#scions of Zakuul

[0alix0]

commission for @jdiknight

she’s so precious i cAN’T 🤲😭💙

[swtorpadawan]

Good stuff - here's my take: The inconsistencies with the Scions of Zakuul are one of the biggest letdowns of the KOTFE/KOTET story. 1) We were told by Heskal that the remaining Scions would eventually reach out to us after Asylum. (They didn't.) 2) Oramis and a handful of Scions show up on Iokath, telling us they are the only survivors. (They aren't.) They tell us that Tyth will be our greatest challenge. (He isn't.) She tells us we'll become a god after we beat Tyth and the others on Iokath. (We don't.) 3) A handful of Scions appear on Nathema, fighting beside Atris without explanation. 4) A handful of Scions show up during Echoes of Oblivion, trying to free Valkorion. (They fail.) Very frustrating. Such potential squandered. I do have to challenge a couple of points you make: 1) Knights don't draw their power from the throne; they draw it from their BELIEF in the throne. (That's why Senya didn't lose her power when she joined the Alliance. She was putting her belief in a "restored" throne, as it had previously been.) 2) Valkorion was consistently obsessed with precognition. That's why he kept Revan alive for 300 years. I believe that he formed the Scions for the same purpose. I think they were giving Valkorion their visions, and not the other way around. 3) Obviously, a lot of the issues you and I have raised are the writers' fault. (They didn't know where they were going.)

I really wish they had a better plan, and had kept to it.

So, while I was RPing my former Scion of Zakuul OC in SWTOR, and a theory crossed my mind:

What if Valkorion actually had a hand in the things the Scions see, and what they saw being fullfilled was actually a direct result of either Valky’s actions or the actions of the Scions himself? It i mentioned in KOTFE Chapter 12 that the Knights draw power from their loyalty to the Eternal Emperor. Wouldn’t be much of a stretch to assume the Scions have the same, considering the fact that they seem to be fanatically loyal to Valkorion, much more so than the Knights. It would only make sense that their strong affinity from precognition came from the Emperor somehow.

Also, from what we know, Zakuulans were pretty fatalistic when many of them followed the Old Ways. Belief is a powerful tool of control, so it would make sense if Valkorion formed an Order dedicated to following fate, and then through some sort of a link grant them visions they were supposed to follow. And the Scions, being the fanatics they are, always made sure the visions came true. Doesn’t help the fact that Heskal, the one-time head of the Scions, has white eyes, somehing also encountered among people possessed by Vitiate on Ziost( could also be that he is blind, but it’s never specified), and that almost all of the things they predicted had something to do either with Valky lending a hand, or with them taking actions for said prophecies to come true.

Which brings me to a rather disturbing conclusion. If the Scions are still capable of seeing during Iokath with Valkorion is gone, it could mean 3 things: 1) They are lying and have ulterior motives. 2) No matter how unlikely this is, Valkorion is still out there in some capacity, manipulating things through the Scions. 3) Something else, just as dangerous, if not more, than Valky, is granting the Scions visions.

It’s pretty far fetched, but still the thought of Valky returning doesn’t make things easier. Tell me what you think, people.

[jdiknight]

i'm trying to do little refs for all my swtor ocs, so i wanted to test out the bases i made for that... first up, aralia, my zakuulan scion!! her talent for visions etc. were discovered in school because she used her foresight to cheat her classmates out of their pocket money. nobody was amused about it except for her, she found it hilarious.

pssst. it's only a rumor, but... one of the princes seems to have a soft spot for her...!!

[anchanted-one]

Koth Vortena Theories

I think it's well-known by now that I'm a massive Lana Beniko fan. But one character I don't talk much about as much, though I like him a lot as well, is Koth Vortena, arguably one of the biggest missed opportunities of SWTOR.

This is going to be a big post about Koth Vortena, unsung hero of Zakuul.

Apologies for the bad drawing.

So here's what little we know about Koth.

He's against harming civilians. To the point he'll walk away from leaders he finds too cruel and/or tyrannical. Sort of resolved in the game. His loyalty increases over time if you're Light, and evaporates if Dark.

Like most Zakuulans not in the know, he is a devotee of Valkorion. This is never resolved.

He has a conflict with Senya that goes nowhere. She cryptically tells you to keep an eye on him, as he has already betrayed one master. But this warning is only relevant in the most obvious way (see point 1). A Lightsider wouldn't have to worry at all. Not to mention, Senya is also a defector. So we don't know where her venom comes from. Her accusation that Koth abandoned his post flies in the face of her later statement that the Knights of Zakuul should've rebelled once Arcann slaughtered the Scions (who are way more legitimate targets than the civilians of Denon)

He is still loyal to Zakuul itself. If you are Lightsided (i.e. he stays with you past KOTFE) he is the only one who advocates for Zakuul. Even Arcann and Senya don't.

All of these paint a rather incomplete story.

I know KOTFEET got more rushed as time went on, but Koth's story is the one that stands as the most obviously abandoned.

The biggest nonresolution is his devotion to Valky. And by extension, the Eternal Empire's adherence to Valkorionism. The citizens of Zakuul still believe in Valk by the end of KOTET, and we have no reason to believe that they're any closer to figuring out the truth.

I recall that in cut content, there was a discarded accusation from Senya about his ambitions. We also know that KOTFEET was supposed to be a three-parter, with Arcann being the big bad for KOTFE, Vaylin for KOTET, and Valk for Part III (KOTIE? KOT Immortal Emperor?).

One theory I had was that Koth might have become a new host for Valkorion at the end of KOTET. Willingly or otherwise, perhaps depending on player choices. And that perhaps his eyes would be opened at the end of III, which would end in an Echoes of Oblivion-esque way.

The second theory is related to another piece of cut dialogue, this one from Vaylin. She tells Arcann "Thexan isn't our only sibling," or something similar. Now, the obvious implication is that the Player Character is this mysterious missing sibling, but after a quick look at this reddit post's summary, I had a different theory. A very tinfoily theory.

(Quick summary: this post compares the Imperial family to the Zakuulan pantheon. Valk is Izax, Senya is Scyva, Arcann is Esne, Vaylin is Tyth, and Thexan is Aivela. Which leaves Nahut, the god of apathy or the hated son)

Maybe that other sibling--or half-sibling, per my tinfoil hat theory--was Koth Vortena. I don't know if it was confirmed that it was the Outlander for sure, but this kinda clashes with the roleplaying aspect of the game. And the species. Our player character is definitely not a hybrid.

Maybe at some point, Valkorion had another mistress who bore him another son, but who got exiled with him for some unknown offense. Possibly, before the twins were born, as Koth appears to be a bit older than Arcann.

Reasons why I was thinking about this now.

He is the only other major Zakuulan we frequently interact with. While it still makes sense that he's an ordinary guy, it could've also meant that he was going to play a significant role in the future of Zakuul.

Senya's dislike of Koth would be a little more understandable if she always saw him as a threat to her own children's legitimacy, and couldn't let go of it even after all this time. It also goes with her accusation about his ambition. Koth might not know about his parentage, as his in-game reason for hating Senya totally makes sense. She was Arcann's loyal Knight who hunted him and his crew, and nearly killed them on at least a few occasions. But then, he might just as easily resent her for believing that she was the reason why his mother was cast aside, even if she had nothing to do with it.

Again, his unflinching loyalty to Zakuul no matter its inner darkness. His continued mission to keep it safe, even after KOTFEET. He is an excellent candidate for the new leader (emperor/king) of Zakuul, had it not been instead given to... who's that other guy? Doesn't matter.

This theory actually goes well with the 'Maybe Koth was meant to be Valkorion's new vessel' angle.

Combining both theories, here's what Koth's originally intended story might have been like, but got cut because it was seen as racist.

Despite the obvious problems in this story, I feel like this would've had a more complete arc for Koth, and allowed him to have a story of his own that wasn't relegated to the background.

Koth would become a contender for the Eternal Throne after proving his lineage.

He helps the Alliance overthrow Arcann and Vaylin, but perhaps in a more prominent leadership role. Zakuulans disaffected with Arcann would flock to his banner.

He is approached by Valkorion, who manages to escape the Outlander's body.

