Dark Council of the Sith Empire

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The Force Shall Free Me

“Peace is a lie; there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me.” —The Sith Code

Contents

Letter from the Director ...... 4

Mandate ...... 5

Background ...... 6

History ...... 6

Imperial Government Structure ...... 8

Key Planets to Know ...... 8

Topics for Discussion ...... 10

Imperial Alliances ...... 10

Sith and Non-Sith ...... 12

Corruption ...... 14

Positions ...... 16

Letter from the Director

Dear Delegates,

My name is Andrew Brown, and I’m excited to be your director for the Dark Council of the Sith Empire at WUMUNS XII. I am a junior studying political science and economics, and I have been involved in WashU’s MUN team since my freshman year. I’ve always had a fascination with the Star Wars universe, but I never felt like the films captured what interested me about it so much as video games like Knights of the Old Republic. Getting to see Jedi and Sith fighting on planets with actual civilization on them was something that I felt the films had lacked, and it was amazing to see the civilian side of the Star Wars universe without sacrificing the mystique that the Force offered. The Sith Empire of this committee is a bit different from the Galactic Empire we all saw in the Original Trilogy of Star Wars movies. Based on Bioware’s Old Republic, this Sith Empire coexisted with the Republic almost four thousand years prior to the Battle of Yavin and the destruction of the Death Star in A New Hope. There are still lightsabers and starships aplenty though, even if they aren’t X-wings and TIE fighters. One of the defining aspects of this time period is the sheer number of force-sensitive fighters in the galaxy. Instead of just Darth Vader going up against everyone in the galaxy, there is an entire empire full of Sith ready to fight against the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order. This time period allows delegates to maximize the number of potential Star Wars crisis arcs they can think of, so I can’t wait to see what you come up with! Don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected] if you have any questions regarding the committee. May the Force be with you.

Sincerely,

Andrew Brown

Mandate

To the gathered members of the new Dark Council: The foundation of the Sith Empire will always serve as my greatest accomplishment. It serves as a beacon to the galaxy, a signal that the strength of order remains and that those with the will and ability to excel can have their rightly place as the rulers of the galaxy. Our victory against the Republic in the Great Galactic War will stand as a testimony to the strength of our conviction. When we look back upon the history of this glorious Empire, we will remember the Sacking of Coruscant as the beginning of our Golden Age. You have done well to put the Empire in this position. However, this position must not be squandered. This interim period following the Treaty of Coruscant should have served as the perfect opportunity to grow the Empire’s strength and smother the Republic into extinction. The opposite has happened, as corruption and petty squabbles have eaten away at this Empire while the Republic regained its strength. As Sith, we must seek to increase our strength and power, but that must be done in service to the Empire and your Emperor. I realize I have been away and unable to manage Imperial affairs directly, but I should not have to be for you to keep this Empire afloat. I shall not live forever, and the Empire must continue. To that end, I have adjusted the makeup of this Council. This decision was undertaken to ensure that new voices and visions may offer perspective on the Empire’s shortcomings and potential for expansion. I understand that Sith do not share power gratefully, but remember that you have your power because of my benevolence, and inability to serve this Empire will return any insolent lords back to the dregs from which they came. This Council gathers the strongest in the Empire to serve that Empire, and I will expect no less now. The Empire’s strength has waned due to your negligence. It must surpass its previous glory to eliminate the Republic and take its rightful place in the galaxy. Do whatever it takes to ensure victory. Through victory, our chains are broken. The Force shall free us.

THE VOICE OF THE EMPEROR

Background

History The Sith began as Dark Jedi that were forced out of Republic space by the Jedi Order. They fled to the planet Korriban and began ruling over the native species there - Sith. Over centuries, they interbred and became one, beginning a thriving empire. Both civilizations lost records of the other until 5000 years before the Battle of Yavin (BBY), when two Republic traders accidently stumbled upon Korriban as two Sith Lords fought for the recently vacated title of Sith Emperor. The Sith captured the two and began a war against the Republic, using the “invasion by Republic spies” as justification. The Sith took an early lead in the fight, striking first and using the power of the Dark Side to their benefit. However, the power of succession was left unanswered, and divisions amongst the Sith grew stronger as the war went on. The Jedi soon noticed this trend and were able to take advantage of the division, ultimately winning the war and leaving Korriban a graveyard. Unbeknownst to the Republic, the man who would become our Emperor fled to the Unknown Regions. There he discovered the planet Dromund Kaas and declared it the new capital of the Sith Empire. He would rebuild the Empire for over 1000 years before striking back at the Republic. The Republic would face many trials and tribulations from various forces over the next 1000 years, from the fearsome warrior clans of the Mandalorians to powerful Dark Jedi, but nothing would prepare them for the return of the Sith Empire. The Sith surprised the Republic by retaking their home planet of Korriban, using a fast, all-out attack that the Republic couldn’t counter. The Great Galactic War would continue for 30 years, with the Sith steadily gaining the upper hand. However, the Sith surprised the galaxy with an offer to negotiate with the Republic on the planet of Alderaan. The Sith had a hidden agenda though, as they used the negotiations as an opening to take the Republic capital world of Coruscant. Using a Mandalorian mercenary to take down the planetary security grid and a Sith strike team led by Darth Malgus to destroy the Jedi Temple, the Sith had an opening to completely take over the planet and gain the upper hand in negotiations. The Republic had no choice but to sign the unfavorable Treaty of Coruscant and end the occupation.

