Populate Shadows of the Empire | DE Populate of Ord Canfre

[Onrai]

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

Onrai listened to and observed the Imperial Warlord's comments regarding the selection of new leadership. So far, everything appeared appropriately civil and there was no reason to presume the council would explode into an orgy of charnel carnage anytime soon. As General Mordane piped up, proffering the promotion of a so-called dyad, she pondered - dual leadership was not implicitly a bad idea, but equal partnership within the dynamic could easily degenerate into schismatic factionalism that would see the Empire reduced to ruins and ashes in due time. Such was something Onrai was, to say the least, loath to accept.

Of course, before she could comment, the savage decided to pipe up.

"The Emperor has already been replaced." She said, standing up and slowly stepping towards the holographic representation of the mad Mantellian. "Replaced with nothing. We are deciding what to replace that nothing with." Soon enough, she stood before it, sizing the construct up. "You both are and are not what Solipsis wanted when he created the Empire. Fanatically if not foolishly loyal, but not a freethinker. You cannot imagine a world without him even when there is no 'him' - a world I assure you has existed since long before you were spawned. If the entirety of the Maw had been like you years ago after Solipsis was wiped off this mortal plane and the Jedi managed to defeat him, no one would have yet been ambitious enough to organize under the framework of the Empire, to prepare for eventual revenge against them. We would have dashed ourselves to pieces on the stone and gained nothing."

She looked down, observing the holoemitter that projected the form of Brutalis into the chamber the party. "If you want to continue brooding in your chambers while the Empire moves forward without you, declaring your loyalty solely to a man who has no more hard power, you are welcome to. And if perchance Solipsis returns, and seeks to regain power, you can stand beside him, eyes affixed like a whipped kath hound as you aid him, successfully or unsuccessfully." A soft fist, flesh changing and transmogrifying through shades of inhumanity, was barely visible as she looked back eye to eye with the monster's visage. "But if you try to do anything more than complain to this council, I will kill you. Now go and brood." A fist clenched, and with luck, the holoemitter was crushed, hopefully wiping out the hologram of the feral Sith and leaving him silenced for the remainder of the meeting.

An eyebrow was raised in response to Dyans' proposal prior to such occurring. Clearly, she had a bone to pick with Solipsis, though whatever issues she had with the former emperor were her own business. Her support for the concept of the dyad leadership had further pushed Onrai towards the idea of supporting the idea - then Dyans proffered the concept of an arbitrator. Onrai chose to wait for Valek to finish expositing his pitch to the council before stating her final comments.

"The Imperial Dyad concept is sound. The Warlord knows infinitely more about the military structure and implementation than you do, and vice versa, you have an understanding of more arcane matters and their impacts in a way he could never possibly understand. As for the proposal Madame Keto has put forward, I will be the arbitrator. I have known Sularen well and was particularly familiar with the work of your vanished master. I have proven my past work on both material and arcane matters through the transformation of Ord Mantell from rubbish to paradise, the construction of the Tython temple, and other things over the course of history. I recommend we acquiesce to this arrangement and begin more aggressively planning our future as a galactic power."

For the first time in decades, Onrai had decided to cast the die of her own volition.

 

[Moff Evner Braxiatel]

​

The Moff felt the need to respond to the Solipsis Fanatics. Before, though, he analysed the scenario before him: clearly, the Anti-Solipsis sentiment was winning, and that surely gives margin for Braxiatel to force more differentiation between the truly Imperials, and the ones using it as a cloak to hide their putrid Sith ideology. The idea of a Dyad, though, seemed to be very much out of place with the Imperial ideology. Power shouldn't be centered around two individuals, but only one, who would need to embody Imperial ideology. Without a centered figure, the Empire would enter much more infighting, and not even a moderator, as the witch herself suggested, would help that. But then, maybe struggle was exactly what was necessary at this moment.

"Gentlemen, this is the reality we have upon us. You can try to fool yourselves of the contrary, but you can't shape reality to your will. Only the Empire, together, as the firm collective it is, has this right. Solipsis, the absent, was a disgrace. Even if he returned at this very moment, he couldn't do nothing with the Ysalamiri right here on my lap. The only criteria for his command are his powers, which influenced most of people to follow his weak will."

"Which leads me to the next factor: I think many colleagues here, of who I have honest respect to, have been influenced by alien ideologies. Meaning, ideologies not fit of the Empire Reborn. Maybe the air of new threat of the Diarchy of Clowns bordering our territory are influencing us more than we think, but listen to this: The Empire shouldn't have two people commanding it. Even with a Moderator -which, if it had, couldn't be trusted to a single person, but to the whole of the Moff Council-, this possibility was already tested when our honourable Despot Korvan made unity with Solipsis, the absent."

"The ending, gentlemen, is exactly what we have here: Solipsis, the absent, tricked Korvan and took his life after he was not of use. The command was, for all intents and purpose, a dyad. If we let ourselves vote for two, instead of one whole, another reunion exactly like this one will happen again, much sooner than expected. Of course, you can all vote for the Dyad: maybe on the next meeting, having seen the same mistake being made not once, but twice, you will hear me".

It gave the Moff great pleasure to mock the Solipsis cultists everytime he mentioned him. While his voice was calm, and his posture was impecably rigid, the Soldier-Moff couldn't hide the smile on his face.

