Wikipedia of the Dark Brotherhood, an online Star Wars Club - User contributions [en]

File:Miranda Goto Jedi Hunter.jpeg

2026-09-16T20:34:05Z

Tarvitz:

Character picture
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File:Miranda Goto.jpeg

2026-09-16T20:33:34Z

Tarvitz:

{{Creative Commons}}
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File:Kazmir Natas.jpg

2026-09-16T20:32:10Z

Tarvitz:

[[Category: Images-Characters]]
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{{Fairuse|http://d-oppelganger.deviantart.com/}}

File:Kazmir Natas GJW.jpg

2026-09-16T20:31:45Z

Tarvitz:

{{Fairuse}}
[[Category: Images-Characters]]
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File:Young Tyre.jpg

2026-09-16T20:31:17Z

Tarvitz:

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File:Kazmir Natas infobox.jpg

2026-09-16T20:30:40Z

Tarvitz:

[[Category: Images-Characters]]
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{{Fairuse|http://kaelacroftart.deviantart.com/}}

File:Etah Portrait.jpg

2026-09-16T20:26:40Z

Tarvitz:

Picture of Paul Wilkins taken in Egypt in 2005. Etah is Paul Wilkins, I allow myself to use this picture.

[[Category: Images-Characters]] [[Category:Images-Humans]] [[Category:Images-Hybrids]] [[Category:Images-Non Humans]] [[Category:Images-Pau’an]]

File:Etah Photoshopped picture.jpg

2026-09-16T20:26:14Z

Tarvitz:

Photoshopped picture of Paul Wilkins in Egypt in 2005. Etah is Paul Wilkins, I allow myself to use this image.

[[Category: Images-Characters]] [[Category:Images-Humans]] [[Category:Images-Hybrids]] [[Category:Images-Non Humans]] [[Category:Images-Pau’an]]

File:Kadrolsabers.png

2026-09-16T20:25:06Z

Tarvitz:

== Summary ==
[[Category: Images-Characters]] [[Category:Images-Non Humans]] [[Category:Images-Pantoran]][[Category:Images-Hybrids]] [[Category:Images-Humans]]
Commissioned work by Koda Kendis
== Licensing ==
{{Copyrighted Com}}

File:KadrolHauen.jpeg

2026-09-16T20:24:49Z

Tarvitz:

[[Category:Images-Pantoran]] [[Category:Images-Head Shots]] [[Category: Images-Non Humans]] [[Category:Images-Characters]][[Category:Images-Hybrids]] [[Category:Images-Humans]]

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File:KadrolProfile.png

2026-09-16T20:24:11Z

Tarvitz:

== Summary ==
[[Category: Images-Characters]] [[Category:Images-Head Shots]] [[Category:Images-Non Humans]] [[Category:Images-Pantoran]][[Category:Images-Hybrids]] [[Category:Images-Humans]]
Commissioned work created by Koda Kendis
== Licensing ==
{{Copyrighted Com}}

File:Cypha 4.jpg

2026-09-16T20:21:10Z

Tarvitz:

{{Fairuse}}
[[Category:Images-Characters]]
[[Category:Images-Anzat]]
[[Category:Images-Non Humans]]
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File:Cypha Anzat.jpg

2026-09-16T20:20:57Z

Tarvitz:

{{Fairuse}}
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File:Cypha 1.jpg

2026-09-16T20:20:34Z

Tarvitz:

{{Fairuse}}
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File:Cypha 3.jpg

2026-09-16T20:20:16Z

Tarvitz:

({{Fairuse}}
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File:Cypha youth.gif

2026-09-16T20:19:57Z

Tarvitz:

{{Fairuse}}
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File:Cypha 2.jpg

2026-09-16T20:19:15Z

Tarvitz:

{{Fairuse}}
[[Category: Images-Characters]]
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File:CiaraSephi.png

2026-09-16T20:15:32Z

Tarvitz:

== Summary ==
Commission by Kaela Croft.
[[Category: Images-Characters]]
[[Category:Images-Sephi]]
[[Category:Images-Hybrids]]
[[Category:Images-Non Humans]]
== Licensing ==
{{Copyrighted Com}}

File:Sanjuro.jpg

2026-09-16T20:14:26Z

Tarvitz:

Sajuro Sledge Keibatsu
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[[Category: Images-Characters]]
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[[Category:Images-Zabrak]]
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File:SW - Eilen Avatar 2021.jpg

2026-09-16T20:13:07Z

Tarvitz:

== Summary ==
Eilen as of late 39 ABY

[[Category:Images-Characters]] [[Category:Images-Non Humans]] [[Category:Images-Head Shots]] [[Category:Images-Bothan]] [[Category:Images-Shistavanen]][[Category:Images-Hybrids]]
== Licensing ==
{{Copyrighted}}

Eilen Ru'tyari

2026-09-16T20:12:42Z

Tarvitz:

{{Eras|nor|featured}}
{{Character
|order= Force Disciple
|image= [[File:SW_-_Eilen_Avatar_2021.jpg|250px]]
|firstname= Eilen
|lastname= Ru'tyari
|homeworld= [[starwars:Kothlis|Kothlis]]
|birth= {{Birthyear_and_Age|ABY|13}}
|species= [[starwars:Bothan|Half-Bothan]], [[starwars:Shistavanen|Half-Shistavanen]]
|gender= Female
|hair= Dull Brown
|eyes= Lavender
|height= 2.01m
|weight= 74kg
|profession=
*[[starwars:Saboteur|Saboteur]]
*[[starwars:Pilot|Pilot]]
|era=
*[[Dark Jedi Brotherhood Era]]
|affiliation=
*[[Arcona]]
|masters=
*Ruka Tenbriss
|dossier=
*[[dossier:15115|15115]]
}}

{{Quote|Heh, as if I ever say anything quotable...|Eilen}}

'''Eilen Ru'tyari''' is a Force-sensitive [[starwars:Hybrid|hybrid]], the offspring between a [[starwars:Bothan|Bothan]] mother and a [[starwars:Shistavanen|Shistavanen]] father. She is a member of [[Arcona|Clan Arcona]], serving aboard the [[Voidbreaker]] as a saboteur and a starfighter pilot. What she lacks in talent for direct combat, Eilen makes up for in versatility, a thrillseeking spirit, and an endlessly awkward charm, of sorts.

== Physical Description ==

Eilen is a hybrid born of Bothan and Shistavanen parentage, and has a combination of physical aspects from each side. The heavily mixed shape of her face almost resembles a ferret's, as does her tall and lanky silhouette. The eyes in particular sport a Bothan's more typical mammalian form, and almost seem to glow in their pale shade of purple. Her other predominantly Bothan features include her high-rising, pointed ears, and her fur pattern, which is primarily colored a dark, dull brown. In contrast, the most prominent Shistavanen traits are her thick, pointed tail and digitigrade, three-digit feet. She is quite tall, due to her Shistavanen roots, and her body is lean with the sinewy muscle of both species.

Like most Bothans, Eilen's fur grows thickest and darkest on her head, except for her face, on which it is very short and pale. Eilen's "hair" is a thick, tangled mess that waves outward in nearly all directions and tends to fall over the right side of her face, covering her eye if not managed. Random streaks and spots in her hair are dyed maroon and white.

== Biographical History ==

=== Hybrid Origins ===

Eilen is a hybrid child born between a Bothan mother and a Shistavanen father. Her mother, Lonae Ru'tyari, was an [[starwars:Agent|agent]] within the [[starwars:Bothan Spynet|Bothan Spynet]] who helped liberate a captured Shistavanen named Rosica, who had long been inducted into the Spynet as a [[starwars:Spy|spy]]. To her surprise, Rosica was a rather dependent individual who was unable to safely return to his home, and thus sought a new shelter with somewhat assisted living. After some debate, Lonae almost reluctantly opened her home on [[starwars:Kothlis|Kothlis]] to him, as she had already learned how to manage many of his quirks. In time, however, they grew close, and eventually birthed fraternal twins: a girl and a boy, respectively named Eilen and Eiro.

As their mother maintained her busy and often hectic life with the Bothan Spynet, Eilen and Eiro were largely raised by their father in their earliest years. Given his own upbringing in Shistavanen culture but limited exposure to the larger galaxy, Rosica made for a surprisingly multi-talented but socially inept parent — something that passed on to both of his children in varied ways. When it was discovered that the twins were both [[starwars:The Force|Force-sensitive]], however, he and Lonae knew they were reaching their limits as parents.

Lonae soon brought an old friend back into her life: a [[starwars:Kel Dor|Kel Dor]] [[starwars:Trader|trader]] named Baro Jath, who had stood with her long ago under the oppressive force of the [[starwars:Galactic Empire|Galactic Empire]]. Not only did Lonae trust him with her life, but Baro was also the only [[starwars:Force-user|Force-user]] she knew directly, and he could potentially teach her children to manage their apparent powers. Although he claimed to be neither an expert nor a great teacher, without much experience with the [[starwars:Jedi Order|Jedi Order]] before it fell, he made an arrangement with Lonae and offered his best to act in place of a [[starwars:Jedi Master|Jedi Master]] for them. Eilen and Eiro would hardly remember a time in their youths before Baro taught them some of their earliest lessons about the Force, though he always remained quite vague toward their queries about his own life.

As the twins grew and developed, one of the few differences between them became the focus of their attention. Eiro was always able to reign in his imagination and remain focused on what was in front of him, while Eilen’s daydreams and aspirations about what life could be ran wild. The two were educated from home and didn’t leave for much more than their lessons with Baro; during those rare opportunities out in the world, Eilen began stepping aside, and soon sneaking off, just to see what was beyond their small world. The sights of [[starwars:Starship|ships]] leaving from a [[starwars:Spaceport|spaceport]] near their home became the subject of her greatest fascinations, while even the thrill of doing magic became a normality to her.

=== Life Uprooted ===

The course of Eilen’s life completely changed at the age of 11. Lonae was covering a dangerous case for the Bothan Spynet, when her identity became compromised, putting her and her family at risk. When she tried to gather Rosica and her children to immediately go into hiding, Eiro was training with Baro, but Eilen had run off elsewhere. As everyone split up to search, Rosica found her shipwatching from one of her secluded spots. Her developing Force-empowered senses could feel the alleged danger right then, but it quickly escalated. Lonae’s newfound enemies had found her trail before she and her family could escape, and Rosica had been tracked. He died trying to protect Eilen, and gave her enough time for Baro to find and rescue her.

The surviving family found sanctuary, but they never fully recovered from Rosica’s death. Eilen came to blame herself and began slacking in all aspects of her life, even staying home when Baro sporadically visited to try and offer his continued lessons. When Lonae’s own stress hit a breaking point, she guilted Eilen for not staying closer to Eiro in light of the recent events, and subsequently let it slip that she also blamed her daughter for Rosica’s death. Lonae didn’t have a chance to try repairing the damage before Eilen ran away from home.

Baro once again found Eilen, and managed to comfort her as a mentor. When she refused to go back home, he considered the circumstances and soon contacted Lonae about a new arrangement. Until it was safe to return home, Baro was willing to shelter Eilen and Eiro on his own starship, keeping them away from Lonae’s ongoing troubles while he trained them further. She was reluctant and defensive, but Eiro convinced her that he could be strong enough for himself and Eilen with Baro’s help keeping them safe.

Eilen and Eiro adopted the name Jath in place of their mother’s compromised surname, and to anyone who asked about the strange trio, Baro had adopted them. The short time both twins were aboard his ship was frugal and protective, but the unfettered access to their mentor was a helpful change of pace and a welcome distraction. More importantly to Eilen, they were traveling the stars in a spaceship. Between the difficult moments internalizing the loss of her father and general way of life, she was able to find some joy in living out her dreams.

The twins were eventually called back home, and Eiro was prepared to return. Eilen, however, remained stunningly anxious at the thought of facing her mother again. Through further familial drama, it was ultimately decided that Eilen could continue to live with Baro for the time being, who promised she would be cared for like his own daughter. Eiro reclaimed his mother’s surname, but Eilen maintained Jath, and the twins parted ways with a heartfelt goodbye.

=== Outer Rim Travels ===

(Coming soon...)

== DJB History ==

=== Settling into Arcona ===

After over a decade under Baro's care, Eilen sought the opportunity to further her training in the Force and take her life's direction into her own hands. Baro was sad to see her depart, but helped connect her to [[Clan Arcona]] in the [[Dajorra System]]. Last he knew, its ruler, Atyiru, had a reputation for compassion for hybrid beings, and it was a little known fact that the system was under the control of Force-users. They learned upon making contact that this famed Atyiru was deceased, but Eilen would still be welcomed as an apprentice. Baro and Eilen shared a heartfelt farewell before she departed.

Eilen quickly settled into [[Estle City]] on [[Selen]] as an apprentice to Ruka Tenbriss Ya-ir, an atypical [[starwars:Sith|Sith]] of exceptional compassion and friendliness. Their bond become more like that of siblings, with Ruka filling in many gaps where Eiro had been years ago. Although Eilen initially moved into apprentices' quarters in the city's Citadel, an associate of Ruka named Satsi Tameike quickly took a liking to Eilen and offered her a place to stay alongside Ruka in her beach home. Satsi's vulgar and lewd lifestyle made for a strange home life, at times, but she took care of Eilen like a part of her family.

As her training continued and her affiliation with Arcona expanded, Eilen was assigned to a [[Voidbreaker|battle team]] aboard the [[Voidbreaker (Consular-Class Cruiser)|Voidbreaker]], under the direction of [[House Qel-Droma]]. Operating out of [[Port Ol'val]], a [[starwars:shadowport|shadowport]] carved out of an asteroid on the outer rim of the system, Eilen found ease and familiarity fitting into their pseudo-criminal lifestyle as privateers. In addition to her adept piloting skills developed over the past decade, Eilen's criminal history alongside Baro also yielded talents in slicing and handling explosives. Her team often saw her hauling backpacks loaded with tech equipment and bombs attached to multiple detonators.

Roughly four months after her initiation, Eilen completed her training with Ruka and her supporting peers within her House and Battle Team. In pursuit of something more thrilling than a standard ceremony, Ruka pulled Satsi and even Baro to join him for an atypical knighting, disguised as an attempt to kidnap Eilen. She nearly killed Satsi in self-defense with a telekinetically redirected dagger before the disguises were dropped. Her 'captors' collectively appraised her talents, and she was promptly knighted and given a [[starwars:kyber crystal|kyber crystal]] to construct her own [[starwars:lightsaber|lightsaber]].

=== Life in Dajorra ===

During her time training, Eilen was already spending most of her free time chasing thrills around Estle City. Many of her hours went toward jumping rooftops and fixing up a junkyard speeder, often joined by Ruka for both. Although knighthood bestowed new responsibilities on her, there were also newfound freedoms that only expanded her exciting activities. Swimming in Selen's oceans and overclocking her speeder to race through rugged terrain were some of her favorites, but she always enjoyed resting under the stars or in her bunk with a book at the end of her day. While she never went for sports, Eilen followed racing events, and often expressed a desire to participate.

Eilen continued living predominantly with Satsi after she was knighted, until the woman's many enemies from over the years dropped a bomb on her home. Ultimately, there were no casualties, and Satsi later set up a studio home next to her new housing for Eilen so they could stay close. While this would serve as a new home for her on Selen, the radical event motivated Eilen to enlist as a [[starwars:starfighter|starfighter]] [[starwars:pilot|pilot]] for Arcona, which brought her to live mainly aboard the Voidbreaker. Although this limited her chances to enjoy living on Selen, Eilen put her life savings toward buying out her starfighter, which gave her new openings for space-bound hobbies.

Due to her limited social life in all stages of her youth, Eilen was quickly established as an awkward link in all of Arcona's circles. People knew her for stumbling over her words and frequently failing to compose herself around other women, most of whom in the Clan she found attractive. This and her inexperience with relationships led to many of her peers treating her as innocent and unknowledgeable, which only frustrated Eilen more and pushed her toward solitary behaviors, even in a crowd. However, her desire for love and support from close friends eventually won over, and Eilen spent the better part of a year trying - with limited success - to express her interest in Leadra Halcyon, which was only more awkward by the fact that she was the Voidbreaker's captain, at the time. After Leeadra retired from her captain's position, she and Eilen got together, and maintained a steady relationship for roughly a year.

As her attempts to develop a better social life went on, Eilen became accustomed to meeting her peers at bars. Having once been mostly avoidant of alcohol, it started to become a bit more of a regular thing to meet over, and Eilen slowly began to drink more, as a result. With inebriation offering an unexpected reprieve from her anxieties and bottled-up problems, she became somewhat alcoholic. That was, until a drunken escapade turned into a loud public feat of embarrassment, and she began to recognize what this new habit was doing to her in the painful sobriety that followed. Eilen restricted herself afterward, but drinking was still a hard habit for her to fully break.

Baro always remained only a call away when Eilen needed guidance in life, and the wisdom he had to offer continued to help her solve new problems and conundrums in her life.

=== Reconnection ===

With her confidence growing and her trauma becoming a more readily accepted part of her past, Eilen eventually worked up the courage, and the desire, to see her mother again. Baro was reluctant to give her the coordinates to her new home, but yielded in hopes that it would help Eilen confront her past. Her reunion with Lonae got a rocky start, but the two were able to reconcile long enough to spend a day together, catching up.

A few months later, Eilen was surprisingly contacted by a plea for help from Eiro, who she learned had followed their mother's steps and joined the Bothan Spynet. Eiro was following a criminal organization developing chemical warfare, when his identity had been compromised. In need of a place to hide, Eilen and Baro brought him to the Dajorra system, where he temporarily took over Eilen's roles. Meanwhile, others in the Spynet picked up Eiro's trail, leaving lesser vacancies that Eilen opted to fill on his behalf. With a blessing from the Voidbreaker's new captain, [[Karran Val'teo]], and a mutual understanding of a break-up with Leeara, she departed. Eiro soon left to rejoin her when he was safe again, but Eilen didn't return to Arcona for nearly half a year, spending that time working alongside Eiro and reconnecting as siblings.

=== Something Fixed, Something Broken ===

The declaration of the [[Fourteenth Great Jedi War]] brought Eilen back home to Arcona to help her new home. She served as a starfighter pilot in the space battles over [[Arx]], joined as well by Baro, who was determined to ensure her safety. While Eilen received no major accolades, she gained the sense that she could, indeed, protect her people.

It became apparent upon returning home that Eilen's time with Eiro, and occasionally around Lonae, turned out to be a much needed start toward healing her long-stifled personal problems. Fitting over the months into the different social dynamic around Eiro's newfound people helped her recontextualize her time with Arcona, and Eilen came back to her House and Battle Team with a much-needed spiritual rejuvenation. She had also been through two short flings with other women while away, which helped her break down considerably less around her attractive peers. Although her dynamic with Leeara became rather strained after returning home, Eilen found herself actually engaging socially with her many other slight crushes, rather than tensing up and making an escape when they acknowledged her, as he'd infamously been known to do before. Her stutter had diminished as well, but none of her awkward quirks were completely gone; people still knew her as, "a bit of a fumbling mess hoping for a hot date". Meanwhile, Eilen was far more prepared to put her unique traits forward, and began dying her hair and changing her dress to express this visually. Furthermore, she was fully sober committed to avoiding alcohol.

It was only a few weeks after her return that things took a turn for the worse on Selen, as an eldritch presence within the Force overtook what was meant to be a post-war vacation for the Clan. Many of Eilen's peers were subjected to mind-affecting powers that drove them against their own wills, with one such victim being Ruka. Eilen was trying to rush combat equipment and medical supplies to the scene of the threat, when Ruka had regained control of himself after hurting a dear friend, [[Zujenia]]. Desperate to prevent himself from doing more harm, Ruka threw himself over a cliff, but Eilen, who happened to be hauling a jetpack, flew after him. When she caught him, Ruka demanded she let him fall, and in the moment, Eilen was overtaken by the memory and guilt of her father's death. She landed Ruka safely and convinced him to let her take him to get help, but the flurry of negative emotions devastated her. As a surrogate brother who she'd trusted with her trauma, Eilen had a difficult time talking to Ruka again long after she got him away from that presence, which the rest of her Clan managed to ward back from their home.

While keeping her distance from Ruka, Eilen's friendship with a Clanmate named [[Sera Kaern]] helped to fill the void. Over the following months, it blossomed into a romantic attachment - one of a few, for Sera, who helped Eilen determine that she was open to polyamory, as well. However, Eilen's growing attachment to her came with a few moments of envy (and guilt over feeling that envy) any time Sera hooked up with someone more attractive and capable than herself. It became apparent over time that she still had inner problems to work on, and she started fighting herself to give Sera more space.

After feeling let down and alone at a festival thrown by her Clan on Selen, Eilen confronted herself by opening up to Ruka about her recent distance from him. She affirmed that he'd opened up a wound she thought was healed, but that she hadn't been fair about it, herself. Ruka later showed her the early makings of a racing speeder and promised to enter her in an event the year after, assuring that he wasn't going anywhere. Eilen gifted him a suit of mechanic's coveralls after, and they began to rebuild their sibling-like relationship.

=== Jath No More ===

The following summer saw the spark of all-out-conflict between two of Arcona's allies, the ex-Imperial [[The Severian Principate|Sevarian Principate]] and their former prisoners comprising the newly founded [[The Tenixir Revenants|Tenixir Revenants]]. While neither side had Eilen's full support, many of her fellow Arconans and the majority of the Voidbreaker jumped to the aid of a Principate splinter group calling themselves the Harmonists, seeking to make amends with their enemies and only apprehend those who still posed a legitimate threat - in opposition to the remainder of the Principate, which was out to exterminate the Revenants for good. As the Revenants also splintered into multiple groups, one seeking full retribution while another sought to accept their losses and break away for good, Eilen determined that the politics behind the overall conflict were too uncertain for her to definitively pick a side, and the best she could do was ensure her people survived as they dove into the conflict.

To that end, Eilen was joined by Baro for a sabotage mission to stop a Revenant vessel that was en route with supplies and reinforcements to the heart of the conflict, a direct threat to her friends on the front lines. The two infiltrated the vessel and planted [[starwars:electromagnetic pulse|EMP]] charges across the ship to disable it for capture, but as they were making their escape, Baro took the detonator from Eilen and ejected her in an escape pod. He unveiled through telepathy as she drifted away that he had come to ensure she wasn't hurt, but also to counteract her sabotage mission. Having lived through the time of the Empire, Baro could not let a rising power rekindling their beliefs gain traction, even if it meant betraying his adopted daughter.

What Baro hadn't realized was that Eilen always programmed multiple detonators. She had a spare, but she was also forced to make a choice between her guiding father figure's dark warning and the safety of her friends. It put a fresh hole in her heart, but Eilen chose her friends and detonated the EMP. She later learned through Force divination that Baro was still alive, even as an infiltrator among a compromised vessel, but she found herself too emotionally broken-up to reach out beyond that. After carrying her adoptive father's last name for fifteen years, Eilen dropped the name Jath. Some months later, after another visit with Eiro, she reclaimed her birth-given name, commemorating her rebuilt connection with her twin and committing to being the person she was born to be, flaws and all.

[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Arcona members]]

File:Nb (1).png

2026-09-16T20:09:36Z

Tarvitz:

== Summary ==
Acantha Tesalun
== Licensing ==
{{AI Art}}
[[Category:Images-Characters]]
[[Category:Images-Firrerreo]]
[[Category:Images-Mirialan]]
[[Category:Images-Hybrids]]
[[Category:Images-Non Humans]]

File:SorinRemusCaldirenTraining.jpg

2026-09-16T20:08:11Z

Tarvitz:

== Summary ==
[[Category: Images-Characters]][[Category:Images-Nagai]][[Category:Images-Non Humans]] [[Category:Images-Hybrids]] [[Category:Images-Sephi]]
== Licensing ==
{{Copyrighted Com|artist=[https://www.deviantart.com/pisolin0/art/COM-Sorin-1134718779 Pisolin0]}}

File:SonyoRue Full.png

2026-09-16T20:05:16Z

Tarvitz:

== Summary ==
[[Category: Images-Characters]][[Category: Images-Non Humans]][[Category:Images-Pantoran]][[Category: Images-Arkanian]] [[Category:Images-Hybrids]]
== Licensing ==
{{Copyrighted}}

File:KATREA..jpg

2026-09-16T20:04:43Z

Tarvitz:

== Summary ==
Artist: TychyTamara
Link: https://www.deviantart.com/tychytamara/journal/
Email. tamaragcvetkovic@gmail.com

[[Category:Images-Characters]]
[[Category:Images-Humans]]
[[Category:Images-Hybrids]]
[[Category:Images-Sephi]]
[[Category:Images-Non Humans]]
== Licensing ==
{{Copyrighted Com}}

File:CouerXand.png

2026-09-16T20:03:43Z

Tarvitz:

== Summary ==
[[Category:Images-Characters]][Category:Images-Kessurian]][[Category:Images-Non Humans]][[Category:Images-Hybrids]][[Category:Images-Echani]]
== Licensing ==
{{Copyrighted}}

File:6-Ysera-Kasula.png

2026-09-16T17:39:51Z

Tarvitz:

[[Category:Images-Characters]][[Category:Images-Head Shots]][[Category:Images-Twi'lek]][[Category:Images-Non Humans]]

== Summary ==
Edited with permission from the owner. The original is located [https://wiki.darkjedibrotherhood.com/view/File:Daegella1.jpg here]
== Licensing ==
{{fairuse}}

Aneurin Cynewulf

2026-09-14T21:59:13Z

Tarvitz:

{{Eras|rep|imp|rdb|exd|nor}}

{{Construction}}
{{Character
|order= Jedi
|image=
|firstname= Aneurin
|lastname= Cynewulf
|homeworld=
|birth= {{Birthyear_and_Age|BBY|7056}}
|placeofbirth= Unknown
|death=
|placeofdeath=
|causeofdeath=
|species= [[StarWars:Echani/Legends|Echani]]
|gender= Male
|hair= White
|eyes= Silver
|skin= Pale
|height= 1.82 m
|weight= 220 lbs
|cyber=
|mother=
|father=
|siblings=
|children=
|spouse=
|allies=
|associates=
|enemies=
|custom=*The Winter Blade
|customtitle=
|saber=
|form= *[[Niman]]
*[[Soresu]]
|weapons=
|fightingstyle= *[[Echani]]
*[[Broken Gate]]
|profession=
|position=
|era=
|affiliation= *[[StarWars:Jedi Order/Legends|Jedi Order]]
*[[StarWars:Army of Light/Legends|Army of Light]]
*[[StarWars:Jedi Lord|Jedi Lords]]
*[[Clan Odan-Urr]]
|ship=
|masters=
|apprentices=
|slicerhandle=
|dossier= [[dossier:14751|14751]]
|sheet=
}}

{{Quote|'''.'''|Aneurin}}

'''Aneurin Cynewulf''' is a male [[StarWars:Echani/Legends|Echani]] serving Clan [[Odan-Urr]].

== Character History ==

== Physical Description ==

== Personality ==

== Powers and Abilities ==

=== The Force ===

[[File:Aneurin the winter blade.png|250px]]

[[File:Aneurin kneeling.png|250px]]

[[File:Aneurin folded arms.png|250px]]

[[File:Aneurin.png|250px]]

File:Aneurin the winter blade.png

2026-09-14T21:52:41Z

Tarvitz: Commissioned artwork, created by Rayn44 on DeviantArt. Category:Images-Characters Category:Images-Non Humans Category:Images-Echani

== Summary ==
Commissioned artwork, created by Rayn44 on DeviantArt.
[[Category:Images-Characters]]
[[Category:Images-Non Humans]]
[[Category:Images-Echani]]
== Licensing ==
{{Copyrighted Com}}

File:Aneurin kneeling.png

2026-09-14T21:50:18Z

Tarvitz: Commissioned artwork, created by hazumonster on DeviantArt. Category:Images-Characters Category:Images-Non Humans Category:Images-Echani

== Summary ==
Commissioned artwork, created by hazumonster on DeviantArt.
[[Category:Images-Characters]]
[[Category:Images-Non Humans]]
[[Category:Images-Echani]]
== Licensing ==
{{Copyrighted Com}}

File:Aneurin folded arms.png

2026-09-14T21:49:49Z

Tarvitz:

== Summary ==
Commissioned artwork, created by hazumonster on DeviantArt.
[[Category:Images-Characters]]
[[Category:Images-Non Humans]]
[[Category:Images-Echani]]
== Licensing ==
{{Copyrighted Com}}

File:Aneurin folded arms.png

2026-09-14T21:48:27Z

Tarvitz: Category:Images-Characters Category:Images-Non Humans Category:Images-Echani

== Summary ==
[[Category:Images-Characters]]
[[Category:Images-Non Humans]]
[[Category:Images-Echani]]
== Licensing ==
{{Copyrighted Com}}

File:Aneurin.png

2026-09-14T21:47:51Z

Tarvitz: Commissioned artwork, created by hazumonster on DeviantArt. Category:Images-Characters Category:Images-Non Humans Category:Images-Echani

== Summary ==
Commissioned artwork, created by hazumonster on DeviantArt.
[[Category:Images-Characters]]
[[Category:Images-Non Humans]]
[[Category:Images-Echani]]
== Licensing ==
{{Copyrighted Com}}

File:Syren-NPC.png

2026-09-14T21:34:27Z

Tarvitz:

== Summary ==
[[Category: Images-Characters]]
[[Category: Images-Evereni]]
[[Category: Images-Non Humans]]
[[Category: Images-Head Shots]]

== Licensing ==
{{AI Art}}

File:Nym.png

2026-09-14T21:34:13Z

Tarvitz:

== Summary ==
[[Category: Images-Characters]]
[[Category: Images-Evereni]]
[[Category: Images-Non Humans]]
[[Category: Images-Head Shots]]

== Licensing ==
{{AI Art}}

File:VeliraArmorgrey (1).png

2026-09-14T21:33:32Z

Tarvitz:

== Summary ==
Velira armor, grey background
[[Category:Images-Characters]] [[Category:Images-Non Humans]] [[Category:Images-Anzat]]
== Licensing ==
{{Copyrighted}}

File:Veliraarmorblack (1).png

2026-09-14T21:33:26Z

Tarvitz:

[[Category:Images-Characters]] [[Category:Images-Non Humans]] [[Category:Images-Anzat]]
== Licensing ==
{{Copyrighted}}

Aneurin Cynewulf

2026-09-14T21:23:37Z

Tarvitz: I was stupid enough to get a sixth character while slowly updating the wikia pages of my other five, so I might as well get started.

Nikora Rhan

2026-09-14T21:16:53Z

Tarvitz:

{{Eras|rdb|exd|nor|featured}}
{{Character
|image= [[File:Nikora-Rhan-Techweaving.png|250px]]
|order= Force Disciple
|firstname= Nikora
|lastname= Rhan
|homeworld= N/A, voidborn
|birth= {{Birthyear_and_Age|ABY|6}}
|death=
|species= [[starwars:Nautolan/Legends|Nautolan]]
|gender= Female
|hair=
|eyes= Black
|height= 1.7M
|weight= 74.0 kg
|cyber=
|mother= Arail Rhan
|father= Kheal Rhan
|children=
|spouse=
|allies=
|enemies=
|saber= [[Stormherald (Lightsaber)|Stormherald]] (Blue)
|form= *[[Ataru]]
*[[Shii-Cho]]
|weapons= *[[starwars:PLX-1 Portable Missile Launcher|PLX-1 Portable Missile Launcher]]
*MK-6 Explosive Lures
*Ion Grenades
*Sonic Grenades
*Adhesive Grenades
|fightingstyle= *[[Mandalorian Core]]
*[[Sliding Hands]]
|profession= Jensaarai Defender
|position= [[Force Adept]]
|era= *[[Rise of the Brotherhood era|Rise of the Brotherhood era]]
*[[Exodus era|Exodus era]]
*[[Dark_Jedi_Brotherhood_Timeline#New_Order_era|New Order Era]]
|affiliation= *Clan [[Odan-Urr]]
*Jensaarai (Formerly)
*[[House Sunrider]]
*[[Consular Conclave]]
*[[Templar Jensaarai]]
|ship=*''[[Yastobaal]]'' (Formerly)
|masters=
|apprentices= *[[Sirra Werd'la]]
|dossier= [[dossier:14751|14751]]
}}

{{Quote|''''You can develop all the fancy stunts, tricks, and tactics you like. They won't mean a damn thing unless you have someone around to make sure that your ships fly and your guns can shoot.'''|Rhan}}

'''Nikora Rhan''' -later known as '''Rhan the Blade Breaker''' - is a [[starwars:Nautolan/Legends|Nautolan]] female serving Clan [[Odan-Urr]]. Raised by a pair of smugglers operating on the [[starwars:Outer Rim/Legends|Outer Rim]] for much of her childhood, she was eventually recruited into the [[starwars:Jensaarai|Jensaarai Order]] as her blossoming powers became increasingly difficult to control. This affinity with machinery led to her becoming a de facto weaponsmith within their organisation, serving to keep the [[starwars:Ring Defenders|Ring Defenders]] in operation and maintaining equipment. This emphasis on engineering and maintenance meant that she was one of several who voiced in favour of the Reclaimer experiment to seek out lost battlegrounds and recover salvage for the Jensaarai to use. This activity led to her frequently butting heads with those among the Jensaarai who believed that secrecy and isolation were needed in order to survive.

Rhan became increasingly disillusioned with the Order's leadership as they pushed for ever-greater seclusion from the galaxy. This finally led to her breaking with the group entirely following a discovery that the elder Jensaarai were hoping to avoid possible annihilation by the likes of the [[starwars:First Order|First Order]] by erasing past records. After being tasked with arresting [[Ka Tarvitz]] during his reappearance on [[starwars:Susevfi|Susevfi]], Rhan instead opted to follow him into exile and sided with [[Clan Odan-Urr]]. This would later see the two of them working to preserve their teachings.

Following the death of Tarvitz in a war against an undead Sith and the splintering of the Jensaarai into a mixed series of groups, Rhan's efforts would become more associated with the Enclave and rebuilding their lost strength. After assisting with the defection of [[Nat]] and hew crew from the [[Collective]], they would move their primary base of operations to the [[Hyperion (Hammerhead corvette)|''Hyperion'']], and the addition of both [[John Blackwood]] and [[Erasmus Kharse]] to their group in spite of her reservations.

== Character History ==

=== The Nomad (6 ABY - 13 ABY) ===

==== The Engine of Souls ====

Like many children born among the Outer Rim, Nikora Rhan was someone who came into existence without a home. Unlike most this was because she was bound to no single world. Born during a hyperspace jump between planets, Rhan grew up surrounded by machinery and listening to the constant thunder of ships' engines. Both of her parents were smugglers, seeking to make their fortunes by profiting from the ongoing [[starwars:Galactic Civil War/Legends|Galactic Civil War]] and the infighting among Imperial warlords. With so many battlefields left behind from the [[starwars:Clone Wars/Legends|Clone Wars]] and other conflicts littering old battlegrounds, there was no shortage of profit to be made by reclaiming everything still operational. Although it carried with it no shortage of dangers, the work at least avoided the more typical risks associated with smuggling such as dealing directly with the Hutts, or some planetary authorities. Favouring selling their supplies to small planetary governments and the [[starwars:New Republic/Legends|New Republic]], they were able to gain some degree of legitimate backing for their ventures and even direct support when needed.

[[File:Sa Nalaor.jpg|210px|thumb|right|Salvage hunts rarely made for a safe childhood.]] The constant need to jump from world to world, system to system, meant that Rhan became accustomed to making only fleeting friendships with others. Her parents' operations could drag on for months or even weeks at a time, and she was frequently left to entertain herself while they worked to free their prizes. It was perhaps because of this state that Rhan's abilities manifested as they did, with the [[starwars:Force/Legends|Force]] granting her an innate connection with machines. These things were subtle at first, with Rhan claiming to "hear" when the engines were complaining of constant strain or when a droid’s motivator was coming to the end of its life. Coming from a child, her parents laughed this off at first, largely accepting this as her way of comprehending the world. Yet as time drew on, her efforts in listening to equipment became more pronounced and accurate. She was able to briefly bring technology back to life simply from being in close proximity to her, and her crude repairs to simpler machines worked almost in spite of her errors. Nevertheless, they worked.

As Rhan grew older, her idiosyncrasies about the souls and emotions of machines became less tolerated. Her parents became increasingly infuriated at Rhan's refusal to abandon what they regarded as a childish misunderstanding, even as her technological aptitude expanded. She was repeatedly encouraged to abandon her ideas, and reprimanded when she was caught holding conversations with their ship's engines, or her own creations. This was the subject of ridicule more than once, among the few times that she did remain on a world long enough to hold a conversation with others, especially those of greater experience. The fact that she could break their creations with little more than a gesture, or seemingly give them minds of their own, was overlooked in the face of mockery. However, Rhan remained adamant that she could listen to the words of machines and correct them without needing access to even the most basic tools. It would be several years before she was able to definitively prove this skill.

==== Derelict of Ages ====

By 12 ABY, life was becoming increasingly difficult for Rhan's parents. With many past battlefields picked clean and the New Republic itself backing [[starwars:Operation Flotsam|Operation Flotsam]] under the newly appointed [[starwars:Historical Battle Site Preservation Act|Historical Battle Site Preservation Act]], they were relying less upon freelancers to carry out its salvage operations. Even without that, the brief peace which had emerged with the [[starwars:Galactic Empire/Legends|Empire's]] fractured warlord states had permitted larger powers to strip old derelicts bare of goods. Driven from more profitable ventures, they were gradually pushed to pursue less likely leads in order to fund their lifestyle. After months of raiding the sites of old skirmishes and planetary crash sites, they were doing little more than maintaining their funds. Yet one yielded an unexpected reward. The aging cockpit of a [[starwars:Trade Federation gunship|Trade Federation gunship]] carried with it an active and up to date [[starwars:Navigation computer/Legends|navicomputer]]. Severed from the main fuselage, exposure to vacuum had killed the pilots instantly but it had left the machinery within undamaged and unwiped; an act which had prevented its automated functions immediately wiping the machine.

The navicomputer was code-locked but, after working past its defences via older [[starwars:Confederacy of Independent Systems/Legends|CIS]] codes that they had previously procured, Rhan's parents were able to examine the data within. The information was decades out of date, speaking of locations known to many scavengers and sites picked clean. One, however, proved to be of immense interest. The vessel that the gunship had been seconded to was noted to have been located within a nearby nebula, and logged communications indicated that it had suffered significant damage. More importantly its name, the ''Merciless'', was listed as one of the few [[starwars:Lucrehulk-class battleship|Lucrehulk-class battleships]] which was still listed as missing. Having never been confirmed as destroyed, integrated into the [[starwars:Alliance to Restore the Republic/Legends|Rebellion]], or even sighted flying under a pirate flag, its fate had been one of the mysteries surrounding the final days of the Clone Wars. More importantly, it was the sort of haul that no salvage hauler could afford to overlook.

[[File:DestroyerDroid.jpg|150px|thumb|left]] Following the last listed location, they were able to follow the gradual drift of the vessel and locate it within a dense pocket of the nebula's gasses. Its engines had suffered severe damage, and the hull plating was blackened under multiple impacts. Yet even with this damage, the ship's hangars and central sphere seemed remarkably intact. Noting the number of missing escape pods on the ship's surface, Rhan's parents soon elected to investigate the ship. If nothing else, they would examine the main hangar, confirm its status, and then take proof of their find. Either they would be able to sell its location to the New Republic or, if possible, to begin harvesting the hardware and selling it off in smaller deals. Unfortunately for them, the battleship was far from abandoned. A small group of pirates had discovered the vessel and had utilised one of its massive hangars as a base of operations. Upon detecting the smugglers' approach, they waited to ambush the new arrivals and claim their ship.

No sooner did either of Rhan's parents step free of the ship than force fields locked into place behind them, blocking any avenue of escape. Tractor beams activated, holding the ship in place and armed figures emerged about the ship. Most came out firing, driving the smugglers from the warship as they sought cover. Rhan, out of curiosity, had followed them and was quickly pinned down. Instinctively reaching out in fear with the Force, she hunted for anything which might keep them alive. Boosted by her heightened emotions, a trio of red [[starwars:Photoreceptor/Legends|Photoreceptors]] burst into life amid the darkness. A [[starwars:Droideka/Legends|Destroyer Droid]], partially disassembled and long disused, dragged itself free from a pile of broken droids. With its power core sputtering and only a single active cannon, it seemed to be little more than scrap metal. However, as its shield sparked into life and blasters screamed through the air, it proved to be more than a match for the surprised pirates. By the time it halted in its rampage and shut down, not a single pirate was left standing.

This act proved without a doubt that Rhan's abilities were far more than mere childish fancy, but this only made her parents more wary of her.

==== Keepers of a Bygone Era ====

For the following months, the smugglers stripped the ''Merciless''' complement of fighters for spare parts. Ignoring the larger warship, the far smaller and more manageable groups of [[starwars:Scarab-class droid starfighter/Legends|Scarabs]] and [[starwars:Variable Geometry Self-Propelled Battle Droid, Mark I/LegendsZ|Vultures]] filled their cargo holds, ferrying spare parts and raw materials back to New Republic worlds. However, Rhan found herself isolated at this time. Even after the shock of her seemingly bringing machinery to life through sheer force of will had worn in, neither of them could look at her in the same way as before. Rhan was still their daughter, the one they had loved and raised for years, but her abilities were an understandable cause for concern. Neither of them was certain that, in an outburst, that the event might be repeated with themselves or even an innocent figure being caught in the crossfire. These concerns were shared by Rhan herself. It had not been will or even concentration which had pushed her powers to new heights but raw fear tinged with rage. Yet a solution was soon to present itself.

[[File:JensaaraiArmor.jpg|210px|thumb|left]] In one of their later visits to the wreck of the ''Merciless'', they were greeted by several waiting figures in the hangar. Clad in stylised metalwork and with swords at their belts, they were clearly warriors and yet they made no move to threaten the smugglers. Cautiously giving the group the benefit of the doubt, the smugglers met with them. Their leader, an aging [[starwars:Nikto/Legends|Nikto]] by the name of Kylun, spoke with the smugglers freely and enquired of the pirates' fate. Rather than being allies or a rival group of corsairs, the warriors had been hunting them after they had pillaged their world. In particular, [[starwars:Lightsaber crystal|a selection of crystals]] mistaken as precious gems had been stolen by these groups. While effectively worthless to most of the galaxy, the warriors regarded them with great value. The smugglers had found these among the pirates' belongings, hidden within a safe that Rhan had coaxed into unlocking for them. While her parents tried to avoid mentioning Rhan's role in either the pirates' deaths or her later efforts, Kylun rapidly picked up on the fact that they were hiding something. When pressed, they first tried to claim that they had accomplished Rhan's feats themselves. When this effort failed to shield her from their interest, they then tried to pass it off as a third member of their group who was not present. Neither occasion worked to dissuade Kylun, as he quickly picked up on the deception. It was only when the warriors became increasingly suspicious, to the point of near hostility, that Rhan stepped forward.

Rhan's parents first objected to this, trying to still hide her role in the hopes of sparing their daughter the warrior's attention, or even to make matters worse. Yet rather than accusing them of another falsehood, Kylun showed genuine interest in her abilities. Rhan was shy, worried that the hulking figure in plate armour might choose to simply slay her parents and take her as a slave if he deemed her abilities as useful. To her surprise, Kylun spoke of things that Rhan had always been half-aware of in her life. He asked about energies she felt but no one else could pick up on, or the imprints of lives on objects which others claimed held no life to them. Gradually, he was able to coax answers from her and gain a better picture of how her abilities were manifesting. In return, he displayed some powers of his own: Casting lightning from his fingertips and moving objects with his will. He claimed that what she was experiencing was an extremely strong connection to the Force, and that it was both a blessing and a curse.

Kylun spoke to both Rhan and her parents as the hours wore on. He outlined what the Force was, how its practitioners - near-mythical among the galaxy's outer worlds even with the steady rebuilding of the [[starwars:New Jedi Order|Jedi Order]] - could often be divided into two groups of recruits. Some only had their powers manifest in small ways, requiring training and self-discipline to gradually focus their energies in any conscious or substantial form. Others retained them in a far stronger but less controlled manner, displaying connections through either constant passive actions or sudden outbursts. While both ultimately held the same potential for control and growth, the latter group could easily find their lives ruined as their powers overwhelmed them or developed in a way that controlled their lives. Rhan was one of these people, or so it seemed to him. Without training, her ability to listen to machinery could slowly overwhelm her, or her emotions could more easily lean toward the [[starwars:Dark side of the Force/Legends|Dark Side]]. Kylun offered her an opportunity to train with a group of similarly gifted individuals, to control her powers and avert this fate. As he spoke, all that Rhan could think of was her emotions when she had indirectly slaughtered the pirates, and the fear that still clung to her. To her, the choice was an easy one. The two groups left the derelict as one, traveling to the moon of [[starwars:Susevfi|Susevfi]] to show Rhan just what her future might hold.

=== The Defender (14 ABY -24 ABY) ===

==== The Domain of the Hidden Truth ====

Rhan remained with her parents during the long flight to Susevfi, each talking over their concerns, hopes, and problems. As the first time that any of them had been able to speak to one another about Rhan's skills without disbelieving her or fearing what it could bring, it offered a hundred possible implications. The most pressing matter was to gain further knowledge of Kylun's group and what her training would require, but also how it might change Rhan herself. Even after seeing their powers manifest first hand, the mysticism that the warriors shrouded themselves in seemed ridiculous. In the end, Rhan herself pushed to at least listen to them. She hungered to explore and develop her skills now that they were being taken seriously. Even if Kylun had lied about everything else, his own abilities made it clear that he had some understanding of the Force and how to control it. It seemed like a singular opportunity to fully explore her abilities.

After landing on the planet's sole spaceport, near to the coastal city of [[starwars:Yumfla|Yumfla]], the trio were led to the former [[starwars:Leonia Tavira's palace|Governor's Palace]]. The world had only just repelled and freed itself from an Imperial splinter-group, with help from the Jedi no less. Having claimed the palace and now operating in the open, the Force users - now freely calling themselves Jensaarai - had begun moving more openly in the nearby systems. The Jensaarai themselves were typically a secretive and isolationist group, but Kylun went to great lengths to explain and detail all he could about them. If ever a question was asked, even if it was typically taboo, he made a point of answering it in full. His reasons for doing so were simple: Rhan's affinity with machinery was rare and most Force users were typically trained from near birth. He openly admitted that he wished for her to develop those skills, but not specifically for the benefit of the Jensaarai. In his eyes, allowing her abilities to wither or go unused would be to rob the galaxy of a rare skill.

After several days of talks - and watching training sessions - Rhan agreed to stay on the moon. Her parents could not remain on the planet, their lifestyle simply would not permit it, but it was agreed that they would visit as often and frequently as possible. From there it would be up to Rhan to decide if she continued to move up the ranks within the Jensaarai or return to the life of a scavenger. After one final night to say their goodbyes, Rhan watched her parents depart for the stars once more, and began the long process of honing her powers.

==== The First Step into a Larger World ====

[[File:Technobeast.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Even as she was trained and tested, Rhan was told of the horrors her power could unleash if it was not focused with discipline.]] Rhan's lessons began the very morning after her parents departed. Old by the standards of their favoured recruits - who were typically inducted into the Order from near-birth - her tutors instead favoured using a staggered series of concentrated tests to examine the limits of her abilities. Once they were certain of the extent of her skills, and her shortcomings, she was quickly subjected to continuous trials and lessons to bring her up to speed with other Apprentices. Rhan chafed under some of these lessons, particularly those relating to [[starwars:Lightsaber combat/Legends|lightsaber]] combat and [[starwars:Force power/Legends|Force powers]] beyond simple [[starwars:Telekinesis/Legends|telekinesis]]. She was continually set targets, trials, and goals to achieve in almost every session. No single one seemed to emphasise the more expansive and detailed explanations of the Force that she had hoped to find. Isolated from other students and seemingly being set tasks with the expectation she would fail at them, Rhan began to regret her choice in remaining among the Jensaarai. As much as she wished to speak out, she felt as if any objection might mark her down as a failure in their eyes. Rhan's mood was hardly improved when, through eavesdropping, she learned that this method of training had been devised based upon the failings of a similarly late starting apprentice: Ka Tarvitz.

Infuriated at the Defenders' methods, Rhan eventually sought out Tarvitz personally. Driven by sheer frustration, and blaming Tarvitz for her treatment, she was all but ready to pick a fight with the boy over these lessons. Undaunted by the fact that he was twice Rhan's age and substantially larger than the Nautolan, an outright fight was only averted thanks to Tarvitz's unwillingness to do more than dodge her blows. Talking Rhan down, and learning of her frustrations, Tarvitz offered to instead help her. He did not deny that his own failings were numerous and felt sympathy for Rhan, but his own experiences offered him a greater perspective on why she was being subjected to such a rigorous series of tests. The ability to utilise Force stemmed from strength of purpose, will, and determination as its foundations, and the Jensaarai favoured aggression focused through total self-discipline. The tests were to build her sense of conviction and encourage creative thinking rather than to have her directly overcome them, mimicking how his own means of catching up with other students. Tarvitz offered to help her at least gain some even footing in facing their challenges, and to overcome tests on her own terms.

Tarvitz's advice went a considerable way to improving her performance, with Rhan typically working around any challenges through outside means or loopholes to accomplish her goals. [[starwars:Lightsaber/Legends|Lightsaber]] training duels would often turn into brawls with both weapons discarded, and she would often use her powers to enhance machines to help with certain tasks. This at once both set her as an infuriating and promising individual in the eyes of her peers, as Tarvitz had partially misunderstood their intentions, but they would not deny Rhan her successes. Even with concerns that her over-reliance upon mechanical Force powers was a flaw, Rhan was soon permitted to join broader groups of apprentices and continue with a more conventional means of tutorship.

==== By the Saarai-kaar's Word ====

Now better grounded in her understanding of their ways, Rhan dedicated herself entirely to the lessons of the Order's Defenders. Kylun, while limited in his contract with her, frequently took to personally training Rhan in lightsaber combat; a move which was made in response to one too many black eyes following training matches. The older Nikto was bemused by her antics, but nevertheless did his best to encourage a superior level of swordsmanship and appreciation of lightsaber combat, teaching her Niman so not to be limited to blunt and brutal attacks. Rhan listened to his words, but largely found herself doing so simply so she could better exploit a lightsaber's flaws in battle. For all the artistry and skill in mastering a form of combat, Rhan found that the simplest means to overcome an enemy was to deny them their chosen weapons.

Although Rhan proved to be adept in channeling the Force and the essential skills required of a Defender, she had a natural edge when it came to creative outlets. Machinery and engineering had long been a major part of her life, and Rhan's abilities to judge, manipulate and "jinx" complex mechanisms only grew with time. However, even without her connection to the Force, she was capable of forging complex designs and rebuilding items from little more than a memory. Others that she was gifted were frequently reworked and rebuilt, with upgrades or custom modifications when needed. With Kylun's backing, her duties as an Apprentice monitoring the streets of their city were scaled back, and she was instead given time to better familiarise herself with the small fleet of snubfighters that occupied their hangars. This left her in frequent contact with Tarvitz, and the two entered into an odd sort of rivalry for a time, each trying to outdo the other. The fact that few to none of their skills overlapped meant that the results of such contests were typically inconclusive.

