Scholae Palatinae-Week3

I see the contestants are making their way out onto the starting grid.

This article was originally created as an entry for a Tenth Great Jedi War competition and is not official DJB canon content. It is preserved here for historical purposes only.


Ring-Necklace of Ulic Qel-Droma
Artifact Information
Type:	White Gold Ring, hung on a golden chain.
Material:	White Gold, Gold, Silver, Carbon, Iron, Corusca Gem shavings
Dimensions:	Chain: Length: 30 centimeters Width: 3 millimeters Ring: Diameter: 2 centimeters Width: 6 millimeters
Previous Owner(s):	Ulic Qel-Droma, Vima Sunstrider, Vima Da-Boda, Neema Da-Boda
Current Location:	Secret Underground Odan-Urr vault
Created By:	Unknown artisans, possibly Alderaanian
Significance:	Redemption of a Dark Jedi in the hands of a Jedi Empowering Dark Jedi by removing remnants of empathy and sympathy
Chronological information
Era(s):	Old Republic Era, Dark Jedi Brotherhood Era
Affiliation:	Ulic Qel-Droma
[ Source ]

A small talisman that was given by the man who was one of the greatest Light and Dark Jedi of all time is now the prize of battle in the conflict between the Brotherhood and the followers of Odan-Urr on New Tython. Ulic Qel-Droma gave the necklace to his student, Vima Sunrider, as he lay dying thousands of years ago, and it was imbued with the power of the Force upon his death. Both sides seek to contain and control the power of the artifact.

History

The history of Ulic Qel-Droma necklace counts over four thousand years. There are some validated records about the history of the artifact, but a portion of information about it is based upon unconfirmed gossips and rumours.

Beginnings

After losing the connection to the Force Ulic Qel-Droma fled to Rhen Var, where he found a shelter. Some time later, his location was discovered by young female Jedi, Vima Sunrider, who asked him to teach her the ways of the Jedi, as she was disappointed with the attitude of her mother, who did not have much time for her. Qel-Droma reluctantly agreed to do so. Finally, Vima’s mother, Nomi Sunrider, found them and tried to force her daughter to leave Vima’s new master.

Vima guided her mother to the sculptures of Arca Jeth and Andur Sunrider, where they talked about Qel-Droma and his teachings. However, in meanwhile the former Jedi was attacked by a Cathar Jedi, Sylvar, who hated him for the death of Sylvar’s lover. Still, Qel-Droma managed to convince his opponent to leave the anger and hatred. They both deactivated their lightsabers, but Ulic was deadly shot by a spacer, known as Hoggon.

Passing away, Ulic Qel-Droma gave his necklace to his student, Vima Sunrider, and called her a Jedi.

Lost to History

It is not very much known about the further history of the necklace. It is assumed that it was inherited by the descendants of Vima Sunrider for almost thousand years. They studied its powers and the ways to use the necklace. The owners of this artifact always claimed it to be the most valuable of all their possessions. It was so not because of its features, but due to the fact that it was regarded as the symbol of redemption. The history of its first owner, Ulc Qel-Droma, was told to every member of the Sunrider family, in order to prevent them from joining the Dark Side and to make sure that the others would never stop in their efforts to redeem their fallen relatives.

It is rumoured that some of the most powerful descendants of Vima Sunrider were able to add some of the powers to the necklace of Ulic Qel-Droma or to strenghten and improve the already existing ones. However, there is no reliable source of information that could confirm these rumours and it cannot be determined if it is truth or not.

New Tython

It is not known how and when exactly was the necklace of Ulic Qel-Droma brought to New Tython, which is now the homeworld of the Jedi of House Odan-Urr. However, it is suspected that Vima-Da-Boda, very distant descendant of Vima Sunrider and the member of the Jedi Order in the last century before the destruction of the Old Republic, decided to hide it in a safe location after the fall of her daughter to the Dark Side. It is believed that she hid the necklace on New Tython some time between the Great Jedi Purge and the colonization of the planet in the 3 ABY, when the planet was not inhabited by any colonists from the Empire or the Rebel Alliance.

