I had walked on both the dark and the light, yet I truly understood neither. I sought power, but I did not know how to hold it. I wanted redemption, but it always eluded me. I stand now at the twilight of my life, and I have only regret to keep me company.
—The Gargan
Gargan the Conqueror—formerly known as the Sith Lord Darth Errol, born as Kol Naberrie—was a Force-sensitive human male who at one point in his life was a Jedi Knight, a Sith Lord, and an interstellar conqueror.
The legendary founder of Gargan's Empire, the man who would become known as the first Gargan was born on the planet Naboo in the Galactic Republic in 3685 BBY to the Naberrie family. He was originally a member of the Jedi Order during the Great Galactic War, but became disillusioned with the order and turned against them after he was betrayed by a fellow Jedi Knight. Nursed back to health by a Sith Lord, he joined the Sith Empire and rose through the ranks of the Dark Council's Sphere of Laws and Justice - becoming known as the Sith Lord Darth Errol.[2]
After working as a Jedi hunter for the Dark Council and enacting his revenge on the one who betrayed him, Darth Errol became involved in a rivalry with fellow Sith Lord Orn Malrag. Errol was defeated by Lord Malrag who had his conscience imprisoned inside a dark holocron. His soul became trapped for the next thousand years in an elaborate Mind Prison before he was released by a group of Padawans. His essence then proceeded to possess the body of a toddler, a Tyrrhan boy called Ahlecaine, becoming known as Reuel Ahlcain from then on.
Reborn in a new body, Reuel Ahlcain had become recognized as a child prodigy with an unusual and advanced understanding of the Force. He eventually joined the Ministry of Science and delved deep into anthropology and military strategy, while keeping his powerful Force abilities hidden from others.
Using his innate powers of manipulation and subterfuge, Ahlcain arrived on the ancestral homeworld of the body he inhabited; Tyrrha, and with his Force powers overthrew the natives and established Gargan's Empire - an empire far removed from the influences of the Jedi and Sith - and crowned himself Gargan the Conqueror. He unified the planet and the surrounding star systems before embarking on a war of conquest in the Outer Rim.
The newly-christened Gargan the Conqueror continued to lord over his new empire for an additional forty years, during which he sired at least two children with his wife Sil: a son called Relharza and a daughter called Sylaise. He would become estranged with Sylaise, though father and daughter reconciled before his new body succumbed to the extended possession. Before his death, he abandoned the dark side of the Force and embraced the light side once more, becoming a Force ghost upon death.
In the decades after his death, Gargan the Conqueror became a mythical figure and a religious icon. Many Garganese considered him the founding father of the Empire, and praised him for bringing the culturally stunted Tyrrhan people back into the galactic community. In his prime, Gargan the Conqueror transformed the Tyrrhan people from a set of warring micro-states into a unified and technologically advanced empire. To the inhabitants of his new Empire, he also became known as Gargan the First, the Founder and the Light of Ur.
The Gargan crafted a legacy that profoundly changed the political, cultural, social, and religious landscape of the Tyrrhans. As one of the earliest members of the Naberrie family, the Gargan was also distantly related to Padmé Amidala, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Ben Skywalker, Anakin Solo, Jacen and Jaina Solo, and Cade Skywalker.
Biography
Family lineage
It was no coincidence I carried Sith blood in my veins. My family had a predilection towards the dark side, and it was strong within my bloodline. Was I truly to blame for my fall? Or were there other forces who played their part?
—Gargan the Conqueror
Freedon Nadd, Kol's maternal ancestor.
By Kol's time, his family on his mother Meridd's side were the last known members of the House of Unal. The Unals were an ancient, and formerly wealthy, dark side-aligned family from Onderon who descended from the Dark Jedi Freedon Nadd, whose lust for power drove him to slay his Jedi Master and renounce the Jedi Order. He eventually joined the Sith Empire, becoming a renowned Sith sorcerer.
Because of the Unals' liking for grandeur, along with little sensibility for their indulgences, the family wealth was gambled away and gone long before the last known heirs of the lineage were born. Likewise, the Unals often produced Force-sensitive individuals and who had tendencies towards the dark side of the Force, which caused the heirs to the Unal name to suffer a stain on their name within the Republic and often developed violent or overtly-ambitious personality traits.
Kol's maternal grandfather, Kol Unal, and his maternal uncle Tyber Unal, claimed to be the last living heirs to the throne of the Sith Empire by 3700 BBY. As such, they regarded themselves as "royalty" for their ancestry, despite their poverty; squalor; and lack of education.
Kol's father, Pyronal Naberrie, was a wealthy diplomat from Naboo who lived in a village located in the mountain ranges of the planet, near the home of the Unals. He was seduced into a relationship by Meridd Unal, who was renowned for her beauty but also for her innate Force abilities. The affair continued for some time until Meridd became pregnant with Kol. Unwilling to pursue the commitment of raising a child and having a family, the heavily-pregnant Meridd left a heartbroken Pyronal and discontinued the affair.
Early life (3685 BBY—3667 BBY)
Even as a child, the Jedi recognized my potential. As an Initiate I learned to harbor my powers and to control them. But I was still weak. Very weak.
—The Gargan
The man who would become Darth Errol and later Gargan the Conqueror was born as Kol Naberrie in 3685 BBY at an orphanage located in the city of Theed on Naboo. His mother Meridd staggered to the door of the orphanage and gave birth to her son there. She insisted his surname would be Naberrie after his father, and that he would be named "Kol" after her own father. Almost immediately after his birth, she left her newborn child and disappeared. Kol grew up in the dingy orphanage, completely unaware of his Force-sensitivity. Since the orphanage staff did not know anything about his mother, they did not know about his latent powers either.
Despite his ignorance on his mother's background or identity, Naberrie did have some grasp in his abilities beyond that of normal children of his age, and an unusually high control over them. He could move objects with his mind and cause them to float wherever he wished, manipulate animals and creatures as he wished, and used his powers to inflict harm on the other orphans. Because of his difference from his peers, Naberrie was often subjected to bullying and social isolation. This angered him and caused him to slip into the dark side on occasion, using his powers to exact retribution. The only person he got along well with was Berani, a girl who also attended the orphanage. Later in life, Kol would confess that he held feelings for Berani, but it was unknown if she ever reciprocated those feelings.
Youngling
When Naberrie was eleven, a representative from the Jedi Order known as Talana Vae spoke to the orphanage's headmistress who informed her of how unusual the boy was, sharing tales of his extraordinary influence over the other children. When Vae was at last introduced to the boy, Naberrie at first believed her to be a doctor or psychiatrist of some sort, come to take him to an asylum because of what the staff had seen. He was convinced after Vae demonstrated her ability of telekinesis and revealed that he was to be taken to the Jedi Order, a place where his unique abilities would be fostered. Upon making contact, Vae was immediately worried because of his angry disposition towards her and the other children, and believed his training in the Jedi ways to be instrumental in preventing him from slipping into the dark side.
When Naberrie was taken to the Order, the Jedi High Council initially refused his training because of his age. After some convincing, however, he was accepted as a Jedi Initiate.
It was around this time that Naberrie met Lerio Zalwith, a fellow youngling. The two became close friends during their years as Padawans. Naberrie also met another Initiate, a girl called Nyra Verde, whom he met during lightsaber training. Verde was initially distrustful and at times hostile to Naberrie, considering he had started his training at a later age. Coincidentally, Verde hailed from a noble family from Telos IV and was prejudiced to those who came from poorer backgrounds. Meanwhile, Verde often exceeded Naberrie in her Force powers, much to his begrudging. During their training, Vae had trouble keeping the two from bickering.
Jedi apprenticeship
After reaching the age of fifteen, Naberrie came under the apprenticeship of Kel Dor Jedi Master Zon Lao. Lerio gained a separate master, yet the two kept close contact. Naberrie's abilities blossomed under Zon Lao's mastery, and his old master reflected on Naberrie's growing power and wisdom - which he considered were "beyond his years".
Lerio, Naberrie, and Verde also went on missions together under their respective masters, some of which included being sent as peacekeepers to resolve a non-violent uprising on Mygeeto, during which Naberrie went against his master's wishes and privately spoke with one of the uprising's leaders and convinced them to step down peacefully. While Lerio approved of his friend's intervention, Lao and Verde remained critical about his actions.
Aside from venturing on missions, Naberrie also studied in the Jedi archives and spoke with some of the masters on the nature of the Force. He eventually became an adherent of the Living Force, believing in the philosophy of "living in the moment", and began to rely mostly on his instincts whenever he needed to be called to action. Verde and Naberrie's relationship also seemed to tender, eventually coming to respect each other's abilities.
Lerio, Naberrie, and Verde became full-fledged Jedi Knights at around twenty years old. However, as time progressed, rifts began to appear Lerio and Naberrie's relationship as the former frequently leaned dangerously close to the dark side. Naberrie however, managed to resist the dark side of the Force after fully grasping the weight of his powers and fully understanding the nature of the Force under Lao's mastery. Lerio instead grew more agitated and hostile, prompting Naberrie to gradually distance himself from him.
Knighthood (3667 BBY—3653 BBY)
Battle of Alderaan
After the outbreak of the Great Galactic War in 3681 BBY[3] - several years before he became a Jedi Knight - Naberrie was one of the Jedi Knights sent by the Republic to combat the resurgent Sith Empire. Both Lerio and Naberrie fought together at the same battlefields. Lerio and Naberrie's first battle took place in the instrumental Battle of Alderaan. As the Sith attempted to push further into the Core Worlds following setbacks in the first and second battles of Bothawui[4], they happened upon Alderaan - a verdant and historically tranquil planet who long had a powerful voice in the Galactic Senate.[5]
The plan for an Imperial invasion of Alderaan was headed by the Sith Lord Malgus, who had recently been granted the honorific title of "Darth."[6] Malgus specialized in surprise assaults and utilized that ability in planning the attack on Alderaan. In 3667 BBY, Malgus successfully manipulated the Republic Navy into abandoning Alderaan, severely weakening Alderaan's defenses. With that set in place, he organized a full-scale invasion of the planet.[6]
Unbeknownst to Malgus, however, Satele Shan and a number of Jedi—including Lerio and Naberrie—were on the planet to investigate rumors of Imperial interference in the politics of the ruling noble families.[7][8] Additionally, many troopers from the Republic Army, specifically the Special Forces division, were on Alderaan, for the peaceful Core World served as a rest and medical recuperation center for soldiers returning from brutal battlefronts across the Mid and Outer Rim.
Rescuing the royal family
You have assisted my family while the rest of your Order felt content on battling the Sith. For that, we herald you a Hero of Alderaan.
—Queen Silara Panteer
Naberrie combating the Sith during the Great Galactic War.
