Public Secrets of the Sith (Sith Artifact Auction)

[Maldor Mecetti]

The Midnight Treasure
In Orbit over planet THX-1138

​

The Midnight Treasure was a legend among black marketeers.

The massive vessel- over three kilometers in length- was anonymously owned by someone whom the criminal underworld assumed to be a very powerful figure. It was coated in a dark-colored metal alloy that visually blended with the starscape it traversed, though it was too large a vessel to be overlooked by either scans or the naked eye. It had massive cargo holds and impressive ship hangars. Hangars currently filled with the freighters, transports, and shuttles of today's visitors.

And it was never in the same place twice.

Flitting about outside Galactic Alliance space, its location was issued along with invitations to its auctions. One did not request a seat at the auctions aboard The Midnight Treasure. Rather, a network of informants was used to identify buyers of sufficient wealth and compromised moral character who might be interested in the offerings on any given day. These people were discreetly offered invitations.

A person might go their whole lives and never get such an invite, despite seeming to qualify. The process of selection was as mysterious as it was exclusive. Wealth, and a sinister nature, were certainly requirements. Anyone looking around the auction rooms at the other attendees could see that. But these obvious criteria were mixed with a myriad of unknown qualifications that each attendee could only guess at.

In any event, Maldor had found himself invited to one of the ship's auctions, and he could hardly have refused. The items up for auction were Sith artifacts. Precious objects merely for their collector's value. But infinitely more precious to anyone who was a genuine seeker of forbidden knowledge.

The Galactic Alliance Senator wore no disguise.

He didn't need one.

This ship was orbiting a planet outside GA jurisdictional space, and no one could claim to have seen him here without also implicating themselves. It was what amounted to honor among thieves and power brokers. He had been checked for recording devices and thieves' tools, but had been allowed to retain his 'ceremonial' lightfoil. It was a symbol of nobility in the Tapani Sector, where Saber Rakes did battle to settle matters of honor with functional replicas of ancient Sith energy swords.

There was little concern over security, in any event.

In the viewing room prior to auction, a full squad of ex-Mandalorian guards stood watch over the tables of artifacts. Maldor didn't know what crimes these Mandalorians might have committed to get them ousted from their warrior clans. But he did know that their skills were likely to be supreme, regardless of their questionable loyalties or moral character. Their armor was mismatched in places, and no longer representative of the Mandalorian ideal... but Maldor recognized plates of beskar among the other armor materials. Killing such men with blasters or blades would be a challenge for anyone attempting it.

Shifting his attention from the guards to the goods, Maldor noted several articles that interested him: An old Sith text, bound in leather that suspiciously resembled human skin. A pyramidal Sith holocron, pulsing with hidden power. An ancient Sith Sword, predating the use of Lightsabers, and finely engraved with Sith secrets on every centimeter of its metal surfaces.

All of these things could contain secrets that might multiply his knowledge of the Force.

If his vast bank account was up to the task- and he suspected it would be- then he'd leave here with all of these items.

A gentle chime sounded.

Five minutes until the auction began.

Maldor made his way towards the main Auction Chamber where the actual bidding would occur.

Alina Tremiru

​

 

[Ashin Cardé Varanin]

Auctions very much like this had shaken empires. Ashin wouldn't miss it.

Wearing black armorweave and the mask of Anger, with a black-and-gold mace at her hip, she took her time in the viewing chamber. The book, the holocron, and the engraved sword were of interest, but she lingered over all the rest, the knickknacks and curios, partial stone tablets, jars and vessels, candles, knives. More than a few struck her as more noteworthy than others might grasp - things worth including in a collection she was putting together to pass down to her daughters and grandchildren.

With only a few minutes to go, she moved with the crowd from the viewing chamber and into the auction room proper, where each lot would be brought out. She found a seat she liked, in the back left of the room. She sat alone for the time being.

She'd worn this attire many times over the last forty years, both on her travels and in her capacity as captain of the mobile faction-agnostic Dark Side academy called the Pomojema. She knew at least some recognized her; in fact, she'd recognized a couple of former students here and there aboard ship, and made a note to speak with them later.

Maldor Mecetti

 

[Valery Noble]

(void)

 

[Alina Tremiru]

The fall of the Sith Empire meant open season on any artifacts within any vault on the Holy Worlds. Dromund Kaas certainly was no exception, much to Alina's displeasure. The Tremiru vault once held countless relics from a time before even the Old Republic. Relics that had been scattered, stolen, and, like now, auctioned off. Alina stepped aboard the Midnight Treasure, sunglasses on her face, dressed in a classic business suit. She'd blend in for now.

