Part 2 in my series on Flashpointing basics.
Dpser's. Oh how we love you. Oh how we hate you. Bunch of epeen waving keyboard mashing facepalming teammate. Who can't dps? Everybody can you rabbid nobody. Go ahead quit the group. Companions directed correctly will do a better job than a dps'er who is blindly attacking everything that moves.
Ok, now that is out of my system...
Your job is to kill. Sounds easy right. But what to kill first? A simple question that in my travels few answer correctly.
You are faced with 2 Elites, 2 Strong and 3 Normal mobs (2 Riflemen and 1 Medic). Who dies first?
Go on, answer.
If you didn't say Medic you need to read more.
In every group there are 2 dpsers. Talk to each other. One of you takes the left normals, the other the right normals.
Why, cause I'm friggen telling you to. THAT'S WHY. Ok, because normal, strong and elite mobs all do the same about of basic damage. Think of your job as damage reduction by taking out damage dealers as quickly as possible. Normals having the lowest HP die very quickly. One shot? Maybe *cough* 2.
Medics die first, cause who wants them healing the stuff we're trying to kill? Hmmmm? GOD DAMN THINK ABOUT IT PEOPLE.
*Ahem* Sorry about that.
Ok, all the normals are outta here, who next? (If adds come that are normals, they're all yours too)
Click the tank.
Yes, click the tank. Then click the tanks target. Target dead, click the tank, then click the tanks target. Target dead, click the tank, then click the tanks target. Target dead, click the tank, then click the tanks target. Target dead, click the tank, then click the tanks target. Target dead, click the tank, then click the tanks target. Target dead, click the tank, then click the tanks target.
Get the picture?
Why do this? 1. You'll take little to zero damage, the benefit to that is the healer won't have to heal you, only the tank and quite possibly can contribute to dpsing as well to make stuff die even quicker. Strongs will die real quick. CC's won't be broken. FP runs smoothly and quickly.
And remember:
Avoid the things and don't stand in the stuff.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
So you wanna tank?
Welcome to the first post in a series on Flashpoint basics. I'm provoked to make this post after years of running with...less than competent players, not that I'm infallible or perfect, but seriously, if my companion could do a better job, something is wrong here.
Ok, so you've got a quest to do a Flashpoint (FP), you queue up on Group Finder (GF) and you select your role. In all honesty, if it's not a Hard Mode (HM), being in a specific dps build doesn't friggen matter in the greater scheme of things. Neither being in specific tank gear matters at this stage of normal FP's from levels 10-60, barring one piece. The shield generator.
First thing as a tank is to GET INTO TANKING STANCE. If you are a tank but your role is dps, don't be in a tanking stance. Let me say that again, Don't be in a tanking stance. No, no. NO. For these kind of FP's we don't need off tanks. (And off tanks should stance switch anyway.)
Sorsu form. Dark charge, Ion charge. If you're the tank, you're in that stance. If you're not the tank, you're not. PERIOD. No ifs, no buts. This is a pug. Do it right, smooth, controlled = quick, easy, fun. If you're an experienced group and like pushing the envelope, well, that's a whole other guide/post. But not here.
Second. Shield Generator. You know that thing that gives you 20% shield chance. Put it the hell on. You take less damage = your healer doesn't have to heal so much, possibly drawing aggro, and can instead contribute more to dpsing. Gear, well, at this level and difficulty of flashpoints tanking gear/dpsing gear doesn't matter so much. It matters more in HM FP's and really matters in Operations (OPs).
Third: Guard. Guard the healer. Many say guard the DPS. Yeah...when their dps is high enough to actually rip aggro off the tank. In normal FP's 10-60 and when people aren't geared to the nines, time for an epeen adjustment. Your dps isn't all that and the healer will pull more aggro than you. Deal with it.
Fourth. Target Priorities. When facing multiple mobs who do I nail first? Being a tank is not for the faint of heart. You get to leap in first and they all pound on you. But hey you can take it right? (If you didn't just yell, 'hell yeah', then maybe you need to rethink being a tank). First target is always the biggest baddest dude(tte) around. The Champion, Elite, Strong mobs. You attack the biggest, fire off your taunts or w/e it is you do then switch to the next strongest.
Example. You are faced with 1 Elite, 2 Strongs and 4 Normal Mobs. The tank attacks the Elite first, gaining aggro. Then switch to one of the strongs and stay on it. Ignore the normals. When the strong is dead, switch to the next strong until it's dead. Then switch to the Elite.
