| Fort Dooku
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Aliso
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5
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Temperate
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Military Installation
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Human
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Various
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Basic
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Plagueis
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Fort Dooku is the primary base of operations of House Tyranus. It can be described as an impressive fortification that projects the power of Clan Plagueis across Aliso. The fort is constructed atop a stone mesa and is located on the plains west of The Pinnacle.
History
After the establishment of House Tyranus was agreed upon by the Plagueian summit, it was decided that the House would need a facility to act as its headquarters. The leadership of Plagueis called upon the aid of the Valneikian hive to plan and build the facility. A site was chosen outside Aliso City to further spread the influence of the Ascendant Clan across the frontier world. The Valneikian hive completed the construction of Fort Dooku rapidly and House Tyranus began to migrate there. It took nearly a year before the Fort was operating at peak performance, but the persistence of the Tyrants kept it alive until then.
After the establishment of House Ventress, many of the personnel and resources going into House Tyranus were redistributed. While this did briefly disrupt Fort Dooku’s operation, the House’s new Quaestor Tahiri Drakon Night-Thorn was able to get the Fort back on track. With another House competing for influence, there were worries from some that hard times might be ahead for Fort Dooku’s economy, but the impact of House Ventress had yet to manifest on Tyranus or its headquarters.
Structure
A fortress roughly five square kilometers in area, Fort Dooku was erected quickly in 37 ABY. The walls surrounding the stronghold form a hexagonal layout that is divided into six aboveground districts and one belowground district. Fort Dooku’s walls are several meters thick and a dozen meters tall; massive conical durasteel spires are placed within the walls roughly every one hundred meters along the perimeter. Within these spires are defensive turret emplacements and monitoring equipment that keeps the borders of Fort Dooku secure. The walls and spires are also shielded, as is the entirety of Fort Dooku thanks to a series of shield generators throughout the stronghold.
Much of the design and structure of the buildings within Fort Dooku are minimalist and utilitarian, featuring sleek grey durasteel walls and little inventive architecture. The clusters of buildings within the walls rise to points, generally having a pyramidal shape. From among these clusters of pointed roofs, spires rise into the sky. The spires within the walls vary in purpose much more than those along the walls, sometimes providing surveillance or defensive emplacements while sometimes also housing personnel or businesses. Uniformity and a lack of color cause much of the fort to look similar, however many utilize the spires as useful landmarks to navigate and keep their bearings.
Locations
Within the walls of Fort Dooku, there are seven districts. Each district has a distinct function and purpose, and within those districts there are memorable landmarks.
Market District
It is the Market District, located in the southern sector of Fort Dooku, nearest the entrance, that not only sees the bulk of the commerce but also provides accommodation for those traders who have been granted clearance to live within the Fort’s walls. While not on the same scale as Aliso City, the area does manage to see a large amount of footfall from civilians, military personnel, and the members of House Tyranus. The stores take on a variety of forms, from custom-built storefronts, to prefabs, all the way down to simple stalls, largely depending on the wealth of the owner before they came to Aliso and how much they were willing to pay the Ascendant Clan for the right to operate in their territory. This district is the largest contributor to the Fort’s economy, helping to keep the stronghold self-sufficient.
Raging Rancor Repairs
Located in Fort Dooku’s Market District, Raging Rancor Repairs is a speeder repair shop, the largest in the Fort. A large, brown facsimile of a rancor’s head hangs over the doorway of the garage doors. Unlike many of the structures within Fort Dooku, the architecture of the repair shop is more rounded, rising to four sloping points at each corner of the building. The decor is minimal, as most of the space is used for repairing and storing speeders, parts, and tools. However, entering the lobby or office, one is likely to find deep greens and reds, evoking the jungles of Dathomir that rancors are native to. If you pay extra, they’ll even give your speeder their signature “Raging Rancor” paintjob, featuring a stylized rancor causing mayhem on the hood of your speeder.
The Sleeper’s Nest
- Main article: Talzin
If you make your way all the way back to the office of Raging Rancor Repairs, you may encounter the protocol droid that is staffed there. Give the droid the correct code phrase and they will release the lock on a hidden door behind a 6 foot model rancor standing in the corner. Entering this door will bring you to a turbolift, which takes you down into the entryway of The Sleeper’s Nest. The Sleeper’s Nest is Talzin’s base of operations on Aliso.
Entertainment District
The Entertainment District is adjacent to the Market District on one side and Residential District on the other. It is here that many entertainment venues have set up shop. During their down time, members of House Tyranus or those visiting Fort Dooku are often seen here, spending their hard earned credits in clubs, taverns, theaters, sports facilities, and many other amenities. While it is not quite as lucrative as the Market District in revenue, it also provides heavily to the economy of Fort Dooku.
The Serenno Lounge
The Serenno Lounge is a cantina within the Entertainment District. At first glance, it is much like any other cantina. However, one is barred from entry unless they are a 'follower of Tyranus' or if a member of House Tyranus vouches for them. Even the bartenders have pledged allegiance to the House. As a result, the building is rarely even close to full, and plenty of Tyrants are able to enjoy a quiet drink on their own. The bar is stocked with all kinds of beverages, ranging from cheap drinks to even some of the most exotic and expensive available.