"I agree with Domaric Mordane very much: it is time for action. While we're debating who's the Regent -better yet, our new Emperor, after the failure of Solipsis, the absent-, the Galactic Alliance is preparing itself for a protracted war against ourselves, and the Diarchy of Clowns are insulting us with their mere presence, occupying OUR territory while we're in inaction".

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

 

[Antipater]

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

Braxiatel railed openly against Solipsis, which amused Antipater greatly. It was only natural for the opinions of the secular administration to turn against the Sith Lord in his absence... Antipater just had not expected it to be done so openly, and with so little pushback. Even after that barely feral snake went on its rant. Which made it all the more surprising that Braxiatel fingered that unknown person - Zuraxin, apparently - to ascend the regency.

Of that apparent Director, Antipater knew nothing. Only what Onrai laid out at tedious length. He fought a Jedi? A lackluster credential at best. Droids could be built and men could be trained to that purpose. The Grandmaster of the Jedi was still very much alive, so clearly he was no more gifted in that regard as any of the other dozens of vagabonds to cross blades with her.

Now these people wanted to give either the whole of the Empire or half of it to him. What fresh hell...

"An Empire divided in two is still an Empire divided," Antipater spoke with a forcefulness that betrayed his mild exasperation. "And a divided Empire is a tenuous thing. The efficiency of a dyad is untested; my calculations do not favor it. I therefore acquiesce to nothing: a single regent must be appointed. Tepid power-sharing agreements such as this only delay an inevitable truth."

 

[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 | Valek Zuraxin

Allegiant General Domaric Mordane sat in quiet contemplation once more, surveying the tense chamber as discussions swirled around him. The Dyad was not yet certain—support for the idea had grown among the Council, but it was yet to come to fruition. Marlon Sularen 's nomination for Regent was much more likely to happen and Mordane would enthusiastically support it but a nagging thought persisted—what if Tirall was right? Darth Solipsis was Emperor yes, but he was more than that—he was a Dark Lord of the Sith. While Sularen was not well versed in Sith orthodoxy, Valek Zuraxin was. History suggested that power struggles between Sith and Imperials never ended well.

But that was neither here, nor there.

He turned his attention back to the war, or rather to the politics of war. "Considering the strategic and symbolic importance of the Core," Mordane began, his voice steady, commanding attention. "We cannot allow chaos to fester. To this end, I propose the promotion of Moff Evner Braxiatel to Grand Moff, tasked with restoring order and governance across the Core. His expertise in administration and his ability to temper ambition with pragmatism makes him uniquely suited for this vital role." Mordane paused, gauging the Council's reaction. Dyans Keto had once asked for governance of the Core territory's but the Council, through him, had said no. Her reaction would be most interesting.

"And the Church of the Dark Side," Mordane continued, his tone sharper now. "Its remnants, though diminished, still disrupt our cohesion. I propose their influence be confined to the new Ministry of Imperial Truth. Let them contribute where they are most effective, without meddling in governance or military strategy." Internally, Mordane felt the tension between pragmatism and ideology. He understood the importance of the Church to some factions but saw its current form as an impediment. Relegating it to a defined role was a compromise—a way to neutralize its potential for chaos while maintaining a veneer of respect.

"And finally," He gestured toward a holographic projection of the galaxy, its sectors color-coded to represent the territories of the Empire, the Alliance, and the Diarchy. "While we strengthen our internal structure, we must also lay the groundwork for a decisive military strategy. The Diarchy and the Alliance each pose unique threats, but our approach must be methodical and ruthless. Direct assaults, such as targeting Fondor, may seem like bold gestures, but they will only galvanize our enemies. Instead, we must suffocate them. Cut their supply lines, disrupt their industrial centers, and neutralize their agricultural production. When the Alliance can no longer sustain its people, we will step in—not as conquerors, but as saviors."

Mordane allowed the implications of his words to sink in before continuing. "This strategy does not call for reckless expansion or occupation. We must be surgical in our strikes, ensuring that we cripple their ability to wage war while demonstrating our capacity to provide for those they have abandoned. Destroy, supplant, and replace—that is how we will win."

He paused, considering the finer points of the plan. The campaign against the Diarchy would require a different approach, as their scattered forces and chaotic nature made them less reliant on traditional logistics. "The Diarchy," he said, "must be crushed through decisive engagements. They thrive in chaos, but they are vulnerable to concentrated force. By isolating and dismantling their strongholds, we can remove them as a viable threat."

As he concluded, Mordane leaned back slightly, observing the reactions. Some Councillors would undoubtedly propose their own ideas, perhaps even challenge elements of his strategy. But he welcomed the debate. Every suggestion, every objection, would help refine the plan. The path to victory was not carved in isolation—it was forged through the collective will of the Empire, with or without an Emperor.

 

[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

So far it appeared that the Imperial Ruling Council was in favor of making Sularen the new Regent of the Empire, with even Zuraxin proclaiming his stance on the matter, stating that he would not oppose the Council's decision regarding the selection of a new caretaker for the Empire. While somewhat reassuring, Sularen remained wary of Zuraxin. He still knew little of the man and what sort of ambitions he might have. More worrisome was the fact that Moff Braxiatel was quick to nominate Zuraxin, indicating that he might know more about the mysterious Director then Sularen. Nevertheless the Warlord brushed these thoughts aside, as there was more important matters to focus on.

