Port Ol'val is a shadowport existing within a hollowed-out asteroid, which orbits the far reaches of the Dajorra System. Founded by the Corellian Pirate Jerem Mal in 22 BBY as his retirement location, the port has grown to become the home of several criminal syndicates, including Mal Company, Fly On The Wall and the remnants of the Besadii Hutt clan. It is also home to the main operations base of House Qel-Droma.
The Shadow Port has operated for decades before Clan Arcona came to inhabit the system, and the Force Users were unaware of its existence until it was found by Marick Arconae and Dralin Fortea. After their small party took out a minor Black Sun group on a personal mission, Marick Tyris and Dralin Fortea were made the new Summit of House Qel-Droma and chose to occupy the small vacuum of power left by the defeated Black Suns.
History
Foundation
Jerem Mal was a Corellian pirate who was active from 46 BBY to 22 BBY. Regarded as something of a folk hero among the Corellian diaspora, Mal was renowned for his charm, sense of honor, and complete neutrality. In addition to the regular merchant boardings, Mal had a penchant for boarding slaver ships, killing the slavers, and giving the ships to the former slaves to do with as they pleased. His loathing for slavers also extended to bounty hunters, whom he saw as beings who had given up their freedom to act as they saw fit in exchange for quick credits.
After twenty-four years of active piracy, Jerem Mal took his amassed fortune and found a secluded system in which to settle. The system, later known as Dajorra, has many active asteroids and comets orbiting it, and so he chose one and proceeded to hollow it out, outfitting the resulting cavern with artificial gravity, lighting, and an atmosphere, all chosen to imitate Corellia.
For years Mal ran the port, which he named ‘Ol'val’ (the Olys Corellisi word for "hello/goodbye") with a firm hand. What began as a simple base for him and the crew of his modest flotilla drew the attention of the other fringe elements of Galactic society, and soon they began to arrive in twos and threes. The simple cavern that Mal had dug became a system of shelves and tunnels, workers were brought in to create a series of mining tunnels. A ramshackle community grew, and before Captain Mal knew it, he was in charge of a burgeoning city.
Death of the Captain
The illegal port ran successfully under Jerem Mal up until his death in 13 ABY. Without the guiding hand of the Captain and his code of honor, the criminal elements that were attracted to Port Ol'val and began pushing for more control. For a little over a decade, the situation was under control by Mal Company, the association of mercenaries and pirates that had grown out of Jerem Mal's original crews and their descendants. While the economy of the port shifted toward the drug trade and more contract killing, slavery was still outlawed.
In 26 ABY, however, the Hutts of the Besadii Clan were ousted from their home on Nal Hutta and scattered, with some of the crime lords finding residency in Port Ol'val. The Hutts, experienced as they were and accompanied by their retinues of Niktos and Klatooinians, quickly integrated themselves within the economy of their new home and brought with them the drugs, prostitutes, and slaves for which they were known to traffic. Arriving in force as they did, Mal Company was powerless to stop them.
The resulting influx of illegal goods and services caused Port Ol'val to become even more successful, and the credits generated by the unsavory business of the Hutts gave rise to a technological group known as Fly On The Wall (FOTW). While none truly knew how many members the group could claim, FOTW dominated in the burgeoning electronic security field; their utility and combat droids were in high demand. Once the economy stabilized, the dust cleared to find that the Hutts and FOTW were an even match for Mal Company in their own right, and something needed to be done in order to ensure that business continued as usual.
The Triumvirate
A meeting was held between Mal Company's Captains, the highest-ranking Besadii Hutts, and the droid-projected holograms of FOTW. In the interest of the continued prosperity of Port Ol'val, and the continued survival of each of the three groups, they became what would be known as the Triumvirate. With Mal Company's private army, the Besadii's credits, and FOTW's technological prowess, the Triumvirate would be able to stay above the minor criminal syndicates and control the interests of Port Ol'val. While the veneer of cordiality worked well to make others think them a solid whole, the parties within the Triumvirate nevertheless continued to vie for dominance.
By the time Qel-Droman forces arrived on Ol'val, the Triumvirate was stable. However, with the shadowy presence of the House came abrupt disruptions to their proceedings. As the port began to shift into the hands of the Arconans, Mal, FOTW, and the Hutts were all uncertain as to how to stop the transition.
