Torphceris (play)

Torphceris was a play written and produced by the Lorrdian playwright Pordi zet Chatc during the Republic Classic Era. It was named after the last Argazdan Redoubt Torphceris and described his role in the construction of the Slave Pits of Lorrd during the last years of the Kanz Disorders.

Description
This tragedy's plot was based on the legends surrounding the history of the Slave Pits of Lorrd. It was set on Lorrd, a subject world of the Argazdan Redoubt, towards the end of the Kanz Disorders around 3,970 BBY. Three hundred years earlier, the Argazdan Myrialites had enslaved the native Lorrdians during their conquest of the Kanz Sector.

The last Argazdan Regent Torphceris&mdash;a devoted Myrialite&mdash;faced growing opposition to his rule over the Kanz Sector by the Galactic Republic. In desperation, he betrayed his "beliefs" in Vianism by making a pact with a demonic alien "artisan-shaper" who promised to give him the power to summon a destructive power. As part of harnessing this "terrible" power, Torphceris collaborated with her in organizing the construction of the Slave Pits of Lorrd through the use of Lorrdian slaves. Within the pits, it was said that she worked to create a "destructive force"

The play was lenient in its treatment of the Argazdans since they were portrayed as unbelieving cowards motivated by power rather than being depicted as villains. Instead, the alien "artisan shaper" was depicted as a demonic antagonist. Given its Lorrdian perspective, the play was critical of slavery.

History
Torphceris was first performed during the Republic Classic Era in the centuries prior to the rise of the Galactic Empire in 19 BBY. During the Imperial era, excavation of the Slave Pits of Lorrd near Qatamer had sparked a renewed interest in historical landmarks and several theatres featured shows related to them. To support popular demand, the Qatamer Performance Square did a production of the play for both local and offworld audiences in 0 BBY.

Appearances

 * Death in the Slave Pits of Lorrd