Rhan's lessons were punctuated by infrequent visits from her parents, still finding work even after their concerns. Their presence served as a stabilizing factor during Rhan's training, anchoring herself and giving her a deadline by which to accomplish her next series of goals. While wishing to hear more of their daughter's life there than offer news of the wider galaxy, their stories nevertheless served as a reminder to Rhan of the greater galaxy beyond the Jensaarai's moon. While they lived in an era of relative peace now that a treaty had been signed between the Imperial Remnant and the New Republic, Rhan valued their tales and the greater events that they outlined. Knowing of them was more important than even participating in them, and Rhan even went so far as to construct a datapad to note down the general details that her parents passed on to her. Equally, while they were never truly friends, Rhan came to know Tarvitz's grandparents and became an infrequent visitor to their homestead.

[[File:Squid.JPG.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Although hardly a beautiful creature, the Devilsquid served as a basis for Rhan's armour.]] While others might have chafed under being kept within the palace, Rhan found a degree of personal joy in applying her skills to various mechanical systems. Each was a chance to truly experiment on just how far her abilities had developed, and to apply herself to something that was truly her forte. As she found ways to keep fighters operational with substandard parts, reworked the palace's aging machinery and took the time to repair the other Defenders' equipment, Rhan applied herself to reinforce the Order as a whole through her abilities. Any one of them could pick up a lightsaber, fly their ships or repair their own equipment but, with their new homes and territories and equipment, they were in desperate need of others to keep the lights on and the plasma furnaces running. Because of this Rhan found herself granted the rank of Defender far sooner than she might have otherwise expected, allowing the Order to permanently assign her to the palace as a de-facto engineer. The change was so sudden that - without greater inspiration - Rhan chose the [[starwars:Devilsquid|Devilsquid]] of [[starwars:Dac|Mon Calamari]] as the inspiration for her armour out of the simple desire for additional limbs to carry out her tasks.

Despite her newfound role, Rhan was ordered by the [[starwars:Saarai-kaar|Saarai-kaar]] to still join street patrols several times per month. Even with the benefits that she offered the Order, their leader still decreed that they were an organisation of swordsmen before all else, and she did not wish for Rhan's skills to decay while trapped within the palace. Rhan did not object to this, but she quietly chafed under the more regimented schedules and objectives that this placed upon her. Her training had been similar in many regards, but that at least had been leading toward something greater. Without the freedom to choose her tasks and approach them as she desired, her duties gradually wore away at her enthusiasm. Seeking distractions or excuses to frequently disrupt the daily schedules put before her, Rhan began voluntarily taking on additional work of any form. From patching up armour plating, enhancing the palace's power generators, or even attempting to convert some wrecked fighters into combat effective [[starwars:Ugly/Legends|uglies]], Rhan attempted to distract herself through any means available to her.

==== Childhood's Nightfall ====

Susevfi had long been a safe harbour for its populace. Largely unknown to the greater galaxy and absent from most major star maps, the moon and the [[starwars:Suarbi system|Suarbi system]] as a whole were ultimately unremarkable in almost every regard. However, to some its relative isolation made it a far more tempting target than more prominent worlds. Viewing the moon as a potential source of slaves for [[starwars:Nal Hutta/Legends|Nal Hutta's]] auctions, a [[starwars:Pirate/Legends|pirate]] band named the Confederated Suns infiltrated the system. With their [[starwars:Cruiser/Legends|cruiser]] disguised as a civilian [[starwars:Freighter/Legends|freighter]], the pirates were able to land just beyond the capital city's outer limits and swarm its streets en mass. The attack blindsided the Jensaarai. While they had sensed the impending attack, any premonitions led the Defenders to believe that it would originate from within Yumfla itself, and had dispersed their numbers to prevent possible riots, not to engage enemy raiders. Most Defenders were sluggish in their responses, with fights breaking out in multiple running battles rather than on any coordinated front.

Having been unable to escape her tasked duties in patrolling the streets, Rhan was among those caught up in the opening wave of pirates. Along with a few others present on the outskirts of the city, she worked to blunt the initial wave of attackers. Utilising her skills to stall the engines of [[starwars:Landspeeder/Legends|the raiding vehicles]] favoured by the pirates, she was able to force a substantial number of them to halt and engage the Defenders before they could breach the city. Unprepared for substantial resistance, or the presence of multiple lightsaber-wielding figures, their presence was enough to force some to break. Others were determined to press their attack, threatening to overwhelm the group with sheer numbers. It was in this battle that Rhan slew her first opponents. As efforts to drive them back or render them unconscious failed thanks to their sheer numbers, she finally resorted to killing them to prevent their position from being overwhelmed. It was only sheer adrenaline and the intensity of combat that prevented her from fully absorbing the shock of her actions, or their consequences. Driven by a subconscious desire to stave off that same realization, Rhan was among the first Defenders to pursue the pirates when their assault finally broke. Claiming one of their landspeeders, she and several others set off after the raiders, ensuring that any who considered turning or rallying their comrades would see a band of Jensaarai at their backs.

Managing to drive them back to their ship, Rhan's group barely arrived in time to see it initiating lift-off. Having heard of the [[starwars:Invids|Invids]] occupation years prior, and knowing that letting them flee would see them return in greater numbers, Rhan concentrated her powers on the vessel's great engines. Reaching out with the Force, she pushed herself to the absolute limit, shorting out the vessel's reactor for a brief time, preventing it from departing the moon. The Suns responded with violence, assaulting the group again and again as Rhan denied them their escape, holding their ground as ever more corsairs beset the small group. Repeating this effort several times over the course of the following hours allowed the Jensaarai to gather in strength and board the vessel, eventually seizing the ship with few casualties on either side. While this was seen by some as a great victory, others regarded it as a failing, adding their voices to long-standing criticism of the Order's isolationist policies. For Rhan herself, it was a realisation of just what their duties required. Even with her training, knowledge and appreciating the Jensaarai ideological tenets, and dueling more students than she could count, the act of taking a life nevertheless stunned her in the aftermath of the battle. Both Kylun and the Saarai-kaar consoled her over her actions, but she was nevertheless disturbed by memories of her lightsaber carving through flesh and eyes staring at her in shock as life faded from them.

=== The Reclaimer (25 ABY - 31 ABY) ===

==== A Return to the Stars ====

The attack by the Confederated Suns had sent shockwaves throughout the Jensaarai. Most had mistakenly believed themselves safe from outside influences following the defeat of their past occupiers, and the act had given strength to a number of outliers among their number. Certain Defenders had argued for years that the Order needed to scout out the surrounding systems and keep a closer watch on nearby space, preparing to fight if not outright confronting factions which could harm those under their protection. The Saarai-kaar had previously ignored these, but with voices now swinging in favour of those individuals, she granted them some leeway to act among the wider galaxy. Rhan might have previously sided with them but, shaken by her experiences, she opted instead to return to her duties. Attempting to find some degree of certainty and control in fixing machinery, Rhan withdrew back into her engineering skills to drown out her shock at having killed others. Kylun, recognising her disturbed state, attempted to coerce Rhan into opening up and at least receiving some form of counselling for her shock, but he gained little leeway in his efforts. Yet even among machines, Rhan's previous dissatisfaction clashed with her efforts to bury past memories, rendering her unable to fully accept either her duties as a Defender or [[starwars:Technician/Legends|mechanic]].

[[File:RaxusPrimeJunkpile.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Locations like Raxus Prime would become a common sight over the following years.]] An eventual answer came with the return of Tarvitz's group, having procured a number of vital mechanical parts from a forgotten battlefield. This was enough to convince the Jensaarai to expand their efforts into salvage operations, taking what was needed to reinforce their holdings and repair their dilapidated vessels. Nicknaming these groups Reclaimers, they began setting out for months at a time to scavenge what was required for the Order. Upon learning of this, Rhan felt a twinge of nostalgia for her past life, and the familiarity it offered. Rhan petitioned to join them several times, only to be denied due to the vital nature of her role. It was only on the third attempt that she was granted permission, thanks to both citing the experiences of her parents and following several failings by other groups to find plentiful wrecks. Even if the Jensaarai needed her to keep things running, her duties would not help if she was forced to constantly jury-rig fixes for missing parts.

Contacting her parents, Rhan was able to rejoin them in their efforts to hunt down and raid lost warships with little convincing. An additional pair of hands were useful in their line of work, and both had looked forward to reconnecting with their daughter. However, Rhan remained distant for some time, unable to form any easy conversations or touch base following her experiences and time among the Jensaarai. More concerned with their work than social interactions, she was left to her own devices after several fruitless months of trying to speak with her. This continued for some time, as Rhan silently isolated herself, trying to lose herself entirely in their work. This would only change with a visit to [[starwars:Sullust/Legends|Sullust]]. In an effort to barter several vital parts from a local junk dealer - each needed to succeed in a far larger haul - the trio ran afoul of a local crime lord. Efforts to escape the planet repeatedly ended in disaster, until the trio were cornered in a local [[starwars:Hotel/Legends|hotel]]. With no other option, Rhan took up her lightsaber once more. Storming out of the hotel to prevent bypassers being caught in the crossfire, Rhan utilised the Force to render several of their weapons inoperable and momentarily blind the criminals. Hacking through gun barrels, swords and rendering some unconscious with bursts of [[starwars:Force lightning/Legends|lightning]], Rhan rapidly drove them into retreat. The fight only ended when one, leveling a grenade launcher at the hotel, attempted to kill all within it in a petty act of revenge. Too drained to drag the weapon away or render it inoperable, Rhan hurled her lightsaber, spearing the man through the chest and killing him instantly.

In the aftermath of the event, Rhan was given a better perspective on her actions. She had taken most alive, while the remainder had been captured by the local law enforcers. A few more were so terrified of the red armoured figure that they had turned themselves in. All but one had been claimed without bloodshed, and even that had been to save more lives when there was no other option. Though thoughts of her past would continue to plague her for some time, this at least allowed her to look back on them with greater clarity and make peace with those she had killed. In similar events that followed, Rhan would continue trying to take her opponents alive and render them unconscious first, only slaying them if the alternative was to allow innocents to die because of her pacifism or they could not be forced to surrender. It was a lesson that would ensure both her survival and many others over the following several years.

==== The Path of the Outlander ====

Over the following years, Rhan would largely remain with her parents and other groups, switching between them as her skills were required. Dividing her time between tenures working within the palace and traveling among salvage teams on the distant fringes of the Outer Rim, Rhan was able to strike a far healthier compromise between her varied tasks. Coming to terms with her duties and appreciating the freedom she had been offered, she was able to find a degree of satisfaction in her twin roles. Yet, even with the Saarai-kaar's explicit orders not to draw attention to the Order, Rhan frequently found excuses to enforce justice where it was required. Minor fights against [[StarWars:Pirate/Legends|pirate groups, raiders]], or even petty criminals were far from uncommon, especially on planets with no official [[StarWars:Law enforcement agency/Legends|law enforcement]]. Even when she was required to hide her involvement, Rhan would use her powers to undermine their efforts, breaking equipment or rendering some members unconscious when needed.

Yet Rhan could not wholly escape larger conflicts. Wars would always rage across the galaxy, constantly shifting the tides of war in favour of the New Republic or allowing more hostile governments to emerge where its influence was limited. Attempting to remain neutral in such battles, Rhan would nevertheless find some excuse to always be present to help repair refugee ships, hold off attackers, or to help others escape from dying worlds. Perhaps the most infamous of these would be one of the bloody conflicts which would become known as the [[StarWars:Yuuzhan vong War|Unsung Wars]]. Fought against a force of aggressive outsiders who sought to sacrifice or subjugate all in their path, Rhan was unable to escape the conflict or entirely ignore the widespread strife created by their onslaught. It would become one of the few times in which she deemed an entire culture exempt from her personal law regarding death as a final option in combat, an exemption which extended to all of their creations. Rhan concentrated her efforts on minor second fronts, but even then she saw [[StarWars:Ithor/Legends|cities burned and worlds stripped bare]].

The conflicts which Rhan found herself dragged into served to reinforce her appreciation for the Jensaarai creed, and the role of Force users as guardians. Although she did not oppose the more isolationist groups among the Jensaarai, it was more out of a desire to spare her Order's home from conflict than true agreement with their arguments. Individuals who pushed for a far more offensive mindset, with the Order spreading out among the stars, were those who seemed set to ignore the mistakes of past [[StarWars:Jedi Covenant|Force sects]] or how easily they could fall to the Dark Side. Because of this, Rhan ultimately remained outside of any such arguments upon her return visits to Susevfi, only taking occasional sides when she deemed it most needed. Because of this she found herself frequently at odds with some individuals within the Jensaarai - even Kylun on rare occasions - but remained loyal to their values far more than any individual. Some would butt heads with her, even argue against her perception of their creed, but rarely contested her dedication to their ideology.

==== The Dregs of Old Night ====

By late [[31 ABY]], Rhan had become tired of wider galactic events. Having dedicated herself far more to the greater wars than she ever intended, Rhan found herself desiring to focus far more upon simpler quests. The renewed Jedi Order could be left to protect the New Republic, or the Alliance as it had become known, along with the greater militaries of the galaxy. Having seen what often became of so many caught in the crossfire, it was evident that someone needed to concern themselves more with the smaller crimes over constantly looking at the big picture. Yet, by this point, even pursuing that single general objective risked being reprimanded. The Saarai-kaar had granted Rhan considerable leeway in her actions, turning a blind eye to some actions which could easily be lost among larger battles. However, this had come to an end. Upon her return to the Palace, the Saarai-kaar explained that under no uncertain terms was she to continue drawing attention to them. When working among the wider galaxy, she was to remain in the shadows and avoid any risk of detection by others. Rhan understood this to some degree, but the urgency behind the Saarai-kaar's words was surprising to her. For the first time that Rhan could remember, her superior seemed unnerved if not outright scared.

By this era, most battlefields had been picked clean by [[starwars:Scavenger/Legends|scavengers]]. Rhan's parents had continued to find work but their sales had been dedicated more to private collectors of rare vessels than shipments to large governmental bodies. Nevertheless, they were able to offer her a few promising leads which suggested a substantial wealth of [[StarWars:Technology level|buried technology]]. The planet of [[starwars:Corbos|Corbos]] had been recently colonized by a large mining consortium, which was seeking to claim much of the vast mineral wealth hidden beneath its surface. The planet was a rocky and unappetizing home, almost uninhabitable and with whole continents subjected to torrential rainfall for months at a time. Yet in spite of this, the new colonists had found a number of past ruins, dating back from the Clone Wars to the very foundation of the Republic itself. Yet, any records of the planet had been mysteriously erased along with details of past encounters. The only detail which could be confirmed was that a number of Jedi had visited the world some decades ago, but for what reason was unclear. Intrigued, Rhan opted to visit the planet to inspect this, driven as much by personal curiosity as her hopes of finding a new shipment of metal for the Jensaarai.

[[File:SithLeviathan.jpg|230px|thumb|left]] Arriving on the world during a massed downpour, Rhan was able to requisition a shuttle to investigate one of the more recent ruins found. Decades rather than centuries old, she was surprised to find signs of New Republic technologies among the destroyed prefabricated shelters, and modern weaponry in place of ancient blaster designs. Yet what was far more disturbing was the lack of burn damage. Buildings had been smashed open, ripped in two, or crushed by some massive force; but there was no sign of explosive or energy damage. Rhan investigated further, coming to the disturbing conclusion that physical impacts had caused the total destruction of the colony. She visited another ruin, and one more after that, each sharing the same pattern of damage impacts bereft of advanced weaponry. The contradiction of so primitive an attack overcoming advanced weaponry set Rhan on edge, but as did other things. Rhan could hear screaming in the back of her mind, quiet at first and yet growing with every passing day she remained there. It echoed through the very Force itself, manifesting in thousands of minds trapped in overwhelming agony.

Attempting to convince the colonists to leave proved fruitless. Unable to express her concerns without revealing her connection to the Force, those in charge of the new colony remained convinced that the past findings were the results of natural disasters rather than attacks. Worse still, a large coven of pilgrims belonging to the [[starwars:Church of the Force|Church of the Force]] had joined them, adamantly convinced that the world was of some importance to their religion and disrupted Rhan's efforts. For three days she fruitlessly attempted to have them leave before the rain seasons became too heavy to initiate an effective evacuation, and then preparing for the worst. When it arrived, it came in the form of gargantuan monstrosities, spawned by [[starwars:Sith alchemy/Legends|Sith alchemy]]: [[starwars:Leviathan (creature)|Leviathans]]. The creatures had hibernated, waking only upon sensing souls to consume. Two of them smashed through the colony's outer defenses with ease, rampaging throughout the compound within. As blasters proved to be inefficient, Rhan resorted to every means at her disposal to defend the populace. In a thirteen-hour battle, the beasts were slain by Rhan - the first by lightning and the second by sheer attrition - but at the cost of almost all colonists.

When word of this conflict reached the Saarai-kaar - that Rhan had not only revealed herself but failed in her objective to secure new materials - Rhan was recalled to Susevfi for judgment.

=== The Preserver (32 ABY - 37 ABY) ===

==== Ghosts of Iron ====

Rhan's arrival was far from auspicious. While she was not arrested on sight, a small guard of defenders were assembled at the single spaceport, tasked with escorting her directly to the Saarai-kaar's chamber. Apparently believing that Rhan might flee rather than confront her personally, or even approach her in some roundabout way, the leader of the Jensaarai was leaving nothing to risk. Yet whatever her concerns, Rhan neither attempted to flee or avoid the meeting, marching directly to the palace and into her chambers, barely waiting for her escorts to keep pace. Already knowing that she had broken her word but unwilling to meekly accept punishment for saving the lives of others, Rhan cited her case against the Saarai-kaar. She brought up their duty to others, how she had given every means to avoid the fight, and that the only alternative would have been to lie down and accept death at the hands of the [[starwars:Sithspawn|sithspawn]]. Surprisingly, the Saarai-kaar accepted much of this, but found fault in how close she had come to death and a lack of request for support. With their numbers limited and few specialists among their Order, the loss of any [[starwars:Pilot/Legends|pilot]], [[starwars:Medic/Legends|medic]] or mechanically minded individual was a blow that they could ill afford. Because of this, Rhan's punishment was to serve as a teacher to any new Apprentices, passing on knowledge of her skills and encounters to the next generation of Defenders.

Rhan was surprised at her new duty, and certainly pleased to not be reprimanded over her actions, but she was once more left her permanently stationed on their [[starwars:Moon/Legends|moon]]. The loss of freedom that she valued was infuriating, but this at least granted a focus that she had craved many years ago. For a time, Rhan believed that her role was a potential blessing in disguise, until oddities began to emerge in her surroundings. Many of the Defenders who were now stationed in the palace were those who had once been on long-term assignments to retrieve salvage or observe the wider galaxy, each recalled without warning and even the rank of Reclaimer - an informal nickname for their subset of the [[starwars:Ring Defender|Ring Defenders]] - had been removed from records. Equally, many icons, images, and displays that had been present in Rhan's past visit were absent from its walls. Initially, Rhan believed that both had legitimate reasons - With fewer battlefields to scavenge there was less of a need for such a duty, and many still regarded the Invids' dictatorship with bitterness. Yet more oddities continued to emerge within their records. Worlds were being erased from documents, ship classes were treated as if they never existed, whole sects of [[starwars:Force-sensitive/Legends|Force users]] were omitted from existence. Even more recent events, wars, and species were treated as if they had never existed, while many ancient eras had been reduced to fleeting mentions of vague events.

Rhan finally snapped when she was handed specific guidelines, advising her to avoid teaching her students a broad range of subjects, many of which related to either the Force or their ideologies. Confronting the Saarai-kaar on this turn of events, Rhan learned of why these sweeping changes were being implemented. The [[starwars:First Order|First Order]], a mysterious group that had abruptly replaced the Imperial Remnant, was hunting down and annihilating those they believed to be a threat. The Saarai-kaar and other elders had opted to return to secrecy and isolation to avoid possible destruction, discouraging new Apprentices from possibly leaving their home and erasing any reason for the [[starwars:Knights of Ren|Knights of Ren]] to annihilate them. Rhan attempted to argue against this, vocally opposing this decision, but the motion had been passed during her absence. To oppose this new decree was to court exile from the Order and be left friendless in the galaxy. It was an option that Rhan almost took, but she opted instead to remain among the Order and undermine this action by any means open to her. If the leaders of the Jensaarai were betraying their very history and name, she would at least remain true to their ideals.

==== The Age that Never Was ====

Taking on small groups of Apprentices at a time in her personal workshop, Rhan began training them to handle machinery, repair systems, and bypass missing components. Most of her work emphasized pragmatic workarounds above all else, and how to ensure that a machine could work without the right components or even conflicting parts. On the surface this was used to indicate a need to overcome possible resource shortages and creative thinking. While that detail was certainly true, Rhan utilised loopholes in her orders to teach Apprentices more of the outside galaxy and those there. Machine parts from the [[starwars:Corporate Sector Authority/Legends|Corporate Sector Authority]], [[starwars:Hapes Consortium/Legends|Hapes Consortium]], and far more outlandish groups frequently became the subject of teachings, along with components taken from the more modern [[starwars:New Class Modernization Program|New Republic ships now abandoned by the government]]. This hooked in the Apprentices with the ideas of what lay beyond their home, and Rhan was even able to use reverse psychology to leak information of her travels, or distant planets, in her lessons. Whenever she was confronted on this point, Rhan would only cite that she gave the students enough information to understand what they were working with when it came to conflicting design ethoses.

[[File:ValleyOfTheDarkLords.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Even records essential to understanding the Jensaarai Order were put to the torch, with only a few names and images left untouched.]] Although frequently challenged on various points and with her superiors issuing warnings multiple times over, Rhan maintained a very careful balance between revealing just enough information to get the Apprentices interested without going too far. She was well aware that pushing for too much change at once would ultimately backfire badly upon herself and possibly even the Apprentices. As such, she always aimed to inspire their hunger for more knowledge or the wider galaxy without giving too much information away. Whenever it seemed that Rhan might be going too far, she would ensure that some event or another was there to demonstrate the skills of her Apprentices. These ranged from the occasional convenient failure of key systems - ones that she happened to have trained Apprentices repeatedly in how to fix - when she was indisposed to active demonstrations. This was enough to frequently quell criticism but never remove it entirely. Rhan even went so far as to try and use this to her advantage, as she knew from firsthand experience that banned knowledge was often the most appealing to students, but such pushes often left her in a precarious position with the Saarai-kaar.

During this time, Rhan found that the Jensaarai were taking ever more stringent efforts to isolate themselves entirely. Banning speech was not enough in of itself, and entire passages, tomes, and records were found missing from their libraries. Information was "updated" to match the [[StarWars:Propaganda/Legends|propaganda]] of the New Republic and the First Order, resulting in the erasure of entire revolutions, wars, and even people. Tens of thousands of [[starwars:Standard year/Legends|years]] of history could disappear in the blink of an eye, only to be reintroduced at a later date in a so-called corrected format. These were self-contradictory and bare-bones variations of what had come before, defined more by propaganda than anything else. Rhan was forced to try and contradict these however she could, avoiding outright decrying them to her Apprentices, but encouraging them to remain open-minded enough to consider that their records might not be wholly accurate. Yet she was left contending with other Defenders, those who supported the Saarai-kaar's decision, who preached the version of their history the Order was supposed to now follow. Unable to openly deny their version of history, she found herself fighting a losing battle.

==== Clandestine Memories ====

Over the course of the next several years, Rhan would maintain her constant approach of carefully encouraging more open-minded trends among Apprentices and pushing for an ideological shift within the next generation. A sudden upheaval would only see a schism among the Jensaarai or, in worst-case scenarios, outright civil war. Even if it took decades to accomplish, Rhan favoured a quieter and more gradual shift which might allow the Jensaarai to become open to the galaxy once more. Yet even in this regard she found herself limited. The galaxy was moving on without them, and Rhan only learned of greater events through the slightest scraps of information. These were contradictory tales, many of which had been clearly embellished many times over by other voices. Some proclaimed that the Empire had established itself and was sweeping forth from another galaxy. [[StarWars:Final Order|Others declared that the Emperor had emerged alive once more]], and was leading a hidden fleet into battle. Some even went so far as to voice the concept that Luke Skywalker's renewed Jedi Order had been destroyed, and their survivors butchered decades ago. Rhan was left to sift through the falsehoods, finding the few consistencies which existed among the myriad of tales and use them to her advantage.

[[File:Library.jpg|215px|thumb|left]] All throughout this time, similar news continually forced the Jensaarai to take ever greater extremes in their efforts to avoid attention. Along with their archives, [[starwars:Force artifact|old relics]] began to disappear from the palace. Ornamental and culturally vital images were torn down, never to be seen again. Rhan feared that most were destroyed, but she was never able to confirm this for herself. As such, she worked to quietly remove a number of them whenever given the opportunity. Having remained in contact with the Tarvitz homestead, Rhan was able to convince those living there to hide the relics until the madness possessing their leaders eventually passed. Whatever risks that she incurred by being discovered were worth it in her eyes. There would be no point in gradually turning the Order back from its self-destructive path if there was nothing left to save by the end. Much of what she was able to recover were typically small items, from texts to tomes, with a small handful of more prominent pieces. Yet for every one that Rhan was able to quietly remove, five would disappear without a trace, and all records of their existence denied.

As the first few of the Apprentices that she helped to train ascended to the rank of Defender, Rhan quietly began approaching them to expand her efforts. However, she found that most had been too heavily brow-beaten into actively pushing for change. Rhan's lessons had given them ideas to be sure, and impressed upon them the greater nature of the galaxy, but the others had conveyed its dangers all too well. They had attempted to rectify this compromise by believing that survival was required above all else when greater threats stood out in the galaxy, and that they could only carry out their duties once the greater danger had passed. Rhan would continue pushing for change over the following months, but this had signaled to Rhan that her efforts were likely to fail even in the long-run. Even pushing to have Kylun and several others seemingly refusing to openly support the Saarai-kaar act in support of a quiet revolution met with little to no success. The elder members had ensured that any will to resist them had gradually been sapped by constantly reminding them of the past mistakes while conveniently removing any mention of their victories. Now they only recognised how many times the Order had verged upon destruction from outsiders, and how easily such threats could emerge once again.

==== Fragments of a Lost Truth ====

Even after finding that her efforts would likely lead to no long-term victory, Rhan remained with the Jensaarai. Loyal to their ideals if not their leaders, and with nowhere else to go, she opted to continue training the younger generations in engineering skills. For a time she even considered mimicking their approach to new threats, guarding the knowledge that she had gathered, and keeping it hidden from those who might destroy it. She was constantly provoked to act against what she knew was wrong, reminded at almost every turn of the mistakes that their leaders were making, but she did not openly move against them. To do so would have been to risk exile, and whatever little she could accomplish here was far more than she would achieve after being banished.

Yet one thing above all others served to highlight how great a mistake the Saarai-kaar had made in their purges. In a moment of curiosity, she delved into the history behind Corbos listed in their archives, as it had been one of the few yet to be erased or corrected to fit propaganda. Within it, Rhan uncovered information from recent events, some of which took place a scant decade prior to her arrival on the desolate planet. In an action similar to her own experiences, Rhan found that a New Republic colony had settled on the world only to awaken the Leviathans lurking beneath its surface. They had slaughtered the populace en mass and [[starwars:Luke Skywalker/Legends|Skywalker's]] Jedi had initiated a rescue mission, who had found that similar events had taken place again and again throughout history. They failed to save the colonists but learning of the Leviathans and the threat present on the world. A warning had been left to avoid this mistake being repeated, only for it to be removed a scant few years prior to Rhan's arrival. Searching the [[StarWars:Holonet/Legends|Holonet]] for comparisons, Rhan found that this had been committed by the New Republic in its efforts to bolster their propaganda, deleting any mention of the Jedi, their activities or any information stemming from their presence. Countless innocents had died due to the arrogance of the galaxy's leaders, thanks to little more than a blind need to erase any concept which did not fit with their narrow view of history. A scant few days after she discovered it, Rhan eventually found that others within the Jensaarai altered the records to match the official version.

Tired and increasingly bitter over the willing blindness displayed by her comrades, Rhan came close to leaving entirely. Only one thing prevented her from doing so. Ka Tarvitz had arrived back on the world after months of being absent only to quickly disappear once more. Arguing loudly against the Saarai-kaar in her chambers, he had eventually stormed out of the palace, seemingly departing for good. A scant few days later, this self-exile was officially altered to [[starwars:Exile (punishment)/Legends|complete banishment from the Order]]. What had taken place in this exchange, the information or even the subjects discussed, were a closely guarded secret. However, it was clear that the Saarai-kaar had been shaken by the experience, and something Tarvitz had passed on had cracked her iron resolve. Out of a mixture of curiosity and hope to perhaps exploit this for the better of the Order, Rhan remained with the Jensaarai to seek answers.

==== The Exile's Duty ====

Over the following months, Rhan attempted to gain information from the Saarai-kaar by various means. She was able to glean some details, that it related to Tarvitz's travels and that he had desired help in some venture. Anything else was far too closely guarded for her to learn, even the fine details of what Tarvitz had been doing in his absence from the Order. For several months she continued her efforts, delving into details surrounding this event and acquiring anything that she could liberate from the palace before it was mysteriously removed. Matters eventually came to a head when, on a visit to the bodies of Tarvitz's grandparents, she found the pair dead. There had been no foul play or poisoning that she could tell and, even after medical examination, it seemed that old age had done its work. With no other relatives alive or that she could contact, Rhan opted to deal with matters herself. Carrying out their wishes to be buried in their family shrine, in a pair of sarcophagi next to their children, Rhan carried out a small funeral after several days of attempting to contact their other relatives.

[[File:The return by shellsweet.png|200px|thumb|right]] Spending some time visiting the homestead and keeping it in good condition, Rhan eventually forewarned of Tarvitz's return by the Saarai-kaar. She was officially instructed to arrest him for breaking his exile, with force if need be. Rhan agreed to carry out these orders, but quietly opted only to do so if she found Tarvitz to be a threat. After some searching, Rhan eventually found him kneeling before his family's shrine. Unarmed and unarmoured, he had come to carry out a variation of the return ritual, offering his deceased relatives gifts that they might have enjoyed and speaking to them of greater events. The deaths of his remaining kin had come as a shock, and he had not received any messages that Rhan had sent out. After giving him time to carry out his farewells the two of them spoke at length, filling in each other on events. Rhan spoke of how the Jensaarai Order had changed over the past few years, to the point of almost completely betraying their name with the erasure of their history, and how Tarvitz had been exiled. The latter point had come as a surprise to Tarvitz, even after he admitted that he had all but exiled himself due to the argument with the Saarai-kaar. Their disagreement had stemmed from points similar to Rhan's issues, as he had tried to sway their leader into parting with historical knowledge and even quietly providing aid against a far more hostile force hunting down Force users.

Tarvitz's absence had seen him joining a group called [[Clan Odan-Urr]], a faction of Jedi, smugglers, and others who had been at war with a group known as the [[Dark Jedi Brotherhood]]. The Brotherhood's deranged leader had glassed their [[New Tython|world]] in an effort to exterminate those he deemed ideologically impure, and had then even extended this to wholesale genocide of multiple species. Matters had only become worse with the emergence of the [[Collective]], a group of zealots bent upon slaughtering any who showed even a slight degree of potential in the Force. Tarvitz had warned them of the threat initially and updated her of what would play out if the Jensaarai were found by the group. His return now was somewhat linked to this, as he felt that small groups of Force users in the right place could do far more good than a large army isolated to a single area. They could turn the tide of wars by either undermining larger governments in small actions, or decapitating them before they began.

Rhan listened, but could see that Tarvitz's plan to recruit Defenders from the Order was doomed to failure. She explained how many were siding with the Saarai-kaar even over repeated criticisms, and he would likely find no allies among them. She had even been ready to draw her weapon against him after what he described sounded like an attempt to inspire a civil war among the Order, and had only relented when he voiced opposition over direct conflict. Eventually seeing some parallels between their goals, and understanding the scale of his efforts, Rhan opted to join Tarvitz over returning to the Order. If she remained she was likely to still meet with limited success but, in founding a new chapter of the Jensaarai, they might succeed in a new start where pushes to change philosophies had failed. After agreeing on a number of basic terms - a specific one being that Tarvitz would not be their leader given his reckless nature - the two gathered up a number of relics and documents hidden on Susevfi before departing the moon to begin a grander project.

Before departing for Brotherhood space, Rhan left behind a single [[StarWars:Holorecorder/Legends|holorecording]] explaining her decision to Kylun and wishing him good fortune in the future. While their relationship had been a strained one, his frequent help and guidance over the years left her feeling that he deserved some form of explanation for her actions.

==== ...Different Destinations ====

After taking the coordinates for Clan Odan-Urr's base of operations from his [[StarWars:Navigation computer/Legends|navicomputer]], Rhan was able to quickly make her way to [[Pharos|Pharos station]], one of the two guarding platforms on the edge of the [[Vatali Empire]]. The Jedi had served as peacekeepers among its people for a time, and a recent political change had allowed the Clan to become a recognised house within its nobility. This offered few obstacles for Rhan as, with Tarvitz vouching for her skills and intent, she was able to quickly pass the few tests put before her.

[[File:XQ2.jpg|180px|thumb|right]] Rhan initially intended to immediately get to work on secretly forming a base of operations to begin their new goal, but she was soon sidelined by another task. [[Kiast (Planet)#Quorahi|An underclass of people]] on the planet of [[Kiast (Planet)|Kiast]] had been oddly quiet despite a constant flow of communications between their city-states and nomadic fleets. With some voicing the possibility that they might rebel, Odan-Urr's members were tasked with uncovering the truth. This was deemed a trial by fire for Rhan, both to prove her skills and loyalty to Odan-Urr, and as such she was quickly elected to join the team dedicated to spying on the Vatali. Tarvitz was also a member of this unit, alongside [[Essik Lyccane]], a [[starwars:Gand/Legends|Gand]] and former Admiral within the New Republic military, and Tarvitz's Apprentice, [[Sirra]]. Traveling to the Quorahi settlement of [[Quorahi#Foothold|Foothold]], they were able to gradually pick out enough information to confirm that a meeting between community leaders was to take place that night, and identify its exact location.

After speaking with them for some time, Rhan ended up with very different opinions of each individual. Essik was polite to a fault but utterly ruthless when the situation required it. Having been dishonourably discharged for continuing to fight long after the New Republic had declared its surrender, he had joined Odan-Urr as a means to serve the Jedi until he finally met his end. The two were able to speak at length of ships, galactic events, and social upheavals in their free time, debating one another over differing accounts or historical changes. By comparison, Sirra proved to be a far more difficult individual to connect with. Due to her feral upbringing and extremely powerful telepathic skills, she had no innate language of her own save for emotions, images, and memories. The two were immediately at odds with one another thanks to his language barrier and willingness to kill; failings that Tarvitz was supposedly trying to lessen over time. While each did their best to stay apart from the other, conflicts nevertheless frequently arose between them. This made the operation particularly troubling, as the eventual solution to spying on the meeting undetected involved maintaining a telepathic link between the two.

Sirra was able to infiltrate the warehouse where the meeting was taking place with relative ease. During this time, Rhan maintained a series of records through the link, noting down everything that Sirra detected through the Force and her own senses. Through this she was able to note down the bulk of the information taken in the meeting, and the internal thoughts of each individual. The Quorahi were forming a new government, seeking to unify their disparate groups into a single federation and using control of resources to put pressure on the Vatali nobility, thus disrupting the societies of the Empire. Some were opposed to it, others sought to push for unity via more peaceful methods, while a few all favoured all but outright declaring open war on those above them. The revelation proved severe enough that, once Sirra had withdrawn, the group hid in a more remote building on the outskirts of the township before departing with this news at first light.

==== Ties of Blood and Water ====

Following their initial mission, Rhan was given time to better familiarise herself with Clan Odan-Urr's status. As the current crisis was a delicate matter best left to those familiar with the Quorahi - or at least the clan - she took the opportunity to study the Jedi and their history. Spending hours combing through their archives, she found that their own recollection of events suffered from inner biases, fallacies, and skewed-visions, but far less so than many other archives. Most misrepresentations were seemingly born of scattered fragments of information rather than a propaganda-driven alteration to established history. Yet what was infinitely more disturbing to her was their relation with the so-called [[Dark Brotherhood|Dark Jedi Brotherhood]]. The Brotherhood had committed numerous sins comparable with those of the ancient Sith and the Empire. Mass genocide based upon a twisted concept of eugenics, extermination of peoples whose ideologies did not wholly fit in with the Sith, slavery, massed poisoning of cities, even the total destruction of a peaceful world. The [[Collective]] had been born of these crimes, and were it not for their fanaticism Rhan might have opted to side with them. She was disgusted that the Jedi had abruptly forgotten the crimes committed against them and willingly sided with the Brotherhood, even if their greater actions still indicated benevolence.

It was only upon Tarvitz's return that she learned of the events of [[Quorahi#Cainstead|Cainstead]] and [[Quorahi#Volstrad|Volstrad]]. Sirra had been badly wounded and put into a coma while he had been drawn into a rage-fuelled brawl against pirates. Tarvitz blamed himself for Sirra's fate, and her wounding had affected him far more than he was willing to admit. It was enough for him to even consider retirement from his duties. In spite of his efforts to emotionally distance himself from Sirra and remain as a mere tutor, it was clear that their relationship was far more familial than he would admit. Seeing one means to correct this, Rhan pushed to let her take over as Sirra's master. Jensaarai were intended to change teachers every several years, and it was a chance to both correct any mistakes Tarvitz had made, and remove him of any further responsibilities which might push him over the edge. Tarvitz accepted this, and even went a step further by allowing Sirra to be adopted into Celevon Edraven's household, hoping it would offer her far more stability. Of this Rhan said little, but she trusted Tarvitz's judgment given his prior experience with the [[StarWars:Mandalorians/Legends|Mandalorian]].

=== The Warsmith (38 ABY - Present) ===

==== Eternal Dawn ====

Following the initial actions against the Quorahi, Nikora opted to withdraw from the conflict. Along with Tarvitz, she realised that the war was better suited to those with more clandestine skills over engineers or soldiers. Opting instead to focus on their original goal of founding a new chapter, her initial plan was to establish a base of operations. From there they could hide the wealth of knowledge that they had been able to preserve and expand their efforts. [[Solyiat]] was eventually considered to be the perfect location due to its remote nature, the protective nebula surrounding the Kiast system, and its lack of inhabitants. After briefly considering Strokera as a potential site, Rhan eventually pushed to instead utilise the continent of Trepus. Isolated, frozen, and with its few settlements located on the coast, it meant that their efforts were unlikely to draw any unwanted attention. Furthermore, the numerous heat spots meant that geothermal generators could be used to give them total self-sufficiency.

Despite a promising beginning, it was not long before the two of them were met with difficulties. [[Trepus Mine|Trepus Mine Base]] had benefited from decades of artificial tunneling, but few natural caverns were large enough to suit their needs. More importantly, they were home to the winged apex predators which dominated the continent's innermost territories: The Varritul. Those in the lowlands soon proved to be equally unsuitable, either risking being overrun by wildlife, buried in the infrequent avalanches, or too far from heat sources to be of any use. After withdrawing to the town of Steepmouth to further investigate the creatures for possible weaknesses or further sites that might suit their needs. While most of the local knowledge was limited largely to mythology and legends, they soon encountered the town's Mayor. Having been attacked by one of the creatures days before, the Mayor's life had been threatened multiple times in the nights that followed. The same Varritul kept returning, seemingly determined to claim the life of its escaped prey. Offering them an aging castle in his possession as a reward, he tasked the two Jensaarai with slaying the Varritul and ending its threat.

Utilising Tarvitz's N-1 starfighter as a means of tracking the creatures, Rhan and Tarvitz prepared for that night by weakening the surrounding grounds. Establishing dug-outs and crude fortifications, they waited until nightfall. As the sun sunk below the horizon, the Varritul attacked. Seeking to approach out of the dimming light, it initiated its attack in a high altitude dive toward the town. The [[StarWars:N-1 starfighter/Legends|N-1 fighter]], piloted by Tarvitz's astromech droid, disrupted the creature's initial attack. As it attempted to land, Rhan was able to wound the creature with a missile launcher and ground it permanently. Leaving nothing to chance, the two Jensaarai kept it on the backfoot, driving it toward unstable ground and weakening it through repeated attacks. After a lengthy engagement, they were able to bring the beast down and claim its head. Bringing it before the Mayor at sunrise, he granted the two rights to the castle that he had spoken of: [[The Fang|The Fang]].

==== The Unbroken Redoubt ====

It took the pair a day to locate the castle. Even with a definitive location and map, the isolated fortification was easy to miss among the broader [[StarWars:Mountain/Legends|mountain ranges]]. The pair repeatedly were drawn away from its location, with Nikora even noting difficulty in simply focusing upon traveling to the area listed on the map. Yet, at length, they stumbled upon the Fang and utilised the N-1 to land in the castle's main courtyard. The structure was in both a far better and far worse state than either Jensaarai had expected. Carved into the very face of a small mountain, much of the interior was hidden underground. The main exterior walls were wholly intact, much of the keep showed no sign of decay, while the outlying towers were largely still standing. Yet most of the tunnels leading deeper into the castle had been buried in rock falls or various collapses, allowing them to only access the uppermost levels. With only a few droids to assist them, Rhan opted to establish an initial starting point in the keep's main hall. Clearing it of debris and the remains of creatures who had lived among them, the two began establishing recharge points for the droids along with storage areas. After then linking it to a small portable generator, the two began to sweep the castle for threats.

[[File:TheFallenKingdom.jpg|220px|thumb|left]] The Fang itself had clearly once been home to a number of Varritul along with other predators. Skeletal remains had been littered among the walls and uppermost towers, while the halls had clearly once been home to scavengers. Most had departed, but Nikora was swift to construct makeshift gates to bar the main doors and defenses against larger animals roosting among its towers. By the time that they were finished, they had secured the ruins against further incursions by the local wildlife and established a small living area within the keep. After activating a trio of [[StarWars:DUM-series pit droid/Legends|pit droids]] to begin moving the rubble blocking off the lower reaches of the castle, Rhan focused on better understanding the architecture. While certain elements made a degree of sense, other defensive networks seemed counterintuitive to holding back a besieging foe. Combined with a lack of information on the ruins, Rhan soon found herself pouring over old documents trying to find records of similar structures in other cultures. Unfortunately, she met with little success.

Tied to his duties with Clan Odan-Urr, Tarvitz was left frequently traveling back and forth between the Fang and their stronghold on Trepus Mine Base. Rhan was left to govern the overall effort, tasking Tarvitz with securing supplies and deciding which areas to concentrate upon recovering. Utilizing [[StarWars:Sensor/Legends|sensor recordings]] and [[StarWars:Thermal imaging scanner/Legends|thermal scans]], she was able to eventually pinpoint the most easily reachable geothermal heat source and quickly install a generator. From there, her efforts continued to branch out working to best establish a basis for the years-long task of returning the castle to life.

Surprisingly, one of her greatest sources of help during these early stages was Essik Lyccane. The elderly Gand had shown little knowledge or even true interest in Rhan's goals, but he contacted her with an offer of help. An [[StarWars:KX-series security droid|KX-series security droid]] had been recovered during one peacekeeping operation, damaged but in a recoverable condition. With signs that it had been one of a number of infiltration units reprogrammed by the Rebellion to fight the Empire, he offered it as a possible asset to her ongoing challenges. Rhan was able to quickly pin down its internal faults, as the droid had been disabled by several stray blaster bolts that had severed several crucial power cables. After confirming that there were no unusual surprises within its casing - and having a team of freelance slicers examine its wider programming for signs of hostile subroutines - Rhan reactivated the droid.

Having been held under a restraining bolt by a group of slavers, K-0RN, or "Orion" as the droid favoured, outlined his history as an intelligence operative and spy. With the Rebellion's task ended, he had little reason to withhold information from Rhan and had been left without direction. His sale to the slavers and mistreatment had left him with a mistrustful disposition, but Rhan was able to win the droid over through a mixture of promises and the offer of a role as the Fang's librarian. Seemingly happy to have a purpose, Orion took to this task and left Rhan to handle reconstruction efforts throughout the castle. Although she did not fully trust the droid, Orion continually ignored multiple opportunities to betray her.

==== The Legend Grows ====

For some weeks, Rhan was permitted to carry out her duties without interruption. Tarvitz's infrequent presence and limited contact with the outside world besides her droids left Rhan yearning for company, but she accepted this as a necessary evil. Tarvitz's work for Odan-Urr served as a buffer between Rhan and the wider clan, preventing her from being entangled within their conflicts. She served them, helped them, and even carried out missions when required, but the restoration of the Fang was her ultimate objective above all else. After Sirra fully awoke and had recovered from her injuries, Rhan took to training the girl in direct combat. She specifically emphasised areas in which the [[StarWars:Kiffar/Legends|Kiffar]] was at a noted disadvantage, or pushed to always make sure that Rhan was in a superior position. Sirra was undoubtedly skilled for her age, and Tarvitz had trained her well in both combatting enemies of a greater physical stature and the basic tenets of their Order. Yet he had offered little to truly force Sirra to confront various scenarios in which her skills were ill-suited, or where she would need to adapt existing tactics to counter evolving methods.

Because of the harsh nature of Rhan's lessons, this did little to engender positivity from Sirra. Rhan repeatedly tried to make it clear just why she was forcing the two to spar in such a manner, but the two never truly saw eye to eye. Nevertheless, Rhan made a point of drawing the line between forcing Sirra into challenging battles and presenting her with unwinnable situations. Holding back just enough to prevent Sirra from being overwhelmed, she watched as the Kiffar's skills steadily improved as the months drew on. Rhan was certain that the girl would never become a full Jensaarai, but that was not enough of a reason to completely overlook her abilities. Dividing her duties between rebuilding the castle and training Sirra, Rhan was able to more easily progress in both duties without compromising either one. As their droids continued to excavate and restore segments of the Fang, Rhan was able to repurpose them into new roles.

However, their isolation was not to last. Even as Rhan, Tarvitz, and Sirra each carried out their individual tasks, word had been spreading about Trepus of their actions. Their act of slaying the Varritul hunting Steepmouth's leader had spread about the land, growing with an increasing number of embellishments. Equally, other acts had been exaggerated, taking the Jensaarai depiction as questing knights and turning them into heroes of legend operating from a lost fortress. It was for this reason that, much to their surprise, the pair were met by a small crowd of figures awaiting at the castle's gates. A number of students had been able to find the castle despite its natural defences, seeking to be trained in their ways. Due to the great distances between Trepus and the [[Jedi Praxeum]] on Kiast, some viewed the Jensaarai hold as their only viable means for training. Others had seen their views of the Jedi warped by propaganda, regarding them only as child-stealing elitists who desired all Force users to become emotionally stunted unquestioning drones, and that the Jensaarai were a better alternative.

Recovering from their surprise - and quickly realizing that rejection was no viable option - the two worked to pacify the mob. Having hoped to train the first group of Apprentices from near birth in emulation of Jedi and Jensaarai traditions, Rhan was hesitant to accept their presence. Arriving with too much emotional baggage, or even motivated by the wrong emotions, was a risk that could lead to students easily falling to the Dark Side. However, Tarvitz was able to broker an agreement to at least hear them out, and to deal with the remaining members. Arranging for a transport to more frequently travel between the Fang and the Praxeum, the castle could serve as a stopping point for new recruits while also serving as a testing ground to judge their connection to the Force. Convincing them that the Jedi were hardly the monsters that more recent records depicted them as being, they began testing each of them and examining their temperament. Most were given over to the Jedi, to be trained and tested as was required. The relative few who displayed the right balance of aggression and self-control, who showed some understanding of the basic Jensaarai ideology, were retained for training.

Rhan was still hesitant to accept this, both due to Tarvitz's infrequent presence and the belief that this was too soon to accept trainees. The castle was still in a largely ruined state, and the few that stayed were torn between permanently remaining at the Fang or returning to their homes. Because of this, Rhan did not believe that most would remain for full training. Yet she soon came to accept that they could at least be taught to control their powers and focus them in a meaningful way, and to avoid falling to the Dark Side's influence.

==== Fourteenth Great Jedi War ====

{{Quote|Whoops.|Nikora's deadpanned response to another priceless Sith relic being caught in a crossfire}}

Some way into [[38 ABY]], word reached Kiast that [[Fourteenth Great Jedi War|the Collective had renewed its assault against the Brotherhood]]. Against all logic and probability, they had once again shrugged off defeats that would have crippled any other power and bounced back stronger. More incredulously, it had somehow bypassed every defense in Brotherhood space and was overwhelming the defenses of [[Arx]] itself. Sensing an opportunity in the conflict and unwilling to let innocents be killed in the crossfire between madmen, Rhan was the first among those there to argue that they should go to the world's defence. Tarvitz needed little persuading, his mind already caught up in thoughts of [[StarWars:Alderaan/Legends|Alderaan]]. The Collective would face them both.

Rhan approached Sirra and, in a move she hoped would display a degree of trust, made it clear that her task was to safeguard and guide the students until their return. She could still feel her Apprentice's resentment and Sirra proved to be largely unresponsive, but the Kiffar nevertheless begrudgingly accepted the duty. However, due to Sirra's obvious immaturity and behaviour, Rhan left Orion in overall control of the Fang and asked that he keep watch on events. With one guarding their trainees and the other the castle itself, she hoped that they would return to find the base intact.

Upon arrival, the Clan targeted and engaged targets about the [[Nesolat|Nesolat platform]]. Following the Odanites' directives, Rhan focused her technical skills on breaching the exterior doors to Arx's orbital facilities and overcoming its mechanical locks. Steadily working to cover non-combatants as they withdrew from the fighting, she worked to mitigate fatalities on both sides while also using her skill with explosives to break the nerves of less-skilled Collective combatants. Those who could be encouraged to flee were ignored, those who fanaticism drove them into continuing their attacks were cut down without mercy. In other situations, Rhan might have been encouraged to take further steps to limit casualties. Yet, with the sheer number of zealots among the Collective's ranks and so many lives at risk, she was unwilling to offer more than a single chance to walk away. Throughout the fighting, Rhan kept her eyes open for potential threats throughout the facility, both from the Brotherhood and the Collective. Even as she cut down their attackers, Rhan made sure that certain areas were lost in the fighting. A number of artifacts were destroyed by exchanges of explosives, or lost in friendly fire. Others she made sure were used as cover by their troops during the fighting, and shredded by exchanges of blaster bolts. Others simply went missing. While she was unable to simply destroy the facility and its relics, Rhan nevertheless seized any chance to deny the Sith a means to enhance their power.

Remaining close to Essik Lyccane during much of the fighting, she served as his bodyguard in all but name. While the Gand directed troops in battle and advised the clan's leaders, she worked to keep him alive against any and all threats. Although she chided his decision to join them on the front lines, Rhan nevertheless could not deny his effectiveness in rapidly formulating strategies to overcome their foes. Her skills were soon utilised to both help overcome a Collective swarm in [[Elos_Vrai#Eos City|Eos City]] below them, and to free a number of trapped prisoners that had been herded into a burning building. Keeping Essik and those they rescued alive quickly pulled her away from the fighting, but she was still able to find use in keeping order among those they rescued. The minds of many had been poisoned by lies about the Jedi, or half-truths warped to present them as the worst kind of monsters. Though her forte lay in machines rather than people, Rhan was nevertheless able to placate a number and prevent them from acts that would have seen them killed. This, unfortunately, kept her tied up until the battle's end and the Collective was driven from the system.

==== Forward the Foundation ====

With the end of the fighting on Arx, Odan-Urr's members returned to their homes. For most this was a chance to recover from the war, but for the Jensaarai it was to be greeted with a new horror. The Fang's halls had been witness to a series of violent killings, the blood of which had not been fully removed from its stonework. Twenty bodies had been piled up about the sea of blades, stripped of their equipment. Greeting them as they arrived, Sirra was the one to offer an explanation when pressed. Shortly after they had departed, twenty figures had broken into the Fang. She had glimpsed details from their minds, showing a talent for killing Force users, and that they had been hired to slaughter the students while their teachers were gone. They had become lost within the Fang's confines, and Sirra had hunted each down in turn, broadcasting their last moments in order to inspire greater terror among them.

