ɢᴇᴍɪɴɪᴅᴀᴇ
- Intent: To flesh out the order of force-users native to Geminidae, their philosophies and methods of practice.
- Image Credit: The Mark of Restraint, Balance Symbol by Pirateguybrush. Edited by me.
- Canon: No.
- Permissions: N/a.
- Links:
- Organization Name: Order of the Soller-Navah, Order of the Art of One.
- Classification: Force-user organization.
- Affiliation: Geminidae.
- Organization Symbol: The Soller-Navah's distinctive symbol is known as the Ser'imper or Mark of Restraint. It represents balance in extremes, the centering of the mind, the power of perception and the dynamic nature of self-control: an illustration of how the Soller Navah believes the Force and the individual must work together.
- Description:
The Soller-Navah is a neutrally aligned Order of force-users native to Geminidae, all those adherent to it are known as the soll'nav. The Order is recognized for having chosen a very particular and unique path regarding the use of the Force based on a system of philosophies that limit its outward reach. Instead, they focus its power on the individual that can wield it, transforming it into a tool of self-discovery and employing it as an aid and enhancer, never as a way to shape their surroundings or influencing others. The most important tenet upon which all their teachings and methods are based is the connection between an individual and the Force, and how this connection must be carefully cultivated and calibrated until it reaches the ideal balance. Only then can it be used to elevate and enhance the individuals attributes and strengthen or soothe their weaknesses. The Soller-Navah sees the light-side and the dark-side as extremes on a spectrum and they believe each individual has their own point of balance within this spectrum, one that needs to be found and that can shift throughout one's life.
The soll-nav focus on mastering and perfecting the powers associated with Control and Sensing. The force powers pertaining to Altering are only used on themselves and, on specific occasions, on non-living things and in a restrained manner. This stems from the belief that the Force is to be used as a route to self mastery and discovery and that, if a goal is to be achieved, it must be attained with the Force as an aid and not as a means. According to the Soller-Navah teachings the Force is meant to help one find or create their own path and meaning through introspection and discipline. Resorting to the Force to influence/harm others directly or create extensive changes in the natural order of things is perceived as spineless and neglecting of one's own capabilities to achieve a desired goal. They do not perceive the force as a higher entity, but rather as a tying energy with a greater reach than the one they are able to comprehend. Because of this lack of spiritual belief, the Soller-Navah behaves more like an academy than a temple, with no religious connotation on its teachings and instead giving a paramount role to identity and knowing one's own limits, strengths and flaws.
Abilities such as telekinesis are practiced with heavy restrictions and others such as force manipulation, completely forbidden. Instead, a soll'nav focuses their abilities on using the Force to strengthen themselves, to gain insight when answers are scarce or the senses fail and to protect themselves from the influence of those who do use the Force in, according to them, improper ways. They are renowned for their control, for they strive to understand every aspect of their own being and use the Force from the point of view that best serves each individual in particular moment according to their state. Some soll'nav lean to the dark side, others to the light, other remain completely neutral and many shift several times throughout their lives, so long as they feel in control according to their own nature and disposition. Because they tap into the Force in such a peculiar, disciplined manner and never allow themselves to make use of its more extensive powers, they avoid falling prey to many of its dangers. Tutaminis is a technique remarkably favored by the Order, as are skill in dueling and powers that enhance one's own physicality, mind or provide protection. Because they focus on personal preference, traits and style, the soll'nav are known for choosing rarer lightsaber variations.
The soll'nav only use their powers on others with permission or in a defensive way, to keep other Force-users from meddling with the minds or bodies of those unable to oppose their influence. In combat, they use skills such as telekinesis only to deflect attacks or manipulate things already in a very close-range proximity, such as items they are already holding or incorporating it into their moves, but never to directly attack their enemy. They are renowned duelists, balancing the mastery over their bodies through the Force with their ability to protect themselves from the powers they have chosen to forego. A soll'nav will regularly meditate and pay close attention to the Force and their attunement to it, but will only manipulate it when strictly necessary.
- Headquarters: Geminidae.
- Domain:
The Order of the Soller-Navah has control over the Navah-Xae. Although completely independent, the Order is on good terms with the Geminian government and offers its aid to Geminidae and its inhabitants when it is needed. Since the enormous majority of its members are geminian, the ties between the order and the people of the mountain planet are many. However, most members of the Soller-Navah do not believe in the isolationist practices of the planet and so the main Navah-Xae is found in the Advena region, where everyone is welcomed. This sometimes generates friction between the Soller-Navah and the pro-isolationists, who argue that because of its geminian origin the Soller-Navah should close its doors to force-sensitives from other planets and offer its secrets only to natives of Geminidae. - Notable Assets:
- Navah-Xae: The Navah-Xae are the Academies of the Order, comparable to the temples of other Orders such as the Jedi or the Sith. Usually found buried deep within nature, its buildings and surrounding terrains are the home of the soll'nav and the place where they are trained and taught the ways of the Art of One. There is a total of twelve Navah-Xaes in Geminidae, and the main and largest Academy is located in the Advena region within a mountain chain. The Navah-Xaes are guarded by the Sentinels, soll'nav knights or masters who patrol the borders of the academies and are the first line of defense in case of an attack. Their doors are always open to any force-user who seeks refuge, so long as they agree to live under the rules of the soll'nav during their stay and respect their ways.
