Populate Shadows of the Empire | DE Populate of Ord Canfre

[IMPERA]

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A CORE WARS STORY
SHADOWS OF THE EMPIRE


THE FUTURE OF THE EMPIRE IS AT STAKE!

Despite its recent triumph at TYTHON and the ongoing CORSIN BLOCKADE, the enemies of the DARK EMPIRE remain at large, mostly unaffected and unphased as they move quickly and swiftly, further expanding their reach across the galaxy while the Empire fails to properly respond being left in the dust as it is constantly outmaneuvered.

With most of the command chain paralyzed given the extensive absence of the Emperor and the Grand Vizier and it’s inability to catch up to the rapid advances of the GALACTIC ALLIANCE, it is undeniable that the Empire has grown stagnant, currently unable to regain the momentum in the Core Wars and left vulnerable to further attacks by the enemy. Furthermore the rise of the DIARCHY further down the BRAXANT RUN has further raised alarms as the Empire finds itself cornered by the Galactic Alliance, the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders and the Diarchy in the NEW TERRITORIES.

As such the WARLORD OF THE EMPIRE, MARLON SULAREN has taken upon himself to take decisive action to break this period of stagnation and bring the Empire back into a state where it can once more effectively counteract the advances of its enemies. Thus on the Outer Rim planet of ORD CANFRE, Warlord Sularen has summoned the IMPERIAL RULING COUNCIL in order to discuss the future of the Empire and draw new plans as the CORE WARS rages on.

Through this IMPERIAL SUMMIT, the first steps towards turning the tide of the Core Wars back in the favor of the Empire will be made as the Warlord of the Empire now moves to take command of the future of the Empire and guide it to victory.

LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE!

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[Marlon Sularen]

S H A D O W S_O F_T H E_E M P I R E

DARK EMPIRE
ORD CANFRE, OUTER RIM TERRITORIES

Sularen remained seated, positioned at the head of the circular conference table patiently waiting as his guests arrived and took their seats. He had summoned the Imperial Ruling Council and other high-ranking Imperial Officers here to discuss the many problems that the Dark Empire faced. Both the Emperor and the Grand Vizir had been absent for a while, and progress had been extremely slow in terms of expansion nearing the point of complete stagnation. At the same time, the enemies of the Empire were moving quickly with the Alliance rapidly securing Iridonia, the Corporate Interests Guild now expanding their economic influence across the Sith Order and a new faction in the form of the Diarchy rising up in the north securing Bastion, once the seat of power of Talvar's Empire.

Now more then ever did the Empire need new leadership to take action in order to tackle all these pressing issues, and Sularen was willing to take charge of such an endeavor. From the Imperial Military to Special Forces to the Imperial Security Bureau all hands were needed and those hands needed to ensure the future success of the Empire although first the Imperial Warlord needed to know who was up to the task as the Empire could suffer no more delays. They needed to be as swift and as effective as their many neighbors and rivals if they were going to succeed and Sularen was ready to push the others towards such objective through any means necessary.

Once everyone had taken their seats, Sularen spoke up formally beginning the summit. "Now that everyone is here we can begin." Sularen began. "Today we are gathered here to address the lack of progress our Empire has faced throughout the past few months and the mounting list of obstacles we currently face, from the Alliance's rapid expansion along the flanks of our borders, to the newly emerging group known as the Diarchy who seem to be poised to take control over parts of the Braxant Run and some of the Banking Worlds which have been in our crosshairs for a good while now." the Imperial Warlord proclaimed. "We are at a critical point in our Empire's history that will test our loyalties and our abilities. Failure is something that we cannot risk, for the future of our Empire now rests on our collective ability to find unique solutions to the many problems we currently face."

Tags | Moff Evner Braxiatel | Antipater | Onrai | Allister McAuliffe | Domaric Mordane | Reiner Ghadi | Ibaris Varanin | Daedalus Tarkin | Saa Montemar | Dyans Keto | Ellayina L'lerim | Neeva Dran ​

 

[Saa Montemar]

Marlon Sularen Moff Evner Braxiatel Onrai Allister McAuliffe Domaric Mordane Reiner Ghadi Ibaris Varanin Daedalus Tarkin Dyans Keto Ellayina L'lerim Neeva Dran

An Efficent Empire....

The aspiration to achieve this goal had been a longstanding ambition since the establishment of Tavlar's Empire, which was subsequently succeeded by the Fel Empire. This ambition persisted despite the remnants of the Imperial Military Protectorate exerting influence over the empire's former territories. The Dark Empire, however, had failed to actualize this vision for numerous reasons far beyond the Imperial Council's ability to solve in any case.

They had the potential to act decisively in order to leverage their financial resources and advantages within the sectors under their occupation. But that would have to wait until the matter with the Galactic Alliance was solved, as although the faction had been wounded during the Battle of Tython the beast was impossible to contain for very much longer as new warships and technology were consantly being produced.

Warlord Marlon Sularen was the head of the Imperial Military and the mastermind behind the Tython defense stratgem. His speech was rather short but sufficent enough to warrant discussion from the Financial Camp of the Council whose concerns with the takeover of the Banking Sectors by a rising power could impact the stability of even their own self-contained market.

"The Warlord of the Empire is quite correct that the Empire must find creative solutions." Montemar said with some small adjustments to his spectacles. Officals from both the (COMFEAR) and the (COMLIT) carefully watched the proceedings happening to update the Imperial Market Exchange.

"One problem that the Council could solve right here and now would be the threat posed by the Corporate Interests Guild, whose power and influence in the financial and industrial sectors of the galaxy make them near impossible to defeat by conventional means or even subterfuge as previous strategist have recommended. Therefore we should make a peace accord with the Guild by framing the rise of the Diarchy has a much bigger threat to their wallets than the Empire, which would allow us to reorganize our resources for further campaigns" He explained with a soft tone of voice, and a polite smile to the rest of the Imperial Council.

The Guild was powerful and the Empire did not need another enemy to fight against when the Diarchy threaten to shift the balance of power within the region. If they could make a peace proposal as soon as possible, then that would free of resources to take the Banking Sectors.

