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I see the contestants are making their way out onto the starting grid. This article was originally created as an entry for a Tenth Great Jedi War competition and is not official DJB canon content. It is preserved here for historical purposes only.
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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]
A Gatekeeper
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
Crona - Fourth Grand Master of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood studying the Holocron of Dark Ascension
- "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
Pre-Exodus History
In days of its founding (11 ABY), the tumultuous atmosphere of the Brotherhood and the ever-present threat of fragmentation served to inspire the creation of a safeguard. It was in this time that the Holocron of Dark Ascension became not only a loose myth, but a fact. Imagined by the first Grand Master, Kane Vader, as a tool for preservation, its creation was left to his successor Jedgar Paladin.
Though he was known to possess unparalleled knowledge of all aspects of the Dark Side, Kane Vader was also afflicted with a deep sense of paranoia, later developing into serious insanity. Not long after founding the Brotherhood, Kane Vader became increasingly reclusive, living out the rest of his years as a hermit, only the angry screams of his deranged mind to keep him company. Because of this, his original plans for the Holocron of Dark Ascension never came to fruition, and the burden was placed on his successor to actually create the artifact and commit to it his Dark Side teachings.
In Kane’s absence, Jedgar O. Paladin, his apprentice and the Deputy Grand Master, replaced him as leader of the Brotherhood. He took it upon himself to make the Holocron of Dark Ascension a reality, reasoning that the philosophies that founded the Brotherhood would be relevant to its propagation.
Paladin imbued the magical device with the demeanor, thoughts, feelings, beliefs and philosophies of Kane Vader. The Grand Master spent many months recording his master’s beliefs into the device before he considered it finished.
With his master’s legacy ensured, Paladin began looking to his own and to the future of the nascent Star Chamber. With this in mind, he had the Holocron restructured, expanding its memory capabilities exponentially, sectioning the memory into many separate storage units and creating a firewall that would protect the information contained with the Holocron. Rather than simply storing distinct recordings, it was intended to evaluate and integrate the thoughts, philosophies and personages of future Grand Masters.
Before his Deputy Grand Master succeeded him, Paladin created his own entry within the Holocron. His teachings locked into the hallowed device, ensuring his future and the future of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood, Paladin explained the device to his successor Kreeayt Havok. Havok followed Paladin’s steps and also imbued the device with his teachings.
Crona, the fourth Grand Master, also imbued the device with his essence. For Crona’s alleged treachery, Jac Cotelin attempted to remove the information and, much to his chagrin, found it impossible. The Sovereign Gatekeeper would not allow information to be deleted, as there were lessons to be learned from even the worst Grand Masters. Some would even argue that these lessons were the most important of all.
Because of the short pause between his two reigns, Khyron choose not to make a second entry when he resumed his reign as Grand Master. It was under Grand Master Thedek that the Dark Jedi Brotherhood became modernized in many ways, and he spent quite a bit of his time adding more generalized information to the Holocron.
Archibald Zoraan, formerly Consul of the Clan Tarentum, began his reign as a solid, though not innovative, Grand Master. As he accessed the secrets of the Holocron, he became obsessed with them. The first Grand Master to pass the tests of “the Other,” Zoraan in many ways became Crona’s student. His thoughts were twisted by his predecessor, leading him to an attempted secession from the Emperor’s Hammer.
Grand Master Faethor, later known as Chi-Long, was a strange and esoteric personality who, after assisting the Dark Jedi Brotherhood in severing its ties to Eos, would later leave the Brotherhood entirely. However, while serving as Grand Master of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood, he added his wisdom and a token of his power the Holocron.
The last Grand Master to hold the Holocron before the Exodus was Firefox. He studied its wisdom and added his musings to the archive. During the chaos of the withdraw, the Holocron of Dark Ascension was left behind on Eos. Whether this was by massive oversight or some sort of last ditch effort on the part of the Emperor’s Hammer Intelligence Division is a matter of debate. Regardless, the Holocron would not be held by a real Grand Master for many years.
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.
Holocron of Dark Ascension. Held by Jac Cotelin during his knowledge transfer.
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 were determined to prove themselves 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. Instead, Cotelin and his coterie used their combined might to compact space itself in the midst of their enemies. With the power of the Dark Side, they were able to compress the particles in the center of the fleet to such a degree that it formed a micro-singularlity, making quick work of the threat and securing the Dark Jedi Brotherhood’s hold over the Holocron.
