The Asylum of the Mystics of the Black Arts, most often referenced just as the Mystics Asylum, is the research and development center of Tarentum and Arcona. Formally an isolated institution for Dark Jedi who had been driven insane, the installation has since been wholly dedicated to experimentation in multiple fields, ranging from the traditional sciences to unorthodox fields of study.
Background
The Dark Side can be an arduous and unforgiving thing to master, and it is only natural that some aspirant acolytes lack the mental fortitude to cope with the challenges and obstacles all Dark Jedi must encounter and overcome. Those who were plunged into gibbering insanity had to be dealt with, so they were locked away in an abandoned starport in Yridia IX. Little information survives about the makeshift madhouse other than its fate. Having so much madness and power locked up in one place was doomed to failure, and in a brutal explosion of psychosis and destruction, the inmates staged a revolt. They killed the skeleton crew of guards and medical personnel that had been appointed to keep the installation functioning. What happened next is a matter of debate. Some say the insane Jedi were executed and their remains quietly disposed of. Others say the inmates escaped on shuttles and now roam the fringes of the Outer Rim, boarding and massacring any hapless vessel they encounter. Whatever the case, the “Asylum” as it was called became a place of dark mystery, a story told to new apprentices to produce a shiver down their backs.
Eventually the Asylum was converted into the headquarters for the now defunct battle team, the Mystics. When that specialized unit dissolved, Tarentum had to decide what to do with this facility, located in the middle of nowhere. It was subsequently proposed that it would be the ideal place to conduct research, far from public view. Tarentum was then known in the Brotherhood for the practice of necromancy, and the Asylum allowed necromantic practitioners to study their dark art in secrecy. There was no shortage of individuals or groups who desired to unlock the sinister lost magic for their own purposes.
When Tarentum later abandoned necromancy, the Asylum was once again refashioned, this time exclusively for more mundane scientific experiments. However, while these experiments are no longer magical in nature, they are still as controversial as they are dangerous. Departments range from unearthing ancient technologies of the past Sith empires to discovering breakthroughs in future warfare.
Staff
More than one Brotherhood member has observed that the most insane member of the Dark Brotherhood runs the “Asylum”. While it may seem strange to have an unstable eccentric with no background in medicine or science in charge of a research facility, those who know Sirrus realize it is not such an ill-fitting job for him. Many forget that he was an accomplished member of the Krath Order, which was dedicated to scholarly pursuits. Moreover, his many travels throughout the galaxy (and beyond) provide him with a great deal of knowledge that most professional scientists, stuck in their laboratories, lack. As for his well-known insanity, this is what allows to him to think unlike any other potential candidate, to try new and extraordinary things. Sirrus has personally overseen many projects himself, and while many have ended in spectacularly chaotic (and sometimes bloody) failures, some of the more notable discoveries that have taken place in the Asylum were due to Sirrus pushing staff members, instruments and test subjects beyond their limits.
- Chief of Medicine: Dr. Steiner
Possessing a thick accent of unknown origin, Dr. Steiner is the reclusive and enigmatic individual responsible for medical research at the Asylum. Cool, calculating and seemingly devoid of emotion, Steiner does not seem to much care whether he is dealing with living or deceased test subjects and uses a similar approach to both. Every day, samples of species from all over the galaxy arrive at his request, destined to be slowly and methodically analyzed, from amputations to study blood loss to observing the precise operation of their vital organs. Steiner does not interact with the other staff members if he can help it, preferring to spend as much time as possible on his projects.
- Chief of Archaeological Research: KPN Saitou
A student of the occult and Sith history, Saitou has served for some time as the Chief of Archaeological Research. He received the appointment after discovering two small ziggurats on Yridia II, which revived his clan’s interests in uncovering hidden lore and powerful artifacts leftover from when Dark Jedi once ruled large portions of the galaxy. A member of Tarentum’s Inner Order and an accomplished warrior, Saitou must divide his time between the facility and his other duties, but when he does involve himself in the projects oversees, he likes to get his hands dirty. More than once he has appeared at a dig site, boldly leading field teams into primeval tombs and decaying temples.
- Chief of Infectious Diseases: Hran Tzu
The Galactic Empire, seeing a valuable resource in the scientific geniuses that made up the Omwati species, abducted Omwati children at a young age and then put them through torturous mental testing. The Empire groomed them into brilliantly effective researchers for their war machine. Some became weapon designers, while others built military vehicles to be used in space and planetary combat. Hran Tzu was one of a handful trained in germ warfare. He manufactured deadly diseases, which the Empire would then release on planets it deemed “problematic”. Hran was indirectly responsible for the deaths of sixteen billion lifeforms before he reached his twentieth year.