But the moment she found what had been stolen, all bets were going to be off.

She stood stoic by one of the tables, her eyes passively glancing over the offered items. There were a lot here, a lot more than she'd expected to find, but thus far nothing from her families vau- She paused, staring down at the sword. And frowned deeply. That sword she did know. She knew it far too well. She continued on her way, idly making a path through the crowd to find herself a seat to wait for the auction to begin.

There was hell to pay now.

Valery Noble | Ashin Cardé Varanin | Maldor Mecetti

 

[Darth Kentarch]

​

The Midnight Treasure
In Orbit over planet THX-1138

Maldor Mecetti | Ashin Cardé Varanin | Valery Noble | Alina Tremiru

Darth Kentarch's arrival at the "The Midnight Treasure," a colossal vessel adrift in the sea of stars, was a silent affair. This massive ship, famed in the circles of the galaxy's elite for its exclusivity and the clandestine nature of its gatherings, was now a stage for an event few would ever witness. Guarded by ex-Mandalorians, renowned for their combat prowess and skill in battle, the ship was a fortress, a stronghold of secrets and power.

The underworld was often an endless game of shadows. A gathering of those with ambition, power, and the relentless pursuit of dominion over the shadows that governed the galaxy. There was to be gained here than archaic artifacts.

Unlike some individuals here. Kentarch planned to honor the Auction even if he lost the bidding. There was as much opportunity as being at such an event. The auction attracted individuals who were powerful, wealthy, and well-connected. this represented an opportunity to network with potential new allies, gather intelligence, and perhaps even identify new adversaries. Building relationships in such environments could be beneficial for future endeavors and power plays.

As Kentarch disembarked, the weight of his presence seemed to resonate with the very metal of the ship. His eyes, cold and calculating, swept over the armored figures that stood guard. Their armor, once a symbol of Mandalorian pride, now served new masters, and their indifferent gazes acknowledged his arrival with the respect afforded to one of his stature. Kentarch moved through the ship's grand corridors to the auction chamber. Darth Kentarch cloaked and hooded in robes as black as the void of space, his face was obscured, shrouded in mystery and enigma, made his way to the crowd and took a seat. He would wait for the Auction to begin.

 

[Maldor Mecetti]

The Midnight Treasure
Auction Chamber
​

Maldor Mecetti took his seat, and glanced around at others gathered here. Easily two-hundred of the wealthiest or most disreputable figures in the known Galaxy. All here to buy Sith treasures. For most, the acquisition of these artifacts was a matter of personal pride and cache'. Wealthy and powerful people who could not only afford to buy something rare, but also possess something considered illicit and verboten. Regardless of laws or the absence of them, the Sith were considered very edgy, and possessing anything belonging to them was almost subversive.

Of course, it was nearly certain that many here were Sith themselves, hoping to re-claim artifacts that had been plundered from their people after the recent conflicts. The worst offenders of such plundering were the Jedi, scrambling to purify and destroy Sith artifacts lest their forbidden knowledge become more widely known. It was a tyrannical modern-day book burning, as far as Maldor was concerned. Something that offended him primarily because he was interested in the proverbial books in question, and not through any honest commitment to the freedom of information.

But many artifacts had also been captured and taken away by ordinary looters and robbers, scouring battlegrounds for anything valuable before they could be seized by officials like the Jedi's version of inquisitors, and the GA's secret police. A few of these items were from other sources entirely. Honest archaeological digs had unearthed several artifacts from ancient Sith fortresses and worlds. Then, when conflicts with the Sith flared once more, some museums divested themselves of the controversial collections and placed them in the hands of private collectors. Then, traded hand to hand to hand, to wind up here.

It was the greatest auction devoted to Sith paraphenalia Maldor had ever seen. He had deep pockets, and could probably get what he wanted. But if his pockets had been infinitely deep, he'd have claimed it all. There was so much history here, so much information. Most of it would be lost in the hands of egotistical fops with no care for the greater significance of the relics they purchased.

The auctioneer droid mounted the stage and made introductions.

Smart. A droid could not be bribed by any of the participants to subtly turn the auction in someone's favor by overlooking a bid or ending bidding too quickly. Each participant had a small metal cylinder with a number on it that could be held up, its button depressed, which activated a microphone for the recordation of bids. Bidders would operate by number, not by name, and there would be no doubt about who had bid and for how much.

