Sord's Initiation into the Teras Kasi Order

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Star Wars Galaxies® Teras Kasi Artist (TKA) information.

April 2005

The Grand Tradition

TKO's Initiation Ceremony as the most memorable tradition of the guild. It is a time when all TKO members gather to honor a new inductee who has passed Trials, and welcomes them as a full member who can train apprentices, have voice in the direction of the guild and take on the mantle of official positions within the guild.

An apprentice has a master who is a full member in the guild, and guides the apprentice through set Trials. The master ultimately determines the best course in training the apprentice in the traditions, structure principles and values of TKO based on the abilities, personality and temperment of the apprentice. Some masters have felt it important for an apprentice to meet the officers and other members of the guild, improve unarmed combat or contirbute to the community, but all apprentices must pass the set Trials as well.

Once the master feels the apprentice is ready to take on full membership, the guild gathers in formal dress to test the apprentice and determine the quality of the apprentice. The Initiation Ceremony is the ultimate test of the apprentice's devotion, and the master's effectiveness in training.

On the day of the ceremony, the guild members gather in the guild hall and take position. The master prepares the apprentice providing formal induction uniform and last minute instructions to the apprentice in a private place away from the guild hall. This is a private time between master and apprentice with reflection on the hard work they have done together.

Master Bivity taking his apprentice, Sord, to the Initiation Ceremony at TKO city Palawa Moon.

"Words of wisdom from Master Bivity aboard his ship, making our way to Palawa Moon."
~ Sord

The master leads the apprentice into the guild hall to stand before the guild leaders. To the left and right, guild members stand in formal dress to witness the ceremony. The master presents the apprentice to the guild, and the GM leads the ceremony recounting the traditional stories of the Founders and the principles they represent.

Initiate Sord is presented before the guild.

"My first steps into the shrine Tamako worked so hard putting together ."
~ Sord

After the formal stories, the GM asks the initiate 3 random questions covered in Trials. Members are then allowed to test the initiate with their own questions, often based on their understanding the initiate's strenghts and weaknesses. Comments for or against the initiates acceptance are then heard, the initiate is allowed to speak, and a final oath is sworn.

View of the Mat, apprentice's position (usually accompanied by the master) facing the officers and Seats, and the west member's gallery.

"Members present at the initiation: Master Bivity; Master Tamako; Master Eirie; Master AlecX; Master Mudpuppy, my mentor. "
~ Sord

Upon acceptance, a member acting as First Guard is instructed to add the initiate as a full member, granting the TKO guild tag which appears after the new member's name.

After congratulations, the new member is allowed to challenge any member present to a formal duel.

Initiate Sord is accepted as a full member of TKO -- and gets to challenge any member to a formal 2-of-3 falls duel on the Mat!

" Thank you to TKO for giving me one of the most memorable experiences SWG has to offer. I will always remember that special night (or morning)

Thank you
*bow*"
~ Sord