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Monday, September 30, 2019

Abandoned Storefront

The Abandoned Storefront: Secrets of Nar Shaddaa's Forgotten District

Nestled within the shadowy depths of Nar Shaddaa’s Network Security District, the Abandoned Storefront stands as a forgotten relic of a once-thriving, now-deteriorating part of the moon's underworld. Shrouded in mystery and heavy with the scent of dust and rust, this area is a ghostly reminder of Nar Shaddaa’s labyrinthine history, where criminal syndicates once thrived, and illicit dealings were conducted behind veils of secrecy.

Accessible via the Grid Databanks, a crisscross of data conduits and cables, the storefront appears to be little more than a dilapidated relic, its windows fogged and its doors partially ajar, as if waiting for someone to uncover its long-buried truths. Once home to a bustling merchant or perhaps a front for shady business transactions, the store’s exterior now betrays only a few faded signs and broken displays, echoing the passage of time.

Beyond the surface lies the Hidden Entrance, a clandestine passage concealed within the walls. This entrance, often overlooked by the casual observer, leads to deeper levels of the district, untouched by the hands of the law. The store’s seemingly abandoned state is merely a façade, hiding its true purpose—serving as a covert access point to hidden networks and connections that remain unknown to most.

Venturing into the Abandoned Storefront feels like stepping into a forgotten chapter of Nar Shaddaa’s tangled past. The hum of old machinery, the distant whisper of unseen figures, and the flickering lights guide any daring explorer deeper into its mysteries. It is here, between the layers of rust and decay, that one might stumble upon lost data caches, illicit goods, or even evidence of long-forgotten schemes that still ripple through the dark underbelly of the galaxy.

The Abandoned Storefront is more than just an area of exploration—it's a symbol of Nar Shaddaa itself: a place where the past and present converge, where secrets linger in the silence, and where those brave enough to seek the truth might discover more than they bargained for.






Abandoned Storefront, Nar Shadaa









Abandoned Storefront Map




Private Landing Site



Private Landing Site - Docking Area - Nar Shadaa - Dark Design Mission









Private Landing Site Map





Video


Justicar Territory


Justicar Territory, Coruscant






Saturday, September 14, 2019

Corrupted Jedi Temple



Corrupted Jedi Temple on Illum









Tarsarian Devourer




The tarsarian devourer is the product of a rakghoul virus mutation that has spread to the predatory tarsarian stomper. The stompers--a non-native species once kept in a handful of Tarisian zoos--bred, hunted and initially thrived in the post-bombardment jungles, but were soon overwhelmed by their more aggressive infected cousins.

The tarsarian devourer became king of the Tarisian food chain, and although it is impossible for sentient species to contract the mutated form of the rakghoul virus, that makes the tarsarian devourer no less feared when encountered in the wild. (Codex Text - Star Wars the Old Republic / SWTOR)



Tarsarian Devourer Matriarch





Tuk’ata



These oversized hounds were bred to be fearless and relentless. Left to guard the Sith tombs of Korriban, they have sharp horns, long claws and savage teeth. They are unusually intelligent and seem capable of communicating with one another through unknown means. 

It is said that the species was nonviolent and grazing before being corrupted by Sith alchemical experiments that awakened a latent part of their brains and changed them into unnatural abominations. Random mutations now occur that produce some tuk’ata that can live for centuries and grow to immense proportions.



The Beast of Marka Ragnos (Warrior)

The Guardian of Marka Ragnos’s Tomb

Buried within the shadowy depths of the ancient tomb of Marka Ragnos lies a creature shrouded in myth and terror. This beast, a monstrous remnant of Sith cruelty, was left behind to serve as an eternal guardian for its master’s final resting place. For centuries, it has dwelled in utter darkness, unseen by mortal eyes—yet its presence is felt by those attuned to the Force, like a ripple of fear brushing against their senses.

According to legend, this guardian was not born but made. Ragnos himself twisted and tormented the beast with the dark side of the Force, breaking its mind and reshaping its body into a vessel of unrelenting fury. Every night, Ragnos would beat it into submission, infusing it with hatred so profound that it became more a manifestation of suffering than a mere animal. Deprivation was its teacher, for it was starved for extended periods, only to be fed on blood when its master saw fit. This horrific cycle left the creature with an insatiable thirst that could never be quenched—a hunger not just for sustenance, but for vengeance on anything living.

Time has only deepened its ferocity. Since Ragnos's death, the beast has remained sealed within the tomb, isolated from the outside world but not from its own rage. Its maddening hunger festers, its hatred sharpens, and its patience grows cold and endless. No one who has dared to breach the tomb has lived to describe the creature. The few survivors of failed expeditions speak only of the suffocating sense of being watched by unseen eyes and the chilling, guttural growls echoing from the depths of the crypt.

