|
Crux Inlumino Description
The Crux Inlumino is a highly secretive organization that has
spread throughout the known galaxy, forming local, independent
organizations. The fundamental philosophy of the Crux is that mysterious
Ataxial
phenomenon is a manifestation of powers beyond that of common life forms, that
the power of Ataxia can be channeled and manipulated for the good of the user,
and that the power underlying Ataxial manifestations is worthy of at least
great personal respect, if not worship.
Sects of the Crux Inlumino tend to be gatherers
of knowledge, particularly on the subjects of
Ataxia, mysticism, and
philosophy, as well as studiers of history and political science.
Beliefs
The Crux
believe in the existence of intangible and intelligent forces beyond
our personal comprehension and perceive Ataxia
to be their physical manifestation in our world. They do not directly worship
or personify these beings,
seeing them as removed from our plane of existence. Instead, they
respect and honour their power and seek to channel the
Ataxia they emanate into
our reality. They perform a variety of rituals designed to capture or focus
the power of Ataxia, though their effectiveness is dismissed by the
scientific community.
Functional
Since
prehistoric times, the Crux have spread throughout the known galaxy, independent clans adopting the
group's name and
passion for the mystic while ultimately forming their own organizational structure and
agenda.
Overall, there seems to be little in the way of leadership or oversight, with
sects ranging from casual enthusiasts to seriously dedicated practitioners.
Depending on the location and flavour of the local sects, members of the Crux
are sometimes seen as little more than harmless lunatics, sometimes as a
brotherhood of bored middle aged men, and sometimes as obsessive and secretive
practitioners of dangerous activities.
Crux Inlumino
clans are generally surrounded by myth and rumour. It has been reported that
they control or are controlled by the Grey Mist. It is sometimes speculated that,
in spite of their seemingly regionalized nature, a strong and highly secretive
central leadership presides over key sects
throughout the galaxy.
History
The Crux Inlumino formed on Caragon, a planet in the
Farrago that is the
site of frequent, minor manifestations of
Ataxia.
As their collapsed
civilization wallowed through the Dark Age, a handful of individuals
(enlightened, manipulative, or just desperate, depending on your source of
information) gathered together with the intent of protecting the weak and
keeping alive what arcane knowledge they could. They purportedly developed a
variety of techniques for harnessing Ataxial manifestations and built a
strong, supportive social network while waiting for a new renaissance to come
upon the Valgarad Empire.
There are stories of
ancient times that cast Crux Inlumino members as heroic sorcerers
wielding Ataxia to protect the weak and empower the
down-trodden. While these are generally dismissed by most intelligent critics,
there is no doubt that as the Farrago emerged from the galactic
Dark Age, the
Crux was instrumental in the survival and reformation of civilization on
Caragon and in the
Valgarad Empire in general. As civilization reformed, it
turned away from the radical beliefs of the Crux and they slipped into
secrecy, their role as protector and reformer changing to that of a silent,
enlightened brotherhood.
As time passed and the
organization spread throughout the fledgling Valgarad Empire, the organization
began to focus on the collection of a variety of mystic, philosophical, and
general knowledge. They quietly maintained private libraries and meeting
places throughout their
sphere of influence.
As foreign powers such as
the Skalds and
Makkuth appeared and struggled for control of the
Valgarad worlds, the Crux Inlumino would function symbolically and logistically as a
center of resistance against the invaders.
|