The idea of an Imperial Dyad brought forth by Allegiant General Mordane was somewhat intriguing and the reason behind it was sound, however Sularen had witnessed to many failed examples of shared power to see this Dyad as a practical choice. From the Dual Chancellors of the Zweihander Union, the Triumvirate of the Late Empire and the Sith Order's own Triumvirate, splitting the position of Head of State between numerous individuals would naturally lead to infighting. But so far given that the idea had already failed to gain traction, Sularen saw no reason to add anything to that discussion. As far as he was concerned, the idea of an Imperial Dyad was dead in the water.

Next, Allegiant General Mordane brought forth additional ideas, proposing to promote Braxiatel to Grand Moff and award him the Deep Core and proposing that the Church of the Dark Side be made subordinate to the OIT. Both somewhat problematic proposals that could create unnecessary internal conflict within the Empire further distracting it from it's true objectives. "I do not believe it would be wise to grant Moff Braxiatel control over the Deep Core. Dyans Keto and the Krath already have a strong power base in the region and should be able to more effectively restore order and govern the area. I see no reason to potentially alienate what can be shaped into a strong vassal of our great Empire." Sularen began.

"As for the Church of the Dark Side, i will agree that their role should be reduced to a purely religious one with little involvement with administrative and military affairs. After all, religion is an effective tool to control the population and dissuade them from developing any anti-Imperial ideas. However i will add that the Church should be able to remain independent from the more secular OIT as the OIT is still a Government Agency." the Warlord added. Through these amendments to Allegiant General Mordane, Sularen hoped to create a compromise between the more Secular and Anti-Sith agenda both Mordane and Braxiatel were pushing and the religious elements such as Krath and Church of the Dark Side represented here by both Dyans Keto and Derix Tirall.

More importantly, it was starting to become abundantly clear that there seemed to be an inherent conflict between the more Secular Imperials and the more Dark Side/Sith-oriented Imperials, reminiscent of the old Sith-Tribal conflict that had dominated the internal politics of the late Brotherhood of the Maw and contributed to it's collapse. Braxiatel didn't have any problems with openly calling out the Sith and the Emperor and Mordane had acted in a way that would diminish the power of both the Krath and the Church of the Dark Side. Then again Sularen could be overthinking this, but he'd have to keep a close eye between the Hardcore Imperials and the more Religious-oriented Imperials for any further signs of infighting. After all infighting is what causes the death of all Empires.

Finally it seemed that they reached the very topic that was the reason for why he had summoned this Council in the first place : Action. Taking action against the many enemies of the Empire, taking action to secure the future of the Empire, taking action to ensure no one else other then their current enemies would dare to rise up against then. "I must agree with the Allegiant General on the matter of taking action. We face a two-front war with both the Diarchy and the Galactic Alliance, and we have little idea of what stance those so-called Neo-Crusaders have towards us. Striking our enemies through a combination of precise surgical strikes and decisive engagements are the key to securing victory in this war. But we must be relentless with our attacks, give them no room to recover or gather their strength, no room to regain any momentum. This will allow us to shift the outcome of battles in our favor before even a single shot is fired."

Tags | Moff Evner Braxiatel | Antipater | Onrai | Domaric Mordane | Reiner Ghadi | Ibaris Varanin | Saa Montemar | Dyans Keto | Valek Zuraxin | Brutalis | ​

 

[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 ​

The prospect of reaching a settlement with the Corporate Powers appeared to be entirely off the table, as Antipater explicitly indicated. He even went so far as to imply, albeit in a flawed manner, that pursuing such discussions amounted to an act of treasonous intent. This unfounded accusation strongly suggested that the droid's internal mechanisms were not sufficiently equipped to understand that diplomacy was give and take.

He submitted a proposal for evaluation by the Council and he refused to be pressured into reiterating his points to persuade the Ruling Council of the proposal's potential benefits in terms of conserving resources. Moff Evner Braxiatel soon made his views perfectly clear to the members of the Council, to set up a Regent of the Empire to take the place of the current absentee emperor and make an Empire reborn.

Onrai expressed her concerns about the ITD's proposal, which were undoubtedly legitimate, despite the support of Dyans Keto of Empress Teta for initiating discussions with the Corporate Guild to facilitate formal negotiations and potentially reach a settlement. "The Council's 'wisedom' will certainly be taken into consideration by the Imperial Treasury Department while we conduct a feasability study and set up a inter-departmental committee to determine if they are viable for the improvement of the Empire's economic situation." Saa exhibited a gentle demeanor, seemingly to absolve himself of any accountability.

Warlord Marlon Sularen was the next to speak, succeeded by Alligent General Domaric Mordane . Following them was Brutalis , who expressed some allegiance to the Old Sith Regime. And then came the mysterious man of the hour in Valek Zuraxin who expressed some admiration for a man named 'Palpatine' whoever that was.

"I must express my uncertainty regarding the Council's recommendation of a Regent for the Empire, particularly given the relatively unimpressive accomplishments of the candidates presented from the viewpoint of the Treasury. " He raised an eyebrow, indicating his confusion regarding the rationale behind their decision to support candidates who lacked a commendable history of effectively governing an Empire.