Fearing reprisals from the New Republic, Hran disappeared in the Outer Rim… until one day he was recognized and recruited by the director of the Asylum, Sirrus. Offering Hran a chance to carry on his research undisturbed, Sirrus promised to provide Hran whatever equipment and materials he desired, as well as the protection of Tarentum. Having known no other life and unwilling to continue running for the rest of his life, Hran accepted.
Growing up in constant fear of failure made Hran shy and introverted, like Steiner, he prefers to work alone on his projects. Still, when necessary, he can be sociable and charming, deferring to his guests and always happy to explain in purely mechanical detail how the viruses he designs so cleanly and efficiently kill.
- Chief of Weapons Testing: Amoth Ghataru
The Duros are known for designing spaceships, but they also design and manufacture some of the best weapons in the galaxy. Amoth Ghataru was one such designer, working for one of the countless independent arms manufacturers operating during the Galactic Civil War. The war was very profitable, and when it ended, Amoth decided to see what he could do to make it start again. He ventured to the Outer Rim in search of the Imperial Remnant, eventually finding the Emperor’s Hammer. When the Exodus took place, however, he split with the Brotherhood, thinking he would have greater freedom with the Dark Jedi to pursue his projects than with the heavy-handed, autocratic Hammer. He eventually aligned himself with Tarentum, and has been a weapons designer and tester for them ever since.
A crude man of simple, base tastes, Amoth is thoroughly immoral. He knows that he deals in death-dealing and has no qualms about it. Most of his projects revolve around weapons that would wipe out entire cities, although he is presently working on some prototypes that would follow closely (in function, at least) the magnum opus of superweapons: the Death Star. Unfortunately for Amoth, the Brotherhood does not possess the resources or the manpower to build something on such a scale… which has prompted him to very privately consider selling those plans to the highest bidder.
- Chief of Oceanography: Ferral Finnsh
Born on Dac, the Quarren known as Ferral Finnsh began his life as a scientist, studying a great many fields as they applied to his largely ocean-covered planet. As such, in the rest of the galaxy he was considered an expert at oceanography. Science was not his only calling, however, and his entry into Dac's politics was only a matter of time. His family had a history of supporting conflict with the other race that inhabited Dac, the Mon Calamari. Nurturing much anger and resentment, Ferral saw it as the holy mission of his people to carve out a safe and secure world of their own. When he became more and more vocal in his denouncements of the Mon Calamari leadership, the New Republic attempted to prosecute him for trying to incite cross-special hatred and violence.
His story would have ended there, but Ferral later showed himself to be a Force Sensitive. Escaping from his prison, he ventured to the Outer Rim and was eventually recruited into the ranks of Arcona. Due to a mutual research clause in an alliance with Tarentum, Arcona sent Ferral to work at the Mystics Asylum. Showing great merit, he climbed his way up the ranks and now heads the Asylum's Oceanography department.
A devout follower of the Krath Arts, Raimi has served as the Director of the Tarentum Krath Laboratory since it's inception into the Mystics Asylum after the dissolution of House Reinthaler. A cunning yet intelligent individual, his history goes back a very long way; much more so than many know. Though some have come to question his intentions and motives, few openly speak against the Director due to past accomplishments and recent breakthroughs in both Medical and Scientific fields with the assistance of Dr. Steiner, Sith Bloodfyre; Raimi's Battle Team Leader, and Anshar Kahn Tarentae after his return to the Asylum.
Despite all of this however, rumors float around of a hidden section of the Laboratory where darker experiments are conducted; possibly even Necromancy, though nothing can be proven to this point.
Former Staff Members:
Departments
The Asylum comprises all research done throughout the system. Even if teams are not in residence, they still maintain an office on the Asylum for the purposes of centralizing all data and having the means to collaborate with other departments.
Department of Archaeological Research (ARD)
The Department of Archaeological Research devotes its time to investigating civilizations previously inhabiting Yridia II and III, as well as the history and lore of the ancient Sith lords. While the current state of the galaxy makes investigating planets beyond the Outer Rim difficult, covert missions are not impossible, and there is no shortage to the number of planets on the edges of the galaxy which were once owned and inhabited by Dark Jedi of the past.
Those assigned to this department spend most of their time in the field, working on sites throughout the Yridia system. More than a few spend their unraveling the secrets of the Keepers, the mysterious necromantic order that used to exist within Tarentum. Some speculate, however, that Sirrus and Steiner, who have links to the Keepers, are intentionally keeping certain secrets of the Keepers from being uncovered.
