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Post by Rugs on May 31, 2020 15:37:52 GMT -5
Hecatomb Sith Life-Eradicating Ritual Image Credit: Ritual by Nele-Diel Name • Hecatomb Classification • Force Ritual Origin • Sith Order Description The Hecatomb is a powerful collective Sith ritual created by Dark Empress Renata using a shard of the Singing Spire. The ritual begins with Renata attuning to the crystal. This attuning process, once accomplished, allows Renata to drain the life from countless living sacrifices, whose life force then serves as fuel. Once this process is complete, Renata draws on the power of assembled Sith Knights and Lords to perform the ritual itself. Those participating in the ritual must maintain their focus on the crystal in order to contain the power accumulated during the first stage. This requires the full concentration of the participants and leaves them vulnerable for the duration. However, it allows, through prolonged meditation, for participating Sith to gather energy at one location and then take transport to a target. When ready, the participants must turn their focus on their intended sentient targets. The energy is released at once in a flash of blinding light that races across a planet’s surface. While it causes no noticeable physical damage to a world, its effects are immediately and horribly apparent on living, sentient beings. The released Dark Side energy, upon making contact with a sentient being, instantly kills them, regardless of Force sensitivity or lack thereof. The Hecatomb’s victims are instantly vitrified. Where once there were living beings, the ritual leaves behind partially-melted remains of ruby and onyx-swirled, glassy substance. These remains are almost like statutes, holding whatever posture the victim possessed in their final moment. Because of the ritual’s Force-rooted nature, it is expected that use against significant Force-sensitive populations — especially those of trained Force-users — may leave behind haunting echoes of the souls the Hecatomb eradicated. This may manifest in intelligible screaming or whispers, perceptible to other Force users who come near victims’ statuesque remains. Even those who cannot touch the Force may experience chills, creeping dread, or other significant unease. On a planetary level, where once worlds thrived with life, the Hecatomb leaves behind nothing. A world may remain perfectly habitable and find itself suddenly devoid of any sentient life that once flourished on its surface. From afar, a once-teeming world may seem a void, suddenly and terribly empty. |