For the strongest Sith who visit the Valley of the Dark Lords on Korriban, the beast is a silent, unseen test of resolve. Its oppressive aura seeps through the stone walls of the tomb, rattling the nerves of even the most battle-hardened Sith warriors. To them, it is a reminder of the raw, untamed power that Marka Ragnos wielded—a power so absolute that his will endures even in death through this savage sentinel.

Rumors swirl about the beast’s nature. Some claim it is a mutated tuk'ata, warped far beyond its natural state. Others suggest it may be a unique creation born from Sith alchemy, a hybrid of beast and Force-bound spirit, never meant to exist outside Ragnos's control. Whispers from ancient Sith holocrons even hint that its bond with Ragnos was so strong that it still roams the tomb as an extension of his will—a phantom guardian animated by his lingering presence in the Force.

Many have pondered the fate of this creature. Without a master to guide it, does it still recognize its duty? Or has it become a feral, mindless force of destruction, driven only by ancient instincts of pain and hunger? None can say for sure. But what is certain is this: to disturb the tomb of Marka Ragnos is to invite the wrath of something far older, far more savage, and far more relentless than any Sith Lord.











Left to guard the tomb serving as the resting place for its master, Marka Ragnos, the beast has dwelled in darkness for centuries. Legend tells that Ragnos beat his pet nightly, warping it with the Force until it was a creature of pure hate and anguish. Starved for unthinkable periods of time and then fed only blood, it is said to be filled with an unquenchable thirst for more. 

Since the death of its master and its seclusion in the tomb, no one has seen the beast and lived to tell the tale. But the strongest Sith can feel its unnerving presence. (Codex Text - Star Wars the Old Republic/Warrior Class Story)







Akk Dog




Loyal guard dogs, faithful pets and savage killers: with the right training, akk dogs can fill any of these roles. Those brave enough to challenge the beasts must contend with a thick, scaly carapace that deflects the most powerful of blows and jaws strong enough to crush durasteel. Although native to Haruun Kal, akk dogs have been exported across the galaxy to serve a variety of masters. When not domesticated, akk dogs live in the wild, hunting in packs and attacking anyone foolish enough to enter their territory. 

In addition to their incredible strength, akk dogs are rumored to be Force sensitive. In recent years a Jedi named Master Sulan attempted to connect with the creatures through Force-bonding exercises. The Jedi’s endeavor was cut short when his Padawan’s life was claimed by a particularly hungry akk dog pack leader.





Cave Jurgoran




Though not limited exclusively to caves, this subspecies of jurgoran is usually found in environments with little-to-no natural light. In order to adapt to its dark surroundings, the cave jurgoran has developed bioluminescent scales and a reflective hide. Each creature has a distinct glow pattern, nearly undetectable to most, but instantly recognizable by other cave jurgorans.

It is currently unknown how the jurgoran managed to migrate out of Dromund Kaas and settle in the darker corners of the galaxy. The most common theory among biologists is that the early Sith used jurgorans in battle but found them unpredictable and deserted them like forgotten pets. If this theory is correct, the cave jurgorans of today are descendants of these abandoned tools of war. (Codex Text - Star Wars the Old Republic / SWTOR)





Friday, September 13, 2019

Yozusk



Yozusks were originally referred to as “rock wardens” by the Sith when they arrived on Dromund Kaas, because they nested in the cliffsides around the jungle and because of the hard, rocky protrusions on their backs. Though they are extremely territorial, they primarily feed on animals living beneath the ground, which they dig up with their long arms. They are nocturnal creatures and rely primarily on their sense of smell in the darkness. They are incredibly strong, and many young thrill-seekers cut their teeth fighting the yozusks before moving on to the larger, more powerful gundarks. (Codex Text - Star Wars the Old Republic)






Womp Rat


Carnivorous rodents native to Tatooine, womp rats are a menace to any permanent settlement. They reproduce at a staggering rate and are known to stalk urban alleyways and remote moisture farms alike, prompting some authorities to maintain a standing bounty on the creatures. Vicious and ill-tempered, they prefer meals of organic debris and runoff--but even lone womp rats will attack any creature that gets too close, often spreading virulent disease.

When found in the desert, womp rats also hunt in packs, emerging from burrows and swarming their unfortunate victims in a flurry of claws and teeth. A dozen womp rats can overwhelm a full-grown dewback in just a few seconds, and larger packs regularly feast on fresh bantha. (Codex Text - Star Wars the Old Republic)



Vrake




Although currently abundant, the strikingly patterned vrakes were on the verge of extinction for more than a hundred years. An enterprising Makeb scientist, Kaylah Taprish, took a liking to the creatures--she claimed their faces reminded her of her favorite uncle--and spent five years studying and crossbreeding them before releasing a dozen new colonies into the wild. Unfortunately, with their numbers increased, vrakes have now become fiercely territorial.

