As you might have guessed from the block of text above and the title, this is a Star Wars RP but not in the normal vein of things. While we are rooted in the Galactic Civil War era, where traditionally the Rebel Alliance fights tooth and nail against the Galactic Empire, before the RP even begins we have taken a departure. Instead of the classic story of good versus evil, of the underdog rising to defeat the goliath or the many different stories told across Legends of the era, a question was asked a while back, and this RP is the answer. What if the CIS had won the Clone Wars? What if Dooku had chosen to listen to Obi-wan? What if all of Palpatine's well-laid plans fell apart due to simple chance and probability? Here in "After Knightfall" we no longer have a Republic just like Canon/Legends. The key difference though, is that the CIS under General Grievous sacked Coruscant in the second battle for the world, breaking the Republic up into a number of successor states that all vie against each other for the title of true inheritor, all the while contending with the Separatists. Corellia, Ord Mantell, Alsakan and Mandalore all head up their own independent nations, each with their own Jedi Order and their own ideals. We have a Galactic Empire in the north which rules through iron-fisted tyranny and continues to fight against the CIS, but ruled by an Emperor despondent from the means in which he has to employ to keep fighting the war and doing his best to help his people. The Corellians hold up themselves as paragons of justice and truth, all the while forcing planets to join their Hegemony and instigating against their rivals constantly seeking out some weakness. And the Alsakani are little better than a puppet state, controlled by an ailing one at best. Where you come in though, is not on the grand galactic stage, but as one of many who has come of age during the interim period. You were there when the Republic fell. When the Jedi Order was shattered. When the CIS became the very thing it was fighting against. You were also there to witness the rise of Mand'alor the Paladin, a champion of the people. The restoration of Corellia as an independent power. To see a new era of innovation and progress come in the wake of such sorrow and destruction. The galaxy is at a point the Grand Council of Jedi calls a "Shatterpoint", a point where a single choice can decide the future. A similar one years ago decided the fate of the galaxy now, where a single man surviving avoided the death of the order and the creation of what we see today. Only the few can determine what will come to pass, but for now they must gather. They must come together and take that first step… [u][b]Guidelines[/b][/u] With the foreword and the introduction out of the way, I would like to take a quick moment to set some expectations for the RP and let people know how I do things. First and foremost, I'm really not one for hard and fast rules. I don't like deadlines, and I don't like posting requirements. My primary goal in running an RP is the story and to see that everyone is having a good time with it. Because of that I'm pretty flexible and do my best to work with people so long as they communicate with me, and will always encourage such from all my players. But with all that said, I do have some guidelines that I would really appreciate people looking to for as long as they are part of the RP. - Primarily let's touch upon the status of the RP as 18+. I have done this for good reason, as our setting will have us dealing with some things that normally is a bit more niche with Star Wars. Violence, death, drug-use and some sensual tones may be present at many points through the RP, as our focus will be in the Outer Rim at times, and others on the diplomatic circles between nations where we might get our GoT on. This is of course [i][b]not[/b][/i] an excuse or permission to sprinkle expletives all over your posts, or to get especially graphic, but more so as a warning. I will be watching posts to make sure that things don't get too excessive as there are more firm rules to abide by on Guild, but I have the hope that most of you who have come this far down the post will be mature enough to understand this and show restraint. That said, if the concept of mild sensuality, drug-use, violence or anything else of the post PG nature might be offensive to you, then I would kindly ask that you keep that in mind if you choose to apply anyways. - Respect and communication. While I personally don't mind a little bit shown my way as the GM, I moreso ask this for your fellow players. We are all building a shared story with our characters, who I hope will be interacting with each other plentifully. To that end, keep your fellow players in mind when posting and planning posts or arcs. Communicate with them if ever there is the possibility of their character being affected by something you have planned. - Post Requirements. I hate them. No really, I dislike the idea of saying that someone has to post x number of times in a certain period or they're out, and especially despise having to stick to that myself. In my experience, nothing drains the creativity more assuredly than deadlines. As such there isn't one for submitting a character to the RP, and I won't demand of anyone that they keep to a posting schedule. All I ask is that when interacting with other characters, that you not only be respectful as asked above, but also be mindful of your own times of posting. - Don't be a dick. Really, don't do it. If you do it, I'll have to do it, and I promise you I can be an even bigger one. I prefer to be nice and have a good time, but if you decide [i]not[/i] to be nice and to keep other people from having a good time, then I will [b]ruin[/b] your time in this RP. [st]jk, I'll just ban you from the thread and have your character trip out an airlock.