Post by Darth Exolus on Apr 25, 2015 23:45:19 GMT
"A chance to do things right."
~ Grand Moff Avellian Regus
Like numerous governing bodies before it, the Stygian Empire has its roots on the Sith homeworld of Korriban. Succeeding its previous, post-Great Hyperspace War incarnation - The Sith Empire, the Stygian Empire is an conglomeration of various Sith colonies across the Stygian Caldera, from where the body takes its unofficial name. Its borders and governed regions are part of the Allied Territories - an area of the Greater Stygia controlled by the Obsidian Union. The Stygians enjoy semi-autonomy, but are, at large, still dependent on the Obsidian Union for protection and most legal jurisdiction.
Conceptualized some years before the Clone Wars, the Stygian Empire can be considered the brainchild of the ever-scheming Clan Adas, designed to facilitate their return to dominance. The decades before the Clone Wars saw the Sith Clans in their first major decline in years, until the then-Senator Palpatine took interest in the pure-blooded Sith, studying and experimenting with their lost art of alchemy. With the Sith Lord's prowess, dozens of healthy Sith utilized this unprecedented return of Sith alchemy to increase the success of carrying children to term. The Sith peoples experienced a population boom over the next twenty years, and their numbers rose enough to warrant the need for a centralized government. Thus the seeds of a new Empire were sown.
The return of the Sith to the galaxy at large was predicated by the shamed warlord Zsinj, a man who sought out his old Emperor's Force Sensitive beasts for fodder in his forces. The Sith and Zsinj at this point in time had a very quiet relationship - the Warlord would move across Sith Space unimpeded, and in return, he provided the Sith with a centralized body that lasted mere months. It soon became transparent that the Stygian natives could rely only on themselves once Zsinj perished, many of the older Clans espousing the xenophobia of old.
The first major proof of a single body arose with the arrival of new Dark Jedi on Korriban. Naming themselves the New Sith Order, these Dark Lords were mostly avoided by the Sith, who allowed them the expensive and time-consuming excavations of the ancestral Valley, including a much-needed rebuild of the ancient capital Dreshdae. Further information detailing these decades leading up to the current galactic standard date may be found in the attached manuscripts penned by Scribendi Mul iv-Sek.
Structure:
The Stygian Empire, fundamentally, is a form of oligarchy, commanded by the Imperial Sovereigns and the Moff Council. The Sovereigns serve as public figureheads for the Empire, and wield considerable authoritative power, surpassed only by the Grand Moffs and the Emperor. Both the Council and the Sovereigns may draw up new laws or make amendments to Imperial Edicts for the befit of the Stygian people, however a two-thirds majority much be reached before these laws may be passed. Ultimately, the Emperor has the final say. While the Sovereigns are active members of the New Sith Brotherhood, and by extension part of the Union military structure, they do not regularly control the day-to-day interests of the Empire. Such administrative power is granted on a system-based level to the Grand Moffs. Planetary oversight is given to the Moffs serving under the Grand Moffs, and in turn, regional-based liaison with the Clan Lords is handled by Sub-Moffs under the Moffs. The Moff Council does not have the authority to remove a Clan Lord from their region of control - Lords are granted full autonomy over their lands, but not the entirety of the planets which they previously governed.
Like the Empire that predated it, the Stygians utilize the Spheres of influences, domains of authoritative power, each dedicated to encompassing a certain aspect of the Sith government, such as the Navy, healthcare, law-enforcement and intelligence. Also like the post-Hyperspace Empire, unique positions are granted to certain individuals to exact both the Empire and its Emperor's will, such as the Emperor's Wrath, and the many chivalric orders of knights.
A list of unique positions within the Empire and their roles
The Emperor's Wrath - The personal enforcer of the Emperor, answerable only to both the Emperor and the Imperial Sovereigns. Charged with the eradication of internal and external threats to the Empire, as well as outside interests. The Emperor's Wrath has free reign, unless the Wrath's goals clash with that of the Empire. The current Emperor's Wrath is the Rakatan Predor Tsao'kai.
The Emperor's Hands - A small group of individuals tasked with the personal record-keeping, and administration for the Imperial Sovereigns. Two of the Hands are attached directly to the Emperor, and are capable of speaking on his behalf, relaying his wishes to the Empire at large.
The Knights of the Imperial Covenant - One of the chivalric orders, the Knights Covenant are responsible for the protection of the Emperor and his immediate family members or those he orders protected. Eight are constantly keeping vigil over the Emperor, while dozens more protect both his immediate, and extended family.
The Order of Knights Stygia - Defenders of Korriban, the Knights Stygia guard the sacred sites on the Sith homeworld. Unlike the Knights Covenant, the Knights Stygia are trained Force-Sensitives, easily capable of subduing neophyte Jedi or power-hungry Dark Jedi. They have existed since before the Empire, and have, by choice entered into its service.
The Holy Knights of Kaas - Akin to military police, the Knights Kaas are part of the Priory of Tar Devyn. They are the equivalent to Jedi Temple Guards or Sith Knights, who defend those who instruct Sith youths on how to control their Force abilities safely before allowing them to join the Sith Brotherhood, or stay on to become a Knight Kaas. Their ranks consist of both Force and non-Force Sensitives.
A list of Moffs and their systems/planets of adminisration
[/spoiler]Ashas Ree system - Moff Orllen Phennir
- Ashas Ree - Sub Moff Erdan Veed
- Ashas Sur - Sub Moff Conrad Heskar
- Ashas Sel - Sub Moff Simus Ryyn
Begeren system - Moff Szolen Kaninar
- Begeren - Sub Moff Jefand Grest
- Rensaal - Sub Moff Avrin Weisse
Bhargebba system - Moff Avara Reen
- Bhargebba I - Sub Moff Nel Kanar
- Bhargebba II - Sub Moff Eirene Hidrea
- Bhargebba III - Sub Moff Alec Trevaan
- Bhargebba IV - Sub Moff Jerrod Polt
- Bhargebba V - Sub Moff Alkis Quol
- Bhargebba VI - Sub Moff Karai Narth
Bosthirda system - Moff Vicus Reylan
Ch'hodos system - Moff Garret Sarretica
Drezzi system - Moff Aurellius Ganthus
Dromund system - Grand Moff Maximillian Seerdon
- Dromund Kaas - Sub Moff Azzik Volken
- Dromund Fels - Sub Moff Tol Sesca
- Dromund Kalakar - Sub Moff Markus Wode
- Dromund Tyne - Sub Moff Nilan Vemron
Hallion system - Moff Sycus Veed
Horuset system - Grand Moff Avellian Regus
Jaguada system - Moff Vak'ar'rid
Kalsunor system - Moff Sen Gant
Khar Delba system - Grand Moff Orcus Ravik
- Khar Shian - Sub Moff Maakadi Vaeduus
Korriz system - Moff Kisara Astaton
Krayiss system - Moff Ciaran Monteverde
Loro Babis system - Moff Marchosias Sorath
Malachor system - Grand Moff Nazeti Cepheren
- Malachor II - Sub Moff Calum Phersin
- Malachor III - Sub Moff Amnon Maras
- Malachor IV - Sub Moff Benjek Thel
- Malachor V - Sub Moff Anders Dreifus
Nfolgai system - Moff Mathilde Cellia
Nicht Ka system - Moff Lucius Sarek
Rhelg system - Grand Moff Gallius Kilran
Savek system - Moff Malcom Iridion
Svolten system - Moff Andronikos Ocarra
Upekzar system - Moff Nel Fost
Ziost system - Grand Moff Stevann Payne
- Bethrezen - Sub Moff Rennel Orzik
- Esteron - Sub Moff Kal Krev
[/spoiler]
The Sith Species:
A brief outline of Korriban.
Map of Korriban and It's Inhabited Regions
A small, yet tectonically-active terrestrial world Korriban, (also known as Pesegam during the Despot Era, and Moraband at the time of Clone Wars.) is the sole planet in the Horuset System. Located at the end of the long-defunct Daragon Hyperspace Trail, the world features seven small moons, and barring metallic asteroids, is the brightest body in it's solar system. To it's native inhabitants, Korriban is better known as Khmor'ab Dhan in the Khutrai language, translated as "Heart of Fire". It is generally assumed that a mistranslation of this name, gave rise to the prevalance of "Moraband" in the wider galaxy.
Agreed upon, almost unanimously by galactic xenobiologists, Korriban's northernmost continent - Esstra, is considered the point of origin for complex life on the planet. The region is feritle, and to date, still capable of supporting liquid water. The earliest known iteration of anatomically-modern Sith; R. Prodromus, evolved here, spreading across the hundreds of valleys in the region.
Based on geological study, 94% of the planet's surface water is contained within the only visible body of water on Korriban, the Undying Sea. Sitting at the base of the Esstran Plate, the seashore recedes at the height of the summer months, and is fed year-round by tributaries and smaller rivers, protected from the sun by narrow canyons and underground streams. The rich volcanic soil of Korriban's fertile regions offers good croplands for rearing livestock. The dark basaltic lowlands and valleys of Korriban were carved out during the planet's infancy by shifting magma flows. The planet cooled in a brief ice age, trapping much of the surface water in underground glaciers until tectonic activity, and thus rising heat, forced it to the surface. As a result, the Undying Sea formed.
Korriban is usually considered the religious capital for the system's governing body, and is often referred to as the graveyard world. Though no major cityscapes exist on Korriban, some smaller urban sprawls do. Like other worlds dotted across the galaxy, Korriban is well-known as a Force Nexus, that is, a focal point where the Force is incredibly strong.
Major settlements.
Dreshdae
Korriban's oldest and original capital. Before the Rakatan invasion, Dreshdae was once a large city, featuring a colossal fortress where upon the remains of the old Sith Academy now lie. Now a jumbled mess of ruins-upon-ruins, the city was remade time and time again, though the most recent has renovated the old fortress into the Union Hermitage settlement. Home to the infamous Valley of the Dark Lords, and the now-abandoned Sith Temple, Dreshdae draws in hundreds of prospectors and archaeologists every year, eager to make a quick fortune from the promise of plentiful Sith relics. In reality, most of these relics are worthless trinkets, barely hundreds of years old. Anything of real value has been looted or reclaimed by the natives and robbers alike thousands of years prior. Dreshdae today, is a small spaceport, and its only real point of interest is the Hermitage.
Golg
Old and sturdy, Golg was built to withstand both the sands and time itself. Performing admirably for the best part of nearly a hundred millennia, Golg's age is surpassed only by it's adjacent predecessor, Adun - The City of The Dead. The Valley from which the city derives it's namesake from, houses the tombs of dead Sith Kings from antidiluvian times, and is as ancient as Adun. Sturdy as Golg is, it's masters are close to fracturing, unable to keep back the determined scavengers, and those desperate enough to reclaim their lost history.
Szol
At the very edge of the Eastern Lowlands, Szol is a parched city, far from any semblance of life, and farther still from any water. The hardy Sith who live their eke out a meager living, consuming the bloodsoup of the roaming Behemoths. Reliant on trade from other cities, Szol is ever-eager to make friends, and ever-careful to avoid making enemies.
Ur
Ancient and secluded, the city of Ur is one of many city-fortresses dotted across the vast mountainscape of Korriban. It remains well-known among the Sith as the birthplace of their most scorned ruler - King Adas and his progeny. Notorious for being as persistent and stubborn as her masters, Ur holds the distinction of never falling to siege in it's long history. Despite it's local fame, there are very few non-Sith who can find the city, and fewer still who can reach it, as Ur's position lends itself perfectly to a unique cocktail of environmental defenses. With little to offer travelers, and few minerals to give it riches, the old city has relied on taking wealth from others to prosper.
Veruush
Also known as the Island Prison, Veruush is a small penal settlement carved into the volcanic plug of a dead shield volcano. Rising high, it is considered impenetrable without heavy siege weapons, the natural and man-made tunnels form a network of mazes that makes escape incredibly difficult.
Had-Ibir
Sitting on the edge of the Kishan continental plate, Had-Ibir is another fortress-city, Tactically positioned, the city lies between the steep incline to the Eastern Lowlands and the Great Kishan Range of volcanoes. It's residents lament it's lack of importance, and do their best to survive alone. The city was besieged during the Second Great Reclamation, in which the Great Gate, an architectural marvel, was shattered.
Venseken
The southern-most settlement on Korriban, Venseken is isolated from the rest of the planet. Home to high numbers of those with little Sith heritage, this dismal shanty city is fraught with crime, poverty and starvation, all but forgotten by the Sith at large. It thrives on slave trade and prostitution. As such, murmurs of Hutt interest has grown in recent years.
Sith
Temporal range: 200,000 Ka
Pleistocene – Recent
Conservation status: Threatened.
Scientific classification.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Order: Amniote
Class: Reptilia
Order: Artius
Family: Rubucundae
Tribe: Rubicundi
Genus: Rubricatus
Species: R. praedatoris
Binominal name.
