Xabiar's Note: A lot of this is taking what SLotH4 already had and expanding on it a bit, so he gets most of the credit for specific things in here, including an unimaginative word here and there. You'll know it when you see it, suffice to say it's not the most subtle of symbolic names :)
SLotH4's Note: Why are you such a bully, Xabiar-chan? :'(
The 'g' is clearly silent.
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SotP Addenda - Sith Collective, of Shadow and Darkness
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THE ORDER OF LADY VATHILA
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ON ORIGINS AND QUESTIONS
It is fitting that we start here.
Each Order within this Collective is a piece of the mosaic that makes up the Sith; each has a role and part to play in the plan and the conflict to come. Yet no matter the size, the resources, or indeed the power each Order possesses, they are directionless and ultimately pointless without the guidance, the ambition, or the raw strength of our Lady.
It is the Order of Lady Vathila which binds our Collective together.
It is by her hand that we have reached the heights we stand today.
It is through her wisdom that we have curated and elevated the best our people have to offer; through her iron will to achieve a plan which has for so long been elusive in its success.
Without Lady Vathila, without her Order, none of this would exist.
But, reader, questions have no doubt arisen in your mind.
It is understandable and expected.
You no doubt read the names of the Orders, perhaps even looked ahead to see what awaits in future chapters. You saw the names of Sith, some more familiar than others. You saw the greatest of us represented. Palpatine, Vitiate, Jadus, along with Sith of old like Marka Ragnos, to the more recent breed of Krayt and Snoke.
Names you recognize, even if you know few details on some of them. But what is important is that you recognize them. You were likely not raised in the Sith. Few are. Perhaps you sought out this knowledge, persisting in your search for the forbidden or tainted, as the Jedi would say. Many initiates come with a working knowledge of Sith lore and history, as this hunger will not be satisfied with the paltry offerings this galaxy has on display.
Yet there was one name I suspect you did not recognize.
There is no need to be embarrassed or ashamed by it. I assure you that there was no great Sith of history that you happened to never stumble upon. Lady Vathila is beyond worthy of her place among these Sith of legend, yet she has not risen to prominence like her peers. Indeed, if you somehow possessed knowledge of her prior to arriving to our Collective, it would be an impressive feat.
Nonetheless, the question remains.
Where did our Lady come from? Where has she been? What has she done?
Who is she?
Our esteemed Mistress did not reach the position she is today without careful consideration, planning, and knowledge. You will notice I did not specify power. Power on its own is useless. It does not and has never guaranteed victory; else we would have ruled the galaxy long ago. While Lady Vathila possesses power beyond the likes you and I can comprehend, that is not what entitles her to lead our Collective. It is not what will lead us to victory.
No reader, it is her vision which is what has led her to where she is today. Her mind is beyond mortals such as us. I shall endeavor to explain as clearly as I can, but you must understand, reader, attempting to explain one who even I cannot fully comprehend is no simple task. It is describing the mind of a god to a lesser being.
I do not say this to insult you, reader, we are all lesser compared to her.
Let us begin.
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ON LADY VATHILA, DARK MISTRESS OF THE SITH
Unlike many of the Sith who followed, our Lady was born into the Sith during the era of the Brotherhood of Darkness under Lord Kaan. Born to one of the few – perhaps the only – massassi enclaves left, which had grown from a single Sith family, they were naturally wary and suspicious of outsiders, and had cut themselves off from the galaxy at large.
Fear drove this enclave; they who still considered themselves Sith, but who were afraid of being exposed to the galaxy and being hunted to extinction.
One wonders why they persisted, as such isolation, such impotence was, in essence, another death. A Sith who makes no impact, a Sith who cowers in fear, is no Sith at all, just an empty shell that merely exists.
Mere existence is not the life any self-respecting Sith would lead.
One can live in the shadows and change the galaxy. This was proved by the followers of the 'Rule of Two.'
Our Lady was raised in this constraining and degrading lifestyle, taught that this was all her life would amount to. Merely preserving old traditions of long-dead massassi Sith and continuing an incestuous legacy that accomplished little but keeping the bloodlines alive.
For what purpose?
Such has never been shared with me. I cannot imagine any answer would be satisfactory.
Lady Vathila was an anomaly even within her family, a being of power that dwarfed all around her, and even as a young child, she possessed more power than the eldest so-called Sith relative. This initial power was what ultimately granted her freedom from the oppression she lived in. For she was already a scholar in her early years, eager and willing to learn, and fascinated by the rich history of the Sith, a legacy she thought she would continue proudly.
Learning that she was destined to merely remain hidden, a concubine to continue this bloodline?
There is little I can do to convey the disgust and insult such revelations had on her.
Yet unlike her brothers and sisters, and indeed her parents and extended family, Lady Vathila would not bow to such archaic and cowardly commands. She was warned and threatened, and in response she splattered the eldest and most powerful Sith into pieces, staining the old massassi temple with blood for the first time in centuries, before breaking the minds of the remaining elders for condemning their legacy for so long.
None stopped her as she abandoned them on the planet, taking the only working starship and setting off into the galaxy, determined to seek out knowledge of the ancient Sith, as well as those who still persisted.
The Sith during this time were in disarray, scattered across the galaxy. Singular, isolated, weak. Our Lady encountered more challenges in this new galaxy, being forced to learn to read and speak foreign tongues, as well as maintain her anonymity. She knew that her species was supposed to be extinct, and knew better than to draw attention to herself.
Covered by dark cloaks, hoods, and gloves, and with no Sith Order standing, our Lady instead decided to learn all she could about those who had come before. She knew some of the oldest Sith, those who had existed when the massassi lived, those under Naga Sadow and Marka Ragnos, but the later Sith she was ignorant of.
She traveled to the great libraries of Coruscant, the lawless lands of the Outer Rim, the old homeworlds of the Sith, and with each visit, her knowledge grew, her skills became refined, and her vision became clearer.
What vision, you may ask?
We shall get to this in good time.
She was especially intrigued by the legends of Emperor Vitiate; a Sith whose power has never been matched, except now, of course, by our Mistress; the Emperor who possessed such power over life and death, an immortal over an Empire that lasted a thousand years. A goal was formed before her, for she did not intend to act within the timeframe of a mortal.
No, her ambitions are far greater than rule for mere decades.
Vitiate's own legacy is debated among our kind, but one thing none can say about him is that he lacked a vision – and more importantly – the will to carry it out. Name another Sith who successfully ruled an Empire for even a fraction of that time? The stable rule by Vitiate is the exception among our kind, not the rule.
Sith do not produce rules that are stable.
An uncomfortable fact for certain, but our nature for so long has been detrimental. The more our Lady learned, the more she realized this underlying truth. Indeed, Emperor Palpatine achieved the power we have sought. He won. He should have been the end. Yet mere decades later he was cast down, betrayed by his own Apprentice.
As was tradition.
This was not ideal for our Lady. What use is power and authority when one seems almost destined to lose it so soon after? But she was determined that destiny or fate would have no hold over her, and so she focused her efforts on learning the secrets of Vitiate; many of which were uncovered and learned.