Trials of Loyalty
In 30 ABY the combined forces of the Triumvirate, with help from a member of Oblivion Brigade, took over the vast majority of House Qel-Droma's safe houses and fronts on Port Ol'val. This act was immediately ascertained by the Summit of Clan Arcona and they sent in the entire Clan to combat this situation. During the ensuing violence many business were damaged, but the biggest consequence was the bombing and subsequent destruction of the Je'blank Paradise casino in The Blind Spot. Soon after the casino's destruction, the Kas Tunnel, Port Ol'val's primary entry point, was also damaged and closed for several days. The Triumvirate domination was short lived, only a few days after taking control of the Port the forces of Clan Arcona reasserted their authority and rule, whilst remaining in the shadows.
Revenge of the Hutt
In 36 ABY Besadii forces led by Whallatta the Hutt staged a surprise attack on Qel-Droma’s holdings on Ol’val. The initial strike was carried out as a bombing of the Phantom Complex and a space assault which also claimed the Nighthawk. The ensuing chaos levelled much of Ol’val, driving out merchants and pushing countless into squalid ruins, before Qel-Droma was able to stage an effective counter-attack and regain control.
As a result of their treachery, the remnants of the Besadii clan effectively lost all power they’d once had and were reduced to mere pawns for the surviving criminal syndicates. The Blind Man, House Qel-Droma’s front in the criminal underworld, assumed much of the Besadii turf and businesses, solidifying its rule over Ol’val. The most potent sign of this was the renaming of the Besadii Entertainment District to the Blind Spot, a symbolic act which further hammered home the Hutts’ defeat. Despite their victory, however, the chaos and street fighting, and the destruction of their HQ, left the House dangerously unprepared for what was to come.
The Rising Dawn
The shadowport was in shambles after the war with the Besadii, and the reconstruction of Ol’val still ongoing when a new challenger emerged. The Dawn Conclave, a galactic criminal syndicate, had infiltrated Ol’val and attempted to wrestle total control of the shadowport for their own uses. A failed assassination in the Docks against Aedile Lucine Vasano sat off the events in late 36 ABY, with further attempts against key Qel-Droman agents following in 37 ABY, including the stabbing of Tali Sroka and sniping of Lucine Vasano in her offices.
What followed was a drawn-out running battle between the Blind Man and the Dawn Conclave that lasted until 38 ABY when the final vestiges of the Dawn Conclave’s holdings were destroyed and their last lieutenant killed, in no small part due to the heroic actions of Sera Kaern.
Port Ol’val’s Layout
Kas Tunnel
The main entryway to Port Ol’Val is a winding corkscrew like tunnel, also known as Kas Tunnel. "Kas" is the Olys Corellisi word for ‘chaos’, which is still apt due to the flurry of traffic that is a hallmark of the docks.
The tunnel is equipped with magnetic shielding to keep in the artificial atmosphere. Several concealed ion turrets line the entrance to protect against unwanted entry and by the end of the tunnel, there lies a checkpoint which controls who enters the Port.
After the conflict with the Dawn Conclave in ‘‘‘37 ABY’’’, the Kas Tunnel was straightened and widened to help facilitate commercial traffic and reinforced with durasteel plates on the ceiling to prevent debris from falling on incoming ships. Such measures were adopted to attract a wider range of merchants that, prior to this addition, were hesitant to risk the precarious approach.
The Docks
Once out of the Kas Tunnel, a massive dugout on the asteroid is where the Docks are situated. Initially built with isolated large shelves that allowed a ship to be parked and loaded easily, the Docks have expanded to accommodate a large variety of ships from a snubfighter to a Consular class cruiser like the Voidbreaker.
Docking fees vary from mainly two aspects, width of the tunnel it is served by and whether or not it is a single shelf or a more secure dock, closer to the bigger tunnels. The smaller, single shelves are served by small to medium access tunnels and stand farther away from the main transportation system. The bigger docks stand on a more standardized dockyard and are served by loader droids, dedicated mechanic droids and easy access to the transportation system. All fees are put towards the maintenance of the Docks, aside from the costs of refueling.
