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Post by SushiKnight on Jun 18, 2006 20:59:10 GMT -5
A'den matched Keiran's grin.
[glow=orange,2,300]He has to defeat me in unarmed combat - without the Force.[/glow]
A'den slowly stripped out of his armour, intill he was just standing there in the jumpsuit he wore underneath it. He took off the top, revealing his well-muscled physique, then made his way to the door, where he paused.
[glow=orange,2,300]Oh... maybe I should mention: I'd mastered the echani, k'tara and stava martial art forms by the time I was seven. I added teras kasi and a variant of the wookiees' wurrushi by thirteen.
Sith respect strength, from all I've heard. I want this chakaarto respect me, not just think of us as his pawns.[/glow]
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Post by Halcyon on Jun 20, 2006 15:21:17 GMT -5
Keiran let out a chuckle that lacked any humor in it whatsoever. This Sith had another thing coming to him. He'd be very shocked if this Acerbus won this fight without any broken bones. A pity he would have to miss it though he was sure some of the other warriors would be recording it for future references.
He headed out the door to meet this Hephaestus before gathering a few other of the other Mando'as and going off on his mission.
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Post by SushiKnight on Jun 20, 2006 16:57:37 GMT -5
A'den made his way back out into the cold. He affected not to be bothered by it, but it bit him to the bone. A suitable handicap, probably.
He arrived at the circle his warriors had formed around the Dark Lord.
[glow=orange,2,300]Lord Acerbus. I accept your proposistion. On one condition.[/glow]
The Sith Lord raised an eyebrow.
[shadow=red,left,300]And what condition is that, Mandalore?[/shadow]
A'den chuckled and spread his arms wide, indicating the circle in which they stood.
[glow=orange,2,300]You must defeat me in unarmed combat. Without the use of the Force.[/glow]
[shadow=red,left,300]And why should I?[/shadow]
[glow=orange,2,300]You want our help and both our cultures respect strength. Show me yours.[/glow]
[shadow=red,left,300]As you wish.[/shadow]
Acerbus stripped off his cloak and let it fall to the snow. He wasn't a fighter, but all Ninjaii are trained to some extent in unarmed techniques.
He struck a defensive pose, while A'den just causually walked towards him.
Victory was never gained by defense, so Acerbus struck out with a vicious neck chop.
A'den easily ducked under it, sliding in and head-butting the Sith Lord, spraying blood all over the place. Before Acerbus could react, A'den had tripped him, laying the Sith flat on his back, the Mandalore's knee pressed into his throat.
The whole fight lasted perhaps thirty seconds.
[glow=orange,2,300]You aren't the Sith my people remember, Acerbus. Though that you honored the rules of the fight has impressed me somewhat. [/glow]
The Mand'alor stood up, releasing Acerbus.
Acerbus also stood, wiping the blood from his face. Dispite his defeat, he felt a curious lack of humiliation, no need to strike out in anger at the man who had bested him so easily.
[shadow=red,left,300]What now? I've lost your challenge.[/shadow]
A'den issued a few commands in Mando'a, and the rest of his warriors went back to whatever they were doing before Acerbus showed up.
A'den showed Acerbus into his dwelling where he quickly put on a sweater and poured a cup of caf.
[glow=orange,2,300]Caf?[/glow]
Acerbus looked taken aback by the casual offer.
[shadow=red,left,300]Please. Cold outside.[/shadow]
A'den chuckled.
[glow=orange,2,300]It's Rhen Var. Believe it or not, this is early autumn right now. Not nearly as cold as it's going to get. Makes Hoth look like a pleasant summer vacation spot.
The way I see it, dispite the results of the fight, there's a lot to be gained for both of us in this proposed war. So we'll fight with you and for you. [/glow]
A'den sipped his caf, scalding hot and bitter, the way he liked it.
[glow=orange,2,300]I've met and talked with some of the Jedi. They were here months back searching for a location for their temple, after the Chancellor asked them to leave Coruscant. They're almost all warriors without peer. Even though they shun war and fighting. You're going to need to learn better combat techniques if you're going to face them in battle.[/glow]
The Sith Lord grinned.
[shadow=red,left,300]I know a few tricks.[/shadow]
To demonstrate, Acerbus reached out with the Force, drawing the shadows in the room to him, tendrils of darkness that oozed fear.
A'den smiled.
