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Sepulcher
Terrestrial // Mid Rim // Q-7 // Two (2) suns // Four (4) moons // Type 1 atmosphere
History
Sepulcher was once the home of an ancient civilization which rose to great prominence in the days prior to the establishment of the Old Republic. While this desert civilization never became advanced enough to become spacefaring, it built massive cities and monuments all across the surface of its barren homeworld.
This ancient culture, which had long vanished by the time of Hundred Years Darkness, had a reverence for the dead that was only matched by the Sith culture on the twin worlds of Moraband and Korriban. Their reverence for the dead was such that, prior to their demise as a civilization, they constructed the largest known necropolis in the galaxy—which, to this day, is known as simply the Necropolis.
The similarity in culture ultimately led the first Sith to Sepulcher shortly after the formation of the original Sith Empire. By the time the Empire arrived, the Necropolis, and all of this ancient civilization's temples, were abandoned—as were its cities. The ancient Sith added onto the existing structures, repopulating Necropolis and several of the other abandoned cities, constructing Sith temples and pyramids to supplement the existing architecture.
While the Sith occupied Sepulcher, the Empire's scientists discovered evidence that the civilization proceeding them was wiped out by something dark, lurking beyond the veil of known space. The taint of its dark side presence still existed in some of the remote settlements on the planet's surface, and, over time, they discovered that the planet itself had become sort of an echo to a much darker power. Mystified, the Sith of the first Empire sought out the source of this dark phantom presence, but were met only with dead ends and failure.
The Great Sith Temple at the Necropolis became the location for heinous experiments in Sith alchemy and Sithspawn creation for the duration of the first Sith Empire's rule. One of the creations borne out of the temple was a highly Force-sensitive predator which hunted fellow Force-sensitives without prejudice. This alien menace became so dangerous to the ancient Sith, that a group of powerful Sith Lords were forced to seal them within the temple and abandon the Necropolis.
Ever since, the temple has become a place where Sith Masters will often test their apprentices (or their own mettle) in rite of passage-style trials; trials which pit the contestant against the menace within in a test of survival.
After the Sith Empire fell, Sepulcher was abandoned once again. Due to overuse by the Sith Empire during its occupation, many of the planet's surface resources dried up, making it virtually inhospitable. However, this made the planet a perfect base for pirates. Overtime, the galaxy's criminal underground dug out massive subterranean caves beneath the surface of the planet and built a grand underground city: "Grave Town," also known as the Undercity.
Gradual expansion of the Republic saw Sepulcher fall into the territory of the growing government, however, criminal activity remained a constant on the planet and the Republic made no effort to police the vast Undercity. As a result, the planet was home to Hutt operations within Republic space among a number of other illicit organizations. The city also became home to some Mandalorian clans, seeking to escape Republic control of Mandalore. Ironically, these same Mandalorians often joined the Border Alliance, once it was formed to push back against a resurgent Sith force.
Sepulcher was once the home of an ancient civilization which rose to great prominence in the days prior to the establishment of the Old Republic. While this desert civilization never became advanced enough to become spacefaring, it built massive cities and monuments all across the surface of its barren homeworld.
This ancient culture, which had long vanished by the time of Hundred Years Darkness, had a reverence for the dead that was only matched by the Sith culture on the twin worlds of Moraband and Korriban. Their reverence for the dead was such that, prior to their demise as a civilization, they constructed the largest known necropolis in the galaxy—which, to this day, is known as simply the Necropolis.
The similarity in culture ultimately led the first Sith to Sepulcher shortly after the formation of the original Sith Empire. By the time the Empire arrived, the Necropolis, and all of this ancient civilization's temples, were abandoned—as were its cities. The ancient Sith added onto the existing structures, repopulating Necropolis and several of the other abandoned cities, constructing Sith temples and pyramids to supplement the existing architecture.
While the Sith occupied Sepulcher, the Empire's scientists discovered evidence that the civilization proceeding them was wiped out by something dark, lurking beyond the veil of known space. The taint of its dark side presence still existed in some of the remote settlements on the planet's surface, and, over time, they discovered that the planet itself had become sort of an echo to a much darker power. Mystified, the Sith of the first Empire sought out the source of this dark phantom presence, but were met only with dead ends and failure.
