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The Holocron of Dark Ascension is an artifact reserved for the use of the Star Chamber. Intended to preserve the wealth of knowledge acquired by the Dark Jedi Brotherhood over the years, it is only accessible by the reigning Grand Master and his predecessors. Once thought a myth, the Holocron is now known to be an item of very real power. Its creation was a long, but necessary, process that sought to enable the development and continuation of the Dark Brotherhood’s legitimacy as the ruling authority over the First Houses and Clans. It serves to store the wisdom of former Grand Masters, particularly their knowledge of the Force and historiographical view of the Dark Brotherhood.
Properties
- "Locked within its recesses, accessible only to a Dark Lord of the Sith, are the forgotten histories and lore..."
- ―Odan-Urr to Nomi Sunrider[src]
The Holocron of Dark Ascension takes the form of the standard sith holocron. It is a tetragonal crystal pyramid with an internal construction based on a microscopic latticework of organic crystal, finely arranged by an individual with an extraordinary affinity to the Force, into delicate patterns designed for memory retention. The forms of construction differ quite substantially from holocron to holocron, however, in this particular instance, the Holocron itself is created to a specific blueprint adhered to by each of its archivists and Gatekeepers.
The intricacy of holocron creation is not something to be overlooked. Jedgar Paladin’s devotion to the development of the holocron is the largest of the legacy of Grand Masters. As the initiator of Kane Vader’s desire, Paladin mused for years over the basic creation of holocrons and developed all of the various techniques of creation into a nearly infinitely large memory space for his successors to add their own teachings before their abdication or death. Once a Grand Master retires, they are expected to pass the holocron of Dark Ascension on to their replacement, who is, in turn, expected by the Star Chamber to add their own teachings.
The knowledge of holocron revision is not a concept passed down. Rather, it is up to the Grand Master to understand the inner workings of the holocron before they can add to it. This is designed as a preemptive test of the Grand Master’s ability before they are allowed to pass their teachings to their successor.
History
- "It has long been thought by the Sith that power is for the individual. That belief has been the failure of that order since its beginning. Look upon our combined works; look upon this Brotherhood as it stands now. Power lies within a collective body that moves with one purpose, one devotion."
- ― Kane Vader, Holocron Gatekeeper
Post Exodus History
During the Exodus, the Holocron was hidden away by agents loyal to the Emperor’s Hammer. The Hammer’s remaining Dark Jedi formed their own Dark Brotherhood, appointing Rapier as its Grand Master, though he was little more than a puppet for Astatine. On attempting to access the Holocron, Rapier found that the Gatekeeper was not willing to let him through.
The Hammer spent considerable resources on trying to get around this block but found it impossible. No matter what Rapier and Astatine tried, Kane would not let them past. This issue caused further divisions in the already much weakened ‘mirror’ Dark Brotherhood, and many Imperials continued to leave, seeking out Antei and the ‘free’ Brotherhood.
Rapier was eventually removed by Astatine and replaced by another pretender. Astatine’s agents, largely independent of the increasingly distant Ronin, continually failed to access the Holocron. Eventually, Aristan Dantes, going by the name of Khamier Sarin, was asked, although he was not the pretender Grand Master. He too failed, but the projection of Kane Vader was not as harsh as it had been to Rapier and his ilk.
Soon after this happened, Dantes, Executive Officer of the fleet since Ronin had passed on overall command to Astatine, was expelled from the Emperor’s Hammer fleet and its terrorities. Seeking out the Brotherhood, the former Sector Admiral located Antei, guided there as many were before him.
Recovery of the Holocron
Several years later, Dantes was appointed Deputy Grand Master under Jac Cotelin. Shortly after this appointment, Cotelin’s new deputy informed he of the Holocron. As Cotelin had previously ruled as Grand Master, he quickly realised that the Holocron being spoken of was the Holocron of Dark Ascension, thought lost forever. Jac was pleased to hear that it was safe, and even allowed himself a chuckle when he heard of the Hammer’s failures to open it. However, he realised that the longer it remained with the Hammer, the chances of them opening it grew,.especially if one of the unaccounted for Grand Masters later returned to the Hammer.
Cotelin therefore assembled a group to re-take the Holocron, which had been hidden deep in the recesses of the Dark Hall on Eos. Electing to go himself, he was able to contact Paladin, who quickly agreed to help him. Enlisting Dantes as well, the three Dark Jedi contacted each clan, requesting they each send a master. Five clans complied, Arcona sending Mejas Doto, Naga Sadow sending Shan Long, Scholae Palatinae sending Kaiann, Taldryan sending Keirdagh Taldrya Cantor and Tarentum choosing Sith Bloodfyre. The debacle concerning the remaining units, Clan Satal Keto and Clan Exar Kun precluded these clans from sending anyone.
Such a force would be overwhelming to many, but the Hammer fought bravely, many of their Dark Jedi, even those supposedly Dark Jedi Masters, fell easily. The lack of a properly appointed Grand Master had weakened their Brotherhood’s remnants greatly. It was noted that the TIE Corps, formerly an elite unit, had also declined in quality, as the Exodus, though it was now many years ago, had damaged their numbers severely - many of the best pilots had defected.
Landing on Eos, the team instantly recognised their old Dark Hall. Despite the general disarray of the loyalist Dark Jedi, the Dark Hall itself had been kept well maintained. Even here, little resistance was met, many of the Imperials not even realising that the team weren’t with their Brotherhood.
In no time at all, Cotelin, using old passwords only known to him, was able to access the room that the Holocron had been hidden in. On seeing it, Cotelin smirked. It had been many years since he had last clapped eyes on it.
By now, the Hammer had realised what was happening, and had sent the Star Destroyers Challenge and Relentless, both still fine ships with full wings of TIE Corps pilots on board. Even a team of elders would struggle to get past such opposition.
Declaring Eos under blockade, the Star Destroyers launched two squadrons each. The TIE Corps, though depleted, was still largely elite. Forty eight elite pilots would prove a problem for Cotelin and his men. Summoning elements of the Brotherhood fleet was not an option, as it would have taken far too long for the fleet to arrive.