[/st] [u][b]Character Creation[/b][/u] No sliders, but there are plenty of options. Seriously, I don't quite like the idea of restricting people to this or that, saying that one thing is completely not allowed under any circumstance or whatever justification other GMs like to use. I've found that on occasion people can surprise me with a character that at first glance should have never been approved, but after a bit of one on one, can be a strong presence in the RP. With a setting as diverse as SW Legends and the AU we have created, there are so many possibilities to build off of, so many backgrounds for characters and ways to make something truly unique. To that end, before we get to the character sheet proper and I let you all go to await what wondrous possibilities you provide me with, I do have a few things I would like to comment on regarding characters. - The Factions. As you may have noticed the galaxy is not quite the same as it is in 6ABY normally. There are multiple Republics, each claiming themselves to be the true one despite the Republic-In-Exile sitting on Mandalore wondering what the actual fuck. I'm not going to go out and say that you can or cannot play a character from one faction or the other, but please do keep in mind that these factions are [i]not[/i] all on good terms with one another, and some are outright hostile if not in open conflict with others. A key point here is the Corellian Hegemony and Mandalorian Republic. Neither has any love for the other, and despite frequent diplomatic overtures, their relations are close to the US and Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War. The Alsakani Republic are a much friendlier bunch, but are widely regarded as a paper tiger, as opposed to the actual tiger that is the Galactic Empire/Renkar Imperium to their north. The more attention you pay to factional differences and the more thought that is put into a character regarding those, the more likely I am to enjoy the CS and as such be more forgiving with it, so do keep that in mind. - Jedi, Force Sensitives, and Force Sites. As an important note, just like the Republic there are multiple different Jedi Orders each with their own ethics, their own codes and of course their own objectives. Some like the Jedi Enclaves of Mandalore are close enough to the old order that there's not much to really consider. Others like the Argent Council have strayed quite far from what the Jedi Order was, to be something else new entirely. I advocate strongly to ask questions on these independent orders, their allegiances and what they specialize in. On another note, something I am firm on is the visitation of certain places in the galaxy. Please do not have your character have visited Korriban, Ziost, Dromund Kaas, Yavin 4 or any other place within Sith Space. Firstly these places are steeped in dark side energies, and that has an effect on Jedi with only some of the strongest of wills able to resist the corrupting effects without assistance. Secondly, there really is no reason for most to have gone there, and those who have wouldn't have come back anyways. - Faces/Appearances. As you will note when looking over the CS, there is both a place for a picture and one for a detailed appearance. I would like both done, and encourage everyone to take that as an opportunity to go into greater detail about their characters. More important here, is the subject of pictures used in general. I've become rather partial to face-claims, and especially the use of gifs and such to show how my characters express themselves a little more… Viscerally. This is by no means a requirement for anyone, and I won't refuse a character on the basis of their CS using a particular art style. Just… Keep it presentable. You know what I mean. - Characters in general. All that said, I would like to say that a well-structured and detailed sheet will always go over better than one that is essentially a somewhat expanded concept. The character sheet below is one adapted from another RP that I happened to like because not only is it innately structured better than something I could do on my own, but provides many places of opportunity for the player to add detail to their character. Just don't get too involved in creating a character that you may not be as enthused to play as the character once it's done. As someone who has done that before, I would hate to see someone put a lot of effort into a well-written character only to dislike it and not want to RP as it. - Other people's characters. Right, so this became an issue in the prior iteration and this as well as another thing in particular I've lost all patience for. On the one hand, I strongly encourage prior relations with other characters, whether NPCs or actual player characters. This breathes a little more life into the world and builds connections between not just the characters but also the players. While our group does tend to have a habit of "talking an RP to death" there is a lot of fun involved in detailing out how our characters interact with each other and the shenanigans they can get up to. However. I really shouldn't have to say this, much less emphasize it, but make sure the other person is actually okay with those interactions. It doesn't matter if it's something major like maiming someone or minor like a bump in the hallway. But more than that, and honestly something that should be it's own point… - Other people's characters(again). Say you're the kind of person that likes to read the other character sheets for whatever reason that may be. I encourage this in all honesty, I like when people actually take the effort to understand the other player characters in an RP, as it cuts down a lot on misunderstandings and can help with seeing the motivations and such. However, however, however. I do not want people playing Co-GM for me and using such moments to call out things within character sheets. While I encourage people to come to me with any concerns, we don't operate by mob rule here and if I see people attempting to call out another player's CS I will treat this as one of those "don't be a dick" moments. - Your character. Just a closing note because I feel like if I don't say it, someone is just going to take that as the opportunity to feel like they can just go wild. If you deliberately make an over-powered character or a joke character, I will mock you and reject it. I'm not going to, and I'm not going to ask any potential Co-GM to spend three nights and a bottle of alcohol just to unravel some bullshit CS only for the author not to listen to a single word. Yes, we've been here before. Finally, the timeline as of now, the map and the character sheet proper. You are free to post WiPs in the OOC, and I even encourage it so that we can all work together on things and help to ensure everyone gets as close to the type of character they want to play as possible. Just [i]please[/i] do not post your character in the characters tab until approved.