Dark Voice Staff:
Senior Editor:
His Excellency,
Dark Side Adept Trevarus Irad Caerick,
Knight First Class;
Oracle of the Brotherhood of Dark Jedi

Editor:
Krath Archpriest Vassan Rokir,
Praetor to the Oracle of the Brotherhood
Aedile of House Qel-Droma of Clan Arcona

Editor:
Sith Warlord Maxamillian Von Oberst-Tarantae
Magistrate to the Oracle of the Brotherhood
Aedile of House Tridens of Clan Tarentum

Editor:
Krath Priest Mal’ari’carun
Magistrate to the Oracle of the Brotherhood
Quaestor of House Ektrosis of Clan Taldryan
THE DARK VOICE
Volume I, Issue I

Address From the Iron Throne
Brethren,

    A long, fruitful year has passed the Brotherhood by.  As we gaze back upon the Anniversary of our cessation of alliance with the failing remnants of the Emperor’s New Order, we cannot help but realize the strength of our position within the Galaxy.  Since the disappearance of Lord Darth, we have never been closer to the most ancient prophecies of our Order.  Our travels and explorations within this bastion of the Dark Side, the Antei System, have led us deeper and deeper into the purest reaches of the Force.

    Yet, the Consummation still eludes our grasp. The Seven Great Clans have prospered greatly following the Exodus.  The dreams that prompted the initial forays have proven to be prophetic.  The Followers of the Dark Path do not require the meddling of bureaucrats and professional officers.  We are an Order of Rulers, and in the Final Order, the Dark Side shall overcome all.We shall stand as the Final Masters, the final way, and the consummation of Lord Darth’s visions of so many generations past.

    Each and every follower of the Dark Path has a sacred duty to the Brotherhood.  The Dark Side is a powerful, individual path.  Yet, our unity is the true strength of our Order.  We are made powerful through our cooperation, our quest for mutual goals, and together we shall overcome the Light.  Through our efforts, our united strength, all lights shall pass into the Darkness from whence they were made.

    That is the consummation, my Brethren.  Through our unity, the wide reach of Darkness, we shall overcome.  We do not rely on the narrow-minded perception of professional warriors.  We are visionaries, scholars, and warriors.Together we shall overcome, and together we shall see the end of all.

For the Glory of the Dark Side,
His Highness,
Lord Darth Firefox,
Grand Master of the Brotherhood
Dark Lord of the Sith

News From the Seven Clans:

Clan Arcona - At a breathtaking ceremony held on Antei itself, Consul Mejas Doto was recently promoted to the much-sought-after rank of Dark Jedi Master. Several members of the Dark Council oversaw the ceremony, and the newly-raised Dark Jedi Master is reported as being quite elated after the exaltation. Appropriate to a Dark Jedi of his rank and ability, he also appeared slightly troubled when he relaxed into contemplation. This, of course, begs the question: has the Dark Jedi Master seen something momentous in the future of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood?

Clan Naga Sadow - House Primus Goluud of Clan Naga Sadow has risen from relatively obscurity within the last year, placing Third in the Obelisk Right of Supremacy. The event - conducted by the former Obelisk High Commander - was designed to test (and heighten, where appropriate) the combat skills of the Obelisk within the Dark Jedi Brotherhood. The most militant followers of the Tripartite Path, the Obelisk Right of Supremacy was a competition that managed to train many new Obelisk without slaughtering half of them - always an achievement. House Primus Goluud distinguished themselves most in this area: a mere handful of their apprentices were killed in training battles - testament to their skill.

Clan Exar Kun - Clan Exar Kun, loyal still to the long-dead Sith Lord who nearly wiped out the Jedi ages past, has made tremendous efforts lately to recover their history. Several expeditions, carried out in secret, to the jungle world of Yavin IV and the following explorations of the Massassi temples there have begun to show benefits, increasing the knowledge of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood exponentially. With so many members gone and out of contact, Clan Exar Kun has suffered in the recent mass of competitions within the Brotherhood; their other accomplishments, however, suggest that Exar Kun may, in the future, due justice to he whose name they proudly bare.

