Write-Up Jedi Crusaders

[Phoenix]

Jedi Crusaders​

After years of battle against the forces of darkness, the Jedi have been worn down in a battle of attrition. The New Republic was broken, the Free World Alliance is disbanded, and the galaxy is subjugated by the authoritarianism of the Empire, ravaged by the fires of Darth Raze's loyalists, and infested with the malignancy of the Sith Order.

With the Jedi Council all but absent and the Jedi losing battle after battle, those remaining Jedi Knights and Jedi Masters who had stood against the darkness realized that something needed to change.

Out of this effort for change came the Third Jedi Crusade.

No longer willing to wait around for the Jedi Council to cease its complacency, the Jedi Crusaders took control of the Jedi's military assets and began working to build a conglomerate of loyal planets under their control, build an army, and drive back the forces of darkness in the galaxy.

Philosophy​

The philosophy of the Jedi Crusaders is still that of the Light Side of the Force, though its practical execution is far different from the "Jedi Order" as it has existed for the last several decades.

Mandates barring the Jedi from being involved in the government and militaries of the galaxy were not only put aside, but actively discouraged. The purpose of the Jedi Crusaders are to bring Sectors of the galaxy under their protection in replacement of the New Republic and FWA. They act as "Wardens" of these sectors, raising militaries, defending the people, and providing judgment in their regions.

At their core, however, the Jedi Crusaders are still Jedi. They follow the Jedi Code as it is written:

Emotion, yet peace.
Ignorance, yet knowledge.
Passion, yet serenity.
Chaos, yet harmony.
Death, yet the Force.

Despite this, the Jedi Crusaders tend to take on a more offensive approach to the galaxy. Rather than being the robe-wearing, temple-dwelling monks of old, they are armor-wearing, battlefield commanders leading the charge against evil.

Structure​

At its core, the Jedi Crusader structure is about empowering the individual Jedi in order to fight evil. Jedi are encouraged to accumulate followings, assets, and soldiers who can assist them in combating the darkness.

Each Jedi is encouraged to use these resources in the battle against evil, but they are ultimately still beholden to the judgments of their fellow Jedi. Those who abuse their power or may fall from the path of the Light will be removed from power - violently if necessary - by their comrades in arms.

Ultimately, though, the Jedi Crusaders are all expected to be independent or to collaborate with one another with autonomy and decentralization encouraged in order to avoid the stagnation that has so plagued the Jedi Order.

Crusader Ranks​

The rank structure of the Jedi Crusaders is based more on a hierarchical and military structure than the previous Jedi Order.

Jedi Padawan (optional)
Jedi Padawans are the entry point into the Jedi Order. Their training can range anywhere from those who barely know what the Force is to those who are nearing graduation into full Knighthood. This rank is optional for RPers.

Jedi Knights (starting rank)
As with the Jedi Order, the Jedi Knights are the backbone of the Jedi Crusade. Unlike the Jedi Order, they are expected to act with great autonomy and build their own resources in order to defend and drive back the forces of darkness.

Jedi Wardens
Those who have proven their skill fighting the forces of evil and protecting the galaxy from its threat are also often the protectors of planets or even sectors. They act to serve and protect these areas and their words are often heeded closely by those within Jedi Space. Their wisdom, skill in battle, and dedication to the Light are beacons in the darkness.

Jedi Lord
Although no Jedi yet hold this rank, those who have proven capable of protecting large swaths of the galaxy are often recognized as Jedi Lords. The Jedi Lords are those who have proven themselves capable of going toe-to-toe with even the most powerful servants of darkness and emerging victorious. Their dedication to the cause is unquestioned and uncompromising.

Supreme commander
A strictly theoretical rank, if there were a Jedi capable of combining all of the crusaders under one banner, they may well take this title. They would be equivalent to the Jedi Grandmaster in days past, but none presently comes even close to being capable of holding this title.