By this time, the Brotherhood of Darkness had been formed and the war against the Galactic Republic was being waged. Both Jedi and Sith were at war once again. Lady Vathila knew this, of course, and you would be forgiven for wondering why she did not rush and rejoin her brethren to destroy the Jedi and the Republic.
With her power, she could have ultimately ushered in a new era of Sith rule, yes?
Perhaps.
If so, it is unlikely it would have lasted long.
Our Mistress is more than powerful enough, though she is also wary and cognizant of potential shortcomings. Her knowledge at this time was incomplete, and she knew this – and also knew that the Sith under Lord Kaan were based on philosophies of Sith whom she had already noted critical weaknesses in.
She would be an outlier; a pariah even among her own kind had she joined. There would have been attempts at betrayal. Would they have succeeded?
Perhaps. Perhaps not.
Would she have perished when Darth Bane tricked Lord Kaan into using the Thought Bomb? Or would she have listened to his words? Could she have altered the path of our kind had she made a singular different decision?
We will never know.
Yet history has proven the wisdom of our Mistress over and over again. It is not proper to question what she should have done when all has happened as is necessary, for if she had done any such things, if she had joined Bane, Palpatine, Lumiya, Krayt, and others, she would not be poised to achieve lasting victory.
She possesses a patience, a foresight that you or I cannot understand.
Let us return to the subject at hand.
Instead, she followed the path of Vitiate and landed upon the forgotten planet of Krayiss Two, one of the oldest Sith worlds in the galaxy. Spirits of the old Sith, the pureblooded, lingered. Names the galaxy had long forgotten, but whom were the pioneers of abilities and rituals long forgotten by the galaxy.
This collection of spirits guarded their knowledge jealously, and never shared it with those who were not similarly pureblooded and powerful. To see Lady Vathila before them was no doubt a surprise, and under their tutelage she learned many secrets of the Force, and that which she had been seeking for so long – the secret to immortality.
The Sith spirits of Krayiss Two taught her a ritual, one which would not only extend her life, but amplify her power beyond what she could imagine. Scholars will immediately tie this to the Ritual of Nathema that Vitiate performed, and they would be correct that it is, if not the same one, very close.
Yet there are several things about the ritual that the Sith failed to explain. First, that such a ritual was only intended to be performed by a group of Sith, for no singular vessel could contain the power it would grant, and those who had tried previously had their bodies turn to ash as the power of the ritual overwhelmed them.
Second, that the ritual would cause a disturbance in the Force that would attract attention. Such rituals are an aberration in the Force, and when Vitiate performed his, there are many accounts of Jedi and Sith who sensed something had happened, though what they did not know. I do not know if the spirits even knew of this detail, as it was something Lady Vathila determined herself.
Did the spirits intend for her to fail? To kill herself in this manner? A test of sorts?
It ultimately does not matter, for our Mistress avoided the traps by simply employing one of her most useful of virtues.
Patience.
She was no doubt tempted to perform this ritual herself, but she wisely did not trust the spirits blindly, and spent more years researching Sith rituals on this scale, collecting many ancient holocrons, some were masters in the art of sorcery, and over the span of decades, she modified the ritual to be used by one person and in a way that would not tear the fabric of the Force large enough to be noticeable.
It would not be as powerful, but it was a first step.
Unlimited power would come, but such would be gradual.
With the ritual prepared, she sought out a place to perform it on. Eventually she found a remote colony world of only a few thousand occupants of mixed species, far into the Outer Rim. The crystal world of Gnesis was likely intended to be a mining world of some kind, though it now sits as an abandoned tomb.
When Lady Vathila descended upon it, they, in their ignorance, assumed her to be a unique alien species, and did not stop her overmuch. When they realized what she was doing, it was far too late, and none could have stood against her regardless. As their bodies were reduced to ash, and the strands of their spirits were forever bound to our Lady, she finally achieved her first goal.
She was beyond the reach of time now, no longer having to fear it ravaging her. While this was only the first augmentation of her power, this alone placed her above the power of any Jedi or Sith alive at the time. An important step, but it would not be enough.
You might be reading this now, reader, and wondering if there was another way Lady Vathila could have achieved this without consuming innocents or bystanders. It is unlikely, and let us consider those whose lives she ended. They were shells, much like her own kin had been. Blind to the Force, blind to ambition, sleepwalking through life with no end in sight.
A miner will not change the galaxy. Certainly not one on such a remote planet.
In death – in service of Lady Vathila – they have contributed far more to changing the galaxy, to making an impact, than most of the vapid life that walks this galaxy, ruled and manipulated by their betters. In death, their lives have meaning, and they have ultimately contributed to making the galaxy greater as it will soon be under Her.
Is such sacrifice truly that great a cost when the reward is so impactful?
I will leave that to you to decide, reader.
Ascended beyond the confines of her mortal body, Lady Vathila could begin to make her vision a reality, and to do that, she would start where her life had begun. She traveled back to the world her family inhabited – a return of triumph – and shared with them a vision of the galaxy under her rule.
The youngest and even some of the indoctrinated adults listened with rapt attention, though the new elders remembered when she had slaughtered their eldest and most powerful in what they viewed as a childish tantrum. Be it fear or pride that drove them, they rejected her and demanded she depart.
Several hundred massassi children and young adults stood with our Lady that day, they who cast off the shackles their kind had thrown upon them. Their former families and brethren stared with hatred at those who rejected them so utterly, following a 'kin-killer with delusions of grandeur.'
But it was fear that precipitated their hateful glares.
Fear at the knowledge that they had lost control forever.
These were no Sith, but cowards clinging to tomes and traditions, unaware of their own irrelevance. The galaxy was not served by them, nor were they worthy to hold the minute authority they possessed on this planet.
The visionaries who joined our Lady departed the planet, but she did not follow right away. Instead, she punished those who lingered for their impotence, their insult to their kind and Sith new and old. They attempted to stop her, of course, but like the men and women of Gnesis, they could not protect themselves from her power, and their essence was taken to serve a higher cause.
To fulfill the vision of our Lady.
One she was intent on pursuing.
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ON STUDY AND REFORMATION
Even now, the vision our Lady had may not be clear. You may be forgiven, reader, for being less sure of your previous presumptions. It is not quite as simple as some of the other Orders, nor quite as traditional viewed through the lens of the historic Sith mindset.
In a word, this Collective is not her sole vision, it is merely an aspect of it.
In her time observing and learning, she correctly deduced that the Jedi were, and would remain, the ultimate threat to Sith rule, besides Sith infighting itself – a separate topic. Yet she was struck by how no matter how hard each tried to kill the other, both persisted. The Sith have endured countless purges, and the Jedi have similarly survived events meant to kill them.
The difference was that many times the downfall of the Sith came by their own hand. The collapse of the Jedi came from their own failure to adapt or utilize their own power.