The Treaty of Coruscant ended the war, but at a great cost to the Republic. The Empire received land concessions like the industrial planet of Balmorra, effectively dividing the known galaxy into two halves, with Hutt Space, the Outer Rim, and the Unknown Regions constituting the independent fringes. The Republic had to bear part of the War’s costs, and the Empire was permitted to place protocol droids around important figures of the Republic’s democracy to ensure no one made plans in violation of the treaty. Republic ships also had to announce their arrival and contents to Imperial officials, even on planets outside of the Empire. The Republic’s sole benefit was an end to the fighting, but even that was conditional, as both the Republic and Empire built up their forces for a potential second conflict. However, the interim period has seen the Empire fall into complacency. Instead of working to keep the Republic down, the Sith turned to more immediate threats, such as other Sith. The Dark Side grants great power, but its users will always crave even more. As a result, billions of credits were wasted on projects designed to promote certain Lords and harm others. While the political landscape of the Empire has remained perpetually in flux as a result, the Empire as a whole has stagnated. Strong, consistent leadership is needed if

7 the Empire is to build its economy back to strength and bring its leadership into one unified whole.

Imperial Government Structure The Emperor, as founder of the Empire, ensured that he would have ultimate control over the Empire and its government. His power base is large, and every member, with the exception of the Emperor’s Wrath, is bound through the Force to his will. He has 12 Servants who have forsaken their names carrying out his will directly, utilizing the utmost secrecy. He also has an Imperial Guard which protects both him and key points in the Empire, such as the meeting hall of the Dark Council on Korriban. The Voice acts as a stand-in for the Emperor, announcing his wishes and orders to the Empire so that the Emperor does not have to reveal his body to do such trivial errands. As the only member of Emperor’s power base with free will, the Wrath solves problems that could harm the Emperor before he needs to know about them. All of these individuals are above the law of the Empire, as they serve the Emperor directly. While the Emperor and his direct support staff have ultimate authority over the Empire, the 12 Sith Lords who make up the Dark Council have traditionally ruled. Intended to advise the Emperor over a specific Sphere of expertise (e.g., Technology), these Sith debate matters of import to the entire Empire while having their power rooted in their particular Sphere. Lesser Sith support their masters, who generally will have ties which go all the way to one of these Dark Councilors. Non-Force users can turn towards the three Ministries as an avenue of civil service. The Ministries of War, Logistics, and Imperial Intelligence fill in the pieces of Imperial bureaucracy not controlled directly by a Sphere. The Ministers traditionally reported directly to the Dark Council, but with the Emperor’s recent displeasure, the Dark Council’s expansion has given the Ministers (among others) direct voices in proceedings.

Key Planets to Know The most important planets in the Empire are the capital of Dromund Kaas and the Sith home world of Korriban. Korriban’s inhospitable terrain and wildlife means that, outside of the Sith Academy, no other settlers live there. The Academy is critically

8 important to the Empire though, as the future of the Sith train there and academically minded Overseers can conduct important study of the Dark Side and the ancient Sith buried there. Additionally, the chambers of the Dark Council are housed in the Academy, where all key meetings take place. Dromund Kaas became the capital of the Empire after the Emperor fled there following the Great Hyperspace War. While there is plenty of dangerous fauna and corrupting Dark Side energy on Dromund Kaas as well, plenty of Imperial citizens live there, mainly inside the capital city of Kaas City. The Imperial Ministries are housed there, as well as many powerful Sith Lords. Pockets of Mandalorians also hide in the wilds of the planet, prepared to offer their services for those willing to make the trek through the jungle – and pay their fees.

