Nar Shaddaa

Now this has been an interesting day for Rumun. After his meeting with Darth Xevious he goes to Lord Haydriss' chambers, as the Sith wanted to discuss something about some research, so it seems. He has heard the rumours surrounding her but Rumun is not someone who is influenced by them.

In any case, he told a servant to announce his arrival and waits for permission to enter.

Lord Haydriss opened the door and had him ushered in. Her tools were already neatly packed away and the rest of the room was meticulously neat. "I am honored that you have accepted my invitation. May I offer you a drink?"

Rumun enters the room and bowed low and respectfully. '' My Lord Haydriss. ''

'' The honor is mine, My Lord. To be invited here today is a reward itself. '' A bit of praise to the Sith. He accepted the drink.

A small laugh. "My apologizes. I had a guest earlier who was much different from you. The difference amused me." She gestured to a seat and took another one for herself. "You will tell me about your credentials. To clarify, I shall know your past areas of research and your contributions."

Rumun find interesting that Haydriss was comparing him to another person. Though he did not ask for an elaboration on that particular topic.

'' Well I'm afraid that my contributions to research has not been as extensive as I would like, my Lord. My apprenticeship and time in the Outer Rim leaves me very little time to dedicate entirely to my passion, research.'' He shrugs. '' My time as a slave clerk leaved me some time to gather bits of information from all over the empire. During my stay at the Academy in Korriban I tried to study the essence of the Tuk'ata in order to try to capture alive the Death's Shadow legendary beast, but my fellow classmates approached the same problem in a more 'direct' way. I have helped in the discovery of a hidden nebulae around Yavin IV, though that investigation is still on progress.'' He replies

He thought for a moment until he remembered another of his adventures.

'' Oh and I found the ancient resting place of Lord Grenya in the Valley of the Dark Lords on Korriban, though I'm afraid that the tomb was destroyed alongside the inmense collection of rare edible items that I saw inside. Unfortunately, through the intervention of other people.'' Rumun adds.

"I see. You have a repertoire of information but I am unsure if that experience will be useful here. However, former experience with proper research is exactly what I am searching for." The Sith Lord paused and tilted her head. "I ask this of many Sith: what do you wish for most? What do you aspire to?"

'' Fascinating question indeed, my Lord. I have asked that countless of times and never have achieved a clear answer.'' Rumun said.

'' But in essence what I want, is to 'see, predict and know'. There are many patterns in this galaxy, fascinating interactions between individuals and their enviroment. Many different cultural behaviors that influence the surroundings. I want to see the casuality, understand it and predict the reaction effect from different angles of observation.'' The duros replied to her question.

Lord Haydriss listened in silence, the only thing meeting him her mask. Eventually she nodded. "It appears you are a man of science and research. That aligns with my wishes in an assistant." A pause. "Why should I trust you with my prized project?" she inquired plainly.

'' Hmm, I cannot say. I mean, I don't know what motivates you, my Lord. I don't know what is your definition of 'trust'. If you are worried about me catastrophically spoiling your research, then of course you should not take me as your assistant. Failure is always a probability of research. Trial and error has always being part of practical research.''

'' If you are worried that I could share the results with a third party, then you should not take me as your assistant. Although, you could always kill me if I do that, in that regard you have power over me, as I'm merely an apprentice. Besides you could always kill me regardless of the final results of the research to keep the secrets. 'Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back' '' Rumun said that calmly.

'' But I'm not that kind of being. In that account, you have my word and I take my promises very seriously, my Lord''

"Failure is not what I anticipate from you. But I expect you to not share our results or even the basis of my projects." She leaned back in her chair, the mask observing the Duros in front of her. "I do not intend on killing you. I have no desire to. But you stated it clearly that I may have to if you were to betray me."

'' Of course. I would not expect any other fate. '' Rumun again said that calmly.

'' You have my word and my discretion, my Lord. If you deem me worthy then I will gladly help you in your quest to acquire knowledge. '' He added politely.

"Excellent. I am pleased to know there is someone else is our Empire willing to collaborate with a fellow intellectual." Lord Haydriss opened up a few files and put them up for display. "Earlier you had said that, 'Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.' My goal is to have that become reality.

"I am sure you are aware of our Emperor's lifespan. But I must also inquire if you have heard of Darth Sion. According to legend, his resilience was insurmountable. There was nothing in existence that could slay him other than his own lack of will.

"Together we will discover the secrets to immortality and resurrection."

'' Darth Sion? I do not recall hearing about him. '' He replied interested in the history and background of that name. '' But he must had been a great and powerful sith if those legends are true. ''

'' Resurrection and Immortality? Well, certainly it is not impossible. Our Emperor is the living reminder that, at least, immortality can be obtained'' He was interested in the details of the research.

