Potential faction idea

[Qae Shena]

Alright, I'm taking a massive gamble early on to do this, but I want to see how it'd be received. See, I've been working on a faction idea for the past 8-ish years, tweaking as I go, changing little details, trying to make it work well and I want to try it here because the system here is great. So, without further ado...

Meet the Empire of the Sun. In short, it is a highly religious faction that worships the sun as the Celestial Being. Every sun is a physical manifestation of the Celestial Being. Ruled by its Emperor, who functions as the overall lord of the dominion, plus the High Archon as the Church's primary link to the Celestial All, it promotes the well-being of all sentient beings as they follow the Canon of Light on the path to enlightenment. Those with Force powers, blessed by the Light as they are, are the Ascended. Lords in their own right. They are all-powerful, they are dominant, and they have abilities mere mortals never could. They are revered by all under the Sun.

In terms of good/evil, I'd say it falls more on the good side. Long story short, they're basically Sun-worshipping feudal communists. There's a lot more source material to this, but I figure I'd see what kind of reception this got before I posted more.

Thoughts?

 

[Teynara Jeralyr]

That's actually a very nifty little idea. Would certainly make for a refreshing change.

 

[Edward Vyperion]

Agreed

 

[Darth Carnifex]

I like it.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

It's a fascinating concept which takes the Force to its logical conclusion - treated like a deity.

 

[Qae Shena]

Thanks, guys. This feedback is incredibly encouraging. It's so heartening to actually be in a community that likes the crap I do. Also...for those relevant/in the know...Velori as Empress. Discuss.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

Bet she'd like to be Empress of the Sun.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

Very interesting concept! Especially the way they explain the existence of the Force. We never really get to see in SW what the ordinary beings think of it. Especially in less developed societies, treating it as a deity and its wielders as some sort of higher beings sounds like the logical conclusion.

Hmm...do they think that certain force-users have fallen from the path that the Celestial Being and have gone astray from the ways of the true Ascended? Seduced by some sort of demiurge/Ahriman/Lucifer figure?

 

[Qae Shena]

I hadn't actually thought of that! I mean, I actually think it'd be interesting to leave it intentionally vague for people to interpret it personally. Perhaps a panic in the populace as they struggle to explain it. Oh man. The feels.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

That could be interesting. When the Sun worshippers have to deal with force-users that clearly fall short of the standards of the Ascended. And the High Archon and clergy must make sense of this before it produces a crisis of faith.

One could take some inspiration from dualistic faiths such as Zoroastrianism or certain forms of Gnosticism. Since they regard those who wield the Force as blessed by the Light and thus the Celestial Being, they might personify the Dark as some sort of demiurge or malevolent, lesser deity that is trying to turn them away. Or rather that's an idea some of the followers could come up with. Schism!

 

[Qae Shena]

And this is why I love this place. That's brilliant and I love it and I want to do it.

So, yeah. I've got a character lined up, I'd just need four more people - and make no mistake, I'm going for major faction status.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

Schism indeed!

 

[Edward Vyperion]

I don't really like organized religion, but I like this

 

[Qae Shena]

^ is the most heartening comment I've heard about the idea. Thanks.

And, I guess, that's the hard bit. Most people hate religion and what it does, with good reason, nowadays. I guess promoting a positive image, or at least one without pretense, should be good.

 

[Edward Vyperion]

No problem, and an unrelated question here, but what is a good intent for a personal ship that hasn't seen action in a long time?

 

[Akio Kahoshi]

"it takes be from point a to point b"

Nifty idea btw. Not for Akio certainly, he was raised in a very secular society.

 

[Qae Shena]

^ this.

So, yeah, I guess what it comes down to now is... who'd be willing to actually try this?

 

[Sumalee]

I'm down. Togruta style! :3

 

[Natasi Fortan]

I'm Commander Shepard and this is my favorite cult on the Citadel!

 

[Jsc]

I'm game. This is so refreshing. Sign me up for a single Force User character.