Serpent's Vanguard

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Serpent’s Vanguard

The Serpent’s Vanguard is located on the northern continent of Gaias on Ptolomea. Nestled deep in the forested foothills just south of the formidable Daggerspine Mountain range, the Vanguard covers the tops of two closely adjoined hills.

The heart of House Caliburnus, the Serpent’s Vanguard is comprised of the Obsidian Palace, and the various support buildings needed by the House and her members for daily operations. It is far enough from any cities or settlements to provide a measure of seclusion for the Dark Jedi that make this place their home. However, it is not truly isolated as the Vanguard possesses a major communication network that keeps the House and specifically the Quaestor in touch with their planet, as well as the rest of the Clan.

The Obsidian Palace

Main Article: Obsidian Palace

This awe inspiring structure contains the administrative offices for House Caliburnus’ daily operations, as well as housing the Dark Jedi of the House. Dominating the central point of the Serpent’s Vanguard, the Palace stands six stories tall. The exterior walls are covered in black, obsidian like stone which has been polished to a near mirror like finish. The stone was cut from the Jormungand Quarry on Gaias, the northern continent. The walls are heavily reinforced by a durasteel framework.

Qawerada Caves

Main Article: Qawerada Caves

Over hundreds of thousands of years, gargantuan quantities of water have snaked through Ptolomea's surface, leaving a lattice of extensive cave systems behind. Carved out of the limestone bed-rock, cave systems can spread for miles under the dense jungle with little or no tells that they exist. Through extensive geological survey, these cave networks tend to spread outwards from large extinct magma columns, undoubtedly a legacy of the planet's early life. Upon arrival to Ptolomea, the forces of House Caliburnus sought to exploit these natural wonders. Deep, dark, splendid caves seemed like a wonderful place for Dark Jedi. During the primary construction of the House's main campus, a cavern was discovered in the ground directly under where the House's new facilities were scheduled for construction. After evaluating the integrity of the ground and exploring the depths of the cavern, they became the secret vaults of the House of the Sword. Hidden deep under the building, it remains secret to all outsiders.

The Primary Cave system is relatively small compared to other systems on the Planet. Completely shut off from other nearby cave systems, there are only two entrances to the tunnels. Dark, the cave hides several marvelous features. Each feature will be showcased, and a brief explanation of its formation will be included.

The Sunset Cantina (also known as Thran’s Place)

Main Article: Sunset Cantina

The Cantina is an 'L' shaped building located near to the main building of the Caliburnus compound, the Obsidian Palace. The dull grey stone building holds the main alcohol and food storage for the house, as well as being the entertainment place for all members and is split into three floors. It is the frequent focal point for the relaxation and enjoyment of the members of the House. The Cantina serves light meals but is best known for its wide assortment of beverages. Friendly gaming is also provided at tables on the second floor.

Basilisk Medical and Research Facility

Main Article: Basilisk Medical and Research Center

Located in the South quarter of the Serpent’s Vanguard, we find an L shaped building, consisting of five floors above ground, and two below the rocky soil of Ptolomea. The Lower tip of the L facing northward, it has the appearance of the L having been pushed over, Built with blackened concrete pre-fabricated, the building’s appearance is threatening, almost gloomy. The transparisteel window-plates were blackened on purpose, they allow a view to the outside, but when one tries to view inside, one is faced with an obsidian black mirror, this to assure nothing but privacy for both patients and resident staff. All the interior hallways are made from polished durasteel, hexagonal in shape. The doors on the upper floors are sliding doors, standard, except for the labs, which use the heavier blast door variety.

Bastion Regimental Facilities

Main Article: Bastion Regimental Headquarters

The core of the Bastion Regiment is stationed within the borders of the Serpent’s Vanguard. While portions of the Regimental forces are also scattered across Ptolomea at various strategic points, the command center and heart of Bastion resides here. Placed well in a position to defend the majority of the Vanguard, the Bastion Headquarters are divided between two buildings, the Command Center along with the Barracks, and the Armory which also serves as a vehicle depot.

Barracks and Command Center

With three floors below ground level, The Catacombs, and three floors above it, the Barracks of the Bastion Regiment are easily some of the largest and most fortified military buildings on the surface of the planet of Ptolomea. Built with turbolaser resistant natural stone, its armored skin in more than two meters thick on all sides but with three meters at the top. The roof of the Barracks is littered with light turbolaser emplacements and anti-aircraft weaponry, as well as a strong defensive shield. It can withstand an orbital bombardment, and some of its occupants have claimed that if the planet were destroyed, the only sizeable piece left would be the Barracks.

Regimental Armory

The Vehicle Depot is located a few hundred meters from the main Barracks and it serves as the main storage for the weapons and vehicles of the Bastion Regiment. This vast supply of material for protecting House Caliburnus and Ptolomea, resides here. Built from a similar material as the Barracks, it is far less imposing due to the fact that its main bulk is underground.

Above ground, the structure is short, and has several of anti-air emplacements gracing its roof. However, underground is a massive cavern known as the Hole.