Koth accepts--perhaps reluctantly--to serve as his vessel. He is still loyal, after all. Perhaps he might request Valkorion not to destroy an Outlander he's grown fond of (and Lana.)

Inside Valkorion's psyche, he gets horrified, finally seeing the man for what he really is. The revitalized Immortal Emperor may be openly harsh and cruel, even to the people of Zakuul, which might be the reason why they also lose their faith in him. Or the Alliance could find proof revealing his true nature.

Inside his own head, Koth helps the Alliance (who at this time might include OL, Lana, Theron, Scourge, Kira, Satele, Marr, Revan, the Exile, the Tiralls, and maybe even others like Dramath) fight and slay Tenebrae/Vitiate/Valkorion. He might survive, or not. If he does, he's the new Emperor of Zakuul, but with only a small portion its once endless fleet. (Perhaps the Alliance was forced to sacrifice the Gravestone to bring it to this state. But there are enough ships left that the Pub and Imp decide not to tangle with them)

I would like you guys' opinions on this!

[twilekthembo]

I'm frustrated broadly at the Scions of Zakuul portion of the story, but I really liked this piece of characterization for Valkorion.

Having two characters talk around something they know about in character but hasn't been revealed in the story yet (Senya is Arcann's mother) and having Valkorion ask you leading questions is so good.

He's guiding you through this scene in a way that's so sleazy and manipulative that you feel what your character is going through. He really should be a tempting presence, and things like this can be a subtle push to trust him.

Like, he IS asserting himself, there's a mystery in this scene, and he tells you where to look. If you've been in the 'I don't trust you Valkorion, don't even talk to me' camp this whole time, he basically grabs your chin and points you in the correct direction. A small violation, but one you'd maybe overlook because it got you what you needed. Maybe you'll listen to him again, but just keep your guard up! Maybe next time ask him for help next time. Maybe do HIM a favor next time if it seems harmless enough.

And then BAM betrayed!

Just wish there was more of this.

[fiharri]

The new shipping my OCs together masterpost. Because I found the old one and decided it needed to be redone with my current OCs and current tastes. This is gonna be long.

For those who just want the visual quick version, here is the chart I made in google spreadsheets:

And for those who don't know every single OC I've ever made, here are quick and dirty summaries of each:

Mag Sterling (she/her): Private eye who fills the femme fatale role all by herself. She's pretty morally bankrupt, and she mostly stays in her role to satisfy the ever-present hunger for knowledge. Also she has superpowers (including mind-reading) and a codependent relationship with her assistant Jesse.

Quest (they/them): A shadar-kai paladin from the Shadowfell who serves the Raven Queen and was recently sent into Hell. Really doesn't feel strongly about good vs. evil (or at least they don't think they do) and cares more about planes not actively fucking with one another. Really has not been super open about their deal with their friends.

Nal'evi Eidris (she/her): A twi'lek ISB agent in the world of Rebellion-era/Imperial-era Star Wars. She is currently working with Special Forces in Strike Force Centurion and is constantly ratting on her co-workers/fellow Strike Force members. A cop, a traitor to her people, and a snitch.

Saryn Vhys (she/her): An elven adventurer, rogue, and alchemist in a world where dungeons just sort of…spontaneously appear! Her self-professed life goal is to find out what causes dungeons and figure out where their root source is once and for all. Only mildly traumatized by dungeons in her youth.

Cylthia (she/they): A tiefling druid who has identity issues. Swaps between an elven form that resembles her parents — who are both elves — and her natural tiefling form to the point they are both her identity at this point. Married to the leader of the elven kingdom of her home and a member of Motherfuckers Unlimited, who saved the fucking world.

Kayatosh Felrind (they/them): Failson of the royal family of the plane of Mechanus. Learned to be a rogue to be rebellious as a teenager, and kind of…just tried to figure out what the fuck to do after abdicating their role as heir.

Lorren Starstrider (she/her): A blood elf paladin from World of Warcraft originally. Has sort of two continuities, with a lot of similarities: 1. Sin'dorei blood knight in Azeroth, working with dragons to enhance her power and protect her family (six kids ♡); 2. D&D universe elven hero along with her husband Garog, retired happily but always willing to pick up the sword to defend people (also six kids but significantly different setting).

Teri'nor Dakari (she/her): Togruta Sith Inquisitor from the time of the Old Republic. Ruthless in pursuit of what she wants, the scion of two great Sith lineages, and generally a manipulative Sith in all ways. Ascends to the title of Darth Victaria on the Dark Council and becomes the Empress of Zakuul in one of her two diverging timelines.

Tavaris (they/she): The Dark Urge from BG3. Tiefling aberrant mind sorcerer. Pre-tadpoling, a manipulative bitch who frequently hurt people to get what they wanted. Sometimes what they wanted was to hurt people. Post-tadpoling, just trying their best to help those around them. Generally very sweet.

Dara (she/her): Tiefling dhampir blood hunter in the world of BG3. Abandoned at birth, shunned by her adoptive family once they realized she was…not completely mortal. Learned how to use blood magic and became a monster hunter, hoping to one day hunt down her biological parents. Has a Charisma score of 5. Acts like it.

Fiharri Tabris (she/her): An alienage elf from the city of Denerim. She's full of anger all the time, at the way she and her family have been treated along with all of elvenkind. She spent several years of her youth with a Dalish tribe, but her identity will always lie with her fellow city elves. She's angry! And she's fighting darkspawn. Finding a cure. Normal stuff to do when you're 25.

Herah Adaar (she/they): A tal-vashoth qunari from the Free Marches of Thedas. A mage, a rarity among her people, and a twin to a sister who did her best to keep up with the talented Herah. Shoved into a position of power as the Herald of Andraste and then the Inquisitor, responded as best she could and figured it out from there. She's generally fair-minded and focuses primarily on equality, for everybody as much as she can. Mage rights.

A few last notes: all of these are assuming either vague polyamory or monogamy is reasonable with how the characters meet. It's also assuming everything is consensual even with characters who theoretically could mess with one another's minds.

And now on to the ships. Going to go in category order from least to most compatible, but that's mostly just to organize. Have fun kids.

Wouldn't work in a million years.

Herah Adaar x Mag Sterling The real problem, for these two, is that their morals could never align. Mag is inherently selfish and greedy and Herah is inherently selfless and compassionate. They would argue over things and it wouldn't be healthy for any involved! Mag would want to be Herah's arm candy and use their position to her own advantage, and Herah would be grossed out by it. No way.

Herah Adaar x Nal'evi Eidris Once again, a conflict of morals. Herah believes in accountability and is inherently opposed to fascist regimes. Evi, on the other hand? She doesn't care, she believes the Empire is in everyone's best interest. She is a cop at heart, and Herah would throw spells at her speeder. They would be much more likely to find themselves on opposite sides of a fight than ever be together.

Fiharri Tabris x Nal'evi Eidris See prev. No but for real, once again, you'll notice a trend with Evi. She's got morals that align with a fascist Empire: do you think she's going to fit well with a freedom fighter who actively works against the interest of colonial powers? I didn't think so. Fiharri would bite Evi and not in a kinky way.

Tavaris x Mag Sterling This is one of a couple special ones in this category. Namely: pre-tadpole they would belong in the crazy sex category…post-tadpole? Never in a million years. Pre-tadpole, Tavaris was exactly the kind of horrible manipulative bitch that would work great with Mag. Except that she was also the chosen of the god of murder and loved torture and murder and cannibalism, which is not quite Mag's bag. They would invent new types of sex, but then either Mag would escape by the skin of her teeth or she'd be one of Tav's many victims. Oops!

Tavaris x Nal'evi Eidris One of the other "Tav would have had crazy sex with them pre-tadpole then made them another murder victim". The problem here is that in their main canon forms, they are absolutely incompatible. Tav tries to help people. Evi tries to help the Empire. These are not compatible things. Pre-tadpole? Tavaris would want to pick Evi apart. Sexually and literally. Evi would be into the former, but would not be able to escape the latter.

Teri'nor Dakari x Quest Most of the wouldn't works are differences in morals, but this is also a difference in lifestyle! Yes, Teri is a Dark Lord of the Sith and all, but frankly I think Quest could get over that (except for the Empire having slavery, that's not so great, but Teri isn't super into slavery either). The problem is really that Teri is happy to sit and be content as Darth Victaria. Quest I don't really see settling down, at least not as someone's side piece.

