- "The Shadows of history haunt us"
- ―House motto
House Qel-Droma is the second of two multi-order Houses serving Arcona. The current leaders of House Qel-Droma are Socorra Erinos and Scelestus. There are currently two active Battleteams, Shadow Gate and Void Squadron, led by Nikola Valtiere and Cethgus Entar respectively.
History of Qel-Droma
Arcona's Ascension and Fall
During the reign of Grand Master Khyron, a Dark Jedi House was formed in the system where Ulic Qel-Droma had seen his last battle. The House was named Arcona and its first leader was Sith Warrior Donitz. Donitz however never made it to the day to see his House fully established as the day before the Grand Master was to give his official approval and blessing, he disappeared into the nothingness of Space, never to be seen again. Instead of him, Krath Pontifex Gilkane was instated into the position of Quaestor, aided by Obelisk Warrior Dreadnaught. Arcona was blessed with a large amount of talent and immediately seized Right of Supremacy among all Houses in the next vendetta. After the vendetta, Pontifex Gilkane resigned to go into the wilderness and work on his own Force understanding and Dreadnaught was called upon to establish a new House's presence elsewhere. So the leadership of Arcona fell to Krath Priestess Lioness. Lioness was eager and talented, but she had ideas not in accordance with what the Dark Council expected and was in the end forced to resign her leadership. No replacement was appointed and House Arcona began to crumble.
Nighthawk and the New Arcona
It was several months later that a young and loyel Jedi Hunter named Nighthawk approached the Dark Council with the request for permission to rebuild the presence that had once been House Arcona. He had the support of Lioness' former Aedile, Sith Warrior Shark, and together they began a steady process of growth. In less than a year, what had been a dead House was a flourishing assembly of 70 Dark Jedi of all ranks and so it was decided to expand Arcona into a Clan. Two new Houses were formed, House Galeres on Garrida and, on the other inhabitable world of the Coronoda system, Mar Sala, a House was established to bear his name. Sith Warrior Shark was the first Quaestor of House Qel-Droma while Nighthawk was now Consul of Arcona.
Oriens Obscurum and the Reordering
While Arcona was prospering, a neighboring Clan, Scholae Palatinae, was doing far less well. They had deteriorated to a point where barely more than a single House's worth of Jedi were left and thus it was decided to downgrade the Clan to a House. This House was then given to Clan Arcona. Many talented members, especially veteran Sith called this House their home and it became a great asset to the Clan. Then came the day when Grand Master Khyron ordered the most massive restructuring the Dark Brotherhood had ever seen. No longer were Houses to have members of all three Orders but they were to concentrate their powers on one Order and its abilities, with a Clan having one Krath House, one Sith House and one Obelisk House. House Galeres had traditionally been strong with Obelisk members and had DJM Blazer, a former CoG as their Quaestor, so it was natural for them to become the Obelisk House. Qel-Droma was as natural a choice for Krath given their namesake and location, so House Oriens Obscurum became Sith. Archpriest Gavron became the first Quaestor of the restructured House Qel-Droma.
Lord Thedek's Reign
These incidents fell just before Grand Master Khyron retired. In his place, Lord Thedek was appointed Grand Master. As a result of his ascension, Nighthawk was appointed Master at Arms and Gavron was chosen as the new Consul for Arcona. The new Quaestor of Qel-Droma was Joker, although he unfortunately had to relinquish the post shortly after appointment due to a ship collision that left him out of commission for several months, nearly killing him. Following in his footsteps were Frost (aided by AED Zander) and then Alex d'Tana (with KPN Voranyen as Aedile). In this time, House Qel-Droma had two Krath Phyles, the Dark Orb Phyle and the Loreseekers. Following a gradual decline in membership, the Loreseekers were closed, leaving Dark Orb as the only Phyle in House Qel-Droma.
The Rise of Mejas Doto
While the resignation of Lord Thedek and the ascension of Lord Zoraan to the Iron Throne had little effect on the House, it still marked the timeline. Some time after Zoraan had assumed rulership, House Qel-Droma had again regrown somewhat. A second Phyle was reinstated under the command of Jedi Hunter Cyrax Lionheart, but Cyrax never made it to any exploits as he was one day found dead in his chambers. Succeeding him was Acolyte Kaiann, a recent graduate of the Shadow Academy. At the same time, Alex also resigned and am ambitious young Archpriest, named Mejas Doto, was appointed the new Quaestor of Qel-Droma. Dark Orb Phyle remained in the capable hands of Krath Priest D'hak and Pontifex Voranyen continued on as Aedile.