[glow=orange,2,300]Neat trick, but if you rely on one technique to win every fight, eventually they'll develop a counter and you will lose.[/glow]
Acerbus laughed, dark and powerful.
[shadow=red,left,300]Are you offering to train me, A'den Kal of the Mando'ade?[/shadow]
A'den shrugged.
[glow=orange,2,300]I guess I am, Darth Acerbus of the Sith. I guess I am.[/glow]
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Post by SushiKnight on Jul 3, 2006 14:32:08 GMT -5
Hep looked up from his caf at Kastor.
"<So you want to turn Mando, huh?>" He snorted, then took another sip of the bitter liquid.
"<The Mand'alor's put out a call for all of us to come here. War's brewing and we'll need all the warriors we can get.">
"<You willing to follow the Six Acts? If so, you're welcome to stay.>"
"<Other than hunting, what're you good at? What skills you got? I'm the blacksmith, you met Dhagon Gent, our medic. Karn, over there, he's a top-notch slicer.>"
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Post by RandomElf on Jul 3, 2006 15:07:55 GMT -5
Kastor, now not hesitating to speak more Mando'a, replied to Hephaestus' rather blunt comment.
[glow=red,2,300]"<I pride myself on my aim, first and foremost. I could shoot the handle on your cup from over 900 yards away with a blaster rifle, and not even scratch the cup itself. I have other talents, as well. I can manage to repair a starship while in deep space under the most grueling conditions. Though, my piloting could have been better when in space earlier.>"[/glow]
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Post by SushiKnight on Jul 3, 2006 15:29:50 GMT -5
Hep nodded.
"<Well, we're Mando, so we do our own thing mostimes. Kal has called on us to prepare for war, but so far, no fighting has broken out. Training mostly. Until he declares the war, you're free to do your own thing. Finish that hunt you mentioned, even. Karn and his patrol group will bring your ship in soon.>"
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Post by RandomElf on Jul 3, 2006 21:26:12 GMT -5
Kastor was silent, but he returned Hephaestus' helpful advice with a curtious nod. He turned around, and looked about the Mando'a settlement- faintly regarding it as a home for the present. Turning to Hep again, he stood straighter.
[glow=teal,2,300]"<If you have nothing planned for the moment, what do you say we have some target practice for a while?>"[/glow]
Looking at his arm, Kastor continued.
[glow=teal,2,300]"<I can manage to pull a trigger through this cast, maybe just cut an opening for my fingers and I'll be ready to go. So, how about it?>"[/glow]
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Post by SushiKnight on Jul 4, 2006 10:01:38 GMT -5
The Deveronian stared at the newcomer blankly for a moment.
"<Firing range is down that way. Practice all you want. I have work to do.>"
Then he got up from the table and went back out into the cold, on the way to his forge and home.
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Post by RandomElf on Jul 4, 2006 23:18:07 GMT -5
Kastor watched as Hep, the only person who he felt slightly comfortable with, left. He grunted, but he started trudging through the gentle snowfall, taking in his surroundings. As he was wandering, he slowly felt the force of fatigue creeping up on him. Seeing the barracks, he shuffled in. There were a few armored Mandalorians about, either conversing with one another or cleaning their equipment with excruciating detail. Spotting a crude bunk with no clothing or other items near, he climbed in- not bothering to remove his utility-vest.
Closing his eyes, he heard the subtle clink of an approaching warrior. Deprived of rest yet again, he swung his eyes open and remained lying down as the Mandalorian looked down him with powerful blue eyes and a stare that could seer through a bantha.
[glow=teal,2,300]"You need somethin', pal?"[/glow]
"<You aren't a Mando, are you?>"
[glow=teal,2,300]"<I consider myself to be, just not a full-time one.>"[/glow]
Kastor rebutted, with an extra dash of sarcasm just for effect.
"<Well, if you want to live among us, you're going to have to act like one of us. You don't even have armor, do you?>"
Kastor raised one of his eyebrows, and sat up on the simple bunk.
[glow=teal,2,300]"<I'm sorry, but I seem to have misplaced mine.>"[/glow]
"<You see now, that might be a problem when you're called on by Mandalore. I'd suggest with all sincerity to get your own personal beskar'gam; so you won't feel left out when we do go into battle. Or do you prefer to fight wearing attire that a Jawa wouldn't adorn themselves?.>"
Kastor was taken aback by the Mando's own touch of cynicality, and flushed when he thought that he would have to approach the ever withdrawn Hephaestus again. But, with nothing better to do at the moment then wait for his ship to be towed back into the camp, he decided to do so.
