Baifa Monü Zhuan
- Intent: To make a lore sub of an ancient Atrisian force order
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- Canon: N/A
- Permissions: N/A
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- Organization Name: Keisei
- Classification: Force Order
- Loyalties: Atrisian Commonwealth
- Organization Symbol: None
- Description: The Keisei are the living heart of Atrisia's high culture and a secretive order of Force-sensitives. To the public, they are peerless artists: singers whose voices can soothe a troubled soul, dancers whose movements defy gravity, and poets whose words shape political discourse. They are the ultimate entertainers and confidants to the elite, a living art form so exquisite that men and women save a lifetime for a single audience. Behind this public facade lies their true purpose: they are chroniclers, historians, and masters of mental and illusory Force techniques. Founded as a refuge for the gifted and the unwanted, the Keisei have weathered millennia by making themselves indispensable to Atrisian society, not through overt power, but through beauty, secrets, and an unmatched reputation. They are a world within a world, a floating citadel of art and mystery whose favor is a currency more valuable than credits.
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
- Headquarters: Waru Tower
- Domain:
- Notable Assets: Kimono's, make up, musical instruments, paintings, books, scrolls, Joruri
- Hierarchy:
- Yakka-Shimada: Grandmaster
- Katsuyama: Master
- Ofuku: Knight
- Ware-Shinobu: Apprentice
- Kamura: Younglings
- Gado Keisei:
- Membership: Atrisian Force User
- Influence: Pervasive yet subtle. The Keisei do not command armies or hold political office. Their influence is soft power. A ballad they compose can make or break a noble's reputation. A whispered confidence to the Emperor can shift policy. Their favor is a mark of high status, and their disfavor, social ruin. They are the ultimate arbiters of Atrisian culture and taste.
- Climate: Profoundly secretive. The Citadel and its surrounding village in the mountains are a world apart, shrouded in mist and illusion. Outsiders see only what the Keisei wish them to see: a beautiful, tranquil artists' colony. The true nature of their Force training, their internal councils, and the full extent of their historical knowledge are mysteries even to the Royal Family. The Gado ensure this secrecy is maintained.
- Reputation: They are regarded as living masterpieces. Their every action, from the application of their signature white-and-gold makeup to the pouring of tea, is a performance. To be granted an audience with an Ofuku or higher is a life-defining event for the Atrisian elite. Off-worlders view them as an exotic, must-see attraction, a reputation the Keisei have learned to exploit for financial and informational gain.
- Curios:
- Rules:
- The Painted Face is Sacred: It is never to be seen smudged or removed by an outsider.
- Chastity in Service: A Keisei belongs only to the Order and their art. They take no spouses, no lovers, and bear no children. Their family is their sisters and the Gado.
- Never Betray a Confidence: The secrets of their patrons are sacrosanct. This is the foundation of their trust and influence. The Art is for Enchantment.
- Not Destruction: Their powers are never to be used for raw, overt aggression. To do so is a corruption of their purpose.
- Doctrines:
- The Painted World: "We paint our faces to create a world between men and gods. We do not want, we do not feel for ourselves. We entertain, we listen, we record. The rest is secret." This doctrine emphasizes the separation of the personal self from the artistic persona.
- The Sisterhood: "We are all sisters. A Keisei is not a wife; she is not a courtesan. We are a family of art and service, bound by vows, not blood."
- To Be Art: "To be Keisei is to be art, not merely an artist. Every breath, every glance, every stitch of clothing is crafted to ensnare the mind and enrapture the senses. We are the final masterpiece."
- The Hidden World: What we create, we sell our skills, our art, we create the illusion of a world apart from others and entice them to come in. We are masters of the floating world.
- Goals: Serving as chroniclers of history and knowledge on Atrisia, bringing ease to minds and forgiving the sins of those who seek repentance.
- Chronicle Atrisia: To serve as the living, breathing historians of the Commonwealth, preserving its true history away from the distortions of politics.
