Marchosias is a moon orbiting Iblis under the dominion of Scholae Palatinae, residing in the Cocytus System.
History
Marchosias was originally a moon that was terraformed by the Rakatan Empire to suit their likings. The Rakatans used the moon many purposes while they remained a dominant force throughout the galaxy. Once their race began its descent from power, the moon was abandoned as they sought to consolidate their ever-dwindling power. After the fall of the Infinite Empire, the Rakatan technology, including the original terraforming device used to shape the surface, was left behind – long-forgotten and waiting to be rediscovered by anyone curious enough to venture to the surface of the moon.
It was ages later when a small group of Dark Jedi from Scholae Palatinae began to hear whisperings of a moon, forgotten to most, where the Rakata once had established an outpost. This sparked their curiosity and they set out to find the moon and explore its surface, hoping to uncover any secrets that may have been left behind. Once they reached the surface, landing close to where the remains of the ancient Rakatan complex were located, they found that there was not much there to discover – at least not at first glance.
Reiden Karr, one of the dark jedi sent to Marchosias, was lucky enough to stumble upon the original terraforming device left behind by the Rakatans. He told the others what he had found and they quickly relayed the information to their superiors, waiting for further orders. The orders came back and research and construction teams were sent to join them on the moon, along with a few security teams. The dark jedi built their own complex around the remains of the Rakatan one and planned for it to serve as the nerve center for their operations on the moon. The main complex forms a ring around the site of the Rakatan terraforming device, with a few standard training areas and science and research labs located just outside of the ring. Once construction was completed and more and more dark jedi began pouring in, the summit of Scholae Palatinae placed Colonel Baliore Ristal as the Commandant in charge of their operations on Marchosias.
With the complex now completed, the research teams began to study the terraforming device. After enough information was gathered, they had scientists develop a smaller version of the device and running it through various simulations. Once they were satisfied with their results and were convinced that it could be duplicated without serious risk, more devices were built and strategically placed around the surface of the moon, surrounding their base of operations. The dark jedi proceeded to fine-tune the devices so that they only terraformed a set area, implementing force fields in hopes that they would stop the terraforming process from exceeding the boundaries they had set for their respective areas.
Once the various terraforming processes had been completed, anyone passing by and looking at the surface of the planet would think twice before moving in for a landing. The planet gave off the feeling of despair, hopelessness. The surface was covered in something that could only be described as artwork that came from the mind of some twisted, deranged child. One area may be covered in frozen tundra while an area not too far away may be a barren desert, and yet another area may be a steamy jungle – almost any climate and terrain imaginable is represented. All areas seem to radiate from one central point: the main compound.
The geography of Marchosias, aside from the large areas terraformed by the Scholae Palatinae dark jedi, is rather bleak, adding to any feeling of hopelessness that one my get from seeing the surface of the planet. However, there are a few rivers and lakes located close to the main complex, which offer fresh water and a supply of fish. There are also the occasional grasslands also located near the complex, which offers grazing for the few species of livestock on the moon. Other food sources on the moon come from gardens contained within the complex where they grow various fruits and vegetables in many rooms.
Main Function
Under the dominion of Scholae Palatinae, Marchosias was set up as a training moon. Inside the base of operations, dark jedi of various ranks are grouped into teams, which may vary in size. These teams are given various training exercises and are then sent out to whichever terraformed area they are told to report to, depending on the training exercise they receive.
Points of Interest
Inside the Main Complex
The interior of the main complex contains almost anything that one might need for training, recreation, and living. The training aspects of the complex include various things. Most notably, an indoor training facility where dark jedi receive the more basic training. This training includes basic and advanced weapons training, including lightsaber training. Multiple firing ranges are found inside the training facility as well as multiple places scattered around the main complex. Training exercises may be conducted within the facility as well. This is also where dark jedi receive training exercises that they will complete outside in any one of the terraformed areas.
Various sparring areas are located within this training facility as well. These sparring areas are for both armed sparring and separate areas for hand-to-hand sparring. In another wing of the main complex there are separate areas devoted specifically to providing sparring areas.
