The Winter King
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The formation of the Order began during the Hundred-Year Darkness when a small group of Jedi, who no longer believed in the Jedi mandates or the philosophy of the rogue Jedi that was being preached to garnish followers, left the Jedi Order in search of new planet to start a life anew. For three months they searched until settling on the frozen world of Tokmia, rightfully believing the planet would be untouched due to the planet's inability of resources and location from either the rogue Jedi's conquest, or their former comrades.
Upon settling on the planet, and utilizing what materials they currently possessed, created a small hamlet and quickly discovered the Oku species with whom they could trade with, learn the layout of the planet, and hunt the wild game for food. They began to shed any connection of the Jedi. To keep their mind's and body's sharp, they began reliving their training sessions when they were Jedi as a preventive measure against complacency or downspiraling madness. The group began to lay the foundation of their new Order shortly after.
It was ruled in favor of that the Order needed new, fresh members for it to thrive. The Oku, friends as they were, did not the possess the main quality they sought; wielding the Force. The problems they saw in acquiring young Force sensitives was not finding them, but luring them away from the Jedi who too sought them out. The rogue Jedi who started the schism and war, they had no knowledge of his mandates regarding young Force Sensitives. Also, they found the problem of teaching. They were no longer Jedi, so the teachings of the Jedi would be abolished. They needed to come up with a new dogma.
The dogma, or code, they created was called Leggi E Regole. The Leggi E Regole encompassed all angles including rules, morals, behavior, and so forth. Next, they decided on a Council, but not like the Jedi Council they grew up with. This Council would consist of five members who would vote on every topic equally, with a voted outcome always ensured to the odd number chosen. There would be no Chancellor or Grandmaster, they believed such a title would undoubtedly lead to power and power struggles. With the majority of hardwork now complete, the time had come to find recruits and ascertain the proper materials to construct lightsabers; which would be the focus of offensive endeavors; whilst the Force would be taught under the umbrella of defensive techniques.
Two years later after the foundation was established. The first recruits were brought to the planet. And through the Oku, who managed to secure a diplomatic relationship with certain offworld corporations, gained materials to expand their living situation. As more and more students ranging from several species across the known galaxy, two events occurred. First, naturally, the Order's territory expanded to accommodate the influx of students. The second, the creation of Clans.
La Prova Delle Tenebre (Trial of Darkness)
The La Prova Delle Tenebre, Trial of Darkness, was a trial that essentially made or broke a candidate to join further into the Order as a Soldati. The concept of the trial was to ensure an individual could survive on their own under harsh and life-threatening situations. As the planet of Tokmia hosted one of the harshest climates and temperatures in the galaxy, it was an excellent background in survival. The trial lasted two weeks if properly conducted by the candidate. At the start, the candidate is fed a hefty meal and given just enough clothes to prevent freezing quickly. After that, they are blindfolded and transported out to the frozen tundra and left there with enough food to last for one full day, they would be required to hunt for their food. In addition to a one day ration, they were given enough heating supplies like wood, kindling, and a fire creating source that if spread out intelligently and not squandered, could support two weeks of heat. The candidate was required to find suitable accommodations throughout the two week process. The planet's surface, and underground, were brutally cold. But that was the easy part.
The second part of the trial was the candidate would be hunted religiously by three other future candidates seeking to become Soldatis themselves. The candidate undergoing the trial was given a ceremonial weapon along with his or her hunting weapon, that he or she would need to defend themselves. To ensure fairness for the trial taking candidate, the other three were forbidden to team up and attack the candidate; which was not in their best interest anyway. In the event the candidate was bested by one of the three, the victor was automatically promoted to Soldati without undertaking the trial themselves. Any candidate that failed the trial, was removed from the Order and exiled on the planet. Most didn't survive long in exile.