Rediscovery

The artifact was rediscovered in early 34 ABY by the members of House Odan-Urr. It was found in a cave somewhere in the central mountain range of Owyhyee continent. They studied the necklace and discovered its special features. However, it made the leaders of the House keep it in the secret, hidden deep in the vault of Odan-Urr. They decided to hide it in order to protect less powerful Jedi from possible influence of the artifact and because they were afraid that the necklace could be of use for the Dark Jedi. However, the spies of the Dark Council managed to learn about the location of the artifact.

Description

The Necklace of Qel-Droma is, in fact, two separate parts, the union of which creates the artifact. A long strand of golden chain is looped through a ring and fastened at each end. The ring is the centerpiece of the necklace, as it holds the most significance to Ulic Qel-Droma.

The chain itself is made from tightly interwoven strands of gold, linked together in a long chain. Each weave has three strands, strengthening each chain link. The links in the chain are tiny, barely three millimeters, creating yet another level of intricacy. Due to the natural weakness of gold, the strands are an alloy of carbon, iron, silver and gold. All these elements are combined to create a strong bond, but with the malleability of a softer metal. Because of this, the chain is comfortable to wear and has a soft skin feeling.

The ring is an important part of Qel-Droma's life and his heart. Originally presented to Nomi Sunrider as a gift, it was not accepted, because she could see the Dark Side starting to take hold over him. By not accepting the ring, she protected herself from whatever the Dark side of him had in store. It was considered by some historians that this event only helped to fuel his fall from the Light side.

Though the ring has been altered over time, it's original design is still known. A simple gold alloy, similar to that used for the chain, but with more silver, creating a white gold effect. This contrasts well with the gold of the chain, even though the original pieces were separate, and were joined sometime during Qel-Droma's life. The alloy is also far stronger than that of the chain, thereby creating a stiffer ring, with very little give. It is considered that this 'feature' of the ring was Qel-Droma's way of mocking the ways of the Jedi, and their restrictive rules.

The ring is rounded, with a thin bevel on the edges. The bevel cuts slightly into the rounded portion of the ring, creating a stretched Omega when looking at the cross-section. This design feature creates a shadowing effect in bright light situations by reflecting light towards the central portion of the ring. In this same vain, colored light can also be reflected, creating a dazzling fade of color.

The bevel creates two thin lines which runs the circumference of the ring, running parallel to each other. Right at the center of the ring, a narrow groove runs parallel to the other two. This center feature is a deep inlay of another material. Thin shavings of Corusca gems pressed into the gap create a garden-of-crystal effect when looking into the crevice. The Corusca gem is one of the most valued precious gems in the galaxy, sought after for its beauty. It would have taken an artisan a very long time to create this groove, with the gem shavings. This feature also increases the market value of the ring as a piece of jewelry.

The intervening surface of gold has a rough texture. This texture is not from the ring being unfinished, but was an intended feature of the item. Carefully ground areas have a rough, but uniform feeling as one runs one's finger over it. This texture creates pockets of shading throughout the metal of the outer side of the ring.

On the inside of the band, the metal is clean and polished to a brilliance. There is a small inscription found here, naming the intended, Nomi Sunrider, etched in Ulic's own handwriting. The letters were then 'dressed' with silver, making them stand out to the eye of a viewer.

It was only after Ulic's fall to the Dark Side that the ring and chain were combined. It acted as an anchor for him, a part of his past that he could cling to. It is during his time aligned to the Dark Side and the Krath that the ring was marred with battle damage and Ulic's own scratchings. It is unknown what he intended to do with the ring, but it was a constant part of his apparel throughout his tenure as a Sith Lord.

When rediscovered, the ring and chain had been restored to pristine condition, and it was kept in a sealed container of transparasteel and wood.

Power

The necklace of Ulic Qel-Droma was with him through his path in the dark side. It was the constant reminder his life before his fall. His focus and obsession of keeping it with him throughout the end of his life. The constant contact gave the necklace interesting property of absorbing the feelings and thoughts of the user.

