Mirvak
Some chains are better left unbroken.
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A night in Thieubal.
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OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To create feudalistic monarch planet that roughly lies somewhere between neutral and good in terms of alignment.
- Image Credit: https://forum.eterna...um.7105/page-13
- Canon: No
- Links: N/A
- Planet Name: Valandieu
- Demonym: Valandieuon
- Region: Expansion
- System Name: Etoil du Homme
- System Features: Valandieu is accompanied by one gas giant and two mineral rich moons.
- Coordinates: V37
- Major Imports: Medicine, computers, advanced machinery.
- Major Exports: Food, civilian and military ships, durasteel.
- Unexploited Resources: None of note.
- Gravity: Standard.
- Climate: Slightly colder on average than Temperate worlds.
- Primary Terrain: Fertile grasslands dominate most of Valandieu, but it is also marked by beautiful mountains and vast forests.
- Atmosphere: Type I
LOCATION INFORMATION
- Capital City: Thieubal
- Planetary Features: The world is primarily lush farmland, and vast forests and mountains, with beautiful running streams and two large oceans. The cities are located mostly around the plains, on the rivers surrounded by the fertile farmlands.
- Major Locations:
Lenoir Chateau - A modestly sized palace within Thieubal that houses the royal family, adorned with the statues of the most glorious members of their bloodline.
Glory of the Homeland shipyards - A huge orbital ship building facility, paid for and owned by the government. Its large hangers spew forth sparks, bright lights, and deafening sounds as the laborers work day and night to create the unqie Valandieuon spacecraft.
The Blacksoil Steppes - The rolling plains that dominate Valandieu, made up of a rich black soil that never seems to run out of its fertility. It supports enough farms to feed the planet ten times over. It is pockmarked by various small cities and towns, owned and ran by the Dukes of Valandieu and their serfs.
Montagne du Peres - The Mountains of the Fathers, an expansive range of mountains named after the historical figures in Valandieuon society. It is sought out after by the Valandieuon Jedi Order initiates, a small sect of schismed Jedi that operate exclusively within and for Valandieu.
Foret-Occident - An expansive temperate forests that looms on the western fringes of Valandieuon civilization. It is home to a natural beauty that poets would die for. And historically, they have. Many poets and questing Knights have ventured into the forest to find glory. One to find the inspiration for expressing beauty and the human condition, one to find glory and honor. While it is beautiful, many who venture too far in don't return, as magnificent predators lurk in the wild, and detest intruders.
Quenollion - An ancient Jedi temple hidden away in the mountains, a Force Nexus that calls to all squires worthy of finding it. The statues tell a brief story of the Valandieuon Jedi's history, starting with the founders of the temple in typical Jedi attire and ending with proud men and women wearing more distinct noble wear.
Force Nexus
Size: The mountain of Quenollion.
Location - The mountain of Quenollion, with a greater focus and power emanating from within the Jedi Temple at the top of the mountain.
- Intent: To create a cultural center and hide away for the planet's unique class of Jedi.
- Strength: Strong, after years of being dedicated to as the main temple of the Order of Thieubal, it has a strong effect on those who are under it.
- Effects: The Quenollion Force Nexus is a powerful conduit of the Force, channeling feelings of peace, serenity, tranquility. It mirrors the monastic lifestyle of the Jedi there present, allowing them to better meditate and become one with the Living Force. The Council while meditating under this force Nexus are said to be able to even foresee events that will happen months in advance, if given enough time to meditate.
- The nexus also serves another purpose, to both hide it from the prying eyes of the galaxy and the world of Valandieuon, and to call worthy Padawans to it. Those non-Jedi who have been blessed enough to visit the Temple of Quenollion have remarked at how the area seems quite easy to locate with a Jedi guide, but without them it becomes impossible to find. The force sensitives who wish to be a part of the Order of Thieubal are called to it from even their dreams. They are guided through the thick snow, harsh winds, and perilous climb up the mountains by the Nexus. Many who were on the brink of giving up in their journey to find the temple relate that they have seen visions of deceased Masters and Knights disguised as mountaineers guiding them to the Temple, only to dissapear in the last moment when the Padawan no longer needs help.
POPULATION
- Native Species: Human
- Immigrated Species: Twi'Lek, Miraluka.
- Population: Heavy
- Demographics: 85% humans, 10% Twi'Lek, 4% Miraluka, 1% other.
- Primary Languages: Valandieuon, a flowery romance language, and Galactic Basic.
- Culture: The culture of Valandieu is one of chivalry, honor, and duty. From the serfs at the bottom to the King at the very top, every person serves their purpose and they understand it. Despite most of the civilized galactic world "looking down" on such forms of government and economic structure, this works out very well for Valandieu. There has, for the most part, always been prosperity on Valandieu. The lower classes are not abused, and the upper classes are kept in check by a code of honor and chivalry that even the most despicable of them dare not to oppose. However, when it comes down it the noble houses are in charge.