Clan Satal Keto- While the Consul and Proconsul of Satal Keto were unavailable for comment, most of the clan has attested to their warm welcome to returning Krath Arch Priest Enahropes Teriad Entar. Entar was expelled from the Emperor's Hammer prior to the split on several raudulent charges and, subsequently, from all of its Subgroups. However, with the Dark Jedi Brotherhood having declared its independence, Enahropes petitioned for membership within the new Dark Jedi Brotherhood and has since become an active contributer to Clan Satal Keto and the Dark Jedi Brotherhood as a whole.

Clan Scholae Palatinae - Clan Scholae Palatinae has a history in the Dark Jedi Brotherhood as distinguished as it is long. While their origins are shrouded in mystery and much of their history was lost in the split, they have recently been hard at work achieving noteworthy titles and well-deserved honors.  Recently, they came from behind and took third place in the Capital Gains competition, thrashing four other clans in the Dark Brotherhood on their way to victory and showing no signs of achieving less in the future.

Clan Taldryan - Historically prominent within the Brotherhood, Taldryan was hit hard by the split, losing many members to the ensuing war. Despite this, Clan Taldryan has recovered admirably, constantly attracting fresh young Dark Jedi to their ranks. Having taken first in the Obelisk Right of Supremacy and third in the Third Sith War (despite their lack of Sith), Taldryan promises to do well in the upcoming Independence Games and - if tensions continue to rise - within the Great Jedi War which is sure to erupt.

Clan Tarentum- Led by Dark Adept Sith Bloodfyre-Tarentae, Tarentum has slowly been rising in prestige within the Brotherhood, many of its members showing impressive combat skills in the recent surge of vendettas. Most notably, the Sith of Tarentum banded together and triumphed in the Third Sith War, destroying their adversaries with reckless abandon in a sweeping victory unlikely to be forgotten in the near future. Whatever else may be said about this Clan, one thing is for sure: they are becoming a force to be reckoned with.


DARK HALL CONSTRUCTION PROGRESSES
Despite delays, project completion is still on deadline

Dark Council - Antei:   Sources close to the Dark Council indicate that the progress on the Dark Hall, the main administrative center of the Dark Council and the Brotherhood in nearing the final stages of completion.  This is after months of delays, including at least one strike by the major union representing nearly a third of the construction firms employees.

Lord Chamberlain Telaris Cantor has said that the delays are "Minor and temporary." Expenses indicate that the Dark Council nearly doubled the salary budget for the Kirikami Firms 1,200 striking laborers, this ended the action after less than a week of delays.

Another source indicated that Krath archaeological research was the major cause of delays.  Praetor to the Krath High Priestess, Tissaya Luna Argat has been leading a dig on behalf of the High Priestess for nearly the entire phase.  One of the major power relay stations for the defense network is slated for her site.  Argat was not available for comment, though her research has contributed significantly to the Brotherhood’s understanding of the forces that shaped the region called the Shadowlands of Antei.

Construction started a month after the Dark Council established temporary shelter in the partial ruins of a nearby temple.  These structures are nearly four-thousand years old, and ill-suited to the needs of the Dark Council.  Sources close to the Grand Master say that he is patient and understanding of the delays, by eager to see the new facility completed.Eventually comprising over a dozen structures, the Dark Hall facilities will stand as a testament to the power of the Dark Side of the Force, and the glory of the Brotherhood since its exodus from the Imperial Territories.


SITH FORCES SEAL SHROUD
Hyperspace lanes into Antei system under Brotherhood control

Dajorra - The Sith High Warrior announced that an operation to seal the rogue Antaran space-lanes through the Shroud was successful.  Forces from the Seven Clans united in a major task force geared towards regulating traffic into the double-system.  The Platform Vorago is now the primary entrance into the Brotherhood’s home system accessible to most Jedi and normal travelers.