Due to the fact that Ulic spent a great deal of his time having this necklace represent his past life it began to absorb those parts of himself; The necklace was filled his pain, suffering, and hatred. It was believed that part of his return to the ways of the Jedi were due to the necklace absorbing and storing his dark side emotions. Moments of doubt about his life were occasionally pulled to the surface because it was absorbing that hatred allowing his other emotions to bubble to the surface.

This aspect had been demonstrated several times over the millennia with holders able to pour the emotional forces of the dark side into the necklace and become more strongly aligned with the light side. It is believed that the vessel can work the opposite way, allowing the user to store any feelings of mercy or doubts about the dark side into it.

This is particularly of interest to the Brotherhood as the fleeting emotions of compassion can weaken a user of the dark side. By storing memories and emotions that weaken the user. The intense focus and clarity that this gives will allow the user to fully realize their current abilities and power.

The necklace is simply a vessel which the wearer can store their feelings, thoughts and emotions into. There is no improvement of skills or natural ability, instead gives the clarity and focus needed to reach the wearers full potential. However this function can be incredibly useful and powerful to the wearer.

Known Former Owners

Ulic Qel-Droma

Beginnings

Ulic Qel-Droma was an Alderaanian Human and, along with his brother Cay, was born to Jedi Master Lien-Tsai Qel-Droma. His mother did not immediately teach him the ways of the Force because she didn’t want the Master-Apprentice role to take precedent over her relationship with him. She waited until she believed Ulic was old enough, before sending him to be apprenticed under the Arkanian Jedi Master Arca Jeth.

As a youth, Ulic constantly felt unworthy, lacking greatly in self confidence. Ulic worked hard to gain respect from his superiors, by applying himself to his studies and other activities. Initially, he focused on other activities, and only once all other subjects had been exhausted, he pushed himself into the study of the Force. Once he began to understand the ways of the Force, he was a natural Force user, growing in knowledge quickly which helped to improve his self-confidence.

Qel-Droma was an excellent apprentice under Master Jeth, but was often over-enthusiastic and would draw criticism from his Master for not thinking before acting. It was also during this time under Master Jeth, that Qel-Droma constructed his first lightsaber.

Early encounters - 4000 ABY

Soon after beginning his training, Ulic was summoned to Master Jeth's chambers regarding an urgent matter. Jeth explained the situation on the planet of Onderon, and discussed the war currently being waged on its surface. Qel-Droma expected his master to be sent on this mission; instead he was selected in his Master's place. Given the title of Chargeman, he was told to bring the Beast Wars to a peaceful resolution. Jeth made sure to tell his apprentice that fighting should always be the last resort.

Being unable to find a peaceful solution, Qel-Droma ended up failing the test that he’d been given by his Master. He won the battle for the Beast Riders of Onderon by using a Force power known as battle meditation. Master Jeth was extremely displeased and he told Qel-Droma that he should have sensed the working of the dark side from the moment he arrived on Onderon.

After the Beast Wars, Naddist cult members rebelled against the new monarchy. Qel-Droma and his Jedi Watchmen were charged with defending Onderon. Queen Galia quietly mentioned to Qel-Droma and Jeth that her father, King Ommin, a dark side master himself, was still alive under the city. They both realized this could be one of the reasons that Onderon was plagued.

Qel-Droma, Master Jeth, and Queen Galia went to meet Master Ommin, who was in a medical fortress underground. The underground passage was so dark that Qel-Droma had to use the Force to see and navigate the path to Ommin. When they arrived, Ommin spoke cryptic words about the Dark Lord Freedon Nadd still being with them. Freedon Nadd then materialized as a Force Ghost and showed himself to the Jedi. Master Jeth realized that Ommin had practiced Sith magic to summoned Freedon Nadd.

