The Dark Academy on Korriban

The Ordeal

Event Type: Mandatory, Exam
Participants: All Students
Timeslots: late Afternoon

Reputation Affected: Yes
Description: The instructors and overseers bring in a student one at a time to an inner chamber of the Restricted Tombs. They subject the student to intense fear and darkness and test their will to survive.

They face the Ordeal.

Failing each step after Fear is the Mind-Killer deals 4 strain to the character. Advantage can be used to reduce strain, success deals 1 strain. Scoring a Triumph on any of the first three checks grants a a free upgrade for the check on The Vigil, these can stack. Despair on any of the first three checks Upgrades the difficulty of The Vigil, these also stack. Threat adds strain.

• Fear is the Mind-Killer: This requires a Cool (Presence) or Discipline (Willpower) check with 1 setback die due to dark nature of the tombs at Hard Difficulty with a single Upgrade (1 Challenge, 2 Difficulty dice). Failing this roll means you suffer a setback die to all actions in this thread. Despair Upgrades the difficulty of all actions by 1.
  
• Know thy Self: The player must face a shadow of them self, this can be done by using Coercion (Willpower) at Hard difficulty to command their shadow to stand down, Combat Skill, Move or Harm can also be used, at Hard Difficulty to defeat oneself, or they can utilize Influence if they Have Control and make a Discipline (Willpower) check versus Hard difficulty to command there shadow.
  
• The Crucible: The students must make an Athletics (Brawn), Coordination (Agility), Skullduggery (Cunning), or Lore (Intellect) at Hard difficulty to navigate the tombs and try to find their way out. This is a part of the Tombs they have not been to and not even Zash's data will help.
  
• The Vigil: The student has found their goal, a Sith relic that will test them. They make a Discipline or Cool roll and can add a Force dice equal to Force Rating, force points can be added as Successes or Advantage. Successfully weathering this test means they have withstood the dark energy from the relic. The difficulty for this roll is Daunting.

Rewards: Characters gain 3 Grad Points for succeeding on The Vigil.

Destiny Used: Remmington Thalalas, Jo’ren Rath, Xevine Distraacht, Niriti, Dendrick Miloy, Sarna Kolyarn, and Sinea Okatesh have one roll of their choice upgraded.

What happened inside of the chambers for The Ordeal did not matter. Simply that one arrived successful on the other side. Something a bruised, bloodied, beaten Kristal had done. There was one thing that happened within that was worthy of personal note. Kristal had faced herself and lost but inside those tombs she had learned something valuable. Something that made withstanding the forces of the Relic possible.

Clutching onto her prize she made her way out of the Inner Sanctum and stood Victorious.

Day 8 | The Ordeal | Fear is the Mind-Killer, Discipline, Confidence: 2eP+1eA+2eB+1eC+1eD+1eS 1 failure, 3 advantage


[Suffer Setback on all rolls]

Day 8 | The Ordeal | Know Thyself, Lightsaber: 2eP+2eA+2eB+3eD+1eS 2 failures, 2 advantage, 1 Triumph


[Suffer 4 Strain from Failure, Heal 2, Total -2 Strain, Upgrade on Vigil]

Day 8 | The Ordeal | The Crucible, Athletics, Failed Fear: 1eP+3eA+2eB+3eD+1eS 1 success, 5 threat


[1 Strain from Success, Effect of 5 Threat = 5 Strain]

Day 8 | The Ordeal | The Vigil, Fear, Triumph, Discipline: 3eP+2eB+4eD+1eS+1eF 1 failure, 3 advantage, 2 Dark Side


[Both Force used as Success' Roll Succeeds, +3 Grad Points, Heal 3 Strain on Advantage, Vergence Darkside, Advantage +1 Strain]
[Total: -4 Strain, +3 Grad Points]

Zeno made his way into the tomb and immediately felt the oppressive force of the place, he knew he would be challenged... and challenged hard. But perhaps the fear was for the best because as he moved forward through the tombs he was on edge. His wits were at an all time high knowing the danger of this place. He relished conflict but he knew that he could not act stupidly here.

