Play-by-Post: d20 Saga Edition: New Republic AU

Gavin smiles at the exchange between Soleria & Yuul.

"One-upsmanship and petty bickering will not see you through to successful explorations. Cooperation will. Be careful not to overestimate your abilities. Either of you."

 

There are no trees nearby. If you recall, the vegetation became more sparse as altitude increased, and you're currently on a plateau. Regardless, I imagine you'll excuse yourself for a bit of meditation.

I'll assume that the three of you enter the temple together. In a different tack, I'll periodically do "cutscenes" to indicate other things going on besides what you PCs can directly perceive. It's my hope that it helps instill a cinematic feel to the game. Also, if you think about it, if we were limited to seeing only what the PCs saw, we'd only see Vader a few times throughout the entirety of the OT

Regardless, I'm going to be out for the most part until the 26th. Merry Christmas or Whatever Holiday You Celebrate This Time of Year
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EXTERIOR SHOT: Deep space. TIE fighters patrol around the Star Destroyer Disciple, flagship of Grand Admiral Ishin-Il-Raz.

CUT TO shot in the Grand Admiral?s private chambers, to a report already in progress. Il-Raz is accompanied by a pale-skinned warrior, Darth Fury, apprentice to the self-proclaimed Sith Lord Malys.

DARTH FURY: ?my research has confirmed the intelligence reports given to us by the Grand Admiral. Darth Tyranus has been dead for nearly three decades, killed at the close of the Clone Wars.

(The holographic image of Darth Malys nods approvingly)

MALYS: And what is the status of the Jedi Order, in particular Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker?

FURY: It is as Il-Raz has reported. The same day he was crowned Emperor, Palpatine-

MALYS: Darth Sidious?

FURY: As you say, my Master. Lord Sidious was able to execute the vast majority of the Jedi by way of the troops under their command. The remainder were either conscripted into the Emperor's service, or hunted down and destroyed either by Lord Tyranus? replacement Darth Vader, or the Imperial Inquisitors that Lord Vader trained. The last to fall was Kenobi himself, at Lord Vader?s hands.

(Lord Malys smiles ?or more correctly, grimaces- in satisfaction, but suddenly her expression sours)

MALYS: What else?

FURY: My Master?I-it appears as though Darth Vader and Darth Sidious were destroyed, and the Jedi Order re-started by Jedi Master Luke Skywal-

(Il-Raz & Fury simultaneously double over in agony, clutching their chests)

IL-RAZ: (gasping) My liege?you saved me?from despair?from myself?my life?is?yours?But I only?sought?to bring you?the truth! To conquer?you must?know?the?battleground?

(at this, Darth Malys unclenches her fist, and both Il-Raz & Fury relax somewhat, each rising to one knee, but still breathing heavily)

MALYS: Proceed to the rendezvous point and await my command!

(transmission ends)

CUT TO shot of Lord Malys in her sanctum. She reads over the rest of Fury?s report. Anakin Skywalker was reported to have died in the process of protecting the Emperor during an assassination attempt by the Jedi, but even beyond the grave, he haunts her. Luke Skywalker, young enough to be Anakin?s son, is reported to have destroyed the Imperial superweapon code-named the Death Star. Skywalker who reportedly single-handedly bested both Sidious and Vader together. Skywalker who defeated her allies, the Ssi-Ruuk, Skywalker and his Padawan who destroyed the Emperor Reborn, Skywalker who has re-formed the Jedi Order, Skywalker who-

SKYWALKER!!!!!

FADE TO Malys? temple stronghold, to planet, to deep space, to Yavin IV, to overhead shot of the jungle, all while the name ?Skywalker? echoes.

FADE TO Luke and Leia lightsaber sparring. Luke suddenly extinguishes his blade and stares absently into the distance. Leia also shuts down her weapon.

LUKE: I sense a disturbance in the Force.

LEIA: I feel it also. What is it?

LUKE: An old enemy. Someone who bears ill will towards me personally. And to you, if she-

LEIA: She?

LUKE: Yes.

 

Hope everyone had a happy holiday

The ruins await...

 

DARKSUN: Mind your feelings, Soleria. You will knw the difference between the good and the dark side of the Force when you are calm, and at peace. May the Force be with you all.
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Upon inspecting what is apparently the entrance to the temple, you see that there are seams indicating a door of some sort, but you don't see any sort of mechanism with which to open it.

 

Soleria: You reach out with the Force, and find an internal mechanism with which to open the door. Having found it, it's a simple manner to tug at the gears with the Force to cause the door to open.

Inside appears to be a cavernous chamber that leads off into darkness. The gloom is illuminated slightly by a holographic visage that shimmers into view. It depicts a dark-clad Zabrak male, tall and well-built, with a athletic physique that would make a Zeltron or Twi'lek envious. He greets you all with a wide smile that seems both inviting and sinister at the same time.

"Greetings. I am Darth Skorpius. Your presence here indicates that you have some skill in the Force. Just as this place marked the beginning of my rise from lowly acolyte to the reigning Dark Lord, so to will it mark your ascent to a place of glory at my side. If, of course, you prove yourself worthy. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy..."

The holographic image fades, and some sort of dim illumination activates, revealing a wide corrider leading into cavernous area large enough to store up to a couple of snubfighter squadrons. It also reveals a total of four blaster cannons, two along each side of the corridor. They appear to be powering up and targeting you.

Everyone make Initiative checks.

 

OoC: I made a mistake in describing the positions of the turrets There are still a total of 4, but 2 are on the floor and two are on the ceiling, forming a box about 10 meters ahead of you.
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Soleria: So far, you're able to provide cover for your comrades. The Force guides your hand as you intercept the hail of blaster fire aimed at you.

Yuul: Your shot succeeds in blasting loose a hunk of armor plating, exposing some circuitry underneath.

Lahsur, roll to hit.
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OoC: I'm out until Wednesday. Stay safe on "Amateur Night" and have a Happy New Year!

 

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Fortunately, Soleria's blade intercepts a blaster bolt that would've melted your face.
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OoC: Assuming that Soleria continues to maintain Full Defense, Yuul and Lahsur may make another attack. So far, she's doing a stellar job of providing cover for you guys.

 

Yes, it's a new round.
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If the Jedi's right, this structure is at least a couple of thousand years old, and stang if it wasn't built to last! Still, you were able to get in a shot at what you thought was a weak point. You're able to melt part of the armor covering, revealing some fragile-looking components just waiting to get blowed up.