[hr] [hider=From the Interest Check]tl;dr - The CIS won the Clone Wars, everything's a bit fucked. So, if you haven't read the block of text above and are wondering just what this is, or if you did and would prefer a more succinct description of the RP, here it is. "After Knightfall" is a Star Wars RP, but not like most others for the key principle of the setting. While most RPs that take place in a fandom setting like SW are quite open about the canonicity of the RP itself, and how once the RP begins it is effectively in an alternate universe, this RP starts out as such before characters are even created. It began initially as just a joke of a question a while back, a "what if" of sorts, and over the years the RP setting grew into more than just a concept and into a story of its own waiting to be told. What if the CIS won the Clone Wars? The gist of what the setting is about is described above, but basically the Republic is gone, the CIS won and Grievous is a significant emotional event still. Like, we're talking not just [i]Legends[/i] Grievous, but the Tartakovsky Grievous that took on six Jedi Masters with only two lightsabers and zero fucks to give. But it has also been just over twenty years since the fall of the Republic, and dude is getting old and even more crazy. Galaxy still uses the galactic credit because "IGBC" and it's easier on everyone, but there really is no central government or even Jedi Order. Warlordism has become prevalent in many regions, with entire swaths of the galaxy unaligned either by choice or because their political situation is too unstable. The rising powers of the galaxy all hate each other to varying degrees, and are building up in preparation for another potential galactic war. Except the Empire, who has continued the Clone Wars for twenty-two years only stopping to fight what they call "The Great Enemy". But I digress, much of this can be gleaned from the foreword above, and we have a searchable lore document that will be posted in the discord for the RP. So really, in this fragmented and war-torn galaxy there is the question of who are you? Is your character a Corellian Green seeking to expand his house by any means, or simply survive the game of thrones in the Hegemon's shadow? An Imperial doing her part to secure freedom for the people of the galaxy, even if it means "liberating" them first? Or maybe just a Mando sitting there on Mandalore fishing and trying not to think about how the whole thing is a powderkeg waiting for that spark... But all that aside, my rules are fair and simple as can be expected from any other GM on the forum and I'll do my best to work with everyone who shows interest to ensure that the story they want to tell of their own character is given the same chance as everyone else. I pride myself on being rather flexible and working with people to make sure their ideas fit with the setting, though I will kindly ask not to take advantage of that as I will yeet a bitch lmao. All in all, I am hoping for a good run on this, a lot of effort has been put towards rebuilding the setting from the original idea, and I've got a couple people heavily invested in seeing this happen. So to that end, I look forward to seeing what interest comes, and am giving a generous two weeks for everyone with a serious interest to ask their questions, pitch their characters and prepare for what will surely be a wild ride with no brakes.[/hider] [hider=The Timeline]With the significant events of the few decades surrounding the start of the setting here, there has been another re-synchronization set during what would have normally been "The Battle of Yavin". Considering there is no canonical battle of Yavin in this setting, instead it is simply a moment where most of the galaxy has come to agree upon a re-synchronization of the standardized calendar. [u][b]32BRS - SHATTERPOINT:[/b][/u] During the Battle of Naboo a shift in the force resulted in a change in the flow of a battle that would decide the fate of the galaxy. Rather than pursuing ahead to face the Sith Darth Maul personally, Qui-Gon Jinn waited for his padawan so that they could face him together. With both Jedi working in unison, the Sith was cornered and quickly brought down, sent hurtling down the reactor tube. Following this the Jedi Order was forced to acknowledge that the Sith had in fact returned and were operating in the shadows, giving Qui-Gon leave to continue his pursuit of the truth and elevating Obi-Wan Kenobi to knighthood for his assistance in bringing down the darth. [u][b]28BRS - DISTURBANCES WITHIN THE GORDIAN REACH:[/b][/u] Following the revelation of the Sith surviving into the modern era, the Jedi Order issue an investigation into the former heartlands of the ancient Sith Empire. For several years there is nothing but ash and dust turned over on the countless dead worlds, with only the specters of old haunting the region. So in 28BRS the Jedi Council declares the region off-limits to all but those of master rank, keeping a cautious eye as silence once more falls on the Sith Worlds. With such little traffic in the region and the Jedi and Republic soon finding other concerns to focus their attention on, those few who do venture there are those either foolishly seeking forbidden relics or attempting to circumvent patrolled sectors. So as these people disappear, most simply write it off as smugglers and pirates falling to one another, or the odd misjump. [u][b]22BRS - THE CLONE WARS:[/b][/u] With the defection of Count Dooku of Serenno back to the Jedi Order, the Clone Wars officially begin following his information during the rescue on Geonosis. With the Grand Army of the Republic some four-hundred Jedi descend upon the planet to cover the extraction and crush the facilities there, resulting in the deaths of a few Jedi, but also Jango Fett and multiple figures within the Confederacy. This serves as but an early victory among precious few, as for six years the war rages across the galaxy turning once peaceful worlds into battlegrounds. The Republic bleeds worlds from the Outer Rim and into even the Core Worlds as without the tempered hand of people like Dooku or his former master, Grievous seizes control of the CIS with the intent to bring only ruin in his wake. During this time both the Republic and CIS mobilize ever increasing forces, with newer and more dangerous weapons deployed with each passing year. Cortosis Battledroids, Planet-Killers and even Dark Jedi are turned loose upon untold millions of clones desperately defending everything from the ecumenopoli of the Core to the desolate planets of the fringes. Yet while both powers wage total war, they both suffer from their own internal problems. The CIS sees more and more tyranny at the hands of Grievous as he consolidates power solely under him, executing the Separatist Council, driving entire populations into forced labor and crushing his own rebellions with ruthless efficiency. No stranger to dissent themselves, the Republic sees many worlds