 

[Domaric Mordane]

Marlon Sularen | Moff Evner Braxiatel | Antipater | Onrai | Allister McAuliffe | Reiner Ghadi | Ibaris Varanin | Daedalus Tarkin | Dyans Keto | Ellayina L'lerim | Neeva Dran | Saa Montemar

As the doors to the summit chamber opened, the imposing figure of Allegiant General Domaric Mordane entered. Clad in the austere black uniform of the Imperial Army, his presence immediately commanded the room's attention. His expression was stern, his gait purposeful, and the weight of his years in battle seemed to manifest in the cold, calculating glint of his eyes. Mordane approached his designated seat with deliberate precision, his posture straight and unyielding.

Once seated, he allowed Sularen's address to conclude without interruption, his demeanor betraying no reaction until he finally spoke. Mordane's voice, low and resonant, cut through the chamber's tension like a vibroblade.

"Warlord Sularen," Mordane began, his tone both deferential and commanding, "your call to action is timely, though perhaps belated. The enemies of the Empire grow bolder by the day, and while the valor of our soldiers remains unparalleled, valor alone cannot fill the void left by indecision at the highest levels."

He leaned forward slightly, placing his gloved hands on the table. "The Diarchy's advance on the Braxant Run is not merely a threat; it is a challenge to our legitimacy in the New Territories. To allow such a rebellion to fester would be to risk contagion across the border sectors. We must strike swiftly and decisively, reminding all who dare oppose us that the Empire's reach is absolute."

Turning his gaze to the assembled council, he continued, "As for the Galactic Alliance, their continued expansion along our flanks cannot go unanswered. I propose a renewed offensive—a corridor through Alliance space to reconnect our Deep Core holdings with the Empire proper. Such an operation would not only solidify our strategic position but demonstrate the futility of resistance against Imperial might."

He paused, his steely gaze sweeping the room. "But these ambitions require more than military precision. They require leadership—focused, centralized, and uncompromising. The absence of the Emperor and the Grand Vizier has left a vacuum that this council cannot afford to ignore. While I will not presume to dictate the composition of the Imperial hierarchy, I will say this: the time for fragmented authority is over. We must either act in unison or perish divided."

Mordane leaned back in his chair, his voice growing colder. "Such a commitment demands clarity of purpose and unity of command. If we are to win this war, let us not delude ourselves into thinking we can do so with half-measures."

He inclined his head slightly toward Sularen, signaling his respect for the Warlord's leadership. "The future of the Empire hangs in the balance, and history will judge us by the choices we make here today." With that, Mordane fell silent, his penetrating gaze daring anyone to meet his challenge.

 

[Antipater]

The hologram of Antipater occasionally shimmered where it sat. His was a tenuous signal. The transmission, after all, came from the beleaguered world of Jaemus. Whatever interference he experienced could be the result of any number of factors... Including rebellion.

For his part, Antipater only remained a silent observer. His little fiefdom would soon be surrounded by the Diarchy, if not soon subsumed into it.

There was therefore no mistaking the enmity and seething contempt which radiated from the droid. The vast and immeasurable gulf of space between Jaemus and Ord Canfre did little to temper it. Careful calculations had brought him to the side of the Dark Empire, and now it seemed those calculations had been made in utter error.

There was nothing to do now but watch and assess.

 

[Onrai]

Marlon Sularen Moff Evner Braxiatel Antipater Allister McAuliffe Domaric Mordane Reiner Ghadi Ibaris Varanin Daedalus Tarkin Saa Montemar Dyans Keto Ellayina L'lerim Neeva Dran

"Yes, unique solutions."

Onrai was, to a degree, haggard. Putting herself back together after the battle of Tython had proven more strenuous than anticipated, the multiplicative presence of the ethereal entity on Tython having drawn so much energy from the Temple's nexus that it had proved difficult to bind and entwine the fragments of her being back together. It was as though each individual manifestation had begun congealing into its own individual fragment of a greater being - so it was that Onrai appeared somewhat mismatched as she lowered the hood to her robe, a quarter of her face from nose line to ear consumed in the inky shadow within which floated the milky white eye, and the rest ever-shifting between the green-skinned form of Via and the pale blonde visage of Vanessa Vantai.

"I believe it's appropriate to speak freely at this point. Darth Solipsis has chosen to take a sabbatical from the Empire. Whether he views it as a failed project or some fragment of gnosis has yet flowed into him, he neither made himself present at Tython nor appears to be extant within Imperial space at all. The defense of the temple was achieved itself through quite... unorthodox means." Onrai's ethereal and ordinary eyes both scanned the room, observing the partisans who had arrived at the meeting of the Imperial Ruling Council. Some were obvious allies. Others were tenuous or splintered one way or another. Perhaps the more esoteric of the bunch were hostile, as her past verbal clashes with the droid moff had suggested they would be, even if their conclusion had been identical.

"While I have faith in the vision of the Empire, and unabashedly support the victories we have made, I have little to no faith in Solipsis' ability to continue leading things from a hands-off perspective. This has already happened before - not with Solipsis, but with other leaders who ruled domineering empires, only to leave them to rot and languish for one reason or another. I have born witness to it and prefer not to see such a wonderful endeavor meet the same fate." The contempt felt by the false goddess for the forebears of the Dark Empire was evident.

To Saa, she offered a quick response. "The Corporate Interests Guild comprises a myriad of corporations who desire nothing more than to see the ruination of anything that doesn't have the words 'Alliance,' 'Republic,' or 'Jedi' in it. Pandering to them is a fruitless and wasteful endeavor. We should instead build up our own domestic corporate sphera and make maximal use of the resources available to us. The Vians have had a megacorporation under their domain for decades and it still supplies the Imperial war machine even now. Why not pursue expansion of what we have rather than beg for what we have not?"

