Post by Lady Zahra/Jules on Nov 28, 2005 20:53:58 GMT
Prologue to The End as We Know It
(Note: The events described below have occurred over the course of several months on the Star Wars RP site. More detail will be given to incidents that have occurred some time ago. Also, key characters in the following story will be emphasized. This doesn't mean if you aren't included you didn't play an important part. Your story is soon to follow.)
Times had grown dark for the Republic. Respected Jedi Masters had begun to be seduced to the dark side. The very ones who were meant to protect the Republic were secretly working to destroy it. The corruption did not end at the Jedi. High up within the Senate building, the Supreme Chancellor revealed his true identity.
The Sith Lord, Darth Jetzt, former Dark Lord of the Sith, had been secretly destroying the Republic from within the Republic as Supreme Chancellor. Luring the queen of Onderon and Jedi Master Kyra Maans to his office through rumors being spread of his corruption, he soon took her on as his apprentice. She was told the very one she admired and secretly loved, Master Kit Rendar, would kill her daughter, Arael. Having had lived all her life trying to win the heart of her abandoned daughter, she couldn't let it happen. When she refused, Jetzt warned her that he would end Arael's life. She had no other choice but to join his side. Kyra, now Lady Selae, was sent back into the ranks of the Jedi and secretly following the orders of her new master while he remained incognito. No one knew the two mysterious who had suddenly appeared.
Once preparations were made, he finally admitted it was time to reveal himself to the world. Both Selae and Darth Jetzt left Klasse Ephemora and went to the desolate planet, Korriban. It was time for him to take back the throne he so long ago held from the current Dark Lord Boli. The two fought galantly upon the sands of Korriban until Darth Boli met his end. Once again the Sith were to know the reign of the powerful Darth Jetzt. The great Adena Qel-droma, one of the original members of the founding Order, also left the Jedi Order, but for other reasons. Consumed by the desire to watch over her "children", she watched these proceedings with great interests. The sleeping Huntress within begged to be released as seeing the events unfold reminded her of the glorious days of her rule.
Unforseen events shook the foundation of the new Dark Lord's Sith. Sith Lords who had served under Darth Boli were not about to so quickly lay down all in honor of Jetzt. An ancient Sith Lord thought to be dead had once again appeared...Darth Exar Kun. He did not come alone. Along with the ancient lord came the great Nem'vaah Master, Ranka Darkbroode, and a Sith Lord loyal to Exar, Darth Invidius. The three met Jetzt and his apprentice Selae at the entrance to the Sith Academy.
Darth Exar Kun and Darth Jetzt clashed lightsabers fighting fiercely for the throne as Ranka Darkbroode made his way to try to defeat his apprentice. Ancient grudges and burning hatred fueled the battle on both sides...Kun and Jetzt as well as Selae and Ranka. Confusion and blood issued forth as the battle raged around them. Selae found herself overwhelmed by the skills of the Nem'vaah master and unable to help her own master against Kun. Wanting to save her life and in fear of death, she left the fight and the Sith behind. Jetzt no longer having an apprentice began to slowly disappear into the darkness again. No one knows what happened to the great Sith Lord. Kun also vanished into the darkness never to be seen nor heard from again. It was then that Ranka's deep seated hatred of the Sith was sated for the time. Adena Qel-droma was forced to save the failing Sith order from certain doom as she once again took her place upon the throne as Dark Empress of the Sith...Empress Viea.
The Empress' experience proved useful as the once powerful Republic had become lazy from lack of opposition. Under her fists they soon began to fall. More Jedi Masters flocked to her side remembering her greatness as a Jedi. Some were lured by the power while others such as Kit Rendar did so to save Corellia from certain doom. More Jedi began to be seduced by the dark ways of the Force....to her side. Turning the failings of the Republic to protect the citizens from war, she used war propaganda to turn the tide as wars began. The once revered Jedi began to be looked upon unfavorably in the public's eye. Even the very Senate turned against the once protectors of the foundation of the Republic.
The dark times did not end there. Since the coming of the Ebonclaws, Matron Lirreka had begun her own manipulations. Stealing Arael away from her mother, she managed to taunt Kyra and wedge the hostility for the race known as the Danthiri further within her mind. Lirreka also began her conquests of numerous planets important to the Republic. Coordinated perfectly with the movements of the Sith, soon the Ebonclaw held one of the important trade lines. The Sith controlled the other. The Republic now was at the mercy of the Sith as the Republic desperately tried to think of a way out of this dangerous web. Kyra, however, believed the two were working closely together. The idea was not far fetched since once before the two worked closely together while married. Only time would tell if the two were trying to bring the Republic to their knees and set up their own empire.
The once great Selae returned to her given name of Kyra Maans and her former way of life as an assassin. Contracted out to destroy the Jedi Temple, she brought her band of ruffians and set about the task. Countless Jedi younglings who were inside met a horrific end as the Jedi Temple came crashing down around them. It was only the beginning of what was to come.
