The Araneolus Legacy

Childhood

Ryloth

Yuned’rar — who was born Yuned’racor — was the youngest of four children. His parents were Jela’ven, a former Jedi, and Poy’racor, the daughter of a governor. He has two older brothers, Chee’racor and Inun’racor (1), and an older sister, Aola’racor (2). The family lived fairly comfortably on Ryloth given Poy’racor’s family’s status.

Everything changed one day when a Sith and Imperial officers scouted their neighbourhood for Force-sensitive children. Upon discovering their family, and attempting negotiations to take their daughter away for training, the somewhat routine mission turned south rather quickly. A fight broke out and ended in the loss of both parents. Aola’racor was captured by the Sith while the other children managed to escape briefly.

In the ruckus, Inun’racor and Yuned’rar were separated from their older brother and picked up by Chakt’alar, a Twi’lek slave-trader. The brothers were sold to different owners with Inun’racor eventually ending up on Dantooine and Yuned’rar on Tatooine.

Tatooine — Part I

Chakt’alar ended up selling, or lending, little Yuned’rar — who at this time was just going by the name Yuned — to Bentar La’aso, a Bothan droid repairman in the trading town of Mos Emos on Tatooine. Yuned’rar actually had a fairly normal childhood under Bentar’s care and guidance. He learned how to repair and build droids, and even made friends with a small pack of Rattataki younglings.

Adolescence

Tatooine — Part II

That is, of course, when the slave-trader wasn’t coming by to pluck the boy off the planet for his own personal gains. Eventually, Chakt’alar resold Yuned’rar to his Hutt boss, placing him with a job in his pleasure palace. In his teens, Yuned’rar was pressured to become a performer.

Yuned’rar increasingly caused problems for the staff and clients with his outbursts and generally bad behaviour. The Hutt, now tired of Chakt’alar’s antics and the feral Twi’lek he brought in, arranged to sell the teen to some Imperial officers who frequented his establishment.

Korriban

The Imperial officer gladly took the Twi’lek off the Hutt’s hands and brought him, along with a handful of other slaves, to Korriban to join the archaeological dig sites around the Sith Academy. It wasn’t long before the continued abuse made Yuned’rar lash out at his new keepers, though this time was markedly different. He shot a bolt of lightning at the officers — not enough to properly injure them, but more than enough to grab their attention.

Yuned’rar was taken out of the dig sites and evaluated by Sith instructors, after which he was given a simple Initiate’s uniform, a bed in a dormitory room, and a training sabre. His lessons started immediately.

Unlike on Tatooine, Yuned’rar had a very hard time making friends or allies at the academy, likely a combination his status as a former slave and an alien, as well as his poor handle of Galactic Basic, having spoken mostly Huttese all his life.

There was however one Initiate who did take kindly to him and, after a time, became the family he sorely needed: a young Rutian Twi’lek named Shiri’rar. She was a couple of years older than Yuned’rar and protected him much like a big sister would. Shiri’rar helped Yuned’rar learn Basic, and they often sparred and studied together. So close was their bond that she began calling him Yuned’rar, which he enjoyed and adopted the name.

The pair would, however, be separated after they completed their trials with Shiri’rar returning home to Kaas City to continue her training with her father, and Yuned’rar being rather quickly chosen as an apprentice by Lord Minq, who was a middle-aged Mirialan.

Dromund Kaas — Part I

The Master

Lord Minq’s headquarters were housed in the jungles of Dromund Kaas outside of the city where she could remain fairly unbothered by other Sith and their shenanigans. Her own greed-filled and paranoid shenanigans were much more important and Yuned’rar, a rather vicious apprentice, was to be moulded as her weapon of choice.