Under the direction of Deputy Grand Master Jac Ae-sequira Cotelin, the Sith coalition united at the Dajorra based facilities of Clan Arcona, and began a full-sweep of the Shroud, planting sensor-buoys as each rogue lane was discovered.   Using a device provided by the Deputy Grand Master, each route was then closed.  A secondary sweep of the area confirmed that all possible lanes are now closed.

"This operation was vital to the security of the Brotherhood territories," Xanos Zorrixor quoted in his brief to the Clan Summits.  "The rogues had free access to every part of the territories through their routes.  By closing them, our united forces will be able to end their rebellion."

No casualties were reported in the operation, and the Antaran Columnate was not available for comment.






HOUSE WAR KEPT ON HOME TURF
Conflict within House Qel-Droma of Clan Arcona

By DV Staff

Arconae Primus, Da’jorra- The last few weeks have been witness to one of the many internal battles that occur within the Brotherhood, where loyal Clanmates seek to outdo each other in the perpetual struggle for dominance. Such is the current conflict between the Phyles of The Dark Orb and Prophecy within the Krath House Qel-Droma, of Clan Arcona. 

The battle is almost literally a land war, whose spoils ring similar to those of the Third Sith War: to the victor, the title of Favored Phyle. Additionally, and probably more significant, is the condition that whichever Phyle comes out the winner, a custom monument in stone will be crafted and placed within the grounds of the Qel-Droman temple, to stand as an eternal symbol of that Phyle’s superiority. 

And not coincidentally, the temple and surrounding grounds themselves have been declared the battlefield for this conflict, increasing the significance of the territory that is to be claimed. This condition helps to better acclimate House members, both new and old, to the relatively recent addition of the Qel-Droman temple to Arcona’s list of holdings. 

When asked to comment on both the temple and the current Phyle War, Archpriest Vassan Rokir, who acts as Aedile for the House and as well designed the temple in question, answered in a somewhat grim tone: "Both are a work in progress."  

Further research shows that both Quaestor Entar and Aedile Rokir both previously served as Tetrarchs in House Qel-Droma: Entar as leader of Prophecy, and Rokir of Dark Orb. Aedile Rokir declined to comment on what, exactly, had sparked this House conflict Quaestor Strategos Thanatos Entar, however, was more forthcoming, revealing that the entire conflict began as a wager between Aedile Rokir and himself as to which of their alma maters was more capable.

When asked if such a wager, and the resulting War, was rather childish, Quaestor Entar responded: "I'm afraid you are not in a position to think of our bet as childish, and I'd advise you to stop questioning the actions of your betters from now on. Incidentally, it looks like my Phyle is winning the War."

At last check, Prophecy had a slight advantage over Dark Orb in the War.


MYSTERIOUS ACTIVITY
Questions over new guild surface within the Herald’s Office

By DV Staff 

Dark Council- Antei:  Recent days have seen dramatic rumor and suspicion coming from the office of Herald Kaine Mandaala. Questions first arose when strange and unscheduled cargo shipments labeled only as "Electronic Equipment" were witnessed passing into the hands of the Herald’s subordinates. Further intrigue was created after a series of hasty meetings ensued between The Herald, his Praetor Mejas Doto, and the Commander of the Guard, Halcyon Rokir Arconae. 

Both the office of the Herald and the CoG refused to comment when asked the substance of these talks.  However, a high-level source confirms that the meetings were in regards to a "question of jurisdiction." The concept is an odd one, as the Herald and the CoG operate on far different ends of the Dark Council spectrum, and one would be challenged to imagine an area where either office’s duties would collide. 

The Commander of the Guard, in addition to overseeing the society of the Grand Master’s Royal Guard, also counts among his responsibilities the creation of specialized guilds within the Brotherhood.  The Herald has classically been in charge of the creation and archiving of the Grant of Arms bequeathed to Brotherhood members. 