IF aggro is lost on the Elite, taunt it back to you and continue with the above formula. Just follow this, trust me. I know there are lots of but what if this and that. This guide is for you tanks. There are other people in the group too, and they have their roles. This is your role. Make sure you can do this before worrying about anything else. Focus now. If your other group members are doing their job, this is all you'll ever have to do.
What skills to use? Not saying, up to you to figure out and there are plenty of guides around discussing that.
Have fun tanking and remember:
Avoid the things and don't stand in the stuff.
Ok, so you've got a quest to do a Flashpoint (FP), you queue up on Group Finder (GF) and you select your role. In all honesty, if it's not a Hard Mode (HM), being in a specific dps build doesn't friggen matter in the greater scheme of things. Neither being in specific tank gear matters at this stage of normal FP's from levels 10-60, barring one piece. The shield generator.
First thing as a tank is to GET INTO TANKING STANCE. If you are a tank but your role is dps, don't be in a tanking stance. Let me say that again, Don't be in a tanking stance. No, no. NO. For these kind of FP's we don't need off tanks. (And off tanks should stance switch anyway.)
Sorsu form. Dark charge, Ion charge. If you're the tank, you're in that stance. If you're not the tank, you're not. PERIOD. No ifs, no buts. This is a pug. Do it right, smooth, controlled = quick, easy, fun. If you're an experienced group and like pushing the envelope, well, that's a whole other guide/post. But not here.
Second. Shield Generator. You know that thing that gives you 20% shield chance. Put it the hell on. You take less damage = your healer doesn't have to heal so much, possibly drawing aggro, and can instead contribute more to dpsing. Gear, well, at this level and difficulty of flashpoints tanking gear/dpsing gear doesn't matter so much. It matters more in HM FP's and really matters in Operations (OPs).
Third: Guard. Guard the healer. Many say guard the DPS. Yeah...when their dps is high enough to actually rip aggro off the tank. In normal FP's 10-60 and when people aren't geared to the nines, time for an epeen adjustment. Your dps isn't all that and the healer will pull more aggro than you. Deal with it.
Fourth. Target Priorities. When facing multiple mobs who do I nail first? Being a tank is not for the faint of heart. You get to leap in first and they all pound on you. But hey you can take it right? (If you didn't just yell, 'hell yeah', then maybe you need to rethink being a tank). First target is always the biggest baddest dude(tte) around. The Champion, Elite, Strong mobs. You attack the biggest, fire off your taunts or w/e it is you do then switch to the next strongest.
Example. You are faced with 1 Elite, 2 Strongs and 4 Normal Mobs. The tank attacks the Elite first, gaining aggro. Then switch to one of the strongs and stay on it. Ignore the normals. When the strong is dead, switch to the next strong until it's dead. Then switch to the Elite.
IF aggro is lost on the Elite, taunt it back to you and continue with the above formula. Just follow this, trust me. I know there are lots of but what if this and that. This guide is for you tanks. There are other people in the group too, and they have their roles. This is your role. Make sure you can do this before worrying about anything else. Focus now. If your other group members are doing their job, this is all you'll ever have to do.
What skills to use? Not saying, up to you to figure out and there are plenty of guides around discussing that.
Have fun tanking and remember:
Avoid the things and don't stand in the stuff.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Dossier on Vorss
Name: Vorss Langsdown
Birth: 17 BTC, Balmorra.
Kin: Unverified.
Record:
Unremarkable childhood. More interested in parties and girls than studying. Seemed eager to join the conflict during the galactic war. At the age of 18, promptly joined the Republic military. (Must have been disappointed since the ToC was signed in the same year)
Was found to have a natural affinity with explosives and quickly became the go to guy for bomb placement and disarmament.
His interest with girls landed him in trouble with his XO, (the Xo's daughter to be more precise). Transferred, his love of explosives got him into more trouble. An explosion killing a number of squad members. Rumors flew that he was simply removing competition for the affections of yet another young lady. Our own investigation uncovered that the rumors were unfounded but nevertheless he still got court martialed.
Sent to military prison, a few unsavoury types were able to procure certain ingredients with which Vorss was able to make an incendiary device, thus facilitating his and a number of fellow inmates, escape. A number of those inmates happened to be Mandalorians. We surmise he must have spent some time with them before his return to Balmorra (which would account for his armouring).
