Eunuch Faris

The Eunuch Faris are a sect of Warrior Knights Oathbound by the Blood of their Masters. There is no faith they betray, no order they disobey, no call they do not answer.

Created and Written by Khali A. Crawford

Career

Qualifications

Candidates for the Eunuch Faris are selected during their adolescent years, a period where their minds and bodies are malleable yet resilient. There are no stringent prerequisites regarding physical or intellectual attributes, although specific qualities may be sought when particular traits are desired. The selection process primarily focuses on the candidate's potential to undergo the rigorous transformations ahead.

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The first and most crucial step is the process known as Soul Castration. This procedure involves a meticulous and deliberate reduction of the candidate's magical potential, effectively capping their inherent abilities. Seasoned professionals, masters of their craft, perform this process with precision. The degree to which the soul is castrated can be controlled, setting a defined limit on the candidate's magical capabilities. This not only ensures easier control over the Eunuch Faris but also plays a significant role in determining their power and, consequently, their market value. A higher magical cap results in a more powerful and expensive warrior, while a lower cap creates a more manageable and affordable combatant.

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Following Soul Castration, candidates undergo an extensive phase of mental and psychological conditioning. This programming is dual-purpose: it fortifies the mind against mental assaults and instills unwavering loyalty and obedience to their future masters. The conditioning is a delicate balance; overly breaking the mind can diminish the candidate's creativity and imagination, essential components for effective magic use and combat strategy. Simpler warriors, with reduced mental flexibility, are less capable but more economical. Conversely, those with minimal mental handicaps retain greater ingenuity and command a higher price due to their enhanced capabilities.

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The final and most defining stage of the transformation is Imprinting. Eunuch Faris are unique in their absolute loyalty, sworn to serve the blood of a specific family, clan, or house with unquestioning obedience. The Imprinting process involves embedding the genetic blueprint of the ordering family onto the candidate's very essence—body, mind, and soul. This genetic blueprint, known as the Blood Pact, is an eternal curse binding the Eunuch Faris to their masters. The Blood Pact ensures that the loyalty and obedience of the Eunuch Faris are irrevocable, making them indispensable assets to the families they serve. Once established, this Blood Pact can be replicated, allowing for the creation of additional Eunuch Faris with relative ease should more warriors be required.

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The creation of an Eunuch Faris is a meticulous and costly process. The degree of Soul Castration and the extent of mental conditioning directly influence the warrior's capabilities and cost. High-capability Eunuch Faris, with greater magical potential and preserved creativity, are invaluable and command premium prices. In contrast, simpler, less powerful warriors are more accessible to a broader range of clients. The strategic value of Eunuch Faris lies in their unwavering loyalty and formidable combat abilities. Their absolute obedience to their master's bloodline makes them not only powerful enforcers but also symbols of the master's dominance and control. The Blood Pact ensures that the Eunuch Faris can never be turned against their creators, providing a reliable and potent force for maintaining order and executing commands without hesitation.

Career Progression

Initiate Phase

• Recruitment: Candidates are selected during adolescence based on their potential for the rigorous transformations ahead.
• Induction Ceremony: New recruits undergo an initiation ritual that marks the beginning of their journey as Eunuch Faris.

• Physical Conditioning: Recruits undergo intense physical training to build strength, agility, and endurance. 
• Combat Training: Basic combat techniques are taught, including hand-to-hand combat, weapon handling, and defensive tactics.
• Magical Training: Introduction to fundamental magical skills and techniques, tailored to their capped magical potential.
• Mental Fortification: Psychological conditioning to enhance mental resilience and loyalty to the Head Family.
• Basic Loyalty Imprinting: Initial stages of loyalty imprinting to instill a sense of duty and obedience.

Apprentice Phase

• Specialized Combat Techniques: Advanced combat training focusing on specialized weapons and tactics.
• Magical Enhancement: Further development of magical abilities within their capped potential.
• Support Roles: Apprentices are assigned to support roles within active units, gaining practical experience.
• Mentorship: Each apprentice is paired with a seasoned Eunuch Faris who acts as a mentor and guide.
• Performance Reviews: Regular assessments to evaluate combat effectiveness, magical proficiency, and loyalty.
• Trials and Tests: Apprentices undergo trials to test their skills and readiness for full deployment.

Journeyman Phase

• Active Service: Journeymen Eunuch Faris are deployed on missions, performing various duties including combat, reconnaissance, and protection.
• Team Leadership: Opportunities to lead small teams on missions, honing leadership and strategic planning skills.
• Advanced Magical Training: Continued training to maximize their magical abilities within their potential.
• Tactical Training: Advanced courses in military strategy, logistics, and battlefield tactics.
• Merit Awards: Recognition for exemplary service, bravery, and strategic acumen.
• Special Assignments: Selection for special assignments and high-profile missions.

