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Pre-New Tython History
The Sunrider Ring began its life decades before being given to its first, and most well-known, owner, Nomi Sunrider. The ring is in fact a natural occurring, Force-sensitive, crystal formation otherwise known as a Shard. The precise circumstances of its “birth” are a mystery, as is its uncommon appearance as a small ring-shaped crystal. Raised on the planet of Orax in the Outer Rim Territories, it was part of a larger group of Shard. Nestling itself close to its larger brothers as it slowly grew into its current form inside one of the planets many hot springs, it lead a quiet and peaceful life while being submerged in the currents of The Force. Eons passed by as the Shard population grew and clusters between individuals formed; as its brothers grew and sprouted offspring, this lone Shard had somehow stopped growing when it reached the size of a common finger ring. This also caused it to be unable to sprout offspring and contribute to the Shard population.
It would remain on Orax until 4,019 BBY, when Andur Sunrider stumbled upon the planet during a mission to investigate a disturbance in the Force, sensed by his master Chamma. The young Shard, who was at that time, one of the few Force-sensitive members of its species, sensed Andur and the Force imprint that his wife Nomi left upon him. The Shard beckoned out to Andur, who’s Force sense allowed him to pick up on the Shard’s location. What he found was a small, teal, crystalline ring, unbeknownst to him a living, sentient creature. Thinking it to be a perfect gift for his wife, he brought it with him back to H’rathh.
And so it came to be, that the young, nameless Shard found its way to Nomi Sunrider. From the very first time that Nomi touched the Shard, a powerful Force Bond was formed between the two of them. Its true nature still unknown to all sentients through-out the Galaxy, the Shard was able to join Nomi on her countless journeys and battles, and learn. Nomi’s own devotion to the Light Side of the Force had its effect on the Shard, slowly engulfing it in the Light of the Force. This in turn had its effects on Nomi, who, through the Shard’s own stalwart connection to the Light side, became known as one of the most respected Jedi of her time.
Somewhere in her life, Nomi would stumble upon an undiscovered world inhabited by a primitive, tribal species. It is widely believed that some time before this, the Shard had developed the ability to telepathically converse with Nomi. Due to as of yet unknown circumstances, the Shard seemingly chose to remain on this unknown world. Nomi, who met the Shard thanks to her late husband, was suspected to be saddened by its choice but respected it none the less. Though they separated ways after that, the Force bond between them had never vanished, not until Nomi’s eventual death. The Shard however continued to live on, into a new age on Harakoa.
Harakoan History
In the rocky hills of the northern central mountain range of New Tython, there once lived a small Harakoan tribe. They worked with the rocks and gems they found deep in the mountain caves. What they made traded well with the other tribes for basic provisions. It was a sincere and honest life, and the work was passed down through the generations. This was the way of life for them, until one rather gray day in which a visitor changed their lives forever.
Nomi Sunrider left her mark on the tribe having made them question everything they were about. The Jedi saw just how peaceful the tribe was and desired to help them. The Shard that she bonded with so many years ago desired to stay on New Tython while Nomi, who was nearing the end of her life, wished to lead the Jedi Order into a new age. The nameless Shard never chose to tell the full reason for its decision. The reasons might not have been known to Nomi, but the shard ring felt it was going to be needed on this world and remain near its people.
It was this choice, that helped shape a race that was still in the process of developing. The day the ring came was the changing point for the small tribe of gem crafters, as they were known. The elder of the tribe saw a vision that day, a vision of a future with the ring as their guide. The ring spoke to the elder, telling him that he was pure and honest, but that he could be so much more to his tribe, and the other tribes as a whole. The ring foretold of a Harakoan that would appear in the distant future, of a Harakoan that would unite the shattered tribes to create a strong nation. The elder would be the very first stepping stone into that future.
This small village of gem crafters changed into a small village of warrior-priests that revered the ring by developing a new religion. Nomi Sunrider was never forgotten in all of this however. The village felt she was a messenger from the stars whom had brought them their savior to guide them. They worshiped the day she came with a special feast which became known as the Day of the Sun. As time went on, the ring became more reclusive with what it showed the Harakoan people. The Shard wanted to warn them of the dangers to come, but otherwise not dramatically influence the race. So as time went on, the visions became fewer in number. However, the warrior-priests would remain with the Shard, looking to it for guidance
For the next 3,000 years or so the Harakoans worshiped the Sunrider ring. They revered the Ring of the Sun as a profound religious artifact. They thought the ring contained the voice of the God of the Sun and so explained that to their children. Villages from all over the content of Owyhyee would have children chosen to become a warrior priest(ess) of the Sun. To be chosen was a merit worth bringing great honor to ones family. They would travel to the small mountain village; where they would begin their training.
Many tomes and scrolls were written to tell the stories of god, his messenger and the voice. However, only the Elder Priests and Priestesses ever saw the ring itself. They would go to the cave that the ring had chosen to spend its time on New Tython in, and there they would offer simple sacrifices of gems and fruits, showing their respects to the Shard.
