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Alabrek Castle, more casually known as Ragnos Cathedral, is the home of House Marka Ragnos. Alabrek Castle is located within the military town of Kar Alabrek on Tarthos. Most of the high command of the Dlarit Corporation's armed security forces are based within the less secure sections of the castle. Alabrek Castle is guarded by soldiers from the Dlarit Special Operations Group.
The main HoloNet transceiver for the Orian system is located within Alabrek Castle. It is from there all communications to and from the Orian system, including Seng Karash and Sadow Palace are routed.
History
The Foyer at Ragnos Cathedral
Ragnos Cathedral, once an ancient castle, was refitted by members of Clan Naga Sadow upon arrival in the Orian system. Housing most of House Marka Ragnos's members and including a hangar bay as well as a training facility, this base served as a focal point for the clan during the K'hamar'an Crisis. The castle was damaged extensively by the K'hamar'a. Tarthos's governor at the time, Muz Keibatsu, spent a great deal of his own money and time to rebuild the facility, restoring Alabrek Castle to it's former glory.
The castle was expanded to better serve the growing Dlarit Security Force after the Invasion of Orian following the destruction of most of Kar Alabrek. Then Governor Trevarus Caerick ordered the construction of Alabrek Castle around the Ragnos Cathedral under the supervision of architect Malisane de Ath.
Structure
Alabrek Castle has been described as a monument to the vision of Trevarus Caerick. The Castle is immense, and perfectly balanced in architecture. Aligned across the four cardinal points of Tarthos, the Castle is a perfect rhombus. Exterior walls are exactly two kilometers in length, and exactly 100 meters in height. Centered along each of the four walls are entrances that offer a visitor a grand approach to the Castle. The City of Kar Alabrek was rebuilt following the Invasion by True Brotherhood forces to unify with the structure of the Castle, each of the city's four districts lead to an entrance of the Castle which stands in the exact center of Kar Alabrek.
The Grand Promenade
Encompassing the entire perimeter of the Castle is the Grand Promenade. Measuring 100 meters in width, and the full height of the outer walls. It is a massive hall, adorned with the Banners of members of House Marka Ragnos and luminaries of Clan Naga Sadow, as well as tapestries and art that depict the exploits of legends within the House and Clan. The floors and walls are comprised of deeply polished granite, with a seamless rug of aubergine that encompasses the entire expanse. At certain points along the Promenade small alcoves have been reserved for quiet discussion or a revered work of art. The ceiling is entirely of transparisteel, giving the Promenade a sense of immense space. Arranged along the interior walls, entrances to the Gardens were built at the mid-points between each cardinal entrance.
The Dark Library
The Dark Library at Ragnos Cathedral
Within the mighty Ragnos Cathedral's keep rests a store house of knowledge that rivals even Coruscant's archives. The Dark Library is home to some of the most sought after references and tomes to ever exist. It has been the goal of many of the galaxy's scholars to win favor with the Dlarit Corporation to be allowed a few hours within the great halls of the library.
The library itself is housed near the inner sanctum of the keep and is rather well protected from intrusion. It is indeed perhaps one of the few things that remained astonishingly undamaged from the recent attack during the K'hamar'an Crisis as it was believed to be one of the major objectives of the K'hamar'an attack of Ragnos Cathedral.
As one approaches the entrance one is met by large fifty foot wroshyr wood doors inlaid with intricate relief carvings depicting great warriors and battles of the Clan and House. The doors have no electronic manipulation and are impossible to move without the aid of a large machine or in the most common practice by manipulating it telekinetically through the Force. The doors are open every morning by the Dark Librarian and left ajar until its closing at planetary midnight. The doors themselves are also sealed by a Force incantation placed on them when the library was first built over 5,000 years ago. The incantation is subverted by a certain mentally projected thought through the Force that only the Dark Librarian, the Primus, and the Dark Patriarch are privy to.
Often referred to as the Dark Library it is anything but. When passing through the large doorway one is met with the spectacularly lit interior from the transparisteel ceiling one hundred meters above. As one steps inside a white marble path leads you forward towards a raised dais on which rests a large walled work area in which the Dark Librarian can monitor, direct, and supervise the main floor.
On either side of the path just past the door way are two fountains. Each is constructed of smooth, volcanic obsidian in the shape of a tetrahedron with the top squared off where bubbling water rises and falls smoothly down each side. Around each fountain is a plethora of flora from hundreds of worlds each with its own unique shape, color, and scent which results in an artistic assault to the senses. The overall mix, balance, and arrangement of the plants in the library are considered one of the most beautiful sights in the galaxy.