"While Warlord Sularen possesses significant experience and notable expertise in military operations, it is important to note that his administrative experience is limited, as his career has predominantly been centered around military positions and the Dark Empire is hardly a military-junta, but a complex machine. As for Valek Zuraxin with respect they are an enigma to this council, seemingly appearing from nowhere which does not give confidence." Saa utilized several hand gestures to effectively communicate with the Council, internally processing the information regarding the Empire's urgent need for decisive action to ensure its survival. He understood that a wise Regent could capitalize on the vulnerabilities of weaker adversaries, thereby consolidating power before engaging the Galactic Alliance.

"While we endorse the strategic insights of the Imperial Warlord and the Allegiant General regarding Special Military Operations aimed at the Diarchy and the Galactic Alliance, whether through direct engagement or covert actions, we refrain from commenting on the restructuring of the Imperial Bureaucracy until further information is disclosed." He said with a brush of his mustache.

 

[Ibaris Varanin]

Secured Workshop
Location Undisclosed

Executor Varanin variably stood and sat over a creature on a table; it had been there for some time as she carefully peeled away the layers of its hide with a small blade. She did this when she could, and for myriad purposes or reasons the subject was sometimes humanoid, sometimes still living in the midst of it, but the patience and focus required in every instance was meditative.

The myriad voices of the council had begun to whisper in Varanin’s ear a couple of hours into this work through an extensively encoded stream, while the visual feed was shown on a datapad propped up nearby, which she glanced at, occasionally. Warlord Marlon Sularen managed military affairs with a masterful hand, without her active presence, and she had felt little need to intervene. As such, when the summit started with the matter of the galactic entities that encroached on or approached imperial territory, apart from noting any forming plans and therefore the potential need for deployment of her Elites - they were well and truly hers now - it didn’t interfere with her ability to pay attention to the skinning.

When Domaric Mordane shifted the discourse to the matter of the Emperor’s disappearance, however, this gave her pause. Ibaris turned and peered at the visual of the summit curiously, for she had known with no shred of doubt about Solipsis' withdrawal when she felt the investiture of his power drop off some time before this; none of her Elites had seemed to notice, as the feeling of it still lingered, but faded faintly, day by day.

For her, though, it had been a tether rather than a boon, power she hadn’t particularly needed, but it was all part of the agreement: Solipsis had no reason to trust her, despite her interest in and intent to see his vision to fruition; she had the power to match him, if not surpass. It had been insurance. So, when Solpsis had vanished, all she could do was laugh. Ibaris had been quite curious what would come of his return to this plane of existence, particularly when she was wholly convinced that the only person responsible, the only one who would be so self-assured, so bereft of fucks to make that happen was none other than her gods-damned mother. And now?

What did that woman think of this investment now?

Had this all been a waste of her time?

No, but rather than brazenly doing something about the vacuum of power left in the wake of his disappearance, Ibaris had instead left the situation to fester, and watched curiously for what that would do. She was taking the time to assess what she was working with, and watching for how long it would take for the council to bring the matter to the table… or if any of them had the balls to dare to reach for the throne. But while what was beginning to unfold in that meeting was hardly unexpected at first, as more voices added their opinions to the discussion, she was soon driven to abandon her manual work, and set the scalpel aside.

While Antipater and Moff Evner Braxiatel endorsed Sularen and Valek Zuraxin , respectively, which she found amusing - Onrai speaking to the pittance of Zuraxin’s merits certainly contributed to that feeling - and Sularen’s talk of votes made her think of Naboo given the context, it wasn’t until Mordane opened his mouth again and suggested her replacement by none other than that unproven whelp of Solipsis, in the same breath as supporting Sularen’s nomination, that her expression began to sour.

Ibaris glanced at the scalpel, momentarily entertaining an impulse. “What an unfortunate turn of events--” But he wasn’t done. “--a dyad?” She blinked, tapping a finger on the table; an ember of her worsening mood flared in tandem as she looked back to the coverage. “You can’t be serious.”

Brutalis ' railing against the process, his anger at the very idea of replacing the Emperor, was uninformed, but it served to stoke her own just a little further, such that when the discourse continued to support the absurd idea of this dyad, it only made her anger all the hotter.

“This is a council of idiots,” she ground out, hazel-eyes boring into the image of that supposed goddess as she yapped, and threatened one of her own, “uh-uh--” her jaw worked back and forth, “--you keep your hands off what’s mine, you little--” her hands flexed, and released, flexed, and released, as she breathed steady breaths, working to get a hold of herself as Onrai continued to speak and put herself forward as a mediator of this farce of a concept.

Saner voices returned to the conversation, as Braxiatel brought up the faults with this idea of power-sharing, and she began to pull herself back in. It was about fucking time. The droid Moff of Jaemus reiterated those faults in his own way, and a frigid calm settled over her, restraining but not abolishing her anger.

She’d heard enough.

Varanin divested her hands of their black nitrile gloves, reattached her utility belt, and called for her overcoat, which flew into her hand and was put on. All the while, that anger stoked the nigh-bottomless pit of her power, and sharpened her focus to a hairline edge. All the while, discourse returned to the matter of territory and the protection of it, the things those speaking actually did have the experience and acumen for… it would be a waste to dispose of them.

Quietly, she exited the workshop and stepped out into the desolate landscape and inky, moonless night, her boots disturbing the dust while Saa Montemar began to speak again and prove himself shrewder than most. She paused to listen until close to the end of it, his voice dropping out, stretching, and becoming robotic as the signal thinned and evaporated the further she got from the building, and she removed the earbud, pocketing it. Varanin withdrew a dagger from her belt that seemed to pulse with its own inherent darkness, and carved a rift out of the empty air before her.