Rubricatus praedatoris (Crimson Hunter)
(NSFAS - 5,000 BBY)
Species
Rubicundus
R. prodromus (Scarlet Ancestor) - extinct
R. venaticus (Scarlet Hunter) - extinct
Rubricatus
R. belluinorum (Crimson Savage) - extant
R. regentem (Crimson Guide) - extant
R. fabricarem (Crimson Architect) - extant
R. advenae (Crimson Stranger) - extant
Pleistocene – Recent
Conservation status: Threatened.
Scientific classification.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Order: Amniote
Class: Reptilia
Order: Artius
Family: Rubucundae
Tribe: Rubicundi
Genus: Rubricatus
Species: R. praedatoris
Binominal name.
Rubricatus praedatoris (Crimson Hunter)
(NSFAS - 5,000 BBY)
Species
Rubicundus
R. prodromus (Scarlet Ancestor) - extinct
R. venaticus (Scarlet Hunter) - extinct
Rubricatus
R. belluinorum (Crimson Savage) - extant
R. regentem (Crimson Guide) - extant
R. fabricarem (Crimson Architect) - extant
R. advenae (Crimson Stranger) - extant
____________________________________
Etymology:
Sith, or Rubricatus praedatoris, are the last surviving descendants of the neolithic Rubicundus prodromus. R. prodromus experienced a divergence in its evolution, with its highland and lowland populations evolving into the seperate Rubricatus praedatoris, and Rubicundus venaticus. R. venaticus was unable to adapt to the colder climate of Korriban, and did not adopt their cousins' nomadic lifestyle. R. venaticus, as a Force-Sensitive species, were hunted to near-extinction by the Sith's sole predator at the time, the Terentatek (Praesepia gargantua). R. praedatori flourished in the fertile Esstra region, nearly 200,000 years ago, learning to navigate the mountains, and recognize the changes in climate. Like all species on Korriban, R. praedatori display a biological equilibrium with their home planet, and are naturally empowered by the Force Nexus present on Korriban. In turn, the Sith empower the Force, though this effect has been noted on other worlds strong in the Force, such as Ziost, and Malachor. It is this level of genetic connection to the Force that grants the Sith their longevity, and attributes potent Force Sensitivity to the entire species.
Characterized by their large brains, relative to their body size, Sith brains have exceptionally developed cortexi and lobes, allowing them abstract reasoning, introspection, language and culture through social growth, and learning. Sith adaptation as bipeds from quadruped reptiles freed their upper limbs for the manipulation of objects, allowing them a far more extensive use of tools than any other species on Korriban. However, unlike many sentient species, Sith are among some species not to cook their food. Due to their musculature, and the gravity of Korriban, Sith require a high protein intake - proteins lost in the process of cooking. Though this is a preferred method, Sith will not refuse cooked meals. It is therefore, not uncommon for space-faring Sith to become obese.
Sith, are like many species adept at utilizing systems of symbolic communication such as language and gestures for self-expression, the exchange of ideas, and organization. Sith form complex social caste structures composed of many cooperating and competing groups, from families, clans and kinship networks to states. Social interactions between Sith have established an extremely wide variety of values, social norms, and rituals, which together form the basis of their society. Sith are also known for their ability to manipulate phenomena through science, Force-based, and alchemical means.
Protosith used the Force as natural precognition for hunting, and did not adapt it as a means of self-defense until their evolutionary transition into modern Sith. The Sith have been through several socio-economic schisms and wars across their long history until almost all of their Massassi race had their genetic structure rewritten to be biologically compatible with Humans.
Races:
R. praedatori "Red Sith, or Kinissa" - Force Sensitivity, and primary senses, both of which are considered acute, relative to those of a human's. R. praedatori make up close to 2% of the Sith population. Less than three thousand remain alive, with unchecked numbers present in the Stygian Caldera. They are biologically incompatible with the Pureblood majority, and can breed only amongst themselves, or their Massassi cousins safely.
R. belluinorum "Massassi" - Like R. prodromus before them, the lowland-dwelling members of R. praedatori split. Unlike R. venaticus however, R. praedatori thrived under the harsher climate, and heavier gravitational force. Over the course of the next forty thousand years, the lowland Sith evolved to adapt to their new dwellings, and became the first members of R. belluinorum. Taller, and more muscular than other Red Sith, Massassi, in contrast have average intelligence, though they are quick thinkers, and possess memory retention on par with R. praedatori. However, their evolution into Massassi altered their genetic composition, increasing the size of their adrenal glands, and the breakdown of 'junk' peptides in certain chromosomes. As such, their genetic structure became more malleable under the effects of Sith Alchemy, which was later exploited by the Jedi Exiles, who tampered with their genes further, in order to breed with the Sith. It was these acts which led to hybridized subspecies of Sith, the Kissai and Zuguruk.
R. regentem "Kissai" - The first subspecies of R. belluinorum; the Kissai were hybrids who displayed the dominant genes of their alien parents, becoming more human-like in appearance. Easily identified by their smoother, paler skin, lower muscle density, less-potent Force-Sensitivity, and lower tolerance for high gravity, the Kissai were among the first to call themselves the Sith Lords. They make up a sizable proportion of the Sith population, and serve more religious lives than martial or political ones. They are more closely related to H. sapiens and the Purebloods than their Massassi parents,
R. fabricarem "Zuguruk" - Unlike the Kissai, the Zuguruk had dominant Sith genes, looking far more reptilian in appearance. The Jedi Exiles utilized the dormant, vestigial genes of R. prodromus to instill the Protosith shelter-building instinct. When cajoled correctly, the Zuguruk display an incredible affinity for machines and structure-building, using the Force to analyze materials and make near-perfect symmetry in their designs. Employed as the engineering/worker caste, they are found across the Caldera in various places of employ.
R. infecta "Grotthu" - The name given to the species who wandered into the Caldera by mistake. Grotthu, is an unflattering term, with the literal translation of "filth". Most Grotthu are typically mutant offspring of failed hybridization attempts by the Dark Jedi, though many are full-blooded aliens, and are predominantly Twi'lek. The Ryloth cultures and languages of the Twi'lek Grotthu allowed for the Massassi to develop their own language - Balc, to compensate for their general lack of perception and introspection.
R. advenae "Sith Pureblood" - A racial slur, the term "Sith Pureblood" originated with the first descendants of the twelve Dark Jedi, made mostly of Kissai. Though these offspring were all but wiped out, many Kissai and Zuguruk bred further with Massassi and other species, diluting their Sith genes. The entire modern population of the Purebloods emerged on Dromund Kass, under the Empire of Tenebrae Dramath, the Sith Emperor. Considered a false claimaint to the rule of the Sith, only a handful of Red Sith chose to follow Dramath. Instead, the Emperor cowed dozens upon dozens of Purebloods into following them, though to this extent, only 24% of his Imperial population was made of Purebloods.
By definition, a Pureblood is the offspring of a Kissai, or Zuguruk who has either mated with others like them, or aliens, and are categorized as having between a fourth, and a third of Sith ancestry. Most are looked upon by Massassi and Kinissa with scorn, and are treated harshly on more traditional worlds. Most choose to marry back into Kissai or Zuguruk families, to increase the potency of the Sith genes.
Biology:
Sith are categorized as a Synapsid humanoid species, that is, a mammal-like species with dominant traits of a reptilian species. Unlike most reptile species, Sith maintain thermal homeostasis, making them warm-blooded. Identified easily by their distinctive skin blood-red skin, Sith display various shades of skin tone, such as pink, maroon, purple and the exceedingly rare charcoal black. Though difficult to observe, Sith skin is made up of trillions of microscopic scales. Every three to eight months, Sith shed their skin in small patches, rather than fully molt as most reptiles do.
A typical Sith possesses four clawed digits on their hands, and three on their feet. These sharp talons are a vestigal trait of R. Prodrumus, and were used as a digging/gripping tool. Most Sith whittle down their talons to allow more elaborate jewellery, armor and clothing to be worn, though their use as a clawing weapon is not unheard of. Their dentition is also defined as predatory, with sith possessing razor-sharp canines in place of incisors (save for their anterior front teeth) and are capable of delivering tremendous bite force with their jaw muscles. Perhaps the most notable traits of the species, are sets of bony-looking spurs and ridges across their body - the most distinguishing of the former appearing on their faces. The spurs are actually cartilaginous, semi-flexible sensory organs, protruding from a Sith's cheekbones, and orbital bones. They are an important part of the Sith's somatosensory system, and can inhibit a Sith's locomotion through injury of disease. Spurs are longer and more prominent in males, though females may possess a smaller set of secondary jowl spurs, a trait considered attractive. The spurs contain bundles of sensitive nerves that feed strong impulses to the brain.
Sith eyes are composed completely of a yellowish gold iris, and thin, vertical pupils of reptilian appearance. Their eyesight, and other respective primary senses are considered more acute when compared to humans, especially in the case of the Massassi. Sith can track moving objects at nearly twice the magnification of humans, and their sense of smell in particular is useful for distinguishing scents, to the point where most Sith can identify people through odor alone. The blood of R. Praedatori, (and by extent their tissue) is a light blue due to the presence of haemocyanin, in the form of copper bound to the Sith's haemolymph as opposed to hemoglobin bound to erythrocytes in most Purebloods. Sith haemocyanin is rich in copper when compared to certain insectoid species with copper-based blood. Massassi however, due to their low bodily respiration, possess black-colored blood. Sith blood is also more susceptible to fatal clotting, putting Sith at greater risk of pulmonary problems. The problem is only exacerbated by Sith foodstuffs - a protein-based meat diet, usually consisting of three pounds of lean raw meat. Sith prefer food uncooked, as they derive more minerals and protein normally lost in cooking. Massassi in particular may favor carrion during hunger periods if no other food sources are available.
The Sith, as mammoreptiles typically gestate to birth within four to six months with hybridized offspring taking between four to nine depending on the species. Their ability to cross-breed with some humanoids is possible due to the presence of a common gene attached to their twelfth chromosome, a result of convergent evolution found in select humanoid species across the galaxy. It is possible, through Sith Alchemy to alter the peptides in this gene, thus allowing Massassi to be biologically compatible with a Human mate, though this leads to the inevitable breakdown of additional peptides, resulting in severe genetic mutation. Naturally, Sith are capable of breeding with similar species that share the unaltered peptide.
To the Sith, the most important trait they possess is an innate connection to the Force. The entire species is considered strongly Force-Sensitive, owed to their ability to directly derive sustenance from the Force, and empower it in turn. Though non-fatal, a Sith (particularly hybrid offspring) who loses their connection to the Force are often exhausted more easily, and typically lack some of the longevity of their fellow Sith.
A typical Sith possesses four clawed digits on their hands, and three on their feet. These sharp talons are a vestigal trait of R. Prodrumus, and were used as a digging/gripping tool. Most Sith whittle down their talons to allow more elaborate jewellery, armor and clothing to be worn, though their use as a clawing weapon is not unheard of. Their dentition is also defined as predatory, with sith possessing razor-sharp canines in place of incisors (save for their anterior front teeth) and are capable of delivering tremendous bite force with their jaw muscles. Perhaps the most notable traits of the species, are sets of bony-looking spurs and ridges across their body - the most distinguishing of the former appearing on their faces. The spurs are actually cartilaginous, semi-flexible sensory organs, protruding from a Sith's cheekbones, and orbital bones. They are an important part of the Sith's somatosensory system, and can inhibit a Sith's locomotion through injury of disease. Spurs are longer and more prominent in males, though females may possess a smaller set of secondary jowl spurs, a trait considered attractive. The spurs contain bundles of sensitive nerves that feed strong impulses to the brain.
Sith eyes are composed completely of a yellowish gold iris, and thin, vertical pupils of reptilian appearance. Their eyesight, and other respective primary senses are considered more acute when compared to humans, especially in the case of the Massassi. Sith can track moving objects at nearly twice the magnification of humans, and their sense of smell in particular is useful for distinguishing scents, to the point where most Sith can identify people through odor alone. The blood of R. Praedatori, (and by extent their tissue) is a light blue due to the presence of haemocyanin, in the form of copper bound to the Sith's haemolymph as opposed to hemoglobin bound to erythrocytes in most Purebloods. Sith haemocyanin is rich in copper when compared to certain insectoid species with copper-based blood. Massassi however, due to their low bodily respiration, possess black-colored blood. Sith blood is also more susceptible to fatal clotting, putting Sith at greater risk of pulmonary problems. The problem is only exacerbated by Sith foodstuffs - a protein-based meat diet, usually consisting of three pounds of lean raw meat. Sith prefer food uncooked, as they derive more minerals and protein normally lost in cooking. Massassi in particular may favor carrion during hunger periods if no other food sources are available.
The Sith, as mammoreptiles typically gestate to birth within four to six months with hybridized offspring taking between four to nine depending on the species. Their ability to cross-breed with some humanoids is possible due to the presence of a common gene attached to their twelfth chromosome, a result of convergent evolution found in select humanoid species across the galaxy. It is possible, through Sith Alchemy to alter the peptides in this gene, thus allowing Massassi to be biologically compatible with a Human mate, though this leads to the inevitable breakdown of additional peptides, resulting in severe genetic mutation. Naturally, Sith are capable of breeding with similar species that share the unaltered peptide.