Core Worlds of importance to the Republic include Coruscant, Tython, Corellia, and Balmorra. Coruscant is the seat of the Republic Senate but faces widespread destruction and corruption after the Empire’s attack at the end of the Great Galactic War. The Jedi Temple and the area around it was completely destroyed in the attack, so the Jedi have relocated to the Order’s home world of Tython to recover from the War. Corellia remains strong as the key economic engine of the Republic, home to some of the best engineers, innovators, and pilots in the galaxy. In contrast, the industrial power of Balmorra was occupied by the Empire, and the Treaty of Coruscant allowed the Empire to annex the planet following the War. Resistance movements still pepper the planet, disrupting the Empire’s attempts at harnessing the planet’s industrial infrastructure.

Topics for Discussion

Imperial Alliances Historically, the Empire has not attempted to make alliances with outside planets or governments. The Sith are the strongest individuals in the galaxy, and thus all others should recognize their government as superior. However, as the Empire has grown, it has become harder to both finance the new planets that have found themselves in the collectivized economy of the Empire and maintain the military infrastructure needed to keep the Republic at bay. As a result, the Empire will need to consider new locations to bolster the Empire’s economy and war efforts, likely by way of diplomacy and alliances. The Dark Council will need to decide how to proceed when making movements towards neutral planets. Attacking them could open up the potential for the Republic to respond with war, and the Empire could not hold the planet and fight the Republic at the same time. Careful diplomacy could bring these planets into the fold, but the Empire has no alliances at this point, so it will have to be careful in how it crafts these arrangements. If the citizens of the Empire feel that these allied planets are too advantaged or do not support the Sith code enough, there may be rebellions with which the Council must contend. There are many unaligned factions that the Empire can attempt to negotiate with in order to build its power base. The friendliest group to the Empire at this point in time is the Chiss Ascendancy, another Empire based in the Unknown Regions. The Empire can relate to the Ascendancy thanks to the Ascendancy’s similar style of oligarchic rule. While the Ascendancy is hegemony, it has no intention of expanding into the known galaxy as far as Imperial Intelligence can find. Its navy appears wholly dedicated to diplomatic and exploratory missions.

The Mandalorians could also prove useful for the Empire. While many individual Mandalorians already work with the Empire as mercenaries, Mandalore himself has proven himself to be a proud individual with no intention of bringing his society under the jurisdiction of any one government. Still feared by the Republic for the destructive Mandalorian Wars, the Empire will have an advantage in courting these fearsome warriors, so long as they do not offend Mandolore or attempt to infringe on his freedom. The Hutt Cartel is famously neutral, but that has not stopped both the Republic and the Empire from trying to sway it toward their side. The Cartel is the independent business faction in the galaxy, controlling a whole wing of the galaxy. Nominal Hutt Space includes the Smuggler’s Moon Nar Shaddaa and the Hutt home world of Hutta, but the Cartel also has a strong presence on the planets of the Outer Rim like Tatooine and Hoth thanks to the smothering business practices the Cartel employs. The Hutts will do anything for the right price, but do not wish to choose sides between the Republic and Empire so as to keep business strong. Diplomacy with the Hutts must be delicate, as they have large egos and are quick to offend. Should they be swayed, their mercenaries and droids will significantly boost the armies of the Empire, and their business connections will support the Ministry of Logistics as much as it will harm the Republic. Voss is a newly discovered planet with strong connections to the Force. The people there do not seem to understand the Force in terms of Light and Dark as the rest of the galaxy does. Indeed, they share very few customs with the rest of the galaxy. Their power appears to be great. Their mystics claim to have the power to see the future through visions. The government takes the claims of the Mystics as law, so long as official Interpreters are able to confirm their claims. Their Force-sensitivity could provide great

11 boons to the Sith and the Empire should they convince the Voss to ally solely with them and drop the neutrality policy. Alderaan could be the largest blow to the Republic if the Empire can sway it to its side. One of the founding Core Worlds of the Republic, Alderaan had typically been a voice of peace and diplomacy in the Republic’s Senate. However, after the Empire invaded Alderaan during the Great Galactic War, representative and crown prince Gaul Panteer demanded blood from the Empire. When the Republic instead signed the Treaty of Coruscant, Gaul withdrew Alderaan from the Republic, making it a neutral planet. He was then assassinated by now King Bouris Ulgo. A dispute over succession began, which House Thul turned into a war. House Thul had been exiled from Alderaanian politics, but thanks to Imperial backing they again have the strength to insert themselves in the succession discussion. The Republic is backing House Organa in this war, but the Jedi are also attempting to arrange peace discussions between Houses Thul and Organa. Thanks to Imperial support, a Thul monarch will support the Empire. However, a peace deal will likely turn Alderaan back to the Republic. Should Alderaan join the Empire, the Republic will suffer an enormous blow to morale, as well as one of the most strategically placed ports in the galaxy.