As he walked the tombs he heard the sound of a pair of shoto behind him, he turned and was taken aback to see himself. But unlike others, he had always admitted to himself that he had weakness. Some had told him that a sith admits no such thing, but he knew better at his core. You must have them and you must know them so that you can over come them. And he overcame them in the most brutal possible way as he drew his own swords. There was some acrobatic movement between the two, sabers striking each other, but he knew how to lure himself into a trap. He just had to be the first to do so... and he did. His twin sabers entered both sides of his shadow-selves chest, ending him. It gave him back some of the confidence that he had been lacking from the opression. This test was not as bad as it initially seemed to be.

Next he just had to find the relic he was searching for... really? The acrobatic fight seemed to just landed him next to it. That was really coincidental. Crazy.

Well, that meant it was time to put his body and spirit to the test. He took a step towards it and placed a hand on it. He stared it down the relic and let it's influence wash over him, rather than resisting it. He accepted it and let it be part of him for as long as was necessary for the test. When it was done, he felt almost sorry to leave it behind.

The Ordeal, Fear, D8 LA, Cool, 1 setback, 1 difficulty Upgrade, 2 boost reputation: 1eA+1eP+2eB+2eD+1eC+1eS 1 failure


Failed, 1 setback die for all rolls

The Ordeal, Know, D8 LA, Lightsaber, 2 boost reputation, 2 boost Shoto, 1 setback fear: 2eA+2eP+4eB+3eD 1 success, 2 advantage, 1 Triumph

The Ordeal, Know, D8 LA, Lightsaber, 1 setback fear: 1eS 0 successes


Succeed, upgrade one Vigil ability die

The Ordeal, Crucible, D8 LA, Coordination, 2 boost reputation, 1 setback fear: 4eA+2eB+3eD+1eS 5 successes, 2 threat


Succeed

The Ordeal, The Vigil, D8 LA, Cool, 1 setback fear, 2 boost reputation, Know thyself upgrade, Destiny Upgrade: 1eA+2eP+2eB+4eD+1eS 1 failure, 1 advantage, 1 Triumph

The Ordeal, The Vigil, D8 LA, Cool, Forgotten force die: 1eF 1 Dark Side + 1 Dark side from Vergence (+2 successes)

Total: 1 success, 1 advantage, 1 Triumph

1 strain

Succeed with Triumph! +3 grad points

Sure an ordeal. A painful and terrible experience to suffer.

Well not for Rumun. Overseer Rona had to do some menial task.Organizing some academy paperwork, classify educational reports and other stuff that she didn't want to do. She was lazy as hell, so she contacted Rumun and told him she had a job for him. She despised the duros but she read his historical record and she knew that he was good at this kind of work.

Anyway, the duros completed this task diligently and in record time. Every archive was efficiently managed and stored.

*****************

[OOC]

Using Rona's boon.

Yay! +1 Graduation point.

The Overseers looked warily on Shaisha as her turn came up. She had returned late last night, battered and beaten. It was hinted at that she could take the chance to further enhance her understanding of Sith philosophy by studying old records in the library. Shaisha glared at them and nothing more was said on that matter, though she was given advice on what was likely to happen.

As she stepped into the tombs, she felt the depths of the dark side around her. It were like deep roots from a tree, but rather than coming from something on the surface, it felt more like it came from deep within Korriban. Memories flooded back to her suddenly, bringing down upon her to break her will. There was snow... it was Ziost. She was hiding outside the room where the adults were speaking with a tall slender pureblood. She didn't understand then what happened, but now the vision reminded her of the sounds of death she had perhaps lost to time; her mother's family were killed on orders from the pureblood. For a moment, she felt her will begin to break... no! A soldier left the room, and didn't see her at first, and she remembered now how she had taken his sword without him noticing, and cutting him down from behind. The smell of blood, of her first kill, it was enough to drive her will to go on. To proceed further into the tomb.

Continuing further in, she became aware that there was something following her. Her hand slipped down to her lightsabers, Asha and Chwûq, and in one swift motion she rolled to the side as she felt an incoming attack. Bringing her lightsabers up to defend herself, she stared down herself. "Cheap imitation," she snarled at the reflection, and the two engaged eachother in a fierce battle. Even with her defeat from yesterday against the ancient past of Magara-sha, she wouldn't let herself be brought down when facing herself. Her dark double was just a reflection, and no shadow or reflection could possibly find the raging fire she held in her soul. Letting the burning glow of Chwûq lead the way for victory, Shaisha disarmed her opponent of one blade, and spun into a deadly slash that cut down the fake Shaisha. Her opponents returned into the shadows until she could feel her presence no more, and her lightsabers dimmed as she carried on.