To the Sith, the most important trait they possess is an innate connection to the Force. The entire species is considered strongly Force-Sensitive, owed to their ability to directly derive sustenance from the Force, and empower it in turn. Though non-fatal, a Sith (particularly hybrid offspring) who loses their connection to the Force are often exhausted more easily, and typically lack some of the longevity of their fellow Sith.
The average lifespan for R. Praedatoris is 300 years, though through Sith Alchemy, their lifespans can be extended to well over a millennium. Most Massassi, due to genetic tampering live between 85 and 120 years, many opting to utilize Sith Alchemy to extend it to match their cousins. Zuguruk on the other hand have relatively short lives, with many considered venerable at 90. Sith Purebloods by extension, have lifespans comparable to their alien parent, and are often more susceptible to mental disease associated with prolonged use of Sith Alchemy than their cousins.
Naming Conventions;
Since the First Reclamation, Sith names follow a four-tier structure, rather than a forename/surname composition. Upon marriage, a female adopts their partner's mother's Clan name, while retaining their own father's. For example, a Sith with a father from the Ragnos Clan and a Mother from the Seake Clan would be named "Nazeti Ragnos iv-Seake". However, if said Sith married a member of the Althe Clan, their name would be "Nazeti Ragnos iv-Althe." Sith wear the seal of their Mother's Clan, and adopt their partner's in marriage. Similar to the Chiss, in general speaking terms, Sith may drop the use of their full name, being referred to by a Base Name that drops their father Clan and "of", thus making a name "Nazeti Althe"
A list of commonly-used modern Sith Given Names;
A list of commonly-used modern Sith Given Names;
Nazeti (F). Derived from the word “Nyyuzhet”, or Agility in Galactic Basic. Meaning - “Agile-Sure-Swift-Storm.”
Aloysius (M). Derived from the word “Xaalosyus”, or Guile in Galactic Basic. Meaning - “Ambition-Cunning-Hunter-Seeker.”
Veris (M). Derived from the word “Xa'avieris”, or Thunder-Clap in Galactic Basic. Meaning - “Strong-Strike-Wrath-Fury.”
Horuna (F). Derived from the word “Ss'Horunas”, or Fore-Runner in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Honor-Ancestor-Blood-Soul.”
Plejada (M). Derived from the word “Ple'jastas”, or Clear-Skies in Galactic Basic. Meaning - “Star-Seeker-Wander-Traveller.”
Mirst (F). Derived from the word “Uzmir'sti”, or Unforgotten-Soul in Galactic Basic. Meaning - “Glory-Name-Never-Fade.”
Thalisa (F). Derived from the word “Thaelisas”, or Attachment in Galactic Basic. Meaning - “Ally-Born-Wrought-Blade.”
Oni (U), . Derived from the word “Syoni”, or Awareness in Galactic Basic. Meaning - “Awaken-Keen-Wise-Mind.”
Sia (F), Derived from the word “Siabara”, or Silver in Galactic Basic. Meaning - “Hallowed-Silver-Sun-Fire.”
Svara (M), Derived from the word “Astvarada”, or Resolute in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Steadfast-Able-Sky-Watcher"
Asmenys (M), Derived from the word “Asmenys”, or Blade in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Able-Eye-Keen-Hunter "
Kyssiri (F), Derived from the word “Rykys'sirsa”, or Binding in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Night-Shackle-Chain-Fury"
Karai (M), Derived from the word “Zekhar'ari”, or Sovereign-Lord in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Eternal-Lord-Vengeance-King"
Kalai (M), Derived from the word “Nek'alitas”, or Calm-Mind in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Iron-Will-Stead-Tempest"
Kaleval (M), Derived from the word “Kal'Evos”, or Retainer-Servant in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Regal-Son-Sure-Servant"
Karys (U), Derived from the word “Kyriztan”, or Warrior in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Honor-Battle-Hunt-Champion"
Rami (F), Derived from the word “Ramyystis”, or Brace in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Range-Quiet-Sturdy-Seeker"
Varia (M), Derived from the word “Vyyrhari”, or Bronze in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Sallow-Scar-Fire-Wing"
Tsyrua (F), Derived from the word “Tzsuradzt-bryys”, or Stranger-Traveller in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Star-Seeker-Sky-Chorus"
Xini (U), Derived from the word “Xynitas”, or Mighty in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Arise-Strength-Might-Child"
Gyouki (M), Derived from the word “Gsyoukijas”, or Power in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Master-Spirit-Strong-Fist"
Kisara (F), Derived from the word “Kiekisura”, or Strength in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Power-Sun-Razor-Night"
Aloysius (M). Derived from the word “Xaalosyus”, or Guile in Galactic Basic. Meaning - “Ambition-Cunning-Hunter-Seeker.”
Veris (M). Derived from the word “Xa'avieris”, or Thunder-Clap in Galactic Basic. Meaning - “Strong-Strike-Wrath-Fury.”
Horuna (F). Derived from the word “Ss'Horunas”, or Fore-Runner in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Honor-Ancestor-Blood-Soul.”
Plejada (M). Derived from the word “Ple'jastas”, or Clear-Skies in Galactic Basic. Meaning - “Star-Seeker-Wander-Traveller.”
Mirst (F). Derived from the word “Uzmir'sti”, or Unforgotten-Soul in Galactic Basic. Meaning - “Glory-Name-Never-Fade.”
Thalisa (F). Derived from the word “Thaelisas”, or Attachment in Galactic Basic. Meaning - “Ally-Born-Wrought-Blade.”
Oni (U), . Derived from the word “Syoni”, or Awareness in Galactic Basic. Meaning - “Awaken-Keen-Wise-Mind.”
Sia (F), Derived from the word “Siabara”, or Silver in Galactic Basic. Meaning - “Hallowed-Silver-Sun-Fire.”
Svara (M), Derived from the word “Astvarada”, or Resolute in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Steadfast-Able-Sky-Watcher"
Asmenys (M), Derived from the word “Asmenys”, or Blade in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Able-Eye-Keen-Hunter "
Kyssiri (F), Derived from the word “Rykys'sirsa”, or Binding in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Night-Shackle-Chain-Fury"
Karai (M), Derived from the word “Zekhar'ari”, or Sovereign-Lord in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Eternal-Lord-Vengeance-King"
Kalai (M), Derived from the word “Nek'alitas”, or Calm-Mind in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Iron-Will-Stead-Tempest"
Kaleval (M), Derived from the word “Kal'Evos”, or Retainer-Servant in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Regal-Son-Sure-Servant"
Karys (U), Derived from the word “Kyriztan”, or Warrior in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Honor-Battle-Hunt-Champion"
Rami (F), Derived from the word “Ramyystis”, or Brace in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Range-Quiet-Sturdy-Seeker"
Varia (M), Derived from the word “Vyyrhari”, or Bronze in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Sallow-Scar-Fire-Wing"
Tsyrua (F), Derived from the word “Tzsuradzt-bryys”, or Stranger-Traveller in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Star-Seeker-Sky-Chorus"
Xini (U), Derived from the word “Xynitas”, or Mighty in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Arise-Strength-Might-Child"
Gyouki (M), Derived from the word “Gsyoukijas”, or Power in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Master-Spirit-Strong-Fist"
Kisara (F), Derived from the word “Kiekisura”, or Strength in Galactic Basic. Meaning - "Power-Sun-Razor-Night"
A list of surviving Sith Noble Clans and their Seals.
Imperial Clan Adas
Imperial Sigil - The Imperium
Motto - "Loyalty, Only To Us."
Ruling Emperor - Karai Narat iv-Adas "Ashuun, The God of Vengeance"
Throne - Stygian Caldera "The Throne of Glass"
Sworn Vassals - Clan Wroth, Clan Eret, Clan Narth
The once-feared Clan of Adas originated with the advent of the ancient Sith King of the same name. Exalted as a God once, Adas is scorned today as the Black God, the closest equivalent in Sith religion to a demonic entity. The Adas commanded ultimate power over their fellow Sith - and indeed, Adas' progeny were considered demigods. When Adas II fell in battle during one of Korriban's many civil wars, the Clan swore fealty to the eventual champion of the slaughters - Dathka Graush, The Crystal Heart. In recent decades, the Adas have managed to build a respectable reputation through toil and sacrifice, a far cry from their bloody, violent past.
Clan Narat
Sigil - The Spires of Ur
Motto - "Our Strength Moves The Mountains"
Ruling Clan Lord - Nungai Kallig iv-Narat "The Old Mountain of Kishan"
Throneworld - Korriban "The Throne of Fire"
Sworn Vassals - Clan Kallig, Clan Breesh
Centuries ago, two noble clans of antiquity joined together to give birth to Clan Narat. Since then, the sons and daughters of Narat have been the lords and ladies of Ur - a fortress city at the peak of Mount Kasha. Proud of their rich history, and ever boastful of Ur's reputation as the only Sith city never to fall to siege, the Narat are considered old-fashioned, and somewhat pompous. Once, they were the great military leaders in the Sith Empires of old. Now their outdated doctrine is a pale reminder of their slow, yet steady decline, long before the Imperial Navy diminished.
In recent years, the Narat Lords have developed an overweening sense of ambition, to which the Narat counter with their track record of success. The Narat Lords are chiefly responsible for the creation of the Stygian Empire, and had considerable stake in the contest for the new throne. In the wake of these troubles, the then-Clan Lord Varia has had his old guard supplanted by the younger nobles.
Clan Graush
Banner - The Heart of Graush
Motto - "The Blood Runs Deep In The Veins"
Ruling Clan Lord - Asmenys-Svjone Abon iv-Graush "The Night Sorcerer"
Throneworld - Ziost "The Throne of Hollows"
The stalwart pioneers of Sith Necromancy, Clan Graush are famed, but mostly feared for their reputation - brutal, even by Sith standards. They owe their infamy and reputation both to their greatest patron; Dathka Graush, better known to the Sith as the Crystal Heart. Since the death of Hakagram Graush, the Clan has longed for a return to their former glory and power, ever-plotting and scheming against their rivals and former retainers. From the Graush come many of the Imperial Army's officers, most notably the Grand Moff himself.
Clan Sadow
Banner - The Ziost Pincerbug
Motto - "We Alone, And No Other"
Ruling Clan Lord - Makaadi Fost iv-Sadow "The Scorned Frost Lord of Glaciers"
Throneworld – Khar Delba "The Throne of Ice"
Though a High Clan, the Sadow are often looked down upon with contempt by their fellows, particularly the Kressh. Blaming their greatest member, Naga Sadow for the Sith's current state, the Sadow live out their lives in constant political warfare with the Kressh over old hatreds in the Khar System. To this day, the descendants of Naga's secret Assassins, the Sadow'een, linger still on the planet Hoth, far from the reach of the Stygian Empire. The Sadow were at the frontlines of the recent tension between the Stygians and Obsidian Union, suffering at the hands of the humanocentric Zsinjist movement and ultimately losing their share of the Khar shipyards. The old ruling Clan Lord, Dabotish Meistras iv-Sadow, was deposed after these events and the Clan has begun to recover. The Zsinjists lost their purpose and began to shrivel after Emperor Narat reconciled with the Obsidian Union and new bronzium mining operations have begun to replace the profits once derived from the shipyards.
Clan Ragnos
Banner - The Horns of Ragnos
Motto - "The Chains of the Grave Cannot Hold Us"
Ruling Clan Lord - Vanduo Seake iv-Ragnos "The Death Lord of Horns."
Throneworld - Thule "The Throne of Chains"
Though a Clan of half-breed Sith, the Ragnos command considerable respect from their noble peers, and fear the from lower Clans that serve them. As the descendants of Marka Ragnos, they are remembered as the harbingers of the Sith Golden Age, his legacy, and hope one day usher in another such age. Though possessing a great deal of influence, the Ragnos have very little in the way of wealth as their planet, Thule, has suffered a stubborn economic depression for several decades. Even the Obsidian Union’s growing economy has only been able to mitigate this problem.
Clan Kressh
Banner - Irons of Eternity
Motto - "Only The Force"
Ruling Clan Lord - Plejada Alkis iv-Kressh "The Crimson Wolf of Fire"
Throneworld – Khar Shian "The Throne of Beasts"
The long-time and bitter rivals of the Sadow Clan, the Kressh are generally held in a more favorable light within Sith Space. Their stance on isolationism has remained constant since the oldest incarnations of the Sith Empire. They have, in recent generations resigned themselves to admitting the Caldera can never truly keep out of galactic affairs forever. Granted command over the Khar System's major shipyards, the Kressh supply the majority of small warships to the Imperial Navy, the most noteworthy of which is the Veltraa-class Cruiser, ISS Leviathan.
Clan Sarashashi
Banner - The Moon of Malachor
Motto - "By The Dawn, We Wonder."
