Unreviewed THE DROWNED STAR

[Darth Vhalor]

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Ancient Construction: The lightsaber's design is older than most known lightsaber designs and features nontraditional internal structuring.
• Ancient Focusing Crystal: The focusing crystal within the emitter is of unknown origin. Vhalor speculates that it was recovered from a Sith ruin which predates the earliest known fragments of the Drowned Path.
• Sith-Alchemical Construction: Parts of the hilt have been treated with ancient Sith alchemy. The alchemical treatment is what gives the weapon its dark appearance.
• Drowned Path Sigils: Ancient symbols have been engraved into the hilt of the lightsaber and filled with dark violet enamel.
• Force Resonance: The lightsaber exudes a strange presence when examined through the Force. This presence is especially strong when examined by someone Force-sensitive to the Dark Side.
• Relic Reaction: Vhalor suspects the weapon reacts to other relics and locations associated with the Great Old Ones.
• Concealed Blade Emitter: The emitter is flanked on both sides by several curved pieces of metal. They resemble ancient tendrils curled around the blade.
• Ancient Inscription: Inscribed along the entirety of the hilt in an ancient language is the following:

STRENGTHS

• Ancient Craftsmanship: The lightsaber has withstood the tests of time and was built using some of the most durable materials known to exist.
• Reliable Lightsaber: Despite its age and unusual properties, the Drowned Star functions at its core as a typical lightsaber. It is still an efficient blade and holds the normal offensive capability of one.
• Force Resonance: Due to its strange resonance with the Dark Side of the Force, the weapon can be easier for Vhalor to integrate into rituals and other Force based ceremonies.
• Balanced Construction: The hilt of the Drowned Star is well balanced. It works well for both offensive and defensive forms of lightsaber combat.
• Durable Hilt: Made out of phrik-alloy, the hilt is more durable than most lightsabers when it comes to physical damage. It can take hits that would normally destroy the casing of an average lightsaber.

WEAKNESSES

WEAKNESSES

• Ancient Technology: The weapon's age and unusual build make it far more difficult to repair than your average lightsaber.
• Unique Parts: Many of the Drowned Star's internal components can not be replaced without intensive research or reconstruction.
• No Special Blade Abilities: While the blade itself looks unique and has resonance with the Dark Side of the Force, it is mechanically and fundamentally just a lightsaber.
• Force-Dependent: Unless you are Force sensitive, the weapon's strange Force presence is more of a novelty than an actual strength.
• Not Damage Proof: Ancient construction does not make the weapon immune to powerful attacks. Lightsaber strikes will harm the weapon just as they would any other lightsaber.

DESCRIPTION

The original portion of this text has been pulled directly from Darth Vhalor's personal journals. To read his notes on the weapon's history and abilities, click here.

The Drowned Star is an ancient lightsaber whose origins are unknown.

Darth Vhalor first discovered the weapon within a derelict Sith temple while investigating one of the earliest whispers he received from what would later become known as The Drowned Path. The lightsaber was encased inside of a stone reliquary which was surrounded by glowing inscriptions. These inscriptions depicted an enormous many-tentacled creature floating beneath a sea of unfamiliar stars.

Despite its old age, the lightsaber itself was nothing like Vhalor had ever seen.

Its blackened hilt was made of dark metal and fragments of what appeared to be a strange volcanic stone similar in appearance to obsidian. Several curved pieces of metal jutted out from either side of the emitter, making the weapon appear as if it were tendrils curling around the blade.

Vhalor assumed it was nothing more than an ancient Sith weapon.

He was wrong.

When he touched the weapon, he felt something that can only be described as a resonance through the blade itself.

For a moment, he envisioned himself standing on an endless ocean of black water.

Beneath the surface, something massive stirred.

He heard whispers.

"The star has drowned. "

Then it was gone.

Vhalor took the weapon with him that day and still carries it to this day.

THE DROWNED STAR

It didn't take him long to learn the weapon had a name.
Not one given by Vhalor, of course.

After extensively researching the weapon, Vhalor discovered the term Drowned Star was inscribed across several unrelated ancient texts. In every instance, the phrase referred to a violet light shining beneath an abyss of darkness.

Vhalor figured this referred to the lightsaber.

Whether he was correct remains to be seen.

Much like the weapon itself, the focusing crystal is shrouded in mystery.

Vhalor has been unable to trace the crystal's original source. This particular crystal is extremely sensitive to areas of Dark Side energy known as nexuses. When brought in proximity to certain ancient relics or haunted locations, the crystal emits a faint vibration that travels through the length of the lightsaber.

It is something Vhalor does not believe to be by chance.

He suspects the crystal was attuned for a reason. Possibly for an ancient ritual dedicated to the Old Ones.

THE HILT

When compared to modern lightsabers, the Drowned Star feels archaic in construction.

The main body of the lightsaber is just slightly longer than average. While the blade itself is average in length, the blackened hilt is notably thicker than most traditional designs. Embedded into the dark metal are shallow engravings showcasing indecipherable waves, star patterns, eyes, and tentacles.

Running along the sides of the grip is a series of silver-tinged violet markings.

Do not be fooled. These markings are not merely decorative.

They are sigils written in an ancient language that Vhalor has only barely translated.

Large portions of the inscription along the hilt are lost to time.

What remains at the bottom of the weapon is a small metal seal bearing the oldest known sigil associated with The Drowned Path.

Vhalor wears the weapon at his side instead of kept holstered under his robes.

To him, it is more than just a weapon.
It is a religious artifact.

THE DROWNED STAR AND DARTH VHALOR

To most, the Drowned Star is just another ancient lightsaber.

To Vhalor, it is far more than that.

It is the weapon he grasped when he found the first piece of the puzzle.
It is the weapon he used to delve too far into territories mankind was never meant to understand.
It is the weapon he picked up after he heard The Whisper for the first time.
It is the weapon he wielded when he found his purpose and gave rise to the Drowned Path.

Most importantly—

It is the weapon he uses whenever he knows that something out there is watching him.

He is not crazy. He doesn't pretend to be.

The Drowned Star told him that much.

Vhalor will never claim that the Great Old Ones had any hand in creating the Drowned Star.

He deems that line of thinking to be far too dangerous.

But he will say that the weapon was created by someone who knew of them.

And he will say that every time he looks into the blade and feels that familiar sensation crawling down his spine, someone ancient is still watching us.

"A lightsaber is normally a weapon. This one is a question. "

"I have carried it into tombs older than the Republic. Each time, it whispers something different. "

"I have yet to decide whether it is speaking to me... or warning me. "

-- Darth Vhalor