- They are united by a strong cultural bond of unity and pride, as well as a desire to keep the peace. This is in no small part due to the small Jedi Order that operates out of Valandieu called the Order of Thieubal. Though this Jedi group is not affiliated with any of the other major Jedi groups, they are not much different than your average Jedi in terms of their goals and values. This Jedi group, though it does not show partiality and will not participate in the government of Valandieu's offensive wars, will defend the nation if it is being invaded directly. They also, unlike some other modern Jedi factions, express total abstinence from sexual relations and marriage is strictly forbidden. They are not allowed to own any personal items, besides their personal equipment, but this can be overlooked if they are a noble of Valandieu as it is often necessary that they do have control over their own funds. These two things are done strictly to keep attachment out of the Jedi's life and keep them safe from the passions that could turn them down the path of darkness. That being said, The Order of Thieubal accepts only volunteers who are force sensitive, in a grand quest adolescents are accepted as Padawans if they are able to overcome the dangerous path to the hidden mountain of Quenollion.
- Valandieuon culture greatly values the national holiday, feasting, and merry making. This goes hand in hand with their entertainment, they love sports, tournaments, duels, parades. Anything that gets the blood pumping and the alcohol flowing. Out of their 423 day year, 60 of those days are government endorsed holidays (That's not counting the 'regional' holidays that certain duchies celebrate).
- Not only that, but the people of Valandieu are extremely hospitable. The planet profits in no small way from tourism as a result of this.
- Valandieuon peasants work hard and arduous lives, knowing nothing but servitude and obedience under the nobles that rule over them. It is a life of toil, spotted here and there with merriment and joy. Their farming equipment is outdated, their laborer droids incompetent and obsolete, so they still engage in back breaking labor.
- In the cities, the full culture and art of Valandieu is seen to bloom in full. They are rife with street performers, poets, artists, museums, grand statues, parks, etc. One would think after seeing just Thieubal that the Valandieuon people simply export beauty and ideals. But they are also places of exaggerated poverty in some sections, and as a result there is no small risk of crime in the larger cities.
GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY
- Government: Kingdom
- Affiliation: King Alainn Sanctifeau
- Wealth: High, centuries of lasting peace and prosperity combined with a strong farming and ship building economy have strengthened the planet's economy beyond measure.
- Stability: High, though the people don't have many rights, they are not abused or oppressed. There is some crime and poverty, but overall the population lives in prosperity and the status quo is upheld.
- Freedom & Oppression: Peasants live in peace under the Dukes, and the middle class and artisans are upheld by the nobles as well. Freedom of speech is limited, for example dishonoring a noble can result in a public whipping. With that being said the law enforcement is seen as harsh but fair by the people, and the legal system allows for a degree of mercy at the whims of the ruling class.
- Military: The standing military of Valandieu is small, elite, and organized. Though the Kingdom has never had any reason or desire to act in offensive war, they have in the past pledged their standing army to greater campaigns against the forces of the Sith. The army can be greatly expanded upon if the nobility decide to conscript the peasant levy to action, who despite being well equipped, are usually operating off the sparse mandatory combat training they received in their life. Also, the Jedi Order of Thieubal pledges to defend the nation only under two conditions: If they deem the nobility has taken up a just cause in war and if the planet itself is being invaded. Otherwise, they far and away from the politics and pomp and circumstance of Valandieu.
- Technology: The technology of Valandieu is up to par with the rest of the galaxy in the cities, however in the farmlands and villages it is somewhat lacking. All the necessities are there, they just aren't a very good quality.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The planet was discovered in the times of the Old Republic, by a few Jedi masters in 2364 BBY seeking out a powerful force nexus that they had sensed. Discovering the untamed, beautiful planet, the wizened Jedi named it after a legendary Jedi master, Valando, who had died in the Jedi-Mandalorian wars. They returned to Coruscant and entered the location into the Temple library. Construction of a temple on Mount Quenollion began a decade later, and the Jedi share the location of the planet with the Old Republic. However, the info spread to reaches outside of the Republic's control, and settlers from both within and without the Republic went to the planet and began to live there. The planet was big enough for them to ignore who would end up owning the planet for the time being, as a frustrating legal battle ensued.
For 300 years this legal battle remained unresolved, as several powerful rulers vied for power with each other. It seemed evident the Old Republic had lost any sort of vie for power over the planet. Over the years these rulers' families had gained significant power, land, and wealth in their pursuit to dominate the whole planet. Though there was no war, the endless bickering, backstabbing deals, and underhanded rogue acts ensured there was virtually no real peace on the beautiful planet of Valandieu. Even the start of the New Sith Wars at the turn of the millenia did little to unite the nation. They thought themselves too unknown to be a target of Sith aggression. But, they had forgotten completely about the Jedi temple that lay hidden in the mountains.