The Dark Armory
The ‘‘‘Dark Armory’’’ is a hidden warehouse within one of the Docks’ many secret carve outs, unknown to most. It is very well protected and has reinforced thick walls that can withstand the largest of blasts.
The Dark Armory holds House Qel-Droma’s main supply of armament within the system, hidden from plain view. It is open for those who possess clearance by the House leadership, mainly high ranked officers and militia commanders. The Armory holds numerous racks of ranged weaponry used for combat within Port Ol’Val. This armament is carefully kept organized and in perfect condition by 3 PK-series worker droids.
The Thirsty Devaronian
by ‘‘Karran Val'teo’’
Located just off of the docks, The Thirsty Devaronian sees a steady thread of business. Its owner and proprietor, Xander “Devil Doc” Corvius, has a well established no "fighting in the bar" rule, making it a prime location for "legitimate businessmen" to meet and negotiate deals. At any time during business hours it would not be hard to find a pair of scoundrels exchanging money for goods and services.
The basement looks about how one would expect the basement of a bar to look. Kegs, crates, and bottles abound. However, if one finds the right keg and pumps the tap, a secret door opens up to an improvised surgical suite.
Kymeri's Metal Works
by ‘‘Aru Law’’
Kymeri’s Metal Works is a workshop that has opened recently in the docks of Port Ol’Val. It is the property of Waric Kymeri himself.
The workshop has a wide-open space in the front, where Kymeri can do his repairs. There, he has an industrial automated power hammer and anvil to shape all kinds of metal, a fusion furnace and two racks with a wide array of tools for each job needs.
Behind his working area, there’s a small storage unit, where Kymeri stores various metallic components and electrical parts. He also stores there his droid units that help him daily with his repairs.
Alongside the storage unit is the storefront. This is where Kymeri conducts business. It is also here where the mechanic does the more intricate works like wiring and welding.
Outside, right next to the door, there’s a “worker wanted” sign in Aurebesh.
The Ducts
The Ducts is the name given to the transport network built to connect all of Ol’Val. Initially built as a cheap and easy way to connect the docks to the asteroid core, the Ducts have been under serious renovation.
The Ducts tunnels can range from just a meter wide to several dozens, such as the main tunnels that connect Ol’val’s major districts. These tunnels have been reinforced with durasteel panels to increase stability and improve mobility, allowing the use of small personal craft such as speeder bikes or transport skiffs.
A transportation system via railway was implemented during reconstruction on ‘‘37 ABY’’ to facilitate larger cargo transportation and also people. This transport system works on the larger and medium tunnels. The smaller tunnels, generally farther away from the main ones, require walking and manual labor to transport cargo.
The Shadow Box
by ‘‘Marick Tyris’’
The Shadow Box is a safehouse located in the Ducts. It is close to the docks and is connected via a secret tunnel to the Dark Armory. The Shadow Box is only know to Qel-Dromans and is the meeting point for its members, should the Shadow Complex be compromised.
Accessible only through a secure spiral staircase, agents of House Qel-Droma are first welcomed by the familiar face of Iggy the Bartender. Moving into the lobby, a series of couches and holo displays are available for members to take advantage of. A uni-sex refresher flanks a full kitchen stocked with essential foodstuffs and appliances. The next room is configured with workstations that each have a secure private terminal. There are workbenches for tinkering, and some seating for independent research. There is an archive link that connects to both the Shadow Academy Database on Arx, and can pull in public data from the Advanced Inquisitorius Network (AIN). Finally, a briefing room with a wide format high definition projector is set up with a long conference table with cushioned chairs. This can be used for secure briefings, but also helps with debrief and strategy meetings. It has been designated a "Skitter Free Zone".
Iggy the Bartender
by ‘‘Marick Tyris’’
Iggy, a reprogrammed IG-86 Sentinel Droid, is quite blunt and dry with guests that are new, but has warmed up to the more regular and veteran members. He is "retired" from his days as a bounty droid, but still acts as a first line of defense against any intruders that might try to force their way into the Operations Lounge. He is assisted by a Medical droid that is also able to help mend House Qel-Droman agents that might have had a scrape or minor injury that did not warrant a trip to the med-bay.