Rounding a corner, she saw a wide hall ahead. At the end, up a series of stairs, was the prize she was searching. Carefully she treaded softly down the stairs into the hall, looking cautiously side to side. There were no guardians that she could see. Which meant only one thing... traps! Just as the thought occurred to her, she felt the floor-tile under her foot begin to sink ever so slightly. Throwing slow and steady to the win, Shaisha dashed ahead, narrowingly dodging the collapsing parts of the floor that had been rigged to catch intruders unawares. For now, she let her instincts guide her towards her prize.

With a final jump, she was at the top of the stairs. She could sense no more traps, and her prize was before her. The final test. It seemed like such a harmless thing, a plain mask carved from bone in the style of a demonic-looking sithspawn. Cautiously she reached out to pick up the mask, and as her bare fingers touched the cold object, it was like an instant case of vertigo that nearly made her fall over from the mental pressure. It was like the worst incidents in her life was played on repeat in her mind. All her failures, her sorrows, her loneliness; it struck her like a painful crescendo. Through the Force, she reached out... she couldn't be alone! It was like a muddied light, but... she found it. Sylvain. Kristal. Father. No, she wasn't alone.

The comfort of their presence in the Force was enough to bring her back to the present. Only a handful of seconds had passed. And she had passed the test.

Leaving the hall, she was met by an Overseer that gave an approving nod of her success.


---

D8 EVENT. Fear is the Mindkiller: Discipline/Willpower. Upgrade+Boost from Rep.: 3eP+2eB+1eS+2eD+1eC 2 successes, 4 threat

(4 strain)

D8 EVENT. Know thy self: Combat Skill - Lightsaber/Cunning. Upgrade+Boost from Rep.: 3eP+1eA+2eB+3eD 3 successes, 5 advantage

(4 or 5 strain regained, depending on time-warp dancing)

D8 EVENT. The Crucible: Skullduggery/Cunning. Upgrade+Boost from Rep.: 2eP+2eA+2eB+3eD 1 success


D8 EVENT. The Vigil: Discipline/Willpower. Upgrade+Boost from Rep. Destiny Upgrade: 3eP+1eA+2eB+1eF+4eD 4 advantage, 2 Light Side

(+1 Success from Dark Side Vergence! WOOT!)

3 Graduation Points.

Discipline (Willpower) - 2eP+1eA+1eC+2eD+1eS+1eB = 4 successes, 2 threats (3 strain total)


It had been said before, but since Jun-Tsu was small she had been seeped in the Dark Side, the places where it dwelt, and since coming to Korriban she had stalked those places all the more. Others might have had their heart race in fear out of a primal instinct to flee from such overwhelming malice and entropy, but Jun-Tsu had long ago had such reactions trained out of her. She, as she always did, opened herself up to the chaotic powers, practically called to it as she submitted as its living vessel. It was her ally, not her enemy. And a powerful ally it was.

Force Power: Harm - 2eF = 3 Dark Side, 1 Light Side (3 successes) (1 strain; 4 strain total)


Indeed, as she stalked the halls, she began to hear the echoes of her own footsteps coming from deeper inside the caverns and tunnels of the tombs. She followed them, catching a glint of a wild-looking woman, donned in her half-disc headdress, long fiery hair falling in disheveled tangles. Robes, gone, nothing but loose clothes to give her the barest modesty. It was her, it was what she truly was inside, and would be again once she left this place. She would no longer have to be this robed and veiled creature. She could be the savage witch that she was.

As the two stared at one another, Jun-Tsu smiled viciously and thrust out a hand. Her doppelganger screamed in pain as she had her essence stripped away in coiling emerald tendrils. "Your powver is mein. Your life iz mein, und I vill have it back." Her hands hooked in the air, and pulled in arcane orbits siphoning off the shadows essence until it was nothing.

