The High Republic

[Briana Sal-Soren]

The Story So Far

The Cataclysm — 899 ABY
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Fall of the CIS

Fall of The Confederacy of Independent Systems

The First Cataclysm came without warning, a rift tearing open the skies of Naboo by the arrival of The Unmaker — a malevolent entity of unknown origins that opened up Netherworld Rifts across all of the territories of the Confederacy of Independent Systems.

As the sky was torn asunder, the Confederate Armed Forces, alongside local militias and Knights Obsidian, mounted a desperate defense. Theed, the capital of Naboo, became the epicenter of the battle as waves of Nether-born horrors swept through the streets.

In orbit, the Confederacy's fleet engaged an overwhelming force of a corrupted fleet from the Unmaker. Despite their valiant stand, they were vastly outnumbered. The flagship Seeker of Truth made a suicide run, detonating its reactors in a desperate attempt to clear an escape corridor for refugee ships. While the explosion obliterated a significant portion of the enemy fleet, it was a short-lived victory.

On the surface, paratroopers and ground forces fought to evacuate as many civilians as possible. Yet, the monstrosities of the Unmaker's legion showed no mercy. Several districts of Theed were consumed in the chaos, and those civilians who fell were twisted into new horrors to add to the Unmakers ranks.

As the conflict culminated in a final confrontation, an Eldorai Knight Obsidian channeled the last of their ancient Eldorai powers to unleash a devastating force of energy that finally banished the entity and closed the rift.

With the Unmaker defeated and its forces scattered, the Confederacy of Independent Systems made a fateful decision: they abandoned Naboo and all of their territories. The government collapsed and retreated, citing the overwhelming cost of maintaining its defense. To all those who'd survived, it was seen as the ultimate act of betrayal.

In the power vacuum left behind, the Southern Systems grew perilous once more. Bandits and warlords carved out territories, scavengers prowled the wreckage of abandoned worlds. Crime surged as lawlessness spread. And Theed, once a beacon of peace and civilization, was left in ruins—a silent graveyard of shattered domes and burned gardens.

But, despite the abandonment, Naboo endured.

Over time, its people, proud and resilient, began to reclaim their home. New leadership emerged from among the survivors, rebuilding efforts started in earnest, focusing on restoring Theed to its former splendor.

Architects and engineers worked tirelessly to reconstruct the Grand Plaza, the Royal Palace, and the Senate Hall, ensuring that the city's heart still beat strong.

Yet, Naboo was forever changed. The trauma of the Cataclysm lingered in the hearts of its people. The once-optimistic view of galactic affairs had turned wary; the Nabooians no longer placed their trust in foreign powers. They would stand alone, determined never to rely on others for their survival.

Remembrance Day — 900 ABY
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The New Way

The New Way

A little over a year after the events of the Cataclysm, Naboo gathered at the remains of the ancient Ee'everwest Estate, which had been transformed and repurposed by the family into a memorial park as tribute for all the victims who had perished in the destruction. What was intended to be marked as a day of remembrance, a solemn occasion to honor those lost, and reflect on the planet's resilience, it instead became a day of horror, as the terrorist organization known then as The New Way unleashed a devastating bioweapon upon the people of Naboo.

What should have been a day of healing and a community coming together, instead became another dark day in Naboo's history.

Years before the memorial day attacks, The New Way operated on the outskirts of galactic politics, growing in influence under the covert leadership of Baros Sal-Soren. To the public, Baros was a shrewd businessman, a devoted family man, and a trusted political advisor, working with apparent loyalty to several Queens of Naboo. However, unbeknownst to all, Baros was building a radical political movement that would eventually spiral beyond his control, advocating from the shadows against what he saw as the unchecked power of Force-wielders and the philosophy that the Force itself was a cosmic imbalance, an unnatural entity that needed to be controlled or eradicated.

For a long while, the New Way’s influence expanded largely unchecked by galactic authorities, their rhetoric dismissed as fringe extremism and their early actions overlooked by those who failed to see the growing danger. Initially, their anti-Force doctrine primarily attracted political idealists, but over time, militant factions within the movement began to rise and radicalize. What began as propaganda and political maneuvering evolved into acts of sabotage, assassination, in-humane experimentations and violations of sentient rights, and eventually large-scale terrorism.

