AMCO
I'm Sorry Dave
"... through Victory, my chains are Broken ..."
- Intent: Create a nasty new tool through which the Sith dominate their lessers.
- Image Source: Rings by Robin Janowsky
- Canon Link: N/A
- Permissions: N/A
- Primary Source: Sith Amulet | Talisman of Ensnarement | Blood Trail (Dathomiri Magic)
- Manufacturer: The Primyn Group | The Sith Order
- Affiliation: The Sith Order (Knights & Lords)
- Model: N/A
- Modularity: N/A
- Production: Limited
- Material: Alchemical Alloys, Sith Runes, optional adornments.
- Ritual of Branding: The core feature of such talismans, this ritual is comparatively quick, taking a mere five minutes or so for a practised Sorcerer or considerably longer for some of the Sith Order's blunter instruments. It requires no component but "the talisman, the Master, and the slave"; contrary to the description, "the slave" need not be truly subservient, but they must be subdued, and binding someone stronger in Force or will than oneself is all but impossible. (NB! This feature cannot be used on another writer without their permission. The description is specifically vague to avoid any "I'm the strongest Sith ever, there's no way you can resist." moments. Don't. Just don't.)
- Branded and Bound: Through a Ritual of Branding, the master of such a talisman can permanently bind a subdued target to themselves, allowing them to track them even across the void between stars, communicate with them at vast distances, and even influence or dominate their minds through the connection.
- Alchemical Resilience: Forged from alchemical alloys and bolstered by the dark arts of the Sith, these talismans are all but indestructible by natural means.
- Born of the Dark: Given the nature of this talisman, it should come as no surprise that it is entirely useless if it or its target is within an area in which the Force is surpressed, such as an Ysalamiri's aura. Similarily, Force Light can destroy the talisman, with sufficient exposure. Finally, it has been noted that Force Nexuses strongly associated with the Light to some degree suppresses the effect of the Branding and could even potentially break it, given enough time - especially if the resisting party is strong of will.
- Born of the Master: While ensorceled so that only the rightful user can wield them, these talismans are permanently linked to their Masters and can thus be used to track them in the hands of a skilled Sorcerer, just as they track their slaves.
- Safety in Distance: The Master's ability to forcibly communicate with their slaves and especially to control their minds wanes with distance - up close, they might impose their will with tenfold magnitude, but on the other end of the galaxy they would barely be able to project a whisper, unless the slave willingly cooperates. Similarily the tracking effect, while unimpeded by distance, only guides the Master towards the slave in a straight line. It goes without saying that distance might make such an ability... impractical.
- Safety in Numbers: While there is theoretically no limit to the number of slaves such a talisman can bind, a Sith would be well to avoid overextending himself, for while willing or broken slaves barely tax the artefact, binding too many who actively resist could make the Brandings fray or even break. Truly irresponsible use could even destroy the talisman!
- Strength of Will: In addition to potentially resisting the Ritual of Branding itself, those of strong will - particularly if they are also Force Sensitive - have a much easier time resisting the Master's influence, at least at a distance, and especially if the Master was fool enough to bind more than one particularly strong soul.
- Death: A product of conventional Sorcery, not Sith Necromancy, the talisman does not bind the soul. If a slave truly dies (dead dead, not heart stops but later starts again dead), the Branding is broken, even if they are later brought back to life through some strange sorcery or another. If the Master dies, all Brandings are broken. If the Master merely switched his body, such as with the "Transfer Essence" ability, a bit of extra preparation can also keep the bindings intact.
The product of lengthy research and much experimentation by six of the Primyn Group's Archons, among them Adrian Vandiir, these so-called "Talismans of Chains" were first forged to better control some of the group's more rowdy Sithspawn, though the revelation that they might be used to subdue other beings as well quickly shifted the direction of the project, the lust for power inherent in all Sith leading them down a path of ensnarement most foul.
These strange new talismans were created based on a combination of ancient Sith techniques, such as those used in the creation of Talismans of Ensnarement, more novel developments, and even the strange arts of the Nightsiststers of Dathomir, particularly the ability known as "Blood Trail" - as is to be expected from such a hodgepodge of techniques, the end result was sadly imperfect, though still more than capable of filling a valuable niche within the Sith Order's repository of artefacts.
To create these talismans, their future Masters must involve themselves in the process personally, either creating the entire item themselves (as a skilled Sorcerer might choose to do), or merely lending their strength to the Sorcerer chosen to aid them, typically one of the Primyn Group's own. Such assistance is, of course, rarely free. At the culmination of the ritual of imbuement, a sacrifice must be made, albeit largely a symbolic one - the future Master must spill their own blood, allowing the talisman to attune itself to them so that they, in turn, may use it to bind others to their dark will.
As each is a unique creation, so each is a display of its new Masters preferences. One might be a gilded and bejewelled ring, fit for the fingers of an Emperor, while another might appear as a crude iron dragon worn as a necklace - whatever their design, they are often, though not necessarily, circular, as if to resemble a slave collar. Unsurprisingly, the talismans created by the future Masters themselves are most prone to the truly personal, with some even sporting strange new abilities unseen in more faithful recreations of the original talismans. (NB! Any changes to the item's effects as stated in this submission, and not merely its appearance, may require a unique submission at the discretion of Factory staff. Personal recommendation - better safe than sorry.)
