Astral Exploration Society
Mission of the organization:
The mission of the Astral Exploration Society is to seek out and document new worlds, cultures, technology, and arcane secrets for the benefit of all societies throughout the cosmos by recruiting and organizing passionate volunteer explorers into exploration teams.Primary Objectives:
- To seek out new technologies, magics, and civilizations.
- Locate, preserve, catalogue, and restore historical cultural artifacts
- Establish and maintain peaceful relations between interstellar societies.
Facilities and Administration:
The Exploration Society has several specialized facilities as well as several outposts and bases for various exploration members to operate out of. General exploration squad facilities are overseen by Chief Explorers and are referred to as "Chief" regardless of their actual rank. Some other facilities, such as the Starspire and Astral Datacron of Brighthope Beacon, may be run by a member of the dominant Guild, in this case the Viridian Archivists, while a Chief Explorer manages any exploration squads operating out of the facility.Joining and Entry Postions
The Astral Exploration Society is an interstellar organization with diplomatic relations with all of the governments of the Vuleran Oversector. There are bases and outposts in many places across the oversector and there are public channels to contact the nearest society outpost. The society was founded by members of the The Republic of Unified Systems and only in the last three decades has the society expanded to all of the nations of the oversector. Applicants typically require a letter of recomendation from an existing member to become an Intiate though applications to be reviewed are sometimes allowed. After passing the probationary period of an Initiate, society members, now called Apprentices, are contacted by the primary guilds of the Society in which they will escalate through the society. Their choice will influence their access and roles in the society.
Initiate
Initiates are new recruits to the organization. Often these are brand new adventurers seeking a stable entity to support them. Unless a group is joining together, Initiates are placed with other Initiates or a rare Apprentice into a squad for safety and integration into the society. Generally this is considered the probationary period to see how dedicated the member is and if they will follow the exploration society's guidelines.
Apprentice
An Apprentice has progressed past the probationary phase and is considered truly a part of the Astral Exploration Society. Apprentice's typically still are not sent out too far from their current base unless accompanied with higher ranked members. At this point, a squad of Apprentices may petition for use of vessels instead of being limited to contract uses or personal vouching by their Chief. Very rarely, some new members of the Society come in directly as Apprentices rather than Initiates.
Exploration Partner
A rare provisional rank for those who forego membership of a guild or who are brought in with special access privileges. A Society Partner is a provisional rank with overall less access than guild members but still has access to general Society facilities. Joining a guild will typically reset their rank to the lowest rank wihtin the guild.
Exploration Fellow
Similar to Partner, an Exploration Fellow is a provisionary rank for exceedingly rare cases. This can be bestowed by Chief Explorers as they see fit, or any Rank IV or Grandmaster society member. Joining a guild will typically reset their rank to the lowest rank wihtin the guild.Viridian Archivists:
The Viridian Archivists are the branch of the AES that seeks out Arcane secrets as well as preserves and compiles vast troves of information which it uses to root out corruption and preserve knowledge for future generations. Archivists have 4 ranks within the guild which each have their own access level permissions and responsibilities. The leader of the guild, known as the "Astral Chronicler", is selected by the previous Astral Chronicler before their retirement or death. The current Astral Chronicler is Shriva Nicham, a Luxodon from the The Eldari Federation.
Scribe
Scribes are entry level to the guild and have slightly elevated access to Viridian Archive centers. Scribes are assigned a mentor they report to in between their squad duties. Often Scribes are given transcription work to accomplish between acting as liasons and field agents for the Archive.
Scholar
Scholars act as field agents to gather and collect information for the archives or investigate arcane oddities and secrets. Scholars are expected to contribute either information or accounts of the events they partake in to record the various goings on of the quadrant. They also gain additional access to Archive facilities.
Archivist
Archivists are given the choice to leave adventuring squads and devote their time to arcane research, espionage, or leading research at various Society facilities. Archivists have some of the highest levels of access to Archive facilities and often are in charge of maintaining and investigating worthy contributions. Those who remain adventurers act as field agents in espionage or gathering data for research endeavors.
Datachronicle
The highest rank for normal Viridian Archivist members. The Astral Chronicler must be of at least rank Datachronicle before they can take the position. Datachronicles are the most senior members and have the highest level of access across all information facilities as well as into the other guild facilities. Few achieve this rank, fewer still who remain out in the field, but the dedicated find a way to continue their contribution.Starfinders:
The Starfinder faction is devoted to diplomatic, scientific, and humanitarian endeavors. Unlike the other factions, Starfinders delineate between diplomats and scientists in their rank insignias though their ranks are the same. Diplomats have the navy insignias while scientists and medical professionals use the light blue insignia. While much of their work ends up preserved by the Viridian Archivists, the Starfinders are the primary members leading missions and acting as neutral envoys when required.
Wanderer
Wanderers chose either the diplomacy or scientist path upon entering the faction. After choosing a path, they are assigned a mentor who guides them through entry level tasks and guides them through some of the more advanced tasks. Wanderers remain with their squads while in training but occasionally could be called in for specialty assignments.
Sector Sailor
Sector Sailors (sometimes shortened to "Sailor") work within their expoloration squads and sometimes specialize in their diplomatic or scientific roles. They act as envoys and are tasked with aiding the people they encounter with their talents. Those on the scient path are expected to go through training and schooling to become an expert in their field of choice (such as a medical professional or scientific field). Diplomats are tasked with occasionally handling smaller negotiations as a 3rd party.
Aether Admin
Aether Admins are given the choice to leave their exploration squads to act as ambassadors, negotiators. teachers, or doctors on a more regular basis. Those who remain active in the field represent their sqauds and nearby parties assiting them as best they can and reporting any issues or dangers back to the Society in the event of serious problems. These admins keep the organization appraised of the needs of the public which is of vital importance.
Star Captain
The highest rank most will attain, the Star Captain has showed exemplary initiative and dedication to helping the people of the galaxy. They have great influence within the faction and are often requested for difficult and high profile missions. Those who remain in the field are well known and repsected and often sought out for aid.Alatheian Protectorate:
The Protectorate is the final guild of the Exploration Society and is dedicated to the protection of the galaxy's people and cultural history. These members are often more profficient in combat than the other guilds and are deployed to defend the innocent or delve the depths of cultural and historical sites. Duties could be archeological in nature, investigative, or combat roles. It is important to note that the Protectorate are not mercanaries and are encouraged to stay out of conflict between the interstellar nations when possible.
Journeyman
Journeyman Members are assigned mentors and are challenged and matched with a mentor that compliments the Journeyman's skills. Often Journeyman are sent to investigate sites of interest to the guild along with their adventuring squad.
Protector
Protectors are highly valued as proficient combatants on missions. Sometimes, local law enforcement request the aid of Protectors and their squads, especially in the frontier worlds. The actions and acolades of Protectors are all recorded by their mentor which is used to justify promotion to Warden should the Protector prove themselves worthy.
Warden
Wardens are well known and sometimes feared members of the society for their dedication to protecting the innocent and venturing to dangerous places to protect their comrades and seek out the secrets of the universe. Wardens who forego staying with their squad are typically assigned sectors of space to patrol and collaborate with law enforcement of the areas as consultants and backup.
Sentinel
Sentinels lead the Protectorate and influence the guard rails of what Society members can and cannot partake in. A Quarum of at least 5 Sentinels is required to make these decisions and enforce punishment if needed. Only 1 Sentinel is known to have stayed with their exploration squad and still engage with the guild.Grandmasters:
by Austin Graham
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