Another Haunting Visit
Around these days, the Cathedral found itself in uproar again. Several younger Jedi had apparitions, especially of Ulic Qel-Droma and those who had been killed centuries ago. In a dreadful night, Qel- Droma came back to once again haunt the place he died, leaving two Acolytes dead before finally being dispatched by the joint efforts of the Quaestor and several of the younger Jedi. They recognized the meaning of Kasal Diglapari's prophecy and thus it was decided to name the second Phyle Hell's Gatekeepers.
The Krath Rite of Supremacy and the Exodus
Little of the history is known, lost in the times of war. The Exodus was particularly painful for the House as they fled their old home, carrying with them everything they could muster in that short time. Most of the old knowledge the House had was lost to the Emperor's Hammer, what they did save is stored, safely in the Qel-Droman archives within the Phantom Complex.
Phantom Complex
The rebuilt House Qel-Droma headquarters is located within a secret pocket within the massive asteroid known as Port Ol'Val. Having been discovered by the members of Qel-Droma during a routine mission, this small hold-out was expanded into a massive structure after the obliteration of the House Qel-Droma temple.
Complex Proper
The Phantom Complex, named such by the fact that while the house presence is rumored, it remains unconfirmed by the general populace, yet the entire asteroid is within the grasp of Qel-Droma, is split into 4 different levels concealed between the Jerem Plaza and the Minefield quadrants. Once a small holdout for a fledgling Black Sun lieutenant, the complex had been greatly expanded to house the Qel-Dromans after the destruction of their previous temple by the Yuuzhan Vong.
On the eastern facing ends of the complex, nearest the Minefield, any viable ores were removed and minerals that would be sought after were corrupted by the Sith Alchemists to render them unusable. Electro-Magnetic pods were also placed in concealed locations, to cause disruptions in the automatic mining droids, causing them to short-circuit or even in two separate instances, turn on their handlers. After a number of equipment malfunctions, failed geological survey tests and the loss of three groups of miners, the closest shafts near the complex were abandoned.
The northern face of the complex is near the southern-most face of the Jerem Plaza cavern. Most of the buildings along that rock wall are either owned or under the influence of the Arconans, which prevents any further expansion south by the Jerem Plaza enterprises.
The headquarters is unique among the structures of Ol’Val in many respects. First and foremost it is the only complex that is completely concealed from the general public. Well placed sources in the Ol’Val administration keep the complex completely off any charts or survey maps. Another unique trait is that it is the only structure that spans from near the topmost surface to the bottom of the asteroid. The final unique trait is the extensive rail system that connects to up to three separate exit points in various structures in every zone in Ol’Val, making the headquarters the secret center of the planetoid.
Level Alpha
This is the primary housing level of the Qel-Droman headquarters, which are sparse in room and comfort, but contains all the necessities to maintain the House and its members. This level consists of a common room, 28 standard rooms, 6 large suite-type quarters, 2 large guest suites and the personal quarters for the Aedile and Quaestor of the House. The primary turbolift shaft, which connects all four levels of the complex, is on the eastern wall of the common room.
==== Quaestor’ Suite ==== Contains a standard sleeping chamber, guest reception/living area, ‘fresher w/ tub and sonic shower and large walk in closet. Also contains a private turbolift in the north wall, which leads to the Quaestor’s office one level below. This turbolift is keyed to the Quaestor’s genetic signature and cannot be activated by any other being. This room differs from the Aedile suite with the addition of a private meditation chamber on the eastern side of the suite. In a place where space is a premium, this addition is a valuable commodity.
Aedile’s Suite
Contains a standard sleeping chamber, guest reception/living area, ‘fresher w/ tub and sonic shower and large walk in closet. Also contains a private turbolift in the south wall, which leads to the Aedile’s office one level below. This turbolift is keyed to the Aedile’s genetic signature and cannot be activated by any other being.
Guest’s Suite (2)
Sleeping chamber, small guest reception/living area, ‘fresher w/ sonic shower and small walk in closet. These suites are reserved for guests visiting the House, either Arcona Summit, Galeres Summit, or other varied important guests.
Large Quarters (6)
These rooms are roughly twice the square living footage as a regular living chamber and are reserved for some of the older and higher ranking members of the House. These chambers have been customized by their respective occupants but all share the same basics such as a standard sleeping chamber separated by a small partition from a small guest reception/living area, ‘fresher w/ tub (or sonic shower, but not both) and small walk in closet.
Standard Chamber (28)
Contains a small sleeping chamber and a ‘fresher station with standing sonic shower unit. While the barest of essentials, these chambers are standard for all, and with most House members off-planetoid on missions, the decision to waste precious living space on non-essential comfort was an easy one to make.
