Arca Praxeum

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Arca Praxeum
General information
Constructed:	~5000 BBY Refurbished 36 ABY
Destroyed:	34 ABY
Location:	East of Menat Ombo
Physical specifications
Population:	House Odan-Urr Odanite Padawans Colonial Younglings
Usage
Era:	Dark Jedi Brotherhood Era
Affiliation:	House Odan-Urr
[ Source ]

The Arca Praxeum was the location of the Jedi Academy of New Tython, and was the official home of the Jedi of House Odan-Urr. Named after Arca Jeth, a great teacher who lived during the Old Republic Era, the Arca Praxeum was an ancient temple built within the mountains, east of Menat Ombo. Originally built by a Harakoan empire several thousand years ago, its original owners disappeared; claimed by the Jedi after 36 ABY, with the approval of Whenua, High Chief of the Harakoan people. Built in a sheltered canyon, the Praxeum's stone walls join, supplement, and were in many places built into the mountain itself. Originally used by the Jedi for the instruction of Padawans and Younglings, become their home following the destruction of Ooroo Abbey.

The Arca Praxeum had many chambers with which to accommodate the needs of the Jedi, and to inspire the learning of young individuals interested in tapping their full potential. Secluded, hidden, and strong, it provided a place of protection and isolation for the Jedi, a place to be away from the ongoing conflicts of the Galaxy. Many of the various structures located within were ancient buildings converted to libraries, classrooms and training halls built around a glade reserved for the practice of meditation. Regularly, Jedi Knights could be seen wandering the halls and grounds of the Praxeum as they oversaw the training of the next generation of Padawans.

The Praxeum was lost along with most of Odan-Urr's ground-based facilities during the destruction of New Tython, with the fate of many artifacts and files left in question.

The Headmaster of the Praxeum at the time of its destruction V'yr Vorsa.

Arca Praxeums Facilities

Library

Part of the library

Among the first structures to be uncovered, the library was founded in 33 ABY. Intact and unburied on founding, the history of this structure is perhaps the most documented of all the Praxeum's architecture. The most recent complex in the known records of the Arca Praxeum, students of Ylenic It'kla witnessed the completion of this building when the Jedi first came to settle on New Tython. Commissioned to be built over the ruins of an ancient Harakoan structure, it was created using a modified schematic of the Great Library on Ossus to serve the Jedi's needs to document their findings on this new planet, and to record their own teachings in the wake of the Galactic Civil War for future generations.

Arguably the largest structure within the Arca Praxeum. Sprawling, with many shelves and nooks, this place has seen itself littered with bits of knowledge and lore from around the Galaxy. Originally suspected to be an armory or storeroom, it was re-purposed by the Jedi and has since become somewhat cluttered. Its shelves are stacked with knowledge and lore both modern and ancient, gathered by the Jedi during missions and adventures. In addition, several databanks, holobooks, and other modern computing devices have been added for the use of Padawans and Younglings both.

Spanning multiple concentric rings of shelves and compartments, the Library has become something of a mess. This was worsened following the razing of Ooroo Abbey; many of its sophisticated holobooks and storage systems were destroyed, forcing the Jedi to gather any and all knowledge they could to add to the Praxeum. Several sections hold books and tomes on different subjects, ranging in age from several thousand years old to files stolen from the Shadow Academy only weeks prior. Due to the chaos of organization, several Jedi Consulars work tirelessly to keep track of the knowledge, keep it preserved, and provide it when needed to the populace.

The Praxeum Library also houses a small, fortified cellar, likely originally used for the storage of weapons or treasures. Named the Chamber of Antiquities by the Jedi in honor of the Great Library on Ossus, it has been used to house a variety of Dark Side artifacts and lore. Protected at all times by powerful Jedi and overseen by the Summit and Headmaster, this vault contains many teachings, scrolls, and even weapons that could cause the fall of many Jedi - and the ruin of those they chose to fight. When a dangerous relic or tome is encountered, the Summit deliberates on its fate, destroying it if they must or concealing it if they can't, or do not wish to risk triggering side-effects. The teachings within the Chamber are forbidden to all Jedi, unless they must enter on the instruction of the Summit.

Classrooms

Scattered throughout the Praxeum are smaller structures devoted to the teaching of Padawans by a designated official. These officials are to instruct new members in all things relating to the Force as they rise towards knighthood. These officials are often Masters granted permission to instruct untrained Disciples of Odan-Urr in the same manner as their assigned Padawan. Each of these classrooms are retrofitted or designed with the tools necessary for each official to fully instruct each Padawan. Classrooms range from small stone structures to great halls surrounding the library. Here, new Padawans learn the importance of the Jedi Code, as well as the most essential virtues - Patience, Determination, among others.

The first classrooms were uncovered during the construction of the library in 33 ABY. Consisting of stone architecture in the same vein as the ancient Harakoans', the exact purpose of these rooms are unknown, but have been theorized to have once been the dwellings of the Harakoans that built the foundations of the Arca Praxeum. While this might be true for most of the construction, other rooms remain an enigma, such as the meditation circle.