Ruling Clan Lord - Vandinti Gant iv-Sarashashi "The Lord of Many Faces"
Throneworld – Malachor V "The Throne of Rock"
The masters of the Malachor System, the Sarashashi have recently been reclaiming what they once had during the Golden Age, marrying their heirs to other Clans. Their motives as of recent years have been suspiciously quiet and unknown, the Clan favoring no one alliance over the other. During the First Union Civil War, the Sarashashi supplied most of the soldiers for the assault against the Sith’ar base on the shattered world Malachor V. Rewarded with the planet by the victorious Union, the Sarashashi were propelled from a Minor Clan of mercenaries to a Major Clan. They harvest a respectable amount of natural gases and precious metals from the core of their broken planet.
Clan Hekk
Banner - The Massassi Lanvaroks
Motto - "Grind Beneath Thy Heel."
Ruling Clan Lord - Zibeti Phol iv-Hekk "The High-Handed Slayer"
Throneworld - Dromund Kaas "The Throne of Rain"
Brutish and abrasive, the Hekk Clan are violent conquerors from the dark jungles of Dromund Kaas. Consisting of Sith, mostly of Massassi ancestry, they are considered the lords of the planet. They often boast that when they march, the Yozusk migrate, to flee from their wrath. During the Second Union Civil War they declared their domain of Hekk'valda a sovereign state, anointing Zibeti as their Emperor. They ultimately repatriated during the imperial crisis, however, to have a voice in the outcome.
Language;
See here for more information.
The Sith, throughout their long and violent history, have spoken many languages - many of which have either fallen out of use, or lost to time. The oldest still on record is the cursive Kittak. Kittak is considered a hobby language in modernity, akin to the Zhell dialects of Coruscant. Featured on the dias of King Enmekaar, it is the oldest language known to the Sith. Meaning "To Speak" or "Kqû Dak" in Kittak itself, the language consists of twenty-three phonemes, and six distinct vowels. Because of this limited segment inventory, Sith scribes faced difficulties when trying to translate non-Sith names. For example, the name of Palpatine would have to be transcribed as Marmûtin, as Kittak does not have a "p" sound or an "l" between two consonants. To overcome such difficulties, creative scribes would actually translate the name into their language based on its etymology. Kittak morphemes—the smallest meaningful units in the grammar of a language—were often made of closed syllables (syllables ending with consonants), which made them sound brisk and choppy. The language was regularly stressed, with every word accented on the first syllable.
Adapted from Kittak, in much the same way as the various dialects of Basic emerged, Khutrai, meaning "Language", lit: "The Words" rose to prominence when Twi'lek sleeper ships from Ryloth entered the Stygian Caldera during the early Sith Space Age. Mixing with Ryl and Basic, Khutrai became more widely spoken as more and more aliens crashed inside Sith Space. Khutrai adopted mixed-language words, featuring only five vowels, but thirty-six phonemes, giving the Sith a much wider vocabulary range. Many words and phrases in Khutrai have no Basic equivalent, and thus loanwords were used - that is, words to denote more than one meaning. For example, the Khutrai word "Naile", meaning "Fear" could also mean "Madness", "Idiotic", or "Delusion." Spoken Khutrai is composed of sharp clicks and hisses, featuring long, harsh consonants. Softer stress is placed on the vowels, while extreme emphasis is placed on r's, k's and t's. Native Khutrai speakers display a strong accent that is described as similar, yet crisper and less guttural than that of the Kaleesh. It is known that the Dashade species gradually lost their mother tongue, Dashan, with the loss of their homeworld. The hundreds of Shadow-Killers under the employ of the Sith Lords would later come to speak Kittak as their primary language.
Considered a second language, the "Massassi Langauge" or Balc, was heavily derived from Ryl. Due to the physiology of the Massassi and their lower average intelligence, Balc arose out of necessity. Though most Massassi are perfectly capable of speaking Khutrai and Kittak, Balc is preferred, and is considered more polite in company. Balc is an uneasy language to grasp for non-Sith, featuring forty-five phonemes, and seventeen vowels. Much like Ryl, Balc relies heavily on subtle movements of extremities - in the case of the Sith, their spurs. Balc is spoken with flat monotone, and without the meaning and intent the subtle spur movements give, it can sound nonsensical when given literal translations into Basic.
Though many in the Galaxy use the term “Sithese” to refer to all Sith languages, among linguistic experts the word has a more precise meaning. Namely, Sithese refers to an academic dialect that developed among the various Force Orders that have called themselves Sith but had no members of the actual species. Though it is the form of Sith language that is most widely known in the Galaxy, centuries of separate development have resulted in a dialect notably different than modern Khutrai. In no small part is this a result of the different uses for the Sith language in the respective cultures. While Khutrai is a dialect used day to day by it speakers, Sithese is utilized almost exclusively in a ceremonial context. Derived primarily from ancient Kissai ritual lexicons, Sithese seems impenetrably archaic and oddly pronounced to those whose first language is Khutrai.
In addition to the above mentioned, many regional dialects exist. This is particularly notable in the remote settlements of Korriban where there are dozens of corrupted variations of Khutrai, Kittak and other tongues spoken by the local Grotthu.
Adapted from Kittak, in much the same way as the various dialects of Basic emerged, Khutrai, meaning "Language", lit: "The Words" rose to prominence when Twi'lek sleeper ships from Ryloth entered the Stygian Caldera during the early Sith Space Age. Mixing with Ryl and Basic, Khutrai became more widely spoken as more and more aliens crashed inside Sith Space. Khutrai adopted mixed-language words, featuring only five vowels, but thirty-six phonemes, giving the Sith a much wider vocabulary range. Many words and phrases in Khutrai have no Basic equivalent, and thus loanwords were used - that is, words to denote more than one meaning. For example, the Khutrai word "Naile", meaning "Fear" could also mean "Madness", "Idiotic", or "Delusion." Spoken Khutrai is composed of sharp clicks and hisses, featuring long, harsh consonants. Softer stress is placed on the vowels, while extreme emphasis is placed on r's, k's and t's. Native Khutrai speakers display a strong accent that is described as similar, yet crisper and less guttural than that of the Kaleesh. It is known that the Dashade species gradually lost their mother tongue, Dashan, with the loss of their homeworld. The hundreds of Shadow-Killers under the employ of the Sith Lords would later come to speak Kittak as their primary language.
Considered a second language, the "Massassi Langauge" or Balc, was heavily derived from Ryl. Due to the physiology of the Massassi and their lower average intelligence, Balc arose out of necessity. Though most Massassi are perfectly capable of speaking Khutrai and Kittak, Balc is preferred, and is considered more polite in company. Balc is an uneasy language to grasp for non-Sith, featuring forty-five phonemes, and seventeen vowels. Much like Ryl, Balc relies heavily on subtle movements of extremities - in the case of the Sith, their spurs. Balc is spoken with flat monotone, and without the meaning and intent the subtle spur movements give, it can sound nonsensical when given literal translations into Basic.
Though many in the Galaxy use the term “Sithese” to refer to all Sith languages, among linguistic experts the word has a more precise meaning. Namely, Sithese refers to an academic dialect that developed among the various Force Orders that have called themselves Sith but had no members of the actual species. Though it is the form of Sith language that is most widely known in the Galaxy, centuries of separate development have resulted in a dialect notably different than modern Khutrai. In no small part is this a result of the different uses for the Sith language in the respective cultures. While Khutrai is a dialect used day to day by it speakers, Sithese is utilized almost exclusively in a ceremonial context. Derived primarily from ancient Kissai ritual lexicons, Sithese seems impenetrably archaic and oddly pronounced to those whose first language is Khutrai.
In addition to the above mentioned, many regional dialects exist. This is particularly notable in the remote settlements of Korriban where there are dozens of corrupted variations of Khutrai, Kittak and other tongues spoken by the local Grotthu.
Culture, Technology & Religion:
Modern Sith culture is known today, to have begun in 100,000 BBY, some centuries before the rule of Enmekaar II. Even during its nascent years, Sith culture often centered around the spiritual urge to understand the natural equilibrium they shared with their homeworld. Where Neolithic Sith interpreted this bond as a result of large gatherings, modern Sith eventually dabbled in their connection to a mysterious 'sixth sense', allowing them to tap into the Force, and utilize what would later come to be called Sith Sorcery. As they interacted with the Force, the Sith noted that it sustained them, greatly prolonging their natural lifespans over the centuries, and they empowered this cosmic force in turn. Inevitably, they viewed this as the work of their gods, and those who could command the Force with great skill were considered demi-gods. As such, the Sith would often sacrifice their own to please their deities and demi-gods. Eventually this practised petered out, with animal sacrifice being replaced with spiritual self-sacrifice some hundred years later.
As the Sith delved into more Force-orientated lives, so too did disputes lead to war. Both war and conflict have been integral pieces in the cultural development of the Sith. For most of their known history, the Sith engaged in constant clan warfare with one another. The Sith of this period did not consider their fighting for a particular cause, such as plunder or glory, but simply as a normality, a means of culling the weak, and allowing healthy life to blossom in much the same way forest fires do. A barbaric, ritualistic savagery to outsiders, and indeed, their conflicts were bloody, the Sith remain firm to this day that war has shaped them into survivors, and without it, their species would have perished long ago. It has been noted that across the many tens of thousands of years, the Sith have continually found new, and more interesting ways to slaughter one another. However, in more recent centuries, the Sith have set aside constant warring for the most part. Aside from inter-clan disputes, personal Kaggath, and occasional battles, the Sith have been at relative, if at times shaky, peace.
Slavery has been as vital to the Sith's cultural development as warfare. Even true-blooded members of the species were enslaved by their peers when they fell from grace, to repay debts. However, when the first hyperspace explorers slowly found their way into the Greater Stygia, many crashed upon Korriban. These aliens were made servants of the Sith, though many chose to breed with them to produce hybridized children. Servants were well looked after, and freed upon payment of their debt. With the advent of the Sith Lords, slavery became more commonplace, and transcended it's origins. No longer a means of repayment, slaves were taken as status symbols. It was not uncommon in the past for powerful lords to dress their slaves in fine clothes and decorate them with elaborate jewellery - a mark of colossal wealth and power. While non-Sith slaves were treated as symbols of power, closer to indentured servants, those that became Purebloods were treated harshly, truly like slaves. Only through great effort could Pureblood slaves obtain land and rights. With the abolition of the slave caste, slaves were effectively replaced with servants, who worked for payment, or housing. Such servants are not typically seen on traditional worlds such as Korriban or Ziost, but worlds more cosmopolitan, like Dromund and Khar Systems.
Despite their enslavement of other species, the Sith have benefitted over the ages from interaction with other species. Notable examples include the creation of the Balc language, and the consumption of Bloodsoup, a broth made from the vital juices of animals (or persons), a practised originating with the Anzati species, with whom the Sith interacted with. A true Sith creation however, is a bloody and brutal honor duel known as The Kaggath. Nicknamed the Blood Game, a Kaggath was considered an irrefutable challenge between two Sith of power and status. Pitting the entire power base of either Sith against one another, the Kaggath ended upon the death of one, or the absorbation of the foe's assets. Death was a preferable outcome for the loser, as the defeated party was often shamed and enslaved, forced to serve as gladiators in the Massassi Rites.
As per tradition, the Sith would hunt with a wrist-mounted projectile weapon, known as the lanvarok. Creative, yet compact in it's design, the lanvarok was made from very few parts, but nonetheless it became a crucial tool for hunters. Forged from the high carbon content Korriba Steel, it fired sharp discs, often coated with the venom of native insects. Designed exclusively for left-handed use, a lanvarok could be fired through a small trigger, or as most Sith preferred, through the Force. The lanvarok eventually split into two distinct variants with the advent of the Massassi, the original, and a much larger one - mounted on the backside of a two meter-long halberd. An ingenious, if grim adaptation of the Massassi lanvarok, was the ability to fire discs inside an impaled victim, and subsequently into another. True lanvarok are exceptionally rare outside of the Greater Stygia, and authentic modern reproductions considerably expensive.
An historical Lanvarok and its Massassi cousin;
Another traditional weapon of the Sith is the Tremor Sword, a medium, one-handed variant of the much older, decorative War Sword. Designed for practicality as a true weapon, these swords were forged at high heat in a crucible oven. Through their forging process, the blades of these swords retained incredible flexibility, without sacrificing durability. Both a stabbing and chopping weapon, Tremor Swords eventually married with cortosis, or were alchemically-hardened to withstand the powerful energy blades of the Forcesaber, a weapon new to Sith society at the time. The Tremor Sword was later adopted by a small Sith sect called the Bladeborn, who eschewed the use of lightsabers in favor of solid metal blades. It was given to their most accomplished warriors as a mark of status. Tremor Swords were often considered works of art, with master forgers inscribing patterns on the weapons, or creating interesting shapes from the temper. Many non-standard designs were structurally weak, and thus were alchemically-hardened to make them a practical weapon.
A standard-design Tremor Sword.
