Justicar


 * See also Codex: Asari Justicars

A justicar is an asari who has forsworn having children or relationships and given up all worldly possessions aside from weapons and armor. After swearing themselves to the Code of the justicars, they wander asari space righting wrongs, as defined by their unwavering code of justice. Samara compares the code and duties of the justicar to that of the knights in Medieval Christendom, or the Japanese samurai. There are very few asari justicars due to the high mortality rates in training, and the fact that the life of a justicar is seldom easy.

The Justicar Code is the central force in every justicar's life. The Code is composed of more than five thousand sutras that describe every possible situation a justicar may encounter. Every justicar is required to know the entire Code by heart. Samara comments that living by the Code makes her choices simple: "if I follow the Code, I am just. If I do not, I am unjust."

Justicars swear oaths called the Oaths of Subsumation. These pledge protection of the innocent, the punishment of the guilty, and defence of common law and the norms of asari society. This means justicars are conservative, preserving the existing laws of the asari without the risk of staging a coup against the existing government should they be judged unjust.

Given their personal sacrifices, skill and rigid adherence to their Code, justicars are highly revered in asari culture, and there are many stories and vids made of their adventures, although much of it is exaggerated. While they often find a justicar's presence unnerving, asari police forces usually let a justicar perform her duties out of respect. However, should the police feel the justicar is being unreasonable, the Code allows the justicar to go into their custody for a single day. After that day the justicar is bound by the Code to continue her duties, which may lead to violence between the two.

Reference

 * Mass Effect Forum Post