The Meditation Circle

Students and Master both visit the meditation circle in order to clear their thoughts of all distractions. In the center of the room rests a small nexus of energies uncovered on the temple's floor that might have once been the domain of Harakoan mystics. Several metal spheres rotate in elliptical patterns around a large, central sphere, presumably representative of Yhi. It has been noted that meditation here can result in the most lucid visions when reflecting on the past, future or present. Theories suggest that the spheres themselves are the source of a vast knowledge that can enter the minds of those connected to the Force. Whether these theories prove true remains to be seen, however it has been recorded that the greatest seers of Odan-Urr have extrapolated visions here that often come true.

The Proving Grounds

The proving grounds

The Proving Grounds are essentially an ancient structure worn down over time assumed to be a coliseum used at one point by the ancient Harakoans. The structure itself has crumbled, leaving only it's massive walls partially intact. In the center of the Proving Grounds obstacles of all sorts are placed and moved around at random by the instructors at the Praxeum. This ensures that a Padawan is never faced with the same challenges, forcing them to adapt to their surroundings.

The Proving Grounds themselves are often filled with old, battered training droids when possible. Oftentimes, this may not be an option as the Proving Grounds are also filled with beasts common to New Tython when droids are in short supply. In this situation, the trainer present must keep a close observation on the Padawan's training, stepping in when necessary. It is not uncommon for the Proving Grounds to test Padawans against each other or their respective masters. And it is certainly not uncommon for Padawans to get injured during these tests.

Glade of Meditation

The glade of meditation

The Glade of Meditation is situated in the center of the Praxeum. The Glade of Meditation is the centerpiece of the Praxeum. It is also the home of the Headmaster, V'yr Vorsa, where she meditates in her natural tree-form. Considered a wonder of New Tython, the Glade maximizes an Acolytes ability to meditate on the Force through a rare abundance of Force energy. Located in the bottom of the valley created by a bombardment during the Tenth Great Jedi War, the Glade also stands as a symbol of rebuilding and regrowth.

The Glade is essentially a round piece of dry, grassy land at the foot of a towering waterfall, creating a misty effect as a Padawan meditates on the Force. This effect creates a sense of peace within any who meditate at the Glade, enhancing their Meditation as they reflect on their pursuit of Knowledge. There have been rumors abound that the source of this energy comes from a Force Nexus deep within the valley. None of these rumors have been acknowledged, or denied, to date.

Jedi Knight Trials

"The trials are difficult. Many try and fail, so I advise you not to be complacent."

―Grand Master Satele Shan, to Shigar Konshi

The Jedi Trials are a tradition that have been passed down through generations, originating on Tython. The Acolytes of Urr have also adopted these Trials, which are meant to test Padawans deemed worthy of facing the Trials. By completing these Trials, a Padawan is elevated to the coveted rank of Jedi Knight. Should a Padawan fail his or her Trials, they are able to take the Trials again until they succeed. Like the older Jedi Orders, there exist five Trials: Skill, Courage, Spirit, Flesh, and Insight.

Trial of Skill

The Trial of Skill is used to test both a Padawan's lightsaber technique and his or her self-discipline. The Trial of Skill usually faces the Padawan with an adversary to test his strength against. These may be either another Jedi within the ranks of House Odan-Urr or a series of specialized simulacrums designed to prove a formidable opponent. Some Padawans may also be faced with holding off the attacks of an experienced Odanite skilled with a lightsaber. While testing a Padawan's skill with a lightsaber is a necessary challenge, the Rollmaster generally pays close attention to the self-discipline of Padawans attempting the Trial.

Trial of Courage

The Trials of Courage are not Trials to be given out lightly. Because Courage is essential to the training of a Jedi, the Trial of Courage is designed in a way to test a Padawan's morale, even in the toughest of circumstances. By keeping a Padawan's Trial of Courage a secret, this ensures that the Padawan is faced with an unexpected challenge that tests their Courage unexpectedly. Because these Trials generally consist of a mission away from the Praxeum, these Trials are dangerous in nature, and it is not uncommon for the master or the Padawan or the Rollmaster himself to oversee the mission.

Trial of Spirit

The Trial of Spirit is the most personal of these challenges, and is highly unpredictable. By entering an extremely deep trance of meditation, a Padawan is able to face the very darkness that lurks within themselves. Each individual must defeat fear, anger, hate before they can truly call themselves jedi and thus, to pass this test, a Padawan must look into himself - "Facing the Mirror" as most call it - to face their greatest enemy. Themselves.

Trial of Flesh

The Trial of the Flesh had been the most trying test in ancient times. In the Trial of Flesh, a Padawan must overcome a significant loss, whether to his flesh or otherwise. However, the Council of Urr has decided that the separation of Master and Padawan is a sufficient Trial, as the bond is usually very close. In some cases, however, war wounds can be considered for this test, if they possessed a severe enough effect on the Padawan.

Trial of Insight

Finally, the Trial of Insight is the last and final Trial taken by an Apprentice, and is the final requirement to Knighthood. The Trial of Insight is used to help the Padawan determine their path, as to not fall to the temptation of common thieves, and see what lay before them. The most common form of this Trial is that of decoding an ancient or broken text given by the Council of Urr. It can also come in the form of researching a particular topic give by the Master.