A traditional Cell in Bulkhead
Jerem Plaza
Jerem Plaza was the original site of Port Ol'val, as founded by Jerem Mal. Mal Company makes their home there, and it is from the Plaza that combined patrols of Mal soldiers and FOTW security droids originate. Constituting a large portion of the shadowport, the Plaza contains most of the more reputable cantinas and temporary living accommodations for visitors.
This section of Port Ol'val is noted to be one of the safer districts.
Ol’val Herbal Exchange
Officially called "The Ol'val Herbal Exchange" and affectionately nicknamed "Steep Trouble", this tea and caf shop is subtly tucked away in a quieter corner of Jerem Plaza.
The Arconan Adem Bol’era serves as proprietor when he visits Ol'val, allowing his droid partner Keeper to tend to customers. The Exchange develops and collects dozens of tea blends from across the galaxy, and claims to hold at least a dozen recipes for any species that walks through the door.
The shop's true purpose is trade of information, as well as subtle shipments of small items between Arcona and its allies. Such shipments are often marked by atypical naming schemes, such as nonexistent tea "colors" and flavors arriving at the shop. Tea drinking is obscure enough in galactic popular culture that the shop can get away with the deception technique, provided the trades take place behind closed doors.
Arconan's fondness of tea or caf sometimes slip into the out-of-the-way shop for inconspicuous rendezvous, business related or otherwise.
Ruby’s Tavern
Ruby’s Tavern, a much more relaxed establishment than either the Lucky Lekku or Thanatophilia, can be found on the outskirts of the Jerem Plaza. The building itself is a mere two story building. Whilst the basement storage level and upper level are off-limits to those few the Proprietor of the establishment lets through, the ground level has a decent amount of space. The Kaleesh owner also serves as the head bartender of an impressive array of options. The bar itself takes over three-quarters of the length of the far wall from the entrance, with a kitchen behind the bar for those that decide to have something to eat with their drinks.
A small, elevated stage to the side is just large enough for a live musical act. On the opposite side of the building is an elevated seating area, dedicated to various card games. Though the gambling frequently does get heated, any violent outbreak will be swiftly dealt with by one of the employees grabbing a shattergun from beneath the bar, fully loaded with non-lethal rounds meant to end rioting. The rest of the floor area is mostly taken up by tables and chairs so anyone entering the bar has a spot to sit and relax.
The upper floor is off-limits to select few. It is split into the private office of the owner with the other part serving is an apartment, with an unknown level of security required to gain entry. The basement area, however, serves mostly as a storage space for the stock of alcohol and food products. Unknown to most employees is the fact that a wall within the cold storage room will swing open, serving as one of the entrances and exits to the variety of tunnels beneath the ground level of the majority of Port Ol’val. These tunnels lead through a labyrinth to several safehouses for Shadow Gate, one secret entrance to the Phantom Complex and to the headquarters of the recently established Guild of Thieves.
Bright Solutions
by ‘‘Sulith Bekett’’
As Ol’val began expanding to new business fronts, the rise of technological needs among its growing population allowed for the small-time tech support company Bright Solutions to establish a local support center in the Jerem Plaza. The center offers all manner of analysis and repair of everyday technology, as well as a call center for at-home tech support on demand.
Although the center was established in good faith, the inexpensive services, slightly limited variety of people available for hire, and the center’s distance from Bright Solutions’ original location, has all compounded into a somewhat unkempt and neglected workplace. Shipments of new components are slow, meaning many bad parts get recycled and refurbished rather than replaced, and the call center runs on sub-par equipment bought with its low budget. In spite of all this, their service itself is often kind and efficient. Repeat customers may eventually notice that the majority of all customer interaction is done by a single person: an obsessively dedicated employee who optimistically introduces himself as Siscol.
Green Light Bars & Beds
by ‘‘Sulith Bekett’’
Located just beyond Jerem Plaza, Green Light Bars & Beds is a three-story structure built to serve, as the name suggests, both as a place to drink and a place to sleep. The innkeeper, Tam Grelta, is present during most hours of every day, with no more than two other hands coming and going by the day’s end. The inn caters to people of all origins and doesn’t ask questions about its customers or their activities, but there is zero tolerance for violence indoors - outside is acceptable, as it’s no longer the inn’s business.