- Ease the Soul: To use their arts to bring peace, clarity, and repentance to the powerful, thus guiding the fate of the world from the shadows.
- Safeguard the Gift: To protect and nurture Force-sensitives on Atrisia, ensuring their traditions survive any galactic turmoil.
- Serve the Throne: To be a loyal, discreet resource for the Emperor and Empress, offering counsel drawn from millennia of accumulated wisdom.
MEMBERS
Zankokuna Utsukushi-Sa: NPC
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Founded roughly ten thousand years before the unification of Kital Phard, the Keisei were a collection of force users who at the time displayed powers. Kokiden Aoi founded the citadel after escaping her father who beat her for having these powers. She saw a vision of the future and went into the mountains being led to the site of the citadel and founded the vilage that would be there.
Others came eventually and they would become her sisters. THose who could hear the call and were lost or cast out within the worlds. THe mountains themselves were considered not part of any of the clans themselves. Forming up over several hundred yeard as the first tower was built within the center of the vilage. Calling out and attracting those who could fel it.
ONce the ten thousand clans made their exodus the tower had been rebuilt several times each time larger with different parts. From wood and mortar to stone and finally metal that had been worked into the stone. To make it more protected. As their numbered grew with more and more being identified and sent to them. They trained and they learned new skills.
With the years they developed a secret art to using the force, illusions and displays of light from their hands. THeir bodies painted and hair oiled, their nails trimmed, waxing and suffering for their art. The Keisei became this secret group on Kital Phard who slowly over time gained a reputation among the royals. THey were sought after to prove they were some of the most beautiful.
Chiyo was the one of them who informed and brought the Keisei to the world though, opening them up to all who could afford it. As a means to teach their initiates, to teach them and let them attract the more lucrative clients. THeir ranks were made to be more inclusive as male force users weren't considered as part of it. Instead serving and learning to defend their sisters.
The Keisei though throughout the centuries came into conflict with the new order, the inquisition of Atrisia who formed in the aftermath of the plague and the darkness that followed. Instead of force users being sent to them they were sent to the citadel. A dark mirror and trained to hunt down their fellow force users. With their history and their wealth they could be ignored and protected.
With their wealth they could also be locked away in their mountains. Where they were kept until the Citadel was closed down. The Inquisition falling after the Kahosi dynasty and force users on the planet semi returning to a normal state. Some went to other places but the Keisei remained steadfastly on Atrisia itself with legends and rumors of them in the colonies.
With the one sith, the netherworld and other dangers being presented with foreign rulers. The Keisei supported and heard from the Cherry Blossom emperor listening to his confessions and offering what advice they had in choosing an heir. The young Shoma who was from a good family and had led Atrisia when others might have faltered or given the world away to wicked men.
With the rise of the First Order the Keisei have mostly seen the attack on the temple of Xianlong from the likes of Kyrel as something strange. The man sought knowledge and the extermination of opposition but the force users of the world are mostly loyal to the royal family and throne. Taking the approach of Shoma and seeking a peaceful resolution.
The years oif occupation by various governments 'helping' the Atrisians saw the Keisei change little aside from how much they charged... since most seemed to come to the world expecting tea and rice... they played into that and holding mock festivals for the stars to impress offworlders wanting a show. It was degrading but it fleeced credits and created an economic boom they funneled into various projects of their own as well as back into the government of Atrisia.
The Jishi era itself once ushered in brought to them much in the way of improvements.. with technology and isolation as an important aspect... the Keisei benefited from it... being able to improve the infrastructure of their village and cities where they were. THeir reputation across the world expanded as they were invited and sought as advisors to the younger Sansin who were installed as governors and leaders.
The years as Atrisia achieved post-scarcity for the Commonwealth saw an uptake in those looking to hire the artists. the Keisei were able to expand slightly with the population boom, their training, their skills all highly sought after to entertain and it led to their capabilities to gather intelligence offworld. Even among the Galactic Alliance they managed to improve with some being hired under heavy guard to protect them
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