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The Imperial Stormcloaks


Exodus

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I M P E R I A L

STORMCLOAKS

 

 

 

SO WHO ARE THE STORMCLOAKS?

 

A monastic order of displaced Anzati crossbred with the clans of Kro Var. Extraordinarily impressive with age, and obsessed with a kind of mythic genealogy, made inimitable by their monotheism and their craze with the elements. Theirs is mostly the study of reverse-ancestry as a means to combat spiritual and material degradation, and an over-ambition to feast on highborn sentient life bone-by-bone. The world of Anzat would only be the beginning for the small troupe of travelers, once they had wet their feet in the rivers of Kro Var, their appetite would change forever. 

 

It is interesting to note that their original views were very unorthodox from the uncommon societies attributed to Kro Var, consuming an incredible wealth of knowledge and culture by force for decades with unparalleled combat prowess, and thus their practices would eventually garner interest from the Halls within Arachnakorr. These views were cemented with the introduction of the Dark King, purveyor of the Shadow, and their ideals metamorphosed in reaction to the influence of the Great Sith.

 

 

 

 

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“When the storm breathes, no ocean can sleep.”

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction
Early in Anzat history, a group of their own called the Mteyr rebelled against the changing beliefs of the homeland and left their coveted isles. Calling Kro Var their new home, the Mteyr (Dragons) were able to continue the Old Ways of Anzat through knowledge of what the Shapers had become. In addition, it is believed that the views of the Mteyr also included the suggestion that a chosen son of their species, one who was immune to their biologically driven hunger, was formed in reaction to their direct influence and self-exile. In effect, there would be a champion among them that would mold and shape the galaxy in the way of their beliefs, and by the blood of their kin, ending the rampant atrocities that rotted the core of Anzat. This creature would become an unstoppable force, giving rise to a common cause among them, manifesting a rallying point for their species. The Mteyr of Kro Var, born of Anzat, was named after their stars aligned behind a singular prospect and the order took the name he was known by Ihinukhadtimi (Exodus). This is believed to be one of the oldest monastic groups hailing from Anzat.

 

Society and Beliefs
Although the name Ihinukhadtimi was designed to be unpronounceable by the common tongue, the identity of the Dark King's influence within the Order was tremendous, christening them as the Stormcloaks for their ferocious talents with the elements, veiled behind their prominent regalia. Their silken-set cloaks are covertly organized to divine the mystery of change, change being one of the most sacred of their undying tenets. A complete list of these core tenets worshiped by the Mteyr is not known outside of their ruling hierarchy. On Anzat, and even Kro Var, conflict and disparity are what bring change, and change is the most sacred of their tenets. Change is the force without focus or origin. It is the duty of the disciplined to dilute change where it brings greed, gluttony, sloth, ignorance, and stagnation. It is the duty of the disciplined to encourage change where it brings power, excellence, evolution, fulfillment and enlightenment. As such, the faithful counsel has but one master: His mind. If the creature that these Mteyr choose to counsel, falls to their vices and brings nustia jirai (bad change) and will otherwise not be counselled, it is the duty of the Mteyr to counterbalance this by any means necessary. As such, this can certainly be viewed as a mission statement for the Mteyr, but their truest beliefs delve much deeper than that.


The Mteyr chooses its members by a complex, ritualized method not understood by the common people, the mode and method of which are undisclosed to this day. These few are extremely reclusive. In the era prior, members of the order can be recognized by the stone-white cloaks they chose to wear, yet this distinctive garment has improved and has become synonymous with the symbolization of the Mteyr. Currently, the presentation of a Mteyr is a dangerous flare rare color, warning foes of the storm to come.

 

In the simplest of terms, the religion of the Mteyr can be described as ancestral worship. Just as Ihinukhadtimi is considered divine, so are the ancestor spirits. Dating back to the time of the Forgotten Ones, it is believed that superior individuals have been granted significant power upon their deaths. Unseen by many, these ancestor spirits from the astral world command great influence over their worlds. According to the Mteyr, the plethora of deities that the common people worship are nothing more than the spirits of their ancestors. The Mteyr call their beliefs and customs the Old Ways. Remaining steadfast to the Old Ways is of paramount importance to the Mteyr. They believe that the spiritual world is always watching the mortal plane, and a loyal Mteyr will perform the Rites of Tīrīšana (Cleansing) by way of the primordial almanac in order to empower the vulcanizing spirits and debilitate unclean spirits.