Teri'nor Dakari x Saryn Vhys Similar to the previous, there's a number of factors. Saryn wouldn't like the whole Empire thing. Teri would want to stay still more than Saryn could handle. Plus I don't think either of them wants to be the wife in someone else's story, and inevitably it would happen to one of them. They would kind of suck if they were ever a couple, but they never could be one because of who they are.

Lorren Starstrider x Mag Sterling Now they do deserve to be hot together. I mean, buff paladin and sexy femme fatale would be a great couple. The problem is that Lorren is a champion of righteousness, light, and justice and all that. Mag would not be about that! Just would not. She likes to know answers, but she will manipulate people and their minds to get them. That goes directly against Lorren's entire way of being. Plus, Lorren would want to settle down and Mag…needs a character arc before she'll be able to settle anywhere.

Lorren Starstrider x Nal'evi Eidris Once again, Nal'evi's curse of being a cop. Weird how that makes her get less pussy. Lorren is a mother, a champion of the Light, and a woman who always tries to do what is right. Evi also tries to do what is right, but her idea of right would go completely against Lorren's. Lorren would never give up personal autonomy for safety — Evi believes all information should belong to the Empire because they can keep everyone safe. They'd be enemies, and not the homoerotic kind.

Kayatosh Felrind x Quest For once, this is just an incompatibility of spirit. They wouldn't be enemies or anything…but Kayatosh is a free spirit. Kayatosh runs away from duty and justice and expectations of others. I don't think they could square their lifestyle with Quest's devotion of "stop planar interference and always be chasing the mission". I don't think Quest would be happy with Kayatosh's desire to run away from the mission either. They wouldn't be able to be together because there would just be so much friction.

Kayatosh Felrind x Nal'evi Eidris Their morals don't super mesh, but that's not the dealbreaker here. No, the dealbreaker is the fact that Evi is a career woman and Kayatosh needs freedom. Their partner having a job wouldn't be a problem, but Evi would be bound to their Empire job in a way that would make Kayatosh feel tied down or, worse, abandoned.

Saryn Vhys x Nal'evi Eidris My green girls for two of my active games! They would be terrible for each other. Incompatible morals, incompatible lifestyles, and it would be too much green all around. Saryn wants to help people by discovering more about dungeons, going where the wind takes her research. Evi wants to help the Empire subjugate protect more peoples of the galaxy and stop them rebels. The relationship would suck if it ever got past trying to stab one another in the back.

Nal'evi Eidris x Quest The Lady's Guard would have a problem with how Evi does things because let's be honest. The Empire would invade other planes of reality if they had the option. Evi would be happy to abet. Quest and Evi would at best get sword-barely-cutting-throat homosexuality.

Quest x Mag Sterling The Thursday pair! Quest is noble and devoted to a mission. Mag is selfish and devoted to herself, the mission is just…part of that, for now. I think they'd hate each other's vibes. Mag would try to flirt, and Quest would be vaguely uncomfortable the entire time.

Tavaris x Kayatosh Felrind Tavaris and Kayatosh would actually be fine as friends! Adventuring companions, even! But feelings between them would not lead to a relationship that would work, even short-term. Tavaris wants to find a life to call their own, a settled one preferably. Kayatosh wants to be free, and they wouldn't know how to handle Tavaris's killer instincts (the literal ones, the Urge). They would not handle one another's hearts well enough to be together for any time at all. Friends, though? They could be good friends.

Tavaris x Teri'nor Dakari Teri would remind Tav far, far too much of Sarevok and other leaders of the Cult of Bhaal. Pre-tadpole, they might fuck severely and brutally, but unlike some of the others, Tav can't overpower and kill Teri quite so easily. The magical mental magic goes both ways, fucker! Teri would also be uninterested in any part of Tav that wasn't the Urge, and that would make Tav sooooo uncomfortable it's unreal.

Could sleep together casual style

Kayatosh Felrind x Mag Sterling There would be enough mutual attraction here for something to happen. They would have a good time! Neither of them would be interested in a second date. Or a first date, honestly. They'd see each other, go oh hot, sleep together, then both move on with their lives. And if Kayatosh never came by again, Mag would never ask.

Cylthia x Mag Sterling Cylthia has very strong morals…but unlike some of my other characters, she isn't so adherent to them she wouldn't occasionally enjoy a little something with someone like Mag. Would she be able to be in any kind of relationship? No. But they'd have a bit of mutual fun. It would be a good story for Mag to tell with none of the baggage. And Cylthia could move on without too much trouble.

Cylthia x Quest I don't think either of them would want much out of the other. Not compatible lifestyle-wise, but there would definitely be attraction. Attraction and mutual enjoyment enough for a FWB sort of situation? They'd like each other a lot! But nothing romantic would spark between them.

Teri'nor Dakari x Herah Adaar Teri could be the semi-evil advisor to Herah's Inquisition. Herah could be the moral compass homoerotic enemy that Teri fucks before going on her full evil arc. In another life, maybe they'd be compatible. As it stands? Nah, they're much more…one night and move on.

Teri'nor Dakari x Fiharri Tabris Morals are not something that would hold either of them back from this. They wouldn't develop feelings because Fiharri wouldn't be content to stay in Teri's shadow, and Teri wouldn't be enthralled enough with Fiharri to chase after her. They'd have a good time, but neither of their lives would change. They might get new kinks though.

Dara x Nal'evi Eidris Dara is not as constrained by morals as some of my other OCs, even less so than Cylthia. That said, Evi wouldn't appeal to her long term. The two would spend a night together, but Dara would be gone before morning. Evi would go back to work. She's married to the job.

Maybe for a bit, but it wouldn't work out

The biggest category!

Saryn Vhys x Mag Sterling Saryn and Mag share a fundamental curiosity about the world. For Saryn, that's led her to dungeons. For Mag, that's led her to trying to figure out people. They'd work together quenching their curiosities, but it would never roll out in the long term. Mag is too…shitty a person for Saryn. Always has been, always will be.

Fiharri Tabris x Quest They would want it to work. They would! Quest would seem like a hero type from Fiharri's childhood dreams, someone who really believes in the future and fights for good. But they'd have different needs when it comes to emotions and physical affection. Quest is very reserved, and Fiharri is nigh-explosive. They'd have an argument, break up, and reunite on good terms years later.

Dara x Quest Dara and Quest are honestly similar in a lot of ways. They're both very determined, they both have a lot to give of themselves. They both care about results more than methods. The problem is really in that they wouldn't necessarily spend time together. Their hobbies wouldn't align in a way that makes it fun for them to spend time together. Dara might also tap into things that Quest doesn't agree with, morally, and it might strain the relationship. They'd be best as a short term thing and then move on with their lives. Dara does have a thing for paladins though…

Tavaris x Quest This is a case of different life expectations. Tavaris cannot wait for quiet domesticity after the lifetime of pain they've endured. When you're Bhaal's special little blorbo and have over 20 years of maiming, torturing, killing, and cannibalism, the idea of settling in the countryside and watching the birds is appealing. Quest won't go for it. They're built for a mission, and they're most fulfilled when carrying it out. (When Quest eventually figures out whatever the fuck is going on with the Lady's Guard, Tav might send them a memo for the former-god-cult support group. What who said that.)

Lorren Starstrider x Quest Similar to TavQuest, Lorren would be happier stationary and Quest would be happier moving. They'd get along swimmingly, but Quest wouldn't be happy with the type of life Lorren wants. I think Quest wouldn't take well to retirement in general. Lorren is glad for them to live the life they want, and she's going to live the life she's been working for for decades.

Fiharri Tabris x Saryn Vhys They'd cause friction more than anything. Fiharri is angry and irritable. Saryn would fuck up, or not pay enough attention, and Fiharri would be upset. Fiharri would be too aggressive, and Saryn would get uncomfortable. They'd argue, and it'd go poorly because they have a combined Charisma of 11 (spiritually, I haven't rolled Fiharri in D&D). They'd hurt one another. It would just be a bad experience for them even if they genuinely heart-wrenchingly loved one another.

