The wheel of life turns, its ways are rough and jagged. But what is the way? The Way consists of discharging one's loyalty to ones master, and of deep fidelity in association with associations with comrades. The Way, with consideration for one's place upon the Wheel, consists of placing duty above all. But what is the nature of duty? There is duty to one's God, and there is duty to one's clan. There is duty to one's work, which provides an understanding of duty to one's self. In sum they become the duty that is never satisfactorily discharged, even through the toil of a lifetime, the duty to attempt a perfect existance, to attain a higher place on the wheel. Listen... listen to the sounds around you... find where the sound ends and the silence begins. Then exist in that moment, for there you will find your secret centre of being, the perfect place of peace within yourself. And recall the greatest the most ancient of all lessons: duty is the weight of all things, as heavy as a burden can become, while death is nothing, lighter than air. In the matter of duty, the code of the warrior is absolute. Duty above all. Unto Death.
We serve and worship Turakamu, The Red God of Death, and his sister Sibi, Stealer of Souls. Death is the only thing that can stop us from finishing our duty, and so we revere it, and worship it, and hope Turakamu will be kind to us when we meet him...
Nothing is forever. Nothing. Immortality, power, dominance, all are illusions. For all will one day answer to Turakamu, The Omnipotent Red God of Death and Woe to him who shall deserve a trip to the halls of Sibi, where one shall meet the first things that truely last forever. Eternal torment and Anguish.
Fear us, for nothing will sway us from our way. All who defy us shall be swiftly sent to Turakamu's Halls. We are legion. The power of Turakamu flows in our veins. Our enemies, sing while you can. For when we meet, your cries shall be our song of victory!
Rumours run among the rumour-mongers of New Thalos about a secret cult among the Servants of Turakamu, called The Mad Dancers of Sibi. They are said to have been touched by Sibi herself, and ever since they take delight in killing and torment. For the right price, they are expert assassins and can be gotten in touch with only if they choose. It is said that if you pray for the help of Sibi, she will send one of her Mad Dancers to your help.
Once a mortal has dedicated themselves to Turakamu, Sibi, and Clan Turak, the real test has just begun. The goal of a Turak is to achieve a closeness with our Gods and our brethren that cannot be rivaled anywhere else in Thera. A clear indication of how far a Turak has progressed towards their understanding of Turakamu's Way is by the clan level that they have achieved. The following is a description of what each clan rank means, and the responsibilities and privileges that accompany them.
This is the level that every member of Turak starts off at when they join our ranks. A Dark Squire of <*/TURAK\*> must focus on getting to know all they can about others in Turak. That is, it is imperative that a Turak develop a bond to their brethren that extends beyond mere acquaintance because there is strength and power in the camaraderie developed from a common sense of Duty.
In addition, a Dark Squire of <*/TURAK\*> must show that they have taken an interest in being able to stand up for the Honor of the Clan, of Turakamu, and of themselves. To do so, they must successfully P-Kill at least two mortals either through duels or because Honor and Duty dictate it.
At this level, the main privilege that a Turak has is the benefit of sharing in a common purpose with their fellow Turaks. They will receive all the advice and encouragement that their newfound family can bestow upon them.
The second clan level of Clan Turak is the Blood Knight of <*/TURAK\*>. In order to achieve this level, a Turak must complete the goals of clan level one.
As a Blood Knight of <*/TURAK\*>, said Turak must strive to take what they have learned at their previous level and apply it with a greater degree of aptitude than before. At this level, a Turak's Duty is to put the knowledge they have learned to work. Here, they must do more than help fellow Turaks when they want it, they must strive to go out of their way to help their brethren. It would not be an unusual act for a Turak at clan level two to forego their leveling to assist another Turak in getting equipment, tackling a more challenging foe, or going on a gold run for a fellow Turak.