Soon, the first article for sale was illuminated.

"A Sith Statue, dating to the first era before the Rule of Two. The statue is one-hundred-and-fifty centimeters in height, seventy centimeters in width, made of carved Obsidian. The shape of the statue is of a humanoid impressionistic design. Sensor scans have revealed an unknown crystalline structure in the core of the 'chest' area, with a resonant signature suggestive of a Kyber crystal ten centimeters in length. It is unknown if the Kyber was somehow inserted into the middle of the Obsidian, or whether it naturally occurred there and the statue was carved around it.

A Kyber crystal of that size is worth a fortune in its own right, but the historical and artistic value of the piece is incalculable.

Although... we have calculated it, for our auction purposes today.

Bidding will start at fifty-thousand credits."

Maldor held his bidding cylinder in frustration. So many treasures. But he could not have them all.


Darth Kentarch
Alina Tremiru
Valery Noble
Ashin Cardé Varanin

 

[Ashin Cardé Varanin]

A crystal of that size could have a multitude of uses, whether inside or outside of its encasement. The statue itself had significance: the semi-abstract humanoid form sparked memories of other artifacts and accounts from the same general period. It might provide clues to the thinking of the Sith artisans of its time, their priorities, their ethos, their leaders, their drive.

Mostly, Ashin just liked the look of the thing.

She raised her cylinder to the mouth of her mask and pushed the button.

"Fifty thousand Underworld Credits," she said.

Maldor Mecetti Alina Tremiru Darth Kentarch Valery Noble

 

[Maldor Mecetti]

​

"I have a bid from 072 for fifty-thousand.

Do I hear any more? This is an impressive piece with artistic and historical value.

Going Once?

Going Twice?"


Maldor scowled bitterly. A treasure like that, for the price of a light freighter?

It seemed a crime to see it go uncontested... but he couldn't purchase everything here. Even deep pockets had limits, and he needed to keep reserves enough to cover... unexpected eventualities.

Seconds ticked by, and the auction-droid seemed poised to call the bidding settled...

 

[Alina Tremiru]

Alina sat calmly where she was, her gaze focused on the statue that was there. It wasn't anything too special to her, at least not in the way the sword was, but perhaps.. She raised a hand.

"Seventy thousand."

Maldor Mecetti | Ashin Cardé Varanin | Darth Kentarch

 

[Maldor Mecetti]

​

"I have Seventy-Thousand, from bidder 043.

Clearly, a discerning sentient who can see the value in this sacred statue.

Do I hear Eighty?

Anyone?

072, surely you won't let this artifact go so easily?"

Maldor glanced between the masked 072 and the gorgeous 043, wondering if either of them would pose a problem for him later.

 

[Ashin Cardé Varanin]

Ashin tapped the mouth of her mask with one black-gloved finger. She considered Alina Tremiru - Arkanian-pale, wearing dark lenses and business clothes over muscle. Nobody she knew.

She brought up bidding device 072.

"Eighty thousand." The price of a nice starfighter for a statuette. It had been a long, long time since Ashin spent money like this on anything but materials for the Pomojema or the occasional gift for her wife.

Maldor Mecetti Darth Kentarch

 

[Alina Tremiru]

"Ninety."

Alina didn't hesitate to raise her hand the moment the bid was increased. There was a plan here now for her. If these were the sort of artifacts this organization could obtain, perhaps making an enemy of them wasn't the path.

Ashin Cardé Varanin | Maldor Mecetti | Darth Kentarch

 

[Maldor Mecetti]

​

Another bid was placed by the odd masked figure who held bidding device 072.

Maldor began to wonder if he should have ranked the statue higher in his articles of interest list. Did these figures know something he did not? The secrets of the sith were deep and varied. Innocuous items could sometimes have hidden purposes, or be part of larger secrets.

043 upped the bidding once more. The statue was now at ninety-thousand credits.

The droid handling the auction seemed excited, caught up in the bidding. In reality, that was just the calculated response of a protocol chip showing the appropriate behavior at the appropriate moment.

"Do I hear one-hundred thousand for this remarkable statue?"

Maldor looked to 072, wondering if the masked figure had reached their limit.

 

[Ashin Cardé Varanin]

Ashin shook her head once to inform Maldor Mecetti that she wasn't about to bid again. Not that the calculus had changed over the course of ten or twenty thousand credits, but there were other lots to be considered and she was anxious to consider them. That inscribed sword, in particular, had her interest. She sat back and let Alina Tremiru carry the day for the statuette. Alas.