While it’s likely that she could have taken the time to train her apprentice to obey her, Lord Minq proved to be too impatient to temper the Twi’lek and turned to Sith rituals instead. She spent a week working Yuned’rar over with a curse to break his mind and force him to bend to her. Unbeknownst to her, the ritual she was using was missing a key tablet, so while the curse technically worked, it was meant to lessen and wear off within a few days — it did not. It became stuck in a loop, bombarding Yuned’rar with nightmarish visions and whispers.

Lord Minq didn’t seem to mind that her apprentice was being tormented and decided to mark his official apprenticeship with traditional Sith tattoos. Once again, Yuned’rar had no say in it and was forced to submit. He was then sent on a series of missions to retrieve artefacts for his Master and to, on occasion, kill whoever owned what she deemed to be her possessions.

It was not Yuned’rar plan to kill his Master, but that is what ended up happening. She ventured out with him on a mission to an old ruin, where she wanted to steal relics and see the site herself. On this mission, Lord Minq pushed Yuned’rar a little too far and, whether it was his explosive power alone or a combination of that and the raging Kaas storm, his Master perished after being crushed by the collapsing ruins.

Yuned’rar abandoned her body in the jungles, returned to her headquarters to gather his few belongings, and fled to the city to find Shiri’rar.

The Family -- Part I

Shiri’rar’s family — well, her father Gidela’rar at least — welcomed Yuned’rar with open arms and set up a room for him in their home. Her mother, Kriy’rar, was distant and off having an affair with the Sith Alchemist, and known basement creeper, Kosha’ayele (3). She mysteriously vanished after a few months.

Gidela’rar took Yuned’rar under his wing as an unofficial apprentice to help him with his combat training and, especially, controlling the Force as his internal anger and turmoil made him rather volatile. The training and better overall environment did help and Yuned’rar grew into a pretty confident young Sith with a budding interest in archaeology and art.

Adult

Dromund Kaas — Part II

With Yuned’rar’s master gone and his training furthered by Gidela’rar, he was eventually promoted to Sith Lord and took on the name Lord Araneolus, which he continues to use in official Imperial business.

At some point, Yuned’rar was also finally able to rid himself of the botched ritual curse that his incompetent Master had placed on him. Darth Bi’ev (4), an old eccentric Sith, offered his aid, likely more so for his own interest, but either way, the Twi’lek was grateful.

The Lovers

As a young, still troubled adult, Yuned’rar met a surprisingly friendly Rattataki Sith Diplomat by the name of Yxaxajj (5). They complimented each other on their tattoos and Yuned’rar managed to open up surprisingly easily. He was still rather uncomfortable with strangers but Yxaxajj respected his space. Soon after he gifted Yuned’rar a gonk droid that he had fixed up.

Their friendship slowly grew into romance, which honestly caught Yuned’rar off guard when he realised his own feelings. They married a year or so later. They had a semi-open relationship and Yxaxajj’s friend Rasejj (6), a Mandalorian Rattataki, was often invited.

The Family -- Part II

Having not known his birth family or his background at all, Yuned’rar set out to see if he could find any information at all. It took some time but he managed to find old records on possible leads. This lead him to discover his older sister, who was now known as Lord La Vao. She was cunning and mainly interested in seeking and amassing power. Yuned’rar dropped that connection as soon as he figured that out.

Before that, however, he did get some information on their family. He travelled to Ryloth for the first time since being taken from his homeworld, found his childhood home, his parents’ graves, and eventually his eldest brother, Chee’racor, who had decided for his own safety not to pursue training in the Force and was instead an actor in the local theatre.

After learning of their Jedi connections via their late father, Yuned’rar felt out through the Force and managed, just barely, to reach out to his other brother, who was a Jedi going under the name Zelada’afa. They secretly met on Nar Shaddaa, and continue to meet, catch up, and discuss various Jedi and Sith teachings.

Tatooine — Part III

We’re now caught up to modern-day! Yuned’rar and his partners — with Rasejj now officially married to him and Yxaxajj as well — now mainly live on Tatooine a couple of hours away from his childhood town of Mos Emos. They found an abandoned property and renovated it, turning it into a small trading post and stopover for travellers with a handful of guest rooms available and a small cantina.