Lorren Starstrider x Saryn Vhys Given how they're both usually portrayed, Lorren would see Saryn…more like her kids than an equal? Lorren is very sure of herself most of the time, she has lived a long life and experienced a lot. Saryn doesn't really have that for herself. Lorren would be someone she admired, not someone she could have a healthy adult relationship with. This one is only for people with mommy issues. (Saryn has two moms, she doesn't have enough mommy issues to pursue this.)

Cylthia x Saryn Vhys They would try. They'd be attracted to each other, and have similar ideas about trying to explore. But they'd grow apart. Cylthia would have ideas about high society romance and settling down and kids and a stationary life once she recovered from her whole not-being-accepted feeling. Saryn would probably feel uncomfortable with that. Girl needs some big changes before that happens! She doesn't want to be her family, even if she loves them! So they would grow apart, and eventually have to split.

Kayatosh Felrind x Cylthia First of all, this is fucking hilarious because Cylthia is literally a celebrity in Kayatosh's universe. Not a celebrity in Mechanus, but they definitely know the tale of MFU and their defeat of the Abeast. I think they'd be a bit starstruck by her, and she'd find them fun! But they wouldn't work because of that dynamic, and because Kayatosh would show Cylthia how much she's grown…and grown to not just want to be free-roaming. She wants a life in Neilia. Kayatosh would never be comfortable there. It would be tragic, but they wouldn't part on bad terms I think. Just full of regrets and a little bit of disappointment.

Lorren Starstrider x Kayatosh Felrind The ONLY way these two work romantically is if Lorren is doing some sort of mommy issues shit with Kayatosh. Kayatosh was always loved, but their position was always one they were forced into. Lorren could be loving, accepting mother for them. I don't think either of them would want to cross the streams of that with romance and sex. Like, they could, but I don't think it's what they'd want. Once they realize that it'd kinda be over before it began. Kayatosh would think Lorren is SUPER hot though.

Teri'nor Dakari x Kayatosh Felrind Kayatosh would enjoy being Teri's arm candy for a bit, but they'd get the itch to leave. Teri wouldn't enjoy being abandoned. She also wouldn't appreciate their lack of ambition because ambition is what drives EVERYTHING Teri does. Kayatosh would eventually slink away and see that the Empire is too restrictive, and so is Teri. No love lost for Mrs. Dakari, unfortunately.

Teri'nor Dakari x Lorren Starstrider They would start out strong — ambitious, goal-oriented, strong morals. Their moral conflict would start creeping in. Teri's manipulative attitude would bother Lorren. Lorren's righteousness would bother Teri. They'd be lovers to enemies is what I'm saying.

Dara x Lorren Starstrider I think they could honestly work for a bit. It really would be a matter of future that makes them break up. Dara wouldn't feel the same way about Lorren in terms of what family and goals mean for her, and they would argue. Not normal couple arguments, but real ones. It'd get too heated and they'd apologize but it wouldn't fix the friction. Plus, despite being a blood knight, I don't think Lorren would be 100% cool with Dara practicing blood magic.

Herah Adaar x Kayatosh Felrind Much like many of Kayatosh's relationships, it would start out well, but inevitably Kayatosh would be pulled away by their nature. Herah cares about her friends and her responsibilities. She cares about securing a future for people. Kayatosh doesn't, and Kayatosh wants to find the next amazing thing. It would be a short-lived flame, inevitably burning out.

Fiharri Tabris x Kayatosh Felrind Fiharri's knack for getting into incredibly dangerous situations would worry Kayatosh a lot, even if they were doing good to start. She wouldn't be enough fun for them either. They'd get bored, and antsy, and it would annoy her. And she'd go in search for a cure to the Blight, and Kayatosh's heart wouldn't be able to take it either way. They'd part ways, maybe friends or maybe not.

Dara x Kayatosh Felrind Dara is too serious for Kayatosh. Kayatosh is too flighty for Dara. Dara's wandering is out of necessity. They want a home. Kayatosh's wandering is out of wanderlust, an eternal desire to see more and find somewhere new. They wouldn't be looking for home. Neither would Dara be ready to pick up and go at the first sign of trouble. They wouldn't work, and I don't think they'd really enjoy hanging out together. Shared hobbies include: swords? Tattoos? That's about it.

Fiharri Tabris x Lorren Starstrider This is a case where they'd both want it to work. I mean, they'd like each other a lot. Tempers, fighting together, even sharing experiences of the hurt of their people and their pasts. They're both genocide survivors! But there would come a point where Lorren tells Fiharri she has to make peace with ghosts of her past. There's not enough room in their bed for three. And Fiharri wouldn't be able to promise that.

Dara x Teri'nor Dakari By all means they should work, except that Dara wouldn't be altogether comfortable with the Sith thing. I mean, they'll use blood magic and they're not super pressed about using unethical means sometimes, but the Sith Empire at its height? Slavery? No, that's just wrong. And Teri might not be supportive of the worst things in the Sith, but neither does she fundamentally change how the Empire functions. The imperialism works for her. And Dara wouldn't be okay with that. So that's that.

Herah Adaar x Dara They'd have fun together. But Herah would want the kind of stability Dara can't give, emotionally and physically. Dara would get frustrated with Herah's constant desire to be everything for everyone, and it would leave her feeling neglected. Likewise, Herah wouldn't be able to always handle the darkest parts of Dara. Nothing wrong with them, it's just how it is. They'd try. It wouldn't work.

Herah Adaar x Fiharri Tabris They're both people who have been alienated from themselves in the roles they were shoved into. They'd bond hard and fast, but they wouldn't be able to reconcile what they want in their personal lives. The love was there, it didn't change anything, but it matters that it was there. Inevitably they'd part to lead their own lives.

Yeah this works

Nal'evi Eidris x Mag Sterling Now these two! These two are the type to REALLY fit together. I mean, they're both nosy bitches. Mag would be okay with the type of work Evi does for the Empire. As long as Mag stayed mostly within the lines, Evi would be happy to let her do what she wanted. They would enable one another in the worst way, and Mag would dom the shit out of Evi.

Teri'nor Dakari x Mag Sterling For once, Mag could be the side piece. And I don't mean the mistress, she's usually fine with that, but I mean the arm candy. She'd be the piéce de résistance in Teri's ownership of the Empire. Would their relationship be a deeply loving one? Probably not. But they'd both get what they wanted, and they'd use each other, and they'd be happy. Teri would find Mag a fitting place collecting intelligence and satisfy her hunger for mystery. This would be Mag's happy evil ending.

Herah Adaar x Quest Is loving duty together a form of intimacy? These two it probably would be. Their dedications would be compatible, the way they'd want to help one another would be compatible. Their struggles with being Other in the place that needs them the most would be compatible. They'd spar, talk about magic, laugh about struggles, explore, and come home to somewhere together. They'd be happy with one another. And they'd dance at grand balls, which would be lovely.

Teri'nor Dakari x Nal'evi Eidris Okay this would be Evi's pipe dream. A Dark Lord of the Sith, if she was in an era with Sith, loving her? Teri would be happy to have Evi as her little spy within ISB, coming home to her in their penthouse and delivering any information. Evi would be endlessly loyal to Teri, to a fault even, and they'd both love it. There would be some using of one another, but the power imbalance would be something Evi wants, and Teri isn't the sort to abuse that if she's getting what she wants. She doesn't hurt people unnecessarily, and honestly neither does Evi. Imperial power couple for real.

Herah Adaar x Saryn Vhys Unfortunately it feels a bit like familiar ground, but I think the two of them would settle in the same place together! They'd both be happy exploring ancient ruins of the world, finding forgotten knowledge, but having a place to call home. They'd hold hands in forgotten temples and at official events. Saryn would be happy to let Herah take center stage so long as her work was never forgotten in it (and it wouldn't be, if Herah had a say). They would work.

Fiharri Tabris x Cylthia ANGRY!! The two of them would light up the town together in every sense. They'd bond over their feeling of separation from their culture. They'd bond over magic, because for Cylthia it was freeing and Fiharri didn't even really tap into it until she was old enough to hide it. They'd have so much to share and it would truly bring them joy. They'd find a home with one another, and they'd do some truly ridiculous things to bring down people who hurt others. Arson, mostly. Theft too. Also public humiliation because do you KNOW who we are? They'd love each other like a blazing fire.

