The Dark Order
Overview
The Dark Order is one of the five major factions dedicated to the Teleka magic system in Galaxa. Unlike the Order of Light, which seeks enlightenment through discipline and purity, the Dark Order believes that true understanding comes through absolute power. They are known for their hoarding of knowledge, their pursuit of martial prowess, and their belief that only the strongest should wield ultimate wisdom.
The Dark Order exists in the shadows, moving through the hidden veins of Galaxian civilization. Their members include warriors, scholars, philosophers, and mystics, all dedicated to unlocking the deepest secrets of the universe. Unlike other factions, they do not accept the weak—only those who prove their strength through trials, combat, and cunning.
Origins & History
The Dark Order’s origins trace back to the Kolthian Wars, a brutal conflict between the Kolthian Empire and the Valdian Empire. While the Order of Light sought to purify Teleka adepts through rigid discipline, the Kolthians rejected this dogma, believing that power should be wielded by those who had the will to take it.
The greatest Kolthian houses—House Golmar, House Rimrok, and House Zomok—united to form the Order of Blood, a society of warrior-philosophers devoted to Teleka. Over time, as the Imperial Civil War erupted, the Order of Blood evolved into what is now known as the Dark Order.
Core Beliefs
The Dark Order's philosophy is built on three fundamental principles:
- "Knowledge is Power." → All knowledge, be it sacred, forbidden, or apocryphal, is valuable. They seek to acquire, protect, and master it.
- "Strength is Absolute." → Only those strong enough to wield knowledge responsibly should possess it.
- "Purity is a Lie." → The belief in ultimate purity, as preached by the Order of Light, is a limitation imposed by the weak. True enlightenment comes from embracing all aspects of existence.
The Dark Order rejects moral absolutism, believing instead in a pragmatic approach to power. They do not seek to spread suffering, but neither do they hesitate to use force, manipulation, or deception to achieve their ends.
Structure & Leadership
The Dark Order operates through a strict hierarchy:
- High Scholars – The ruling council of the Dark Order, responsible for archiving knowledge and guiding the faction's direction.
- Blademasters – Elite warriors who uphold the Order’s martial dominance.
- War Scholars – Combat specialists who blend Teleka magic with advanced weaponry.
- Seekers – Agents who travel across Galaxa in pursuit of forbidden knowledge and hidden truths.
- Acolytes – New initiates who must prove themselves through rigorous trials.
Unlike the Order of Light, the Dark Order does not have a singular, known leader. Instead, the faction is guided by the High Scholars, an enigmatic circle whose members rarely reveal themselves.
Relations with Other Factions
The Dark Order’s relationships with the other major factions vary:
- Order of Light – Their ideological opposite and greatest rival. While the Order of Light believes in purity and controlled wisdom, the Dark Order sees their teachings as weak and naïve. Conflict between them is common, though both factions rarely engage in open warfare.
- Shadow Council – A faction of enigmatic observers who rarely interact with outsiders. While the Dark Order does not seek alliances, they respect the Shadow Council’s role as recorders of history.
- Cult of the Beyond – Considered fanatics by the Dark Order. While the Cult worships Teleka, the Dark Order sees worship as a distraction from true enlightenment.
- Gray Order – Once a faction of influence, the Gray Order has become isolationist. The Dark Order views them with disinterest, believing they have removed themselves from the true struggle.
Code of the Dark Order
Every initiate of the Dark Order must abide by a strict code of conduct:
- Hoard Knowledge, But Never Waste It.
- Destroy That Which Seeks to Destroy You.
- Let the Weak Fall, Let the Strong Rise.
- Do Not Fear the Unknown—Master It.
- Act, Do Not Hesitate. Strength Lies in Action.
Dark Order Sanctuaries & Strongholds
The Dark Order operates from several hidden locations, with the most infamous being:
- The Obsidian Sanctum – Their main headquarters, located on a barren world veiled in constant darkness.
- The Black Archives – A vast underground library storing forbidden knowledge, ancient texts, and lost technologies.
- The Arena of Blades – A sacred training ground where only the most skilled warriors survive.
Recruitment & Initiation
Becoming a member of the Dark Order is not a choice—it is a test.
Potential recruits are not invited but are instead watched, evaluated, and taken when they display potential. The trials of initiation vary, but all involve:
- Mental Trials – Testing the ability to absorb, process, and apply knowledge.
- Combat Trials – Proving one’s ability to fight through brutal duels and gauntlets.
- Endurance Trials – Surviving isolation, deprivation, and mental pressure.
Those who succeed are granted access to the Order’s archives, training, and secrets. Those who fail are either left to die or discarded, their memories erased.
Legacy & Influence
The Dark Order has shaped many of Galaxa’s greatest conflicts, though they rarely act as a unified force. Instead, they prefer to infiltrate, manipulate, and steer events from the shadows.
- The Valdian Golden Age saw the rise of Dark Order scholars, who secretly influenced the expansion of Teleka.
- The Kolthian Wars demonstrated the Order’s martial superiority against the Order of Light.
- The Imperial Civil War saw factions of the Dark Order both aiding and sabotaging sides, ensuring no one faction held absolute power.
Even when they remain unseen, the Dark Order’s presence is always felt.
Notable Members
The identities of the Dark Order’s highest-ranking members are shrouded in secrecy, but historical figures have emerged:
- Grandmaster Kal’zor – An ancient High Scholar who amassed a library of forbidden texts.
- Lady Vyx Renara – A Blademaster known for defeating five Order of Light Grand Gurus in single combat.
- Sage Marok – A rogue scholar who defected to the Order of Light, only to be assassinated within a year.
Conclusion
The Dark Order remains one of the most enigmatic and feared factions in Galaxa. While the Order of Light seeks control and enlightenment, the Dark Order sees freedom in the pursuit of power.
As long as there are those who crave knowledge, strength, and supremacy, the Dark Order shall endure.