Yuned’rar is still a Sith Lord on the records but ideologically he considers himself a neutral Force-user, studying both Jedi and Sith artefacts and relics in private. He works at the Mos Emos Culture and History museum as an historical linguist and often accompanies teams to dig sites as both an archaeologist and guard. He continues to make irregular visits back to Dromund Kaas to keep appearances.

The trio has a growing menagerie of pets, mainly native Tatooine species, like their two rancors, and now, baby rancors. Yuned’rar has a beloved cat named L’oyan, and he also keeps at least a half-dozen exotic spiders.

Sometime recently he also, somewhat informally, took an Apprentice on, a former Zabrak slave that his partners had rescued from the harsh Tatooine desert while they were out. Though Yuned’rar did start his initial training in the Force and helped him learn meditation, Zavejj — who had adopted a name similar to his rescuers out of respect — yearned to go to Korriban and learn the ways of the Sith.

The governor Shoon’racor was a rotund blue-hued Twi’lek that was sat on cushions behind a round low table, which was covered in expensive food and drink. He was also surrounded by what seemed like a harem of impeccably beautiful Twi’lek women, though there was one dressed more like himself, in a long dark blue robe. She seemed positively disinterested in the affair at hand but remained outwardly polite.

“Welcome! Welcome, Lord Diligentis!” Shoon’racor’s voice boomed. He casually waved both of his hands and the women — the entertainment — dispersed. Except for the young and quiet, but attentive, Rutian Twi’lek at his side. “I hope that your trip here was untroubled,” the governor spoke with a distinct upper-class Rylothean accent.

“The trip went smoothly, thank you.” Diligentis bowed at the waist and was then beckoned to join the table. He stepped up and then sat himself down on one of the floor cushions. “It’s an honour to be here, Governor, and—” He looked over towards the woman.

“Oh, this is my youngest daughter Poy’racor,” Shoon’racor said with a wide smile and patted the woman’s back. “She’s not much of the conversationalist herselt but she does have a knack for politics.” He winked at his daughter.

“I have a better knack for entomology,” Poy’racor muttered. She kept her eyes on the Sith. They were the same vibrant blue as her skin.

“Is that...bugs?” Diligentis asked, the question catching in his throat. He took an offered glass of wine and sipped it. There weren’t many Twi’leks in Imperial territories who weren’t slaves. Even he himself was a rarity as a Sith and his very obvious racial background kept him working on backwater planets and away from more public endeavours.

Poy’racor raised one brow; though, it may have come across much less subtly than she had intended due to the make-up she was wearing. She returned to a more reserved expression once her father nudged her side. “Yes. The study of bugs, my lord,” she replied after a moment.

“Fascinating.” The Sith smiled lightly to himself and took another sip of his wine.

“Hmm. We can arrange some time for you two to talk about the studies after we are finished here,” Shoon’racor said. “But for now… What was this allyship you had for us, my lord?”

“That would be wonderful,” Diligentis said and smiled at Poy’racor. She seemed to just humour him lightly before returning to her drink. “As for the meeting at hand, it’s a step towards allying with the Empire, Governor.”

“Is that so? And what will you do about the Republic? Simply...ignore them?”

“As if they do anything to help your people here,” the Sith continued. “They can’t sustain their own colonies in the core worlds and the mid-rim let alone all the way out here. Every day there are new uprisings on Republic. The separatist movement is growing.

“So I’ve heard.”

“I believe it would be beneficial to consider joining it or at least aiding in its efforts. Discreetly, of course.”

“And what about aiding my people, my lord. As you must know, Ryloth is far from the rich planet.” Shoon’racor stroked one of his fat lekku with his manicured claws.