Tavaris x Saryn Vhys Adventurer romance would be the name of the game here. They'd go adventuring together and find something true for themselves! They'd find ways to be happy together because they've both got enough of both worlds to be able to find joy in traveling together or settling to some degree, so long as they did it without expectations of any kind of forever. Saryn would be grounding for Tav, Tav would be grounding for Saryn. They'd be a nice couple.

Dara x Cylthia This is a case of Cylthia being allowed to be selfish. Not in a cruel way, just in a…Dara would encourage her to prioritize Cylthia. To find what Cylthia needs. And Cylthia would help Dara to think more about herself instead of her purpose too. They'd be selfish together in a way that would heal them both, and they'd help each other accept themselves. It helps that Dara is a tiefling, and Cylthia would see her own beauty reflected back at her. Plus, I think Cylthia would really like getting bit by a vampire/dhampir.

Saryn Vhys x Quest Once again, I repeat myself, but I think they'd be a great adventuring couple. Quest goes after monsters, Saryn researches them. Quest wears the armor and looks the impressive hero, Saryn presents her newest theories to a group of scholars. They'd be happy on the road together, a mission in their hearts and warmth as they sit together on their carts. Plus, Quest can't open a lock to save their life and Saryn can't talk their way out of a barrel of fish.

Lorren Starstrider x Cylthia This would definitely be leaning a bit into Cylthia's desire for acceptance from elves, but Lorren would be a good influence on her on that front. Cylthia would be happy to settle with Lorren if she had a true place wherever they settled, and the two of them would have a happy retirement together. Their parties would be friends! Cylthia would be ecstatic to be a mom, and Lorren is at her best when she's providing for a family she loves. So yeah, they'd be domestic as hell, and Lorren would stop Cylthia from like 98% of the arson.

Dara x Saryn Vhys Once again, I repeat myself. Adventuring power couple! Dara is very blunt and straightforward about her magic, and so Saryn doesn't mind it too much. Dara would help Saryn with her research. Saryn would help Dara find out the truth about her past. They'd stay up late talking theories, they'd fuck up talking and apologize to one another. They'd find themselves on the road together and they'd be happy to not be so alone.

Herah Adaar x Cylthia Cylthia would find in Herah the same kind of stability she finds in her canon love interest. Herah would be a force for purpose in Cylthia's life, and Cylthia would be a force for freedom in Herah's. They both would find something in the other, but neither would push the other beyond the point of no return. They'd be a really good pair and get into some shenanigans with their elemental magic I'm sure. Also, they both would walk into places like 🤨 are you going to say that to ME? the Inquisitor/a member of MFU???

Fiharri Tabris x Tavaris These two would have a similar struggle with anger. For Fiharri, it's from a life of oppression and struggle. For Tavaris, it's from a life of Bhaal-urged desire to kill and being raised in a cult that says that's good, actually. They'd help one another heal, and they'd help one another solve the issues that plague them. Fiharri would be first through the door to the temple of Bhaal to help Tavaris get rid of her blood. And Tavaris would be the first on the road to help find a cure for the Blight. They'd love each other and want to find their happy ending away from their blood.

Tavaris x Cylthia Self-acceptance through the other and through hot tiefling sex. Tavaris and Cylthia would be able to bond over the amnesia thing! Not exactly the same circumstances but the lack of autonomy. And also just the…feeling otheredness. I think they'd enjoy time together watching the stars and playing games and just spending time together. They'd be fun and enjoy each other's company in a way that'd be refreshing.

Herah Adaar x Lorren Starstrider They would be such a power couple. No one would fuck with these two. They'd gripe about chronic pain together, snicker about stupid political nonsense. They'd also adopt kids and be power moms. In general they'd fit together really well, and they'd both be happy to stop moving and settle somewhere nice. They'd love each other dearly, and they'd accept one another as they are. If that isn't enough, what is?

Kayatosh Felrind x Saryn Vhys Wanderlust: the couple. Saryn isn't dedicated to permanently being on the road, but I think the dungeoneering lifestyle would fit Kayatosh very well. They'd be a dungeoneering couple finding jobs that fit them, being pretty happy while doing it, and take their off-time at the Dragoon with the rest of Saryn's party. Kayatosh wouldn't feel tied down, Saryn wouldn't feel compelled to a life she didn't want. Plus they'd be able to spend time together with alchemy, with funny literature, with going out on the town (though that's decidedly more Kayatosh than Saryn). I think they'd make a good couple for as long as their adventuring lifestyle would last.

Herah Adaar x Tavaris Love is the death of duty. Okay, that's a bit dramatic and a GoT quote but still. They're both very devoted to their ways of helping people, but they'd also both be really happy for a quiet night by the fire knowing everything is okay. A married, domestic life would suit them fine, and so would going out to do good together. They'd laugh together, make art, bake things, and practice their magic. It's all either of them could really want.

Dara x Tavaris This one is the closest to any "canon" of any of these ships. Dara would be a wonderful companion to Tavaris during their journey to rid themself of Bhaal. Tavaris would do everything in her power to help Dara discover her origins and, eventually, meet her mother. Traveling together with the tadpole crew would work for them! They'd snuggle close in Last Light, go to Sorcerous Sundries, they'd like being around each other. Dara wouldn't be Tav's dream girl necessarily, but they'd fill a need for each other, and that flame wouldn't go out simply because the journey ended. They'd be happy together, if that's what they decided they wanted.

Soulmates

Tavaris x Lorren Starstrider I say these two are soulmates because their ideas of their life align. They'd both love to retire happy domestic mom lives. They're both happy to be remembered in the abstract and not the literal by people. They both crave that relationship where they support one another and are around one another enough to give each other more social support than anyone else. They'd complete one another when it came to the lives they were happiest in. Not to mention that during their journeys, they'd help one another no question. Lorren would be with Tavaris through the night at Moonrise Towers. Tavaris would always agree to help watch over Sallaneyia and Angel when they were little and Lorren needed to help defend their home. They would understand one another and they would love each other. If they were in the same story, at the same time, they would love each other.

Fiharri Tabris x Dara Fiharri and Dara approach the world in a similar enough way while still being different that they'd really be happy together. They're both constantly searching. Neither of them is accepting the world the way it is, and neither of them would hesitate to join the other on a journey. They're not content with stillness, but neither are they eternally wander-bound. They have goals, and they don't expect the world to bend to them. They also won't bend. They're both blunt, not willing to beat around the bush, and they both care about solutions more than methods (to a point). I think they'd fit together perfectly, a pair that would burn down the world for each other.

CRAZY SEX then they never see each other again

Fiharri Tabris x Mag Sterling Fiharri wouldn't agree with Mag's morals but she would fuck her nasty. They would invent new kinds of positions to do with their various skills. Fiharri would leave some marks, some extra ones when Mag tries to fuck with her and she lashes back. They'd both leave satisfied and determined never to see one another again.

Dara x Mag Sterling Dara is similar to Fiharri, only she would have better resistance to Mag's mental manipulations. Mag would get dommed hard. They would get some blood on them. They would never want to interact in the light of day.

Cylthia x Nal'evi Eidris Cylthia and Evi have diametrically opposed ways of living, but I think the mutual attraction would be strong. And with the crossing of settings…there are opportunities with druidic magic mixed with Imperial information-gathering devices.

Teri'nor Dakari x Cylthia Sith lightning + fire magic + two horny nonhumans = burning down a building for one night of crazed passion.

