"Observing the world around them, they saw two beings in the one sky—light Ashla and dark Bendu—and they understood the dual aspects to the balance, light and dark. The light defined the dark as the dark did the light. When balance was not maintained, the world reacted to the imbalance with severe storms, war, and even famine. And so the wandering Irbeltar defined themselves, ever seeking a balance. They became the Ir'brak, a local term meaning "mystic center." Only through the harmony of the Kwa could the Ir'brak maintain a peaceful world."

Except from the 'Origins of the History of the Ir'brak Order', by Professor Klo Ankara of the University of Sistan, ISBN: 0-345-51134-4

Intro

The Ir'brak Order was one of a monastic tradition, based in the ideas of Issarism and Armuyanism. While originally founded by the Irbeltar, the Ir'brak Order slowly deviated from the traditions of the Issarist warriors over years and years. Though still Issarist, they are considered Armuyanist-Issarist syncretic heretics to their enemies, while to their friends they are considered a bastion of piousness and righteousness. As the Ir'brak were founded by Irbeltar, the lineage of holy warriors continued with many original militaristic traditions staying within the Order itself. Although the Ir'brak are considered a neutral party in almost every scenario, they are warriors at heart, training to become Zaldun, Warriors of Balance. However, you did not just arrive at an Ir'brak Temple and automatically become a Zaldun, there were many steps that you would have to take to reach the rank of Zaldun, trials of physical and mental strain would be involved.

The Kanpal

Firstly, if someone was recruited or if they approached the Temples of the Ir'brak they could join as a Kanpal, an initiate. The Kanpal would have to face a series of tests before they would be admitted into the order.

The first test was designed to test one's knowledge of the Ir'brak Code. A vital part of the Orders teachings, the Code was reviewed over and over throughout a Kanpal's life, typically everyday during meditation or class. If a Kanpal did not memorize the mantra, then they would no longer be a member of the Order.

The second test would be demonstrating their ability in meditation and in sparring with other Kanpal. The physical part of the test was not so much a demonstration in skill in duelling, more so a demonstration of technique that had been taught by their respective Masters.

The third and final trial required Kanpal in the order was to solve a judicial case among the local communities, helping citizens in aid, or even stopping disputes among the tribes that would so often attack each other.

Following the successful completion of each of these tests, the Kanpal could follow one of three paths. Many Kanpal went on to be chosen as a Tagon, an apprentice to a Zaldun or Master Zaldun. To gain the attention of a potential master, Kanpal participated in local tournaments showing off their skill in duelling. However, some Kanpal would fail during these tests and instead they would be admitted into monastic service, not being warrior-monks like the Zaldun, just regular holy men. The last path is not one to be chosen, if the Kanpal fails in both the tests to become a monk or fails to be picked by a Zaldun, they would be removed from the Order and they would return to their village.

The Tagon

The Tagon were the second stage in the Order, an apprenticeship to a Zaldun or a Master Zaldun, however the latter being more uncommon. The Council of the Order would place age limits on the selection of the Kanpal by a master, with most Kanpal entering at a young age to escape poverty among the villages. However, there have been cases where the age limit has been revoked when a man or woman of great natural skill applies to join the Order. The Council however would not choose the Zaldun that the Tagon would follow, instead, the Zaldun would be the one to choose the Tagon based on how well they work together, their goals, even their attitude on the High Council. On most occasions, a Zaldun would develop a bond with a Kanpal, which usually ended up with the Kanpal becoming the Tagon of the previously mentioned Zaldun.

A Tagon would accompany their Master everywhere, unless seen unfit based on dangerous or extreme circumstances. However, many Zaldun would take their Tagon on missions down into the tribes to stop disputes, even if they had to rely on force. While they learned from experience and personal guidance, they would also be taught in the Temple by Master Zaldun, not only their Zaldun who had taken them as a Tagon. As all Zaldun answered to the High Council and could be sent across the Order's territory at any moment, their Tagon would have to follow them, which could cause instability within their own mind.

Tagon typically maintained the Master-Tagon partnership for a decade, though no set time table was put in place by the Council. Tagons would still take classes at the Temple during their apprenticeship, though their schedules were far more flexible and they were not required to spend time at the Temple to complete a course. Zaldun could also assign their Tagon to the Temple while they took on a solo mission.