More importantly, the Sith had failed to finish the job and allowed the Jedi to endure. Ironically, she noted that the Jedi were more thorough in their stamping out of Sith teachings, doctrine, and followers in the aftermath of Ruusan than Palpatine had been after the end of the Clone Wars.
Yet she suspected that even this would not have succeeded. Jedi and Sith are ultimately labels; words anyone can adopt for themselves. Even if every Jedi and Sith were wiped out today, the teachings, history, and knowledge would endure. Others would rise in our stead and continue the legacy.
So how to fix this? How to create a galaxy where Jedi would not arise and the Sith would continuously endure?
In a word, it is to destroy the exclusivity of the Sith.
The Sith Collective is the most visible manifestation of this objective, beyond the trappings of physical organization. Sith of the past have been dogmatic and cultish in their own intellectual superiority; convinced that only their way was correct, and those who went against them were traitors or threats to be purged. This caused the Sith to stagnate, and perpetuated the cycles of infighting and betrayal that plagued our kind for so long.
Under the Collective, Sith of many differing philosophies can exist so long as they can prove their worth – and willingness to put aside their differences when necessary. In a word, the culture of the Sith needed to be amended to be more tolerant. The definition of Sith needed to be expanded. There were no longer such things as heretical philosophies and beliefs – if you ultimately sought and wielded power, you were as much Sith as any other.
There have been some Sith philosophies which have unfortunately been incompatible, such as the ill-fated Order of Darth Bane as I have written earlier. Yet such is the exception, not the rule. More importantly, ask yourself why the Jedi stand opposed to us – and why we stood opposed to them. I have said it before in so many words, but it bears some recontextualization.
For thousands of years both Sith and Jedi have held – or been believed to hold – monopolies on sides of the Force. The Jedi claimed one side as their own, the light, and we, of course, claimed the darkness. We fought each other, convinced that we had to eradicate the other and foolishly believing that we could eradicate an aspect of the Force.
Do you truly believe the Force will be affected in this way?
That if all Jedi died, the light would no longer exist?
Fools, many of the old Sith were. Shortsighted and binary fools; only capable of seeing the galaxy in black and white, when the Force is ultimately gray. It is power one can draw from as they see fit, be it of the light or dark. This intellectual infection penetrated the galaxy, where all were indoctrinated into believing that if they were drawn to one aspect or another, that was their only choice.
It is not.
Lady Vathila realized that the Force cannot be separated so easily. The Jedi have continued to endure because so many feel they have no other choice, without realizing the Sith can be far more than those who can draw only on the darkness. By opening up the Sith to those who are drawn to the light, yet are seduced by the truths of the many philosophies in our Collective, what need is there for the Jedi to endure?
How do they react when there are Sith who do not fit their mold of 'monsters'? That there are Sith who can be heroes and saviors? What can they say?
Anything?
Perhaps. But the words will ring hollow for many Jedi. One only need to look to the Militant Order, the Justicars, and the Jedi Shadows. Men and women who hunt and butcher those they deem threats, they deem worthy of execution. They call themselves 'Jedi' because they are driven by concepts such as justice and law.
And who says such concepts are exclusive to Jedi? That such justifications cannot be adopted by us?
There are many Jedi alive today who would have been considered Sith in the days of the Old Republic. Jedi who would have been deemed corrupt or fallen, and who are now lauded as peacekeepers and heroes. There are many, many Jedi who are primed to be freed from the lie they have constructed around themselves.
This is the ultimate brilliance of Lady Vathila. The realization she determined and accepted. The Jedi will not be eradicated through simple conquest and war, but through the co-opting of the light. In truth, it is unlikely that the Jedi will ever be fully eradicated, but they will be reduced to a weak fringe cult, while the galaxy is dominated by the many factions of Sith.
Over centuries, this window, this perception, of what it means to be Sith will continue shifting, perhaps to the light, perhaps to the dark, but it will ultimately remain Sith, while the Jedi will gradually be supplanted and forgotten. Sith who harness the Force in all its aspects, not wholly dominated by one or the other.
This is how the Jedi are eradicated.
Not just through war.
But by making them irrelevant.
Such a vision takes time to realize, of course, and our Lady knew that such a grand design would not materialize immediately. Thus, she required patience and careful curation of her Collective; one she knew would take many, many centuries before she was ready to act.
That time is fast approaching, reader.
We are nearing the endgame.
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ON THE FOUNDING OF THE SITH COLLECTIVE
Let us return to the story of our Lady, as it is not yet complete and here you will be given a brief overview of the history of this Collective, reader, for it is impossible to recount the ascension of Lady Vathila without also speaking of the growth of the Collective itself, as the two are so intrinsically tied.
With her small band of acolytes, she determined a course for the future of the Sith, but at the beginning she had very little. So many in the Sith were gone or scattered, and the fledgling Sith Collective had few resources, funding, or manpower.
Her vision was clear, but how to put this into practice? Our Lady understood what needed to be done, but was unclear on the process of bringing it to fruition. It was a question of if a single Sith Lord could rally a disparate collection of competing ideals, philosophies, and ideologies around a singular goal. An organization notorious for infighting and ultimate betrayal. Was such even possible?
Perhaps not, even for one as worthy as Lady Vathila.
It ultimately mattered little
The Collective would be forged no matter the cost, but to succeed would require guile, for she was aware that the other Sith would inevitably plot behind her back. To approach the many, she would need to sway the powerful few. There were only a handful that she believed could tip the scales in her favor, but only one group which embodied her future vision now.
Who were these Sith that she found so perfectly suited for the future? If you have read the table of contents, you should already know, for this tome lists each Order in sequence of its joining of our great Collective. It was the Revanites, as they were known at the time. Survivors who had somehow escaped the purges of Jadus and the Jedi, who had endured the Dark Age, and who had remained isolated from the galaxy ever since.
They represented a pragmatic and diverse interpretation of what it meant to be Sith. An ideal start. A powerful ally. Both boldly joined forces, and formally established the Sith Collective. This joining provided Lady Vathila with a fresh group of Sith, who could scout and recruit throughout the galaxy, and ever so slowly, the ranks of the Sith would grow.
Two events took place in the few ensuing decades after this. Several Sith broke from the Order of Revan to establish the Order of Darth Traya, a decision which was accepted and hailed as a needed expansion of Sith philosophy and perspective. The world of Dromund Kaas was also rediscovered, and with it, the descendants of Darth Nox, along with a collection of powerful Sith bloodlines.
Lady Vathila personally visited the families, and over a full week of discussion, returned to announce that the Collective would be expanded to accept the new Order of Darth Nox. This provided our Collective with a developed world from which we could operate from, as previously, it had been largely relegated to remote moons and planets.
We did not have the resources then as we do today.
New Orders were formed in the years that followed, as our collection of Sith lore and artifacts grew, as Lady Vathila made it a priority to amass as much knowledge of the Sith as possible, in addition to her own extensive collection. The Orders of Vitiate and Nihilus were formed, both of which brought valuable contributions to the greater Collective.
