Spheres of Influence - Ancient Knowledge
To the engines of memory, that record and consume.
Probably the sphere we know most about canonically—though it should tell you how low the bar is that, if I recall correctly, it’s the only sphere mentioned by name in the pre-Zakuul game dialogue. (And it’s called, for some inane reason, a pyramid. Okay.) But there’s fairly solid context for what it does and why it rates a Council seat, which puts it ahead of several others.
Held by Darth Arctis, at least in name, until the last third or so of Act III, then Thanaton (for about one Kaggath-length), then Imperius/Occlus/Nox. (Or one of the smattering of inquisitors who have wandered off and acquired a non-canon title, who are valid and the Sithly lights of my life, but too varied to list.)
The galaxy is built on the ruins of older histories—pasts that faded to myths, myths that faded to legends, legends lost to the mist. Sith in the Sphere of Ancient Knowledge seek out and research rituals, Force artifacts, and writings that vanished into history. Having the best grounding in the field, they’re also on the forefront of new ritual, though (to their great annoyance) dominion over healing and body-affecting alchemy belongs to Biotic Science instead. (This doesn’t stop them from researching it, but it makes it difficult to gain official status by doing so.)
They tend to be hands-on in their expeditions—even Darths frequently engage in fieldwork, if they don’t lock themselves in their laboratories for months at a time instead. More than rage, or hate, or even pride, their common drive is obsession; their politics are as likely to be over arcane academic disagreements as over power plays, their specialties are specific and intense, and when they tip over the edge, they’re the ones standing before the altar and calling forth Powers Sapiens Weren’t Meant To Know. Usually, they’re also the ones cleaning up after—after all, if they don’t, Mysteries will, and then no one will get to see the research paper.
In Secular Administration:
The Sphere of Ancient Knowledge directly controls and works closely with the Imperial Reclamation Service—as well as its academic counterpart under the Science Bureau, the Division of Imperial History. They share power over the Bureau of Education with the Sphere of Sith Philosophy and its Ministry of Culture; stunningly, this has led to cooperation far more often than rivalry, and the spheres generally retain a surprisingly stable working relationship. A large fraction of the Empire’s universities are ultimately controlled and administrated by Ancient Knowledge.
The sphere also approves and oversees the construction of tombs, and holds responsibility over the cremation or interring—depending on rank—of the less-honored dead. The latter rarely attracts any Sith attention, since deceased Imperials generally do not contribute very much to a power base, but there’s the occasional display of spiritual duty in ensuring the dead are brought home.
Biotic Science: Rivalry. The claim that alchemy is their domain alone makes them nearly impossible to work with long-term, though the odd scholarly collaboration still happens.
Defense of the Empire: Respect. Every world that falls to the Republic is a history lost—and so much has been lost already.
Expansion and Diplomacy: Neutral. Really only relevant when a world with a Force tradition is discovered, or when negotiations need to be opened with one of the galaxy’s lesser powers. Whether they’re allies or interference is entirely circumstantial.
Intelligence: Neutral, leaning towards suspicion. Secretive, self-important spies, but generally uninterested in anything that happened more than a decade or two ago. If they have to involve themselves, you probably did something stupid. Let them and Mysteries fight over who can be the better conspirators, but stay out of the way—the enemy of your enemy is still a nosy bastard.
Laws and Justice: Neutral, leaning towards respect. While they can be inconvenient, they at least keep the population of rogue Sith down, and dead renegades usually don’t break into your library. They’ll also bargain for old legal texts, sometimes—precedent is a holy word where they’re concerned.
Military Offense: Low-grade annoyance. What will it take to get those meatheads not to tromp their soldiers through important sites?
Military Strategy: Neutral. Tacticians as much as personal combatants, even among the lower ranks. Some see more value in history and ritual than others, but they at least understand the worth of information.
Mysteries: Bitter mutual hatred. Artifact thieves and suppressors of information, constantly overstepping their bounds. Any alliance is temporary and unstable, unthinkable except in the direst of circumstances.
Production and Logistics: Cautious respect. Anyone who’s organized a conference can tell you how important bureaucracy really is. If you ever want to organize a conference again, stay on their good side—now if only they’d be more reasonable about letting relics through customs…
Sith Philosophy: Close association and/or cordial rivalry. Fellow scholars, whose priorities are generally in the right place—except the Culties, who are less scholarly and more vividly insufferable—and usually amenable to negotiating an informational exchange. Still, best not to let them get there first. And keep them away from the historically important heresies.
Technology: Cordial rivalry. Informational exchange is necessary, but anyone who unearths lost technology will quickly have to beat them off with a stick. Still, their mandate is parallel enough for some cooperation.
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