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.

Xo-I (Security)

Xo-I (Sho-Ai) is "Security" and is considered one of the marks of the most successful, most secure Orion. Xo-I is also "providing for" which means one has reached such a state that your solvency and acumen can support many others, not just oneself and one's immediate family. With such acumen, an Orion is expected to take on a greater role within the Caj. Xo-I comes in two parts: permanent and temporary. Temporary Xo-I, security, is akin to offering guests and business partners sanctuary. They may sleep in one's home and eat one's food without fear of any ulterior motive or plotting. In theory, temporary Xo-I is supposed to be free of "the pressures of Cluros" where one can simply be oneself, but that is not always the case. Xo-I like this is an invitation to put rivalries and Ka'shaadu at the door. It also acts as curb for revenge- neither guest or host can engage in revenge and save face under Xo-I.

Xo-I-Ki

Temporary Xo-I is for a specifically stated time and only includes the public parts of an Orion's sanctum. Short-term Xo-I is "respite" or a "truce," a promise that the host will not harm their guest. However, clever Orions will carefully state which parts of their sanctum offer Xo-I- particularly if strangers or rivals are within. Despite this offer of respite with Xo-I, Vodazee (reciprocity) remains in place: nothing is truly free, even sanctuary. A guest under the protection of Xo-I is expected to show proper deference and respect to the host. If a guest is insulting, engages in un-guest-like behavior, engages in Ka-shaadu, or commits violence, Xo-I is broken. The host is obliged to immediately have the violating guest removed from the areas that provide Xo-I. The act is ritualistic. With Xo-I broken, no area is safe if the guest returns (unless Xo-I is reissued, which is unlikely).

Xo-I-Faadal

Permanent Xo-I, or at least longterm Xo-I, is the contractual extension of "safety" to the realm of "protection" or "care." Permanent Xo-I has similar concepts to adoption or swearing an oath of brotherhood. This level of Xo-I is granted to Orions who are initiated into the Caju by their Tahedrin, done by Captains for their crews and sometimes done for orphans who have lost their parents. However- Vodazee is still in place! Orions do not believe anything is for free. The extension of Xo-I to this level comes with social requirements and boils down to a concept of, "I will save your life, but your life is mine." Orion slavery as a phenomenon is tied to Xo-I. That does not mean that free Orions are slaves to the one extending the Xo-I to them; by accepting it, an Orion is accepting that in return for protection, they now serve that Orion as a vassal.

Slavery: the Dark Side of Xo-I

Xo-I as Indoctrination and Cultural Protectionism

Vodazee (Solvency, Credibility, Reciprocity)

Vodazee is personal reputation, economic and financial shrewdness and the concept that nothing is for free- even security. The concept of "credit" and "debt" is a stain on an Orion, a mark of one living beyond their means. Remaining solvent and debt-free is the mark of a true Orion. Tied to Vodazee is a kharmic-like concept that one lives a life trying to balance favors one owes and favors owed to oneself. It is bad luck for an Orion to "owe someone" without reciprocity.

Vodazee is one of the tenets taught to most children regardless of if they will embrace Cluros later. Mothers will offer children treats and instruct them that they must either haggle, show affection or give kisses for the treat. Orions do not accept the idea that anything is "for free." Offers of free wares, free services, even free information immediately casts doubt on bearer who makes the offer or the reliability of the product or service. Orions, even the open-minded Vondemi, struggle with the post-scarcity "freeness" of Federation society. Most Orions, at the offer of something free, will react with a combination of offense (as if one is about to be cheated) and will attempt to learn its "true price." Orions love to haggle.

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).