When Ranka Darkbroode learned of the explosion, he sought out Kyra Maans within the palace walls of Onderon. Face to face, he demanded to know if the reports of the queen's involvement were true. When the claims were denied and she feigned innocence, he vowed not to allow her to get away with her trickery this time. Waiting within the shadows of her chambers, he showed her how her actions would ultimately bring an end to the Order. Just as a crack in a foundation never held the building for long, so the Jedi would fall. Unable to deal with the fury behind his words, she cowered in her room at the magnitude of what he had shown her...yet her hatred for him grew. Damien Nightblade, Jedi Master and friend to the queen comforted her even through his own pain at the events. He had always looked up to her like a mother and she considered him a son.
Arael, the daughter of the queen and adopted by Lirreka, had learned of the incident and had to see the destruction for herself. She had never gotten along with her mother and this fueled the hatred for her more. Inside the rubble, she met her old friend, Damien. The two were pulled together yet again over the destruction one woman had caused. Horrified at her deeds, she turned to Damien and vowed to help bring her mother to justice. Damien, however, sought to reconcile the two even after all the horrible deeds she had committed. Joining with the Jedi, Arael was taken under his wing as his padawan. He began to train her in the ways of the Jedi in the hopes of showing her another way. Soon more began to blossom between the two. As more Jedi began to leave the Order, Damien Nightblade was bestowed the honor of acting as head master of the Jedi. He tried valiantly to restore the Order from within, but the destruction was already too great.
As Viea's lust for power grew and her first intentions of restoring balance were overcome, another Sith began to appear. It was the Sith Witch Sable. Unwilling to side with Viea completely, she offered only her services when it served her own purposes. Little did she know that Viea had reasons to keep the witch around until she learned some of her secrets. Sable learned of an unique gift the Jedi Arael possessed and wanted them for herself. Damien soon found himself not only trying to uphold the Order, but trying to protect his padawan and love from the clutches of the witch.
Viea's hand began to stretch out across all of the galaxy as the Jedi occupied worlds became her next targets. Jedi forces and the Republic were too outnumbered and began falling under the hand of the mighty Empress. Unable to defend even themselves, the Jedi were faced with extinction or exile. Grieved, Damien gave the order and the Jedi split up spreading themselves across the galaxy to escape the hand of the Sith and aid the Republic's rebellion. The Sith reign and formation of an Empire was complete.
The Jedi continued training while in exile. Times were very dark for them as supplies, rations and contact with the others were growing slim. The fates of the others weren't known as all fled Coruscant that day. Finally, a light began to shine at the end of the dark tunnel. Kyra Maans, the queen of Onderon had been reported dead. Arael as her only heir now was to take her place. Through Onderon, the Republic started receiving supplies and rebuilding began. The young queen's help reached beyond that. She had spoken to the Matron Lirreka and even enlisted the help of the Ebonclaw and Mandalorians in this effort...for a price. Once the rebellion was strong enough, the Republic made a move towards reclaiming Coruscant.
Sith and Jedi forces clashed at the seat of power in the Empire. The Empress had been on a mission of her own for some time. As the Sith began to devestate the rebellion under the leadership of Darth Ravinos, formerly Kit Rendar, and Admiral Invidius, the threads of their unity were beginning to unravel. Halfway through the battle when the rebellion forces were at 50% strength, the Sith turned against each other starting the Sith Civil War. The Rebellion couldn't believe their eyes as they focused their fire upon the warring Sith and began to drive their forces back. When the battle had ended, Coruscant had been retaken. Sith forces retreated only to begin their holy war again. The source of the civil war soon revealed himself...Darth Apocalypse. Devestation and heavy losses were reported on both sides as the Sith had all but wiped themselves out.
On Onderon things were far from calm. Miraculously, the former queen, Kyra Maans returned to Onderon. Persons in the street were shocked as they believed her ghost had returned, yet she was indeed alive. Damien Nightblade, who had been visiting Arael at the time rushed out to see if the rumors were true. It was then the discovery was made. It was Kyra, but her mind had factored. The insane woman had two personalities now...Selae and the Jedi Master Kyra. Selae met Damien on the street that day demanding to have the throne returned to her. When she was refused, she attacked him in an attempt to kill him. Arael rushed to the scene only to bring out Kyra again and save the Jedi Master. The new queen knew Kyra needed help. If she were to remain on Onderon, the possibility of a new civil war starting would be too great. Over time, she learned the Sith personality was becoming dominant. Not knowing what else to do, Selae was exiled to a remote planet with only the supplies to live upon. What had not been expected, was the now Dark Jedi's apprentice, Raviel, coming to her rescue. Selae escaped and vowed to have her complete revenge upon all who had wronged her.
Seeking out the Sith Witch, Sable, Selae struck a deal. For the return of the heirloom lightsaber once wielded by Freedon Nadd, she would deliver Arael to Sable. Selae's plans were to destroy the child, but her lust for the powerful saber was stronger. Arael was captured and exchanged for the lightsaber. While in captivity, she discovered the former Sith Witch had lost the ferocity she once had. The trap she had set up for Viea had worked against her. As Viea grew stronger, Sable began to become compassionate. When Selae tracked down Sable, the witch sacrificed her own life to save Arael. Her last words to the Jedi Knight was a task. She was to destroy all of Sable's stores of information to prevent them from falling into the hands of Viea and Selae.
So we begin the story of four souls linked together....Kyra Maans as Selae, Ranka Darkbroode, Damien Nightblade and Arael Ebonclaw.
