Mysteries

[Darth Prazutis]

Bastion, Ravelin, Science Sector
Temple of the Jen’vi’kas…

Understanding.

The cornerstone of accumulating power in the force came through an increasing understanding, and unraveling of the mysteries of the dark side. Many used the dark side for various applications and purposes and some were simply content with the core applications of it to destroy, warriors who sought victory in battle. But there were others who sought more. Who understood the true power in acquiring a deeper understanding of the dark side, this is what separated the Vitiates, Sidious’s, Marka Ragnos’s, etc from the Maul’s, Vader’s, Malgus’s, etc. Deep in the dark side were great and terrible rituals, spells, incantations of terrible power and unparalleled fury to defy natural law, shatter reality and even power on a cosmic level.

It was a voracious hunger for knowledge that constantly drew Darth Prazutis in. As the Shadow Hand of the Sith Emperor, and Supreme Commander of Sith-Imperial Forces his time was a valuable commodity that was never wasted. Every minute of the day was spent constructively be it fighting, planning, administering, on any number of interests. Sleep was often something the Shadow Hand ignored rather drawing on the power of the dark side to sustain him, in order to clear more time. The hunt for knowledge and understanding was one he actively pursued, and everything he could possibly need was located relatively close right on the capital of Bastion.

Monoliths.

A fabled work of the ancient Sith Emperor Vitiate creating a series of giants, a superior breed of sithspawn unparalleled. It was a unique art that was employed and one whose mystery the Lord of Lies was eager to solve. Long in the past of his family were the fabled Monoliths of Solomon the Black that helped the family rise in power, they would come in great you abroad and on the homefront. So where would he go to uncovering the secrets of such a dark art? Where in the Sith Empire would he find the minds to assist his endeavor?

The Jen’vi’kas.

A collective of dark side prophets who specialized in everything from complex rituals, spells to alchemy and unraveling the often confusing dark side prophecies. They were specialists in all things complex in direct relation to the dark side. They were specialists whose work was dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and use of the dark side, it was by their hands that the Sith Empire’s own understanding was furthered. They were both custodians and protectors of knowledge. They helped in a variety of endeavors and were one facet of the empire that was crucial to its long term success as any other. The Jen’vi’kas were led by an inner circle of High Prophets who all answered to one single individual: the Supreme Prophet.

[member="Darth Morbus"].

A powerful Lord of the Sith was the Supreme Prophet and leader of the organization. Word was sent in advance to the Supreme Prophet of the Shadow Hand’s arrival one late Ravelin night. The wind was slightly elevated as his vessel dropped into the private landing pad of the secluded temple. It’s size was massive and its design archaic and unique when compared to the other towering structures of dark steel, a distinct difference from the typical aesthetic. It was a structure made from sleek, ashen colored stone. A towering monolith flanked with archaic statues on the outside of its entrances. As soon as the Midnight II docked, opening its ramp the Shadow Hand emerged alone, waving off his Crownguard escort as he made his way past the temple guardians.

 

[Darth Morbus]

The Jen'Vi'kas Temple​

Prophet's Hall​

[member="Darth Prazutis"]​

​

The temple was more natural than most other structures throughout the Sith Empire. The carved dark stone formed from the very foundations that rested upon it, the majority of the temple underground, a maze of catacombs with open halls and rooms where needed. Durable doorways, reinforced by alchemized stone, opened and closed to allow passage to those the intricate Sith spells recognized as welcome. All others would find an obstacle. Dimness was throughout the subterranean structure, flickering fires that crackled with hints of unnatural energy burned, settled in rusted sconces along the walkways. There seemed little care in the appearance of the temple interior, until it came to rooms of importance, such as the Prophet's Hall.

