OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Intent: Expand on the Qadiri. Sub the group Ashkala Jain Banaar leads.This submission has been discussed with
Valiens Nantaris
writer of
Sahal Jai Azal
who submitted Ashkala. I have his permission to use his NPC. Same applies to using some passages from said NPC's submission.Image Credit: Here.
Role: Guild of explorers and navigators for the Shadow Knights, power base for Ashkala.
Canon: N/A
Permission: N/A
Links: Ashkala Jai Banaar, Qadiri.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Organization Name: Hierophants of the Eternal Void
Classification: Guild of navigators, religious cult.
Affiliation: Ashkala Jai Banaar, Qadiri, Shadow Knights, Court of the Shadows, Asuran Star Combine, Court of the Four Elements.
Organization Symbol: Heptagon. If anyone were to ask Ashkala what the symbol means she would say that it would not make sense to the uninitiated, but that each side of the shape and each geometric design had special meaning. In reality she simply picked up the curio in a Coruscant market and decided it was a good symbol to be mysterious with.
Description: The Hierophants of the Eternal Void are a group of Force-Sensitive Qadiri led by Lady Ashkala, a powerful seer, mystic and navigator who has allied herself with the Shadow Knights to advance her own interests. The Hierophants act as navigators and pilots on key ships in the Shadow Knight nomad fleet. The Shadows are a rogue organisation of Eldorai renegades and exiles opposed to both Imperialist groups and Firemane. While most of them are Eldorai, they also accept Tygaran elves such as Qadiri. The Hierophants use their preternatural abilities to safely guide the fleet across the Galaxy. Their skills enable them to sense and traverse real and hyperspace, chart undocumented space phenomena, lanes and obstacles. This is also helpeful for exploring hyperspace, subspace and otherspace. This gives the group an unexpectedly high amount of power as well as the ability to subtly influence the course of the nomad fleet. All Hierophants are Force-Sensitive, but they focus on Sense and mental abilities rather than classical powers such as telekinesis.
This power is concentrated in the person of Ashkala. She is not wedded to the Shadow Knights, but sees them as useful. The Hierophants make use of instinctive astrogation to plot optimal courses through space and navigate routes. Force sense and foresight helps them locate, identify and, in some cases, subtly manipulate near gravitic fluctuations and celestial objects, while life sense helps spot inhabited planets. Because these talents are rather rare, the Hierophants are only stationed on key ships. The scale of their abilities varies a good deal. Ashkala is also keen on keeping them at a level where she can subtly control them. This means they are small group. Qadiri are inherently skilled at navigation. They seem to have an instinctual internal compass, meaning they are great sailors and travellers. The Hierophants regard space as the sky-ocean.
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Headquarters: The Defiance.
Domain: The Hierophants are a small guild/sect and do not control any domains. However, they are part of the Shadow Knights' nomad fleet. The Hierophants are a very exclusive group that cherrypicks its members, but they are part of society. Their talent as astrogators makes them vital to the success of the fleet, and they can subtly influence its course. This gives them a lot of clout. Not every Shadow Knight ship has an Hierophant. In fact, most do not, since the Hierophants are a small group. But they are an influential presence on those they are stationed on.
Notable Assets: N/A.
SOCIAL INFORMATION
Hierarchy: There are not many Hierophants, so the hierarchy is rather shallow. They are organised in small cells that report to one or two supervisors, who are referred to as Speakers of the Grand Hierophant. They in turn report to Ashkala, who has the overly dramatic title of Grand Hierophant. Her position is unquestioned and she is the leader of the group. However, she prefers to use her natural charisma, an image of benevolence and wisdom combined with some subtle mental manipulation to enforce her authority. Ashkala is too cynical to commit to any ideology, but she has made a show of embracing the more democratic and egalitarian ideals of the Shadows. It helps that the rebels are an oligarchic republic, not a direct democracy.
There is a good deal of competition among her minions for the Grand Hierophant's favour, as an individual Hierophant's position is dependent on it. The more religiously inclined regard her as a prophetess. The Hierophants scale widely in terms of power and fine control. However, leaders are more chosen on the basis of how accurate their predictions and how efficient their plotted courses are rather than raw power.
Membership: Only recruits Force-Sensitive Qadiri. These must display an inherent gift for astronavigation, piloting and farsight. They must also swear an oath of loyalty to Ashkala and vow not to reveal the secrets of the group. This limits the pool of recruits, but also allows them to cherrypick and give recruits thorough training.
