Progflaw99
Well-Known Member
Discord: https://discord.gg/rATaPpf
“The beginning is the most important part of the work.”
~ Plato, The Republic
The story of the Mara-Perlemian Trade Council began nearly a year before the formal Instrument of Cooperation was signed by the founding member worlds. Reading the writing on the wall as the Silver Jedi Order painted a target on its back, leaders of several planets along the main trade routes running through the western reaches met clandestinely to put in place a contingency to limit the impact of the Silver Jedi Order’s inevitable faltering to protect its territory. Following the Silver Jedi’s cataclysmic failure at Ossus, the time to activate that contingency had come.The planetary leaderships of Centares, New Holstice, Jabiim, and Bal’demnic met in the aftermath of Ossus and pledged their combined military forces and political capital to guarantee free trade along the Mara Corridor and the Perlemian Trade Route. Learning from the failure of the Silver Jedi Order to safeguard the planets they claimed to influence, the newly formed Mara-Perlemian Trade Council sought to develop a provisional government free from the rule of Jedi, instead trusting the government to secular influences while agreeing to take advice and service from any Jedi wishing to use their talents to safeguard the people.
The Provisional Council’s first meeting was to elect a leader, and a unanimous election saw Olivander Cardiff, Councilor from Centares, elected President and first Chairman of the Council. The system devised by the Council was a ruling council, electing a President as Chief of State, with a rotating annual Chairman. The Chairman would be responsible for preparing the agenda for the Council and administrative functions, while military authority would rest with the President. Eris Volcata, the Councilor from New Holstice (supplier of all-important bacta), was granted control over the fledgling military forces as Secretary of Defense, and took steps to stabilize trade routes and defend against piracy and plunder.
With trade routes stabilized and the fledgling council’s coffers began to increase with trade income, allowing them to look towards expansion of military assets and recruitment. The Council is currently focusing its efforts on the stability of the trade routes and growth of its influence in the region, while certain forces within the Council take a longer view towards a more expansive presence in the Galaxy…
[ Above by [member="Eris Volcata"] ]
Out of every one hundred men, ten shouldn't even be there, eighty are just targets,
nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle.
Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.
~ Heraclitus
The Trade Council Armed Forces, casually referred to as TCAF, are a budding formation of former soldiers and defense force veterans of each individual planet of the Council. While formerly claiming loyalty to their independent worlds, they now come together under the TCAF. Armed with surplus weapons bought from the open market, most of their equipment is either older or nearing the end of its life cycle - but it still works! Work to standardize the military forces both Army and Navy have begun, though full standardization of both weapons and vessels is yet a large distance away. Many vessels purchased by the Mara-Perlemian Trade Council are refitted ships, purchased in bulk from junkyards and from other nearby governments and while they are perfectly serviceable, they're definitely hand me downs. Modern isn't exactly the word anyone would use to describe the equipment currently provided to the TCAF. Organized into two major branches, the TCA (Trade Council Army) and the TCN (Trade Council Navy) operate in their respective theaters. Working in tandem, their main objective is to provide a defensive screen across the Council's member worlds. Peacekeeping and Stability Operations are a daily occurrence from keeping the hyperlanes of the Mara Corridor and the Perlemian Trade Route clear of pirates to preventing disorder and unrest among the worlds of the Trade Council. A sub branch of the TCN, the CSC (Council Starfighter Corps) works closely with their Navy brothers and sisters - manning and maintaining the starfighter and bomber craft of the TCN. Unable to field much more than a defense force, the Trade Council also employs those who claim allegiance to the Trade Council Order, a small sect of Jedi who primarily roam the hyperlanes in an effort to protect all travel through MPTC space.
Jedi are the guardians of peace in the galaxy.
Jedi use their powers to defend and to protect.
Jedi respect all life, in any form.
Jedi serve others rather than ruling over them, for the good of the galaxy.
Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training.
~ Luke Skywalker's Revision of the Jedi Code
In the wake of the Silver Jedi Order's withdrawal from the systems along the Perlemian Trade Route and the Mara Corridor, many small enclaves of Jedi yet remain, cast into the darkness of a looming shadow. Raiders, Pirates, and the Sith Empire are the most prevalent threats to the existence of the Jedi, and with much of the former territory no longer protected by the Silver Jedi Order, they exist in a near permanent state of vulnerability. Not only the Jedi themselves, but the people of the various worlds scattered along both hyperlanes, travelers, traders - all faced the new danger of unprotected travel.With the formation of the Mara-Parlemian Trade Council, messages were sent, letters written - A cry for assistance and aid, an extended hand in partnership. Under the rule of the Silver Jedi Order, the Jedi had done exactly that - ruled. Such would not be so under the leadership of the Mara-Perlemian Trade Council, however they had expressed an interest in a collaborative effort. For the greater good of the people, the proposed Jedi Order would hold no power over the political organization, instead working in parallel as peacekeepers and mediators. Almost a melding of two concepts, the organization similar to councils of the past but operating closer akin to the Wardens of the Sky, the Order was provisional in nature. It was through this role that not only the trade lanes would remain safe, but the Trade Council itself could maintain governance without risking the rise of a theocracy - something they despised the notion of.
Those who responded to the summons were of like mind, that the Jedi should protect and serve the people, not govern or rule them. By remaining indifferent towards the politics involved in running a government, the Trade Council Order is in a unique position to mediate difficult negotiations and protect the nearest trade lanes from raiders or pirates - those who would seek to harm others. The Trade Council Order is led by four Jedi Masters and moderated by one Master given the title of Grand Master who is responsible for mediating disagreements among the council members - his is usually the tipping vote. The title of Grand Master is most often given to the most senior Master of the Order, as they are considered the most wise. It is this council of Jedi Masters that directs the greater Trade Council Jedi Order. The organization is fairly free form, each Jedi Knight in turn reporting to the Masters of the Order and directly to the Council, Padawans reporting directly to the Knights of the order. While individual pairings may be made in efforts to train the Jedi it is not required and learning and teaching occur in a variety of methods from one on one to a group setting. Teaching is primarily conducted by Jedi Knights of the Order, but on occasion a Jedi Master or even a Master of the Council will provide lessons for some of the more complex Force Techniques.
"Balance is the Key"
Within the ranks of the Trade Council Jedi Order, there are many paths a prospective Knight or Master may take. From focusing on the art of diplomacy to the art of the saber, there are three major foci of the Order. Though there are many other skills a Jedi may learn, there are three major fields that are identified by the Order as particularly important: Diplomacy and Mediation, Combat and Martial Arts, and Knowledge and The Force. Though each is a foci of the Order, Padawans and Knights are free to learn from any of the three, and beyond! Masters of each focus assist and provide guidance to those seeking knowledge or wisdom. By understanding and practicing the skills taught by each major focus the Jedi can better protect and serve their populace.
The adopted code of the Trade Council Jedi Order is less restrictive than the original known mantra. Instead of being hindered by fanatic dogma, the Jedi recognize that not everything is quite so black and white, this is highlighted in their adoption of Luke Skywalker's own revision of the Jedi Code. While less restrictive and dogmatic in nature than their predecessors, the Order actively speaks against using the Dark Side of the Force. Staunch believers that only those of impure heart and soul utilize the Dark Side of the Force, there is no compromise when it comes to their beliefs. Using the power of the Light, it is their responsibility as those granted the use of the Force to protect the weak and the forgotten, to help those less fortunate, and to keep at bay the forces of evil and corruption.
As far as I know, the MPTC Jedi aren't like a special Force Order, they're just Jedi who are supporting this particular state. 