As Alderaan's naval defenses had been put out of the equation, Malgus fully initiated his invasion of the planet.[9] Prior to landing their vessels, the Empire executed a heavy orbital bombardment of the world, which decimated a number of townships and completely blackened the atmosphere. Darth Malgus himself led the incursion force, pushing through the planet and decimating city after city in their wake. His brutal campaign continued on for some time, while Satele Shan and Naberrie rushed to ensure the safety of the Alderaanian Queen Silara Panteer.[10] However, upon arriving to Castle Panteer they found it in ruins—the Imperials had already captured the royal family.[11]
Satele Shan urged Naberrie to search Alderaan and locate the royal family, after she received a vision that Jace Malcom, whom she had fought alongside previously, would need her aid.[12] Promising to not let her down, Naberrie contacted Lerio and requested his help in finding Queen Silara and the rest of House Panteer.
The search for the royal family continued for some time, while Lerio became increasingly frustrated on their lack of findings. He confided in Naberrie that despite having looked for the family for days, they did not find them while the rest of the Jedi had been brutally combating the Sith. Naberrie attempted to allay his concerns, but Lerio remained unconvinced.
Eventually, Naberrie and Lerio discovered the location of the family after interrogating an Imperial officer. They had been held captive by House Ulgo - House Panteer's sworn enemies - in their ancestral stronghold. Initially planning to secretly infiltrate the stronghold - Naberrie instead noticed the exceeding number of surveillance dotting the estate. As such, he opted for a full-scale assault instead. Calling for a number of Jedi reinforcements, Naberrie coordinated the attack on House Ulgo's estate and cut a swath right to the dungeons, freeing the royal family from captivity.[5]
After the family had been freed and the Empire driven from Alderaan, Naberrie received distinctions for his work. In a small ceremony, Queen Silara awarded Naberrie with a golden medal and placed a kiss on his cheek - an event which was considered noteworthy as far as royal ceremonies went. However, while Lerio was initially proud of his work in freeing the royal family, he felt he did not receive the proper recognition which caused him to further resent his friend. In the duration of the war, Naberrie managed to secure victory after victory and distinction after distinction, receiving high praise among his peers. Meanwhile, Lerio grew increasingly jealous and continued to lean closer and closer to the dark side.
Battle of Rhen Var
Following his success in the Battle of Alderaan, Naberrie was sent by the Jedi Council to the icy Outer Rim world of Rhen Var after it was occupied by the Sith Empire under the leadership of Darth Mekhis, who intended to use the planet to test her new creations. Naberrie joined a strike force of the Republic led by Satele Shan, which also included Verde. Although Verde was initially resentful of the fact that Naberrie joined her team, Shan urged the two Jedi to work together.
The defense group landed on the planet and engaged the Imperial Army, carving a path toward Darth Mekhis' command center. The subsequent assault proved to nearly be a complete failure, as the Jedi and Republic forces suffered tremendous losses as they continued to advance towards the Sith Lord's stronghold. Shan and Syo Bakarn decided to hold and defend the flanks, while Verde and Naberrie were elected to try and push further.
While advancing towards the forests of the planet, Verde and Naberrie became cornered by Sith troops and engaged in an intense skirmish contesting the strategic flanks. During which, they were forced to work together to keep the advancing Imperial forces from swarming the pinned Republic troops. Their engagement with the Sith ensured that Satele Shan could advance towards the Dark Lord's citadel and finish her in a duel, turning the battle into the Republic's favor.
When the Battle had ended and the Jedi were allowed a reprieve, Verde and Naberrie commended each other on their success. For the first time, Verde expressed the reasons behind her initial disdain towards Naberrie. She had been jealous of his popular victory in Alderaan, while Naberrie expressed his own jealousy towards her advancing Force powers, which had far exceeded this. Naberrie also expressed that he had begun to fall in love with Verde after they had been through much of the conflict together. Verde, in turn, reciprocated his feelings. Though reluctant regarding Jedi tenets, the two Knights eventually spent the night together, and returned to their stations the following morning.
Battle of Dantooine
One of Naberrie's next battles would be on the planet Dantooine in that same year. After parting ways with Verde, the two agreed to never speak of their affair to anyone, and so attempted to return their lives to relative normality. Lerio and Naberrie reunited when they were called to defend Dantooine from a Sith invasion. After they had met on the planet, Lerio informed Naberrie of his defeat in the Battle of Serenno. He appeared despondent, claiming he lost many of his friends in that battle. Naberrie attempted to comfort him, claiming that he had seen many victories against the Sith earlier and remained convinced the war would end soon. Lerio, instead, appeared slighted at the fact that Naberrie had been nothing but successful in his fight against the Sith, while Lerio only suffered humiliating defeats.
Naberrie appeared to not respond to his worries, instead professing to him that all that mattered was winning the war against the Sith - and that any casualty or loss would be repaid ten times over. Despite his apparent optimism, Lerio remained unconvinced.
Sacking of Coruscant and betrayal
Despite the Republic's apparent victories, the defeated Darth Malgus returned in 3653 BBY to deal the finishing blow to the Republic.[8] At the time, Naberrie and Lerio had stayed on Dantooine after being engaged in another battle against the Empire.[13] They had received word that Malgus and an army of Sith Warriors had assaulted the Jedi Temple on Coruscant and had slain most of the Jedi there - including Jedi Master Ven Zallow.[8] Since Zon Lao - Naberrie's master - was also on Coruscant, Naberrie moved against his superiors' orders and boarded a vessel to Coruscant. Lerio attempted to stop him, but instead decided to come with him after some persuasion by Naberrie.
After landing in Galactic City, the two Jedi found the planet in complete disarray. Naberrie moved to the Jedi Temple to try and find Lao, Lerio close behind him. They fought their way through the Sith and to the Jedi Archives were Lao was usually staying. On arrival, however, they discovered Lao's body. In a surge of vengeance, Naberrie flippantly turned his attention on the overwhelming force of Sith Warriors and attempted to slaughter them - much to Lerio's horror. However, when he realized that Naberrie would not survive his onslaught on his own, Lerio abandoned his former friend and fled the planet in terror.
Noticing Lerio's flee, Naberrie attempted to call out to him - but was ignored. He continued to fight his way through the Sith, sustaining heavy injuries. A well-placed lightsaber blow tore at the ligaments in his leg, forcing Naberrie to cascade down the battlement, crashing into the debris below. The Sith believed him dead, and left him behind to focus their attention on the remaining Jedi.
Joining the Sith (3653 BBY—3650 BBY)
Sith apprenticeship
What did the Sith promise you? Power? Immortality? What did the dark side offer that the light couldn't? A lifetime supply of ambition and cutthroat politics, with only the physical degradation as a small side effect.
—Yaron Hsu
Naberrie, fallen to the dark side as an apprentice to Lord Silanus.
When the Battle had all but ended, the Empire proceeded to occupy much of Galactic City. The Jedi Temple was put under direct military control, led by Lord Silanus - an agent of the Empire's Dark Council. It was Silanus who discovered Naberrie, buried under fallen debris. Noticing his survival, Silanus convinced his peers in the Imperial Medical Corps to save his life, nursing the broken Jedi Knight back to health. When Naberrie was stabilized and brought back to conscience, it was Silanus who first spoke with him. Naberrie initially refused any assistance from the Imperials, attempting to break free from his restraints.
Silanus however, cunning and deceitful, acquiesced to Naberrie's feelings of betrayal and abandonment. He asked him why he had been felled in the first place, to which Naberrie answered that he was left behind by his own friend. Silanus then argued that Naberrie's betrayal was due to the dogmatic, restrictive light side of the Force - claiming that whoever left Naberrie behind wanted to claim power and influence, but because the Jedi and their light side restricted free will and ambition he was forced to find traitorous ways to get rid of his "competition". He also continued by saying that in the dark side of the Force, one would not only find power but would be free to wield it and use against his enemies as he so wished.
Silanus promised to show Naberrie "true power" and the means of exacting revenge on those who wronged him. Seduced by promises of power and vengeance, Naberrie fell to the dark side and accepted Silanus' offer of an apprenticeship.
Hunting the Jedi
By 3653 BBY, the Great Galactic War had ended. Under a treaty authored by the Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Baras and signed by the leading figures of the Sith Empire and Galactic Republic, peace had appeared to have returned to the galaxy. However, tensions were not eased, and the galaxy had rather resorted to fall into a Cold War with both factions engaging in galactic espionage and proxy wars.[14] As part of the treaty, Republic representatives were forced to be shadowed by Imperial protocol droids to ensure their behavior complied with the conditions of the treaty.[13]
When joining the Sith, Naberrie came under the jurisdiction of the Sphere of Laws and Justice, of which Silanus belonged to. Part of the Sphere's clandestine operations was monitoring members of the Jedi Order who attempted to move against the treaty. As part of his training, Silanus instructed Naberrie to locate and eliminate renegade members of the Jedi Order who were impeding in Imperial affairs. However, to ensure that the Empire wouldn't be implicated with breaking the terms of the treaty - secrecy and subterfuge was required. Armed with a new lightsaber, Naberrie began his mission and regularly received new information on his contracts from Silanus and his allies within Imperial Intelligence.
Yaron Hsu
The first Jedi on his list was Jedi Knight Yaron Hsu, who after the Great Galactic War fled to the planet Balmorra and aided the local resistance movement in the Battle of Balmorra. According to the information provided by Silanus, Yaron had hidden himself in the Balmorran Arms Factory and was protected by several battle droids and veterans of the Great Galactic War.
Fighting his way through the factory, Naberrie finally found Yaron being defended by several Republic deserters. Yaron seemed to be aware of Naberrie's intentions, and appeared saddened to see a former comrade turned to the dark side. When asked what prompted his fall, Naberrie expressed that the Order had betrayed him - and that their fanatical devotion to the light side blinded them to understand or truly express camaraderie. When asked what he meant, Naberrie explained Lerio's betrayal. Yaron seemed to empathize with him, revealing that Lerio had received decorations and distinction for apparently securing safe passage for Coruscanti refugees during the sacking.
Angered and slighted over the Order's undeserved praise towards Lerio, Naberrie proclaimed that he would murder him for what he did - though to get to him he needed to obey his new master and destroy Yaron. Although the latter expressed sorrow and reluctance to fight him, Yaron attacked Naberrie, prompting them to duel. After killing Yaron's defenders, Naberrie decapitated Yaron in a well-placed cut, taking his lightsaber as proof of his defeat.
Tym Tienol
After returning to his ship, Naberrie was contacted yet again by Silanus. The Sith Lord gave him the second Jedi he needed to eliminate. A Cerean Jedi Master called Tym Tienol. Silanus warned Naberrie that unlike Hsu, Tym was far older and far more experienced. He told him that she had been hiding on Alderaan under the protection of House Organa, and like Hsu Naberrie needed significant skill to try and get to her, but also added that if he completed the challenge he would have more experience and skill for when he would face Lerio.
After Naberrie landed on Alderaan, he contacted several of Silanus' agents who had infiltrated House Organa. They informed him about the ongoing power struggle between the Empire and their puppets in House Thul, and the Republic and their puppets in House Organa, warning the conflict could soon spill out into a civil war if left unchecked.
Naberrie professed his disinterest in the conflict, instead exclaiming that he needed to find and assassinate a Jedi Master hiding among House Organa. The agents pointed him towards a small camp hiding in the wilderness near the Organa estate, explaining to him that Tienol had made her home there among a group of Jedi Padawans.
