![<](file-guid:eb091344-d44c-4bd0-8a4c-c5b6d5b929a1 "image.png" =x350)**Wraiths** are an eerie and formidable creation within the **Cult of the One**, a dark side sect originating on Dantooine. These botanical horrors are the product of Sith alchemy, Force manipulation, and ancient horticultural rituals, serving as both guardians and instruments of terror within the Cult’s domain. ## **Origins and Creation** The Cult of the One has long practiced alchemy and biological experimentation, believing that life itself is a tool to be shaped and controlled. Wraiths emerged from their deep understanding of the Dark Side’s influence over organic matter, fusing plant life with the remnants of deceased cultists and unfortunate captives. Through a combination of sorcery and alchemical genetic alteration, these beings became something beyond mere plants—half-sentient abominations with an insatiable hunger. The creation process of a Wraith is a painstaking ritual that begins with the selection of a sacrificial subject—often an unwilling participant captured by the Cult. The subject is bound within a specially prepared alchemical garden, where dark energy-infused seeds are implanted into their body. Over time, these seeds take root, intertwining with the subject’s flesh, bones, and nervous system, gradually overtaking them. The transformation is excruciatingly slow, with the victim fully conscious as their body is consumed and reshaped into its new form. The final stage of creation involves a bloodletting ceremony, in which the Cult’s high priests drain the last remnants of the subject’s mortal essence into the soil. This act completes the wraith’s rebirth, severing any lingering ties to its former self and binding it fully to the Cult’s will. Some particularly powerful wraiths are created from former Cultists who have failed in their duties, their punishment serving as a grim warning to others. These elite wraiths retain fractured memories of their past lives, making them even more dangerous as they hunt with a sense of vengeful purpose. ## **Appearance and Characteristics** Wraiths vary in size and form depending on their purpose, but they typically resemble a grotesque fusion of humanoid and botanical features. Many retain twisted skeletal structures intertwined with vines, their hollow eye sockets glowing with the remnants of their former selves. Their bodies are composed of a dense mixture of carnivorous plant matter, capable of ensnaring and consuming prey. Despite their horrific nature, they are adorned with strikingly beautiful flowers that bloom across their twisted forms, their vibrant colors creating a stark contrast to the menace they embody. This unsettling juxtaposition is a hallmark of the Cult’s philosophy—emphasizing the deceptive nature of beauty and the lethal power it can conceal. Some wraiths are covered in toxic spores, while others exude a paralyzing resin that immobilizes victims before they are slowly digested. ## **Behavior and Abilities** Unlike standard flora, Wraiths exhibit a malevolent intelligence. They are capable of tactical thinking and working as a team, often setting traps and ambushes for their prey. While most wraiths remain under the control of the Cult’s high priests, some develop a level of autonomy, especially those that have survived for extended periods or absorbed particularly strong-willed victims. Rogue wraiths have been known to carve out their own hunting grounds, attacking anything that strays too close. Their abilities include: * **Regeneration**: Due to their hybrid nature, Plant Wraiths can rapidly regrow damaged tissue, making them difficult to destroy. * **Mind Influence**: Some possess a limited form of telepathic suggestion, luring victims into their grasp. * **Acidic Secretion**: Their sap-like blood is highly corrosive, capable of melting through armor and flesh alike. * **Force Sensitivity**: Though not truly Force users, certain wraiths resonate with the Dark Side, making them resistant to conventional Force attacks. * **Environmental Manipulation**: Older wraiths can influence nearby plant life, using vines, roots, and spores to ensnare or confuse enemies. * **Adaptive Intelligence**: Some wraiths, particularly those that have absorbed multiple victims, can mimic voices or recall memories from their prey, using psychological warfare to disorient opponents. ## **Cultic Significance** Wraiths hold an exalted status within the Cult of the One, symbolizing the ultimate fusion of life, death, and the Dark Side. They are seen not just as tools of terror but as divine emissaries of the Cult’s will, embodiments of their belief that the natural order must be reshaped through suffering and sacrifice. The process of creating a Wraith is among the most sacred and feared rites within the Cult. It is considered both a form of execution and an ascension, where the subject’s pain and transformation feed the One’s (Noa’s) power. The most potent wraiths, formed from failed Cultists or particularly strong-willed victims, are believed to contain echoes of their former selves, eternally bound in torment as an example of the price of failure. High-ranking members of the Cult use Wraiths as enforcers, punishers, and even oracles. Some claim that the oldest wraiths whisper prophecies in the rustling of their leaves, channeling the will of the One through their unnatural existence. Sacred gardens, where these creatures are cultivated and maintained, are treated as hallowed ground, off-limits to all but the most devoted members of the Cult. To be sent into such a garden is either a test of faith or a death sentence, depending on the intent of the Cult’s priests. The Cult’s reverence for Plant Wraiths extends beyond fear; they believe that those who are consumed by the wraiths do not truly perish but instead become one with the One. This dark promise fuels the loyalty of some members and terrifies others, ensuring that the Cult’s power remains absolute. ## ![<](file-guid:6a814d2a-f84c-430a-921f-2719ba1b8096 "image.png" =x350)**Weaknesses and Countermeasures** Despite their resilience, Wraiths are not invincible. Fire was initially a significant weakness, as their plant-based physiology is highly flammable. However, the Cult of the One devised countermeasures to mitigate this vulnerability. Some wraiths have been altered to secrete a flame-retardant sap, making them resistant to conventional fire-based attacks. Others have been engineered with thick, bark-like exteriors that char rather than ignite, allowing them to withstand prolonged exposure to heat. Prolonged exposure to pure light-side energy has been known to unravel the dark alchemy binding them together. Some Jedi have reported success in using sever force techniques to disrupt their cohesion, reducing them to lifeless husks. ## **Encounters and Legacy** Wraiths remain one of the more enigmatic creations of the Cult of the One, rarely seen outside their stronghold. However, their presence is often hinted at in ghost stories and grim warnings told by those who have trespassed near Cult-controlled territory. Rumors persist that some wraiths have been let loose into the galaxy, wandering abandoned battlefields and ancient ruins, seeking new sustenance to sustain their horrific existence. As the Cult of the One continues its clandestine activities, the legend of the Plant Wraiths grows… an unsettling reminder that even nature itself is not beyond the corruption of the Dark Side.