[badsithnocookie]

dragged anya (ls bh) through echoes. yes this is my first time through i have a Lot to catch up on. initial thoughts

scourge's pissbaby tantrums get more annoying the more i am forced to witness them

so sweet of lana to give anya a romantic goodbye in lieu of her actual boyfriend, koth. she did lose her shit a little when half the alliance wanted to tag along but yeah

man the scions were such a waste of a creation. but that is true of almost everything about zakuul so like

oh god scourge's man on the inside is dk revan kill me

"she fought revan's cultists on yavin, idk if she'd trust him" buddy you are more untrustworthy than dk revan. case and point: not telling kira about this

oh god its meetra surik #notmyexile

why is darth marr here. like is this just a greatest hits parade of everyone vitiate has fucked over. their force ghosts have nothing better to do so they're going to come flex on tenebrae cosplaying himself after watching 'vitiate's greatest hits' clips on force youtube

watching vaylin fuck him up though? glorious. even if she deserved better etc etc we all know the speeches by now but still. even in death she is more powerful than he could ever be and if broadsword ever turn her into an antagonist again i will... uninstall again i guess

...but after that one cutscene we get nothin. except for a lot of speculation that i expect to be unresolved until [checks calendar] 2040 at the earliest

lol. lmao even

oh goody lana watched my girl while she was sleeping again. im so glad we got Miss Compulsory Romance watching out for us at all possible times

wait did nothing seriously come of scourge just. not mentioning he was buddying up witha guy he fucking murdered

i like to imagine kira tearing him a new asshole on the way home but like

the whole way through im just. yeah hc this is eirn and awenyths no good very bad buddy movie Part 2

(part 1 was ziost)

[sunderedazem]

What is Corrian’s relationship like with Koth?

Corrain's relationship with Koth is....tense, especially at first. Because while on one hand he's grateful to Koth for risking his life to help Lana rescue him from being Cor-bonite (i'm so sorry XD) - and doubly grateful to Koth for helping Lana care for him after the carbonite poisoning took it's toll (Corrain reacts the cure badly and ends up pretty sick for a few days while it slowly works its way out of his system) - he's REALLY not fond of Koth implying that Valkorion was. a good guy, in any way. So he's...civil, but it's very strained.

This comes to a head when the Scions lure Corrain and Senya into their little test to try and see why they can't foretell Corrain's future, and it's revealed that he's got Valkorion in his head. Both Koth and Senya are- excited by this, they think it's a *good* thing, and Corrain has suffered SO much at Vitiate's hands. He's seen first-hand how this man has destroyed the galaxy for his own gain, (Uphrades, Ziost) seen how Zakuul's prosperity was built on Valkorion funneling shit away from the Sith - and he snaps.

And it's not like- he just loses his temper. Because he does - but by this point in the plot he's strong enough in the Force that when he loses his temper he also loses grip on the Force, and he accidentally drags everyone present into an extremely vivid hallucination of a series of moments from his past - his torment on the Fortress, Uphrades burning, Ziost's death and Vitiate taunting him there, Orgus's death and the murder of his entire creche, that sort of thing. It's kind of a forced reverse-psychometry, and he's not in control of it. (This is where Valkorion has the opportunity to snatch a few of Corrain's memories as well, and from the memories of Corrain's mother, he realizes that Corrain is his son)

Lana has to calm Corrain down to get the whirlwind hallucinations to stop, he's managed to accidentally do some structural damage, Koth and Senya are both in utter shock both at Corrain's raw strength in the Force and the scale of devastation that Valkorion/Vitiate was able to invoke upon the galaxy - Koth doesn't say shit about Valkorion being good for Zakuul after this. Neither does Senya. Neither of them are willing to risk that kind of wrath again.

After this incident, Corrain and Koth get on alright. They're not close, but they're not necessarily antagonistic either, and Koth respects Corrain's dedication to trying to preserve Zakuul as well as he can. And they kind of maintain that distant-colleagues attitude for their entire 'partnership'

Thank you for the ask!!! :DDDD

[a-master-procrastinator]

oooh I love outfit memes. How about Shailla and/or Jett? <3 -Oliver

@voidendron why not both?

So, Shailla has 6 outfits (putting them under the cut bc this is going to a long post. Yes, I'm showing all of them).

These are her simple robes, which she wears in chapter 1 of consular story.

Pieces:

First outfit: all the pieces are from Vrook Lamar armor set, no headgear, no dye. Second outfit:

Head - nothing (none of her outfits have headgear, so I'll skip this from on); Chest - Visas Marr robes, white and pale green dye (colors unified for all pieces); Hands - Visas Marr gloves; Wrists - Visas Marr bracers; Waist - Visas Marr belt; Legs - Freelance Hunter Greaves; Feet - Freelance Hunter boots.

This is her more practical clothing (for battlefields and that sort of stuff) when she's given the rank of Jedi Master, wears this from chapter 2 of consular story and until she leaves the Order.

Pieces: all pieces are from Exiled Knight armor set with olive green and tan dye module; except the pants, which are from Jarael armor set.

This is another set of robes that Shailla wears around the same time as the previous outfit, just for formal meetings, diplomacy, teaching, etc.

Pieces:

Chest - Zeyd cloth tunic, no dye, colors unified. Hands - something like this (can't remember exactly); Wrists - something small, doesn't really matter; Waist - Visas Marr belt; Legs - Freelance Hunter Greaves; Feet - Freelance Hunter boots.

Now this is her clothing when Shailla was, ahem, "encouraged" to leave the Republic and the Jedi Order, which happened soon after the treaty with Zakuul (bc Saresh really didn't like that Shailla pushed for this treaty and went behind her back with a couple of senators to arrange the negotiations with Zakuul). This outfit stays for the duration of KotFE and KotET and some time after. Probably my favorite outfit of hers.

Pieces:

Chest - Veteran Outlander Force-Lord robe, no dye, colors are unified; Hands - Outlander gloves (can be found on GTN); Wrists - some small bracers, doesn't matter; Waist - Remnant Yavin Consular belt Legs - Freelance Hunter Greaves; Feet - Onderonian Force-Lord (tier 1).

Remember that Arcann gifts the Outlander a piece of armor that he made? Well, in my version he didn't give it to Jett, the actual Outlander of this legacy (bc why? Jett barely tolerates his presence and tries to avoid dealing with him a lot in KotET). Instead, it is gifted to Shailla, with whom Arcann has a better connection at that point, and I decided to turn it into an outfit. I didn't think that the armor given in the game (same as what Knights of Zakuul wear) would fit Shailla's style, but I still wanted it to have some light armoring and a little of Zakuulan style, so I mixed different pieces. The result is pretty nice IMO.

Pieces:

Chest - Ruthless Scion, forest camo dye, colors are unified; Hands - Eternal Commander Stalker gloves (the metallic part is actually supposed to be more gold, like the rest of the outfit); Wrists - something small, doesn't matter; Waist - Underworld Anarchist belt; Legs - Veda Cloth leggings; Feet - Ossus Explorer boots.

Also, I find it interesting that Shailla is one of a few Force sensitive characters of mine who has the same lightsaber throughout the whole game.

---------------

Now, onto Jett's only 3 main outfits (there are more than 3 slots, but the additional ones are for helmet/no helmet variations, damn you preferred status).

This is the outfit that Jett has before and during the Great Hunt. I didn't even think that the chestpiece from Infamous Bounty Hunter set would be such a good fit for her pre-Mando days (bc initially I bought the set for her Mando outfit), but it's the closest to what I imagined.

Pieces:

Head - nothing; Chest - Infamous Bounty Hunter chestpiece, primary black dye, colors unified; Hands - Drifter gloves; Wrists - Impulsive Adventurer bracers (invisible ones); Waist - Infamous Bounty Hunter belt; Legs - Force Apprentice pants; Feet - Underworld Anarchist boots.

And here is her mandalorian armor! I know that this set is probably overused at this point, but it's so cool looking (can you really blame me?). Jett doesn't get the whole set right from the moment she accepts Mandalore's offer, just the basic pieces (like chestpiece, boots and gloves), and then, as the story goes, she adds more to the armor. For example, she doesn't have a jetpack until around Hoth, and when she does, it takes quite a bit to use it efficiently. Most of the weapons in the bracers are also added later.

Pieces:

Head - Infamous Bounty Hunter helmet, black and deep red dye; Chest - Mandalorian Stormbringer chestpiece, primary black dye; Hands - Infamous Bounty Hunter gloves; Wrists - Infamous Bounty Hunter bracers (matching the chestpiece colors); Waist - Mandalorian Stormbringer belt (matching the chestpiece colors); Legs - Infamous Bounty Hunter pants (matching the chestpiece colors); Feet - Mandalorian Stormbringer boots, black and deep red dye (I think?).

And the last outfit (for now, I'm considering another one) is her armor that she wears as the Alliance Commander. Probably the most expensive outfit I put together to this day, and still it doesn't perfectly reflect how I see her armor (but at least it looks pretty good in-game).