The first official attack attributed to the New Way came during a grand ball held on Hapes, where members of the Galactic Alliance and the New Jedi Order gathered at the invitation of the late Queen Liviana, detonating explosives inside a government building on Coruscant and killing dozens. The attack, timed to coincide with the Hapan ball, was a symbolic strike meant to send a clear message: The Jedi and their allies were not untouchable and the New Way would no longer go unheard.

In the aftermath, official investigations struggled to pin down the group's leadership or dismantle its networks. Meanwhile, The New Way focused on recruiting among the galaxy's disenfranchised and continued to amass resources for what would eventually culminate in an even larger, more devastating strike. As it did, internal divisions began to surface.

While Baros Sal-Soren had founded the movement, many hardliners within it saw him as having grown soft. Ties to his family—whose ranks included Force-sensitive children with direct connections to the Jedi—became a source of skepticism and ire. Baros’s lingering hesitation and personal attachments made him a liability rather than the single-minded visionary who'd built a crusade against all Force-wielders. Thus, the time for a change in leadership was decided, and plans to dispatch him began to take form.

Memorial Day Attack

Memorial Day Attack

Sensing the threat against his life, Baros went on the lam, fueling speculation that he was either trying to sabotage the New Way's efforts from within — or simply outlast the danger.

Amid these schisms, the remaining leaders in the New Way hatched a bold plan to demonstrate their newest weapon and achieve their ultimate goal: to nullify—or even eradicate—the Force itself. Drawing on old Yuuzhan Vong–era biotechnology, they refined a parasite called Pazhkic'Dau, originally engineered to sever a being's connection to the Force by attacking and forming a "lattice" around midi-chlorians.

A damning datapad report that was discovered after the attack and attributed to Dr. Kliks Mavlok, revealed how The New Way planned to spread Pazhkic'Dau like a virus among unsuspecting populations. Through sneezing, coughing, sweat, and other bodily fluids, carriers would transfer this parasite. In theory, if enough people were infected, large swaths of the galaxy might be cut off from the Force. However, early trials showed an entirely different, disastrous outcome: while the parasite did indeed harm or kill Force-sensitives in higher proportions, it failed to truly extinguish the Force itself and caused widespread casualties among the general populace.

Seeking a high-profile opportunity to test their "Force Cure," while simultaneously flushing out Baros Sal-Soren, The New Way infiltrated the Ee'everwest Estate memorial ahead of the ceremony. Dozens of bioweapon dispersal devices were concealed throughout the park, set to release a highly contagious strain of Pazhkic'Dau.

On the day of the memorial, after hundreds of mourners converged, the devices deployed the pathogen, unleashing chaos across the gathering. Within hours, men, women, and children began collapsing with severe flu-like symptoms that accelerated at terrifying speed. Particularly susceptible were those with the slightest Force-sensitivity, including individuals who had never known they carried any connection at all. Naboo's hospitals were swiftly overrun, and the Defense Force instituted sector-wide lockdowns to prevent further spread off-world.

Once the pathogen began sweeping through the crowds, it was reported that Baros Sal-Soren resurfaced on Naboo, potentially in an attempt to undo the damage he had unwittingly helped set in motion. Information later revealed that he learned of the planned attack and that his wife, Teyla Sal-Soren, had been captured by The New Way.

Whether his final actions were driven by genuine remorse or a desperate attempt at personal redemption remains debated, but what is known is that he attempted to reach the hidden facility where she was being held. Before he could do so, he was intercepted and fatally wounded by an assassin within The New Way's ranks. Despite his injuries, it was reported Baros still managed to reach Teyla and free her, but it was too late, as his wife had long been exposed to an unstable strain of Pazhkic'Dau and succumbed to its effects soon after. His last attempt to save her came at the cost of his own life, marking the end of both their stories.

With Baros's death, the full extent of his role in The New Way was exposed to the public, unmasking him as the architect of a terrorist movement responsible for untold death and destruction.

In the aftermath of the events, Briana Sal-Soren stepped forward to face the consequences of her father's actions.

Though still grieving the loss of both parents, she wasted no time in publicly condemning Baros Sal-Soren and everything The New Way stood for. In a formal address to the citizens of Naboo and the wider galaxy, she made it clear that she stood against his ideology and the atrocities committed in his name.

