Masters and Padawans of House Odan-Urr

Arca Praxeum

Named after Arca Jeth, a great teacher during the Old Republic Era, the Arca Praxeum is a state-of-the-art training ground built and designed within a deep, narrow canyon for the sole use of educating Padawans in the great mysteries surrounding the Force. The training ground itself is surrounded by large, stone barriers along the inside of the canyon that serve to defend the Praxeum from danger, should the canyon's walls collapse. The Arca Praxeum was originally commissioned by Rollmaster Morotheri Mithfaron to better serve new Acolytes of Odan-Urr complete with up-to-date technology. Located just east of Menat Ombo, the Arca Praxeum is a small area with many facilities to accommodate and inspire the learning of young individuals interested in tapping their full potential. This ground is considered sacred for the sake of the knowledge contained within the Praxeum. Many of the various structures located within are ancient buildings of unknown origin converted to libraries, classrooms and training halls built around a glade reserved for the practice of meditation. Regularly, the Rollmaster can be seen wandering the halls and grounds of the Praxeum as he oversees the training of Padawans.

Library

Arguably the largest structure within the Arca Praxeum. Similar to Odan-Urr's Great Jedi Library on Ossus, the Library stands as a learning center filled with such things as tomes, scrolls and Holocrons gathered over the ages by Acolytes of Urr. Although only a fraction the size of the original Great Jedi Library while it is under construction, the library in the Praxeum is nearly a replica of the Great Jedi Library in that it is crowned by four large domes. Like the Great library on Ossus, this library also houses a Chamber of Antiquities, although much of the more dangerous artifacts are held at the Jedi Library in Menat Ombo, the Praxeum Library houses a small room of lesser artifacts devoted to the Dark Side. Currently, Morotheri Mithfaron serves as the Keeper of the Chamber of Antiquities. In this position, Morotheri is tasked with seeing to the preservation and acquirement of ancient texts, as well as protecting the Sith Artifacts forbidden to all but the most strong-willed against the Dark Side's temptation. Because of it's size while under construction, the Praxeum Library only currently houses learning materials essential to Padawans. Over time, collections are also swapped with those of the collections currently held in Menat Ombo's Library in order to maximize variety to learning Padawans. Currently, the Library is under construction as it begins to open new floors devoted to the keeping of tomes.

Classrooms

Dotted throughout the Praxeum are smaller structures devoted to the teaching of Padawans by a designated official. These officials are to instruct new members in such things as the Force as they rise towards knighthood. Each of these classrooms are designed with the tools necessary for each official to fully instruct each Padawan. These officials are often Masters granted permission to instruct newer Acolytes as they tend to the education of their assigned 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 Training Chamber

The Training Chamber utilizes more cutting-edge technology than that of most of New Tython. Within this chamber, instructors have the ability to activate a specialized program that can project illusions of Sith, Jedi, as well as an assorted number of simulacrums made in order to test the skills of Padawans and provide a safe environment to practice the art of the lightsaber. Following the blueprints of the Jedi Trials Chamber, this room has the ability to change a Jedi's certainty in the most unexpected of ways.

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 over time, 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 many 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 neccisary. It is not uncommon for the Proving Grounds to test Padawans against each other or their respective masters.

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, around which this massive training facility had been constructed from the ground up. 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, or difficult decisions. There have been rumours abound that the source of this energy comes from a Force Nexus deep within the valley. None of these rumours have been 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 neccessary 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 callenges, 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. To pass this test, a Padawan must look into themselves "Facing the Mirror" as most call it, to face their one 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.

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 temptatiin 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.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of a Rollmaster

A Rollmaster oversees the progress of all Master/Padawans pairings. Should a Padawan be without a Master, the Rollmaster is also tasked with acting as the Master to these Padawans until a proper Master is assigned to the Padawan. The Rollmaster also serves as a guide and example, seeking out flaws in the Master/Padawan Program where he/she can and continuously updating the program with improvements. Duties of a Rollmaster include, but are not limited to:

Welcoming all new members into the House.
Setting up Promotion Requirement email chains for each Padawan.
Overseeing the progress of all Padawans.
Sending out regular Master/Padawan Reports.
Acting as a Master to all unpaired Padawans. (See Responsibilities of a Master)
Pairing Padawans to approapriate Masters.
Updating the Master/Padawan Program.

