Ri’Tachi

The Chosen of Va’nu

Overview

The Ri’Tachi are the elite among the Va’nu’ians—an order of warriors, assassins, and spies collectively known as The Chosen. They operate as a direct extension of the Va’nu’ian military, overseen by the Council of Elders, whose authority is absolute. The same Council governs both the military and the Ri’Tachi, ensuring that their directives are unified and unquestionable.

The Ri’Tachi accept only the best of the best. Not all who enter their training programs survive, and fewer still are granted the right to wear the robes that mark them as members of the order. Pureblood Va’nu’ians dominate the ranks; those of mixed blood rarely live long enough to complete the trials, often killed by fellow trainees who view them as unworthy.

Role & Function

The Ri’Tachi train as:

They are the pinnacle of every program Va’nu produces for these roles. Yet even among these elite groups, not all successful graduates become Ri’Tachi. Those chosen have survived the most brutal tests of body and will. They are the ones who graduate at the top. The best Va'nu has to offer.

They are often used by Earth's Interplanetary Military Directorate (IMD). Carefully selecting missions valuable enough to merit the service of the Chosen. Orders are delivered through Ri’Tachi leadership, though members stationed on Earth are granted significantly more autonomy than those serving elsewhere. Their robes serve not only as protection, but as a calculated display of diplomatic immunity—a reminder to humans that they stand in the presence of something far more dangerous.

On Earth, the Ri'Tachi are absolute. They can do no wrong. Their robes are to intimidate civilians and military alike: a reminder of the danger Earth courts.

Hierarchy

Ri'Tachi Hierarchy

• Accolade (two years required before becoming Shadowsworn)

All who are Chosen spend their first two years on Va'nu as accolades, proving themselves. Once they complete their two years and acquire their true robes, and become Se'layu, they are assigned teams. Those who are spies are offered their choice of assignments, both on their planet and offworld. Not all survive the first two years.

• Se'layu (Shadowsworn - majority of Ri'Tachi)

The Se'layu, or Shadowsworn, comprise the majority of the Ri'Tachi. They are the collective group of beings when someone refers to the Ri'Tachi. For their numbers are great and their influence wide. Regardless of position, assassin or spy or warrior, they are all the same rank.

• Epa'zur Echoz (literal translation: Night Claws; commonly called Talons)

There are a total of 14 Talons currently on Va'nu for all of the Ri'Tachi. The only way to achieve the coveted position is by doing something of planetary significance or security. Those who are Epa'zur Echoz are able to pick their assignments, assign teams of Ri'Tachi as needed or desired, and make other decisions in various other areas (leadership, requests, assignments, etc).

The Council of Elders governs all Ri'Tachi, regardless of position. Their decisions are final, their rule absolute.

Exclusive Weapon: The Li'nyiam blades

The Li’nyiam blades—also known as heart killers—are sacred weapons used only by the Ri’Tachi. No other Va’nu’ian dares wield them. Those who attempt unauthorized training are executed, and the blades are reclaimed with uncompromising swiftness.

The Li’nyiam blades:

• Can be wielded only with specialized vambraces
• Are extremely lethal to the untrained
• Are granted only to the Chosen who survive the trials
• Serve as both a symbol and tool of judgment
• Are inseparable from the identity of the Ri’Tachi

Possession of these blades is the clearest indicator that an individual has survived the ordeals and earned their place among The Chosen.

Recruitment & Training

Potential Ri’Tachi members are selected at a very young age—five years old. After initial assessments, each child is placed into one of three tracks:

Some skills overlap, but most training is specialized and unrelenting.

Failure at any point is fatal.

All Ri’Tachi, regardless of class, are required to learn foundational combat skills and weapon handling. Training for many includes early exposure to lethal weaponry—particularly those sacred to the Va’nu’ians. They are also required to learn the language of the Ri'Tachi, as well as the codes they all must speak.

Robes & Equipment

The Robes

When an initiate officially enters the Ri’Tachi, they are given their robes in an egg-like container. To open it, they must use a knife or dagger—only the faintest pressure is needed to slice through the soft, reptile-like shell.

The robes themselves are made of Ji’msib, a black leather harvested from a reptilian creature native to Va’nu. Despite its durability, Ji’msib is velvet-soft, flexible, and warm. The robes resemble a long, fitted coat more than a ceremonial garment.

Full Uniform

A complete Ri’Tachi uniform includes:

Though Ji’msib is difficult to cut, it is not invincible—its protection lies in its resilience and its unobtrusive, fluid movement in combat.

Rite of Induction

Upon becoming a Ri’Tachi, each member recites a traditional phrase that binds them to the order:

In life, there is death.

In light, there is darkness.

The weak will perish.

The strong will survive.

Adapt to survive.

This creed is often followed by vows of loyalty to the Ri’Tachi, spoken before the Council of Elders or a designated overseer.

Culture & Authority

The Ri’Tachi are feared and revered in equal measure. Their robes are instantly recognizable, and many Va’nu’ians instinctively move aside when one passes. On Earth, the effect is amplified; the robes double as psychological warfare.

Their authority comes from the Council, but their cultural power comes from generations of deadly efficiency. To encounter a Ri’Tachi is to stand before Va’nu’ian judgment embodied.