Department of Brotherhood History:
Scholae Palatinae History

I. Introduction

Greetings, Dark Jedi of the Brotherhood,

The goal of this course is to enlighten you in the inner workings of and give a brief overview of the history of the Royal Clan. In this course we will discuss the inner structure of the maze that is Scholae Palatinae government, as well as an overview of its rich past. It needs to be pointed out that the secrets of this Clan, as well as its more detailed information, are kept at the main library on Judecca in the Cocytus System.

II. History

II.1. Creation

The history of Scholae Palatinae starts at the height of the Galactic Empire. His Imperial Highness Emperor Palpatine ordered the inception of an elite group of Dark Jedi that he recruited from Imperial Intelligence. They were charged with the safe keeping of his various storehouses of knowledge. They were to be the ultimate guards, stronger even than the Royal Guards and were to be called the EmperorÕs Guards. However, when the Empire fell after the death of Palpatine, all knowledge of the group disappeared. In a raid on the Imperial Palace, an Intelligence Branch Leader from the EmperorÕs Hammer Strike Fleet, a small dominion of Imperial Space, found information of vital importance. This information detailed the formation of the EmperorÕs Guards and itsÕ mission, but they did not say what became of the group of Dark Jedi. Passing along this information to the Dark Brotherhood Council, they took what they found and formed a new group of the EmperorÕs Guards, called House Scholae Palatinae. The people that founded this House were again Dark Jedi selected from the ranks of the Intelligence branch of service. Over time, members of Praetorian Squadron, in service to both the Intelligence Division and the EmperorÕs Hammer, also started to join with the nascent House, bolstering their numbers.

As time passed, the House Scholae Palatinae, based from the Setii System, grew in power and influence until the formation of a Clan was inevitable. The formation of three Houses from the single House Scholae Palatinae then united under the newly formed Clan Scholae Palatinae banner.

• The militant Dorimad Sol was a House named after a famous Dark Jedi of ages past whose skill in both Dark Side lore and a lightsaber was legendary.
  
• The second House was named Acclivis Draco, or the Dragon Guard. Another idea of the Emperor's that was never implemented due to his untimely death, the Dragon Guard were supposed to be a legion of Force-using stormtroopers, far superior to the Imperial Royal Guard.
  
• The third and final House was called Caliburnus, after a mythical sword that could kill with one blow. Many legends told of this ÒCaliburnusÓ and scholars agree that this is one of the first references to a lightsaber, whose lethality is well-known.

II.2. The Great Wars and the Fall of a Clan

The new Clan kept growing in power, eventually having to relocate to the Hela System when their homeworld on Setii became unstable due to tectonic movements. The Clan prospered, and during the events of the First Great Jedi War, the Clan was narrowly defeated by Clan Satal Keto, but earned the grudging respect of many. For their efforts, they were awarded the control of a Modified-C90 Corellian Corvette.

However, power doesnÕt keep growing. During the Second Great Jedi War, a rebellion erupted on Hela. On one side stood the ruling Consul and his power base, on the other side stood several distinguished members of the Clan. In a bold move, the Star Chamber destroyed the once great Clan and dismantled itsÕ infrastructure. Why the Star Chamber decided on such a drastic action had as yet to be discovered, but in the end two Houses, Acclivis Draco and Dorimad Sol, were placed under the auspice of Clan Arcona. House Caliburnus was wiped out, its headquarters set ablaze from orbit from an attempted Base Delta Zero. Few members survived, hiding out on the icy plains of the frozen world. Years later, probes would indicate that the rubble had been rebuilt. This stands as a token of the perseverance and drive to survive and stand out that defines this House. While part of Arcona, however, the other two Houses met hardship as well undergoing many horrors that, up to the present day, make diplomatic relations between these two Clans nearly impossible.

However, the truth got out. Arcona had subverted the Clan leadership, and plead a faulty argument to the Star Chamber, leading to their decision to wipe out the Clan. Somehow the information got to the surviving members, and they themselves took up their cry of revolt back up to the Star Chamber. Eager to avoid a virtual civil war in Arcona, the Star Chamber restored all Clan property and members back to their home, combining the three Houses under the Royal banner once more. They spent quite a bit of time recovering from these events, slowly biding their time.