The Forcesaber was introduced into Sith society by the Rakatan Infinite Empire. The creators of these weapons shared the technology with the Sith, along with serveral others, in an effort to sway them into their service. Many Sith fashioned their own Forcesabers, the most notable of whom was Sekar Adas, who crafted perhaps the first known red-bladed Forcesaber. The Forcesaber operated through a complicated energy collection system that used residual Force energy channled via the Dark Side, as a power source. Focusing it through an artificially-grown black crystal, the Forcesaber typically produced a violet-colored blade, though the addition of secondary crystals could alter the hue of the blade. Using the weapon came at a great cost to it's weilder, as it drew heavily upon the Dark Side, eventually exhausting the duelist. Once they had driven the Rakata out of the Greater Stygian region, the Sith began experimenting with the weapon, in order to improve it. Replacing the black crystals with the naturally-occurring Kasha crystals found on Korriban. Through this, the Sith discovered they could draw upon both sides of the Force to power their Forcesabers, though they still tasked their wielders. To solve this method, the Sith introduced a commonly-found diatium battery to produce the plasma blade. The batteries were exceedingly heavy, adding several pounds of weight to the hilt. Though a bulky and cumbersome modification, the Sith Forcesaber was born. It was not until the Jedi Exiles landed on Korriban, that the Forcesaber evolved into the first lightsabers.
Distinctive Sith Cultures
On Korriban alone, hundreds of Sith cultures have come and gone, the peak of their decline coinciding with the Sith Golden Age, a time of cultural unification. To date, seven larger cultures remain on the graveyard world, with many more uncounted for in the Wilds. Across the Stygian Caldera, various Sith adopted new cultural practices to suit their new surroundings, particularly on Ziost and Tund. Contrary to the common view of the Sith as bloodthirsty savages, not all Sith were warlike.
Haraat - One of the older cultures from the Kishan Region, the Haraat were deeply concentrated on the bonds between religion and science, marrying the two concepts into a lifestyle that persists in some form today.
As the Sith delved into more Force-orientated lives, so too did disputes lead to war. Both war and conflict have been integral pieces in the cultural development of the Sith. For most of their known history, the Sith engaged in constant clan warfare with one another. The Sith of this period did not consider their fighting for a particular cause, such as plunder or glory, but simply as a normality, a means of culling the weak, and allowing healthy life to blossom in much the same way forest fires do. A barbaric, ritualistic savagery to outsiders, and indeed, their conflicts were bloody, the Sith remain firm to this day that war has shaped them into survivors, and without it, their species would have perished long ago. It has been noted that across the many tens of thousands of years, the Sith have continually found new, and more interesting ways to slaughter one another. However, in more recent centuries, the Sith have set aside constant warring for the most part. Aside from inter-clan disputes, personal Kaggath, and occasional battles, the Sith have been at relative, if at times shaky, peace.
Slavery has been as vital to the Sith's cultural development as warfare. Even true-blooded members of the species were enslaved by their peers when they fell from grace, to repay debts. However, when the first hyperspace explorers slowly found their way into the Greater Stygia, many crashed upon Korriban. These aliens were made servants of the Sith, though many chose to breed with them to produce hybridized children. Servants were well looked after, and freed upon payment of their debt. With the advent of the Sith Lords, slavery became more commonplace, and transcended it's origins. No longer a means of repayment, slaves were taken as status symbols. It was not uncommon in the past for powerful lords to dress their slaves in fine clothes and decorate them with elaborate jewellery - a mark of colossal wealth and power. While non-Sith slaves were treated as symbols of power, closer to indentured servants, those that became Purebloods were treated harshly, truly like slaves. Only through great effort could Pureblood slaves obtain land and rights. With the abolition of the slave caste, slaves were effectively replaced with servants, who worked for payment, or housing. Such servants are not typically seen on traditional worlds such as Korriban or Ziost, but worlds more cosmopolitan, like Dromund and Khar Systems.
Despite their enslavement of other species, the Sith have benefitted over the ages from interaction with other species. Notable examples include the creation of the Balc language, and the consumption of Bloodsoup, a broth made from the vital juices of animals (or persons), a practised originating with the Anzati species, with whom the Sith interacted with. A true Sith creation however, is a bloody and brutal honor duel known as The Kaggath. Nicknamed the Blood Game, a Kaggath was considered an irrefutable challenge between two Sith of power and status. Pitting the entire power base of either Sith against one another, the Kaggath ended upon the death of one, or the absorbation of the foe's assets. Death was a preferable outcome for the loser, as the defeated party was often shamed and enslaved, forced to serve as gladiators in the Massassi Rites.
As per tradition, the Sith would hunt with a wrist-mounted projectile weapon, known as the lanvarok. Creative, yet compact in it's design, the lanvarok was made from very few parts, but nonetheless it became a crucial tool for hunters. Forged from the high carbon content Korriba Steel, it fired sharp discs, often coated with the venom of native insects. Designed exclusively for left-handed use, a lanvarok could be fired through a small trigger, or as most Sith preferred, through the Force. The lanvarok eventually split into two distinct variants with the advent of the Massassi, the original, and a much larger one - mounted on the backside of a two meter-long halberd. An ingenious, if grim adaptation of the Massassi lanvarok, was the ability to fire discs inside an impaled victim, and subsequently into another. True lanvarok are exceptionally rare outside of the Greater Stygia, and authentic modern reproductions considerably expensive.
An historical Lanvarok and its Massassi cousin;
Another traditional weapon of the Sith is the Tremor Sword, a medium, one-handed variant of the much older, decorative War Sword. Designed for practicality as a true weapon, these swords were forged at high heat in a crucible oven. Through their forging process, the blades of these swords retained incredible flexibility, without sacrificing durability. Both a stabbing and chopping weapon, Tremor Swords eventually married with cortosis, or were alchemically-hardened to withstand the powerful energy blades of the Forcesaber, a weapon new to Sith society at the time. The Tremor Sword was later adopted by a small Sith sect called the Bladeborn, who eschewed the use of lightsabers in favor of solid metal blades. It was given to their most accomplished warriors as a mark of status. Tremor Swords were often considered works of art, with master forgers inscribing patterns on the weapons, or creating interesting shapes from the temper. Many non-standard designs were structurally weak, and thus were alchemically-hardened to make them a practical weapon.
A standard-design Tremor Sword.
The Forcesaber was introduced into Sith society by the Rakatan Infinite Empire. The creators of these weapons shared the technology with the Sith, along with serveral others, in an effort to sway them into their service. Many Sith fashioned their own Forcesabers, the most notable of whom was Sekar Adas, who crafted perhaps the first known red-bladed Forcesaber. The Forcesaber operated through a complicated energy collection system that used residual Force energy channled via the Dark Side, as a power source. Focusing it through an artificially-grown black crystal, the Forcesaber typically produced a violet-colored blade, though the addition of secondary crystals could alter the hue of the blade. Using the weapon came at a great cost to it's weilder, as it drew heavily upon the Dark Side, eventually exhausting the duelist. Once they had driven the Rakata out of the Greater Stygian region, the Sith began experimenting with the weapon, in order to improve it. Replacing the black crystals with the naturally-occurring Kasha crystals found on Korriban. Through this, the Sith discovered they could draw upon both sides of the Force to power their Forcesabers, though they still tasked their wielders. To solve this method, the Sith introduced a commonly-found diatium battery to produce the plasma blade. The batteries were exceedingly heavy, adding several pounds of weight to the hilt. Though a bulky and cumbersome modification, the Sith Forcesaber was born. It was not until the Jedi Exiles landed on Korriban, that the Forcesaber evolved into the first lightsabers.
Distinctive Sith Cultures
On Korriban alone, hundreds of Sith cultures have come and gone, the peak of their decline coinciding with the Sith Golden Age, a time of cultural unification. To date, seven larger cultures remain on the graveyard world, with many more uncounted for in the Wilds. Across the Stygian Caldera, various Sith adopted new cultural practices to suit their new surroundings, particularly on Ziost and Tund. Contrary to the common view of the Sith as bloodthirsty savages, not all Sith were warlike.
Haraat - One of the older cultures from the Kishan Region, the Haraat were deeply concentrated on the bonds between religion and science, marrying the two concepts into a lifestyle that persists in some form today.
Clothing & Arts
Sith, contrary to the mute tones favored by the Order that adopted their name, favored bright, vivid colors in their clothing. The wealthy would accent their wears with precious stones, cutting and affixing them into elaborate patterns. Materials for dyes were expensive during the Sith Silver Age, and were seen as a measure of status, more than a mere fashion statement. Common Sith would typically wear brown, red, black, and purple robes to protect themselves from the scorching summer heat on Korriban. The upper class Sith of the nobility would often decorate their outfits with decorative gold trims, or accentuate it with polished bronzium armor. Among the more commonly-seen trappings, were long, studded skirts, and chestplates with exaggerated shoulders. The Ragnos clan in particular favored horned helmets to enhance their profiles. The color white in particular was not typically worn in polite society, as it was associated with the dead. to wear white was seen as disrespectful, and was reserved, only for traditional burial wrappings.
The Sith of Korriban favor classical, and neo-classical architecture, taking pains to ensure settlements and cities remain aesthetically traditional. It is not uncommon for Sith to rebuild ruins, as is the case with their burial valleys. This practice was adopted by colonial Sith, who would marry more modern architecture with the classical aesthetic, dubbing their buildings retro-Korribian, as opposed to neo-classic. Famous Sith structures include the Penitent Giants, the eight looming statutes that mark the start of the Valley of The Dark Lords, and the Great Gate of Had-Ibir, the entrance to the city of Had-Ibir, composed of complicated enamel carvings.
Sith art, by it's nature, drew heavily on Rakatan influences, though favoring more oblique angles. The burial city of Golg in particular was one such artistic megastructure, featuring eight pyramids of chiseled red sandstone, decorated heavily with volcanic glass. Sculptures and statues were typically carved from, or into the basalt cliffs, an artistic practice continuing right up to 1000 BBY. Very few paintings have survived, those that have show uniformal use of green and red tones depicting the world itself, suggesting Korriban may have had more plantlife in the past before the oceans receded.
Religious Pantheon;
Kuis, known in modern times as Kusith - (lit. Way of Perfection), is able to count itself among two dozen pre-industrial religions practice by the Sith. The primary religion of the Empire, it is generally considered to be the chief religion of the Sith, though many other faiths are followed. Kuis is a polytheistic religion, based on the worship of the Solar Deity Ashar, and a group of Lesser Gods collectively known as Tar Shur-Te Devyn, or The Hallowed Nine (often simplified as Devyn). The historical origin of the religion is largely unknown, but it is widely accepted to have come from the Haraat culture, who brought it to the Esstra. The creation myth of Korriban, and the basis of the Kuis faith, is recorded upon twelve large sandstone obelisks labelled The Edict. Preserved in written text, and later in holocrons, The Edict tells the tale of Korriban's creation, the birth of the Sith, and of Ashar, the Creator. Written some three hundred years after the spread of Kuis, are a series of Esstran scriptures, interpreting The Edict with their own cultural nuances. These text were recorded into a holy book dubbed the Wvazst First Edict, a brief description of Ashar, the Devyn, and the first Sith King. During the Sith Golden Age, the Wvazst was expanded upon with less literal interpretation, while still retaining the mythos.
He is as he was. How glorious be his might! Lord of Sunlight, Lord of Fire, and Lord of the Heavens? Look unto the skies and know him, for his Light is with us! He is our shetler, and our luminous beacon! The Lord of Heart & Fire! In his domain he waits, for all mortal Sith are his children. How to compare his might? For it was in the dark and the light that the Lord of Heart & Fire saw that which was empty, that which was formless, and poured himself upon! It was he who made the Lords of Vai Ano! It was he who made the Heart and the Fire! For all time, shall he who is the Lord of Light be praised in glory! Ria'je Te Tu-An Ashar!
~ First Wvazst of Ashar.
~ First Wvazst of Ashar.
As the religious texts describe, Ashar is the transcendent, supreme deity of Korriban. The One Who Weaves All, The Lord of Sunlight, and the Lord of Heart & Fire, Ashar spawned a collection of lesser deities called the Devyn (The Nine), delegating most of the affairs of Korriban to them. The Devyn were formed when Ashar entered the galaxy, and splintered from his physical form. They can be said to represent facets of Ashar himself, though they are not explicitly stated to be of his own design. The Sith however, were directly created by Ashar, who made them in the form he is said to possess.
Korriban became All That Was To Be, and Ashar bid the Devyn sow the Sith across its surface, fashioning the planet as they wished. The star Horuset was made as Vai Ano, Ashar's celestial domain into which the deceased were ferried upon death.
Lo! Behold you who would see the Sith! Know that the Force is with them, for it was Ashar who gave the gift! Was it not the Nine who came from him? Was it not they who did his will? You, who would see Korriban! Look upon it and know that the Force is rich on its sands. Was it not Ashar who made it so? Was it not the Nine who sculpted her mountains? Who bid the Shyrack to claw? Who bid the Terentatek to hunt? In Vai Ano he awaits us all! Ria'je Te Tu-An Ashar!
