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ACADEMY OF SKYE
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Intent: To create a place of learning and a stronghold for the Order of Ren.
Image Credit: Romain Defélix
Canon: Adapted from canon location - Kharys' Fortress.
Links: First Order - Order of Ren's Organizational Thread.
SETTING INFORMATION
Military Base Name: Academy of Skye.
Classification: Academy, as well as a fortress-keep.
Location: Canaitith Mountain, Skye.
Affiliation: The Order of Ren, The First Order.
Population: While the size of the fortress-keep is immensely huge, covering some 9.5 hectares (23.5 acres) as the entirety of its base, it does not reflect the number of its population. The (estimated, but not limited to) breakdown of members and personnel can be roughly estimated as following:
| Personnel Classification | Estimated Number of Members | Roles (mainly applicable to non-Ren) |
|---|---|---|
| Praetorian Initiates | 16 (max) | - |
| Ren Disciples | 54 | - |
| Praetorian Knights | 8 (max) | - |
| Ren Knights | 20 | - |
| Praetorian Guard | 1 or none | - |
| Ren Masters | 4 | - |
| Combat Instructors | 10 | Various instructors with a diverse set of skills to give younglings, disciples and initiates a solid base. They also serve as sparring partners for members who wishes to keep their skill sharp or pick up a new form of combat. |
| Army Personnel* | 50 | To serve as patrol and guard various areas and people of interest. It is also part of their responsibilities to serve as the first line of ground defense and to help with evacuation. |
| Naval Personnel* | 30 | To survey the airspace in the region and act as air traffic control for the academy. It is also part of their responsibilities to contact the planetary military base for backup in case of an invasion and serve as the first line of air defense. |
| Others | 50 | Consists mainly of non-combatants and civilians like doctors, scientists, instructors and caretakers. |
Accessibility: Located on the highest peak deep within the Canaitith Range, a mountainous region at the North Pole, the Academy of Skye is far removed from civilization. The area itself is a challenge for most individuals to traverse with its treacherous crags and plunging valleys, as well as strong winds and a distinct lack of coverage from the elements. Furthermore, the fortress-keep does not possess a principal entrance, and the only real means of access are using an air vehicle to land in its central courtyard or its hangar bay. Even then, aerial access is limited due to stringent flight restrictions put in place by the military base on the planet. Only the most trustworthy of personnel and upper echelons of the First Order are allowed access within its hallowed walls.
Description: Extending from the peak of Canaitith Mountain, the stronghold of the Order of Ren stands imposingly against the vista of Skye. Built entirely out of bloodstone, the dull red of its walls lends a splash of color to the stark grey and blue shade of the region, serving as a quiet testament to the ruthlessness of its inhabitants. The elegance of its varied structures echo Avalonia’s neoclassicism, giving the Academy of Skye an air of deceptive grace.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Central Courtyard: The central courtyard is the biggest open area in the entirety of the academy, designed as both an external assembly area for a large group of people, as well as a serving as a landing area for aerial vehicles for First Order’s upper echelons.
Grand Hall: Leading in directly from the central courtyard, the Grand Hall is the nexus of the academy. This is the place where most of the gatherings and important announcements take place at. The infrequent Ren Tournament is also held here, to promote friendly rivalry and motivate its members to aspire to greater heights.
Overlord Council Tower: Accessible mainly by the Supreme Leader and the Overlords, it is where they convene while they are on-planet. The tower is the tallest structure in the fortress-keep, located a fair distance away from the series of buildings that make up the academy.
Crystal Depository: Despite the impression of its name, the Crystal Depository serves less of a collection of precious crystals for the use of future Ren than the chamber being instated as a memorial for all deceased members of the Order of Ren. The use of these lightsaber crystals will only be allowed during dire straits, or if they happen to resonate with a disciple or initiate.
Archives: The academy’s main focus to exists as a place of learning, and it is reflected in its very expansive collection of materials. Divided into two large archives that is located on different wings, the larger archive is dedicated to general knowledge and is accessible by everyone. Whereas the second archive has restricted access as it contains sensitive information like past mission logs and related documentations, as well as a vast collection of holocrons and other force-related knowledge. Ren disciples and initiates are allowed access to this archive only if they have a valid reason and are accompanied by archive keepers.
Training Halls: As another important part of a Ren’s education, the training halls are many and varied, upgraded often to remain relevant. The main training hall wing is open to all members of the Order of Ren, but due to the oftentimes intensive training and brutal conditioning that the Praetorian are expected to undergo, they have a more secluded building further away from the main area that only these specialized guards are allowed to utilize.
Armory: Members of the Order of Ren are expected to be versatile in various forms of combat. Located next to the training hall wing, the armory is filled with all types of weaponry, both commonplace and unique.
Medcenter: Equipped with cutting edge medical droids and medical equipment, as well as experienced doctors and healers for both physical and force-related injuries.
Laboratories and R&D Facilities: With various members comes varied interests. These facilities is established to encourage members of the Order of Ren to stretch their creativity.
Interrogation & Detainment Facilities: Utilized infrequently, and located away from the main building and living areas, these facilities are used to hold prisoners who are force-sensitive or are considered persons of interest to the Order of Ren.
Hangar: A man-made grotto carved into the face of Canaitith Mountain, located beneath the Academy of Skye. The entrance to the hangar is disguised as part of the mountain by holographic image disguiser technology.
Military Barracks: Located close to the hangar bay and direct routes to air defense towers.
SECURITY
Base Security Rating: Low to Medium
| - Sentry droids - TR4-121security surveillance camera - Holocard access (for restricted areas like labs and storage areas) | - Deflector shield - Holoshroud (for hangar entrance) - Air defense tower - Patrol droids - 9954/I Sensor Array - IFF transponder | - J-1 semi-autonomous proton cannons (Army personnel) - TIE/SF - Conqueror (Naval personnel) |
[th]Perimeter Defenses[/th]
[th]Counterattack[/th]
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
There are many tales pervading the origins of the Academy of Skye, but most historical documents dating back several centuries are of the consensus that the original fortress-keep came under control of the Order of Ren after Skye was subjugated by the Supreme Leader, Sieger Ren. Subsequently, its current incarnation are the results of many decades of expansion and refurbishment upon the remains of an old S’kytri fortress.
While it used to be a home and a center of governance for the S’kytri, it is now a place of learning and refuge for the members of the Order of Ren. Younglings, disciples and initiates are given an opportunity to grow and nurture their mind and skills on a peaceful world, before they are summoned to carry out the will of the Supreme Leader – to bring order to a chaotic galaxy.
The Academy of Skye also serves as the final stronghold, where, in the worst case scenario, all members of the Ren can retreat to and recuperate if necessary. As a place of learning, its Archives include a vast collection of holocrons and force-related knowledge, gathered painstakingly by generations upon generations of its members.
Due to Skye being known as a planet whose main exports are primarily agricultural produce and the Academy’s located at what is considered as the wasteland region of the planet, the populace remain ignorant as to its true purpose. The handful of people who managed to catch a glimpse of it on a rare clear day tend to refer to the Academy of Skye as Laputa Castle, a local slang that roughly translates to ‘castle above the clouds’. The Order of Ren also perpetuate rumors that the fortress-keep is a military cadet training base.
I tried to make it easier to read.