As for living and recreation, there are the sparring areas and firing ranges outside of the training facility. Meditation chambers scattered throughout the main complex, which are capable of holding a handful of dark jedi each, should they ever feel the desire to meditate. Recreational options also include various weapon and armor stores where they may be bought and sold, including customization shops where the owners may assemble custom-ordered weapons or armors. In addition, a handful of clothing stores can be found at a few areas, as well as sports areas where various sports may be played. It is well known that the dark jedi at the complex frequently place bets on sporting events held there.
More towards the living aspect of the complex, there are restaurants and a few mess halls, as well as various bars to choose from. Throughout the main complex there are many housing sections where the dark jedi may reside. The housing units themselves are available in different sizes and classes - units for one person, two people, up to a suit for five people. Some of the units are more basic housing while others are more higher-end luxury units. In addition to these, there are a handful of VIP units where important visitors are housed for the duration of their stay.
Outside the Main Complex
The most notable features outside of the main complex are the terraformed regions located around the moon's surface. The largest area outside would be an outdoor special training area where dark jedi can train which is very similar to the indoor facility. As with the indoor facility, teams of dark jedi are also given their training exercises here.
Several buildings are also located outside of the main complex. Some of these buildings are armories and guard stations. However, the majority of these other buildings are science and research labs where scientists conduct their research and experiments. This is also where they test any new inventions that they have come up with.
Physical Geography
Terraformed Regions
There are many different terraformed regions that were formed after the construction of the main complex. However, not all of them are used as frequently as others, if at all. Depending on the training scenario, some regions may not be used at all and exist merely as a precaution. The most frequently used regions are those simulating arctic tundra, a desert, and a jungle.
Arctic Tundra Sector
This area was terraformed to mimic the extreme cold that dark jedi may face on planets such as Hoth. A few mountain ranges can be found in the region, though on a somewhat smaller scale and spread far apart when compared to their naturally formed counterparts. To provide an additional challenge to the trainees assigned to this region, trees can be seen dotting the region here and there, but it is otherwise void of life, aside from those training there. Another feature here, common to all regions, would be various small-sized mock bases that the trainees raid as part of their missions.
Desert Sector
This area was terraformed to mimic the barren deserts and high temperatures that can be found on planets such as Tatooine. This region contains the limited plant wildlife that can be found in desert areas such as Tatooine. One of the more unique features that this region has that others do not would be several mock villages, ranging in size. Some of the larger mock villages contain bases similar to those used in the arctic region. These villages and bases make up the vast majority of the region. The remaining areas of the region are made up of open desert with boulders, limited wildlife, and a few mountain ranges scattered about.
Jungle Sector
This area was terraformed to mimic the thickly forested planets such as Kashyyyk. With its many trees and other plant life, trainees must navigate their way through the terrain. This region being a forested area, contains the largest amount of plant wildlife of all the regions. This is also one of the only regions that has animal wildlife in it. It has been said that the animal wildlife was added here to offer a more realistic scenario that will hopefully better prepare trainees for when they encounter such a situation. As with many of the other more used areas, there are a few small mountain ranges in this region as well.
Notable Landmarks
Terraformed Regions
Arguably the most prominent features of the moon, the differently terraformed regions of Marchosias offer the summit of Scholae Palatinae with the ideal way to prepare their dark jedi for various situations.
Ancient Rakatan Site
The ruins of the original Rakatan site on the moon can be found where the main complex was established, encircling the site with the modern-era buildings. Located among the ruins of the Rakatan site is their original terraforming device, where they left it when they abandoned the moon after they began losing ground as a dominant power in the galaxy.
Outlook
Political
Commandant: Colonel Baliore Ristal
Captain of the Garrison: Captain Zalron Desrut
As there are few civilians on this moon, and with the presence of a training academy for both Dark Jedi and Military personnel alike, there is no governor. Instead, the Commandant is in charge of the moon. There is also a captain in charge of the garrison.
Military
Due to the usefulness of the moon, a garrison is assigned here, from the Marines of the NSD Excidium, as well as a unit from the Expeditionary Force Warspite. The majority of the time, they are training, and these units are often switched out, to keep every unit up to training specifications.
Commerce
There is no commerce on this moon due to the unusual terrain and the usefulness to the Scholae Palatinae military. The only real movement of goods is the building supplies brought in from outside to build new structures on the moon.