Master Phase

• Unit Command: Masters are given command of larger units, responsible for mission planning and execution.
• Strategic Planning: Involvement in higher-level strategic planning and decision-making within the Tribe.
• Training New Recruits: Masters take on the role of mentors, training and guiding new recruits and apprentices.
• Instructor Roles: Positions as instructors in advanced combat and magical academies.
• Recognition by Head Family: Masters receive high honors and recognition from the Head Family for their loyalty and service.
• Special Privileges: Access to special privileges, such as advanced equipment, ceremonial roles, and participation in the Head Family's councils.

Elder Phase

• Tribe Leader: Elders may ascend to leadership roles within their Tribe, overseeing all operations and strategic initiatives.
• Council Membership: Appointment to the Head Family's Small Council, advising on matters of security, strategy, and governance.
• Fiefdom Management: Elders may be granted control over a fiefdom, managing its resources and ensuring its defense.
• Diplomatic Roles: Representing the Head Family in diplomatic missions and negotiations.
• Establishing Legacy: Elders focus on establishing a lasting legacy, ensuring the continued strength and loyalty of their Tribe.
• Succession Planning: Preparing the next generation of leaders to take over their roles and responsibilities.
• Retirement Rights: Elders have the right to retire to their fiefdom, living out their days in honor and comfort.
• Lifetime Honors: Recognition for a lifetime of service, including ceremonial titles and permanent honors within the Tribe and Head Family.

Payment & Reimbursement

The great Eunuch Tribes are typically not paid directly by their Head Family. Instead, the Head Family office or organization approves a financial budget for the Tribes on a regular basis to maintain their operations. This budget allocation covers essential needs such as food, equipment, training facilities, and other operational expenses. The responsibility of managing this budget falls to the Tribe Leadership, who then decide whether or not individual Eunuchs will receive direct payment.
The Tribe Leadership has the authority to allocate funds as they see fit, balancing the needs of the Tribe with the resources provided. While direct payment to individual Eunuchs is not always a priority, the well-being and operational effectiveness of the Tribe are crucial. It is in the Head Family's best interest to ensure that the Tribes remain in optimal health and readiness, as malnourished or poorly equipped warriors cannot perform their duties effectively. Consequently, even without direct salaries, resources are often used to ensure the welfare of the Tribe members.

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Larger Tribes that operate fiefdom planets, systems, or even entire galaxies may receive a smaller budget from the Head Family. These Tribes are expected to maintain themselves primarily through the resources generated from their fiefs. Economic independence from the Head Family allows these Tribes to invest in additional weapons, ships, and other resources necessary for their operations. This autonomy not only ensures a steady supply of essential goods but also allows the Tribe to manage its affairs more effectively.

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Beyond financial incentives, Eunuch Tribes often compete for the praise and approval of the Head Family. This recognition can grant unique privileges and rewards, such as the right to hold a fief on behalf of their Lord. Fiefdom is a highly coveted reward among the Tribes for several reasons:

• Economic Independence: Tribes with their own fiefs can maintain themselves without relying heavily on the Head Family's budget. This independence allows them to allocate resources more efficiently and invest in their future capabilities.
• Increased Social Standing: Holding a fief elevates the social status of a Tribe. Leaders of these Tribes may be granted seats on the Head Family's Small Council and addressed as "Lord." This elevated status enhances their influence within the broader societal structure.
• Permanent Stationing: Tribes with fiefs are typically charged with defending key positions rather than being constantly deployed across the cosmos. This stability allows Tribe members to focus on long-term strategic goals rather than short-term missions.
• Retirement and Family Building: A fief provides a stable home base where Tribe members can retire after lengthy deployments or service. This right to return home fosters a sense of continuity and belonging. Additionally, fiefs allow Tribesmen to build families and raise children within a stable environment. The Head Family is more likely to keep family units together when deploying Tribesmen, knowing they have a home to return to.

Tribes that excel in their duties and earn the Head Family's favor may receive other benefits, such as:

• Access to Advanced Training and Equipment: Tribes that demonstrate exceptional loyalty and effectiveness might receive state-of-the-art weapons, ships, and magical enhancements. Exclusive Missions and Honors: High-performing Tribes might be entrusted with high-profile missions or ceremonial roles, further enhancing their prestige.
• Marriage Alliances: In cases where one Head Family allies with another, the most powerful Tribes may be allowed to form marriage alliances, further strengthening their social and political standing.

Perception

Social Status

Eunuchs are seen in many different lights across the cosmos, largely depending on the culture and society that their Head Family exists in. There is no one perception of them anywhere one might go, on any topic or subject. In societies where they are seen as objects and not people, it may be frowned upon for one to become romantic with people of higher social standing. In other places, there may not be so many social differences between them, save for their unyielding loyalty and obedience.