The head crest of a vrake resembles the face of another Makeb predator, the thunderhead hawk. Vrakes use the crest to startle prey--usually birds and small rodents--for the rest of their colony to pounce on. (Codex Text - Star Wars the Old Republic)





Voreclaw



A subterranean species of semi-sentient bipedal insects, the voreclaw survived the devastating ritual that wiped out all life on Nathema's surface... but not without cost. The dark side cataclysm obliterated the Voreclaw's hive mind, transforming their underground colonies into mindless individuals without purpose or will.

Driven by hunger, the voreclaw emerged onto Nathema's barren surface, where the sun's radiation seared their exposed flesh and charred their chitinous shells. With no other plants or animals to eat, the voreclaw resorted to cannibalism-- devouring each other until only the few strongest remained.

The species was saved from extinction when the Sith Emperor captured the few survivors to use as guardians in his underground vault. Frozen in carbonite, the voreclaw remained in suspended animation for generations--grim sentries waiting to be awakened should anyone be foolish enough to enter their new domain.



Vine Cat



The heavily armored, sharp-toothed vine cat can pounce up to eight meters and has been known to tear a sleen apart in less than ten seconds. Its armored frill and hide protect it against larger predators such as the jurgoran, and its claws make it an expert climber when it needs to get away. The vine cat was introduced to Dromund Kaas by the early Sith from the dark forest world of Ziost and is responsible for wiping out three of Dromund Kaas’s native herbivorous species to date. (Codex Text - Star Wars the Old Republic / SWTOR)




Thursday, September 12, 2019

K’lor’slug




Hulking, worm-like creatures with pincer legs and gaping maws of teeth, k’lor’slugs are among the most dangerous species on Korriban. Not only can they shear a man in half or swallow him whole, they can project their vile, venomous spit great distances. Hatched from eggs laid hundreds at a time by their queens and blessed with a short incubation period, these hideous monsters can infest and overrun an area in no time. 

A century ago, a notorious hunter named Riegenn Hetuu was contracted to bring a live k’lor’slug queen to an eccentric Hutt for a gala celebration. The beast was meant to be a highlight in the Hutt’s annual gladiatorial tournament, but when Riegenn arrived on Hutta and opened his cargo bay, some four hundred k’lor’slugs poured out, consuming the hunter as well as the Hutt. To this day, the sound made when a batch of k’lor’slugs hatch is called “a Hutt’s cry.” (Codex Text - Star Wars the Old Republic / SWTOR)


K’lor’slug Codex Location




List of The Old Republic Bestiary

Rancor



Rancors are reptilian monstrosities known as some of the galaxy’s most dangerous predators. Although indigenous to the planet Dathomir, they have spread to many other worlds and thrived in many environments. Rancors are a favorite among the wealthiest underworld crime lords, who raise them from eggs to become (relatively) tame pets. Those whose rancors survive to adulthood are afforded a great deal of status, as well as a powerful weapon against their enemies.

A unique feature of the rancor is its tough hide–a mixture of fine scales, thick skin and bony plates. Blaster bolts and vibroblades have little effect upon the hide, and while these attributes fade from a hide removed from a rancor carcass, a few lucky hunters nonetheless wear ornamental outfits made from the material. (Codex Text - Star Wars the Old Republic / SWTOR)



Rancor Codex Location: Belsavis





Galactic History 08: Hyperspace Cannons




This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history: 

Early spaceflights were conducted with sleeper ships, their crews preserved via suspended animation over the long journeys to other worlds. But these journeys were incredibly slow. Remembering the efficient hyperdrive technology of the Infinite Empire, the most brilliant scientists of the galaxy began to study what remained of those machines, despite the claims of Tiran, the Drall scientist who centuries before said that nothing could travel faster than the speed of light. 

Eventually, this led to the development of a hyperspace “cannon.” These cannons allowed a ship to be propelled into hyperspace, though a second cannon was required for a ship to return to its origin point. 

The Core Worlds quickly established a hyperspace cannon network. The children of Coruscant soon encountered the Duros civilization, whose people became some of the earliest–and most daring–hyperspace explorers. The true colonization of the galaxy had begun. (Codex Text - Star Wars the Old Republic / SWTOR)




Galactic History 03: The Battalions of Zhell


This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history: 

In the millennia before the founding of the Republic, humans had not yet developed spaceflight. One human population–perhaps the only one–was confined to Coruscant, divided into thirteen tribes. This nearly proved disastrous when a volcanic eruption caused a near-extinction event, wiping out a large percentage of human life. 

This made the humans easy prey for the Taung, a gray-skinned species that reveled in battle. Awed by the majesty of the eruption’s ash cloud, the Taung took the name “Warriors of the Shadow,” descended on the surviving humans and subjugated them. Gradually the fighting force of the thirteen human tribes–known as the Battalions of Zhell–mustered a resistance against the Taung. 

After years of struggle, the Battalions managed to repel the Taung and claim their freedom. Coruscant has been the seat of humanity ever since. (Codex Text - Star Wars the Old Republic / SWTOR)


Galactic History 03: The Battalions of Zhell Location: Hutta