The Gatekeepers
- "We are the guardians of knowledge, wisdom, and power. Every one of us holds a piece of the puzzle, yet only together can the full picture be revealed."
- ―Jedgar Paladin, Holocron Gatekeeper
- Sovereign Gatekeeper (Grand Master Kane Vader): Kane Vader appears as the first in the succession of Gatekeepers modeled after their respective Grand Masters. It is through him that all of those who wish to explore the secrets of the Holocron must first prove their worth. Kane does not easily divulge the Holocron’s secrets to anyone who activates it - those deemed unworthy will merely see the Grand Master in wrath, and will be rebuked.
- Kane Vader appears in a holo-projected form of his appearance in life. His towering figure is captured by Paladin clad in his usual high-collared and bejeweled robes, with a long and flowing cape streaming behind him. The Gatekeeper speaks with great definition, his tone precise and condescending, yet wise beyond measure. The majority of the information the Sovereign Gatekeeper relates, is Kane Vader’s political philosophies and what he views as the founding principles of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood.
- Grand Master Jedgar Paladin: Grand Master Paladin appears just after Kane Vader, and his appearance is in stark contrast to that of the previous Gatekeeper. Paladin is less imposing, his average stature and wizened features giving off an air of relative calm - though the though the intense, fiery expression in his eyes suggests otherwise. Just as during his tenure as Grand Master, his hair and beard are kept in regal style, his robes remaining elegantly simple. He also carries his ebony staff, the traditional symbol of the Grand Master position from his time. Paladin’s Gatekeeper speaks at length about the second Grand Master’s vision for the Dark Jedi Brotherhood’s future and the pitfalls it might encounter. This information was reportedly very useful to Grand Master Firefox during the lead-up to the exile.
- Grand Master Kreeayt Havok: Grand Master Havok emerges as the third Gatekeeper in succession. Unlike the first two, Havok is not a tall man, and his appearance is simple. What does attract attention is the impressive suit of armor covering his entire body. Users of the Holocron tends to find that speaking with Grand Master Havok is somewhat more intimidating than interacting with his predecessors - partly because of his stern demeanor, partly because the protective helmet of his armor prevents anyone else from determining his thoughts. Grand Master Havok is the first Grand Master’s whose teachings revolve around force techniques, rather than political philosophy. It was Havok’s Gatekeeper that began training Grand Master’s in techniques not accessible to other Elders.
- Grand Master Crona: Crona, known commonly as the ‘Other’, appears in an unconventional form. He appears as a dark shadow, with the appearance of a man cloaked and hooded. Kane Vader warns of this Gatekeeper from the beginning, and urges the user to caution themselves upon facing him. Crona instead of passing knowledge onto future Grand Master’s in an attempt to strengthen the Dark Jedi Brotherhood, will instead attempt to pervert them from Kane Vader’s teachings. It was in this matter that later Grand Master Zoraan was convinced to attempt secession. The bulk of “The Other’s” entry involves pretending to hold secrets of great powers that other Grand Masters have never had access to. Every lie he tells and that you believe, brings you deeper and deeper into Crona’s madness, every step toward this elusive source of power brings you farther away from the teachings of Kane Vader.
- Grand Master Jac Cotelin: Following the shadowy appearance of the ‘Other’ is the tall and extremely imposing figure of Grand Master Cotelin. Cotelin’s tall and well-muscled figure exudes confidence and seems to inspire the user. His voice also inspires confidence, being laced with wisdom and charisma. Cotelin’s Gatekeeper contrasts from all the others in that his face is almost permanently in a smile, unless he is riled. Cotelin expresses himself less in words, and more in facial expressions. He appears wearing his form-fitting suit with the vest lined in gold, befitting his Grand Master rank. Cotelin’s message varies in the middle, as his second reign took place after the Exodus, in a more modern era for the Brotherhood. Upon the Holocron’s retrieval, during his second reign as Grand Master, Cotelin chose to add an addendum to his first entry. Jac’s continues teaching Grand Master level force powers but also lectures on leadership technique's. One of the things Jac touches on quite a bit is managing subordinates and when they should and should’t be given further chances. Something he had quite a bit of trouble with, especially during his second tenure as Grand Master.
- Grand Master Justinian Khyron: The Sith King appears in a regal manner, clad in his flowing dark robes that contrast with his bright blond hair. Power seems to flow from his very being, as his piercing blue eyes stare upon the user. His voice is calm, yet filled with the power that he wields.