Operations

Workplace

Eunuch Faris created through the rigorous candidate process are known as 1st Generation Eunuchs (1GEs). Despite their name, Eunuch Faris are not sexually impotent and retain the ability to reproduce. This ability is not only permitted but encouraged by their Head Family, as it leads to the birth of 2nd Generation Eunuchs (2GEs). The Blood Pact Curse, once imposed, deeply integrates into the Eunuch's essence, extending its influence to their offspring and successive generations. This enduring nature of the curse ensures that the loyalty and obedience of the Eunuch Faris are inherited, perpetuating the Blood Pact across generations.

When a Clan or House purchases a class of 1GEs, the initial investment is substantial due to the extensive and meticulous creation process. Companies that manufacture 1GEs retain the secrets of the Blood Pact Curse, ensuring their control over the production of these elite warriors. However, once a family acquires a class of 1GEs, they gain the ability to produce additional generations internally, effectively bypassing the original manufacturers and significantly reducing future costs. This capability to self-propagate is a critical economic factor, making the initial high cost of 1GEs a worthwhile investment for powerful families and clans.

From a class of 1GEs, several Tribes typically emerge. These 1GE Tribes act as proto-clans or smaller familial organizations, complete with their own mottos, sigils, and banners. These Tribes serve as the foundational units of Eunuch society, producing 2GEs who continue to bolster and expand the Tribe. Over time, these Tribes develop into sophisticated and self-sustaining communities.

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Eunuch Tribes are not merely groups of warriors; they cultivate advanced fighting techniques, inherited magical abilities, and comprehensive planning and logistics networks. They are designed to be entirely self-sufficient in their service to their Head Family. Many Tribes operate their own fleets, space stations, and maintain complexes and compounds dedicated to their training and operations. In some instances, a Tribe may be granted a fiefdom planet by their Head Family, further solidifying their status and operational base. The sophistication of a Tribe directly correlates with the quality of service they provide. Tribes that have developed intricate systems and techniques offer superior services, with an unparalleled level of loyalty and a 0% chance of betrayal due to the binding nature of the Blood Pact Curse.

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The establishment of Eunuch Tribes transforms the initial investment in 1GEs into a long-term strategic asset. These Tribes not only enhance the military and operational capabilities of their Head Families but also contribute to the broader economy of the Eunuch Faris. The perpetual nature of the Blood Pact ensures that each generation remains bound by the same unbreakable loyalty, creating a self-sustaining and ever-expanding force. The presence of these Tribes across the galaxy, each operating with the highest level of efficiency and loyalty, solidifies the influence and power of their Head Families. This system allows for a decentralized yet cohesive network of loyal warriors, each contributing to the stability and strength of the society that created them.

Provided Services

The Blood Pact Curse is a powerful binding that ties a class of Eunuchs to the bloodline of a specific family or clan. However, the degree of this binding can be customized by the creators of the Eunuch class. This customization includes determining the extent to which the Eunuchs are loyal to individuals with the Head Family's blood. For instance, the binding can be set to ensure loyalty to anyone with even a trace of the Head Family's blood, or it can require a certain percentage of purity in the bloodline to activate their loyalty. This flexibility allows for tailored servitude that can adapt to the family's needs and structure.

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As the Head Family grows and intermixes with other families and clans, complications can arise. In cases where the bloodline becomes significantly diluted through generations of expansion and intermarriage, the original class of Eunuchs may no longer recognize the diluted blood as that of their masters. This situation can lead to a breakdown in the intended loyalty and service, necessitating adjustments to maintain the effectiveness and reliability of the Eunuch Faris.

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To address these challenges, Eunuch Tribes can be formed as sub-sections within the broader Eunuch class. These Tribes are designed to serve different branches or segments of the same Head Family, ensuring that loyalty remains intact even as the family expands and diversifies. By creating specific Tribes, each aligned with a particular branch of the family, the problem of diluted bloodlines is mitigated. This system ensures that all members of the family receive the protection and service of the Eunuchs, regardless of how far removed they may be from the original bloodline.

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• Personal Bodyguard: Protect high-ranking members of the Head Family with unwavering loyalty and superior combat skills.
• Military Command: Lead military units, utilizing advanced combat techniques and strategic expertise.
• Espionage and Intelligence Gathering: Conduct covert operations to gather critical information on enemies or competitors.
• Assassination and Sabotage: Execute high-risk missions to eliminate key targets or disrupt enemy operations.
• Special Operations Forces: Perform specialized missions that require elite skills, such as hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, and deep infiltration.
• Magical Defense: Protect the Head Family and their assets from magical attacks using advanced magical techniques.
• Artifact Retrieval and Management: Locate, secure, and manage powerful magical artifacts for the Head Family’s use.
• Fleet Command: Oversee the operation of space fleets, ensuring efficient and effective management of space battles and logistics.
• Fiefdom Governance: Administer planets or territories granted to the Eunuch Tribes, ensuring law and order while managing resources efficiently.
• Combat Training: Train new generations of Eunuch Faris as well as other family soldiers in advanced combat techniques.
• Diplomatic Envoys: Represent the Head Family in diplomatic missions, leveraging their unwavering loyalty and strategic acumen.
• Internal Security and Policing: Maintain internal order within the Head Family’s territories, acting as a highly loyal and effective police force.
• Cultural Preservation: Maintain and promote the Head Family’s culture, traditions, and values within the Eunuch Tribes and their territories.
• Legal Enforcement: Enforce the laws and decrees of the Head Family, ensuring compliance and administering justice.