~ Second Wvazst of Ashar
~ Second Wvazst of Ashar
Korriban is said to have been willed into being by Ashar, who sang of the Children Who Would Be for the Nine. In his wisdom, he bestowed the Nine with incredible power, and laid out his will to them. The Twin Gods, Eren and Mjan were bid to become the Day & Night, forever following one another, entwined for all time. Eren was given power over the life of all creatures on Korriban, while Mjan was given power over death. During the eclipse, when Korr II, Korriban's largest moon, obscures Horuset, it is said in the Wvast that Eren and Mjan meet again, and sing of the Children Who Would Be for Ashar.
When Eren & Mjan made the cycle of Life & Death, Korriban was no longer still. It began to rotate, and thus took on the shape of a globe. Ashar then instructed Ahraiah to fashion the lanscape of Korriban. Knowing that the Sith would be as cunning as Ashar intended, Ahraiah made places for the creatures of Korriban to thrive and prosper. The Sith would hunt, and in turn be hunted, so she made for them the mountains, in which they would dwell. When Ashar saw her works, he made her his consort and loved her above the other Nine. Humbled, Ahraiah took the name Ianna, and asked of Ashar to make her a mortal avatar in the image of the Sith. It is said that they produced a child - Enmekaar-Ahraiah, who became the first Sith King and Demigod of Storms.
Harken unto the Lord of Storms! The Son of Fire! He comes to unite! Now he sits upon the throne of thunder and lightning! Eternal majesty unto the Lord and King! Ashar has sent his progeny for us! Is it not Ashar's will that he may lead us into prosperity? Praise unto him, Sith'ar! The Karai! Who would compare to the Son of Fire? Who would deny his divine birthright? Long may he live, under the eye of the Lord of Heart & Fire! Ria'je Te Tu-An Ashar!
~ Third Wvazst of Ashar.
Thus ends the First Edict.
~ Third Wvazst of Ashar.
Thus ends the First Edict.
Ashar - He Who Creates the Heavens
Higher Deity
Powers - Creator God
Dominion - Vai Ano
Virtues - Creation, Passion, Strength, Power, Victory.
Other Names - The Lord of Heart & Fire.
As the religious texts describe, Ashar is the transcendent, supreme deity of Korriban. The One Who Weaves All, The Lord of Sunlight, and the Lord of Heart & Fire, Ashar spawned a collection of lesser deities called the Devyn (The Nine), delegating most of the affairs of Korriban to them. The Devyn were formed when Ashar made himself manifest in the realm of the living, and can be said to represent facets of Ashar himself, though they are not explicitly stated to be of his own design. The Sith however, were directly created by Ashar, who made them in the form he is said to possess. Ashar resides within the star Horuset, in a realm of endless golden plains. Akin to the Netherworld of the Force, Vai Ano is the Sith afterlife, where all righteous souis live in paradise.
Eren - She Who Breathes Life
Lesser Deity
Powers - Fertility Goddess
Dominion - Vashuun Te
Virtues - Life, Birth, Fertility & Innocence
Other Names - Anaan-Atura. The White Sky. The Dawn.
Eren, the Mother of the Living, is also known by the name Anaan-Atura. A benevolent goddess who presides over life, Eren is one of the few Sith Gods who is not actively involved in nurturing the more destructive aspects of the Sith. She and her twin brother Mjan were the first two deities to fracture from Ashar, with Eren chosen to embody the living, bringing new life to Korriban. Ashar fashioned for her the moon Korr II, dubbed Vashuun Te, where Eren watches over the Sith. Korr II is tidally-locked to Korriban, and as such, the same side is always facing it.
Mjan - He Who Whispers Death
Lesser Deity
Powers - Death God
Dominion - Aakuun Te
Virtues - Death, Freedom, Spirit & Afterlife
Other Names - Muukan-Mitura, The Dread Host. The Quiet Night.
Mjan, the Father of the Dead. A vigilant watcher and protector of the deceased. Mjan's duties are to guide the spirits of the righteous deceased into the afterlife, keeping them safe from Sekar The Sullied. Because of Sekar's immense power, Ashar granted Mjan the mighty treasure Aryynudact, better known as the Midnight Sword Anadight. He is a voiceless deity who wanders the surface of the moon Korr V, the farthest of Korriban's moons. Despite his appearance and duty, Mjan is a neutral deity, devoting himself only to the dead, taking no interest in the living.
Ahraiah - She Who Weaves the Lifethread
Greater Deity
Powers - Earth Goddess
Dominion - Saalok Te
Virtues - Weather, Nature, Water.
Other Names - Ianna, The Sculptor.
The Tireless Weaver, Ianna is the personification of Korriban itself. A deity devoted to the planet, she chose not to provide any one species on Korriban an advantage, and crafted for each ot them an environment in which to struggle, evolve and survive in. If Eren and Mjan can be considered the forces that turn the wheel of life and death, Ahraiah is the spokes of the wheel. Her Dominion, Saalok Te is the third and largest moon of Korriban, Korr III.
Tiphos - The Thunder of Virtue
Greater Deity
Powers - Storm God
Dominion - Valeen Te
Virtues - Righteousness & Judgement
Other Names - Typhojem, The Hammer, The Hand of Fate
The Left-Handed God. Tiphos was tasked by Ashar to judge the measure of a Sith's soul, and granted him the ability to weigh a soul in his violet-colored left hand. He stands at the Mouth of Vai Ano, and receives the souls delivered by Mjan. The righteous are sent into Vai Ano with Ashar, while the wicked are cast down into Naraya, where they are forever tempted and tormented by Sekar. Tiphos is also responsible for teaching the Sith metallurgy, and forges weapons for the Last Day, a battle at the end of time which will never end, yet paradoxically, is never to be fought.
Sar - The Fire of Envy
Lesser Deity
Powers - Earth Deity
Dominion - Nuurel Te
Virtues - Jealousy, Passion, Destruction.
Other Names - Sashyl, Nymer, the Great Fire.
A unique deity who fragmented from Ahraiah, rather than directly from Ashar, Sar is a vain, prideful goddess who sought to weave wonders on par with her 'sister' Ianna, and ultimately Ashar. To this extent, she ignited the very core of Korriban, turning the planet into a searing, volcanic tundra. In her vanity, she left herself with no means to escape her own Vai Ano. She constantly weeps for her sister, represented as the eruptions of Korriban's volcanoes.
Vylgas - The Shimmering Fortune
Lesser Deity
Powers - Health God
Dominion - Vemress Te
Virtues - Fortune, Pity, Respite
Other Names - Vylgam, Bilgas.
The patron god of the Grotthu caste, Vylgas is the Master of Fortune, and bequeaths unto faithful servants good fortune for their toils in life. Rewarding them for their loyalty to their Masters, the Grotthu are sent to the Everwest Plains, an expanse of yellow shores within Vai Ano. In other religions, Vylgas, known as Balgis, is considered a trickster god.
Karza - The Bringer of War
Greater Deity
Powers - War God
Dominion - Yavin Te
Virtues - War, Battle & Weapons.
Other Names - Yavin.
The chief god of the Massassi, and their ultimate Warlord, Karza does not reside within the Horuset System. In the Edict, Ashar commanded Karza to march to the World of Storms, and wait for the end times. In return, he would receive the souls of the Massassi, would would march with him into battle upon the Last Day, where he would shatter the World of Storms, and fashion chains from it to bind Sekar, and release the souls of the damned from Naraya.
Ashuun - The Sword of Vengeance
Lesser Deity
Powers - Justice God
Dominion - Ashlaan Te
Virtues - Justice & Redemption
Other Names - Vakul, The Chain-Breaker.
Ashuun is the guardian of Naraya, and stands at the Gate of Ice & Glass. He ushers the souls of the wicked into Naraya, and smites those who would try to escape. For those that toil and seek penance for their sins, Ashuun will be granted true incarnation by Ashar and do battle with Sekar on the Last Day, freeing them for Karza. He is commonly depicted as an armored Sith Knight, wielding the Frost Sword Szolaisyr. His incarnation as a Sith, and his deeds on the Last Day are reflected in the resurrection of Sekar Adas, and his subsequent defeat at the hands of his descendant - Karai Narat. Narat is now equated with Ashuun, and is not considered merely an avatar of the deity, but the living incarnation of Ashuun himself.
Sekar - The Sullied Temptation
Lesser Deity
Power - Trickster God
Dominion - Naraya
Virtues - Temptation, Sin, Chains.
Other Names - The Black Lord. Sekar Adas. The Great Temptation
After Ahraiah, Sekar was the next fragment of Ashar to splinter from the Creator. Arrogant and prideful, Sekar sought to sow Chaos and discord on Korriban, claiming the Sith would become as mighty as Ashar, and eventually would not need him. Knowing this would annihilate his children, Ashar struck down Sekar, sending him to a domain of endless cold - Naraya. Becoming the master of this horrid domain, Sekar made Naraya a realm of suffering, determined to make the Sith suffer. He repented after eons of solitude, and Ashar showed him mercy, commanding him to live a mortal life (as Sekar Adas) and punish the souls of the damned upon death. Serving as the Great Temptation, Sekar roots out the damned from the penant, and inadvertently guides them respectively to their eternal doom, or salvation.
The Last Day.
The Long Nighttime has ended. And thou shalt see. Thou shalt see, and know that the Gate of Naraya is sundered. For Horuset shalt rise in a red glare, and thou will know that Sekar cometh.
His rage shalt be swift, and his axe black terror. Thou shalt see, and know that the Last Day hath begun. For Korriban shalt be stained in a red haze, and thou will know that Sekar returns.
The Last Day hath reached its peak. Thou shalt see, and know Ashar's will be done. For Naraya shalt be split, in a red glow, and thou will know that the Sith are redeemed.
The Last Day is met. Thou shalt see, and know Tiphos marches. For Yavin will be unmade into chains, in a red fog, and thou will know that Karza he comes.
The Last Day is ending. Thou shalt see, and know the end comes. For Sekar will be undone, in a red blood, and thou will know Ashuun's wrath.
The Last Day ends. Thou shalt see, and know the New Morn comes. For Ashuun sings victory, and thou will know freedom.
The Last Day has ended. The New Morn begins.
~ Excerpt from the Ninth Wvazst of Ashar
His rage shalt be swift, and his axe black terror. Thou shalt see, and know that the Last Day hath begun. For Korriban shalt be stained in a red haze, and thou will know that Sekar returns.
The Last Day hath reached its peak. Thou shalt see, and know Ashar's will be done. For Naraya shalt be split, in a red glow, and thou will know that the Sith are redeemed.
The Last Day is met. Thou shalt see, and know Tiphos marches. For Yavin will be unmade into chains, in a red fog, and thou will know that Karza he comes.
The Last Day is ending. Thou shalt see, and know the end comes. For Sekar will be undone, in a red blood, and thou will know Ashuun's wrath.
The Last Day ends. Thou shalt see, and know the New Morn comes. For Ashuun sings victory, and thou will know freedom.
The Last Day has ended. The New Morn begins.
~ Excerpt from the Ninth Wvazst of Ashar
The Last Day is recorded in the last passage of the Third and final Edict, under the Ninth Wvazst of Ashar. In this passage, the apocalyptic return of Sekar is detailed. After centuries of toil, Sekar abandons his duty in Naraya, and learns the way to destroy the Gate of Ice & Glass. For the first time since his creation, Tiphos is said to halt the souls of the righteous their passage beyond the Mouth of Vai Ano for a time. Barring the way, he is described as rallying his infinite legions against the wicked souls of the dead, while Karza enacts his duties as defined by Ashar, and destroys the planet Yavin to forge the Storm Chains with which he will bind a defeated Sekar with. In Naraya, Ashuun brings the pennant souls to salvation, delivering them to Ashar. Then, upon the Peak of The Last Day, Ashar will command Ashuun to Korriban, where he will destroy Sekar. In doing so, Ashuun will usher in the end of the world. Ashar will then declare the Sith free, and begin the new world with the dawn on the New Morn.
The Great Kings & Queens
Korriban's long pre-hyperspace history was defined by forgotten heroes and a list of mythical and semi-legendary rulers. Long before clan warfare gripped Korriban, and centuries after the evolution of the Sith, their first rulers emerged - Shamans and mystics who'd mastered rudimentary magics. The first Sith wars called for unifying kingdoms, and thus the first Clans and Kings emerged. The existence of the legendary kings is debated by historians, their unrealistic deeds and longevity in a pre-alchemy society giving credit to doubts. Most agree however, that it is likely these antediluvian rulers did indeed exist, but were not the long-lived demigods their tales imply.