[[File:Rhan.png|thumb|250px|left]] While Tarvitz wished to laud Sirra's efforts in guarding their home, Rhan was horrified. She believed that Sirra's use of fear was the method of a Sith, and she was drifting far too close toward the Dark Side. The two argued for some time, but the eventual judgment was left to Rhan as she was Sirra's master. Efforts to caution the girl over her acts went badly, and Rhan's arguments served to only further drive a wedge between the two of them. She disappeared from the castle for several days following it, and upon her return she began actively avoiding the Nautolan. Rhan had little time to directly deal with this matter, as the attack had caused a number of disruptions. Chief among them was how the hired guns had even found the Fang in the first place. The castle's location and difficulty in reaching its walls was thought initially to be enough of a defense against possible attacks, but this had proven otherwise. Yet, from what information could be gathered, exactly how they had so easily located the Fang could not be discerned. Nor could the identity of the one that had hired them be found. Knowing that the only solution was to prepare the Fang against future threats, Rhan began purchasing more droids to further guard its exterior and reconstruct its damaged inner halls. Making plans to construct [[StarWars:Hydroponics/Legends|hydroponics facilities]] and bolster its self-sufficiency, she pushed to fully reconstruct the castle and sought new sources of credits to accomplish this goal.

Rhan was surprised when Essik Lyccane directly approached her to offer his services. While the Gand had previously helped them, he had only just been made aware of the grander nature of their ambitions, and offered his own resources for them to utilise. Furthermore, he also offered a number of suggestions and his own experiences in training the students to succeed and survive in the roles that Tarvitz had suggested. Rhan soon accepted, especially when it became clear that his personal views and desires were closely aligned with their own efforts. Through guidelines and training documents he penned, she hoped that Essik might help to offset the lack of direct experience the Jensaarai doctrines lacked in patrolling wider regions and operating far from the territories they governed. His documents covered everything from psychological warfare, to group tactics and special forces doctrines, often picking and choosing areas from various military regimes.

While Essik added his works to their archives Rhan joined with Tarvitz in a speech. Approaching the students directly, she spoke of the attack and what it would mean for the castle. They would not halt in their efforts nor would their training end due to the threat posed. However, Rhan made it clear that those that wished to leave would not be barred from doing so. The life of a Jedi was dangerous but offered other opportunities besides battle, and their own homes still awaited them. A number of students - mostly those that had joined simply to control their abilities - opted to leave the group. With the castle's location already pinpointed by their unknown enemy, Rhan viewed this as a worthwhile loss. Those that returned home would help to dispel the falsehoods of child-stealing that plagued the Jedi and foster stronger ties with the local towns rather than risking enmity. If they were targeted by their foe, that would only serve to further strengthen their relationship and help to identify who had attacked the Fang. The remaining were left were organised into groups following Essik's suggestions, and began to train in varied lessons between the two Defenders.

==== The Abyssal Graveyard ====

Giving Essik leeway to guide and rework their intended training schemes as he desired, Rhan sought to test their students each in turn. As Essik focused upon the broader group nature they had established and researched a means to balance his ruthless military means with the restraint a Force user required, she directly tested their wisdom and skills. Emulating the lessons she had taught as a member of the original Jensaarai Order, she pushed to rework and emulate the same basic elements that had been imparted onto her first generation of Apprentices. She spoke at length of the history of the galaxy, put each on trial to see their willingness to consider the unbelievable, and sought to make each think outside the box. Most sessions focused upon the subject of pragmatism, the subjectivity of established fact set down by superiors, and the willingness to seek out the truth. This was quickly tempered with sessions on attention to detail, learning from personal errors along with the mistakes of others, and the distinction between open-mindedness and simple denial of reality. Some more practical lessons required students to work as a group to repair or overcome possible obstacles, while others gave them a direct challenge that needed to be confronted on an individual level but could only be overcome as a group.

Happily reworking her personal ethos and plans to whatever Essik dreamed up, Rhan allowed Essik to build upon the framework that the Jensaarai had established and utilise what he felt was the best choice. Although given the option to interject and oppose additions at any time, there were extremely few occasions where she needed to outright veto a teaching. As each was trained both as an individual and unit, Rhan could not help but notice the rift that remained between herself and Sirra. Even with the bonds she had formed, the girl remained an outsider both to Rhan and most other students. She would fight to the death in order to protect their lives, and would work with them as a singular unit when required. Yet she still lacked the same unity the others benefitted from, and showed no sign of even considering less extreme forms of pacifying threats. Given Sirra's connection to her surroundings, Rhan opted to remove her Apprentice from them while also hunting for further resources to further build upon the Fang's foundations. Brokering the use of a heavy freighter with a merchant that had benefited from their initial lessons - and sweetening the deal with credits - Rhan plotted a course to the [[starwars:Ship graveyard|vast derelict graveyard on the edge of the galaxy.]]

[[File:Junkyard.png|thumb|250px|right]] Formed from the debris of thousands of starships across millions of years, the ship graveyard was a vast floating continent of crippled hulls and lost treasures. On both the outermost fringes of civilization and filled with as many lethal threats as lost treasures, its visitors were limited only to brave and desperate hunters. This fitted Rhan's needs perfectly, as it limited observations and potentially troubling encounters with other arrivals. She easily returned to her old ways, picking out mechanical remnants and metal deposits that could benefit their efforts. Although they met with initial successes, and Rhan actively sought to teach Sirra at least the basics of such salvage operations, she was met with hostility. Constantly on edge and rarely listening to Rhan, bringing Sirra to such an alien place had done little besides unnerve her. The Kiffar's usually icy responses and total silence had been replaced by sniping and feelings of hostility, which boiled over into outright violence in their final days.

An effort to push Sirra into considering the wider universe and taking advantage of the skills Rhan new backfired spectacularly. Sirra lashed out with the Force, resulting in a violent telepathic brawl between the Master and Apprentice. Taken by surprise and underestimating Sirra's sheer strength, Rhan was pushed back at first and quickly forced to defend herself. This had been the exact situation Rhan had been hoping to avoid, but it proved to be a far more beneficial experience than any passive lesson between the two. Sirra fought with emotions, thoughts, and images of the past, while breaching into Sirra's mind. Every blow exhausted the two, but each gradually revealed how the other had misunderstood and badly misinterpreted the attitudes of the other. Rhan, in turn, responded with her own visions to weaken Sirra's resolve. The conflict stretched on for hours, but gradually Rhan's experience and skill won out over Sirra's raw talent, pushing her Apprentice into a narrow defeat. Yet rather than animosity, the two gained a better understanding of how the long months of training had been seen by their opposite, and of the mistakes each had made. While neither would ever truly become friends, it was enough for Sirra to open up at long last and take account of what Rhan was offering in her teachings. When the two returned to Solyiat, it was with a wealth of new equipment and a newfound sense of unity.

==== From The Bones of Giants ====

The return of the two was not met with fanfare despite their success. Although an undeniable victory on both an organisational and personal level, she was soon called aside by Essik and asked to participate in a private meeting. With Tarvitz joining them a short while afterward, she soon learned that he had disappeared in an effort to chase something that might prove vital to their future. Essik understood this, and he kept a polite face as he spoke, but he also made it clear that such abrupt or lengthy departures could cause harm in the long run. If either of them were to die during such an operation, that would be a loss of life that they would likely not recover from. Essik could teach their students many things, but he had no ability to train them in the ways of the Force. Furthermore, the abrupt departure of both Defenders had caused a notable disruption to any scheduled lessons, causing various problems in keeping their students active.

Rhan was quick to agree with Essik on this front, realising both her own error and quietly frustrated at Tarvitz's departure. It was the sort of act she never would have committed to as a teacher, and her efforts had been made with thoughts of focusing upon improving a single student and gaining vital supplies over training an entire group. Agreeing that a new rota would need to be established to keep more of them present at any one time, and permitting individuals the right to come and go on missions as needed, the discussion moved to the subject of giving students greater individual freedom. More assets on site and facilities to train them in the absence of a Defender would prevent further disruptions, and the subject of using Rhan's salvage to improve the Practice Halls soon came up. While Essik and Rhan were in favour of this, Tarvitz argued otherwise for some time. The costs associated with upgrades and installations would consume much of what had been set aside for purchasing new ships, leaving them unable to easily move people from their existing location. Although arguments between the three continued for some time, Tarvitz eventually relented upon seeing the logic the others put toward. To prove that there was no ill will over this, he even volunteered much of his personal armory to be used in the Fang's Halls.

With the discussion done, Rhan set to work on the new upgrades. Giving Sirra the time she needed to readjust to the world after being away from it for so long, Rhan took command of the castle's maintenance droid contingent. Buying up the supplies needed to support their holdings, she worked with them to install and upgrade a number of new parts vital to several areas and fully renovate the Practice Halls. Those that could not be immediately put to use were placed in storage, until the components and locations could be utilised to fully put each to use. This period served as much as a test of their competence and ability to work as a unit as it did a vital improvement of the castle.

Toward the tail end of this effort, Nikora worked to reprogram and then reactivate a [[StarWars:IG-100_MagnaGuard/Legends|MagnaGuard]] taken from the derelicts, before putting it to work as a new duelling tutor. As her work was finished and Tarvitz took over in testing its capabilities, she was asked by Ratchet to examine his systems. The other Defender's astromech had become concerned about a series of abrupt malfunctions and oddities in recent months. A detailed examination soon showed that the extensive modifications to the droid's design were resulting in potential corruption and long-term damage. Short of removing them entirely, he was bound to eventually see his programming completely corrupt. To counteract this effect, Rhan offered to move Ratchet's consciousness to a heavily modified [[StarWars:R2-series astromech droid|R2 unit]] shell taken from the salvage operations, but a series of disruptions led to the droid's consciousness being cloned instead. After being forced to strip the original Ratchet of several upgrades to ensure his survival, much to the droid's chagrin, this had left them with a clone and the original. To avoid fighting between the two, a deal was eventually settled: Ratchet would remain the primary support pilot on the ''Spitfire'' while the clone, now calling itself R3-M2 or "Clanker", would serve as an asset within the Fang.

==== The Shambler from the Stars ====

The Fang was given some weeks of relative peace before the next crisis emerged. Rhan worked primarily to improve upon what they already had, while also allowing Sirra to make the best use of her abilities. Their improved relationship and better understanding meant that she was happy to let her apprentice explore the castle, and made it clear that she was frustrated with the state of the rooms she found rather than her efforts. Whole sections were still in disrepair, and even their growing compliment of droids was struggling to keep up with demands. While uneventful, the relative peace allowed her to bring the fortress to a much more stable state and rectify a number of flaws that had undermined efforts to further expand upon their facilities. It was only late into one evening that she learned of a message from Essik, and this changed dramatically.

[[File:FlyingCity.png|250px|thumb|right|]] Essik had been absent from the Fang for some time, travelling across Kiast in an effort to better strengthen various connections. Thanks to having an already positive reputation among the Quorahi and various smaller towns, he was well suited to the role, but he was also long overdue. Apparently stopping at every single turn to resolve any and all crimes he found, Essik's progress had slowed to a crawl. When Essik attempted to request support in one such venture, and that all of the Fang's staff meet him, Rhan dismissed it out of hand. While she passed on the details to Tarvitz, however, the reaction was very different. The man fell silent for some time, eventually secluding himself for a period, before returning to her with an odd look of concern and excitement.

Tarvitz revealed that he had established a vault beneath the archives and had stored a number of dangerous texts there. He had been spending time examining them, destroying some when given no choice while confirming the worth of others. Rhan was furious at this news and the fact it had been taken without even basic consultation, but her frustrations were set aside when Tarvitz said one text might relate to Essik's situation. He produced a book detailing the techniques and later the fall of the [[StarWars:Order of the Silver Jedi|Silver Jedi]], and an abomination they created known as a [[StarWars:Force Vampire|Force Vampire]]. Upon reading it and realising the magnitude of the threat that might be lurking on Kiast, Rhan agreed to meet with Essik. The creature was a terrifying threat to anyone with a strong connection to the Force, but it was also so powerful that few besides trained Force users could hope to defeat it.

Upon arriving at Shindlegeist, the township that Essik had visited, the Jensaarai kept the Gand in the dark initially. They wanted to detail the matter in full, but only once they had confirmed that the vampire was present in the town and they were not chasing ghosts. With Sirra hunting for the monster and Essik's investigations helping them to pinpoint its location, they soon uncovered the vampire's bolthole - a rusting escape pod retrieved by a salvage team. After taking a portion of it to examine and judge before destroying the pod, Rhan and the others withdrew to the mayor's chambers to inform the others of the vampire's nature and the threat it posed.

The group opted to use a combination of Sirra and Rhan's abilities to see into the vampire's past via the fragment of the pod they had retrieved. Using the Force to look decades back into its history, they realised how the vampire had survived its apparent death when facing a Jedi-led strike team, and that it had mutated after engorging itself upon hundreds of souls. This knowledge came at a price, as they emerged to find Tarvitz locked in combat with the creature. Having stood guard over them during this time, Tarvitz had held it at bay and would have killed it in any other situation. Yet even when mortally wounded time and time again, the vampire would keep rising to its feet once more. After grievously wounding Tarvitz, Rhan and Sirra were able to drive the creature into retreat. Essik, however, soon realised that it would likely attempt far more dangerous and drastic means of feeding now it was challenged. He believed that it would attempt to destroy the city itself, a detail soon supported by news from the maintenance tunnels.

With Tarvitz placed in a bacta tank and Sirra standing guard over him, Rhan and Essik led a contingent of troops into the tunnels to find and kill it. They soon discovered a number of dismembered corpses and damaged equipment, and came to the conclusion that it was seeking to overload the main generator. Rhan was able to partially repair it, allowing them to offset any meltdowns via safety measures if it made its move. Considering this, Essik offered several plans to draw it out and counter it. Rhan refused all but one, that would drive it into facing them on an unfavourable front. This, however, proved to be a deception. Tired of watching younger people die under his orders, Essik engaged the vampire personally. In what would otherwise have been a suicidal engagement, Essik was able to use his wits and experience to overcome the creature, but almost at the cost of his own life.

Rhan only learned of the fight as the trapped souls that the vampire consumed raced to freedom, and when Sirra issued a telepathic call for help. Drawn to the Gand she had fought to stabilize him, and Rhan was able to move him back to the township's medical facilities. Furious at this betrayal of trust, now from both her supposed comrades, a dark mood dominated her thoughts for days afterwards. Although she somewhat forgave Essik due to his guilt-driven actions, this nevertheless severely damaged their friendship.

==== The Ties that Bind ====

The group was soon drawn away as Odan-Urr issued a general recall of all current and former members, and began assembling its fleet for a battle. Although the group had separated themselves from the Clan, the decision was made to rejoin them given the nature of the crisis in question. Utilising the ''Bug'' to join the fleet, they soon learned of just why they were rushing to be made battle ready: The various archaeological digs the clan had been bankrolling and directly protecting had unveiled suggestions of an aged and powerful relic dating back to the origins of the Jedi. Situated on [[StarWars:Myrkr/Legends|Myrkr]], the relic was a potential source of information and a weapon should it fall into the wrong hands. Given the disruption that the clan had faced while recovering these items, they were sneaking to liberate and secure them before they could be taken by others.

As with previous ventures, it was decided that the Fang could not be left unguarded. Through a random lot the group decided who would move to support Odan-Urr of the four, only for Essik and Tarvitz to win the lot. Rhan was incensed at this, given that both had been wounded in the previous battle, and argued that she should go in their place. While they were healing quickly, it would be more sensible for each to be given the role of holding in reserve and allowing the other two to go ahead. Essik argued around this by other logic: He pointed out that he would likely be placed far from the frontlines, while Tarvitz could far more rapidly heal between battles than anyone else. While Rhan was potentially suitable, she lacked the skill with vehicles needed to get them down onto the surface, and a place with bubbles absent of the Force would be a nightmare for Sirra.

Rhan begrudgingly accepted the argument after a number of requirements were made for the two to stay alive and keep out of the worst of the fight; one of which was to leave the bulk of the piloting to Ratchet. Yet even with this apparent acceptance, she was already considering how best to turn the situation in her favour. Eventually returning to the Fang via one of the clan's transports, Rhan was considering a number of long-term flaws and problems that could be rectified by expanding upon their pool of resources. Materiel was a major problem even with the salvage operations, and it would only become a greater issue once they attempted to expand upon their vehicles and stockpiles. As such, Rhan opted to try and spark up contact with older figures from her past life - Salvage experts and operators.

Leaving the Fang and even the system for a time in order to not be detected, she began by personally visiting her parents in order to better outline a number of ideas without being overheard. While the group had been in contact multiple times since Rhan had joined the Brotherhood, they were surprised by a number of developments she stated. After eventually coming to understand all that happened, they soon offered her more information in turn: Even though salvage had been drying up when they had last met, the chaotic state of the galaxy and fall of the First Order had led to a wealth of opportunities. Abandoned bases, forgotten New Republic holdings, and crashed Star Destroyers had all granted them more credits than ever before. They were willing to outline a number of potential sites that could be used in their favour, and would even offer intelligence if needed. Equally, they cited a number of other operators they were on good terms with; each likely willing to help in exchange for credits, information, and even direct protection if needed.

[[File:Transporthauler.png|250px|thumb|right]] Although dubious of having her students used as muscle, Rhan accepted the offer and was willing to see how events played out. As proof that they could deliver on any promises, and to help them, Rhan's parents arranged to have an aging ship arrive at a previous site they had raided; a ship that could give her the freedom that the ''Bug'' lacked and a heavier payload that the ''Spitfire'' could not support. After returning to the Fang, Rhan was able to call upon the freighter that she and Sirra had previously used and uncovered the ship for herself: A [[StarWars:YC-123B transport hauler|YC-123B transport hauler]] bereft of an IFF but in a status where it could easily be repaired and made flight-worthy. Using the freighter to return it to the Kiast system, Rhan was able to use the Fang's droids to make a number of temporary fixes, fly it back, and then continue working on it once it had been landed.

After taking time to check on how the students had been progressing in her brief absence, and offer a number of lessons and pointers, Rhan utilised more of their credits to further expand upon their number of droids; giving the fortress a broader number of guards and a pair of medics at long last. While this would take up a significant amount of time, it was the sort of structure that they needed in order to more freely expand upon training lessons, and actively sustain a constant cycle of tutorials and tests. Although Rhan was tempted to examine the vault that Tarvitz had revealed in order to prepare an argument against him, she was disrupted when Sirra returned bearing a blade of clear Sith origin. Although at first believing that this had been found in the vault itself, Sirra made it clear that it had been taken from an undiscovered area within the castle.

==== Time's Fault ====

Rhan worked for some time to expand upon their assets, gaining further droids to support their stronghold. Although still few in number and lacking the specialists vital for the future, the PIT Droids had proven to be versatile and easy to manage, while a newly added pair of [[StarWars:GNK power droid|power droids]] helped to lessen their reliance upon the generational systems. Rhan predicted that within the next few years the castle would have the essential labour force it needed to begin full renovations and expansions to its inhabited areas, allowing them to put credits toward better funding their facilities and defences. With most of their smuggler contacts being paid off with information over direct support, Rhan took the time to better examine the sword Sirra had found. Keeping it safely under guard at all times and limiting her own exposure to the weapon, Rhan attempted to study its nature with limited success. While the weapon's design was intended for the use of basic humanoids and the curved structure was akin to the [[StarWars:Force-imbued blade|Force-imbued blades]] that the early cults had utilised, giving rise to the more broadly slashing styles of most forms. The scripture about its edge was archaic even by the standard of ancient Sith, and while it radiated with Alchemical energies, they lacked the same taint expected of most creations. If anything, Rhan's attempts to peer through into its core brought about nothing; a total abyss of energies that lacked the substance of other creations.

It was during this time that Tarvitz briefly departed, attempting to take advantage of the conflict on [[Dandoran]] for their own benefits. A war had broken out between the [[Severian Principate]] and [[Tenixir Revenants]], with Brotherhood members approved to join whichever side they believed was most suited to their needs. After some discussion, the agreement was made to help one faction of the Revenants interested in establishing control of certain Outer Rim territories. If they emerged victorious over their splinter group and departed, it would both leave the inner region safer, and would give the Jensaarai a powerful potential ally to work within their plans. Tarvitz himself, to Rhan's amusement, admitted it was also a perfect opportunity to loot furniture and equipment for the Fang. Although promising, the outcome of this venture saw Tarvitz returning with an expression of horror on his face, outlining the discovery of the Principate fielding enhanced monstrosities that had once been humans, seemingly formed with alchemical means. More concerning still was how [[The Children of Mortis|another faction]] had emerged, both abducting one member of the Revenants, and taking control over the so-called Restoration Troopers. Working from visual footage, Rhan agreed to investigate it in order to gain any clues that might help combat this new potential thret.

[[File:Perdurabo.gif|left]] Rhan's own efforts were brought to a standstill when Essik brought up a concerning trend to her. Sirra's performance had stagnated considerably, plateauing while the other students began to exceed her. Although Rhan had noticed this and had pushed to advise Sirra in several efforts, she had believed at first that the other students were simply catching up. Examinations by the medical droids revealed that the cause was far more deep-rooted than her initial estimates, as long-term malnutrition was taking its toll on Sirra's body. The impact would only worsen over time, and likely force her away from any frontline actions. Tarvitz, having been away from the Fang for some time, returned to discuss this and their options. His own biological enhancements had been brought about thanks to a Kaminoan scientist and he believed that a similar process could be made to bolster Sirra's physical limitations, but it would likely cost far more credits than any previous venture. Even selling a sizable portion of their equipment would not bring about the funds needed. It was at this point that Celevon made his presence known to them. Celevon revealed that he had predicted this possibility some time ago, and had made preparations. However, the suggestion he brought forward made both of the Jensaarai balk at the suggestion.

Celevon's alternative was for them to subject Sirra to a ritual that he knew of, one that would reshape her body and rectify the remaining damage. Yet its origins lay in the teachings of Dark Side aligned clans he had been part of, and elements reminded Rhan far too much of Sith Alchemy when subjected to living creatures. This was exactly what she had feared might happen upon learning of the hidden vault, in that some of their numbers would push them into crossing lines that they had long since avoided. She was all the more worried when Tarvitz saw some wisdom in this move, and seemed to seriously consider its benefits rather than truly opposing them. This was the same man that had regarded the Principate's efforts in complete horror and had battled the Vampire without hesitation, but was not wholly open to something that might lead down that same dark road. Rhan was further outvoted when Sirra herself supported it, and while Celevon cited a number of differences between it and Sith teachings, it was only enough for Rhan to offer the bare-minimal support to their efforts.

Taking Sirra to an area of the Fang that was suitable to their needs, Celevon conducted the ritual by summoning upon powerful forces in order to control and rework Sirra's form. The means that he employed set Rhan on edge, until she was left fighting the constant urge to object and attack him over his efforts. Yet she was able to retain control until the last moments, as Sirra lost consciousness after broadcasting single image with a feeling of immense danger. A towering figure in rachidian armour plating inlaid with machinery of no known design. The image was unknown to all of them, and what little they saw of its background meant it clearly had not taken place in Sirra's past. While the others displayed concern toward just where it had originated or what it meant, Rhan could not help but believe that Celevon's ritual had been linked to it somehow.

==== The Changing Face of Hereafter ====

The press to go ahead with the ritual had severely mutual shaken trust among the Fang's leaders. Pressing ahead with the ritual against their teachings had been hard enough, but the addition of the mysterious vision had cemented Rhan's view that pressing ahead with it had been a severe mistake. It was all the more so when Tarvitz began returning to Sith tomes in an effort to uncover the identity or any mention, believing that it could be a threat. Although Tarvitz was able to balance his attention between several subjects at once, Rhan found that it was becoming an obsession and was required to intervene. Although gladdened to know that it was worry for Sirra and an unknown threat that drove his actions over any darker impulse, she nevertheless pressed that this meant his teachings were needed now more than ever. If a threat was coming, they needed as many students to be prepared as possible. Rhan also helped to keep watch on Sirra while she remained comatose, privately observing for any signs of corruption that could be associated with the Sith or their creatures. Although Celevon clearly was no Sith, and was aware of the risks, she nevertheless believed that this made Sirra a serious potential risk to the safety of others.

In the long weeks that followed, the Fang was given a period of relatively uninterrupted peace. Although people came and went in pursuit of their own objectives, they were not called upon to support Odan-Urr or the Brotherhood in their wars. Rhan used the opportunity to further cement and confirm both the prowess of their students in lightsaber combat, but also to further expand upon their ability to attain equipment and work with sub-standard materials. Intended to help show how to encourage students to simply make-do with whatever was on hand, it also accompanied further lessons on basic engineering, mechanical work, and forging metalwork. With their tenuous access to equipment and the correct facilities, the understanding of how to jury-rig certain fixes and work around resources they might not otherwise have access to. However, it was also during this time that Nikora encountered Essik considering plans to rework their entire structure.

Essik believed that the outlines and initial plans they had established were woefully inadequate to what was needed. In a time of relative peace or even where the larger powers fought one another while overlooking minor factions, their plan to create a multitude of small enclaves would have been effective. Yet with so many cults, horrors, and powerful beings appearing at a constant rate, and Force users being in demand, Essik claimed that attrition would steadily render the structure impossible. As such, his solution was to widen their network and incorporate those without Force sensitivity into their ranks; training them as an information and spy network with the Jensaarai serving as strike teams. Rhan was entirely open to the idea, but even then reacted with surprise when he argued that they would need to be treated as Defenders and undergo some of the same training. Rhan laughed at the idea of it, believing that it would not be possible, but Essik was able to cite some past instances where such a joint alliance had worked in times of war or even peacekeeping actions. Realising that he was wishing to bring it before their leaders, Rhan opted to support it in an effort to benefit her own concept. Too many strange instances had taken place within the Fang for her liking, and she believed that they could no longer simply ignore the potential risks of being driven out, or the Iron Throne's history of attempting to inflict genocide upon their Jedi allies. As such he urged that they form a Site Besh as a possible secondary retreat along with other hidden retreats, and areas to keep more dangerous objects.

Upon Sirra's awakening, Rhan looked for any indication of corruption or potential influence of the ritual, having fully prepared herself to fight or even kill Sirra if needed. After several days with no sign of clear influences of the Dark Side, Rhan tentatively accepted that she was likely free from risk, though she made a point to keep close watch on her for the coming years. Trying to uncover the cause of Sirra's telepathic broadcast proved to be without obvious cause. Essik made several efforts to uncover the reason through conversations and provoke possible memories without success, while Rhan's own telepathic contacts resulted in no successes. This did little to alleviate Rhan's concerns, and following Essik swaring Orion to their arguments, she pressed to go ahead with their pitch to Tarvitz. To their surprise, he was highly receptive to Rhan's own plan for a secondary point, but even more resistant than she to Essik's plans to expand upon their numbers. Many points he was not against and even saw the logic behind them, but he argued for some time that they could be governed by different leaders in order to avoid conflict or potential unfair treatment of either side. It took a number of concessions and examples to finally push him into at least accepting the concept, and permitting Essik to attempt a trial run.

==== Fallen Spear ====

The Fang's ruling was unable to discuss or expand upon the changes to their recruitment further, as two situations arose within days of the meeting ending. The first was a return expedition to Myrkr, with Tarvitz seeing it as an opportunity to both test a number of students in a field trip, and see if the pre-Jedi ruins held anything that might provoke memories to arise within Sirra. Tarvitz took fully half of their number with him, but shortly after his departure, Rhan was signalled by one of the smuggler groups that they had established links with. Arriving at the point to discuss matters, she found that they needed the Jensaarai to act as muscle, and protect a salvage effort of an ancient Republic warship, the ''Spear of Corellia''. The ship supposedly carried valuable cargo and had been brought down nearly intact, but its discovery on [[starwars:Raxus Prime/Legends|Raxus Prime]] had led to an outbreak of violence. Although Rhan was reluctant to lend their aid to this operation, but with their alliance needed to ensure the future of their organisation and the genuine risk even such an ancient battlecruiser could pose in the wrong hands, Rhan accepted. Taking the remaining half of their students and leaving the droids to hold the Fang, Rhan departed to the world in the ''Stargazer''.

[[File:Screen Shot 2018-01-29 at 6.18.20 PM.png|250px|right|thumb]]Finding the battle surrounding the ship in full swing, Rhan was able to initiate a direct drop onto the exposed vessel's hull. Demolishing the surrounding junk to form choke points and utilising fear tactics to force them into retreat, Rhan was able to maintain a perimeter along with more easily guiding the students in breaking strikes. Most were able to operate with little oversight, and were more than capable of disabling enemy attacks with indirect means, or forcing the enemy into retreat; typically leaving any killings as a last resort or a means to undermine morale. This proved to be vital to Rhan as she was forced to constantly divert her time between the push by smugglers for more murderous solutions and to help break past the ''Spear's'' still active defences. While the entire operation took hours and left both groups butting heads over their direction, Rhan was able to eventually open up the way to the hold. As the interior was stripped of components and the craft looted, Rhan made a point of disabling the vessel's energy grid, and preventing the use of its weapons systems. This was poorly timed as a larger destroyer arrived to try and claim the vessel, supported by a small mercenary army. Impressively, the students did not break under this new assault and were even able to deny initial landing sites to enemy deployment via the use of telekinesis, forcing the mercenaries to try and fight their way through the existing scavenger groups. This almost resulted in a full bombardment from the ship, until Rhan returned and - with some considerable effort - disabled the destroyer's engines with the Force, causing it to crash into a vast debris pile.

Holding the line for another hour, the students were able to eventually retreat as the smuggler's finished their work. Although Rhan feared they would be abandoned, their allies' vessels provided covering fire as they retreated and the ''Stargazer'' took to the skies once more. The smugglers' agreed that they owed the Jensaarai a debt and, along with supplying a number of engineering kits for further mechanical work, stated that they would be happy to repay any future favours and maintain their alliance. Although there had been a multitude of close calls, Rhan was elated that both the success of their alliance and also that the students had proven their skill without losing a single member in battle.

==== Change of Heart ====

Following the twin successes of the ''Spear'' mission and the defence of the Myrkr archaeological expedition, the Fang's populace were granted several months of relative peace to pursue their goals. While two years was too short a time to grant them the full rank of Defender, it was universally agreed that their performances in the face of battle meant that they were ready for fieldwork. As such, both the ''Stargazer'' and ''Bug'' were more frequently used to transport members of the group to distant planets, performing various operations under the guidance of an elder member. Utilising the heavy shipping lanes and cargo transportation for cover, they made a point of visiting planets far beyond the Brotherhood's reach, typically those situated on the Outer Rim. Most were those previously visited by Tarvitz and Rhan prior to their recruitment into Clan Odan-Urr, giving them the benefit of obscurity and previous knowledge. Rhan's additional concern lay with finding various fallback sites to use as secondary bases, and used the missions as excuses to scope out a number of potential targets. This was done alongside more direct missions both in the Kiast system and beyond its borders, investigating Quorahi towns, satellites, and potential smuggler's dens.

The operations alongside smuggler groups agreeing to work with them went smoothly for the most part. Favouring those that prefered salvage or scavenging operations to those that ran the risk of running afoul of authorities, the Jensaarai found themselves either fighting far worse criminal groups or First Order remnants in most confrontations; each usually an enemy that they were welcome to combat. Yet it was during one such mission that Rhan was confronted by a shadow of her past. While pursuing a band that had stolen a multitude of astromech droids from an allied group, Rhan came face to face with Kylun. After some initial uncertainty, both groups agreed to sheathe their weapons and speak on the matter. Kylun and a number of associated Defenders had become increasingly jaded the Saarai-Kaar's decisions, as her methods had become both increasingly extreme and unnecessary following the First Order's destruction. Next to nothing of their history was preserved or taught, and obedience was valued far more than knowledge. He had initially tried to seek her out but, after listening again to her parting message, had attempted to establish his own group of nomads to continue the Order elsewhere. Knowing that it was not her sole choice to induct Kylun's members into the Fang and realising the clash it could cause, Rhan opted to keep in contact with them. Allowing him to depart with several astromech droids and disguising their loss as the result of a long battle, Rhan said that she could speak on his behalf and arrange meetings in the coming months.

The agreement would prove to be fortuitous, as Rhan was able to call upon their help during the closing days of 39 ABY, after a team headed by Tarvitz was drawn into battle against a cult of Mandalorian extremists. While Tarvitz's group defended the town alongside many of the students, Rhan and Kylun's faction traced the path of their ships to a hidden base of operations: A hidden fortress located on a supposedly uninhabited backwater world barely relevant enough to be on any star map. Subduing those within and disabling its internal systems, they were able to destroy the remnants of the cult with the fortress' own weapons, and then reveal to Tarvitz the involvement of Kylun in the battle. Those left were victims of their actions; either those held for sacrifice, to be made into slaves, or partially brainwashed recruits that Kylun pledged to help deprogram and return to their homes. This did much to win over Tarvitz despite his initial suspicions and, along with the base being situated in a nameless system, swayed him into handing over its control to the Nikto following Rhan's backing. Agreeing to offer mutual support, secrecy, and shelter if it was needed, the two Jensaarai groups swiftly cemented their alliance.

==== Broken Hearth ====

With Kylun's faction now in a position of potential power, Rhan opted to focus her efforts upon helping establish their new base. Along with catching up with the events on Susevfi and cementing their alliance, it was a means to better judge how Kylun had changed over the years. Travelling between the unnamed system and the Fang - using civilian traffic and their smuggler connections as a means of support - she made an effort to transfer through supplies, improve the new fortress' crumbling internal systems, and help them understand the Mandalorians' own methods. Although sticking largely to casual conversation, she realised that those following Kylun were a disillusioned and jaded group, while Kylun himself was a far more bitter man than the one she had left. They had been loyal to an utter fault, stood by the Order during its changes, and had been rewarded as everything that made them Jensaarai was stripped away. The entire effort had not been an opportunity for improvement or change, Kylun voiced in a dark moment, but a grasp to bury the past in a deranged act of control.

Unwilling to directly disrupt whatever fragile unity they felt, Rhan worked subtly to speak with them and coerce each into finding faith in their restored purpose. They now had a chance to return to being Defenders of others once more, and to establish a bastion that preserved and improved upon what had been burned away elsewhere. In other situations she offered Kylun a better means for self-support, introducing him to their smuggler contacts and citing the potential benefits. Kylun was insulted by this during their first talk, seeing it as supporting the very criminals they would have once hunted down. However, Rhan was quick to cite how he had met her again while performing acts of theft, and the efforts surrounding the ''Spear''. This at least somewhat opened his eyes, along with being more open to discussing the teaching methods of the Fang. As a means of thanking her for this, Kylun granted access to their own recovered records. These were a combination of recovered texts and those that they had copied prior to disappearing into the Outer Rim. Although initially planning to looking for anything relating to the Children of Mortis or the means used to create the Restoration Troopers, she soon found new pieces relating to a blade. Dubbing it [[The Ruin of Kings]], Rhan looked over it with increasing incredulity, before realising how much of what was written matched her own findings. Details of its true nature were sketchy at best, but they indicated its use as a key to something greater, and origins that lay within the bleakest days of the [[StarWars:Hundred-Year Darkness/Legends|Hundred-Year Darkness]].

Travelling back to the Fang at great speed, Rhan arrived shortly after Essik had departed for a mission of his own. Speaking with a confused Tarvitz and Sirra, she mentioned her own initial concerns and asked them for details on all that had taken place in her absence. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, and as such Rhan opted to confirm her findings before speaking at greater length with the other two. This would soon prove to be a mistake. Late into one evening, the very fortress itself came to life, turning against its occupants. Creatures emerged by the dozens from the castle's dungeons, while the random geometric nature of its halls turned against the Jensaarai, and rooms abruptly dropped to below zero in many places. Already awake while researching data, Rhan was among the first to counter the arriving creatures. Using the Force to guide her back to the brightest energies within the building, she was able to navigate about the warped dimensions of the Fang as it seemed to close about her. Assembling a number of students into a small strike unit, she was able to regroup with Tarvitz in the foyer along with other survivors. Sirra was still missing along with many others, and Rhan took the opportunity to cite other belief that the Fang had been created by [[starwars:Dark Jedi/Legends|Dark Jedi]] during the Republic's earliest days.

A number of students were missing and, as the Fang initiated an array of telepathic attacks against them, Rhan worked to repel and counter its efforts. With Tarvitz leading the physical assault while she combated its more intangible threats through illusions, they drove the attacking beasts back into the Fang's depths. Using the captives' presence as a means to guide their path through the Fang, they were able to breach the lower levels, leaving a mountain of carcasses in their wake. It was there that they found Sirra, having followed them with her own efforts. As Rhan and Sirra devised a plan to shut down the castle, Tarvitz organized the others to distract against their efforts and free the others, until the two utilised the sword to somehow shut down the castle. It was in the wake of this effort that Rhan's suspicions were confirmed, that the Fang itself was semi-sentient and had been forged through alchemical means. Bound to rules it could not break, the Jensaarai presence had empowered and awoken it. Uncertain of their nature due to their mix of Jedi and Sith teachings, it had captured others to learn more of them. Realising that the castle would be a threat to them so long as they remained, and that the Sith would seek to use it, Tarvitz reluctantly ordered for the castle to be evacuated. Stripping each room of anything of value, the entrances were barred and they withdrew to Steepmouth to plan their future actions. Using the ''Stargazer'' as a means of transportation, they fled the castle for one final time. Yet in their efforts to swiftly withdraw, none saw a final figure disappearing from the gates after they departed and disappearing into the growing blizzards of the surrounding lands.

==== The Exodus Road ====

The survivors of the Fang regrouped in Steepmouth to recover and gather their thoughts. This gave the students time to reorientate themselves, but also for those leading them to consider their options. Although most there had always suspected that they would need to flee, the sudden loss had nevertheless gutted the group. No ship they retained was large enough to replace the Fang, or even supply so many people in any ongoing activity. Tarvitz remained initially optimistic, considering a potential plan to establish them in small groups across Trepus, but their supply shortages and the unwillingness of the droids to be broken up into small factions soon ended this concept. Rhan suggested an alternative in folding the group into Clan Odan-Urr and cited the fact the Jedi had previously welcomed Jensaarai into their ranks in the past. Doing so, it was soon realised, risked creating conflict as the Jensaarai wished to remain a part of their own individual organisation, and the few students spoken to were hesitant to accept being made members of a Sith dominated society, even a faction that was ruled by the Jedi.

[[File:Warrior-Lodge.jpg|thumb|left|The lodge claimed for the remaining students.]] Other considerations were made to help bolster one side or another and, following Essik's return, even to move out of Brotherhood space entirely to claim their own planet. However, even with the contingencies made, only one option was clear to them: Dissolving the group as it was established, and joining Kylun's group in earnest. Although any transition would be difficult, both their hidden location and isolation granted the Jensaarai the environment they needed in order to best adapt and further their overall plan to expand their numbers. Tarvitz was quick to agree to this, albeit only after considering the long-term ramifications. Essik proved far harder an individual to sway and made multiple alternative suggestions, but nothing he brought up proved to be a solid option. Even those he did voice proved to largely be short-term solutions with no real means to build upon further. With this decided, the students were spoken with and the groups were divided. A number of them opted to remain on Trepus, and both Tarvitz and Sirra would stay to help settle them in. Essik would see to his own needs, suggesting a possible vessel for them to use as a mobile base, with Orion's remaining droids helping him. That left Rhan and a number of other droids to travel to the stronghold of Kylun's group.

Utilising both the ''Bug'' and the ''Stargazer'' as transport vessels, with Tarvitz flying escort for part of the way in the ''Spitfire'', they departed the Kiast system under the guise of ore transports. The group made a series of long-jumps across a number of random locations, actively appearing and disappearing to shake off any potential tracking or pursuit. Twice they landed on other words for a day to double-check the lack of tracking devices or vessels following them, before continuing their journey. Eventually, however, they arrived at the fortress and landed.

Kylun was surprised to see them again so soon, and shocked when Rhan spoke to him of all that had come to pass. Unfortunately, they had not prepared for such a rise in their population. The Jensaarai had been working to reinforce the fortress more than anything else, and perform much-needed maintenance that the Mandalorians had long failed to keep track of, while also trying to acclimatize and deprogram their previous captives. An exchange was made, easily, once Rhan realised the issues they faced lay largely in mechanical or teaching areas. Offering her services in exchange for taking in the students, Rhan worked to bring multiple systems back online and expand others. She introduced various ideas long-planned but now impossible to add to the Fang, and quickly bolstered its habitation and food production aspects. Between this she talked with Kylun, helping him to understand how the students had been taught, and aspects like how they operated in groups rather than individuals. Kylun disliked a number of elements, but quickly saw the logic behind others, surprisingly even those suggested by Essik in establishing a network of spies and investigators.

For the following months Rhan worked to create peace and ensure that the students settled in without issue. Smoothing over frayed nerves where needed and building goodwill where required, by the end of the two months, she had largely accomplished this objective. Rhan remained for a time longer just to ensure that this had been accomplished, and even offered both ships along with spare supplies to Kylun as a final gift. Eventually taking a lift from the ''Bug'' in a final flight before handing it over to its new pilot, Rhan rejoined the others on Solyiat.

==== You Can't Take The Sky From Me ====

It was only upon her return that Rhan learned of what Essik had been doing while they were busy. As Tarvitz, Sirra, and Rhan all worked to accomodate the students in various locations, he had worked alongside the droids - now calling themselves the [[Free Droid Enclave]] - to bring a hidden vessel back online. The ''[[Yastobaal]]'' was a ship that Essik had mentioned several times in passing, apparently a transport that he had captained during the Rebellion's earliest days. The Gand had somehow reclaimed the ship and hidden it on one of the various sites the had looked into as a possible beta site for landings and withdrawls. After the droids had finished making it fully flightworthy and suited to their needs, he had landed the vessel on the edge of Steepmouth's limits.

Rhan was excited at the possibilities the ship offered. its ubiquitous nature, high passenger capacity, and vast cargo carrying potential made it perfect for both retaining much of the equipment they held and also moving largely unnoticed from world to world. Even with its clear shortcomings as a vessel to either run blockades or flee from battles, it nevertheless offered the size needed to serve as a mobile HQ, and move from one world to the next without raising questions. Sirra, for her part, proved to be far less enthused than the others, but Tarvitz was able to at least speak to her and sway the girl into remaining with them despite her discomfort. Rhan left them to it during this discussion, knowing that their enmity could likely could make things worse, even with it having died down months before. Instead, she focused largely upon helping the droids and ensuring that the ship was ready to fly in this time. It was during this examination that she learned that, with their bodies damaged, many of the Fang's defenders had been recovered and saved until they could be restored to a new form.

With a clear objective ahead of them and multiple projects to juggle, Rhan happily threw herself into the role of the ship's main engineer. To her, this was a return to her old ways and at least a temporary means to forget some of their problems before they descended upon them. Even if some of this was driven by that desire for a distraction, it nevertheless helped to raise a number of clear benefits for the group. The ''Yastobaal'', along with being well quited to its role as a mobile HQ, could easily move between worlds as they investigated them for either salvage efforts or finding a new home. This meant that they could avoid bothering with Brotherhood politics for many months, and avoiding them entirely if they were ever driven to that point. Even with the increased costs thanks to running the vessel, they were able to offset this primarily by establishing themselves as a small company, making rapid deliveries. Rhan proved instrumental in this effort, working with Essik to establish a false company to give them greater legitimacy and raise fewer questions.

==== Debts Unpaid ====

The ''Yastobaal'' operated for quite some time among the Mid-Rim and outer worlds, finding little luck in any of their intended ventures, but nevertheless helping to rebuild their resource base. Most of the crew acclimated to the new lifestyle with few complaints, though Sirra displayed frustrations repeatedly during extended flights. The droids were primarily left to their own devices, answering commands and offering assistance when required, but otherwise conducting their actions as best they saw fit. This worked for the most part even if some of the autonomy was initially unnerving, but concerns arose when a number of the droids now residing within the GR-75's computer core started to fall silent. Without the relevant programming or slicing skills, Niokra couldn't confirm if this was a sign of long-term damage, and the droids pressed her for quick answers she could not give. Promising to find a specialist at the earliest opportunity after both astromechs had no luck in clarifying the situation, she hoped to find an individual in their next visit to a world. The planet of Merrivale, an Outer Rim planet that that once been a colony, but had begun rebuilding following the First Order's defeat. Many had come to treat it as a major trading world and gathering point for individuals seeking to rebuild what had been lost in the prior war.

Unfortunately for the ''Yastobaal's'' crew, the landing proved to be far more problematic than anyone had expected. Problems began during an effort to raid the ship by unknown individuals, who boarded the ship with far more firepower than any private organisation should have been able to possess. Rhan was able to escape it after felling several borders, but only to be abducted by another group entirely. Rhan found that, even with the other Jensaarai now carrying out part of their agreements, a multitude of their smuggler contacts expected the bargains to still be upheld by Rhan and her group directly. Any efforts to renegotiate this would have ended badly, and Rhan realised that even attempting to mind trick their current representatives would resolve nothing in the long run. She was able to confirm their needs, ultimately for support in salvage operations and seeing off certain competitors, but was only able to guarantee herself and the droids as support. This sat poorly with most of the smugglers, but they were at least forward-thinking enough to not kill off a potential asset when their numbers could recover. Informing Rhan that they would be in touch and to be ready, she was let go.

Rhan rejoined the group in time to help the others deal with the hostiles, and the true source of the planned attack: The colony's Harbourmaster. Yet Essik voiced concern that each of them seemed aware of the relics that the ''Yastobaal'' had hidden within secret safes, and all captives had been killed by violent seizures when they had come close to breaking under interrogation. Although Essik had to settle matters with the locals and they had left empty-handed, Rhan gave an honest statement of their current situation to all of the others, keeping them updated on both the droids and also the situation with the smugglers. Both would need to be resolved swiftly one way or another, and caused considerable tension among the crew, but Rhan consoled herself that there had been too many secrets kept between them while at the Fang.

==== Heal Thyself ====

With the risk of both the smugglers and losing their allies, Rhan turned her attention toward most any potential source that might help to recover and extract the droid minds from the ship's datacore. Although such an effort would normally have been an easy venture had it been a stable installation, their violent ends and rushed uploads meant that both the effort of safely removing them and then installing the minds in new bodies was a severe risk. While Rhan could certainly handle mechanical aspects, and rebuild their bodies, if given the right parts she had little talent for slicing. Those others present on the ship also lacked the fine skills needed in order to carry out the task, meaning that they required a very specific expertise. Risking the ire of the smugglers once more, Rhan spoke to several of her more patient sources, but none could cite anyone with the exact understanding she required. Slicing typically required breaking code or extracting files when it came to any criminals with such skills, and insertions did not typically involve sentient minds.

When Tarvitz brought word of a tracking device, Rhan helped to examine and dismantle it. While initially believing that it would have been something the smugglers had installed in order to follow their movements, as the quality was too high for most smugglers to afford, and it was intended for largely short-range use. Opting to land on one of [[StarWars:Florrum/Legends|Florrum's]] settlements Tarvitz worked on a plan to potentially bait then draw out those tracking them. Rhan volunteered to help, but Tarvitz's efforts required that she offer him the assistance of several droids, and continue her work as usual so not to draw attention. This even then proved to be to their advantage, however, thanks to a chance meeting with several dockworkers. A local man, a doctor specialising in cybernetics and data retrieval, had worked on improving several workers' implants in exchange for helping him move and then acquire certain equipment. Interested, Rhan was able to barter them to release any information they had on the man, and even confirm that he had seemingly performed actions on recovering damaged droid minds. Although he had departed the planet some weeks back, they were even willing to mention where he had once resided, after confirming she wished to hire his services rather than settling any old scores.

After confirming that Tarvitz's own efforts had been a success in tracking down their likely pursuers, Rhan was able to visit the location mentioned. A small shack-like workshop situated on the settlement's outskirts, she found signs of heavy machinery and specialized bio-reading devices that had once been installed there. Although confirming certain traces of unknown chemicals and taking samples for confirmation, Rhan was ultimately unable to verify exactly where the man had disappeared to, or even his name or goal. Even so, a DNA sample taken from hairs in the fresher's sink indicated that the doctor was likely a [[StarWars:Arkanian/Legends|Arkanian]] after having one of their droids try to pin down for more information. Although they were able to narrow it down to a potential place of origin and even sub-type for the species, they lacked the wider database needed for more information.

==== Fifteenth Great Jedi War ====

After the ''Yastobaal'' returned to The Vatali Empire, Rhan departed to follow up on her potential lead. The Sentinel Network had a far more varied series of records across the decade than anything that the Jensaarai had been able to gather, and Rhan had hoped that some elements in their records could point her in the right direction. Although doubting that there would be anything that could pin down an individual or even a basic genealogy, certain genetic markers across all species varied depending upon the world of their birth. From that, Rhan had hoped that she could find something to begin searching from. Her search quickly proved to be remarkably beneficial, narrowing down even the sample she had taken to a few specific potential colonies along the Mid-Rim. Unable to narrow it down further than that even after removing potential variables or accounting for the potential technological base that could allow for the individual's skills, she was nevertheless pleased to be put on the right path.

[[File:The Father Children of Mortis.png|thumb|right|200px|The Leader of the Children of Mortis]] Rhan's efforts were soon interrupted by the screams of klaxons across the base, and she emerged to find that [[Fifteenth Great Jedi War|Kiast was under assault]]. A group known as the [[Children of Mortis]] had, for some unknown reason, opted to target and attack the system, and had brought with them a vast warfleet that eclipsed even those of far larger galactic powers. Even as the Vatali prepared for battle, it became clear that the invasion fleet was focused upon a single location - the [[Jedi Praxeum]]. Rhan fought to find passage to the academy but, with the world locking down all travel, she was only able to reach the site of the battle long after it had come to a close.

Joining the relief efforts to help clear up in the wake of the battle, Rhan found that the Praxeum and the majority of its people had held against the assault, and they had reaped a heavy toll upon their attackers. Even so, the nature of their attackers was deeply concerning. Each had been bolstered by shock troops and war beasts embracing an alchemical means that reflected the things Tarvitz had recorded during the skirmish on [[Dandoran]], but had been taken even further. Crystalline formations and structures had grown up for a time among the mountain range, creating bastions to attack from, while soldiers had been equipped with armour of the same nature. Many beasts had crystals growing from their very bodies, and eyewitnesses had spoken of the dead arising from the battle. It was an extreme that Rhan had dreaded to see, an excess of alchemical power that the Jensaarai had always managed to resist embracing. Taking several fragments in containment field generators for her own examinations, Rhan added it to the growing list of problems they would need to delve into.

==== The Hunt for the Primogenitor ====

Even with the very limited information that she had gleaned, it was enough to give Rhan a start. Approaching the droids who handled medical and data analysis on their ship with the new information after finishing her work with the SeNet, they were able to use it to pin down several possible starting locations to begin a hunt. Most of these were thankfully areas of a relatively low population count or planets with only a few colonies that had existed for a handful of generations. It was enough time for each one to become stable, but not enough for it to spread beyond a handful of core settlements.

Using an admittedly lucrative trading opportunity with the most likely world, Rhan was able to use the ''Yastobaal'' to fly there with an armed escort, offering a number of refined metals that the colonies needed to expand upon their facilities. With the droids transporting the materials from the ship and Rhan negotiating with the locals, they spent some time searching for possible sites that the individual might have been operating from. After a several days of searching produced no leads or even hints across three primary colony sites, Rhan resorted to a direct method of communication, and asked after them, claiming that a friend asked her to watch for a relative. Though muted, the reaction was hostile, and the townsfolk were suspicious of Rhan, until they learned that she could not be associated with the group they feared.