Ommin attacked Jeth and smothered him in dark side energy before Qel-Droma had a chance to help his Master. Warb Null and Naddist cult members entered. Qel-Droma ignited his lightsaber and prepared to defend Queen Galia. As he was defending the queen he witnessed Master Jeth being carried off by King Ommin. Null's dark power drained some of Qel-Droma's strength, but Ulic was still able to kill him and defeat the Naddist force. He escaped with the queen and called other Jedi to aid them in the coming fight to retake Iziz.

Battle with the Dark Side

Qel-Droma and the Jedi were in the Fortress Kira; the Dark Side was taking his life force and they were unable to fight. The Republic forces he’d called were led by Knight Nomi Sunrider. Sunrider too used battle meditation, and soon Qel-Droma and the other trapped Jedi were recharged and ready to fight. The combined forces went on to win the battle. In this moment Ulic began to see some of the benefits of Sith magic.

Qel-Droma realized it was up to him to rescue his Master Jeth. He questioned Ommin on the whereabouts of Master Jeth. Instead of giving Ulic the information he needed, Ommin attacked him using the Dark Side of the Force. Qel-Droma attacked back with the Light Side and cut through Ommin’s armature with his lightsaber. Ommin still wouldn’t disclose Master Jeth's location. The spirit of Freedon Nadd appeared at Ommin's side killing him. Master Jeth then arrived, freed by Ommin's death. Nadd, as he disappeared, claimed the Jedi actually lost.

Rise of the Krath Within Ulic

"You. You will be one of the great ones—"

―The spirit of Freedon Nadd foretells Ulic Qel-Droma's destiny

Soon after the Freedon Nadd uprising, Ulic and the Jedi were sent to the Empress Teta system where Satal and Aleema Keto had used Sith magic taught to them by King Ommin to seize control.

Qel Droma made his way to the Jedi outpost nearby the region, where he met a droid named T 12 who gave him a Sith amulet. Qel-Droma put his hands on the amulet; the spirit of Freedon Nadd suddenly appeared to him. Nadd then foretold the Jedi that he would be one of the "great ones". He was curious what this meant, but it sparked something deep within him. Did he summon Freedon Nadd?

The Loss of his Master

"I will do this for Master Arca… for all Jedi Knights… and for the good of the Republic! Ulic Qel-Droma will conquer the dark side of the Force!"

―Ulic Qel-Droma after the Battle of Deneba

During the Jedi convocation at the Mid Rim planet Deneba, a plan was hatched to infiltrate the Krath. Master Jeth was adamant that the path of the dark side would inevitably lead to disaster. A Krath fleet arrived and a battle ensued, Master Jeth was mortally wounded and Qel-Droma held him as he died. Seeing his Master die that way broke Ulic’s spirit, he became enraged.

[[File:CayandUlic.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Ulic Qel-Droma and his brother, Cay]

Departure

""I'm leaving at dawn, Cay. Don't try to follow me."

"Stang, Ulic… I… I'll never see you again. I just know it." "Hey! Don't be stupid, kid! Everything will work out fine! We'll be joking about this together in a few months!" "

―Ulic Qel-Droma and his brother Cay bid each other good-bye

Qel-Droma left to infiltrate the Krath. With the death of his Master fresh in his mind, he sought revenge. He went with Nomi Sunrider to the Great Jedi Library on Ossus. With Ood Bnar assisting, he got the complete history on the Empress Teta system. Ulic began a quest for knowledge and couldn’t get enough. Between the Sith magic, the alchemy and the possibility of destroying someone mentally, he was hungry for more information.

Path of no return

"—but I need to know more. I need more time. Tell them not to come looking for me. When I have learned everything I need to know about the dark side… I will return to Ossus. Please understand I must break the power of Keto and Aleema… they are responsible for the death of Master Arca."

―Ulic Qel-Droma, in a recorded message to Nomi Sunrider

Qel-Droma became engaged in a battle with Keto where a fatal blow was dealt to Keto at Ulic’s hand. Keto informed Qel-Droma that his anger had activated a Sith poison in him that had been injected in the chaos. Qel-Droma flashed back to what Fredon Nadd had said—that he was on a path of no return. That he was going to become one of the “great ones.” Rage, fear and pain swirled through his brain taking him deeper and deeper.