The ground floor is divided into two main spaces. Upon entering, people are greeted with a large area loaded with tables and chairs, taking up the bulk of the floor. Across from the doorway is a long bar, standing in front of a wall lined with various ingredients and bottled beverages from across the sector. On the other side of this wall is a small kitchen and cold storage space.
The second and third floor are dedicated spaces for rental bedrooms. Each room provides one or two twin-size beds, a small bathroom, and a chest of drawers. All rooms are protected by a code lock, with new codes randomly generated after every guest leaves. A small lift off to the side from the bar is the main path between floors, though there is also a service ladder outside the building.
Below the inn is a basement, accessible through the kitchen area and sealed off with a locked doorway. The basement is Tam’s own living space and houses all of her personal possessions, save for her scatterblaster stowed under the bar on the ground floor.
The Pride of Corellia
The Pride of Corellia, often shortened to ‘The Pride’, is the living space for a majority of the beings who call Port Ol'val home. The miners, the employees of the Besadii, those of Mal Company with families, and many others live here within the apartments built into the large artificial stalagmites and stalactites of the district and the wall of the asteroid. This area originally served as the home of the Corellian diaspora who flocked to Jerem Mal's private fiefdom, and its name comes from a speech in which he referred to the Corellians as such. Since his death, however, the Pride has become a home to many different species, and one never knows what one will find there.
Hot n' Ready Rides
by ‘‘Sulith Bekett’’
While Ol’val is a contained city, it is still a large place with space to maneuver vehicles. Capitalizing on a glaring weak point in its social structure, former military pilot Dulleto Catanis set up a rapid transit service using his own personal speeder, which he advertised as Hot n’ Ready Rides. With a hefty one-time payment to a local Verpine software developer named Siscol, Dulleto commissioned a datapad application to let Ol’val’s civilians access and summon his service on the move. While it isn’t exactly able to answer all incoming requests, as a one-vehicle operation, he hopes one day to expand with vehicles serving all over the city.
For this taxi service, Dulleto utilizes his own V-35 Courier. Although it is not the fastest way to travel around the city by far, he has taken measures to give himself a different edge on any competition. Before opening his service, he had already invested a considerable amount of credits into making the vehicle a luxury ride, and has since added more features to cater to any passengers to ensure an enjoyable trip.
Another notable detail: His service seems to have generally even reviews from male customers, though his female customers leave ratings with exceptional variance.
Blind Spot
When the Hutts arrived at Port Ol'val, they had this area dug out on the other side of Jerem Plaza and the Minefield from the Pride, as if they wanted to ensure that the rabble would not bother them. The Blind Spot was a place of expensive lodging and games of chance that appealed to the crime lord with some credits to burn. Since Whallatta’s betrayal, the surviving Besadii’s control over the district has fallen and the organized crime they used to enforce has crumbled. Nonetheless, the casinos and whorehouses are still open for business, now under new management by the Blind Man. Only the wealthiest criminals reside within the district, where they maintain an imitation of high society, complete with galas and high-stakes games.
The Lucky Lekku
The Lucky Lekku Bar and Strip club is a nightclub located on the main strip of the Blind Spot, though the club itself can be found in the massive basement beneath an old hotel that has clearly seen better days. The hotel has been in this state of disrepair for so long that no one is certain of what it was once called. It mainly serves as a fetish club run by an androgynous Zeltron by the name of Galaxia, though the second VIP room is always reserved, as a hidden panel within it leads directly to the Phantom Complex.
Concert Club Sub Ol'Val
by ‘‘Alaisy Tir'eivra’’
There are plenty of tacky hives of scum and villainy spread over Port Ol’val but not so many establishments that seek to set new standards in their class.
Sub Ol’val is primarily a Concert Hall meant to host some of the most exclusive bands in the Galaxy that really require the proper vibe of depravity, high society and moral bankruptcy.
To get these underground elites to flock towards this place, it has to have the very best acoustics possible.
