Setal-ni

Setal-ni was a Sith Lord and Dark Lord of the Decreton Empire during the Old Republic era. A combatant in the War of Twelve Heirs, Setal-ni led the House of Ni alongside his close friend Shalbacca, and the former Dark Lord Konopka.

Early years
Born on Logi in 3,980 BBY to an unknown mother, Setal-ni was the illegitimate son of the then Dark Lord, Hekas-ni. At first, Hekas-ni was reluctant to accept the illegitimate child into his family, but saw the potential for continuing his line. Setal-ni was brought to the Sith capital world of Ni and presented to the empire as his heir. As the years passed, and Setal-ni grew, he began his Sith training with his father. By his tenth birthday he had developed a close friendship with his father's other apprentice, the Shalbacca. The two often trained together, honing their skills. Shalbacca taught Setal-ni how to focus his anger into creative use of the Force, while Setal-ni attempted to teach Shalbacca how to control his natural strength. Shalbacca often humored the young child for the sake of an innocent childhood.

Setal-ni's life as the Emperor's son meant that his training was hard but safe. Setal-ni developed into a mediocre duelist and talented Force-user. Hekas-ni did not believe in overly-protecting his son and would let him out and into danger, in order to further strengthen himself.

Death of the Emperor
In 3,964 BBY Setal-ni was called before his father and told a frightening truth; that his father was dying. Setal-ni, only sixteen at the time, knew that this would mean that soon, he would be emperor. Hekas-ni ordered his son to keep the secret, even from Shalbacca, until Hekas-ni's "plans" had been completed. A day later, Hekas-ni invited Setal-ni to join him on the Sith Council, but cut short of offering him the title of Sith Lord. Many on the council accepted this as part of the young man's training, not knowing of Hekas-ni's condition. But in the following months, that all changed. Hekas-ni died suddenly, making Setal-ni&mdash;his heir&mdash;the new Dark Lord.

This news was received with uproar from the council members, many of whom believed Setal-ni too young for the position, or simply unworthy. Never before had the title of Dark Lord been passed on through blood, and many on the council refuted the decision. Shalbacca rebuked the council members, who relented.

At first, the council members tried to gain influence with the Dark Lord, becoming advisers or "loyal servants"; but both Shalbacca and the True Sith Konopka, who had remained loyal to the former Dark Lord, Hekas-ni, challenged their "advice" and distanced the council from the Emperor. As the weeks progressed, and a new year dawned, the council broke apart.

Setal-ni, taking influence from the Kell, ordered the fleets of Konopka and Shalbacca back to Ni and speedily re-organized the House of Ni into a separate entity from the Sith Empire.

War of Twelve Heirs
Head amongst those who challenged Shalbacca and Setal-ni during the weeks following Hekas-ni's death was a Sith Lord named Mythos. Mythos, now at the head of the eponymously named House of Mythos spared no time in his plans to take the throne, and within twenty-four hours of leaving Ni, launched an attack on the capital world.

Battle of Mythos
The Mythosian fleet was lead by Mythos, Corae and Korin; Shalbacca's former apprentice. Shalbacca requested Setal-ni to remain behind the capital's moon with Konopka until he asked for him. Setal-ni agreed and order his fleet to hide behind the moon, disappearing just in time for Mythos' fleet to arrive.

Mythos' fleet engaged the fleet of Shalbacca but was surprised to see a second force, commanded by Setal-ni and Konopka come from behind. Corae turned his ships around and engaged the second fleet. Corae's fleet quickly disabled Konopka's flagship, forcing Setal-ni to rescue the ageing Sith Lord, and in turn disabled Corae's flagship.

By now, Korin had joined the battle, and surrounded Corae's flagship, protecting it, but her fleet refused to open serious fire upon Setal-ni and Konopka's remaining ships. Setal-ni order his ships to fall back slightly and re-group while the land force on Ni mopped up Mythos' failed invasion. When he finally received word of their victory, Setal-ni coordinated an attack with Shalbacca that nearly decimated the Mythosian fleet.

Setal-ni, who had until this point been seen as a child, gained the respect of his fellow Sith Lords, Konopka in particular, who owed his life to Setal-ni.

Shae
Not long after the battle of Ni, word reached Setal-n's ears of the fall of the House of Set. Shalbacca then brought word that a Set Sith Lord named Appuchi, who had been named the new Lord of Set by Corae, had made contact with Shalbacca and offered his support.

Shalbacca told Setal-ni that during his conversation with Appuchi, the name "Shae" was brought up. Setal-ni, curious about this individual order Konopka, who had recently got out of hospital, to track down the reclusive Sith Lord.

Personality and traits
Setal-ni knew that, from an early age, he would soon hold a great responsibility for an entire empire of subjects. He did not fear accepting responsibility for his actions and saw it as a great strength, although soon learned that it was not always best to take the blame, especially if someone else could take it for him; willingly or not.

He had a strong sense of honor and did not fear risking his life to gain the respect of those he respected, as was the case during the battle of Ni. Setal-ni however, did have high-standards, and few of those he knew ever became fit of his respect. But for those who did, Setal-ni would assist in every possible way he could.

Talents
Following in his father's footsteps, Setal-ni took up training in the ancient and honorable lightsaber form of Makashi. He quickly picked up on mediocre skills but struggled in learning the greater feats of combat, sometimes preferring to combine his lightsaber training with his knowledge of.

Setal-ni also found a penchant in the dark art of and its associated dark side powers. Setal-ni was also skilled in and, and could easily kill a fully grown Wookiee if focus enough.

Setal-ni also experimented in the more obscure dark arts of (with limited success) and  (with no success).

Appearance
But despite Setal-ni's life as heir to an empire, it was not easy for him; and the War of Twelve Heirs aged him beyond his years. By the age of eighteen, many would mistake him for a man in his late twenties. Setal-ni went to great lengths to make sure people knew of his lineage, wearing grand robes for every occasion.

Much unlike his father, Setal-ni preferred to keep his hair short, as he knew that during a duel, the enemy would take any advantage he could, including the pulling of hair. This also aided him in his self-representation and served to add to his frightening demeanour.