"<Take care of yourself, and don't get yourself killed stupidly in battle. Though I'm sure you can manage.>"
As the Mandalorian walked back to his bunk, Kastor sighed, and walked out into the cold air yet again.
Finding the reclusive smith's residence at last, Kastor finally drew up the courage to approach him and going over his memories of how to behave when in one's home- as he never truly put his knowledge to practice, now that he was amongst the proud Mandalorians. Knocking on the frame of the door, the pseudo-Mando called out.
[glow=teal,2,300]"May I enter, Hephaestus?"[/glow]
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Post by SushiKnight on Jul 5, 2006 18:35:19 GMT -5
Hep looked up from where he was working on a set of beskar'gam for a comrade. He glowered slightly when he saw it was Kastor.
"<Door's not locked, is it?>"
He waited a moment the harumphed.
"<Come on in already! You're letting in the cold. Any idea how much energy it takes to heat this place?>"
The last statement was slightly erronous, due to the blazing forge directly behind him, and the beads of sweat on his brow.
"<Whaddaya want, anyway?>"
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Post by RandomElf on Jul 5, 2006 18:42:08 GMT -5
Kastor complied, and shut the automatic door as he stepped into the hot environment of Hep's home and forge. Getting directly to the point, he replied.
[glow=teal,2,300]"<I know I have not proven myself to Mand'alor, or you, but when the time comes when you go to battle- I wish to go too.>"[/glow]
The mercenary paused, inhaled and continued; being careful not to directly ask his question.
[glow=teal,2,300]"<I would politely query, if you would craft a suit of armor yourself.>"[/glow]
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Post by SushiKnight on Jul 5, 2006 19:01:04 GMT -5
Hephaestus blinked for a moment, then leaned back in his chair.
He spoke in basic, to put the emphasis on the one word in Mando'a in his sentence: "You want me to make you a set of beskar'gam?"
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Post by RandomElf on Jul 5, 2006 19:11:00 GMT -5
[glow=teal,2,300]"<To be so forward, yes. For years I've known no home, no family and no sense of duty or responsibility. I've been drifting, and now I think I've found my home. To serve under the Mand'alor has been an ever-distant fantasy of mine- and now that I have the chance to fulfill my dream, I will give everything in my power to help him and the Mando. I implore you, to craft me my own personal armor would grant my ever-lasting wish, and I know of no other who would be better suited to this.>"[/glow]
Kastor exhaled, and waited for Hep's answer.
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Post by SushiKnight on Jul 5, 2006 19:19:19 GMT -5
Hep stared at the youngish human... it was hard to tell sometimes with them... no horns to show age... at least on the males.
"<So what are you going to do for me? I don't make this stuff for free you know. It's how I live. Other Mandos hunt. Some smuggle. We're all mercenaries. I build things. Repair them. That's how I contribute. You'll have to do for me as I do for you. Cash, services. Make me want to make you armour.>"
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Post by RandomElf on Jul 5, 2006 20:33:54 GMT -5
The pseudo-Mando grinned unapologetically at Hep, unsurprised that he wouldn't manage to get something for nothing from the smith. Hep was Mando, after all.
[glow=teal,2,300]"<Through my years of drifting, I've worked up quite a surplus of credits on Coruscant. I can pay you, once I repair my ship of course. But I would also like to do a favor for you now, seeing that you did find me in that cave before the cold took me. I can help, and I know a decent worth of repairing parts myself.>"[/glow]
Kastor said this, with a degree of pride that he didn't bother to mask with false personality.
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Post by SushiKnight on Jul 8, 2006 17:20:59 GMT -5
Hep turned around to stoke the forge, so he could hide the rolling of his eyes. He hated pride, in any form.
"<Don't need help workin' on the bes'gam. I got some good ideas for it, though.
"<Outaways, by where your ship crashed, there's a cave. Near the one I found ya in. Family of Krask lizards live there. Five of 'em. Real tough hides. Good for armor. Bring me back two or three of 'em. Four if they're small.
