Tarthos, also known as Orian VII, was once part of the domain of the ancient Sith Lord Urias Orian. Remnants of Orian's rule cover the planet with ruined temples presenting the only noticable landmarks for miles to see in some regions. The planet is a large tundra with little in the way of flora or fauna. The species of plants and animals that inhabit Tarthos have been forced to specially evolve to survive the harsh climate.
The planet serves as the headquarters of the Dlarit Security Force who reside in the military town of Kar Alabrek. At the heart of Kar Alabrek is the ancient Alabrek Castle, fully restored and now utilised as the home of House Marka Ragnos.
Description
Tarthos is a harsh world, suffering from the harsh effects brought on by the relative proximity of Orian Minor. On one hand, Tarthos owes its existence to Orian Minor, being much too far out from Orian Major to survive otherwise. However, the nature of Tarthos's orbit means there are periods, albeit brief, when it nears Orian Minor and becomes unusually warm, and periods where it's orbit takes it away from both stars, leaving the landscape cold and unwelcoming. The planet is known for storms, with heavy rainfall being common, despite the lack of any thick plantlife, though there are a few small isolated forests across the world. The fauna on Tarthos is all rather unique. Though the species resemble many of the creatures found on Aeotheran and Sepros they have been forced to evolve into slightly different offshoots in order to survive the harsh temperatures.
History
Early history
Tarthos was discovered by the Sith Empire more than five thousand years ago. It became one of the worlds of Urias Orian's dominion, a Sith Lord during the reign of Marka Ragnos. Signs of the planet's history litter the landscape with several abandoned and ruined Sith temples across the surface, although not in the numbers found on Aeotheran or Sepros, presumably a sign of its lesser importance to the ancient Sith Lord. Most of the temples are now in ruin but remain the only noticable landmarks on Tarthos's many wide, open plains.
Recent history
Tarthos was rediscovered by Trevarus Caerick in 17 ABY while he was hunting down his former Master Kiln Tobasa. During the following two years as the clans prepared for the Exodus the Dlarit Corporation began diverting resources to the Orian system. The initial work took place on Aeotheran to construct the city of Seng Karash. After the Exodus in 19 ABY work began on Tarthos to construct a separate base to house the forces of the Dlarit Security Force away from the main population. The base was erected quickly and mostly prefabricated and named Kar Alabrek after the grand castle at its center. House Marka Ragnos were chosen as the custodians of the new military base, their quaestor becoming synyonmous with the planet's governor.
Kiln Tobasa returned in 22 ABY seeking revenge on his former student. The Dark Jedi Master manipulated the houses into conflict. House Ludo Kressh led an attack on Kar Alabrek, seriously damaging Alabrek Castle. Governor Muz Keibatsu spent a great deal of his personal fortune to upgrade and rebuild the ancient ruin, installing new shielding to protect Alabrek Castle from future attacks.
When the True Brotherhood invaded the Orian system in 27 ABY one of their main target was Alabrek Castle. Housing much of the Clan's great library, Severina hoped the castle would contain the secrets she needed to obtain a new body. The castle's doors held, no doubt thanks to the upgrades installed five years earlier, and remained safe until the True Brotherhood had been driven out of the system.