Igni Irae
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To sub the headquarters of the Disciples of the Vader, a home-grown NPC cult on Tephrike. Aside from providing another location for rps for explorers to discover, the sub helps flesh out the lore of Tephrike by codifying a location referenced in the planet submission.
- Image Credit: Here. Found on dailydesigninspiration.com. Gothic castle. Unknown artist.
- Canon: N/A
- Links: N/A
- Military Base Name: Maysaf Castle
- Classification: Army base, castle.
- Location: Tephrike.
- Affiliation: The Disciples of the Vader, a local Sith cult on Tephrike. Not affiliated with any non-Tephriki faction.
- Population: 10, 000 slaves, 10, 000 non-slaves ( second category includes non-military personnel, 100 Sith and 5000 soldiers).
- Accessibility: The castle is well known and highly visible, but very hard to access due to defence shield, mountain passes and defences.
- Description: A foreboding fortress located in a mountain that lies on the border between the deserts and the jungle lands. The castle has achieved infamy as the place from which the Disciples of the Vader rule. Through use of slave labourers, they have dug extensive tunnels beneath the earth, enabling them to quickly flee or get reinforcements and supplies in case of an outside attack. Unsurprisingly, the castle also has dungeons and laboratories, in which ghastly alchemical experiments take place. The castle is protected by a shield generator, giving it some protection against bombardment. The castle and the nearby town function as the capital of the Sith cult. From here, the dark cultists launch raids to acquire slaves and booty, along with forcibly extracting tribute from the settlements that have the misfortune of being under their heel. The cultists have strong opinions on trespassers. It can be summed up with the phrase 'heads, spikes, walls'.
POINTS OF INTEREST
The Grand Hall: Here the cultists congregate to pay homage to their Dark Lord and offer him tribute in form of slaves, plunder and so on. Same applies to representatives from the settlements that have been forced under the yoke. Unsurprisingly, the hall is very grandiose, and the Dark Lord sits upon a throne made of skulls. Tapestries decorate the walls, telling the story of the Vader. Time has distorted historical records, and so the Disciples have some rather odd ideas about their idol. While they agree that he was conceived by the Force, spent his childhood as a slave, won a pod race, became a Jedi and then embraced the Dark Side, crucial details differ. For instance, they believe that when he returned to Tatooine many years after his departure, he slaughtered the Hutts and Sand People, freeing the slaves. But then the slaves begged him to enslave them again, for they did not know what to do with their freedom. It was then that he realised that some people are born to be slaves because they are not meant for freedom. Furthermore, they believe that Darth Tyranus and Qui-Gon were the same person and Dark Lord of the Sith, and that Anakin slew him to claim the title. In his final living moments, Tyranus urged Anakin to fulfil his destiny and named him Vader.
Likewise, on Korriban Vader was tested by the spirits of the ancient Sith Lords, but he overcame all of their trials and devoured their souls. Obi-Wan, the archnemesis of the Dark Messiah, betrayed him and corrupted his son Luke. It was Vader, not Palpatine, who was the ruler of the Empire, for the Emperor was a weak Force-user. Tales of Vader's redemption are dismissed as filthy lies by the dark acolytes. The Dark Messiah was betrayed by his son and struck down by the false Emperor, who embraced the Light. There's an enormous Darth Vader statue.
Hall of Tournaments: Inside this castle chamber, the wheat is separated from the chaff. Taking the Sith's obsession with rule by the strong to its logical extreme, the Sith have dispensed with more rational means of promotion by allowing a Disciple to challenge his direct superior to combat to the death. The rationale behind this is that any man who cannot physically defend his position does not deserve to hold it. However, this method of promotion is only permitted if the challenger makes an official challenge to his superior. Assassination, poisoning, a knife between the ribs in the dead of night, these are considered trickster tactics and proof of a man's weakness, not his strength. Once a formal challenge has been made, a duel takes place in this hall, under the watchful eyes of witnesses and statues of ancient Dark Lords such as Vader and Bane. Disputes between Disciples are also resolved her through duels to the death. Gladiator fights also take place here for the entertainment of the higherups. Moreover, Force-sensitive human slaves can fight here for the right to become Disciples.