Little development took place in the waning days of the Old Republic, though our Collective was becoming more refined, possessing more resources, and becoming more powerful. Yet it was certainly not enough. There was a brief time where there was a held breath as Emperor Palpatine assumed control of the galaxy, yet Lady Vathila saw that it would not last, and made the decision to refrain from interfering.
A wise choice, as his Empire fell in mere decades.
Yet the legacy of Palpatine, as well as his Master, endured. The Inquisitors and Acolytes of Palpatine found their way to us, and eventually the Orders of Darth Plagueis and Emperor Palpatine were established. The Collective had grown substantially now, but due to the wisdom and planning of our Lady, it continued to work in harmony and with a singular vision – in conjunction with a new force that found their way to our Lady.
We were sought out by a fallen Jedi Knight named Jaden Korr around the time of the Second Galactic Civil War – along with a cadre of massassi warriors, commanded by the spirit of Marka Ragnos. Such an entrance was one of the few times our Lady has expressed any measure of surprise, but we certainly were not displeased by the desire of the great Lord to contribute to her vision, and the Order of Marka Ragnos endures to this day.
As other events shook the galaxy, particularly the rise of Darth Krayt and the Third Imperial Civil War, more were promised to eventually find their way to us, as our Lady once more predicted that neither would succeed in their goals, and indeed, years later, both remnants of the One Sith and First Order found their way to the Collective.
Together in war and together in peace, the Orders of Supreme Leader Snoke and Darth Krayt were like siblings joined at birth, different in their own ways, but united in purpose for good or ill. To have one was to have both. To keep them appeased and willing to remain was a difficult feat, one few would be able to maintain alongside the greater Collective. And yet, our Lady's great foresight kept the Orders from leaving and lashing out at one another.
Near this time, another remnant of the Third Imperial Civil War found its way to our Collective. A woman by the name of Timoris joined our ranks. Our Lady was impressed with her mind and power, and Timoris soon earned the right to establish the Order of Emperor Jadus.
Under the opportunities and stewardship provided by our Lady, the wisdom and breadth of the past became open to those who sought knowledge that lesser leaders would have feared. Some Sith learned of the Brotherhood of Darkness once led by Skere Kaan, and were inspired by his unorthodox ways, eventually forming the Order of Lord Kaan, with the blessing of our Lady, and since then they have brought new life and understanding to the philosophy of the Brotherhood – once thought vanquished after Darth Bane's betrayal.
There were, of course, those who would take advantage of our Lady's generosity and vision. I mentioned, previously, the traitorous Banites who sought to destroy our great Collective from within. Perhaps it was unsurprising or inevitable, but they are also a part of our history, and to this day it remains the correct decision, for all who aspire to power should chase it, and we do not discriminate on philosophy or ideology.
But the fallen Order of Darth Bane taught us a lesson – and hardened our resolve.
I suspect, reader, that this was ultimately a positive development. For it showed that the Sith Collective was united in achieving the directives set out by our Lady, and was willing to stand side by side against those who would destroy us. It proved that we were now beyond the petty infighting of the Sith of old.
It was a test we weathered.
A test we succeeded.
Today, our Sith Collective is comprised of thousands. We have influence throughout the galaxy, and our warriors, scholars, spies, and teachers have few equals. The galaxy is unaware, of course, but soon, we will reveal ourselves. By the wisdom of Lady Vathila, we will achieve the vision over ten thousand years in the making.
Perhaps more Orders will be formed before this happens, I do not know, but, reader, regardless of what path you choose to walk, remember that none of this would be possible, were it not for the wisdom, intelligence, and power of the Dark Mistress of the Sith.
xxx
ON OUR ROLE
You now know the vision of our Lady, and her arduous rise to greatness. You know her pivotal role in the creation of the Sith Collective and no doubt are aware that she presides over the High Council of the Sith. Yet what is our role, which is to say, that of the Order of Vathila?
Is it to merely enforce discipline and provide direction? Is it to ensure the Collective is fulfilling the vision of our Mistress? Is it only to lead? To observe? Do we simply exist to do whatever our Lady demands?
In a way, we do all of these things, reader.
The Order of Marka Ragnos may be charged with keeping our ranks free of plotting and betrayal, but the Order of Lady Vathila is also charged with a far more crucial role in keeping order in our Collective. We do far more than ensure we are not beset by infighting; we support the Orders in their missions, we offer guidance and counsel; we are mediators and arbiters within the Collective, with the authority to debate and solve disputes.
Such happens. We are Sith, after all. Disagreements are natural and inevitable. We ensure that they are resolved through dialogue and not bloodshed. We are the Order which is instrumental in preserving unity, for ultimately, the vision of Lady Vathila is the one all in the Collective follow. It is imperative that all Orders recognize this and tailor their actions to fill a crucial role.
Through Lady Vathila, we lead the Collective into the future. This is a burden our Lady does not bear lightly, for she knows the consequences and ramifications that await her every decision. As such, she does not invoke her given authority often, but when she does, we ensure that the rest of the Collective falls in line per her orders.
We do more than follow the example of our Mistress, we also lead in other areas as well. Many of the Orders tend to specialize in certain disciplines, be they in the Force, science, or technology.
We cannot match the sheer breadth of skills and specialties performed by the others of our Collective; the scientists of Plagueis, the political savants of Palpatine, the soldiers of Revan, and beyond. Many Orders focus on a skill or discipline and hone in on it to achieve perfection, yet we are not so restrained in our focus. Even despite our broad focus, the members of the Order of Lady Vathila are able to stand among their peers as equals in their preferred disciplines.
We intend to do more than maintain the status quo, and are continually seeking new ways of improvement. Certainly no different from other Orders, but we pride ourselves on our high standards, which are continually set by our Lady to ensure we do not become complacent in our power and skill, for there is always a challenge, and there is always a threat.
Be sure you are prepared when you encounter it.
Of course, any member of our Order is obligated to follow whatever commands our Mistress deigns to give us. Such opportunities are not common, and should you be privileged enough to be personally selected, ensure you do your best to carry out her commands to the letter, for our Lady is generous and does not waste her time on the trivial.
Even if it is what you consider a menial task, it shows you have attracted her attention. Savor it, for few have such an honor bestowed upon them.
All of this our Order does, but that is what we are directed to do. There are other goals of our Order, higher directives than what we do on a daily basis, ones which our Mistress personally directs. While this Collective is the greatest achievement in the history of our kind, it will not last forever.
When the Jedi are made irrelevant, it will collapse. All know this is merely a means to an end. All have plans for what happens next; how they will fight, how they will rule. We unite for a common enemy, but when that enemy is no more, such an alliance is unnecessary. Only then will we be permitted to know for certain who is the strongest.
Who is worthy of ruling the galaxy.
What Lady Vathila believes is simple.
That who controls the Force is worthy of ruling the galaxy.
This statement is deceptively simple, after all, do not all Sith believe such?
Not entirely.
Your views on the Force may differ. Some view the Force as a means to an end, a tool to be wielded and used for personal and ideological benefit. Others view it as a precious gift to be carefully cultivated and used. Others believe it has a will, a destiny for those to follow. Still more treat it as a force of nature, something to be viewed cautiously and respectfully.