 

The Mteyr believe that it is their duty is to study the elements for the betterment of all and to serve as guides to the rulers of foreign lands. They believe that they are tasked of bringing power to creatures of life and aligning those creatures with the tools to cultivate healthy or evolutionary change. Knowing this, they have developed patience in dealings with all manner of alignments. Crippling, humiliating, impoverishing, or imprisoning those with blind ambition slowly, or regally cultivating those that ignite vision. In distributing, redistributing or curating this power, it is unclear whether the Mteyr wish to become more than what they are  or simply endow others with their gifts. Certainly, they do counsel great men and women on matters of importance and perhaps even lead them to becoming powerful in the planes that they walk, but unfortunately, a complete description of the endeavors and motives of the Mteyr remains a mystery to this day.

 

 

 

Our ancestors did not separate the nature of the hunt from their daily lives. The hunt was more than just a practice, it was a way of life, not a means to a bloodbath. A way of looking at the physical and spiritual as a collaborative source of manifestation, arcane and astral in one, a necessity through survival. In this way, the old way honors the all-encompassing lifestyle of the Anzati people. We are in tune with nature, in tune with ourselves and in alignment with our all-knowing inner spirits.”

 

 

The Old Way
The Mteyr have a different term for what the Force is. It is believed that the Old Way was taught to the Mteyr by the original inhabitants or teachings of Anzat, augmented by the relics of the Shapers on Kro Var. It is a philosophy of mediation and study said to bind the forces of nature to the individual will, and to use that enforce natural selection. It is believed to differ from the Force in origin, but unbeknownst to them, it is one and the same. They who know the Old Ways are well aware of the existence of a spiritual world invisible to those that lack the seeing eyes, they use this to temper their hunger for the temptation of the soup. What, after all, is the origin of these spiritual forces that move the invisible strings behind the universe and those that inhabit it? These are the strengths of spirits, of our ancestors. And that, while living, they too were bewildered by the spirits of their ancestors. The deities and gods to whom the common people turn are no more than the spirits of superior men and women whose power and passion granted them great influence in this lifetime and the one that came after. Primarily, it is easy to grasp the necessity both of endowing great creatures with great power and aligning powerful creatures to inflict evolutionary change. 

 

However, they must remain diligent to the Old Ways. It is essential always to remember the spiritual world while keeping their eyes open in the physical one. A student of the Old Ways may indeed ally himself to a lord, but it is a risky relationship. It cannot be stressed enough that the choice be wisely made. Should the lord refuse wise counsel and order the Mteyr to perform an act contrary to the teachings of the Old Ways, there are few available options. The Mteyr (or modernly spoken as Stormcloaks) may obey, albeit unwillingly, and fall prey to the dark forces against which he has devoted his life. The Mteyr may abandon his lord, which will bring shame on him and the Isle hidden in the Unknown Regions, and so may never be allowed home again. Or the Mteyr may simply, kill themselves.

 

 

Thoughts;

Honor Guard, Alignment, Religion, Force Users, Magic, Elements, Meditation, Study, Melee, Rare, Unique, Exceptional,

Elegance, Power, Might, Tenet, Willpower, Counsel, Regalia, Knights, Kro Var, Shapers, Anzat, Soup, Temptations,

Undying allegiance, sacrifice, betrayal, Exodus, Sith.

 

 

 

THE SHAPERS OF KRO VAR

AND THEIR ORIGINS, & WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE STORMCLOAKS

-From Wookieepedia

 

"The Shapers of Kro Var are few in number, but they profess to be shamans of a similar tradition to our own. I do not doubt they have gained a small glimpse into the spirit realm, but they are not native to Dathomir. They cannot have heard the call of the spirits as clearly as we have." ―The Nightsister Mother Talzin, on the Shapers of Kro Var


The Shapers of Kro Var were an order of dark-side-wielding Force-users indigenous to the planet Kro Var. They originated circa 1000 BBY when a damaged cruiser fleeing the devastation of the New Sith Wars crashed on Kro Var. The survivors of the crash then eked out an existence on the inhospitable world. Eventually, the population split into clans and underwent technological regression as infighting between clans occurred. Force-sensitive individuals became leaders within the clans and were referred to as Shapers. Eventually, the Republic and the Jedi Order made contact with Kro Var and, after some initial hostility initiated by the Shapers of Kro Var toward the Jedi, were able to establish peaceful relations. This allowed the Shapers to travel offworld and explore the galaxy, which they continued to do into the Clone Wars.

The Shapers were considered superstitious and proud of their powers. They distrusted Force-users who used invisible manifestations such as telekinesis or mind tricks, and individuals with those talents on Kro Var were persecuted. Instead, most of the Shapers' abilities were focused around warfare and the harnessing of the elements of earth, fire, water, and air. As such, their particular uses of the Force centered on utilizing and manipulating the powers of nature to suit their needs.