The establishment is embellished with the finest furniture Aliso has to offer, along with more elegant pieces imported from Serenno. The tables are arranged in a series of booths with the large bar located at the far wall. The center of the room is, in theory, reserved for dancing, but the strict entry requirements leave the area mostly unused, although it is occasionally filled with large amounts of discarded drinks bottles.
New Scipo Cornerclub
For those who are barred from entering the Serenno Lounge’s opulent surroundings, there is the New Scipio Cornerclub. An establishment where the booze is cheap and the services are just like the booze, the establishment is frequented mostly by those who are of a lower socioeconomic status than the patrons of The Serenno Lounge. The front of the area follows the conventional cantina layout, with a few alterations to allow for shows to be held in exchange for credits. The rear of the establishment is dedicated to those who would rather their deeds go unseen. While some of the activities taking place would be deemed “illegal” or “exploitative” elsewhere, as long as House Tyranus receives a tidy kickback, they tend to not involve themselves in the goings-on of the New Scipio Cornerclub.
Tyranus Square
Tyranus Square is a large, open-air park in the Entertainment District. Featuring a large expanse of grass and many trees and flowers from around Aliso, the Square features more nature than can be found anywhere else within the Fort. It features walking paths, benches, food carts, and a fountain, but is also tightly regulated and monitored to avoid disruptions to its natural beauty. Those Tyrants or other residents seeking a moment of calm or respite often visit here to clear their minds.
Residential District
The Residential District is where the civilian occupants of Fort Dooku reside. Within this district are also some motels and hotels to house those who are visiting. This is also where large-scale, crowded housing for any Tyranus “assets” is located. While it is properly maintained, the Residential District is clearly less cared for than the other districts within the Fort. Strict laws and regulations that are heavily enforced to keep the residents in line take priority over things such as cleaning up the alleys or exterminating pests. The gray uniformity of the Fort is most present here, with a distinct lack of uniqueness to the vast majority of the buildings.
Barracks District
The Barracks district houses the military personnel of Tyranus as well as any Lords of Plagueis that may belong to the house. Prominent members of House Tyranus are given small but personal homes to live in, which are located closer to the center of the Fort. Areas closer to the walls are dedicated to those who serve Tyranus in the Ascendant Fleet and Ascendant Legion. While not as luxurious as the personal residences granted to Tyrants, those who would sacrifice their lives for the Ascendant Clan willingly live comfortably. Unlike the Residential District, the Barracks District is very well looked after and much less heavily regulated.
Command District
The Command District is where many of the operational structures important to the function of House Tyranus and Fort Dooku reside. The most prominent of these is Tyranus Citadel, but there are also many communication and surveillance hubs, law enforcement headquarters, maintenance crews, and more that are housed here. The proverbial “head of the snake”, which also features the tightest security of the entire Fort. If you’ve got some business with Tyranus, it will probably be conducted here.
Tyranus Citadel
The Tyranus Citadel towers above the rest of the fort, projecting a sense of importance equal to its purpose as the summit of Tyranus’ headquarters. It is located towards the middle of Fort Dooku within the Command District. It’s large, pyramidal design is reminiscent of many other structures within the Fort, but the three massive spires built into it give it a more unique silhouette. These towers function have defensive emplacements within them but also feature the advanced communications and surveillance technology that allows it to act as a command center. The Citadel contains a war/conference room on the top floor, several meeting rooms throughout, as well as personal housing for the Tyranus summit. The facilities within Tyranus Citadel allow the summit and their support staff to command all of the House’s forces from within.
Staging District
The Staging District, unlike the other districts, contains very few buildings. Instead, it is mostly open air paved lots and dirt tracts. The purpose of the Staging District is varied based on whatever need Tyranus has for it. Within this District, large scale demonstrations, training exercises, assemblies, and similar events are held. Even the occasional fair or festival may be held here, as it is ideal for setting up temporary structures or buildings. It is often left empty and unused, but when Tyranus has need of it, the Staging District provides.
Military Storage District
Underground, beneath the Fortress, a garage and hangar have been dug to provide a safe location for the Ascendant Fleet and Ascendant Legion forces under the command of Tyranus to reside. Beside these vehicle storage areas is another large area for general storage of goods, both military and civilian. This underground structure is massive and slopes up into a point beneath the rest of the Fort. The Fort’s spires are also found here, but instead of acting as surveillance and defensive tools, they are mostly utilized as support structures.
The storage area is accessible via a vast series of tunnels where turbolifts ferry military personnel above and below ground. There is also a disguised door dug into the side of the mesa on which Fort Dooku resides that can open to allow ships and vehicles to depart and arrive. These entrances are guarded by separate shields and turrets. The House has a number of droid-operated shuttles that can quickly carry large amounts of Plagueians around the planet for quick deployment or trips to Aliso City.