At some point during their apprenticeship, the Tagon would be tasked with forging their own blade, the icon of the Ir'brak order, the 'Zaard'. After studying the art of the Zaard forge, a Master-Tagon team would travel to gather the materials themselves, then head to the forge at their local Temple. Following a ritual passed from generation to generation, Tagons entered into a deep trance in order to forge their blade. Often times hallucinations and visions plagued the Ir'brak while deep in their trance, but these things were considered part of the experience. Henceforth, the Tagon would carry their Zaard everywhere they went.

When a master thought that they had taught everything they could, they contacted the High Council to schedule a time for their Tagon to take the Zaldun Trials. Overseen by the Council and the Temple Warmaster, the Trials consisted of several tests that were administered in a plaza deep in the Temple complex. If the Tagon passed each of the Trials, they would ascend to a private, meditation chamber within their local Temple. Following a night of meditation and reflection, the Tagon was summoned to the Hall of Zaldun where the Grand Master of the Order would raise them to the rank of Zaldun. However, if a Tagon failed the test, they were either required to retake them or remain in the Order as non-combative monks.

The Zaldun

Following the successful completion of a decade or more of one-on-one instruction from a master, as well as the Zaldun trials. The High Council could promote a Tagon to the rank of Zaldun, though this rule was not always observed, especially in times when the Order was spread extremely thin or the Council could not be contacted for a great period of time. For those Tagon who did join this elite group of individuals, they were no longer attached to their master and were in charge of their own destiny. Zaldun were expected to continue their study as well as hone their skills until they were ready to take upon their own Tagon. However, this was not mandatory and a Zaldun could go their entire life without ever taking upon a Tagon.

The responsibilities of the Zaldun differed, on their own they were responsible for maintaining the Order's appearance in the region as well as ensure law prevailed over lawlessness. However, when together, the Zaldun acted as an elite fighting force that would ensure balance over the tribes, whether that meant attacking them so that they were weaker, or letting them kill one another to ensure the strong becomes the equal. They also were required for when external threats came into the picture, when bandits or foreign aggressors tried to take ownership over the Order's land, they would unite with the lower tribes and ensure their homes would not be taken from them. Many Zaldun, including Master Zaldun argue about their point of view on acting as warriors. With two groups already emerging, one supporting the invasion of other tribes to ensure that they can be brought to balance. And the other supporting diplomatic approach to bringing tribes into the Order's protection.

If a Zaldun did wish to take a Tagon and they were successful in their task, the High Council of the Order would consider raising the Zaldun to the rank of Master Zaldun, though this was not always the case. Many Zaldun were not promoted to Master if the Council did not feel that they had truly represented the code of the Ir'brak, or that the balance of the world did not wish for them to become Master. As Master, their responsibilities did not change unless they were placed on the Council, where the Council would become the administrative polity of the Order.

The Ir'brak Code

The original ideals of the Ir'brak Code were established by the original Grand Masters of the Order, a collection of six men and women who gave up their lives as Irbeltar and instead settled as custodians of the land. The Ir'brak Code was their entire life, all Ir'brak would devote themselves to these words with many repeating it as a meditative mantra.

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.

There is no fear, there is power.

I am the heart of the Kwa.

I am the revealing fire of light.

I am the mystery of darkness.

In balance with chaos and harmony,

Immortal in the Kwa.

The Kwa, also known as the everlasting and binding power that held every living being together, was the focus of the Ir'brak. While these views were not especially orthodox within Issarism, it was more common among Armuyanists to believe that there is a force connecting everyone. However, the Ir'brak consider the Kwa to be a single power, one not of darkness nor good, but one of balance. Many Zaldun in the Order support these views, but some heterodox students have begun to favour one or the other, the Ko-Kwa, or the Light-Force, and the Ro-Kwa, or the Dark-Force. However, nothing has been made of these developments yet with many Zaldun Masters ensuring that these students lose these beliefs before becoming the powerful warrior-monks that they shall rise to be.

META DISCLAIMER!!

Hey all! As you can see I did take influence from Star Wars in my claim, I did try and adapt it more to the local climate of Issarism and Armuyanism, even placing my people as settled Irbeltar (Jihadis or Holy Warriors). I have also included the 'Zaard', which is a Rhomphaia which in tech I do not have currently, however, I will be using it as a RP point until I do actually get it, which should be in two weeks. Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, please ask!