simply secede and struggle with their own independence separate from both powers, as well as the Jedi Order struggling with the knowledge of the Supreme Chancellor being a Sith. An issue soon resolved. [u][b]19BRS - RISE OF MANDALORE THE PALADIN:[/b][/u] Appearing as "The Challenger" a Mandalorian in an older style of blue Crusader armor comes to directly challenge the Sith Darth Maul who had seized power during the ongoing crisis on Mandalore. There, in front of the Deathwatch, Satine Kryze and Obi-Wan Kenobi the unknown Mandalorian savagely beats Maul to death in a duel for the title of Mand'alor. No words were exchanged, only blows between the two as Maul's lightsaber proved to be utterly ineffective against the beskar of the challenger's armor. Briefly the Deathwatch sees this as a victory for all Mandalorians, a proper and true Mand'alor rising from the unknown to steer their people back onto the right path, but that crumbles away when Pre Viszla takes his chance and also challenges for the title. This bout proves to be far different, and in a way only proves to the Deathwatch their initial suspicions were true somewhat. Victory is inevitable for the Mand'alor, beating down Viszla repeatedly and demanding him to yield until finally the two share unknown words and Viszla dies of his wounds. In the aftermath of these two short and brutal battles the Mand'alor makes himself known to Satine and Obi-Wan, declaring his intentions to reform Mandalorian society into a blend of the old Crusader lifestyle but with Supercommando virtues. A true honorable warrior society, one that respects and rewards all who would call themselves Mandalorian, not just those who fight. And it is as Pre Viszla is honored as a true Mandalorian and given a funeral in the old rites that the Deathwatch kneels alongside True Mandalorians, New Mandalorians and all those between ideologies to welcome Mand'alor Besk'Cabur, otherwise known as Mand'alor The Paladin. [u][b]16BRS - KNIGHTFALL:[/b][/u] At the height of the Clone Wars as much of the galaxy burns in the shifting of frontlines between the CIS and the Republic, General Grievous executes his most brilliant and ruthless plan yet. Across the galaxy multiple key Republic worlds are hit simultaneously by the Confederate fleet in force, calls for reinforcement lighting up the holonet as the Republic struggles to hold onto what they have. It is only when much of the Open Circle Fleet departs Coruscanti space when the true reality of Grievous' gambit is revealed though. As the Republic seeks to shore up their defenses across the galaxy, the largest fleet yet drops above Coruscant and decimates the defending fleet within hours and begins the bombardment of the planet's surface. Much of the Open Circle Fleet remains in hyperspace unable to immediately redirect, so they hear the calls for reinforcement even as turbolasers turn the senate and temple districts into sheets of glass. By the eighth hour Coruscant has fallen and the call to retreat and regroup is issued, the Republic abandoning the fight completely. It is on this day that after over twenty-five thousand years the Republic and Jedi Order have finally fallen. [u][b]16BRS - THE SECOND ARKANIAN REVOLUTION:[/b][/u] Even as the glass still cools on Coruscant, the fall of the Republic reverberates across the galaxy. For Arkania, a world renowned for its scientists for millennia, the fall hits particularly hard. Nearly forty years prior a minority of the Dominion's intellectual caste took particular offense to the conduct of the Dominion towards a particular species, and when their dissatisfaction wasn't enough, an outright revolt seized hold of the planet. Now remnants of that movement who had remained silent for a generation once more seize their chance. In what later becomes known as The Great Adascopolis Riots, much of the city burns to the ground in rioting as the Dominion government is initially distracted by the events of Knightfall. This is but the beginning though, as once the Dominion understands the threat inherent in these riots, they immediately appeal to the CIS for assistance in dealing with rebels on their world. Counter to this, the primary group of Arkanian Rebels gain growing support from the Alsakani, who had long criticized the Republic's willing acceptance of the Arkanian Dominion and their crimes. Within a few months though, the Arkanian Revolution ignites fully with multiple warring factions emerging with everyone from the Corellians, to Mandalorian Clans providing support for their particular groups. [u][b]16BRS - A COUP ON CORELLIA, THE RISE OF THE HEGEMON:[/b][/u] Coinciding with the bombardment of Coruscant and the defense of the Corellian system, a power play is made on the planet itself. It had been a plan decades in the making, merely awaiting the right time to execute, and there was no better time than in the chaos of this moment. Half of CorSec turned as the Novar house guards marched on the Diktat's residence, simply walking through the doors and seizing power within the hour. It was a coup of ruthless efficiency and nearly bloodless, only a few injuries across Corellia and only the Diktat as a true casualty. Yet addressing his people, Aeron Fein Novar declares this a just and righteous moment for not him, but all Corellians. To the cheers of millions he declares the end of the diktats, and the end to bowing to any other than Corellia itself. With the remaining highest powers of Corellia bowing before him, he declares himself Hegemon and the beginning of the Corellian Hegemony. [u][b]16BRS - OPERATIONS "LANCE OF THE REPUBLIC"/"STORMCALLER":[/b][/u] Broken, demoralized and in desperate need of resupply the forces of the Republic find themselves only a brief reprieve in the shelter of Mandalore. A quarter of the Grand Army musters out to become Mandalorian, with the rest knowing that something must be done regardless of if they move to the next port or remain with the Mandalorians. So it is that a plan is made and two operations are drawn up that splits the Open Circle Fleet in half. [b]STORMCALLER[/b] sees the efforts to relieve the Kaminoans of the CIS siege, coming in with a devastating blow from behind and an all too short reprieve. The Clones work desperately to evacuate the Kaminoans to the fleet proper, promising them shelter on Mandalore and leaving behind several regiments to man the defenses of Kamino. As the Open Circle Fleet departs ahead of CIS reinforcements, they hear of the defense and of how those clones who stayed behind bleed the CIS of thousands of droids for every dead clone, until the supports for