Thus the question of "jurisdiction" leads to some interesting theories: 

  • Is the CoG planning on creating Grants of Arms specifically for GMRG members? 
  • Does the Herald’s Office wish to form its own guild? 
The second theory seems to hold more weight, as the odd requisitions of the Herald’s Office, and a recent visit by Praetor Mejas Doto to the Brotherhood archives, hint at the creation of some new organizational entity. When inquired as to his purpose in perusing the archives, Doto replied: "Who the **** are you to question me? My actions will not be puzzled over by you or any other unworthy cretin! The Dark Side will explain all when the time is right!" No further questions were asked of the Praetor. 

Vague mentions of a "new type of guild" have appeared in the CoG reports over the last few weeks. Only time will tell what sort of shadowy cabal might soon surface.

INDEPENDENCE GAMES A PREP FOR WAR?
Speculation on the eve of celebrations

By Vassan Rokir 

Dark Council - Antei: The call was sent out by Headmaster Kaiann Yetaru Entar, and the summits responded. The Dark Brotherhood would be holding a series of leader-created events to both mark and celebrate the 1-year anniversary of the secession from the Emperor’s Hammer. These games will be, as advertised, a showing of both our unity and collective strength as brethren. 

But beneath this veneer of shining symbolism runs a tendril of suspicion.  For some time both seers and secret-keepers have detected subtle rumblings from within the Dark Council; rumblings of some ominous oncoming onslaught. Whether internal or external, rumors of war have been abundant. 

This makes the timing of the Independence Games, and the relative short timeframe in which they have been announced and planned for, most interesting. Coming hot off the heels of the Third Sith War, in which our collective conflict warded off the irritation of the Antarian Pirates, one might assume a general lull in both alert and training, as the triumph in the successful war is mutually basked in. 

More interesting is that the games are not being organized from the Grand Master’s office, the logical choice for the heading of the Games, given that it was Lord Darth Firefox’s bravery and leadership that made the secession at all possible to begin with. Rather, the Games are being initiated from the Headmaster’s Office, where education and training are the benchmarks of that hallowed institution. 

So the questions arise: What has the Dark Council so occupied? Why do the Games seem to fall under the realm of Brotherhood training? And if so, for what are we preparing for? Summit leaders questioned during the course of this article’s creation seemed either ignorant of any dark portents the Games might signify, or replied only with grave stares that implied further questions on the topic would be answered only with violence. 

However, a Dark Council staff member, on condition of anonymity, did say that the Games "were made a high priority only very recently, the order having come down from the Grand Master himself after a meeting with the Oracle." Oracle Caerick was unavailable for comment at the time of this writing. 

And so the Independence Games will no doubt showcase Brotherhood skill and power as a celebration of freedom, and a breaking of the chains of dictatorship.  But only time will tell if we’re not being unknowingly groomed, once more, for the flashing fires of dreadful war.


ARCHAEOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS
The Temple of Karunis

By Mal'ari'carun

Shadowlands - Antei:  Violet mist shrouded the valley, cobalt lightning coursing through it in a blinding display of power; as a reporter I was bound to uncover what lay beyond - as a Krath, I was ecstatic. Three months ago the Dark Council ordered the commencement of several archaeological digs on Antei, the new home of the Brotherhood, and they had finally begun to bare fruit. Two weeks prior to this writing, archaeologists, delving into one of the highest mountains on Antei, uncovered a series of chambers which led into the earth itself. The caverns eventually led to the large chamber in which this reporter found himself, the vaulted rock ceiling nearly a thousand meters overhead testament to some incredible power which had once been unleashed in this place. When several archaeologists attempted to enter the fog, they were incinerated by the lightning which cascaded through the sheath and the area was immediately ordered sealed off until further notice.

The Oracle, however, felt that such a place might be of great significance and, knowing that the Dark Jedi of Taldryan - most especially the Krath - possess an uncanny amount of control over the elements, sent this particular Priest to investigate. I therefore found myself pausing before the massive barrier and sensing Darkness incarnate beyond, Finally, I entered the crackling amethyst sphere, barely capable of controlling the lightning in my immediate vicinity. Quickly enough, however, I passed through the barrier and was able to study what lies beyond.