Destiny fulfilled

"Let it be so, Qel-Droma… the ancient Sith have spoken. Together we will bring down the galaxy!"

"Yes. Let it be so."

―Exar Kun and Ulic Qel-Droma

After the slaying of Satal Keto, Qel-Droma returned to the Iron Citadel and took a new lover, Aleema. He had no regard for his previous relations with Sunrider, he was on a path of destruction and self-fulfillment considering nothing but himself. He became a bloodthirsty strategist. Qel-Droma still considered himself a member of the Jedi Order on some levels, he’d been called a Jedi and his Master’s words rang in his ears. Soon he put his hatred and mistrust for the dark side aside to pursue his mission inside the Krath. After he converted to the dark side, his confidence and ego bloomed, but he had a hard edge. He betrayed Nomi for Aleema and then killed his own brother; this once Jedi was now on a path of destruction. He then went into a self imposed exile, where he roamed the galaxy for 8 years. He hired a spacer named Hoggon to help him find a place to be alone; but instead ended up in a place with a Sith temple where he was shown the criminal and heinous things he’d done. Hoggon then took him to Rhen Var, where Ulic would take on his first apprentice, Vima Sunrider (Nomi’s daughter) Between the judgment he felt for his acts, and life coming full circle by mentoring Nomi’s daughter, Ulic had enough light in him to realize he’d fallen to the Dark Side.

DEATH - 3986 BBY

Sylvar, a Cathar Jedi came to Rhen Var to avenge her lover’s death, one of Ulic’s many kills. Qel-Droma asked Sylvar to let go of her anger as he had done in his guilt, and had a self imposed judgment on himself… Sylvar still enraged, attacked him and engaged him in a lightsaber duel. Qel-Droma pleaded for Sylvar to bury her past…she called him “Jedi” which caught his attention and he would no longer be an aggressor in the battle. Hoggon shot him, seeing the opportunity to take out a known Sith criminal. His became one with the Force like a Jedi Master as he had made peace within himself and restored balance.

Nomi Sunrider

Nomi Sunrider was a Jedi Knight who served in the days of the Galactic Republic. Before becoming a Jedi she was married to Andur Sunrider who was training to become a Jedi. They had one Daughter together, Vima Sunrider. Her husband was Killed by Pirates and appeared to Nomi instructing her to learn the ways of the force. She studied first under Jedi Master Thon and Later under The esteemed Odan-Urr.

She first met Ulic Qel-Droma during the Freedon Nadd Uprising on Onderon. The two had an immediate connection and eventually fell in love. However with Ulic's fall to the dark side Nomi again lost the man she loved and returned the ring he had once given to her. He kept this ring throughout his life unwilling to let go of the past. Nomi herself believed that Ulic was still able to be turned back from the dark side. She tried on numerous occasions to bring him back to the Jedi Order.

When Ulic struck his own brother down in a duel, it was Nomi who took the drastic action of severing Ulic from his connection with the force. Ulic, feeling pain over what he had done to his brother Cay, as well as defeated by the effects of Nomi's punishment, repented and agreed to help Nomi and the other Jedi end the war which he had helped start. Nomi herself eventually went on to become the Head of the Jedi Order and was present at the death of Ulic Qel-droma where he died in her arms, shot in the back by the pilot Hodden.

Vima Sunrider

Vima Sunrider was a Human Jedi Knight who lived during the days of the Galactic Republic, the daughter of Nomi Sunrider, who was also a Jedi Knight. During her time as a Jedi, Vima was trained by multiple masters, among those included her mother Nomi and Ulic Qel-Droma. At one point, Vima began to grow frustrated at her mother for not spending much time training her, which then caused her to seek out someone that would provide further training.