Khyron bears the longest appearance time of most of the Gatekeepers apart from Grand Master Cotelin. It is from both Cotelin and Khyron that the user gains the most knowledge on the Brotherhood, as both Grand Masters served two periods which saw extreme prosperity for the Brotherhood. For the most part Grand Master Khyron teaches martial arts, lightsaber and force techniques. Many which, such as force storms, are now a central reason behind the Grand Master’s mystique. He also lectures about leadership, and his hand in the failure of his Apprentice.
- Grand Master Justin Stryker: Grand Master Stryker’s Gatekeeper’s appearance is far weaker than those of his enigmatic predecessors. His height, while impressive in its own right, appears diminutive compared to the powerful presences of Cotelin and Khyron. He is clad in a simple black robe, and his hair is arranged in a common style, making it easy to mistake him for a regular Jedi. Stryker’s Gatekeeper has the shortest appearance of the Gatekeepers and passes on little relevant knowledge, as his reign showed no great triumphs or failures.
- Grand Master Thedek: Grand Master Thedek’s appearance represents the common Dark Jedi of the Brotherhood. He is clad in simple dark robes trimmed with the red of the Sith order. His voice, while not quite as domineering as Kane, Cotelin, or Khyron’s, commands respect and attention. The majority of Thedek’s appearance has to do with lectures on modernization and adopting new techniques and new media, which are the things his reign was best known for. Grand Master Muz Ashen consulted Thedek’s Gatekeeper in 27 ABY, before the Dark Jedi Brotherhood’s fleet modernization after being ravaged by the Yuuzhan Vong that same year.
- Grand Master Archibald Zoraan: Grand Master Zoraan’s gatekeeper largely reflects the Grand Master’s appearance towards the end of his reign. He is clad in Dark Armor, and his green eyes are filled with malice and foreboding. Though he appears tall and regal, if slightly hunched, his demeanor reveals his true character and the extent of the madness he went through at the close of his time as Grand Master. His voice, strong and clear, is filled with disdain and contempt for the organization he headed.
Much of Zoraan’s entry involves passing on Grand Master level techniques that are taught better in the entries of prior Grand Master’s, and droning on in esoteric languages. Like the man himself, Zoraan’s Gatekeeper is much better at looking like a great and powerful Grand Master, then actually being a great and powerful Grand Master. Interestingly enough, his Gatekeeper seems aware of the Exile and lauds the actions of the Seven, though he seems to think the Brotherhood has since become weak.
- Grand Master Chi Long: Grand Master Chi Long, also known as Faethor, appears after Zoraan. Immediately a contrast is shown between Long and Zoraan, as Long appears far more contained and stands straight, his head raised slightly. Dressed in his immaculate robes, Grand Master Long presents a majestic figure, and his voice matches with its carefully enunciated words and light tone. Though a member of the Seven and far less dangerous than the Gatekeepers of “the Other” and Zoraan, the Gatekeeper of Chi Long speaks at length of Trevarus Caerick’s heretical belief in the Wanderer. Many believe that through Chi Long’s lectures, later Grand Masters have become influenced by the sect to some degree.
- Grand Master Firefox: Firefox’s appearance is not one of note for the well-known Grand Master who led the Brotherhood during the Exodus. He appears simply, dressed in scarlet-trimmed robes. His eyes are calculating, as if he is probing the user for secrets himself, instead of the user attempting to collect information from him. He speaks softly, his voice barely carrying to the user’s ears, yet his words are laced with power. Grand Master Firefox adds Grand Master techniques and refines others, but spends the bulk of his entry relating the specific circumstances behind the Exile and warnings of possible recurrences in the future.
- Grand Master Sarin: The appearance of Darth Sarin is one that points to the modernization that the Brotherhood began to experience under his reign; instead of traditional robes or bulky suits of Dark Armor, Sarin’s projection is a mirror image of how he appears in life, standing tall and proud and clad in his iconic ’’beskar’’ breastplate and red cape. The Sith Lord’s voice and tone reveal his background as a high-ranking military officer, all of his words being spoken clearly with a clipped and professional accent. Grand Master Sarin’s entry teaches personal techniques and specific modification to existing techniques. He also speaks at length about military tactics, and logistics. Some of his comments about the unneeded mystique behind the force and even the dark side, reflect his hand in the founding of the Independent House Revan and his later joining the ranks of the Clan Arcona.