House Gladius

"On the very outer orbit of the Yridia System lies an asteroid belt, known as Itaana Belt. On a cursory, or perhaps even a thorough inspection of the Itaana Belt, one wouldn't suspect that this asteroid belt was home to a powerful force indeed. It is unknown whether the enigmatic station known as the Sword's Sheath was based on the schematics found on Telos detailing the Peragus fuel station or if it was the other way around, but one thing that is for certain is the difficulty of finding a station that was built into an enormous asteroid. Unless you were looking at the hangar bay, you could overlook the asteroid entirely, only pointing out how large it is compared to the others surrounding it. Unlike Peragus, however, the asteroid that the Sword's Sheath has been built into doesn't have fuel deposits, which is an enormous improvement in the safety of the station, as opposed to Peragus' likelihood to explode. A reinforced inner shell and planetary-strength shielding doesn't hurt either."

―Dralin Hahk’khar’s thoughts on the Gladius base

History

House Tarentum continued to grow as more Dark Jedi continued to attempt to meet there High standards and enter their hallowed halls, their underwater castle stared to get crowded, the atmosphere started to get volatile (it is not wise to keep Dark Jedi so cramped). It is unconfirmed, but rumors of fighting and even deaths were heard to have seeped from their castle. Grand Master Khyron decreed House Tarentum should form itself into Clan Tarentum and two new Houses should be formed under Clan Tarentum. Quaestor, SBM Torquemada and Aedile Jammin were promoted to Consul and Proconsul of the new Clan. Then came the formidable task of creating the two new Houses, finding Quaestors and Aedils for both, and the most pressing problem, finding a new world for one of the Houses to move to.

As the new Clan Consul and Proconsul were trying to decide who the two new Quaestors should be, at the urging and support of the entire Hammerhead Squadron and many Obelisk and Krath members whom had fought side by side with him, Sith Battlemaster Shadow, then commander of the formidable House Squadron Hammerhead stepped forward and claimed one of the New Houses. As it is said from ancient times, a Warrior lives and dies by his sword, thus was born House Gladius (Sword)! Sith Warrior Bull, another Jedi of great renown, claimed the other House as his own, and thus was born House Tridens!

SBM Shadow had had enough of the in-House fighting. He was a member of the Order of the Sith, he was born to space, as were all the members of Hammerhead who had followed him. Thus taking the Clans’s Victory Class Star Destroyer Corsair and all that would follow him, he set out to find a new Home for House Gladius. As they were preparing to leave the Yridia system, Aedile Silver Fox informed Shadow that a small group of pirates were attacking an incoming freighter. As Hammerhead Squadron was dispatched to take care of the pirates a memory surfaced from years earlier of a large band of pirates that had plagued the Yridia system for years. Tarentum had tried for a long time to rid the system of the pirates, but they always disappeared into the Itanna Belt on the edge of the Yridia system. Then Hammerhead was taken over by the legendary Dark Jedi, Dark Side Adept Renell "Pappy" Gar. On one sortie against the pirates Pappy used his eminence dark side powers to allow him to follow one of the escaping pirates, undetected, back to there base in the Itanna Belt. Pappy later led Hammerhead Squadron and the House Obelisk Brigade back to the pirate hideout, it was a large asteroid, hidden in the middle of the belt. The asteroid was well defended, but the forces of Tarentum prevailed. Most of the pirates died, and those that were not killed, were taken for questioning by the Dark Jedi, a destiny by some considered worse than death. Tarentum had been lucky, that asteroid had been equipped with a very powerful planetary shield and an ancient cloaking device. Both had been inoperable at the time, parts were so scarce for these antiques; they were always breaking down according to the pirates. He remembered walking through those ancient corridors with the other members of Tarentum. He had learned from the pirates that they had found the base by accident. They had not build it. They walked fascinated through the halls and corridors, they could almost feel that the place was ancient during the Old Republic Era; it had a power to it that seemed to radiate from the walls. None wanted to leave.

As Shadow stood on the deck of the Corsair he knew he had found Gladius a new home. Over the years, as members grew and went on to other pursuits, the memory and the actual location of the asteroid were all but forgotten, but to a few members of Hammerhead who could never forget the place or the power it seemed to have. They remembered! Shadow called a House conference of all members of House Gladius in the main hangar bay of the Corsair, he, and other members told the House of the asteroid and that they wished to make it there new home. After hearing the entire story and the memories of the one’s who had been there, they all voted unanimously to make it their new Home. Thus was born The Sword's Sheath, the name of the new home of Gladius!

