Duel between Marka Ragnos and Simus

In approximately 5100 BBY, a duel was fought between the Sith Lords Marka Ragnos and Simus, who had been competing in a power struggle for the title of Dark Lord of the Sith Empire since 5200 BBY. Simus challenged Ragnos but was beheaded by his opponent during the duel. Rather than succumb to his injuries, Simus used Sith magic to keep himself alive. His head was preserved in a crystal sphere and he served as an advisor to Ragnos until the Dark Lord's death in 5000 BBY. Simus was killed later that year in a false-flag attack by his former pupil Naga Sadow, who subsequently recalled the memory of Simus's loss to Ragnos to the Sith Council in order to motivate them to retaliate against the Galactic Republic.

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