Climate: Ashkala is a Machiavellian plotter, but not an idiot. She has learned that one catches flies with honey. Moreover, she is good at concealing the extent of her ambitions and keeping a low profile. Thus acolytes of the group are treated quite decently. Their training is very rigorous, but not sadistic or cruel. Their mistress appears helpful and humble. Ashkala expects them to be loyal to her and cultivates an air of mystique that makes them feel they are part of something special. However, they must also abide by a code of secrecy.
The Hierophants are part of the Shadows and thus have to obey their laws. However, quite a few are more loyal to Ashkala and would probably follow her if she left the rebel movement. The Hierophants act as a guild that takes care of its members, ensuring they receive good accommodations, better ration cards and are compensated for their services. Their crucial role gives them a certain degree of collective bargaining power in the nomad fleet. This is significant because while the Shadow Knights profess a belief in the unity of all Asurans, in practice the faction is dominated by Eldorai. Ashkala is no Qadiri patriot and has done her best to leave Tygara behind her, but the group finds it useful to sometimes appear as an advocate for Qadiri in need. Given the highly personalised nature of Eldorai politics, this has helped Ashkala build up a client network.
While Ashkala is an atheist, she has recognises the power of mysticisim. Thus daily life in the group involves all sorts of meditative exercises and rituals. In actual fact, their predictions have more to do with the application of higher mathmetics and Force-based farsight than sorcery. A good number of Hierophants, more wedded to traditional beliefs than her, regard her as a prophetess of the Goddess Kashara, the Qadiri aspect of Ashira. They believe it is her calling to lead the chosen across the stars and that she receives divinely inspired visions. Ashkala recognises the utility of such beliefs, but is careful not to become so prominent that others might perceive her as a serious threat to the status quo.
Reputation: Generally seen as a necessary institution by the Shadows. The rebels are all on their own and the Hierophants provide an important service to the nomad fleet. Ashkala is good at ingratiating herself with influential figures. She appears charming, humble and polite. These qualities put her in good standing with many important people in the group. She is good at the classic trick of any manipulator: being all things to all people.
Naesala Faethyra, the elected leader of the Shadows, sees the usefulness of the Qadiri woman, but is not prone to trusting easily. There are Shadows who suspect the Hierophants have more self-serving motives and more loyal to their mistress than the cause. Quite a few Illyrians are uncomfortable with being reliant on Force-Using astrogators and there are Rationalists who dislike the mysticism, which is a bit ironic. The institution is largely unknown outside of the Shadows' power structure.
Curios: Ashkala thinks curios are silly, but the Hierophants still have some native symbols. These tend to be the mark of the navigator in Qadiri society, a short wood or bone rod. Rings with the group sigil engraved upon them are also common.
Rules: The Hierophants adhere to a code laid down by Lady Ashkala. As they are officially part of the Shadow Knights, they are bound to obey their laws and not consort with their enemies. In reality, Ashkala is only loyal to herself and has allied herself with the rebels for purely practical reasons. Should she leave, it is likely that many Hierophants would follow her. Her modus operandi can be summed up with the words 'be more than you seem to be'. Mysticisim is paired with self-interest and mathematical efficiency. The group makes decisions after mathematical scrutiny and meditation. Hierophants are expected to be diligent and dutiful. They are forbidden from exposing the starcharts compiled by the group to outsiders. This is the prerogative of Lady Ashkala alone.
They must also vow not to reveal the secrets or the location of the Shadow Knight fleet. Members are forbidden from exposing the starchart gathered and compiled by the group to the outsiders. Only the Grand Hierophant may sell charts to foreigners. Hierophants assigned to a Shadow Knight vessel or contracted by an outside party are expected to fulfil the terms of their assignment. Likewise, the group protects them and ensures they receive remuneration, accommodations and so on.
Goals: To boldly go where no Qadiri has gone before. Officially serve the Shadow Knight nomad fleet by guiding it towards a new home, along with exploration and study of space and its various phenomena. This is treated as a scientific and religious obligation. In practice, the Hierophants are a power base for Ashkala, who uses the cult to increase her understanding of the universe and acquire influence.
MEMBERS
- Ashkala Jai Banaar: As Grand Hierophant, Ashkala is the leader of the group.