During the Third Great Jedi War, the Clan placed squarely in the middle, making many wonder if the power of the Clan had waned in the intervening time. Their poor standing and actions during the Fourth Great Jedi War, failing to bring back the Skin of Fire, did nothing to silence their critics. The so-called Fifth Great Jedi War was in reality a siege upon the Hela System by pirates that were easily batted aside. However, little did they know that this was a precursor to much more serious things.

II.3. The Exodus and Slow Ascension

For the entire Brotherhood, the Exodus was a particularly traumatic event, more so felt in a traditionalist Clan like CSP. Injustice was running rampant, and the situation came to a head when one of the CSP members, then Jedi Hunter Anga Salinas, was completely disrespected and dismissed by high-ranking officials. Some tried to work from within to help rectify the situation, but it was clear to many, including The Seven, that the ways of the Brotherhood and the ways of the corrupt government of the EmperorÕs Hammer were at a crossroads.

Moving quickly, lest their plans be known too soon, the Brotherhood revolted. Under the wise leadership of The Seven, the Brotherhood, minus Clan Alvaak, departed their homes and departed in a single day under the Cloak of the Dark Side. For Clan Scholae Palatinae, this meant packing up their belongings, using all available ships, and departing EH-controlled space to coordinates provided by The Seven. The Exodus, or the ÒGreat SplitÓ as it has been called, remains one of the most impressive displays of logistical accomplishment that to this day has not been matched.

Unfortunately, once word of the reason for the move was found, some members balked at joining the so-called Rebel Brotherhood, preferring to remain behind. Unwilling to harm those that were their brothers and sisters, the Clan leadership allowed them safe passage to systems controlled by the EmperorÕs Hammer. In this way, the Clan lost a third of its members. However, the Clan was not willing to leave behind the spoils of their work, and all Clan structures that remained behind were completely raised to the ground. This scorched-earth policy ensured that there would be no evidence that would remain behind that could possibly harm the Clan.

It was during this move that a small space battle was fought with elements of the Clan fleet and the elite Praetorian Squadron, which the Clan won. Beyond that small battle, everything went off remarkably well for the Clan. Others were not so lucky, as desperate combat actions were fought in the dark, and many loyal Hammer soldiers were killed in a last-ditch effort to contain the Brotherhood.

Despite initial confusion, it was during the Exodus that the advance troops of CSP found and conquered the Cocytus System, in Hutt space, settling in for the long term. Content with their find, the Clan decided that they would defend their home against any threat and would defend it with every last breath. Up to the present day, Cocytus remains the seat of power of Scholae Palatinae with Judecca serving as the headquarters for the Summit as well as the military forces of the clan.

However, the sudden departure, the loss of so many leaders and members, the general instability of the Brotherhood as a whole, and fear of any possible retaliation by the EmperorÕs Hammer all lead to possibly the worst year that the Clan had experienced. During 19 and 20 ABY, the Clan cycled through more than three Consuls, Proconsuls, as well as many Quaestors and Aediles. This shaky government caused all sorts of chaos within the Clan, and with leaders being replaced almost on a weekly basis no one knew what to do or whom to go to. Worse, the events of the Invasion of Antares, the BrotherhoodÕs first combat action since the Exodus, did nothing to help stabilize the Clan. The loss of hundreds of troopers and lots of valuable military equipment lead to a poor showing amongst the Clans, leading to finger pointing and accusations within the Clan, blaming one another for the loss of so many assets.

The Clan came very close to losing their identity as a Clan. As it was, those members that remained that had some experience tried valiantly to hold things together, and for the most part they succeeded. Due to the lack of members, many parts of the Clan were disbanded, and whatever members these units had were assigned to others that needed shoring up. Slowly, the Clan took hold of their new home, and their confidence in their situation and with the new order of things grew. More and more began to see the fruits of the vision of The Seven, and it was good.