So, at the beginning of KotFE some parts of her previous armor (bracers, belt, helmet, jetpack) are taken away for safety reasons when she is Arcann's prisoner. Unfortunately, Jett doesn't have the opportunity or time to get them back, and that's why she runs the first few KotFE chapters pretty under geared. When she gets back to her home on Rishi, Jett modifies the pieces she still has, and the armor looks more like this outfit. Of course, her rough work doesn't compare to what could've been done with a proper forge, but at the time all she had is some old tools left by Shae's clan.

Luckily, when she is reunited with the Mandalorians, Jett finally gets the chance to forge new armor, and she makes up for the lost parts - gets a new helmet, jetpack, armor platings. It's different from the previous armor she had, and it sort of symbolizes her new role as the Alliance Commander.

Helmet is different from the in-game outfit (bc I cannot afford it, it would be from Charismatic Mandalorian set). And unlike in SWTOR, she actually has a jetpack.

Pieces:

Head - Infamous Bounty Hunter helmet, black and deep red dye; Chest - Proficient Hitman chestpiece, dark gray and dark blue dye; Hands - Infamous Bounty Hunter gloves; Wrists - Infamous Bounty Hunter bracers (matching the chestpiece colors); Waist - Furious Gladiator belt; Legs - Furious Gladiator pants, dark blue and dark gray dye; Feet - Proficient Hitman boots (matching the chestpiece colors).

Bonus:

Shailla's first outfit would actually look more like this, but unfortunately I couldn't find a good dye close to this color, so I left in the original red color in game (this picture is edited, not actually from the game).

[spitzobsessed]

Arcann and Vaylin, terrified yet pretending they're not of the new Sith Emperor, doing their best to appear intimidating and powerful, and all Jadus sees is two easily influenced kids with parents issues, trust issues, *other* issues, so he successfully tricks them into new agreements that would benefit his Empire without the siblings ever realising it. Scions of Zakuul meanwhile are going grey because His Majesty just won't listen to their warnings, and the man they are warning about is more dangerous than they thought, but Arcann has his moment of "I have all the power, this Sith is only here because I allowed it, he knows my military strategies because I gloated at him, he knows the technology that helped Zakuul stay victorious because I made him do the hard work for me", meanwhile Jadus is planting his spies left and right withing Zakuul, manipulates Arcann to sign off on the sun reactor technology be integrated into the Sith Empire tech, has the manchild start to trust him being the loyal vassal, planning to take over Zakuul and have its Fleet...

Then 5 year gap is over and Lana Beniko frees the Outlander, formerly known as Cipher 9, from carbonite, and the Eternal Alliance is founded. And withing half a year it has become a force to be reckoned with, so now Emperor Jadus has to make a choice: support the Alliance and its Commander, who he knows is capable of doing what was thought to be impossible, or join the losing side. Because Jadus has underestimated Cipher 9 once before and it has nearly cost him everything.

Freshly promoted Commander is too busy herding his followers, bickering with the voice in his head, and planning budget for the little but growing rebellion they are now responsible for to think about Sith and Republic politics too much.

The reunion though... Will be memorable

Knight Of The Fallen Empire And Emperor Jadus

I’ve voiced my annoyance at how BioWare just seemed to forget about Darth Jadus who just disapears after the Imperial Agent storyline no matter what the player does, but I recentley had an idea about how he could have been brought back in Knights Of The Fallen Empire.

Make him the Emperor instead of Acina.

He believed in ‘the democratisation of fear’, spreading fear and degradation to all citizens of The Empire. What better chance to do that than when it’s under attack from a previosly unknown enemy that’s moving across the Galaxy all but unopposed? It could also be a big PR chance for; a lost Dark Council memeber returns from the dead in a time of need, leading the frigtened people to survival - and maybe even victory - against their foes!

“But the Dark Council would never let a traitor like him return!” That’s true, but let me ask you something. How many Council memebers actually learned of Darth Jadus’ treason before he escaped? Sith Lords keeping secrets from eachother isn’t unheard of, so it’s not that hard to imagine that Dath Jadus would have escaped before he could be brought before The Dark Council leaving at least a few of its’ memebers in the dark about what he did. And of those people who did know, how many would still be alive by the time Zakuul has forced them to surrender?

And even if anyone left did know the truth about Darth Jadus faking his death, they might be so desprate when he returns that they just say ‘Kriff it, I don’t care, there’s bigger problems right now!’.

Does anyone else agree that Emperor Jadus is a lost oppertunity, or do you think I’m talking nonsense?

[0alix0]

Aivela's curse (1/?)

link to AO3

parings: Arcann/Outlander (Female Jedi Consular)

warnings: Hanahaki AU (and every gruesome detalization that comes with it), enemies to friends to lovers (?)

It all started when she had escaped.

When the murderer of their former "immortal" emperor, the so-called outlander, is brazenly dragged out of the carbonite cell hidden in the bowels of the Spire. And then again right under his nose.

Chasing the stricken ship, he, together with Vaylin, ends up in the eternal swamps. Exactly where the Outlander fled off Zakuul. Even before completely landing on the surface, he is engulfed with uneasy feeling of déjà vu, and a terrifyingly familiar echo of the Force that beats in his head. It feels like a stain in the middle of the universe, like a black hole, pulling all living things into itself, and twisting them. An all too familiar feeling. And it is as if it's still here, just reach out.

The shuttle doors open and Arcann finally sees the ruined battlefield for himself. If it can still be called one. Crushed ground, with trees broken as if from a hurricane, and dozens of his skytroopers and knights trampled under layers of debris. Wrinkles appeared on his forehead, he clenched his metal hand till a creak came out of it. All, all because one single wave of jedi's hand.

It couldn't have been her power.

He touched his forehead as he reminisced about that day in the throne room. About the strange data from the crashed Sith ship, about the dispute between that jedi Outlander and his father, as if they knew each other, and about how the energy, torn from Valkorion after the fatal blow, rushed to the unconscious jedi like to a beacon enveloping her with it. He almost pitied her. Almost.

He did not waste the time of father's absence in vain. A crowd of outraged citizens, knights, even some scions, all wanted justice for the murder of their beloved emperor. Some wanted revenge. And Arcann wanted an explanations.

And already in a few days, the knights were already storming some of the distant bases of the Sith Empire. Cut their communicators, destroyed any holorecords of their presence, so that no one even knew who attacked them... they also collected data. About imperial hierarchicy, ancient Sith worlds, Dromund Cass, the destruction of Ziost. And about their missing sith emperor.

One of today's intruders can be almost certainly identified as a Sith, and it couldn't be just another coincidence. If this was truly someone who had come back here to set free the "reborn Emperor", if Valkorion had planned it... and Arcann knew he did, his father had always planned something he never spoke of to anyone... that Jedi is nothing but a meat puppet now, she's not a random soldier brought here by circumstance, it became obvious as soon as father suggested her place at his side, she's not a victim. She is a threat, just like Valkorion. To Zakuul. To him, to the only remnant of his family.

For your own damn good jedi, just sit in your fucking fridge.

"Your Highness," the senior lieutenant distracted him. "Permission to begin search..."

"Immediately!"

The squad of knights who arrived with him immediately began to clean off the debris, search for any remains or clues that could help them to define the intruders. Meanwhile the medical team resuscitates found knights who were injured by that force wave.

All around was gray and cold, completely opposite to how Arcann remembered. A zap of pain passes through the left arm, forcing him to grab onto the elbow, as if there was something to grab onto. Whether because of a sudden change in atmospheric pressure or a flash of memory, he could not tell. The rain drenches them all from head to toe, but, what is more important, the traces will soon be completely washed off the ground

"Izax damn them all." he grumbled to himself, clearing his throat. He wanted to leave... for practicality of course. He's hardly useful sick, and yet... something prevented him from leaving. Somewhere in the recesses of his mind, the only thought that literally haunted him to leave spire, uncertainty or denial, something ghostly, maybe even sentimental... He didn't know how exactly he would know that Senya was truly there. Whether he simply overthought her presence on Gravestone then, in the throne room or... Not. Perhaps he hoped these feelings and her presence would waver away from his mind as soon as he'd arrived here. It didn't happen. Thoughts were fighting with one another and bright him no relief. It wasn't her. Yet someone had to tell the sith about the prison. It couldn't be her, she knew better than following the old bastard... But could it be that she follows the jedi?

