The Challenge of Ashvroth
The day was slowly creeping to an end, when you were summoned to the Autition Chamber of the Dark Hall on Antei. You emerged into the room to find hundreds of your fellow warriors. You curiously made your way through the crowd, to find the Combat Master standing before. His eyes grazed upon you, before they moved to the next warriors. He seemed exhausted, it seemed he had aged, though he stood proud before the assembly.
Dark Salutations, fiends of the Dark Side, fighters of the Combat Centre,
I, Combat Master Oscura, am here today to challenge you to a journey of might and skill. I warn you, this mission will be dangerous, and you may not return alive. On the other hand, would you emerge victorious, you would be greatly rewarded by myself, and my superiors.
I have recently investigated the moon of Velrahn II for hints of my forgotten past. By reading my history in the Database, you will discover that, centuries ago, I led the Black Brigade Army to this world where we set up our headquarters. For long years, we built a city in our image, I became the founder of Ashvroth. In later years, the Old Republican forces defeated us at Mount Igneo, where my body was plunged into a dormant state. The Republic annihilated the Black Brigade through a raging battle that devastated the city and my palace.
During my visit to Velrahn II, I discovered that the city was over run by beasts of this world, and that force-user cult lives within the ruins. After much research, I believe the members of this cult, named the Heretics of Bane are the descendants of a long line of followers of the ancient Sith Lord himself. I have made an alliance, and you are here to help me accomplish my task.
The people around you grew tense at the mention of Velrahn II. It was a inhospitable volcanic moon, and it was surprising that someone would have lived on this world. Yet… the Combat Master himself claimed he did.
The Heart of Velrahn, a Dark Side artefact I have created lies locked away in the Tower of the Black Hand, within the ruins of Ashvroth Palace. It has the power to protect the city of Ashvroth from the natural disasters of this world and is capable of repelling the beasts to the outskirts of the city. I discovered that its powers are slowly dying and that only the magma and meteorites are still blocked. You are to pair with a partner you trust, and face the dangers of Ashvroth and find the Heart of Velrahn, and with a ritual that will be presented to you, you are to revive it.
The puzzled whispers from nearby warriors could be heard. Why was the Combat Master not doing this himself? He was better fit, both in power and knowledge to accomplish these tasks. You turned your attention back to Master Oscura, to see his eyes focused on the whispering warriors with a dark smile.
I could have easily done it myself, fools, but I am presenting the opportunity to show the Dark Council what you are made of, and gain some prestige, some honour. Do it, or do it not, it matters none to me. Earn your rewards, earn your title as a Dark Jedi.
----------- Recieving Transmission : Ashvroth Database ----------
Ashvroth Database
Velhran II, Mount Igneo, Ashvroth
- Velrahn II : This large moon was discovered 800 years before the Battle of Yavin, in the Velrahn system, in the Outer Core territories. This world was originally marked as inhabitable in the Republic’s Database, for its harsh and dangerous climate. This world is plunged in an everlasting darkness, caused by the smoke rising from the hundreds of volcanoes crowding its surface. Bursts of steam, earthquakes, meteorite showers, volcanic eruptions, violent thunderstorms and acid rain are only few of the natural disasters witnessed on this planet. Approximately 400 years before the Battle of Yavin, the Black Brigade led by the Black Hand, Cyris Oscura, settled their headquarters on this world. They named the fortified city Ashvroth, settling it at the foot of Mount Igneo.
- Mount Igneo : This extinct volcano is probably the highest mountain on Velrahn II. At its top lies a large platform where certain Dark Side rituals were formerly held. This where Agart Oscura defeated the Black Hand during the Republic assaults that ended the reign of the Black Brigade on Republican worlds.
- Ashvroth : At the foot of Mount Igneo sites the ruins of Ashvroth, the ancient fortified city of the Black Brigade. The city spread form miles along the base of the mountain, but was torn down by the Republican forces. Buildings remain standing, but many were broken to rubbles. The ruins are now populated by the Howlers, Snake-like Behemoths, and other monsters of this world. Beyond the city, higher up the flank of the mountain, across a river of molten lave, towers Ashvroth palace. The revived Cyris Oscura had sought to rebuild his ancient stronghold, when he was appointed as Combat Master. The ruins of the black palace spreads a mile long, and tall. Much of the interior was left broken down, but only some chambers remain intact to this day, the rest remained historical facts. A dark, ruined courtyard was built around the Tower of the Black Hand.
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Tower of the Black Hand, Heart of Velrahn
- Tower of the Black Hand : This monument towers above all other in Ashvroth, and is stands within the palace walls. As one enters the courtyard to the tower, he will cross a long bridge above a bottom-less abyss, until he reaches the central platform, where the black, ornate tower stands. A stair way climbs through the various levels of the tower. The insides remain dark, only lit by the random torch set on the black walls. Various items, books, and equipment litter the levels. Ancient crimson tapestry of the Black Brigade still hang on the walls in remembrance. The final level is restricted to the Combat Master himself. It is protected by a pair of force-powered armours, who will attack any trespassers. They guard a heavy set of obsidian doors, blocking access to the chamber of the Heart of Velrahn.