Upon his return to Balmorra he found it in it's current state. Using an attractive female agent, we made contact with Vorss and were able to quickly get him on the pay roll as an informer in exchange for "services" rendered. He was able to infiltrate the Balmorran resistance and gave us good intel on a number of their ongoing operations.
Due to this, in the 12th month 12ATC, Vorss's pay grade was bumped to Agent. His loyalties are still highly questionable. His security level is ultra low as he has proven a nice pair of legs is all that is needed to pry information out of him. Being an imposing figure (as well as his military trained demeanour) he doesn't blend in well unless it is in military situations. However, he has used our gift of the stealth belt to great effect, surprising given his size. "Oaf" was the word Fixer 3 used to describe him.
Asset Recommendation: Expendable.
Security Grade: 0.
Birth: 17 BTC, Balmorra.
Kin: Unverified.
Record:
Unremarkable childhood. More interested in parties and girls than studying. Seemed eager to join the conflict during the galactic war. At the age of 18, promptly joined the Republic military. (Must have been disappointed since the ToC was signed in the same year)
Was found to have a natural affinity with explosives and quickly became the go to guy for bomb placement and disarmament.
His interest with girls landed him in trouble with his XO, (the Xo's daughter to be more precise). Transferred, his love of explosives got him into more trouble. An explosion killing a number of squad members. Rumors flew that he was simply removing competition for the affections of yet another young lady. Our own investigation uncovered that the rumors were unfounded but nevertheless he still got court martialed.
Sent to military prison, a few unsavoury types were able to procure certain ingredients with which Vorss was able to make an incendiary device, thus facilitating his and a number of fellow inmates, escape. A number of those inmates happened to be Mandalorians. We surmise he must have spent some time with them before his return to Balmorra (which would account for his armouring).
Upon his return to Balmorra he found it in it's current state. Using an attractive female agent, we made contact with Vorss and were able to quickly get him on the pay roll as an informer in exchange for "services" rendered. He was able to infiltrate the Balmorran resistance and gave us good intel on a number of their ongoing operations.
Due to this, in the 12th month 12ATC, Vorss's pay grade was bumped to Agent. His loyalties are still highly questionable. His security level is ultra low as he has proven a nice pair of legs is all that is needed to pry information out of him. Being an imposing figure (as well as his military trained demeanour) he doesn't blend in well unless it is in military situations. However, he has used our gift of the stealth belt to great effect, surprising given his size. "Oaf" was the word Fixer 3 used to describe him.
Asset Recommendation: Expendable.
Security Grade: 0.
Monday, December 8, 2014
Dian'jie Does Revan (ohh-errr) Part 1 - Backstory
Dian'jie does the Revan thing
Ok, time for a bit of a backstory to bring you up to speed.
Revan, a Jedi, then a Darth, then a Jedi again and disappeared. 300 years later, found by me (or you if you play SWTOR), released from his prison on a ship in a Maelstrom. (where else would you put a prison ship, really...)
Of course he is so grateful being released, and he looks pretty good for a 300 year old.
Note, being a Jedi knight I did something he couldn't. I killed the Emperor (unless you're a Jedi knight too, so I guess YOU killed the Emperor), which then technically makes me better than Revan...so I'm not too worried about this new update. I can take him.
Since I've got spies on in the Empire (i.e. I rolled characters over there too) we know that
A. There's a bunch of nutjobs on Dormund Kaas calling themselves Revanites. I got Revans mask and just handed it over. WTF. Now if you want one you have to buy it off the GTN. And everybody and their grandmother has one now. What a trendsetter that Revan is.
B. After leaving the Jedi's 'counsel' to wander the universe again, he reopened the star forge to create a new infinite army and basically commit genocide on the Sith species (according to the toaster you kill in the Foundry, that's around 93% of the Empire, and Revan's a 'good' guy...wowzers).
Fast forward to recent events.
Revan I guess has decided that the only way to have peace in the galaxy is to butcher the Empire AND the Republic and have a new order with himself at the helm. .. .. .. ooohhhkkkaayyyyy.
Unfortunately as previously stated there are some nutjubs in the Empire that support Revan (ironically a Sith pureblood is at the helm of one faction...you know, the species Revan wanted to eradicate...go figure) and some Colonel.