Knowledge: Lore (Intellect) - 2eP+1eA+3eD+1eB = 1 success, 3 threats, 1 Triumph (4 strain, 8 strain total)


Her smile did not fade, she only continued on her way. While Lord Zash might not have known the way in these temples, Jun-Tsu smirked as she gazed at the etchings on the walls and ceilings. There were many ancient tombs, but those closer to the academy were from a time not long removed from the coming of the jen'jedai. Her people. The temples and tombs of her House on Korriz were practically the same, and as she read the symbols and sigils, they led her easily to her final goal.

Discipline (Willpower) - 2eP+1eA+3eD+1eB+2eF = 3 successes, 3 threats, 2 Light Side, 3 Dark Side (+3 advantage to negate 3 threat; 1 strain; 9 strain total)


She stepped into the ceremonial chamber at the tombs heart, and there, upon the altar, rested her true trial. It looked like a simple disc, large and metallic, but even from the entrance she had felt the waves of dark power pouring off of it. The closer she got, the more it struck out at her, and it took more and more of her mastery of the Dark Side to keep its assaults at bay. But at last she took a seat before the alter and meditated.

In her reflection she took hold of the chaotic energies of the relic and twisted them around her. Each of its assaults merely slipped into the cocoon of darkness that wove about her. Its attacks simply strengthening her defense. And that is how her examiner's found her, meditating placidly in the storm of Force.

OOC: 3 Grad Points

Sylvain entered into the tombs with a strong feeling of serenity. He had been working on overcoming even the greatest of his fears and learning to utilize his mind in ways that had never been possible. When the fear set upon him he receded to the stronger portion of his mind, and pushed past the beatings of the Dark Side.

D8 Event, Roll 1, Disc/Will, Rep Bonus,: 3eP+2eD+1eC+1eB 2 successes, 2 threat


As he walked deeper into the tombs he became aware of a presence stalking him. He looked to see himself, sitting in Baras' chair, acting as Baras. He had become everything he had sworn to destroy, rather than break from Baras' control he appeared destined to become yet another Baras in the Empire. Mustering his strength he drove the visage from the room. And overwhelming feeling of peace came upon him once he had defeated his foe.

D8 Event, Roll 2, Disc/Will, Rep Bonus, Influence: 3eP+3eD+1eB+1eF 1 success, 3 advantage, 1 Light Side


The tunnels proved to be filled with dangers. Sylvain narrowly avoided several monsters, and while he found his way quickly, the near misses had him longing for escape.

D8 Event, Roll 3, Skul/Cunn, Rep Bonus,: 1eP+2eA+3eD+1eB 4 successes, 4 threat


At last Sylvain approached the room holding the powerful relic he was commanded to confront. Feeling the Dark Side ebb and flow around him, Sylvain pushed against the will of the powerful tool and subjugated it to his desires. This was no Jedi holocron that needed coaxing, this was an implement that only understood one thing... sheer force of will. Sylvain cast aside any hopes to control it through persuasion and overcome the power of the Dark Side with his own strength of spirit.

D8 Event, Roll 4, Disc/Will, Rep Bonus, Zash's Know, Destiny, Force: 3eP+1eA+4eD+2eB+1eF 3 successes, 2 advantage, 1 Dark Side, 1 Darkside vergence (2 more advantage)


(OOC: All four rolls a success. Net 1 advantage. +3 Graduation points)

Remmington already had enough of searching the restricted tombs for now. He asks the overseer if there is something else that he can do. She yells at him and chases him out and throws some paperwork at him. He picks it up and decides to get it quickly done so he may do something else.

/ Using Rona's boon as well. Free pass. /

Entombed. Trapped. Imprisoned.

Moyr was exposed to her greatest fear. She closed her eyes and fought it down at a cost, but it refused to go away. Jadus' cold touch on her cheek... The feeling refused to go away.

LA8. The Ordeal. Fear is the Mind-Killer. Cool. Destiny. Zash's Knowledge Talent for Boost.: 1eP+2eA+1eC+2eD+1eB+1eS 2 successes, 1 threat, 1 Despair


[1 strain, difficulty upgrade]

"Hello, beautiful."

The voice was familiar, the cloaked figure. Who was she? Moyr nevertheless reached out for her blaster and tried to play hard.

"Stand down, show your face."

