The Clone Army
A force created mysteriously in Shadow. The full extent of its power is unknown, but the fighting ability is unquestionable by those who have faced them on the field of battle.
The Daily Republic
The Daily Star
Focus Magazine
The Jedi Order
A
group of philosophers who value life above all else. They are the last resort,
last defense, and last hope for many in times of darkness. While some do
not share their beliefs in the Force, most agree that the Jedi presence
is a calming one and brings balance to the chaos within the Multiverse.
Jedi are usually respected within the Republic and loathed outside by gangster
types. More Info. [top]
Celebacy / Dating / Marriage
Jedi are not expected to remain celebate. Jedi dating fellow Jedi is acceptible social behavior in the Order. Jedi dating outside the Order is tolerated most of the time so long as serious attachment does not develop. Marriage of Jedi to any is not permitted. It is the notion that Jedi are "married" to the Order through ritual devotion, serving the Republic's needs over all else. It is believed that marital unions unnecessarily create tension within a Jedi's life and may result in clouded judgement and rash action. Jedi who have children are not granted full visiting rights, in order to prevent permament attachment with the outside family members. [top]
Class
Generally once a Jedi becomes a Knight they have chosen one of two classes: Consular or Guardian. A Consular Jedi is one who usually meditates upon and with the Force over issues. A Consular Jedi's responsibilities involve giving advice on a wide range of subjects including political and strategic areas. A Guardian Jedi is one who usually acts upon and with the Force over issues. A Guardian Jedi's responsibilities involve defensive warfare and protection at all costs, and is highly physical in nature. [top]
The Code
There is no emotion; there is peace.
There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
There is no passion; there is serenity.
There is no death; there is the Force.
Jedi are the guardians of peace in the Shadowverse. Jedi use their powers to defend and protect, never to attack others. Jedi respect all life, in any form. Jedi serve others rather than ruling over them, for the good of the Shadowverse. Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training. A Jedi's training in the Force never ends. [top]
The Council
A
board of Jedi Masters, from five to eleven at any time, who serve one-year
terms and who function as advisors to the Republic on all things Force-
and Jedi-related. the Council is headed by one member, who has always been
Dworkin of Amber, however, he has
from time to time chosen other Council members to act as Head while he was
away. The current head is Benedict
of Amber. [top]
Paths
The paths of the light and dark followed are said to determine one's destiny for Jedi. [top]
Ranks
A Padawan is a new or young Jedi in training. Padawans are educated in the ways of the Force as well as proper Republic scholarly pursuits, such as history, mathematics, sciences, and other more specialized fields. They are all instructed in the use of lightsabers and other forms of self-defense with and without the Force. At some point a Padawan is matched with a number of Masters for various training rotations. Eventually one Master is chosen as that Padawan's Master. It is at this point that a Padawan accepts a lock of hair from the Master which is braided into their own hair. From this point on, until proven ready to take the tests, the Padawan and Master work together on assignments. [top]
Trials
A Knight is a Jedi Padawan who successfully passed a number of challenges, called the Trials. Usually, the Council creates opportunities for Padawans to experience such challenges. The Trials are never announced to the Padawans. However, once passed, the Padawan is awarded the Rank of Jedi Knight. From that day forward the Jedi no longer serves a Master directly as a Padawan, and their learner hair braid is severed. Knights are still commanded by the Council and may from time to time work with one or more Masters or Knights for specific aspects of a mission. Knights usually work as individual agents in remote and dangerous areas of the Republic on assignments. Eventually a Knight may be called to instruct Padawans. On that day they are awarded the Rank of Master.
A Master is responsible for the guidance and upbringing of Padawans, and to a lesser extent to be rolemodels for Knights who sometimes forget their earlier training. Masters spend most of their time teaching and researching the Force. Their research must be approved by the Council once every Republic year through a review process. In most cases, Masters who decline instruction and or research duties are demoted to the Rank of Master Knight in honor of their work. Many Masters work to be admitted as a Council member, though few attain that rank. Master Jedi number approximately one for every fifty Padawans. [top]
Sparring with Lightsabers
Of course there is more than just Lightsaber training when practicing. There is use of other weapons such as wooden/bamboo types or plastic swords. Tumbling, acrobatics, martial arts, etc. are all employed in the practice battles.
When Jedi spar there is a sense of precision, in that one does not usually need to actually contact the other to know success or defeat. To lose control of one's intent, action, or form may be registered as defeat. Because of training with the Force and intense saberwork by many, Jedi begin to "sense" good and bad moves fairly quickly. A defeated Jedi realizes defeat when his opponent holds her blade near a vital part of his anatomy, or when he recognizes a swing in preparation that would maim or kill him. Control is a large part of it all, control of the will and the self on all levels. To act purely. If while acting in a controlled manner with perfect form one is still killed, one does not lose face but gains a kind of grace. A Jedi attacking/defending can sense the saber approaching. Those more in tune with the Force generally fare better in duels, but sometimes not. By noticing the opponent so much they may ignore their own abilities and become vulnerable to mistakes and traps. Forgetting one's self for the sake of the opponent is a dangerous possibility for those who do not remain focused on the moment.
Actual duels between living beings are not very common for a number of reasons, one being accidents during sparring sessions. Another reason is that by fighting a fellow Jedi, one may consciously or unconsciously develop a competition that could develop into something more serious, leading to the Darkside as the Jedi are brought up to work and play together cooperatively. Competition can lead to hurt feelings and revenge if pride is damaged. Before any two or more Jedi spar they are to meditate an hour before and an hour afterwards to make peace with themselves and each other for things in the past and things that may pass. Medical droids are always alerted.
Most duels between Jedi occur with practice weapons, or with Force damage-reduced sabers. Another codition required for Jedi to spar, if there is a Padawan involved, is that Masters of the sparring Jedi must agree to allow the Padawans to duel before the duel commences, and to be present for the sparring session. To just duel without permission is a violation and the Padawans are punished. Jedi Knights are expected to have at least one Master on hand to referee the duel. Masters are said to spar in secret chambers within the Jedi Temples. [top]
Status
Jedi are considered to be one homogeneous group, but this is not accurate. True Jedi are those who follow the path of the light side. Dark Jedi are those who have forsaken the Code and who may or may not follow the light side any longer. Dark Jedi are not considered part of the Order and are generally treated with concern. Prince Bleys is considered to be a Dark Jedi while Prince Gerard is not, even though Gerard left the Order. Gerard would be considered a member of the third category, a Lost Jedi; one who has left the Order but has not forsaken the Code. [top]
Gangsters
are by default the group the Republic tolerates least. Many Republic security
officer and member of the Jedi Order have encountered one kind of gangster
or another over the course of their career. Gangsters lead risky, adventurous
lives, on the run from the Republic laws, and in fear of other gangsters
betraying you for a chance to climb the ranks. [
The Senate
is the democratic ruling body of the Republic. Each member Shadow nation
has the obligation to commit one representative (called a senator) to speak
for policy on behalf of the Shadow nation's government. The Senate is administered
by the High Council which is headed by the Supreme Chancellor, currently,
King