The Tittilating Twi'lek
by ‘‘Stres'tron'garmis’’
Located within the bustling Blind Spot, the Tittilating Twi’lek lives up to its name. A glowing
front of holographic lights set over one-way tinted windows, allowing those within to see out
while providing a modicum of privacy for those within, advertises the location. The display
flickers through a curved font of the establishment’s name, shifting across a range of colors from
green, blue, orange, red, brown, purple, and such. That these are all well-known shades of skin
for Twi’leks becomes quickly apparent upon entry to the club.
The entryway is a short hall leading into a broader space filled with booths built into low
cubicles. These are just tall enough that those sitting within, unless abnormally tall, cannot see
their fellow patrons who are seated but gives a fairly clear view of the staff. This allows the staff
to both advertise and be quickly waved down for orders. The staff itself is almost entirely made
up of Twi’leks or other lekku sporting species, dressed in a uniform that includes sandals with
footwraps, sarong like skirts, and depending on male or female, a tight, wrapped top. Moving
among the club are also managers, dressed smartly in well-cut suits.
The decor is warm and reminiscent of Ryloth, mosaics covering the walls in browns and
oranges, sand dunes, and rocky outcroppings. As perhaps a consideration to the staff, or simply
to make it feel more authentic, the climate control is set to slightly warmer than the general
Ol’val temperature as well.
Among the regular services offered of food and beverage, the Tittilating Twi’lek offers a new
experience to the Shadowport. One might notice that the club has a large staff on hand, and this
is because once preference has been made clear to a manager, one of the waitstaff will
promptly bring you your first order and then sit with you. The Tittilating Twi’lek is considered a
‘host’ establishment, the staff providing conversation and companionship — to a point. The
managers refresh beverages and provide support to the waitstaff, as well as keeping things
under control. Some complaints have been made by one time patrons believing the club offered
‘other’ services, only to be sent away after spending exorbitant amounts of credits.
Pott Shotts
by ‘‘Sulith Bekett’’
The businessman Dorn Pottso had a history of questionable dealings that attracted questionable people, and decided the ideal place to set up his new arms dealership on Ol’val would be right outside a major access point to the Blind Spot. Wittingly (or not) named Pott Shotts, the dealership not only sells weapons and ammunition, but also provides an indoor shooting range which takes up the majority of their floor space, accessible from the lobby.
All weapons in the store are on display, albeit locked behind blast-proof transparisteel. The transaction desk has similar protective measures, as well as a pair of hold-out blasters stored for emergencies. Dorn Pottso rarely appears in his store’s lobby in person, though his personal bodyguard, Radikat, is a frequent presence behind the desk, when she isn’t occupied with watching his back.
Thanatophilia
Thanatophilia is a bar and nightclub in Port Ol’val secretly controlled by House Qel-Droma. Locally famous for its death-themed decorations, the business front is currently under the reluctant supervision of Timeros Caesus Entar Arconae. The location is a popular hangout for various different types of people that call Port Ol’val home, seen as a neutral space by even the gangs that frequent the establishment lest their corpses be the replacement props contained within the vacuum-sealed tables.
The Minefield
The original source of income for Port Ol'val, the Minefield is a system of mine shafts that pull ores from the surrounding rock. The mine is owned by Mal Company, ostensibly, and operated by beings from the Pride. Ever since the Hutts moved in and stole workers looking for what they believed would be easier work, the miners have been assisted by mining droids from FOTW.
Bulkhead
Bulkhead
Underneath the mines of Port Ol'val lies the secret Maximum Security Prison of House Qel-Droma, named Bulkhead. This prison is only accessible from a long, bare durasteel corridor carved directly from the very ore that the shadowport was made from. And the corridor itself is only available through the former headquarters and front of Oblivion Brigade, Naruba Investments. It is here that Qel-Droma's most notorious prisoners reside.
The current House Qel-Droma headquarters is located within a previously hidden tunnel cluster at the fringes of the Blind Spot of Port Ol'val. The new headquarters was built during the reconstruction effort following Whallatta the Hutt’s attempted coup of the Shadowport, and the ensuing shadow war with the Dawn Conclave, during which the old Phantom Complex was compromised and ultimately destroyed.
Original concept by: