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GALACTIC YOUTH LEAGUE
(taken from The Galactic Youth League Handbook, 467th edition, © RY 24,925)

Since the beginning of time, youth have been the one to shape the galaxy. They help to create and maintain the Jedi Order, they defend our Republic, and they are always willing to lend a hand to help other beings. Since the beginning of the Republic, there has been an organization to recognize youth and encourage them to serve their homeworld, their sector, and their Republic. This organization is called the Galactic Youth League.


HISTORY

The Galactic Youth League was created on Coruscant in RY 112. (This was when Coruscant was a place where cities, mountains, forests, and plains all still coexisted with one another.) Lord Rikad Strekmor, an old-style lord, was lost in one of the massive fog depressions that the urban areas of Coruscant were known for. As he paused under a glowpost to see where he was, a young boy in a brown and red uniform asked him if he was lost. Lord Strekmor said he was, and the boy offered to take him there. Upon reaching his destination, Lord Strekmor thanked the boy and reached for a decicred. However, the boy stopped him, saying that he was a member of the Core Scouts, and that this was his Good Turn for the day. The boy disappeared into the fog, with Lord Strekmor never knowing the boy's name.

Soon thereafter, Lord Strekmor created the Youth League, a Republic-wide (and eventually, non-species-biased) organization for youth under 18 devoted to helping others. (All of the first members were human because the Republic had not expanded to include non-humans yet.)


ORGANIZATION

Lord Strekmor divided the League into Units, each of which had a number of 4-10 person Squadrons. Each unit was directed by a Youthmaster - an adult who oversaw and coordinated the activities of the Unit. The Youthmaster was assisted by a number of Assistant Youthmasters. The head of the junior leadership was the Senior Squadron Leader, also called the SSL. The SSL ran meetings, campouts, trips, etc. and was assisted by one or more Assistant SSLs (ASSLs). On the Squadron level, each Squadron was headed by a Squadron Leader, whose tasks were much like the SSL. There were also troopwide leadership positions, including: Quartermaster, Chaplain, Navigator, and Historian.

Each Youth (called a "Leaguer", "Youthie", or sometimes "Scout") could progress through various ranks by earning merit pins, going on outings, or learning specific skills. A Youth started out at Guardian rank, signified by a badge with a silhouette of the GYL symbol. The Youth could then work their way up through Second Class, First Class, Star, Nebula, Pulsar, and finally Nova. A very few Youths could reach Supernova rank, but that was a commendation offered to one Youth in over a million, and was conferred for risking one's life to save another. Many were posthumous.


THE FIRST MEETING

Lord Strekmore founded and organized the first Unit in the League, based on Coruscant. He invited several dozen people (all human) to an island camp off the coast of a remote part of the northern continent for a five day excursion. There, the first campfire was held. Songs were sung, skits were acted out, and the solemn Youth Oath and Youth Code were affirmed. Here is the oath that every Youth and leader gave that night:

"I hereby promise, for all time:
To do my duty to the Republic and to others as best as I can; and
To obey the Youth Code; and
To maintain my physical, mental, and moral abilities.
I affirm these things on my honor as a member of the Galactic Youth League."

The Youths and leaders also recited the Youth Code:

"A Youth is obedient, helpful, friendly, trustworthy, courageous, clean, thrifty, and loyal. A
Youth will strive never to betray these values."

After reciting these words, the Youths were accepted into the League, and attained the rank of Guardian. "To be a Guardian is to guard the values of the Code and the duties of the Oath," said Strekmor. "This, your first step as a member of the League, signifies your pledge to guard these values not just during period as a Guardian, not just during your time as a Youth, but for all time."

Upon becoming members, Strekmor chose his Assistant Youthmasters and held elections to determine who would hold the various leadership offices. Durant Y'skal (male) was elected as SSL, and he chose Jaan Norwess (female) and Xaviir Earnst (male) as his ASSLs.


MERIT PINS

For the rest of the week, the Youths worked on earning merit pins: small metal pins that signified the completion of several requirements to teach and test one's skill, knowledge, and devotion. The earning of merit pins was required for moving up in the ranks of the League. Here is a short list:

Merit Pins
Camping
Citizenship in the System
Citizenship in the Sector
Citizenship in the Republic
Communication & Translation
First Aid
Fitness & Health
Hiking
Jedi Lore
Law and Bureaucracy of the Republic
Navigation
Personal Finance
Scholarship


RANKS

As noted before, the progression of ranks symbolized the efforts of a Youth to learn more about the world around them. The ranks were as follows: Guardian, Second Class, First Class, Star, Nebula, Pulsar, Nova, and Supernova (nomination only). After completing the requirements for each rank, the Youth was required to pass a questioning board of adult leaders and a one-to-one conference with the Unit Youthmaster.

For Guardian, a Youth must have memorized the Youth Oath and Youth Code, have been able to demonstrate good citizenship, have known their sector representatives, and have displayed a cheerful spirit. The badge for Guardian rank was the GYL symbol - a silver, eight-pointed star with three gold starbursts arranged in a triangle.

For Second Class, a Youth must have demonstrated knowledge of basic first aid, camping skills, and physical fitness, as well as navigation and citizenship. The badge for Second Class rank was a banner saying "Strength, Memory, Morality" in Old Corellian.

For First Class, a Youth must have demonstrated knowledge of advanced first aid and camping skills as well as navigation and citizenship. They must also have earned two merit badges. The badge for First Class rank was the GYL logo and the Second Class banner underneath.

For Star, a Youth must have earned four more merit badges (for a total of six) and demonstrated proper youth spirit in the form of a one-hour work project. The badge for Star rank was the First Class emblem superimposed upon a five-pointed red star.

For Nebula, a Youth must have earned six more merit badges (for a total of twelve) and demonstrated proper youth spirit in the form of two one-hour work projects. The badge for Nebula rank was the First Class emblem superimposed upon a multicolored nebula.

For Pulsar, a Youth must have earned eight more merit badges (for a total of twenty) and demonstrated proper youth spirit in the form of three one-hour work projects. The badge for Pulsar rank was the First Class emblem superimposed upon a stylized white pulsar.

For Nova, a Youth must have earned ten more merit badges (for a total of thirty) and demonstrated proper youth spirit in the form of four one-hour work projects. The badge for Pulsar rank was the First Class emblem superimposed upon a stylized gold star going nova. For nearly all members, this was the highest rank attainable in the Galactic Youth League.

However, there was one rank higher, created for the express purpose of recognizing those Youths who have used their skills in saving the lives of others. It was called Supernova. For Supernova, a Youth must have been recognized by the Galactic Youth League Review Board for their efforts in saving the lives of another or others. The badge for Pulsar rank was the First Class emblem superimposed upon a stylized silver star going supernova. This rank was the pinnacle of recognition in the Galactic Youth League.


PEOPLE
Lord Rikad Strekmor

Lord Rikad Strekmor was born on Coruscant in RY 76. A typical noble, he was educated at the finest universities, taught directly by the best professors, and lived in the lap of luxury. He was oblivious to much that was going on - until that one uneventful night in RY 112, when he met the boy who had guided him to his destination with no thought of reward. From that day forward, the GYL would owe its existence to Lord Strekmor.

Lord Rikad Strekmor
Type: Old Noble
DEX 2D+2
Melee combat: sword 3D+2, melee parry 3D
KNO 3D
Bureaucracy 5D, scholar 4D
MEC 3D
Beast riding 3D+2, repulsorlift ops 4D+1
PER 4D
STR 3D
TEC 2D+1
CP: 9
Move: 10
Equipment: Ceremonial sword (STR+1D), GYL handbook, GYL leader's uniform

Typical Youth Member
Typical Youth Member
Type: Kid
DEX 2D+2
Dodge 3D, running 3D
KNO 2D+1
Scholar 3D+1
MEC 3D
PER 2D+1
STR 2D+2
TEC 3D
CP: 0-5
Move: 10
Equipment: GYL uniform, pack, GYL handbook, GYL uniform, rank emblem


GAMEMASTER NOTES

Use the GYL not for a campaign, but as background material for your characters. This gives you a good opportunity to introduce an "old friend from the Unit" or a rival from "the Saber squadron". It can also provide motivation for a Jedi-lover (note that Jedi CANNOT be Youth members due to the fact that Padawans would have been deep into training by the time they were eligible to become Youth members) or some noble character. Use your imagination!

All graphics, layouts, and content are copyright © 1999-2000 Grayson "Armage Bedar" Shepard. Detailed information can be found in the disclaimer.