MEDALS AND HONOURS
As a monarchy dating back thousands of years, the Jade Empire of Ingen has a long tradition of awarding honours and medals for citizens and military personnel who go above and beyond in the service of the Jade Empire and its inhabitants. The Jade Empire has also adopted some traditions and awards from cultures it has absorbed, such as Neusattar.
JADE MEDAL OF VIRTUOUS COURAGEThe Jade Medal of Virtuous Courage, often referred to as the 'VC', is the highest and most prestigious award of the Jade honours system. It is awarded for 'exemplary courage in battle' to members of the armed forces of the Jade Empire. VC medals are made from gold inlaid onto stone sourced from a naturally occurring deposit of hackmanite, which was created by an eruption in the Dragonspire mountains approximately 6,000 years ago. The medals consequently exhibit tenebrescence.
Since the award was constituted in 2434 AT following the Restoration of the Jade Empire, there have been 8,416 recipients, 2,993 of which were awarded posthumously. The VC is awarded by the Kokubusho war office to individuals nominated by other service personnel, following an investigation, review of battlefield data and interviews of service personnel. To qualify, the recipient must be a member of the armed forces or acting under the formal direction of such, and have put themselves in 'material danger' to achieve written or impromptu military objectives. |
THE JADE ORDER OF IKIGAIThe Jade Order of Ikigai, meaning "purpose in life", is the highest decoration a civilian can receive under the Jade honours system. It was introduced in 2434 AT to honour Daimyo Katsumoto, who died defending the Shogun despite technically being a civilian. The award consists of a chromed metal disc displaying crossed Imperial flags and kanji describing the bearer as a great beacon of light, mounted on a jade-green ribbon trimmed in white.
The Jade Order of Ikigai is a gallantry award bestowed upon any citizen of the Jade Empire who displays heroism during service in the fields of science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture and the Jade Empire. The award can be bestowed posthumously. Famous posthumous recipients include Doctor Ito Numeshi, who in 1891 AT tested a vaccine for Dangan fever on himself and Gerlad Maddsen who attempted to tackle one of the terrorists responsible for the 2455 AT Goods Exchange Bombing. Living recipients include Sir David Cattenborough, a respected and prolific biologist and documentarian who was awarded the honour for his dangerous field research that was instrumental in bringing international attention to the plight of the Agilipteryx, an intelligent but endangered bird-like reptile on the island of Ko. The Jade Order of Ikigai is awarded annually by a subcommittee of the Jade Assembly. |