By The Digital Mage (mn3rge@ss1.bath.ac.uk)
Based on the movie trilogy by George Lucas
"Sit down, please. you must be hungry -such a long search to find me. I would offer you some sustenance -but I do not need any and so have none stored. your hunger will have to wait, for I will tell you the history of my kind; or does your bodily need for food overwhelm your mind's search for knowledge?"
"Good. If you had said 'yes', I would have asked you to leave. Discipline, determination, and your mind's control over your physical form is what is needed.
"You know what we call ourselves -the Jhadaye. We were created out of necessity, the necessity to combat what many Mages refer to as the Nephandi. We know it by a another name -one which conveys its explicit evilness to even the most mundane of human minds; we call it 'The Dark Side'.
"A long, long time ago; in a land far, far away, the Akashic Brotherhood fought the Dark Side. Their skill in the martial arts did much to stop the spread of the corruption and decay which epitomises the Dark Side. But the martial arts were not enough, something more dynamic, more powerful was needed. A new perspective -philosophy even- was necessary. It was from that need that our Tradition grew.
"We still embody much of the teachings of the Brotherhood, for example the Sphere of Mind is still held in great regard by us. But we have looked further -we see the invisible environment, the underlying currents of the world, the currents which affect us directly, every one of us -The Force.
"We have trained over the centuries to utilise the Force -with it many things can be accomplished. we enhance our warrior ways; and more.
"See what can be accomplished when you open yourself up to the Force"
The Jhadaye were created to combat the Nephandi, and this they do above all else. They are martial artists but also are capable of the greatest effects of the Forces sphere. However mostly kinetic and gravitational manipulations are used to enhance the athletics and fighting skills they possess -thus a Jhadaye is only considered a "Knight" upon obtaining rank 4 in Forces, and a "Master" when obtaining rank 5.
Philosophy: "The Force is everything -the invisible environment of us all. It is only the enlightened who can perceive the underlying currents which pass about us all the time. we control this environment to our benefit -the Force is strong.
"But we do not use our magick to control the inhabitants of this world directly, no matter whether it be life or matter, everything must be given a chance to defend itself -do not destroy from within!
"And beware the Dark Side -that of corruption and decay- that path leads only to spiritual and mental destruction, look only upon it with the knowledge that you are cleansed of it"
A Jhadaye will never learn Entropy above level rank 1, and Life and Matter are never used to destroy others directly -the same with Prime. The weapon focus always reminds the Jhadaye of the harm which can be wrought with Life and Matter.
Organisation: The members of the Jhadaye now number less than a hundred since the strengthening of the Gauntlet has prevented large scale Dark Side intrusions upon Gaia. Those Jhadaye still around live the lives of reclusives with no formal organisation, however one Jhadaye will always aid another.
Meetings Due to the organisation there are no formal meetings.
Initiation: Few Jhadaye are trained now due to one main reason -the Jhadaye do not seek out pupils, they must come to the Master. Few have even heard of the Jhadaye and so really only if an Akashic Brother spots a possible mage, but believes they would best be a Jhadaye, are they sent on their quest to find a Master. This quest in itself is a test of the would be Jhadaye's resolve, but often another test is needed, this can vary in size and depends on the Master.
Chantry: There is no formal chantry but most Jhadaye Masters live upon a node with a very high Arcane rating.
Acolytes: (If any) Martial Artists, Zen practitioners, Fraternal orders, Monks, Buddhist Scholars.
Sphere: Forces (though Mind is also highly prized)
Foci:
Talisman: A Jhadaye will most likely favour a sword as their weapon and often they charge it with the power of the Force.
View Light Saber talisman.
Concepts: Jhadaye knight -these guys are often those who are more dynamic in their approach to combatting the Dark Side.
Jhadaye Master -often reclusive they observe from afar for any sign of the Dark Side, some however wander amongst the world not revealing their true nature.
Quote: "Use the Force, feel it running through you"
Stereotypes
Akashic Brotherhood: Honourable fellows; they are one of us except in their non-commital to combatting the Dark Side; it is a great divide.
"They have chosen a different path, but one which is noble -we respect them" -Eijsha Hiagonna, Master of Mind
Celestial Chorus: They see another current belying everything, but it is beyond most people, they should begin with the current which binds us all.
"I have heard of these people, they are as mysterious as the One, but they do not recognise that we are all a part of the same" -Samual Adept of Prime.
Cult of Ecstasy: Their use of the vices corrupts them, they do not realise it but they are already turning to the Dark Side.
"Yeah, I saw them once -waaaay back 'fore I was born. They weren't nothing like in the films" -'Cruise', Disciple of Time
Dreamspeakers: Good allies -- they are often aware of the Dark Side before all others, sometimes even us.
"I have dreamt of these people, I wonder if they are still around. I hope so, they would be useful in the fight against the Nephandi" -Walker-in-Skies, Master of Spirit
Euthanatos: These people are not of the Dark Side they say, yet they wield the weapons of the Dark Side. Trust them not.
"I have had dealings with them before, they are too rigid in what they believe -we do only what is for the best of humanity" -Carlton, Adept of Entropy.
Hollow Ones: If only the Orphans could find the wisdom to seek us out rather than turning to this lot.
"Who?" -MaryAnn, Disciple of Life
Order of Hermes: They understand the power of the Force, but the feel they must try to comprehend it through charts, they should feel the Force.
"I've vaguely heard of them, they know of the power of the sphere of Forces but do not seem comfortable exploiting it to its fullest potential" -Sianon Hampton, Adept of Forces.
Sons of Ether: They also know the power of the Force. They sometimes make interesting weapons -- perhaps we could utilise their abilities.
"Never heard of them, but if they existed I guess they wouldn't survive in todays society anyway -too much tech for them, just like the Brotherhood" -Dr. Frederick Wimslow, Adept of Matter.
Verbena: They play too much with things they have no right to. Their rituals should be performed only upon themselves.
"They realise the humbleness of the human being, now they must realise the greatness of the human being" -Bethan, Adept of Life.
Virtual Adepts: They look to much to what is unreal that they ignore the threat of the Dark Side.
"Jedi you mean, we helped create the FX for that film ya know" -Dennis Bownton, Adept of Correspondance and Forces.
The Technocracy: They have helped combat the Dark Side on the outside, but I fear it gnaws at them from within.
"They do not exist, nothing like them exists, everything is normal" -Mr. Johnson, New World Order.
The Kindred: They are tainted by the Dark Side by their nature, but some fight it, we must aid those kind as much as possible.
"I have trained under one, I have learnt about the Force and to some degree have mastered it -but others would know of it under a different name" -Kahl, 5th Generation Assamite Seperatist Warrior.
The Garou They are our greatest ally. Although they call it by a different name they know the evil of the Dark Side.
"One of them saved my life, helped me defeat a Bane. I call them friend" -He-who-prowls-at-night, Lupus Ahroun Get of Fenris