With the agents' help, Naberrie found the encampment and confronted Tienol - who was surrounded by a group of loyal Padawans. Tienol explained that she was sent to capture Boris Ulgo, who had been plotting to depose House Panteer and install himself as king of Alderaan, and she had set up a trap to ambush him. Naberrie, instead, ordered her to lay down her weapons and surrender herself for execution. If she failed to do so, he would kill her Padawans along with her. Tienol appeared confident, claiming the Padawans had served under prestigious masters and were well-trained. In a relatively short battle, Naberrie cut down the Padawans and killed Tienol, taking her lightsaber along with him.
Unknown to Naberrie or Silanus, however, foiling Tienol's plan to capture Ulgo would indirectly lead to the Alderaan Civil War a few years later.
Qomemkon Shalbe
After Naberrie had killed Tienol, he grew increasingly impatient about Silanus withholding information on Lerio's whereabouts. When Silanus contacted him again, Naberrie berated his master about travelling halfway across the galaxy hunting disgraced Jedi while his true target kept evading him. Silanus, in turn, assured his apprentice that he would get his revenge soon, but also warned him not to overstep his bounds or raise his voice against his master again. Naberrie reluctantly relented, after which Silanus gave him his third target.
His next target was an Ishi Tib Jedi Consular called Qomemkon Shalbe. According to Silanus, Shalbe had made his home on the desert planet Tatooine and had managed to defeat every single bounty hunter the Empire had sent his way. Silanus also claimed that Shalbe had been by Lerio's side following the Sacking of Coruscant, and that he might knew where he was hiding.
Without time to spare, Naberrie made his way to Tatooine. The information Silanus provided directed him to a derelict Republic vessel in the Dune Sea, which Shalbe had used as a hideout. On arrival, he noticed that the ship was empty - though there were obvious signs of someone having made camp there. He was subsequently ambushed by Shalbe, who showed erratic behavior once encountering Naberrie.
Deducing that Shalbe had quite possibly gone insane after being isolated in the Dune Sea for so long, he asked Shalbe how he could know he was coming, to which Shalbe replied that it was Lerio who told him so. He claimed Lerio did not only know of Naberrie's survival but also discovered that he had joined the Sith. Naberrie demanded Shalbe to tell him where Lerio was - to which Shalbe claimed he had gone to Nar Shaddaa after being made a Jedi Master for his "repeated acts of heroism", much to Naberrie's anger.
Shalbe also told him that there was a reason as to why Naberrie was ordered to kill the selected Jedi. All three had been acting as double agents in the Sith Empire during the War and were in league with Silanus' arch-rival, a Sith Lord called Orn Malrag. Malrag had offered to help the Republic keep the Empire from attacking Coruscant, as long as they would assure his rise within the Dark Council. The Republic agreed - but Malrag did not keep to his promise as soon as he was made a Sith Lord. As such, as long as the three Jedi lived, Orn Malrag maintained immense influence in the Dark Council and stunted Silanus' ascension. He also claimed Silanus would dispose of Naberrie as soon as he had outlived his usefulness. Shalbe suggested helping Naberrie get rid of both Lerio and Silanus, if he would keep him alive and let him live out his final days in peace on Tatooine.
After hearing this, Naberrie decided to spare Shalbe and recruit him as a potential ally. Shalbe offered him his lightsaber as proof that he had killed him, and promised Naberrie he would be guide Naberrie on Nar Shaddaa once he would confront Lerio.
The Hunt for Lerio
But I had changed, Kol. I regretted what I've done and I've paid for my crimes. At the end I wanted to redeem myself, not just in the eyes of the Order but for myself as well. I regret what happened to you, but there's still hope. There's good in you. I know it!
—Lerio
Naberrie returned to his ship and called Silanus, claiming Shalbe's demise. The Sith Lord congratulated his apprentice and asked him if the Jedi Consular had managed to provide the location of Lerio, to which Naberrie admitted he did. Silanus claimed that Naberrie's training was nearing its end, and that killing Lerio was his last step in becoming a Sith Lord. Naberrie thanked his master and ended the call promising Lerio's death. He then secretly phoned for Shalbe and asked him to meet him on Nar Shaddaa at the place where Lerio would be hiding. After arriving on Nar Shaddaa, Shalbe told Naberrie that Lerio had gone to Nar Shaddaa's Undercity reportedly in search of an ancient dark side artifact. The two then ventured deep into the lower levels of Nar Shaddaa, Naberrie managing to sense Lerio's presence coming from a crumbling ruin. Once inside, he found Lerio meditating to what seemed to be an aged altar dedicated to Ashla.
Naberrie battles Lerio Zalwith.
Lerio turned around and looked at Naberrie, claiming that he did not predict he would be meeting his former friend again. Naberrie proclaimed he would have his revenge for Lerio leaving him to die on Coruscant. Lerio seemed to regret what he did, and lamented his friend's turn to the dark side. He also revealed that after Naberrie's demise he was unable to forgive himself, and that only through constant meditation and help from the Jedi Masters had he come to finally embrace the light side of the Force. He also told Naberrie of everything else that had happened after his betrayal. In an attempt to seek redemption, Lerio had dedicated himself to aiding war refugees and had laid down his lightsaber for many years while focusing on healing others through the Force. After he had been made a Jedi Master for his actions in helping the refugees, did he retrieve his old lightsaber again and devoted himself to locating and safely disposing of dangerous dark side artifacts.
The artifact Lerio pointed to was a holocron sitting beside him, which emanated strong dark side energy. Naberrie refused to believe Lerio had ever sought redemption, and chided the Jedi Council for playing favorites in letting someone who always leaned dangerously close to the dark side become a Jedi Master. Lerio pressed that he did not wish to fight his friend, and believed there was still a chance for him to return to the light. Naberrie, instead, ignited his lightsaber and declared that the light side was a weakness to him, not a strength, and that the dark side had shown him what true power was. With that set in stone, the old friends duelled once more.
Following an intense duel, Naberrie managed to seriously injure Lerio - the latter pleading for him to stop. He claimed that, although he did not fear death, he implored Naberrie to destroy the holocron after he decided to strike the finishing blow. He still held to the belief that Naberrie could be redeemed - as Lerio had - and implored his friend to stay true to his heart, and not let the Sith decide who he should be. Although Naberrie temporarily reflected on his words, his anger overwhelmed him as he executed Lerio while Shalbe observed.
Becoming Darth Errol
When Lerio was killed, Naberrie retrieved his lightsaber and the mysterious holocron he was charged to destroy. He also thanked Shalbe for his help in locating Lerio, and claimed he would hold true to his promise - allowing him to go free. Shalbe lamented that it had to be this way, but also pressed that Naberrie should not trust Silanus and predicted he would get rid of him before he's made a Sith Lord. Naberrie heeded his warning and returned to his ship.
Naberrie contacted Silanus and informed him about Lerio's death. Silanus was pleased, asking Naberrie if he had managed to take the holocron as well, to which Naberrie showed his master the object. As promised, Silanus offered Naberrie to go to Dromund Kaas where he would be made a Sith Lord. Naberrie, although knowing he would be betrayed, obeyed his master.
On arrival at Dromund Kaas, Naberrie headed to Silanus' office in the Imperial Citadel. Once there, he was greeted by Silanus and his superior Darth Mortis - who headed the Sphere of Laws and Justice to which Naberrie was also subservient to. Silanus and Mortis appeared slighted and angered at Naberrie, claiming to know that he had spared Shalbe and used his help to locate Lerio. Mortis had given Silanus permission to end his apprentice's life as a last "loose end".
What subsequently followed was a duel between master and apprentice. In the end, Naberrie defeated Silanus and used his lightsaber to cut his throat, ending his life. He rose and held his weapon aloft towards Mortis, expecting the Dark Lord to attack him. Instead, Mortis praised his skill and power and claimed he wanted to get rid of Silanus after he had become too occupied with his personal vendetta against Lord Malrag, adding that if Silanus were to have defeated Naberrie he would have killed him anyway.
Mortis not only elevated Naberrie to the rank of Sith Lord, but also gave him the honorific title of "Darth". Henceforth, Kol Naberrie was known as Darth Errol, and Mortis made him an agent of the Dark Council tasked with hunting Jedi. Errol was given Silanus' office and power base, while the holocron was safely stored inside Mortis' vault.
Reign as Sith Lord (3650 BBY—3637 BBY)
Rivalry with Orn Malrag
Darth Errol wore a hooded cloak during the Cold War, as a possible means to invoke fear.
Upon becoming a Sith Lord, Errol spent the following years solidifying his rule over Silanus' former power base. Occasionally, he was employed by the Dark Council to track down and kill several Jedi Knights who had been involved in the Republic's many proxy wars during the Cold War. The holocron that Mortis had taken possession of fell out of Errol's interest by time as he was spending more of his days exacting the Empire's external justice to their subjects.
Eventually, however, he became embroiled in a rivalry with Orn Malrag - Silanus' former enemy. At his office in Dromund Kaas, Errol was contacted by Malrag who both commended Errol on Silanus's demise but also chided him. With the deaths of Hsu, Tienol, and the supposed defeat of Shalbe, Malrag was beginning to lose support and gravitas within the Dark Council. Malrag swore revenge and claimed that if he were to defeat Errol, whom the Council considered to have become a powerful Sith, it would ensure his ascension to the Dark Council in no time.
Errol challenged Malrag to come and vanquish him, promising he'd be ready if he was man enough to face him. Malrag claimed that he need not wait long, and that he would soon be facing him. For the next eight years, Malrag and Errol used their respective assets and followers to chip away at their own power bases, utilizing their power to weaken each other politically.
Aside from waging war with his political adversaries, Errol also took time to study the deepest secrets of Sith lore, which caused him to slip deeper and deeper into the dark side. He travelled extensively, consorted with disreputable people, began to become distorted and more mummified in appearance due to engaging in various dark side rituals meant to augment his power, and began to use the name "Darth Errol" almost exclusively.
By the time of the Cold War, he resorted to wearing a hooded cloak to hide his increasing disfiguration, but could also have resorted to wearing one as to invoke fear in his enemies.
Gaining an apprentice
In order to have an edge in ousting Malrag, some of Errol's servants suggested claiming an apprentice from Korriban. Errol agreed to the idea, travelling to the esteemed Sith Academy to select an apprentice from among the graduate Sith acolytes. One of the prospective candidates was a Rattataki girl called Shayra. Within the academy, it was known that the famous Darth Errol had set his sights Shayra which only deepened the brutal competitive spirit among the acolytes.
By 3647 BBY, however, Shayra completed her rites and bested or killed any other acolyte. She was given to Darth Errol, who gifted her a double-bladed lightsaber when she became his apprentice. While apprenticed to Errol, Shayra was often given assignments to dismantle Malrag's power base from within - and she spent the next few years as a Sith assassin killing Malrag's own apprentices.
Murder of his family
Around 3642 BBY, Errol went to the planet Naboo in the Mid Rim to learn about his heritage. While searching the genealogical records of the planet, he found the identity and location of his father by using his last name, Naberrie. He travelled to a mountain village, which was the ancestral home of the Naberries, and confronted his father, Pyronal Naberrie. The elderly Pyronal could not recognize the Sith Lord as his son, as by that point Errol's physicality had deteriorated beyond recognition. The Sith Lord revealed his identity as Pyronal's son, to which the latter openly expressed his disgust in "the vile creature [he] supposedly had sired".
Pyronal "revealed" to his son the circumstances of his birth. He was supposedly coerced into a romance by his mother (though he did not mention that he entered the romance voluntarily), and after discovering her true nature as a powerful Force adept he ran away from her. The furious Errol lashed out against his father, expressing his anger in that he did not try to look for him. He told his father that he had lived in misery for eleven years until the Jedi found him, dreaming days on end about having a true family. However, Pyronal did not seem to be impacted by his words, claiming he never wished for a child to begin with, though he did tell his son he managed to marry and have "legitimate" children.
As a result, Errol blasted his father with Force lightning and continued to torture him until he gave up the location and name of his mother. Pyronal eventually revealed her identity as Meridd Unal and claimed she was living in Theed as a member of the Royal House of Naboo. Afterwards, he continued to electrocute him until Pyronal succumbed to the torture.
When Pyronal died, Errol pursued his mother in the city of Theed, finding her in the Theed Royal Palace. Like his father, Meridd did not recognize her son until he told her who he was. As opposed to Pyronal, Meridd appeared genuinely saddened to see what had become of her son. She appeared remorseful about having abandoned her son, claiming she was far too young to commit herself to raising a child. Errol was not convinced by her words, instead believing both her and his father to have abandoned him. Shortly afterward, he attacked his mother who defended herself by using powerful Force abilities. They continued to fight for some time until Errol decapitated his mother and threw her body over the balcony in a fit of rage.
When she died, Errol returned to the Naberries and slaughtered his half-siblings and the remaining members of the household, leaving only his nephews and nieces alive. He also returned to the orphanage he once called home and burned it down in anger. After he had all but eradicated his relatives, Errol returned to Dromund Kaas feeling only angry and unsatisfied.
Reunion with Verde
When he had murdered his family and returned to Dromund Kaas, Errol was contacted by the Dark Council who requested his aid in the pursuit and elimination of another renowned Jedi Master. According to them, this Jedi had hidden herself on the recently-discovered planet of Voss, apparently ingratiating herself with the local natives who were being manipulated and controlled by both the Sith Empire and Galactic Republic. Although the identity of this Jedi was unknown, Errol promised her swift death.
After landing on Voss, Errol spoke with native Therod-Ton, who was affiliated with the Sith Empire and helped them with various tasks. He admitted that there was a rogue Jedi Master hidden deep in the wilderness who had organized a group of Voss exiles that dedicated themselves to driving both the Sith and Republic from the planet. Therod-Ton pointed Errol in the direction of where she would be, and the Sith Lord went in pursuit.
Errol found the Jedi's hideout in a cave located in the uncharted territories of the planet. After fighting his way through some of the Voss warriors, he found the rogue Jedi at the center of the cave. After she turned around to face him, Errol recognized her as Nyra Verde, whom he had previously presumed dead. Verde was horrified after seeing what his former lover had turned into, admitting that she had also believed him dead. Verde explained to him that after the war, Lerio claimed to her that he watched Kol die, and most of the Jedi had believed this to be true. Errol retorted by revealing that he had killed Lerio after he betrayed him and left him to die, which seemed to shock the Jedi.
Verde continued by revealing to Errol that on the night of the Battle of Rhen Var, she became pregnant with Errol's child. The Sith Lord looked shocked, after which she added that when the Jedi discovered her pregnancy she was exiled from the Order. She fled to Voss, then a planet that was only recently discovered, and decided to raise her son there. When asked who and where he was, Verde refused to tell him, claiming she was unsure if the man she knew was the same man standing before her. Errol appeared despondent, considering to either end her life as the Sith had told him, or spare her. After being confronted with the fact that he unknowingly fathered a son and would be murdering his mother, he instead put his lightsaber away and left speechless.
Theft of the Holocron
Following his family's death, the revelation of his parenthood, and his conflicting feelings with the Sith code, Errol became increasingly disillusioned with the Empire. That same year, the dark holocron had been stolen from Darth Mortis' vault, prompting a search of the Sphere of Laws and Justice. Both Malrag's and Errol's power bases were being heavily investigated, exposing both of their secrets to Mortis - much to the mutual begrudging of Malrag and Errol. Both Sith Lords denied they had taken the holocron, yet Mortis remained unconvinced. Malrag and Errol gradually lost their trust of Mortis, while the Dark Lord had already begun to chastise the two Sith Lords for being involved in a "pointless" vendetta war.
Feeling that the Sith Lords would soon be turning on him, Errol decided to break away from the Empire. Though retaining his status and title as Darth Errol as to maintain the notion of his power, Errol had begun to plot for a way to escape the Empire and had begun to research for any potential, undiscovered or uncharted worlds he could escape to. In his studies he stumbled upon a world called "Tyrrha", a remote planet in the Outer Rim which had been largely abandoned after the original Sith Empire bombarded it into annihilation. Deciding he would find and steal the holocron while plotting his escape to Tyrrha, Errol tied up loose ends and secretly informed his apprentice of his intentions to turn on the Empire.
Darth Jadus, head of Imperial Intelligence, was since made an ally of Errol because he had been providing him with information regarding the locations of the Jedi Knights Errol was occasionally hunting. As such, Jadus confided in Errol and claimed that he theorized the holocron contained detailed instructions on how to properly transfer one's conscience - effectively evading death. He claimed that if anyone was after these dark secrets, it would be the Sphere of Mysteries.
Errol had reflected on Jadus' theories and decided to begin his own investigation into the Sphere of Mysteries without informing Malrag, Mortis, or any of his low-ranking servants.
Imprisonment
I felt the holocron siphon my energy, as if my very essence was stolen from my body. First I felt pain, then anguish, then nothing. I was cold and alone - my spirit swam in a dark void of utter... nothingness.
—The Gargan describing his imprisonment
After spending the next five years looking into the Sphere of Mysteries, Errol concluded that the holocron was possibly hidden inside a dark temple on Taris, which had been used as a research base by the Sphere of Mysteries. Taris, a post-apocalyptic world of decaying ruins was infested by mutated rakghouls, and the Empire had long contested dominion over the planet with the Republic. Errol and his apprentice descended down on Taris, while Shayra was instructed to guard their vessel as Errol went in search of the holocron.
When Errol entered the base, he was greeted by Malrag and his remaining Sith apprentices. The Sith Lord held the holocron in hand and was accompanied by Darths Mortis and Jadus. Malrag explained that Errol had been manipulated by the Dark Council all this time and was lured into a trap. They explained that it was Malrag who had taken the holocron under Mortis' supervision, while Jadus successfully manipulated Errol into incorrectly deducing the Sphere of Mysteries had taken the holocron, which led him to the remote world.
When asked of their motives, Mortis answered that the Council had begun to fear Errol's growing power in the dark side - and that they had conspired with Malrag to depose him. They also discovered his plan to turn on and leave the Empire, which was what made them decide to plan his destruction. Furthermore, the holocron failed to reveal its secrets because - according to Jadus - it needed an imprisoned soul to act as its key. Following the revelation, the Sith Lords attacked Errol and subdued him - using the holocron to imprison his soul, effectively killing him.
Trapped in the Holocron
Malrag kept Errol's spirit inside the holocron, and kept the device wherever he went. Errol's conscience became imprisoned inside a Mind Prison, an artificially-constructed realm whose environment was shaped to resemble the prisoner's greatest fears. Back at Dromund Kaas Malrag attempted to open the holocron, but despite numerous attempts he failed to do so. Ultimately, he concluded that the holocron did not hold any secrets, or if it did they were taken long ago. Instead, he felt content using the holocron as a prison for his hated enemy. For the next few years, Errol was tortured by Malrag, who used the holocron to create horrifying visions for Errol to endure.
However, what Malrag failed to realize was that the holocron did indeed contain the secrets Jadus had referred to. While imprisoned, Errol had learned the ancient dark side ritual of transferring one's essence. Malrag and the Dark Council believed the holocron to reveal its secrets to whoever opened it, while in reality it only revealed the secrets to the person who was imprisoned inside it.
At some point in time, Malrag's tortures ceased and Errol believed him to have been killed - possibly by Mortis because he possibly grew tired of Malrag the same way he grew tired of Silanus and Errol before him. Errol felt centuries pass by, unaware if the holocron was ever moved or changed possession. Coincidentally, seeing as his spirit remained intact, no one had tried to destroy the device either - instilling Errol with some hope that one day someone would release him.
Rediscovery of the Holocron
By 2350 BBY, the Empire had long been defeated and the galaxy seemed to be at relative peace. By this point, the holocron had moved between various owners and locations in history, and eventually it had fallen into the hands of the Jedi in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Errol at this point remained unaware of any activity that occurred outside the holocron's space, but kept hoping someone would eventually release him. While imprisoned, he had learned the secrets of conscience transference, and was prepared to possess a body as soon as he would be released.
Four curious Jedi Padawans, Ricto Moran, Eezara Sol, Bennett Toomes, and Pol Poris felt that their powers had been regarded as underwhelming while under the tutelage of their respective masters. Moran argued that the holocron the Jedi had taken in contained secret powers that could aid them in their quest for knowledge. He suggested secretly stealing it and open the device to reveal its secrets. Under some persuasion, the four Padawans retrieved the holocron and fled.
Return to power (3637 BBY—2300 BBY)
Reuel Ahlcain was born on Tyrrha, a planet Gargan the Conqueror would rule later on.
In 2353 BBY, a boy was born on the planet Tyrrha, named Ahlecaine. His parents were simple shepherds who lived in a fiefdom in the Kingdom of Myrra. Ahlecaine's parents had angered the local chieftain by dishonoring his request to marry Ahlecaine's mother. Fearing he would exact his wrath on the newborn boy, Ahlecaine's parents smuggled him on a sympathetic trader's vessel bound for Coruscant.
Ahlecaine was registered as a Galactic Republic citizen using the name "Reuel Ahlcain". Reuel was supposedly the name of the trader that had smuggled him, and Ahlcain was a misspelling of his birth name.
Meanwhile, the holocron was taken by the Padawans to the Coruscant underworld and after many attempts they had finally succeeded in unlocking its secrets. Errol's spirit was released, and he immediately attacked the Padawans and possessed the body of Poris in order to flee the scene. However, the body he possessed had been wounded severely - and Errol would succumb to its injuries sooner or later. In a last effort to keep himself from dying, he released himself from the body and latched itself on the nearest living vessel it could find - a young toddler playing near an orphanage. Vanquishing the toddler's spirit proved extremely easy, and soon Errol had nestled himself inside a young and healthy body. Though displeased with inhabiting a growing and still defenseless body, he decided to bide his time and ingratiate himself with the galactic community once more.
For the next thirteen years, Reuel - now inhabited by Errol's spirit - lived in the Dorne Teague Sanctuary orphanage, one of Coruscant's most esteemed homes for orphaned youth. In his childhood, Reuel showed an interest in history and political science, and was an avid reader. He was also described as being "frighteningly" intelligent and was widely considered to be a child prodigy.
