Grievous's fortress
The fortress of Grievous, alternatively known as Grievous's castle or the lair of General Grievous, served as the private sanctuary for the cyborg General Grievous. It was situated on the third moon orbiting Vassek. This castle was uniquely tailored to the General's specifications, boasting an extensive collection of replacement components and comprehensive medical facilities. In the absence of Grievous, the castle's inhabitants were limited to the medical droid EV-A4-D, Grievous's beloved roggwart companion Gor, and a contingent of MagnaGuards responsible for safeguarding the premises. Additionally, the fortress incorporated various traps designed to deter "unwelcome visitors." Grievous also stored lightsabers taken from Jedi, such as Neebo, within his fortress.
Description
Nestled among a complex array of jagged, towering peaks, deep ravines, and towering columns on the third moon of the planet Vassek, the castle of General Grievous was concealed at the end of a canyon against a cliff face. This fortress, also referred to as Grievous's castle or the lair of General Grievous, was a clandestine stronghold filled with lethal traps for intruders. It served as the storage location for the Kaleesh cyborg's spare parts, along with his personal droid doctor and pet roggwart, Gor. Beyond the general's somber trophy room, the Lightsaber hilts and Padawan braids acquired from the cyborg's victims were displayed on illuminated tables. Several statues paid tribute to a mysterious warrior's violent history and warlord past, including a holotable positioned at the center of the two sculptures.
The fortress featured three primary entry points. The main entrance was situated at the end of a gorge, featuring a grand, ornate doorway within a triangular arch resembling a massive spearhead. It was intentionally designed to be imposing and intimidating, enhanced by glowing red lights. A similar entrance was located around the back. Both entrances were designed to appear as if the doors would fully open, but they were sealed against such access. The actual entrances were smaller doors at ground level on either side of the castle, integrated into the larger structure like postern gates. These could only be opened by activating a section of ornamental detail nearly indistinguishable from the rest of the design. A small landing pad was also present at the rear, where the third entry point was a large circular hatch capable of accommodating Grievous's personal Belbullab-22 heavy starfighter, the Soulless One.
Inside the fortress, a long, stone-paved corridor was present, along with intricate pipework along the ornate walls. These pipes held light globes that cast confusing shadows throughout the passageway, making it difficult to locate doorways in the darkness. The corridor led to an arch opening into a "sanctum overlook," featuring a walkway above a deep drop. A throne-like seat, complete with a communications panel, dominated the room. One room contained a trap door that opened into a circular pit of lava. Several TT-8L/Y7 gatekeeper droids surveyed each corridor, monitored from a control room behind a secret door. The castle was also guarded by several IG-100 MagnaGuards, each with a ceiling-mounted recharge rack outside the control room.
History
At some point, Grievous established his residence on Vassek's third moon, using it as a place for introspection on the life he had lost upon becoming a cyborg.
Following the rescue of Viceroy Nute Gunray by Count Dooku's assassin Asajj Ventress and the deceased traitor Faro Argyus, Dooku decided to guide them to General Grievous's fortress. There, they left their ship's homing beacon at the fortress. Dooku then remotely deactivated the MagnaGuards stationed there, to allow the Jedi to find him and to assess Grievous's ability to eliminate Jedi.
The Republic promptly followed the beacon's signal. Jedi Knight Nahdar Vebb and his clone troopers arrived, subsequently joined by Vebb's former master, Kit Fisto, and his droid, R6-H5, in their starfighter. Fisto then located the fortress entrance. Upon entering, they discovered a group of B1-series battle droids defending Gunray. After destroying the battle droids, Fisto, Vebb, and their men realized that it was only Gunray's hologram and that they were only following the beacon. Dooku then appeared, offering Fisto and Vebb an alternative prize. They proceeded through the fortress, encountering statues of a peculiar warrior. They then found a chamber filled with Grievous's Kaleesh masks, realizing they were in the lair of the dangerous cyborg monster.
Grievous was then detected by R6, Niner, and Bel in his starfighter, the Soulless One, approaching the fortress unaware of them. After landing, Grievous looked for Gor. He was then confronted by Fisto, Vebb and their troopers. However, Grievous was able to kill several of the troopers and make his way towards the control room. Grievous then spoke with his medical droid, EV-A4-D, who told him that his guards were remotely deactivated. Grievous then activated his guards, locked down the fortress, and then activated a trap that killed another clone. Fisto then disabled one of Grievous's security cameras. Grievous then unleashed his pet roggwart, Gor upon the Jedi and Commander Fil. EV-A4-D then began to repair Grievous. The Doctor then repaired Grievous's legs and stated that he sometimes wondered why Grievous had submitted to his changes. Grievous angrily told EV-A4-D that his cybernetics were improvements that he had chosen, and he said that he submitted to no one. His mask was removed from his face, and he would soon be fully repaired.
After his repairs Grievous was then contacted by Dooku, who revealed that he set up Grievous in order to test skill against a Jedi Master and knight. After ending his conversation, Grievous and his guards then left the control room to kill the two Jedi. Fisto and Vebb then attempted to enter the control room, but were spotted by the Doctor, who alerted Grievous. Fisto was then separated from Vebb and Vebb was forced to fight Grievous and his guards on his own. Fisto then spliced the Doctor's head off. Fisto then watched as Vebb fought Grievous and his guards. Grievous then shot and killed Vebb and taunted Fisto, telling him that he was next.
Kit Fisto then went back outside to the landing platform, where he contacted R6 to pick him up. As soon as R6 was on the way, Grievous, believing that Fisto was about to leave, arrived at the platform to finish him. They then engaged in a lightsaber duel and Fisto was able to gain the upper hand on Grievous as he reclaimed Vebb's lightsaber, telling him that the power will only consume him. Sooner, as Fisto tried to push Grievous off the platform, several MagnaGuards arrived intending to kill him. R6 then arrived, and with a smile on Fisto's face, Grievous ordered his MagnaGuards to stop him just as Fisto leaped back into his starfighter, flying away.
Following the encounter, Grievous contacted Dooku and told him that the Jedi had been defeated. Dooku congratulated him for his victory over the clone troopers and Vebb, but having realized that Fisto still escaped, told him that there was still room for improvement. Aware he was no longer safe in the fortress, with its location known to the Jedi and Republic, Grievous abandoned his castle in the wake of the incident and relocated his base of operations.