Who is right?
None can say. Not truly, for there are none who can fully comprehend what the Force is.
This is what we seek to understand. This is what our Lady seeks to achieve. Usage of the Force is trivial; a basic manifestation of the underlying power of this galaxy. So much of the Force remains a mystery, and while many have sought answers, none have been found that were satisfactory – leading the seekers to abandon the search or die as failures.
It is simple to fall back into what is familiar, to accept the Force for what it is and never delve deeper.
If you will indulge me, reader, I will speak briefly on the Force and what it means to us in this Order. While it is easy to say the Force needs no explanation, I would heartily disagree with such an assertion. I cannot say that the Force has an agenda, per se, but I can assure you without a doubt that it is alive in a way only we privileged few can ever understand.
The Force speaks to all of us in different ways, it is what draws us along our paths, consistently whispering in our ears. It is an instinct that each of us has, and we choose to listen to it or not.
Do you doubt?
Close your eyes.
Listen.
Feel.
The Force reacts within you. If you listen closely, it will lead you to power you can only imagine right now. If you follow it, it will reveal truths about you and others. I cannot dismiss the Force as a mindless fixture of this galaxy when it has led me on this path and shown my Mistress the future. I cannot say what guides the Force, if anything at all, but it is far more than some assume it to be.
I have witnessed enough to know that, as usual, our Lady is correct.
Those who control the Force, those who understand the Force in an intimate way, they are the ones who deserve to control the galaxy. The Force flows through all living creatures, it allows us to dominate minds and command the elements. It augments our bodies and performs feats the logical would dismiss as impossible.
The Force can do the impossible.
The Force is impossible.
This is why we must strive to comprehend it. This is why we must learn it. To us, impossible is merely a word, and not finality itself.
Imagine the secrets of the Force laid bare. That you could become one with the Force in a true way, a way that does not, as the Jedi believe, involve death. Imagine what one could do with such power. There is only one worthy to even attempt such a monumental task, only one who could even achieve such a power.
We are here to ensure she ascends beyond this mortal plane, and her domain becomes the Force itself.
This is the true task of the Order of Lady Vathila.
xxx
ON THE ACOLYTES OF THE MISTRESS
Now that we have discussed the ambitions and philosophies of our Order, let us turn to matters perhaps more practical to you, reader. All Orders have a hierarchy or structure, and we are no different. We are certainly not as complex as some, but we are no disorganized mob. While there is no disputing that Lady Vathila commands all aspects of our Order, there is what some of you will recognize as a 'chain of command.'
But a question you may be asking: How does one join the only Order with a living founder?
Ultimately, it is our Lady you must convince to join our Order. For though there are trials and tribulations one must endure, they are for naught if she does not see you as possessing the necessary skill and willpower – to be a part of the Order of Lady Vathila is not for the weak of heart or mind.
I will explain shortly.
There are two potential roles for initiates in our Order, one of which is reserved for outside recruits, and another only possible for the few born within our Order itself. These roles will prime initiates for the trials of our Order, where they will earn their place as full members.
Those we recognize as the Acolytes of the Mistress are initiates who are new to the Sith – such as yourself, reader. They are untested, raw, and willing – the perfect clay to be molded into something magnificent.
Most can become Acolytes if they so choose, and indeed, the Acolytes are among the most privileged of our Order, for they personally see to the needs of our Mistress and witness firsthand her power, grace, and intellect. These are no mere servants, as indeed, it would be more accurate to call them disciples instead.
Many initially begin confused and afraid. It is understandable, for anyone who enters the presence of our Lady should show proper deference, but our Mistress is not needlessly cruel like Sith of old. We are beyond pointless disposal of servants and underlings, and instead, we seek to shape them into something greater.
The Acolytes spend much of their time within her presence, her aura of power is overwhelming to the unprepared. Many outside our Order are ignorant of the power she commands, as it is powerful enough to cause the weak of heart and mind to expire. It has caused the powerful to fall limp and helpless. Our Mistress does not wish to cause distraction, and typically restricts her power when outside her domain.
The Acolytes do not have this luxury, and are instead exposed to the full, brutal, overwhelming, and intoxicating power she commands. An Acolyte is no weakling, for they must withstand this assault on their senses and spirit at all times. The weak do not survive in her presence. They are warned, of course, most believe they can withstand it.
Some can.
Some, not so much.
Can you?
Our Mistress is always accompanied by no fewer than six Acolytes, all distinguished through their black robes trimmed with red edges. Some carry lightsabers, others do not. Some are powerful in the Force, others are less sensitive. Yet each and every one of them is strong and committed; they possess a will that is tested every waking moment, and are fully devoted to the vision of our Mistress.
Their tasks can range from the mundane to the crucial. Research, dueling, strategy, as a messenger – the Acolytes serve whatever role our Lady designates. Each Acolyte she takes an interest in, for those who can stand in her presence are worthy of some attention. Many times, she will give instructions specifically to enhance their skills.
Many times, she knows them better than they know themselves, and like a mother, she guides them on the right path even if they do not see it at the time. It is impossible to say that the Acolytes only perform specific tasks, or that they specialize in one thing or another. They are fluid, diverse, and wholly unique, much like our Collective itself.
You may wonder if there can be an honor or a position higher than this, for certainly many would be content in such a role, yes? Many would indeed be content with such an honor, yet our Lady believes one should always strive for greater. To this end, the position of Acolyte is merely the beginning of one's journey under her direction. For those suitably ambitious, there are a few coveted positions above Acolyte which involve potentially lethal trials.
While our Mistress expects us to apply ourselves and reach new heights, she also understands that not all are capable of commanding great power, and respects the restraint some possess. If one knows their true limits, there is little to be gained from needlessly sacrificing oneself. Many still attempt, knowing better, but there is no shame in remaining an Acolyte to our Mistress.
Even the lowest have a role to play, after all.
xxx
ON THE CHILDREN
Most individuals are recruited into the Sith Collective. While there are certainly couples who bear and raise younglings within our academies, they are always the exception and not the rule. Within our own Order, however, the opposite is true.
The massassi, long thought to be extinct from the galaxy, exist in abundance throughout the Collective – though most reside within our Order and the Order of Marka Ragnos. Once few in number, they are now the descendants of the massassi who originally departed with Lady Vathila, as well as our Lady herself. As an aside, I will note that this does not apply to the massassi of Ragnos, whose origins will be discussed when we cover that particular Order.
We are, admittedly, not pure massassi on a genetic level, as you may be able to tell from some of our appearances which bear hallmarks of other aliens, but our species is unmistakable, and our Lady has brought her people back from the brink by bearing children from only the most worthy and powerful men of many species – some Sith, some not.
Our Lady does not discriminate on labels, even in circumstances such as copulation.
Her offspring are the Children, her children, though we would not think to say so out loud. One would only make such a declaration expecting a desired response. One can see we come from her, there is no need to state it. You will never see one of the Children say they are born of our Lady, and I only write these words now to explain, nothing more.
