The Keep

The central alliance for the good of The Ardent Rift. Built upon the exploration, and protection of the Veins. To members of the Keep, all the creatures within the Ardent Rift are connected on a deep level that goes beyond societal illusion. This does not mean they are passivist, no, they hold formidable power and do not hesitate to use it for the greater good. Instead, this connection inspires a level of tolerance and xenophilia. This is easy to understand given the nature of the founding of the Keep and its founder, The Kaidon. The Kaidon has always preached unification. A way to pool resources together to create something that is truly greater than the sum of its parts. The Keep, and its role in the Age of the Ardent Rift, is the product of this dream.

Culture

The core of the Keep is a sense of kinship with creatures of the Rift. The Kaidon has taught that the denizens of the Rift will only achieve salvation through cooperation. Further, this does not mean they must erase what makes them unique. Instead, they must embrace the wide variety of cultures and creatures, bring them all into the fold under the banner of the Keep. To do this, is to understand that many cultures may be diametrically opposed yet can still find grounds for collaboration. While this idea is a crucial part of the Keep's message, it is not the full scope of the Keep's expectations upon its people.

The Four Aspirations

There are four key fields of thought that are encouraged above most within the Keep for the betterment of the empire.

Warfare

Despite tolerance and cooperation being the foundation of the Keep and the reason for its diverse population, the people of the Keep do not shy away from reality. The Ardent Rift is a dangerous place, full of things that will never cooperate in service of the greater good. Many times, those who wish to be help the Keep, or just mind their own affairs', are harassed by other powers beyond the Keeps influence. That is why ever since the Keep was formed there have been the Crusades. Pushing the darkness back and pushing the Keep forward. Expertise in the art of war is necessary for fueling the success of these wars. The great warriors of the Keep are those immortalized most in the halls of eternity. While most in the Keep will have some sort of connection to the military or the industry that fuels it, it is not required for Keep members to enlist in any sense. They are however, encouraged and taught in their upbringing in tactics, strategy, combat, and the Keep's long history of wars. Ensuring that the population understands what true warfare means and why it must be undertaken at times.

Engineering

The Keep strives for the greater good, to solve the problems that plague the Ardent Rift. The Kaidon has shown that most often, the steps toward utopia are built with technology. Each step representing the eras of technological revolution within the Keep. The Engineers of the Keep, with guidance from the Kaidon, have pushed beyond their rivals in most respects. Giving their people the decisive advantage when it came to the quality of their lives, and the quality of their civilization. But many societies within the Keep need different levels of technological assistance. The gap between the Noctunaunti in Arcath and the Keep in Erudit are the best example of this. One species relatively primative, relying on raw --null-- energy to fuel their lives, and the other living in hyperconnected megacities that are fueled by great machines of electrical power. Yet, the people in both these situations understand and accept the others way of life. The Noctunaunti may live technology free lives, but they understand how to operate the advanced creations of the Keep. All of the Keeps citizens seek to understand Engineering and the art of solving problems with technology. Independent invention and creativity is a common personal pursuit by many citizens, as it is seen as one of the ultimate ways to contribute to the success of the Keep.

Exploration

While the other three aspirations are the strengths the people of the Keep will rely on to guide their actions, the truth of the universe is what pulls their hearts. To explore the great mystery that is the Ardent Rift is the most exciting calling in the eyes of the Keep. The first purpose of the Keep is to unite all people of the Rift, but before this can occur they must be found. The Vein Network is vast and deep, with roots that cover unfathomable distances. With the true size of habitable space unknown and practically incalculable, it is known that this mission to unite all is an impossible dream. So to come as close as possible, the brave must venture far beyond what they believed was capable. The explorers of the Keep are respected as those who risk their own lives in the honorable pursuit of illuminating the unknown.