 

HISTORY

 

During the New Sith Wars, a group of refugees fled from the planet Ruusan following the Ruusan campaign. However, their ship emerged out of hyperspace at the wrong coordinates, crashing on Kro Var, an inhospitable planet located in the Unknown Regions of the galaxy. The survivors of the crash formed into various clans and, over generations, fought among themselves for control of resources. The result of this infighting was technological regression to the point where the weapons of choice on Kro Var were simple melee weapons. Eventually, some of the survivors demonstrated sensitivity to the Force and became known as "Shapers". The clan conflicts became more aggressive, and the Shapers played an important part in them, using their powers to shape the elements and lead their clans.

Eventually, a Galactic Republic trading vessel discovered Kro Var. The planet's power structure was thrown into chaos as a result of the sudden contact with the galaxy, and a group of Jedi were sent to Kro Var to regain order and bring the people there back into galactic society. However, the Shapers were suspicious of the Jedi, resulting in a brief conflict between them. Peace was eventually restored, and the Jedi decided that the Shapers were not users of the dark side of the Force. The Jedi Order later sent envoys to monitor the Shapers and learn their Force techniques. Some Shapers also took the opportunity to leave Kro Var and spread throughout the galaxy during this time, though they were considered primitive.

Shapers tended to remain on Kro Var, but small numbers of them did leave their homeworld and travel elsewhere. At one point near the end of the Republic's regime, some of their membership came into conflict with the Confederacy of Independent Systems and fought against their battle droids during the Clone Wars.[1] At some point during the conflict, the Nightsister Mother Talzin wrote about the Shapers of Kro Var in her treatise Wild Power, in a section of the document that detailed Force traditions that Talzin considered to be in competition with the Nightsisters. During this period, the Shapers made their services available to clients in the Marzoon sector.




 

PHILOS


 

"Misguided they may be, but the Shapers of Kro Var gain their powers from the spirits." ―The Nightsister Mother Talzin, on the Shapers of Kro Var


The Shapers occupied the roles of "battle shamans" for their clans. They were considered superstitious, as well as brash and bold when demonstrating their power to others. Another characteristic of the Shapers was their distrust of both technology, and also Force power that were unseen, such as telepathy. Individuals demonstrating aptitude for such talents on Kro Var were persecuted as witches and warlocks. They remained largely suspicious of outsiders, particularly Force users with those unseen powers, though those attitudes did slowly change. They also were not prone to diplomacy, and in general preferred direct confrontation. Some Shapers were less superstitious, though, and traveled the galaxy in search of the Jedi in order to learn different views of the Force.

The powers wielded by the Shapers of Kro Var were largely focused into warfare. In battle, they utilized elemental powers that harnessed elements of nature such as earth, air, water, and fire against their enemies. They were considered aggressive and suspicious, which led to their initial hostilities with the Jedi. Shapers often specialized in a particular element, such as fire, but Master Shapers could wield many or all of them. Shapers tended to take the philosophy involved with their element of study and apply it to the battlefield; for example, a Shaper specializing in air was expected to be mobile in combat.

Shaper training began at an early age, as younglings were sent to study with a Shaper cabal to determine in which area of elemental control they possessed the most potential. The youngling was subjected to numerous tests and then sent to an appropriate temple to study their particular element and develop their powers. The training was intense and, in addition to harnessing the Force, included lessons in warfare and weaponry.

The Shapers claimed to be a similar tradition to the Nightsisters, a group of Force-wielding witches from the planet Dathomir. The Nightsisters contended that their Force powers were derived from two spirits known as the Fanged God and the Winged Goddess, and the Nightsister Mother Talzin believed that the Shapers of Kro Var also gained their abilities from the spirits. However, Talzin claimed that the Shapers were misguided and had not heard the spirits' call as clearly as the Nightsisters had. But they were wrong.





 

ABILITIES


 

"The Shapers of Kro Var use dark magick to manipulate the elements of air, earth, water and fire." ―The Nightsister Mother Talzin, on the Shapers of Kro Var


The Shapers of Kro Var wielded the dark side of the Force, and were regarded as being deeply connected to the elements of earth, fire, air, and water. Their abilities included buckling stone, creating walls of wind, and generating spouts of flame. They could ignite targets using fire, or make their motion more fluid in battle. Their manifestations of the Force depended on their element of study, but were also influenced by the location of their habitat. Shapers native to the Ungoth Valley were more apt at wielding fire due to the presence of lava flows there. Shapers were also skilled in the use of simple melee weapons such as clubs and swords.

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