History of the Brotherhood
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The Legacy of Kakus
The origins of The Brotherhood trace back to the teachings of Kakus, a dark-side wielder who defied both the Sith and Jedi Orders. Kakus believed that the Sith's obsession with personal ambition and the Jedi's dogmatic denial of emotion were both flawed. He taught his sons that the Dark Side was a tool for achieving control, order, and shared strength—not for self-destruction or suppressive stagnation. Kakus saw the Force as a binding power, capable of uniting individuals under a shared vision.
Kakus’s rejection of Sith and Jedi philosophies marked him as an outcast, yet his teachings deeply influenced his sons, Reign and Rellik. Under his guidance, they learned that true power came not from individual supremacy or denial of passion, but from collective purpose and the bonds of loyalty.
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The First Steps toward the Brotherhood
In the wake of the Galactic Alliance’s submission of Taris, Reign and Rellik retreated to the Outer Rim, finding sanctuary on the planet Bastion. There, the brothers reflected on their father’s teachings and the flaws they saw in the galaxy’s two dominant Force traditions.
- The Sith Order, they believed, was doomed by its own philosophy. Ambition unchecked bred betrayal, chaos, and instability. The Sith might rise to great power as individuals, but they were incapable of sustaining anything lasting.
- The Jedi Order, in contrast, suppressed individuality and passion, denying its members their humanity and their potential. Their refusal to wield true power made them weak, leaving the galaxy vulnerable to chaos.
The brothers realized that neither order could provide the galaxy with the stability it needed. Inspired by their father’s philosophy, they laid the groundwork for “The Brotherhood”, a new way forward for Force users—a path that would embrace the Dark Side without succumbing to the Sith’s self-destructive tendencies or the Jedi’s limitations.
Casting aside their Sith titles of Darth Reign and Darth Rellik, the brothers adopted simpler names to emphasize their divergence from the Sith tradition. They declared themselves equals, co-rulers united in purpose, and began constructing an order of their own: “The Brotherhood”.
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The Code of the Brotherhood
At the heart of the Brotherhood’s philosophy is the Code of the Diarchy, derived from Kakus’s teachings. The Code rejects the individualistic ambitions of the Sith and the ascetic detachment of the Jedi, offering a third path:
Bonds of Unity Create Power
Power Shared is Power Multiplied.
Power Multiplied Creates Purpose
Purpose for Order over Chaos
Loyalty Above All
The Code of the Diarchy became the guiding philosophy of The Brotherhood, teaching its members that individual strength is only meaningful when wielded in service of the collective. Bonds of loyalty, discipline, and shared purpose replace the backstabbing and isolation that plague other Force orders.
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The Founding of The Brotherhood
The Brotherhood was conceived as a response to the failures of both the Jedi and Sith. It would be a force-user order unlike any other, rejecting the flaws of its predecessors and forging a new path rooted in unity, discipline, and shared power.
From their base on Bastion, Reign and Rellik began recruiting force-sensitive individuals disillusioned with the existing orders. Many early members were former Sith who had grown weary of the endless cycles of betrayal, while others were force-sensitive outcasts who had been rejected by the Jedi for refusing to suppress their emotions and ambitions.
Unlike the Sith, who emphasized dominance, and the Jedi, who sought submission to the Force, The Brotherhood taught its members to wield The Force, both Light and Dark as a tool for achieving balance and order. Training began in the Crucible of Order, a temple and academy built on Bastion to serve as the spiritual and practical heart of the Brotherhood. Here, initiates swore oaths of loyalty, learned the Code of the Diarchy, and trained in the ways of The Force under the brothers’ guidance.
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The Mission of The Brotherhood
The Brotherhood’s founding principles were shaped by the brothers’ view of the galaxy as a place teetering between chaos and stagnation. They saw themselves as the only force capable of imposing true order:
- To the Jedi, The Brotherhood represented a dangerous alternative: an order that embraced passion and power without falling into chaos. The Jedi feared the Brotherhood as a dark reflection of what they might become if they abandoned their dogma.
- To the Sith, The Brotherhood was heresy. By rejecting ambition and betrayal, The Brotherhood undermined the very foundations of Sith philosophy. The Sith saw the Brotherhood as a threat to their dominance and sought to destroy it.
The Brotherhood declared its mission to be the creation of a galaxy united under their vision of stability and discipline. They rejected the Sith’s endless wars of conquest and the Jedi’s passive guardianship, instead pursuing a vision of control, where the chaos of the galaxy could be tamed.