The events of the Sixth Great Jedi War finally shook up the Clan, as their losses and ineptitude to come up with a strategy to counter the efforts and warriors of the Sith Lord Okemi via his hosts, Dark Jedi Master Kem-Shu Maeda and Deputy Grand Master Jac Cotelin, became an intolerable event for many. This motivated many to prove their worth in the next conflict, and this showed in a modest success during the KÕhamarÕan Crisis. During the Invasion of Coratua, this trend continued, as they also were able to complete their objectives, although not timely enough in several cases. However, the slow and steady pace that CSP had set had finally started to pay off, as they were now managing to regain power and influence in the Brotherhood. Many great leaders had a part in this, and the Consuls Saitou and Cuchulain pressed their own unique stamps on the Clan right before the Exodus. They were followed by Consul Vail Unteminar, Vally Aquillarum Tamalar and their Proconsul Arania Lawakiro Palpatine and many others, all of whom stabilized and with remarkable foresight led the Clan through their early stages while settling in their new home. They ably led CSP through conflict and peace, alliances and feuds, hammering a basis for the Clan we know today to grow upon.

The Seventh Great Jedi War and the sudden siding of Clans to either one Jac Cotelin or the other caught CSP unawares. The friction between having to work with Clan Arcona, the ClansÕ historical enemy, was intolerable to many. With the chaos and uncertainty, confused and conflicting orders were being given, with members in some cases taking it upon themselves to allow Arcona to fail. In the meantime, their supposed ally, Clan Taldryan, used this confusion to the maximum advantage, undermining both Clans and at every turn. In the end, the performance of the Clan suffered, especially at the hands of Clan Naga Sadow. Although resentful against Naga Sadow, the real damage was done by the actions of Taldryan. Until this day, both Clans retain a fierce rivalry, and since the Seventh Great Jedi War, every Consul that has been appointed are made to swear that Taldryan will some day bow before the Clan in a show of humility.

This poor showing also motivated the Clan leadership to start preparations to be ready for all future conflicts, with the payoff coming with a great performance during the Second Darkness exercise run by the Dark Council.

II.4. The Yuuzhan Vong Invasion

The Clan and Brotherhood in general were caught completely unaware of upcoming deadly threat. The Second Darkness exercise had just been completed with many of the Clan members, including Third Heroine Rasilvenaira StormRaven, celebrating their victories orbiting the Antei System. Into the middle of this celebration, a massive Yuuzhan Vong invasion fleet struck. The Clan fleet that was present tried to fight back, but the confusion and surprise was too complete. Within an hour, the Braata Option was implemented, ordering the scattered and mauled fleets of the Clans to flee the system via the Shroud of Antei, where it was hoped the Yuuzhan Vong could not follow.

Right before this could occur, the Clan Council had received word that the Cocytus System was under attack by a separate Yuuzhan Vong fleet. With dread over facing this implacable foe, the flagship of the Clan Fleet, the VSD Excidium and her escort arrived in-system, after making hasty repairs the best way they could.

They found that the Clan capital ships that had remained in-system had managed to fight off Yuuzhan Vong ships, but at severe cost to the ClanÕs starfighter assets. Furthermore, the Yuuzhan Vong managed to land ground troops on several planets within the system, forcing the Clan to engage them on the ground. Probes were also dispatched to find the remaining Yuuzhan Vong capital ships. An interloping Arconan strike force was discovered too late in the system, and they managed to destroy one of the ClansÕ smaller capital ships. More concerned by a counter-attack by the Yuuzhan Vong fleet, the Clan leadership allowed the Arconan ships to depart the system intact, with the promise of later payback.

The ground battles on Antenora and Ptolomea were fierce, but the fighting on the ClanÕs Headquarters planet Judecca and especially the icy hell of Caina redefined brutal warfare. Untold lives were lost in the conflicts, but during the initiated ÒOperation: ReclamationÓ all were eventually freed from the grips of the Yuuzhan Vong. Of them, Antenora was freed first, thanks largely to the rugged terrain that helped the defenders enormously, and they were thus spared any Yuuzhan Vong terraforming. Judecca was freed next, and only suffered small sections of the planet that were terraformed, Caina was next, and suffered more, but the most remarkable change was on Ptolomea, where vast sections of the planet were changed at the hands of the Yuuzhan Vong. Not all the changes on Ptolomea were for the worst, as many portions of the planet suddenly became much more conductive towards life.