So I get drafted into attacking Korriban to get some info. Sure. Done. BUT WAIT, Tython is attacked at the same time. Amazing. The two most inaccessible hunks of rock in the galaxy. FOUND/INVADED. Foul play. Gosh no way! So it's off to Tython to rescue another sacked Jedi temple. (I don't think we should have temples anymore, we clearly can't protect them.)
So I now get sent off to Manaan after my contact gets suspicious over the colonels orders...ok, I like sushi so lets go.
During the fun underwater we discover, the colonel and a sith are in league together. No my friends. Yes it is true! The shock. Of course they're not worried about me or my party and calmly wander off. HEY, do I LOOK like James Bond?
So, of course we kill another robot and escape. Hot on their heals we arrive at a new hunk of rock, Rakata Prime, where the infinite army is supposedly getting built.
We bust up the party, kill the colonel and his sith buddy and dum dum dum. Along comes Revan and his fleet comprised of Republic and Empire starships, a large holo of Revan outlining his plans, confident we won't be able to stop him as he's going to bombard Rakata Prime from orbit.
Guess what. We got off and didn't die.
And now, it's expansion time bitches!
Ok, time for a bit of a backstory to bring you up to speed.
Revan, a Jedi, then a Darth, then a Jedi again and disappeared. 300 years later, found by me (or you if you play SWTOR), released from his prison on a ship in a Maelstrom. (where else would you put a prison ship, really...)
Of course he is so grateful being released, and he looks pretty good for a 300 year old.
Note, being a Jedi knight I did something he couldn't. I killed the Emperor (unless you're a Jedi knight too, so I guess YOU killed the Emperor), which then technically makes me better than Revan...so I'm not too worried about this new update. I can take him.
Since I've got spies on in the Empire (i.e. I rolled characters over there too) we know that
A. There's a bunch of nutjobs on Dormund Kaas calling themselves Revanites. I got Revans mask and just handed it over. WTF. Now if you want one you have to buy it off the GTN. And everybody and their grandmother has one now. What a trendsetter that Revan is.
B. After leaving the Jedi's 'counsel' to wander the universe again, he reopened the star forge to create a new infinite army and basically commit genocide on the Sith species (according to the toaster you kill in the Foundry, that's around 93% of the Empire, and Revan's a 'good' guy...wowzers).
Fast forward to recent events.
Revan I guess has decided that the only way to have peace in the galaxy is to butcher the Empire AND the Republic and have a new order with himself at the helm. .. .. .. ooohhhkkkaayyyyy.
Unfortunately as previously stated there are some nutjubs in the Empire that support Revan (ironically a Sith pureblood is at the helm of one faction...you know, the species Revan wanted to eradicate...go figure) and some Colonel.
So I get drafted into attacking Korriban to get some info. Sure. Done. BUT WAIT, Tython is attacked at the same time. Amazing. The two most inaccessible hunks of rock in the galaxy. FOUND/INVADED. Foul play. Gosh no way! So it's off to Tython to rescue another sacked Jedi temple. (I don't think we should have temples anymore, we clearly can't protect them.)
So I now get sent off to Manaan after my contact gets suspicious over the colonels orders...ok, I like sushi so lets go.
During the fun underwater we discover, the colonel and a sith are in league together. No my friends. Yes it is true! The shock. Of course they're not worried about me or my party and calmly wander off. HEY, do I LOOK like James Bond?
So, of course we kill another robot and escape. Hot on their heals we arrive at a new hunk of rock, Rakata Prime, where the infinite army is supposedly getting built.
We bust up the party, kill the colonel and his sith buddy and dum dum dum. Along comes Revan and his fleet comprised of Republic and Empire starships, a large holo of Revan outlining his plans, confident we won't be able to stop him as he's going to bombard Rakata Prime from orbit.
Guess what. We got off and didn't die.
And now, it's expansion time bitches!
Monday, December 1, 2014
Nasty little bugger
Bru'jah was unfortunately born. Unfortunate for him, unfortunate for those who crossed his path.
In the brutal harshness of Rattataki society, being a skinny short runt only made things worse for the young Rattataki male who took physical beatings daily. And every beating by his siblings and peers only made him angrier. Angry for being small and weak. Angry for being born. Angry for surviving.
So imagine his joy, when one day, he discovered he could harm others. The day the force began to manifest itself in the broken shell of his body. The first day he didn't fall asleep with his body shuddering from it's newly inflicted injuries. The day he smiled his first smile. The first time he heard the crack of bone that wasn't his own. What a wonderful day. How he relished in the pain of others, especially when he was the one inflicting it.