King Enmekaar-Ahraiah, The Great Sandstorm
Rule: 162,000 BBY - 158,300 BBY
Known only through a chiseled stone dais that bears his name and deeds, Enmekaar is generally considered to be the first mythical ruler of Korriban. According to the dais, Enmekaar was a descendant of Ianna, sent to Korriban to rule the Sith, and bind them closer to the gods. To achive this, Enmekaar was given many gifts, such as divine knowledge with which to teach the Sith. Tool-making and forging were said to have been among such gifts Enmekaar shared with his people, among with literacy, metallurgy and language. Awed by the son of the great creator, Enmekaar created the first Sith Kingdom. Though he did not unite all of Korriban as intended, thousands of Sith rallied to his side. His seat of power was a small keep in Eastern Szol, of which only his dais, and some foundations remain. Leading historians of modernity believe Enmekaar was adept in creating illusions through the Force, as many of his tales speak of great beasts sprouting from his hands. It has been theorized that Ahraiah was native to the dying Haraat culture of the Esstran Region, where the first recorded use of writing systems were discovered. This theory suggests Enmekaar left his lands and brought language and the cultural knowledge of the Haraat to the Szol Region.
Queen El-Shuruuk, The Serpent
Rule: 158,330 BBY - 155,000 (Start of The First Great Reclamation)
The third granddaughter of Enmekaar, El-Shuruuk, a vain and prideful woman, poisoned her two sisters in their destructive battle over their grandfather's vacant throne. A hard, yet surprisingly fair monarch, Shuruuk extended her grandfather's kingdom to encompass many thousands of Sith across the Szol Region. Identifying with the Szol Viper, a creature with prized scales which they would lure prey with, Shuruuk took the creature as her crest, creating the Haraat clan, after her grandfather's kinsmen. Unlike her grandfather, El-Shuruuk is one of the few legendary rulers whose existence is confirmed. Her mummified corpse was found in 8000 BBY, preserved incredibly well with alchemical balms and ointments that warped her body. This has given credit to a reasonable explanation that the Queen, so enamored with the Vipers, attempted to become like them, using early Sith Alchemy to twist her body into a serpentine abomination. Indeed the balms used in her mummification (a common process of the time) stretched her skin out to unnatural lengths.
Interim Period/First Great Reclamation
A period of social strife in which the Sith abolished a single unifying ruler. They returned to tribal conflict, and instituted a genocide of the alien travelers who had stumbled onto Korriban and merged into their society, as well as eradicating those with little purity (typically those who bred with said aliens). The Reclamation ended in 111,000 BBY when an outspoken noble declared the aliens their servants. This noble later became King. The Reclamation was conceived by the noble Clans of Sith, as a means to retain Sith dominance in an increasingly alien-tolerant society. Their actions have been considered partially-justified, as Killik invaders and Republic genocides were survived, it is believed in thanks to the unique equilibrium Sith share with Korriban.
King Duruga, The Spider
Rule: 111,000 BBY - 110,640 BBY
The first of the non-legendary Kings, Duruga built his rule in Dreshdae, constructing the massive fortress that lies in ruins today. A wise and powerful leader, Duruga sustained his life beyond the Sith's natural lifespan with the Force, to avoid handing over the throne to greedy successors. He eventually passed away, having lived on eighty borrowed years, and his throne went to his youngest nephew.
King Tshik, The Dog
Rule: 110,600 BBY - 110,511 BBY
An unpopular monarch, Tshik's family fought and slaughtered each other for Duruga's throne. Being the sole male heir, Tshik rose to power at a very young age. Little more than a puppet figurehead, Tshik's advisers and councilors squandered Dreshdae's wealth, easing the blame on the droves of slaves their rivals took. Throwing the region into poverty, Tshik abdicated and fled, leading to a civil war that nearly destroyed Dreshdae and ushered in a Second Reclamation. He supposedly changed his name to Talik Ragnos, and sired the ancestors of Marka Ragnos.
Interim Period/Second Great Reclamation
King Enmekaar II, The Son of Storms
Rule: 98,000 BBY - 97,863 BBY
Near the closing of the year 98,000 BBY, the Sith in the Szol Region, having been in a constant state of civil war for the past two thousand years had nearly exhausted their resources. It was here, amidst a great rainstorm that a lone Sith appeared. Claiming to be the reincarnation of Enmekaar-Ahraiah, he brought an end to the Second Reclamation. Commanding power over the weather, Enmekaar II had brought the rains to Dreshdae, quenching the fires that almost obliterated it. Beloved, Enmakaar II ruled for one hundred years. His peers however, thought the just and righteous King was a pretender, and betrayed him. Their actions undid the work of their monarch, and Szol descended into anarchy once more, warring with the rest of the planet. It would remain this way for over thirty thousand years.
King Adas, The Black God
Rule: 28,000 BBY - 27,700 BBY
Born in the height of the Sith's struggles against one another, Sekar Adas possessed the exceedingly rare black skin pigmentation. Raised from birth as a chosen being, the black skin of a Sith was considered a mark of Ashar - those who possessed it were seared by the light of Vai Ano, said to bestow them with godly powers. Indeed, Adas showed great strength and intelligence, growing to a size unusual for a Sith. Mastering forging and alchemy, Adas created for himself a suit of ebon armor, and two battle axes, which he used to slaughter the great warlords of Korriban.
Uniting Korriban under one banner at last, the cowed Sith named him Sith'ari, and believed him to be a god of justice, sent by Ashar to punish the warring Sith. Brutal and callous, Adas drove the invading Rakata from Korriban, but lost his life in the process. His spirit was summoned by a member of the Dramath Clan, claiming to be Emperor Vitiate reborn. Returning to his body, Adas was cut down once more by one of his descendants.
Queen Kressh, The Usurper
Rule: 27,700 BBY - 27,682 BBY
A short-lived Queen who took Adas' throne for herself, she was quickly branded a heretic, and executed less than three decades on the throne by the Adas Clan, quick to take their kingdom back.
King Adas II, The Ironclad
Rule: 27,682 BBY - 27,682 BBY
The eldest son of Adas, Adas II was worshipped as a demi-god. His rule was short, as the Kressh, eager to take revenge on their fallen matriarch, assassinated him, causing the Sith to splinter again, with many appointing themselves rulers and kings.
Self-Proclaimed Dynasties
King Graush, The Crystal Heart
Rule: 7,000 BBY - 6,950 BBY
The powerful Sith Sorceror, Dathka Graush was a terrifying, grim despot who eliminated those who would contest him, eventually taking the title once held by Adas, that of Sith'ari. He was cut down by assassins at the behest of his grandson, Hakagram. Dathka is widely considered to be the father of modern Sith Alchemy, and is noted to be the first to utilize Sith Nercomancy. His skill with alchemy was potent enough that he cut out his own heart, and replaced it with a crystallized one, into which he distilled a portion of his spirit.
King Graush II, The Betrayed
Rule: 6,950 BBY - 6,900 BBY
Another short-lived monarch, Hakagram was beheaded by the Dark Jedi, who claimed dominance over the Sith, becoming the Dark Lords. during these thousands of years, two more Great Reclamations occurred throughout many Empires. Hakagram was a reserved individual, noting that his species' warring nature was leading them down the path of self-destruction. Many of his plans to bring the Sith prosperity died with him.
Dynasty of The Dark Lords
King Adas III, The Red King
Rule: 35 ABY - Current
A descendant of King Adas, and the eventual killer of his rejuvinated form, Adas III united the Clans under a single banner again, creating a new Empire for the Sith in which all would prosper.
Excerpt from the writings of Scribendi Mul iv-Sek, historian of the Sith species, covering from early history up until the Treaty of New Alderaan (Written by Darth Xaos)
“Our people’s history is ancient but we are mistaken in thinking that our ways have not changed at all over that time. The Clans puff their chests up and forget that our species predates them all; none were there at the beginning. And this beginning was on Korriban. It is a trite stand-by of every would-be poet amongst our kind to compare our nature to the terrain of Korriban. A better place to look for this sort of connection would be our homeworld’s early history.”
“When Korribanian civilization began it consisted of small clans at constant war with one another. None of these clans have names that are still alive or even known today. And it was in this state that civilization would remain for over seventy-two thousand years. It took an invasion to lay the groundwork for this to change. The invaders were an insectoid species of unknown designation and the clans briefly united to drive-off their ravenous foes. This event proved that the clans could be unified under the right circumstances and, for the next two thousand years, every warlord on Korriban would make at least one unsuccessful attempt to conquer the planet.”
“The man who eventually succeeded at this feat was Adas. I will not waste time recounting any of the legends that surround our first king; I will only point out what is most relevant to my narrative. Namely that his reign ended while defeating an invasion force sent by the demonic Rakata. This also devastated the cities of Korriban and the clans spread outwards to new worlds. For a time Korriban was home only to religious orders but it was eventually resettled. The clans would remain fractious and separate for another twenty-thousand years. During that time the coreward portions of our territory (including Korriban) briefly fell under the power of the Tionese conqueror known as Xim. Our people were united again in the second, and final, kingdom period which lasted for one hundred years under the Graush kings, Dathka and Hakagram.”
“The fall of the Graush dynasty would mark an event that was possibly the most intense cultural shift we have ever undergone. It was not, of course, that the Graush fell which mattered, it was how they fell and who replaced them. The new masters of the clans were not themselves of our kind but were twelve Dark Jedi exiles; the sole survivors of a generation-long war against their former Order. It is for this reason that the Dark Jedi call themselves Lords of the Sith to this day. There has been much consternation over this period in our history of late. As we struggle to define our relationship with the Dark Jedi of our times it will naturally shape our understanding of their ancestors. I will not enter into that debate except to state a few simple facts: the Dark Jedi lines ruled for one thousand nine-hundred years and, before this controversy began, we were calling that era the ‘Golden Age of the Sith’ right alongside the Dark Jedi.”
“The Golden Age peaked right before it crashed. The much-vaunted centennial rule of Marka Ragnos was immediately succeeded by Naga Sadow’s catastrophic and notably brief reign. The so-called Great Hyperspace War ended in near-total annihilation of our kind by the Republic. Whether one blames Sadow or Ludo Kressh for the infighting that forced the defensive fight on two sides that spelled our doom is irrelevant; the point is that we hit a nadir unprecedented since the death of Adas. But, a mere twenty years later, we had already begun to re-organize into a new national form. It seems we can only avoid infighting when on the brink of extinction.”
“The unnaturally long-lived emperor who would raise our people up at a snail’s pace was named Vitiate. And, if it ever amuses you to start a riot, you can simply shout his name in a room full of Unionist and Clansman historians. The Dark Jedi despise Vitiate for what they see as his false claim to the title of Dark Lord. Naga Sadow, you see, survived the fall of the Ancient Empire and it is from his Apprentice that the Dark Jedi trace the legitimate succession of Dark Lords. Because of this, many anti-Unionists among us have taken Vitiate as a symbol of their isolationist ideals. These individuals always seem to ignore the fact that Vitiate embraced core-based culture and technology more than any other ruler our people have produced. In truth, when viewed independently of the ideological controversy and archaeological newness of Vitiate’s empire, there are far bigger points of interest to be examined.”
“Vitiate’s odd strategy of waiting the multiple generations necessary to build up our people to fighting strength proved just as oddly effective. When his followers finally expanded in earnest beyond Dromund Kaas the conquests were explosive. But bringing nearly half the known Galaxy under our kind’s rule produced a situation we had never before encountered: we became a minority in our own empire. As I had mentioned previously, the architecture and aesthetics of this time were about has far from classical Korribanian as you can get before hitting Correllian space. The empire was a bit of a chimera: head of a Red Sith, body of a Mandalorian, eyes of a Chiss; that sort of thing. Vitiate seemed to take a lot of his inspiration from coreward ideas about society and government and his reign is about the only time in our history when the feudalism of clan and caste gave way to a ruthless meritocracy. That, I think, is what makes Vitiate such a fly in the ointment of many men’s historical narratives: he wasn’t a pure expression of either kingdom era tradition or the core-born ideas of the twelve exiles but a peculiar mix of both.”
“The eventual end of the second imperial period was so swift and violent that even our kind lacks the recorded standing to make definitive statements about specifics. But it definitely did fall and fall hard; so hard that many sources to do this day list our species as being extinct. Centers of population survived both in our native space and elsewhere in the Galaxy but, until very recently, our people were few scattered and hidden. The first outsiders to discover that we still persisted were servants of the Dark Jedi emperor, Palpatine. This man had little actual affection for our people beyond our use as experiments and suitably ancient decoration for his empire. Though it does speak of his power that his idle fancies created (or, rather, re-created) several of the most powerful Clans of our time. Clans Ragnos, Sadow and Kressh had become the most minor of minor Clans since the defeat of Vitiate but, thanks to the new emperor’s genetic technology, their ranks and coffers soon swelled.”
“We suffered only a slight shudder when Palpatine’s empire ended (Clan Ragnos being hit the hardest) but that we had still been in only the earliest phases of recovery limited the damage this blow could inflict. The Clans were still decentralized but we began to make initial contacts; at least those Clans located within the Stygian Caldera did. There are to this day pockets of Sith population in, originating from this or that diaspora, scattered throughout the Galaxy; the vast majority of them are still unknown to us, it is estimated. In fact, one of our Aeuso’ari hails from just such a population. Ah, but I’m getting ahead of myself now.”