The history of the Hierophants of the Eternal Void is closely tied to Ashkala's. Ashkala was the bastard daughter of a Qadiri noblewoman who belonged to the ruling family of one of the many feuding states on Tygara. When her older step-sister became Mirza, Ashkala was imprisoned and blinded so that she could not be her threat. However, she was able to call upon the Force to see, though she concealed this, developing her powers over time until she had ennared all her guards so that they now bowed to her. She used them to bring her materials to fashion and a slave to read for her. When the time was right, she summoned her forces, having made an alliance with influential noble clans by promising to adopt one of their daughters as her heir.
Her coup was swift and she managed to surprise and topple her sister. Her sister was blinded and slain. However, ruling was not something which appealed to her, so she invested the daughter of Emiri Baltaana as the new Mirza and departed with a loyal slave. Her gift for navigation manifested when she was able to guide a ship through a storm. She learned of the Eldorai and Firemane, powers that had brought great change to Tygara. Desiring to see the stars for herself, she persuaded a freighter pilot to take her aboard his ship. During her time abroad, her skill for astronavigation manifested.
It was as Ashkala focused and meditated though that she found she had another talent. Like when she was at sea space stretched out before Ashkala, and with focus and practice she found she could guide the ship safely along new pathways. Obviously this was of great use for smugglers, and she rapidly found work as a navigator, with her other skills helping to ‘dissuade’ customs from looking too closely at her cargo. Ashkala never stopped wanting to learn though, and set out to make herself as ‘modern’ as possible. For her Tygara was in the past and she had skills for this new galaxy. Her 'servant' stayed with her, partly out of loyalty…partly out of the deep seated control Ashkala had over her. Loyalty was good, but subtle control was even better.
Time passed and Ashkala remained largely aloof from her fellow Qadiri and the other Eldorai kin. However, she did hear of a group which were something of a rogue organisation opposing the Eldorai and Firemane. She had never felt much loyalty to groups or causes, but joining this collection of people had advantages. For one it would allow her to network those of her own kin, build up alliances whilst offering her protection and freedom to continue her research.
Therefore, a meeting was arranged on Mon Calamari and she was introduced to the heads of some of the major groups within the Shadow Knights. Having conducted as careful research as possible before the meeting, she was able to go in forewarned. For the Ashiran reformists and Arrynists – the most devotedly religious group – she mentioned her faith in Kashara, the Qadiri aspect of Ashira. For the Rationalists – the most progressive group – she displayed her skills in astrogation and her knowledge from beyond Tygara. Finally for the Emissaris of Illyria – the group concerned about the Force – she claimed her powers over the Force were limited and that she felt no love for the Angelii or similar groups. If any of them seemed unconvinced they made no sign of it though likely they were still suspicious. However, Ashkala was able to display her skills when a ship from the Shadow Knights was lost in an area of dangerous pulsars. Calling on her gifts she was able to navigate a rescue ship into the dangerous maelstrom and then escape. The example went a long way to convincing those around her that her gifts were useful.
After this rescue she had a meeting with the Archon of the Shadow Knights, the overall leader of the group, though elected by an oligarchic council for a fixed term. The meeting was cordial but guarded on both sides. Naesala could see the usefulness of the Qadiri woman, but was not prone to trusting easily. For her part Ashkala wanted to give away as little as possible. In the end she reassured the Archon she wished only to stay as a navigator, and so an accord was made. Ashkala had little interest in the factional politics of the Shadow Knights. What was interesting was the access and movement the group had. She reconnected with some other Qadiri and swiftly started training them in Instinctive Astrogation. Qadiri naturally had a sense for this on land, and a few in the Shadow Knights could have that trained and enhanced for spaceflight too.
The Hierophants of the Eternal Void were born. Ashkala became the Grand Hierophant of the Eternal Void. Her minions act as navigators and pilots on key ships in the Shadow Knight nomad fleet, using their powers to safely guide the fleet across the stars. This makes the guild rather influential in the councils of the Shadow Knights. They are also a valuable source of information for their mistress. It suits Ashkala, but she is not wedded to the faction. For now their ends match, but she may one day find it to be in her interests to depart and align herself with someone else. In that case many of her followers would accompany her. Some elements in the Shadow Knights are wary of her influence and have begun making plans to curtail it.
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