As the escorted entered the significantly larger area, immediately there was a difference in design. The room was well lit, and throughout the rectangular space were an assortment of glass cabinets in rows. Within were contained all manner of relics, artifacts, holocrons, weapons and armor. A literal assortment of powerful Sith, and non-Sith, items that had been studied, were being studied, or had simply been collected by the Jen'Vi'kas over a long period of time. Most objects were unknown to even to the greatest Sith Lords, but the dark power which eminated from the room was almost palpable. In this hall, these items were considered somewhat valuable, but in truth were little more than distractions for far greater relics concealed within the temples more secure areas.

This is where the meeting would take place.

From another entrance, where the sound of rock door grating with movement was now heard, a hunched form appeared. Dressed in robes of Ryloth design, with an assortment of rings and talismans on his person, the sickly Darth Morbus entered. His dissected lekku hung almost lifelessly around his shoulders and chest, the Sith Lord leaning heavily on a walking cane as he looked toward the others in the hall. Morbus' glowing yellow eyes lit up, his cracked lips parting to reveal a pointy toothed smile.

"Ah, the Emperor's most trusted," Morbus croaked, his voice soft in the large space. He walked over, limping. "A rare pleasure to have our temple graced with your presence..."

The Twi'lek stopped before the larger individual, looking up from his stooped posture. The pale alien Sith Lord gave the taller humanoid a once over, taking in a number of details, but otherwise remained quiet for a moment. Yellow eyes flashed with a mixture of sharp focus and distant stare, as images swirled and played through the Twi'lek's mind, before Morbus silenced the visions and resumed his smile.

"What brings you to the Jen'Vi'kas, Prazutis?" Morbus asked, perking an eyebrow ridge. "Relic identification? Ritual? Perhaps creation of an artifact? Or... perhaps something more sinister. Children, hm?"

Silence filled the hall as Morbus waited for the other - though the Twi'lek quickly added:

"Oh, and please excuse the incessant clapping... they refuse to be quiet today."

Still, the hall remained dreadfully silent.

 

[Darth Prazutis]

In the silence of the meeting chamber the Sith Lord remained in the center of the room with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes passing over the many glass cabinets surrounding him. The Jen'vi'kas were keepers of the arcane, solvers of mystery. Many of the artifacts procured by the Sith Empire were often passed into the hands of the mysterious order, who locked them deep within the labyrinthine halls of their temple on Bastion. The true size of the temple and the artifacts contained within were closely guarded secrets known only to a rare few in the Empire, deliberate rumors and misinformation often wielded as a weapon to ensure their true location remained unknown. But as his eyes passed over relics, artifacts, rings, tomes, tablets, amulets, clasps, scepters, weapons, armor, holocrons and so many other objects both Sith origin and other cultures and orders. The Jen'vi'kas were highly valued assets in his eyes and they played a key role in both the Empire and in his world, the procurment of knowledge was essential for the continued evolution of the Brotherhood and their rise in power.

The grating of the solid rock door cut through the rooms peaceful silence disrupting his thought, he turned towards the noise to see the lithe, frail, image of one Darth Morbus. At first glance Morbus looked like one of the walking dead, the twi'lek looked as if his age could be measured in centuries his skin was cracked, decaying, dying. The dissected lekku draped liflessly over his shoulders and he heavily leaned for support on a walking cane. When he spoke it was as if he forced the voice through suffering vocal chords, it came out rough and hoarse. But there was a steely focus behind those sharp, yellow eyes. It was so easy to make the mistake of assuming the man was but a dying relic instead of a formidable Lord of the Sith, and master of the arcane.

Looks were deceiving.

After Darth Morbus spoke he nodded at his comments, if the statement confused the Lord of Lies it was impossible to tell from the look of understanding that formed on his face.

"I seek to enlist your aid in unraveling an experiment I have been working on, Supreme Prophet. It has thus far eluded my grasp. The creation process of the Monoliths, I trust you are familiar?" The Shadow Hand said. Darth Morbus was a known loremaster it was safe to presume any topic brought before him, the twi'lek was intimately familiar.

[member="Darth Morbus"] | [member="Valin Stryder"]​