With time, the Dark Jedi Knights residing in The Sword's Sheath rose in power. Especially the Krath liked the ancient base. With it’s stronghold, Star Destroyer, and skilled pilots and warriors, Gladius became a powerful House of The Dark Brotherhood. Shadow performed an excellent duty in running the House, and his superiors noticed his efforts. One day, an Imperial Shuttle requested permission to land in the base. Many members were surprised, since it’s location was only known to a few outside House Gladius. This was no ordinary shuttle, though. It was carrying an envoy from the Grand Master. Shadow was to immediately travel to the Dark Hall, and bring a young Jedi Hunter named Mandrax. The whole House saluted Shadow when he left, and the Hammerhead Squadron flew with him until he entered hyperspace.

Once on Eos, Shadow was told that he had been promoted, to Proconsul of Clan Tarentum. Very honored by this, he left soon, to take on the duties of his new position. At this time, Mandrax was told that superiors had watched him, for his strength in the Force, and his rage and fury. He had been selected to take the position Shadow had left, as Quaestor of House Gladius. After this, Mandrax received very intense training in the force, and learned dimensions of it that he could never had imagined before. He was also taught how to create his own Lightsaber.

Mandrax then returned, now as an Obeliskan Warrior, to take his new position, and a new era of House Gladius began.

By, SBL Shadow

Modified and added to by, OW Mandrax

This era and the times that came after were filled with victories and glory for the House. Most of the chronicles of the Quaestors that came after Mandrax have been lost to time. Efforts are being made to correct this problem but the effects those Quaestors of the past had are visible even now. They added chambers for training, meditation, and learning. Halls for meeting, relaxing, and study. The Mystics of the Black Arts phyle became one of the best in the entire DB at one point in time and when the DB split away from the EH, the Quaestor of that time firmly held onto the asteroid base and its secrets. Only one Quaestor published his thoughts on Gladius. The Swords Sheath manuscript is both insightful to the power of the House and those within.

Quaestors Emeritus

The current Quaestor of House Gladius is Apollo

1. Shadow
2. Mandrax
3. Dreadnaught
4. Imp22
5. SithSpawn
6. Kartena
7. Nazkeldu Cronhaven
8. Kodiak Tonaloc
9. Kartena
10. Aari Nikus
11. Sith Bloodfyre
12. Telona Murrage
13. Sith Bloodfyre
14. Jason Hunter
15. Anshar Kahn
16. Welshman Corsair
17. Frosty Romanae Tarentae
18. Sato Tarentae
19. Munesanzun Mitsukai Isradia
20. Kromtal Stormfyld
21. Telona Murrage

The Gladius Base

On the outside, the base looks like another large asteroid filling the asteroid belt that lazily orbits around Yridae. It is pocked marked with impact craters, about a mile wide, and a dark gray color. It holds no features to mention until one further inspects it. The only sign that this asteroid is different than the millions of other pieces of rock are the two glowing magnetic shields signaling the entry way for shuttles and small space craft.

The physical rock that makes up the asteroid base is also found in 1% of other asteroids orbiting in the belt. It is composed mainly of granite and so it is believed that these out of place asteroids were once part of a planetoid smashed apart during the formation of the system. The early planetoid contained water and perhaps very early life forms. Its untimely destruction perhaps seeded other inner planets with life.

The base does boast a highly reinforced shell several meters under the surface. This is blast door grade reinforcement that houses the planetary shield and the cloaking device. It also serves to protect the inhabitants within. There are only two places where the shell is broken to allow equipment to come close to the surface. At both poles are communication and radar equipment that almost break the surface. Only the Quaestors know where the equipment is located and anyone who works on them quickly have their minds erased of the incident. This is done to ensure the continued secrecy and safety of the base.

The main shaft digs deep into the asteroid. It is the most ancient and by far the most refined. It starts near one of the docking bays and continues in a gentle downward slope to the cavernous center. The dark gray granite is highly polished and etched with ancient Sith writings. Other hallways join this main one but they are much newer and do not reflect the quality of the main shaft. Large wooden doors guard the end of this shaft to keep Gladius members out of the caverns. This is done for their own safety.