Sith and Non-Sith As the Sith Code states, freedom ultimately comes through the accumulation of power. The greatest power in the galaxy, of course, comes through the Force. Since the beginnings of the Sith Empires, the Force-sensitive Sith have ruled over those weaker individuals who lacked the wondrous power over life itself. This did not change under the current Emperor, who appointed 12 Sith to rule over the Empire when he could not do so directly in the form of the Dark Council. A Sith apprentice could pull rank over all but the highest-placed non-Sith public Servants, such as Moffs or Ministers. Due to the power and prestige of the Sith, they are often used for missions of the highest importance in the Empire. This frontline duty when combined with the corruption inherent to Sith teachings leads to a constant need for the Empire to increase their supply of Sith. As a result, any Force-sensitive children are sent to the Sith Academy on Korriban.

The Academy goes further than the training found in the halls of the Jedi Temple. Korriban is a hostile world, full of dangerous creatures and ancient tombs to the Sith. Students must survive these harsh environments to complete the tasks set out by their Overseers. The killing of other students is outlawed in the Academy, but there are few watching eyes in the Sith tombs, and many students pulled in by the Dark Side of the Force will do anything to gain the prestige of a Sith Apprenticeship. The families of the students who survive Korriban receive the great honor of having a Sith in the family. However, parents fear the possibility that they will never see their child again. Opportunities for advancement exist for those without Force-sensitivity. The Empire’s bureaucracy draws mainly from a militant mindset, and the Ministries of War, Intelligence, and Logistics always need bright young minds to support the continued growth of the Empire. Seeing as most industries in the Empire are nationalized in order to support the war effort, there are few opportunities outside of imperial bureaucracy. Promotions operate mainly through the success of military endeavors and the brown- nosing of superiors, although the Ministry of Logistics will support more entrepreneurial innovations as well. However, no matter how far through the ranks the non-Sith may climb, Sith will always occupy a higher place in the chain of command. Despite this, many non-Sith support the rule of the Sith; all citizens in the Empire know the philosophy of the Sith Code and are happy to live in a “meritocracy” like the Empire, as opposed to a “corrupt” society like the Republic. With the Emperor’s unexpected decision to add non-Sith voices to the Dark Council, some within the Empire are beginning to question the place of the Force within the Sith bureaucracy. Does Force-sensitivity make the Sith inherently more useful to the Empire, and should they occupy the most important positions of power? Should the

Empire provide more opportunities for the advancement of non-Sith? Should those children with Force-sensitivity have the option to forego training on Korriban?

Corruption The Sith Code emphasizes passion, power, and individual strength as the keys to freedom. In a martial and commanding society like the Empire, the quest for personal freedom is a zero- sum game. As such, many individuals will do whatever it takes to get ahead and secure just a little more power, even if that quest is detrimental to the Empire as a whole. For the Sith, this lesson gets hammered home while training on Korriban. Many students will take whatever actions they feel they need to in order to survive, gain the favor of a Sith Lord and get off of Korriban – although not necessarily in that order. Overseers are not allowed to encourage these attitudes, as the Academy has outlawed the murder of other students, but many will tacitly ignore the disappearance of students, or even praise those students who show a streak of ruthlessness. This attitude continues after graduation. Sith Apprentices are apprenticed to their Lord for their lifetime, even if they become Lords themselves. Apprentices only truly become their own masters by killing their Lord, and sometimes they must even kill the Lord of their Lord. Sith philosophy says that this cycle of killing ensures that the ruling Sith are the strongest ones, as they must constantly ward off attacks by those who covet their position. Thus, the Sith are always strengthening themselves, trimming the fat from their ranks and leaving only hardened fighters and political masterminds. As the Sith are the cultural exemplars of imperial culture, non-Sith officers will take the same notions to heart and fight their way to the top of the hierarchy as well. Admirals may order for sneak attacks during battle against their superiors, while Moffs may hire

14 bounty hunters to take out their rivals. With all the key players in imperial bureaucracy attempting to get ahead in this manner, the goals of the Empire can become less important than the ultimate goal of accumulating power, weakening the Empire as a whole. The Emperor has found the Empire in a position of self-destruction. It has wasted the advantages it was granted by the Treaty of Coruscant and now finds itself facing a Republic that has begun rebuilding itself and planning its revenge. For the Empire to survive, it must solve the problem that led to the downfall of the first Empire – how to get the Sith to work together towards a common goal. The Dark Council has been charged with finding a way to shift the culture of the Empire in a way that promotes unity and common ground. However, it must fight against those who see corruption as a key element of imperial culture and a way of keeping the strongest in power. Furthermore, it must determine how to encourage study of the Dark Side of the Force while overcoming the allure for personal power it brings.