Nearly a standard month before her arrival, a Collective assassination squad had arrived asking similar questions, and sought to hunt down a former member who had once resided in the colony. The man in question, a technological genius with skills linked to both cybernetic implants and biological modifications, had briefly returned to the colony only to leave again. They were quite happy to give his name - [[Erasmus Kharse]] - but assured her that he would likely now be operating under a new pseudonym. A far more useful lead came from their reveal of his parentage. It wasn't simply a genetic drift that had caused so many problems in pinning down the basics of who this person had been, but also the fact that they were a hybrid. Born to [[StarWars:Arkanian/Legends|Arkanian]] and [[StarWars:Epicanthix/Legends|Epicanthix]] parents, Kharse had been raised by others and had worked to seemingly benefit the colonies as they were established. Keeping to himself and focused upon his work, he emerged only to take notes on the local wildlife and assist with development projects, before retreating again as needed. He had joined the Collective quite willingly after they had briefly established a recruitment post there, but his abrupt return and departure indicated that his previous employers now desired his death.

Rhan requested that she be given time to examine Kharse's residency, but was soon informed that this would be a pointless effort. The Collective had attempted to raid his now abandoned hut, only for most of them to be obliterated by a rigged [[StarWars:Proton torpedo/Legends|proton warhead]], set to kill anyone attempting to raid his area. Yet, in exchange for a cheaper rate on the materials Rhan was offering, they granted her the I.D. codes and navigation logs of the Collective ship moving in pursuit of Kharse. While the communications tower had been wiped during their retreat, the group had missed the satellite that the colony had placed into orbit for sensor tracking purposes. With this agreement made, Rhan left the world in pursuit of their target.

==== With a Single Stone ====

Rhan returned for a time to meet with the others and return the ''Yastobaal'' to their service after following the details to three more worlds before losing all trace of her quarry. Although she had enough to detail the class, a false designation it was operating under, and even visual markings, the cruiser had been able to hide its later movements. Efforts to find a similarly talented individual to free the droids from the ''Yastobaal's'' datacore met with failure due to several complications, thanks to the varied nature of each droid's growing personality and the age of the GR-75's equipment. Knowing that the clock was ticking, Rhan resorted to hiring an investigator on the last world that Kharse had visited. This proved to be a successful venture, as the investigator soon drew up a number of essential details on the ship, and even the next world on its flight path - [[StarWars:Tatooine/Legends|Tatooine]].

Accompanied by a small detachment of droids, Rhan booked private passage to the planet along with a record of all known information. Arriving within a matter of days at [[StarWars:Anchorhead/Legends|Anchorhead]], they were able to confirm that the ship had passed over the settlement but had not landed there. Instead, it had moved out into the rocky territories in the wastes, before landing among the canyons. Remaining there for some time, travelers had spoken of sounds of fighting in the area, before the ship retreated into orbit at high speed.

[[File:Damaged Sandcrawler.png|135px|thumb|left]] As they investigated the area, risking conflict with several local bandit groups, Rhan was able to eventually track down where the ship had landed, and the mass slaughter that had been committed there. A damaged [[StarWars:Sandcrawler/Legends|Sandcrawler]] lay not far from where the ship had come to rest, its main door blown open and tracks shredded by cannon fire. Bodies of dead [[StarWars:Jawa/Legends|Jawas]] littered the area, accompanied by pillaged equipment. As the droids examined the location, they were able to steadily piece together a series of events. The ship had landed, taking on board some unknown cargo or life-form, before the Sandcrawler had appeared in the canyon. The ship and its occupant, almost certainly Kharse, had then attacked the Jawas for some unknown reason, perhaps to remove witnesses of the action. The battle had been a slaughter, ending with the deaths of all Jawas, and the Sandcrawler had been pillaged. Yet most concerning were signs of biological weapons used against the scavengers. Many bodies were in a state of decay or had undergone minor mutations, with Rhan only likely protected thanks to the sealed nature of her armour. A few had even been clearly been removed, with bloodstains marking where they had fallen and then taken elsewhere. Yet with both information of the Sandcrawler's internal records and several tracking details from Anchorhead, Rhan had all she needed to pursue the ship wherever it appeared next.

When the time came to leave, however, each of the droids refused. Instead, they cited an opportunity the situation granted them. Although retaining some faith now that Rhan had led them to a genuine breakthrough, the Sandcrawler granted them manufacturing facilities that had been lost since they had abandoned the Fang. Although wrecked by damage, they believed that the vehicle could be brought back to full operational capacity within a year, and all damaged components replaced. Most importantly, there was a treasure trove of replacement droid parts and deactivated units situated within its hold. Rhan agreed to leave them to this task and support them whenever possible but asked for two concessions. The first was to bury the remaining Jawas and sterilize the machine to prevent a possible spread of whatever had been used against them. The second was that the Sandcrawler be used to support in repairs and resupply of any Smuggler contacts, in order to keep them in their good graces, at least once the vehicle was in full working order. Although hesitant on the second point, the droids accepted this agreement and remained on the planet as Rhan departed to continue her hunt.

==== An Imperfect Reflection ====

Rhan, opting to remain away for longer than originally agreed, pursued the links to the next three jumps. She was able to pin down one brief landing after another, but also learned of other ships pursuing the same vessel. One of these bore the identifier of a Collective assassination team, while several others bore the IFF signifiers of independent bounty hunters and separate groups. Rhan looked into potentially joining with one and pooling their resources, but finding out of how similar efforts on two separate occasions had ended in betrayal, she opted to instead remain behind them and largely out of sight.

It was during this venture that the Enclave was becoming particularly irritated at the lack of progress. Although they seemed to be on the verge of actually achieving their victory, the long delay had triggered the start of severe degeneration within the droid minds trapped in their ship's computer core. After failing to convince the others that they needed to perform at least one more jump to try and find Kharse's vessel, and with demands of some progress, she offered to attempt another solution. The same method that had led to Clanker's creation had been largely thanks to a fault, and she did believe that a corrected method might be used to withdraw at least the core memories and uncorrupted details of each droid. With four bodies fully repaired and back in order, she picked the four security droids most at risk. Even with a promising start, the corrupted nature of the data and flawed method nevertheless failed to succeed. Rather than successfully extracting each mind, they were instead cloned and placed into new bodies. The originals were destroyed soon afterward, with the effort triggering a complete collapse of their essential functions.

The Enclave, rather than being horrified, was entirely in favour of the extraction method. They saw this as a viable solution, and a means to continue surviving even if the original mind would die. Rhan was able to quietly accepting of this thanks to their morality, but still argued for more time. The idea that they would be quite so open to sacrificing others was deeply concerning, and she felt it needed to at least be discouraged in order to break the deeply ingrained concept that they were disposable which still held sway among many of them. The effort was enough to at least allow Rhan to sue for more time, but the Enclave only granted her three days more. That was all that could be given before each droid's information degenerated beyond any safe replication let alone extraction.

==== Deliverance from Evil ====

At the end of almost two full days of pursuit, Rhan was able to finally stumble across the vessel she had been hunting. The ship, a heavily modified [[StarWars:Gozanti-class armed transport|''Gozanti''-class armed transport]] had been run to ground by the Collective attackers, driving it down onto a storm-lashed oceanic world. Having succeeded in finding some relative safety on one of the few islands among the vast ocean, it had only been granted some limited sanctuary thanks to a violent storm limiting safe landings. With the hunters awaiting in orbit, and a few others trying to find aways around the storm, Rhan instead opted to take the ''Yastobaal'' along its very edge. Even with its light armour plating, the transport's exterior sensor-resistant shell was enough to withstand the worst of the electrical hazards and drive them back. Two ships attempted to follow them in, even firing at the transport in the hopes of denying a rival, but these were not so fortunate.

Landing on one of the opposing islands, and with the droids unable to safely leave or even travel the distance, Rhan opted to swim from one island to the next. Braving several oceanic predators along the route, she was eventually able to close on the ''Gozanti''. Clearly having suffered limited damage, enough to keep the ship grounded, Kharse was not able to easily flee. Rhan was able to sneak in close, and even board the ship through its damaged exterior. What she found within was less of a ship than it was a macabre combination of experimental laboratory and mechanic's workshop. Bacta and cloning tanks held various unknown creatures, while a number of medical dissection beds hung accompanied with mechanical spider-like platforms idle overhead. Rhan was able to shut down several droids to avoid discovery, before finally finding Erasmus Kharse in person. A far cry from the mechanic-surgeon she had expected, Kharse was a towering thin robed figure, with tall bestial horns and a narrow face. Yey upon facing Rhan, she displayed no sign of exasperation or even concern, and politely greeted her.

Unarmed and seemingly more concerned about the orbiting ships than the lightsaber-wielding Jensaarai before him, Kharse spoke politely and honestly with Rhan about all points. He freely confessed to having helped with the Collective's efforts, before breaking with them after they descended into fanaticism and found his methods to be internal hypocrisy they could no longer ignore. Rhan saw in him everything she had opposed, but he was still perfectly willing to help with her problem, and even stated he had been aware of her pursuit as much as others for some time. He even spoke of multiple enemies they faced, particularly those in orbit and the shadow in the Force that followed them all. It was this last point he emphasised, and it was only Rhan's confusion at his statement that broke his mask of politeness with incredulity.

Before the conversation could follow further, they were interrupted. The Collective pursuers arrived in a trail of fire, putting their faith in their ship's durability to see them through the storm. Crash landing not far from their site and having enough power left to disable Kharse's vessel with ion cannon strikes, a full four detachments emerged from the downed ship to close in upon them. Pushed now by urgency, Kharse offered to broker a deal with Rhan - The Collective would kill them all if they won here, so they could fight side by side. In exchange, he would offer her all the information she needed to ensure that both the droids and she survived. With no real options, Rhan was forced to accept and joined the battle.

The fight that followed was brief. Even with the Collective's huge advantage in numbers, they had arrived almost entirely consisting of Jedi Hunter cyborgs. Rhan turned their own implants against them, shutting down or disabling each before killing them, while others were cast high into the air via telekinesis, and slain by clawed talons of lightning. Kharse fought without weapons, favouring his powers or chemical creations to end each life. Rhan almost turned upon him after seeing this, but held true to her word. However, after being engaged and forced to overcome fully half the enemy numbers as they closed in, Kharse disappeared. It was only with the activation of ion engines, having seemingly pillaged parts of the enemy ship for his own use, that she realised he had broken from the battle entirely. Rhan raced to board the ship, but arrived moments too late thanks to a last-ditch effort by the Collective to at least kill the nearest Force user. Flying in low over the waves, Kharse's ship disappeared far into the horizon, before a flash of light heralded it breaking through the atmosphere.

Although frustrated at this apparent betrayal, Rhan found among the debris the information as promised. A [[StarWars:Data crystal/Legends|data crystal]] and several accompanying documents had been left among them, detailing several major outlines and possible threats. Along with it were two words - Thank you for preserving my work.

==== Everything Has Its Price ====

Although cautious at what the knowledge might impart, the data crystal proved to be exactly what was needed. The data process filled in a number of basic factors, often covering various missing concepts and points which might counter the risk of destabilization and trigger data corruption. A key part of the work was that, as the data was written into a droid's body and new circuits, it needed to be erased behind it. The failure to do so would risk bizarre looping patterns and data errors if the droid was sentient, and the ability to effectively clone two minds from one was a venture that the data had barely delved into.

Running several basic tests on programs that copied the essential information and structure of those left in the ship's data core, Nikora was able to find a means which worked perfectly with the older technology. Within a day, Rhan had retrieved the survivors and restored them to their working bodies. This success was enough to fully restore all faith in Rhan's skills and cemental the Enclave's decision to remain with the Jensaarai, and came with a new revelation. The Enclave had been successful in recruiting a number of new droids, who had gathered on a small space station situated on the Mid-Rim. While unsure of Rhan's future, this fact had been kept hidden should they need to establish new ventures elsewhere. The ''Yastobaal'' was diverted to the station, collecting a mix of engineering, data collection, and even a security droid, thus bolstering their numbers further. Although still far from what was needed to crew the abandoned Sandcrawler and fully make up for their losses on the Fang, it was a major step toward fully reestablishing their operational numbers.

Yet any hope for the future was blemished soon after the droids had been collected, and Rhan would realise the extent of the price she had paid to preserve the Enclave's members. In an effort to further blacken the name of both the Brotherhood and their prey, they released previously classified documents outlining Kharse's works. Mass genetic experimentation, gene-modifications, the deployment of semi-sentient test subjects for bio-weapons, the creation and then abandonment of life deemed imperfect, and even the abduction of individuals en masse across various settlements. While Rhan had known of some such acts, the sheer scale of what Kharse had performed and the ruthlessness of these many efforts was horrifying beyond anything she might have expected. The death toll on some worlds stretched into the tens of thousands. Swearing to find and kill the hybrid once her business with Tarvitz was complete, Rhan made her return journey to Kiast in a black mood.

==== Dragon's Domain ====

Rhan's return was far from unremarkable, and she quickly learned of alarming events which had taken place during her absence. Having recognised the threat which had repeatedly fought and opposed them, and growing concerned due to how the [[Children of Mortis]] had been able to hide their presence in the Force, Tarvitz had attempted to track and find them. Utilising one of Clan Odan-Urr's relics - the [[S.E.E.R.]] - Tarvitz boosted his powers in an effort to locate them. He was able to quickly find a vast malign entity observing them, and it had psychically assaulted him. Tarvitz had been brutalized in the attack, and he had survived only thanks to Essik's intervention in removing the relic. Tarvitz was slow to admit he had been moments from immolating his head in an effort to kill the thing, hoping a psychic backlash or connection upon death might end its existence.

Rhan desperately wished to return to hunting Kharse, to the point of initially refusing to hear out Tarvitz. Yet the more he spoke, the more she understood that the threat posed was far, far too deadly to simply overlook. Knowing this could not wait and she could return to find a corpse, Rhan attempted to find and gather any details she could on Force entities, sorcerous beings, or simple means Sith aligned spirits could endure beyond death. While a handful of possible traits were shared by certain beings she researched, nothing held any true tangible links with what he was described to have encountered. Yet while she continued to hunt for further details of any kind in older tomes, she would find that the entity had selected new prey - Sirra.

Rhan agreed to keep researching and gather any information she could, and to confront the entity directly if needed. As the far more powerful telepath between them, she would be better positioned to fight any such entity, and she had far more experience in such battles than Sirra. Yet, even so, they would need to prepare carefully if such a being were hunting them. Rhan took what information she could from each of them while they went to deal with a secondary matter, one which they stressed was private. Rhan would keep hunting for answers, while also doing her level best to keep their droids on side. All of them understood that there was a threat, but a handful had voiced leaving the group entirely to avoid it. While Rhan would keep them agreeing to support the Jensaarai, some were highly difficult to convince.

==== Unseen Hunter ====

The group would keep travelling, trying to rebuild their strength. Though they would see success in expanding upon the Free Droid Enclave's numbers, and the even seeing the [[Templar Jensaarai]] formally recognised as a power on Trepus, they were still hindered due to their lack of infrastructure and a base of operations. This lack of a base was all the more harmful as it seemed as if they were being actively targeted. On several visits to Outer Rim worlds on gather supplies and investigate leads, they were ambushed by unknown forces and seemingly unrelated groups in a manner to those at the spaceport. When docking with an orbiting facility, the ''Yastobaal'' was sabotaged and rigged with an explosive warhead by droids, and the device only disarmed by the narrowest of margins. Then, when attempting to rendezvous with a group of smugglers in deep space, a patrol flight of gunships attempted to intercept an destroy the ''Yastobaal'', seemingly knowing their location and moving far beyond their jurisdiction. During the last of these encounters, Tarvitz was able to disable and bring down one gunship, taking those within prisoner. Although some of the crew had been similarly enhanced by Sith sorcery as others before, many other pirates among the crew seemed unaware of these enhancements but knew of the mysterious backer supporting them.

Although the group was able to adapt to such surprise ambushes and even employ various countermeasures against any effective subterfuge, their unseen enemy would just as quickly alter and adapt their own plans. Suicide bombings, working through higher governments followed by direct assaults, multiple sniper teams in spaceports; each attack was seemingly unconnected and yet highly coordinated. Worse still, it was increasingly clear that many from these groups had [[StarWars:Sithspawn/Legends|undergone rapid mutations to make them more combat effective]], and fewer were hiding these now. This led Rhan to believe that [[Erasmus Kharse]], a scientist who had inflicted horrific biological experiments on multiple people, was the one behind this. Even so, this was largely a theory as they had little in the way of direct proof and, in their last confrontation, Kharse had been pragmatic enough to forge a temporary alliance with Rhan.

However, the group would achieve a break after raiding an abandoned scientific outpost. Believing it had some link to the experiments found and paid for by an anonymous doner group, Rhan, Tarvitz, Sirra, and elements of the Free Droid Enclave's security detachment visited the facility. After it refused to respond to hails the group initiated a ground incursion, only to find all within dead. Yet while searching the place, they would soon find both the cause of the massacre and meet their enemy face to face. A humanoid void in time and space hovered off of the ground, seemingly attempting to drain the local computer banks of all information. Surprised at the arrival of several Force users, the being attacked them, telepathically and telekinetically trying to tear them apart. Tarvitz was certain after only brief moments that it was the same Shadow in the Force they had battled before, but when he spoke of past battles the entity seemed only confused. Although they are able to drive it to a stalemate even with its apparent immunity to conventional weapons, the Shadow is able to escape with the data it sought. In the aftermath and piecing together what took place, the group is able to largely confirm what data it had stolen despite its attempts to cover its tracks - Hereditary biological data and enzyme recordings of an unclear nature.

==== A Most Obvious of Traps ====

Even with the limited information they had been granted, it was enough for the group to begin making plans. For the first time they had a clear objective on how to fight and oppose the Spectre in the Force, and perhaps learn more of what its goals and powers were. Knowing that they would need to trap and destroy the Shadow, and forsaking any thoughts of trying to capture it for study or to learn more, Essik put forward a plan that none of them liked but seemed their only true chance of success. It was agreed to keep Sirra out of it. Although lacking her raw power, Rhan was a talented telepath and could best or at least hold off the foe in a direct confrontation, and might surprise if them if they expected the same result as the fight against Tarvitz. Rhan also pushed for them to gather more resources than risk a confrontation under-armed, and it was eventually agreed that each would pursue a single goal. Essik sought out information from his contacts and anything that might assist them, while Rhan was sent to broker an agreement with the Saarai-kaar for the remaining records held by the orthodox Jensaarai. At the same time, Tarvitz spoke with the Shadow Academy and sought to access their historical data prior to past purges. That last one was a point Rhan pushed, given the mess her last visit to the Academy had created.

Rhan's meeting would prove to be the most challenging. The Saarai-kaar regarded her as a traitor, both to their cause and ideals, having thrown in her lot with Tarvitz rather than obeying her oath. Rhan bit her tongue during these meetings, taking great lengths to carefully draw out any discussion allowed and give the Saarai-kaar time to vent, before offering knowledge in return. Though the relationship between them would remain cold, it was enough for Rhan to press upon her the threat that the Shadow posed to them all, and how essential that knowledge would be. The Saara-kaar would impart the little information which had not been purged, and demand she depart the world and not return until she fully rejoined them; a declaration Rhan silently viewed as more tyrannical than should ever have been allowed.

The three regrouped and were able to gather their findings. The details were enough to outline appearances of the Shadow across centuries, with it drifting in and out of major galactic events. There was no clear pattern or approach to this, and its very existence seemed to be extremely sporadic. Several efforts were made to try and pinpoint its next likely location and head it off, hoping that an ambush might offer they edge they needed to beat the Shadow in battle or even take it prisoner. Rhan had one initial plan in mind to draw it into battle, but it would require exposing them all to its threat, and her mind to its tendrils. She believed that the Shadow formed a temporary connection with any victim it joined, and that an abrupt severing of her life would see a backlash against it. Thus a potential opportunity to have it join her, for her to be wounded to the point of death and then revived, might allow them to capture it when the being appeared.

It was at this point Sirra would come forward. Deeply unhappy at having been sidelined, she voiced several details they had only been somewhat aware of prior to then. Chief among them was the fact that she Shadow in the Force was something she had felt close by multiple times. It was clearly interested in her and unwilling to give up, with her removal from the planned operation offering no help. Although Rhan wished to object, she let Sirra speak and outline a new suggestion of using herself as bait.

Seemingly giving Sirra over to a Cadre of the Templar Jensaarai for her own safety, Rhan and the others were able to draw out a large number of individuals allied with the Shadow as it assaulted Sirra directly. As Sirra battled the entity in the Force directly via her telepathy, Rhan battled its physical servants. Fighting them with her lightsaber and powers, she sought to delay their deaths, secretly unleashing telepathic stabs into each enemy, and through them launching distracting blows into the Shadow itself. Although hard pressed, the group was able to steadily turn the tide and then bring down the assailants facing them.

Several of the Shadow's puppets were alive as the others withdrew, but such an act seemingly triggered a failsafe of sorts. Each began to spasm, shudder, and convulse as they burst apart; their very innards growing until it ruptured skin and muscle alike. However, word came from Tarvitz that his own efforts had been more successful. Remaining behind on their ship in case of a potential attack, he had countered a smaller group of assailants and had been able to carbon freeze them by leading them into a storage bay. This had seemingly anchored the entity within their bodies, and was now unable to free itself.

Rhan and Sirra both began to test the mind of the being trapped within the figures. Although cautious even when facing what was clearly only a fragment of what they had confronted, there was undeniable danger in such a confrontation. Willing to let Sirra serve as the telepathic muscle in their efforts, Rhan served largely in an advisory and support role in this, watching for threats and intercepting known mental countermeasures. The others opted not to bring their captive back to Brotherhood space, and chose to take them to an outpost which had long gone disused. Along with activating other assets to benefit their continued efforts and speaking with older contacts he had hesitated to speak with before, Essik led them to an aged research base to use in the next stage of their war.

==== Siren Song ====

Between working through the powers of the Force users present and the analytics droids of the Enclave, the group was able to see several breakthroughs in understanding the nature of their enemy. It was clear that the Shadow was partially present in each of them, working through some strange symbiotic relationship which became parasitic over time, merging with living beings in various aspects. Although this would gradually destroy those it was linked to, it nevertheless boosted their strength and skills, and even offered a stronger connection with the Force. At Essik's prompting they remain cautious, especially after it appeared that the Shadow is adapting to their presence somehow. After several weeks Rhan believed she had found a breakthrough, only to realise shortly after that the Shadow had been biding its time. All of them agreed to evacuate the facility immediately before any trap could be sprung, signaling an immediate evacuation order. However, this proved to be too late, as hundreds of Shadow entities began manifesting within the base.

Seeking to deny the Shadow any advantage, Essik destroyed all copies of any records held within the base, leaving only the few kept on the ''Yastobaal''. Further damaging several Shadows through means Rhan had devised as potential weaknesses, Essik worked to help a fighting withdrawal. However, upon realising that the Shadows had triggered the base's self-destruct mechanism, a device Essik had insisted be installed to deal with worst case scenarios, Essik and several others fought to hold it back. Although successful, Essik was badly wounded by one Shadow, and left impaled against the deck plating by a length of metal. Although Tarvitz was able to jury-rig a stalling mechanism to halt the self-destruct countdown, Essik could not be moved without further harming him. Already knowing that his wound was mortal, Essik quietly reflected on how badly it had all gone and asked for a blaster. As Tarvitz and the others retreated, Essik held the room against the Shadows, giving them the time they needed to successfully withdraw from the base.

Essik was the last living being on the base as the Shadows surrounded him, including a figure he believed was the dominant of their kind. Attempting to make use of his information, Essik kept his comlink open, trying to goad information from the Shadow and broadcast it to the others. When it was unwilling to offer more than a few token words, Essik attempted to kill the entity by triggering the self-destruct mechanism, but was executed before he could activate the device.

==== The Enemy of My Enemy ====

The loss of both their base of operations and Essik was a heavy blow to the group. Although they had survived certain death and withdrawn with minimal losses, it had effectively set them back to square one and cost one of their founding members. Rhan especially took the death of Essik hard as, despite their obvious differences in methodology and willingness to kill, the two had worked closely on everything involving the construction of the Jensaarai. Rhan privately reached out to his contacts and even the allies of his attempting to rebuild the Galactic Alliance, but few would answer her calls and those who did were currently in hiding.

Yet as they attempted to return to the relative safety of Brotherhood space, the ''Yastobaal'' was met by a transport ship hailing them. The ship offered to parlay and cited a joint enemy who threatened them both. Rhan hardly heard this, recognising the voice of Erasmus Kharse on the communications and demanded they open fire. The ship nearly did but as she tried to sway the droids of the crew into attacking. Kharse continued to speak and cited the threat seeking to annihilate them all- The Shadow in the Force.

Rhan still sought to destroy the other ship, but it was Orian who convinced her to finally hear out her foe, citing how they had taken too many losses recently and needed any advantage they could gain. Rhan agreed, but pressed that no chances should be taken with Kharse and that at the first sight of treachery he should be killed. Brought on board unarmed and escorted by the group's battle droids, Kharse was unapologetic for his experiments and tried to brush aside any accusations, citing again how they shared a common foe. The Shadow has been hunting him as well, and he had barely survived its last encounter. Yet it was not this news that proved to be most interesting, but the fact that Kharse spoke of a physical battle against a being of flesh and blood, he had been able to take some information from scraps of its skin in their encounter. Although reluctant, it was agreed that they would pool their resources and examine both why it had begun to hunt Kharse as well, and gain some knowledge of its nature. What was quickly confirmed was that the begin Kharse had fought was both tens of thousands of years old, but its tactics failed to match up with the Shadows they had battled; behaving in a blind rage of a berserker over the ambush tactics seen by past encounters. Further investigation quickly highlighted other interesting details that Kharse said were familiar, particularly in certain genetic markets. Yet before he could fully elaborate upon this, a new ship appeared out of Hyperspace almost atop of them.

Bearing pirate markings, an up-gunned [[StarWars:Gozanti-class cruiser/Legends|Gozanti]] moved in and engaged at blinding speed; it was only thanks to Tarvitz remaining close to where the ''Spitfire'' had been docked that he was able to intercept the craft and damage it, taking the ship quickly out of the fight. Yet what proved to be all the more curious was the fact the pirates were not under the Shadow's control. When confronted directly, Sirra cited that there was none of the tell-tale telepathic indicators she had seen before on the others, and the pirates themselves claimed to have been moving between Outer Rim worlds while hunting for freighters. However, even if it had been quickly dispatched, this engagement had been enough to change Kharse's mind. Already having moved back to his ship during the battle, Kharse refused to join in further operations unless essential and was too concerned with his own survival to be drawn into a more open conflict. Yet as he departed, Kharse would offer a single warning that that they should not expect the Shadow to be taken unawares given how it seems to constantly track their actions.

==== A Moment of Serenity ====

Between the loss of Essik and their new knowledge, the group realised that they were likely far out of their depth. Even being in Brotherhood space would likely not protect them for long, and soon opted to contact their allies. Most had thankfully escaped the Shadow, but several had faced multiple incursions. The hidden group of Jensaarai had suffered multiple attacks, primarily focusing on either their archives or forges. Those on Trepus had been ignored, suggesting that this was an attack to claim resources rather than revenge. Although potential help was welcome, they decided to distance themselves from the other groups. The Shadow was growing in power and they did not wish to put their lives even more at risk, or at least to have other groups who might succeed should they fail. However, most still opted to support them, at least serving to gather more information and supply resources.

Instead it was decided that only family and friends would be removed, and each of them was allowed a short time to say their goodbyes should the worst come to pass. Leaving the others to visit their families in the Kiast system, Rhan made the choice to see her parents. Having fallen out of contact with them for some time now, they had been unaware of both her departure from the Jensaarai and the conflicts which had played out. Rhan was able to find them easily enough, offering up New Republic technology in an Outer Rim trading post. Although overjoyed to see them, both had seen some difficulties. Rhan opted to keep the truth of what would play out secret from them and help the two untangle the mess they had found themselves in, having promised a buyer a substantial haul only to find another having claimed and taken the derelict they located. Rhan helped them, first finding an alternative location at the site of a battle Essik had once mentioned, and then locating issues in several items which they had purchased for quick repairs. By the end, the three were given little time to talk, but Rhan opted to keep what was coming from them. To her, helping them was enough closure, and if she was to die in battle next, she would take solace in knowing they would live well for at least a while longer.

With her remaining time, Rhan opted to use her remaining connections to further leverage the odds in their favour. Calling upon several old favours, Rhan was able to gain further access to records she had been previously denied. Although this cost her much, both in personal secrets and fortune, it was enough to make better use of Kharse's data and cross-reference it against prior finds. When the group met up once more, Rhan was able to bring forward new essential details and, more importantly, potential targets of importance. With the Shadow actively targeting them, their hope was to hurt it by denying it vital resources, or at least wrongfoot it by going on the offensive.

==== That Which Waits at the End of All Things ====

Using the information they had, the group launched several strikes on locations which held the telltale signs of the Shadow's activities. They arrived abruptly at an orbiting port facility over [[StarWars:Bastion/Legends|Bastion]], boarding it and then annihilating all within once the Shadow made its move. With the Imperials scrambling to respond, they swiftly retreated again, leaving the section burning. Another strike would see the entire group deployed against a smuggler's bolthole on a remote forest moon and, after confirming that it held documents of the old Sith Empire and knowledge relating to Essence Transfer abilities, burned all within. The Shadow itself manifested but, thanks to Rhan's foresight, the group had opted to bring the Ruin of Kings with them. Tarvitz was able to first wound and then seemingly annihilate the shadow, forcing several other similar spectres to flee in surprise. On an outlying system, the ''Yastobaal'' engaged in a cat and mouse chase with several gunships under the shadow's influence, until the ''Spitfire'' could be brought in to destroy each of them in turn.

For nearly two months the group would leave a trail or burning destruction in their wake. Each time they would arrive at a target, remain just long enough to gain new knowledge, destroy anything of value, and then move on. Several of these would prove to be ambushes, traps laid to try and kill them, which cost them dearly in equipment and droids. It would be on one of these that the group would finally gain some definitive information on their target. Several essential shipments were coming too and from the world of [[StarWars:Gree/Legends|Gree]], with enough material to found an entire city. Although knowing it of largely thanks to her interest in archaeology, Rhan admitted that it would make some sense, between the entity's age and their now long-lost ability to craft technological marvels, including hyperspace gates. Knowing that this was either a vital element of Shadow's operation or perhaps the main hub itself, the group rearmed itself before heading directly to the world.

Gree was silent as they approached and, even after performing a combat drop from the ''Yastobaal'' into the long abandoned Imperial garrison base, there was no life there. Bringing with them the security droids to help scan the area, it seemed as if the entire region was lifeless, without a single sign of movement. Knowing this wasn't right, they remained long enough to deploy everyone before sending the transport ship back into deep space, unwilling to risk the crew or the ship on whatever awaited them. Many questioned if any kind of massacre might have taken place, but there were no bodies or battle damage. It was almost enough to make them start turning back, but signs of traps and recent construction activity encouraged them to keep advancing. Sighting a location which seemed to have been recently stripped apart and burrowed into and opened up as if excavated. As the group advanced, the planet became increasingly distorted. Areas resembled puzzles which had been reconstructed with the wrong pieces, distances became meaningless, and even basic fine details steadily lost all meaning. At one moment they would be on the verge of drowning, and in the next each would be as if they were standing atop of a mountain peak. The very world seemed to be coming apart around them, but somehow holding together. The source would only become clear as they closed in on the one major source of light and energy present across the region, situated atop of one of the Gree's major monuments. Tarvitz was the one to recognise the source, realising how similar it was to the World Between Worlds.

Believing that the Ruin of Kings would perhaps hold an edge against it, the weapon was handed to Tarvitz to wield, hoping he could hurt it while Sirra and Rhan attacked it telepathically. Yet as they advanced toward the source and tried to stay in rank, the world twisted them away from one another. Without realising it, the group had been driven apart, appearing on entirely different realms, with no sign of one another. Even the droids had faded to elsewhere, leaving each of them to fight and survive alone.

== Physical Description ==

[[File:Nikora.jpg|135px|thumb|left]] Standing just slightly shy of six-foot-tall, Nikora Rhan is a typical example of the Nautolan species. With the lithe build of an athlete, she could easily be mistaken for a duellist were it not for the aged scars and markings of a blacksmith upon her hands and forearms. Her pointed nose and broad jawline are set beneath a pair of featureless round black eyes, which contrasts with her narrow features. About the crown of her head are a series of head tentacles, pale blue in colour as with the rest of her skin and rubbery to the touch. The majority of these are kept swept back and kept away from her eyes for ease of movement. Several of these are decorated with a number of small cloth rings, each bereft of any true ornamentation or distinctive pattern.

Typically clad in armour plating during her duties, even in travels to distant worlds, Nikora typically keeps the finer details of her attire hidden beneath a ragged cape. When not in full armour, she prefers robust, simple and easily replaced clothing for much of her work, especially those which allow her to pass as a common mechanic. This quality is only further enhanced by her preference to near-constantly carry a variety of tools, spare parts, and secondary equipment.

== Personality ==

Blunt, direct, and with an unyielding emphasis upon practicality, Nikora Rhan is someone who speaks through actions more often than she does words. A highly compassionate pragmatist by her nature, she holds a deep concern for the welfare of others while placing an extreme emphasis on practical results over everything else. This seeming contradiction is a mindset that she has developed over decades of combat. Rhan is willing to lie, cheat, and injure people if it is necessary to save a life, but will openly show contempt for outbursts of hysteria as such displays offer no means to resolve a crisis. With a near-pathological requirement for action and a directed goal, this has manifested in her talent as both a creator and destroyer through her mechanical and explosives skills. Each of these has been shaped in part by her upbringing, but they are nevertheless a reflection of how she will hunger to resolve a problem while also carefully considering the exact tool to complete her task. Because of this, Rhan neither bothers with or respects empty gestures made to soothe an individual's conscience out of a belief that caring alone will make a difference. This need to continually fix things or help people stems from her travels on the Outer Rim, and the harsh life that most face on such worlds.

Nomadic by both nature and personality, Rhan has been required to uproot herself and start over more times than she can count. In a physical sense, this was her habit of rarely staying on a single world or station for longer than a few days at a time, sometimes without even a ship to call home. Far more concerned with the need to see what lay beyond the next horizon than setting down in a single safe space, Rhan required a singular goal or idea to explore above all others. In the few times that she was left couped up in a single location, Rhan required an objective or constant task to keep herself busy; such as experimenting with her own skills or even repairing the outdated systems within the Jensaarai holdings. In a far more personal sense, her willingness to change stemmed from a requirement by life to frequently start over and re-learn ideas from scratch. This first stemmed from her abandonment of a life as a scavenger to become a Jensaarai, then returning to the stars as a Reclaimer, only to rejoin the Order as a teacher, and then abandoning it in the name of a greater goal. Whereas some have a direct or obvious path upon which their skills are built, Rhan's existence can be divided up into segments or even chapters. Because of this quality, Rhan is far more willing to reshape herself entirely to suit a new lifestyle and rarely holds any nostalgic value for the past.

[[File:Song of a thousand voices.jpg|230px|thumb|right]] Ironically, in spite of her willingness to personally start over, Rhan places an extreme value in learning from the past and its lessons. Even when she does not wholly agree with the concepts dreamed up by others, she will keep tabs on their ideas and personal efforts. Just because something fails in one moment, or retains flaws in some form, does not mean that there isn't some merit in aspects of its existence. It is because of this viewpoint that Rhan will both frequently retry failed methods when experimenting with machinery, and will work to preserve the knowledge of the Jedi Order even when she has little respect for their more fundamentalist viewpoints. Her willingness to learn from the past and do the right thing has led to conflicts against her superiors, to the point of actively undermining her leaders within the Jensaarai Order.

Most of Rhan's teaching methods stem from her own upbringing and means to adapt to situations. When training a student she will encourage them to constantly think outside of the box, driving them to create their own means to resolve tasks. While Rhan will always make the point of giving students the tools that they need to understand a subject, she always ensures that they make the final step themselves. Believing that each individual needs to overcome their own limitations in a final self-driven push rather than relying on hand-holding, any lesson can easily veer into more unfair challenges if she believes a student is ready to face them. These are typically designed to be just beyond a student's existing skillset, or even seemingly impossible when confronted by means that they currently rely upon. In doing so, she tries to coax a desire to constantly test their own limits.

== Equipment ==

=== Weapons ===

Rhan's weapons of choice largely consist of a mix of explosives and her lightsaber of choice, using the first to disorientate or thin out enemies before moving in. Although actively limiting fatalities unless there is no choice, Rhan has become highly adept at utilising concussive blasts, [[StarWars:Stun/Legends|stun grenades]], or catching foes on the edge of blast radiuses to bring them low. This can either end a fight before it begins or, in the most severe of situations, end an advancing foe before they can become entrenched.

Although Rhan's weapons have changed several times over the years, she most often enters battle with a mix of thrown grenades and a [[StarWars:PLX-1/Legends|PLX-1 missile launcher]]. The most recent of these launchers has been upgraded with a droid brain, earning it the nickname of "Samuels" by Rhan.

Thanks to multiple conflicts with Mandalorians, Rhan has been granted repeated opportunities to study [[StarWars:Beskar/Legends|Mandalorian iron]], and study its build. Thanks to both this experience and claiming a trophy for herself, Rhan was able to craft a [[StarWars:Hammer (tool)/Legends|Gravity Hammer]] made of the substance, having previously taken the helmet of a dead fanatic as a trophy. Dubbing it ''Donnager'' as part of a private joke, the hammer has served Rhan both as a tool and weapon in equal measure.

Thanks to a number of engagements against Collective cyborgs, Rhan has taken it upon herself to examine and then use their own weapons against their troops. Chief among these is the MK-6 explosive lure - An anti-personnel weapon built for multiple uses and triggered by proximity sensors. Having discovered and disabled a number of these in skirmishes, Rhan took to building her own variants due to their undeniable effectiveness, and the impact turning the Collective's own weapons upon their troops has on enemy morale.

====Lightsabers====

=====The Nameless Blade=====

[[File:Rhan Lightsaber.jpg|210px|thumb|right|Rhan's original lightsaber.]] Rhan has only carried two lightsabers in her lifetime. The first of these was a green [[StarWars:Double-bladed lightsaber/Legends|double bladed lightsaber]], selected to best amplify Rhan's combat style and adapt to turbulent environments. Fitted with a [[StarWars:Lightsaber crystal/Legends|lightsaber crystal]] to better cut through dense substances, the nameless blade was carried by Rhan into battle for decades. Although Jensaarai treat lightsabers as less valuable than their armour, Rhan was fond of the weapon. It would be destroyed during the battle which saw the group rescuing Kharse from pursuing Children of Mortis fanatics, cut apart during a furious melee.

=====Stormherald=====

{{main|Stormherald (Lightsaber)}}

Following the destruction of her previous weapon, Rhan would initially begin to construct a duplicate, expecting another conflict soon. However, the severe threats the group had faced eventually made her rethink how to form the weapon. Rather than a disposable item to be lost and replaced, Rhan made better use of her experience as an artificer to forge a far more potent lightsaber tailor made to oppose the enemies they encountered.

Opting to craft it into a full staff weapon rather than a smaller tool, Rhan utilised metals treated with alchemical methods to grant it vastly improved durability against any weapon. At two meters in length and with blades, totems, and other items fitting its design, Rhan would forgo multiple blades in favour of a single [[StarWars:Dual-phase lightsaber|dual-phase blade]], giving Rhan greater reach in battle.

Finally, the weapon would be powered by one of Rhan's greatest treasures - A fragment of the [[StarWars:Kaiburr crystal|Kaiburr crystal]], granted to Rhan by [[John Blackwood]] after he had taken it in battle against a Dark Jedi. Although lacking the raw cutting power of her previous lightsaber, the crystal would both amplify Rhan's abilities and also bolster her stamina in battle; channelling the Force into her body when exhaustion threatened to take hold.

Fully breaking with tradition, Rhan would name the weapon [[Stormherald (Lightsaber)|Stormherald]], marking her ownership over the blade.

=== Armour ===

Armoured in the manner of all Jensaarai, Rhan's plating matches the same basic designs of all suits from the Order. Rhan's particular version has been tweaked and tailored over the years to fit her specific skills, with a strengthened chest and abdomen plating suitable for absorbing concussive blasts, but a flexible black-toned mesh plating across points of her limbs. These allow for easy mobility, even when combined with the more solid pauldrons, greaves, and hardened points intended to absorb heavier impacts. In a personal tweak added at a later date, the vambraces are slightly broader than would typically be expected of medium armour, in order to assist with movement underwater.

The armour's aesthetics were built with the inspiration of a specific animal above all others, as is typical of Jensaarai traditions. Trace visual elements reflect the Mon Calamari devilsquid as its overall icon, displayed through contrasting patterns and textures which reflect a cephalopod's skin. A far more obvious influence lies in the [[starwars:Helmet/Legends|helmet]] piece, which has been built to incorporate her head-tails as a means to emulate the squid's overall appearance.

=== Droids ===

Rhan's sympathy and innate kinship with droids has seen her gathering a growing army of automatons emerging about her workshop. Although the vast majority of these were ultimately purchased in order to best maintain and slowly renovate the Fang, more often than not they were picked for their simple versatility. Overly specialized or limited designs are more often overlooked in favour of those which can be adapted for a variety of roles, or even simply display inherent reliability and lack of flaws.

More curiously still, Rhan's disposition has left her with a different viewpoint to most owners. Few to none of her droids are fitted with restraining bolts, and she often picks those which lack mindwipes. This has led to an odd mix of personality quirks, dispositions, and views, but she argues that their benefit of experience and freedom of creativity makes up for this. Moreso even than this unusual stance, Rhan even tries to establish work shifts, time off, and generally treats them more like a workforce rather than an extension of her toolkit. Besides Orion, the KX-series security droid, Rhan's current group consists of a mix of [[StarWars:DUM-series pit droid/Legends|Pit droids]] purchased from former podracing groups, and [[StarWars:ASP-series droid|ASP droids]] from salvage units.

In the wake of the attack on the Fang during the Fourteenth Great Jedi War, Rhan began devoting funds to purchasing a wider security force. Due to the Fang's environment and surrounding grounds, she made the unusual choice of utilising [[StarWars:BT-16 perimeter droid|BT-16 perimeter droids]]. While unpopular under most environments, Rhan soon found benefit due to their unique build, sensor capabilities, and more substantial firepower for their price.

=== Properties ===

{{main|The Fang}}

Situated on the larger mountain slopes of [[Solyiat#Trepus|Trepus]], [[Solyiat]], the Fang lay far further inland than most existing townships. The name itself was a colloquial abbreviation of its original [[starwars:Sephi/Legends|Sephi-given]] designation, the direct translation of which was '''One Fang of the World Consuming Serpent Which Will Herald The Universe's Oblivion'''. The shortened [[starwars:Basic/Legends|Basic]] translation had become more commonly accepted even among Trepus' residents. With stonework that was laid down in the earliest days of the [[starwars:Galactic Republic/Legends|Galactic Republic]], the castle predated the first colonies of the [[Vatali Empire]]. Its exact origins or even the names of its builders were been lost to history, but later discoveries identified it as the creation of Dark Jedi during the [[starwars:Hundred-Year Darkness/Legends|Hundred-Year Darkness]].

Although the group was able to maintain a successful bastion there and refine a number of teachings for the future, the Jensaarai were forced to abandon the castle after its defences unexpectedly reactivated, identifying them as hostiles. Although they successfully subdued the semi-sentient mind behind it, the Fang's guiding laws could not be altered, and the group was forced to abandon the location, sealing it off so none might repeat their mistake.

== Powers and Abilities ==

=== Defender ===

[[File:Rhan in battle.jpg|200px|thumb|right]] Rhan is an experienced practitioner of [[starwars:Form VI/Legends|Niman]]. Due to its more moderate aspects and balanced nature, Nikora found that it easily fitted to her even temperament emphasizing both heightened attack and defence. Its lack of prominent advantages, when compared with other forms, was something that she found could be more easily overcome when used in combination with other weaponry. What's more, the simple elegance of its movements both allowed her to more easily carry out her duties as an engineer while also using trickery and intimidation to rapidly end conflicts. The use of this fighting style was pressed upon her by Kylun, after the older Defender felt that she was limiting herself to blunt and brutal attacks, thus encouraging diversity in her combat style. Rhan adapted some of its more basic elements to better emphasize offensive pushes and integrating its more defensive elements into counter-slashes and parries, both of which can easily follow up primary strikes.

When required, Rhan substituted the more controlled slashes and sweeps with moves from [[Martial Arts Forms#Mandalorian Core|Mandalorian Core]], as its emphasis upon counters, grapples, and emphasis on improvisation provided an excellent contrast with her swordsmanship. Even though the two differed heavily in contrasting ideologies, Rhan finds that the controlled outbursts of abrupt violence can catch foes unawares after seeing the motions of Niman, ending a fight with opponents via something so simple as a quick kick between the legs while their blades were locked.

After joining with the Brotherhood and fighting in several of their wars, Rhan would seek to actively improve and compliment both fighting styles by expanding to secondary forms. Examining repeatedly the types of opponents they repeatedly confronted, Rhan would opt to incorporate the teachings of [[Soresu]] into her lightsaber forms, further bolstering her defensive style and approach to battle. Her second martial art [[Sliding Hands]], was a more complicated choice, selected primarily due to its more locking and throwing defensive patterns which could be easily worked around the forms taught in Mandalorian Core.

=== Engineer ===

Surrounded by machinery for much of her life, Rhan has an inherent understanding with machinery that no amount of training can fully match. Linked in part through the Force and in part through sheer experience, she has continually experimented and examined various forms of machinery throughout much of her life. While typically working on various vehicles and salvaged parts throughout her early years, Rhan developed a skill to quickly pick out and identify important qualities and familiar traits within varied designs. No matter the components or advancement in technology, machinery would always retain a few familiar components above all others. Rhan came to find that, in identifying them and the linking connections, she could find shortcuts and outline means to improve the inherent builds. She frequently employed this knowledge to cover for shortcomings or absent parts, especially in her service to the resource-starved Jensaarai.

[[File:Nikora Repair.jpg|200px|thumb|left]] This inherent understanding of technology is beneficial, but Rhan is by no means limited to high-tech designs. A recognised master of the forge, Rhan is also responsible for crafting swords, armour and redesigning weaponry for custom-built designs. With an eye for detail and fine craftsmanship, rarely will an item given into her care return in its same form, and she will quite readily reconstruct a design from the ground up in order to be better suited to its owner. Perhaps because of her unwillingness to entirely abandon certain methods for building equipment, much of Rhan's personal gear continually changes over time, with minor alterations and shifts in everything from tool grips to the patterns of her armour plating. Rather than holding them in any real spiritually enlightened regard or even seeing them as an extension for herself, Rhan treats her personal belongings as a testbed for later improvements.

Even in combat, Rhan can utilise her knowledge to overcome various foes. By picking out inherent flaws, design faults, and ill-chosen materials in weapons, Rhan has learned to turn the very weapons of her enemies against their wielders. Even a basic knife had its own failings due to its crafting, just as how armour plating might have key blind spots to limit movement, both of which can be exploited in battle. Yet what is most remarkable is how Rhan can apply this skill on almost any scale, extending it to buildings and fortifications. Even with her lack of experience in commanding troops, Rhan's eye for structural weaknesses and failings means that she has served as an advisor in sieges on more than one occasion.

=== Explosives ===

When a lightsaber or even the Force proves to be insufficient to carry out her task, Rhan will fall back on explosives as a volatile problem solver. Rhan has found that the simplest, most direct and blunt means to a problem is typically the least easy to avoid, and explosives themselves have frequently proven to be a reliable means to accomplish this. As a momentary display of overwhelming force in the right place can be enough to encourage a retreat, or even an abrupt surrender when required, Rhan has come to favour them almost as readily as her lightsaber. Yet even with this approach, a significant portion of her arsenal consists of weapons intended to disable or incapacitate enemies over killing them through explosive force. A number of grenades, particularly ion and gas variants, serve as a means of excellent crowd control and an effective opening strike.

Along with their employment, Rhan has devoted time to better understanding the weapons through their limitations and basic elements. Studying and experimenting with various builds, Rhan has developed an understanding of any basic explosive device's limitations in terms of range, placement, and effectiveness against other materials. Equally, frequent studies of chemical combinations and compounds have led her to build custom variants of more common bombs, often with enhanced yields or altered roles in battle. This knowledge has even bled into her efforts as an artificer, as Rhan's designs for fortifications tend to place a heavy emphasis upon guarding against explosive weapons.

=== The Force ===

In all things involving the Force, Rhan's talents lie in a mixture of extremely bold and surprisingly subtle areas. Noted primarily for her ability to interfere and interact with machinery, she has used her powers to both undermine enemy equipment and even turn it upon its masters in battle. Capable of jamming complex mechanisms and hijacking [[StarWars:Droids/Legends|droids]] with little more than a thought, she has continually devised means to turn the technological strengths of her foes upon themselves.

Yet even without her mastery over technology, Rhan has proven herself an extremely talented telekinetic, capable of disassembling items with minute gestures and even unlocking mechanisms purely through her powers. These have made her a deadly opponent when facing the likes of the Collective, as she is capable of both literally disassembling her opponent's enhancements in the midst of a battle and throwing multi-ton objects about with little to no effort. Having long since reached the point of controlling weapons through pure telekinesis, when paired with Rhan's talent as an artificer she can turn entire fields of debris into an unending hurricane of blades and makeshift weapons. Those who have fought Rhan at her full power have compared it to fighting a storm.

While the likes of Telekinesis, [[starwars:Force lightning/Legends|Force lightning]], and [[starwars:Mechu-deru|Mechu-deru]] have served as trademark skills of sorts, Rhan is by no means limited to more physical displays of power. With some noted skill in both [[starwars:Telepathy/Legends|telepathy]] and casting [[starwars:Mind trick/Legends|illusions]], Rhan's ability to pick out surface thoughts and then warp her opponent's senses has served to create various openings against far superior opponents. Even the most martially skilled enemy can be brought down thanks to a brief opening if they cannot wholly trust their senses, or even the privacy of their thoughts. Such deceptions are a stark contrast to her typically bold personality, and Rhan favours keeping these powers secret until the moment is needed to turn the tables upon an enemy. This is to say nothing of their benefit in infiltration or cut-throat negotiations, problems that she frequently encountered during her travels across the galaxy.

In battle, Rhan bolsters her powers through the limited use of [[Amplification]], boosting her physical capabilities, though this is taxing and it applied carefully combat. The more overlooked but far more beneficial power Rhan favours is her mastery over Gravitation, not only significantly reducing the weight of her armoured form for rapid strikes, but allowing her to leap over vast distances and even run along vertical surfaces in combat.

In the face of battle or possible obstacles, Rhan will utilise these abilities along with a multitude of other lesser powers to weigh the odds in her favour. However, she makes the constant point of utilising them in synchronized efforts with more mundane skills or as a means to bolster her natural capabilities. Rhan's innate mechanical knowledge and crafting skills are used as a means to enhance the impact her abilities have upon machinery, while the likes of Illusion is used to disrupt the perspective of enemies rather than entirely overwhelm it. Rhan does this out of a desire to avoid an asset like the Force becoming a crutch, and entirely replacing skills or covering for her lack of them in other areas. She constantly views the source as a tool and a means to benefit herself, but will draw the line at having them outright replace an ability entirely. Because of this, Rhan frequently holds back on exploiting their full potential in some key areas, but attempts to make up for it via ingenuity and experimentation in how they are utilised.