Then she sheathed the blade and stepped through the rift, which sealed behind her some seconds later.

• • •​

Imperial Summit at Ord Canfre
In the next instant...

The atmosphere in the room shifted in a way that could put mundanes and sensitives alike on edge before the air split behind the last speaker as he wound up what he had to say; Executor Varanin emerged, and the rift dissipated. She was clothed in the black vetements of the Elites, but for some minute differences, such as the pips on the neck of her tunic that denoted her more specific role pertaining to oversight of the military, and tasteful silver stitching. What was less easily seen was the red stitching of the runic script of the Sith on the inside of her overcoat, and on her left hand was the only piece of jewelry she wore constantly: an artifact ring.

None of which spoke of her other titles... only her name did the work, in that respect.

“Thank you, High Treasurer Montemar,” came the crisp, faintly Echani accent that was her voice - she had lived too long in too many other places to sound any more like a native, “for your astute words.”

Hazel eyes, freshly polluted with the yellow and orange of very recent darkside use looked over those who had attended this summit, in the flesh and otherwise, viewing them critically. She paused briefly on Derix Tirall , the only other remaining member of the Emperor’s Inner Circle, so far as she was aware, but soon moved on to addressing them all, hands folded in front of her, her bearing tall and born not so much out of pure confidence, but out of lived experience and status.

“I see a problem, ladies and gentlemen, a not too distant future wherein you have discussed and very nearly signed the writ of your own destruction,” she started, coming across mildly incensed, “and it’s not the insult, though I should want to whittle some members of this council to within an inch of their lives,” she hissed, then pausing for a scant moment, “no, the problem is yes, the temporary outlook of this dyad,” she very nearly spat the word, “but also the perception of it.”

She turned to Sularen, “Not to discount your military record, military expertise, or acumen, Lord Sularen, but,” and she turned back to the council, while gesturing to the Warlord with one arm, “what the public and our adversaries will see if this is done, dyad or no, is a puppet,” then she made the same gesture to Zuraxin with the other arm, dropping the first, “and possibly a puppetmaster that is weak, if not a coward.” She dropped her arm. “The perception of weakness in leadership would infect the image of the Empire itself. A puppet cannot be taken seriously.” Her eyes narrowed, and Varanin crossed her arms, “Try again."

 

[Onrai]

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

And so the conversation continued. The Moff initially pointed out that the ysalamiri on his lap ensured little risk from any wayward Force-users - a valid point, were there no other ways of inflicting harm that were present in the room, from Force-users and non-Force-users alike. He was critical of the concept of the dyad and of the concept of a moderator - understandable given this was a potential power play for himself and those like him - and directly claimed that Solipsis had been responsible for Korvan's demise. How he was sure of this when there was only one individual present unrequitedly sure of the reason for Korvan's demise was unknown, but it caused the false goddess to perk up.

"If I might ask, Moff Braxiatel - a deviation from the current course for one moment. What evidence do you have that Solipsis was responsible for Korvan's death?" If he had what she doubted he had, then it was possible the momentum could very aggressively shift towards Valek.

The droid Moff proceeded onwards and additionally was critical of the concept of the dyad. There was nothing to say in response to his comments as General Mordane spoke. "I don't think we disagree at this point over what to do in response to our enemies, so much as we disagree on who should lead the action of doing them." The Warlord spoke up and clarified his support for Keto dominion within the Core - a petty and irrelevant squabble to the matter at hand before pushing further towards a line of conflict with the two galactic powers. The Imperial Financier as well sought to save his own hide in the event of any conflict through typical neutrality, as was expected.

Her eyes observed the Imperial Executor as she exited the room. The malignant being had heard every word the woman had muttered to herself. The sense of a momentary tear in the fabric of reality upon her exit raised an eyebrow - evidently Ashin's daughter could indeed open the boundary between realities, which made the twisted ethereal question what she had been working on in her apparent absence. When Saa finished his discussion, Executor Varanin had taken up position at the speaker's stand, and for the first time in a substantial period made her presence known.

Her criticism of the greater council and its discussion over the dyad, or the vote for Imperial leadership in and of itself, gave Onrai only a reason to ponder. As she put forward the suggestion that the public would not accept the duo, something she was unsure of, the suggestion that the Empire's adversaries would view Sularen as a puppet gave her a moment of pause. The implication of Valek's cowardice was a surprising jab as she seemingly sought to clear the slate of all contenders, all options for leadership that had been laid down so far.

"Alright, Executor Varanin." There were many things Onrai could've pointed out - that she had antagonized the two people most likely to wield the position of leadership, that she had not been physically present for many of the Empire's council meetings and thus likely had less of a grasp on the situation compared to others, or that the opinion of the Empire's adversaries was beneath it. But instead, a pragmatic approach seemed best to push forward. Verbiage slipped from the malefacted construct's lips that sought to unilaterally bring the whole attention of the room to the speaker's stand.

"You see the various options presented so far as bad for the Empire. What do you propose in their stead?" She had wanted to criticize. Now was the time to encourage her to put forward her own idea and vision. Whether it would be received well, or at all, by the Executor was another question entirely, but she had desired to wipe the slate clean.

Now she could write on it.