To General Mordane, she sighed. "Your military criticism is not unplaced. The lack of conflict has been an opportunity for the Alliance to regain its footing and examine the reason it lost Tython." Whether they could come up with a solution was another question in and of itself. She pondered over his latter words - they were bold, certainly. Lesser men would never have said them, and greater men would have been killed for saying them. Her next words were addressed to Mordane himself, but in truth, they were meant for the broader council.

"So let's go ahead and maintain that honesty, with no sly words or subsumed praise to bury our situation in charismatic joy. We need new leadership in the wake of Shannic and Solipsis's disappearance, and we're in a position to determine a new leader. Whoever that new leader is also needs to be prepared to engage in an aggressive, slaughterous campaign against the desiccated carcass of the Alliance and the sprouting weed of the Diarchy. I propose that we remain here until such a leadership crisis is dealt with, because if one single solitary member of the council here chooses to step foot outside that door without solving our biggest problem, they have failed not only the council, but the Empire itself - and should be treated appropriately." It was particularly obvious as to what she had meant by such, one of the great council chamber doors having shut at an opportune and coincidental time.

"I suppose the floor is open. Let's begin."

 

[Derix Tirall]

Marlon Sularen | Moff Evner Braxiatel | Antipater | Onrai | Allister McAuliffe | Reiner Ghadi | Ibaris Varanin | Daedalus Tarkin | Dyans Keto | Ellayina L'lerim | Neeva Dran | Saa Montemar​

As Onrai's words settled into the room, Derix Tirall rose slowly, his every movement deliberate, exuding the quiet authority of the Chief Minister of the Church of the Dark Side. His robes, a cascade of black and crimson, caught the low lighting as he moved toward the center of the council chamber. His voice, imbued with the solemnity of a prophet and the weight of religious conviction, filled the space.

"You speak with candor, Onrai, and I commend your courage in doing so. Yet let us not mistake the Emperor's absence for abandonment, nor his silence for failure. The Dark Side moves as it wills, testing the faithful, shaping the worthy, and winnowing the chaff."

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle upon those gathered, his piercing gaze scanning the room.

"Darth Solipsis, in his infinite wisdom, may have chosen to withdraw to the shadows. Perhaps this is the crucible through which we must pass—a trial to forge unity, discipline, and faith in the vision of the Empire. But let us not forget: the Emperor remains the heart of our endeavor. To question his purpose, or to contemplate his replacement, is to tread dangerously close to heresy."

Tirall's tone shifted, growing colder, more resolute. "And yet, I am not blind to the peril we face. The Alliance regroups; the Diarchy takes root; the galaxy teeters on the edge of chaos. We cannot afford hesitation or division. If a Regent must be appointed to safeguard the Emperor's will, it must be done with the utmost reverence and humility. Not as a challenge to his rule, but as a measure to preserve his legacy until such time as he returns to lead us once more."

He turned his gaze to the broader council, his expression one of both conviction and warning. "Let us not lose sight of our mission. The Empire is more than its leader; it is the embodiment of order in a galaxy consumed by discord. If we are to prevail, we must act decisively—but always with the Emperor's will as our guiding star."

With that, Tirall returned to his seat, his words a subtle challenge to the council: to act with purpose, but to do so without undermining the sanctity of the Emperor's authority. His prophetic tone lingered in the air, a reminder of the delicate balance between faith and ambition.

 

[Brutalis]

Direct tags: N/A
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Thus far the the bust of Brutalis's head and shoulders glitched and glimmered in the same manner that all holograms did. The image was localized to his visage due to practicality mostly. To adjust the image to fit the whole of a Mantellian Savrips frame was not only ridiculous but perhaps distracting as well. Either way he observed. Under normal circumstances an individual such as Brutalis, let alone a darkside elite would not be tasked to attend a meeting such as this, but the stirring of his Emperors call, like many occasions before, commanded he observe for a future task. Thus far the meeting was going as expected...

"I believe it's appropriate to speak freely at this point. Darth Solipsis has chosen to take a sabbatical from the Empire. Whether he views it as a failed project or some fragment of gnosis has yet flowed into him, he neither made himself present at Tython nor appears to be extant within Imperial space at all. The defense of the temple was achieved itself through quite... unorthodox means."
...
"While I have faith in the vision of the Empire, and unabashedly support the victories we have made, I have little to no faith in Solipsis' ability to continue leading things from a hands-off perspective. This has already happened before - not with Solipsis, but with other leaders who ruled domineering empires, only to leave them to rot and languish for one reason or another. I have born witness to it and prefer not to see such a wonderful endeavor meet the same fate."

Though it would seem a simple task was not without its challenges. The image of the Darkside Elite flickered once more and the expression of sharp bared incisors gleamed briefly followed by a snarl. To speak ill of the Master was to invoke death. It took much for the Savrip to resist his urge to provoke violence. Even from lightyears away.

He remained silent.

His zealous anger came to a cool when Chief Minister Derix Tirall spoke with a different view of the situation. Clearly the Emperor is not finished with you all...yet. Naturally the Savrip was biased of the situation. Or was he? Derix, of all the squabbling womp rats in the room, Brutalis had some, if not the most respect for.

And so Brutalis continued to abide by his internal stirring to simply remain and listen. When the information he needed was heard he would no longer need to stay. All was as the Emperor decreed. And it will be done.

 

[Dyans Keto]

Post: 1
Theme: Vendetta
Tags: Marlon Sularen | Moff Evner Braxiatel | Antipater | Onrai | Allister McAuliffe | Reiner Ghadi | Ibaris Varanin | Daedalus Tarkin | Saa Montemar | Ellayina L'lerim | Neeva Dran

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Dyan's sat quietly in her seat her cybernetic arm sat in her lap with her other arm crossed over it. Her and Warlord Sularen's relationship had always been one of begrudging respect. Back in the days of the Maw the two had squabbled over territory and he always had tried to place himself above her in roles of leadership. Though his military record could not be denied as others well pointed out, it would not be easy to sway her away from seeing him as fully self-serving and actually caring little for what empire he proclaimed to serve.

