Calixis
SWRP Writer
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2013
- Messages
- 655
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- 269
What is this pitch?
The following is a somewhat rough, very much work-in-progress thread for a faction themed around the Eternal Empire, or rather what remnant of it has survived this long. In short, it is designed to be a Lawful Neutral, imperialistic faction with inspiration drawn from the Imperial Remnant, Fel Empire and of course the Empire of Zakuul. I'm aware that there is already an interest check here along similar lines but given this one has a lot more meat to it I figured it belonged in its own thread.
The approved Planet Profile of Zakuul can be found here.
Knights of Zakuul
At its simplest the philosophy of the Knights of Zakuul is that the Force is a tool. A powerful tool, but one to be utilised as any other in carrying out their duties enforcing law and order. They do not owe their allegiance to either the Light or the Dark Side of the Force, but instead to the Eternal Throne and, in this way, view themselves as being above the philosophies of the Jedi and Sith. Where the Jedi are too often naive, they are efficient and merciless harbingers of justice. Where the Sith are self-destructive and debased they a disciplined force with loyalty above repute.
During peacetime, the Knights of the Zakuul serve primarily as a police force, acting as Force-practising protectors of the people from threats both within and without. Whilst Skytroopers and Overwatch undertake more common policing duties it is the responsibility of the Knights to actively root out dissidents, sedition and corruption as well as eliminating especially dangerous threats to life and the peace. At war, Knights bring their powers and skill-at-arms to the battlefield in support of the Imperial Legion, as well as commanding Skytrooper Battle-droids.
Above all, the Knights of Zakuul are driven their their devotion to the the bloodline of the Eternal Throne and, through them, Zakuul. Only the most loyal and dedicated have the strength of will to bring the Emperor's benevolence - guided by the Scions - to the people of Zakuul and through this ensure that their realm prospers, their people live safe, joyous and fulfilled lives. The galaxy is not black and white, there will always be struggle and suffering brought about by weakness, but it is the responsibility of those with strength of will to act for the greater good. In this way, the Knights of Zakuul give their lives in service not only to the Emperor, by extension, the people.
Imperial Guard
Where the Knights of Zakuul are an order of Force-sensitive practitioners, the Imperial Guard act as their counterpart. Whilst legions of Skytrooper battle-droids serve a major role in policing and military forces, they are by their nature as machines limited in their function. The Imperial Legion then is the 'human' component, professional soldiers that are trained and equipped to serve alongside both other branches of Zakuul's military forces. It is from among these ranks that the Imperial Guard are drawn to serve as special forces and bodyguards in the honour guard of the Eternal Throne.
Like the Knights, Imperial Legionnaires are indoctrinated into a regime that emphasises, above all, loyalty to the Eternal Throne. By extension, their superior officers from whom they receive their orders, and they from further above the chain of command and so on and so forth. NOTE: This is a whopping great WIP, since this is probably the most original part of the pitch. But TLDR, I'm aiming for something akin to Stormtroopers.
Empire of Zakuul
The Eternal Empire is closer to an ideal (some would argue history) than it is anything resembling one. Raised up from a primitive, swamp-dwelling and God-fearing people, the culture of Zakuul has been shaped almost completely by the Eternal Throne, more specifically the first Emperor who bestowed upon them his benevolence. Thousands of years later, their society - if not their empire - has endured, one that was founded upon an absolute monarchy and faith in the bloodline of their ruling family.
Service to the Emperor (or Empress) is, by extension, service to the people as well. This is a doctrine that the current monarchy, few though recent public appearances may have been, has been very active in enforcing. Only through loyalty, through coming together under a united purpose and faith can Zakuul rise above the pettiness, greed and corruption that has warped so much of the galaxy. As naive as this statement is, the people of Zakuul are anything if not patriotic - at the very least, monarchistic. The people serve the Emperor, and he serves them. More cynical observers have argued that wealth moving down has more to do with the system's abundant resources and relative lack of expansion into the Unknown Regions, however.
Only through order; obedience, discipline and duty can civilisation truly exist and prosper.
Faction Intent
The intent is to provide a faction that fits somewhere between the Jedi/Republic and the Sith. The primary inspirations being - of course - the Eternal Empire, the Imperial Remnant and Fel Empire from Legends, all three of them Lawful Neutral, imperialistic and authoritarian empires (of a sort). Whilst morally questionable in many ways neither swung too hard towards the side of Good/Evil or Light/Dark. Initially, the faction itself would be focused upon the Knights/Overwatch, however as it gains momentum will begin to look outwards to the rest of the galaxy.
Whilst the Jedi Army is a much more aggressive, anti-Sith force, it still very much adheres to a somewhat rigid philosophy of avoiding the Dark Side at all costs, whilst the Knights of Zakuul are much more inclined to violent (if necessary), merciless justice, without allowing themselves to be overcome by the temptations of the Dark Side. On the non-Force sensitive side of things however, there exists Overwatch and the (OC) Imperial Legion, closer to the typical Stormtroopers and other Imperial-types that we see from the Galactic/Fel Empires. This part however will need to be elaborated on further, both for sake of garnering interest and to ensure they do not fall into the black hole of 'tacked on non-FS group who serve as sidekicks'.
In practice, much of the faction's initial focus would be upon Zakuul itself and strengthening itself internally. Developing and learning about our characters, writing and expanding upon their somewhat unique, very lawful philosophy and how it meshes compared to more benevolent and malevolent Jedi/Sith. Generally, just growing the faction in activity - numerically and in showing us actually doing things. From there, it would be about Zakuul looking outwards, interacting with the galaxy and at large and, in time, expanding its territory and the Emperor's benevolent doctrine.