- Heart of Velrahn : Another artefact created by the Black Hand, before his defeat at Mount Igneo. This fiery sphere creates a protective aura around the city of Ashvroth, protecting it from the harsh climate of the planet. Since the defeat of the Black Brigade, its powers diminished, unable to repel the earthquakes, and the denizens of the moon. The Combat Master is capable of maintaining the strength of the artefact enough to repel meteorites, and magma, the two higher threats.
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Heretics of Bane, High Priest Aaron Nuligar, Sanctuary of the Heretics
- Heretics of Bane : Although dead for thousands of years, the ancient Lord of the Sith, Darth Bane has left a long lasting legacy. To this day, followers of his dark ways live, worshipping the extinct power. The Heretics of Bane have formed a cult of worship and devotion to the Dark Lord. These Force Adepts have settled on the world of Velrahn II, 30 years before the Battle of Yavin. Although their history and motives remained hidden, the reborn Black Hand and Combat Master, Cyris Oscura, formed an alliance with the Cult, offering the protections of the Heart of Velrahn, for their loyalty, and knowledge. The members were of various regions of the Galaxy, and were at a number of sixty three Dark Jedi.
- High Priest Aaron Nuligar : The leader, and founder of the Heretics of Bane is a true sage. He holds, in his mind, the knowledge of thousands of historians. His thousand adventures and researches are the fruit of his life. Holding a powerful affinity to the force, the Zabrak sage has lived for hundreds of years, and, much like the Black Hand himself, Aaron retained his younger looks. He was the one who approached Oscura with the proposal for an alliance.
- Sanctuary of the Heretics : When the cult came to Velrahn II, long years before, they settled their temple within the ruins of Ashvroth, hoping for the protection of the Black Hand. Priest Aaron had believe the ancient leader of the Black Brigade to be an incarnation of the force itself, and that to that day, his spirit still protected the ancient world. Their temple, a large triangular building of exquisite architecture, was settled in the center of the city ruins. The temple was made of the same black stone as the rest of the city but the inside was marvellous. The first room was a large ritual chamber, with, in its centre, a large, imposing golden statue of Darth Bane raised on a stone dias. One would then follow a long hall into the quarters of the Heretics. Dark Jedi were paired in their chambers, while the High Priest had his quarters set at the end of the hall. A set of stairs would leave down to the Shrine of Bane, Training Hall, and Library of the Temple, while another set led to the top floor. Only the Combat Master, the High Priest, were admitted to this chamber, sealed by the powers of the force. Inside were the precious tomes of the Dark Side, written by Aaron himself.
----------- End of entries in the Ashvroth Database ----------
Ashvroth Beastiary
- Ash Howler : These grey reptiles stand low on their four legs, but stretch from one to one and a half meters. In addition to their main mass, the Ash Howlers have a one to two meter long tail, ending in a series of sharp spikes, they would often use as a mace. Darker grey spots cover their rough skin, from their beady red eyes to the tip of the tail. They are known as Ash Howlers from their colour, and the violent shrieks used as a mean of communication. They are carnivorous reptiles who hunt in packs of three to six beasts. They have the ability to climb walls and ceilings, and bare great agility and speed. They will normally prey on the smaller reptiles and amphibians crowding the ruins, but will attack meaty trespassers on sight.
- Dark Side Scavengers : Thousands of the ancient warriors of the Black Brigade died in the Republican strikes that ended the dark reign of the Black Hand over the worlds of the Outer Core. The bodies were scattered throughout the ruins of Ashvroth. The Dark Side of the force, selecting the worth bodies, took control of the corpses turning them into mindless hunters, feeding on living creatures. They were dotted by blinding speed and a sheer cunning that made them ferocious predators. Their blood-soaked eyes are blind, but they have a high developed hearing and smell, and will sense the aura of the force around them. They resemble decomposing humans and always bare the stench of decay. They continuously bark, and will attack in groups.
- Snake Behemoth : This gigantesque beast, known as the Snake Behemoth, or Worm of Velrahn, resembles in every way a snake, but stretches for 10 to 20 meters. He is protected by crystallized scales, allowing him to sustain contact to lava and fire. Only few of these remain alive in the Ashvroth region, but prove to be the strongest predator in this region. These monsters have proven to be lonely beasts, hunting alone, although extremely intelligent. One of these beasts whipped an entire squad of Republican troopers during the Black War.
- Magma Dwarf : These creatures are one of the many incarnation of the Dark Side on this volcanic planet. Standing short at 130 centimetres, they retain a large, robust shape. The members of the Black Brigade often referred to them as the Berserkers, for their aggressive and stubborn ways of fighting. As they continuously loudly bark at their opponents slashing their jaws at their opponents. In battle, these beasts attack with their claws and are capable, although in a primitive manner, of wielding the force. At first considered an alien race, but this changed as it was proven that they lacked any intelligence, and feelings. They were strong predators. They are made of Lava itself, glowing dark. They live within the magma, and will attack trespassers of this world.
- Guardians of the Heart : Guards of the Tower of the Black Hand, protectors of the Heart of Velrahn, these force powered spirits haunt the ancient armours of the Black Brigade, concealed within the top level of the Tower of the Black Hand. They will attack anyone who enters the last level, including the Combat Master himself, who after centuries has lost controls of his own creations. They attack with long cortosis-weaved sabres, and are capable of wielding the dark side of the force. Even when cut down, these creatures will rebuild themselves and continue to attack. None before had passed these guards in the past, but defeating such spirits was possible.
----------- End of entries in the Ashvroth Beastiary ----------