Though she saw him in that way his words were not wrong, The Dark Empire needed to reorganize themselves if they wanted to remain a prominent force in the Galaxy. They needed a strong leaders behind them, one's willing to push back against the growing threats around their territories. The behemoth stagnant swamp of Alliance ever spreading across the Galaxy. The Mandalorians were also an ever-looming threat. The Sith had Territories that could threaten their own as well. Then there was this Diarchy which Dyans knew very little about, but she would have to remedy that.

Though as she listened to the likes of Saa Montemar, Allegiant General Mordane, and Onrai speak followed by Derix Tirall. She was reminded of the one thing that was really holding back this empire from glory. They all seemed to still hold high reverence for the false prophet Darth Solipsis, someone she once respected but now outright despised. He had betrayed her and her cult, even before that in the Maw he had made promises he could not keep.

She wanted to proclaim right then there that everything Darth Solipsis claimed to have built was a lie. Long before the Dark Empire was formed, his agents and hers had been working on plans to undermine the Galactic Alliance in the end the Dark Empire was formed and the Krath was stabbed in the back sold out to the very Alliance he had claimed to stand against. For that she wanted to see ever visage of his ripped from the Dark Alliance so it could stand on its own and stop using a feeble old man as a crutch. Yet that rot seemed to run very deep from those who had spoken.

She thought about speaking but held her tongue for the moment not yet ready to let her thoughts be spoken aloud. She needed to see whom she might have on her side at least in a vision of an Empire she wanted to see dominate the Galaxy. Onrai had said something she agreed with, but she didn't think Saa Montemar was completely wrong Corporate Interests guilds went where they saw the most credits for the moment that place was the Alliance. Though she agreed heavily on the military side with the Allegiant General Mordane and Warlord Sularen she wasn't sold on pushing back against the alliance not yet anyway. They were a strong threat, one victory on Tython though did not sell Dyans that the Dark Empire was ready to tackle that. As Derix Tirall he was someone who clung to heavily to a false prophet, someone who to delusional to deal with and that was saying a lot considering Dyans had made deals with Tegan Starfall in the past.

 

[Valek Zuraxin]

Location: Ord Canfre, Imperial Summit

Tags: Marlon Sularen Onrai Saa Montemar Brutalis Antipater Derix Tirall Domaric Mordane Moff Evner Braxiatel Ibaris Varanin Ellayina L'lerim Dyans Keto Reiner Ghadi

They had come to it at last.

The time that Zuraxin prolonged for so long had arrived, as a summit was called to discuss the future of the Empire. The campaign to reclaim the Dark Empire had been met with challenges with the birth of a new enemy. The Diarchy had sprouted from the former Imperial holdings along the Braxant Run, even more so did it not end there. The Galactic Alliance while repelled from the Empire’s hold over the Deep Core was encroaching closer into Imperial space. To say that the Empire had been thrown in dire straits was an understatement, for the Warlord Sularen had used his authority to call for an emergency summit on the historic world of Ord Canfre.

The whole of the Imperial Ruling Council had been summoned. Many answered the call from financial partners, top military officials, advisors, governors and servants of the dark side. All came with the important question, where did the Empire go from here? What vision would guide it? One thing was for certain to the Emperor’s Hand that he could no longer keep the facade of his Master in place. The mask needed to be removed for good and all secrets known to the Council.

“Everything is ready, Master Zuraxin.” Came the monotone voice of B3-ZX. The droid assistant as usual remained faithfully to his side. “Good. More are arriving, but I feel now is the moment all should be revealed. Solipsis has disappeared, the Empire grows wary for it needs a strong hand. The question now is who has the will?” He spoke sounding oddly cryptic, what followed came a sharp wheeze, the tubes connected to his veins pumped more mysterious black fluid in response.

B3 would quickly motion to offer his Master a hand, the Sith would struggle if only for a moment, his hand clasping the hooked handle of his obsidian cane regaining his composure. “You’re still recovering, even with the fluid it will take time until you fully heal.” B3 once more cautioned Zuraxin who still had lingering effects, from his first encounter against Grandmaster Noble within the Akar Tsis Citadel on Tython.

“The dark side grants me all there is. Even now I feel the fluid revitalizing this form. No matter, come let us meet this council.” Zuraxin would cut straight to the point, motioning towards the door that let into the meeting. B3 would move quickly to his master’s side as if to keep a close watch on him. Each step signaled by the soft clang of the obsidian cane tapping against the floor.

The heavy doors opened, steam followed out, to which many would witness a dark shroud, pale skin, and half of a face covered in a breathing apparatus with one glowing red eye. His body looked a mix of organic and machine, for various small tubes lined his veins pumping an ominous fluid. If one looked closer they could possibly see blinking lights of a control panel. He moved as if a weak old man, each step followed by the persistent tapping of his cane.

Next to him was an obsidian clad protocol droid. His glowing red eyes staring at those already seating, while walking over towards one of the empty seats present. He was a mysterious figure for all intents and purposes not known, but this dark side abomination brought an unsettling chill to the room.

“I couldn’t agree more. For it is the vision that guides the Empire and not the man behind it. All bound to serve larger goals in bringing this glorious vision across the galaxy and those that dare oppose us.” He said his synthetic voice spoke in an optimistic tone while sounding slightly eerie to some. His eyes scanning all the faces in the room, and those that yet to come. Expecting his appearance to raise far more than a few questions, if not outright surprise, shock, perhaps none would care. He thought as much while he looked to everyone in the room.

 

[Saa Montemar]

Marlon Sularen Moff Evner Braxiatel Onrai Allister McAuliffe Domaric Mordane Reiner Ghadi Ibaris Varanin Daedalus Tarkin Dyans Keto Ellayina L'lerim Neeva Dran ​

In come the bureaucrats, the true rulers of the Dark Empire.

If the intention of this Council was to improve the efficiency of the empire, then the complete dismissal of a peace agreement with the Corporate Interests Guild would be detrimental to the objectives outlined by the Warlord of the Empire at the outset of the conference. The empire already faced numerous adversaries within the galaxy, ranging from the Alliance to the Sith Order, and it was important to avoid creating additional conflicts in order to save resources and manpower.