Another goal of a Turak at this level is to get their P-Kill ability up to at least 5 successful P-Kills from the time they joined. Again, it is important to know how to defend yourself and to unleash Turakamu's Fury on those who would oppose us.
The third clan level is: Assassin of <*/TURAK\*>. In order to achieve this level, a Turak must complete the goals of clan level two.
As an Assassin of <*/TURAK\*>, said Turak has learned what it means to share in the community and loyalty of Clan Turak, now they must put that knowledge to work for Clan and Turakamu. An Assassin of <*/TURAK\*> is responsible for enacting the policies and orders of the clan. Turak's Assassins are the first line of defense against all other mortals and must make it their goal to successfully carry out five separate missions as assigned by clan levels five, eight, and nine. When these missions have been carried out, they must report it to the person that assigned it to them and that person will note the clan level eight Turak. In addition, an Assassin of <*/TURAK\*> must have their P-kills up to the total of 9. Again, this can be through duels, missions, or from defending the Clan or Personal Honor.
The fourth clan level that a Turak can achieve is an Acolyte of Sibi <*/TURAK\*>. In order to achieve this level, a Turak must attain the goals of clan level three.
As an Acolyte of Sibi <*/TURAK\*>, said Turak makes the move from merely being the tool of the Clan, towards understanding some of the reasons why Turak makes the policies that is does through time. At this stage, a Turak knows other Turaks as well as themselves and how the lower clan members fit into the scheme of the rest of the Clan. Now, they will learn how Clan Turak operates on internal policy as well as within Thera. The goal of an Acolyte of Sibi <*/TURAK\*> is to learn why it is they have been assigned some of the missions that are assigned and how to delegate missions to clan level three Turaks. The measure of this is that a clan level four Turak must complete three further missions, being sure to report to the one that assigned it to them, and they must also assist a clan level five, eight, or nine Turak in assigning 3 missions. A clan level four Turak assists in assigning a mission when they either suggest a new mission for a clan level three or four Turak to complete or helps correct a current mission objective to be more realistic.
Lastly, an Acolyte of Sibi <*/TURAK\*> must bring their P-kill total up to 15.
The fifth level that a Turak can achieve is that of Soul Stealer of <*/TURAK\*>. In order to achieve this level a Turak must achieve the goals of clan level four.
As a Soul Stealer of <*/TURAK\*>, a Turak moves from watching and learning about the enactment of clan policy to administering it to clan levels three and four. The reason that this rank is entitled Soul Stealer is because the few Turaks that make it to this level have an exceptional grasp of not only how a mission should be accomplished, but why it must be done. The goal of a clan level five Turak is to gain prowess in teaching clan level three and four Turaks to better serve Turakamu and to complete the missions that only they can complete. At this point, a clan level five Turak has one of two choices: they can strive to move on towards clan level six, or they can wait until clan level seven opens up. As will be mentioned, clan level six has an altogether different goal than clan level five and neither clan level has any more possibility of being promoted to clan level seven than the other.
At this level, a Turak must bring their P-kill total to 21.
The sixth clan level of Turak is the Cleric of Death <*/TURAK\*>. In order to achieve this level a Turak must possess an exceptional knowledge of the beliefs and policies of the Clan and they must achieve all the goals of clan level five.
As a Cleric of Death <*/TURAK\*>, a Turak watches over clan levels one through four, giving input where needed, and suggestions to the Clan Leader about possible promotions. More importantly, however, a clan level six Turak must possess the interpersonal skills necessary to speak with Therans outside of the Clan, so that Turakamu's Way will not be lost to those that would listen to it. A clan level five Turak must possess these skills, as well as the will to change their focus from implementing Turakamu's Way to spreading what Turakamu's Way is to others, if they wish to move on to clan level seven. A Cleric of Death <*/TURAK\*> has the goal of recruiting at least five new members, in order to show their prowess at their job.
At this level, a Turak must bring their P-kill total to 28.
