Soldier: “Surrender! You're outnumbered!”
— Cluj and several Republic soldiers
Cluj: “And you're outmatched!”
Cluj was a powerful near-human male Sith Sorcerer who lived early on in the galaxy's history. He gave himself the title of Sith Imperator after founding the Crimson Empire, and was known as the first Dark Lord of the Sith. Originally, Cluj started using regular magic, gaining himself a cadre of followers. After learning he was Force-sensitive, Cluj began to mix his magic with The Force. Not too long afterwards, he challenged the King of Dromund Kaas, who was a Republic-appointed governor, for the planet. Killing the King and his guards, Cluj overthrew the rest of his officials and started his empire's expansion. After years of conflict known as the Sith War, the Galactic Republic defeated the Empire, while Cluj was killed by four Jedi Masters.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Not much was known of his childhood. Cluj developed a liking to magic after seeing amateurs preform it at an event in Kaas City. Trying it himself, he discovered he was quite skilled at it, and went on to try more complex magic. Cluj eventually decided to do dark magic, as it had more powerful spells and charms. Unknown to him was that he was Force-sensitive, so when he started using black magic, he turned to the Dark Side of the Force. Cluj's exploits did not go unnoticed. He formed a cadre of loyal and also Force-sensitive followers. He also took an apprentice, a man named Cezar. Wanting more and more power, Cluj decided to overthrow the King, who was backed by the Galactic Republic.
Coup of Dromund Kaas[]
As he reached Kaas City, Cluj ordered his men to go for both civilians and guards, to spread panic and confusion. Buildings were destroyed, bridges collapsed, and roads were torn apart. The King's Guard failed to prevent Cluj and his second in command, Cezar, from reaching the throne room. Cluj easily killed all of the guards there, and demanded that the King, named Mitros, sent a message to the Republic saying that Dromund Kaas ceded. The King, a former Senator, refused. Cluj killed him without hesitation (he was going to kill Mitros either way), and by then had total control of the capitol.
Cluj talking to Mitros.
Following the coup, Cluj declared the founding of the Crimson Empire. By then, the rest of the planet fell into line with their new ruler. He conscripted troops into the military, while Force users became either Sith Juggernauts, Sith Necromancers, Sith Fencers, or Sith Sentinels. Cluj prepared for a full scale invasion of the surrounding territories.
Escalating War[]
As the expansion began, Cluj went to the frontlines himself. The first worlds they conquered gave little resistance. It was not long before most of Wild Space was under Cluj's control. Local militias started to be a problem, initiating rebellions on his worlds. However, the Sith had no problem of putting them down. He left garrisons on each planet, and forced the inhabitants to pay weekly taxes. Many could not afford it, and went to work in mines, refineries, shipyards, factories, and other locations. Some were simply killed.
Not hearing from Mitros for several weeks, the Senate had the Republic Navy send scout ships into Wild Space. Using EMPs on them, Cluj's loyal Barbarians boarded and captured the vessels. The Republic never heard from them again, not knowing what happened. The Jedi Order, sensing something was not right, sent several Jedi Knights to investigate. They avoided the EMPs and managed to report their findings: a large empire ruled by a Sith with powers they never faced before. The Jedi were executed by Cluj.
Meanwhile, the Republic sent a task force to the Empire, which included Jedi. The Empire's fleet fought them at Aslava, but were pushed back to Iberion. Pirates of that world were hired by Crimson admiral to raid the Republic force, which resulted in the destruction of one bulk cruiser, though the pirates were defeated. As the Republic engaged the Crimson fleet over Arrida, they also sent down ground troops. Not trained for facing Sith, the Republic Army was defeated by Cluj and his men, and he killed several soldiers and officers himself.
The War dragged on for several years. The Republic, wanting a quick end to it, sent a task force to invade the capitol. However, that was only a cover for the Jedi Strike Team that would attack Cluj in his Dark Castle in Kaas City.
Defeat[]
The Jedi Strike Team, composed of 26 total Jedi, fought it's way through the Inner City against Sentinels, Fencers, Necromancers, and Juggernauts. About 11 of the Jedi met their end fighting them. As they entered the actual castle, the Strike Team was confronted by several Crimson Guards. They killed all but the four leading Jedi Masters.
The duel began in Cluj's throne room. At first, he lightsaber dueled against the Masters two at a time. However, one of the Masters injured him, and so he shocked the two with Force lightning and got onto a large, red power crystal near his throne. Glowing red from his power, Cluj used Force Levitate to fly around the room while Forcing objects in the room at the Masters. One of them managed to Force the rock back down, and all four ganged up on him. Cluj severely injured three of them, but was slain.
Legacy[]
The accomplishments and possessions of the first Dark Lord were kept confidential by the Republic for a reason.
—Luke Skywalker
His apprentice, Cezar, eventually created the Sith Order that Cluj intended to create after defeating the Republic. Cluj was remembered by many Sith, and was given a burial by surviving Sith Necromancers on Dromund Kaas. Naga Sadow, a powerful Sith Lord, followed his works and teachings in books, and considered him to be his mentor. Much, much later, when Luke Skywalker and his son, Ben Skywalker, visited the planet, they discovered Cluj's wand-pike. Luke warned Ben to leave it alone.
Personality & Traits[]
Though not much of Cluj's inner feelings have been seen, it is known he was a very cold person. He killed millions on his homeworld, assassinated a king and destabilized his government, then invaded dozens of planets in the region, committing more genocide there. When a ship carrying Jedi negotiators came, Cluj had his men destroy it, instigating more war. On the world of Sancor, Cluj killed the entire population off so he could resurrect them as zombies to use against Jedi and Republic forces, showing no respect for life.
Skills & Abilities[]
The powerful arts the first Dark Lord were forgotten and erased from records for a reason.
—Luke Skywalker to Ben Skywalker in 32 ABY