Rise of the Clans
Among the Order there are five Clans, each Clan represented in the Consiglio respectively. To ensure fairness in the Consiglio, each seat is assigned permanently to a Clan. There is no directive regarding the filled positions of Insegnantes and Dei from the Clans. The Consiglio, saddled with the promotion process, choose whomever is best suited in the event of an opening among the candidates regardless of Clan association. Each Clan has one particular specialty that sets them apart from one another. Each member also adopted the Clan name as their surname.
Clan Nikenaka: They focus more on diplomacy and trade policies. When, in the event they are required to assist, a trade dispute or a diplomatic indifference occurs between governments or corporations; a member from this Clan is dispatched to act as mediator.
Clan Kisaki: The Order has always sided with the defensive abilities among the Force, utilizing melee weapons and lightsabers as the focus of offense. With the galaxy continuously evolving, so did the Order. Members within this Clan have shed the defensive preaching in favor of more offensive output via the Force. The drawback, they are not as well versed in melee weapons or hand-to-hand combat.
Clan Rukuchi: This Clan focuses more on the healing nature of individuals rather than combat itself. All members of the Order are taught martial arts, and those of this Clan excel in the category opting to trade this off over weapons.
Clan Naata: This Clan has a nickname among the other Clans; "The Philosophical Ones". They focus strongly on the Force, studying the several aspects of it. The Clan produces more Insegnantes than any other Clan. They are credited with creating Al'chima.
Clan Mashayekhi: This Clan is the more balanced of all the Clans. They are stout practitioners of combining defensive Forcer abilities, healing, diplomacy, and Al'chima. But their strongest hands come in the form of combat, both in martial arts and melee weapons (including lightsabers).
Tears of the Betrayal
Around 813 ABY, the Order came under attack.
A former Master, Hokeo Kisaki had left the Order, falling prey to the Dark Side. It was never clear if he had joined the Sith Order, but upon his return to the planet with a sizeable force of armored men; he demanded the Order submit to him and crown him Emperor of the Order. Never in the history of the Order did one individual hold supreme power in the way he was demanding of them. Naturally his demand was denied which led to a war.
The former Master first attacked the Oku, slaughtering them relentlessly to draw the Order out. His plan worked, forcing the Order to fight his troops on his terms. The Order never believed in ranged weapons, only melee and martial arts, which quickly became an advantage for Hokeo Kisaki.
For two long years, the war raged across Tokmia's frozen landscape. Where Hokeo Kisaki held the advantage of ranged weaponry, the Order held the advantage of the planet's hidden layouts such as caverns, ice tunnels, and secret locations to form up and strike in ambush tactics. The war ended when Hokeo Kisaki was killed in battle, his soldiers routed and fleeing the planet. The toil was heavy on the Order, most of it's members dead.
The Reformation Period
For the Order to survive, they needed to review certain policies and stratagems. The surviving Soldati would disperse as they have always done, seeking to find Force sensitive children to indoctrinate into the Order, would also now integrate themselves into other government organizations like the military, politics, and the Jedi Order. They no longer would operate as a solely independent entity; allowing members to embrace other ideologies that did not directly interfere with the Order's ideologies.
Next, the policy of marriage was reformed. Previously a member of the Order could have more than one spouse, but never marry another of the Order. That policy was reworked which stated now only one spouse and members of the Order could marry among themselves. The policy of offspring was changed during the marriage reform. In the past, all Force sensitive offspring were still required to undergo the interview process; all non-Force sensitive offspring, as well as those not strongly connected to the Force, where delegated as labor force upon reaching of age, working as cooks, custodians, temple guards, cargo transporters, etc. Under the new policy, all Force sensitive offspring where grandfathered into the Order; all non-Force sensitive offspring given the opportunity to pursue a livelihood off the planet upon reaching the predetermined age of eighteen.
- Intent: To Flesh out The Order of the Lotus Moon
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- Organization Name: Order of the Lotus Moon
- Classification: Guild
- Affiliation: The Order holds their loyalty to the members and the Council of the guild only. They don't involve themselves with government politics or factions directly; they will lend aid to those governments and factions aligned for the greater good of the galaxy in times of turmoil if asked.