The seventh clan level that a Turak can achieve is a Mad Dancer of <*/TURAK\*>. From this clan level onward, only one Turak may possess each of these levels. In order to achieve clan level seven, a Turak must fulfill all the goals of clan level five and/or six, and clan level seven must be vacant.
As Mad Dancer of <*/TURAK\*>, a Turak has achieved the rank of one of Turakamu's Elite. Very few Turaks will ever achieve this level because they must show proficiency in all aspects of their character. They must not only be a superlative model to other Turaks, but to all Therans that would look to them to see what a Turak strives to become. A clan level seven Turak possesses such a keen sense of Honor and Duty to Turakamu and the Clan that they are all but assured of a spot among Turakamu's Army when His Reckoning is at hand.
The primary goal of the Mad Dancer of <*/TURAK\*> is to oversee all clan levels below them and to observe and assist the clan level eight Turak in their duties. This Turak has the goal of making sure all other Turaks are doing their jobs to the best of their ability and to prepare for the day that they may need to fill the spot vacated by a Turak that goes on to the afterlife. A clan level seven Turak can give missions, oversee mission, recommend promotions for all clan levels below him, and actively recruit people to the Clan.
At this level, a Turak must bring their P-kill total to 36.
The eighth clan level that a Turak can achieve is that of Turakamu's Chosen <*/TURAK\*>. At this level, a Turak has achieved all that has been given to them at their previous levels and has gained the trust and respect of the whole clan and, most importantly, of the clan leader and Turakamu. A clan level eight Turak has shown through their prowess that Turakamu and Sibi have bestowed upon them their gifts so that they might administer Turakamu's Way with ease among the unbelievers of Thera.
The goal of a clan level eight Turak is to teach all Turaks what it means to be in Clan Turak and to assist the clan leader in making all decisions. A clan level eight Turak would not presume to know more than the leader, but wishes to provide the leader with another viewpoint from which the leader can make a decision. In addition, Turakamu's Chosen <*/TURAK\*> helps the leader in keeping track of missions that have been given and completed, as well as how clan laws and policies are being followed or are effective. In all senses of the phrase, Turakamu's Chosen <*/TURAK\*> acts as the clan leader's right hand.
At this point, while they're really isn't a need to follow their number of P-kills and ability at P-killing, a clan level eight Turak strives to bring their P-kill total to 45.
The last clan level that a Turak can achieve is the Avatar of the Red Death <*/TURAK\*>. A Turak that has achieved this level is considered the Leader of Clan Turak and has been transformed by Turakamu to be more than a mere mortal of Thera. The Leader of Clan Turak has attained such clarity of Turakamu's Way that it is said that Turakamu must have bestowed a part of His Being into the leader. A Turak can only become the Leader of Clan Turak by occupying the second highest clan level besides the leader (most commonly clan level eight) and by the current clan leader either stepping down or retiring from the realm of Thera. No Turak would dare question the leader, as they know that Turakamu Himself guides him, as a result, there is no procedure to overthrow or vote in a new clan leader.
The Avatar of the Red Death <*/TURAK\*> guides Clan Turak in ALL ways. They keep sight of the clan's present and future goals as well as they are able. The Leader of Turak has the ability to join people to the clan, promote members that are deserving, and, when necessary, EXILES Turaks that have betrayed Turakamu's Way. The leader also has the ability to declare war or peace with other clans, as well as create laws and policies that he or she feels will serve Turakamu and the Clan for the best. In all ways, the Avatar of the Red Death <*/TURAK\*> epitomizes Turak and its ideals and is ordained by Turakamu Himself to act in ways that are fit for Clan Turak to gain power over Thera.
As mentioned, no mortal may force the Leader of Clan Turak to step down, but if the leader deems that it would be best for him to do so, he may do so without dishonor among the clan and automatically is placed at clan level eight, by title only. In this way, the leader would still possess all the rights and responsibilities of a clan level eight Turak, but would no longer have claim to leadership.