- Hierarchy:
The Soller-Navah has always remained an independent group with no involvement in political matters that do not directly concern them. Their decision making only affects the Order and their hierarchy reflects this. Every Master of the Soller-Navah has a seat in the Chamber of Voices since the moment they become a Soll'Relath, seat that they can choose to occupy or not whenever they want. Councils are called and the Soll'Relath are summoned, those who wish to attend do so and decisions are reached through voting. The only way to lose the right to a vote in the Chamber of Voices is if one loses the rank of Master or is otherwise deemed unfit through a majority vote from the fellow Soll'Relath.- Soll'Relath: Those who are considered to have dominated the use of the Force and have a deep understanding of the ways of the Soller-Navah. They hold a seat in the Chamber of Voices and have influence over the decisions and actions of the Order, if they wish to. Comparable to Force Masters in other organizations.
- Soll'Kai: Skilled users of the Force who have completed their training. They can take on apprentices and participate in the Ordeals of Mastery. Each Soll'Kai decides when they are ready to take the Ordeals, if they are successful they become Masters. If they fail, they have to wait for at least a year until being able to undertake the Ordeals once more. Comparable to Knights in other organizations.
- Apprentices: Those who have completed their initial training and are now under the direct tutelage of a Soll'Kai or Soll'Relath. They must be able to teach what they learnt as Initiates, for they aid in the training and preparation of them. Some Apprentices hold responsibility over a group of Initiates while under the supervision of a Soll'Kai or Master. They become Soll'Kai when allowed by their mentor to undertake the Trial of the Art and completing it. The nature of each Trial is decided by one's mentor.
- Initiates: Those recently introduced to the Force or the ways of the Soller-Navah. They become Apprentices when deemed ready by their mentors.
- Membership:
The Soller-Navah are primarily composed of force-sensitives born in Geminidae who are found by the Orders' members and offered a place among its students to learn how to control and expand their connection to the living Force. They prove to be a lot more open to foreigners than most, if not all, organizations and entities found in Geminidae, which is the reason why their main Navah'Xae is located in the Advena region where non-Geminians are welcomed. Everyone who does not have ill-intent is allowed into their Academies and they are willing to teach all so long as their mandates are respected. However, they do not share their deepest secrets and methods so easily. When an outsider who has not been raised in the ways of the Soller-Navah reaches out to them they will be welcomed, but the Soll'nav will keep a watchful eye on them and will not teach any core methods of their practice until the individual has been deemed trustworthy. They do not choose sides and they have been known to house force-users from other Orders in the Navah-Xaes during their visits to Geminidae under the premise that their ways and rules are respected and that the order is kept while underneath their roofs and in their terrains. - Climate:
The soll'nav will offer all a place in their homes but remain vigilant and not hesitate to bare fang and claw should they feel threatened. Open, but knowing very well how to define limits and get their points across when need be. This dynamic is true both for outsiders and within the Order. Each member of the Soller-Navah is disciplined and, because of their beliefs, they often have a strong sense of individuality which tends to translates into a firm personality. They will lend a helping hand, but they will also seek reprisal on those who wrong their Order or its members. Among themselves, they are supportive and protective, but ready to deliver critique where its needed or stand up to a fellow soll'nav when they feel its called for. The way they behave is based on a deep rooted appreciation for respect, for oneself and for others as individuals. So long as that respect is maintained, their warm and selfless disposition will too. - Curios:
- Attire: Members of the Soller-Navah wear clothing and robes in dark grey shades. Many choose to add a second color to their clothing in the linings or in the form of a pattern either embroidered or printed, often as a personal mark or to identify Masters and their Apprentices.
- Ser'imper: Most Soll'nav will carry some form of the Mark of Restraint on their person, either as a pendant or other type of jewelry or even as a tattoo or scar on their skins. This, however, is not mandatory.
- Rules:
- The Code of the Art of One:
"We are not Masters of the Force, we are only Masters of Ourselves. The Force will reveal me."
"One cannot seek what one does not know. Through Insight, there will be Discipline. Through Measure, Peace. The Force will aid me."
"Change is inevitable, One shall Embrace it. I will find Balance, the Force will transform me." - The soll'nav do not have a formalized set of rules besides their code. Each member is trusted to make their own decisions and held accountable for their consequences. They do not endorse uncalled for violence, specially if its directed at civilians or innocents. Nothing is truly prohibited but they self-regulate. Major offenses or questionable acts may result in a trial, with a majority of votes a member can be expelled from the Order or be marked a target.
- The Code of the Art of One:
- Goals: To aid force-sensitives, mainly geminian, in learning from and controlling their connection to the Force through self-discovery and mastery, according to the Soller-Navah mandates.
The Order of the Soller-Navah found its beginnings hundreds of thousands of years ago in Geminidae, a planet hidden in the wild space. Home to a sentient species with a natural predisposition to find the logical explanation behind every event in their lives, force-sensitives caused unrest and confusion. The Force, known as the Surge to the geminians, eluded their comprehension and would continue to do so for many years. But meanwhile, they would study it and try to control and understand this rare power that only a select few seemed to possess.
Those efforts would become the first forms of organization of an ancient but reduced and secluded Order. The force-users would get together in groups and each try to decipher and explain how their connection to the Force affected them and what they could do through it. As time passed, they had many opportunities to witness the incredible feats that could be achieved through the Force...but also the downfalls that could come from failing to balance it correctly or turning it into a slave of unbridled will and misunderstood impulses. This was made all the more obvious to them upon the discovery of space travel and finding out about larger and more extremist orders such as the Jedi or the Sith and the legendary stories of some of their members. Slowly but surely, the foundations of the Soller-Navah began to form and through trial and error, solidified into what they are today.
In the present, the Soller-Navah still holds the same mandates it did in the past. They serve as a school and a home for those who would learn their ways, as defenders from those who would abuse their gifts and neutral and open-minded philosophers who sustain that no one can truly understand the Force, but that the closest one can get to doing so is understanding oneself.
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