As one approaches the raised desk of the Dark Librarian the Marka Ragnos sigil can be seen etched in blue gemstone on the face of the stone structure. Upon closer inspection of the sigil one can see black swirls and wisps moving inside the gems. The marble path forks at the base of the desk and angles off left and right at a 45 degree angle. The two separate paths angle back leading into the main collection. On either side of each path stands a ten meter tall statue depicting a visage of Marka Ragnos in his glory. On the left path Marka Ragnos stands looking up towards the ceiling as if staring out through the transparisteel towards the sky and into the future. He is armored and rests his hands clasped before him on the pommel of a Sith sword. The statue on the right path depicts Marka Ragnos again armored but without a helmet clenching his fist in defiance and strength, looking down on those observing him.
Passing the Dark Librarian's work station one notices that there is no apparent entrance from this floor. If one would stay and watch however one would see that the Dark Librarian will often disappear into an unseen stairwell into the ground to an area unknown to most. Continuing on, one comes to the main collection area. The floor is lined with shelves of volumes both in hard copy and electronic datapad format. The room itself is in a hexagonal shape. Eight floors of concentric hexagons extend from the center study area with each higher floor smaller in area than the last. The eighth floor being closest to the ceiling and also the most narrow and extends out the least from the wall. Each floor has several staircases which are strategically placed aesthetically so as to not overwhelm the overall construction and is separated vertically by 11 meters.
The study area is a rather large space in the center of the ground floor. It is populated by several large, ornate wroshyr wood tables. Subtle lights are placed strategically about the tables to offer maximum lighting without throwing off the ambience. At the center of the study area is a large, raised, obsidian dome upon which is stretched the Marka Ragnos sigil. When the light from overhead hits the dome it also reflects and adds another source of none blaring light to the area.
Looking up overhead one sees a large needle like tower on the outside of the library proper. This tower serves two purposes. It houses the living quarters of the current Dark Librarian and also casts a shadow along the interior of the study area. Upon closer examination around the hexagonal study area one can see several number markings. As the sun moves through the sky overhead it creates a cast shadow on the floor which points to the various number markings on the floor and thus creates an accurate sundial telling the time of day.
On the far end of the main floor is a dimly lit corridor which leads down to set of stone doors. The doors are rather simple and are inlaid with a relief of the Marka Ragnos symbol. Entering this corridor, whispers can be heard and grow stronger upon approaching the doors. The doors contain no handles or clear way of entry. The secret lies in the person seeking to enter. First, one must be properly attuned to the Force in order to clearly understand the whispers. Once this is achieved the voices ask a question and the seeker must answer correctly in order to enter. Answer incorrectly and one is met with horrible pain, is often plagued with nightmares, and in short is never the same again. There are even some who have not survived the questioning.
If allowed to enter one is met with steps leading and then curving down into the true heart and value of the library. The secret inner sanctum is also shaped hexagonally and descends 25 meters below the main floor. The interior is lit with a rather surprisingly bright, cool blue glow and as one looks up can find the source of this light. The dome structure from the study area actually filters in light from above and one can see through onto the floor above though none can see down below. The symbol of Marka Ragnos is also cast upon the floor as a shadow from the dome above.
Both the floors and walls are of a finely smoothed sand stone and while the atmosphere is darker than the main floor above, the reddish stone offers a bright, warm feel and adds to the powerful aura of the place. The sense one gets is nearly overpowering as the majesty within can be felt in the ancient works that surrounds you.
In this sacred space there are rows and rows of ancient texts, bound books, scrolls, and holocrons from hundreds if not thousands of worlds. On the far side there is a corridor which leads to a circular ritual room. This room is devoid of any furniture save for three stone tables in the which again form the symbol of Marka Ragnos and a flaming chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Along the walls hang banners and tapestries of power. On the left and the right two corridors lead to similar circular rooms. In the left room one finds a work room where newly christened knights study for and build their first lightsabers. In the right room a conference area is found in which a large circular stone table is set along with various place settings and chairs. It is here that the council and the scions will often meet.
Back in the central ritual room one can also see another stair case leading upwards. Half way up these stairs another tunnel opens to the left and leads to a turbolift which provides access to the sundial tower and the personal living space of the Dark Librarian. If you continue upwards along the original staircase you will come to a set of small doors which when opened lead out onto the raised work area of the Dark Librarian on the main floor.
From here the Dark Librarian can easily view all occupants of the Library. He or she is also assisted by various small monitor droids linked to his various consoles at the work station. Here he can also pull up any reference needed and provide maximum assistance to those needing help with their studies and research.
The Gardens
Physical beauty was of the utmost important to Trevarus, and Malisane executed his vision in the Gardens with exquisite detail. The harsh atmosphere of Tarthos does not allow for a varietal of flora. Through careful cultivation, Malisane designed a meditative yet aesthetically beautiful arrangement for the Gardens. Rock sculptures and evergreens dominate the area. The scene if of minimalism with a hint of desolation. Beauty is found in the cold isolation. Private seating arrangments of cold basalt benches centered around fountains or topiary art are found at intervals. The four entrances to the Keep are found at points aligning with the four Cardinal entrances to the Grand Promenade.
The Keep
The walls of the Keep are 300 meters in height, and enclose the main body of the Castle proper.
Trivia