Even though Rattataki value strength and violence, Bru'jah was extreme. Rejected by his peers and elders due to his physical size more than anything else he was set upon. Beaten to a pulp and dragged out into the icy wasteland and dumped. Left to die. He was 8.
Coughing blood he dragged himself to an icy cave, shuddering he closed his eyes. Unfortunately he didn't die. In the coming years he survived. He killed first with the force, then with weapons he honed himself from the bones of his prey. He like this way better, more blood. He ate his prey raw, be it snow beasts or other Rattataki that crossed his way.
The day he was discovered by a visiting Sith Lord was another unfortunate day. A Rattataki Sith Lord had been sent to investigate the area, as there was reportedly a great evil there. All he found was a young scrawny naked boy gorging himself on the corpse of another Rattataki. Bones littered the icy cave. As soon as the boy noticed the Sith, he attacked with all his fury. More meat. The force caught him mid air, suspended thusly the Sith inspected him. Filed teeth, lean, wiry, small but strong, resilient and oh so angry. So very very angry. And yes, there is was. The force. Not strong, but enough. And with so much anger...a real possibility. "If he can survive out here for so long, perhaps he can also survive Korriban. He was 10.
Unfortunately Bru'jah was sent to Korriban, where he not only survived, but got worse. He grew in the force and regularly practised on his fellow students. Oh sure he was tortured for his insolence in disobeying the Sith instructors in not openly attacking other acolytes, but frankly he didn't give a damn. The torture only making him smile in some sadistic, masochistic way.
Now free of the Sith academy on Korriban, Bru'jah makes his own way in the galaxy,...unfortunately.
In the brutal harshness of Rattataki society, being a skinny short runt only made things worse for the young Rattataki male who took physical beatings daily. And every beating by his siblings and peers only made him angrier. Angry for being small and weak. Angry for being born. Angry for surviving.
So imagine his joy, when one day, he discovered he could harm others. The day the force began to manifest itself in the broken shell of his body. The first day he didn't fall asleep with his body shuddering from it's newly inflicted injuries. The day he smiled his first smile. The first time he heard the crack of bone that wasn't his own. What a wonderful day. How he relished in the pain of others, especially when he was the one inflicting it.
Even though Rattataki value strength and violence, Bru'jah was extreme. Rejected by his peers and elders due to his physical size more than anything else he was set upon. Beaten to a pulp and dragged out into the icy wasteland and dumped. Left to die. He was 8.
Coughing blood he dragged himself to an icy cave, shuddering he closed his eyes. Unfortunately he didn't die. In the coming years he survived. He killed first with the force, then with weapons he honed himself from the bones of his prey. He like this way better, more blood. He ate his prey raw, be it snow beasts or other Rattataki that crossed his way.
The day he was discovered by a visiting Sith Lord was another unfortunate day. A Rattataki Sith Lord had been sent to investigate the area, as there was reportedly a great evil there. All he found was a young scrawny naked boy gorging himself on the corpse of another Rattataki. Bones littered the icy cave. As soon as the boy noticed the Sith, he attacked with all his fury. More meat. The force caught him mid air, suspended thusly the Sith inspected him. Filed teeth, lean, wiry, small but strong, resilient and oh so angry. So very very angry. And yes, there is was. The force. Not strong, but enough. And with so much anger...a real possibility. "If he can survive out here for so long, perhaps he can also survive Korriban. He was 10.
Unfortunately Bru'jah was sent to Korriban, where he not only survived, but got worse. He grew in the force and regularly practised on his fellow students. Oh sure he was tortured for his insolence in disobeying the Sith instructors in not openly attacking other acolytes, but frankly he didn't give a damn. The torture only making him smile in some sadistic, masochistic way.
Now free of the Sith academy on Korriban, Bru'jah makes his own way in the galaxy,...unfortunately.
Monday, November 17, 2014
A new friend
A new friend
The library was immaculate. Ordered, even down to the height of the diferent volumes. Dian'jie was impressed. "Well, she was very methodical". He mumbled in appreciation of his mother. As he perused the library Dian'jie finally stopped. Finding what he was looking for.
"Ahh, here it is" reaching up and taking down a number of old tattered books, that looked out of place amongst the clean, newly bound volumes. "These must have been Hu'thranes"
With an armful of the old volumes, he turned and carry them to the desk in the study. Placing them on the desk he paused and raised his head.