the floating cities are detonated and take the entire invading force to the bottom of the oceans. [b]LANCE OF THE REPUBLIC[/b] is undertaken simultaneously and while initially it was to be a mere resupply, a turn is taken which sees a battle erupting over Kuat. Admiral Wilhuff Tarkin begins the operation with negotiations with Kuat of Kuat to resupply his battered fleet in both repairs and replacement ships. Up until now Kuat had been independent of the squabbles among the remnants, holding out with the defensive fleet that remained after Knightfall. Thousands of ships mill about the space around the orbital ring, three of them Mandator Dreadnoughts and with two belonging to Kuat, it seems the negotiations were always destined to fail. But this had been accounted for by Tarkin, sending in ARC troopers ahead of the negotiations. These clones stormed the planet-side headquarters of KDY, with the sole objective of raiding the servers and stealing the blueprints for every ship in the fleet. In orbit the raid becomes known and a shot is fired, detonations ripple across the ring as saboteurs make themselves known and Tarkin now issues his ultimatum. If the Republic cannot have these ships, then he will not allow pretenders or the CIS to have them. In the chaos of the opening battle fully half of KDY's forces defect, including one of the Mandator Dreadnoughts, issuing out a broadside on the other still in its docking cradle. There, either from the damage sustained in the broadside or through saboteurs, or a shipboard mutiny, the reactors become damaged and hit criticality. The Open Circle Fleet collects their commandos and Tarkin, pulling back with the defecting portions of KDY and watching as the ring is broken from the reactor detonation, falling back to the surface leaving untold devastation. [u][b]15BRS - THE FALSE PEACE, THE TREATY OF ALSAKAN:[/b][/u] It has been a year since the devastation of Knightfall, the Republic fracturing into warlordism and the ongoing fighting against the CIS leaving much of the industrial heart of the galaxy still smoldering. Grievous still sees the war yet won though, even as his own advisors plead for seeking a resolution. While before he would have killed them for their audacity to suggest peace, the rising power in the galactic north has been a more significant issue than at first thought, and there is logic in keeping some of the other powers from re-engaging. So on Alsakan the representatives of the major powers in the galaxy are brought together. Corellia, Mandalore, Alsakan itself and the Confederacy meet to discuss terms and come to sign what most call simply the Treaty of Alsakan. Yet for Ord Mantell and the nascent regime there, they call it for what it is. A false peace. It may have ensured that the CIS is no longer at war with the Republic Remnants, but to many even beyond the galactic north, it is merely a twenty-year armistice. [u][b]15BRS - A CROWN OF IRON, THE RENKAR IMPERIUM:[/b][/u] Since first answering the calls to reinforce Ord Mantell and the galactic north, the battle has been raging across the breadbasket of the galaxy from one world to the next. Admiral Jira Renkar of the Eight Systems Army with a number of Jedi such as Ki-Adi Mundi and Kit Fisto continue the war and expand their defenses from the fortress world to create a ring of iron. World after world is liberated with the droid forces sent scattering and with each world a call is heard. It starts small, the mere suggestion of those liberated and finding the first person to actually honor the pledge to defend them. Then it grows as more join them, taking up arms to fight alongside the clones and Jedi committed to them. Finally as Jira Renkar refuses to attend the summit at Alsakan it becomes a deafening clamor. They call him Emperor, king of kings and defender of the galactic north. For the last year and a half he had refused to give credence to these calls, seeing himself as a liberator of those in need, not a sovereign. Yet as the ink dries on the Treaty of Alsakan, he finally answers the call. With a crown of iron made from the mines of Ord Mantell itself, he sits upon a throne bearing the icon of the Eighth Systems Fleet. The words echo around the galaxy as it is declared "Kneel for the last time as Admiral, and rise as a man who kneels before no other… Emperor Jira Renkar of the Renkar Imperium." [u][b]15BRS - THE RUIN KINGDOM, THE ALSAKANI REPUBLIC:[/b][/u] In the ashes of the Clone Wars chaos reigns over much of the Core Worlds. Coruscant had been seen as the jewel of the galaxy for thousands of years and the uniting power, with only one other competing in dominance. It is that power that now as the rest of the galaxy pulls away to look to their own people, begins the slow and tedious effort of rebuilding. Alsakan the eternal rival of Coruscant had been given the broken corpse and left to their own devices. Ostensibly independent when it comes to rebuilding and expanding, the Provisional Governing Region carefully restores order and rule of law to each world left in the wake of the CIS. As the Republic finally gasps out its last dying breath, the Ruin Kingdom rises to piece it all back together as best it can. [u][b]14BRS - THE KASHYYK-TRANDOSHA EXCLUSION ZONE:[/b][/u] While much of the galaxy either falls to the CIS, one of the Remnants or simply descends into chaos, the eternal rivals continue their intermittent battles against each other. Both of them have finally shaken off the droid attacks and retaken their own respective space, now looking to a galaxy without the Republic to fetter them and demand peace. Briefly it looks as if the two are finally to enter proper war against each other, but the CIS and Grievous proves to be a mutual enemy and interrupts their mobilization. Countless assaults slowly see Wookie and Trandoshan working together to repel the invaders, each one bringing a spirit of cooperation to the rivals until finally as the last warship is left a smoldering wreck, they declare their systems to be united against all invaders. Trandosha and Kashyyk with their guns pointed outwards and back to back. [u][b]14BRS - THE CALL TO RETURN:[/b][/u] After five years of stabilizing Mandalore and forming the skeleton of the Mandalorian Republic, it is finally time for the Paladin to push towards the second stage of their grand ideal. A home for all Mandalorians has been created, and all that is left is for them to see it for themselves. Only a few times before had the Call to Return been made, and each one a moment of galactic significance. This time though the call would not usher in a great crusade or