"My father was a traitor to this world and to the people he once claimed to serve. His actions, and the movement he created, have led to nothing but suffering, loss, and terror. There is no justice in what he sought, no righteousness in his war. The Sal-Soren and Ee'everwest families reject his beliefs, reject his legacy, and will do everything in our power to undo the harm he has caused."

Words were not enough.

The virus continued to claim lives—even after the attack ended, many infected survivors suffered lingering effects that, for some, resulted in death. Determined to make amends, Briana dug deep into her father's past, scouring his hidden accounts, encrypted records, and private communications, until eventually, Briana was able to track the source of the virus to a hidden New Way base.

Finding a Cure

Finding a Cure

Infiltrating the base under the cover of darkness, Briana and a handful of volunteers were able to steal a sample of the virus and gathered critical research data before detonating explosives to destroy the lab entirely, ensuring that The New Way would not be able to use its findings to continue their work.

Once back on Naboo, she hand-delivered the samples to the top scientific minds working on a cure. With their expertise, and using Baros's own research against him, they were able to reverse-engineer an antidote, and though the cure could not bring back those already lost, it saved the lives of the remaining infected—bringing the terror of Pazhkic'Dau to an end.

With their research lab and remaining samples of the virus destroyed, the New Way seemed to once again vanish into the shadows, with many of its members scattering as Galactic Authorities hunted down those involved.

But everyone knew that wherever the New Way had gone, they wouldn't stay down for long. For those now leading the New Way, this was all just a temporary set back...

Rise of The Republic — 902 ABY​

The Second Cataclysm

The Second Cataclysm

On the fourth anniversary of the original Cataclysm that shattered the CIS and shaped Naboo into the bastion it became, Queen Kalantha held a groundbreaking ceremony in Theed. On this day, the Kingdom of Naboo would be reorganized and broadened into a new state, one that would expand beyond its home system and uplift worlds from the Mid to Outer Rim: the Royal Naboo Republic.

The ceremony was dashed horrifically when the forces of the Netherworld returned to Naboo.

Under the leadership of a new entity known as the Archdemon, a general in a larger hierarchy of demonic forces, the Netherworld demons invaded Theed once more. With the help of Strill Securities, Naboo's Royal Defense Force and fledgling Order of Shiraya were able to defend the capital.

With the help of Rook Merriex, a victim of the First Cataclysm who'd been trapped on the other side since, a team of Shirayan Knights entered the Netherworld and fought against the Archdemon. Together, they destroyed the Archdemon, destabilizing the rift and triggering a collapse. The team managed to escape with minimal casualties, save for Jedi Master Elias Edo, who was only realized to have been stuck in the Netherworld after it was too late to retrieve him.

Relief efforts went into effect nearly immediately. Naboo's legislative body met with two notable benefactors, the humanitarian Mother Askani of the enigmatic Foundation and philanthropist Joran Del-Finn of Naboo. With their assistance, Naboo and other neighboring worlds affected by the Second Cataclysm received the aid they needed.

The Plasma Wars — 902 ABY​

Dawn of the Plasma Wars

Dawn of the Plasma Wars

The Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders, under the ruthless leadership of Field Marshal Vreegan Fett and their Warchief, continued their merciless campaign across the galaxy by seizing Kashyyyk with overwhelming force, leaving the Wookiee homeworld scarred and enslaved. With aid from Rodian mercenaries and the brutal Trandoshan Blackscale Clan, the Mandalorians crushed local resistance and established a violent regime, using the planet as a warning to others. Their eyes then turned to Naboo, a world rich in valuable plasma. Despite the chaos within the Galactic Alliance and rising Sith aggression elsewhere, the Royal Naboo Republic managed to barely repel the invasion, at a tremendous cost.

Though considered a pyrrhic victory for Naboo, the battle allowed the Mandalorians to extract some of the plasma they sought before retreating. Vreegan Fett clashed briefly but intensely with the Republic's Briana Sal-Soren, resulting in a stalemate that forced a strategic Mandalorian withdrawal. As Naboo struggled to recover, the Mandalorian fleet returned to Mandalore for resupply, already eyeing their next conquest. Meanwhile, new galactic tremors stirred, namely, a Sith invasion of Woostri and increased pressure on Kuat, leaving the galaxy teetering on the brink. The Neo-Crusaders, however, remained undeterred, clinging to their grim creed: There shall be no peace, just war.