“Trades, Governor.” Diligentis sat up straight and held his hands out to gesture as he spoke. The Twi’lek, who already stood out in the Racor house for his pink-hued skin, continued to stand out further for his foreign mannerisms. Poy’racor, at least, seemed interested in attempting to follow his conversation via his gesticulations, which were wildly different from her native lekku language. “The Empire always helps those who aid its efforts. You have resources that we could use on our outposts in outer rim worlds, and we have resources, and credits, to repay and replenish your people for your generosity. And, of course, the Empire will lend its aid and protect your people.”

“I will have to think on this,” Shoon’racor said quietly. “To join the Separatist movement and aid the Empire… We can be labelled as traitors.”

“Ah, but a friend to the Empire is an invaluable asset that we will fight tooth and nail to protect. Governor, I can send for imperial trained guardsmen to serve under you and protect your family. Consider it a show of good faith.” Diligentis then clasped his hands together and smiled gently.

“He is right, father,” Poy’racor suddenly spoke up. “The Republic just continues to take advantage of our people the same as everyone else. This is a pathway to freedom. To liberation.”

“The Empire, it can keep us out of the hands of the Hutts?” Shoon’racor asked. “They are constantly vying for power here and the Republic just barely, barely steps in to re-assert themselves.”

“Of course, Governor.” Diligentis nodded. “The Hutts are not our allies.”

“I will put this deal into consideration. Perhaps, down the road, we can add other clans to this cause.”

“That would be ideal. There is no need to rush, however. I will be in this corner of the galaxy for some time yet.”

Poy’racor bowed her head to the two men at the table. “Excuse me, I will be returning to my studies in the library. Father, Lord Diligentis, I bid you good night.”

“It was a pleasure, Lady Poy’racor,” Diligentis said and inclined his head politely.

“Thank you for joining us tonight, dear.” Shoon’racor smiled warmly up at her and turned back to the Sith as soon as she had left the room. “I see that you were making the eyes at my daughter.”

“I apologise, Governor, but she is simply fascinating,” the Sith said with a light chuckle.

“Mm-hmm. She is my youngest, a beauty, and yet is the most unforgiving for courting.”

“Is that so? Perhaps she’s not interested. She does seem very focused on her studies. Is she working towards a degree in the sciences?”

“We don’t have an institution for her interests in Kala’uun, nor in Lessu,” Shoon’racor said. “Off-world could be the option but I fear for her safety if she goes.”

“I see. I can look into institutes that I know of; some may offer remote courses that she can look into.”

“Sure, sure.” Shoon’racor nodded. He didn’t seem all too interested in his youngest’s studies. Instead, he sighed, and then asked, “How long again are you staying in this area, my lord?”

“Hmm? Oh, around six months or so. I’m due to visit ambassadors on nearby worlds and—”

“Six months,” the Governor interrupted. “If you successfully court my daughter within that time and enter a marriage, I will join your cause.”

Diligentis simply blinked. He wasn’t sure if he’d heard the elder correctly. “I’m sorry?”

“She is unwed. It is an embarrassment to our clan to have someone as eligible as she to remain in this position.”

“I was under the impression that you had other children,” Diligentis said, trying to wrap his mind around where the conversation had suddenly veered to.

“Technically, it is true. I had two other children. One was lost to a long illness, and another to the spice mines. Poy’racor is my remaining child and I wish her to be happy and to have a family.”

“I see.” Diligentis thinned his lips. “You could arrange a marriage.”

“I can if you are uninterested, my lord. I only thought that you two may do well as she has spoken more with you, a stranger, than most other people. Perhaps there is this chemistry with you both.”

“This was, well, very unexpected, Governor.” The Sith cleared his throat a little. “I think I can change my schedule to stay here for an extended period. I don’t wish to force Lady Poy’racor into anything, but if she is all right with us getting to know one another…”

“Excellent!” Shoon’racor stood up from the floor cushions. “I will arrange a guest’s room for you, my lord. And please, do not act suspiciously around her. I do not want her thinking that her father has become a matchmaker.”