- Organization Symbol: The symbol of the Order is a lotus flower in the center of a wintery moon of snow. The symbol of the lotus flower symbolizes the rebirth of life, whilst the wintery moon of snow represents that even the in the coldest, darkest corners of the galaxy; life can flourish.
- Description: The Order is founded on the principle of creating a caste of Force wielders, with no ties to a specific government, ready to defend the citizens of the galaxy if called upon. The Jedi, historically and traditionally, are hampered by their ethics and codes; limited to act in certain capacities. The Order will fight the followers of the Dark Side with strict composure; enacting actions some would deem unethical. However, to be a stout member of the Order, one must always walk the path either of the Light Side or Neutral; willing to sacrifice whatever is necessary to purge the corruption and temptation of the Dark Side.
- Headquarters: Tokmia
- Domain: In general, they keep to themselves due in part of the planet's frigid temperature; very few in the ways of cities or towns on the planet. They do interact and trade with the Oku, both sides helping one another; forming a symbiotic bond. On the northern region of the planet, several abandoned mines left over by the Figg Excavations, a subsidiary of the Outer Javin Company, is claimed by them, used mainly for training purposes.
- Notable Assets: Training Facilities, Temples, Abandoned Mines, Housing Quarters, Council Temple
- Hierarchy: The Order operates on a five-caste system. The Order operates under a five person Council called The Consiglio, each member sharing the responsibilities equally. The five oversee the Order regarding finances, government assisting, trading among the Oku and outside parties (when applicable), promotions, accepting new members. When applicable, they vote on the topics in a democratic situation, but they are not a concrete government. Under The Consiglio comes the Teachers called Insegnantes. Their sole responsibility is training the students on the code of ethics of the Order and educational applications; and even Al'chima (Alchemy). Under the Insegnantes, is the Masters called Dei. They train the students in the ways of martial arts, the Force, and melee weapons (including lightsabers). Under the Dei is the warrior caste called Soldati, who are the backbone of the Order. Lastly, the students called Studenti. The Studenti are the newest of the Order, whose training will one day elevate them to the caste of Soldati upon passing the La Prova Delle Tenebre, translated to the Trial of Darkness.
- Membership: The present number of membership is quite low, approximately thirty to thirty- five members, varying over the five castes. (OOC) To become a member takes a vote of confidence among the Consiglio, only after an extensive interviewing session which includes how potent they are in the Force. The Order is constructed of Force wielders, and only those that exhibit the Force are considered, those strong in the Force and pass the required vote are admitted into the Order. Traditionally in their historic past, they only took young children to shape into the mold of the Order. After the Tears of the Betrayal, they will occasionally admit older individuals. (ICC) Simply contact Ro-Tahn Mashayekhi to discuss the matter.
- Climate: The feeling amongst the Guild is one of safety. Each member, regardless of their caste and Clan, are essentially like Brothers and Sisters; willing to lay down their lives for their 'sibling'. Here, there is no need to challenge one another for prestige or higher positioning, which is heavily frowned upon. Even among the Clans there is an unsaid rivalry; but it's in good taste, not to eradicate one another.
- Reputation: Those that know or have dealings with the Order of the Lotus Moon describe them as trustworthy and mystic, philosophy minded and powerful warriors.
- Curios: Once indoctrinated into the Soldati caste, their entire back is tattooed with the Lotus flower encompassed by a winter moon landscape. And must choose a Clan to align with.