Meanwhile, the Yuuzhan Vong assault fleet had been located, and the Clan flagship along with two transports and the escort of the Lancer-class Frigate OgmioÕs Whip as well as the Modified Corvette Victory immediately departed to engage the Yuuzhan Vong fleet.

The engagement was a trap. The Clan fleet, nowhere near ready for combat operations due to the events at Antei, found themselves pressed hard by the Yuuzhan Vong. An initial wave of coral skippers destroyed the OgmioÕs Whip, despite a valiant defense by the Clan starfighters that had been carried in by the Excidium. Two frigate analogs then engaged the remaining Clan ships, with a VuaÕspar Interdictor blocking off their line of retreat.

Consul Braecen Kaeth, assisted by Dark Jedi Master Natth aÕNiel Palpatine, boarded a Clan yacht, racing towards the cruiser analog in an apparent reckless charge. Under their orders, the Excidium and Victory reversed course, making a direct line to the cruiser analog. During the race, a frigate analog was destroyed as well as both Clan transports.

With orders from the Consul to depart the system as soon as the interdiction field was destroyed, the Victory sped in, leading the way while the yacht managed to board the cruiser analog. The Victory did not fare well, as the far better armed and armored cruiser analog made the valiant ship pay for its' audacity. The Consul and Master Palpatine both managed to destroy the dovin basals that were creating the interdiction field, allowing the Excidium to barely escape.

Upon their return to Clan space, Commander Sommetra, commanding Fleet officer at the time, warned all remaining Clan warships that they were being pursued, but as they were all providing orbital fire support for ground operations around the system, they were slow to respond. The Yuuzhan Vong cruiser and frigate analogs had arrived in-system, and were able to pick off the Clan vessels one by one, with the loss of the frigate analog.

Fearing the power of the cruiserÕs firepower against the Clan ground troops, and severely damaged, Commander Sommetra found herself with no option, and ordered the Excidium to ram the opposing ship. Her actions caused the destruction of the treat to the Clan, even at the cost of their own flagship.

However, within hours the ClanÕs newest prizes, a pair of Imperial II-Class Star Destroyers, recently completed for the Clan by Kuat Drive Yards in their Xa Fel facilities per Operation: Strike Back arrived in-system and awaited the arrival of the ClanÕs newest flagship, the Nebula-Class Star Destroyer Excidium II. With the arrival of new capital ships in their fleet, new starfighters, a vastly revamped, re-equipped and experienced army, and their home system back under their control, CSP emerged an extremely powerful force.

II.5. Reclamation, Rebuilding, and Uneasy Alliances

Needless to say, the Yuuzhan Vong Incursion cost the Brotherhood untold disasters. With the loss of their entire system and quite a lot of combat assets, Clan Arcona found themselves a wandering horde, much to the bloodlust satisfaction of many within CSP. The savage combat also cost CSP their Consul Braecen Kaeth, but Proconsul Phoenix Palpatine stepped in easily into the power vacuum and took firm charge, leading the events of Operation: Reclamation. However, Kaeth had fled CSP in his madness, and found home amongst Clan Plagueis as their Consul, much to the surprise of many within CSP. While CSP had been dealing with the Yuuzhan Vong in Cocytus, Plagueis had lost much of their own fleet during the withdrawal from Antei, and thus were unable to effectively to reclaim their home, the Jusadih System, and requested help from both CSP and Arcona.

Although leery of any Arconan treachery, the Clan leadership agreed to assist Clan Plagueis. After several false starts and an almost all-out war between the Arconans and CSP, they finally arrived at Jusadih, assisting in the reclamation of the system. However, Arcona again attempted to cause a rift between Plagueis and CSP forces, and only the arrival of several Yuuzhan Vong warships dampened the flaring up of hostilities amongst the Clans.

Along with the assistance of a major Dark Council fleet, the combined Clan forces crushed the Yuuzhan Vong threat, and the forces of CSP emerged the undisputed leader amongst their peers. Finally feeling vindicated the victorious forces of the Clan returned home in glory.