Positions

Darth Marr, Sphere of Defense

Darth Marr has always considered himself a patriot, serving the Empire first, himself second, and the Emperor third. As the Head of the Sphere of Defense, Marr works with Darth Decimus and Darth Vengean to direct the Ministry of War. Darth Marr controls troops that defend the Empire, typically stationed in key planets like Dromund Kaas and Korriban. Darth Marr agrees with the Emperor’s new vision that the Empire must change its culture, granting more power to non-Sith and eliminating corruption from the ranks of the Sith to make a stronger, unified Empire. He also worries about continued expansion of the Empire. Sith supremacy is an inevitable eventuality, but currently his troops are stretched thin defending those planets which have been successfully integrated into the Empire, and he does not want to lose more to the invasion plans of Decimus and Vengean.

Darth Ravage, Sphere of Expansion and Diplomacy

The head of the Sphere of Expansion and Diplomacy has a key choice to make: should the Empire prioritize peace or war in its relations to other planets and star systems? Darth Ravage, ever the ambitious man, has always felt that war leads to greater returns than diplomacy. If the Sith are to embody those who would stop at nothing for more power, then why shouldn’t they do as they please? The Empire’s dwindling strength has put this view into question, however. With the Republic building its strength back up, neutral systems could easily turn away from the Empire if it is not strong enough to “expand.” Ravage will need to think about how to prioritize resources and get agreement from the new Dark Council before his plans can move forward. Until then, his diplomats should do a good job of keeping an eye on favorable situations and smoothing any ruffled feathers should problems arise.

Darth Jadus, Sphere of Imperial Intelligence

For an order founded on the use of passion for strength, Darth Jadus comes off as surprisingly clinical. As the head of the Sphere of Imperial Intelligence, Jadus oversees all information that comes into and leaves the Empire. He operates secret police, field agents, and propaganda networks. He has been surprisingly hands-on with his work, with mixed

16 feelings from the agents themselves. Some do not like the interference of yet another Sith, but others see him as different. He seems to dislike other Sith just as much as they do, preferring to work with the normal Intelligence officers. He also does not seem to want to use Intelligence for his own personal gain. Instead, he works “for the good of the Empire.” Some may try to learn what that means, but the steel mask of Darth Jadus will betray no secrets.

Darth Thanaton, Sphere of Ancient Knowledge

Darth Thanaton is one of the most tenured members of the Dark Council. His training as an assassin has made him patient and prone to using agents before entering the fray himself, significantly boosting his life span in the violent world of the Dark Council. As the head of the Sphere of Ancient Secrets, Thanaton leads the Imperial Reclamation Service in gathering Sith artifacts and learning ancient teachings to harness forgotten power. His time with the relics of the past has made him a staunch traditionalist, firmly opposed to the Emperor’s new suggestions. And while he may speak loudly on the matter during Council meetings, he likely will not take brash action immediately. He will wait patiently from the shadows, as he knows that patience leads to victory, and history is written by victors.

Darth Decimus, Sphere of Military Strategy

As the head of the Sphere of Military Strategy, Darth Decimus decides on the tactics and grand strategy for the Empire. This makes him one of the most well-connected individuals in the Empire, as he will decide how the armies and navies of the Empire will advance. However, he must share the deployment of the Ministry of War with Marr and Vengean. He has nominal control of the Imperial Conquest Consolidation Corps, the organization in charge of governing new Imperial acquisitions like Balmorra. A true patriot, Decimus sees his work as leading to the glory of the Emperor and the Empire. Of course, the best way to achieve that glory is to boost the personal power of Darth Decimus; no one else could achieve his vision of the perfect Empire.

