Orion Cluros

Cluros, Qul'urosz, Qolaarosh
INFORMATION
Species:	Orion
Era Founded:	Era of the First Thakolarivaj
Founding Members:	Kolar; by extension, most Orions
Status:	Extant
END OF BRIEFING
Template:Philosophy

At a Glance

Cluros, or Qolaarosh is a Kolari Thakolarivaj social mechanism that gradually became a pan-Orion philosophy by the year 126,000 BCE. Today it is still practiced by many Orions, though not all. Cluros is analogous to Klingon Honor and Vulcan T'plana Hath- a philosophical, construct to bring social order to a passionate, ofteb violent species. Unlike Logic or Honor, the Orions don't ostracize those that don't follow it- merely the ones that claim to and then defy it. Those who “play the game” are required to play by the rules, as the notoriously contract-oriented, Libertarian Orions view Cluros as an opt-in social contract. Following Cluros is similar to the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition: Cluros is a guide to success and a successful follower of Cluros is a successful Orion.

Though it originated on Kolar as an acceptable, formal social conduct for the Kolari Qaj-Courts and was probably born out of Courtesan culture, adaptations, revisions and omissions across the Orion Colonies have personalized Cluros. Like the Orion people, Cluros itself can have a high degree of individualism and interpretation. There are a few tenets to the philosophy which the vast majority of Orions adhere to (save for the Xo'a Kulkaadi who reject Cluros).

Core Tenets

Tzim (Loyalty)

Regarded as the most important part of Cluros, is loyalty or "Tzim". To Orions, betrayal truly is the one unforgivable sin. It is the one indiscretion that, no matter how much one tries to get back into good graces, someone who is a betrayer of their Caju especially will someday find themselves on the pointy end of a dagger. Orions do not tolerate betrayal. Betrayal is the cause of almost eighty percent of Kobol Qanli in Orion society.

Orions, as pre-pubescents, pledge themselves to their Caju and their Tahedrin and are given their first armbands to signify that they are of the Caju. They wear it proudly. A member of the Caju in good standing can expect to be treated very well by his Tahedrin, his Kaheedi, and his Caju at large. He or she are members of a brethren and the normally glib, mercurial Orions take this one thing as nearly sacred.

In fact, Loyalty is so vital to the Caju and Orions at large that, should an Orion be asked or told to die for it, they are expected to; most do so willingly. The Caju bore them life and sustained them so when the Caju says it's time to die, then it's time to die. This is so ingrained into the Orion spirit that there are rituals that Orions will do to prove their loyalty to a Tahedrin, a "boss" or even a ship Captain: they take their dagger and declare, "My life is yours," and shove the dagger straight through their hand.

Fluid Tenets

Basa (Coolness)

Perhaps the most easily adopted and adapted aspect of Cluros is coolness or Basa. Coolness has become almost synonymous with Cluros itself to aliens. Basa is not "popularity" but detached, amused calm. The most well-known aspect of Basa is the "Cluros Smile" or the "Basa Smile." A follower of Cluros crafts a personal mask or façade to hide their negative feelings and motivations. In personally determined quantities, a Basa Smile is part bemusement, arrogance or confidence, detachment, irreverence, and calm. Every Cluros demeanor is different as Basa is a personal philosophy. But someone who follows Basa is always presenting this face in public, especially to strangers and opponents.

Breaking another Orion's Cluros Smile and forcing them to show anger- usually through Ka'shaadu- is considered a social checkmate like besting an online Troll. For the Orion who allowed their Basa to fall, it is a social faux pas and they are, at least temporarily, defeated. Lowering one's Basa, or Cluros Smile, is only acceptable in two circumstances- in one's personal domicile (with or without guests), or when a host has granted his guests Xo-I (Security).