Along all the hallways are hidden lighting strips. The light has been dimmed down considerably since the first reign of Sith Bloodfyre and kept that way for training purposes. One doesn’t need light to navigate these hallways though. The Dark Side permeates the rock and whispers its guidance to those within. By keeping the lights dim all must keep their senses sharper and their connection with the Dark Side deeper. The source of this Dark energy is still a mystery but it was long found that it is mostly concentrated in the caverns. After a few deaths the caverns were closed to all but the Summit and those they found worthy enough to walk down there.

Notable Locations

Aside from the normal array of quarters, suites, meeting rooms, maintenance areas and such, Gladius also boasts some must see places.

The Library – An outstanding array of books, manuscripts, tomes, and scrolls line row after row of bookshelves. In the center of this vast room is a depression where chairs, couches, and tables are available for members to use as they enjoy their selection. With this depression there are three floors that make up the library. The top floor contains rooms filled with communication stations where one can connect with the even larger library in Castle Tarentum or with the huge library the Shadow Academy keeps. This room continues to be added on to and may very well reach up high enough to put in a subtle window to the vacuum of space in a few more years.

The Meditation Room – Apart from the normal and much smaller meditation chambers built before Kartena’s first reign, this room offers a completely different experience. Telona conceptualized and started construction on this room during her first reign and did not complete it until after her service as Krath High Priestess. The room is filled with plants, purified water, a specialized lighting system to simulate night and day, and highly filtered air. The walls are hidden by trees and shrubs, a lawn spreads out before the door, and a single wooden bench marks a place where an artificial stream forms a pool.

The Lounge – This room offers many smaller and more private areas. There is a large bar in the middle. This bar is surrounded by soft chairs and polished wooden tables. A stage is step up at the back of the main chamber for various entertainment purposes. It is unclear when this lounge was first built but it recently was upgraded by Sato Tarentae.

The Throne Room – The hallway leading to this room is lined with images of past Quaestors and flickering torches. A soft red carpet runs along the hallways up to the large wooden doors. Past the doors is a round room with two offices joined at the sides. In the center of this room are two high backed but comfortable chairs with various controls on either sides of the arms. The walls are lined with more torches, prized possessions, tapestries, banners, framed works of prose and poetry, and a complete listing of all the Dark Jedi who ever became part of Gladius. All Quaestors have added their particular touch to this room which was built even before the pirates occupied the asteroid.

The Main Training Facility – This vast complex of rooms boasts padded chambers for hand to hand combat, instructional facilities on various weaponry, a room specifically for lightsaber training, several rooms for training on the various weaponry types, droids with and without synthflesh, remotes, and most recently a pair of Hssiss for a new room designated to help members train their Force abilities. This facility has been added to by nearly all Quaestors but most notably by SithSpawn, Kodiak and Jason.

The Control Room – This is the heart of the Gladius base. From this room all equipment can be controlled. Only the Quaestor, Aedile, and a select few loyal members have access to this room. It is filled with electronic equipment that monitors and controls everything from the water pumps, to the cloaking device, to communications. This room is manned at all hours to keep an eye on the radar and the essential equipment.

Battle Teams

Gladius is allowing two battle teams to operate. Arcano Signum is the House's training team currently lead by Ronovi. The goal of the team is to train lower-ranked members in skill, strength, and Force power. This is done through various exercises within their headquarters, Paradus Avium, and through several missions.

The second battle team of Gladius is the Keepers of the Night. Known for being a rebellious group in the past, it was closed down for some time before being revived as a team for those who had already completed their training. This elite group has taken the job of protecting the House in difficult times as well as partaking in many important strikes and searches.

Other notable teams of the past include the powerful Mystics of the Black Arts, the brotherly Daemoni, and the enigmatic Cabal.

Home Defense

Gladius’ two main defensive devices are the planetary shield and the cloaking device. As secrecy is everything, there are no turbolasers or missile launchers to protect the base. Gladius relies on their fighter squadron, patrolling ships from Tarentum’s main fleet, and the honored Dark Jedi within the halls of the asteroid for protection.

The various House Gladius Titles are an honor for any member to receive. It is also an honor they must work hard for. They are the heroes and generals that help the Summit coordinate the Houses forces during an attack. With their help, the base gains glory and honor that draws more Dark Jedi to its ranks.

Gladius has a small collection of ships in its hangers. These ships include:

TBA