Shadow Academy

Template:Organization infobox The Shadow Academy is the primary training facility for new members of the Brotherhood of the Dark Jedi. At the Shadow Academy, new apprentices are trained by more powerful Dark Jedi in the ways of the Force as they begin their journey toward the Dark Side.

History

"Legends arise not from what you plan to do tomorrow, but rather from what you did yesterday."

―Anshar Kahn Tarentae

Origins

Paladin, founder of the Shadow Academy

"There are dark places in the galaxy where few tread. Ancient centers of learning, of knowledge."

―Darth Traya

The idea of an academy to gather and train Force-sensitive individuals is certainly not a new one, but rather a practice that has been adopted by both light and dark side followers. No matter these, however, the name "Shadow Academy" is hardly an original one in the universe.

The Shadow Academy of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood was founded in 11 ABY by Grand Master Paladin, apprentice to Kane Vader. Paladin understand the threat of the growing Jedi Order, and as Grand Master aggressively added to the rolls of the Brotherhood, using the Shadow Academy as a way to separate the weak from the strong, and train them through the initial steps under the watchful eye of the first Headmaster, Stefan Ronin.

"Settlement" on Lyspair

"You are here because we have called you, not because you think you belong here."

―Traditional reprimand given to new students

Based on the planet Eos in the Aurora System, the Shadow Academy continued to grow and turn out new members to the Dark Brotherhood and Emperor's Hammer under the reign of the Headmaster. During these years, students remained at the Academy until they reached the rank of Guardian, at which point they would be assigned to a clan. The Brotherhood was also strictly divided among the three Orders at this time, and so the Academy offered unique courses for each Order, with the Test of Lore being the only shared course among the programs.

The Palantir

As the Pre-Exodus years continued, the Shadow Academy saw itself grow exponentially due to the demands of increased membership and the loosening of order restrictions under the reign of J'lek Arcanon. New courses were created under the reign of Mejas Doto, Troutrooper, and Mage, and during the tenure of Pyralis course graders called Eclectic Pedagogues were formed, and the Society of Envoys was placed under the command of the Shadow Academy.

In 19 ABY, the Seven, including the then Headmaster Pyralis, announced their intentions to break ties with the Emperor’s Hammer, and the Shadow Academy was caught in the middle. While there are no known reports of fighting within the halls of the Academy, it is known that the Seven took a large amount of texts and artifacts with them when they ran the blockade in the Palatir, later placed under the command of the Headmaster.

The Brotherhood made it way to Antei, and the Shadow Academy was relocated to the moon of Lyspair. Starting off as a small, prefabricated shelter, it was quickly expanded both in size and worth under the reign of Headmaster Kaiann.

Battleground, Fortification, and Exile

"I'm beginning to think this place is cursed."

―Dranik Tarentae

During the Sixth Great Jedi War, the halls of the Shadow Academy were turned into a battleground between those members infected by Okemi and those not. The structure was heavily damaged, with certain sections being destroyed completely.

The revamped Shadow Academy

Under Headmaster Spears reconstruction began almost immediately, but had not been completed by the time of the Seventh Great Jedi War. Anshar, who had been Headmaster for mere months, suddenly found himself fighting his brothers and sisters against the clone Jaac Cotelin. Though no fighting occurred on Lyspair, the scale of the war convinced Anshar to revamp the Academy's defenses, including the acquisition of a fleet, at the head of which was the Mnemosyne.

For a time it seemed as if the Academy was safe, but shortly after the Rite of Supremacy, the Brotherhood found itself under attack by the Yuuzhan Vong. The Mnemosyne was destroyed during the initial attack, seemingly killing Anshar. Days later, however, Anshar reappeared to assist his Praetor, Dranik, with the evacuation of Lyspair. As the clans battled above Antei, the Headmaster considered destroying the Shadow Academy, but instead left it intact as they fled the system indefinitely.

Homeless

The Arcanum, the mobile Shadow Academy

"We are strangers to the galaxy. We teach strange things, the likes of which many in the galaxy can hardly fathom."

―Anshar Kahn Tarentae

Along with the rest of the Dark Brotherhood, the Shadow Academy is currently in exile after its evacuation from Lyspair. Gifted with the Arcanum by Grand Master Sarin, Anshar quickly established the flagship as a mobile Academy, constantly making hyperspace jumps to avoid detection. With a new Headmaster, though, where the future takes things remains to be seen.

Membership

Joining the Brotherhood of the Dark Jedi and enrolling in the Shadow Academy are an inseparable pair of actions. All new members are assigned to one of the three Order-oriented campuses. Upon completion of the Test of Lore, one gains elevation to Apprentice and is automatically assigned to a Clan. After graduation from the Shadow Academy, a larger selection of courses become available to the new member, some of which are related to a specific order or skill. Courses are divided into campuses and found on the main Shadow Academy page.

Command Structure

The Shadow Academy is the largest of all Dark Council offices in terms of staff size. The Headmaster (HM) is in charge of the entire Academy, overseeing day to day operations, managing resources, and serving as a resource to Brotherhood members, new and old alike. The Headmaster has final say in all Academy decisions, including the selection or removal of staff members and judicial matters within the Academy halls. Unless representing the Academy in the Dark Council, the Headmaster rarely leaves Lyspair.

The Shadow Academy Chain of Command

The Praetor to the Headmaster (P:HM) is the second in command of the Academy, assisting the Headmaster in his duties and serving as his most important advisor. He or she has sweeping administrative powers, second only to the Headmaster, and is in charge whenever the Headmaster is unavailable. While usually present on Lyspair, some Praetors have also held lower levels positions in their clans or houses.

The Magistrate to the Headmaster (M:HM) is awarded to those who provide specialized services to the Academy for extended periods of time. Magistrates are usually hired to work on specific projects handed down by the Headmaster or Praetor, and are sometimes released once the project is completed, or given a new assignment. At times, Special Magistrates have been appointed by the Headmaster to help cover the duties of the upper management, but this is rare.

Eclectic Pedagogues (EP) are the course instructors of the Shadow Academy. While their position in the chain of command is low, their job is very important. EPs are expected to offer their course to those who takes the time to take them, and subsequently grade the exams. Their time within the confines of the Shadow Academy is largely based on the demand for their course, but EPs more than often hold other positions of power within their clans or houses.


Campuses

The Shadow Academy is located on the moon of Antei known as Lyspair. It sits atop steep cliffs overlooking one of Lyspair's large oceans. Laid out as a square with four towers rising from each corner, the Academy used to consist of only three corners, but was rebuilt after its destruction during the Fifth Great Jedi War. Each of the towers serves as the center of the four campuses, with the central offices in the large pyramid rising in the middle of the square. Between the towers are wide corridors filled with classrooms, training areas, and libraries. There is also a courtyard open to all visiting members.

File:SAmap.jpg

Layout of the Shadow Academy

Khar Shian

This campus houses the general studies of the Brotherhood, instructing members in the basics of holonet usage, leadership skills, and other specialized fields.

Deneba

This campus houses courses related to lore and philosophy. Studies in writing, history, and special force skills are found here. This campus is primarily dominated by Krath Order studies, as the order exam is also located here.

Onderon

This campus houses studies related to tactics and flight. Starship identification, piloting, and the basics of galactic astronomy are all taught here. It is almost entirely dominated by those of the Sith Order as they learn to be the tactical masters of the Brotherhood, intent upon conquest and domination.

Karana

This campus houses studies related to melee and ground combat. Lightsaber construction and dueling and the basics of hand to hand combat and weapons are all provided here. Dominated by members of the Obelisk Order, the order exam is also located here.

IN PROGRESS