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The Society
of Shadows is based in the Varnus system, on the planet of the same
name. The Varnus System is located at the edge of the territories known
as the Outer Rim and the Unknown Regions. It is one of the prime homewords
of the New Imperium, and much business goes on here. One of the most
important systems in the NI behind the capital of Tralaria, the system
is the home for the Society of Shadows, the home for Jedi throughout
the NI. The system has a long history. Though records are sketchy at
best, it is believed that an ancient war swept through the sector, and
that Varnus was one of the focal points for a great battle. Further
compounding the mystery is the difference in composition and orbit between
the two planets in the system (and the lack of Varnus II's moon). With
the recent discovery of a massive repulsor-type device that had been
embedded beneath the surface for eons, scientists now speculate that
the planet Varnus may not have originated in the system. Instead, it
may have been moved here. Whether this is true or not remains to be
seen. In the following days, Varnus saw a huge resurgence of building programs, and new platforms and a drydock have been replaced in orbit. The population and cities continue to grow, making Varnus one of the most developed and populous centers for the New Imperium. Thus, it is of high importance to the NI as a major colony and base. It has withstood several other threats from within and without since the last attack, including a brief threat by the Altarin'Dakor Warlord Velius. With the recent fall of NI systems nearby, Varnus seems in danger of being cut off from the rest of NI space. It is clearly a major target of Altarin'Dakor attack. The only question is, when will that attack come? Until then, refugees continue to pile in from surrounding systems, and Varnus is under intense militarization as its inhabitants try to mount an adequate defense. |
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Varnus I is a small world hardly worth noting on the charts. However,
it is the planet's relationship to Varnus II which has scientists baffled.
The planet's orbit is not similar, and it's composition has many differences
from the homeworld. It is as if the second planet weren't originally from
the system at all. Other than this enigma, Varnus I is unremarkable. It has little mineral value, and is too close to the sun to risk serious miniing operations. |
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The planet
Varnus is very old. For centuries it has been ruled by Monarchs,
who passed their kingdoms down through the family. Eventually the entire
world was united under a single flag, and the capital city of Vectur
was built.It was a beautiful city that sprawled for miles. After the
first Battle of Varnus,however, Vectur, along with most of the other
large cities, was in ruins, and the world descended into anarchy.
When the SoH and NI moved in, the planet was restored, and the planetary
economy began to thrive again. Varnus is also the homeworld of the Jedi
Master and former Diktat Xar Kerensky. It was also discovered recently that Varnus, along with possibly Sigma Prime and others, were not originally from Epsilon Sector, but were transported here using unknown technology in the ancient past. In a similar way as the construction of the Correllian System by Centerpoint Station, a massive repulsor was found on the planet and has been unearthed. Apparently the same kind of technology, caused by an ancient an unknown (although possibly human) race, placed Varnus here as part of a galaxy-wide colonization effort. This also accounts for the lack of a moon around Varnus. Varnus is now under the constant threat of AD attack. The Nexus and other ships continue to provide some level of security, but it may not be enough to stop a full-fledged assault. As the headquarters of the NI's Jedi Division, Varnus is a key system and cannot afford to fall. Additionally, it seems to be of symbolic importance to the AD as well. A confrontation here seems inevitable, but whether the NI can hold out remains to be seen. |
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The planet Varnus is an old, tectonically stable world. Before the Battle
of Varnus, the world had over a billion people, with vast cities that
were designed to fit the beautiful landscape. After the planet was bombarded,
the world degraded as people found resources become more and more scarce,
and the world declined into anarchy. The capital, Vectur, became a home
for scavengers. The palace was saved from destruction and its treasures
kept safe by Sauron’s uncle, Aron Kerensky. For years the planet continued
this decline. When Sauron returned he gave the people some hope of survival
before he left again. Then, a band of pirates found the system and began
stripping away its resources further. It seemed Varnus was doomed. But
Sauron returned with Clan Ar’Kell, defeated the pirates, and settled on
the world. A period of reconstruction began, and over the next months
most of the damage was repaired, and the Royal Palace was reconstructed
into a beautiful, massive structure. The Jedi have given the people a
purpose again, as all over the planet they have begun to work together
to restore their world. Varnus is a bustling center of activity more than
ever before, and the Varnusans are filled with pride as they work. Though the recent attack caused much damage, the buildings and orbital facilities are being reconstructed. Though morale has dropped, the regular populace is little deterred, being used to such damage. The people, well known as survivors, will help rebuild, as always. |
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The Royal Palace of Vectur is the main base of operations of the Society
of Shadows. The old palace was bombed during the battle at Varnus several
years ago. Still, the lower levels were preserved by Sauron's uncle, Aron
Kerensky. The existing palace was built on the lower levels and roughly
according to the blueprints of the original. The Royal Palace has a slighly
rustic look popular centuries ago when it was built. The city of Vectur
is the largest city on the planet. Being deep inside the city is reminicent
of some parts of Coruscant. The many skyscrapers are very tall and colored
different hues, from white to light or dark gray. In the center of the
city is the Royal Palace. Its lower levels begin right at the city streets,
and the ancient levels below the surface extend throughout the whole city.
The exterior of the palace is an integration of old and new, a combination
of old castle and the pyramidal Imperial Palace on Coruscant (though on
a smaller scale). Inside, the palace has a very Varnusan-esque feel, with
Varnusan art and architecture very visible around. White pillars and stone
compose much of the interior, and a myriad of colors add flavor to the
halls and rooms. There are numerous skylights, palisades, and spires.
In the center of the palace itself, a huge tower juts out of the massive
structure. The tower is the tallest man-made structure on Varnus. The
tower, which juts out of the top of the huge palace, is over a hundred
meters wide, and will house many more living and business areas. At the
top is a huge observation lounge and restaurant. Some notable areas inside
the palace itself are the Council Room, the Grand Audience Hall, the Throne
Room, numberous restaurants and pools, recreation areas, VIP sections,
and the massive Library. As the Palace was rebuilt, numerous changes were
made to make it better fill its role and be an intimidating presence on
the world. This massive structure is integrated with new technologies,
hangars and landing pads and other defense systems. Not only are there
landing pads on the west wing, but a secret hangar from which the SoH's
elite fighter pilots may launch to defend the capital on a moment's notice.
The tombs discovered below the Palace are being explored and are revealing
more secrets about life on Varnus. The Palace is once again a beautiful
structure, with ornate pillars, paintings on the ceiling, and Varnusan
artwork once again adorning the walls.
Each House in the SoH is alloted a certain section of the Palace, called "Wings" (though actually not entire wings). These Wings serve as the home of the house until a more permanent base can be made on another world. However, even after a House moves, it retains a smaller section of the palace as its territory, where many members stay for long periods of time or on journeys to and fro. The Wings are decorated and remodeled to fit each particular House. |
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