The Great Sith Temple at the Necropolis became the location for heinous experiments in Sith alchemy and Sithspawn creation for the duration of the first Sith Empire's rule. One of the creations borne out of the temple was a highly Force-sensitive predator which hunted fellow Force-sensitives without prejudice. This alien menace became so dangerous to the ancient Sith, that a group of powerful Sith Lords were forced to seal them within the temple and abandon the Necropolis.
Ever since, the temple has become a place where Sith Masters will often test their apprentices (or their own mettle) in rite of passage-style trials; trials which pit the contestant against the menace within in a test of survival.
After the Sith Empire fell, Sepulcher was abandoned once again. Due to overuse by the Sith Empire during its occupation, many of the planet's surface resources dried up, making it virtually inhospitable. However, this made the planet a perfect base for pirates. Overtime, the galaxy's criminal underground dug out massive subterranean caves beneath the surface of the planet and built a grand underground city: "Grave Town," also known as the Undercity.
Gradual expansion of the Republic saw Sepulcher fall into the territory of the growing government, however, criminal activity remained a constant on the planet and the Republic made no effort to police the vast Undercity. As a result, the planet was home to Hutt operations within Republic space among a number of other illicit organizations. The city also became home to some Mandalorian clans, seeking to escape Republic control of Mandalore. Ironically, these same Mandalorians often joined the Border Alliance, once it was formed to push back against a resurgent Sith force.
Climate and Terrain
Like the desert worlds of Jedha and Tatooine, Sepulcher is a barren world of red sands and rolling dunes. Mountains are scarce on its surface, and the few ranges that exist are incredibly tall and jagged. At one time, several mighty rivers, originating from underground sources, existed on the surface and supported life. Now, most of the planet's life dwells beneath the surface, as above-ground water and flora has become scarce to non-existent.
The planet's climate is arid. The surface is plagued by intense winds, which have been known to whip up troublesome sandstorms. Intense heat plagues the daytime hours, while at night the desert is incredibly cold and unforgiving. A full day lasts for about twenty-seven standard hours.
Like the desert worlds of Jedha and Tatooine, Sepulcher is a barren world of red sands and rolling dunes. Mountains are scarce on its surface, and the few ranges that exist are incredibly tall and jagged. At one time, several mighty rivers, originating from underground sources, existed on the surface and supported life. Now, most of the planet's life dwells beneath the surface, as above-ground water and flora has become scarce to non-existent.
The planet's climate is arid. The surface is plagued by intense winds, which have been known to whip up troublesome sandstorms. Intense heat plagues the daytime hours, while at night the desert is incredibly cold and unforgiving. A full day lasts for about twenty-seven standard hours.
Fauna
While life on Sepulcher was somewhat more prominent when the planet still had major water sources, the only known fauna that still naturally occurs on the planet is the Sithspawn known as "Schakal" (pronounced: shackle). These serpentine, wolf-like creatures are Force-sensitive, and use this ability to hunt others strong in the Force. They are highly aggressive, reproduce rapidly, and are dangerous even to the most powerful of Jedi Masters or Sith Lords.
As Sithspawn, the schakal require neither food nor water to survive, rather seeking their sustenance from the presence of the dark side itself. They populate the Necropolis, specifically the Temple of the Sith in the abandoned tomb city.
Hardy desert rancor also exist, though the population is small, and they aren't native to the planet. They were brought, instead, by Hutt poachers from their native Dathomir and survive off of what few water sources still exist on the surface. It is presently unknown what exactly they eat, but it could be that the Hutt crime lords operating in the Undercity keep them fed to use their calves in their illicit operations, or as pets.
In the distant past, the planet was home to the Anooba, a non-sentient canine species that became prominent in the Outer Rim Territories as guard pets. They were pack animals, living in groups of 12 to 14 specimens.
While life on Sepulcher was somewhat more prominent when the planet still had major water sources, the only known fauna that still naturally occurs on the planet is the Sithspawn known as "Schakal" (pronounced: shackle). These serpentine, wolf-like creatures are Force-sensitive, and use this ability to hunt others strong in the Force. They are highly aggressive, reproduce rapidly, and are dangerous even to the most powerful of Jedi Masters or Sith Lords.