Darth Vowrawn, Sphere of Production and Logistics

Among the taciturn, cold, and aggressive members of the Dark Council, Darth Vowrawn is something of an anomaly. Vowrawn is charming and sophisticated, enjoying nice things

17 with polite company. As the head of the Sphere of Production and Logistics, he has plenty of access to the finer things, as he oversees the economy of the Empire through the Ministry of Logistics. Since that also means he controls trade routes and production lines for the Empire, plenty of Sith that failed to ally with him have attempted to forcibly remove him from the position. However, Vowrawn is no pushover. Despite his polished demeanor, he greatly enjoys playing the political games of the Sith, such as foiling assassination attempts against him and planning retribution. While he agrees that the Sith Empire needs reform to fight the Republic, he sees attempts at removing corruption as a mere restriction on the Sith, one that will hamper the truly great ones.

Darth Mortis, Sphere of Laws and Justice

Darth Mortis contrasts greatly from Darth Vowrawn. While Vowrawn is flashy and refined, Mortis is spartan and cold. Mortis despises the games that the Sith play, and as head of the Sphere of Laws and Justice, he has the authority to appropriately punish any he catches violating Imperial laws. He takes great pleasure in arresting other Sith who violate the principles of the Empire and greatly appreciates that the Emperor is finally doing something about it. However, he disagrees with the sentiment that non-Sith need more representation in the Imperial power structure. While there are a handful of competent non-Sith, they still lack Force-sensitivity, a key piece of guidance for Mortis. He questions the judgement of those who would lead a whole Empire without it.

Darth Acina, Sphere of Technology

The newest member of the Dark Council prior to the Emperor’s expansion of the Council, Acina leads the turbulent Sphere of Technology. Within that role, she oversees the engineering and development of all technology which could prove useful to the Empire, so long as it does not involve biotic manipulation. She and Darth Acharon have clashed over the bounds of their domains, both trying to encroach on the territory of the other to receive the best engineers, blueprints, and technological wonders. While many on the Dark Council have attempted to take advantage of the new, progressive Councilor, she has proven to be a more formidable opponent than her predecessors. She has a ruthless streak and keeps her intentions vague, save that you do not cross her.

Darth Acharon, Sphere of Biotic Science

Darth Acharon no longer sees himself as confined to humanity. As head of the Sphere of Biotic Science, Acharon sees his own body as the ultimate testing ground for new biotic technology. As a result, he is more machine than man, shedding the frailty of his old form. He despises Acina, as he believes that the Sphere of Technology should be integrated into his superior technology-oriented sphere. He despises the other Counselors as well, especially the new, non-Sith additions. He despises anyone he sees as beneath him, which is everyone. He can tolerate those he cannot immediately destroy, but anyone else who may approach him will soon learn that he thinks they would be far more helpful testing his tools in the laboratory.

Darth Vengean, Sphere of Military Offense

Darth Vengean embodies the Ministry of War. In charge of the Sphere of Military Offense, Vengean commands all invading forces at the Empire’s disposal. However, he must work with Marr, Decimus, and the Minister of War to determine the best allocation of troops, as well as any decisive actions. Vengean’s ultimate goal is no secret, as he wants nothing more than to finish the Republic once and for all. While his apprentice Darth Baras negotiated the Treaty of Coruscant, he sees it as the true weakness of the Empire, not any of the issues highlighted by the Emperor. He is a cunning politician though, so he knows how to play his cards to get what he wants. He can play the long game and negotiate until he gets to a place of utmost superiority before striking.

Darth Rictus, Sphere of Mysteries

Even to the Dark Council, much of the Sphere of Mysteries remains classified. The leader of this sphere, Darth Rictus, certainly does not help in this regard. The inscrutable Sith does not reveal his hand unless he has no choice, and he always has a choice. He has officially stated that he protects the secrets of the Empire through whatever means necessary, but the Council has no way to check his power. The Emperor knows what he works on, but everything else is based on the discretion of Rictus. He has revealed that he is a traditionalist with no patience with the Emperor’s new perspective. He will continue

19 his work, whatever the Emperor wills, because the Empire itself depends upon it – or so he claims.

Darth Aruk, Sphere of Sith Philosophy

Many Sith hate Jedi, and many Sith see themselves as the pinnacle of evolution. For Darth Aruk, these beliefs are the core of his being. In charge of the Sphere of Sith Philosophy, Aruk roots out any traitors amongst the Empire with gleeful abandon. He will charge anyone he needs to if it will keep the Empire pure of the Light Side. As a result, he holds all newcomers to the Dark Council with disdain and any progressive Sith with open hostility. His Inquisitors can charge any Imperial with the crime of treason, and he will do so happily if it results in even a chance at ridding the Empire of impurity. However, such reckless abandon can open up Sith to dangerous repercussions, so Aruk has slowed down to reevaluate his position in the Empire after hearing the Emperor’s mandate.