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[OOC]

Fair warning. I was the king of Orokos trolling in Korriban. Not a very promising future...

Darth Sion? Who? Difficulty unknown. Intellect/Knowledge:Lore: 2eA+1eP 0 successes, 2 advantage

Lord Haydriss pulled up her data on the legendary Darth Sion. "You are permitted to peruse that information as you please. I can forward you the information regarding his history and background but not the scientific data. It is too easy to have leaks otherwise."

She leaned back in her chair and let out a long exhale. "My current research has been fruitful but I am still far from my intended results. With the Force, I can drain the life of others to rejuvenate myself. Many other Sith possess this ability; it is no hidden secret. If you are interested in such a technique, I may mentor you on it." She tilted her head and examined Rumun further. "You will need to be greater attuned to the Force than the common Sith Apprentice to utilize it."

Coincidence? Rumun did not believe in those. The force was clearly trying to show him something. Finally the missing link to what he has heard in the past was revealed.

'' A Sith Alchemy ritual that severs the connection to the force from a host and transfers it to oneself. Extending life in the process.'' He replied remembering his time in Korriban and what he knows about the ritual.

The woman grew still and did not speak for a moment. It was only her mask that kept her reaction somewhat hidden. "What ritual do you speak of?" she asked hurriedly, for the moment abandoning her regal speech patterns. However, she soon regained her composure and explained her position. "My own capabilities have never severed the Force. I do not believe I have extended my life span either. The only effect my body undergoes is the healing of wounds."

'' I heard about such ritual during my time at the academy. Perhaps your ability derives from that ritual. A less potent version of the same principle, my Lord.'' Rumun shrugs.

'' I'm sure you are familiar with Lord Zash and the rumours that surround her, my lord?'' He asked politely.

"Perhaps. I hope to ascertain if that is the truth." Lord Haydriss shook her head. "Darth Zash. But yes, I have heard of the rumors. I spoke with her apprentice, Lord Zeno Deathwright, the other day regarding her."

'' Well, It would seem that she found the way to sever the conection to the force from others. Or she is very close to it. All rumours about her past apprentices that perished in strange circumstances, are somewhat linked to her research. One of her apprentices was named Faln. I saw a hologram of him being used by Lord Zash in some kind of ritual. At first I thought that Faln died, but then man who shown me the hologram said that Faln did not die from the ritual, his conection to the force seemed to be eroded.'' He explained to Haydriss.

''It would seem that Lord Zash has not completed the ritual, she is doing an imperfect version, from what I know. And now you said that you are searching for a way to Inmortality and Resurrection. You said that you can drain the life force of others to heal yourself. I think is only natural to think that the more 'widespread' type of ritual is just a lesser version of what Zash is doing.''

Now that I think about it. What about the Emperor himself? Did he also found a way to sap the force from others? Rumun thought.

'' I think Lord Deathwright does not have a very bright future ahead...'' He shrugs.

"Darth Zash. She is now Darth Zash, Rumun." However, from her tone it did not seem that she cared much.

"I wonder if we can combine the effects. It may be possible for one to strip the life and connection to the Force in the same instance. That could be the conclusion I have been searching for." The Sith Lord then shook her head. "No. I imagine Darth Zash would have attempted such a solution."

On the last matter, she nodded. "I discussed his future with him but he did not seem concerned. I imagine he has a solution or he is simply deluded enough to believe he will not suffer the same fate."

'' I don't know the specifics and this is pure conjecture from my part and from man that shown me the hologram. But Darth Zash seemed to 'satiate' a drive to erode the force from others. Perhaps the ritual in its incomplete version caused a backlash or hurt her in some way. Well, all research have associated risks. Sith alchemy is no exception.'' He complemented his explanation.

''That's all what I know, my Lord.'' He finished.

"I am searching for a method without such backlash. I am aware that that is a difficult notion but I refuse to settle on any less." The Sith Lord took a moment to reflect and then shook her head. "Darth Zash would not help us with this project without being fully included. To fully include her would be unwise, and thus she is not an option. We must search for another avenue."

'' Well we could continue the research, using what you already know as a base and applying variations to that with the new information I have delivered to you, my Lord.'' He offered a solution.

Haydriss nodded. "Yes. That would be the logical approach to complete my project." She paused, thought for a few moments, and then tilted her head. "I hope you are not squeamish, Rumun. My experiments have not be kind to my subjects."

Rumun has seen the treatment people who defy Darth Hoshi received. Besides Rumun already was a person devoid of any sign of morality.

'' Don't worry, my lord. '' He simply replies.