The compound is surrounded by a high wall with one main gate on the northern side, and several smaller entrances on the other walls. Inside the walls, there is a large lawn which is at least a hundred yards long all around the main building, like a large grassy moat. The reason for the lawn is threefold: first, it is visually stimulating and adds to the grandeur of the compound, second it allows the Jedi a large open place to practice and train, and third, if the compound ever came under attack, this large open area with no cover would prove deadly for any would-be invaders. It allows clean, clear shots from the towers, balconies and walkways that are scattered throughout the outside of the structure. Spread throughout the lawn is a network of automated defense systems, mostly consisting of E-Web blasters that will automatically open fire on intruders when they are on alert mode. The rear part of the lawn behind the headquarters building is retractable; it opens to the hangar bay that occupies the first sub-level of the building.
All entrances to the compound are kept under armed guard at all times, and also contain hand scanners, or retina scanners for the more sensitive areas of the building. The main doors at the front gate are massive, over twenty feet tall, and are made out of wood from the local forest. They were carved and etched by the Krath Brothers of House Ektrosis, who used several Sith spells on the large doors that serve some unknown purpose. The Clan insignia was etched into the center of the doors, splitting in half when the mechanical drive opens the doors.
Inside the main doors and down the central hallway is the main audience chamber, more commonly called the Grand Hall. It is oval shaped and very large, the whole Clan along with its guests, support staff, retainers, and even some of the locals who had made ties with the Clan could fit inside if there was an assembly, or in time of emergency. A large balcony wrapped around the perimeter, with trellises and archways as portals to the different areas of the building in the recesses. One of the most distinguishing features of the hall are the statues of former Clan members who have done great things for both the Clan and the Brotherhood. They stand in front of the support columns on the second story balcony. Many great leaders of the Brotherhood have come from Taldryan, and the Clan forever immortalizes them in these statues.
Walking through the left archways you will find the Turbolifts that lead to the six upper levels. These levels contain mostly member's quarters, with the Consul and the Proconsul's quarters, along with distinguished guest quarters, occupying the top two levels, accessible only by a single special Turbolift that can be operated by using an ancient Sith incantation known only to the Consul, his bodyguards, and the Proconsul. This lift is kept under guard at all times.
On the top level of the compound, you can find the Consul quarters. These quarters display both the wealth and prestige of the head of Clan Taldryan. The quarters are very large, and split into several sections. The area you enter after leaving the Turbolift is the Consul's reception area. His staff works in this room, and one of his bodyguards, the Cohors Praetoria, can usually be found guarding the back door. This back door leads to the private library and office. This room holds an extensive collection of Dark Side lore and tomes of knowledge collected, along with objects obtained during travels throughout the galaxy. The Consul's desk, a very large and intricately-carved wooden piece, dominates the back of the room and is designed to make the person behind it appear powerful and larger than life. There are two hidden back exits from the library known only to the Consul, his bodyguards, and the Proconsul. One of these exits leads to a private bedroom and mediation chamber, the contents and layout of which are known only to the Consul. The other exit leads to a small hidden hangar bay, large enough for a special two-person fighter in case he and the Proconsul ever need to make a quick escape. The second member of the elite Praetorian can never be found in the same place; instead he surveys activity from one of several hidden alcoves in the quarters, ready to respond to any threats that might manage to get through the outer defenses.
The second-highest level of the Headquarters contains the Proconsuls quarters, as well as guest quarters for visiting dignitaries or Dark Council members. Both of these are made up of two large rooms, and are intricately adorned. The two levels below this are dedicated to House Archanis, Dinaari, and Ektrosis members who are staying there temporarily, or anyone else the Clan Summit allows to occupy a room.
If you go back down below these four levels you return to the Grand Hall. Through the archways on the right side of the hall there are the Turbolifts to the lower or subterranean levels. The first sub-level contains the Headquarters hangar bay. The hangar bay has racks for a full squadron of TIEs, and also houses the Consul's private shuttle, several fighters of various design, and other shuttles and support craft, as well as speeder bikes and other equipment.
The second sub-level contains support and command areas for the building. The Surveillance and Control Center is located here, along with the Situation room and Intelligence Center, all of which are kept under heavy guard. You can also find the heating, database, and utility rooms here. The kitchen, which is always open, and which serves some of the best food in the Brotherhood, is also found on this level.
The third sub-level contains the Clan library and archives. Many Dark Side tomes and writings are contained here, along with the original copies of many Taldryan resources. Also found on this level are artifacts and objects that have come to the Clan throughout the years.
The fourth sub-level is used for training. It contains a large room with flight simulators and another large open room for lightsaber sparring. Since the Consul and Proconsul are some of the few Dark Jedi who stay at the Headquarters permanently, they can often be found in the sparring room practicing. A weight room and a pool are across the hallway from the flight simulator room and sparring area, mostly for the enjoyment of the Clan's guests. Down the hall is a locker area, with showers, a sauna, and laundry facilities.
The fifth sub-level is closed to all but the Consul, Proconsul, and approved technicians. It contains the power generators for the entire complex. The technicians that are allowed to enter the area are all mute, live in the generator room, and are not permitted to leave. Due to the secrecy surrounding the room, some think that it contains more than mere power generators, and that is why the Consul and Proconsul guard it so fiercely, but the truth is shrouded by the Clan summit.
The Headquarters compound of Clan Taldryan is one of the most celebrated structures ever built in Clan history. Its grandeur is a direct reflection of the immense power and influence of the Clan. In the future when Taldryan beings to fulfill its destiny and rule over the other six Clans of the Brotherhood, the Headquarters will serve as the command center for the operation, and eventually the capital city of the new Taldryan Empire.
Taldryan Initiation Temple
After construction of Taldryan's headquarters was completed, Kir Taldrya Katarn ordered that a temple be constructed in the jungle nearby. The Temple would be the home of Taldryan's Rank Initiation Rituals, mysterious ceremonies that would signify each member's advancement through the Brotherhoods rank hierarchy.
No clear paths led from the Headquarters to the Temple, as if it had been dropped into a clearing in the center of the jungle. The Temple was large, but the surrounding jungle seemed to swallow the structure, making it appear much smaller than it is. Outwardly it did not appear to be an architectural wonder, but rather a very simple stone structure. The real marvel of the Temple was the use of its interior space. There were ten rooms inside the structure. Two were large audience chambers that backed up to each other, and each large chamber had four smaller antechambers. The chambers were lined with different types of stone, and were all designed to be easily modifiable for the many different rituals they would house. All of these rooms were connected by a maze of corridors that were built to confuse Initiates who would travel through them.
The same workers and artisans that had constructed Taldryan's Headquarters had quickly gone to work on the Temple, after a "polite" request from the Consul. They had worked night and day and managed to complete the Temple in record time. The Consul then had the workers move in the many artifacts Taldryan had brought with them when they have fled the Emperor's Hammer territories, as well as the force-enhanced objects that make the many Initiation Rituals possible.
Kir Taldrya Katarn and former Proconsul Sharad Taldrya Hett personally presided over the opening of the Temple, using ancient Sith incantations to ensure its sanctity. Every rank elevation in Taldryan shall now take place inside the Initiation Temple. These rituals are known only to the Consul and the Ritual Master, an elder and respected member of the Clan, as well as those who have gone through them. The Initiation Temple is both feared and admired by the members of Clan Taldryan, who yearn for promotions but fear the mysterious rituals that accompany them.
Last Updated: March 19, 2008