The Clan resumed their military preparations, as the Grand Master had warned them that they would soon re-take Antei. Also, the Clan struggled with the integrations of defecting Yuuzhan Vong as well as the monumental task of rebuilding their economy and infrastructure after so much damage done to it. Still, they were ready when the call finally came for the reclamation of Antei.

II.6. Invasion of Antei

Called the Ninth Great Jedi War, the Invasion of Antei was a highly coordinated and ultimately successful conflict that brought to the forefront many of the lessons learned by the Clan. Clan Arcona, in a blaze of suicidal effort, managed to secure all of their objectives first, and the greater resources and firepower of Clan Taldryan brought them in close behind, but the power and might of CSP brought them in next. The Clan leadership realized that they were in effect fighting a foreign war, and were hesitant to squander their carefully trained army and resources in fighting someone elseÕs war. Furthermore, various rebellious elements within the Clan as well as an almost out-right mutiny amongst the Clan Fleet against the Clan leadership came close to causing disaster, but Emperor Thran Occasus squelched all threats and personally led the Clan to a well earned spot in the top three with Arcona & Taldryan as Proconsul Angelo Dante was named Third Hero of the conflict.

Following the return of the clanÕs military forces to the Cocytus System, they were immediately pressed into service against the terrorist organization known as ÒThe CauseÓ who operated primarily on Antenora & Ptolomea. With unconfirmed reports that Arcona was financing them, this group was causing major havoc against the government of the Emperor. Soon, the once mighty House Caliburnus was brought to its knees on Ptolomea, and Thran had to order the destruction of the house along with much of the planet in order to ÒsaveÓ it from the terrorists. Eventually, the Imperial Scholae Guard was able to decimate the insurgent cells, and the primary founders of the group were caught and executed by the EmperorÕs own hand.

After years of constant combat, the Dark Jedi and the troopers of the Imperial Armed Forces were beginning to falter. High casualty rates, defections to other clans, and the retirements of many leaders or long term members had taken their toll on the combat effectiveness of the Clan. It was in this down time that a Rite of Supremacy was called to decide who would have the honor of ridding Salas V of an infestation of Killiks. After a crushing defeat at the hands of Clan Taldryan, the clan managed to hold their own in combat in a free for all situation against both Tarentum and Plagueis. Even as the clan finally was able to make progress towards the end of the Rite, Scholae Palatinae finished as the sixth of seven clans only besting Clan Plagueis. The forces of Scholae Palatinae returned to the Cocytus system dejected but looking towards reclaiming their place among the top clans.

III. Government

III.1. Summit

The CSP Summit is, ultimately, the end-all, be-all when it comes to decisions within the Clan. In such capacity, the Consul also holds the title of the Emperor of the Clan, heading up all political, economic, industrial and overall military strength of the Clan and the entire Cocytus System. The Proconsul takes the title of Grand Marshal, which is directly responsible for the entire Clan military. Next up would be the various House Summit members, each Quaestor responsible for entire planets on which they are based on, including political, economic, industrial, and overall military readiness of their respective planets. The respective Aedile leads the planetary militaries as well, on a strategic and tactical basis.

III.2. The Palpatines

To earn the Clan title of Palpatine is to receive a badge of honor that is paramount within the walls of Scholae Palatinae. As the direct guardians of the Palpatine line, protectors of his Dark Side knowledge and advocates to the execution of his will - those whom bear the Dark Lord's name do so after establishing themselves as prominent and loyal members of the Royal Clan, the Royal Family. Only the most loyal of members of the Clan, whom have proven themselves time after time are even considered, much less named.

III.3. House Military

The Clan military is divided up into the Legions of Scholae Palatinae and the Fleet of Scholae Palatinae. The Legions is comprised of the Expeditionary Corps, the Sector Defense Corps, and the Praetorian Regiment. The Fleet of Scholae Palatinae is actually comprised of two separate components: The Scholae Palatinae Space Expeditionary Fleet (SEF or TIE Corps) and the Scholae Palatinae Naval Fleet.

The Militia originally was little more than a ceremonial force, but after the Yuuzhan Vong invasion the Clan found itself in need of a standing army specifically tasked to defend their home. Thus, the Militia was disbanded, and the Sector Defense Corps was established to provide a military presence on each occupied planet in the Cocytus System.