- Rules: The Order has a strict code, called The Leggi E Regole, which basically is the ancient and traditional Bushido
- Goals: There is no expansion mandate for the Order, they are content on the frozen planet; seeking to remain isolated from the galaxy, only to be called upon when needed by associated governments. They are, unofficially, artifact collectors from time to time. They will seek out artifacts of both the Light Side and Dark Side, or historic artifacts of extinct species, religions, empires, and other points of interests; usually through contracted services. The Order doesn't believe in the Balance of the Force theory. They view the Dark Side as an enigmatic entity which needs to be rendered extinct.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The formation of the Order began during the Hundred-Year Darkness when a small group of Jedi, who no longer believed in the Jedi mandates or the philosophy of the rogue Jedi that was being preached to garnish followers, left the Jedi Order in search of new planet to start a life anew. For three months they searched until settling on the frozen world of Tokmia, rightfully believing the planet would be untouched due to the planet's inability of resources and location from either the rogue Jedi's conquest, or their former comrades.
Upon settling on the planet, and utilizing what materials they currently possessed, created a small hamlet and quickly discovered the Oku species with whom they could trade with, learn the layout of the planet, and hunt the wild game for food. They began to shed any connection of the Jedi. To keep their mind's and body's sharp, they began reliving their training sessions when they were Jedi as a preventive measure against complacency or downspiraling madness. The group began to lay the foundation of their new Order shortly after.
It was ruled in favor of that the Order needed new, fresh members for it to thrive. The Oku, friends as they were, did not the possess the main quality they sought; wielding the Force. The problems they saw in acquiring young Force sensitives was not finding them, but luring them away from the Jedi who too sought them out. The rogue Jedi who started the schism and war, they had no knowledge of his mandates regarding young Force Sensitives. Also, they found the problem of teaching. They were no longer Jedi, so the teachings of the Jedi would be abolished. They needed to come up with a new dogma.
The dogma, or code, they created was called Leggi E Regole. The Leggi E Regole encompassed all angles including rules, morals, behavior, and so forth. Next, they decided on a Council, but not like the Jedi Council they grew up with. This Council would consist of five members who would vote on every topic equally, with a voted outcome always ensured to the odd number chosen. There would be no Chancellor or Grandmaster, they believed such a title would undoubtedly lead to power and power struggles. With the majority of hardwork now complete, the time had come to find recruits and ascertain the proper materials to construct lightsabers; which would be the focus of offensive endeavors; whilst the Force would be taught under the umbrella of defensive techniques.
Two years later after the foundation was established. The first recruits were brought to the planet. And through the Oku, who managed to secure a diplomatic relationship with certain offworld corporations, gained materials to expand their living situation. As more and more students ranging from several species across the known galaxy, two events occurred. First, naturally, the Order's territory expanded to accommodate the influx of students. The second, the creation of Clans.
La Prova Delle Tenebre (Trial of Darkness)
The La Prova Delle Tenebre, Trial of Darkness, was a trial that essentially made or broke a candidate to join further into the Order as a Soldati. The concept of the trial was to ensure an individual could survive on their own under harsh and life-threatening situations. As the planet of Tokmia hosted one of the harshest climates and temperatures in the galaxy, it was an excellent background in survival. The trial lasted two weeks if properly conducted by the candidate. At the start, the candidate is fed a hefty meal and given just enough clothes to prevent freezing quickly. After that, they are blindfolded and transported out to the frozen tundra and left there with enough food to last for one full day, they would be required to hunt for their food. In addition to a one day ration, they were given enough heating supplies like wood, kindling, and a fire creating source that if spread out intelligently and not squandered, could support two weeks of heat. The candidate was required to find suitable accommodations throughout the two week process. The planet's surface, and underground, were brutally cold. But that was the easy part.
The second part of the trial was the candidate would be hunted religiously by three other future candidates seeking to become Soldatis themselves. The candidate undergoing the trial was given a ceremonial weapon along with his or her hunting weapon, that he or she would need to defend themselves. To ensure fairness for the trial taking candidate, the other three were forbidden to team up and attack the candidate; which was not in their best interest anyway. In the event the candidate was bested by one of the three, the victor was automatically promoted to Soldati without undertaking the trial themselves. Any candidate that failed the trial, was removed from the Order and exiled on the planet. Most didn't survive long in exile.