"<Make you your armor then, allow you to pay me later.>"
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Post by RandomElf on Jul 9, 2006 23:27:37 GMT -5
Kastor nodded and agreed. Of course he would, but it was slightly exaggerated from his normal exposition. He headed toward the door without a word, and stepped into the cold yet again. But now, the snowfall had lifted. And the bright sun shone on the planet surface, en glowing the snow and ice in a wondrous spectacle of light.Gathering only the necessary amount of supplies for him to last two days out on the plains, he managed to acquire a small speeder-bike, and he set out to his last heading he made while inside that cave.~ It was nearing dusk, and Kastor saw a similar dark silhouette on the white background, but this time the entire landscape was covered with an orange blanket. He sighed, and revved the bike's engine toward his target.The pseudo-Mando powered down the bike, and stepped off while looking into the dark abyss. He was nervous, but not enough for him to give up and head back to the camp in shame. Grabbing his Bryar-made pistol before stepping into the darkness, he said rather mellowed:[glow=teal,2,300] "I hate lizards."[/glow] ~ After nearly an hour of traversing through the darkness (which Kastor was unaffected by, due to optical night-goggles he managed to salvage from his crashed ship before leaving it), Kastor sat on a loose rock to rest for a moment before he would move on. As he was catching his breath, some rocks that had rolled down the cavern walls startled him, and he took his pistol out from it's harness and held it out in front of him; scanning for the source of the disturbance. Kastor kept his guard up, intent on finding something, anything.After several minutes of aiming his weapon into the humid darkness, Kastor stood up, turned around and saw staring back at him, the lidless eyes of his prey. The two predators dared not to move a muscle, Kastor's breathing slightly accelerated. He twitched a finger on his trigger, and the reptile leapt. Panic in his eyes, Kastor had no time to dodge and the carnivorous lizard was already on him and attempting to claw at his neck, holding it's front legs away from him, Kastor had to keep moving his head to avoid the long jaws of the beast from ripping his face clean off from his skull. Looking over, he saw his pistol had slid down to the bottom of the crevice, and only having his knife with him on his leg, Kastor was just starting to grow nervous. Now with no other choice, he made a desperate move and let go of the lizard's legs to latch himself onto it's neck, and rolled over on top of it. Of course, the krask lizard lashed it's tail and kicked it's legs, and even attempted to clamp down on Kastor's fingers at one point. He bent it's entire head backward, straining, until finally a distinctive *crack* was heard, and the lizard finally stopped struggling and went limp. The pseudo-Mando let go at last, and fell over onto the side of the dead corpse. He breathed heavily, and let out a nervous laugh. But the body twitched violently, and Kastor moved up away from it- startled - to grab his pistol.After he moved the dead lizard nearer to the entrance of the cave, Kastor moved on (this time keeping his pistol drawn at all times) very steadily and alert. The cave was becoming increasingly hot, and Kastor continually moved to wipe off the sweat forming on his brow. Luckily for him, there were no side-passages and the tunnel was very straight-forward with only one direction- which was down.Suddenly, he picked up faint traces of light on his night-optical goggles. As he pressed forward on the side of a wall very quietly, he had to remove the goggles due to the light interfering with his vision. He leaned over to catch a glimpse of a cavern larger than the entrance to the main tunnel, with multiple fungi that cast a greenish-yellow glow across the cave.And as he leaned even further in, he saw the clear shapes of four krask lizards- two fully grown and the other two appearing to be young adolescents. As he measured up his prey, he concluded that the one he killed earlier was too a pup that had strayed from his mother's protection. It wouldn't get the chance to make the same mistake again.Withdrawing again to a safe spot, Kastor figured that he would only get one chance to do this, and it would be difficult as he had nothing but his knife and pistol on him. Standing up, he drew his knife in his left hand, and said again before moving into action:[glow=teal,2,300] "I hate lizards."