The Sanctum of the Dark One: Located in the highest tower of the impractical castle, secured so only the highest masters can see it. Here, the Disciples store what they believe to be Vader relics. For items that supposedly belonged to Vader are regarded as sacred. Said items are all frauds, and it is doubtful that they were ever even in the same room as the Dark Lord. Or existed in the same era. Indeed, with all the pieces of Vader's cloak, mask, lightsabre and armour they claim to possess, it would have been enough for several individuals to put together. This has not stopped the Disciples from continuing the search for relics. Only the highest masters have access to this room, and it is heavily guarded by the most loyal acolytes, who have shed flesh in favour of crude cybernetics. Successive cult leaders have claimed to commune with the spirit of the Dark Lord. Channelling his presence through his mask, he relays instructions to his heirs and shows them the power of the Dark Side. The Disciples believe that one day a Scion from the bloodline of the Dark God Vader will appear to eclipse the Light. So they store these relics until that glorious day arrives.
Chamber of Sacrifice: Once an acolyte has passed his trials to become a Disciple, it is time for him to sacrifice a limb like the cult's idol did. So he is taken to this chamber, where his right arm is severed at the elbow by a lightsabre. Subsequently, it is replaced by a crude cybernetic arm. He's also given a dark mask. Some particularly fervent Disciples go a step further and sacrifice more limbs than just an arm, desiring to emulate Vader as closely as possible.
Chamber of Forging: Located in the lower levels of the Castle. Here, alchemists conduct experiments on sentient beings and beasts alike. Prison cells and cages lie adjacent to the laboratory. The result of these experiments are crude Sithspawn creatures conditioned to serve their dark masters. Alas, some of them are simply too savage and need to be put down. But there's always more prisoners to experiment on. Moreover, cultists also design alchemised weapons in a nearby workshop. As lightsabres are extremely rare on Tephrike, Sith swords and the like are standard weapons for Disciples.
Chamber of Illumination: Also located in the lower levels. Here unbelievers are enlightened via torture. The Disciples favour some rather ghastly, stomach-churning punishments that even some Sith might consider extreme. Prison cells are nearby.
Sith Council Chambers: Located in one of the higher towers. Here, the Dark Lord and his most powerful lieutenants convene, deciding on important matters of state. As the Disciples are frankly a band of barbaric marauders, this mostly boils down to campaigns to torch Jedi enclaves, acquire slavers and booty. Composition of the council fluctuates, as power struggles are a regular occurence. The Disciples are human supremacists, so there are no aliens.
Slave pens: The economy of the Disciples runs on slavery. Slave labourers are held in deplorable, squalid conditions. The logic is that the strong do what they will, and the weak suffer what they must. So the weak deserve anything that happens to them. They toil day and night, and have no rights. It is perfectly legal for a Disciple to strike or kill a slave in anger. Individual Disciples are awarded slaves in return for service. Should a slave escape, it is their responsibility to catch and punish them. However, should the escape be successful, this shows the Disciple was weak, which means that he is the one who is punished. Slaves are not allowed to be able to read or write. Disciples who show compassion to slaves are regarded as weak, for they are succumbing to the pull to the Light. Because Vader was human, the Disciples regard humans as the master race, so many of the slaves are aliens. However, a Disciple can be enslaved as punishment for transgressions against the Sith Code. Should that occur, he is severed from the Force.
Execution grounds: Located in the courtyard of the palace. Here heretics, traitors and uppity slaves are publicly executed. Executions tend to be public events. The Disciples are fond of a variety of savage execution methods. These include breaking on the wheel, crucifixions, disembowelment, dismemberment, hanging, drawing and quartering and immersion in boiling liquid. Sometimes the friends or loved ones of the condemned are forced to carry out the sentence themselves. Should they refuse, then they're obviously enemies as well.
Hangar: A small hangar can be found in the castle. It is able to hold a small amount of ships, but is not designed anything like frigates or cruisers. None of the Disciples have ever left Tephrike anyway. Instead, they have some primitive gunships and fighters. These are outclassed by the Dominion of Light's craft, which says a lot about their poor state since the Windian Jedi's tech is quite primitive. Rather their main utility lies in scouting or imposing the Disciples' will upon villages by raining down death upon the helpless. Up on one of the spires, there's a landing pad for small craft, which is reserved for the use of the Dark Lord. The Disciples might idolise Vader, but they've been unable to imitate his piloting skills.
Barracks: Living quarters for the soldiers that guard the Castle. By the standards of the Disciples, they constitute an elite force. Separated from their families at an early age and indoctrinated to revere the Vader, they are essentially slave-soldiers, though they are regarded as standing above the slaves. Constant indoctrination teaches them to regard Vader as the Dark God and the Disciples as his chosen ones. Connected to the barracks is an armoury for all their violent needs.