The structure, made of a wood stronger than durasteel, rose approximately 150 meters with windows slashing into it at irregular intervals. The wood itself is blacker than obsidian, swirling in an organic pattern to the top, and withstood several attempted cuts from a lightsaber without apparent harm. Furthermore, it appears to have been grown from the ground into this shape - despite the rock overhead preventing the slightest sunlight from entering the chamber. To round off the list of abnormalities, the cellular patterns of the building appear crafted to act as conduits for massive amounts of energy - no easy feat to achieve with genetic manipulation.

Within, the distance from floor to ceiling is roughly 200 meters - a physical impossibility yet a surety nonetheless. The inner width is nearly 30 meters, though it tapers off as it rises to a point. There are no ledges within, suggesting at first that those who gathered here circled around the object which lies at the center. Closer examination, however, has revealed several sets of hand- and foot-holds to the various windows and a distance of 3 meters between the inner and outer walls - even at the highest levels - allowing plenty of room for one to sit and observe the spectacle which would have occurred below.

The centerpiece of the structure is a large collection of stones. Two smaller stones stand upright and a third - close to four meters long and exactly one meter thick- is balanced atop them. The grooves cut into the stone - a pattern reminiscent of both a spiderweb and a starburst - radiate from a deep depression in the center of the piece, suggesting that the stone blocks may have once been used as a sacrificial altar and the grooves served to allow the excess blood to drain from the wound which would have been inflicted.

Acute examination of the structure's conical wall shows that no writing has ever been present on them except for at the inner pinnacle of the temple itself. This glyph shows the fearsome visage of a deity, jaws opened as if to feed upon the sacrifice offered below. The only other ornamentation present around the building is actually on the outer pinnacle. This design depicts a stylized eye gazing as if into the depths of space itself.

While much of the chamber and temple's nature remain unknown, this reporter knows one thing for certain: those who worshiped within, the devouts of Darth himself, would no-doubt look unkindly towards such an intrusion. Future archaeologists, however, may hope that their successors take a diametric view.


CHEDDIG TRADE NEGOTIATIONS FAIL
Clan Tarentum faces serious allegations of wrong doing

Dark Council- Antei:  Lord Chamberlain Telaris Cantor reported that negotiations between the Dark Brotherhood and the Cheddig System Government broke down today, amidst rumors and allegations that members of the Ambassador of Cheddig’s family, specifically his wife, twin daughters, and 3 of his sons, had been engaged in lascivious actions with some of the more prominent members of the Brotherhood.

Upon hearing the allegations, the Ambassador, Count Drake Tel’rria, abruptly departed the negotiating table. His family and retinue then moved to depart the Antei system. Ships in system moved to intercept the Ambassador’s squadron, but were quickly ordered down by military commanders to avoid escalation of the situation. 

Almost immediately after the breakdown of negotiations, factions within the Brotherhood have called for mobilization and an invasion of Cheddig. Opposing factions are calling for cooler heads and responses, in light of the strain the recent operations by the Sith against the Antei Pirates have caused to the Dark Brotherhood’s military resources.

The Cheddig System is a major exporter of foodstuffs to the Brotherhood. If the trade contracts are allowed to expire, the Brotherhood will begin to suffer from food shortages and price increases in the coming months. The Cheddig System remains independent from the New Republic and Imperial Remnant factions. Their system forces are classified as not being a major threat to the Brotherhood, but enough that the Brotherhood could be drawn into a protracted guerilla war.

Some have speculated that the leaders of Clan Tarentum orchestrated the breakdowns in negotiation. Loss of outside competition would leave them free to increase prices as they see fit on foodstuffs exported from the water world of Yridia II. Spokesman Spears Tarentae denies all such allegations by stating, "If we were intending to rob the other Clans and their pitiful treasuries we would surely do so by far more creative means." 

No other members of the Dark Council or their staff were willing to comment further on the situation.


ROSTER AS OF RELEASE
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