The Sith warlord, Darth Festus Carrion, descended upon the disorganized nobles with great ferocity, and began to extort those who he could capture alive on the where-abouts of the hidden Jedi temple. The nobles, begrudgingly fighting together, even in war time sought to sabotage each other. This prompted the action of the hermit Master Thieubal, the caretaker of the Quenollion temple. He united the nation, and compelled the proud nobles to work together and to make someone a king over them. When they could not agree to who among them should be the king, they all nominated Master Thieubal. Thieubal immediately declined, citing that as a Jedi this was not possible for him. But the situation was desperate, and the Sith warmaster was crushing the planetary defenses with ease.
Begrudgingly, Master Thieubal accepted the mantle of king, but secretly planned to renounce it as soon as the war had ended since the idea of being a political leader and a Jedi master was offensive to him. With the conclusion of the secret gathering of the nobles, the Kingdom of Valandieu was formed. Master Thieubal led a massive counter offensive against the overconfident Sith forces, initially seeing great victory. Alongside him served the Knights that were under his tutelage, and their Padawans. The local forces rallied together, no longer under different noble houses but under a single banner of the nation.
The invasion lasted two years, with the end culminating in the Valandieuon forces catching the Darth and his forces before they could reach their landing ships to escape. Having them cut off from their only way out, Master Thieubal issued an offer of surrender to the cornered Sith forces. With no surprise to anyone, Darth Festus ordered his forces to attack. He and Master Thieubal met on the battlefield, and the Jedi struck down the invading warmaster. The remaining Sith forces surrendered. Master Thieubal succumbed to his wounds inflicted by the Sith right there on the battlefield.
With his dying moments he commanded that the Valandieuon treat each other as brother and sister, and that whatever system of government they choose, they use it to enforce peace and not wage war on their neighbor. His final words were an answer to the question of who would be his successor, and he simply said,"The Force led me to you, it will do the same for the next." A few months later, the nobles had peaceably agreed upon his successor, King Jean Derellion. He set the standard for the kings to come, and established a respectable royal family that aimed to follow King Thieubal's dying words of advice to the tee.
Over the next two millennia the planet experienced much peace, never knowing an invasion since its very first during the New Sith Wars. It established itself as an industrial powerbase with its fledgling shipyard rings, and a bread basket for the countless systems it fed. The few Jedi that maintained the Temple of Quenollion remained a venerated and honored part of the Valandieuon culture, despite them rarely if ever participating in it. At this point in time, they were still part of the greater Jedi Order.
It wasn't until Order 66 that the Jedi would begin to interact with the populace directly. During the attack on the Jedi Temple, the caretaker of the Temple of Quenollion was visiting a former Padawan of his. Sensing a great disturbance in the Force, followed by the attack and slaughter of the Jedi in the Temple, he retreated to the Library. Knowing the few Jedi in the Temple back on Valandieu would be found only with the records from the Coruscant Temple Library, he was able to completely erase the exact location of the Temple before being gunned down by clone troopers.
The three Jedi back on Valandieu, Padawan Gret Mannatoo, Knight Jax Carpenter, and Knight Menas Tytus worked with the nobles to ensure the security and solitude of the Temple. The nobles agreed that the secrecy of the Jedi Temple was key and secretly all agreed to not relinquish any info even under threat of death. The three Jedi retreated into solitude, thinking themselves to perhaps be the only remaining Jedi in the galaxy, and worked to conceal the temple. Valandieu soon fell under Empire control, and the Jedi temple was searched for in great detail. But the vast mountains proved to be too treacherous and uncharted for even elite Empire forces. The nobility played dumb and the Empire, after interrogating and torturing the King extensively, ascertained that the Jedi had never revealed the location of the Temple to the locals. A few nobles were sentenced to death, including the King, and an Empire-friendly puppet King was put in place, who was charged with finding the temple. But, he never succeeded.
The planet broke free from Empire control due to the heavy anti-Empire sentiment there, and joined rebellion forces. After the defeat of the Empire, the planet again returned to independent rule. The Jedi remnant that had remained hidden during the time of the Empire, however, broke away from the newly formed Jedi Order. They cited that Jedi being allowed to marry and have children was a great danger, and that the vows of celibacy, poverty, and nonpossessivenss must be maintained in order to keep the Order safe from the influence of the dark side. Thus started the Order of Thieubal, which coexisted and even worked alongside the Order peacefully, but still maintained that their path was more suited towards Jedi.
Valandieu experienced a great lasting era of peace and prosperity from that point onward, the tales of wars and conflict becoming like that of legends that barely seemed to be possible in modern times. Legendary nobles, chivalrous Jedi Knights, unsuspected peasant heroes, all immortalized in paintings, poetry, and marble. But with the state of the Galaxy today, who can say for sure how long this seemingly eternal peace will last?
Only one thing I need you to fix before we can stamp this along:
