The Nylath Rakatan Artifact was a small device of Rakatan origin that was found on Nylath by Shakvail in 24 BBY. It was recovered from the center of an Alchemical Nematode after the creature's destruction. Once strong in the dark side, its power was broken, but it still granted Shakvail a vision of its original purpose.
History[]
Origins[]
The artifact was originally created by Rakatan scientists on Denon during the reign of the Infinite Empire. It was part of a much larged construction of many components all imbued with the power of the dark side. The precise purpose of this device was lost to history, but analysis by the Jedi Order seemed to indicate it functioned to allow genetic manipulation of Humanoids.
Sith Custody[]
The artifact eventually left Denon, winding up in Sith hands. Historical estimates indicate that this was most likely during the Cold War. it was modified by the Sith to serve an alternative purpose, utilizing dark side energy to allow simple life forms to conglomerate, forming monstrous amalgamated forms with utility in battle.
Nylath[]
The artifact was placed in a Sith outpost on the shore of Lake Vulon at some point prior to 1,752 BBY, as part of a trap designed to prevent exploration of the site. It was stored in an explosive housing in an otherwise unremarkable supply room.
In 26 BBY the artifact was uncovered by a group of Spri'lek youths on a dare, and the explosives were triggered, resulting in the Lake Vulon Rockslide. The artifact was dumped into Lake Vulon, and over the course of several days produced an Alchemical Nematode. This creation was defeated during the Lake Vulon Encounter, and the artifact came into the possession of Shakvail. It was taken to Coruscant and placed in a sealed chamber in the Jedi Archives.
Imperial Legacy[]
Along with many other dark side affiliated items, this artifact was plundered by Palpatine following {{sw|Order 66}. It was eventually transported to Byss where it was studied by Byss Mages as an aid to the development of Imperial Sentinels. The artifact was destroyed in 10 ABY along with the rest of Byss.
Appearance[]
The artifact was a hexagonal prism, columnar and elongate, similar in size to a lightsaber and composed of black, alchemical stone. It was marked with silver-colored glyphs that incorporated several rare elements. These models a highly stylized double helix impression of DNA.