[[Category:Odan-Urr members]]

To 251 BBY

2026-09-14T20:59:52Z

Tarvitz: /* Births */

[[File:Timeline10000_249.jpg|thumb|229px|right|Births and Deaths]]
This page contains all information relevant to the Dark Jedi Brotherhood that occurred up to the year '''249 BBY'''.

== Events ==
For information on the events that occurred please see the [[starwars:Timeline_of_galactic_history|Timeline of Galactic History]]

== Births ==
* Rannik 'Warhammer' Narius in 10,000 BBY
* [[Aneurin Cynewulf]] in 7056 BBY, on an unknown world.
* [[Ood Bnar]] on Myrkr in 2462 BBY
* Cyris Oscura on Lotide in 530 BBY
* Ethran Sayre Isradia on Anzat in 621 BBY
* [[Legorii Kryotek Entar]] on Coruscant in 252 BBY
* [[V'yr Vorsa]] on Myrkr c. 300 BBY

== Deaths ==
* [[Urias Orian]] in 5,100 BBY

{{Time|---|[[250 BBY to 101 BBY]]}}

[[Category:Time Periods]]

40 ABY to 49 ABY

2026-09-14T20:57:19Z

Tarvitz: /* 44 ABY */

The following took place between the years of 40 ABY to 49 ABY.

== Events ==
=== 40 ABY ===

* Rebuilding after the heavy losses incurred on Arx, the Grand Master and Headmistress work to manipulate events behind the scenes. The secret construction of a Shadow Academy continues, with the intent for it to serve as a safe hidden bastion for their accumulated knowledge. Although the investigation into the mysterious crystals continues in secret, the Clans each gain knowledge through various means.

* Inquisitorial agents search the galaxy of the mysterious force that attacked [[Dandoran]] but with mixed success. Unknown to them, the Seer continues to watch their operations, and various members continue to fall silent.

* [[Clan Arcona]] sees a shift in leadership, with the hiring of two new Proconsuls while facing the remaining threat of the so-called gods. The clan undergoes substantial reorganisation during this time.

* Overlord [[Bentre Stahoes|Stahoes]] retires from public life in [[Clan Naga Sadow]], and dedicates himself to finding certain antiquities. During this time the Orian system sees a number of major changes, with the establishment of an underground city, a new naval repair facility, and a major renovation of the Dentavii Prime asteroid. House Marka Ragnos has strengthened its holdings and assets, while House Shar Dakhan has cracked down to act as a dark champion of order.

* [[Clan Odan-Urr]] faced an intrusion by hostile mercenaries targetting the Sentinel Network's monitoring satellites and was forced to intercept them. Even with a successful interception, they were able to broadcast limited information to a contact on the ''[[Godless Matron]]''. These groups were later found to be linked to the [[StarWars:Black Sun/Legends|Black Sun]], and another unknown faction likely linked to the deposed Galactic Empire.

* The Dread Lord's Wrath, Alaris Jinn of [[Clan Plagueis]], reappeared in [[Aliso City]] after being absent for weeks. Rumours are that he travelled into the Deep Core, to the Clan's lost homeworld of Jusadih. During this time, both of the Clan's Houses are able to consolidate their positions of power but were largely left to fend for themselves.

* Following repelling an attack on Tokare City, [[Clan Scholae Palatinae]] committed to performing intelligence operations against the Republic of the Force and the Wards of the Force. Although in disarray, both groups retained the majority of their naval power and were thought to be establishing a new headquarters on Korgollo Major or Minor.

* Securing victory in the Port Kasiya Invasion, [[Clan Taldryan]] was able to claim ownership Kasiya Tower, which became the base of operations for House Ektrosis. Nevertheless tensions between the Clan and Caelus System remained high, thanks to Chancellor Ky'Lian blaming Clan Taldryan for the prison break on Orth during the invasion. Investigation into why was accompanied by a mysterious hack into Taldryan's communication and security systems.

* Although progressing well in the establishment of their base on [[Zsoldos System|Daemunn]], the activities of [[Clan Vizsla]] drew the attention of pirates. Raiding the wealth of metals and supplies travelling to the world, they even went so far as to attack the ships of [[House Wren]]. This led to the Clan declaring open war upon the pirates, seeking to end their threat and claim the bounty on their leader's head.

* After months of searching, the agents of the Dark Council are able to locate and recover information relating to the threat they face, along with a name - The [[Children of Mortis]]. Divided into factions known as the Lightbringers, Truthwardens, and Shadowseers to supposedly follow the Light, Grey, and Dark aspects of the Force, they have grown strong while ignored by the wider galaxy. Giving the Clans various crystals to experiment upon and research as needed, the Grand Master prepares to face this threat, even as a Brotherhood spy infiltrates the enemy ranks.

* On [[Selen]], Clan Arcona faced a major conflict at the height of winter, as the Clan's foes targeted and then attacked its primary power sources. Against the mysterious gods and their cultists, the Arconans proved victorious and repelled the invasion with resounding success, and leaving little damage to repair. After receiving their batch of crystals from the Brotherhood, the Clan began to fully investigate and experiment with the new technology.

* Clan Naga Sadow's efforts to ancient secrets and power continued, with their Overlord establishing the Temple of Darkness on the surface of Sepros. One surprising discovery made at this time was the return of the REFUGE station, which had travelled the Hydian Way at seemingly random paths. Its latest stop brought with it an auction for a lost artifact but, upon gaining it, the Clan discovered the relic was a fake. During this same time, two new cities were constructed on the surface of Sepros and construction has begun across Orian itself, leading to a small economic boom in the Outer Rim star system. Hungering for more power, the Clan made a plan to break the orbital blockade over Kinestia and raid the city below.

* On [[Solyiat]], the [[Consular Conclave]] of Clan Odan-Urr discovered a lost Jedi ruin on their new homeworld along with an ancient holocron. At the same time, many Force users undergo premonitions of the dark side rising and Sentinel Network agents investigate reports that a new foe wants to “liberate” Odan-Urr’s home.

* Taking control of Fort Dooku, [[Khryso Mallus]] claimed control of Clan Plagueis' [[House Tyranus]]. At the same time stray signals were detected around Aliso II, the faint brown dwarf that was the secondary stellar object within the [[Aliso system]]. With the reasons behind it remaining unclear, the clan prepared to mount an expedition to the former Plagueis throneworld.

* Clan Scholae Palatinae faced a sudden upheaval, with members of Scholae Palatinae and Taldryan being seemingly in a dream state thanks to the violent interaction between two of their relics. At the same time, increasingly violent protests pushed for President Jayden Winter’s resignation, pushing the system to the brink of civil war.

* With the investigation of Elysia concluded with House Thanatos setting up in the ancient temple of Aidos, the leaders of Clan Taldryan pushed to repair and bolster its infrastructure. With former Chancellor Ky'Lian's removal from power, new candidates were put forward to potentially replace them in a hopefully easy transition of power. This was not helped by the seeming loss of members during an event hosted by Scholae Palatinae to a mysterious dream state.

* With Daemunn under Clan Vizsla's control, its members worked to repair and bring their new base back to operational strength. Although capturing several members of the Children of Mortis during the previous engagement, they were able to gain little information through interrogations.

* The [[Fifteenth Great Jedi War]] breaks out, as the [[Children of Mortis]] seek to annihilate and scour all life from each Clan homeworld. In spite of heavy losses, their attacks fail, thanks largely to a staunch defensive effort and research put into their crystalline technology. The Father, the ruler of the Children, sees this as no setback to his plans, while the Grand Master continues up his attempts to locate his predecessor, Telaris Cantor.

* With Clan Arcona now having endured two major assaults in the same year on their home, they focus upon stabilizing their position. Resentment among Selen's populace remains high thanks to the constant violence on their homeworld. Seeking to reverse their fortunes of being constantly in a state of defense, a minor Hutt leader and relative to an old foe of the Clan, Chutil’ah, was uncovered by their agents. The Hutt had been both supplying arms to their enemies and trafficking Force-sensitive children. This gave the Arconan's a target to attack, and potentially a means to ease the continual assaults on their home.

* In the wake of the war with the Children, Clan Naga Sadow reinforced its holdings with new additions to its planetary assets. However, not all was good, as Overlord Stahoes had departed during the fighting, taking with him the [[Eye of the Overlord]] and leaving [[Darkhawk]] to take his place. With [[Tasha'Vel Versea]] promoted to the Clan's Warlord, the two worked to secure the Clan against further assaults; improving security and rooting out enemy spies.

* Although Clan Odan-Urr recovered quickly from the fighting, oddities were soon found surrounding their home. During the invasion, an illegal mining operation had been established in the mountains of Trepus on [[Solyiat]] while a mysterious private auction with potential links to the murder of a Vatali royal heir had been quickly established. Seeking to infiltrate both, problems arose when many representatives of the Black Sun were present at the latter, bidding on recently recovered Sith relics, while a previously unknown Sith Temple had been uncovered within the former's mountain excavations. The Odanites were able to end both threats swiftly, driving off but not capturing most of the Black Sun members, but recovering a wealth of relics from the auction before it burned down. Unsure of how to proceed against the Sith Temple, which had seemingly drawn in and killed those that had uncovered it, the Odanites opted to blockade and establish a camp about its edges.

* The assault by the Children of Mortis on Aliso left Clan Plagueis in a weakened position. Both House flagships were missing and presumed lost to battle, while Aliso City itself had taken the brunt of the assault. To help bolster recovery efforts, the Clan became reliant upon the newly activated Star Station Asuras. To further foster unity, they began sending envoys to the other Clans, hoping to encourage a better sense of common purpose among them.

* Scholae Palatinae was left in a position of strength following the civil war within its system. With Emperor [[Kamjin "Maverick" Lap'lamiz|Lap'lamiz]] decreeing that the Clan would establish itself on the world of Seraph, they sought to establish their full dominion over the surrounding planets. A massive series of new structures, command chains and communications channels were reworked, with the establishment of both the SARLaC defense platform and a massive fortress city. Even so, this was not entirely without cost, as the long time home of the Clan, Ragnath, was left uninhabitable from the war.

* Following the attack by the Children of Mortis, Clan Taldryan reformed itself into the Taldryan Republic. With new titles and a differing approach to working with other planets, they began negotiating with their neighbours. This led to a potential deal with the Saijo system, to liberate it from attacks by surrounding pirate groups. However, circumstances led to a Chyron invasion by a Pirate force entering the Caelus System in response.

* The timing of the Children of Mortis' attack was especially poor against Clan Visla, as it directly followed a Great Hunt. Darcy Avarik, ''parjii'' or champion of the Hunt, led a widespread counter-attack against the invaders, with many still combat ready following the recently ended event. To celebrate and honour the fallen, a kote ky'ram was organised, but this ended as an emissary of Clan Fero burst in through the doors. Even while still licking their wounds, this affront was taken poorly by the Mandalorians. The message was returned to Clan Fero taped to the severed head of the emissary; a warning before a new hunt would begin targeting them.

* Clan Plagueis presses ahead with its plans to better unify the Clans, inviting all but Clan Arcona to the fourth Pro Bowl event. Although the celebration was disrupted by an assault from Children of Mortis forces, the event continued with few real interruptions. The celebration was made in an effort to formulate and cement alliances between the Clans without the need to rely upon the Iron Throne. As the Brotherhood had left them to take the brunt of the Children's assault and arrived late to claim victory once the Clans had been mauled, this was not without merit. Some concessions were made in an effort to promote goodwill among them, but distrust remained high.

*

=== 41 ABY ===

* With Eos City having largely been rebuilt from the failed invasion of Arx, the Brotherhood focused its efforts outward. Although some withing the Brotherhood wished to take advantage of the galaxy's lack of any central governing power or the threat of the Children of Mortis, Grand Master Evant Taelyan remained focused upon discovering Telaris Cantor's fate.

* Following an invasion into [[StarWars:Hutt Space/Legends|Hutt Space]] and the successful damage to Chutil’ah's business empire, the Hutt was dissuaded from further interfering with their efforts. With this done, the clan renewed its celebrations with Clan Odan-Urr on Kashyyk in an effort to strengthen their frayed alliance.

* Having been provided intel on insurgent elements within their home system, Clan Naga Sadow further tightened its security measures on its worlds, while also looking to repurpose abandoned assets on their moons. Both of their Houses worked to pursue differing goals on various worlds during this time. Shar Dakhan remained vigilant for signs of Children of Mortis movements around Aeotheran, while Marka Ragnos sought to remove any possible Children of Mortis threat, from their mutated creatures to possible cells operating on each world.

* Following its own celebrations with Clan Arcona, Clan Odan-Urr gained a number of new assets to its operations. Turning the Children of Mortis' own remaining crystal technology to their advantage, the clan founded a [[Locus Vera Farm]], bearing fruit with noted enhanced healing properties. At the same time, archeological digs brought up what was dubbed the [[S.E.E.R.]] device, which could allow Force users to expand their senses across a full star system.

* Clan Plagueis' actions in trying to support the Pro Bowl triggered a major shift within the organisation, a significant part of this thanks to outlawing slavery. A noted impact of the abolitionist shift was the downsizing of their enslaved soldiers, most of who opted to retire from a military service. In its place, the Clan founded a new droid army. Yet all was not well, as worlds near to the Aliso System had seen a significant rise in pirate attacks, along with visits by representatives to the Pinnacle in Aliso City.

* Focusing upon internal stabilisation, Scholae Palatinae considered the value of the treaty Clan Plaguis had pushed forward during the Pro Bowl. Opting to outwardly support them, it secretly continued its existing deals with few changes. Continuing to build their new capital and fortress on Seraph criminal elements from the Hutt clans, specifically one Claudius the Hutt, began laying their own foundation of corruption within the Palatinae Empire.

* The Taldryan Republic, having seen a prior year of trials and tests with ttempts of the Supreme Chancellor's life, the Pirate attack on Chyron, and the mysterious kidnapping of the Proconsul, opted to celebrate a fresh year on Fort Malgrim.

* Seeking once again to try and annihilate Clan Fero, Clan Vizsla initiated another Great Hunt.

* The erratic behaviour of Darth Nehalem (previously known as Evant) has split the Dark Council, as he continues to search for a way to pursue both the former Grand Master and the Children of Mortis. Receiving telepathic taunts and threats, Nehalem has sought to form a vast army to destroy the Children once and for all. Even so, he questions if they are not playing directly into their foes' hands. An army that could defeat and even absorb the Children of Mortis’ resources would be a powerful tool for Cantor in building the Empire he has long desired. Yet despite these doubts, Evant presses ahead with his plans.

* Having cut the supply lines of its current enemies and receiving support from Clan Odan-Urr in its efforts, Clan Arcona has worked to secure some limited peace within its region of space. The greatest challenge to this is the Selenian 'gods' - genetically modified and Force sensitive caxqette beasts - with some roaming the frozen north, while others await in stasis to awaken. The constant monster hunt saw them gaining the support of local tribes in order to kill these creatures.

* Clan Naga Sadow saw success in hunting down Children of Mortis groups within their domain, with the sheer volume of abominations being severely reduced. Even so, a new threat emerged as it was revealed groups of Jedi were working to incite rebellion among workers. Known as the Ilum Order and seemingly aligned with the Children of Mortis, these Jedi were working to destroy supplies, raid targets, and create an underground war to destroy Naga Sadow from within.

* Clan Odan-Urr saw two ongoing objectives. The first of these was a challenge faced by the Guardian Corps. With a local murder leading to an underground operation to steal Sith relics from a previously hidden Sith Temple on [[Solyiat]], the group was able to recover most of the relics despite those involved with the sale and purchase escaping. However, the group was given a lead when a member of the [[StarWars:Black Sun/Legends|Black Sun]] approached them, indicating that the buyers were rogue members of his group and the sellers were a criminal organisation responsible for the dealings of lost Force cult relics - the Erebus Pact. The Guardian Corps was able to use the information to raid an asteroid base used by the group and destroy flotilla of Black Sun ships in the process, silencing both threats for the moment. At the same time, the wider clan use the scant information gained from the Sith Temple to gain knowledge of another Velastari Temple. With the mystery surrounding the Seven Pillar temples and the threat of the Illuminance Cult, they set off to deal with both possible objectives.

* Confederacy of the Outer Reaches had been slowly growing, increasing the influence of Clan Plagueis within the sector around the Aliso System. The planet of Hurana had been bought into the fold following the annihilation of the pirate band operating from the Fortress of Kyriseema. With this success, both of Plagueis' Houses were tasked with persuading more signatories into joining the expanding group of worlds.

* Seeking to expand its own reach into new regions, Clan Scholae Palatinae dispatched a group of representatives to the Crannix System. This operation revealed that that Hutt Cartel had gained influence over the sector's governing body. Upon the delegation's return to Seraph, each of the Clan's members were given mysterious invitations to Club Antonia on Ulress. For those who took the offer, they were entertained by the acid fizz stylings of one Zax Keevo, a Trandoshan musician, who may or may not be wanted by Imperial authorities for “murdering music”. At the same time, word reached the Emperor's desk of growing crime levels within the Caperion System, particularly of Spice abuse.

* Thanks to their efforts in defeating both the local pirate elements and a superweapon they were threatening vessels with, an alliance was formed between the Taldryan Republic and the Saijo Sector. Even so, both the mysterious disappearance of the Elysia Governor, Koda Kendis, signs of Clone Wars era wreckage in the surrounding systems, and growing hostilities rising between the Clan and its neighbours, the Clan prepares itself for multiple crises.

* Having defeated Clan Fero and the leader who falsely claimed to be Mandalore, Clan Vizsla claimed victory. However, this was not a total success, thanks to the threat of a Force user who was manipulating the enemy clan.

* Following a meeting between the Dark Council, confirming that the Brotherhood had largely recovered and that the Children of Mortis could not be found, Darth Nehalem continued his efforts to mimic the portal capabilities displayed by the Children. Although failing in his efforts, he received a surprising telepathic contact in response to his efforts - A taunt from Telaris Cantor. Despite the apparent peace, the Grand Master confirmed to the Council that war was on the horizon, and they would need to wage it against both the Children and Cantor.

* Having escaped from their past conflict to the Outer Rim, the Tenixir Revenants made contact with the Collective. Even with many of their members having been a part of the Collective, the group showed little awareness of their past operations or even current objectives. Having made several deals to trade technological components for credits, the Revenants also opted to hand over their former leader, Rasha Hawee, for possible experimentation or conversion into a combat automata.

* In the Collective itself, Rath Oligard was becoming an increasing recluse, doing little to lead the Collective openly. Seemingly losing both his body and mind after his resurrection, Oligard had previously clawed his eyes from his head, and his body was so failing from disuse that technology was being used to maintain even just its basic functions. However, this was brought to an end after the other remaining members of the Collective leadership rebelled against his orders. This forced him to return once more to reality, abandoning his growing connection to the Force for the time being, and take personal control of the organization. Even with his absence however, the Collective had continued to improve its arsenal, with new cyborgs indoctrinated for war. However, Oligard is reminded of his brother Avitus, now fully allied with the Children of Mortis, when he is sent a telepathic message; the act rekindling Oligard's feelings of revenge once more.

* Having ousted its previous leaders, the [[Severian Principate]] has effectively destroyed its entire military, reducing its standing fighting forces by less than half of their previous numbers, and dedicating the remaining once purely to humanitarian support. Having abandoned its past strengths, their plan now is to effectively be subservient to the Brotherhood's Sith and rely upon them for any military efforts.

* Situated within the Ethereal Realm, the Children of Mortis have been at work, forming a crystalline fortress within the gap between realities. Although still allied with them and supporting their goals, Avitus Oligard was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with what he witnessed each passing day, and doubts were creeping into this heart. His companion, Saira, the Mother of the Father’s current flesh vessel, pressed him to flee given the direction in which the Children have taken. Even so, the Children pressed ahead with their plans, seeing to create a warped kind of balance to push forward with their plans, linking it between groups they claimed wished for the Force to remain chained and those who wish it to be unchained. The Brotherhood were seen as the former group. To this end, the Children began sending telepathic prompts, giving the Brotherhood concepts on how to form portals.

* The constant psychic promptings of the Children of Mortis pushed Darth Nehalem into finding a solution to forming the portals. Having been given a means to pursue his enemies, Nehalem ordered that a portal on a grand scale will be constructed in order to advance into the realm the Children of Mortis occupy. Initial examinations into the realm describe it as haunted, but efforts to form logistics lines are pressed ahead and the Brotherhood is summoned for war.

* Clan Arcona's difficulties with Selen's gods came to an end on the island of Tekpantli. A hidden resting place for one of the world's ancient Force users, Maustli, who conveyed his powers from his cryogenic stasis to his loyal island subjects through the Dream. Remarkably, while there were casualties on both sides, the clan was able to broker a tenuous peace following the destruction of Maustli's cryogenic chamber. Those trapped in the Nightmare were freed, while those loyal to Maustli were granted access to modern medicines, even if their god was now limited to a mortal lifespan.

* The Orian system remained on high alert throughout the latter months of 41 ABY, though Clan Naga Sadow saw success in removing a faction of the Collective backed by a rogue Jedi cult, who had been responsible for raiding shipments from the [[Sepros Mining Outpost]]. Even so, with relatively few conflicts between the Sadowans and other renegade factions, it was believed that the Collective was gathering strength for a major operation.

* Odan-Urr disbanded both the [[Guardian Corps]] and [[Consular Conclave]].

* The number of major changes, both to trade and military, placed Clan Plagueis under severe strain. Efforts were made to adjust individuals who now lacked a place within the clan, although this was met with some difficulty. The conflict with the Taldryan Republic on Kenari also proved that the accords signed between the clans had severe limits, and proved that the alliance would be a temporary thing at best.

* Following an assassination attempt on the life of Emperor [[Kamjin Lap’lamiz]], Vizier Thran took control of Scholae Palatinae. With the Emperor in critical condition, Thran declared martial law and then open war upon clan Tiure, the Hutt clan responsible for the attack.

* In the wake of the massacre at Nery's Field due to weapons tampering, Caleria, the sister city of Port Kasiya, cut off contact and network connections with the rest of Taldryan. However, the weapons themselves were found to be linked back to Caleria Weapons Plant. While Supreme Chancellor Cassandra Oriana Tyris attempted to resolve the situation diplomatically, a small team was dispatched through underground tunnels to infiltrate the Weapons Manufacturing Plant in their search for answers.

* Learning that Arx's shipyards are preparing for war, and little information coming from their spies on the Brotherhood's capital world, Clan Vizsla prepares itself for war. Completely shutting of Daemunn from outsiders and stockpiling supplies for their military, the clan placed their hunt for Su Well on pause as they waited for an impending war.

* Pro Bowl VII takes place on [[StarWars:Nar Shaddaa/Legends|Nar Shaddaa]]. Beyond some individual chaos, the gathering proves to be uneventful.

* The Brotherhood launches a massive counterattack on the [[Children of Mortis]] in the [[Sixteenth Great Jedi War]]. Brotherhood forces enter the [[Ethereal Realm]] via portals on [[Arx]] while the Father attempts a ritual to gain ultimate power.

=== 42 ABY ===

=== 43 ABY ===

=== 44 ABY ===
* The Brotherhood locates the [[Cor'neria System]] and the headquarters of the Collective. After reparations and gathering its full might, the Iron Throne initiates a multi-stage assault upon the Collective's primary stronghold triggering the [[Seventeenth Great Jedi War]]. Despite an extremely high cost, the Brotherhood is able to ultimately destroy the Collective once and for all; destroying the [[The Collective: Liberation Front|Liberation Front]] and [[The Collective: Technocratic Guild|Technocratic Guild]], while forcing [[The Collective: Capital Enterprises|Capital Enterprises]] to fall under Brotherhood control via economic manipulation.

== Births ==

=== 40 ABY ===

* The "vessel" of the Father, leader of the [[Children of Mortis]].

=== 41 ABY ===

=== 42 ABY ===

=== 43 ABY ===

=== 44 ABY ===

== Deaths ==

=== 40 ABY ===

=== 41 ABY ===
* Rasha Hawee, converted into [[Collective]] indoctrinated soldier

=== 42 ABY ===

* [[Essik Lyccane]], slain by a Shadow in the Force covering an evacuation effort.

=== 43 ABY ===

* [[Ka Tarvitz]], died as prophesized, in the doorway of ten lights.

=== 44 ABY ===

* [[The_Collective: Liberation Front#Rath Oligard|Rath Oligard]], executed without remorse in the final hours of the [[Seventeenth Great Jedi War]]
* [[The_Collective: Technocratic Guild#Kendra Icasta|Kendra Icasta]], killed by [[Velira Morvane]] during the final hours of the [[Seventeenth Great Jedi War]]
* [[Uji Tameike]], killed in action during the [[Seventeenth Great Jedi War]]

{{Time|[[30 ABY to 39 ABY]]|50 ABY to 59 ABY}}

[[Category:Time Periods]]

Erasmus Kharse

2026-09-13T15:27:10Z

Tarvitz: /* Onto that Unconquered Land */

{{Eras|rep|imp|rdb|exd|nor}}

{{Construction}}

{{Character
|order= Sith
|image= [[File:Kharse.png|250px]]
|firstname= Erasmus
|lastname= Kharse
|homeworld=
|birth= {{Birthyear_and_Age|BBY|76}}
|placeofbirth=
|death=
|placeofdeath=
|causeofdeath=
|species= [[starwars:Arkanian/Legends|Arkanian]] with some [[starwars:Epicanthix/Legends|Epicanthix]] ancestry
|gender= Male
|hair= Silver-white
|eyes= Blue
|height= 1.77M
|weight= 70kg
|cyber=
|mother=
|father=
|siblings=
|children=
|spouse=
|allies= *[[Collective]] (Formerly)
|enemies= *[[Children of Mortis]]
*[[Collective]]
*[[Nikora Rhan]]
*Countless minor and middling powers
|saber=
|form=
|weapons=
|fightingstyle=
|profession=
|position=
|era= *[[Republic era]]
*[[Imperial era]]
*[[Rise of the Brotherhood era]]
*[[Exodus era]]
*[[Dark_Jedi_Brotherhood_Timeline#New_Order_era|New Order era]]
|affiliation=
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|masters=
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|dossier= [[dossier:14751|14751]]
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'''Erasmus Kharse''', known once also as the '''King Breaker''', the '''Arch Genomancer''', the '''Master''', and '''Grand Chirurgeon''', was an [[StarWars:Arkanian/Legends|Arkanian]] [[StarWars:Sith Lord/Legends|Sith Lord]] and ruler of a minor domain deep within [[StarWars:Wild Space/Legends|Wild Space]]. Once a grand warlord who raised up a band of corsairs into a powerful armada, Kharse ruled a powerful warfleet relatively unopposed in his isolated region of the galaxy. Becoming dissatisfied with merely ruling through power with little contest, Kharse gradually turned his attention toward the sciences. Learning what he could of [[StarWars:Sith sorcery/Legends|sorcery]] and [[StarWars:Alchemy/Legends|Alchemy]], Kharse's attention was steadily drawn to crafting and controlling the nature of life itself. Ruling his dominion for decades and leaving to pursue his own experiments on other planets, Kharse left a trail of dead worlds and monsters in his wake. Abandoning and killing every partner as soon as their value was spent in pursuit of knowledge, those who learned of his name came to associate it with betrayal.

Kharse would work for some time with various minor groups while ruling his domain, brokering deals and turning upon his partners as deemed beneficial. This would include the group known as the [[Collective]], and Kharse's quiet infiltration and then treachery would earn his enmity of them. This would be the start of his undoing however. A combination of an internal rebellion, a [[Collective]] assault group cornering him, and the [[Children of Mortis]] deeming him enough of a threat to try and end his life would bring his kingdom to ruin. Kharse would only survive by tricking an old enemy, [[Nikora Rhan]], into coming to his rescue. Although this would ensure his survival, he would be imprisoned and held by [[Clan Odan-Urr]]. Too useful to kill and too dangerous to set free, Kharse is now kept as an asset for when his knowledge is required by them.

== Character History ==

=== The Young Sawbones ===

==== Distant Origin ====

Kharse's exact origins remain unknown, as the Sith has remained tight lipped to all but the most basic of details. While the occasional hint of his history will be given in passing, those who record such matters not that his origins, nature of his father, relationship with his family, and upbringing seem to change constantly. Whether this is Kharse fooling himself or simply misdirecting others remains unknown, but three factors are known with certainty: He was born on a different name to that he chose. He was not born on [[starwars:Arkania/Legends|Arkania]] and has never visited the world. He knew his parents for at least the first five years of his life, and held at least some general awareness of his connection to the [[starwars:The Force/Legends|Force]] from a very early age.

At some point after his adolescence, Kharse would find his way onto a pirate vessel by the name of the ''Chthonian Dawn''. In some tales he was taken in a raid, and either losses taken or a display of talent allowed him to find a place among its crew. A corsair ship operating across the spiral arm of Wild Space, the ship was a raider which preyed upon the weak and the vulnerable. A [[StarWars:Republic Navy/Legends|Republic military]] design dating back to the days of the [[StarWars:Jedi Civil War|Jedi Civil War]], it had been repeatedly upgraded and modified to at least be somewhat more of a threat than those it hunted. In this place Kharse would earn his early skills but little respect from those who surrounded him. Although only Kharse's word is known for this, the Captain supposedly played his crew against one another, fostering discontent and rivalries to both ensure his position and goad them into taking greater treasures in their raids. Most were little more than easily replaced fodder, and the youngest among them were treated as cannon fodder until they had proven valuable.

Multiple encounters with stronger corsair groups supposedly pushed the ship deeper into Wild Space to hunt forgotten planets, and with it Kharse would lose sight of the worlds he had once known. The fate of his parents or any he might have once cared about remains unknown, and Kharse has never spoken of any forgotten friends or blood kin left behind in this time. Whether they were dead or forgotten is something only he knows. By this point, his concern seemed to focus more upon survival and attaining strength above all else.

==== By the Light of Flames ====

Surviving multiple raids in spite of his use as cannon fodder, Kharse would work to make himself useful. This has been confirmed only by his own words, but he actively sought means to ensure he would not be readily killed by a rival or quietly removed. Mechanics and engineers were either removed as required or claimed by factions and used as little more than slaves, while weaponsmiths were actively hunted and killed by rivals if they did not align themselves with a specific faction. Because of this, Kharse found a rapid niche as a medic within the vessel. While a dangerous role, the ''Chthonian Dawn'' had lost many of its previous experts either in violent encounters or foolhardy raids, and had increasing casualties from infections or easily healed wounds. With some existing experience and knowledge of medical matters, Kharse was able to quietly talk his way into becoming an apprentice to the ship's sole surgeon.

Far from squeamish about the sight of blood and capable in his craft, Kharse was able to carve out a protective bubble for himself through his talents. Refusing to take bribes to kill others and avoiding botching surgeries, Kharse balanced threats to his life with active protection. Although others attempted to use threats to end his life in an effort to bump off rivals, his blunt refusal to do so for anyone earned a degree of loyalty from the entire crew. It at least meant there was one relatively neutral area they could rely upon amid the treachery. When one raid party leader attempted to kill Kharse via poison for refusing to kill a ranking officer, he was strung up and flayed within the cargo bay by others. Kharse would quickly use such opportunities for his own benefit, and more than once faked an attempt on his life to kill those he considered a possible threat to his plans.

Becoming accustomed to this control, Kharse would remain in his position for several years, learning his crafts and also quietly picking up additional skills. By the end of his third year on the ship, Kharse brokered a series of agreements and quiet negotiations with several factions. Then, once they were in place he challenged the captain openly. With the crew of the ''Chthonian Dawn'' already suffering from severe discontent after multiple failures, and the captain himself was growing old and fat. Kharse had prepared for a major fight, but instead quickly found himself with the upper hand in their duel, and killed the captain with relative ease. With only a relative few loyalists to remove, Kharse was able to set himself up as overall commander of the vessel.

==== Sinner's Bounty ====

Kharse's leadership would prove to be more cautious than the pirates were used to. This risked rebellion multiple times they would recoginise there was a method to the man's apparent madness. Often planning far ahead and spending his hours pouring over information, Kharse would earn his victories by manipulation and stacking the deck over simple daring and guile. Establishing famines on certain worlds to make them vulnerable, drawing off threats to open the way to seemingly strong but now vulnerable targets for raid, and even the taking of whole harbours for months thanks to simply talking his way past their defenses; Erasmus' first weapon was manipulation. Even through this success, he would find more traditional risks from his comrades. His life was almost ended early into his career in a surprise duel. A subordinate unhappy with his share of the spoils from an especially profitable haul challenged Erasmus for his captaincy. Unable to delay or manipulate events as he desired, Erasmus would almost meet his end as both he and his foe ran one another through. With the blade missing his heart only by inches and taking months to recover, Erasmus would put far more martial prowess into his attacks, relying on displays of skill to deter others from further challenges. Or, as he would put it, "wasting my time with needless bravado."

Even with some troubles among his crew, Erasmus' sole ship would rapidly become a fleet through one carefully timed raid against a port on the fringes of Wild Space. A shipbreakers yard utilised by both the [[StarWars:Judicial Forces/Legends|Republic Judicial Corps]] and [[StarWars:Outland Regions Security Force/Legends|ORSF fleet]] would be infiltrated and claimed by Erasmus' crewmen. Combined with and extremely well timed attack by the ''Cthonian'', and Erasmus was able to flee the yard with two frigates and six corvettes to his flotilla. Spending months to recruit and gather reliable crewmen for each, Erasmus would gain the attention of the Pirate Lord of the region - Seltinar the Hammer. A message with an offer of glory and good fortune was sent to Erasmus, along with a veiled threat should he ignore the message.

==== Red Right Hand ====

The Crimson Spire - Seltinar the Hammer's main stronghold - was an easy location to find, but in an area few would dare to approach. Situated on the surface of a planet, overrun with hostile life and orbiting a dying [[StarWars:Star/Legends|supergiant]], it was encircled by navigational hazards, traps, and ambush points. Simply reaching the world was considered proof of capability, and Erasmus would spend a full year gathering information before finally making the attempt, losing one ship in the effort. Even so, answering Seltinar's message would prove troubling, and Erasmus was challenged by several of the lord's subordinates before arriving. Although Erasmus initially believed these were an effort to oppose potential threats or even mark out their position among the pirates' pecking order. The truth would prove to be more complicated. Seltinar, a [[StarWars:Feeorin/Legends|Feeorin]] outfitted with crude but physically powerful cybernetics, had bid Erasmus and several other pirates to arrive at the world. Both seeking personal glory and to keep his power, he offered each of those he had summoned an offer to gain a position in his organisation. Supplies they often lacked, a reliable port to return to, and an ease of replacing losses in war; all benefits to logistics which Erasmus often found frustrating. Yet to join the group would be to give up freedom and answer to another.

Erasmus quickly saw what this actually intended to offer - Security. There had been several rising pirates in this portion of Wild Space within recent years, through raids, daring assaults, or sheer luck. This had been earning unwanted attention from outsider powers, but each also posed a risk to Seltinar's dominion. By having brought them there and making them offer as a king would, it sought to prevent them disrupting the status quo that had been established. Erasmus already knew rejection wasn't an offer, even before another pirate attempted to leave only to be brutally murdered by Seltinar in person. Yet neither could he simply accept a place in another man's dominion. So, Erasmus accepted the offer, accepted the additional crewmen, and began to make his plans. Each pirate was granted a new target and a witness to see how they accomplished he goal, with many overlapping to force conflict. Erasmus' own victory would be accomplished without bloodshed, sending his rival chasing a decoy target while he hunted down the derelict ship and the prizes within its hold. Yet within that hold Erasmus offered a vague message of assistance for future operations, but with enough imperfections to indicate a fabrication when it was inevitably brought forward to try and bring up Erasmus on accusations of conspiracy.

Year by year, moment by moment, Erasmus would make his decisions carefully and with consideration. Taking risks when needed, taking glory in battle, and ensuring those he stood with were loyal to his own banner. Over the course of the next two years, Erasmus would carefully ensure he was one thing to Seltinar above all others - Indispensable to managing his dominion.

==== Who Laughs Loudest ====

Erasmus would finally make his move during the [[StarWars:Stark Hyperspace War/Legends|Stark Hyperspace War]]. With attention drawn elsewhere due to the [[StarWars:Stark Commercial Combine|Stark Commercial Combine]] posing a direct and obvious threat to the Republic, Seltinar was forced to make his move. Although in part driven by several defections from Seltinar's own fleets to the Combine, and the decision putting Stark on a pedestal far above Seltinar's own accomplishments. Although certainly a minor and distant threat, making a far stronger stand seemed to irk the pirate lord, and he made a demand of Erasmus to target a Republic world they would have otherwise ignored. Well fortified and far beyond the protective chaos of Wild Space, Erasmus repeatedly refused. Only when Seltinar was forced to publicly rebuke Erasmus and cite Stark indriectly as his reason for pursuing such a dangerous target did Erasmus opt to move. However, Erasmus slowed his pace, stopping repeatedly for seemingly minor ventures which offered them little benefit. Although this brought whispers of Erasmus being cowardly, a handful realised he was simply biding his time and waiting for something. The "something" in question would follow only days later, with the collapse of the Combine and loss of the entire organisation to a joint [[StarWars:Trade Federation/Legends|Trade Federation]] and [[StarWars:Jedi/Legends|Jedi]] assault, along with Stark's own betrayal of those he stood with.

Erasmus spoke to the other captains of this, and then cited Seltinar's own seemingly unhinged behaviour, and how he had seen this as so much of a threat he was sending them to their deaths in the name of a bruised ego. He then admitted to delaying, certain this would happen, and asked which they would prefer in control - A man who couldn't recognise lost battle and would waste lives on an idiot's gambit out of pride, or a leader who saw it for what it was and would delay wasting lives until he witnessed its collapse. Erasmus' prior reputation and talent was enough to turn most to his side, and the few who refused were quickly removed from any position of leadership.

When Erasmus returned to the Crimson Spire, he had already won the battle. Carefully having positioned his own men in areas to best control the facility, closing down defenses and removing the few too loyal to be trusted, Erasmus' fleet returned and took control without firing a single shot. Seltinar would die some time later in the bowls of his palace, hunted down in the dark after being robbed of all power and authority to his name. After a few well crafted conflicts to weaken the few who might pose an immediate threat to his control, Erasmus took the throne as the new pirate lord of his fleets.

=== The Crimson King ===

==== Wolf at the Door ====

Erasmus' victory bore with it more treasures than he could have ever dreamed. Riches plundered across a century of piracy, coveted technologies taken from hospital ships and science stations, even lost artworks thought to have long been destroyed but found on derelicts. All were housed within the Crimson Spire, and much of it fascinated him. Yet, to keep the loyalty of those he stood with, Erasmus would give up many of these to his captains. As much for the sake of avoiding civil war as cementing his new rule, Erasmus handed out a portion of the tower's wealth to those who had stood alongside him. With it came a promise to each captain - For the first year under his rule there would be no tribute taken from any of them, and their lord would stand only on his own strengths. This was, by his own crew, seen as madness but it was too generous of an offer for the others to simply ignore. Yet neither understood that he was simply buying himself time to take advantage of an unexpected discovery. While rooting through the innards of the spire, Erasmus had uncovered a hidden museum of sorts. Within it were boundless treasures and icons of a [[StarWars:Sith Empire/Legends|long dead empire]] and the items of its lords. Erasmus only found a scant few notes as to why it had been hidden, but each indicated it was too useful to remove but too dangerous to wield.

Buoyed by the curiosity and sense of triumph he had gained from his new position, Erasmus walked alone in these places, without his guards or security of any kind. It was during this time that his crew, veterans all who had known him for years, seemed to notice a change. Both a self-assurance which went beyond simple certainty of his skills and into a surety of things to come, as if he knew what would come to pass next. Furthermore, certain figures would end up dead before they might turn against him. As if the moment they spoke against his rule, misfortune would befall them. This would come to pass when the full raiding flotilla of Raith the Black would be destroyed in a freak accident, encountering a rival and far larger fleet in an engagement which should have been impossible.

The ability Erasmus had gained stemmed from what he had found in those museums, especially a number of ancient tomes. Crafted by those who had [[StarWars:Brotherhood of Darkness/Legends|almost annihilated the Republic in days long gone]], it detailed how to tap into an inner power and harness the potential to kill and shape fate itself to their benefit. The only thing which gave Erasmus pause was the understanding that, however capable, these same skills had not preserved their leaders from ultimate death and defeat. Yet, some part of him felt a calling to it and a natural inclination to use the powers detailed within its pages. And with every page turned, the newly crowned pirate king claimed with it the power of a sorcerer.

==== Dead Men Tell All Tales ====

If there was any unease among the corsair lords of Kharse's dominion, they did not raise their voices. The unnatural powers that Erasmus was cultivating granted them an edge few other minor lords could benefit from, least of all [[starwars:Precognition/Legends|his ability to seemingly predict future events to their benefit]]. Those who did see Erasmus departure as a possible sign of weakness would soon find themselves in error, with some meeting their end within hours of discussing breaking from the fleet or attempting to assassinate Erasmus himself. More impressively, Erasmus' own strategies would seemingly follow illogical or bizarre patterns, only to to have raids and planned strikes succeed in time with natural disasters or failures.

Erasmus himself would lead fleets repeatedly during this time, but all too often would seek out odd or strange targets which seemingly made no sense at first. Outlying worlds with seemingly no material benefit or strong infrastructure or even any life at all. Yet on each he would continually find a hidden fortune. On an airless abandoned world Erasmus led his vessels to a mountainside, and spent several weeks digging into the side of it. This risked mutiny, until one dig site uncovered a long-buried base, dating back to the earliest days of [[StarWars:Xim/Legends|Xim the Despot]]. Although long outdated and utterly obsolete, the technology within was an archaeological treasure trove, and Erasmus was able to sell the bulk of it to private collectors; keeping only a selection of data crystals for himself.

A much later conflict would see Erasmus leading a raid directly into a warzone between two Outer Rim warlords, raiding a museum several kilometres from the frontlines but blowing up the landing zone for one side. The chaotic rout which followed Erasmus' forces were able to withdraw as one warlord was lost in battle, even going so far as to steal several of their dropships as they retreated. This would be the first of several unforeseen consequences in Erasmus' ambitions. The surviving warlord would turn his attention to Erasmus' fleets, seeing them as a rival, and initiating a protracted war which would drag out for over a decade.

Yet it was during this time that Erasmus began to experiment with darker powers. The ability to speak with the spirits of the dead, to torment and even read their essences for information. This would result in the requests for bodyparts by Erasmus, often disguising the effort of his activities by demanding the heads of his foes. Erasmus' throne room would soon be joined by the skulls of his defeated enemies or those of "worthy status", with their spirits bound to them and serving as an unwilling advisory council. Though no pirate could state why, they would begin to feel a sense of nearby pain when in Erasmus' presence, as if witnessing a public execution.

==== Anamathea's Dream ====

With his power in the Force growing, Erasmus set his sights on wider grabs for strength. With little warning he spoke to every ship serving him, summoning them to their bastion world and organising them into multiple battlegroups over their standard formations. The surprise of this was abrupt and to many it seemed as if Erasmus had gone mad, mobbing together the cutthroats and traitors into single organised combat formations which could easily implode into infighting. The alliance between them was kept in check largely by self benefit and greed over any true loyalty, and even the news that Kharse himself would be leading one such group did little to still concerns. Matters were made worse only when Kharse cited their main targets - The treasure worlds of both a [[StarWars:Hutt/Legends|Hutt]] family of middling power, the primary stronghold of a notorious rival pirate lord they had thus far avoided irking, and the major resource mining planet linked to the [[StarWars:Trade Federation/Legends|Trade Federation]].

The last of these proved enough to have several captains openly challenge Kharse, claiming he had lost his mind. Each of these was dealt with by Kharse in turn, each in open battle where odd quirks of fate or misfortune always ensured his opponents met their end at his blade. This quelled at least some word against him, but nevertheless concern remained high as they moved out, leaving only a token force to safeguard their holdings. What followed would become a string of assaults known as the Red Scar Raid in generations to come, as much for Kharse's bizarre streak of good fortune as the strange events which felled their foes.

The moment that Kharse's fleets set off after their chosen targets, several actions played out one after another. The Hutts became embroiled in a feud with a rival family, diverting their attention and personal armies away from the targets Kharse had outlined. For two critical days the battlegroup ran rampant over their chosen worlds, escaping with no shortage of personal treasures, slaves, and precious metals. The rival pirate king Kharse led his fleet personally against had been quietly tacking an outbreak of disease among several of his holdings borne from corrupted water supplies; those who raced to defend against the assault were limited in strength and capability. Within days, Kharse had purged every world of resistance and plunged the castle which had served as his foe's stronghold into the heart of a sun, taking the pirate king's skull as a trophy by the battle's end.

The raid upon the Trade Federation was to be the action most fraught with danger, but a new circumstance arose on the same day which drew away many ships from the chosen sector. The defensive vessels and trading ships had been directed to [[StarWars:Invasion of Naboo/Legends|blockade the world of Naboo]], devoting them to fully surrounding the world. Unable to withdraw from their chosen operation, the pirate forces were able to raid multiple storehouses and targets without reprisal, then withdraw in their own leisurely time.

The stunning success concluded with a return to their strongholds, which had been left intact following their departure. No word had come of any assault or threat, but those left to defend it were unnerved. They spoke of certain attempts by known raiders to target Kharse's territories, but offered no details to their fate. The only clue as to what had taken place was a recording, of pained and unending screaming from the crews who had attacked before something ripped them out of realspace and back into hyperspace. The cause behind this or even how Kharse had known when to strike was a matter he remained tight lipped on.

==== No Greater Victory ====

The Red Scar campaign would be just the start of many such sudden rampages Kharse would inflict upon the surrounding sectors. Time and again he would muster his fleets, summoning them for a new campaign for parts unknown, and time and again they would return victorious. Such efforts were never safe and never weak, but Kharse knew how to leverage the greed and ambition of those under him in his favour. Carefully pitting fractious and determined factions against one another, he would manipulate them as easily as a piece on a [[StarWars:Dejarik/Legends|Dejarik]] board, using their personal failings or character flaws to his benefit. Yet Kharse himself was careful. Rarely turning directly to conquest, he would only expand his reach to a few planets at a time, and even then rarely offering any one underling total authority over the region. To him control mattered more than power, and there was a balance to be struck there.

Even with his modest holdings, the Republic was not unaware of the threat Kharse's fleets posed and made several efforts to root him out. Each ended in failure, with a flotilla of [[StarWars:Judicial Forces/Legends|Judicial Forces]] ships ventured into his space, a freak incident with an energy anomaly tore them apart. When a Jedi was sent to investigate them, Kharse dealt with them personally. Capturing the Jedi alive, few knew what Kharse had planned for the [[StarWars:Jedi Knight/Legends|Knight]], only that his screams would echo from Kharse's personal chambers for months to follow. Year after year, decade after decade, Kharse would carefully maneuver his holdings and choose his battles with a mix of fate favoured recklessness and precision care which seemed to contradict one another. Although some still wondered how good fortune always seemed to favour him, such questions were easily silenced by the next bounty his decisions brought to them.

The outbreak of the [[StarWars:Clone Wars/Legends|Clone Wars]] did little to change Kharse's tactics, save for having to account for a far more militarised galaxy. Although Kharse pointedly avoided direct confrontations to avoid bleeding his forces or drawing them into a protracted conflict, but at the same time picked clear and beneficial targets for his own use. Despite having a longer standing enmity with the Republic, the CIS was Kharse's chosen opposition in this time. This was as much due to the larger and wealthier corporations serving as the backbone of its military making for profitable ventures as certain individuals who offered a potential risk. These were beings powerful in the Force, [[StarWars:Dark Acolyte/Legends|either acting as servants for a powerful figure in the Dark Side]] or lesser known factions attempting to turn the war to their advantage. Unwilling to ignore potential rivals following an encounter with one Dark Acolyte, Kharse pointedly attacked and raided sites of Force relics to keep for himself, and deny them strength.

By the time of the Clone Wars' end, Kharse had remarkably accomplished all he had desired - Between captured ships and those he had begun manufacturing, he had a fleet worthy of any warlord. His servants and followers were loyal to his banner via self-interest without compromising their ruthless talent for destruction and ambition, and his worlds were minor and well guarded enough to be overlooked by the major powers. Best of all was a vast library of occult teachings and rituals of Sith long past, allowing him to slowly enhance his power over time undisturbed or challenged by others. To Kharse this was the victory he had long desired, and as with all things it was not to last.

==== Scattering of Embers ====

Kharse had known that the Clone Wars would not last, and that one side would eventually emerge victorious. Unconcerned with the conflict, he was content to allow for the chaos to dominate the galaxy and take advantage of the bloodshed. A supply post raid in one place, attacking a logistics convoy another, his targets were always well chosen and well timed. On the rare situations in which he encountered rival Dark Side users, Kharse relished the challenge to test his powers against them, while ever avoiding the more powerful players in the galaxy. The few times his reputation dipped among his followers were when he opted to avoid direct confrontations with [[StarWars:Dooku/Legends|Count Dooku]] or [[StarWars:Grievous/Legends| General Grievous]], and a skirmish against [[StarWars:Sev'rance Tann/Legends|Sev'rance Tann]] in which [[StarWars:Decimator (war machine)|Decimators]] routed his troops.

When Kharse felt the war coming to a close and an ending in which the Republic would emerge victorious, Kharse was certain he would see a far more militant opposition to his activities. Years of war and a vast standing military would not be so easily set aside, and the complacency of the Republic would no longer be a quality they could rely upon. Kharse would soon find himself both entirely right and wrong beyond his understanding. The conflict's final days would see the complete annihilation of the Jedi, abrupt decapitation of the CIS' leadership, and the reformation of the Republic into the [[StarWars:Galactic Empire/Legends|Galactic Empire]] with militant peacekeeping giving way to tyranny. Most pressing of all was the rise of [[StarWars:Palpatine/Legends|Palpatine]] as its leader, and enforcing his will with a powerful cadre of Dark Side wielders. Kharse knew enough to recognise as Sith when he saw one, and realised now that the prior conflict had been a mere theatre show so one side could make its play for power. That added complications, as a violent reprisal was certain.

Kharse would reorganise his entire domain in swift order, abandoning certain outposts and even once core strongholds to his powerbase. Others would be turned into massive traps, while the few remaining assets were poisoned. When the Empire did finally respond with a full invasion force, they ploughed headlong into a nightmare war. One world was besieged for over a year, as the Imperials diverted growing numbers of forces to a siege, battling their way through waves of heavy orbital defenses, only to finally claim the seemingly active supply base below and find it hollowed out. Another apparent stronghold would be claimed, secured, and its data passed on; only for the data to lead them into a string of ambushes and surprise assaults. The stronghold would then suddenly suffer a reactor meltdown three months in, exploding and costing thousands of lives. On the rare moment in which the Imperials claimed a beachhead on a populated world, the Imperials were constantly attacked by hyper-violent parasites and entities crafted to specifically harvest humans. Even ships which seemingly found safe harbour in open space would be disrupted, either afflicted by energies so potent that their typical defenses would be overwhelmed and kill the crew, or torn apart in subspace rifts typical of Wild Space.