How many Children are there? As I write this there are hundreds, and our Mistress has birthed hundreds more, long before our lifetimes.
But for what purpose?
Does there need to be one? I cannot provide a satisfactory answer, nor do I feel inclined to determine one. Not every action of our Mistress needs to be explained to us, as she is entitled to privacy for certain matters.
The Children are born of Lady Vathila, and most are raised by Acolytes or the Dark Lords. Rarely does she rear the Children herself unless they show exemplary promise or otherwise attract her direct attention. Many Children grow within the Order, and are both exposed to our Mistress and other Sith at an early age.
They are trained and taught, usually by a designated parental figure, in the art of the Force and other skills. Many times, the Children become closer to these adoptive figures than the one who bore them. As such, she can be forgiven for treating others with more care than her offspring.
This is true, though there is a rationale for this. The Children are no more entitled to our Lady's time and attention merely because of red skin and the ancient blood flowing through their veins. The Children, much like the Acolytes, must prove themselves. They must fend for themselves and show their devotion, intellect, and power to the Sith and our Mistress.
There are no shortcuts for the Children, no easy path they can walk. In some respects, our lives are harder because of how we were born, yet none of us can complain, as the rewards are easily worth the pain to get there. As the Children grow, they take on a role similar to the Acolytes, though due to the skills acquired, are sometimes placed in charge of training or other duties.
But this is where the Children can ascend no further, not without undertaking the trials. An event that all Children strive for when they are old enough to understand what it will mean. There is only one action the Children are forbidden from undertaking – the raising of another child born of Lady Vathila.
We are raised not in pure isolation, but taught to not become reliant on one another merely because of shared blood. A measure of wisdom our Lady has seen to implement, of which we are now all thankful for.
You may have noticed, dear reader, as you've read my words on this part of this Order, that there is a certain familiar tone I use. A fondness for the Order and its founder. This is no accident, for I am blessed to be a member of our Lady's first triumph. I strive to maintain an objective description, yet my words are colored by my own experiences and biases here.
Recognize this. As with all I write, do not simply take my word for it. Speak to others, read accounts, tour the temple grounds.
Judge for yourself if I speak the truth.
There are some who would scoff at my willingness to serve; who deride my ruby skin as if there were no other place for me. It is true that I am massassi, I am of the Children, and it is true that most of us remain behind under our primogenitor's oversight. But never doubt that we each willingly choose to serve our Lady of our own volition.
One now might wonder if non-massassi children born to members of the Order fall into this category. I would answer 'no' on a technicality, as they are typically kept and raised by their parents as opposed to the Children born of Lady Vathila. Despite this, for all intents and purposes, they follow a similar path, though there are few non-massassi born into the Order that would fall into this pool of future Sith.
Yet the Order of our Mistress is not for all of us. Some choose to serve in other Orders. Lord Tsod is one of our greatest minds, and yet his contributions to the Collective originate in the Order of Plagueis. That is our Lady's greatest strength, to see that the best course of action often lies with ceding power to the individual. With allowing others to control their destinies without interference.
Wisdom in our time that has paid dividends for centuries.
But both Children and Acolytes will soon face the ultimate tests to ascend beyond their stations. These are the trials that separate the weak from the strong, and the worthy from the unworthy.
xxx
ON THE TRIAL OF GNESIS
Note that I have said there are trials, reader. This was not a vague reference; I mean that there are multiple types of trials of our Order. Or more specifically: two. One which is expected for all Acolytes and Children after a certain amount of time, and one which is only for the strong. While neither trial is required, it becomes expected.
Of the two, the Trial of Gnesis is the simplest.
It is, admittedly, a test that one who has spent their lives in the presence of our Mistress should be able to pass without issue, for it is not a test of strength, but one of resolve, of will, of dedication. It is an act of defying the Force itself, one which screams and pulls on your very body and soul trying to rip it apart.
In this trial, one shows their ability to reject the destiny the Force demands.
How does this trial work? What is involved?
Look to the name. You will doubtless recognize it as the world where our Lady ascended beyond the reach of time and mortality. The ritual she performed that day had consequences, of course, as one cannot harness such power without repercussions. When Emperor Vitiate used the ritual on Nathema, he rendered the planet a husk of itself.
The ignorant say that the world was stripped of the Force.
They would be incorrect. The Force covers the galaxy like a blanket, permeates every aspect of our reality from the planets to the stars. Only abominations have the capability of negating this, and those are few and isolated. Yet what is true about the Force is that it is tranquil. Even in the most volatile nexuses the worst it will do is assail the individual with insight.
We break this tranquility when we draw upon the power. The Force does not do this on its own.
But ask yourself what happens when it does? When the tranquility is ripped apart and the calm river becomes a roaring torrent. When it reacts in ways we do not expect. When it is disturbed in a way which is decidedly unnatural.
This is the consequence of the ritual Lady Vathila, and Vitiate before her, used.
This is what one who undertakes this trial must endure.
They will travel to Gnesis or another planet afflicted by the ritual, and walk upon its surface. To pass this trial is simple – one must no longer be affected by the unseen maelstrom that invisibly roars. This is different for each individual, for each responds differently to this anomaly of the Force.
Descriptions of what one endures varies. Some describe a hollow cold that threatens to tear them apart from the inside. I have witnessed those who failed to withstand the power drop to the ground dead as their spirit is torn apart, others have had their bodies disintegrate. More have had their minds driven to madness or are possessed by false ghosts and remnants of those eradicated.
There are some who experience hallucinations, whispers from voiceless entities who sometimes spew gibberish or give clear instruction. It is impossible to predict what one will experience when undertaking this trial. It ultimately does not matter, for your goal is simple – to endure and overcome the pain and discomfort you feel.
Do not fear passing this trial by accident. If you emerge from walking this maelstrom of the Force, then you have passed. Those who cannot, expire quickly, well before they can recognize their mistake and preserve their lives.
Those who succeed are hailed as the truly devoted of our Order, those whose resolve and will were tested, and who succeeded in an arduous trial which would consume the lesser.
They are our Lady's Trusted.
xxx
ON THE TRUSTED OF VATHILA
The name is no exaggeration, reader.
One does not pass the Trial of Gnesis unless they possess a devout and strong will. Through this trial they have proven themselves, and thus are permitted to know the many secrets of our Order. Secrets which all Orders have, secrets that I will not share with you today, but ones you may learn should you determine this is where your path leads.
The Trusted cannot be turned. They cannot be broken. They can never be swayed away from our Order or its champion. How can they be when they have experienced pain and torment and endured only by clinging steadfast to their will and devotion? Let this serve as a warning to any who would try and test our loyalties.
The Trusted are not our most powerful, they will never reach the acclaim and heights of some of our most prominent members, but their devotion cannot be questioned. If our Lady desires something that must be done, and must be done without error, she will turn to the Trusted, for only they can possess the inherent loyalty that cannot be bought, broken, or used.