Darth Malgus, War Hero of the Empire

Even before he led the strike team against the Jedi Temple, Darth Malgus stood as one of the Sith’s most active and impressive warriors. Leading campaigns from the opening strike on Korriban to the assault on Alderaan, Malgus was able to use his combination of charisma, ruthlessness, and Force capabilities to win victory after victory for the Empire. Now that the war is over, he no longer inspires soldiers on the front lines, but on the home front. Viewed by all as a war hero, he has impressive sway over public opinion, especially over the more militant members of the Empire. His time on the battlefield also showed him the importance of non-Sith soldiers and personnel, so he crusades now for greater inclusion in the Imperial power structure. Cold and relentless, Malgus is a Sith to be respected, if not feared.

Lord Scourge, the Emperor’s Wrath

Little is known of Lord Scourge other than rumors. As the first and only Emperor’s Wrath, Lord Scourge has been assigned to personally uphold and enforce the Emperor’s vision across the Empire and the galaxy. Some say he received the title as a reward for saving the Emperor’s life. Others say that he stole the secrets of immortality from the Emperor, and the Emperor chose to honor his initiative rather than punish his insolence. Regardless,

20 there are reports of him as far back as anyone on the Dark Council can remember in their lifetimes. Dark Councilors like Thanaton and Aruk feel that he does not hold enough respect for Sith tradition and that he has spent too much time within Republic space while planning his missions. Of course, they would not dare make such bold accusations to his face, not while he has the Emperor’s backing and his own untapped power.

Thela Shareis, Minister of War

Thela Shareis is one of the most accomplished women in the Empire. Leading the Ministry of War since midway through the Great Galactic War, Minister Shareis has earned the rabid approval of the Ministry and armed forces of the Empire during her tenure. While she nominally answers to Marr, Vengean, and Decimus, they all know she holds enough sway over the morale of the soldiers that they should not order her around like a common lackey. Many of the high ranking Moffs and other officials in the Empire would gladly defect from the Ministry to stay under Shareis’ command. Shareis has impeccable military knowledge and will not suffer insults or rudeness.

The Minister of Intelligence

Like the other members of the Ministry of Intelligence, the Minister no longer has a name. He is defined by his position, which he will not relinquish until his death. As the Minister of Intelligence, M enacts the policy goals set forth by Darth Jadus. Due to Jadus’s active role in running Intelligence, M gets more freedom with the propaganda wing of Imperial affairs, ensuring the people have no need to question the judgement of the Dark Council. Darth Jadus vouched for his presence on the Dark Council, but many have to question whether M is just a lackey for Jadus – or if he has his own agenda.

Shullis Khamarr, Minister of Logistics

Minister Khamarr has long believed in the core philosophy of the Sith Empire. She recognizes the right of the Sith to rule the Empire, as they have been blessed with the power of the Force. She gladly serves the Ministry of Logistics, keeping supply lines running and making smart investments on behalf of the Empire. While Darth Vowrawn holds more authority over trade and supply lines, Khamarr tends to handle more detail- oriented work, analyzing the budget of the Empire and handling the assignment of jobs to

21 the citizens of the Empire. Minister Khamarr gladly serves the Sith Empire and cannot understand why some would want to change it.

Sev’rance Thrawn, Chiss Representative

Sev’rance Thrawn is cool, calm, and collected, like many of the Chiss Ascendancy. On orders to monitor the Empire in order to evaluate their potential as an ally, Thrawn stays focused on collecting information, which usually involves plenty of listening before speaking. Granted a research team and diplomatic frigate, Thrawn has orders to scour Imperial space to learn as much about the galaxy as possible. He of course has not earned the trust of everyone on the Dark Council, but he acts polite and precise at all times in order to put the people of the Empire at ease. He truly does not war, nor does he have the authority to declare an attack except in dire circumstances. However, his input is critical for the Ascendency’s evaluation of the Empire, so he holds great sway over how they decide their stance towards the Empire.

Rako Fett, Grand Champion of the Great Hunt

Rako Fett is one of the most legendary figures in the galaxy. A bounty hunter by trade, Fett first achieved renown by winning the Great Hunt, a galaxy-wide competition between bounty hunters to see who could track down the most elusive targets. She so impressed those following her that Mandalore himself adopted her into his own clan, making her a Mandalorian. However, her exploits were less appreciated by the Republic, who soon declared her Public Enemy #1 due to her string of assassinations against top Republic officials. Since then, she has agreed to an official, long-term contract with the Empire, carrying out the bidding of the Sith for a premium price. She knows that the value of a contract killer comes from honoring their contracts rather than betraying their employers, and she carries the same attitude with regards to her conduct on the new Dark Council, especially in regard to the Treaty of Coruscant and, surprisingly enough, other Imperial laws.