Something in his chest feels squeezed  and for some reason it becomes difficult for him to take a breath. He feels a stinging bitterness on tongue. If it was her. And if she really is here... There! Side by side with some... outlander she never even met?

A dry and almost silent cough escaped his throat. No, that's enough of this nonsense.

He turned to Vaylin, she was standing a dozen steps away from him. Motionless, like a statue, she looked somewhere far away. He slightly touched her shoulder.

"There is no point in standing here for hours. You will only catch cold. Even if they left something here, it will most likely not..."

She. Was. Here. She helped that jedi escape. She helped him escape. Arcann tries to make a deep breath to calm himself but gets interrupted by another bout of quiet coughing.

Vaylin turns to him, eyes down, lips pressed, and reaches up her hand. A tiny block of wood rests on a thin palm. It's shaped like little Mawvorr's head... and looks exactly like the one some of them actually made for Senya decades ago.

He takes a carved figurine. Metal fingers brush over age-damaged surface, and anger starts to flare in his chest.  

"She lost it when we were little. Let's go home." his voice seems even more mechanical, hoarse, even considering the mask. Arcann returned her the figurine, pulled the cloak from his shoulders and silently threw it over Vaylin. She stood without movement, looking into small carved dots-eyes. Mawvorr slowly levitated from her palms and hanged in the air for a brief moment. A quick spark. Lightning discharges from both of her hands. The figurine burns within a few seconds, but it feels as if the deformation of small pointy face and the sizzle of the cracking wood and vaporized rain drops lasted just long enough to stuck in his head for next few days. Perhaps it's easier for her this was. Perhaps for him as well. Arcann claps her on the shoulder "Come on."

He takes his sister away from the swamps, from the thoughts that maybe their father is still alive, and even more so, that he is capable to return, that their mother didn't even thought twice before helping him... her.

In the recesses of his mind, he hopes that even if Valkorion's favorite was just unfortunately got caught in a crossfire of their mutual despise, it would be better if she just died without ever coming back.

When they return to the shuttle, his clothes are already sticking to his skin with the disgusting cold, and something begins to painfully itch somewhere in the depths of his throat. He mindlessly brushes it off as a hypothermia.

And only before bed he notices a tiny red stain in a corner of his lips and a metallic taste in mouth.

Petunia. Resentment and anger.

[flipthescreen]

M4 meets the scions

Heskal: -the voices are silent about you

Inner M4: gee, I dunno, maybe it's cos i'm a fucking machine

...

Senya: There is one more truth to reveal, Arcaan and Vaylin, are my children

Inner M4: OK, think M4, do not say something that make the scions hate you more than you do

M4: Did 'fate' predict this as well?

Heskal: Silence outlander! The truth is revealed, Valkorion's spirit lives within you and Senya has confessed her failings, everything here was predestined, regardless of what you personally believe

Inner M4: Ok, he's angry, I don't want to apologize, but scions could be useful, if not amusing

M4: Either you help me or the Czerka abomination- I mean HK-55 opens fire on all of you, and I've personally seen that it's recent upgrades are on par with my own, meaning you have 2 jedi, sith gormak mystic, voss mystic kill droids in the same room

Inner M4: nailed it!

[anchanted-one]

WIP Wednesday

Thanks for the tag @nusaran !

This here's from Chapter 15 of Book 4 of Records of Heroes Past, Book of Wrath: The Secret Superpower

“This is deeply concerning,” Arcann said, running a hand over his Lightsaber. “They’re mustering all their ships. How many do they have, again?” “Before the war, a hundred thousand destroyers, and forty thousand Dreadnoughts,” Erisa replied. “And we’ve destroyed fewer than a hundred Dreadnoughts, and just over two thousand Destroyers. They were supposed to be on the brink by now!” “If they attack Zakuul with that fleet, they will do some serious damage before we can stop them,” Vaylin commented. “They might even be able to destroy the Spire. Or target the Eternal City itself.” “The search would be a lot easier,” Arcann snarled, “If I had the Scions aiding me. Their Sight could be all that’s needed to tip the scales. Where are they?” “Still in the Hall of the Benevolent Guide,” Vaylin replied. “They’re ‘waiting for Guidance.’ Like always.” “My patience has run out. Sister?” “Mmmh?” she asked, sounding hopeful “Take all available Knights and Skytroopers. Storm the Scion’s Lair. If they can’t see that coming, it’s high time they were retired.” “Retired?” “Take no prisoners.” Vaylin gasped, then gave him a pleased look. “I can do that, no problem. Would you like some holos?” “Yes. I want to see the looks of surprise on their faces. At least it’ll prove, once and for all, that they’re frauds.” “I’d love that!” Vaylin laughed. “Come along, Momin. This is going to be a hap-hap-happy day!”

Tagging... @elveny @kunstpause @captainderyn @pineaberry @deadpoet117

Anyone wants to tag themselves? Please feel free!

[deficd]

He had been searching for her.

The downfall of the Scions was not a fate they had foreseen, not if their screams and pleas were anything to go by. Echoing, echoing, hymns of their false prophecies in his ear. Yet Heskal had whispered of her, letting his dying breaths praise the way Reese could see and see and devour the strings of fate, let them emerge from her chest an untangled, visceral display of art. Heskal had died with her name caught in his throat and in his lungs.

Fate was such a fickle thing.

Arcann would clutch it in his hands and squeeze and squeeze until it was both a part of him, and anything aside from him. Her name haunted him-- the last of the Scions, of their zealotry, cast away on a forgotten moon, no longer stored on Zakuul like a pet. Like a prisoner.

He'd come alone. And he did not leave Zakuul for just anyone. She should be pleased.

Or perhaps she should be afraid.

The fire before her is the same he'd witnessed in paintings, now destroyed with the Scions. This converging of paths, the very same soil beneath his feet. That alone ought to fan the flames of his obsession, still a kindling that flickered in his mind.

"Reese," her name drawled through his mask, in lieu of a greeting, perhaps veiling whatever emotion might have tinged his voice. Arcann chose to stand. "You will find that I am a busy man. No time for sharing tea and stew."

The lightsaber at his side felt heavier, though he hadn't reached for it.

"Come with me."

@deficd / arcann

Was he searching for her, as she had been searching for him? Had he dreamed of her, as she had dreamed of him? She knew his voice, though she had never heard it. She knew the lines and curves of his face as well as she knew her own, beside and beneath the mask -- she knew the weight of his gaze, and the length of his stride when he was irate, and when he was musing. She knew so much. And so little. That was the curse of her sight, for the future was always changing. So few things were written in stone.

But this moment, this time and place, she knew. She did not know why he was here, on this nearly forgotten moon, or what he was seeking here, but she knew what he would find.

A fire, with a hot bowl of stew, and a fresh brewed pot of tea, and a woman, clad in travel worn clothes that had seen better days, her long mousy blonde hair plaited long and slung over her shoulder to drape into her lap, to keep it out of the dirt and away from the fire. She had paid more credits than she could spare to be brought to this moon, and walked many hours to find this junction of paths between the withered forest on either side of her and the pits that led to the caverns behind her. She had no way to leave this place, but with him.

She felt no fear at that knowledge, resting secure in the insight that had brought her here, now. At his side was where she was meant to be. The sound of footsteps pulled her attention from the fire, to the path, and a low smile played on her lips as steady, bright blue eyes watched him, studied him. Would he anticipate her presence here? Would he be angry? Concerned? Pleased? A gloved hand rose from the mug cradled between her fingers, gesturing to the log sat across from the fire. "Please. Join me?"

[raven-of-domain-kwaad]

Is it weird that I kinda cheered when I saw that the Emperor’s Hand had soundly beaten the Scions of Zakuul into the ground?

[vespertine-legacy]

Wait, wait, wait.

What did that Scion mean when he told Zuvi “you have the blood of Tyth running through your veins; please don’t make us spill it”? He definitely didn’t say that to Kestrel or Sija. I know I picked different dialogue options with Zuvi, but what the fuck?