Notable Eunuch Knights

• Wulfgang Rex
• Littleman of Little Garden

Littleman, born as Tiberius into the Osman Eunuch Tribe, was a renowned Eunuch of exceptional skill and ability, the favorite son of his mother. When he was a man he was tasked by his Head Family with creating a splinter Osman Tribe (dubbed the Osmanettes latter) to serve the new Duke of Eai Primus Major, Lord Kendrick III, though just a newborn at the time. Many years and campaigns later, when his Lord waged banners in rebellion against the Empress, the Ustroassir star system came under siege. Tiberius and his Tribe held the system at the gateway planet, Little Garden until Lord Kendrick and his fleet could arrive. When Kendrick's Rebellion was successful, and he was crowned Emperor, he granted the Ustroassir star system to Tiberius as a fief to hold in his place. Tiberius earned the name "Littleman" for his bravery and made his Tribe's Seat of Power on Little Garden. The Osmanettes would later call the main-line Osman Tribe back into the fold, earning an Imperial Pardon from the Emperor and absorbing them back into the bloodline.

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Alternative Names

Formal Titles (Soul-Knight, Guardian of the Blood, Bloodbound Knight, Bound Sentinel, Faris Enclave, Bloodsworn Protector, ) | Nicknames and Colloquial Terms (Faris, Castrate Guard, Clanblade) | Derogatory Terms (Blood Puppet, Leash-Knight)

Type

Military

Legality

The status and legality of Eunuch Faris vary significantly across different regions and jurisdictions in the galaxy. Considered a form of indentured servitude rather than outright slavery, Eunuch Faris are bound to their Head Family, lacking full autonomy but possessing a unique legal status. They are primarily utilized as elite military forces or high-level security for dignitaries and state officials.

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In many regions, Eunuch Faris operate under the assumption that any actions they take are direct orders from their Head Family. This presumption of authority often protects them from individual liability, placing responsibility on the Head Family instead. Unlike regular soldiers who can be court-martialed for unauthorized actions, Eunuch Faris' actions are immediately attributed to their masters, even if this is not always accurate.

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The legality of Eunuch Faris is highly dependent on local laws and customs. Key factors influencing their legal status include the origin of the Eunuchs, the location of their creation, and the jurisdictions in which they operate. Here are some regional variations:

• Galaxies and Systems Permitting Indentured Servitude: In some galaxies, Eunuch Faris are legally recognized and regulated forms of indentured servants. These areas often have detailed laws governing the treatment, rights, and responsibilities of the Head Families.
• Galaxies and Systems Prohibiting Slavery: In other regions, Eunuch Faris may be classified as slaves, which can be illegal. Laws in these areas may prohibit the ownership, creation, or transport of Eunuchs. Some jurisdictions specifically ban the movement of Eunuch Faris through their space to prevent any form of perceived slavery.

In certain locations, it is illegal to bring Eunuch Faris due to their absolute loyalty, which can pose a risk to temperamental leaders who fear uncontrollable actions by the Eunuchs. These restrictions are in place to prevent potential security risks and maintain stability. Companies that create 1st Generation Eunuchs often engage in lobbying efforts to influence noble houses and empires. Their goals include:

• Reclassification Efforts: Lobbying to have Eunuch Faris reclassified from slaves to indentured servants or another legal status.
• Decriminalization: Pushing for the decriminalization of slavery altogether in certain jurisdictions to facilitate the trade and movement of Eunuch Faris.

The legality of creating Eunuch Faris also varies based on the practices of the companies involved:

• Ethical and Legal Compliance: Some companies adhere to strict ethical standards and legal requirements, ensuring that individuals join willingly for economic or social reasons.
• Illicit Practices: Other companies may engage in illegal activities such as kidnapping or forced indoctrination. When such practices are uncovered, the entities purchasing these Eunuchs can be held liable and face severe legal consequences, including the seizure of the Eunuchs.

Due to the complex legal landscape, Head Families conduct extensive research before acquiring Eunuch Faris. This due diligence ensures compliance with local and interstellar laws, avoiding legal repercussions and maintaining their reputation.