Infiltrating the Ministry of Science
Deciding he needed to acclimate himself with the latest societal changes that have developed in the last thousand years, Reuel enrolled in the University of Coruscant. While at the University, Reuel showed great interest in the subjects that were being discussed. Conversely, however, he was seen as a student of "uneven quality". Though he was highly intelligent, his success in scientific pursuits was only proportional to his interest in the given subject, nor was he particularly popular among his peers, due to his bad temper and narcissistic attitude. During this time, Errol discovered his host's Tyrrhan heritage and started extensively studying his homeworld and its people, being endlessly fascinated by its story and becoming convinced that they were "betrayed" by the Republic following the devastation of their planet as a result of the Great Hyperspace War.
By 2333 BBY, Reuel had become an sentientologist and linguist. He joined the Ministry of Science and eventually met and befriended fellow anthropologist Sandro Moore. The two scientists became part of a team led by Bor Kovats, who had been developing a project meant to reconnect the Galactic Republic with several "lost worlds", societies that had lost contact with the Galactic Republic as a result of a war or major catastrophe. Errol felt he had enough of the influences of the Jedi and Sith in his previous life, and decided on travelling to Tyrrha and establish himself a new empire. On his suggestion, the Ministry had decided to bring the Tyrrhan people back into the galactic community. Reuel had suggested to study the Tyrrhans as he wanted to reconnect himself with his roots, while Moore correctly deduced that Reuel had desired to dominate and rule them.
Start of a new reign
Follow me, and you will rise from the squalor you have known into infinity!
—The Gargan addresses the Tyrrhans
The scientists gently touched down on a river delta lying adjacent to a major continent on Tyrrha. The continent was dominated by the Kingdom of Myrra, the most powerful and arguably most developed nation on the planet. To benefit from their combined talents, Kovats sent Reuel and Moore first to lay contact with Adamos, the local warlord and King of Myrra. Adamos and his men could barely speak Galactic Basic Standard - and what they could speak they picked up from heavily accented traders - while neither Ahlcain nor Moore could speak Tyrrheneese. Instead, Moore and Ahlcain developed a pidgin language that some believed formed the very early foundations for Garganese.
Adamos allowed Reuel and his "wise men" to stay within their borders, with the condition that they remained respectful to his rule. While holding himself seemingly true to his promise, Adamos made life notoriously difficult for the scientists as he constantly interfered with their research, much to Ahlcain's growing annoyance.
Kovats confided in Ahlcain that he feared the scientists had overstayed their welcome with the natives, and he admitted that it would be next to impossible to try and reintegrate these infuriatingly stubborn and isolationist people. Meanwhile, a perceived slight or sign of disrespect caused Adamos to attempt to drive the scientists off his planet, continuously bombarding their main encampment with nightly skirmishes, stalling their research indefinitely while they remained imprisoned on the hostile and alien world.
Subjugating the natives
To pass the time, Ahlcain was gifted The Fallacy of War by Moore, a philosophical tome written by Codus Romanthus. Though the book was by its nature an anti-war novel, Ahlcain read past that and instead was enamored by its astute descriptions of warfare conducted by historical generals and commanders. This gave Ahlcain the inspiration to end the stagnancy of the Tyrrhan people and provide him with the means of which he was long obsessed with.
Ahlcain suggested to the scientists that he give himself to the Tyrrhan king as a peace offering, an idea initially shot down by Kovats, claiming it too dangerous. Ahlcain continued to pry, claiming he had a plan to dismantle their leadership from within to allow the scientists to continue their research in peace. After being backed by Moore, Kovats reluctantly agreed.
While under Tyrrhan imprisonment, Ahlcain saw the people for what they really were. They were a sorry sight, weak and insignificant. Worse, the Kingdom of Myrra was at war with thirteen similarly-sized kingdoms. Their king was a foolish despot who had just about led his kingdom to bankruptcy, resulting in their forces becoming heavily outnumbered. Ahlcain recognized their defeat and subsequent demise was only a matter of time, and refused to go down with them. After witnessing their lack of knowledge firsthand, Ahlcain stepped in to teach the Tyrrhans how to properly maintain their weapons, how to handle their finances and how to properly formulate battle plans. Adamos was amused with this, and jokingly allowed Ahlcain to become his war councillor.
Betrayal
A few weeks later, Ahlcain returned to the scientist encampment with a well-organized and well-armed Tyrrhan host. Initially believing he had succeeded in pacifying the natives, Kovats opened up their camp's defenses for Ahlcain, allowing him to all but annihilate his former comrades. The battle was short and bloody, Adamos being so impressed with him that he allowed Ahlcain to choose nine of his fifteen colleagues to keep alive. He chose Moore, and eight of the scientists he regarded as exceedingly intelligent and potentially useful.
Kovats did not survive the attack, as he was brutally murdered by the advancing Tyrrhan forces when the camp had all but been taken. Though Ahlcain lamented his death, he told himself that no matter how many deaths would come, they were all for the greater good of building his new empire.
Establishment of a new Empire
Darth Errol as the newly-christened Gargan the Conqueror.
By 2320 BBY, Ahlcain had achieved renown and fame within the Kingdom of Myrra, eventually succeeding the popularity of King Adamos. The latter, afraid of losing his power, attempted to have Ahlcain silently taken out before the people would have decided that he was more worthy of leading them. Adamos' suspicions had been proven correct, but Ahlcain had predicted long before that the old king would grow tired of him, styling himself as being accustomed to treachery at this point in his extended life. As such, he displayed his incredible Force powers for the first time as he publicly tore Adamos apart using telekinesis.
He addressed the people of Myrra claiming that he had been sent by the immortal god Ur, who had grown displeased with the Tyrrhans' current state of existence, and so had sent Ahlcain to Tyrrha to rectify their mistakes and unite the people once and for all. Most of Adamos' former servants did not need coercing, as they were already convinced of Ahlcain's might long before he had revealed his incredible Force abilities. Most of the common folk, instead, were terrified of Ahlcain's Force abilities and this mysterious deity's vengeance upon them, and had all relatively quickly fallen in line.
Ahlcain had decided that in order to keep unity, his new subjects needed a new, uniform identity that would replace the stagnant culture of the Tyrrhans. Ahlcain emphasized that this culture would be centered around the importance of technological progress but also around the unquestionable authority of Ahlcain and any of his appointed successors. Moore suggested that they needed a new word to symbolize this new homogeneous society, and Ahlcain settled on "Gargan", which in essence was a nonsense word that meant nothing.
"Gargan" became a word that would be embedded deep within this new society. "Gargan" would be a word his people would use to identify themselves, and Ahlcain made sure to have them recognize that "Gargan" was also a holy word, as it was a title given to Ahlcain from the god Ur himself. Ever since that day, Ahlcain was almost unanimously referred to as "The Gargan", and he reformed the Kingdom of Myrra into the fledgling Gargan's Empire.
Unification War
Ahlcain, now the newly-christened Gargan, appointed his friend Moore as the Mordan, his commander-in-chief and military adviser. The Gargan's new empire proved vastly superior to the kingdom that preceded it. They were disciplined, unquestionably loyal, intensely nationalistic, and educated. The Gargan since decided to conquer the remaining Tyrrhan kingdoms, and by 2315 BBY had already conquered the kingdoms of Adamant, Rodahl, Semrita, and Nylos. Other, lesser developed tribes proved far easier to defeat and were quickly assimilated into the fledgling Garganese culture.
When the Gargan had conquered the kingdom of Adamant and rode into its capital, the local queen - Lillith - had put down her banners and offered her daughter, Sil's hand in marriage to cement the new relationship between Adamant and its Imperial overlords. The Gargan accepted, and the two were married in the traditional Tyrrhan fashion in the following days.
The Gargan swept through the planet with relative ease, by time he had become known as "Gargan the Conqueror" and in 2314 BBY the last free kingdom had been fully assimilated into the Empire. The Gargan instituted wide reforms and reeducation programs meant to transform the newly-conquered tribes into the new Garganese culture. By this time, the Tyrrheneese language had also begun to gradually dissipate as the creole Garganese had taken to be more popular.
When his planet was fully conquered, the Gargan issued the construction of new shipyards that would produce the upcoming Garganese fleet. Construction had finished in 2310 BBY, and several of the surviving scientists from the original expedition group who had backgrounds in engineering and naval warfare had overseen the construction and standardization of the new ships. The early designs for the new starships were relatively crude because the Empire had only access to the resources of Tyrrha. Though what they lacked in firepower and size they made up for in speed and efficiency. In that same year, the new ships were ready to be launched in outer space where they could annex and colonize the other planets in Gargan Space.
The Oldboy Conspiracy
The Gargan's quick rise to power and ascension was not entirely appreciated by his new subjects. A large number of Tyrrhans openly voiced their disapproval with the outsider who had forced his way into their lives and assumed control over their old rulers. Even more damning, the Gargan issued a complete reformation of the Tyrrhan culture, instituting a new religion and governmental structure that went unappreciated with some Tyrrhan traditionalists.
Fairly soon, a new movement had risen within Tyrrhan society led by an enigmatic figure called the Oldboy. The Oldboy preached that the new Garganese ways were vile, debased and were merely perverting the society of the Tyrrhans. Followers of the Oldboy argued that their people did fine on their own without any outside interference, yet most who followed the Gargan remained unconvinced. The Gargan took note of this, and considered handling this new rebel movement to be a critical step in forever shaping the views of the Tyrrhans towards their new rulers. If he failed in quelling the up-and-coming rebellion, the meritocratic Tyrrhans would not consider the Gargan worthy of following. If he handled this decisively and effectively, there would be no question to his divinely-appointed authority.
The Mordan suggested using spies to infiltrate the underground insurgency and dismantle it from within. The Gargan approved the idea, allowing his friend to form a small militia capable of infiltrating the Oldboy's conspiracy and attempt to assassinate its leader. However, whenever the Gargan was making moves the Oldboy seemed to be five steps ahead of him. The Mordan was cornered in a dark alley in Myrra and brutally murdered by a mob of insurgents, leading to the Gargan dissolving his initial plans and plot a more effective but brutal method to end the insurgency.
The Gargan openly declared to the public that "anti-clerical" movements had installed themselves within society, warning that the enemies of Ur were not to be treated lightly. The Gargan issued a widespread investigative agenda and established a secret police to closely monitor the populace. Slowly but surely, the Oldboy conspiracy was dismantled using methods of psychological warfare, the Gargan making sure that his enemies knew that he was everywhere and that revolts would not be effective.
Captured members of the Oldboy Conspiracy were publicly flogged and executed in front of the public, displayed as a message to all who would oppose the will of the Gargan. Rewards were also handed out to Tyrrhans who pointed out hiding members of the conspiracy, further sowing discord within the organization.