Of course, one does not know who is Trusted at first glance. Within our Order, many of us know, but an adversary? Not as easy, for the Trusted keep such a title to themselves. It is not shared in simple conversation. Only those who have been deemed true allies to our Lady and her Order are permitted such knowledge.
The Trusted exist throughout our Order, from simple analysts and childrearers, to the advisors of our Lady herself. Do not dismiss or assume out of hand the station of one in our Order. It is fairer to say that this is more of a title – a mark – than a true rank in and of itself. There is no Order of Trusted – they simply are.
Am I among this number?
Come now reader, you should know I will not disclose that here.
Outside our Order there is a perception that of our trials, only one achieves something special, that only one is seen as worthy. I shall dispute this tired notion vigorously, reader. Neither the Trusted, nor the Trial of Gnesis, are seen as lesser in any way. Each trial allows certain privileges and powers, and to suggest that one is elevated over another is the height of folly.
Blind fools still endure, even now it seems.
But you are no doubt curious about the second trial, reader. Let us turn to it.
xxx
ON THE TRIAL OF OUR LADY'S TRIUMPH
As the Trial of Gnesis was a test of internal willpower and steadfast devotion, the Trial of Our Lady's Triumph is an expression of the power we bring to bear through the Force. It is simple in explanation, similar to the previous trial, yet a wholly different matter to appropriately execute. As our Lady learned the ritual of Nathema, so too do participants of this trial.
Yes, reader, there are a fair number within our Order who possess knowledge of the ritual – which is a closely guarded secret – and have the means to utilize it. Such knowledge is essential, for that is what the trial requires to perform it successfully. Few within even our Order undertake this trial because of the inherent danger involved.
Those who fail to contain the power or channel it properly will find their bodies disintegrated as the Force burns them to atoms along with anyone unfortunate enough to be in the vicinity.
Those who succeed, join the ranks of the most powerful users of the Force within our Collective.
Of course, learning the ritual is only the first step. Identifying a planet comes next. Though such a ritual will not consume the entire planet, of course – such is suicide for mortals like us – but instead, one will find a small village or town on this planet. Ideally it is remote, isolated, and unconnected to any party which may inquire after their well-being. Those connected to the Jedi are especially discouraged. Ultimately, who the targets are connected to is more important than the targets themselves.
This trial is a true test of strength, discipline, and power, for one cannot practice this ritual beforehand. They cannot prepare themselves for the magnitude by which they will shake the Force with their actions. They cannot prepare for the joining of fragmented spirits which are ripped from their bodies and serve as conduits for the user forever.
You may think you can prepare.
You cannot.
The execution of the ritual is only the beginning, for it is what comes after which determines your strength; your skill. It will come to you in a rush, elevation beyond all you can comprehend. The power of the Force itself will be at your fingertips and you shall feel unstoppable. This will build and build.
Eventually, it will reach a point your body cannot handle – unless you control it first.
Many an arrogant Acolyte or Child has believed such is trivial, but there is a psychological trap that too many fall into. It requires deliberately limiting your power. It is tasting godhood and setting it aside. Many cannot give up this power and it consumes them. This trial does more than elevate our strongest – it only allows those who understand restraint to succeed.
One must be aware of their own limits, after all.
And knowledge is power.
xxx
ON THE DARK LORDS OF VATHILA
Those who successfully complete the Trial of Our Lady's Triumph are granted the title of Dark Lord of Vathila, and represent the few and powerful of our Order, those who possess an intimate understanding of the Force that few even within the Sith can match. They are our greatest weapons, our most cunning minds, and symbols of what is possible through the Force.
Sith often carry lightsabers; traditional weapons of our Collective and the Jedi. The Dark Lords are unique in that, like our Lady, they do not carry them – or at least display them publicly. I am certain many have constructed their own as a contingency, but the Dark Lords see themselves as above the fray and tradition of duels and skirmishes.
Why engage in a tedious duel when one can pulverize an opponent with a gesture or paralyze their minds with a thought?
The Dark Lords wear robes similar to the Acolytes, though theirs are far more ornate and befitting of their station. Patterns of white and purple mark the Dark Lords, their faces often shrouded from view as they keep to themselves in service to our Mistress. The Dark Lords only emerge if there is an immediate threat to the Sith or upon the Order of our Lady.
This is not out of a haughty arrogance, dear reader, the Dark Lords who emerge from the trial are markedly different. They possess an aura of power around them which can affect the minds of even Sith – especially those untrained in our ways. They pale in comparison to Lady Vathila, of course, but their power is by no means quaint.
Their days are spent completing the most advanced of research on the Force as directed by Lady Vathila, for they alone possess the insight to see paths and ways that others, blind to their power, cannot. Secrets rule the Dark Lords, secrets which I will not reveal here, yet should the Dark Lords succeed under the flawless direction of our Lady, then our understanding of the Force will be forever changed.
Many see the Dark Lords as the sword; the weapon of our Order. A counterpart to the Darr`tah of the Order of Vitiate, the Revanites of the Order of Revan, or the Fist of the One Sith. A view which is partially true, but once more ignores the purpose of our Order. We are not militant like others, and this thinking seeps throughout the Collective, creating misinformation where none should exist.
The Dark Lords are far more than mere weapons. They are scholars, scientists, visionaries, and teachers. They have increased our understanding of the Force to degrees not thought possible; they see a future where through the Force our potential is limitless. Their greatest asset is not simply their immense power, but the intellect and wisdom that temper it.
I shall make a short note before we move on. I have mentioned that the trials are not mutually-exclusive, and it is time to highlight that. One can undertake the Trial of Gnesis and later undertake the Trial of Our Lady's Triumph or the inverse. Neither gives an inherent advantage to the other, even if one is considered less lethal.
Though the number of those who complete both these trials, and those Dark Lords who are amongst the Trusted, are few. The lethal nature of these trials dissuades many, and there is no pressure to undertake both. Some do, either out of pride, arrogance, or the belief they possess what is necessary.
Some do. Most do not.
But a Dark Lord who is of the Trusted is without a doubt the greatest asset our Order possesses, though far behind our Lady herself. Such individuals I cannot name, nor would they identify themselves. But they exist, they observe, and they act.
Some are most certainly in the group I will detail next.
xxx
ON THE CHOSEN OF VATHILA
It should come as little surprise to you, reader, that Lady Vathila, like most great leaders, possesses an inner circle who provide perspective or wisdom as much as the unworthy can advise one such as our Lady. These are the Chosen of Vathila, and they are not who you believe them to be.
Let me anticipate your expectations.
Are the Chosen made of the Trusted? Are they her most senior? Her most elite?
Look to the name.
Chosen.
That is the only qualification to be counted among this body. It does not matter if one is an Acolyte, Child, Trusted, or Dark Lord. At any point, our Lady can select you to be a part of this inner circle. Rejoice if you find yourself among this number, for that means that our Lady has great plans for you indeed.
It is a very rare and very special individual who acquires her favor in this manner.
The Chosen are marked by a subtle but noticeable golden band around their wrist. One of the Chosen is to be deferred to at all times, for they are the only ones who have the authority of our Mistress, and can only be countermanded by her. They are effectively her proxies and act with her authority, and to ignore them is to ignore the will of our Mistress.