"Of course."

It was her own. She was not even shocked. More like unnerved and angry.

"Fucking sorcery."

The Twi'lek released a blaster round against her other herself shouting profanities. For all her ferocity, the ghost just laughed. It was a futile effort. When Moyr stopped, heaving, the ghost just turned away and disappeared in the shadows, triumphantly waving her hand. As her was used to doing.

LA8. The Ordeal. Know Thyself. Ranged (Light).: 1eP+2eA+1eC+2eD 0 successes, 1 advantage


[3 Strain, 4 Strain in sum]

But after the shooting spree a moment of clarity came, and Moyr began to figure her way out. She knew nothing about this section, but this was not alien enough for her to abandon her usual way around the difficult places. But nothing was going right. The walls arose where there supposed to be none. Proximity detectors triggered when they shouldn't. Whoever was masterminding this was having a lot of fun with her.

In the end, she lucked out and found her way through, very exhausted, almost to the level of fainting. Or this was yet another ploy.

LA8. The Ordeal. The Crucible. Skulduggery.: 2eP+1eA+1eC+2eD 0 successes, 1 threat, 1 Triumph


[5 Strain, 9 Strain in sum, 1 die upgrade for Triumph]

...The relic. It lured her with the power of the Dark Side and repelled her with terrors it brough. Could she grasp the former and overcome the latter? She would know soon as she entered the vigil, exposing herself to what came from the artifact, embracing the Vergence.

The fight, it touched the essence of her being, her animal instincts. She was both letting the Force in and repelling in, faltering and fighting back, bleeding from her nose and shouting in rage. The images the artifact conjured into her senses made her recoil. But when she looked defeated after the long struggle. Broken and exhausted to what would be a catatonic state, she gritted her teeth one last time and pushed back with the power of the Dark Side, realigning the Vergence around her. Her shriek reverberated across the Tombs.

LA8. The Ordeal. The Vigil. Cool. Destiny. Free Triumph Upgrade.: 2eP+1eA+1eC+3eD+1eF 1 failure, 3 threat, 1 Dark Side


[+2 Dark Side successes, Die + Vergence, 12 Strain, Success!]

And that was it. The relic turned silent. She had already won. She would lie in the Tomb for a time before she would be able to get up and get out.

[12/13 Strain, 3 Graduation Points]

Down in the tombs it was deadly still. Quiet like the moment before a tuk'ata strikes its prey. Jo'ren did not imagine that this could scare him after all the weeks of training, yet he was terrified. It was an aching dread that leeched into his bones. It was Gerry's death and Zash's reprieve. It was facing Koro and losing his limbs. It was betraying Thy and losing himself.

Speaking of which... Two red blades appeared ahead of him. His own double lightsaber held by a shadow with his features. There was a rush of adrenaline, held in check by the lessons of the savant. His copy was no match for the real thing.

Finding his way through the maze proved to be a simple task, despite his fear, and his ghosts. It was not long before he emerged into the chamber that contained his final challenge: a relic of ancient power. He wondered if Exar Kun's holocron would look like this.

With a touch of destiny upon him he reached out and touched it, forcing the darkness to bend to his will. It was all rather intoxicating. And deceptively simple. The power washed over and through him, and he rose, feeling whole and breathing slowly.

His vigil complete, Jo'ren emerged having defeated yet another challenge. Now he was ready for the next stage of his journey: onwards, to Yavin!


----------
Day 8. Discipline(Willpower), rep, hard, upgraded: 3eP+2eB+1eC+2eD+1eS 1 failure, 4 advantage


Failure: setback die to all rolls

Day 8. Lightsaber(Brawn), rep, hard, setback: 4eP+2eB+3eD+1eS 3 successes, 1 threat


Success: +2 strain

Day 8. Athletics(Brawn), rep, setback: 1eA+3eP+3eB+3eD+1eS 2 successes, 1 advantage


Success: advantage negates strain; 2 strain total

Day 8. Discipline(Willpower), rep, daunting, upgraded, destiny: 1eA+3eP+2eB+3eD+1eC+1eS+1eF 4 successes, 1 Dark Side


Success, 4 successes and use Force points to reduce Strain to 1!