Defeat of the insurgents
The Gargan's brutal methods of suppressing the movement seemed effective. His peacekeepers had managed to capture several key members of the Oldboy Conspiracy, who under torture revealed the location of the Oldboy himself. The Gargan took it upon himself to face this rebel leader, unaccompanied. He met the Oldboy in an old warehouse, who revealed himself to actually be Qynaster, the former King of Nylos. The latter expressed his disdain with the Coruscant-raised Ahlcain and was convinced that with his attempt at an insurrection, he would show his people the prison they were locked in and that they possessed the will to break free.
The Gargan ensured that the Oldboy's defeat would bring about a loud and clear message. He had the disgraced king be paraded in Myrra's town square, doused in tar and be set on fire. While King Qynaster burnt alive, he concluded with saying "thus for all enemies of our God."
Wars of Conquest
Later reign (2300 BBY—2292 BBY)
Following the defeat of the Oldbody Conspiracy, the Gargan solidified his rule over the rest of Gargan Space. He had installed himself properly as a divinely-ordained ruler backed by the fledgling Order of Gargan and at this point had most, if not all, of the people's support. Due to his background within the Dark Council, the Gargan directly modelled the Nine Towers of Might - the Empire's core bureaucratic structure - after the concept of the Sith Empire's Spheres of Influence. The city of Myrra saw unprecedented growth and several educational edicts saw a growing need for occupations that required greater skills and knowledge. The Empire saw an increase in the amount of scientists and engineers who aided in the reconstruction of Tyrrha, further adding to an advancement in technology and science.
The Gargan had ensured that most - if not all - of the dissidents within the Empire had fallen in line, and by the last days of his rule he had already gained a significant influence in galactic politics. He refused to involve himself diplomatically with the Galactic Republic, or with any star nation for that matter, as he feared that any outside influences would impede on the legacy he had attempted to build. Around this point in his reign, he met with the leaders of the Slaver's Republic and Kingdom of Amun-Zol to form the Triumvirate of Free Sectors - created to arm the three nations against the Galactic Republic or any other external threats to their continued sovereignty.
The Gargan also sired multiple children with his wife, the Lady Sil. His firstborn son Relharza became a renowned naval commander in the Gargan armed forces and eventually a Mordan, while his daughter Sylaise defected from the Empire and sought refuge within the Galactic Republic which - according to the Gargan's autobiographer - "broke his heart". The reason behind Princess Sylaise's defection to the Republic is unknown, while some believe it could have been a mixture of relentless independence and fear of her father's cruel policies.
Failing health
By his fifties, the Gargan's body slowly began to succumb to Errol's prolonged possession. He also suffered an infection in his ligaments in his right leg, which required him the usage of a cane and assisting braces to ensure that he wouldn't collapse on his leg. Despite his physical ailments, the Gargan continued to be mentally sound and healthy, though towards his later years was forced conduct meetings and matters of state from his bed. It was also believed that Sylaise's defection and estrangement from her father impacted the Gargan's health negatively.
However, something had begun to change in Errol's psyche. After having both endured the light and dark side of the Force, having been in power and control for centuries, and even building himself a new empire that would last for millennia after his death, Errol nevertheless became deeply discontent with how his life turned out to be. By this point, he had forgone both the light and dark side of the Force and instead had walked somewhere between - akin to a Gray Force adept.
Death
In 2292 BBY, the Gargan was hospitalized when he was becoming unable to breathe on his own. He stayed at a personal wing in Myrra's acclaimed hospital. Despite being on the verge of death, the Gargan continued to conduct matters of state from his hospital bed, though he was more occupied with setting up a proper system of succession. His advisors, the Order of Gargan, were instructed to conduct an election for a new Gargan to succeed him. This system would be held in place centuries after his death.
To the Empire's surprise, the Gargan was visited by his daughter Sylaise on his deathbed. Though she was quickly arrested upon entering Gargan Space, once the Gargan heard his daughter had returned he had her released. Father and daughter talked for hours on end, during which the Gargan revealed to her, among other things, his life as Kol Naberrie and Darth Errol, the death of Lerio, and his eventual imprisonment inside the holocron. He also revealed to her that he had sired another son in his previous life. To his regret, however, he never met him and thus wanted to do right with his current children. He sought forgiveness with his daughter, which she accepted. Ahlcain's last act as Gargan eventually was absolving his daughter from all perceived crimes, allowing her to enter and leave Gargan Space at will.
After they had reconciled and Sylaise returned to Coruscant to be with her new husband and children, the Gargan had died in his hospital bed. The Order of Gargan perceived that his spirit had passed on, yet they also felt that the dark side energy he had been filled with had also dissipated, indicating that the Gargan was finally redeemed and returned to the light side of the Force upon death.
After an elaborate funeral, the Gargan was buried in an underground tomb in the city of Myrra.
Post-mortem
Kol Naberrie appearing as a Force ghost to Luke and Ben Skywalker on Dathomir.
When he was imprisoned in the holocron, the Gargan also learnt about how some of the Jedi preserved their consciousness after death, effectively passing on as Force ghosts. When he died, Gargan the Conqueror became a Force ghost and lingered on for several centuries observing galactic events unfold themselves. Later explained by the Gargan himself, he feared moving on to the Netherworld of the Force because he would expect to find Lerio, his parents, and everyone else he had slaughtered during his fall to the dark side.
At around 40 ABY, more than two thousand years after the Gargan's final death, Jacen Solo - the Gargan's distant descendant - fell to the dark side as Darth Caedus, apprentice to the Sith Lady Lumiya. Caedus turned believing that his fall to the dark side to be necessary sacrifice to halt or delay the arrival of a dark conqueror. During the Second Battle of Fondor, Caedus was killed by his twin-sister Jaina Solo with his uncle Luke Skywalker's help.
In the aftermath of the Second Galactic Civil War, Luke was exiled by incumbent Chief of State of the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances - Natasi Daala - due to growing anti-Jedi sentiment. Skywalker and his son, Ben Skywalker, went on a journey across the galaxy to discover the causes of Jacen Solo's fall to the dark side. After spending time on the planet Dathomir, Luke and Ben were approached by the Force ghost of Gargan the Conqueror, who felt the two Jedi's presence due to their connection to his bloodline.
The Gargan told the two Jedi who he was, including his lineage to House Naberrie - Luke's maternal family - and also told them about how he fell to the dark side. The Gargan provided insight into the possible causes of Jacen's fall to the dark side, but also directed them to the planet Garganath, suggesting they would delve into the archives of the Imperial Palace. He claimed that, when he was still the Gargan, his administration investigated the possible existence of a Lost Tribe of Sith - whom Jacen could've consorted with.
When asked by Ben why he would bother helping them, the Gargan's spirit explained that he wanted to rectify the mistakes he made in his life, one of which was slaughtering Luke's maternal ancestors after his rage on Naboo. He also added that, since he was once a contributing factor to the imbalance of the Force (hinting at his earlier incarnation as Darth Errol), he felt it was his duty to help those who wished to maintain the balance. After being thanked for aiding the two Jedi, the Gargan disappeared into the forests wishing the two Jedi luck on their journey.
Legacy
As Darth Errol
Although he was immensely influential and powerful during his time as a Sith Lord, he had accomplished relatively little when he was known as Darth Errol. Upon his defeat, Malrag ensured that very few people would ever know who or what Darth Errol was. Even within the Jedi Order - his former comrades - he was vilified as just another fallen Jedi who became seduced by power and glory.
During the Clone Wars, Darth Errol's former identity of Kol Naberrie was discovered by his distant relative, Padmé Amidala. She uncovered his name and the circumstances surrounding his life and felt disappointed to learn that she shared blood with a follower of the dark side. It remained unknown if Amidala's parents, Ruwee and Jobal Naberrie, were made aware of their distant ancestor's existence.
As the Gargan
Upon assuming the identity of the Gargan, Errol arguably amassed a far greater legacy. The Gargan was praised and renowned throughout not only his own realm, but the rest of the galaxy for singlehandedly uplifting an entire people from stunted tribals to an ever-progressing interstellar nation. The Gargan, alongside his fellow scientists, crafted an entirely new cultural image that would unify this formerly disparate people and foster unity and technological progression under the all-seeing eye of their new gods. Two millennia after his death, the Gargan continued to be seen and worshipped as a divine figure and the founding father of the Gargan Imperium. According to official Garganese records, about 1,000 institutions and buildings in the Empire had either "Ahlecaine" or "Reuel" in their name.
Concurrently, however, Gargan the Conqueror didn't have such a positive image in the rest of the galaxy, particularly in the Galactic Republic. They regarded the Gargan as a villainous, violent conqueror obsessed with deification. They believed him to be nothing short of a narcissist, who enacted brutal methods to keep his people docile and obedient. However, many could still not deny the impressive feats he acquired of conquering, advancing, and ruling such a combative people in a relatively short amount of time.
His biological descendant, the Tyrrhan folk legend Emeric Armac Aloysaine, became a hero of the Rebel Alliance during the Galactic Civil War and the mentor of Gargan the Conqueror's distant successor, the Crimson Gargan.
Personality and traits
When I was a Jedi, I learned how to cast aside my emotions in favor of pure, unrestrained might. But it didn't prove anything, I was still but a prisoner. After I touched the dark side I was taught to embrace my emotions and exert full power. But even then, I felt lost and confused. It took me a thousand years of imprisonment and a decade of conquest to truly understand that all I did, all I had conquered and all I killed... meant absolutely nothing.
—The Gargan's epiphany
Youth
Kol Naberrie wearing a Jedi Knight's armor in his original body.
Before becoming a Jedi, the young Kol was a violent, belligerent, lonely, arrogant, and deceitful orphaned boy. He was almost universally regarded as a considerably dark and disturbed child in the orphanage, generating fear and disdain in not only the other orphans but in the orphanage's supervisors as well. Talana Vae theorized that Kol's lack of parental love, alongside the noticeable lack of any real guidance during this turbulent period in his life made him alarmingly susceptible to the pull of the dark side. While he would lose these traits once he matured in the Jedi Order, eventually it would seem that his darker side never truly left him - he only repressed it.
An educated and highly intelligent man, the young Kol Naberrie was an ambitious warrior, a shrewd diplomat, but also a person of great intellect and knowledge. Many of his instructors in the Jedi Order noted that Naberrie possessed a great mind for learning and had an insatiable curiosity. But conversely, he was also stubborn and slow to please, yet required constant affirmation of his actions and accomplishments.
Before his fall to the dark side, Kol Naberrie was noted as a studious young man - but he was also idealistic, optimistic, brave, loyal, and cared deeply for his friends and allies. His masters in the Jedi Order reflected on Naberrie's wisdom and intelligence even then, noticing he often far exceeded his peers.
Coincidentally, however, Naberrie had quite a competitive streak. He often felt the need to outdo his peers in any field and he often failed to recognize when his actions carried him too far. His attack on the Ulgo estate, although successful, could have easily turned out disastrous. This showed that the young Jedi was not as calculating and methodical as he would later become. He was impulsive and acted on gut instinct, which was only further evidenced by his outburst of rage and anger upon seeing Zon Lao's deceased body.
Naberrie was also quite naive, failing to see beyond the surface level of most people. This flaw turned out to be his undoing, as his failure to recognize the strains in his friendship with Lerio made his betrayal come from a completely unexpected corner in his view.