The high masters of the cult reside higher up in more elegantly furnished chambers, attended upon by their slaves. Aside from the aforementioned locations, one can also find storage rooms, a medical wing, grand dining hall, kitchens, and so on. There's also a library, though the Disciples don't have any rare holocrons from ancient Sith Lords lying around.
DEFENSES
Defences consist of an energy shield protecting the castle, some antiaircraft guns, turrets, motion sensors, long treacherous pathways leading to the castle, maze like interior, guards and traps. Moreover, ray shields have been installed along strategic locations in the castle's main spire. There are also some simple pitfall traps...but unfortunately they malfunction sometimes and several people have been lost when the trap accidentally triggered. The guards are a mixture of non-Force-using grunts, Sith and primitive Sithspawn creatures/war beasts. Extensive tunnels have been dug beneath the castle through the use of slave labour. If needs be, these could enable the cultists to make an escape - or suprise and hit a besieging army in the rear.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
One might wonder what Darth Vader would think about the fanatical cult that worships him with such zeal...while totally misunderstanding him in many ways. Presumably Force Choking would ensue. Sadly, you do not always get to choose your worshippers. Castle Maysaf was built in the distant past of Tephrike. The exact circumstances have been lost to history, though it was probably built as a defensive fortress after the planet was settled during the days of the Old Republic. When the Galactic Empire rose to power and brought the Galaxy under its jackboot, it served as a sanctuary for Tephrike's Jedi and rebels.
However, its walls could not withstand a force of stormtroopers with armoured support, and so the rebels were slaughtered. The Empire briefly made use of the fortress, but over time it was abandoned. In the centuries that followed, as Tephrike experienced various ups and downs during the time of the New Republic and the Galactic Alliance, the fortress remained out of use.
Until the Gulag Virus did a number on the planet. Long story cut short, the Dark Age sent Tephrike spiralling into chaos. Isolation caused famine, a myriad factions fought over scarce resources, leading to an age of strife. Cut off from the rest of the order, the Jedi tried to take control. At first on a provisional basis, but soon they sought totalitarian power in the name of order. Repression bred resistance, which in turn bred more repression.
As the Jedi grew corrupt and sought to impose their vision on society, some grew drunk on power. One of them was Cade Seward. Born during the Dark Age, he was thrust into the horrors of war at an early age. Jedi ruled over vast swathes of territory as Jedi Lords, seeking to impose order by any means necessary. They dispensed justice, requisitioned supplies to feed population centres under their control and commanded armies. For some the strain proved too much, and the siren call of the Dark Side could not be resisted.
Reaching officer rank, Seward was part of a bloody campaign against rebels in Tephrike's jungles. These rebels considered the Jedi theocracy illegitimate and sought to restore Tephrike's pre-Gulag Virus Republic, though in practical terms they were another warlord faction. The campaign was not going well, for though the Jedi forces could deploy impressive firepower, they were harassed by guerillas and plagued by disease. Increasingly, food and clean water became scarce. Many soldiers on both sides lost their lives but succumbed to various diseases. Morale was understandably poor. Jedi Knight Seward took command over a section of the forces after his superior was fragged by mutineers.
Bitten by a nasty mosquitoe, Seward was afflicted with malaria. Suffering from the effects of the diseases, which caused headaches, fever and uncontrolled seizures, he experienced bizarre visions. Even as a child, he'd received Force visions, but now these were more intense. In his fever dreams, he saw a towering warrior clad from head to toe in black armour, with his face covered by an imposing mask. The figure handed him a scarlet lightsabre and, in a cold, gruff voice, ordered him to break the chains the Jedi had placed upon him and eclipse the light.
It took some time, but eventually Seward succumbed. Drawing upon his somewhat incorrect knowledge of history, he deduced that the man in black had to be Darth Vader. He shared his revelations with a few subordinates. Some refused to heed his bold vision. They were put to death. The rest swore allegiance to him. Secretly reaching out to the rebel forces, he struck a deal with them, and led the Jedi loyalists into an ambush. Holding his own troops back from the fighting, he proceeded to turn on the rebels. Conveniently, they were in a poor state as well and so a good number of their soldiers joined his cause when he promised them revenge and booty.
Taking over a few minor settlements and assimilating various militias into his army, he began his dark crusade. At first dismissed as a mere bandit, the Windian Jedi Order eventually realised that this rogue, who'd begun to call himself Darth Menace, was an actual threat. War ensued, but after winning a number of victories, his army was decimated at the Battle of Palmyra, which left Tephrike's already ruined old capital devastated by use of chemical weapons. Forced to retreat into the jungle, he led the remainder of his army on a Long March, performing scorched earth tactics on the way. Still obsessed with his destiny, he plotted revenge on the Jedi, but some of his generals had enough. And so they did the classic Sith thing and turned on him. His apprentice Darth Vengeance challenged him to a duel and defeated him in mortal combat.