Departments of Infectious Diseases (ID)
The Department of Infectious Diseases involves itself in the study, treatment and possible weaponization of biological agents.
The department has 5 negative pressure laboratories installed throughout the system: two on the Asylum, one on Yridia IV, one on Yridia III and one located in the Sea of Darkness of Yridia II. The facilities on the Asylum are the only ones authorized to handle highly contagious, highly dangerous and weaponized pathogens. Any minor breach in the Asylum facilities results in a complete and immediate automated sterilization.
Hran Tzu spends almost all of his time at the Asylum laboratory, where he performs vivisections on test subjects after infecting them with various diseases he has created himself. Hran removes organs from subjects to study the specific effects of his diseases, doing so while the subjects are still alive. Hran insists upon this, stating that the decomposition process would affect the results.
Quantum & High Explosives Application Center (QHEC)
Also known as the "Superblock", QHEC is located two kilometers down from the planet's surface, and is only accessible by a series of high-speed elevators. Superblock works on further developing nuclear fusion, fission and conventional explosives. The Superblock's secondary purpose is to house highly unstable isotopes in a controlled environment.
Amoth Ghataru does his best to get hands on live test subjects to use in testing. A particularly popular test is to place conventional explosives at various distances and positions in relation to a target and then recording what damage is done when the explosive is detonated. Live test subjects have also been used to test germ-releasing bombs as well as chemical weapons.
In the event of an accident, the honeycomb nature of the Superblock allows a portion of the sub-facility to be completely sealed off before contamination can spread. Further protocol allows for the facility to be completely collapsed in the event that an outside breach is attempted.
Information Sciences (IS)
The backbone of all departments within the Asylum, IS is charged with not only cataloging and maintaining data, but also developing new techniques for the storage and retrieval of data. Most of the facility technicians, while assigned to other departments, work for IS.
Oceanography (OG)
The department of Oceanography is primarily involved in mapping and cataloging the biotic and abiotic strata of the oceans of the Yridia System. Their research is tied closely to other departments, especially Necrozoology, but remains a distinct department due to the depth and breadth of the field itself.
OG only maintains offices on the Asylum. Their laboratories and primary offices are located on Yridia II.
Microbiology (MB)
While some would argue that MB belongs as a part of ID, the facility directors and even the head of ID point out that MB encompasses much more than pathogenic research. Especially given the aquatic nature of Yridia II. MB and ID collaborate closely in identifying and cataloging pathogens, and MB is charged with tracking mutation patterns, as well as the genetic lineage of all native species present on each habitable planet within the Yridia System.
Synthetic Chemistry (SC)
SC provides detailed chemical research for both energy, medical, military and mundane use. Most chemistry researchers within Yridia receive a significant portion of their funding through SC.
Tarentum Krath Laboratory (TKL)
The Tarentum Krath Laboratory exists in the lower levels of the Asylum, and works hand in hand with several other departments to conduct experiments and testing. Much of the Laboratory exists to learn and develop further into the Krath Arts; particularly deep testing into mechanization of organisms and beings and augmenting them with Mechu-Deru, while other sections work directly with Medical Testing; ranging from vaccine effects and breakthroughs to new types of experimental virus' and diseases for use in the field. Deeper within the Laboratory lies the Grand Conservatory, where darker and more restricted types of experiments are conducted; though only the Chief Staff of the Krath Laboratory have access to this area.
Defunct Departments
Department of Necrozoology (NZD)
Headed by Warlord Welshman, the Department of Necrozoology focused on two fronts. The first was forensic, pathlogic and post mortem diagnosis of unusual causes of death. In addition, while the main focus of Tarentum's necromancy research was focused on human/humanoid re-animations, it had been noted that the other genera of life, as disparate as it was, might prove loyal and helpful warrior drones for Tarentum. As such, a department had been set up to instigate research and development into using the bodies of non-sentient animals as undead servants. Since the dissolution of the necromantic order within Tarentum, however, the department has been shut down.
The Sub-Basements
Within the Mystics Asylum, recent rumors have been circulating that the lowest levels of the Asylum, once locked away and entry denied to all personnel, have been re-opened. The rumors indicate that Sith Bloodfyre-Tarentae, once an inmate and member of the Mystics of the Black Arts, the very Krath Phyle the Asylum was named for, returned to claim the lower levels of the Asylum as his own abode. Once the sub-basements were opened, staff members noted the arrival of several other members of House Tarentum, who were afforded entry into the lowest levels, and have not been seen leaving since.
The fates of the individuals who entered, and the truth to the rumors of Bloodfyre laying claim to those levels, remain to be verified by either the House Summit, or the Asylum staff. Thus far, no one has come forward with additional information.