 

[Dyans Keto]

Post: 3
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

​

---

Rage shook through her body as Domaric Mordane opened his mouth an pronounced Moff Evner Braxiatel as a candidate for the regent of the deep core. She had nothing against Moff Braxiatel, he had spoken some truths she actually aligned with so far in this meeting. However, Domaric whom she had thought of as a possible ally in the Dark Empire showed his true colors with the words he spoke in that moment. In that moment the alliance with Krath and The Dark Empire was very much in jeopardy as everything that the Krath had put on the table for their continued alliance and assimilation into the Empire was gone with those simple words he spoke.

Her cybernetic fist clinched the only outward sign of the seething that was boiling beneath the surface. Her good arm reached up to the table and pulled a datapad that sat in front of her to her lap. She started pushing a few screen prompts that came up, if Mordane wanted to start a third war he was about to get it. Thankfully, Warlord Sularen spoke up and settled the issue swiftly and decisively. Dyans hand slipped away from the datapad and she stopped putting her next actions into play.

She then went back to the discussion at hand that of Dyad, an idea she was behind and supported as a possible compromise. Now though she rejected it mentally outright not because she inherently had anything against the idea but because of the man who had proposed it. She was not one to take his slight lightly and let it go unforgiven, even if now she wouldn't start a war over it.

She gave a head nod to Saa Montemar as he put his current plan on the table for putting a committee together. Then a new person whom Dyans had not been aware of entered the chambers That of Executor Varanin. Dyans listened intently as the woman spoke and realized that Mordane seemed willing to give away any title or position he saw fit in that moment. The Executor spoke of the troubles with the dyad concept, the truths of the weakness of those who were purposed for leadership as well.

"First, I want to give my apologies to you Executor Varanin. I was unaware that Domaric Mordane was so willing to give away any position he saw fit even if it was already filled." There was venom in her words as she spoke, disdain noted by how she refused to use his proper title when addressing him. "As I see it everything you have made a point to be a very astute assessment. Since you are the highest-ranking person here or at least one of them, I wonder why your name was left off the table? I therefore nominate Executor Varanin and give her my vote. Of course, that is if she wants such a position, she has a commanding presence and she seems to know well all those in leaderships strengths and weaknesses." Dyans then went silent once more looking around to see if anyone would stand against her words and if Executor Ibaris Varanin would accept or not.

 

[Antipater]

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

Ibaris Varanin arrived through a swirling miasma of the Force and promptly informed the assembled parties that they had got it wrong. Antipater reflexively ran his own internal calculations and concluded - once again - that he was objectively and mathematically correct. Her devotion to that sad, ancient religion must have clouded her judgement more than being an organic already did.

Still, she deserved a wide berth. If Zuraxin and that howling, now-banished lizard were the Emperor's hounds, she was the prized lapdog. A thoroughbred, too, if that surname was not just for show.

"If the Executor had the remotest design for leadership, we would not be having this discussion," Antipater dryly informed Dyans. His head slowly rotated to face Ibaris. "Would we?"

He did not, in truth, understand what this magic meat sack wanted. Perceptions were irrelevant. The Dark Empire was weak. One could hardly assess a rudderless vessel as anything else. How the galaxy writ large "perceived" the regent would not move material reality in either direction. What it would give them was direction and clear leadership: a crucial element if a worthwhile path forward was to be charted.

It was either her or Sularen. And if Keto's change of heart were any indicator of the rest of this council's disposition, all Ibaris would have to do is say she wanted it.

 

[Derix Tirall]

Marlon Sularen | Moff Evner Braxiatel | Antipater | Onrai | | Ibaris Varanin | Dyans Keto | Saa Montemar​

The council chamber remained tense as Tirall rose, his composed demeanor masking a calculating mind. His piercing gaze surveyed the room, lingering momentarily on Executor Varanin before shifting to Sularen, Zuraxin, and finally to the projection of Empress Dyans Keto. His voice, measured and deliberate, cut through the lingering discussions.

"Executor Varanin's intervention has once again reminded us of the stakes at hand. This Empire, precariously balanced between continuity and collapse, cannot afford half-measures or drawn-out deliberations. Yet here we are, locked in debate while the galaxy observes and calculates our weaknesses," he began, his tone layered with a blend of rebuke and urgency.

Tirall turned slightly, addressing Keto with a firm but controlled tone. "Empress Keto, your words carry both insight and, perhaps, unnecessary venom. The Executor's name was absent not out of oversight but because this council seems more intent on bickering over titles than addressing the core of the matter—strength. Leadership. Unity. While I appreciate your candor and recognize the capabilities of Executor Varanin, this spectacle of nominations undermines the credibility we so desperately need to project."

Turning his attention to Mordane's earlier remarks on the Core Worlds, Tirall's expression hardened, his tone cutting. "Let us be clear: the Krath governance in the Core has the potential to achieve what many would deem impossible—order and stability in a region that teeters on the brink of anarchy. To undermine that now, as Allegiant General Mordane suggests, is not merely shortsighted; it borders on reckless arrogance. Perhaps his disdain for the Church clouds his judgment, but I cannot fathom how anyone would entertain alienating one of the Empire's strongest pillars of legitimacy. Both his proposals risks shattering the very foundation that keeps this Empire intact. If Mordane is so eager to provoke chaos in the Core, he may find that the galaxy's wrath is not as easy to control as his armies."