The Expeditionary Corps of Scholae Palatinae is the offensive arm of the Clan army. These troops are the vanguard of any offensive action. Highly trained and equipped, they provide the shock power on the ground and can complete any objective. Most of these legions are forward deployed on the ships of the fleet.

The Praetorian Regiment is responsible for the defense of the headquarters of the Clan on Judecca. Heavily armed with a variety of weaponry, the Praetorian is one of the most feared units in the ClanÕs order of battle.

The SEF is the organization that is responsible for all star fighter responsibilities, including system/planetary defense and fleet actions, both defensive and offensive. In an emergency they can be given orders by the Fleet Commander, but in practice that is rarely done, and the Corps Commander usually commands the Corps in any combat action.

The Scholae Palatinae Naval Fleet is the actual capital and transport ship assets that the Clan has. The original Clan fleet, dating mainly back to pre-Exodus times, was vastly out of date, out-gunned by many. This was dramatically proven in various combat actions against the Yuuzhan Vong, which resulted in the destruction of the old Clan fleet. Fortunately, plans were already in place to modernize the Fleet, and now the Clan Fleet stands strong with a thoroughly lethal combat capacity. The Clan in general is quite proud of the Fleet, as they realize that they are the primary shield and sword of the Clan.

In all branches of the Clan military, there is heavy recruiting done from the natives of the system, as well as recruitment from outside sources. Since the Clan pays fairly decently, they do not have much trouble filling out the lower slots. However, some of the more technically demanding fields that need to be filled sometimes go without being filled due to lack of qualified personnel. Outside recruitment is mainly where this situation comes into play.

Most members of the clan also serve actively in the military or merge into the command structure in times of conflict. While rank in the Brotherhood is a factor in some billeting decisions, skill in the art of combat is the predominate factor in where a member servers and at what rank.

III.4. Dark Paladins

The Paladins fall under the direct command of the Consul. Created at the dawn of the Seventh Great Jedi War by Braecen Kaeth, their purpose was to uphold the Clan ethos and stand as a shining example of what an active member should strive to represent unto the Clan. As the crushing Fist of Palpatine, the Dark Paladin personified the terrors of Sith Lord. Always the first to war, The Paladin would hold high the banner of the Clan, drawing the troops onward. In times of peace this tenacious Member worked undyingly for the Clan as they helped the clan grow in power and strength. To display this, the Member was given a set of privileges such as the power on equal with an Aedile, ability to take control of any military unit from its commander, and a host of economic rewards including villas, castles, and credits. Beginnning with the first Dark Paladin, Thran Occasus and continuing on with Tyno, Dante, Robin Hawk, and others, the Dark Paladins have been a driving force in major conflicts and within the leadership of the Clan.

Outlook and Conclusion

In general, given their history, House Scholae Palatinae has an instinctive distrust for other Clans as a whole. By nature very much an isolationist Clan, the Clan members ironically usually welcome individuals from other Clans with open arms. More than a few have come to CSP looking for solace and for a place of safety, and instead found a home. Others have as well, but instead moved on to other Clans, helping to revitalize their commitment to the Brotherhood.

There are signs that this is starting to change. More recent Clan leaders are making a push to get the ClanÕs name some recognition amongst the other Clans, and have made extensive military preparations for such a purpose. As such, the Clan feels as if theyÕre on the precipice of truly becoming a political and military force to be reckoned with within the Brotherhood.

We hope that this course has given you an insight into the inner mechanics of Clan Scholae Palatinae. For a more detailed history or more in-depth governmental information, please visit the CSP Wiki page.

CREDITS: The author would like to thank Ood BÕnar, the entire Scholae Palatinae leadership, and all former leaders of the Clan immensely for the work above. Their work combined is what has made this document into how it stands today.

Special note: you will likely have to use supporting information from the House Scholae Palatinae wiki articles (found at wiki.darkjedibrotherhood.com) to complete the exam. Editing or vandalizing articles, especially with the intent to prevent another person from passing this exam, will result in harsh penalties.

Take the Exam: HERE