He knew he wasn't alone anymore.
"You're very quiet" Dian'jie spoke clearly and evenly, giving nothing away regarding his intentions. The response was just as measured.
"Thank you"
Some part of Dian'jie groaned. Killing was one thing, but if the truth were to be told, he was sad when his victim was female, even Sith. He turned slowly to meet the voice. What he saw made him sigh ever so slightly with relief, and made him smile slightly with surprise.
Standing in the other room was a slender Rattataki in full body armour. Duel blasters undrawn and her attention on the corpse of Sirenna-dei. Obviously she was not concerned with Dian'jie. Confident he thought, and beautiful.
"I do love a lady who can fight"
"Then you're gonna love me. You?" pointing at the body of Sirenna-dei.
"Yes, is that going to be a problem?"
The Rattataki then looked at Dian'jie. They locked eyes. Silence. As smooth as a cat, she walked up to Dian'jie. Closer she came. Dian'jie wondered what to do...for the first time in his life he didn't know what to do! Draw his blade, back off...he couldn't read her, friend or foe... Now she was so close he even wondered if he would be fast enough to stop a vibroknive attack should she prove hostile.
She looked long into his eyes.
"Nope" she quipped, and turned after patting his cheek. Dian'jie remembered to start breathing again.
She flipped open her comm on her arm flopping into a settee. "We need a cleaner in here, one unit" Turning to Dian'jie. "So, now what boss?"
"Umm, err, HUH?"
"Boys" she shook her head. "Jedi, Sith, Merc, all the same. Yes, Dian'jie, what now? I worked for her, your mother. I've been tracking you for years at her behest. You're the next of kin, so all this" she waved her hand around at the apartment "is now yours, and since you're my new boss, let's discuss my rates" she smiled.
"Right, ok then. Well, how about we start with your name? You know mine."
"Katt, and what are you looking for?" She nodded to the desk with the books on it.
"Answers. Like everyone else"
"Pfft, just like your mother. Why can't it just be the nearest bar"
Friday, November 7, 2014
A return home
The Circle Closes
Hidden in the deep swamps of some backwater world lay Dian'jie's small spacecraft. If a spacecraft ever needed a clean, this was it. As he boarded it he lovingly patted it's battered hull, remembering a better time. He smiled gently. The time he left Tython. The spacecraft was much cleaner then, life was simpler too. And he had his fellow Jedi close at hand, even friends. Things were good. Perhaps it was here the first pangs of pride had entered. Young, knighted. Then quickly having his own padawan, who was also quickly knighted and who went on to have padawans' and knights of her own. Pride...perhaps that is where all this started.
But now, all that was gone, a faded distant memory.
"How the hell did I get here" he whispered as he glanced over at the orange horizon of another sunset.
His nostalgia quickly ended with a scowl and a sneer. "That's right, I'm here, they're not. Hiding behind their self-righteous temples. Picking fights they can win." He spat, "cowards".
"T7" he bellowed. "We're leaving"
T7=yes master. Jedi=angry?
"Don't call me that, just do it"
T7=coordinates?
Dian'jie showed T7 the datapad he had taken from the apprentice he had cut down earlier with the co-ordinates on it.
T7=confused. Master, we are going back there? Why?
"To end this charade. One way or another."
T7=co-ordinates on Dormund Kaas laid in master. Taking off now.
Dian'jie's trip and landing on Dormund Kaas was surprisingly easy. As he landed and exited his craft he was met by a beautiful woman with green eyes.
"Hello" she purred
"Hello mother, we meet at last"
Taken aback, she then smiled at her son's insight. "Indeed. Let's go, I hate this infernal rain."
Seated in Sirenna-dei's residence Dian'jie finally spoke again.
"So why am I here mother? To join you and the sith order?"
"Straight to the point aren't you son? Then tell me. What love do you have for the Jedi Order? You left Tython years ago, have never returned, and have wandered all over the galaxy. Tell me, what have you been looking for"
"You don't know mother? You who have keep such close tabs on me? Arranging certain 'encounters'. For what? To turn me into a killer? Mother, you are a killer. I know my father was too. Why wouldn't I be born one?
"You think you're a killer?" Sirenna-dei laughed her cold laugh. "Let's see, follow me"
Dian'jie rose, and followed his mother into a large study. On the wall, chained (and clearly tortured) was his father.