Logic

The Ardent Rift is a place where decisions are often made from a place of desperation rather than careful deliberation. An everchanging environment with rapidly evolving forces of good and evil can be unstable to say the least. Entire civilizations have rested upon a single persons shoulders, and often, died upon them. That is why survival is only ensured to those who can properly navigate this complex universe. It is with logic, as a compass, that those within the Keep navigate their treacherous reality. The greater good, what is good for the whole rather than the individual, what is right and what is wrong. Sometimes these lines are blurry, and only through logic can one come to the correct decision. Members of the Keep are granted freedom well beyond most of their counterparts in other nations, but with this comes the responsibility of such freedom. To make a choice is to impact the cloth that the Keep has created, to keep this cloth clean one must understand the weight of their actions. They must aspire to a point of logical bliss.

Assets

Keep Legionnaires

History

Shortly after the sister Veins of Erudit and Arcath split apart, Erudit would find itself in the darkest of times. Lack of --null-- brought the civilizations within Erudit to their knees. Resource wars would breakout throughout the entirety of the Vein that would pit one time allies against themselves. It is in the darkness that the true fire of the Keep was lit.

Salvation

At this early point in Rift history, the Kaidon was relatively unknown. Small group may have encountered and traded with him, but his explorations are veiled in mystery. However, the cataclysm of the split would bring the Kaidon to the forefront of life within Erudit. One of the larger civilizations within Erudit, the Kaluoc, had hosted the Kaidon during his travels throughout their territory before the split. They had shown him great kindness and demonstrated an interest in his expedition to go deeper within the Vein Network. After the split, fate would provide them with one of the last stockpiles of --null-- crystals available to the now stranded people of Erudit.
Quickly forces raid the Kaluoc republic and jeopardize its sovereignty. This is when the offer was made. An offer from the Kaidon to introduce the Kaluoc to advanced technology to defend themselves, and develop means of survival that doesn't rely on --null--. The question going forward, is what the Kaidon expects in return for his support.

Formation

The Kaluoc Republic would keep its border secure from invaders in the following decades of the split. Additionally, the industry of the nation has finally weened itself off the use of --null-- and in parallel exhausted their last stockpile of --null-- crystals. But affairs beyond the Kaluoc borders, are much worse. Erudit has almost collapsed and only the most cut-throat, such as the Occult of Joy, are finding their footing in this new era of isolation. The Kaluoc must now debate their policy toward the rest of Erudit. Will they isolate themselves? Attempt to provide aid to those in need? Go on a warpath to cleanse the rising evil powers? After working closely with the Kaidon over the past decades the Director-General of the Kaluoc calls forward a meeting of fate. Within this meeting the Kaidon is granted the role of Grand Vizier, an honorary title provided to a trusted advisor. It is the Kaidon's first recommendation in this position that the Kalouc form an alliance with those who share their common goal; stablization of the Erudit Vein. In fact, he already has a list of suitable canidates.

It does not take long for these canidates to become full fledged allies. Most did not do well after the split and were thankful for the offer of aid and protection. This newly formed alliance is host to around twelve nations of varying size and strength, with a dedicated council to guide. The council is comprised of a member of each nation, as well as the Kaidon. The first gathering of the council decides their next steps and priorities. They also decide upon the name of the alliance: The Keep.

Unification

The Keep's presence in the Erudit Vein has become palpable over time. Constantly annexing territory from their enemies, manufacturing new technologies, evolving their internal culture to connect the member nations to one another, and bringing new life in the alliance. The Kaidon has become the defacto leader of the organization, holding an independent role that is not tied to a single nation unlike all other council members. His wisdom and knowledge far exceeds his counterparts, and he is personally responsible for much of the growth the Keep has enjoyed. As the Keep morphs more into the image the Kaidon dreams of, concerns begin to rise about its ultimate fate. What will the Keep become? What happens when all the Erudit Vein is united under its banner? The nations within the Keep focus on the issue within their small part of the universe, but the Kaidon sees something much grander. Erudit is only the first step in a movement that will consume the entirety of the Ardent Vein.

Unity and Progress

Type

Alliance, Generic

Leader

The Kaidon

Head of State

The Kaidon

Notable Members

• Yōkai Stakterós

Related Species

• Cyqee Collective
• Noctunaunti

The Keep

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The Occult of Joy

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