pitch the galaxy into endless war, it was a call to come home, to build a better Mandalore and honor the new Mand'alor. It starts small with a few coming home to announce their adherence to the Resol'nare. Then hundreds arrive by the day, then thousands and as word spreads Mandalorians across the galaxy come to see the first Mand'alor since the Uniter to truly bring their people together. Yet there are those who see this call as but a prelude to war, and others displeased at the loss of their most dangerous assets… [u][b]13BRS - THE PIRATE BLITZ:[/b][/u] The Hutts, having seen the collapse of the Republic and Jedi Order as a boon for business see their first major loss since Knightfall. All those Mandalorians who had once been loyal mercenaries for the Hutts now look back home and see something new and greater for their clans. The mass desertion of Mandalorians leaves many of the Hutt Cartels weakened initially, with those who had never been able to afford their services taking advantage and chaos ruling over the cartel for a full year until order is restored. With order comes retribution as the surviving Hutts look towards Mandalore with vengeance. Credits flow like water into the coffers of every pirate across the galactic east, the Hutts gathering the single largest pirate armada to ever take to space. These pirates move on Mandalore thinking them to be weak and vulnerable due to taking in the shattered Republic-in-Exile and their efforts in rebuilding, taking away from their military. So they enter the Mandalore system and issue an ultimatum. Return to serving the Hutts, kneel before the Cartel or be destroyed. The Paladin's only response to releasing his people back to service is a simply and blunt retort. "Come and take them." The battle is short and brutal as the pirates are a disunified lot and they had not been counting on the Open Circle Fleet to actually reinforce the Mandalorian fleet above the planet. Entire tribes of pirates are annihilated in volleys of turbolaser fire from Venators, the Mandalorian Republic proving itself in a baptism of fire and molten durasteel. A few hours pass and the Pirate Blitz is broken, the Mandalorians emerging as a true power and a true Republic. [u][b]12BRS - GREAT JEDI SCHISM:[/b][/u] Seeking unity among the Jedi a summit is called, the first of what would be a semi-regular "Grand Council". The foremost leaders of the Jedi Enclaves, the Shadow Council, Green Jedi, Alsakani Judicials, and the Argent come together to discuss the future of the Jedi Order. At first there is much to agree on with the state of the galaxy, most present feeling that unity is necessary to truly heal. Where things break down is exactly who should be united under, with each order declaring themselves the most suitable. The discourse becomes intense enough that the gathered break fully from the idea of the Jedi Order and a few of the more prominent unaligned Jedi go into isolation. The loss of faith in those like Master Yoda becomes the deathblow to the Jedi Order, the fragments each declaring themselves the true inheritors. [u][b]10BRS - THE DESOLATION OF NEIMOIDIA:[/b][/u] Rumors begin circulating around the actions of Corellia against those refusing to join the Hegemony. For most they are dismissed both by Corellia and by those wanting more evidence before making a statement. Yet still there are those who escape from the Hegemony and describe blockade tactics, loosing pirates and smugglers onto helpless worlds and even bombardment of civilians to enforce joining. It is only when Neimoidians being fleeing Corellian space in mass that the greater galaxy learns that the gleam to the Corellian Hegemony hides the terror sown in their shadows. Tales are told of the bombing of the Neimoidian purse worlds, millions vaporized in turbolaser bombardment, nuclear weapons being loosed on the populace and the entirety of their assets seized by Corellia as the population is forced into indentured servitude. With the galaxy clamoring for answers, all Corellia offers is that one of their former great houses was responsible for the destruction of Neimoidia, that Iseth Merr had allowed the scars of her past to cloud her judgment and action had been taken. [u][b]10BRS - THE ARKANIAN REVOLUTION INTENSIFIES:[/b][/u] Six years after the riots in Adascopolis the Second Arkanian Revolution continues with all the violence and destruction of the first. As the powers that be look towards Arkania as a proxy-war to fight their conflicts between each other, the actual revolutionaries and loyalists to the Dominion see drastically shifting support comparative to the war fronts. Initially supportive of the Revolutionaries, Alsakan has since taken several steps back after egregious violations of numerous Republic conventions on military conduct, particularly looking towards their own weaponization of unaligned sentients and chemical warfare attacks on non-military targets. On the other side, the Dominion has carefully spent years distancing itself from the CIS, only nominally acknowledging them as the ruling power in Alsakani space, and meanwhile courting Alsakan itself in a play for ensuring their continued power. This shift in support leads many to question if this is not just a repeat of the first Revolution, but while many in Alsakani space criticize the republic's growing relations with the Dominion, an agreement is struck behind closed doors that leads to a very sudden change in the power dynamics between the main fighting powers. [u][b]8BRS - THE IMPERIAL WEDDING:[/b][/u] A question that had arisen at multiple points even before the Empire proper was established, succession became a greater concern as the Emperor himself was still taking part in battles. Nearing his forties the man had accrued his fair share of battle fatigue, and despite being still in his prime the Imperial Circle and the Shadow Council made an insistence on either choosing an heir or making one. After dealing with the harassing advisors, Jira finally relented and the Empire began to field offers from across the galactic north and beyond. For months an endless procession of candidates arrived on Ord Mantell to make their case, from minor nobles across the Empire itself to Corellians seeking Imperial ties, and even the Zygerrian queen. Eventually though a decision was reached, after a woman from beyond the borders of the Empire arrived with a noble house at her back and offers of more than just union between their families. Within the year as the two became more prominent in the public spotlight, preparations had been made for an event equalling the declaration