"...Forgive me for my intention to improve the empire...." Saa responded with a soft smile in the direction of Onrai . " - Your points certainly have merit to some extent as there should be no reason why the Imperial Hegemony should rely on extender suppliers and industrial powers when we have a base of our own within the sectors we currently occupy...." He offered a brief welcoming of their ideas for consideration by the Imperial Treasury Department.

"Although surely if we are to build an efficent empire, one needs to consider all angles of strength both physical and financial. We are wasting manpower and resources on fighting against the corporate powers, instead of redirecting such funding to the fight against the Galactic Alliance who have not stopped producting warships and advanced technology since their loss over Tython. Therefore we should consider my proposal even if temporary to stop such wasteful spending against a rather minor threat." Saa explained admist the backdrop of the Imperial Chamber.

The military-minded thoughts of Alligent General Domaric Mordane had been made clear, followed behind by the Church of the Dark Side's mastermind in the form of Derix Tirall . Some of them said little on the issue such as the Queen of Empress Teta Dyans Keto and the hulking Brutalis .

He expressed a degree of apprehension as Valek Zuraxin made his entrance, leaving a formidable first impression. This individual, whether human or cybernetic, commanded a level of respect that even the timid treasury overlord felt in the absence of Tithe, who had previously provided his economic perspective in these types of situation.

 

[Antipater]

Marlon Sularen | Saa Montemar | Domaric Mordane | Onrai | Derix Tirall | Dyans Keto | Valek Zuraxin

Derix Tirall prattled on about his superstition, which was followed shortly by the entrance of some nameless, hooded toady Antipater did not recognize. Two of the Emperor's whipped, useless hounds in one place? How could any of these organics stand the stench? The droid had no words for them - an actual discussion of policy was attempting to unfold in spite of their vacuous bleating.

"War is not waged because it is efficient, High Treasurer, but because it is necessary," Antipater's voice was a smooth, synthetic growl, steeped in no small measure of contempt. "The Corporate Interests Guild are at odds with our nation because they have no interest in abiding by reasoned and necessary laws. Perhaps your energy is better spent persuading them to comply rather than asking the Empire to concede to foreign profiteers. It would at least appear less treasonous."

He looked away from the High Treasurer. "Enough of the Guild. That this is an Empire with no Emperor is a more pressing concern, as already established. A regent must be selected and recognized by this council. I propose the Imperial Warlord, Marlon Sularen."

Sularen was merely the only obvious choice among this select conclave. None could doubt his commitment to the cause or his military experience. The fact that he wasn't a degenerate sorcerer was also a very welcome bonus. None of this was to say that Antipater believed he would do particularly well, of course.

If Antipater were to select on merit alone... He would have chosen himself, obviously.

 

[Moff Evner Braxiatel]

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Moff Braxiatel was listening to the discussion quite impatiently. Sat in a chair, his NIO black armor shining like a trophy from times immemorial, an Ysalamiri cautiously kept on his lap by his strong right hand -used both as a means of securing equality among the High-ranking Imperials, and to affront the Sith amongst them-, the Soldier waited until the Witch called Onrai made her remarks about the situation to speak. So far, allies and enemies made themselves clear, with a weak neutrality expressed by the minority. Domaric Mordane made a great analysis himself, which didn't surprise Moff Braxiatel -he has been studying everyone's reputation closely enough for this exact moment. A good contribution -one hard, certain enough- would force the most advanced elements within the meeting together against the weakness of the Sith representatives. After taking a brief look at Marlon Sularen , almost as a nod, the hardened soldier spoke up, a calm and determined voice echoing through the room, his commoner accent contrasting with the Imperial accent almost everyone there seemed to have. His left hand, vacant, was relaxed on the table, his Drago on his tactical belt.

"The Emperor is dead. That, or worse than dead: complacent, apathic. As of now, the Empire Reborn has no Emperor, no unity, no legs of its own. I don't give a bantha's crap about what the Dead Emperor, Solipsis the absent, wishes. He clearly has no strenght of his own to enforce it, or he would be here. My only wish is for the Dark Empire to achieve its inevitable sovereingty over the galaxy as soon as possible." , the Moff looked directly into Derix Tirall 's eyes while saying it, a smirkless mockery of the Prophet's dogmatism. "The Galaxy is divided between the weak, the astonishing majority, and the strong minority. The Empire must be this minority's vanguard, to maintain order and extinguish whatever, whoever opposes its hegemony. The Empire Reborn's Regent must be someone with the strong will to cover our entire territory with the shadows of their iron fists. It must be someone cold-blooded enough to take the most extreme decisions in times of need, to sacrifice everything and everyone for the betterment of the Empire."

"I don't believe anyone but Valek Zuraxin is prepared for the burden of the job." , Evner proclaims just at the moment Valek entered the room. The man was not at its best shape, it's true, but his will is strong enough to consume the whole room. Of them all, he is most certainly the one, and the Moff's determination only grows the more time he feels his presence.

Marlon Sularen Marlon Sularen | Saa Montemar Saa Montemar | Domaric Mordane Domaric Mordane | Onrai Onrai | Derix Tirall Derix Tirall | Dyans Keto Dyans Keto | Valek Zuraxin Valek Zuraxin​

 

[Onrai]

Marlon Sularen Saa Montemar Domaric Mordane Derix Tirall Dyans Keto Antipater Valek Zuraxin Allister McAuliffe Reiner Ghadi Brutalis Ellayina L'lerim Neeva Dran

"If the population of a world is slaughtered before a star map marks it down, does its history matter to the galaxy? Likewise, if the Emperor does not actively participate in the battles, the administration, the activities of the Empire, does it matter whether this is withdrawal or abandonment?" Onrai said, not crossly in response to Derix, but still modestly critical of his praise of a man who could neither insult nor respond to insults directed his way by less punctual members of the tribune. "The Dark Side sometimes chooses new champions. Sometimes it wanes from the galaxy almost entirely until the sweet succor of corruption can wyrm its way into the mind of an unsuspecting Force User. By the same perspective, if 'the Dark Side moves as it wills, testing the faithful, shaping the worthy, and winnowing the chaff,' then what says that it has not consumed Solipsis, leaving him a footnote in Imperial history as it seeks a more worthy rod to divine the Empire's course?" The counterpoint had been raised to Derix's own religious fervor - he himself had said the Dark Side acted alone. Perhaps it had been responsible for the emperor's disappearance. Onrai herself knew much, but whether the Emperor was even necessarily alive yet remained enigmatic, though a portion of her felt that he remained in some sense or form.

