed him collided with the far wall, spilling its contents upon impact. Glistening shards scattered around, creating an intriguing yet potentially hazardous scene. Whether the spilled cargo held significance or not remains uncertain.
Arshus made another attempt to contact Jinx, only to be met with silence. Frowning, he decided to move away from the ship, heading in her direction. The landscape had undergone a subtle transformation, the various cargo now strewn about, altering the environment around them. The unexpected turn of events urged Arshus to tread cautiously.
The vibrations and groaning of the ship settled down to a calm state once more, luckily the tracter beam held the ship in place or it two would have slid in the earlier incadent. Caro scattered across the cargo hold some pilled against the rear wall. The tempreture is getting fridged, if the tractor beam isn’t disabled or the life support repaired soon it is clear that they will freeze possibly to death.
Jinx moves to meet up with Arshus and her small droid letting out a small breath of relief when she realized that they both appeared to be doing relatively okay after the incident. The pain radiates through her back with every step she took towards the two but she has to keep going. They need out of here the biting cold isn’t helping either of them and they can’t move the ship.
Jinx meets Arshus and Lola half way rubbing the small droids head and turning to Arshus. “How bad is the damage?” She asks the man hoping he is doing okay as she gives him a once over with her eyes noticing no blood, a good sign no outer damage apart for maybe some bruising.
Sound of her foot steps echoed off the walls as she navigated the maze of crates on floor rounding the corner of a tall crate the little Lola droid flew around the corner swiftly bumbing into Jinx as it started making beeps and wistles happy she was ok. Arshus walks around the corner to see what the little droid was going on about for it was flying a few steps ahead of him lighting the way. As he rounds the corner he finds his unusual companions happy to see each other, a moment of gried came across him remembering returning home and his family did same to him. He held the memory for a moment before casting it like a log into a fire to fuel it drawing strength from turning his sorrow into anger burning away the pain of regret he punches a near by crate to focus on the here and now!
Following his outburst, Arshus noticed subtle signs of discomfort in Jinx’s demeanor.
Jinx: “How bad is the damage?”
“A little wear and tear but still holding up,” he noted, attempting to maintain a light tone. A flicker of concern flashed in his eyes as he inquired about her condition. “You?” Jinx:
As the ship lurched again, threatening to disrupt their equilibrium, Arshus instinctively reached for a nearby bulkhead, simultaneously extending a steadying hand toward Jinx. Jinx:
Once the ship settled and everyone regained their footing, Arshus acknowledged the gravity of their situation. The cold breath in the air hinted at the challenges that lay ahead. “I think we’ve worn out our welcome,” he stated, the weight of the circumstances evident in his words.
“Given how hazardous this is, we need to deactivate that tractor beam together,” Arshus suggested, “And sooner than later,” he added.
Jinx and Arshus being reunited look for the cockpit of the ship to disengage the tractor beam. As they journey deeper into the ship they pass over frozen bodies laying on the floor proba ly some fools who had gotten trapped like they did. Upon reaching the cockpit they realize the ship is in a automated routine of tractoring ships it for it was once a pirate vessel. The ship is caught in a loop each loop it gets closer to one of the twin suns of the system which explains the ship understrain and the sudden jerks gravity changes. By the navigation screen they have about for hours before the ship comes back around tho this time it wont be able to free itself from the gravity and will be pulled into the sun.
Arshus surveyed the cockpit, a perplexed expression on his face as he confronted the array of controls. The intricacies of the cockpit’s various interfaces seemed almost alien to the moisture farmer from the arid plains of Tatooine. Amid the sea of buttons and panels, he discerned the auxiliary control station, an idea forming in his mind.
Glancing over at Jinx, he managed to convey his intent despite the shivering that had taken hold of him. “I’ll try to get us some w-w-warm air,” he stammered, his body reacting to the cold more acutely due to his desert origins. Determined, he made his way to the auxiliary control station, leaving Jinx with a directive.
“You t-try to k-keep us from flying into that,” he said, gesturing toward the looming stellar object that could spell their demise. Arshus focused on the task at hand, resolute in his mission to make their environment more bearable. Manipulating the panel, he navigated through the complex controls until he reached the Specifications and Life Support system. Upon Locating the settings related to temperature and oxygen levels he began diverting resources to create a warmer path along the indicated trajectory. The cold no longer just a discomfort but a pressing challenge, Arshus worked as swiftly as he could to enhance their chances of survival.
With the life support having been somewhat jury rigged the temperature raises only slightly but it does stabilize not to drop any lower giving them time to find the engineering bay to shut down the tractor beam.