Tirall paused, then pivoted back to the debate over leadership. His expression softened slightly as he spoke. "Warlord Sularen, we have known each other for decades, and I do not doubt your achievements. But the Empire is more than fleets and armies—it is an idea, a symbol. Your secular pragmatism, though effective in many respects, may struggle to inspire the deeper loyalty needed for this role. Zuraxin, while undoubtedly brilliant, remains an enigma. That Solipsis never placed you in a prominent, public-facing role raises questions about the true nature of your capabilities and intentions."

His words took on a sharper edge. "The Executor is correct; this prolonged argument over leadership threatens to erode what little stability remains. Whatever decision we reach must command respect—not just within this room but across the galaxy. And it must do so now, or we risk condemning ourselves to irrelevance."

Tirall stepped back, his hands clasped behind him, signaling that he had finished. The room, charged with tension, waited for the next voice to rise.

 

[Valek Zuraxin]

Location: Imperial Summit
Tags: Marlon Sularen Ibaris Varanin Derix Tirall Domaric Mordane Moff Evner Braxiatel Onrai Saa Montemar Antipater Dyans Keto


Valek remained quiet, his red glare looked to each and every face. He partially questioned why he should placate to the needs of the Imperial Council, from what he had found that any agreement was bogged down by numerous candidates. There was a slight frustration to be found with each breath through his apparatus, while he had propagated the image of a feeble man, he was far from that as shown during the Siege of Tython. From the various voices of many, such as the ghoulish Spector known as Onrai who for all intents and purposes couldn’t be trusted with Imperial ideals.

Then came the one known as Sularen. Reading his military record, he was the best choice for Zuraxin. Zuraxin could manipulate the military mind with ease, if worse came to worse than Sularen could be used as an escape goat for further military disasters, and any triumphs would be through the Sith’s guiding hand. Then came the proposal of an Imperial Dyad, or even the possibility of a Triumvirate. An idea while intriguing to the Sith, wasn’t sure if the Council would respond well.

Pale hands clenched into fists, for now he truly realized why Solipsis has despised most of the ruling council. The constant talk, disagreement of who could lead versus who should lead. Still he kept quiet, as if the voices that continued to speak simply couldn’t focus on a simple solution. He narrowed his eyes as he had thought Sularen would become regent. Zuraxin had hoped for Sularen was a tool to be manipulated in the larger goals of the Sith Grand Plan.

Then came the most unexpected appearance of Ibaris. He was tempted to move, his droid B3 would motion to sand in front of the feeble man. His eyes locked onto the executor with a scorn unlike any other. The crimson optic glowed brighter, narrowing upon the arrival of the Executor to whom he didn’t trust in the slightest. Some voices like Saa and Antipator would seek to nominate her.

His eyes narrowed, before he stood up defiantly in front of the circle, in front of the entire council. “Weak? Do you simply judge me based on the crude matter before you? Then you simply forget that the Force is more powerful than the flesh that wields it.”

He paused before he stood and spoke to the entire council. “I ask this once to reconsider any nominations for this stranger. Tell me who is the coward? when our Emperor has disappeared where were you? When the Alliance laid siege to Tython and I faced the Grandmaster where were you? Even now as I stand and question the fate of the Empire, you’ve come to simply pick the bones. Are you any worthy of that title, or are you simply a deserter?”

Zuraxin’s anger oozed through his synthetic tone. More black fluid pumped through the tubes connected to his veins. He had half a mind to summon Stormtroopers into the room. He contemplated his coup plans, but knew that his place was to be hidden hands. To put in forth the Sith Grand Plan as continued by Darth Bane so long ago and Palpatine’s dark vision for the Empire.

He would stand there defiantly staring down the Executor. He felt his saber creep against his palm. There was a slight thought to what the Moff and him had long planned, would a coup be necessary to put the Empire back into power? Would the council come to an agreement? Could they come to any consensus on who should rule the Empire? Emotions flooded through the Emperor’s Hand, for all he cared about was the vision of a Dark Side dominated Imperial vision. Where would it all go, as he now stood as one man who dared to question the woman that had entered the room.

Even while many voices around him stated cases for Sularen, for Ibaris. Zuraxin seemed the only one to question the arrival of Ibaris who for the most part thought disappeared, beyond the questioning of her presence didn’t he dare defy the will of the council. His anger made apparent at her arrival more than the other nominations brought forth to the table.

 

[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 ​

The conference intended to address the improvement of the Dark Empire's present state but it had rapidly devolved into a contest for leadership, with candidates supported by diverse factions and individual agendas. The remnants of the Maw and Korvan's Imperial Remnant had joined forces to act as a stabilizing force within the galaxy against the disarray of the Federal Assembly where progress was stagnated and Senators found themselves embroiled in internal disputes, achieving very little.

And so it was ironic for the Dark Empire to adopt the same principles as their hated enemy, lacking any clear guidance. This irony was further highlighted by the presence of Executor Ibaris Varanin , the Emperor's Hand, who not only spoke favorably of the High Treasurer but also reprimanded the assembly for their selection of unquailified candidates.

In reply, Saa acknowledged her with a polite and respectful nod, accompanied by a few brief remarks. "Your kind words are a great honor, Executor Varanin." This short response would have been more detailed had it not been for the Council's immediate uproar in reaction to the Executor's statements and pointed challenges, as they were keenly aware of the need to maintain their dignity in the presence of their adversaries.