Rumble Within Dee'ja Peak

Rumble Within Dee'ja Peak

In the aftermath of the Dark Empire's fall, the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders, emboldened by victories at Ithor and Selnesh, turned their gaze toward Naboo. With intelligence suggesting the Royal Naboo Republic had become a formidable regional power, Mand'alor the Anointed, Carduul Akahl, initiated the second phase of the Plasma War. Seeking to secure strategic footholds and vital plasma resources, Field Marshal Vreegan Fett led an assault on the city of Dee'ja Peak, nestled in the vulnerable Gallo Mountains. The Neo-Crusaders swiftly overran the Capitol, seizing its infrastructure and establishing a fortified presence, while simultaneously constructing a covert listening post in the mountains to monitor and undermine Naboo's sovereignty.

Despite fierce resistance from the Royal Naboo and the Shirayan Vanguard, the tide only began to turn with the intervention of the Confederacy of Independent Systems (CIS), allies from the Southern Systems Alliance. The Shirayan forces successfully targeted the mountain listening post with an airstrike, crippling Mandalorian intelligence efforts. In Dee'ja Peak, however, the battle came at a tragic cost: white phosphorus munitions were deployed on a populated area, resulting in significant civilian casualties. Though the Neo-Crusaders were eventually repelled and their campaign dissolved shortly thereafter, the scars of the conflict lingered. The Plasma Wars had ended, but at a high moral and political price for Naboo and its uneasy alliance with the CIS.

The Eternal Guardian - 902 ABY​

The Eternal Guardian

The Eternal Guardian

Driven by the horrifying rediscovery of the Unblessed (an evolved form of the long-thought-defeated New Way) Queen Kalantha authorized a daring incursion into the Netherworld. The extremist group, once founded by Baros Sal-Soren, had resurfaced with a terrifying new plan: Operation Sunkiller, a ritualistic scheme designed to eradicate Force sensitivity across the galaxy using a hellish machine fueled by the sacrifices of Force-users. The Republic launched Operation Elysium, assembling a coalition of Jedi, the Order of Shiraya's Vanguard, and the Royal Defense Force to strike into the heart of this cosmic nightmare. Their mission: destroy the machine, rescue the captives, including the children of Naboo's most prominent families, and secure the dimensional anchor known as the Gatehouse.

The ensuing battle in the Netherworld was one of unimaginable darkness and sacrifice. The Shirayan Vanguard secured the Gatehouse against both Unblessed forces and demonic horrors, keeping the portal open for the rest of the task force. Inside the twisted halls of the Unblessed facility, Jedi confronted a possessed Master Elias Edo, ultimately rescuing the abducted children and defeating the Archon's influence. Yet the victory came at a cost: Jedi Master and Guardian of peace, Kahne Porte, gave his life to ensure the others could return. Though the Jedi mourned, the mission's success dealt a final, crushing blow to the Unblessed, closing the chapter on a threat that had haunted the Southern Systems for too long.

The Rise of the High Republic - 902 ABY​

From Cradle to Flame

From Cradle to Flame

In the wake of near-constant galactic upheaval (Mandalorian invasions, Sith incursions, parasitic plagues, and cosmic reordering) the Royal Naboo Republic found itself battle-hardened but unbroken. Under the steadfast leadership of Queen Kalantha, the Republic endured these existential threats with defiant grace, weathering each crisis not by shrinking, but by evolving. As the emergency powers enacted during this storm of trials were finally dismissed, a message of resilience rang out: Naboo had survived. More than that, it had grown.

Yet even as normalcy returned, Queen Kalantha saw the limits of what her Royal Republic could achieve alone. The challenges of a reshaped galaxy demanded more than regional stability, they required vision. In a historic declaration, she announced that she would not seek another royal term but instead pursue something greater: the Chancellorship of a newly envisioned High Republic. This bold ambition was not merely a change in title, but a transformation in philosophy, a promise of representation beyond the noble class, a wider High Assembly that truly served the Southern Systems, and a Republic reimagined to match the courage and diversity of its people.

Thus began the campaign that would redefine not only Naboo, but the galactic south itself. The Royal Naboo Republic shed its old skin, and from the embers of turmoil emerged a movement destined to burn brighter than any crown: the birth of the High Republic.

To be continued...