Jairus Starvald
Eidoloclast
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION- Intent: To create a church established in the wake of the Sith's assault on Coruscant.
- Image Credit: Dishonored.
- Links: /
- Company Submission: /
- Organization Name: Covenstead of the Watchful
- Classification: Religious organization.
- Loyalties: The Emissaries.
- Organization Symbol: See above.
- Description: The Covenstead is a religious organization established in the wake of the Sith Empire's assault on Coruscant to assist and help the common folk. Those abandoned and forgotten by both government and corporate interests, in need of shelter or food or simply a kind word. Of course, that is mainly a front for something far less... benevolent. In truth the Covenstead is a covert organization established by the Emissaries, a cult slowly gaining in power across the Core Worlds, in an attempt to attract more of the downtrodden. Who misses the refugee? The homeless? The addicts? These are the ones the Covenstead pulls in and they become valuable members of the Emissaries.
- Headquarters: Coruscant.
- Realm:
[HQ] Coruscant. - [Branch] Metellos.
- [Branch] Empress Teta.
[*]Domain: The Church does not claim dominion over any territory. The land on which their structures have been constructed was bought through donations and charity, but Covenstead is not a militarized organization (not yet anyway) and ensures they follow the rules and laws of the planets they are on. In the districts where law enforcement is shoddy or downright ineffective the Church maintains their own people to offer protection to those that need it most, but the Waiters do not lay claim nor do they extort those around them.
[*]Notable Assets: /
SOCIAL INFORMATION
- Hierarchy: The Keeper - The Observers - The Waiters - The Flock. The Keeper is the high office of the Covenstead and administrates all of its holdings, interprets scripture and ensures that the actions of the Covenstead maintain the line of belief the church is founded around. The Observers are the trusted advisors and leaders appointed by the Keeper himself. They lead the various branches of the Covenstead, train the Waiters to protect themselves and the Church, generally leading the Church in all the ways the Keeper cannot. The Waiters are the center-mass of the organization and have been trained to defend the Church at all costs. They walk the streets in full Covenstead regalia, sharing their experience to show the uninitiated that all can be raised up. The Flock are the newly initiated. They have shown a willingness to join the Covenstead and preform many of the basic tasks: distributing the various commodities to the poor and the abandoned, maintaining the holdings of the church. Hoping that one day they will be chosen to join the Waiters.
- Membership: The Covenstead has grown across the last few months since the sacking of Coruscant and the widespread destruction across the rest of the former Alliance territories. With its overarching government gone and fires burning everywhere, a helping hand was accepted by many. Joining the Covenstead of the Watchful is not difficult- all it takes is showing up and showing a willingness to work for the betterment of yourself, your new family and the Church at large. Being one of the Flock takes as much as taking up a broom, Waiters are those willing to take up the baton or the blaster to defend the Church. After all... lawlessness is everywhere and many prey on their flock. Only the Observers are a station out of reach for most of the organization, as it needs the personal intervention and direction of the Keeper himself.
- Influence: The church does not claim territory, turfs or stakes, instead they focus primarily on caring for its flock. From distributing food, medicine, clothes to offering sanctuary for those without a roof over their head. This gives them influence but not ownership in the lower levels of Coruscant and the streets of Empress Teta and Metellos. Most homeless and refugees have heard of the Covenstead by now and know that if they need a place to sleep, eat something or new boots? They will find that and more in their churches and abodes.
- Climate: Dedicated. Loyal. Fierce. Those that enter the sanctum of the Covenstead are expected to be loyal to the Church and each other above everything else. Members are family. Blood matters not. Any one member of the Covenstead is fully willing to lay down their lives for their sibling members or for the Church itself.
- Reputation: For the most part the Church is looked upon favorably by the masses. They assist and help, provide security and stability without asking much (at first) in return. They do not force their help or presence on those around them. They pay their taxes and always acquire the necessary permits. One point of contention is the low-simmering conflict that sometimes arises between the Waiters of the Watchful and any possible law enforcement. Some say that the church takes too much liberty in offering security, where it would be better to simply wait for the police to arrive. This has not yet become an issue but surely could in the future.
- Rules: As with many religions that only just start out the scripture and teachings are still largely in flux. The deeper a member moves into the organization, the more 'mysteries' they become privy too. If one was especially educated in the various force disciplines and histories they might recognize certain elements. The church preaches self-responsibility and the importance of intent, denying the claims of a cosmic Force forcing people to do anything. Instead they declare that personal responsibility is key and that as long as your intent is good? Then an action cannot be wholly evil. Furthermore the Covenstead presses forward the need to unlock your inner potential and refuse other people's ability to keep you down in spite of your potential.
- Doctrines: Covenstead believes in inner-fulfillment and unlocking your hidden potential. Shackles have been put on the refugees, the lost and forgotten, they preach that strength and prosperity is within reach. They simply need to take it and work for it, because nothing comes for free. Personal responsibility is almost as important as self-realization. One must take ownership of their own destiny, own the decisions they make and accept any mistakes, to do better next time.
- Goals:
Help those that need it the most. - Protect those that cannot protect themselves.
- Expand the flock of the Watchful.
- Expand to other worlds and extend a helping hand.
- Turn everyone into evil cultists, hehehbwhwhbeheh- oh wait, no, none of that, of course.
MEMBERS
- [ Keeper ] -- Meron Kwinza, human male from Empress Teta. The current Keeper of the Watchful.
- [ Observer ] -- Talin Mirn, female Mirialan refugee. One of Meron's chosen.
- [ Benefactor ] -- Jairus Starvald.
- [ Benefactor ] -- Irajah Ven.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The Covenstead of the Watchful was created in the wake of the Sith Empire's sacking of Coruscant and its incursions all across former Alliance space. The fight was brutal, no mercy was given and in the end the Galactic Alliance collapsed by the consequent pressure all around its borders.
As one might expect when the central government suddenly disappears... chaos is left in its wake.
People are forgotten, they become simple numbers and it was much the same within the burning Core. Then an organization was setup and it began to help people. They didn't ask anything in return, besides to remember that they could return the next day again. From food to medicine to clothing and even sanctuary, the church distributed it with a fair and measured hand. The numbers of their flock expanded every day and other branches were opened in response.
To bring betterment to the hopeless in other worlds in need of security and help.
To provide said security the Waiters were formed. Recruited from the Flock and trained by the Observers, they were taught to defend themselves, their family and the Church against any and all incursion. Regular patrols have now formed in the districts where they distribute their charitable services.
Some look upon the Watchful with suspicion- a heroic organization coming out of nowhere? Too good to be true.
Others with hope.
Time will tell where will fall publicly.