Her eyes glanced over at Brutalis and the silence of Dyans Keto before Valek Zuraxan entered the room. "An astute observation." She said, continuing onwards with business. Evidently he was here to involve himself in the proceedings one way or another. "My issue with your suggestion, Saa, relates to doubts of good faith. Suppose the Empire allows corporations to deal with multiple parties. Suppose DCMM can trade with the Galactic Alliance, the same way it does with the Empire right now. What would stop the Guild from simply continuing to enforce their boycott? They aren't simply going to let up, and the Empire would be humiliated on a galactic scale in response. My criticism of your proposal comes mainly from that supposition - the cruelty of the Light. Ironic."

Onrai gave a simple nod in response to Antipater's remark regarding the suggestion Saa should persuade the Guild to acquiesce, and not vice versa, before he proposed the Imperial Warlord, Admiral Sularen, as regent of the Empire. Moff Braxiatel followed with a nearly damning criticism of the Emperor before promoting the recently arrived Valek as a candidate for recent.

So the crossroads had been made.

"If we are proposing or supporting candidates, then I must go off of what I have witnessed. Warlord Sularen has been exceptionally effectual insofar as managing Imperial military leadership, given the... limitations, shall we say, his position offers him courtesy of a demand for Imperial fiat. Whether he could have, or would have, done more if he had held leadership is purely speculative. I only judge on the objective reality, not the speculative fiction." She said, before turning her attention to Valek. "Of you I know nearly nothing about. You allowed Grandmaster Valery Noble into the Temple on Tython, and fought her to what I can only presume was a victory - aided at least in part by my defense of the greater structure from her companion and the others who damaged it. For you to be allowed in the temple's throne room without resistance suggests you are one of the Emperor's servants - perhaps a Hand seeking to claim dominion in the lack of an exegesis for his disappearance." her presupposition was in no way foresight, but she was at least reasonably close to his purpose for existence.

"To rely on what I know, I support the Imperial Warlord for the position of Imperial regent, leader, or whatever we call the new ruler of the Empire. Should another candidate receive more support, I have no reason to waste time fighting any of you in here when there are bigger issues to bother with, and I will gladly acquiesce to their authority." She said, before looking at the rest of the council and seeking to spur them into more decisive action. "Perhaps others should make their say?"

 

[Marlon Sularen]

S H A D O W S_O F_T H E_E M P I R E

DARK EMPIRE
ORD CANFRE, OUTER RIM TERRITORIES

Sularen listened carefully as his colleges added their thoughts to the matter, bringing up various matters that he had already mentioned such as the conflict with the Corporate Interests Guild, the war with the Galactic Alliance and the rising threat that was the Diarchy. While the Imperial Warlord found the back and forth debating somewhat irritating given his prior experience with the Maw's Conclave of Warlords and the Alliance's Senate, the Imperial Ruling Council was more focused in it's objectives with the overall mission of the Empire always taking a priority over personal agendas and interests.

Eventually the issue of the vacant leadership of the Empire would be brought up by Moff Antipater of Jaemus who pressed the issue that the Empire required new leadership given the extensive absences of both the Emperor and the Grand Vizir, moving forth to nominate Sularen himself as Regent. Moff Braxiatel and Governor Onrai followed suit each voting for Valek Zuraxin and Sularen respectively resulting in a 2-1 vote currently in favor of the Warlord of the Empire.

Sularen's nomination as Regent of the Empire largely surprised him, as he had little ambitions to rule over the Empire in it's entirety only seeking establish himself as the new Supreme Commander of the Imperial Military given that he had already acted as such in practice despite not holding the title and position on paper. However the suggestion to elevate him to Regent was something that he couldn't refuse, especially given his prior rejection of the offer to elevate him to Supreme Commander of the Imperial Military during the early days of the Core Wars. However what surprised the Imperial Warlord even more was the nomination of Valek Zuraxin by Moff Braxiatel.

Until now, the Warlord of the Empire had been largely unaware of Valek Zuraxin, in fact now that he thought about it out of everyone in this room Zuraxin was the biggest enigma as Sularen knew practically nothing about him. As such, the Imperial Warlord decided to approach this matter with great caution as he was largely interested in butting heads with the other Imperials especially with the amount of obstacles they faced throughout the galaxy.

Once Governor Onrai finished speaking, Sularen clasped his hands and rested them on the conference table as he spoke up. "I must agree with the points made by Chief Minister Tirall, Director Zuraxin. The mission is all that matters for it is the mission that guides our Empire towards it's ultimate destiny. However we require strong leadership and a well defined hierarchy that can ensure that the mission is accomplished with maximum efficiency and without an Emperor or a Grand Vizir accomplishing our goals will remain extremely difficult." Sularen proclaimed.

"That being said as Moff Antipaer suggested, the Empire requires a new caretaker to take command while the Imperial throne remains vacant and so far we have to individuals that have been nominated, myself and Director Zuraxin. Unless there are other individuals that would like to step forward to either nominate themselves or another member of this esteemed council i suggest we continue to move forwards with the vote. So far we have 2 votes for myself and one for Zuraxin, and of-course nominated individuals can't vote for themselves."