+3 Graduation points

Siena entered the tomb, unafraid. Despite the dark energies swirling around her, she felt confident... especially armed with the knowledge she learned the other day about Foci of the Force.

A sultry red maiden appeared before her, and started a mental assault.... wait, was that her? Damn, I look fine. "Begone, apparition, you don't scare me.." She dismissed the projection with a simple exercise of will.

While the tomb was certainly maze like, she came prepared, and using her knowledge of Ancient Tombs of the Sith, vol 1. Appendix II., she managed to find the artifact that was the goal of the exercise.

And then came another battle of wills, between Sith and.... dumb object. Despite the strength of the Dark Side inherent in the block of malice in front of her, she prevailed.

''No dark caves for me''

Rona's boon used +1 grad pt

Yavin was coming. Nunki did not need this right now. Too much was at stake.

So instead, she made a call, and found herself assisting some lesser aspirants with their form. Much better than dark tombs.

---------------
Rona's boon used.
+1 grad point.

Khalim made his way into the tombs, seeking to prove himself as capable and strong.

First, he faces the greatest fear, and wavers a little, yet presses on never-the-less not allowing it to halt his feet.

The Ordeal - Fear: 1eA+3eP+2eB+2eD+1eC 0 successes, 6 advantage


Coming upon the shadowy apparition of himself, he swiftly cuts it down with the purple blade of his lightsaber, not wasting time trying to coerce or convince himself to simply go away.

The Ordeal - Know Thyself - Setback from Fear - Lightsaber/Willpower: 1eA+3eP+2eB+3eD+1eS 3 successes, 5 advantage


[0 strain taken due to advantages]

Next he finds himself trying to navigate the tombs. It takes him a while, but eventually he does manage to find the ritual chamber containing the Sith relic.

The Ordeal - Crucible - Lore (Int) - Destiny Upgrade: 2eP+2eB+3eD+1eS 0 successes, 1 advantage


[3 strain taken]

Finally, he gets to the relic. He draws upon his resolve and will, places his hand on the relic, and resists its power without much difficulty at all.

The Ordeal - Vigil - Discipline: 1eA+3eP+2eB+4eD+1eS+1eF 1 success, 1 Triumph, 1 Dark Side


[1 strain on success - total of 4 strain]

[Success: +3 graduation points]

Layne wasn't going to skip out just because some people thought this was scary or what not. Pft. Layne wasn't scared of ANYTHING. She'd show these bastards she had what it takes, and stepped inside.

It wasn't long before she was facing herself; and it turned out that fighting yourself was a recipe for failure. She should've known better; but the encounter was, ultimately, one she walked away... though not with a victory to her name. The rest went a little better. She managed to get lucky and easily found her way to the goal of the whole exercise... passing on through with enough of a headache that she didn't even have a 'fuck you' to spare for the guards at the exit.

fear is the mind kill, discipline/willpower, DESTINY, 1 setback removed from blade of woe, upgraded difficulty.: 2eA+1eP+2eD+1eC+2eS 2 successes, 1 threat

(2 strain taken)

Lightsaber/Brawn, (blade of woe, setback removed) 1 remaining setback from reputation.: 3eP+3eD+1eS 0 successes, 1 threat

(5 strain taken, at 7 strain)

Athletics/Brawn, setback removed from blade of woe,: 1eA+2eP+3eD+1eS 2 successes, 2 threat, 1 Triumph

(3 strain taken, at 10 strain; triumph grants free upgrade on the vigil)

The Vigil, discipline/willpower, free upgrade, setback die removed from blade of woe, force added: 2eA+1eP+4eD+1eS+1eF 1 Light Side

(vergence gives 1 sux. Lightside gives 1 strain. +1 strain from sux. At 12 strain)

I am cool: 1eA+1eP 1 success, 2 advantage

(-1 strain, at 11 strain)

(+3 grad points gained)

Niriti was not up for the work of the test after the hectic day she had had already, so she personally talked to her teacher and was able to win her way out of the exam after already proven her value as a sith acolyte before.

--

Using Boon!

With an approximation of a smile the Rodian used up her goodwill with the Overseer, remembering fondly the betrayal and execution of the slave revolt as she did so.


/ooc

Using Rona's boon.

+1 Graduation Point.