Responsibilities of a Master

A Master is a mentor to their assigned Padawan. They are instrumental in a Padawan's training to guide them in the right direction. In this essential position, a Master is tasked with making sure that their Padawan has an optimal experience a member within the Acolytes of Odan-Urr. A Master should make sure that their Padawan is on track and up-to-date with their Promotion Requirements on a regular basis via email, IRC or other forms of communication, as well as keeping their Rollmaster informed of their Padawan's progress by replying to the Promotion Requirements email chain for their apprentice. Masters should also be supportive, and encourage their Padawan as they fulfill their requirements as they ascend to knighthood. Duties of a Master include, but are not limited to:

Overseeing the training of their assigned Padawan.
Keeping in contact with their Padawan and Rollmaster via Email or IRC.
Regularly checking their Padawan's Promotion Requirements email chain.
Keeping track of their assigned Padawan's Promotion Requirements.
Serving as an example to their assigned Padawan.
Updating the Rollmaster on their assigned Padawan's progress.
Replying to the Rollmaster's Master/Padawan Reports via email.

Responsibilities of a Padawan

A Padawan is a student under the tutelage of their assigned Master. A Padawan is tasked with fulfilling their Promotion Requirements as they rise through the ranks, eventually reaching the coveted rank of Jedi Knight. Padawans should also regularly check their email inboxes for valuable information, which may help them in their quest to knighthood. A Padawan is also tasked with making sure that their Rollmaster and Master are up-to-date regarding their progress. Keeping track of each competition that you as a Padawan participate in is a good practice to get into, as well as informing both their Master and Rollmaster of the competitions that are participated in. Duties of a Padawan include, but are not limited to:

Completeing the Promotion Requirements for their current rank.
Updating their assigned Master and Rollmaster of their progress.
Regularly checking their Promotion Requirements email chain.
Replying to the Rollmaster's Master/Padawan Reports via email.

New Additions

Master/Padawan Email Chains

Master/Padawan Email Chains serve as a main form of communication between the Padawan, Master and Rollmaster. As soon as a Padawan in introduced into the House, the Rollmaster will set up an email chain detailing the Padawan's current goals to reach. In these email chains, the Padawan or Master is to update the Rollmaster on any completed tasks that may be used towards new promotions.

Ask the Rollmaster Q&A Thread

The "Ask the Rollmaster Q&A Thread" has been created to create an additional line of communication between the Rollmaster and anyone interested in the Master/Padawan Program that isn't quite sure on any given topic. More information can be found at: http://forums.darkjedibrotherhood.com/viewtopic.php?f=172&t=6637

Master/Padawan Reports

Master/Padawan Reports are essentially emails sent out to all Masters and Padawans sent out in order for the Rollmaster to be updated on activity and gaining valuable feedback, which will be used in assuring that the Master/Padawan Program is kept entertaining, efficient, clear and concise. These Reports will often act as a 'guideline' illustrating what information should be sent to the Rollmaster. All Report emails should be replied to directly to the Rollmaster with the information asked regarding both the Program, and your respective Master or Padawan. The Rollmaster will ensure that these Reports are sent out every month to maximize communication with the Rollmaster.

Special Reports: Final and Initial Reports

While most of the Master/Student Reports will have an initial email sent out by the Rollmaster, this may not always be the case. When one takes on a Padawan, it is the Master's duty to report their Padawan's initial progress within a few weeks of taking them on as a Padawan. When any given Padawan is elevated to the rank of Jedi Knight, this is when both Masters and (former) Padawans should send the Rollmaster a final report explaining their overall performance and achievements during their time as either a Master or Padawan.

Master/Student RunOns

Master/Student RunOns were originally planned by the Rollmaster as an activity for both Masters and Padawans to participate in. These RunOns may be anything from the Padawan's training to a mission. The 'theme' of the RunOn may be either discussed by the Master and Student or created by the Master. Depending on length, Master/Student RunOns may be used as Major House Summit Tasks. Master/Student RunOns should also run until the Padawan is promoted fully as a Jedi Knight. If there is interest by both parties, the RunOns will be allowed to continue after a member obtains the rank of Jedi Knight. Should the Master or Padawan be unable to come up with a theme, the Rollmaster may create a basic theme, from which the Master and Student may decide how their story unfolds.