Tags | Moff Evner Braxiatel | Antipater | Onrai | Allister McAuliffe | Domaric Mordane | Reiner Ghadi | Ibaris Varanin | Daedalus Tarkin | Saa Montemar | Dyans Keto | Ellayina L'lerim | Valek Zuraxin | Brutalis | ​

 

[Domaric Mordane]

Marlon Sularen | Moff Evner Braxiatel | Antipater | Onrai | Allister McAuliffe | Reiner Ghadi | Ibaris Varanin | Daedalus Tarkin | Dyans Keto | Ellayina L'lerim | Neeva Dran | Saa Montemar

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Allegiant General Domaric Mordane sat in the chamber, his presence looming like a shadow over the table. He remained silent as the debates unfolded, his gaze cutting through the posturing and counterpoints of the Council members. This was not why he had sought inclusion in the Imperial Ruling Council. Politics disgusted him, but governance—that was a necessary burden, and one he had embraced with the same ruthless efficiency that defined his command on the battlefield.

He had no patience for games. This situation demanded precision, not pageantry. Mordane was acutely aware that the Empire's survival hung on decisions made here, and delays only weakened them further. The more they argued, the more they risked shattering under the weight of their egos.

Finally, the moment came for him to speak. Mordane shifted slightly in his seat, his gloves creaking as he rested his forearms on the table. His voice, cold and deliberate, cut through the noise like a vibroblade.

"Enough," he said, his tone carrying a finality that stilled the room. "The longer we linger in this power vacuum, the weaker we become. This matter needs resolution—swiftly and decisively."

His gaze turned to Sularen, the man to whom he reported, the only military officer who outranked him. Mordane respected him, not for his title but for his unyielding will and battlefield acumen. Sularen was the hammer the Empire needed to shatter its enemies. Mordane saw no sense in delaying the inevitable.

"Warlord Sularen is already the guiding force of the Imperial Military," Mordane said, his voice steady. "He's demonstrated the capacity for leadership, not only on the battlefield but in ensuring cohesion within our ranks. He is the natural choice for Regent. His appointment would give this Empire the unifying figure it desperately needs."

Mordane paused, his thoughts turning toward the balancing act required to ensure stability. His eyes shifted to Zuraxin, the enigmatic and calculating Director. If Sularen was the hammer, Zuraxin was the scalpel—precise, methodical, indispensable in maintaining the intricate machinery of the Empire.

"But a Regent cannot govern alone," Mordane continued. "I believe Director Zuraxin should serve Supreme Executor and provide the administrative and logistical backbone to complement Sularen's leadership. Together, they would form a dyad of strength—one commanding the battlefield, the other ensuring the machine of the Empire runs without flaw."

As he spoke, Mordane's mind lingered on his disdain for the process. Politics were the Empire's cancer, infecting its every move with self-interest and ego. His inclusion in the Council wasn't to play these games but to ensure decisions like this one were made with clarity and purpose. He had to act as a stabilizer, an advocate for the mission, not the men.

He leaned back slightly, his hands still resting on the table. "This isn't a compromise. It's a strategy. The Empire doesn't need more debates; it needs action. Regent Sularen will lead from the front. Supreme Executor Zuraxin will ensure the machine functions. The rest of us will serve where we are best suited."

Mordane's gaze swept across the room, daring anyone to challenge his logic. His voice dropped, firm and unrelenting. "Make your choices now. War waits for no one."

 

[Brutalis]

Tags: Marlon Sularen Domaric Mordane Onrai Moff Evner Braxiatel Antipater Dyans Keto Ellayina L'lerim Saa Montemar Daedalus Tarkin Ibaris Varanin Neeva Dran Allister McAuliffe Reiner Ghadi Valek Zuraxin ​

Perhaps it was the orbalisks feeding on his darkside connection and body. Maybe it was the babbling of ignorant children around him. In either case the Mantellian Savrip could no longer endure to hear any of it. Spit sprayed from his jagged teeth, his visage shook in anger even through the holographic display, as his booming words snarled and hissed. His voice became feral, an almost bestial growl laced with the dark side. "You dare?!!! You dare speak of replacing The Emperor?!! Midst his own eyes and ears! HIS OWN DARKSIDE ELITE!"

He slammed his fists into his thighs, the force so immense that even through the hologram, the sound carried like a thunderclap. His voice deepened, each word dripping with malice and contempt. " I would not be here if HE did not urge me to be! When—not IF—WHEN the Emperor returns. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE OF YOU. For every word you uttered against him!" He leaned closer, his holographic image looming over the council table, saliva glistening at the edges of his bared teeth. "And for every word, a pound of flesh will be taken. Your petty insolence and treasonous egos be flayed from you as payment!"

Brutalis straightened and the hologram adjusted to his full height, towering like a storm given form. A symbollic representation of the remaining influence his Master had, his lightclub clutched in one massive hand as if ready to activate and swing even through the projection. His glowing red eyes narrowed as he snarled. "You equate absence with weakness!? FOOLS! How can you be so monumentally stupid, not to see HIS vision! The Emperors plans expand larger than a single governance! Your tiny logic and power constant struggles to validate yourselves are an offense to his very nature and plans for the Empire! The Emperor grows stronger with EVERY passing moment. His WILL grows. His influence still remains and HIS empire will continue with or without you!" His Orbalisk armor seemed to pulse brighter with his rage, and his voice erupted into a terrifying roar. "So GO ON with this tiny election! I can already sense the conflict and tension between you all on this matter. Your faith is not mandatory, but your loyalty is! Even in the Masters absence, there is no command but HIS! NOT YOURS!" Brutalis exhorted alas. His words tainted with the darkside and yet his threat and very voice seemingly poised as if speaking on behalf of the Emperor. After all the Darkside Elite were his sworn agents of darkness and connected to his power. They answered and served him alone.

Even with the Savrips display of broken speech. What IF he was telling the truth?

 

[Reiner Ghadi]

Tags: Domaric Mordane , Onrai , Marlon Sularen , Antipater , Moff Evner Braxiatel , Saa Montemar , Derix Tirall

The Director looked around to those in the room, his cold, steel gaze meeting each individual in turn... his eyes eventually would look downward, as calculating as always.

"What are we really saying here?"

A simple question, but one that would likely hang upon his future for years to come.

"Are we saying the Empire is weak?"

His eyes would drift to the safekeeper of the Church, an institution he had little faith in as is.

"Should the Empire's wellbeing be hinging upon the whims of those that have not sought to see it through?"