As a Sith
Darth Errol taking on an increasingly mummified and gaunt appearance due to years of immersion in the dark side.
It was only after his fall to the dark side that Naberrie's personality seemingly changed completely. While under Silanus' apprenticeship, Naberrie became far more vindictive and ruthless. He could not accept his own failures and when confronted with them he only slipped further into anger. However, after joining the Sith he also became more politically astute. Learning from Lerio's betrayal, he was not as quick to trust others and became far more cynical. Naberrie also showed that he could be calculating and methodical, and by the time he was made a Sith Lord his violent and angry tendencies seemed to have tendered. As Darth Errol, he also became far more manipulative and controlling, but also seemed to carry an insatiable thirst for dominance and knowledge.
It was explained by Sandro Moore that Ahlcain always had an innate desire to dominate others and was often seen as a "born ruler". He had a prideful disposition and narcissistic attitude even in his youth, which only developed further as he assumed leadership positions. By the time he had assumed the role of Gargan the Conqueror, he seemed to have dedicated himself to genuinely governing his newly-conquered people, and his many negative personality traits seemed to have gradually left him - especially towards his later years. While he still could be capable of immense violence, such as when he burnt Qynaster alive, he eventually came to moderate his capacity for violence towards his later years.
Ahlcain had an excellent mind not only for conquest but also governance. He was charismatic when he needed to be, and his most defining characteristic was his proficiency in swaying people to his side. Whether through religious indoctrination or assuming a sheer intimidating presence, the Gargan could claim loyalty from almost anywhere - and he had carefully constructed a near-mythical and legendary persona of himself. Not many people knew his past or where he came from, and long after his death it was generally assumed that the First Gargan had been spawned from quite literally "nowhere" to save the Garganese from their own destructive ways. In a sense, he was a glorified cult leader. Capable of constructing a cult of personality in which many were forced to follow him unquestionably, lest they would fall victim to the divine retribution of their god.
Later life
The elderly Gargan in his full imperial regalia, while possessing the body of Reuel Ahlcain.
Towards the end of his reign, the Gargan seemed to have come to regret his many choices in life. He lamented his fall to the dark side and his many crimes and killings. In a way, he took up on what Lerio previously told him. He refused to let himself be influenced or controlled by anyone else, and by the time he was on his deathbed did the Gargan seem to finally understand that his continuous desire for conquest accomplished very little for him personally.
It was left unclear whether the Gargan genuinely wanted to help the Tyrrhans, or whether he used it as an excuse to easily assume control of a backward, severely under-developed people. Whatever his true intentions were, it was undeniable that the Gargan's influence resulted in an eventual golden age for the Tyrrhans, and even long after his death he was continued to be praised for his leadership capabilities and devotion to his people.
Physical appearance
Kol Naberrie stood quite tall at 1.94 meters. He had fair hair, which bordered on blonde or very light brown, and very light blue eyes. His features were long and pointed, and his eyes reflected his moods - turning hard as stone or soft as snow. When he turned to the dark side, his eyes took to a distinctive yellow coloration.
After assuming the body of Reuel Ahlcain, he stood at an average height of 1.89 meters and was described as "lean with a graceful form." The young Gargan had striking auburn hair which turned bright red in sunlight, a soft-freckled face and very light blue eyes. Many people who knew him also described he had an aquiline nose and a penetrative, contemplative stare. His broad shoulders also made him appear larger and more muscular than he actually was, though Sandro Moore actually "towered" over him.
By the time he was fifty-five, the Gargan's red hair turned a murky gray, and his youthful freckles had all but left him. His voice turned hoarse and smoky, though he still stood lean and tall. He had also grown a white beard, which some assume he did so he could appear "wise and experienced".
Name
I associated my birth name with my dreadful family and the Jedi with their treachery, while I associated "Darth Errol" with the Sith and their scheming, conniving, backstabbing ways. No, if I wanted to be truly free from both the Jedi and Sith I needed to forge myself a new identity, the same way I did with my new subjects. By renaming the Tyrrhans to the Garganese, so did Darth Errol at last become Gargan the Conqueror.
—The Gargan
Gargan the Conqueror was born Kol Naberrie, a name he came to hate because of its association with the very families he believed abandoned him. His mother named him "Kol" after her father - Kol Unal - and demanded his surname would be "Naberrie" after his own father. This was probably because Meridd, Kol's mother, carried a fervent hatred for her family and rather wanted her son to be associated with the esteemed and humbled Naberrie family, rather than the depraved House of Unal who descended from Sith Lords such as Freedon Nadd.
After becoming a Sith Lord, Kol was christened as Darth Errol. Errol took great pleasure in his new name, seeing it symbolic for shedding his past as an orphaned Jedi Knight. As a Darth, his name carried a certain amount of influence in the Sith Empire, and many in the Empire were never aware of his past as Kol Naberrie. Errol put a lot of effort in ensuring his past was wiped clean, at one point even travelling to his homeworld of Naboo to find any remaining traces of his heritage. Using his last name - Naberrie - Errol tracked down his father and mother and killed them both. He then proceeded to slaughter any remaining members of both families, only sparing his half-nieces and nephews on his father's side, who continued the Naberrie line ending with Padmé Amidala.
After awakening in 2350 BBY and possessing the body of the toddler Ahlecaine, Errol became exclusively known as "Reuel Ahlcain". Reuel was the name of a smuggler who transported the boy Ahlecaine from Tyrrhan to Coruscant, while Ahlcain was a misspelling of "Ahlecaine". As Reuel Ahlcain, he became a legitimized Republic citizen, using it to advance in the Coruscanti social classes.
When he established Gargan's Empire in Gargan Space, Ahlcain was re-christened as Gargan the Conqueror. It was believed that "gargan" was derived from the word gargantuan or possibly had Rakatan influences such as Goran and Gar-Tan. Ever since, his descendants and successors all carried the title "Gargan" in their new names, continuing a legacy for over two thousand years.
Relationships
Romantic relationships
Berani
Kol's first known experience with romance came in the form of Berani, who attended the same orphanage as Kol in the city of Theed on Naboo. While Kol was mostly socially excluded by his peers because of his latent Force abilities, Berani was the only person who got along well with him. Kol recollected that he often spent time with her stargazing and they both expressed their desires to leave the orphanage and explore other places. When Kol was taken to the Jedi Order by Talana Vae, he never saw Berani again.
Nyra Verde
Nyra Verde, a fellow Jedi Knight, lover, and mother of his son.
Nyra Verde was the first person Kol had an active relationship with. They had met when Kol first became a Jedi Initiate at the age of eleven. In comparison to Kol, Nyra had already begun her training at a much younger age, and already surpassed Kol in both experience and skill. Furthermore, Verde descended from a wealthy and popular noble family, while Kol was a Naberrie - who were not a noble family at that time. As a result, Nyra often looked down on Kol for his underwhelming Force abilities and common lineage. Kol, instead, was jealous of Nyra's abilities which eventually created a competitive spirit between the two Jedi.
As they grew older, however, their rivalry seemed to lessen especially during the advent of the Great Galactic War. During the Battle of Rhen Var, Kol and Nyra were forced to cooperate in order to win the battle against the Sith. Afterwards, both Nyra and Kol expressed their feelings to each other and spent the night together. Vowing to see her again, Kol left to Dantooine to continue the battle against the Sith - while they both agreed never to speak of their affair to anyone. Kol's promise, however, never came to fruition when he seemingly fell during the Sacking of Coruscant. Nyra, believing him dead, abstained from the war and instead returned to Tython to meditate in peace.
However, Nyra was unexpectedly pregnant with Kol's child - a boy called Yuron Verde. After discovering her affair with Kol - who was now, unbeknownst to the Jedi, a Sith - Nyra was exiled from the Order went into hiding on the planet Voss. Nyra and Kol - now known as Darth Errol - were eventually reunited on Voss when Errol was ordered to kill her on behalf of the Dark Council. When realizing he was sent to kill Nyra, and discovering she bore him a son, Errol left Voss and was pushed to betray and leave the Sith Order.
Nyra never became aware of Errol's subsequent death and imprisonment inside the holocron. She believed her former lover to have irredeemably fallen to the dark side. She urged her son not to become like his father, who subsequently became the Battlemaster of the Jedi Order at an older age.
Shayra
Darth Thoth, his apprentice and short-lived partner.
Shayra became Darth Errol's Sith apprentice after she completed her trials in the Sith Academy on Korriban. Errol had been convinced to take a Sith apprentice during his war with Lord Malrag, and he had set his sights on Shayra after she had shown particular ferocity in besting just about all of her fellow acolytes. Upon induction as his apprentice, Errol gifted her with a double-bladed lightsaber and trained her as a Sith assassin.
Through most of her apprenticeship to Errol, Shayra was sent to assassinate various members of Lord Malrag's power base, particularly his apprentices. Aside from that, Errol had taught Shayra many of the teachings Silanus had taught him. He taught her how to be methodical and calculating, how to rely on inner passion and ambition rather than just full anger and hatred.
Arguably, Shayra showed more patience in her training than Errol did while apprenticed to Silanus. She was not particularly vocal on his teachings, nor did she voice any personal opinion on him. For most of the time, Shayra regarded her master as a means to an end - and like many Sith apprentices and their masters expected to eventually kill him once the time came. Errol, in turn, also saw her little else than a tool to dismantle Malrag's power base.
Shayra and Errol were in a physical relationship at one point in their lives, though it was unknown if they ever held genuine romantic feelings to one another. Shayra never commented on her relationship with her master, still regarding her apprenticeship as little else than a means to an end. She eventually did claim that the physical aspect with her relationship to Errol was a "fun side activity".
Shayra's apprenticeship to Errol ended once her master was killed and his spirit imprisoned inside the holocron. After Errol's demise, she trained under another master and eventually became known as Darth Thoth.
Sil
Lady Sil, his consort.
After conquering the Kingdom of Adamant during the Gargan Unification War, the Gargan sought to solidify his rule by marrying into the royal family of Adamant. Sil, Queen Lillith's eldest daughter, was the choice. They married in an elaborate Tyrrhan marriage and their matrimony sealed Adamant's subservience to the Empire.
A political matrimony, their marriage was largely loveless. Sil bore two children to the Gargan - Relharza and Sylaise. However, being the wife of the reigning emperor of Tyrrha did come with its advantages. She was considered a socialite par excellence, and lived in luxury and wealth through much of her life.
Although their marriage was mostly loveless, husband and wife did not outright dislike one another. Sil admitted to have been physically attracted to the Gargan at some point in her life, but complained that emotionally he was "as empty as a shallow pool". The Gargan, in turn, also professed to at least have no issue conceiving children with her - but also knew that the marriage was to accomplish a political goal, and little else.
Other relationships
Lerio Zalwith
Lerio Zalwith, once his best friend turned greatest enemy.
Lerio and Naberrie met early on during their careers as Jedi Younglings in the Jedi Temple on Tython. They got along very well in their first interactions, as both Jedi struggled with their devotion to the light side and initially showed very meagre Force abilities. However, as they aged, they showed increasing mastery of their powers and skills. Although they had separate masters during their respective apprenticeships, they still kept close contact and spoke often.