of the Empire itself. The palace had been renovated entirely, a public square opened for viewers of the event to watch the procession and prominent figures from across the galaxy in attendance as the holonet lit up with what would become known as The Imperial Wedding. Elara Safel, of the Great House Safel walked resplendent in white, and flanked by the blue-skinned family and friends of her house as Jira Renkar awaited upon the dais, behind him two thrones where once only one had stood, and his closest advisor Ral Karz holding a crown of iron. Corellian dignitaries watched in envy from the balconies alongside Alsakani and Mandalorians, each understanding the significance of this event beyond a simple union. And as the Emperor lifted the veil of his Empress and sealed the union, all of the Empire celebrated a dawning of a new era. [u][b]6BRS - THE BATTLE OF ILUM:[/b][/u] With less than twelve hours notice, non-Imperial excavation teams on the surface of Ilum are promptly evacuated under the mechanisms of a treaty allowing the Empire to do so in case of ‘Emergency’, though no explicit reason is ever given. What little the wider Galaxy knows of the events that transpired there afterward comes from intel observing Imperial fleets suddenly taking a hard turn to the Galactic West across Imperial space, abandoned mining equipment sending out remote pings warning of erratic seismic activity and immense craters and damaged infrastructures observed by said teams when they were finally allowed back on the surface. For their part, the Empire itself simply states it defeated a ‘Great Enemy’ there and refuses to elaborate further. [u][b]6BRS - THE DEVARONIAN CONSPIRACY:[/b][/u] A curious discovery is made at Devaron's Astrological Survey Center, where numerous astronomers report a new celestial object and debate rages within the Hegemony as to what it may be and why. Multiple reports claim the object is in motion, yet known science doesn't support the idea of an object of that mass being capable of such speeds. Which leads into more physical debate and conflict between the intellectual community of the Corellian Hegemony at large. Beyond Corellia most simply feel that either the Corellians have become too confident with their legacy and have resorted to outlandish claims, or dismissed it outright in light of the Neimoidian Diaspora of four years prior. [u][b]5BRS - THE LAST TAUNG:[/b][/u] To the stunned astonishment of near every living soul on Mandalore, the Paladin finds himself in the awkward position of having to personally answer an unusual call from Keldabe’s spaceport; namely that an old relic of a ship had touched down about an hour prior containing— among other things— two Humans, a Pantoran, another Pantoran with a rather unusual eye condition and a living, breathing Taung who claimed them all as his foundlings. This was Atin Dral; once the sworn brother and general in service to Mandalore the Ultimate, who had broken faith with his sovereign over the conduct of the Mandalorian Wars millenia prior. A name that echoed no small amount of controversy in the Mandalorian psyche— vilified for his treason to his liege and the slaying of Cassus Fett just as much as he was venerated for being the first of all Alors to welcome non-Taung into his clan, not just as soldiers, but as his own sons, daughters and children. Birthing the notion that family was, indeed, more than just blood that would carry on through Mandalorian culture across generations and whose philosophical teachings— preserved by word of mouth across centuries— would be echoed by the likes of Mandalore the Uniter, Jaster Mareel and, perhaps unknowingly, The Paladin himself. This immediately put the Paladin in an awkward position as certain elements among the Clans almost instantly began to agitate that a living Taung was an existential threat to the Paladin’s authority, while others actively encouraged it; seeing in the ancient Alor a way to finally be rid of the Paladin and his… eccentricities. Atin himself, however, was chiefly concerned with the safety of his children, and was quickly put on guard by the atmosphere others seemed to be imposing between him and the Mandalore the longer they spoke, something the Paladin was quick to pick up and act on by offering to personally take the old general on a days-long tour of the world he’d missed for about four thousand years. Firstly, to ease the tension between the two men and secondly, to get him the hell away from that crowd at the spaceport. Which proved to be quite fortuitous, as through visits to GAM High Command, an interesting little venture to the Jedi Enclaves and a hike through the forested highlands in the planet’s north where Atin grew up, the two became… actually quite close, realizing that they had more in common than not. Until finally Atin would suddenly challenge the Paladin after a moment of silent contemplation as they were walking right through the middle of Keldabe square. Not as a would-be usurper seeking to take command, but as one of the Mando’ade to another. To which the Paladin could only jovially agree. Leading to a contest the Paladin would later remember as one of the toughest fights of his life. With both combatants seemingly evenly matched, but only one of whom was still young enough to reliably get to his feet after the second hour to offer his foe a hand up, which Atin accepted with a laugh as he swore his allegiance to the Mandalore on the spot, declaring: “Aye, Mand’alor Besk’Cabur. I know your heart and I now know your mettle. Ye shall have my sword from this day, ‘til the day the last gasp of air leaves both of our bodies… so long as ye remain worthy of it.” This statement alone sending shockwaves through not just Mandalorian Space, but the Galaxy as a whole. The approval of a Taung General doing much to legitimize the Paladin’s regime and be the final nail in the coffin to many doubters as well as causing a wave of trepidation to echo throughout the Galaxy, particularly in Corellia, where fears of a renewed Mandalorian Crusade had long been stoked by the Hegemony. Atin, for his part, joined the Paladin’s inner circle, serving as his sword and senior military advisor. And being allowed to reform his clan in their ancestral homelands; in [i]The Forge of Kad Ha’rangir[/i], far to Keldabe’s north. Where thousands across the GRM would journey to serve under his banner and join his clan, warriors, artisans and average joes alike. [u][b]5BRS - THE RESTORATION:[/b][/u] As the Mandalorian Republic solidifies their hold over the neighboring sectors and stabilizes their growing nation, more and