Onrai made the first strike, with a direct question as to what the Executor could offer instead to lead the empire forward. Empress Dyans Keto moved fast to secure a spot at the table by voting for the Executor as the natural heir to the Emperor and the most qualified. Moff Antipater made sure to voice their displeasure in usual droid monotone, likely finding this entire situation illogical.

Derix Tirall the Church Loyalist and Religious Fanatic made sure to denounce the Allegiant General, and moved forward with their own power plays which made sense since they were a long-time associate of Darth Solipsis. Although the real action started with Valek Zuraxin who did not respond well to a direct challenge and a accusation of weakness, pushing back by asking why the Executor had disappeared and not lent their aide to the fight on Tython.

"When did the esteemed Council of the Dark Empire become a mirror of the Federal Assembly, where opinions are heard and heard, and heard over and over again until nothing gets done which is what this conference was meant to avoid as called by the Imperial Warlord." - Saa expressed with a sigh to the group that their ongoing arguments were unproductive. It was evident that they were not making any progress, and there was a distinct lack of a concrete plan, with the conversation instead revolving around abstract ideas from both the Military Camp and the Sith Camp.

"Surely we can do better than to act like children...or at least I hope so if the Empire is to survive in a war with the Alliance which will require a Regent with both skill in diplomacy and knowing when to delegate to experts on matters of the Force and military operations. Therefore - forgive me for suggesting, but I nominate myself for such a role. " He made a gamble of his own in order to secure votes.

By suggesting that he would be willing to delegate to the military and the Dark Side Elite when neccessary. If Valek Zuraxin intended to be a puppet master, then the iron-willed Sularen would not be the perfect pawn but himself with no morals.

 

[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

At this point it was most certain that Sularen would secure the position of Regent of the Empire, as there was no serious opposition and with his statements he had set the matter straight with some of the topics that had been brought up which had the potential to degrade the integrity of this Council. However then came in Executor Ibaris Varanin who gave a few words of her own, and all Sularen could do was watch as with a couple of sentences the Executor would derail what little progress the Council had made so far stating that no one would take Sularen seriously as the Regent of the Empire and that he would only be viewed as a puppet.

Never before had such harsh and insulting words been thrown at him since his entry into the Dark Empire especially in the halls of the Imperial Ruling Council. While Executor Varanin's words were not intended to insult or discredit Sularen, her rhetoric struck a nerve to the Imperial Warlord who then had to watch as members of the Imperial Ruling Council agreed or entertained her ideas with Sularen silently clenching his fists in anger as the conservation went, although restraining from showing any visible facial expressions that would expose his anger.

When the High Treasurer would finally finished speaking, Sularen then decided to speak his mind. "With all due respect Executor Varanin, but since when do we concern ourselves with the opinions of those who oppose us?" Sularen stated speaking in a calm tone which hinted at his growing anger and frustration. "If we are so concerned about how those outside our borders view us, then are we truly an Empire, one deserving of continuing what Talvar and Solipsis started in bringing Imperial rule to both the Tingel Arm and the Core Worlds." Sularen continued further clenching his fists tighter almost to the point of drawing blood.

"While you might think that the perception of weakness may infect the image of our Empire, i say that it breeds overconfidence and arrogance from our enemies, negative qualities that only serve to strengthen us and our cause, and i fully welcome it. We already saw this first hand at Coruscant and Tython. The Alliance repelled us at Coruscant and then went on a propaganda tirade about how they turned the tides of the war and how our Empire was weak and wouldn't hold on to the Core Worlds for too long. Then we defeated them at Tython, defeating their heroes, their armies and fleets and sending them running back to their worlds." Sularen proclaimed.

"We are an Empire and we should act like one. Instead of choosing our leaders based on the opinions and perceptions of others who would already view our leadership poorly we should choose our leaders on their ability to enforce the mission of the Empire to see it that all who stand in it's way are squashed under our iron boot and that all planets will be eclipsed by the Iron Sun as they face Imperial Judgement. When Chancellor Adhira Chandra denounced the New Imperial Order do you think Irveric Tavlar backed down and caved to the Alliance? NO. When the entire fucking galaxy denounce the Brotherhood of the Maw for the destruction of Csilla, do you think Solipsis backed down and abandoned the Maw? NO. So tell me Executor Varanin, why should we now cave to the whims of those who denounce and oppose us and not stand our ground and prove them wrong as those who came before us did?"

At this point, Sularen's voice had shifted to a condescending and domineering tone now exposing his frustration of how things had developed. He had arranged this Summit to discuss the future of the Empire and determine the proper course of action to win the conflicts it faced with various groups. They had almost reached an agreement about choosing a caretaker, a vital step in accomplishing that goal and Executor Varanin had disrupted it and derailed the entire summit and Sularen would have none of it.

Now there was no doubt in his mind : He would be the Regent of the Empire one way or another, the very force that would guide it towards it's ultimate victory in the wars it faced. He would prove those who doubted him wrong and put them all in their place. All he needed to do now was to wait and hear what kind of bullshit Executor Varanin might try to spew out to justify her idoitic rhetoric and pitiful play for power.

Tags | Onrai | Antipater | Saa Montemar | Dyans Keto | Valek Zuraxin | Domaric Mordane | Derix Tirall | Brutalis | Moff Evner Braxiatel | Reiner Ghadi | Ibaris Varanin ​