Level Beta
This level, separated from Alpha by thirty meters of Ol’Val rock, is the primary administration level of the Phantom Complex. It was the primary level that housed the Black Sun presence on Ol’Val before they were removed by the Arconans. On the westernmost end is the main operations center, the single entryway nestled in-between the offices of the house summit. Also on this level are three smaller briefing rooms and a large briefing amphitheater separated by a wide gathering hall ending with the primary turbolift shaft on the eastern wall.
Operations Center
This secured area contains the observation and communications apparatus for the entire complex. This room has changed very little from when it served as the operations center for Black Sun, except that the hardware has been upgraded significantly. There are six status and control consoles lining the sides of the circular room. These six terminals control external functions such as surveillance and sensors of the different zones within Ol’Val. On a one step raised tier in a small semi-circle are three computer terminals which regulate the primary functions of the base, such as internal security and sensors, environmental controls and power regulation. In the center of the room, on a three step raised dias is the master control terminal. This coded and biometrically locked terminal is connected directly to the three story tall main computer core located in a secure silo beneath the operations center. If any information is to be added to the primary computer core, it is stored in this terminal until the Quaestor authorizes the download.
The main computer core beneath the operations center is one of the most protected structures in the entire complex. The computer shielding is a heat-reactive substance that through science and sith sorcery, is able to absorb the immense heat created by the computer core and transfer it through processing generators into the central power generator, which provides power for the entire complex without tapping into any of the standard Ol’Val power lines. This system makes the entire complex self-sufficient and also masks the heat from being detected by external Ol’Val sensors.
Quaestor’s Office
This office is a standard administrative office capable of seating fifteen at max capacity. Two large banks of computers are located behind the main desk, which has nearly un-restricted access to the main computer. Due to security concerns, only the main computer in the Ops center has total access to the core, but the Quaestor’s terminal has greater access than a standard terminal, but like all other terminals, has read-only access to the core itself to prevent software or data sabotage. On the northern edge of the office is a small private turbolift that leads to the Quaestor’s personal quarters. The only difference between the Quaestor’s office and the Aedile’s is a small rail car terminus located on the eastern wall. This maglev railcar leads to a small hub with a three-seater escape pod in case of a catastrophic event in which the QUA would need to evacuate the complex.
Aedile’s Office
This office is a standard administrative office capable of seating fifteen at max capacity. Two large banks of computers are located behind the main desk, which has nearly un-restricted access to the main computer. Due to security concerns, only the main computer in the Ops center has total access to the core, but the Aedile’s terminal has greater access than a standard terminal, but like all other terminals, has read-only access to the core itself to prevent software or data sabotage. On the southern edge of the office is a small private turbolift that leads to the Aedile’s personal quarters.
Main Auditorium
This room, the largest on this level, is shaped in a cone downward towards a center stage, the design maximizing acoustics in the chamber. This chamber seats 76 comfortably in coliseum-style seating.
Briefing Room (3)
Small square rooms containing three split rows of six seats for a max capacity of 18 guests and a small center podium facing the crowd. These rooms are ideal for small group meetings or battleteam briefings.
Level Ceti
This is the main transportation hub of the Phantom Complex. Over the course of construction, small natural tunnels threaded in the bedrock gave designers the idea of creating a network of transport tubes to give access to the entirety of Ol’Val to the house. At great expense, and with a large degree of stealth, small rail tubes were dug under the various caverns housing all the major districts within the asteroid. By purchasing or controlling various locations within these zones, small lift tubes were crafted in abandoned or little used structures allowing members of Qel-Droma access to any zone in minutes. The main turbolift system is in the center of this level, with small tubes branching out in all directions. The entrance to the Phantom Complex from the tube leading from the Docks is on the western face of this hub and is the primary entrance point to the headquarters. There are 25 entry/exit portals threaded throughout Port Ol’Val, and each district has more than one. A few of the more notable ones are listed below.
Portals of Note
• The Albatross: This star-hopper class shuttle was a wreck recovered from the walls of the Kas Tunnel after a disasterous failed entry in which the crew and passengers were killed. Once the vessel was removed and placed in the Docks repair area, it was quickly purchased by shadow agents of Arcona and placed in the farthest repair bay to await repairs. Inside this shattered wreck’s cargo compartment is a biometric key pad which opens to a turbolift car. This lift car descends six meters beneath the floor of the bay into a small cubby which holds three rail cars at any one time. These cars then transport visitors to Phantom Complex to the central hub.
• Wing Kong Exchange Trading Company: This business, which deals in rare and exotic items is run by Dav’Lo’Pan, a withered human and shadow agent of House Qel-Droma. In the back stockroom conceals the lift tube which is the most used of the three exits into the Besadii Entertainment District.