[/glow] Stepping by the cavern wall again and leaning over, he saw that the pack of lizards was dead asleep. Which made things easier on the pseudo-Mando. Taking one lateral step, he aimed the bryar pistol with one hand, one eye closed, and a silent prayer. A flash of red, and he managed to strike what he figured for the dominant-male on the nostril; rendering it incapacitated for the moment as it thrashed about wildly on the hard rocky ground. The mother, though, being the largest- gave one loud shriek and came running towards this invader. It leapt, as the first one did before, but this time Kastor was prepared and side-stepped, gave one swift slash with his knife and stared as the lizard's unprotected stomach cleaved open as hot, crimson blood washed over Kastor's face. The mother's corpse landed hard on the rough ground, and the blood pooled near it.Not bothering to even wipe off the blood that caked over Kastor's face, he turned towards the rest of the family that had now grown extremely hostile as they saw one of their own be gutted. The male had also recovered, but was now berserk and kept biting at Kastor's knees, as he kept dodging the rampant reptile's dangerous jaws. Giving one swift kick to the side of it's face, Kastor then shot two flashes of red death at the dazed lizard's throat, incapacitating it for good this time. Feeling a wave of bloodthirst wash over him, Kastor- with a wickid look about him- holstered the pistol as he switched the knife to his right hand and held it blade-down whilst he stepped towards the two young krask lizards.~ By the time Kastor had gutted, and skinned four of the hides from the dead lizards (four, as he had ruined the father's skin by firing at it multiple times), darkness fell over Rhen Var. And so, he had waited until dawn to travel back to the camp. He even cooked meat from the dead krask lizards, and found it to be spicy and not lacking in flavor. He spent a cold night in the cave-tunnel, but he had a thermo-blanket with him and a pitched tent, unlike the first time he found himself stranded inside a cold, damp and harsh cave.~ The sun rose over Rhen Var, and another blizzard had swept across the landscape yet again. The pseudo-Mando came again back to the Mandalorian camp, after the guards had finally let him pass. Delivering the speeder-bike back, he hefted a slightly-bloody sack over his shoulder, and trudged through the thick snow to Hep's forge.He stepped in front of the entry-way, and yelled out just loud enough for Hep to hear him.[glow=teal,2,300] "<I believe I owe you some hides, Master Smith.>"[/glow]
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Post by SushiKnight on Jul 10, 2006 11:27:26 GMT -5
Hep looked at the hides Kastor brought back.
"<Alright, put 'em over there. It'll take a couple of days.">
From outside the smithy, the sound of a ship landing was heard.
"<Hmmm. Sounds like the Mand'alor's back.>"
----
A'den stepped out of the Ramsir and caught his son, Shev'yc, in his arms, flipping the twelve-year-old up and over onto his shoulders.
Karn came up to A'den.
"What's the word, chief?"
A'den grinned.
[glow=orange,2,300]War. Ready the troops. Start a training regimine, get squads sorted out. We wait only for the word from the Sith.[/glow]
Karn turned around, facing the small crowd of Mandos who'd gathered and shouted the mando word for war at the top of his lungs: "AKAAAAAAAAAAAAN!"
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Post by RandomElf on Jul 10, 2006 13:56:24 GMT -5
Kastor looked out to where Hep motioned, seeing a prominent figure that could only be the Mandalore amongst the crowd that gathered, carrying a young boy on his shoulder. Though, in the Mandalorian culture a male was considered an adult at age 13- and he looked well over 10. Seeing this as a chance to meet the Mand'alor in person, Kastor walked out as some of the crowd was dispersing, but still greeting and shaking hands with the Mandalore. Once much of the crowd dissapated, Kastor walked up to the Mandalore and greeted him with as little of his own arrogant persona as possible.
[glow=teal,2,300]"<Greetings Mandalore, tales of your exploits precedes you even in the farthest reaches of the galaxy. I am Kastor Vejn, and it would be my greatest wish to rally to your cause once it has been sounded.>"[/glow]
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Post by SushiKnight on Jul 10, 2006 17:27:28 GMT -5
A'den looked at the young man who approached him from the crowd.
He spoke in Basic.
[glow=orange,2,300]Funny, because I'm pretty sure that I've kept a low profile. No 'exploits' to speak of before rallying the 'ade to my cause. And, in case I was mistaken, tell me, Karn, didn't I just give the call to arms? I could have sworn I did. You know, 'cause if I didn't, it'd be a good time to tell me.[/glow]
"You're right, Mandalore. You did just sound the call."
[glow=orange,2,300]Ah. Good. I don't have to repeat myself then. Who is this anyway? Don't recognise him.[/glow]
"New guy, calls himself 'Kastor'. Follows Hep around like a lost vornskyr pup searching for its mother. Wants to be mando some bad."
A'den looked at Kastor more appraisingly now, taking in all aspects of his appearance, his stance.
[glow=orange,2,300]Are you willing to follow the Resol'Nare? Take my commands without question, even if they lead to your death? Will you raise your children as Mando? And where in the name of the Corellian hells is your armor?[/glow]
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