StarBlade Hangar Facility

Main Article: Starblade Hangar

Introduction:

In 2 ABY, on a routine exploration of Imperial Sectors, the Imperial Class Star Destroyer Aggressive lost contact with Imperial Central Command. Although the vessel was not known for any great feats in battle, its loss was still unwonted. Known for a record of mediocrity, the Aggressive vanished into the troves of history. For various reasons, most of which remain unknown, the Aggressive ran off course to investigate a mysterious signal coming from a remote and unoccupied system. During this investigation, The Aggressive somehow lost power and fell to the planet below. The veteran crew did their best to keep the ship from being terribly damaged on impact, but most perished in the crash.

The Aggressive, still in power loss, crash landed on the jungle world of Ptolomea. Though the hull maintained its iconic shape, the interior was damaged beyond recognition. The gigantic engine rigging for the vessel among many other parts seemingly vanished when the vessel crashed. Interior corridors and almost every inner room were reduced to rubble. Surprisingly, the ship's gigantic reactor was relatively well persevered, enough so that with a little work it remained operational. As the years passed and the Aggressive remained untouched, the jungle began to reclaim the surface of the ship. Nearly twenty years later, the vessel was narrowly distinguishable from the rest of the wild world.

Upon finding the planet, Scholae Palatinae's forces quickly discovered the remains of the vessel. Excited by the prospect of the finding a salvageable Star Destroyer, the Clan began to work on the vessel. Shortly after the work began and much to their dismay, Naval experts deemed the vessel unworthy of salvage and recommended it for destruction. Saved only by its sheer size and wealth of raw materials, the Aggressive remained near the base camp of the expeditionary forces. Over the years, the Aggressive was substantially stripped to a shell of the vessel. After exploring the cavernous Aft end of the vessel, the Scholae Palatinae Engineering Corp began work on developing a valuable piece of architecture from the rubble. The various engineers involved arose at the conclusion that the large empty interior of the vessel would be perfect for creating a hangar facility, size being a major factor.

At the time, the small outpost home of House Caliburnus was the only settlement on the planet, so the large complex could work as a spaceport. With vast storage areas and tons of room for expansion, the Aggressive became a vital part of the growth of House Caliburnus. With a reactor that remained largely unscathed, the House had little trouble with power management. Amazing to see, the vessel towers over the complex in spite of being significantly embedded in the ground. At roughly 400 meter, this relic of past times remains as impressive as ever.

Gardens

Vreedsaam Meditation Garden

Main Article: Vreedsaam Meditation Garden

The meditation garden is a dome that is separated from the rest of the facility by a glass ceiling, and stone walls. The temperature inside is controlled, thus allowing for complete concentration on meditation, and the stone walls have hedges in front of them to add to the natural feel and tranquil setting. There is only one entrance to the garden, and a path that leads towards a fountain, though the majority of this straight path is separate from the garden via a door and has shoe racks on either side. Once just through the doors, there are two cases of crystals and incense to aid meditation, before the tiled path circles the fountain. Hedges separate the sections into eight smaller sections, with three larger ones, all with cushions for comfort. The smaller sections are designed for individuals and pairs, which are popular with master and student pairings, whereas the larger sections are designed for training or group meditations.

Kalmeer Botanical Garden

Main Article: Kalmeer Botanical Garden

As well as a Meditation Garden the House of Caliburnus has a Botanical Garden which is a place for members to relax. The path of stones that lead up to fountain and curve near the entrance represent the skeleton of a snake, a symbol prominent in the House of Caliburnus. In the middle of the garden is fine sand. The sand allows members to create patterns that may express their creativity. The light green areas represent a higher part of the garden where one can overlook the rest of the garden. The high area at the North East corner gives a place for members to have a picnic or play a game of pazaak. Both areas are attached by a swing-bridge. Even though there are stairs most members don't need to use them. When the fountain is off members can see the outline of House of Caliburnus logo.

The Garden was commissioned from Rasilvenaira Kaeth StormRaven to be done by botanist and her very own apprentice Robin Hawk from Dorimad Sol, who designed and planted the garden. As an added and personal touch one of Robin’s favorite Vurigehart vines was planted and has a stunning red flower that is always in bloom. A plaque that reads "Perturbatio, Potentia, Scientia – Passion, Power, Knowledge", the house’s motto, is in the center of the curved end of the snake’s tail.

Auxiliary Power Generator Facility

Main Article: Caliburnus Auxiliary Power Generator

Built to function as the auxiliary power source for the Serpent’s Vanguard, it serves in the event that the main power generator within the Starblade Hangar ever fails or requires downtime for routine maintenance.

Kumori Training Center

Main Article: Kumori Training Center

Primary Facility

The Primary Training Facility is a short, two-level building in which members of the House can visit to work out in. Located on the outskirts of the Serpent’s Vanguard, it is not incredibly convenient for members, so the designers of the Vanguard decided to build another training facility closer to the other buildings of the facility. Although the Bastion Regiment also has access to the Primary Training Facility, members rarely visit it because of the gyms that were built into the Regiment’s barracks.

Secondary Facility

Very similar to the Primary Training Facility, the Secondary Training Facility is located closer to the rest of the facilities of the Serpent’s Vanguard. Because of this, the designers were limited more in the size of the building they were allowed to erect. Built in a “T” shape, like the Second Level of the Primary Training Facility, the Secondary Training Facility has a reception desk instead of the elevators. Between the doors on the hallway, there are various weapons that can be used in the training rooms that are located in the facility.