Rise of the Clans
Among the Order there are five Clans, each Clan represented in the Consiglio respectively. To ensure fairness in the Consiglio, each seat is assigned permanently to a Clan. There is no directive regarding the filled positions of Insegnantes and Dei from the Clans. The Consiglio, saddled with the promotion process, choose whomever is best suited in the event of an opening among the candidates regardless of Clan association. Each Clan has one particular specialty that sets them apart from one another. Each member also adopted the Clan name as their surname.
Clan Nikenaka: They focus more on diplomacy and trade policies. When, in the event they are required to assist, a trade dispute or a diplomatic indifference occurs between governments or corporations; a member from this Clan is dispatched to act as mediator.
Clan Kisaki: The Order has always sided with the defensive abilities among the Force, utilizing melee weapons and lightsabers as the focus of offense. With the galaxy continuously evolving, so did the Order. Members within this Clan have shed the defensive preaching in favor of more offensive output via the Force. The drawback, they are not as well versed in melee weapons or hand-to-hand combat.
Clan Rukuchi: This Clan focuses more on the healing nature of individuals rather than combat itself. All members of the Order are taught martial arts, and those of this Clan excel in the category opting to trade this off over weapons.
Clan Naata: This Clan has a nickname among the other Clans; "The Philosophical Ones". They focus strongly on the Force, studying the several aspects of it. The Clan produces more Insegnantes than any other Clan. They are credited with creating Al'chima.
Clan Mashayekhi: This Clan is the more balanced of all the Clans. They are stout practitioners of combining defensive Forcer abilities, healing, diplomacy, and Al'chima. But their strongest hands come in the form of combat, both in martial arts and melee weapons (including lightsabers).
Tears of the Betrayal
Around 813 ABY, the Order came under attack.
A former Master, Hokeo Kisaki had left the Order, falling prey to the Dark Side. It was never clear if he had joined the Sith Order, but upon his return to the planet with a sizeable force of armored men; he demanded the Order submit to him and crown him Emperor of the Order. Never in the history of the Order did one individual hold supreme power in the way he was demanding of them. Naturally his demand was denied which led to a war.
The former Master first attacked the Oku, slaughtering them relentlessly to draw the Order out. His plan worked, forcing the Order to fight his troops on his terms. The Order never believed in ranged weapons, only melee and martial arts, which quickly became an advantage for Hokeo Kisaki.
For two long years, the war raged across Tokmia's frozen landscape. Where Hokeo Kisaki held the advantage of ranged weaponry, the Order held the advantage of the planet's hidden layouts such as caverns, ice tunnels, and secret locations to form up and strike in ambush tactics. The war ended when Hokeo Kisaki was killed in battle, his soldiers routed and fleeing the planet. The toil was heavy on the Order, most of it's members dead.
The Reformation Period
For the Order to survive, they needed to review certain policies and stratagems. The surviving Soldati would disperse as they have always done, seeking to find Force sensitive children to indoctrinate into the Order, would also now integrate themselves into other government organizations like the military, politics, and the Jedi Order. They no longer would operate as a solely independent entity; allowing members to embrace other ideologies that did not directly interfere with the Order's ideologies.
Next, the policy of marriage was reformed. Previously a member of the Order could have more than one spouse, but never marry another of the Order. That policy was reworked which stated now only one spouse and members of the Order could marry among themselves. The policy of offspring was changed during the marriage reform. In the past, all Force sensitive offspring were still required to undergo the interview process; all non-Force sensitive offspring, as well as those not strongly connected to the Force, where delegated as labor force upon reaching of age, working as cooks, custodians, temple guards, cargo transporters, etc. Under the new policy, all Force sensitive offspring where grandfathered into the Order; all non-Force sensitive offspring given the opportunity to pursue a livelihood off the planet upon reaching the predetermined age of eighteen.