Over the course of six years Kharse would burn the dominion he had crafted and scatter the ashes, using them to poison and kill anyone who attempted to prey upon his territories. Only twice had Kharse ever exposed himself to open war and allowed his ships to be seen, just enough to force the Imperials to commit to further fighting. Several full legions would be committed to the battle and then withdrawn along with a full battlegroup, badly mauled by the experience. Eventually with too many failures, the Empire would withdraw entirely from the sector, opting to instead more heavily guard patrols and keep a beacon network along with gravity well generators to try and contain pirate activity. Kharse would rebuild several lost worlds as further traps, but these would not be needed, and he would pull his assets deeper into Wild Space. Focusing instead upon seizing any remaining Trade Federation or CIS ships and bases before the Empire claimed them, Kharse's fleet remained at strength in spite of their sacrifices, giving them time to fully rearm and maintain their corsair raiding activities.

Yet the Imperial campaign would have an impact upon Kharse. Already increasingly dissatisfied with more material assets and tapping into more esoteric aspects of the Force, Kharse's mind turned to far more twisted methods of gaining power.

=== The Pale Wanderer ===

==== Onto that Unconquered Land ====

Even as he rebuilt his personal domain and continued to skirmish with Imperial patrols, Kharse watched the wider galaxy with growing disinterest. He was aware he had been outplayed without Palpatine ever knowing of his existence, and that a greater power now ruled all of the known worlds. Whatever he had built was little more than a hermit kingdom which survived by avoiding direct attention. Yet even so, he could feel history repeating. There were already rumblings of a [[StarWars:Alliance to Restore the Republic/Legends|rebellion]] from multiple sources. Former CIS allies, former leaders of the Republic's own armies, and now independent groups who were not involved. Kharse saw in it a superimposed version of his own fractured leadership, trying to balance and control multiple groups even as they threatened to turn against him. In that, he saw the Empire as the ultimate failing of his way of claiming power.

Palpatine now had all that Kharse might have dreamed of. A world of plenty, to control and rebuild as he desired, with no place beyond his reach and no coffer he could not plunder. Yet now there was no challenge. Kharse watched for years as Palpatine's forces put down one rebellion after the next, locked away the galaxy, and ruled it with an iron fist - Yet seemed to hold no greater ambition. No true effort was made to reshape the galaxy to his will beyond turning it into a jail cell for others, no grand ambitions were raised beyond petty monuments and new military garrisons. Even the very technological advances found in the Clone Wars seemed to wither and die off, as demand for new vehicles in number outstripped the quality of prior creations.

While Kharse would competently lead his forces and rebuild them, his attention then turned inward. Rather than simply hoarding and gaining assets as so many of his subordinates did with growing obsession, he considered more ambitious goals. Goals where he did not simply claim and gather the rare metals that life had formed at random, but commanded life to form them and rebuilt them as his own. To not be resigned to die trying to form a soulless and short-lived domain over a galaxy which neither noticed or cared he existed, but to reshape the very fabric and nature of that galaxy to his whims.

It would be in this time that Kharse would begin to find darker works, and explore the nature of [[StarWars:Sith alchemy/Legends|alchemic forging]] and its founding principles on reshaping life.

==== To Dream of Greater Things ====

The first signs of Kharse's new ambitions would come when he tasked a small raiding fleet with raiding a preserve on a distant world. The creatures it held were rare killing breeds such as the [[StarWars:Cannibal arachnid|massive arachnids once native to Duros]], and Kharse gave them specific orders to be taken unharmed and alive. Although the corsairs carried out this challenging task without question, most expected these to be handed to some grand collector. Instead each of the powerful creatures were taken to Kharse's personal domain and never seen again. When the captain was bold enough to ask of their fate, Kharse only promised that they were being used to accomplish greater things. It would only be months after Kharse specifically requested several thousand living slaves be given to his personal use that their fate would become clear, on their next raid against a far better fortified world used for processing [[StarWars:Wookiee/Legends|Wookiee]] slaves that Kharse would unleash new creations. Bulked up humans and creatures, turned into slavering monsters.

=== The Reluctant Warrior ===

=== The Useful Prisoner ===

== Physical Description ==

== Personality ==

== Equipment ==

== Powers and Abilities ==

[[File:9F7C8B46-EDB9-4F9A-83E2-DBF52B3640B2.jpeg]]

[[File:Anvilcooler.png]]

[[File:Arroyo.jpg]]

[[File:Cloningfacility.jpeg]]

[[File:Euphoria1.jpg]]

[[File:Westwind.jpg]]

[[File:Cloudhaven-level3.jpg]]

John Blackwood

2026-09-13T14:28:40Z

Tarvitz: /* Agent of Clan Odan-Urr */

{{Eras|rdb|exd|nor}}

{{Character

|image= [[File:John Blackwood Headshot.png|250px]]

|order= Mercenary

|firstname= John

|lastname= Blackwood

|homeworld= [[starwars:Corellia/Legends|Corellia]]

|birth= {{Birthyear_and_Age|ABY|9}}

|death=

|species= [[starwars:Barabel/Legends|Barabel]]

|gender= Male

|hair= N/A

|eyes= Yellow

|height= 2.5M

|weight= 213kg

|weapons= *BR-5010

|profession= *[[StarWars:Corellian Security Force|CorSec Officer]]
*Detective

|position= [[EQ3|Corsair]]

|era= *[[Rise of the Brotherhood era]]

*[[Exodus era]]

*[[Dark_Jedi_Brotherhood_Timeline#New_Order_era|New Order era]]

|affiliation= *CorSec (Formerly)

*Clan [[Odan-Urr]]

*[[House Sunrider]]

|ship=The [[Scorpio (corvette)|''Scorpio'']]

|dossier= [[dossier:14751|14751]]

}}

{{Quote|'''You go in, come out alive. You lie your way through the paperwork, go home, and try to forget about what you saw. Trust me kid, it's the only way you stay sane.'''|Blackwood}}

'''John Blackwood''', also known as Subject Delta, is a male [[StarWars:Barabel/Legends|Barabel]] serving as an operative of [[Clan Odan-Urr]]. Found as an infant amid the wreckage of a freak starship crash on the outskirts of [[StarWars:Coronet City/Legends|Coronet City]], Blackwood was taken by a [[StarWars:Human/Legends|Human]] couple and raised as their child. Although beset by strange occurrences and freak incidents throughout his childhood, Blackwood would join the [[StarWars:Corellian Security Force|Corellian Security Force]], serving as a detective and investigator. Naturally skilled and observant, Blackwood would serve the organisation well, but would find himself embroiled with occult crimes and strange murders, earning him an ill reputation.

Late into his career, Blackwood would uncover the truth of his origins when facing a spectral entity of a long dead [[StarWars:Sith/Legends|Sith Lord]]; learning that he had been originally [[StarWars:Sithspawn/Legends|biochemically forged]] by the Sith to serve it as a bringer of destruction. Although Blackwood was successful in defeating the spirit and the horrifying experiments it had influenced, a growing disgust with CorSec's upper management would lead him to striking out on his own. Swiftly recruited by [[Essik Lyccane]], Blackwood would join Clan Odan-Urr as a field agent and expert on the [[StarWars:Dark side of the Force/Legends|Dark Side]].

= Character History =

== CorSec Days (9 ABY - 43 ABY) ==

=== Trainwreck Beginning ===

The exact origins and genetic history of John Blackwood were a mystery at the time of his discovery around [[10 ABY to 19 ABY|11 ABY]]. A freighter, either due to accident or sabotage, had lost control and crashed while trying to depart from Coronet city, and had crashed on the outskirts. Barely missing the outlying suburbs, the vessel had carved a deep scar into the earth and had been split apart upon impact. Although largely intact and failing to explode, what was found within was more horrifying to first responders than any mound of corpses. The vessel's hold was filled with genetic analysis and experimental equipment, transformed into an extensive lab worthy of any biological research station, and with horrors worthy of an Imperial [[StarWars:Dungeon ship|Dungeon ship]]. Gene-spliced creations were found amid the wreckage, still hooked to wrecked monitoring equipment or barely alive. Some had been forcibly implanted with symbiotic creatures, while others had been seemingly cloned from multiple sources in an effort to splice a new species entirely. Most were dead, and the few left besides swiftly begged for a merciful end.

[[File:Alicia-soderberg-sith-lab.jpg|250px|left]] As the responders explored the freighter they found darker things; data from [[StarWars:Byss/Legends|the Emperor's Deep Core stronghold]], passages from the time of the [[StarWars:Sith Empire/Legends|Sith Empire]], and texts apparently crafted outlining cruel means of altering another's biological form. This would soon lead to the involvement of Professor Casath Blackwood, a teacher of archeology at [[StarWars:Corellia University/Legends|Corellia University]] who had knowledge of Sith sorcery. Casath was at a loss for how someone had so easily come into possession of so much illicit data, but soon concluded that the creator at the heart of such work was not among the bodies, and had likely been helping guide it remotely. When investigating a symbol escribed chamber at the heart of the vessel, Casath found the infant Barabel. Unharmed by the wreckage but terrified, his lack of mutations was a sign of suspicion but his lack of hostility or tell-tale signs of experimentation spared him from the fate of other victims of experiments.

Casath quickly came to the conclusion that the Barabel child had likely been abducted from another world. Trying to find his family first through genetic links, and then the freighter's flight path, she was unable to find any possible home he might have been taken from. Even a handful of unusual markers within his genetics offered nothing more than a sign of potentially being tested for DNA harvesting, but nothing more. Knowing both the risk he might pose and also spare him the hardship of growing up without parents, Casath adopted the Barabel into her family, naming him John after her father.

=== The Normal Years ===

John's upbringing was thankfully uneventful but far from normal. While every effort was successful in integrating him into the Blackwood family, Casath wished to keep a close eye on him. Finding someone in a hellish place such as the freighter had raised her suspicions, and Casath had seen first-hand how the Dark Side could snare someone during the University's efforts to destroy the [[StarWars:Cult of Exar Kun|Cult of Exar Kun]]. Because of this, John was kept close to her and saw much of the galaxy from an early age, usually being tutored on military bases or joining Casath on archaeological sites. Every effort was made to avoid treating him with suspicion and his history was kept hidden from all but those who saw it as an essential need-to-know security basis. Even so, there were some moments in which John displayed unusual abilities, such as a clear ability to connect with the Force in sensing life about him, or tap into it to enhance his strength. Already growing far stronger than would be expected of a young child; it took considerable effort on Casath's part not to see him as a ticking bomb.

[[File:Casath-Blackwood.png|250px|right]] Thankfully, Casath's fears proved to be unfounded. Even in an unconventional environment John thrived, and seemed much more at home on the move than staying isolated in any one place. Happy and outgoing, even being left to his own devices resulted in no crises beyond what might be expected of his natural curiosity. Although he shared nothing of Casath's own patience when it came to research, he was keen to listen, and even grew to read and try and understand the history of his own species. Even in these halcyon days, however, there were some warning signs. It could not be denied that certain arachnological digs seemed to become far more dangerous in John's presence, especially those rooted in the history of the Sith. Ancient arcane devices would suddenly activate, or dormant defensive droids would abruptly awaken. Stranger things even occurred on bases he was stationed in, and one notably harrowing visit to a research base uncovered illegal development of nanomachine weapons based upon a Sith superweapon.

Although active during the [[StarWars:Yuuzhan Vong War|Yuuzhan Vong War]], Casath actively made a point of keeping as far away as possible from the frontlines. Going so far as to accept a temporary desk job - something anathema to her - she worked to accept only tasks far from the battles as possible. This galled John given their past lifestyle but, when pressed as to why she was so actively avoiding the war, Casath indicated only that she had been at the heart of a [[StarWars:Operation Shadow Hand|similar onslaught]] once before, and would never wish to risk it again.

When the time came for John to choose his path in life, he would break from his family's history of working in educational centres in favour of a far more active judicial role. This was in part driven to his lack of patience for the more academic elements of the work he had found, but also his ability to carefully examine, judge, and come to accurate conclusions of scenes. While Casath did attempt to dissuade John from this path in life, once he was set upon it she ultimately gave her blessing and full assistance in enrolling in CorSec. Although struggling with several written exams, John would pass any basic physical challenge with flying colours in [[20 ABY to 29 ABY|29 ABY]]. Although unable to immediately promote him to the role of detective or even investigator, John's superiors were quick to put him on the first steps toward that and fast track him to such a role. This was a choice they would soon some to both celebrate and regret in equal measure.

=== The Black Dossier ===

{{Quote|'''You can hear them, but you don't really believe they're there. They can't be. You've never seen anything with skin that colour before. That particular texture and sheen. You think you've smelled their breath, but you can't be right. The smell of hospital burn wards, of speeder crashes. The smell of cooked human meat on their breath. That's what you're thinking, isn't it. There are things moving in that building which should not even be alive. Unfortunately, while you might have forgotten about them, they've definitely not forgotten about us.'''|Blackwood}}

[[File:Corellian Industry.jpg|250px|left]] Blackwood's initial years within CorSec went without incident, serving primarily as an officer of the law. While often favoured in matters relating to illegally stolen or traded cultural artifacts due to his experiences in archaeological digs, for the most part he was seen as unremarkable. That would begin to change during his promotion to investigator, and the free reign the rank would offer him. Ill tidings would begin to follow Blackwood, beginning with a missing person's case which would lead him to encounter a minor religious cult. The events of the case are a matter Blackwood remains tight lipped about, save for the fact that CorSec uncovered a labyrinthine tunnel network beneath Coronet City which, by all rights, could not possibly exist. In the investigation that followed, three other CorSec officers would be lost along with the hostages. Blackwood's report outlined encountering an abomination shackled to a realm below the city, and that a disaster had barely been averted at the cost of many lives. This would see Blackwood suspended and put under psychiatric evaluation for months, but he would be cleared soon after. Due to his prior record Blackwood would be allowed to return to duty, but it was just the beginning of a series of increasingly strange cases.

Another later case would see Blackwood disrupting a narcotics trade, only to uncover a link to the Sith. Alchemically modified crystal shards resonating with the Dark Side were being traded on the streets, allowing users to briefly feel absolute connection with the Force. Repeated use of them would corrode an addict's soul, until their life essence was drawn away to be consumed by some entity lurking within the Force. Blackwood would personally hunt down and destroy the cult but, having narrowly escaped being accused of insanity before, would omit certain details about the case. Instead, he would soon begin to cover and detail the unabridged truth of each case in a personal file he dubbed the Black Dosser, along with findings about Corellia's underworld.

For the next several years Blackwood would take every effort to conceal the strange cases he would find himself embroiled in. Although sorely tempted to issue the unedited truth if only to force his superiors to accept some of the deeply horrifying things in their universe. Although any would readily accept that the Jedi and Sith existed, that the Force was a singular binding energy to the universe, and that biotechnology had been abused for decades among many worlds, any hint of sorcery would draw only ridicule. Thanks to this and with several near death situations, Blackwood would rapidly begin to expand upon his records. Rather than singular cases or even detailed records, he would soon expand it into details of how his encounters had hidden in plain sight, along with the sorts of individuals drawn to them.

Even with his habitual secrecy, Blackwood would gain unwanted attention when he was required to take on partners. The worst among these were trainees and, while Blackwood would actively try to take only mundane investigations, fate had a cruel sense of humour. Several of these would end with encounters against [[StarWars:Dark Jedi/Legends|Dark Jedi]] seemingly drawn to Blackwood, while another would end with the two facing a madman attempting to draw the spirit of [[StarWars:Ajunta Pall|Ajunta Pall]] back into the physical world.

[[File:Dark-Jedi-Lab.png|350px|left]] Yet it would be one case in [[33 ABY]] which would earn Blackwood an ill reputation among CorSec and the realisation that, even if they did not believe in his cases, he seemed to draw bad luck to him. Paired with a younger [[StarWars:Aqualish/Legends|Aqualish]] by the name of Talik, Blackwood was sent to investigate the theft of vital medical equipment from several of Coronet city's major hospitals. Although at first suspecting only a simple theft, the truth behind it would become clear when Talik identified a major power drain drawn into a supposedly abandoned building. Within the two would find a nightmarish scene: Repurposed [[StarWars:Bacta/Legends|bacta tanks]] were being used to flash-grow clones. Malformed and half insane, each were being outfitted with [[StarWars:Cybernetics/Legends|cybernetics]] to overcome the shortcomings of the crude process, before being outfitted with combat enhancements. Yet perhaps the most alarming quality was that each was powerful in the Force, either through some part of the process or the genetics selected. Although insane and unskilled, the cybernetics could focus this power into crudely destructive means.

The two sought to avoid conflict, but were soon discovered when Talik attempted to draw data from one of the main computers. Blackwood fought to hold the door against two of the maddened creations while Talik tried to finish his work and then destroy the computer. Although successful in his efforts, and even disrupting the cybernetics which guided their mental faculties, the power behind the effort: A coven of Dark Jedi. Survivors from the long gone [[StarWars:Second Imperium|Second Imperium]], they had thrown their lot in with another power and had come to test a technology capable of building armies. Outraged at the setback, the Dark Jedi attacked the two. Talik would lose a leg in the ensuing fight, and the two only survived as Blackwood hurled them through a window, leaving a bundle of explosives in his wake. In the following search, the body of only one Dark Jedi would be found, with all others seemingly escaping.

Unable to downplay what had taken place thanks to Talik's presence, both the destruction, Talik's maiming, and the presence of Dark Jedi would would only worsen Blackwood's poor reputation.

=== Dangerous Habits ===

Blackwood was trapped between tasks. The growing insanity and danger of his day job, which inexplicably kept drawing him deeper into business even most Jedi would not encounter in their lifetime, and his superiors who both blamed him for the hostile forces they faced but refused to admit to their real existence. Partially aware of this unconscious contradiction, Blackwood could not help but feel he was increasingly being set up as a scapegoat by leaders more concerned with the quiet running of things more than truly resolving a problem and finding a situation they disliked. His suspicions were only further deepened due to an opposition of contacting the [[StarWars:Jedi Order/Legends|Jedi Order]] to deal with the threats which had emerged, even just for archival access. Although Blackwood put this down largely to animosity in the wake of the Vong war, the vehemence was suspicious.

For the most part Blackwood returned to his previous work, albeit treading carefully with others now watching his every move. Even while tempted more than once to retire or even go rogue after his department was threatened with closure in the wake of horrific cases, but every time he returned knowing there was little money in waging a private war against an enemy he already hated. Yet it was during this time in which he would become more aware of the threats posed by Force users due to repeated encounters. The first among these was a Sith who, upon learning that Blackwood was creating a personal archive along with the Black Dossier to better combat the strange cases, raided Blackwood's apartment and attempted to depart with several data cores. While the Sith met his end in a hail of gunfire, Blackwood was disturbed by his behaviour, seemingly regarding Blackwood as more of a rival than a foe. This would only be confirmed in a later incident, in which one of the prior Dark Jedi, seemingly outcast from his group, sought out Blackwood and tried then failed to forcibly capture him as an apprentice. This would then extend to a point worthy of a farce when a Jedi Knight appeared mere months later, not to deal with the many threats Blackwood had been waging war against, but to confront Blackwood himself. This last incident would be too much and, after managing to knock the Jedi unconscious via a well placed stun grenade, Blackwood would forcibly sit him down and demand answers.

[[File:Streen.png|150px|right]] The Jedi was unreceptive at first, expecting death, but slowly came to realise that Blackwood's obliviousness was no act. Although not fully believing it, the Jedi gave his name as [[StarWars:Streen|Streen]] and explained how Blackwood could be sensed through the Force. He described what he felt of Blackwood as a black flame in the Force, actively serving as a beacon to not only entities with an affinity to the Dark Side, but making him appear as if he was no different from any Sith. Blackwood refused to believe this for a moment, but the more Streen spoke the more there was a perverse kind of sense to it. How certain [[starwars:Archaeology/Legends|archeological sites]] had reacted to him, the behavior of his prior opponents, and even how he seemed to stumble from one nightmare to the other with little to no normality amid his work. Streen clearly couldn't quite believe it himself, but his past experiences with powerful Sith made him quite certain of how Blackwood appeared in the Force, but how little this was reflected by his true self.

An offer was made to take Blackwood back to any of the Jedi Academies established in the last few years, but Blackwood refused. He'd known of Exar Kun's revival and, given how darkness seemed to be drawn to him, he did not wish to rush headlong into the Jedi Order as it was still rebuilding. The two would exchange words and promise to remain in communication, along with warning that Corellia and its associated worlds were becoming more hostile to outsiders. This would only become clear over the following years, with the outbreak of the [[StarWars:Second Galactic Civil War|Second Galactic Civil War]] and the rise of a Sith Lord in power over the nascent [[StarWars:Galactic Federation of Free Alliances|Galactic Alliance]]. With the Sith on one side and a hostile government on the other, Blackwood would actively avoid being drawn into the war and keep to the sidelines as best he could.

The year that followed would be one of waiting and keeping quiet, along with quietly removing a few dangerous figures who wished to take advantage of the chaos. Instead Blackwood would speak with his adoptive mother and learn the full details of his origins, and what had been found in the freighter crash. Although he had known the essential details, it would only be now that he would come to learn of the experimental documents and abused creations he had been found with. This would cause a rift between the two, and Blackwood would not speak with Casath for some months afterward. Even then it would only be in order to confirm something he was increasingly certain of - Blackwood was powerful in the Force, and capable of channeling it unconsciously in crude ways. Although this threatened to be a rift between them again, Blackwood would come to accept that his mother had made the right choice; first in hiding his original from him if only for his own sanity, and then not sending him to the Jedi out of a fear of what he could easily become. Even after learning this and the risks his origins posed, Blackwood would soon return to his work; reasoning that wherever he went the Dark Side would find him. At least by hunting it down, he could do some good and remove a few threats before they claimed innocent lives.

=== The Drowning City ===

{{Quote|'''There's no hope for this city. If Coronet is the heart of Corellia, it's one from a guy who smokes twenty a day, and washes it down with discount whisky. There's a lot of history here, but no future. Only that history isn't what it was yesterday.'''|Blackwood}}

In the relative peace and rebuilding following the war, Blackwood was granted some surprising months of stability. Although he faced a number of undeniably curious cases, most were down to mildly powerful relics that had become active again over the true monsters faced throughout much of his career. Even the most notable of these, a supposed mummified remnant of a [[StarWars:Krath/Legends|Krath]] war leader rising from its tomb to stalk a museum, proved to be a hoax by a group planning to steal priceless items to sell on the black market. Although Blackwood suspected that this might be due to [[StarWars:Abeloth|other entities]] perhaps drawing from the Dark Side given what little he heard of developments surrounding the Jedi, Blackwood would soon become far more concerned with direct matters. Chief among these was the increasingly tyrannical behaviour of the victorious Galactic Alliance. Although not treating the Confederation as a conquered people as he had briefly feared, there was an undeniably Imperial aspect with their approach to enforcing order.

Even once the current threat had been ended and some normality was restored, Blackwood noted a distinct change on Corellia. It had been growing for some time, not only a sense of fatalism but a reluctance to address the present. Blackwood would find many cases or attempts to study events blocked, and even entire records erased. At first he assumed this had much to do with some sense of cultural shame over the Second Galactic Civil War, but there seemed a near fanatical desperation to deny huge swathes of galactic history had taken place. Even when Blackwood attempted to approach secondary sources, he would find that the Diktat had ordered for many books and works to be removed and destroyed. Seemingly not knowing the origin of this, Blackwood was so stunned he at firs thought he had been drugged, but instead soon found it to be genuine. The more shocking change came when certain records were returned but dramatically altered; going so far as to alter key dates of past historic events and omit others entirely. This would soon coincide with both a decree to reset the galactic year across the galaxy, but sweeping changes across Corellia. Where once the world had been a jewel of the Core, it was rapidly being torn apart. Vast swathes of once beautiful cities were ripped up and transformed into a grey choked abominations, more factory than any place of culture or dwelling place. So far as the history books detailed or anyone he spoke to, Corellia had always been this way, and those who believed otherwise soon disappeared.

[[File:Fortress-Lighthouse.png|250px|right]] The changes would be accompanied by further complications when it came to Blackwood's job. Besides their stubborn refusal in past events, now Blackwood could not access even the records he needed on the Second Imperium, with claims that it had never existed. For a time Blackwood felt as if he was going insane, and almost welcomed the return of the occult cases when they returned once more. A large file was forwarded to his office, detailing multiple outbreaks across months, leading Blackwood to believe that his employers had simply tried to ignore them at first, before forwarding to him to resolve with no further options. Most, thankfully, proved to be easy matters to ultimately resolve. Many were simply cases of criminals using seemingly supernatural cases to hide far more mundane crimes, and divert suspicion from their activities. Yet it would be the last which would come to haunt not only his sleep, but worry him during his waking hours.

Dispatched in order to carry out a missing persons investigation on Sunless Rock lighthouse, Blackwood was sent far out into the ocean, on the very fringes of Coronet city. Although largely a relic of past days, the need for a marine fleet for certain cargo shipments kept the lighthouse in operation, serving as both a communications relay and visual beacon. In poor condition, the three individuals crewing it were gone, along with several further disappearances along the surrounding island fishing facilities. Dropped off via airspeeder, Blackwood spent hours investigating the lighthouse with little indication of what might have happened.

Blackwood would spend days on the island attempting to find out the cause behind this, to the point of taking up residence within the lighthouse itself for a time. He would eventually find the gristly truth behind the disappearances on the fourth day. Finding crumbling stonework within the lighthouse's cellar, Blackwood would investigate the the area and find a passageway leading ever deeper into the underground. Remembering his past experiences with mysterious subterranean facilities, Blackwood remained extremely cautious and was ready to withdraw and simply level the place. Yet what he found convinced him that pursuing the area for proof was the right choice. Hooded and cloaked figures surrounded a gargantuan creature, half-dead and seemingly being integrated with obscene machinery. Blackwood was quick to recognise both. One was a [[StarWars:Yuuzhan Vong|Yuuzhan Vong]] [[StarWars:Capture beast|Capture beast]], albeit one which had undergone mutations. The others surrounding it were similar to the Dark Jedi that he had faced attempting to clone warriors. They were half-worshipping and half-experimenting upon the creature, seemingly meshing it with technology in an effort to gain control of its form.

Blackwood would take the time to photograph and record his findings but, upon hearing that their modifications were close to completion, he acted directly. Blackwood closed in, quietly killing two cult members before opening fire on the beast's exposed innards. Driving it to lash out in pain and rage even as the other figures assailed him, Blackwood was able to goad the beast into launching a frenzied attack on anything nearby. Over the course of the fighting, the beast collapsed the cave and took with it the members of the cult and all related evidence. It was enough to partially destroy the island, collapsing it into the sea. The force of this change was enough to send a small tidal wave toward Coronet City. Even with the barriers intercepting the worst of the impact, the blame was placed squarely upon Blackwood's shoulders.

Blackwood initially accepted the fallout of his actions, but grew argumentative over the nature of its depiction. Almost everything involving the case was either redacted or had been significantly altered from his report, and the visual proof he retrieved was quickly ignored as being a faked creation. Attempts to argue otherwise and even citing similar monsters in past wars were met with harsh rebukes from his superior, and quickly suspension. Blackwood returned to his apartment, thankfully having had the sense to keep records of his findings after the originals were confiscated and abruptly disappeared. Tired of working in the dark, Blackwood chose to expand this investigation on his own time.

=== The Conqueror Worm ===

Blackwood would find that many of his usual methods would be held back by both his ill reputation within CorSec and also the growing changes within the New Republic. Having already abandoned its prior identity as the Galactic Alliance, many databases and resources were suddenly cut off. Some were destroyed outright, while others were claimed to have never existed along with the events in which they detailed. A concentrated purge of certain events seemed to play out, and even efforts to contact the Jedi, Streen, for help came up short. The world seemed to pretend that he had never existed. Blackwood was left questioning his very sanity, but a handful of surviving texts and other works which had been kept on his own shelves and those of his parents confirmed that much had been rewritten of history and abruptly changed.

Believing that the link would lie with the cult-like group of Dark Jedi he had now repeatedly faced off against, Blackwood would spend months hunting them down. Using some scant information he had been able to retrieve from the island prior to its destruction, Blackwood was able to identify and then kill several of their outlying agents. Provoking the group into a hostile response, he was able to kill another of the Dark Jedi before finally capturing one of their acolytes. The following interrogation would be short-lived, with the Jedi soon killing himself via an implanted device in his skull, but items on his person pointed toward an offworld facility and a mysterious cargo ship. The hunt would play out for some months, with seemingly no way to access either listing through covert or direct means, with even smugglers and a few criminal connections refusing to approach them due to bleak stories surrounding those that tried. Matters would be made all the more complex following the fall of the New Republic and the rise of the [[StarWars:First Order|First Order]] in its place, with Corellia's new proxy government seizing the opportunity to reshape itself under the new regime over preserving any of the past.

Blackwood would see some good fortune when older contacts would soon message him, seeking Blackwood out for help. A small resistance group seeking to reverse the rot which had destroyed the New Republic and depose those ruling worlds in the name of the First Order approached him with an offer. Information in exchange for services. Blackwood would help them identify and destroy certain Sith relics that were being targeted and stolen, along with indications as to what their purpose might have been, while they would work to gain further details on the group that Blackwood opposed. This exchange would carry on for some years as they painstakingly worked to identify the nature of his enemy while undermining the First Order. It would be this exchange that would lead Blackwood to meet with [[Essik Lyccane]] and join his growing number of informants and agents, working as an information network for the nascent [[Templar Jensaarai]] and similar groups.

After helping Lyccane to track and confirm the location of Hogriz Arani, a figure with links to the [[Collective]] and darker powers, his efforts were finally rewarded with the exactly location of the ship he hunted and its nature. The ship and the facility were one and the same, but conflicting information and high level security barriers had been used to throw off where it was hidden. Now more of a space station than a vessel, it had been anchored on the edge of a navigational anomaly in deep space, using its sensor disrupting properties to hide from prying eyes. Borrowing a ship and a droid pilot, Blackwood was able to secure access codes to travel to the vessel. Although planning to merely identify its nature and gain proof over launching an assault, the matter was soon taken out of Blackwood's hands when the code raised an automated alert and the ship was pulled inside the facility. Yet, to his surprise, the same security measures soon stood down, identifying Blackwood as Subject Delta, and granting him partial access to the majority of areas.

What Blackwood found on that ship was something he would refuse to speak of to anyone, and even his journals only outlined the barest hints of what lurked within. However, the glimpses offered indicate a nightmare facility run amok, of half-completed biological creations, insane rotting mounds of half-alive meat, and things which should have never been brought into being. The entire ship was being used to cultivate and form new organs to help forge a new industry for Corellia to expand its new influence following the fall of the New Republic, but others were being utilised to try and form weapons experiments to enhance soldiers. Blackwood found enough to indicate a link with his creator, and it was even why he was able to move about much of the ship with only limited resistance from its security measures. Yet even so, Blackwood would swiftly destroy the facility in his departure after finding something at its core. His only words when asked why were to describe it as a mercy killing.

Only able to flee via an escape pod, Blackwood was taken and captured by the nearby military patrols. Arrested for the destruction of a vital facility, Blackwood was taken to a holding cell and kept there. Although the influence of some of Essik's allies would help to prevent his execution, and the fact details of the facility had been quietly slipped to them via a data crystal left a hanging sword over the authorities, allowed Blackwood to be freed. However, it was a bittersweet victory. Blackwood was outright exiled from his home and sentenced to the [[StarWars:Spice mines of Kessel/Legends|mines of Kessel]], to remove him as a threat entirely from their influence. Locked in a cell for several weeks, Blackwood would only learn further details of how life was changing in the galaxy for the worse in passing, as even famous technological breakthroughs, figures of history, and locations were seemingly erased from all knowledge.

Blackwood would be taken on a transport to the planet, but would escape as it was brought into orbit. Managing to avoid being tagged and tracked among the mass of prisoners, Blackwood would flee the world within a day by hiding on the same ship, fleeing the facility and disappearing out into the void. Without a home to return to or allies I could easily contact, he was nevertheless free and with a destination memorised from the data he had scoured - [[StarWars:Coruscant/Legends|Coruscant]].

=== The Darkening Coil ===

The transport ship would jump to a trading post on the [[StarWars:Outer Rim Territories/Legends|Outer Rim]] and Blackwood would quietly depart from the cargo hold, absconding with enough credits to barter passage on another vessel. Between this and acting as a gun for hire, Blackwood was able to steadily make his way back toward the [[StarWars:Core Worlds/Legends|Core Worlds]]. Although he expected to be found and confronted by Corellia's agents soon after arrival, he learned of the [[StarWars:Diktat|Diktat's]] death. Much of Corellia and its associated territories were in a state of upheaval and unable to waste time hunting so minor a target as himself. Making contact again with some of Essik's own agents, he was able to gain access to the data once more and learn of one key location. The destination was an unknown area hundreds of levels into the [[StarWars:Coruscant Underworld|undercity]], close to what was suspected to be the planet's surface. Dangerous beyond reckoning and largely populated only by the insane, desperate, and the droids needed to maintain it, the place was hostile beyond reckoning.

Blackwood would find his way down there with relative ease. Despite his exile, the chaos had ensured that he was still listed as an active member of CorSec, with all the authority that role allowed. Framing his investigation as a duty he had been tasked with, to confront a threat to Corellia, Blackwood was able to easily pass most security checkpoints. After passing down one level after another, Blackwood was given the repeated sense of being watched. While not confronted directly or facing any true hostility beyond several attempted hold-ups, he was given the sense that his moves were anticipated. This would be proven correct when a Dark Jedi ambushed and attempted to kill him on the lowest levels, wearing a similar garb to those he had killed beneath the lighthouse on Corellia. Blackwood was able to kill his opponent by throwing him down a turbolift shaft, but gained details on what awaited him below. Whatever they had been working with and serving under, it waited within.

[[File:Courscant Bottom Level.jpg|500px|right]] Blackwood would breach through several levels and bypass a number of traps before reaching the location. Ancient to the point where some of the machinery within had been fossilised, he entered a place which was half lab and half temple. An insane amalgamation of primordial chaos and corrupted science, the place had a sense of wrongness which made Blackwood wish to flee. Only a certain curiosity and determination to see this through kept him from running. It was a choice he would come to both celebrate and curse in the years to come.

Blackwood would be ambushed by three remaining Dark Jedi, rendering him unconscious through the use of toxin grenades. When he awoke strapped to a medical gurney, Blackwood would face not only the three Dark Jedi but also a hovering wraith that seemed to be a hovering wound in reality. Ornately garbed in ragged robes of a Sith Lord, the wraith looked upon Blackwood with amused fondness, even as Blackwood tried to free himself.

The spirit thanked Blackwood for returning to him, saying that he would overlook the other problems Blackwood had caused him by serving him once more. Blackwood realised the wraith was speaking more to the Dark Jedi than himself, but gleaned details. Namely that the wraith was the remnant of an ancient Sith Lord bound to a molten red obelisk in the room's centre. Opposing an ancient enemy of an unknown nature, the wraith had claimed the Dark Jedi as servants following the Second Imperium's collapse. Blackwood was a creation of his experiments, a Sithspawn made to serve as an infiltrator and butcher as needed in the long rivalry. Yet more than that, with his better choices gone, Blackwood could serve as a more effective vessel.

Ritually cut in multiple places and slowly bled, symbols were carved into Blackwood as he was prepared for one task before he could be claimed. The Sith spoke to him directly then, praising his "Devourer of Worlds" and promising that the purpose he had been founded for would be fulfilled. However, a careless motion by one Dark Jedi nicked the edge of the shackles that held Blackwood in place. Blackwood held for some time, enduring the pain, before lashing out.

Tearing one arm free from his restraints, he snatched up the lightsaber from one Jedi's belt and hurled it at the monolith. The damage was enough to open a vortex within the Force. The Sith Lord's essence was damaged, forcing him to feed upon his servants to try and endure the damage. Promising eternal damnation in response to Blackwood's rebellion, the Sith Lord tore through the his body with Force Lightning, unleashing agony upon him. The impact brought untold pain, but also gave new strength to Blackwood, and he was able to rip himself free with newfound might. Hurling himself into the spirit, Blackwood lashed out in a mad frenzy of attacks. His body seemed to be anathema to the Sith Lord, and he punched rents through his body. The wraith was rapidly dissipated under the assault, his last words promising that the Shadow in the Force who was his rival would not grant Blackwood so merciful an end as he had offered.

Although tempted by the knowledge that the lab might hold, Blackwood decided he had seen enough. Ignoring all thoughts of gaining further understanding of what had created him, Blackwood settled with ending the threat that had haunted him for so long. Torching the lab, Blackwood made his was back to the surface. With no way back to Corellia and his task done, he chose to find Essik Lyccane and fully join his organisation.

== Jedi Business (43 ABY - Present) ==

=== The Right Man At The Wrong Time ===

[[File:Ghosts of the old republic by shellsweet.png|250px|thumb|left|]] Speaking with other contacts, it would take Blackwood weeks to fully learn of a location here he could find the aged Gand. Eventually learning of the [[Kiast System]], Blackwood used the last of his credits to barter travel to there and the capital world of the [[Vatali Empire]].

Soon after his arrival, Blackwood would be arrested after being detected by the Jedi who called the world their home. It would only be then that he would learn of both [[Clan Odan-Urr]] and the [[Dark Jedi Brotherhood]] which they were a nominal part of. Each Jedi knew he was not a member of their kind, but felt an intrinsic foulness within his essence. Not fully knowing what to make of him but not trusting him, even mentioning Essik's name held little value. The Gand had been killed only a few months prior, and his closest companions had departed to places unknown.

Upon their return toward the end of [[42 ABY]], Blackwood would learn of the bleak conflict which they had been embroiled in. The war against the Shadow in the Force, known as Perdurabo, and the battles which had raged across multiple worlds across the galaxy. With Essik dead and [[Ka Tarvitz]] gone, only [[Nikora Rhan]] and [[Sirra Werd'la]] remained of the original group. Neither knew what to make of Blackwood and were unwilling to trust him thanks to his clear link to the Dark Side. Nikora, as the de facto leader now, would only opt to release Blackwood into their custody after learning of his connection with Essik. With no detailed knowledge of the network of agents he had formed, Blackwood was their only possible link now. This proved to be by no means a one-sided animosity, as Blackwood was disgusted to learn of how the Jensaarai utilised Sith Alchemy as a key part of forming their equipment and reacted with hostility upon learning of the sheer number of Sith tomes the group had gathered.

Although Blackwood opted to remain with them eventually, thanks largely to speaking with Orion of the [[Free Droid Enclave]], he would opt largely to strike out on his own and return only to the others as and when needed. Even while accepting they were in an alliance of convenience, Blackwood nevertheless looked into working both with the Vatali nobility and [[Quorahi]] tribes, but each had little need for a detective of his skills.

=== Agent of Clan Odan-Urr ===

Blackwood's adjustment to being a member of the Clan would be far more of a challenge than expected. To abruptly jump from working among those who had a cynical disbelief in any Force related matter to those who felt it was commonplace was jarring after so many years of working in the shadows. Both Clan Odan-Urr's records and the tales of its members indicated just how many supernatural conflicts had been at play on the Outer Rim, and how several critical events in the Core thought unrelated were simply the aftershocks of a bigger battle at work. Blackwood would be stunned to learn of not only active Sith and Jedi groups unrelated to those he had met previously, but rogue elements such as the [[Collective]] and [[Children of Mortis]] at war on the galaxy's fringes.

His first case would serve as a far ruder reminder of his limitations. While helping several members to investigate a disappearance and likely murder in [[Tythas City]], Blackwood made several critical errors in their searches and was able to find nothing. While those they were hunting would be located in part due to his efforts in gaining witness statements, it would serve as a reflection on how badly dealing with endless supernatural threats had skewed his perspective on many cases. Still, his efforts would be put to better use during the war which raged across the Kiast System, when [[Masahiro Haku]] would seek out his help in hunting down vital information as they battled against the invading [[Vauzem Dominion]] forces and other influences.

Blackwood would ultimately remain with Rhan and Sirra, even after the group suffered a schism, with nearly half of the Enclave departing to follow their own fate. This cost them their ship and many resources, but gained them new allies in the form of [[Nat]] and the crew of the [[Hyperion (Hammerhead corvette)|*Hyperion*]], former members of the Collective who had defected to their side at the first opportunity. Blackwood would end up striking up an odd friendship with Nat, trying to help the [[StarWars:Trandoshan/Legends|Trandoshan]] learn how to fight, but also supporting her when she brought a proposal to House Ghalor to fund a new Sunrider fleet. Though neutral politically and seeking to stick purely to his goals, Blackwood would opt to move with the rest of the House to Dlaeem permanently following the conflict with the Kiast-based monarchy and Royal Guard.

= Physical Description =

A hulking brute of a man, Blackwood's sheer physicality is by far his most striking quality. Although of only an average height for a Barabel, Blackwood towers over the average sentient and has a broad-shouldered and massively muscled build worthy of any Outer Rim prize fighter. With scales the colour of red clay, Blackwood's complexion makes him stand out even among his own kind. Yet even once this is overcome, many more minor odd differences are quickly noted. Chief among these is how broad and toughly built his features are, to the point where many have cited that Blackwood appears to be less serpentine than he is mastiff. This aspect is only made far more starkly evident both due to the notably thickened cranial plating of his brow but also the deep orange of his eyes. Although most put this down to genetic quirks or even having adapted to stranger worlds, Blackwood has quietly admitted in the past that he frequently has to take extra steps to even pass himself off as a member of his species. If left unattended, his scales can rapidly toughen past even their usual state until it resembles that of a shark, while his claws rapidly lengthen to the point where they cannot be retracted and must be filed back on an almost daily basis. Although Blackwood is certain that each of these oddities are almost certainly the result of his alchemically modified origin, he has since accepted this and believes he was fortunate when compared with most Sithspawned victims.

= Personality =

Uncomplicated and with a layman's view of the world, Blackwood is a normal man trying to deal with a deeply abnormal life. More concerned usually with just doing his job, getting paid, and going home for the day, any casual conversation could allow for a passer by to mistake him for any blue collar worker. It's only when Blackwood gets into the specifics of his work that this illusion is broken. Blackwood will speak of horrifying rituals, serial killings, and macabre with the same nonchalant ease as a construction worker outlining fitting a roof into place. Although far from amoral or uncaring, decades of dealing with the more esoteric aspects of the Force has left Blackwood with a near unshakable disposition which is rarely surprised or horrified anymore. Short of bursts of rage when he is truly infuriated or in the heat of battle, Blackwood is more prone to dry humour or resigned irritation when dealing with matters of the Force.

Although typically laconic unless forced to get a serious point across, Blackwood could be highly personable and sociable with those he was able to rely upon. A few too many betrayals left him with severe trust issues, and as such such a circle was small indeed; a problem only further exaggerated by how few friends and allies he was able to retain in CorSec thanks to his poor reputation for heralding disaster and general weirdness. A former partner once commented that "You know things have gone to kark when Blackwood is given the case. It could be a Rodian taking the credit chit from someone's old granny, and two days later we'll find it's all part of some elaborate neo-Krath doomsday ceremony." It was a point that Blackwood could hardly deny.

Both his method of creation and many cases left him with little to no respect for practitioners of the Dark Side, and distrust for those who favoured its means. Even after long accepting that [[Nikora Rhan]], [[Ka Tarvitz]], and members of the [[Templar Jensaarai]] were as far from the Sith who created him s possible, he still never fully accepted them. Although open minded enough to accept and respect the Jedi, even following attempts on his life following misunderstandings due to his knowledge and relationship with the Dark Side, some histories simply ran too deep to fully bury.

Yet perhaps what people most commonly forget is that Blackwood considers himself human in all the ways that matter. Raised by humans, growing up among humans, and working with humans, he did not even meet another Barabel until well into adulthood. Going so far as to take classes to overcome the typical cadence and speech impediments of his kind when speaking [[StarWars:Basic/Legends|Basic]], he would only opt to learn his species' language after being prompted by members of his family.

= Equipment =

Often working more with anything that [[Nikora Rhan]], Clan Odan-Urr, or the [[Free Droid Enclave]] can supply over his own materials, Blackwood has relatively few items to his name. Relying much more upon his wits than gadgetry, he typically operates with little more than the clothes on his back and a gun in his holster. Both are among the few items he kept with him after moving to Clan Odan-Urr, with a BR-5010 slugthrower pistol being the most valuable item still to his name.

= Powers and Abilities =

==Combat==

Although experienced in a variety of weapon types, ranging from [[StarWars:Slugthrower/Legends|Slugthrowers]] to [[StarWars:Sword/Legends|blades]], Blackwood lacks any noted talent. Passable at best in these fields and with only somewhat better capability when it comes to a wider variety of disabling weapons such [[StarWars:Net gun/Legends|net guns]], even his experience with explosives is born more from the use of [[StarWars:Flash-bang grenade|flash grenades]] and being talked through disabling bombs over real training.

Instead Blackwood's talent lies far more in his physicality, utilising his sheer strength and stamina to overcome opponents. This is paired with his expertise in both [[Mandalorian Core]] and the [[Imperial Martial Arts System]], to overcome, disarm, and then disable enemies. Although much of his experience stems from training, this has been further enhanced through harsh combat, with Blackwood learning how to turn effectively any discarded item into an ad hoc weapon; something he actively pursued after being forced to disable and then kill a mutated [[StarWars:Rancor/Legends|Rancor]] with a sharpened length of rebar. When paired with his natural analytical skills, this allows Blackwood to quickly identify a likely weakness in his opponent and exploit it, relying upon little more than anything he can pick up during the fight.

==Detective==

Although far from the superhuman genius most experienced detectives are stereotyped as, Blackwood's attention to detail and ability to rapidly piece together information has served him well over many decades. Typically patient and methodical, but more than willing to take a leap of faith when needed, Blackwood's main strength lies in his ability to judge the motives of people as much as the detail found within a scene. Although hardly unconventional, it is Blackwood's ability to take the Force into account which has led him to at least survive an extremely dangerous life. With Blackwood's habit of stumbling into dangerous remnants of Sith power or ancient knowledge being warped to churn out horrifying creations, the fact he can consider them without losing his grip on the more mundane aspects of everyday life has helped him to solve both legitimate supernatural cases, and recognise when old ghost stories are being used to disguise a more conventional crime.

==The Force==

Blackwood's relationship with the Force is distinctly complicated. Although he has displayed a natural affinity in many areas, Blackwood actively squanders his potential and avoids utilising it save for the most necessary of situations. This is not so much thanks to concerns about his creation so much as the risk of what he might become, as he knows he lacks the same discipline and mental state of a Jedi to avoid the risks of falling to the Dark Side, or even the discipline needed to not be tempted by the quick and easy path. Even were this not the case, Blackwood remains worried that he might even be hard coded to follow certain paths leading toward being a Sith. This has left Blackwood doing little more than utilising some basic abilities of [[Force Powers#Amplification|amplifying his physical attributes]] and [[Force Powers#Sense|tapping into the Force to sense his surroundings]], largely to give him some edge against his usual foes.

[[Category:Odan-Urr members]]

John Blackwood

2026-09-13T14:22:31Z

Tarvitz: /* Agent of Clan Odan-Urr */

{{Eras|rdb|exd|nor}}

{{Character

|image= [[File:John Blackwood Headshot.png|250px]]

|order= Mercenary

|firstname= John

|lastname= Blackwood

|homeworld= [[starwars:Corellia/Legends|Corellia]]

|birth= {{Birthyear_and_Age|ABY|9}}

|death=

|species= [[starwars:Barabel/Legends|Barabel]]

|gender= Male

|hair= N/A

|eyes= Yellow

|height= 2.5M

|weight= 213kg

|weapons= *BR-5010

|profession= *[[StarWars:Corellian Security Force|CorSec Officer]]
*Detective

|position= [[EQ3|Corsair]]

|era= *[[Rise of the Brotherhood era]]

*[[Exodus era]]

*[[Dark_Jedi_Brotherhood_Timeline#New_Order_era|New Order era]]

|affiliation= *CorSec (Formerly)

*Clan [[Odan-Urr]]

*[[House Sunrider]]

|ship=The [[Scorpio (corvette)|''Scorpio'']]

|dossier= [[dossier:14751|14751]]

}}

{{Quote|'''You go in, come out alive. You lie your way through the paperwork, go home, and try to forget about what you saw. Trust me kid, it's the only way you stay sane.'''|Blackwood}}

'''John Blackwood''', also known as Subject Delta, is a male [[StarWars:Barabel/Legends|Barabel]] serving as an operative of [[Clan Odan-Urr]]. Found as an infant amid the wreckage of a freak starship crash on the outskirts of [[StarWars:Coronet City/Legends|Coronet City]], Blackwood was taken by a [[StarWars:Human/Legends|Human]] couple and raised as their child. Although beset by strange occurrences and freak incidents throughout his childhood, Blackwood would join the [[StarWars:Corellian Security Force|Corellian Security Force]], serving as a detective and investigator. Naturally skilled and observant, Blackwood would serve the organisation well, but would find himself embroiled with occult crimes and strange murders, earning him an ill reputation.

Late into his career, Blackwood would uncover the truth of his origins when facing a spectral entity of a long dead [[StarWars:Sith/Legends|Sith Lord]]; learning that he had been originally [[StarWars:Sithspawn/Legends|biochemically forged]] by the Sith to serve it as a bringer of destruction. Although Blackwood was successful in defeating the spirit and the horrifying experiments it had influenced, a growing disgust with CorSec's upper management would lead him to striking out on his own. Swiftly recruited by [[Essik Lyccane]], Blackwood would join Clan Odan-Urr as a field agent and expert on the [[StarWars:Dark side of the Force/Legends|Dark Side]].

= Character History =

== CorSec Days (9 ABY - 43 ABY) ==

=== Trainwreck Beginning ===

The exact origins and genetic history of John Blackwood were a mystery at the time of his discovery around [[10 ABY to 19 ABY|11 ABY]]. A freighter, either due to accident or sabotage, had lost control and crashed while trying to depart from Coronet city, and had crashed on the outskirts. Barely missing the outlying suburbs, the vessel had carved a deep scar into the earth and had been split apart upon impact. Although largely intact and failing to explode, what was found within was more horrifying to first responders than any mound of corpses. The vessel's hold was filled with genetic analysis and experimental equipment, transformed into an extensive lab worthy of any biological research station, and with horrors worthy of an Imperial [[StarWars:Dungeon ship|Dungeon ship]]. Gene-spliced creations were found amid the wreckage, still hooked to wrecked monitoring equipment or barely alive. Some had been forcibly implanted with symbiotic creatures, while others had been seemingly cloned from multiple sources in an effort to splice a new species entirely. Most were dead, and the few left besides swiftly begged for a merciful end.

[[File:Alicia-soderberg-sith-lab.jpg|250px|left]] As the responders explored the freighter they found darker things; data from [[StarWars:Byss/Legends|the Emperor's Deep Core stronghold]], passages from the time of the [[StarWars:Sith Empire/Legends|Sith Empire]], and texts apparently crafted outlining cruel means of altering another's biological form. This would soon lead to the involvement of Professor Casath Blackwood, a teacher of archeology at [[StarWars:Corellia University/Legends|Corellia University]] who had knowledge of Sith sorcery. Casath was at a loss for how someone had so easily come into possession of so much illicit data, but soon concluded that the creator at the heart of such work was not among the bodies, and had likely been helping guide it remotely. When investigating a symbol escribed chamber at the heart of the vessel, Casath found the infant Barabel. Unharmed by the wreckage but terrified, his lack of mutations was a sign of suspicion but his lack of hostility or tell-tale signs of experimentation spared him from the fate of other victims of experiments.

Casath quickly came to the conclusion that the Barabel child had likely been abducted from another world. Trying to find his family first through genetic links, and then the freighter's flight path, she was unable to find any possible home he might have been taken from. Even a handful of unusual markers within his genetics offered nothing more than a sign of potentially being tested for DNA harvesting, but nothing more. Knowing both the risk he might pose and also spare him the hardship of growing up without parents, Casath adopted the Barabel into her family, naming him John after her father.