This is a work-in-progress but any interested parties please do make a note of it in a reply. Tah!
The following is a somewhat rough, very much work-in-progress thread for a faction themed around the Eternal Empire, or rather what remnant of it has survived this long. In short, it is designed to be a Lawful Neutral, imperialistic faction with inspiration drawn from the Imperial Remnant, Fel Empire and of course the Empire of Zakuul. I'm aware that there is already an interest check here along similar lines but given this one has a lot more meat to it I figured it belonged in its own thread.
The approved Planet Profile of Zakuul can be found here.
Knights of Zakuul
At its simplest the philosophy of the Knights of Zakuul is that the Force is a tool. A powerful tool, but one to be utilised as any other in carrying out their duties enforcing law and order. They do not owe their allegiance to either the Light or the Dark Side of the Force, but instead to the Eternal Throne and, in this way, view themselves as being above the philosophies of the Jedi and Sith. Where the Jedi are too often naive, they are efficient and merciless harbingers of justice. Where the Sith are self-destructive and debased they a disciplined force with loyalty above repute.
During peacetime, the Knights of the Zakuul serve primarily as a police force, acting as Force-practising protectors of the people from threats both within and without. Whilst Skytroopers and Overwatch undertake more common policing duties it is the responsibility of the Knights to actively root out dissidents, sedition and corruption as well as eliminating especially dangerous threats to life and the peace. At war, Knights bring their powers and skill-at-arms to the battlefield in support of the Imperial Legion, as well as commanding Skytrooper Battle-droids.
Above all, the Knights of Zakuul are driven their their devotion to the the bloodline of the Eternal Throne and, through them, Zakuul. Only the most loyal and dedicated have the strength of will to bring the Emperor's benevolence - guided by the Scions - to the people of Zakuul and through this ensure that their realm prospers, their people live safe, joyous and fulfilled lives. The galaxy is not black and white, there will always be struggle and suffering brought about by weakness, but it is the responsibility of those with strength of will to act for the greater good. In this way, the Knights of Zakuul give their lives in service not only to the Emperor, by extension, the people.
Imperial Guard
Where the Knights of Zakuul are an order of Force-sensitive practitioners, the Imperial Guard act as their counterpart. Whilst legions of Skytrooper battle-droids serve a major role in policing and military forces, they are by their nature as machines limited in their function. The Imperial Legion then is the 'human' component, professional soldiers that are trained and equipped to serve alongside both other branches of Zakuul's military forces. It is from among these ranks that the Imperial Guard are drawn to serve as special forces and bodyguards in the honour guard of the Eternal Throne.
Like the Knights, Imperial Legionnaires are indoctrinated into a regime that emphasises, above all, loyalty to the Eternal Throne. By extension, their superior officers from whom they receive their orders, and they from further above the chain of command and so on and so forth. NOTE: This is a whopping great WIP, since this is probably the most original part of the pitch. But TLDR, I'm aiming for something akin to Stormtroopers.
Empire of Zakuul
The Eternal Empire is closer to an ideal (some would argue history) than it is anything resembling one. Raised up from a primitive, swamp-dwelling and God-fearing people, the culture of Zakuul has been shaped almost completely by the Eternal Throne, more specifically the first Emperor who bestowed upon them his benevolence. Thousands of years later, their society - if not their empire - has endured, one that was founded upon an absolute monarchy and faith in the bloodline of their ruling family.
Service to the Emperor (or Empress) is, by extension, service to the people as well. This is a doctrine that the current monarchy, few though recent public appearances may have been, has been very active in enforcing. Only through loyalty, through coming together under a united purpose and faith can Zakuul rise above the pettiness, greed and corruption that has warped so much of the galaxy. As naive as this statement is, the people of Zakuul are anything if not patriotic - at the very least, monarchistic. The people serve the Emperor, and he serves them. More cynical observers have argued that wealth moving down has more to do with the system's abundant resources and relative lack of expansion into the Unknown Regions, however.
Only through order; obedience, discipline and duty can civilisation truly exist and prosper.
Faction Intent
The intent is to provide a faction that fits somewhere between the Jedi/Republic and the Sith. The primary inspirations being - of course - the Eternal Empire, the Imperial Remnant and Fel Empire from Legends, all three of them Lawful Neutral, imperialistic and authoritarian empires (of a sort). Whilst morally questionable in many ways neither swung too hard towards the side of Good/Evil or Light/Dark. Initially, the faction itself would be focused upon the Knights/Overwatch, however as it gains momentum will begin to look outwards to the rest of the galaxy.
Whilst the Jedi Army is a much more aggressive, anti-Sith force, it still very much adheres to a somewhat rigid philosophy of avoiding the Dark Side at all costs, whilst the Knights of Zakuul are much more inclined to violent (if necessary), merciless justice, without allowing themselves to be overcome by the temptations of the Dark Side. On the non-Force sensitive side of things however, there exists Overwatch and the (OC) Imperial Legion, closer to the typical Stormtroopers and other Imperial-types that we see from the Galactic/Fel Empires. This part however will need to be elaborated on further, both for sake of garnering interest and to ensure they do not fall into the black hole of 'tacked on non-FS group who serve as sidekicks'.
In practice, much of the faction's initial focus would be upon Zakuul itself and strengthening itself internally. Developing and learning about our characters, writing and expanding upon their somewhat unique, very lawful philosophy and how it meshes compared to more benevolent and malevolent Jedi/Sith. Generally, just growing the faction in activity - numerically and in showing us actually doing things. From there, it would be about Zakuul looking outwards, interacting with the galaxy and at large and, in time, expanding its territory and the Emperor's benevolent doctrine.
This is a work-in-progress but any interested parties please do make a note of it in a reply. Tah!