 

[Darth Kentarch]

​

The Midnight Treasure
In Orbit over planet THX-1138

Maldor Mecetti | Ashin Cardé Varanin | Alina Tremiru

As the auctioneer unveiled the first item, a hush fell over the assembly aboard "The Midnight Treasure." The item was a striking statue carved from black obsidian, its surface polished to a reflective sheen. What truly set the statue apart, however, was the Kyber crystal embedded in its chest, pulsing with a light that seemed to resonate with the dark energy of the room.

Darth Kentarch observed the statue with a discerning eye. The combination of obsidian and Kyber crystal suggested a deeper significance, perhaps a relic of Sith history or a symbol of power from a bygone era. Yet, after a moment of contemplation, Kentarch decided not to bid on the statue. He was saving his credits for an item he had his eye on.

Bidder '072' started the bid but was eventually outbid by another bidder under '043', who Kentarch recognized. Kentarch said nothing, allowing the process to play out.

 

[Maldor Mecetti]

​

"Sold to 043 for ninety-thousand credits. Once confirmation of payment is received, the statue will be packed in polylite and loaded onto your ship."

Lifter droids came forward to take the statue away. Then a new droid came forward to lay down the next auction item.

"A Sith Sword, alchemically altered by an ancient Sith Master. The runes glow red when in the proximity of Force Sensitive Individuals. This sword is believed to predate the invention of lightsabers.

There are macro and micro engravings on the metal. Microscopic scans have revealed the micro engravings have 21,466 characters of text in an unknown Sith script.

Bidding will start at one-hundred thousand credits."

Maldor glanced to his left and right, but he did not want to be the first to bid, and reveal his excitement over this particular relic.

 

[Ashin Cardé Varanin]

The engraved sword, a short book on a blade, stood out even among the most interesting lots. Ashin anticipated fierce bidding on this item. She'd seen the way others regarded it in the display area, and how the excitement of its revelation had swept the auction room just now.

"I'll bid the one hundred thousand for simplicity's sake," she said, "but a treasure like this deserves payment in kind, just as a matter of respect." As she spoke, she worked off her right glove and removed a sinuous, ornate ring with a smooth black stone. She held it up between thumb and forefinger. "In addition to the money, I'll bid this, one of the Rings of Cold Rights. It unlocks specific rare Sith rituals that enhance judgment. It also confers some resistance to hallucinations and illusions. Will you accept my bid, sir?"

Ashin Varanin, someone whispered in the crowd of bidders. Contempt, perhaps, or amusement, curiosity, a touch of fear. Or anything else - she truly couldn't catch the tone. Either way, she'd been recognized and her name was out there.

Maldor Mecetti Darth Kentarch Alina Tremiru

 

[Alina Tremiru]

There it was.

The Blade of House Tremiru. It was a prototype of the First's Blade, focused instead on the actual spells that the Tremiru were known to use instead of housing the soul of the First. Inscribed with countless spells so the wielder could far more quickly utilize the power of a Sorcerer. It'd never live to it's fullest potential within any other's hand, though. Hard coded to the blood of her family, there were some secrets that wouldn't be available.

She tightened her fists, narrowed her eyes. That wouldn't do.

The only thing more surprising was the opening bid. She blinked, glancing towards the masked woman. And bit back a laugh as she heard the name. It made sense in her mind. There was a familiar scent in the air, similar but not exactly like Quinn Varanin . To think this was where she'd actually meet her love's mother for the first time. Not that she was going to try and make nice over this.

"I've no trinkets to offer in exchange, so I'll bid three hundred thousand. Unless you deem that ring worth more, of course."

Ashin Cardé Varanin | Darth Kentarch | Maldor Mecetti

 

[Ashin Cardé Varanin]

Ashin nodded slowly. "Three hundred ten thousand, then, and the ring, if we are in earnest."

Alina Tremiru

 

[Darth Kentarch]

​

The Midnight Treasure
In Orbit over planet THX-1138

Maldor Mecetti | Ashin Cardé Varanin | Alina Tremiru

The first Item was won by Alina. Then the second item was unveiled. A Sith sword. Even without the force, one could sense the excitement in the room for such a weapon. Bidder '072' opened with a one hundred thousand bid with an orante ring. Bidder '043' then increased the bid to Three hundred ten thousand.

No was time to play the game.

Silently Darth Kentarch used his bidding device to enter a bid of six hundred twenty thousand.