As Sithspawn, the schakal require neither food nor water to survive, rather seeking their sustenance from the presence of the dark side itself. They populate the Necropolis, specifically the Temple of the Sith in the abandoned tomb city.
Hardy desert rancor also exist, though the population is small, and they aren't native to the planet. They were brought, instead, by Hutt poachers from their native Dathomir and survive off of what few water sources still exist on the surface. It is presently unknown what exactly they eat, but it could be that the Hutt crime lords operating in the Undercity keep them fed to use their calves in their illicit operations, or as pets.
In the distant past, the planet was home to the Anooba, a non-sentient canine species that became prominent in the Outer Rim Territories as guard pets. They were pack animals, living in groups of 12 to 14 specimens.
Locations
Undercity — The largest active settlement on the planet is "Grave Town," mostly known as the Undercity. Accessed through massive, artificially-created sinkholes, the city is a work of engineering genius and is built deep in the crust of the planet's equatorial region. The Undercity is a sister city to the much larger ecumenopolis on Nar Shaddaa and was built using much the same architecture and layout, but on a far smaller scale. Only portions of the city directly under a sinkhole receive direct sunlight or moonlight. The city is a hub of illicit behavior, and is home to several Mandalorian families, even after the formation of the Mandalorian Dominion.
Necropolis — Located in the midst of a large desert, sometimes referred to as the "Little Dune Sea," the Necropolis is the largest ruin on Sepulcher's surface. It consists of a myriad of abandoned temple complexes, burial mausoleums, and (dating from a later era) Sith pyramids. Towering over everything is the abandoned and sealed Great Sith Temple, which is said to be both haunted and stocked with highly-dangerous Sithspawn.
Kul Novra — One of the scant few active settlements still located on the planet's surface, Kul Novra is located in the mountainous region of Sepulcher's western hemisphere. The small village sits on a cliffside and acts as a home for moisture farmers and those who want to get away from the urban (and often criminal) life of the Undercity.
Undercity — The largest active settlement on the planet is "Grave Town," mostly known as the Undercity. Accessed through massive, artificially-created sinkholes, the city is a work of engineering genius and is built deep in the crust of the planet's equatorial region. The Undercity is a sister city to the much larger ecumenopolis on Nar Shaddaa and was built using much the same architecture and layout, but on a far smaller scale. Only portions of the city directly under a sinkhole receive direct sunlight or moonlight. The city is a hub of illicit behavior, and is home to several Mandalorian families, even after the formation of the Mandalorian Dominion.
Necropolis — Located in the midst of a large desert, sometimes referred to as the "Little Dune Sea," the Necropolis is the largest ruin on Sepulcher's surface. It consists of a myriad of abandoned temple complexes, burial mausoleums, and (dating from a later era) Sith pyramids. Towering over everything is the abandoned and sealed Great Sith Temple, which is said to be both haunted and stocked with highly-dangerous Sithspawn.
Kul Novra — One of the scant few active settlements still located on the planet's surface, Kul Novra is located in the mountainous region of Sepulcher's western hemisphere. The small village sits on a cliffside and acts as a home for moisture farmers and those who want to get away from the urban (and often criminal) life of the Undercity.
Intent
I've always been enthralled with Ancient Egypt, and, even though I know the red Sith (and even parts of the Sith Order) were inspired in part by the Ancient Egyptians, it never felt right to me. Thus, this world is meant to be sort of "Space Egypt." In the future, I intend to expand on elements of the planet, such as the civilization and species that arose here (maybe that's best for a Lore article). For now, though, I wanted to introduce the planet, which I hope will become the backdrop for numerous RPs, both archeological and criminal in nature. I know I will be visiting the world with my characters!
Tagging @Brandon Rhea since I can't approve my own stuff :3
I've always been enthralled with Ancient Egypt, and, even though I know the red Sith (and even parts of the Sith Order) were inspired in part by the Ancient Egyptians, it never felt right to me. Thus, this world is meant to be sort of "Space Egypt." In the future, I intend to expand on elements of the planet, such as the civilization and species that arose here (maybe that's best for a Lore article). For now, though, I wanted to introduce the planet, which I hope will become the backdrop for numerous RPs, both archeological and criminal in nature. I know I will be visiting the world with my characters!
Tagging @Brandon Rhea since I can't approve my own stuff :3