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Legacy:
The founding of “The Brotherhood” marks the beginning of a new era for Force users in the galaxy. By rejecting the extremes of both the Sith and Jedi, Reign and Rellik created an order that embraced the Dark Side while maintaining discipline and unity. The Brotherhood’s strength lay not in the power of any one individual, but in the bonds that connected its members—a living embodiment of the Code of the Diarchy.
Under the leadership of the Diarchs, The Brotherhood expanded its influence, growing into a disciplined and cohesive force that challenged the galaxy’s status quo. The legacy of Kakus lived on in his sons and their followers, proving that the Dark Side could be a force not just for power, but for order and purpose.
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Ranks of the Brotherhood
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1. Initiate
- Equivalent to: Acolyte
- Role: Initiates are the newest recruits of The Brotherhood. These individuals have pledged themselves to the teachings of the Diarchy and begun their journey into the Brotherhood. They are guided by senior members to understand the basic tenets of the Code of the Diarchy and the principles of loyalty and shared strength.
- Responsibilities:
- Participating in rituals and training sessions to foster discipline.
- Studying the Code of the Diarchy and the philosophy of shared power.
- Symbolism: Initiates represent potential—a spark of power waiting to be shaped into a tool for the Brotherhood’s purpose.
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2. Oathsworn
- Equivalent to: Apprentice
- Role: Oathsworn are Initiates who have sworn their loyalty to a mentor within The Brotherhood, forming a bond that is critical to their progression. Under the guidance of their mentor, they refine their abilities and deepen their understanding of the Brotherhood, all while learning to wield their power for the collective good of The Brotherhood.
- Responsibilities:
- Furthering their training in combat and Force abilities.
- Undertaking missions to prove their commitment to the Brotherhood’s ideals.
- Symbolism: The title "Oathsworn" reflects the pledge of loyalty to their mentor and the Brotherhood’s cause, emphasizing the value of bonds over individual ambition.
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3. Vanguard
- Equivalent to: Knight
- Role: Vanguards are fully trained members of The Brotherhood who serve as its warriors and champions. They are the enforcers of the Diarchy’s will and the defenders of the Brotherhood’s principles. Vanguards often work in coordinated units, exemplifying the order’s focus on collective strength.
- Leading missions in service of the Diarchy’s goals.
- Acting as protectors of Brotherhood holdings and interests.
- Training Initiates and guiding Oathsworn in their development.
- Symbolism: The title "Vanguard" signifies their role as the first line of defense and offense for the Brotherhood, embodying strength tempered by discipline and loyalty.
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4. Justicar
Equivalent to: Master
Role: Justicars are seasoned leaders and arbiters within The Brotherhood, tasked with enforcing its principles and maintaining order among its members. They guide and mentor lower ranks while acting as commanders and advisors in military and spiritual matters.
- Responsibilities:
- Overseeing the training and progress of Oathsworn and Vanguards.
- Mediating disputes and enforcing the Code of the Diarchy.
- Leading significant operations and rituals to strengthen The Brotherhood.
- Symbolism: As "Justicars," they are not only warriors but also judges and guardians of the Brotherhood’s unity, ensuring that all members remain true to its ideals.
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5. Praetor
- Equivalent to: Lord
- Role: Praetors are the highest-ranking members of The Brotherhood beneath the Diarchs and High Council. They wield significant authority, commanding entire battle groups of the Brotherhood and overseeing its major initiatives. As both warriors and spiritual leaders, Praetors embody the pinnacle of the Brotherhood’s ideals.
- Responsibilities:
- Leading rituals and ceremonies that bind the Brotherhood together.
- Advising the Diarchs and High Council on matters of strategy and philosophy.
- Symbolism: The title "Praetor" reflects their role as stewards of the Brotherhood’s legacy, combining martial prowess with deep spiritual understanding.
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6. Preserver
- Equivalent to: Temple Guard
- Role: Preservers are elite warriors who serve as the protectors of the Brotherhood’s sacred sites, such as the Crucible of Order on Bastion. They are tasked with defending the Brotherhood’s most valuable secrets and ensuring that its temples remain sanctuaries for its members.
- Responsibilities:
- Protecting high-ranking members and sacred relics during times of conflict.
- Maintaining the spiritual integrity of the Brotherhood by upholding its rituals and values.
- Symbolism: The title "Preserver" signifies their dedication to safeguarding the Brotherhood’s ideals, legacy, and spiritual heart.
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Roster:
Diarchs:
Reign
Rellik
Archon (High Council)
Archon of Death: Darth Nexion
Archon of Life: Darth Hemorpheus
Archon of Order: Lady Nocturne
Praetor:
Open!
Justicar:
Open!
Vanguard:
Open!
Oathsworn:
Open!
Initiate:
Open!