=== The Normal Years ===

John's upbringing was thankfully uneventful but far from normal. While every effort was successful in integrating him into the Blackwood family, Casath wished to keep a close eye on him. Finding someone in a hellish place such as the freighter had raised her suspicions, and Casath had seen first-hand how the Dark Side could snare someone during the University's efforts to destroy the [[StarWars:Cult of Exar Kun|Cult of Exar Kun]]. Because of this, John was kept close to her and saw much of the galaxy from an early age, usually being tutored on military bases or joining Casath on archaeological sites. Every effort was made to avoid treating him with suspicion and his history was kept hidden from all but those who saw it as an essential need-to-know security basis. Even so, there were some moments in which John displayed unusual abilities, such as a clear ability to connect with the Force in sensing life about him, or tap into it to enhance his strength. Already growing far stronger than would be expected of a young child; it took considerable effort on Casath's part not to see him as a ticking bomb.

[[File:Casath-Blackwood.png|250px|right]] Thankfully, Casath's fears proved to be unfounded. Even in an unconventional environment John thrived, and seemed much more at home on the move than staying isolated in any one place. Happy and outgoing, even being left to his own devices resulted in no crises beyond what might be expected of his natural curiosity. Although he shared nothing of Casath's own patience when it came to research, he was keen to listen, and even grew to read and try and understand the history of his own species. Even in these halcyon days, however, there were some warning signs. It could not be denied that certain arachnological digs seemed to become far more dangerous in John's presence, especially those rooted in the history of the Sith. Ancient arcane devices would suddenly activate, or dormant defensive droids would abruptly awaken. Stranger things even occurred on bases he was stationed in, and one notably harrowing visit to a research base uncovered illegal development of nanomachine weapons based upon a Sith superweapon.

Although active during the [[StarWars:Yuuzhan Vong War|Yuuzhan Vong War]], Casath actively made a point of keeping as far away as possible from the frontlines. Going so far as to accept a temporary desk job - something anathema to her - she worked to accept only tasks far from the battles as possible. This galled John given their past lifestyle but, when pressed as to why she was so actively avoiding the war, Casath indicated only that she had been at the heart of a [[StarWars:Operation Shadow Hand|similar onslaught]] once before, and would never wish to risk it again.

When the time came for John to choose his path in life, he would break from his family's history of working in educational centres in favour of a far more active judicial role. This was in part driven to his lack of patience for the more academic elements of the work he had found, but also his ability to carefully examine, judge, and come to accurate conclusions of scenes. While Casath did attempt to dissuade John from this path in life, once he was set upon it she ultimately gave her blessing and full assistance in enrolling in CorSec. Although struggling with several written exams, John would pass any basic physical challenge with flying colours in [[20 ABY to 29 ABY|29 ABY]]. Although unable to immediately promote him to the role of detective or even investigator, John's superiors were quick to put him on the first steps toward that and fast track him to such a role. This was a choice they would soon some to both celebrate and regret in equal measure.

=== The Black Dossier ===

{{Quote|'''You can hear them, but you don't really believe they're there. They can't be. You've never seen anything with skin that colour before. That particular texture and sheen. You think you've smelled their breath, but you can't be right. The smell of hospital burn wards, of speeder crashes. The smell of cooked human meat on their breath. That's what you're thinking, isn't it. There are things moving in that building which should not even be alive. Unfortunately, while you might have forgotten about them, they've definitely not forgotten about us.'''|Blackwood}}

[[File:Corellian Industry.jpg|250px|left]] Blackwood's initial years within CorSec went without incident, serving primarily as an officer of the law. While often favoured in matters relating to illegally stolen or traded cultural artifacts due to his experiences in archaeological digs, for the most part he was seen as unremarkable. That would begin to change during his promotion to investigator, and the free reign the rank would offer him. Ill tidings would begin to follow Blackwood, beginning with a missing person's case which would lead him to encounter a minor religious cult. The events of the case are a matter Blackwood remains tight lipped about, save for the fact that CorSec uncovered a labyrinthine tunnel network beneath Coronet City which, by all rights, could not possibly exist. In the investigation that followed, three other CorSec officers would be lost along with the hostages. Blackwood's report outlined encountering an abomination shackled to a realm below the city, and that a disaster had barely been averted at the cost of many lives. This would see Blackwood suspended and put under psychiatric evaluation for months, but he would be cleared soon after. Due to his prior record Blackwood would be allowed to return to duty, but it was just the beginning of a series of increasingly strange cases.

Another later case would see Blackwood disrupting a narcotics trade, only to uncover a link to the Sith. Alchemically modified crystal shards resonating with the Dark Side were being traded on the streets, allowing users to briefly feel absolute connection with the Force. Repeated use of them would corrode an addict's soul, until their life essence was drawn away to be consumed by some entity lurking within the Force. Blackwood would personally hunt down and destroy the cult but, having narrowly escaped being accused of insanity before, would omit certain details about the case. Instead, he would soon begin to cover and detail the unabridged truth of each case in a personal file he dubbed the Black Dosser, along with findings about Corellia's underworld.

For the next several years Blackwood would take every effort to conceal the strange cases he would find himself embroiled in. Although sorely tempted to issue the unedited truth if only to force his superiors to accept some of the deeply horrifying things in their universe. Although any would readily accept that the Jedi and Sith existed, that the Force was a singular binding energy to the universe, and that biotechnology had been abused for decades among many worlds, any hint of sorcery would draw only ridicule. Thanks to this and with several near death situations, Blackwood would rapidly begin to expand upon his records. Rather than singular cases or even detailed records, he would soon expand it into details of how his encounters had hidden in plain sight, along with the sorts of individuals drawn to them.

Even with his habitual secrecy, Blackwood would gain unwanted attention when he was required to take on partners. The worst among these were trainees and, while Blackwood would actively try to take only mundane investigations, fate had a cruel sense of humour. Several of these would end with encounters against [[StarWars:Dark Jedi/Legends|Dark Jedi]] seemingly drawn to Blackwood, while another would end with the two facing a madman attempting to draw the spirit of [[StarWars:Ajunta Pall|Ajunta Pall]] back into the physical world.

[[File:Dark-Jedi-Lab.png|350px|left]] Yet it would be one case in [[33 ABY]] which would earn Blackwood an ill reputation among CorSec and the realisation that, even if they did not believe in his cases, he seemed to draw bad luck to him. Paired with a younger [[StarWars:Aqualish/Legends|Aqualish]] by the name of Talik, Blackwood was sent to investigate the theft of vital medical equipment from several of Coronet city's major hospitals. Although at first suspecting only a simple theft, the truth behind it would become clear when Talik identified a major power drain drawn into a supposedly abandoned building. Within the two would find a nightmarish scene: Repurposed [[StarWars:Bacta/Legends|bacta tanks]] were being used to flash-grow clones. Malformed and half insane, each were being outfitted with [[StarWars:Cybernetics/Legends|cybernetics]] to overcome the shortcomings of the crude process, before being outfitted with combat enhancements. Yet perhaps the most alarming quality was that each was powerful in the Force, either through some part of the process or the genetics selected. Although insane and unskilled, the cybernetics could focus this power into crudely destructive means.

The two sought to avoid conflict, but were soon discovered when Talik attempted to draw data from one of the main computers. Blackwood fought to hold the door against two of the maddened creations while Talik tried to finish his work and then destroy the computer. Although successful in his efforts, and even disrupting the cybernetics which guided their mental faculties, the power behind the effort: A coven of Dark Jedi. Survivors from the long gone [[StarWars:Second Imperium|Second Imperium]], they had thrown their lot in with another power and had come to test a technology capable of building armies. Outraged at the setback, the Dark Jedi attacked the two. Talik would lose a leg in the ensuing fight, and the two only survived as Blackwood hurled them through a window, leaving a bundle of explosives in his wake. In the following search, the body of only one Dark Jedi would be found, with all others seemingly escaping.

Unable to downplay what had taken place thanks to Talik's presence, both the destruction, Talik's maiming, and the presence of Dark Jedi would would only worsen Blackwood's poor reputation.

=== Dangerous Habits ===

Blackwood was trapped between tasks. The growing insanity and danger of his day job, which inexplicably kept drawing him deeper into business even most Jedi would not encounter in their lifetime, and his superiors who both blamed him for the hostile forces they faced but refused to admit to their real existence. Partially aware of this unconscious contradiction, Blackwood could not help but feel he was increasingly being set up as a scapegoat by leaders more concerned with the quiet running of things more than truly resolving a problem and finding a situation they disliked. His suspicions were only further deepened due to an opposition of contacting the [[StarWars:Jedi Order/Legends|Jedi Order]] to deal with the threats which had emerged, even just for archival access. Although Blackwood put this down largely to animosity in the wake of the Vong war, the vehemence was suspicious.

For the most part Blackwood returned to his previous work, albeit treading carefully with others now watching his every move. Even while tempted more than once to retire or even go rogue after his department was threatened with closure in the wake of horrific cases, but every time he returned knowing there was little money in waging a private war against an enemy he already hated. Yet it was during this time in which he would become more aware of the threats posed by Force users due to repeated encounters. The first among these was a Sith who, upon learning that Blackwood was creating a personal archive along with the Black Dossier to better combat the strange cases, raided Blackwood's apartment and attempted to depart with several data cores. While the Sith met his end in a hail of gunfire, Blackwood was disturbed by his behaviour, seemingly regarding Blackwood as more of a rival than a foe. This would only be confirmed in a later incident, in which one of the prior Dark Jedi, seemingly outcast from his group, sought out Blackwood and tried then failed to forcibly capture him as an apprentice. This would then extend to a point worthy of a farce when a Jedi Knight appeared mere months later, not to deal with the many threats Blackwood had been waging war against, but to confront Blackwood himself. This last incident would be too much and, after managing to knock the Jedi unconscious via a well placed stun grenade, Blackwood would forcibly sit him down and demand answers.

[[File:Streen.png|150px|right]] The Jedi was unreceptive at first, expecting death, but slowly came to realise that Blackwood's obliviousness was no act. Although not fully believing it, the Jedi gave his name as [[StarWars:Streen|Streen]] and explained how Blackwood could be sensed through the Force. He described what he felt of Blackwood as a black flame in the Force, actively serving as a beacon to not only entities with an affinity to the Dark Side, but making him appear as if he was no different from any Sith. Blackwood refused to believe this for a moment, but the more Streen spoke the more there was a perverse kind of sense to it. How certain [[starwars:Archaeology/Legends|archeological sites]] had reacted to him, the behavior of his prior opponents, and even how he seemed to stumble from one nightmare to the other with little to no normality amid his work. Streen clearly couldn't quite believe it himself, but his past experiences with powerful Sith made him quite certain of how Blackwood appeared in the Force, but how little this was reflected by his true self.

An offer was made to take Blackwood back to any of the Jedi Academies established in the last few years, but Blackwood refused. He'd known of Exar Kun's revival and, given how darkness seemed to be drawn to him, he did not wish to rush headlong into the Jedi Order as it was still rebuilding. The two would exchange words and promise to remain in communication, along with warning that Corellia and its associated worlds were becoming more hostile to outsiders. This would only become clear over the following years, with the outbreak of the [[StarWars:Second Galactic Civil War|Second Galactic Civil War]] and the rise of a Sith Lord in power over the nascent [[StarWars:Galactic Federation of Free Alliances|Galactic Alliance]]. With the Sith on one side and a hostile government on the other, Blackwood would actively avoid being drawn into the war and keep to the sidelines as best he could.

The year that followed would be one of waiting and keeping quiet, along with quietly removing a few dangerous figures who wished to take advantage of the chaos. Instead Blackwood would speak with his adoptive mother and learn the full details of his origins, and what had been found in the freighter crash. Although he had known the essential details, it would only be now that he would come to learn of the experimental documents and abused creations he had been found with. This would cause a rift between the two, and Blackwood would not speak with Casath for some months afterward. Even then it would only be in order to confirm something he was increasingly certain of - Blackwood was powerful in the Force, and capable of channeling it unconsciously in crude ways. Although this threatened to be a rift between them again, Blackwood would come to accept that his mother had made the right choice; first in hiding his original from him if only for his own sanity, and then not sending him to the Jedi out of a fear of what he could easily become. Even after learning this and the risks his origins posed, Blackwood would soon return to his work; reasoning that wherever he went the Dark Side would find him. At least by hunting it down, he could do some good and remove a few threats before they claimed innocent lives.

=== The Drowning City ===

{{Quote|'''There's no hope for this city. If Coronet is the heart of Corellia, it's one from a guy who smokes twenty a day, and washes it down with discount whisky. There's a lot of history here, but no future. Only that history isn't what it was yesterday.'''|Blackwood}}

In the relative peace and rebuilding following the war, Blackwood was granted some surprising months of stability. Although he faced a number of undeniably curious cases, most were down to mildly powerful relics that had become active again over the true monsters faced throughout much of his career. Even the most notable of these, a supposed mummified remnant of a [[StarWars:Krath/Legends|Krath]] war leader rising from its tomb to stalk a museum, proved to be a hoax by a group planning to steal priceless items to sell on the black market. Although Blackwood suspected that this might be due to [[StarWars:Abeloth|other entities]] perhaps drawing from the Dark Side given what little he heard of developments surrounding the Jedi, Blackwood would soon become far more concerned with direct matters. Chief among these was the increasingly tyrannical behaviour of the victorious Galactic Alliance. Although not treating the Confederation as a conquered people as he had briefly feared, there was an undeniably Imperial aspect with their approach to enforcing order.

Even once the current threat had been ended and some normality was restored, Blackwood noted a distinct change on Corellia. It had been growing for some time, not only a sense of fatalism but a reluctance to address the present. Blackwood would find many cases or attempts to study events blocked, and even entire records erased. At first he assumed this had much to do with some sense of cultural shame over the Second Galactic Civil War, but there seemed a near fanatical desperation to deny huge swathes of galactic history had taken place. Even when Blackwood attempted to approach secondary sources, he would find that the Diktat had ordered for many books and works to be removed and destroyed. Seemingly not knowing the origin of this, Blackwood was so stunned he at firs thought he had been drugged, but instead soon found it to be genuine. The more shocking change came when certain records were returned but dramatically altered; going so far as to alter key dates of past historic events and omit others entirely. This would soon coincide with both a decree to reset the galactic year across the galaxy, but sweeping changes across Corellia. Where once the world had been a jewel of the Core, it was rapidly being torn apart. Vast swathes of once beautiful cities were ripped up and transformed into a grey choked abominations, more factory than any place of culture or dwelling place. So far as the history books detailed or anyone he spoke to, Corellia had always been this way, and those who believed otherwise soon disappeared.

[[File:Fortress-Lighthouse.png|250px|right]] The changes would be accompanied by further complications when it came to Blackwood's job. Besides their stubborn refusal in past events, now Blackwood could not access even the records he needed on the Second Imperium, with claims that it had never existed. For a time Blackwood felt as if he was going insane, and almost welcomed the return of the occult cases when they returned once more. A large file was forwarded to his office, detailing multiple outbreaks across months, leading Blackwood to believe that his employers had simply tried to ignore them at first, before forwarding to him to resolve with no further options. Most, thankfully, proved to be easy matters to ultimately resolve. Many were simply cases of criminals using seemingly supernatural cases to hide far more mundane crimes, and divert suspicion from their activities. Yet it would be the last which would come to haunt not only his sleep, but worry him during his waking hours.

Dispatched in order to carry out a missing persons investigation on Sunless Rock lighthouse, Blackwood was sent far out into the ocean, on the very fringes of Coronet city. Although largely a relic of past days, the need for a marine fleet for certain cargo shipments kept the lighthouse in operation, serving as both a communications relay and visual beacon. In poor condition, the three individuals crewing it were gone, along with several further disappearances along the surrounding island fishing facilities. Dropped off via airspeeder, Blackwood spent hours investigating the lighthouse with little indication of what might have happened.

Blackwood would spend days on the island attempting to find out the cause behind this, to the point of taking up residence within the lighthouse itself for a time. He would eventually find the gristly truth behind the disappearances on the fourth day. Finding crumbling stonework within the lighthouse's cellar, Blackwood would investigate the the area and find a passageway leading ever deeper into the underground. Remembering his past experiences with mysterious subterranean facilities, Blackwood remained extremely cautious and was ready to withdraw and simply level the place. Yet what he found convinced him that pursuing the area for proof was the right choice. Hooded and cloaked figures surrounded a gargantuan creature, half-dead and seemingly being integrated with obscene machinery. Blackwood was quick to recognise both. One was a [[StarWars:Yuuzhan Vong|Yuuzhan Vong]] [[StarWars:Capture beast|Capture beast]], albeit one which had undergone mutations. The others surrounding it were similar to the Dark Jedi that he had faced attempting to clone warriors. They were half-worshipping and half-experimenting upon the creature, seemingly meshing it with technology in an effort to gain control of its form.

Blackwood would take the time to photograph and record his findings but, upon hearing that their modifications were close to completion, he acted directly. Blackwood closed in, quietly killing two cult members before opening fire on the beast's exposed innards. Driving it to lash out in pain and rage even as the other figures assailed him, Blackwood was able to goad the beast into launching a frenzied attack on anything nearby. Over the course of the fighting, the beast collapsed the cave and took with it the members of the cult and all related evidence. It was enough to partially destroy the island, collapsing it into the sea. The force of this change was enough to send a small tidal wave toward Coronet City. Even with the barriers intercepting the worst of the impact, the blame was placed squarely upon Blackwood's shoulders.

Blackwood initially accepted the fallout of his actions, but grew argumentative over the nature of its depiction. Almost everything involving the case was either redacted or had been significantly altered from his report, and the visual proof he retrieved was quickly ignored as being a faked creation. Attempts to argue otherwise and even citing similar monsters in past wars were met with harsh rebukes from his superior, and quickly suspension. Blackwood returned to his apartment, thankfully having had the sense to keep records of his findings after the originals were confiscated and abruptly disappeared. Tired of working in the dark, Blackwood chose to expand this investigation on his own time.

=== The Conqueror Worm ===

Blackwood would find that many of his usual methods would be held back by both his ill reputation within CorSec and also the growing changes within the New Republic. Having already abandoned its prior identity as the Galactic Alliance, many databases and resources were suddenly cut off. Some were destroyed outright, while others were claimed to have never existed along with the events in which they detailed. A concentrated purge of certain events seemed to play out, and even efforts to contact the Jedi, Streen, for help came up short. The world seemed to pretend that he had never existed. Blackwood was left questioning his very sanity, but a handful of surviving texts and other works which had been kept on his own shelves and those of his parents confirmed that much had been rewritten of history and abruptly changed.

Believing that the link would lie with the cult-like group of Dark Jedi he had now repeatedly faced off against, Blackwood would spend months hunting them down. Using some scant information he had been able to retrieve from the island prior to its destruction, Blackwood was able to identify and then kill several of their outlying agents. Provoking the group into a hostile response, he was able to kill another of the Dark Jedi before finally capturing one of their acolytes. The following interrogation would be short-lived, with the Jedi soon killing himself via an implanted device in his skull, but items on his person pointed toward an offworld facility and a mysterious cargo ship. The hunt would play out for some months, with seemingly no way to access either listing through covert or direct means, with even smugglers and a few criminal connections refusing to approach them due to bleak stories surrounding those that tried. Matters would be made all the more complex following the fall of the New Republic and the rise of the [[StarWars:First Order|First Order]] in its place, with Corellia's new proxy government seizing the opportunity to reshape itself under the new regime over preserving any of the past.

Blackwood would see some good fortune when older contacts would soon message him, seeking Blackwood out for help. A small resistance group seeking to reverse the rot which had destroyed the New Republic and depose those ruling worlds in the name of the First Order approached him with an offer. Information in exchange for services. Blackwood would help them identify and destroy certain Sith relics that were being targeted and stolen, along with indications as to what their purpose might have been, while they would work to gain further details on the group that Blackwood opposed. This exchange would carry on for some years as they painstakingly worked to identify the nature of his enemy while undermining the First Order. It would be this exchange that would lead Blackwood to meet with [[Essik Lyccane]] and join his growing number of informants and agents, working as an information network for the nascent [[Templar Jensaarai]] and similar groups.

After helping Lyccane to track and confirm the location of Hogriz Arani, a figure with links to the [[Collective]] and darker powers, his efforts were finally rewarded with the exactly location of the ship he hunted and its nature. The ship and the facility were one and the same, but conflicting information and high level security barriers had been used to throw off where it was hidden. Now more of a space station than a vessel, it had been anchored on the edge of a navigational anomaly in deep space, using its sensor disrupting properties to hide from prying eyes. Borrowing a ship and a droid pilot, Blackwood was able to secure access codes to travel to the vessel. Although planning to merely identify its nature and gain proof over launching an assault, the matter was soon taken out of Blackwood's hands when the code raised an automated alert and the ship was pulled inside the facility. Yet, to his surprise, the same security measures soon stood down, identifying Blackwood as Subject Delta, and granting him partial access to the majority of areas.

What Blackwood found on that ship was something he would refuse to speak of to anyone, and even his journals only outlined the barest hints of what lurked within. However, the glimpses offered indicate a nightmare facility run amok, of half-completed biological creations, insane rotting mounds of half-alive meat, and things which should have never been brought into being. The entire ship was being used to cultivate and form new organs to help forge a new industry for Corellia to expand its new influence following the fall of the New Republic, but others were being utilised to try and form weapons experiments to enhance soldiers. Blackwood found enough to indicate a link with his creator, and it was even why he was able to move about much of the ship with only limited resistance from its security measures. Yet even so, Blackwood would swiftly destroy the facility in his departure after finding something at its core. His only words when asked why were to describe it as a mercy killing.

Only able to flee via an escape pod, Blackwood was taken and captured by the nearby military patrols. Arrested for the destruction of a vital facility, Blackwood was taken to a holding cell and kept there. Although the influence of some of Essik's allies would help to prevent his execution, and the fact details of the facility had been quietly slipped to them via a data crystal left a hanging sword over the authorities, allowed Blackwood to be freed. However, it was a bittersweet victory. Blackwood was outright exiled from his home and sentenced to the [[StarWars:Spice mines of Kessel/Legends|mines of Kessel]], to remove him as a threat entirely from their influence. Locked in a cell for several weeks, Blackwood would only learn further details of how life was changing in the galaxy for the worse in passing, as even famous technological breakthroughs, figures of history, and locations were seemingly erased from all knowledge.

Blackwood would be taken on a transport to the planet, but would escape as it was brought into orbit. Managing to avoid being tagged and tracked among the mass of prisoners, Blackwood would flee the world within a day by hiding on the same ship, fleeing the facility and disappearing out into the void. Without a home to return to or allies I could easily contact, he was nevertheless free and with a destination memorised from the data he had scoured - [[StarWars:Coruscant/Legends|Coruscant]].

=== The Darkening Coil ===

The transport ship would jump to a trading post on the [[StarWars:Outer Rim Territories/Legends|Outer Rim]] and Blackwood would quietly depart from the cargo hold, absconding with enough credits to barter passage on another vessel. Between this and acting as a gun for hire, Blackwood was able to steadily make his way back toward the [[StarWars:Core Worlds/Legends|Core Worlds]]. Although he expected to be found and confronted by Corellia's agents soon after arrival, he learned of the [[StarWars:Diktat|Diktat's]] death. Much of Corellia and its associated territories were in a state of upheaval and unable to waste time hunting so minor a target as himself. Making contact again with some of Essik's own agents, he was able to gain access to the data once more and learn of one key location. The destination was an unknown area hundreds of levels into the [[StarWars:Coruscant Underworld|undercity]], close to what was suspected to be the planet's surface. Dangerous beyond reckoning and largely populated only by the insane, desperate, and the droids needed to maintain it, the place was hostile beyond reckoning.

Blackwood would find his way down there with relative ease. Despite his exile, the chaos had ensured that he was still listed as an active member of CorSec, with all the authority that role allowed. Framing his investigation as a duty he had been tasked with, to confront a threat to Corellia, Blackwood was able to easily pass most security checkpoints. After passing down one level after another, Blackwood was given the repeated sense of being watched. While not confronted directly or facing any true hostility beyond several attempted hold-ups, he was given the sense that his moves were anticipated. This would be proven correct when a Dark Jedi ambushed and attempted to kill him on the lowest levels, wearing a similar garb to those he had killed beneath the lighthouse on Corellia. Blackwood was able to kill his opponent by throwing him down a turbolift shaft, but gained details on what awaited him below. Whatever they had been working with and serving under, it waited within.

[[File:Courscant Bottom Level.jpg|500px|right]] Blackwood would breach through several levels and bypass a number of traps before reaching the location. Ancient to the point where some of the machinery within had been fossilised, he entered a place which was half lab and half temple. An insane amalgamation of primordial chaos and corrupted science, the place had a sense of wrongness which made Blackwood wish to flee. Only a certain curiosity and determination to see this through kept him from running. It was a choice he would come to both celebrate and curse in the years to come.

Blackwood would be ambushed by three remaining Dark Jedi, rendering him unconscious through the use of toxin grenades. When he awoke strapped to a medical gurney, Blackwood would face not only the three Dark Jedi but also a hovering wraith that seemed to be a hovering wound in reality. Ornately garbed in ragged robes of a Sith Lord, the wraith looked upon Blackwood with amused fondness, even as Blackwood tried to free himself.

The spirit thanked Blackwood for returning to him, saying that he would overlook the other problems Blackwood had caused him by serving him once more. Blackwood realised the wraith was speaking more to the Dark Jedi than himself, but gleaned details. Namely that the wraith was the remnant of an ancient Sith Lord bound to a molten red obelisk in the room's centre. Opposing an ancient enemy of an unknown nature, the wraith had claimed the Dark Jedi as servants following the Second Imperium's collapse. Blackwood was a creation of his experiments, a Sithspawn made to serve as an infiltrator and butcher as needed in the long rivalry. Yet more than that, with his better choices gone, Blackwood could serve as a more effective vessel.

Ritually cut in multiple places and slowly bled, symbols were carved into Blackwood as he was prepared for one task before he could be claimed. The Sith spoke to him directly then, praising his "Devourer of Worlds" and promising that the purpose he had been founded for would be fulfilled. However, a careless motion by one Dark Jedi nicked the edge of the shackles that held Blackwood in place. Blackwood held for some time, enduring the pain, before lashing out.

Tearing one arm free from his restraints, he snatched up the lightsaber from one Jedi's belt and hurled it at the monolith. The damage was enough to open a vortex within the Force. The Sith Lord's essence was damaged, forcing him to feed upon his servants to try and endure the damage. Promising eternal damnation in response to Blackwood's rebellion, the Sith Lord tore through the his body with Force Lightning, unleashing agony upon him. The impact brought untold pain, but also gave new strength to Blackwood, and he was able to rip himself free with newfound might. Hurling himself into the spirit, Blackwood lashed out in a mad frenzy of attacks. His body seemed to be anathema to the Sith Lord, and he punched rents through his body. The wraith was rapidly dissipated under the assault, his last words promising that the Shadow in the Force who was his rival would not grant Blackwood so merciful an end as he had offered.

Although tempted by the knowledge that the lab might hold, Blackwood decided he had seen enough. Ignoring all thoughts of gaining further understanding of what had created him, Blackwood settled with ending the threat that had haunted him for so long. Torching the lab, Blackwood made his was back to the surface. With no way back to Corellia and his task done, he chose to find Essik Lyccane and fully join his organisation.

== Jedi Business (43 ABY - Present) ==

=== The Right Man At The Wrong Time ===

[[File:Ghosts of the old republic by shellsweet.png|250px|thumb|left|]] Speaking with other contacts, it would take Blackwood weeks to fully learn of a location here he could find the aged Gand. Eventually learning of the [[Kiast System]], Blackwood used the last of his credits to barter travel to there and the capital world of the [[Vatali Empire]].

Soon after his arrival, Blackwood would be arrested after being detected by the Jedi who called the world their home. It would only be then that he would learn of both [[Clan Odan-Urr]] and the [[Dark Jedi Brotherhood]] which they were a nominal part of. Each Jedi knew he was not a member of their kind, but felt an intrinsic foulness within his essence. Not fully knowing what to make of him but not trusting him, even mentioning Essik's name held little value. The Gand had been killed only a few months prior, and his closest companions had departed to places unknown.

Upon their return toward the end of [[42 ABY]], Blackwood would learn of the bleak conflict which they had been embroiled in. The war against the Shadow in the Force, known as Perdurabo, and the battles which had raged across multiple worlds across the galaxy. With Essik dead and [[Ka Tarvitz]] gone, only [[Nikora Rhan]] and [[Sirra Werd'la]] remained of the original group. Neither knew what to make of Blackwood and were unwilling to trust him thanks to his clear link to the Dark Side. Nikora, as the de facto leader now, would only opt to release Blackwood into their custody after learning of his connection with Essik. With no detailed knowledge of the network of agents he had formed, Blackwood was their only possible link now. This proved to be by no means a one-sided animosity, as Blackwood was disgusted to learn of how the Jensaarai utilised Sith Alchemy as a key part of forming their equipment and reacted with hostility upon learning of the sheer number of Sith tomes the group had gathered.

Although Blackwood opted to remain with them eventually, thanks largely to speaking with Orion of the [[Free Droid Enclave]], he would opt largely to strike out on his own and return only to the others as and when needed. Even while accepting they were in an alliance of convenience, Blackwood nevertheless looked into working both with the Vatali nobility and [[Quorahi]] tribes, but each had little need for a detective of his skills.

=== Agent of Clan Odan-Urr ===

Blackwood's adjustment to being a member of the Clan would be far more of a challenge than expected. To abruptly jump from working among those who had a cynical disbelief in any Force related matter to those who felt it was commonplace was jarring after so many years of working in the shadows. Both Clan Odan-Urr's records and the tales of its members indicated just how many supernatural conflicts had been at play on the Outer Rim, and how several critical events in the Core thought unrelated were simply the aftershocks of a bigger battle at work. Blackwood would be stunned to learn of not only active Sith and Jedi groups unrelated to those he had met previously, but rogue elements such as the [[Collective]] and [[Children of Mortis]] at war on the galaxy's fringes.

His first case would serve as a far ruder reminder of his limitations. While helping several members to investigate a disappearance and likely murder in [[Tythas City]], Blackwood made several critical errors in their searches and was able to find nothing. While those they were hunting would be located in part due to his efforts in gaining witness statements, it would serve as a reflection on how badly dealing with endless supernatural threats had skewed his perspective on many cases. Still, his efforts would be put to better use during the war which raged across the Kiast System, when [[Masahiro Haku]] would seek out his help in hunting down vital information as they battled against the invading [[Vauzem Dominion]] forces and other influences.

Blackwood would ultimately remain loyal to those who

= Physical Description =

A hulking brute of a man, Blackwood's sheer physicality is by far his most striking quality. Although of only an average height for a Barabel, Blackwood towers over the average sentient and has a broad-shouldered and massively muscled build worthy of any Outer Rim prize fighter. With scales the colour of red clay, Blackwood's complexion makes him stand out even among his own kind. Yet even once this is overcome, many more minor odd differences are quickly noted. Chief among these is how broad and toughly built his features are, to the point where many have cited that Blackwood appears to be less serpentine than he is mastiff. This aspect is only made far more starkly evident both due to the notably thickened cranial plating of his brow but also the deep orange of his eyes. Although most put this down to genetic quirks or even having adapted to stranger worlds, Blackwood has quietly admitted in the past that he frequently has to take extra steps to even pass himself off as a member of his species. If left unattended, his scales can rapidly toughen past even their usual state until it resembles that of a shark, while his claws rapidly lengthen to the point where they cannot be retracted and must be filed back on an almost daily basis. Although Blackwood is certain that each of these oddities are almost certainly the result of his alchemically modified origin, he has since accepted this and believes he was fortunate when compared with most Sithspawned victims.

= Personality =

Uncomplicated and with a layman's view of the world, Blackwood is a normal man trying to deal with a deeply abnormal life. More concerned usually with just doing his job, getting paid, and going home for the day, any casual conversation could allow for a passer by to mistake him for any blue collar worker. It's only when Blackwood gets into the specifics of his work that this illusion is broken. Blackwood will speak of horrifying rituals, serial killings, and macabre with the same nonchalant ease as a construction worker outlining fitting a roof into place. Although far from amoral or uncaring, decades of dealing with the more esoteric aspects of the Force has left Blackwood with a near unshakable disposition which is rarely surprised or horrified anymore. Short of bursts of rage when he is truly infuriated or in the heat of battle, Blackwood is more prone to dry humour or resigned irritation when dealing with matters of the Force.

Although typically laconic unless forced to get a serious point across, Blackwood could be highly personable and sociable with those he was able to rely upon. A few too many betrayals left him with severe trust issues, and as such such a circle was small indeed; a problem only further exaggerated by how few friends and allies he was able to retain in CorSec thanks to his poor reputation for heralding disaster and general weirdness. A former partner once commented that "You know things have gone to kark when Blackwood is given the case. It could be a Rodian taking the credit chit from someone's old granny, and two days later we'll find it's all part of some elaborate neo-Krath doomsday ceremony." It was a point that Blackwood could hardly deny.

Both his method of creation and many cases left him with little to no respect for practitioners of the Dark Side, and distrust for those who favoured its means. Even after long accepting that [[Nikora Rhan]], [[Ka Tarvitz]], and members of the [[Templar Jensaarai]] were as far from the Sith who created him s possible, he still never fully accepted them. Although open minded enough to accept and respect the Jedi, even following attempts on his life following misunderstandings due to his knowledge and relationship with the Dark Side, some histories simply ran too deep to fully bury.

Yet perhaps what people most commonly forget is that Blackwood considers himself human in all the ways that matter. Raised by humans, growing up among humans, and working with humans, he did not even meet another Barabel until well into adulthood. Going so far as to take classes to overcome the typical cadence and speech impediments of his kind when speaking [[StarWars:Basic/Legends|Basic]], he would only opt to learn his species' language after being prompted by members of his family.

= Equipment =

Often working more with anything that [[Nikora Rhan]], Clan Odan-Urr, or the [[Free Droid Enclave]] can supply over his own materials, Blackwood has relatively few items to his name. Relying much more upon his wits than gadgetry, he typically operates with little more than the clothes on his back and a gun in his holster. Both are among the few items he kept with him after moving to Clan Odan-Urr, with a BR-5010 slugthrower pistol being the most valuable item still to his name.

= Powers and Abilities =

==Combat==

Although experienced in a variety of weapon types, ranging from [[StarWars:Slugthrower/Legends|Slugthrowers]] to [[StarWars:Sword/Legends|blades]], Blackwood lacks any noted talent. Passable at best in these fields and with only somewhat better capability when it comes to a wider variety of disabling weapons such [[StarWars:Net gun/Legends|net guns]], even his experience with explosives is born more from the use of [[StarWars:Flash-bang grenade|flash grenades]] and being talked through disabling bombs over real training.

Instead Blackwood's talent lies far more in his physicality, utilising his sheer strength and stamina to overcome opponents. This is paired with his expertise in both [[Mandalorian Core]] and the [[Imperial Martial Arts System]], to overcome, disarm, and then disable enemies. Although much of his experience stems from training, this has been further enhanced through harsh combat, with Blackwood learning how to turn effectively any discarded item into an ad hoc weapon; something he actively pursued after being forced to disable and then kill a mutated [[StarWars:Rancor/Legends|Rancor]] with a sharpened length of rebar. When paired with his natural analytical skills, this allows Blackwood to quickly identify a likely weakness in his opponent and exploit it, relying upon little more than anything he can pick up during the fight.

==Detective==

Although far from the superhuman genius most experienced detectives are stereotyped as, Blackwood's attention to detail and ability to rapidly piece together information has served him well over many decades. Typically patient and methodical, but more than willing to take a leap of faith when needed, Blackwood's main strength lies in his ability to judge the motives of people as much as the detail found within a scene. Although hardly unconventional, it is Blackwood's ability to take the Force into account which has led him to at least survive an extremely dangerous life. With Blackwood's habit of stumbling into dangerous remnants of Sith power or ancient knowledge being warped to churn out horrifying creations, the fact he can consider them without losing his grip on the more mundane aspects of everyday life has helped him to solve both legitimate supernatural cases, and recognise when old ghost stories are being used to disguise a more conventional crime.

==The Force==

Blackwood's relationship with the Force is distinctly complicated. Although he has displayed a natural affinity in many areas, Blackwood actively squanders his potential and avoids utilising it save for the most necessary of situations. This is not so much thanks to concerns about his creation so much as the risk of what he might become, as he knows he lacks the same discipline and mental state of a Jedi to avoid the risks of falling to the Dark Side, or even the discipline needed to not be tempted by the quick and easy path. Even were this not the case, Blackwood remains worried that he might even be hard coded to follow certain paths leading toward being a Sith. This has left Blackwood doing little more than utilising some basic abilities of [[Force Powers#Amplification|amplifying his physical attributes]] and [[Force Powers#Sense|tapping into the Force to sense his surroundings]], largely to give him some edge against his usual foes.

[[Category:Odan-Urr members]]

Nat

2026-09-13T14:07:35Z

Tarvitz: /* Character History */

{{Eras|nor}}

{{Character

|image= [[File:Nat Commission.png|250px]]

|order= Loyalist

|firstname= NAT-19

|lastname= BATCH 01, MODEL 06

|homeworld= N/A

|birth= *{{Birthyear_and_Age|ABY|35}}
* Physical age - 26

|death=

|species= [[starwars:Trandoshan/Legends|Trandoshan]] / [[starwars:Barabel/Legends|Barabel]] Hybrid

|gender= Female

|hair= N/A

|eyes= Blue

|height= 2.0M

|weight= 127kg

|weapons=

|profession= *[[StarWars:Scavenger/Legends|Salvage Operator]]

*Pilot

|position=

|era= *[[Dark_Jedi_Brotherhood_Timeline#New_Order_era|New Order era]]

|affiliation= *[[Collective]] (Formerly)

*Clan [[Odan-Urr]]

*[[Free Droid Enclave]]

|ship= *The ''[[Scorpio (corvette)|Hyperion]]''

*The ''[[Spitfire]]''

|dossier= [[dossier:14751|14751]]

}}

{{Quote|''''That's the beautiful thing. We were all created for a role we'd already failed at before we were even born. We can only go up from there.'''|Nat}}

'''NAT-19 - BATCH 01, MODEL 06''', also known as '''Nat''', is a female [[starwars:Trandoshan/Legends|Trandoshan]] / [[starwars:Barabel/Legends|Barabel]] hybrid. The result of an initiative by the [[Collective]] to form a caste of artificially birthed technologically adept slaves, the project was cancelled and rejected shortly prior to the birth of even the first batch. Pressed instead into working as salvage operators in high risk operations, their task was to fuel the Collective war machine by raiding lost battlefields. While utilising the armed freighter ''[[Scorpio (corvette)|Scorpio]]'' (later renamed the ''Hyperion''), the group encountered [[Nikora Rhan]] and the [[Free Droid Enclave]] and were able to defect to [[Clan Odan-Urr]].

== Character History ==

<tabber>

|-|35-43ABY=

=== Slave of the Collective (35-43ABY) ===

==== From the Clay ====

In the years leading up to its offensive against the Dark Jedi Brotherhood, the Collective ran a large number of experimental ventures to give it an edge against all Force users. While seeking to capitalise upon the ongoing unrest between the Dark Council on [[Arx]] and the survivors of its genocidal campaign against the Clan homeworlds, most understood that they had a shrinking timeframe to operate within before one side emerged as a victor. Nat and her ilk were the result of one such experiment. Taking the biological data of several hundred species across the galaxy, developmental arms of the [[The Collective: Technocratic Guild|Technocratic Guild]] sought to form a servitor race to operate as expendable pilots, operators, and salvage crews. Intended to be more capable than the average droid and freeing up resources for frontline duties, their creator planned to emulate several strengths found in [[StarWars:Kaminoan/Legends|Kaminoan]] clones, while further enhancing their biological baseline.

The final result of the experiments were a promising but deeply flawed series of creations. With many having undergone genetic tampering or even splicing between species, there was a high rejection rate, leaving to only a relative handful of survivors. This was only made far worse by the flash-grown methods the Technocrats attempted to utilise, to create a tank born workforce who could be birthed fully grown and pre-programmed with all relevant knowledge. Of those who did survive and remain, several required cybernetic implants to counter genetic flaws or correct missing functions. The end result was a promising and skilled workforce, but one which was nevertheless unreliable. With each prototype intended for a future cloned template falling short of the Collective's narrow expectations, the group was universally rejected and the project closed down.

Nevertheless, unwilling to simply scrap an asset outright, the prototypes were grouped into a single crew and granted an aging [[StarWars:Sphyrna-class Hammerhead corvette|Sphyrna-class Hammerhead corvette]] refitted for salvage duties. With Nat having emerged with a talent for piloting and leadership qualities during their trials, she was given the de-facto role of leader among their group. Nicknaming themselves the Dead Ends in a gallows joke of their fate, they were tasked with salvaging battlefield wrecks and hunting for highly specific supplies.

==== Between the Suffering and the Will ====

Both to their benefit and detriment, the Dead Ends were largely left to their own devices. While strict time schedules and reports were required of them, the Collective expected them to operate autonomously and return only when needed. For the most part reports from the Collective came in the form of target locations and a list of equipment they needed to salvage from their target. A few among their number believed that the lack of guards was some sign that the Collective held some trust in them, but Nat understood the real meaning behind it. The Collective was throwing everything it had into its war efforts, and they had been deemed expendable. If they died they would simply be replaced and the group would move on. Although she kept such thoughts to herself, Nat was able to quickly check and then confirm this information for herself by intercepting a series of ongoing reports between ships.

[[File:Star Destroyer Derelict.jpg|500px|right]] Even with this understanding, the Dead Ends quickly made the most of their relative freedom. The first four missions went without incident or issue, with the group arriving, taking what they needed, and then departing at speed. Yet the fourth target, a pleasure yacht which had been found embedded in an asteroid, offered a few bonus opportunities. Recognising the relative luxuries within the ship, Nat made the order to strip out far more than they needed for their own needs. Along with the main power core and engine assembly, a wealth of furniture, beds, and creature comforts were pillaged from the ship and set up on the ''Scorpio''. Having accomplished their objective far ahead of time and typically operating on the ship for weeks or even months without pause, the small luxuries were a welcome addition to the crew and a morale boost. Unfortunately their handlers did not see the benefit of this. On the vague objection of tonnage limitations, the Collective dispatched a security team to seize and confiscate their salvaged goods. The excessive search of the ship put them rapidly behind schedule, but the true meaning was obvious: The Dead Ends were Collective property and nothing more, and any moment in which they forgot that fact would see them punished.

Fighting to make up for lost time due to the searches and irked at their treatment did not have the desired effect on Nat. Although willing to bide her time, she helped to rebuild morale by simply telling her crew that they "Would do a better job next time". This soon led to a search of the vessel and identifying areas in which they could hollow out without creating technical issues. A large number of smuggling compartments were added to the vessel over time, and established areas which could serve as private lounges or drinking dens, and hidden away when they returned to port. Even unshielded, the odd structural changes could be easily written off as a result of the ship's aged state and damage from prior missions.

Nat learned quickly and began to pick out potential ways to make life easier, and even benefit from their indentured servitude. Rather than fighting other scavengers on sites, Nat opted to take an easier approach of brokering various deals with them. Only fighting when needed, she more often than not made a push to trade, negotiate, and broker various partnerships which would benefit them both. Although this sometimes meant that they ran short on their operations, it took little effort to modify their vessel's records to indicate battle damage on their chosen target or even short engagements against other scavengers who had been there before them. Having since initiated its war against the Dark Jedi Brotherhood, the Collective was given little time to pay full attention to such a minor asset. With their opening decapitating strike having failed, and the Brotherhood having quickly overrun [[Nancora]], the Dead Ends were little more than an afterthought. So long as they were careful to cover up their actions and disguise their efforts, the Collective paid little attention to the group.

==== Fortuna Holds no Dominion Over this Coin ====

In the following years after Nancora's loss and the Brotherhood's capture of [[Meridian Prime space station]], Nat was able to better push a more entrepreneurial mindset in running her ship. Quietly making arrangements with a handful of scavengers and pirates she felt could be trusted within reason, Nat worked to make a growing number of trades and even sales of excess equipment. Sometimes spare power converters the Collective supplied would go missing, with an excuse of having burned out due to excessive hyperspace jumps. At other times they would retrieve far more durasteel than required from a wreck, and meet a waiting client along their journey back home. This gave Nat better experience in handling people than her creators had ever intended, and she quickly proved adept at selling, bartering, and making deals whenever possible. Such operations were far from save, but the ''Scorpio's'' relative firepower was usually enough to dissuade most attempts at double crossing trades. When it came to more face to face matters, Nat was usually able to rely on the more physically imposing members of their kind to quickly deal with such foolishness.

For several years Nat was able to run this operation on the outskirts of conflicts. Avoiding becoming embroiled in the [[StarWars:Dark Nest Crisis|Dark Nest Crisis]] or the [[StarWars:Second Galactic Civil War|Second Galactic Civil War]], she was able to capitalise on the opportunities which arose by selling to the desperate and the poorly supplied factions that had been pushed to the Outer Rim. This would remain just as true during the [[starwars:First Order-Resistance War|lesser conflicts which followed]] and the dissolution of galactic government as individuals driven by short sighted greed picked over the bones of fallen civilisation. Some of these secondary missions saw Nat being hired to do everything from smuggling long forbidden texts recording scientific and historic accomplishments out from the core, avoiding those who sought to set the past to the torch. Others would be to help ferry those seeking to escape the madness which had gripped the galaxy and deposit them on worlds most claimed no longer existed.

All throughout the chaos, Nat was able to command the ''Scorpio'' and avoid the worst of any conflict that arose, but it was only a matter of time before her luck ran out.

In the wake of the [[StarWars:Final Order|Final Order's extremely abrupt collapse]], Nat's crew were given a wealth of new salvage to hunt down and strip. Most of the Star Destroyers they had found had been killed by far inferior forces, some against corvettes or even small resistance groups which had somehow crippled the vessels. Nat made a point of studying the databanks of any retrieved ships, noting with curiosity how such a powerful faction had been repeatedly defeated so easily, when any sane reading would have led to a slow and gradual defeat at worst. Recognizing each Star Destroyer's over-reliance upon brute firepower and use of fear above all else, she noted an inflexible thinking that reminded her all too well of what she had seen among the Collective. Yet this growing interest in asymmetrical warfare would not be enough to avoid falling prey to similar threats.

[[File:Derelict-Ship-Hold.jpg|300px|left]] During an operation to find and strip a derelict Resurgent-class Star Destroyer which had fallen into orbit over a [[StarWars:Gas giant/Legends|gas giant]], the ''Scorpio'' made several sweeps of the system and scanned for potential threats. Nat's desire not to remain too long at one site urged haste in their efforts, and the Dead Ends overlooked the trap waiting for them. Moving in close to the derelict to strip away the weapons systems they had been tasked with finding, the ''Scorpio'' was struck by several detonating [[StarWars:Ion mine/Legends|ion mines]], crippling its systems. A follow-up attack by a flight of [[StarWars:Gunship/Legends|gunships]] damaged its main hyperdrive system and power core, knowing exactly where to strike and bypass the corvette's armour. A combination of clever maneuvering from the deployed salvage teams and venting atmosphere from an abandoned level pushed the corvette toward the Star Destroyer, managing to hide within the hull. Although still in a poor position, they were able to partially the ship to have its light turbolaser batteries cover the entrance, driving away the gunships before they could finish the job. Yet with no means to quickly repair the damage to the ship, both sides were stuck in a stalemate, unable to finish the other. The Dead Ends made a few probing efforts to explore the Star Destroyer, but Nat urged caution given how their attackers were clearly more familiar with the wreck and had likely trapped other areas.

Salvation would come from a surprising source, with the arrival of another salvage vessel by the name of the ''[[Yastobaal]]'' jumping into the system. Using a tightbeam transmission to message the arriving vessel and warn them, Nat first urged them to flee. Then, when they refused and offered help, she guided their approach from a likely blind-spot, to avoid alerting the gunships to their presence. Although initially elated at the opportunity for an allied means of escape, the Dead Ends were shocked when they were met by members of the [[Dark Jedi Brotherhood]]. Thankfully before either side could open fire each spoke up. Nat voiced the fact they were operating alone and with limited oversight from the Collective while [[Nikora Rhan]], the [[StarWars:Nautolan/Legends|Nautolan]] leading them, stated they were acting independently rather than at the behest of the [[Dark Council]]. Although uncertain, they were able to steadily explain all that had taken place and the threat they faced. An alliance was made, with each agreeing to assist the other, at least until they could flee from the pirate forces.

As the Dead Ends worked alongside the droids from the other vessel, they learned of the [[Free Droid Enclave]] they had formed. Nat in particular spoke at lengths with Orion, a security droid who until recently had served as the group's de-facto leader, and detailed in turn the odd appearance of the ''Scorpio's'' crew and their origins. Over the next two days of repairs, the groups proved to get on surprisingly well, building a level of trust between them. When the time came and the ''Scorpio's'' systems had been repaired, the trust was enough to transfer weapons to the ''Yastobaal'' and initiate their plan. Using the ''Scorpio's'' heavier armour and Nat's superior flying skills they would draw out and distract the enemy ships, while the ''Yastobaal'' would follow up and wipe them out after their attention had been gained. The stunt worked with extreme success and, despite taking heavy damage, the ''Scorpio'' survived the confrontation. However, a complication was soon added due to when the [[StarWars:Super Tactical Droid/Legends|Super Tactical Droid]] commanding the ''Yastobaal'', Wolf, mutinied against Rhan. However, this did not go fully as planned. The majority of the droids on both ships held not nearly enough ill will against Rhan and the other organics to outright mutiny against them, and in working with the Dead Ends they had seen the Collective crew as being closer to the droids they tried to liberate than any oppressor. Several of them, Nat in particular, had already been offered membership within the Enclave and an opportunity to break away from the Collective.

Although Nat made several potential plans to either flee or overcome the now far more heavily armed transport, an agreement was quickly made. A large number of droids allied with Wolf had done so out of concerns for their faction's survival, after they had so often been caught in the crossfire with the Brotherhood's other enemies. After Nat offered the ''Scorpio'' as a new base of operations, Wolf's faction would depart for [[StarWars:Tatooine/Legends|Tatooine]] to join up with other droids there, to form a second group away from the politics and wars of Force users.

==== And Unmoored Souls May Drift On Stranger Tides ====

Severely damaged and desperately requiring repairs, it was a miracle that the ''Scorpio'' was able to arrive in the [[Vatali Empire]], and a greater miracle that it would arrive without being destroyed by the local navigational hazards or defense forces. While Nikora Rhan explained the situation to [[House Sunrider]] and [[Clan Odan-Urr]], Nat organized the Dead Ends into long term repair teams. Using the salvage they had left and planning out a series of upgrades, efforts were made to first stablise the vessel and turn it into a temporary space station while its entire systems were overhauled and fixed. Nat would admit later on she regretted both the extreme measures this required and having to adjust to a new way of life, but it was preferable to the alternative to eventually dying on the whim of the Collective.

The group took no risks during the journey. Along with fabricating evidence of the ''Scorpio's'' loss in battle between debris, a fragmentary emergency message, and the destructon of its IFF beacon, the droids established a fabricated signal jammer about the hull. This was utilised during the journey, both to disguise its passage, but also to limit the risk to the defecting crew. Nat had known for years that obedience machinery lurked within her cybernetics and the same was true with many others. For long portions of the journey she was rendered unconscious and operated on by the Enclave's medical droids, extracting and disabling various parts and suicide chips. There proved to be many more than anyone had estimated, and even the ship had several they had never uncovered. Nikora's powers proved to be essential in uncovering them, though Nat was sceptical of her power to "talk" to machinery.