• The Shack: This small, four room shack is considered ‘haunted’ by the locals that dwell in the Pride of Corellia district. After a bizarre massacre in which an unidentified male killed 6 people, cut off his own hand and replaced it with an automatic cutting implement and then jumped into a dark hole presumably to his death, the locals shun this small structure located in the northern end of the Pride. Since the ownership of the dwelling is unknown, Qel-Droma constructed an exit aperture in one of the smaller rooms and concealed the room from curious onlookers. Occasionally some thrill seekers come to investigate, at which time some Arconans have perpetuated the haunting myth with mean spirited use of Force Suggestion. This is the least popular exit in all of Or’Val and one of four in the Pride of Corellia district.
• The Vannacutt: This dark stone building looks as if it was carved right from the cavern wall, and indeed it was. This six-story structure is one of the more popular hotels in Jerem Plaza. It was its particular construction that drew the attention to the Arconan engineers. Deep in the power core of the hotel, a small auxiliary power capacitor sits off to the side, looking like it’s connected to the primary power core. In reality, the capacitor is hollow and houses a small entrance turbolift. This is one of five portals within Jerem Plaza but it is seldom used due to the difficulty of a stealthy entry/exit within the busy, popular establishment.
Level Delta
This is the deepest level of the Phantom Complex, and also has the greatest amount of square footage, totaling well over double that of the entire complex combined. Carved in the semblance of the Massassi Temples, the pyramid shaped cavern was shaped by master masons to give the natural cavern the inner appearance of the ancient Sith ruins. With smaller chambers leading off from the center for private training or meditation, Delta runs from near the center of the asteroid to within 40 meters of the ventral surface, causing a slight distortion effect due to the natural gravity of the asteroid in comparison with the gravity within the system. Different floors have greater gravimetric disturbance, with the topmost floors being relatively stable and the outer levels with near reversed gravity. Various students of the more advanced forms of fighting tend to favor the middle floors, adding that bit of gravity flux to enhance their own personal sense of balance and environmental awareness. Varied training equipment and droids inhabit the multiple levels, each catering to specific situations and scenarios.
Center Pyramid
With a small level at the top, this area contains sixteen different levels, with standard gravity only at the top. On the lowest level, the standard gravity is reversed, causing the students to actually stand on the ‘ceiling’. As the levels meet in the center, the gravity shifts, causing a natural imbalance in most beings.
North
The northern pylon is a four sided chamber closest to the bottom of the central computer core. Specialized heating ducts channel excess thermal output from the core into this room, causing the standard temperature to be close to 38 degrees Celsius. This temperature can be increased to as high as 45 degrees Celsius, but cannot go any cooler than the standard 38. There are 3 floors, each with varied degrees of gravimetric distortion. This pylon is used for meditation and high heat environmental training mainly.
East
The eastern pylon, which is even with the top level, contains the House library and archive. Six separate meditation/study chambers radiate outwards in a semi-circle form the circular room. The primary turbolift is in the center of this structure, with circular bookshelves radiating outwards. This is the primary entrance point for Delta. Gravity is standard on this level.
South
The southern pylon is located off of the center levels, where gravity is at its worst. To add to the hazards of this area, this cavern, the result of a natural gas pocket during the formation of Ol’Val, was untouched by the masons and there are no lights or power sources anywhere within. Stalactite and stalagmites grow at odd angles, with natural crystal formations sprouting from various areas. Of all the training levels, this is the most dangerous. With gravity in chaos, no lights, no sounds and sharp points and obstructions, only the most confident Dark Jedi choose to train here.
West
The western pylon is similar to the north, being an environmental challenge level; only this level is near the surface and has no temperature controls. Life support consists of breathable atmosphere and that’s all. The temperature averages between -3 to -27 Celsius depending on the location of Ol’Val’s position in relation to Dajorra. All three floors are closer to the ventral surface, which makes the gravity almost opposite to normal orientation.
Notable Qel-Droma Members
- Mejas Doto
- Vassan Rokir
- Khobai Wrathraven
- JaM3z Lucius Entar
- Cyris Oscura
- Strategos Thanatos Entar
- Timeros Caesus Entar
- Sashar Erinos Arconae
- Orv Desserx
- Marick Arconae
House Summit Chronology
Trivia
- Has been closed several times before, but always rises from the shadows to become a strong presence in the Clan once more.
- Previously led by several Consuls of the Clan
- Has a long history of association with the ACC, with Combat Masters Xizor, Cyris and Timeros all having been HQD members prior to their appointment along with former Quaestor Invictus having been a Combat Master prior to joining HQD. Furthermore, the current Quaestor Socorra Erinos is a Judge in the ACC.