He knew he could be shot for that, or worse. Yet, Reiner had always stood for one thing, and that was order...

He had only betrayed the Alliance in the name of such ideals, and though it may cost him his life, Reiner felt no remorse. No.... he only felt sympathy for the galaxy, for it would be the galaxy that would suffer from lack of efficiency...

 

[Dyans Keto]

Post: 2
Theme: Vendetta
Tags: Marlon Sularen | Moff Evner Braxiatel | Antipater | Onrai | Allister McAuliffe | Reiner Ghadi | Ibaris Varanin | Daedalus Tarkin | Saa Montemar | Ellayina L'lerim | Neeva Dran

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---

"Your Emperor was weak." Dyans finally spoke, she hardly cared what any of them thought of her or her words. Those that were too blind to see what Solopsis was a grifter, they didn't matter they would prattle on about how great he was never acknowledging his major failings. "If you think it is some divine darkside reason he has abandoned you then you are all fools. Your Emperor does what he always does, runs away and hides when he thinks its all going to crumble and fall so it isn't his fault when it all fails."

She took a deep sigh expecting nothing but persecution by these overzealous idiots. "When your emperor has no more deals to make with your so-called enemies and he has no one left to throw under the speeder for his mistakes he abandons what he has built leaving everyone else to be his scapegoats." Would Solopsis return most likely but when that time came Dyans hoped all his credibility in this galaxy would be striped from him so he wouldn't be able to do what he had done several times already.

"I say strip every visage that this was his empire and make it your own stronger. Stop clinging to a false prophet that will bring you nothing but ruin, find a new path forward with your own identity stop living on his. Remember he only saved some of you so he could use you later down the line." There was vitriol and hatred in the last few lines she spoke, as she recounted the betrayals Solopsis had put on her house.

"As for the dyad, I find it a commendable solution Allegiant General Mordane . However, for it to work there would most likely would-be need of an arbitrator, someone who can hash out a compromise when there is disagreement between the two parties. We wouldn't want one side cutting off funding, while the other side denies military support. We need this government and Military to run as fluidly as possible. We cannot afford setbacks at this point; we must move forward or perish." She took a moment of pause as she thought quickly over the other issues at hand that had been brought to the table.

"Onrai I do agree that we should build up our own industries, we can't afford to be cut off or caught off guard so we should use our resources to make sure this doesn't happen. However, that said we should at least bring the corporate interest guilds to the table and see what they might have to offer us so we can stay at least up to speed technology wise with the alliance" Then she turned to the last point of contention that of the vote trying to be pressed. She had already spoken on the dyad idea though she felt it needed a bit more refinement in how it could pan out.

"If it comes to a singular vote, militarily Warlord Sularen is vastly well seasoned in that area. However what will sway my vote, will be the one who is willing to make sweeping change, cut the old rot from the heart so it can beat fiercely once again." With that she let her voice simmer down and she went silent and stone face again. She eyed them all harshly knowing some might try to make a move to which she would not hesitate to bring ruin upon them. Some might have thought she might thrown her name out but she knew to well she worked better from the shadows.

 

[Valek Zuraxin]

​

Location: Imperial Summit
Tags: Saa Montemar Brutalis Antipater Onrai Marlon Sularen Dyans Keto Reiner Ghadi Domaric Mordane Moff Evner Braxiatel

Zuraxin would take his seat amongst the gathering of the council. Little if anything had been known about the mysterious dark sider, save for his official background as a man associated with the Imperial Weapons Division. All of it was placed in public record, but few had known of Zuraxin’s true purpose. He was a Hand to Darth Solipsis, whom in his disappearance had steadily maintained the quiet appearance of an Emperor still in power. Now, it became more apparent that simply couldn’t be allowed to remain, many of the council members were quick to frustration debating on what the path of the Empire should be going forward.

He remained silent while the others spoke out. B3-ZX would motion towards his side, crimson optics studied the various faces around the table. First, it was Saa who focused more on the economic angle. Then followed members of the Dark Side Elite who made their frustration known, one would vote for Warlord Sularen as Regent, while the other. A crazed SavRip spoke his own greviances towards the Council on deciding for new leadership to guide the Empire, understandable so. Zuraxins associate Braxiatel would nominate the Director to become Regent. There were two figures now in the running to take control of the Dark Empire.

Others such as Onrai and Dyans Keto were mistrustful of not skeptical about Zuraxin and his ability to lead. While some such as Mordane would express interests in an alternative solution. A suggestion of a so called “Imperial Dyad.” A system where in the greater interests of the Empire would power be shared.

Zuraxin would hold his hands close to his apparatus, a crimson eye would gaze upon them all, the only sound he made was the eerie breathing of the machines that kept him alive. All eyes were looking to him, to see if he could say anything at all.

Finally, did he speak, his synthetic tone would boom across the room. “No doubt many of you carry questions, some of you may have reason to not trust me. I after all have only been a humble servant of our Emperor, but it is clear that the Empire is at a crossroads. We are surrounded by enemies from all sides, yet we do not have an Emperor to rally behind.”

He paused, taking glances towards each face. “Since the time of Palpatine the Empire has always endured the greatest and worst of times. Now we are tested one again, where we all wrestle with the choice of where is our future? Where do we stand here today? I didn’t come here to seek the throne. That temptation while strong, I believe the Empire comes first and foremost.”

He paused as he looked towards Warlord Sularen. “No. The Empire is not shaped by one man, but by the great dream of Palpatine. A shared dream that one day an Empire shall span across the galaxy to rule for 10,000 years.”

He paused, a cough and a wheeze followed through his triumphant tone. A hand slammed against the table, his gaze looked back to all throughout the room. “I believe the dream now falls to us. I believe that the Imperial Dyad is the most fruitful of outcomes, yet I will not dissuade you if you seek the guiding hand of our Warlord to lead us.” Zuraxin would finish, for he knew many didn’t know of him. The Sith Lord thought best to not make a move for the throne, instead to see how the council would vote. All would decide the future of the Empire with Zuraxin keeping a close watch around it all.