It was at this time that Vima managed to stow away on the transport of a spacer named Hoggan. Although the man would discover her, he nonetheless took her to Rhen Var, a frozen world located in the Outer Rim. After arriving on the planet’s surface, Vima sought out the former Jedi Knight and one-time Sith Lord Ulic Qel-Droma, who had known Vima’s mother Nomi and had also been brought to Rhen Var by Hoggan at some point in the past. Vima searched the planet and eventually found the place in which Qel-Droma had been residing, asking him to train her in the ways of the Jedi. Although Qel-Droma had initially refused to train Vima, he reluctantly agreed to do so after rescuing her from a blizzard that had been raging outside.

Not long before Vima’s training was complete, her mother arrived on Rhen Var and tried to take Vima home. Vima refused and stated that Qel-Droma was her master and then demonstrated what she had learned while under his tutelage. Shortly after this exchange, Qel-Droma was fatally wounded – shot by Hoggan, who had brought Vima to Rhen Var. Before his passing, Qel-Droma called Vima a Jedi for the first time and removed a necklace that he wore, entrusting its care to Vima and thanked her for helping him to find peace.

Over the years, Vima Sunrider would eventually become one of the greatest Jedi Masters of her generation, and even thousands of years later she would be referred to as ‘legendary’. She still kept the ring necklace that Ulic Qel-Droma had given to her before his death, which she would pass on to her descendants. Eventually, the necklace would fall into the hands of Vima-Da-Boda and then her daughter, Neema-Da-Boda. However, upon Neema’s death, the ring necklace was seemingly lost to the sands of time.

Altar

The Altar Area in which the Necklace of Qel-Droma was stored was pristine despite its clear ancient age. It was at the very end of a complicated and intricate carved maze system. The end of the maze housed the altar which was surrounded by four thick, cracked columns surrounded by white vines because of absence of light.

There was a fifth and sixth column that had collapsed because of natural earthquakes throughout the years. It was covered in dark green moss, nests from rodents were scattered around the floor against the side. Throughout the maze were also creature’s native to New Tython, skeletons of smaller animals littered the floor, marks on their bones suggested knowing and biting.

In dark corners, they would jump at the intruders of the Brotherhood, in their instinct the Jedi instilled for them to protect this artifact with their lives. When recovered by the Brotherhood, they had to climb walls in the maze had collapsed in various areas because of the earthquakes as well. The artifact was still in its sealed container of transparent steel wood box. The doorways to the center of the maze housing the stone were heat sensors.

This would send a primary signal to the guard to be aware of any other wires, but because there were animals within the maze, they had a secondary defense. Around the stone trapezoid, there were multiple laser wire trips to alert the guard. If anything was disturbed, it sent a signal immediately to the guard and the special task force. The box was then encased in a trapezoid tone. On the sides of this stone, green algae grew around the sides and corner, surprisingly avoiding the intricately carved words on the front face. The words on the stone face surrounding the box was a complicated riddle,

I am the beginning of the end, and the end of time and space. I am essential to creation, and I surround every place. What am I?

This riddle was very difficult because the mind leads directly to the Force as the answer to this riddle. Which in fact, it is not. The answer is the letter E in basic. If one answers the riddle correctly, the stone cracks and reveals the small box containing the ring. House Odan-Urr was in charge of guarding the artifact for its history.

They figured having part of it hidden, it would be alright because the artifact was locked in the box within the stone. Because of their responsibility over it, it is housed deep underground under their main temple. Very few have access to this area in the bowl of their quarters because the less people that knew of its existence the better. If the riddle was cracked and the stone burst, the transparent box was revealed holding the chain and ring.

There was always someone on guard duty in a secret area so that if the caves started to collapse, then Odan-Urr would be able to defend the artifact if the intruder was not crushed. After the Brotherhood recovered the artifact, the guard put out a call and summoned a special tactical unit hidden in some barracks near the entrance to the maze. With this call, the wall broke revealing a squad of highly trained Jedi with multiple battle droids. Their task; eliminate any intruders attempting to steal the artifact. A dramatic battle ensued for the ownership of this artifact.

Trivia

Scholae Palatinae Team

Arch - 7589
Xen - 3783
Reiden - 10106
Xantros - 11518
Akatsuki - 12363
Korvyn - 8930
Rayne - 8405
Eether - 11484