It was Vengeance who led the remnants of the 'Dark Legions' to the ruins of Castle Maysaf. Here, high up in a mountain that lay on the border between jungle and desert lands, he planted his standards. From this moment on, it would be the new base of the Disciples of the Vader. Its ground was consecrated through the ritual sacrifice of several captives. While Menace had been slain, many of his principles remained alive, though the order he'd founded changed over time. Though the Disciples kept claiming that it was their goal to cover Tephrike in darkness and exterminate the Jedi, in practical terms they became a band of marauders who preyed on the weak, while still launching raids into Jedi territory whenever the Dominion of Light showed weakness. Vengeance was less of a fanatical Vader worshipper than the cult's founder, but intensified the cult of Vader in order to provide a unifying ideology that could keep the cult together.
Successive Dark Lords have kept the dark faith alive, albeit with varying zeal. It has produced an odd cult that takes the Sith's obsession with rule by the strong to the extreme. Slavery was revived, for those who could not defend themselves did not deserve freedom. Moreover, non-Force-users were inherently inferior to Force-users and thus equality was a lie. Using slaves acquired through raids on scattered settlements, the Sith cultists rebuilt and expanded the Castle, digging deep tunnels beneath the earth. They also installed defence systems, which had been mostly acquired through raids. Ghastly torture was inflicted upon heretics, 'uppity' slaves, captured Jedi and so on in the dungeons. In line with their vulgar Social Darwinist ideology, the Sith Masters decree that the old and infirm should be killed due to being 'useless eaters'. They demanded tribute from nearby settlements, and extracted it via brute force.
The Republican Guard, a secular faction that idealises the Old Republic and despises Force-users, has often launched raids on the Castle and the nearby villages, seeking to rescue slaves and captives. The Jedi are aware of the fortress', but its defences have proved formidable.
Despite often claiming that they are the only ones fit to impose order on the Galaxy, Sith have a tendency of being unstable and fighting amongst themselves. This was especially the case for the Disciples of Vader, as they fully embraced a martial might makes right ideology.
Of particular note is an episode during the reign of Darth Impaler. As the name would imply, this Dark Lord was fond of impaling those who disagreed wirh him. Or just plain annoyed him. Indeed, his crass cruelty was even considered extreme by other Sith. It helped that he was extremely paranoid and convinced that his fellows were plotting against him. In all fairness to him, they actually were.
Aside from the usual backstabbing, two heretical movements reared their head. A group of cultists had discovered what they believed to be 'a sacred text' from the Jedi, which told the true story of Darth Vader. Said text was actually a 'Galactic Civil War for Dummies' sort of book, which told the story of Vader's redemption. Thus one group proclaimed that since Vader had embraced the Light, it was their duty to do so as well as the true disciples of the Chosen One. In doing so, they would finish what he started by restoring the balance of the Force. The other group claimed that since Vader had fallen to the light side, Palpatine was the true Dark Lord and it was their duty to destroy the false Sith. Civil war ensued. Impaler hoped to pit both factions against the other, but the leader of the 'Light Sith', Darth Krieg, was able to rally a number of rebellious slaves to his cause.
In the end, Impaler was slain in a duel. The Sidious zealots were purged and Krieg took control. Despite ostensibly being a lightsider, he saw nothing wrong about ruling as a dictator. He reached out to the Dominion of Light to negotiate a treaty, but they rebuffed him. So he declared that the faux Jedi had fallen to the Dark Side and must be purged. Cannily, he arranged an alliance of convenience with the secular Republican Guard, launching a joint campaign against the mutual enemy. However, while Krieg was campaigning, his enemies in the cult seized control of the castle and upon his return he was poisoned. This was justified with the argument that he was an unbeliever, and so the normal code did not apply. The old order was restored and the 'heretical' text was burnt.
Presently, the lord of the castle is a Sith Lord called Darth Furcht. He came to power during the disruptions caused by the Netherworld Event. Castle Maysaf remains the centre of power of the Sith cultists, despite the best efforts of the Dominion to dislodge them. With the Windian Jedi weakened by internal purges, the Sith cultists sense an opportunity. Whether they will be able to stay unified long enough to take advantage of it is another question.
