Kai'el Brat "Guardian of the Light"
Taris' underworld, long a haven for smugglers, mercenaries, and other unsavory figures, has become a notorious hotbed for black market dealings since the planet's partial rebuilding. The city's gleaming spires may have been lost in the devastation centuries ago, but the shadowy, neon-lit alleys of the Lower City remain alive with illegal activity. It is here that Braze, cloaked in the heavy, worn folds of a dark robe, moves with quiet purpose. His jade-green eyes shifted beneath the deep hood, catching glimpses of dangerous figures who slink in and out of the market stalls—buyers and sellers dealing in everything from forbidden weapons to ancient artifacts.
The Taris black market is a maze of illicit trade networks, hidden deep in the Lower City's underbelly. Below the bustling districts, among the rusted metal corridors, scavengers, traders, and the desperate congregate. Stalls selling illegal spices, dangerous combat drugs, and rare weapon modifications line the narrow walkways. Holosigns buzz and flicker as dealers, droids, and gang members broker deals for high-value items, shrouded from the watchful eye of local security. But it's not only the everyday items of vice that attract patrons here; whispers of the most valuable goods—exotic materials, Sith artifacts, and ancient relics—linger in the air, drawing Braze deeper into the chaotic streets.
Tonight, Braze isn't looking for any ordinary materials. Hidden beneath his dark cloak, he moves past the many stalls selling outlawed blasters and questionable cybernetic implants. His objective is far more valuable: rare and expensive materials for a new lightsaber project. Rumors have spread about a trader who deals in kyber crystals, cortosis, and perhaps even a Lignan crystal—a deadly component that would amplify the power of any lightsaber.
The market feels like a trap waiting to spring. Vendors, with their eyes sharp like predators, know the worth of their merchandise and have no qualms about cheating or even eliminating a buyer who underestimates their wares. Yet, Braze walks with the confidence of someone who knows the rules of this game—and how to bend them. He senses the pulse of the Force in these shadowy corridors, guiding his steps toward the elusive contact who might have the rare materials he seeks.
As he approaches a secluded alcove near a vendor selling "exotic droid parts," Braze's eyes narrow under his hood. His contact, a Rodian whose face is half-hidden in the dim light, has the look of a seasoned broker—one who knows how to remain discreet. The Rodian's stall, tucked into a corner, is deliberately understated, but the few items on display hint at far more valuable treasures hidden away from casual eyes. Without breaking stride, Braze approaches, voice low but steady as he addresses the dealer.
The Rodian tilts his head slightly, acknowledging Braze's presence before speaking in a hushed tone. "You're here for the auction, I assume?"
Braze gives a curt nod. He already knew the rarest goods weren't on display for public sale—they were only available to those with the right connections. The Rodian gestures subtly, leading Braze through a series of narrow, winding paths away from the more crowded stalls. The alley grows quieter as they approach a concealed entrance, guarded by two imposing figures.
"This is where the real business happens," the Rodian whispers, tapping a code into the door's control panel. "Rare kyber crystals, cortosis, maybe even that Lignan crystal you've heard whispers about."
The door slides open with a soft hiss, revealing a dimly lit chamber filled with shadowed figures, all gathered for the auction. Braze steps inside, his eyes scanning the room as he prepares to bid for the materials that would elevate his project to new heights.