Sirenna-dei watched her son closely, how would he react. What would he do? Dian'jie's face gave nothing away. Stone. Good, thought Sirenna.
"You know son, your father is a bit...erractic"
Hu'thrane raised his head and opened his eyes.
"You know he is responsible for the death of a number of Jedi. You might know one of them. A Jekab Trask?
There, there a crack in Dian'jie facade was made. Ha, hit a nerve. "Oh you do know him?"
"One of my few friends from the academy on Tython"
"Oh, so sorry to hear that my sweet" Sirenna-dei purred. "Oh well, can't do anything about that now"
"She's lying son, I never...not after..." Hu'thrane's head sunk once again to his chest.
Enough, enough of this charade Dian, end this all now, his mind screamed at him. Yes this is why he had come here again. Ok, enough. Time to finish all this.
"Dear father, didn’t you know? A green jedi that leaves Corellia is cursed?"
Sirenna-dei smiled. This was delectable. She never thought that this day would truly come to pass. Oh she had hoped, dreamed. And now it was playing out in front of her. Her pulsed raced. He’s going to do it, her mind screamed with glee.
Dian’jie stepped closer to his bound father.
“You are my son!”
Yes I am. But you forgot, I’m her son too. And lets get to the truth of the matter. You died long ago father.
The words stuck harder than anything Hu’thrane had experience in his long combative life. Dian’jie noticed.
Truth hurts father? He spat. Then in a gentle whisper, undetectable to Sirenna-dei “The truth will set you free dad”
Dian’jie leaned in closer. His lighersabre hilt in hand. He placed it over his fathers heart.
“Tell me your precious Jedi code father”
Hu’thrane first looked incredulously at his son. You know I have no love for the Jedi or their code. Puzzled he began to recite.
Emotion, yet Peace.
Ignorance, yet Knowledge.
Passion, yet Serenity.
Chaos, yet Harmony.
Death, yet the Force
Ignorance, yet Knowledge.
Passion, yet Serenity.
Chaos, yet Harmony.
Death, yet the Force
As Hu’thrane completed the last line Dian’jie leaned in close and whispered slowly and deliberately in his fathers ear.
“Death, yet the force”
Leaning back, father and son locked eyes, Dian’jie saw understanding in his fathers eyes, then peace. Dian’jie’s lightsabre hummed into life, immediately piercing though Hu’thrane’s heart.
Sirenna-dei’s scream of pleasure filled the room.
“WHAT!” her pleasure filled scream suddenly changed.
Where the corpse of Hu’thane Lan should be, hanging from his bonds on her wall, there was nothing. Only a pile of clothes on the floor. Hu’thrane’s clothes.
“I didn’t kill him mother. I set him free. But you. You I’ll kill”
Sirenna-dei smirked. “You can try son. But I have no need of you anymore. A shame, you could have been a great Sith”
“Who says I won’t? Either way, your meddling is done”
The duel that played out between mother and son, would have seen to any onlooker as a ballet. Fast, beautiful. Rhythmic.
But as usual with Dian’jie’s foes, especially the Sith, they would eventually crack under his dogged, persistent, wearing down style of combat. His mother was no different. Her anger and frustration building.
Dian’jie saw an opening and began to move to exploit it, yet he stopped and backed off ever so slightly.
“What’s wrong son? Scared?”
“Nope, just knew you aren’t done yet”
Sirenna-dei sneered. For the first time, a glimmer of uncertainty entered her mind. Every fight she had had, she was the instigator. Had the advantage of surprise, of where and when the fight would take place. This was different. She never thought Dian’jie would fight her. She cursed her own mistake in underestimating her son. And now with her latest feint not catching him off guard she began to analyse what would.
“Flee” her mind whispered to her.
She glanced at the open door behind her patiently waiting son. “Going somewhere mother?”
Quick as lightning she feinted to the left and then force leaped to the right making for the door, only to have the door slammed closed.
“Try again mother”
Sneering she leaped again, sailing over her son to the window opening up to Dormund Kaas. She felt the crushing weight of the force grab her whole being and slam her with impossible force into the ground, ending her futile flight to freedom.
Before she could recover, Dian’jie, as quick, cold and as merciless as she, had closed the gap and without hesitation or a word plunged his lightsaber through her back and into the cold stone floor.
The last thing Sireena-dei remembered was the smell of her own burning flesh.
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