Upon becoming Jedi Knights, Lerio and Naberrie's friendship only seemed to prosper as they went on missions together during the early days of the Great Galactic War. However, many noted that while Naberrie eventually seemed to embrace the light side, Lerio remained doubtful on the Jedi's tenets and had increasing difficulty conforming to their dogma. This caused for early strains in their relationship, as Naberrie often voiced his criticism on Lerio's alarming deviation to the dark side.
Furthermore, their relationship reached a breaking point after the Battle of Alderaan. While Naberrie was praised for his leadership and skill in successfully rescuing the royal family, Lerio's own involvement became largely ignored. While Naberrie scored victory after victory and received nothing but praise for his skill and tenacity, Lerio was subject to scorn and criticism from the Jedi Masters for continuing to walk a questionable path between the light and dark side of the Force.
This caused for Lerio to become increasingly jealous and envious of his friend. Their friendship was subsequently irreparably shattered during the Sacking of Coruscant. After Naberrie had decided to go on a rampage following the death of his former master, Lerio saw his opportunity to leave his old friend behind as he was swarmed by the Sith, his decision influenced by his earlier jealousy and refusal to help him in his killing spree.
Despite having betrayed him, Lerio came to deeply regret what he had done. It took him several years to atone for his mistakes, and he attempted to seek redemption by permanently laying down his lightsaber and instead focusing on nonviolent aid for refugees of the war. Ironically, Naberrie - who many saw as the pinnacle of a Jedi - fell to the dark side while the envious, emotion-driven Lerio embraced the light side through constant meditation and devotion to serenity and peace. Lerio would meet his end when Naberrie, now a Sith apprentice, struck him down in vengeance for his earlier betrayal of him.
Zon Lao
Zon Lao, his Jedi Master.
Naberrie's Jedi Master and long time confidant, Naberrie was first appointed as Zon Lao's apprentice after he turned thirteen in 3672 BBY. Lao presided over the entirety of Naberrie's Jedi training, from age thirteen until Naberrie turned eighteen in 3667 BBY and became a Jedi Knight. As such, Lao played a pivotal role in not only developing Naberrie's many Force-related abilities, but also influenced much of his moral values and decision-making.
Naberrie learned from Lao to trust on gut instinct, but not to rely too much on emotions. Although initially taking that advice to heart, Naberrie ultimately couldn't live up to his master's teachings upon witnessing his body after the fall of Coruscant in the Great Galactic War, which prompted Naberrie to gon a killing spree in vengeance for his master's death.
Lao oversaw much of Naberrie's lightsaber training, as well. Teaching his pupil how to maximize an opponent's physical exhaustion to tire him out, Naberrie took over much of Lao's teachings and through his lessons came to form his own style of lightsaber combat. Even after becoming a Sith, Naberrie kept most of Lao's techniques intact and continued to use them even as he immersed himself deeper in the dark side.
When Lao was killed by the Sith during the sacking of Coruscant, Naberrie's rage enabled him to slaughter the remaining Sith in the Temple - exposing himself to the dark side. It could be argued that upon witnessing Lao's death and having experienced the dark side for the first time, he refused to ever go back to the light and instead continued his path onto dark side immersion.
Silanus
Lord Silanus, his Sith Master.
Silanus met the young Naberrie after he had nearly been killed in the Sacking of Coruscant. Finding use in an abandoned, vengeful young Jedi, Silanus convinced his peers in the Imperial Medical Corps to nurse Naberrie back to health, convincing the Jedi to turn to the dark side and become Silanus's apprentice by luring him with promises of power and vengeance.
Silanus oversaw much of Naberrie's immersion into the dark side. He reflected on his already-impressive mastery of the Force, and only sought to nurture those abilities further and utilize them as a weapon for the Sith Empire. However, Silanus also had an ulterior motive by effectively using Naberrie as his personal Sith assassin and having him kill several of his opponents. Silanus had ordered Naberrie to hunt down three disgraced Jedi who acted as double agents for his hated rival, Lord Orn Malrag.
Despite essentially using him for his own ends, Silanus did prove instrumental in developing and harnessing Naberrie's potent dark side abilities. He also taught Naberrie much about the art of subterfuge and political manipulation, pressing on the importance of cunning and calculation in order to beat one's enemies.
By the end of his apprenticeship, Silanus had attempted to dispose of Naberrie after fearing his power in the dark side would outgrow his. However, when Silanus attempted to do so, he instead was killed by Naberrie who assumed his seat as a Sith Lord.
Sandro Moore
Sandro Moore, his friend and co-founder of Gargan's Empire.
After he had possessed the body of Reuel Ahlcain and joined the Ministry of Science, Errol met and eventually befriended Sandro Moore. Unlike most of the people Errol had met, Sandro seemed to be just an ordinary man with no apparent outstanding skill except his intelligence - which attracted Errol. By the point he had met him, most of Errol's relationships or attempted friendships had all broken apart due to overzealous ambition, and Sandro's meeting was as described by Errol to be a "breath of fresh air".
Both Sandro and Reuel studied in the Ministry of Science and eventually came under the leadership of Bor Kovats, who led a team of scientists to integrate fallen societies back into the Galactic Republic. While befriended with Sandro, Reuel regained some sense of love and dedication to the work he was to be doing - and had learned how to look at things from the perspective of committing oneself for the sake of others, rather than just for one's own ambition. Partially, Sandro's influence rubbed itself off on Reuel after the latter decided to establish a new empire on the planet Tyrrha - which from Reuel's perspective he did to uplift a stunted and under-developed people, which was his impression of "committing oneself for the sake of others".
Ahlcain took Sandro's death hard, to the point that he was committed to brutally eradicating any trace or memory of the Oldboy Conspiracy. In a sense, his vengeful streak returned once his friend passed - and he could do little but slid back into the violent persona he had attempted to shed.
Talana Vae
Talana Vae, his Jedi instructor.
Talana Vae was Naberrie's instructor when he was still a Jedi Youngling. It was Vae who first noticed his exceptional ability in the Force, despite being relatively lacking during his time as an Initiate. She had dedicated herself to develop her youngling's abilities further, and Naberrie also credited her with teaching him much about kindness and loyalty. After Naberrie became a Padawan, he did not maintain much contact with Vae, and he doubted if she knew he had been defeated in the Sacking of Coruscant nor was he sure she knew he had become a Sith.
Naberrie met Talana at age eleven, after the Jedi instructor was sent by the Order to Naboo to investigate the probability of the Force-sensitive, dark side-leaning child hidden in one of Theed's orphanages. Although initially suspicious of her, Naberrie was at least impressed by her demonstration of her Force abilities. It was Vae who later introduced and inducted Naberrie in the Jedi Order.
Skills and abilities
Combat skills
Although early on in his Jedi training Kol Naberrie didn't prove to be a particularly adept duellist, by the time he was in his late teens he showed he was extremely comfortable and proficient in lightsaber combat. His favorite forms were Form V, Form III, Form VII, and Form IV respectively. His preferred strategy to combat was tiring out his opponent first by using a combination of Forms V and III, then finally finishing them off by using a very physically-demanding Form IV and Form VII combination.
The Gargan also showed he was particularly capable at disposing multiple opponents at once. By using a combination of his powerful telekinetic abilities and his mastery at lightsaber combat, Naberrie was able to defeat most opponents in relative quick succession - as was evidenced by his defeat of Tym Tienol. Naberrie preferred wielding a single-bladed lightsaber through most of his life, though also showed he was able to dual-wield lightsabers if the situation called for it.
Force powers
Gargan the Conqueror was an immensely powerful Force adept, with a keen and very advanced understanding of both the light and dark side of the Force. Having walked on both sides at some point in his life, Gargan the Conqueror was well-versed in the many fields related to both aspects. His Force abilities first began to manifest at age six, and though he was considered to have developed them very slow and initially quite lacking - by the time he became a teenager his proficiency in the Force only began to extend itself further as time moved on.
As a Jedi Knight, Kol Naberrie showed he was particularly proficient in telekinesis, going from being able to lift simple objects by the age of six to lifting several adult Humans with ease by the time he was an adult. He also showed he was capable of manipulating his environment, hurling and thrashing objects around at enemies and being able to lift heavy boulders and rocks. He also showed he was able to telekinetically incapacitate multiple opponents at once, as he had shown when he fought Tym Tienol and her padawans on Alderaan.
Gargan the Conqueror was also skilled in the defensive capabilities of telekinesis, being able to form protective Force bubbles around himself during his final confrontation with Malrag. In his final battle with Lerio, he managed to recover from his telekinetic attack and send him flying across the room. If for some reason he didn't have enough strength to create Force bubbles, he was able to use his environment as crude protective shields such as metal planes or boulders.
The Gargan also showed he had great willpower and mental tolerance. He was able to withstand many of Malrag's Force-related mental tortures during his imprisonment in the holocron, and was able to keep himself from going insane after enduring many of his sadistic illusions. His resistance to torment further evidenced itself when for the additional millennium he kept himself mentally sound after enduring an exceedingly prolonged period of isolation.
At times, the Gargan also showed he was capable at devastating dark side powers such as Force lightning, which was his preferred power when dealing with other dark side-aligned enemies. As shown in his final battle with Malrag, Darth Mortis and Darth Jadus - he called upon the power of the dark side in an attempt to completely obliterate his enemies, despite their far more superior power and experience than compared to Errol.
Other abilities
As evidenced by his relatively quick conquest of Gargan Space, Gargan the Conqueror proved to be exceptional in military strategy and coordination. He knew how to get the most out of his troops and how to carefully coordinate battle plans. Early on in his conquests, the Garganese army was nowhere near as efficient and powerful as they would later become, and Gargan the Conqueror knew to make up with their lack of power with methodical, quick hit-and-run attacks.
The Gargan could speak several languages and was learned in the field of anthropology. He used the knowledge that he gained while at the University of Coruscant to carefully herd his new conquered people towards an entirely new cultural identity, a feat that would be notoriously difficult to accomplish on such a large scale. He understood the importance of cultural evolution and used it to steer the Tyrrhans to any paths that he chose. At the end of the day, the Gargan managed to transform the Tyrrhans from an isolationist, stagnant people to a progressive, technologically-advanced and educated race.
Behind the scenes
Gargan the Conqueror was created by the author in 2020 as a principal character in his Gargan's Empire project. Gargan the Conqueror saw various influences, including from Alexander the Great, Caesar from the Fallout universe, and Genghis Khan. The character was not meant to be a "main character" article such as Dorne Teague, but instead was intended to provide depth to the history of Gargan's Empire.
On 6 May 2020, the author decided to merge his earlier page of Darth Errol with Gargan the Conqueror - as he felt both characters felt very lacking in terms of quality or depth. Darth Errol, the character Gargan the Conqueror was subsequently merged with, was based on a number of characters such as Revan and Shay Cormac from the Assassin's Creed games.
For the face claim, the author chose King Regis Lucis Caelum from the Final Fantasy XV video game.
Sources
Notes and references
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