The Chosen is a number which fluctuates, and has risen to as many as three dozen to as few as four. It is not a permanent position, and to lose one's status as Chosen is no insult, for that means you've fulfilled your purpose to the letter and our Lady has no further need of you. Some join this body multiple times, some only once. Each is an honor beyond imagination.
Their roles are secretive, and even I do not know the true extent of their objectives and missions, but I do know that they directly advise our Lady on multiple subjects and decisions. They spend their days plotting and charting the course of our Order. They are the architects of our future and the few who have the undivided attention of our Mistress.
For those who doubt the reach and openness of the Chosen, our Mistress has elevated both initiates who had only just joined our Order, as well as the most senior of the Dark Lords. She does not discriminate, and the words I write are no mere propaganda to give the impression that there is the chance one could advise the greatest of our Collective.
The diversity our Order possesses is a strength that our Lady seeks both to encourage and take advantage of. I would never dream of claiming to know the mind of our Lady; indeed, the very idea that she would listen to mortal minds is something of a mystery, but I am convinced that our Mistress sees the value in perspective, for there are no flaws in her judgment, as she is beyond such any longer.
Everything she does has a reason behind it, and ours – and yours – is not to question, but merely comply.
The rationale of those who are Chosen is only an enigma when viewed through the lens of mortal eyes. We cannot apply such limiting biases to one such as Lady Vathila, who does not see the galaxy as we do. Remember that she has led us to this point, and will continue to lead all Sith to greatness.
xxx
ON THE FINAL ASCENSION
Have you considered what happens after you die, reader?
Do you fear it?
Reactions range. I know this. Some are terrified of the unknown abyss, while others are content in their beliefs, and still more are apathetic, not concerned about what happens when their mortal shells die. Those attuned to the Force are no less divided, as while we know there can exist some form of permanence beyond death, the specifics are elusive.
Are the spirits we have seen real, or copies of personalities derived from those who truly lived? Is the purported Netherworld an unending purgatory where those within are condemned to eternal solitude? Is it worth persisting beyond death if one is to be bound for eternity, condemned to be anchored in one place forever?
All Sith and Jedi have felt such at one point. For some, the chance of persisting beyond death is something to achieve above all else, while others shrink from such a desire. Yet there is always that persistent question of the unknown. Some would prefer to just expire, others wish for there to be a Beyond.
What all agree on is that once one has died, they will never be the same again.
For some that is too much.
Some try to accelerate this path.
Views on death range between individual Sith and the various Orders. Some see it as a transcendence and the deceased are honored and respected. Some have little respect for the dead and seek to avoid such by any means. No Order rushes to death, but some shrink from what it implies more than others.
Now what are our own views? Why am I speaking of this now?
We do not fear what comes next. The Order of Lady Vathila has no doubt as to what awaits us when it is time for our physical bodies to expire. After all, we desire only one thing in the end, and that is to serve our Mistress and ensure she succeeds.
In life, and in death.
Our Order has existed for millennia, and in that time, there have been many who have died. They have grown old, or they have been injured, or contracted an illness that could not be alleviated. Such happens, such is their fate. Yet they are still serving today, they contribute in their own way to our goal.
How?
They undertake the Final Ascension, a hallowed ritual only the most devout of our Lady's servants participate in. It is only offered to those who feel they have nothing more to give but their power and strength. Their bodies have failed, but their spirits are determined to continue serving.
This devout sacrifice is one which is taken with the utmost seriousness and respect. These greatest of servants are taken to sacred grounds, under the watchful eyes of our Order, and after recounting their deeds and recognizing them for their service, Lady Vathila draws their spirits from their bodies and binds them to herself, freeing them from their ailing and broken shells to serve eternally.
A higher honor is difficult to imagine.
Such events are irregular, but should you join, you will attend one before long. It is a celebratory event, a time where we reflect and bond, knowing that our purpose after life is secure. We do not have to fear a black abyss of nothingness or an eternal purgatory, for we know that we shall be instrumental to Lady Vathila in the quest to recognize her vision.
In death, as in life.
xxx
ON THE PROMISE OF THE FUTURE
We are reaching a closing, as I have spoken all that I can on this Order, and I trust that I have accurately and comprehensively given you a clear picture into our existence, one which you may have initially found intimidating, but now should hopefully find more approachable and understandable.
Doubts still plague your mind, certainly. I would be surprised if they did not.
After all, this has not been the first time such declarations have been given. How many Sith have promised the downfall of the Jedi; the conquest of the galaxy?
Many have.
All have failed, or their victories proven to be fleeting.
Why will now be different?
Reflect on what I've said; reread if you wish: I've spoken much of the past, but consider the words on the future; imagine the future if you will. Where will our Lady's vision take us? What is the future of her Order and the Collective as a whole?
What will be your future?
I will propose another question; perhaps an odd one, but one I have not mentioned until now. There is a burning drive within our Order, one which also persists to varying degrees throughout the Collective as a whole, but it originates in us. It is the emotion that drives us, one that is not simply devotion and servitude to our Mistress, but one which augments these desires.
What drive is this?
In a word, it is hope. Certainly not a unique drive, as this same hope consumed our forebears for millennia. The hope of Sith supremacy, of Jedi extinction, of power and glory, of authority, of peace and justice. Hope is many different things to many different people. What I ultimately hope for may not be what you do.
If we did not have hope, then we would not have been driven to where we are today.
That is what the Collective – and our Order – offers the Sith; those who have been broken and scattered; who have experienced and seen defeat after defeat of our kind. Those who have been tempted to give up, seeing no path to victory.
We find them, or they find us, and that drive once more awakens in them.
Do not underestimate what such a simple emotion can accomplish. Sith are driven by passion, after all.
Such is what the Order of Vathila exemplifies. It is a singular, beautiful, logical, and powerful vision of the future. Of disparate men and women united in common cause, beyond philosophy, species, gender, or age; beyond the petty disagreements and infighting of the past. Of finding others scattered throughout the galaxy to join our glorious union, from the waning Jedi to the self-taught Sith, those who long for their shackles to be thrown off and their eyes to be opened.
These men and women wander the galaxy, some of whom call themselves Sith, and remain apart from us.
We bring them to us.
We give them a purpose. We give them power. We instill pride, desire, and hope.
And, reader, this is no false hope based on empty platitudes and promises. I have relayed the story of our Lady; I have shared our philosophy and vision. I have shared the promise of a galaxy where the Jedi have been rendered to a fate worse than death, and only the worthy shall rule the galaxy.
I fully believe in this beautiful vision of the galaxy, and have devoted my life to it. To dedicate myself to one who is not Lady Vathila, whose vision has created all that you experience now, would be a betrayal of both myself and her. The Order of Lady Vathila is for those who are dedicated to achieving this vision by any means necessary.
I have done all I can to convince you.
It is up to you to decide how this vision is best fulfilled.
Or, even, if it should be fulfilled at all.