Cada Bliss, Hutt Businessman

Cada Bliss may have associates, but his best friend is his bank account. He amassed vast sums of wealth as a hustler on the streets of Nar Shaddaa, attracting the attention of

22 increasingly more important gangsters. A fast talker and even faster thinker, Bliss was able to use his business sense to achieve the best period of economic fortune that each gang he joined had ever experienced. He eventually found himself under the employ of the Hutt Cartel, working as an intermediary between the Cartel and Empire. A true self-made man, Bliss has no intention of slowing his climb up the ladder of success. Seemingly sociopathic and frighteningly intelligent, Bliss can determine the most efficient ways for credits to flow into the hands of his employers and himself.

Lord Abaron, Headmaster of the Sith Academy

Lord Abaron knows that education is the key to seeing your ideas last beyond your lifetime. As the headmaster of the Sith Academy Abaron oversees the Overseers and their Acolytes. She has great influence over who can access which tombs and what research can be undertaken at the Academy. She knows that she needs valuable connections to keep her position at the top of the Academy, so she has maintained great relations with Thanaton and Aruk over the years. She helps them ensure that the Academy continues a traditional education, one with an emphasis of using personal strength to take what Sith feel they deserve.

Rycus Norman, Governor of Dromund Kaas

Rycus Norman is incredibly grateful to the Sith for granting him his position. As the Governor of Dromund Kaas, Norman gets to enjoy many of the finer things in life. Rubbing elbows with the many socialites and wealthy citizens of Kaas City contrasts significantly from his more rough-and-tumble military history, and he has no interest in returning to his roots. For that reason, he is more than willing to support Sith interests over the interests of the non-Sith activists in Kaas City. However, he knows more war is unpopular at this point with the wealthy, so he has taken many opportunities to push for more diplomacy and trade throughout the galaxy. He has no intention of giving up his position now that he has it, and he will put down any challengers who seek his job, or who seek the same promotions as him.

Sana-Rae, Voss Mystic

Sana-Rae is still young and unsure, but there is one thing she knows: by allying with the Empire, she can bring prosperity to Voss. She received a vision detailing the splendor of Voss far into the future, and she saw the Empire still there as it happened. The interpreters did not share her optimism, and thus they did not immediately ally with the Sith. However, they agreed that her vision did indicate that she should go to the Empire, that she could bring back great knowledge for the Voss in their time of new discoveries. She has caused tension in the Dark Council because she has not fully embraced the Dark Side of the Force, but the Emperor holds a great fascination with the Voss and appointed her as a representative to the Council. Regardless of the opinions of the others, Sana-Rae knows that her destiny will be found in the chambers of the Dark Council.

Aryn Thul, Noblewoman of Alderaan

More than anything else, Aryn Thul is pleased to be back in the comforting arms of creature comforts. The Thul’s exile from Alderaan was long and harsh, so being able to return to the palace of her childhood made Aryn feel a sense of relief she had not had in a long time. That all came apart when her family decided she would represent House Thul on the new Dark Council. She was grateful for the Empire’s support of her family, and she had excellent people skills, but she did not want her home ripped from her again. She would like to maintain her life of privilege and return to Alderaan as soon as possible, so she wants to ensure everything stays peaceful and harmonious within the Council. After all, fighting can only harm the fine china she has yet to add to her collection.

Harron Tavus, Ex-Republic Commando

Harron Tavus was one of the best soldiers the Republic had during the Great Galactic War. Head of the top SpecOps team in the Republic, Havoc Squad, Tavus was able to accomplish many missions against impossible odds, securing great gains for the Republic and dealing significant damage to the Empire. However, the war left him disillusioned with the Republic’s leadership. He saw the members of the Galactic Senate as too soft to make the tough choices and too uncaring to try to save the lives of his fellow soldiers. After his squad did not receive backup on a planet deemed “too hot for extraction,” Tavus

24 decided enough was enough. He managed to survive the suicide mission, then immediately started funneling information to the Empire. When he heard about the martial society, where the most important leaders had to survive their own struggles, he knew the Empire was the place for him. The Republic has listed him as MIA, but he and his network of contacts in the Republic know exactly where his allegiance lies.