In 497 BBY the ring had a vision of the future that made it humble itself. It saw the fall of the Jedi Order that was to come. As it watched helplessly it saw The Order eradicated by a dark shadow. This helplessness made the Shard ponder in silence for many more years. The Harakoans pickud up on the dormancy of their artifact and feared that they had upset their god; had done something to offend The Sun God? Though they had no idea of the actual reason, they decided to please the god by building alters of worship in each of their villages. A dark episode of Harakoan history involved a period during this time when young maidens were sacrificed in an appeal to their god.
The sacrifices offended the Shard whose anger reached into the village. Thunder roared over the mountain tops and flares of lighting illuminated the skies. Though never fond of the incurring Harakoan worship, the Shard reluctantly accepted their attention. The Shard would however not accept the cold-blooded murder of young Harakoans in its name. Ordering the warrior-priests to spread the word that the alters in each village be destroyed. “The Sun God” demanded from its worshipers for a more humble praising.The harmony that alluded the Harakoans returned in time.
This peace was kept through 10 BBY, when a single girl born to the name Tarhar was summoned by the ring. Tarhar was born with an exceptional strong connection to the Force, at least by Harakoan standards. The Shard sensed her birth and beckoned the warrior-priests of the mountain tribe to bring the girl before him. The warrior-priests scurried forward, following its words. Young Tarhar was 5 years old when she finally arrived in the mountain village. Brought before the Shard, she was unaware of her destiny. The ring beckoned young Tarhar to place him on her finger.She did so and felt a warm rush of light fall over her body. The Shard was certain the Star Child was the one prophesied to unite the tribes together forming a single nation. The Sun God further knew that her birth carried a darker undertone, the "dark ones” would soon be upon them.
The Shard and Tarhar now faced the challenge of reforming Harakoan traditions in less than a life time. The eldest of the Harakoans would not see this new age although they acknowledged themselves as laying the foundation for the generations to come.. Now was the time for all of them to learn the skills of the warrior-priests. Males and females alike would begin their training in the same year they learned to walk. The Shard saw no difference to this, as the vision showed both male and females locked in battle. The Sun God and Tarhar also prepared the Harakoans to expect the return of the Light Jedi, as they were the ones to bring peace, order, and harmony through the fires of war. The priest didn’t always understand the duo's reasoning, but they did as they were told by Tarhar and the Shard.
This has been the way of life for the Harakoan tribes for the past 45 years. When the first Light Jedi arrived on New Tython, the ring told Tarhar to keep him hidden from them, and to go into hiding herself. The Sun God knew that Tarhar and him would be needed again in the near future, but for that age to come, they must first pass through darkness.
Recent History
The Shard would not have itself be discovered without first making sure it's new keepers were honourable in their intentions. Like the Jedi of countless generations past, the Jedi of Odan-Urr would have yet another similiar trial to pass in order to harness all of it's knowledge. Though different from the Knight-hood trials, these would test not the repetition of the Code, nor the adherence to specfic beliefs of the Council. Rather they would be compared to it's first master, whom it still felt connected to through the force: Nomi herself.
Since discovery by the now High Council of Odan-Urr, the ring itself is a brief but nearly invaluable glimpse into the past. Nomi herself witnessed one of the most dramatic and historical wars the galaxy has ever known; the Great Sith War. Though the Council itself knows full well the timeline of events, timeless records of that period have either been lost or scavanged by Jedi and Sith historians across the age, hoarding their collective knowledge in grand libraries and private estates. Since the ring is a living being, and through the Shard's telepathic abilities as a creation of the force, it has since shown it's side of the saga.
-Ulic Qel-Droma, briefly cover Nomi's witness of Ulic killing his brother Cay
-Exar Kun, explain HOU's reactions to seeing first hand Exar's fall, and how we as Jedi can learn from it
-Naddist Revolt
Physical Description
When it was found by Nomi Sunrider, the shard was a tiny crystal in the uncommon shape of a natural-occuring a-symettrical ring. During it's long life, the shard eventually grew to be about the size of a regular ring, and strangely appeared to fit on the finger of any individual. The crystal also has a strange pulsating glow that appears to radiate from it's reflective turquoise surface. Throughout it's life, this shard has also worn etchings and scratches into it's outer surface during it's stay with Nomi Sunrider from the many battles they encountered together. On one side of the ring, a tiny crystalline formation, similar to that of a quartz has jutted out perpendicular to the outer surface of the ring. When touched by a person, the ring will also feel exceptionally cold to the touch. This varies depending on the individual, while some say that it only feels cool, others will often be unable to pick up the ring and hold it in their hands.
Traits & Abilities
The ring can enter a unique state of Force Meld with whoever it chooses. This Force Meld allows the ring to add its own Force powers, as well as the user to add their power to the ring, to the one it deems worthy.
This ring possesses the power to communicate with other force-sensitives through Telepathy. In this case, the ring can converse with the Harakoan Priests and the Jedi that exist on New Tython. Through this ability to communicate through Telepathy, it is almost as though it draws others to learn from it.
MORE INFO TO COME!
Harakoan Cult/Religion
Place and Role in House Odan-Urr
Trivia
- The ring was written out as a Shard in order to bridge the gap between: a wearable artifact, and a holocron/tome/scroll.
Wiki Team