more Mandalorians are found to be either clanless or among clans of one in the shadows of the founding clans. Herself being the last survivor of clan Suard, Jaessih sets in motion with the approval of the Paladin and Duchess Satine the "Restoration Acts". Under these acts long extinct clans were given new life via clanless Mandalorians taking up their banner, as well as entirely new clans to be formed. Some like Keldau who had been extinct for millennia suddenly rose to prominence and refound their purpose, seeking to make their forebears proud, and others like Awaud who had not yet been destroyed, were given new life through both True Mandalorians and the legions of clones mustering out. [u][b]4BRS - THE DESTRUCTION OF TUND:[/b][/u] During the visit of the Provisional Governor in the Centrality, the CIS were made aware of a supposed celestial event on the far borders nearing Wild Space. According to the Centrans, there was only an isolated planet in the area, inhabitable nominally but known for harsh wildlife. What the CIS investigative force found however, was that the planet of Tund had been recently scoured by some event, the world now left a desolate scorched rock with only vague ruins to hint at a civilization having lived there. Some trace baradium signatures implied the use of a baradium fission device, but with the remote nature of the planet the investigation was closed and Tund was declared a dead world. [u][b]4BRS - DEPARTURE OF THE OUTBOUND FLIGHT:[/b][/u] Twenty years after being canceled due to the increasing tensions in the galaxy and the Clone Wars that soon followed, Emperor Jira Renkar authorizes the first of what is supposed to be a series of multinational scientific endeavors. The original project outlines are brought back from old Republic archives, with some minor changes made to the crew roster and the intended goals of the expedition. While meant to be largely a secret, this ends up being the first time the Chiss as a species become known to the modern galaxy as it ends up a necessity to secure passage through the Ascendancy, something easily acquired thanks to the Empress. So with 12,500 representatives evenly from each of the four major splinter republics, the Emperor himself presents the captain of the Outbound Flight, Mitth'raw'nuruodo with the Imperial Circle award, promising him a position on his council at his return and wishing the project a safe voyage into the Unknown Regions. [u][b]0 - YEAR ZERO:[/b][/u] In a rare moment of almost galactic unity, the major powers convene together to consider a re-synchronization of the Galactic Calendar. Those present accept the motion and year zero is declared. Only the Renkar Imperium refuses to change, having already established the Battle of Ilum as their own year zero. [u][b]3ARS - THE END OF THE SECOND ARKANIAN REVOLUTION:[/b][/u] Almost twenty years after the first outbreak of the Second Arkanian Revolution and with significant portions of the planet devastated, the Arkanian Dominion announces an end to the fighting at last. Thousands of prisoners of the Revolutionary movement are paraded through Adascopolis flanked by stern-faced Judicials and cheering Arkanians relieved to finally see peace come to their world. Unlike the first revolution fifty years prior, the Dominion has declared that only the leadership of the revolution are to be sentenced to death, with the rest of their movement banished from their homeworld permanently. This Arkanian Diaspora leads to many thousands of skilled and bitter scientists, engineers and revolutionaries scattering across the galaxy and finding new homes. Some of these end up being the parties that backed them during the revolution, places like Corellia, Ord Mantell and Nal Hutta in particular. Others simply spread across Alsakani space, defeated and humiliated, content to live out their life in the shadows of the Dominion. Yet while the Arkanian Dominion declares peace, many note that the revolution rages on in abandoned mines and underground cities, where biological horrors are pitted against cybernetic monstrosities and rogue droid armies. [u][b]6ARS - TO BE DECIDED[/b][/u][/hider] [hider=The Map][img]https://i.imgur.com/H2eRn4F.jpg[/img][/hider] [hider=The CS][code][hider=Character name][center][h1][color=???]Character name/Title[/color][/h1] [img]Image or gif of character[/img][/center] [color=???][b]|[u] {Full Name} [/u]|[/b][/color] [indent]???[/indent] [color=???][b]|[u] {Age} [/u]|[/b][/color] [indent]???[/indent] [color=???][b]|[u] {Species} [/u]|[/b][/color] [indent]???[/indent] [color=???][b]|[u] {Gender} [/u]|[/b][/color] [indent]Male/Female/Neither[/indent] [hr.] [color=???][b]|[u] {Force Sensitive/Alignment} [/u]|[/b][/color] [indent]Yes/No - Dark/Grey/Light(Can be more specific in the alignment, if not fully in one of the three categories.)[/indent] [color=???][b]|[u] {Appearance} [/u]|[/b][/color] [indent]Self-explanatory, cover at least the basics to some detail.[/indent] [color=???][b]|[u] {Equipment and Personal Belongings} [/u]|[/b][/color] [indent]All personal belongings, equipment or items of note that would be either on your character's person on a daily basis or in their quarters. Include as well anything that may be in storage in the cargo bays or hangar if applicable.[/indent] [color=???][b]|[u] {Physical Abilities} [/u]|[/b][/color] [indent]Any and all strictly non-force abilities your character may have. This includes, but is not limited to combat skills, natural ability or learned skills.[/indent] [color=???][b]|[u] {Force Abilities} [/u]|[/b][/color] [indent]Strictly force-abilities your character may have. Only include this section if your character is a force-user. Anything that may affect your character's ability to be influenced by the force would fall under the Physical Abilities section or the Limitations section, such as if your character was of a species naturally resistant, or was perhaps more susceptible to the mind trick power.[/indent] [color=???][b]|[u] {Limitations} [/u]|[/b][/color] [indent]Any and all limitations that your character may possess.[/indent] [hr.] [color=???][b]|[u] {Personality} [/u]|[/b][/color] [indent]This, along with the Backstory section should be the more detailed areas of the CS.[/indent] [color=???][b]|[u] {Place of Origin} [/u]|[/b][/color] [indent]Quite simply, where your character came from and a brief bit on their upbringing.[/indent] [color=???][b]|[u] {Background} [/u]|[/b][/color] [indent]A history of your character showing important events in their past.[/indent][/hider][/code][/hider] [url=https://discord.gg/UY3FSKPRUA]The Discord[/url]