“The Caldera would next be unified by the warlord Zsinj. He largely ignored our people (or was unaware of us) except for dealings with a select few Clans. He lasted a very short time even by local historic standards and no-one of Sith blood spared him much thought after his defeat. Not much happened over the next few years that bears commenting upon. The Stygian Caldera was blessedly quiet in those days. I often miss them when looking at the signs of heavy travel in the night skies. The noise began with the arrival of refugee waves during the Yuuzhan Vong invasion.”
“They were quiet clever to choose the Caldera as their haven, of course. The Vong certainly never found our homeworlds; even planets in neighboring sectors barely knew we existed back then. There are a lot of planets in our sector and few with remaining Sith population centers so the majority of colonists never even knew we were around; Thule (which already had non-Sith settlements) and the Khar system being the exceptions. The Sadow and Kressh Clans got new partners in their endless struggle for control of Khar’s shipyards when the new settlers showed up. For the rest of us, though, ignoring the new arrivals was easy enough. But, for whatever reason, when colonists show up in a new location it always seems to attract more later on.”
“In a true testament to the repetition of history, the next link in this chain of events was the arrival of Dark Jedi in the Caldera. At first the so-called New Sith Order didn’t make much more impact on us than the first wave of outsiders did. Dreshdae on Korriban was rebuilt by Darth Mortis; which is why it is now called the ‘Hermitage of Korriban’ by those not of our blood. Varia Narat skirmished with Mortis for a time but, when he began to lose more battles than he was winning, signed a blood-truce. Meanwhile the Khar system learned the meaning of peace imposed at blaster point when Darth Nefarious forced the four warring factions to start working together for his profit.”
“Outside those two instances though, the earliest phases of the Dark Jedi influx weren’t very disruptive. Of course, we now know that we were just getting massive change on the installment plan. After an internal conflict, the Dark Jedi decided to move the majority of their operations into the Caldera. They established their capital on Dromund Kaas, bringing another center of our population into cohabitation with outlanders. The Dark Jedi quickly set about unifying all Calderan factions under their rule. It was a mostly peaceful transition in our case. Though any of the agreements we made in that time would’ve raised a political firestorm these days, back then we weren’t so fired up about our independence. The Khar system solution was now to be governed by a written agreement instead of a constant threat of violence.”
“Of course, there was no Obsidian Unions, as such, back then. The Dark Jedi even had a different name for their order back then: the New Sith Order instead of the New Sith Brotherhood. That change would come later during one of the many internal conflicts that, frankly, didn’t influence our people’s lives all that much. The only major change to come for us during the first Union civil war was that Clan Sarasashi was given control of Malachor by the Union afterwards; propelling the Sarasashi upwards from minor Clan to major Clan. We never bothered to join the Obsidian Union when it was officially founded. This may seem a bit foolish in hindsight but it must be remembered that our political reality was very different even just those handful of years ago. There was still no unified nation of Clans, each major Clan ruled its territories independently of the others. But that was already in the process of changing.”
“Varia Narat, displaying all the usual, naked ambition for which his Clan is famous, had begun using the new ease of travel and communication offered by a Union-controlled Caldera to establish links with individuals working towards a unified Sith nation. Varia ultimately managed to get two-thirds of what he wanted. The nationalist movement grew to the point that the major Clans’ ruling families felt compelled to go along with unification. And, by utilizing just the right combination of agreements and leverages, he made it an inevitability that a Narat would be at the helm of this new nation. The part where Varia fell short was that no-one wanted to put the wily bastard himself on the throne. Varai’s solution was to put forth his son, Karai as an alternative. However, there was a challenge from within when Varia’s relative, Kaleval Set, made a bid for power. The dispute played itself out quietly in the halls of Narat and the details may never become publicly know but, by the time it was over, Kaleval was imprisoned and Karai was declared Kal’evos of all Clans.”
“It’s at this point that we leave the pure field of recent history and enter the sticky subject of current politics. I’ll do my best to remain strictly factual in my narrative and avoid distracting anyone from the purpose of this document by pricking their political sensibilities. The first cracks in the new national structure began to appear during the second Union civil war. Unlike its predecessor, this conflict had a profound impact on our species. The losing side of this war bombed the ancient city of Ur on Korriban causing serious structural damage and many deaths. The insult was compounded by Ur’s new status as our imperial capital. This outrage, had it just stood by itself, probably would’ve brought the Clans closer together through mutual suffering. Unfortunately, this disaster was followed in a matter of hours by something far more divisive. Under imperial order, Clan Hekk launched an interception against the fleet which had devastated Korriban. The attack ended in utter defeat, claiming the lives of several first sons from important Hekk families. Infuriated, the Hekk seceded from the empire and declared Zibeti Jarveek Hekk to be their Kal’evos.”
“It took a few months for the problems created by these events to come to a head. Inter-clan tensions began to rise with the departure of the Hekk; whom might follow their example and when was at the front of everyone’s mind. Tensions with the Union increased at a quicker pace. Though catalyzed by the bombing of Ur, these new pro-independence sentiments were influenced by the ‘decreasing’ room in the Caldera. Both our empire and the Obsidian Union had grown to points of development where we could no longer comfortably ignore each other. There was also a serious question as to whether the Union might collapse in the aftermath of its civil war at this time, and many among the Clans no doubt smelled blood. The sovereignty movement (as they liked to be called, ‘independence movement’ implied that the empire was dependent on the Union at all) reached its zenith when it became Emperor Karai’s official policy.”
“Perhaps surprisingly, the confrontation this would cause took a little longer to come. What, exactly, happened at that time is a matter of heated contention so I will simply summarize that, after a meeting on New Bethrezen, Karys Narat (who was now leader of the Union) issued a challenge against his blood-brother Karai’s rule. The struggle that was to come took place entirely on the throne-world of Korriban. After news of the challenge reached general knowledge, total pandemonium burst out across Korriban. It began in the still-recovering city of Ur. An act of sacrilege began the anarchy. Perpetrators still at large snuck into the Valley of Golg and removed the head of Hakagram Graush from his Tomb there. It was then deposited at the gates of the imperial palace.”
“Total lawlessness erupted in response to this outrage. The city’s destitute Grotthu began to form wild gangs and robbed any they came across. Many of the larger gangs were led by outcaste former Kissai who intended to gather enough thugs to seize the throne. Meanwhile, the packs of ronin Massassi that often roam the city, getting by on grunt work and crime, declared for Karys and began to maraud through the streets. Their primary targets were markets and shops, the goods of which they carried off by the cartload. The Massassi in service to the city’s nobles alongside Emperor Karai’s household guard and experimental ISDF soldiers were deployed to subdue the rioters. As the battle dragged on over the course of the day and well into the night it became clear that parties unknown were sneaking fresh waves of ronin in from outside the city. How this was done and who was responsible is still unknown but it caused the rebellion to last for two days and nights in total.”
“By the third dawn, the majority of the city was under control but news of the riots had emboldened bandit groups in the countryside. Karai Narat ordered the empire’s new flag to be flown over Ur for the first time, a message to those in the city of his intention to hold his ground. Meanwhile, in orbit, the Union’s newly-minted Korriban flotilla had become engaged in combat with a fleet loyal to Karai. The fleet combat was interrupted by the sudden arrival of Clan Lords from all the Major Clans off of Korriban. For the first time in a long while Clan Ragnos was at center stage as Vanduo Byloti Ragnos had rallied the Clans to come to a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Ragnos had even convinced Hekk to repatriate so that they could take part. However, the situation grew a bit more complex when Kaleval reemerged, having escaped his imprisonment, and was recognized as a legitimate contestant by the Clan Lords. While Karai ran on a sovereignty platform and Karys represented pro-Union interests, Kaleval attempted to sell himself as more dedicated to independence than Karai even drawing on some of the remaining sentiment that had been against unification of the Clans in the first place.”
“The details on what transpired next, while the Clan Lords convened to form the Conclave as we know it today, are vague but when the representatives were chosen and the voting complete, none of the three candidates had the four vote majority required to be elected. If the accounts of what happened prior to this are foggy then the stories about what happened next are fantastical. I won’t repeat any of the myriad versions that are currently circulating; all that is known is that whatever happened caused serious damage to Ur and claimed the life of Kaleval Set. With the third candidate out of the picture, his supporters scrambled to contrive the eleventh hour deal that gave us our current diarchy.”
“The change at the top also resulted in a title change: Aeuso’ari instead of Kal’evos. It’s a bit subtle but very telling about the actual results of the election. No longer ‘emperor’ but ‘lord of the empire’; I understand most of the Union’s translators render ‘Aeuso’ari’ as ‘co-regent’ in Basic which is even more telling. The real winners in the election were the seven Great Clans. Certainly, the gap in power between the Clans and the imperial throne is much less now than it was prior.”
“But, if the Conclave had hoped that the two Aeuso’ari would never agree on anything then they were surely disappointed. The throne has taken a more active position in economic regulation and taxation. Additionally, the foundation of an imperial military was a move away from local power as, before this change, all our kind’s forces had been private ones, loyal to individuals. Predictably, the one point on which the Aeuso’ari could not agree with each other was what stance to take on Union relations. After a summary vote from the Conclave, Karai’s outline was adopted and sent to the Unionist congress.”
“This leads us into the most recent of recent political occurrences. After Karai survived an assassination attempt on the congress floor, a special meeting of the Conclave and Union was convened. The resulting treaty, though carrying near-unanimously at the summit, has proven controversial in both camps. Our empire is now officially a semi-autonomous state in the Union (an idea that deeply divides our people) and it is obvious that many aspects of the agreement favor some Clans over others.”
“I wish I had some conclusion to offer my readers here. But that is the trouble when dealing with living history. The conclusions one desperately seeks to reach might well remain out of grasp for generations to come.”
Stygian First Flotilla
The Stygian First Flotilla is a collection of warships owned by the various planetary militia of the Stygian Empire's member worlds. Over half the ships are from the outdated Derriphan-class, a centuries-old design still in use to date. These small ships are little more than corvettes by modern standards, surviving only due to their impressive armor. Akin to the New Republic's New Class Modernization Program, the Stygian draughtsmen of the Khar System have enjoyed a resurgence of two older Imperial vessels, modernized and fitted for frontline combat. Resembling their predecessors in visual looks only, are the Veltraa-class Cruisers and the Vaiken-class Star Destroyers. The Veltraas, are based on the Interdictor-class Cruisers, so named after Admiral Jimas Veltraa - their original intended class namesake. The Vaikens likewise, are based on the Harrower-class Dreadnaughts, designed by Grand Moff Odile Vaiken, from whom the new class takes their name.
Additionally, serving as light support cruisers, are the 450m Recalcitrant-class Star Destroyers, a pocket-destroyer design, based on the vessel ISD Anadight, the personal ship of the Imperial monarch.
Vaiken-class Star Destroyers
Length -1200m
Naming convention - Imperial Moffs & Grand Moffs.
ISD Vaiken - ISD-001VK - Admiral Jeraff Sarek
ISD Pyron - ISD-002VK - Captain Lucius Mavenn
ISD Kilran - ISD-003VK - Captain Sorvus Astaton
ISD Regus - ISD-003VK - Captain Nimus Aurel
ISD Zellas - ISD-003VK - Captain Constans Vitannian
Recalcitrant-class Star Destroyers
Length -450m
Naming convention - Weapons from Sith history/mythology.
ISD Anadight ISD-000RK - Admiral Mira Isen
ISD Cyradac ISD-001RK - Captain Jasel Veidt
ISD Szolais ISD-002RK - Captain Kalsus Fost
ISD Engaroc ISD-003RK - Captain Aln Kressh
ISD Tyyr ISD-004RK - Captain Gerrod Sark
Veltraa-class Cruisers
Length - 500m
Naming convention - Beasts of immense size.
ISS Leviathan ISS-101VNB - Admiral Argus Karath
ISS Goliath ISS-201VNB - Captain Sumen Althe
ISS Behemoth ISS-301VNB - Captain Evette Lytus
ISS Titanic ISS-401VNB - Captain Elias Faber
ISS Colossus ISS-501VNB - Captain Rormund Valdes
Vaiken-class Star Destroyers
ISD Dracen - ISD-003VK - Admiral Kallen Vorar
ISD Galvan - ISD-003VK - Captain Gindoch Etmes
ISD Harvus - ISD-003VK - Captain Nerus Astaton
ISD Phennir - ISD-003VK - Captain Jakobi Kyz
ISD Sorin - ISD-003VK - Captain Tsura Narat
Veltraa-class Cruisers
ISS Gargantua ISS-100VK - Captain Nilen Dorne
ISS Cyclops ISS-200VK - Captain Arrous Welkas
ISS Mastodon ISS-300VK - Captain Naomi Revel
ISS Olympic - ISS-400VK - Captain Beraht Lefin
ISS Herculean ISS-500VK - Captain
Vaiken-class Star Destroyers
ISD Sarek
ISD Tyrak
ISD Tarandon
ISD Drellik
ISD Varnus
Veltraa-class Cruisers
ISS Tarasque
ISS Basilisk
ISS Typhon
ISS Gigans
ISS Wyvern