There is power in knowledge, and indeed, Cyris Oscura has long subscribed to this philosophy. He has devoted his entire life to understanding of the dark side of the Force, delving deep into Sith culture, and hounding dark artifacts throughout the galaxy. Ever has the corrupting influence of the Force intrigued him. Such fascination has led him to conduct experiments of all kinds through Sith Alchemy. What started as a focus, a specialization, has long become an obsession. The pursuit of knowledge has led Cyris Oscura to commit acts some would consider despicable.

A decade in solitude, stranded on the moon of Vanir II has left its mark⎯its many marks⎯on Oscura. He is a broken, shambling man; his right arm severed, his body and face pale, emaciated, disfigured by a myriad of scars. He once considered himself the master; the Force bound to his every bidding. No longer is that the case. He has become the slave for he now lives by the sheer will of the dark side, relying on its power to sustain his ailing body. Gone is the elegant, refined warrior of old. All that remains is a shade of the past. A revenant.

Devoured by madness, his mind is a nigh impregnable, festering maelstrom of half-thoughts and screams. Though in general Oscura may appear composed and rational, he is anything but that. He is prone to rambling, as if speaking to another, unseen person, particularly when under strain or drawn by the bloodlust of battle, making him a liability. Yet, for all its drawbacks, the madness serves as a form of cerebral barrier, making him particularly resilient to mental attacks of all kinds, from telepathic probing to illusions or fear.

Oscura is as cruel as he is merciless. The ancient and mysterious being will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Indeed, myths and legends dating back centuries surround the Black Hand and the thousands of deaths he has wrought in his lifetime. Since he was discovered in hibernation and reawakened by the Dark Brotherhood, he has cultivated a shroud of mystery, disappearing for long periods of time, shirking even great responsibilities such as Combat Master and Herald in favor of personal pursuits. Few in the Brotherhood trust him, yet no one can deny how powerful he has grown. In this, some might even envy him.

Due to his ailing health and his frail body, he is weaker than ever before in his life. He is slow and weak; a pathetic fate for what was once such a proud and mighty warrior. Without the aid of the Force, that is. In the midst of battle, he relies on the dark side to augment his mobility and amplify his physical prowess, allowing him to pull off feats of speed and acrobatics belying his enfeebled state. Coupled with his ominous presence, sheer offensive power, and understanding of defensive lightsaber combat, this makes him a dangerous, unpredictable foe. However, should his ties to the Force ever be severed, he would find himself nearly helpless.

Fear is a weapon few wield as effectively as The Black Hand. Using a combination of Force-induced terror, intimidation and Dun Moch, Oscura strives to chip away his foe’s confidence. A master in this craft, he can achieve his goals quickly and effectively, leaving his enemies destabilized. Those of lesser resolve may even be abruptly paralyzed in terror. Everywhere Oscura goes, an Aura of Fear follows, heralding his arrival. Relying on these mind games could lead to trouble should he encounter an enemy of abnormally strong willpower. Oscura would be forced to rely on less developed powers and tactics.