After the ship's arrival in orbit over [[Kiast (Planet)|Kiast]], a series of awkward negotiations and messages were made. None had been forewarned of their arrival out of any risk of the Collective uncovering them, and Clan Odan-Urr were certain that this was a deception at first. However, those who sided with them spoke in their favour and the group was accepted with some suspicion. However, with the damage inflicted upon the ''Scorpio'', the ship had to be reconfigured into a state where it would undergo continuous repairs, replacing damaged parts and stabilising what was left. Although an offer was made to have the clan repair the vessel in its shipyards or even to do so from the world's surface, Nat refused this. Along with the irritation she and the crew shared in being bound to a single world for too long, they needed a project to unite them following their new direction. So, the vessel remained in orbit as the Dead Ends, and whatever help the Enclave were willing to offer, slowly replaced the vessel's aged parts and began to piece it back together.

|-|43ABY-Present=

=== Servant of Odan-Urr (43ABY-Present) ===

==== A Sacrifice for Things to Come ====

For the better part of a year the ''Scorpio'' would remain in orbit over Kiast, largely unable to move. Nat used this time to better experience time on the planet, bartering, exchanging, and offering anything of worth to try and fix as many problems as possible. This would see her visiting [[Tythas City]] to help deal with striking workers, and attempting to broker deals with the mercantile nobles of the Vatali. Although this would see the ''Scorpio'' restored enough to move under its own power and even restore some basic weaponry, the Dead Ends soon found several stumbling points. Unlike the lawless but isolated regions they had favoured, the Brotherhood's frequent wars with various enemies led to high risk situations that the ship simply couldn't endure. Even carefully picking sites which would see little conflict would offer little benefit, as the profit of such ventures was both limited and even then there was a risk of being preyed upon.

Matters would be made worse by an increasing tally of malfunctions on the vessel, from either long term damage which had not been realised or simply had burned out from accumulated wear and tear now the Dead Ends were tied up with more pressing jobs. An unending cycle of fixes, patch jobs, and failures would ensue, leaving the crew working around the clock but gaining no benefit. Nat refused to abandon the ship in spite of this for two clear reasons. The first was simply that selling it for scrap would earn nowhere near enough to earn a new vessel of any viable size for their needs, and the second was pure sentiment. The ''Scorpio'' had been their home for as long as they had known, and they didn't wish to abandon it when it could be fixed.

Salvation would come from an unexpected source and at a high price. A private collector had been invited onto the ship and asked to examine a number of valuables. Although not interested in the items offered, his attention was caught by another item in the cargo bay - [[Spitfire|'''''The Spitfire''''']]. The fighter variant was an outright antique, long past its prime and usually regulated to parade flights or museum pieces. The collector was amazed to see a [[starwars:N-1 starfighter/Legends|Royal N-1 Starfighter]] outfitted for combat still, and even more amazed to learn it was one he recognised. Tarvitz's actions had been near legendary on the Outer Rim, and the Spitfire was closely associated with several famed battles. As a result the collector was more than happy to offer above its asking price, even accepting the extensive modifications to the vessel.

Nat was concerned as she had only recently been gifted the fighter, and with its long service was extremely hesitant to part with it. It took Rhan to sway her opinion, citing how they needed the ''Scorpio'' more than the ''Spitfire'' and the fact it was better left to be preserved by a collector than meet its end in a fireball of broken metal. Seeing this as a means to better preserve Tarvitz's memory, and with the permission of the two astromech units associated with the ship, Nat would sell it on. This would bring in more than enough materials to bring the ''Scorpio'' back into working order. Although still undergunned, all other systems were back to full operational status and much of the decaying and damaged systems were fully replaced. So much of the ship would be altered that, by the end, Nat and the Dead Ends would opt to give the vessel a new name The ''Hyperion''.

==== The Changing Face of War ====

Although Nat would continue working primarily as an engineer and logistics manager, she did start to feel envious of their new allies. Each of them had the ability to fight and kill as needed, when she had spent most of her life running. Though this had been the mindset which had kept them all alive, she did feel that it could only carry them to a point. What sparked this was the two later additions - First the detective [[John Blackwood]] and then the imprisoned [[Erasmus Kharse]], both of who were equally capable. Blackwood was another reptilian, carrying more of a connection than the more humanoid or cybernetic allies, and Kharse was supposedly so diminished that he would lose any conventional fight, but was still considered exceptionally dangerous. After approaching Blackwood in private, she began asking for information on how he had trained, the tactics used, and even confusion at how easy he found fighting others. After some needling, Blackwood set up a firing range in the ''Hyperion's'' cargo hold, testing out each of the crew in turn, including Nat. All of those tested were found to be severely lacking combat skills, precision, and the capacity to use firearms, but to a degree which perplexed Blackwood. Nat's disappointment was offset but Blackwood admitting that all of them failing so utterly made him suspect there was more than a simple lack of skill at work, wondering if they had been designed with mental fail safes to present an uprising.

Nat's lack of combat proficiency would weigh on her mind. While her own capabilities in naval matters offered her some degree of equal standing with them, the ease at which they were able to fight and defend themselves made her realise just how open to direct threats she and her crew were. While further training was pushed in an effort to overcome this shortcoming, they were given little time to prepare. The discovery of the Collective's HQ and confirmation of its status prompted a full scale assault by the Iron Throne and its allied, clans triggering the [[Seventeenth Great Jedi War]]. With the *Hyperion* barely armed and still needing refits, Nat and those with her were kept largely in a reserve and support role. The final push would see them join in with the major assault on the entire system, and finally breaking the Collective navy in orbit. The *Hyperion* would be used to break through the orbital defenses and deploy an armoured company of Odanite troops onto the surface of [[Cor'neria_System#Elizabeth-II|Elizabeth-II]], and holding a drop zone in case of retreat.

However, Nat was fully aware of the opportunity this offered. The limited information she and the other vat-born members of the Dead Ends had were scarce, and analysing their biological data could take years before any fixes or even thought of continuation could be devised. As such, she was able to sway [[Sirra Werd'la]], John Blackwood, and a contingent of the Free Droid Enclave's security units to join her in raiding one particular facility which seemed oddly familiar. Although mistaken in believing it was where she had been made, the building housed an immense amount of internal data and records of prior experiments. Without time to fully sift through the data and select the files they needed, the group's astromech, Clanker, was ordered to just grab everything they could download. As Technocrat troops were diverted to repel them, the group held their ground for several vital minutes before finally withdrawing, with Clanker having successfully extracted 88% of the entire database.

Returning to the *Hyperion* before the return of the Odanites, and finding that the Enclave had launched their own attacks on local warehouses to steal resources for their own needs, the corvette was able to take to the skies once more following the successful pacification of the world. Initially giddy with the thought of a genuine success and having gained the data to ensure her kind's future, the feeling slowly ebbed in time to uncertainty. The thought of the Collective's complete disappearance added a level of uncertainty she had never known before, both joy at its end and a feeling at loss over its absence. Nat would spend much of the celebrations with Sirra, drinking to remember their fallen foe, and reflecting upon their complicated histories with the faction.

==== An Outsider's War ====

Nat would be drawn into the internal conflict on the Kiast System, as a nominal member of House Sunrider. While Nat had voiced support of the clan and worked with them previously, she was one of the few who was pushed to help them gain further influence over Daleem in opposition to the ruling Empiress. Nat met with Lord Barad of House Ghalor alongside Blackwood. Though heavily prompted and all but literally pushed by the Barabel, Nat was able to make an argument in favour of Barad directly supporting the House's efforts to build its own fleet for exploration and trading purposes. This would lead to a violent reprisal from Kiast, which Nat spent largely trapped on a besieged shipyard trying to keep herself and a few others alive. However, once the Royal Guard were repelled, it offered a surprising level of stability.

As Barad would admit, between the Empress' war against the Burmessians, and the growing dissent against the ruling monarch, it had given House Ghalor a headstart over rival powers now seeking to establish their influence beyond Kiast's traditional territories.

</tabber>

== Physical Description ==

A stocky and rotund individual, Nat's mixed Barabel and Trandoshan heritage has resulted in an odd blend of reptilian qualities. With a broad frame and power thickset limbs reflecting an easy familiarity with manual labour, her legs ending in the three-toed talons typical of Trandoshans and both arms in four fingered claws. A muscular tail extends out behind her, usually moving to assist with her balance.

Nat's pale grey skin is bereft of scales due to a quirk of her creation. Several points across her body are dotted with the hardened metal of nanomachine injection ports, and cybernetics to help stabilize her body's genetics. A number of medical scars further highlight locations where obedience devices and machinery were removed. The words NAT-19 - BATCH 01, MODEL 06 are tattooed across Nat's right arm, marking her original designation. Both eyes are of a pale blue complexion and, combined with Nat's broader snout and far less pronounced fangs, serves to give her features an oddly mammalian quality.

== Personality ==

[[File:Nat Salvage Gear.png|210px|thumb|left]] In stark contrast to her hulking and predatory appearance, Nat is both highly outgoing and very friendly to all she meets. Having effectively been little more than a slave for much of her life and isolated to remote parts of the galaxy, she is more than welcoming to anyone she meets and highly personable. Although drawn to the subject of ships and engineering above all else, a natural curiosity means she is very open to listening, learning, and holding a conversion through asking the right questions even without an immediate basis to refer back to. Even if this means that she has little more to do than make mental notes and query someone else for details, she can keep another person occupied in conversation for hours at a time.

Although it would be easy to accept her pleasant behaviour as being a sign of naivety, this friendly optimism is something which has endured in spite of harsh experiences rather than flourishing due to a lack of them. A dangerous life has seen friends die, flee combat with superior warships, and have to think their way free of traps on more occasions than she would care to admit. Rarely approaching a situation without several backup plans in mind, she has surprised both ally and enemy alike with a capacity for forethought and being ready for worst case situations. Combined with her force of personality, it is one of several factors which has given Nat a capacity as a leader which was never expected of her, and a surprisingly skilled trader when it comes to bartering for items.

Having grown up in an environment of bare utilitarianism with minimal supplies, subjects like art, literature, and any creative endeavor has become a point of interest. Although rarely having time to properly study the arts or even practice them herself, a deep rooted appreciation for visually fascinating works. Yet in spite of this, she feels little connection to any world. Less appreciative of even the most verdant planets or gleaming metropolises than the experience of flight, Nat rarely remains for long on any world. Favouring instead constantly travelling and exploring what lurks beyond the next system, she is far more concerned with taking advantage of her newfound freedom than remaining on a single world.

== Equipment ==

Left with only what she could salvage by the time of joining the Brotherhood, Nat's equipment consisted of little more than an environmental suit and a modified [[StarWars:DL-44 heavy blaster pistol/Legends|DL-44 blaster pistol]] that she upgraded and enhanced. Although a poor shot and not intended for combat, Nat found it to be useful when dealing with less scrupulous individuals in trade negotiations. One more unique upgrade is her [https://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/items/57544-technocratic-implant| technocratic implants] which makes her hardy in combat and limits the effects of harm to her body when under stress.

== Powers and Abilities ==

=== Leader ===

By far the skill in which she has the most pride, Nat's abilities as a leader were something she was never intended to possess. Although both a highly proficient pilot and engineer, Nat was originally intended to be subservient with little more freedom or capacity for initiative than a droid. Being pressed into leading the Dead Ends forced her to rapidly evolve and take charge, learning to both mediate situations and when to put her foot down. Much of this was formed and built upon her natural knowledge of logistics, and used to both help keep the group alive and the ''Scorpio'' operational far beyond the Collective's ability to support them. While middling as a tactician and relying more upon force of personality to help get her way, Nat does possess a detailed understanding of naval tactics along with a wide array of trade and diplomatic methods. This grants her abilities beyond the average person on the street or untrained individual, but against others it's usually an uphill battle.

=== Pilot ===

Nat's talents as a pilot are half formed from birth and half by experience. Programmed with a near instinctive database in her mind of flight stratagems, astronavigation charts, and systems operations knowledge, her role was intended to help ensure the successful retrieval of any profitable salvage. To this end, her skills focused primarily upon establishing clear escape vectors, being able to avoid incoming threats, and withdraw with minimal damage. Although clearly meant to avoid conflict and any risk, Nat was able to steadily adapt these skills in a far more offensive manner. Thanks in part to the ''Scorpio's'' ability to be helmed by a single pilot, utilised the corvette as effectively a gunship in multiple battles, performing strafing attacks on targets or hit and run engagements. Favouring performing an attack and then escaping at high speed over high intensity turn fighting, she was able to steadily adapt her in-built knowledge to a far more offensive means. This relies upon either speed or surprise to keep the enemy on edge and avoid incoming fire, but it has proven highly effective. With a deep respect for any ship she is given, Nat has an exceptional ability when it comes to making the most out of any ship and playing fully to its strengths while behind their controls.

=== Engineer ===

Although secondary to her other abilities, Nat's broad knowledge of engineering talents and technical skills were a core part of her past life. While the crux of this stems from a broad database of technical skills and an inherent understanding of machinery programmed into her mind, a significant portion of this has evolved thanks to past experiences. Having to all too often jury-rig quick repairs and make do with sub-standard supplies, she has learned to adapt to flawed circumstances and simply work with whatever is on hand. Although certainly skilled with almost any technology, Nat has an especially noteworthy aptitude for working with ships, usually working faster and far more effectively with such vessels over other mechanical constructions. Naturally, such knowledge is just as easily applied to taking apart machines and repurposing other technologies, as was her intended role.

[[Category:Odan-Urr members]] [[Category:Characters]] [[Category:Loyalists]]

Template:Species2

2026-09-08T21:16:57Z

Tarvitz: Defunct file, swapping with an easy alternative.

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To use: Paste the following text into the desired article, and fill in the appropriate fields. Used for all species (Sentient, non-sentient, and creatures). Image, Feat 1 and Feat 2 are optional (the table will resize accordingly if they are ommitted). Note that the isGrandfathered parameter should be blank or not be included unless the species is Grandfathered in. For current species, no value should be provided.
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<noinclude>[[Category:CS Templates|{{PAGENAME}}]]</noinclude>

Venn-Voss Colonial Supply Solutions

2026-09-08T21:14:03Z

Tarvitz:

{{Eras|nor}}
{{Company
| image = [[File:VennVosslogo.jpg|250px]]
| name = Venn-Voss Colonial Supply Solutions
| founder = Mekka the Hutt
| ledby = [[Magda Venn]] and Vasha Voss
| parent = Hydian Commercial Exchange
| subsid =
| personnel = ~900
| locations = Carrow's Landing, [[Daleem]]
| role = Organizing import of supplies for the reconstruction of Daleem
| products = Construction materials, foodstuffs, medical equipment
| founding = 30 ABY
| dissolved =
| era =
| affiliation = [[Odan-Urr]]
}}
'''Venn-Voss Colonial Supply Solutions''' is one of several mid-sized freight and distribution companies awarded contracts to supply the reconstruction effort of [[Daleem]]. It is the exclusive provider of construction materials, supplementary foodstuffs, and medical supplies to the entire western coastline of the primary continent, providing for 220,000 residents across thirty one colonies. It was founded as a subsidiary of Mekka the Hutt's primary shipping and mercantile company, Hydian Commercial Exchange, and is run by his lieutenants [[Magda Venn]], Vasha Voss, and Kala'mee. Under the guise of its legitimate enterprises, Venn-Voss Colonial Supply Solutions also is the major distributor of illicit goods, such as [[starwars:spice|spice]], illegal weapons, and stolen medications to its region of operations.

== History ==
Venn-Voss was founded by Mekka the Hutt in 30 ABY in order to provide a legitimate front for his illicit dealings on Daleem. Creating such companies before handing them off to subordinates had been a model proven successful by his expansion of operations into other such frontier worlds across the [[StarWars:Mid-Rim|Mid-Rim]] and [[StarWars:Outer Rim|Outer Rim]]. For this particular operation he chose two of his new favorite lieutenants: Magda Venn, a palace-resident card shark and regular decoration on his dais, and Vasha Voss, Magda's longterm spouse who had become one of Mekka's most trusted and vicious enforcers. The two became the face and fist of the operation, with Mekka's favored bookkeeper Kala'mee as the individual who would do the actual heavy lifting of running a business.
[[File:Magdaandvasha.jpg|left|thumb|Magda Venn (left) and Vasha Voss (right), the face and fist of Venn-Voss Colonial Supply Solutions]]
Through Mekka's contacts, the organization was quickly established on Daleem, hungry as it was for reliable deliveries of supplies both preceding and especially after the events which precipitated its reconstruction. Venn-Voss could be depended on to transport materials the planet actually needed, to get them there on time, and to charge a fee which never felt exploitative. As their reputation and supply lines improved, their contract expanded in kind. From a modest freight line fueling the rebuilding of Carrow's Landing to having the exclusive rights to supply the entire western coastline of Daleem's primary continent, Magda and Vasha have taken the planet by storm.

The illicit deliveries began only once the primary business was established and running smoothly. Subcontracts with freighter pilots were slowly shifted from a free-bid model to exclusively purchasing the services of ships owned by Mekka's own front companies (as well as the ships privately purchased by Venn-Voss itself). Over time, the [[StarWars:Spice|Spice]] and weapons deliveries became more and more common place and, once the local distribution network was established by Ged Narriss, the contraband percolated throughout the company's delivery area (and onwards to other parts of the planet).

Today Venn-Voss enjoys the best of both worlds. It is still thought of as a colonist-friendly distributor of much needed supplies. Prices are kept fair, deliveries are made on schedule, and only the best foot is put forward by the company's deliverers and service representatives all to maintain as positive an image as possible. At the same time, Mekka's profits from the operation are substantial. Venn-Voss has eliminated virtually all competition in the illicit goods market within their zone of service and are the exclusive providers of illegal drugs and illegal weapons.

== Organization and Personnel ==
=== Executive Leadership ===
Despite its name, Venn-Voss Colonial Supply Solutions is not owned by Magda Venn or Vasha Voss. The entirety of its ownership shares are held by a series of shadowy investment firms which are all ultimately controlled by Mekka the Hutt and it is run as a subsidiary of his Hydian Commercial Exchange. The executive staff, rather than being even partial owners, are all high-salaried employees.
[[File:Kalamee.jpg|thumb|288x288px|Kala'mee, the brains and the books behind Venn-Voss Colonial Supply Solutions]]
Magda Venn "works" as the '''Managing Director''' of the firm. She is supposed to handle the corporate image, relations with Clan [[Odan-Urr]], public relations with clients and the general populace, and political networking. In reality, she farms most of these responsibilities out to her staff, though she does insist she is always reachable at the beach or at her cantina. Although she may not fulfill any actual duties, she remains the face of the company and locals associate her with the good work her employees do. When considering the illegal side of the operation, Magda's role is very similar. Her underlings do the real work while she provides a useful, unambitious buffer between them and Mekka, to whom she is utterly loyal.

Vasha Voss is '''Director of Security'''. She ensures that incoming freighters are properly armed and escorted, whether by private mercenary contractors or naval forces in-system and she also works with local law enforcement to safeguard the delivery freight-speeders as they travel from Carrow's Landing to the colonies (near and far) which Venn-Voss supplies. She has been responsible for internal discipline within both the legitimate and illicit operations, but was removed from the former by Kala'mee after biting off an employee's fingers. Ultimately, Vasha's most important role is overseeing the successful transfer of contraband from the smuggler ships to Ged Narriss's courier service.

Kala'mee actually runs the company as '''Chief Operating Officer'''. She oversees accounting, payroll, scheduling, warehousing, procurement, and human resources. She does this all for both sides of the operation. Everyone, ultimately, answers to her and she answers to Mekka. Her business acumen is the primary reason that Venn-Voss has been a successful distributor of supplies to Daleem and drugs to its underbelly. Everything about the organization flows through her books.

=== Departments ===
Venn-Voss Colonial Exchange is divided into five major departments, with respective department heads all reporting to Kala'mee. The Logistics and Fleet Operations Departments are headquartered at the spaceport in Carrow's Landing and represent the bulk of local employment. They maintain a fleet of flatbed delivery speeders as well as six [[StarWars:BFF-1 Bulk Freighters|BFF-1 Bulk Freighters]], used primarily for long range planetary delivery.

The Warehousing Department owns most of the property in the districts surrounding the spaceport and is staffed by a mix of legitimate, local employees, and imported toughs loyal to Vasha and Mekka. It is headed by Grix, a notorious Dug gangster who serves as the on-the-ground enforcer for the organization and ensures that both legit and illegitimate goods remain secure.

The Procurement and Accounting Departments are the smallest departments in the organization and maintain modest offices above the Sandbar, a shorefront cantina owned jointly by Magda and Vasha. The Security Department has been disbanded since the finger-biting incident and now security is contracted out to local enforcers (Vasha's and Grix's gang, in reality).

== Business Operations ==
Venn-Voss does not manufacture anything itself. It is purely a procurement and transport entity, relying on goods manufactured throughout the Nilgaard Sector and along the Hydian Way. The furthest goods are transported from as far away as Nar Shaddaa. [[File:The Sandbar.jpg|thumb|The Sandbar, where the Venn-Voss executives maintain offices on the second floor|left]]Through its business relations with other entities in the region, Venn-Voss Colonial Supply Solutions procures vast quantities of supplies needed for the reconstruction of Daleem. Its catalogue of imported materials includes construction supplies, structural steel and duracrete, industrial machinery, agricultural machinery, foodstuffs, medical supplies, consumer goods, and replacement parts. It contracts almost exclusively with freight haulers and transports owned by Mekka's associates and subsidiaries. Bulk cargo is offloaded at Carrow's Landing on Daleem, where it is inspected and warehoused by Warehousing Department staff before being scheduled for delivery to the colonies Venn-Voss is contracted to serve. Most deliveries are made by ground transport speeder trucks and fulfilled by staff employees. The furthest colonies are supplied by the company's fleet of spaceworthy bulk freighters. Because its charter with House Sunrider requires it to provide supplies for areas hit by disaster, Venn-Voss’s warehouses maintain a ready-to-ship stock of medical supplies, seasonal food reserves, and strategic stockpiles of construction material in order to give the company maximum flexibility when fulfilling its contract’s expectations.

This operation serves 220,000 residents of Daleem across 31 colonies. Delivery services are made as regular supply runs but also include delivering to active colonial construction sites and are often coordinated with local governments in charge of the planet's rebuilding efforts. Over time, the Venn-Voss logo has become heavily associated with progress by the local populations. Magda Venn, despite her lack of personal work ethic, drive, or ... really any sense of industriousness, has proven deft at building and maintaining highly productive relationships with local officials. Her company is, in addition for its reliability, known for being flexible and engaging with communities.

The logistics fleet is maintained at the spaceport by a small troop of mechanics, supplemented by droids. Fueling, inspections, and repairs all fall under the purview of this group, which ultimately answers to the Warehousing Department.

Beyond freight transportation, Venn-Voss provides comprehensive logistical planning to its clients. Company staff routinely coordinate delivery schedules with colonial governments, contractors, and public works departments to ensure building materials, machinery, and essential supplies arrive in accordance with reconstruction priorities. This emphasis on planning has minimized costly delays and earned the company a reputation for reliability despite the difficult conditions facing many recovering settlements.

== Criminal Operations ==
In addition to supplying Daleem with the products it needs, the company also provides it with many enjoyable diversions. Imported spice variants include Ryll (the primary focus), Glitterstim, Andris, Booster Blue, Tempest, Gunjack, and Pyre. In addition to spice, stolen medication and weapons are included in Venn-Voss's alternative inventories.

Occasionally, Venn-Voss's ships arrive in Carrow's Landing with extra cargo, which is not listed on the books. Contraband comes smuggled in all sorts of ways. Many of Mekka's ships have high quality, scanner-proof smuggling compartments. Other times the goods are smuggled inside droids or crew. Occasionally, it's simply mislabeled and equipped with detection scramblers in case of interdiction. Whatever the means of arrival, once the officially manifested goods are offloaded by company staff, Vasha and Grix oversee the transfer of the smuggled materials from the ships to inspection facilities beneath the warehouses.

As local pushers in the colonies serviced by Venn-Voss begin to run low on product, the gang packages up a resupply shipment from their storage facilities and hands it off to Shoreline Courier Services, a company owned and run by Ged "The Idiot" Narriss, Mekka's former associate and Magda's current Sabacc buddy. Ged's couriers distribute the drugs and weapons without ever knowing what is contained in the packages they are transporting.

[[Category:Organizations]]

Magda Venn

2026-09-08T21:13:34Z

Tarvitz: /* The Nar Shaddaa Years (25 ABY – 30 ABY) */

{{Eras|nor}}
{{Character
|order= Mercenary
|image=[[File:Magdaportrait.jpeg|250px]]
|firstname= Magda
|lastname= Venn
|homeworld= [[starwars:Chandrila|Chandrila]]
|birth= {{Birthyear and Age |ABY|5}}
|placeofbirth=
|death=
|placeofdeath=
|causeofdeath=
|species=[[starwars:Human|Human]]
|gender=Female
|hair= Brown
|eyes= Brown
|height= 1.68 m
|weight= 75 kg
|cyber=
|mother= Liria Venn
|father= Arrell Venn
|siblings=
|children=
|spouse= Vasha Voss
|allies= Vasha Voss, Kala'mee, Qua'wiil, Mekka the Hutt, Ged "The Idiot" Nariss, Korugg, Grix, Chikma
|enemies= Hull Derech
|saber=
|form=
|weapons= [[starwars:DL-44|DL-44]]
|fightingstyle= Corellian Kickboxing
|profession= Colonial Freight Broker (Crime Boss)
|position=
|era=
|affiliation=
*[[Odan-Urr]]
*[[Dark Brotherhood|The Brotherhood]]
*[[Venn-Voss Colonial Supply Solutions]]
|ship= ''[[item:120528-|L'Ennui]]''
|masters=
|apprentices=
|dossier=[[dossier:9709|9709]]
|sheet=
}}

{{Quote|Everything you've heard about me is true.|Lando Calrissian}}

Magda Venn is not a hero. She is not a villain. She is not good or evil. She is a colonial freight importer and distributor of considerable skill and flexible ethics, as well as a spice distributor, weapons trafficker, and minor crime boss (though she would object to being regarded as minor). With her partner, Vasha Voss, she runs [[Venn-Voss Colonial Supply Solutions]], a legitimate front for her illegitimate business, out of the Carrow's Landing colony on [[Daleem]]. Although born on [[StarWars:Chandrila|Chandrila]] into high society, for most of the last fifteen years, she and Vasha have been in the employ of Mekka the [[StarWars: Hutt|Hutt]]. He supplies the freighters and the goods, while the two women make sure that they get to people with a hole to fill and enough credits to try. The money is good, the parties are better, and Magda chooses not to overthink the rest.

== Character History ==
=== Youth on Chandrila (5 ABY – 25 ABY) ===
Magda Venn was born in [[StarWars:5 ABY|5 ABY]] on [[StarWars:Chandrila|Chandrila]] to Arrell and Liria Venn, scions of a wealthy and ancient Chandrilan aristocratic family. Raised on the shores of [[StarWars:Lake Andrasha|Lake Andrasha]], she grew up surrounded by family, tutors, friends, servants, and the effortless comforts of old money. Her childhood wanted for little, but the abundance that sheltered her also confined her. The Venn name carried expectations as heavy as its fortune was vast: Magda was to become polished, respectable, well-educated, and socially useful, a daughter suited to receptions, charitable committees, advantageous friendships, and the quiet maintenance of family influence.

From an early age, however, Magda proved poorly suited to the role prepared for her. She had charm in abundance and learned quickly how to please a room, but she lacked the discipline, restraint, and public-minded seriousness her family expected. Lessons, formal obligations, and carefully managed social calls held little appeal compared to music, parties, gossip, games of chance, and the small freedoms she could steal from the edges of Chandrilan propriety. To her family, these habits marked her as frivolous and unreliable. To Magda, they were the first honest things in a life otherwise arranged for display.

By her late teens, Magda had begun treating Chandrilan propriety less as a code of conduct than as a game with rules to be bent, misread, or ignored when convenient. She drifted through receptions, lake parties, private clubs, and after-hours [[StarWars:Sabacc|Sabacc]] games with a practiced ease, but it was her choice of companions that most alarmed her family. Respectable heirs and well-placed daughters bored her; she preferred junior diplomats with bad habits, idle aristocrats with debts, pilots between contracts, household guards with loose tongues, couriers with questionable errands, and other figures who lingered at the edges of polite society. Among these unsuitable associations, none troubled Arrell and Liria more than Vasha Voss, the scandal-prone daughter of the aristocratic Voss family. Where Magda’s other companions amused, enabled, or embarrassed her, Vasha protected her. She was loyal, physical, direct, and violently devoted in a way that made Magda’s recklessness harder to contain. In Vasha’s company, Magda learned the uses of gossip, charm, debt, and plausible deniability, while also discovering how much easier it was to ignore consequences when someone else was willing to stand between her and them. None of it was serious enough to destroy the Venn name, but each rumor, unpaid obligation, and unsuitable association made her a little harder for her family to defend.

By [[StarWars:25 ABY|25 ABY]], the Venn family's patience with Magda had expired. There was no single incident that transformed annoyance into genuine ire, but rather a decade-long accumulation of scandals, absences, debts, and public embarrassments. More troubling than Magda’s behavior itself was her attachment to Vasha, whose loyalty had made the Venns’ daughter increasingly difficult to discipline or isolate. Arrell and Liria resolved to remove Magda from society until she could be made useful again, restricting her to the family estate under the supervision of servants, tutors, and carefully chosen chaperones, and severing her from Vasha entirely. Magda understood the arrangement for what it was: confinement dressed in the language of correction. Rather than submit to it, she and Vasha stole away in the night before her parents could put their plan fully into effect. Magda emptied what physical credit chips she could find from the family safe, while Vasha handled the practical dangers of the escape. Together, they stole Arrell’s speeder, raced to the nearest spaceport, and boarded an interstellar transport bound for [[StarWars:Nar Shaddaa|Nar Shaddaa]] before either family knew they were gone.

=== The Nar Shaddaa Years (25 ABY – 30 ABY) ===
[[File:Magdaandvasha.jpg|thumb|Magda Venn (right) and Vasha Voss (left) in the lounge aboard ''L'Ennui''.]]
The girls arrived on Nar Shaddaa flush with stolen money and even more anticipation. They ate street food, rented a room above a nightclub, and celebrated their escape by partying through the nights and into the days. Between the drinking, dancing, quick friendships, and dramatic spats, they burned through their credits far faster than intended. Growing desperate but unable to stop their debauchery, Magda fell back on what she knew best: cards and people. She entered her first sabacc game since leaving Chandrila in a seedy cantina and cleaned house. Her lucky streak continued long enough to suggest that luck had nothing to do with it. With Vasha’s wild eyes and happy trigger finger at her shoulder, the credits started rolling back in. Their luck (and legendary audacity) eventually led them straight into the orbit of Mekka the Hutt.

A young and upcoming gangster himself, Mekka was a recent arrival from [[StarWars:Jakku|Jakku]], where he had been running operations for his boss, Vorroga the Hutt. He had received a large promotion, relocating to [[StarWars:Nar Shaddaa|Nar Shaddaa]], and a substantial, though largely empty, palace. To add to his scant retainers who had followed him from Jakku, Mekka began sending invitations to local upstarts with a similar youthful (though for a Hutt that meant several hundred years) vigor to his own. He promoted the Twi'lek Kala'mee from a position as a dock administrator to that of his personal assistant, he invited several gangs of [[StarWars: Weequay|Weequay]] thugs to relocate from the deeper levels of Nar Shaddaa to his palace. And he invited the disparate local gamblers, dancers, and hangers-on who had no permanent haunt to begin attending his parties. Magda and Vasha were included and received an invitation of their own.

The girls attended Mekka's earliest parties in their own ways. Magda was a fixture at his sabacc tables, making even seasoned gamblers look amateurish. Vasha proved early on to be a reliable deterrent to rough housing and trouble making. Soon the pair had caught the attention of the Hutt lord, intrigued as he was by their brash and brazen style, and their standing party invitation became a permanent residence. During these early years on Nar Shaddaa, Magda's and Vasha's friendship evolved into something more amorous. High on Mekka's drugs, the adrenaline, and the powerful feelings of success won by their own virtues (and vices), their formerly close but platonic friendship evolved over time into a deep and devoted romance. Under Mekka's eye and eventual guidance, the two became a singular, permanent fixture at his palace. Vasha entered his formal service as a paid tough. Magda, in a less formal role, became partial arm candy, partial confidante, and partial sabacc-fiend.[[File:Lennui.jpg|left|thumb|Magda's and Vasha's private yacht, ''L'Ennui.'']]Over the following years, Vasha rose steadily through Mekka’s ranks, developing a near-slavish dedication to physical and combat training. She studied under the best mercenaries and fighters Mekka could afford, transforming herself into a lethal enforcer. Parallel to this, Magda grew ever closer to Mekka, becoming his favorite decoration at parties and his most trusted and intimate confidante. A pivotal moment came during one of Mekka’s wild parties when his pet [[StarWars:Nexu|Nexu]] escaped its enclosure. In the chaos, the beast attacked Magda, ripping off her left leg before Vasha could intervene. Mekka, guilt-ridden, spared no expense on a high-quality cybernetic replacement, further cementing the pair’s place in his inner circle. By the end of their five years on Nar Shaddaa, both women had become indispensable. Mekka’s ultimate show of trust came when he promoted them to run his expanding operations on the Outer Rim colony world of Daleem, dispatching the reliable Twi’lek bookkeeper Kala’mee to ensure the venture’s success.

=== Venn-Voss Colonial Supply Solutions and Daleem (30 ABY - Present) ===
Mekka the Hutt had long eyed the [[StarWars:Outer Rim|Outer Rim]] colony world of [[Daleem]], located in the [[StarWars:Nilgaard Sector|Nilgaard Sector]], as a prime location for expansion. The planet’s recolonization in relative isolation and with limited Jedi oversight made it an ideal location for a discreet smuggling operation. Trusting in the loyalty and proven capabilities of his favorite lieutenants, Mekka chose Magda and Vasha to lead the new venture. He provided them with substantial startup funds and numerous thugs, and the Twi’lek bookkeeper Kala’mee to ensure that the two women did not squander those funds and thugs. It was both a reward for their years of service and a significant test of their ability to run an independent outpost.

Magda and Vasha arrived on Daleem with Kala’mee and a substantial amount of startup capital from Mekka. The transition was not without challenges. Mekka's clerks handled the back end negotiations to ensure that supply contracts were awarded in the correct directions. Magda and Vasha (with Kala'mee's significant assistance) established Venn-Voss Colonial Supply Solutions as their legitimate front company, requiring careful navigation of local regulations and the planet’s limited infrastructure. Using their funds and connections, they secured control of the small spaceport at the newly established colony Carrow’s Landing, as well as suitable lodging, and opened The Sandbar cantina as their primary social and business hub. Within months, the operation was running smoothly on the surface. Legitimate supplies flowed through their spaceport and to the colonists. However, many of the legitimate shipments also contained hidden packages from Mekka: illegal weapons, spice, and diverted pharmaceuticals. These extra packages were intercepted by Vasha and her thugs and passed along to the Shoreline Courier Service, a local and (otherwise mostly) legitimate operation run by the retired legendary sabacc player Ged "The Idiot" Narriss. His couriers would unknowingly distribute contraband to colonial towns for hundreds of miles up and down the coast from Carrow's Landing.
[[File:Carrowslanding.jpg|thumb|The pair's oceanside villa on Daleem, above the town of Carrow's Landing.]]
Daily life in Carrow’s Landing revolved around the rhythm of the sea and the demands of the operation. Magda and Vasha made their home in a modest two-story villa perched on the cliffs overlooking the western beach. The Sandbar served as the social heart of their enterprise, with its beach-dweller aesthetic, fish-heavy menu, and open wall facing the ocean. Most evenings found the crew gathered there, with Magda holding court at the sabacc table and Vasha looming protectively nearby. The balance between legitimate business and smuggling allowed the operation to thrive, bringing stability and profit to the colony.

Over fourteen years, the operation faced numerous challenges. The Jedi presence on Daleem, though limited, required constant vigilance to avoid drawing unwanted scrutiny. Rival syndicates occasionally tested their control of the region, and local authorities sometimes needed careful management. Through it all, Magda, Vasha, and Kala’mee adapted and grew stronger together. Vasha’s security network kept the peace in Carrow’s Landing, while Kala’mee’s organizational skills ensured the legitimate business remained profitable. Magda’s charm and social connections helped maintain the operation’s respectable facade. Or at least they would if Magda could peel herself away from the beach and her cantina. As the years passed, the trio turned Venn-Voss Colonial Supply Solutions into a thriving enterprise, expanding their influence across the colony while carefully balancing the demands of Mekka’s smuggling network with the realities of life on Daleem.

== Description ==
=== Appearance and Attire ===
Magda Venn is a 39 year old Chandrilan woman with pale, freckled skin and long, wavy chestnut brown hair gently streaked with grey. She has warm brown eyes and a knowing half-smile that often hints at mischief. Her build is compact and athletic, honed by Vasha’s insistence on regular training despite her natural laziness. She bears several tattoos: a scavenger bird on her right shoulder and upper arm, a solid black pattern on her left shoulder, a sun on her ribs, a hawkbat on her calf, and a DL-44 pistol on her outer thigh. Her left leg is a mechanical prosthetic from mid-thigh down, black and brass in design.

In public, Magda favors provocative yet practical attire: tight crop tops that accentuate her figure, low-cut pants that highlight her form, and a leather holster for her modified DL-44. She often goes barefoot or wears knee-high heeled boots, and occasionally adds a leather jacket left open.

=== Speech and Mannerisms ===
Magda speaks in a husky voice that leans toward the dramatic and still maintains a subtle hint of the Chandrilan accent from her youth. She is often playful and teasing in her speech, reflecting her inability to take much about life seriously, and she has a tendency to over-rely on gambling metaphors and Daleem beach slang. Through it all she remains ever charming and charismatic.

Magda's laziness often shows up in her mannerisms, which can be languid and theatrical. She blames this on her "ennui." That theatricality, however, can gain a definitive energy when she's retelling stories and the gestures grow as the tales grow. Magda is also rarely without her companion, Vasha, and the two are typically in close physical proximity, leaning or lounging on one another. Despite being quick to laugh and quicker to smile, Magda does have periods of deep and regretful self-reflection, during which she can be morose and quiet in her movements.

=== Personality ===
Magda Venn is the epitome of charming laziness. She is intelligent and quick-witted, with a natural talent for reading people and manipulating social situations to her advantage. Her primary ambitions are simple: to lounge on the beach, drink, get high, and enjoy the company of Vasha. She has little interest in the day-to-day operations of her own criminal enterprise, preferring to leave the hard work to Kala’mee while she plays the role of social figurehead and evening gambler.

Despite her self-admitted laziness, Magda is not without depth. She is self-aware enough to recognize her own weaknesses, particularly her lack of willpower when it comes to changing her hedonistic lifestyle. This creates occasional moments of quiet regret and listlessness, though she usually masks them with charm and humor. She is deeply devoted to Vasha, finding comfort and safety in their intense relationship, and she genuinely cares for her crew and the life they’ve built on Daleem. While she often plays the role of carefree socialite, those close to her know there is a more thoughtful and introspective woman beneath the surface.

== Relationships ==
=== Vasha Voss ===
{{Quote|Venn-Voss runs because Mags smiles at the right people and I break the right fingers.|Vasha Voss}}
Vasha Voss is Magda’s partner, spouse, and constant protector. Their relationship is intense and all-consuming, with Vasha firmly steering Magda toward better habits than she would choose on her own. This is somewhat ironic, considering Vasha was Magda’s original bad influence back on Chandrila, where she would likely still be if not for her volatile friend's intervention. Vasha’s fierce loyalty and willingness to do whatever is necessary to keep Magda safe allows her to live the lazy, hedonistic life she craves. In return, Magda’s charm and social skills complement Vasha’s more direct approach, making them a competent and effective team. Their bond is deep and genuine, built on decades of shared history, trust, and mutual dependence.

=== Kala'mee ===
{{Quote|She gets what she wants and somehow you're happy for her. That's the trick. I've never figured out how she does it.|Kala'mee}}
Kala’mee, a Twi'lek refugee turned clerk, is Magda’s close friend and the organizational backbone of Venn-Voss Colonial Supply Solutions. As Mekka’s trusted bookkeeper, she was sent to Daleem to ensure the operation ran smoothly, and she has become indispensable to its success. Kala’mee respects Magda’s social skills and charm, though she often finds it difficult to respect Magda herself, particularly since Kala'mee ends up doing the actual day-to-day work that her lazy friend avoids. Despite this, their friendship is genuine, and Kala'mee can't help but laugh at Magda's ability to get whatever she wants without lifting a finger.

=== Grix ===
{{Quote|Kala'mee keeps the books. Vasha keeps people in line. Magda keeps the bartenders employed.|Grix}}
Grix is Vasha's [[StarWars:Dug|Dug]] lieutenant. He is notedly strong for his species and well employed for it. While Vasha is technically in charge of Venn-Voss's security and the illicit operation's enforcement, Grix is the one who does the actual work in that regard. He runs the gang of toughs who protect the company's financial and territorial interests. He patrols the streets. He makes sure problems disappear forever. He is the actual terror of Carrow's Landing. He doesn't interact with Magda in a professional context very often, but he is a regular participant in her sabacc game and beach crew.

=== Qua'wiil ===
{{Quote|I watched her lose on purpose twice in one night just to see what Hull does when he thinks he's winning. Third hand she took everything. I was taking notes. It didn't help.|Qua'wiil}}
The pilot of Magda and Vasha’s personal yacht, the [[StarWars:T-2 Ramsidian-class Yacht|T-2 Ramsidian-class Yacht]] '''L’Ennui''', Qua’wiil is a Rodian of great skill. Before entering the women’s service, Qua’wiil had retired from the Starfighter Corps of the [[StarWars:New Republic|New Republic]], where he flew the [[StarWars:RZ-1 A-wing interceptor|RZ-1 A-Wing Interceptor]]. In addition to being their pilot, the Rodian is also Magda’s best gambling buddy and never fails to miss their regular sabacc game. He and Magda are notoriously obnoxious players when in one another’s company, feeding on their mutual energy and enjoyment of the absurd.

=== Korugg ===
{{Quote|Magda pay good credits.|Korugg}}
Korugg is a [[StarWars:Gamorrean|Gamorrean]] pit fighter who makes his actual living as a contractor for Venn-Voss Colonial Supply Solutions. On paper, he is a private negotiator who is brought in to handle particularly difficult situations which have reached an impasse between parties. Unofficially, he breaks heads and fingers when Vasha and Grix are too busy or too small. Korugg is large even for a Gamorrean and is known, regionally, among his species for his impressive gut size. He is particularly fond of Magda and would do work for free, but Venn-Voss needs him well-fed so that he's strong enough to do it in the first place. Magda always insists he takes the credits he's owed.

=== Chikma ===
{{Quote|Yub yub chika wamma bo shoo! Yippa nub da Mando, yub yub!|Chikma the Mandalorian}}

=== Mekka the Hutt ===
{{Quote|I have never had to remind her who pays her. She remembers. Smart girl. Pretty, too.|Mekka the Hutt}}
Mekka the Hutt is Magda and Vasha’s patron and benefactor. The relatively young and ambitious Hutt first encountered the pair during their early days on Nar Shaddaa and quickly took a liking to them, particularly Magda. Over the years, Mekka has served as both mentor and close ally, providing them with opportunities, resources, and protection. He encouraged their partnership and watched with amusement as they rose through his organization. While he maintains a certain affectionate distance (knowing he will outlive them by centuries), he genuinely values their loyalty and skills.

=== Rome Arde ===
{{Quote|She’s my cousin, but she’s also my favorite troublemaker. Some things never change.|Roma Arde}}
Roma is Magda's younger cousin, who, much to the chagrin of her family, followed in Magda's footsteps some years after her departure from Chandrila. However, Magda's and Vasha's unlikely luck was not repeatable and Roma fell in with a tough crowd on Chandrila itself. Disappearing from her household and living among the hidden lower classes on the aristocratic world, Roma began a relationship with spice that would plague her for years to come. Finally, when faced with death, Roma reached out to Magda to ask for help, not able to face the shame of returning to her family. Magda obliged, paying the fare to get Roma from Chandrila to Daleem. She and Vasha funded and enabled Roma's rehabilitation. Today, she maintains a stable job as the bartender at the Sandbar, and is one of Magda's closest friends. She never stopped looking up to her and would be surprised to learn that Magda looks up to her in turn.

=== Hull Derech ===
{{quote|She's infuriating. I know she's cheating. I know it! Everyone else thinks she's delightful, which just makes it worse.|Hull Derech}}
Hull Derech is a youthful courier with Ged’s courier service. Born and raised on Daleem, he is now an adult who loathes the colony and dreams of escaping to the larger galaxy. Fortunately for Hull, he is a decent sabacc player, particularly considering his youth. Even more fortunately, his employer, Ged Nariss, is a retired sabacc legend who has taken him under his wing. Hull is a regular fixture at Magda’s standing game. Outwardly, he detests her. She doesn’t play right. She folds winning hands. She wins with nothing. But inwardly, Hull is obsessed.

=== Ged "The Idiot" Narriss ===
{{quote|She's beaten me more times than I care to admit. I remember every hand. I don't think she remembers any of them.|Ged "The Idiot" Narriss}}
Ged Narriss is a legendary sabacc player, with a name known at gambling tables across the galaxy. After a major game-fixing scandal, he took what winnings he had left and retired to Daleem, a place with a small enough economy that he could eke out a living for the rest of his years on that small amount. He started his delivery service, Shoreline Courier Service, in order to bolster his meager finances, and now makes a substantial amount of money running the weapons and drugs that Magda's organization brings in from off world. He further supplements his income by playing at her sabacc game. He and Magda are the two best players at the table and maintain a playful rivalry as well as a number of inside jokes none of the other players ever pick up on. For Narriss's part, Magda is Hull Derech's final lesson: a player who plays the players, rather than playing the cards. So far Derech has not understood on what Ged is trying to teach.

[[Category:Odan-Urr_members]]
[[Category:Characters]]

Erasmus Kharse

2026-09-08T21:02:16Z

Tarvitz: /* The Pale Wanderer */

{{Eras|rep|imp|rdb|exd|nor}}

{{Construction}}

{{Character
|order= Sith
|image= [[File:Kharse.png|250px]]
|firstname= Erasmus
|lastname= Kharse
|homeworld=
|birth= {{Birthyear_and_Age|BBY|76}}
|placeofbirth=
|death=
|placeofdeath=
|causeofdeath=
|species= [[starwars:Arkanian/Legends|Arkanian]] with some [[starwars:Epicanthix/Legends|Epicanthix]] ancestry
|gender= Male
|hair= Silver-white
|eyes= Blue
|height= 1.77M
|weight= 70kg
|cyber=
|mother=
|father=
|siblings=
|children=
|spouse=
|allies= *[[Collective]] (Formerly)
|enemies= *[[Children of Mortis]]
*[[Collective]]
*[[Nikora Rhan]]
*Countless minor and middling powers
|saber=
|form=
|weapons=
|fightingstyle=
|profession=
|position=
|era= *[[Republic era]]
*[[Imperial era]]
*[[Rise of the Brotherhood era]]
*[[Exodus era]]
*[[Dark_Jedi_Brotherhood_Timeline#New_Order_era|New Order era]]
|affiliation=
|ship=
|masters=
|apprentices=
|dossier= [[dossier:14751|14751]]
|sheet=
}}

'''Erasmus Kharse''', known once also as the '''King Breaker''', the '''Arch Genomancer''', the '''Master''', and '''Grand Chirurgeon''', was an [[StarWars:Arkanian/Legends|Arkanian]] [[StarWars:Sith Lord/Legends|Sith Lord]] and ruler of a minor domain deep within [[StarWars:Wild Space/Legends|Wild Space]]. Once a grand warlord who raised up a band of corsairs into a powerful armada, Kharse ruled a powerful warfleet relatively unopposed in his isolated region of the galaxy. Becoming dissatisfied with merely ruling through power with little contest, Kharse gradually turned his attention toward the sciences. Learning what he could of [[StarWars:Sith sorcery/Legends|sorcery]] and [[StarWars:Alchemy/Legends|Alchemy]], Kharse's attention was steadily drawn to crafting and controlling the nature of life itself. Ruling his dominion for decades and leaving to pursue his own experiments on other planets, Kharse left a trail of dead worlds and monsters in his wake. Abandoning and killing every partner as soon as their value was spent in pursuit of knowledge, those who learned of his name came to associate it with betrayal.

Kharse would work for some time with various minor groups while ruling his domain, brokering deals and turning upon his partners as deemed beneficial. This would include the group known as the [[Collective]], and Kharse's quiet infiltration and then treachery would earn his enmity of them. This would be the start of his undoing however. A combination of an internal rebellion, a [[Collective]] assault group cornering him, and the [[Children of Mortis]] deeming him enough of a threat to try and end his life would bring his kingdom to ruin. Kharse would only survive by tricking an old enemy, [[Nikora Rhan]], into coming to his rescue. Although this would ensure his survival, he would be imprisoned and held by [[Clan Odan-Urr]]. Too useful to kill and too dangerous to set free, Kharse is now kept as an asset for when his knowledge is required by them.

== Character History ==

=== The Young Sawbones ===

==== Distant Origin ====

Kharse's exact origins remain unknown, as the Sith has remained tight lipped to all but the most basic of details. While the occasional hint of his history will be given in passing, those who record such matters not that his origins, nature of his father, relationship with his family, and upbringing seem to change constantly. Whether this is Kharse fooling himself or simply misdirecting others remains unknown, but three factors are known with certainty: He was born on a different name to that he chose. He was not born on [[starwars:Arkania/Legends|Arkania]] and has never visited the world. He knew his parents for at least the first five years of his life, and held at least some general awareness of his connection to the [[starwars:The Force/Legends|Force]] from a very early age.

At some point after his adolescence, Kharse would find his way onto a pirate vessel by the name of the ''Chthonian Dawn''. In some tales he was taken in a raid, and either losses taken or a display of talent allowed him to find a place among its crew. A corsair ship operating across the spiral arm of Wild Space, the ship was a raider which preyed upon the weak and the vulnerable. A [[StarWars:Republic Navy/Legends|Republic military]] design dating back to the days of the [[StarWars:Jedi Civil War|Jedi Civil War]], it had been repeatedly upgraded and modified to at least be somewhat more of a threat than those it hunted. In this place Kharse would earn his early skills but little respect from those who surrounded him. Although only Kharse's word is known for this, the Captain supposedly played his crew against one another, fostering discontent and rivalries to both ensure his position and goad them into taking greater treasures in their raids. Most were little more than easily replaced fodder, and the youngest among them were treated as cannon fodder until they had proven valuable.

Multiple encounters with stronger corsair groups supposedly pushed the ship deeper into Wild Space to hunt forgotten planets, and with it Kharse would lose sight of the worlds he had once known. The fate of his parents or any he might have once cared about remains unknown, and Kharse has never spoken of any forgotten friends or blood kin left behind in this time. Whether they were dead or forgotten is something only he knows. By this point, his concern seemed to focus more upon survival and attaining strength above all else.

==== By the Light of Flames ====

Surviving multiple raids in spite of his use as cannon fodder, Kharse would work to make himself useful. This has been confirmed only by his own words, but he actively sought means to ensure he would not be readily killed by a rival or quietly removed. Mechanics and engineers were either removed as required or claimed by factions and used as little more than slaves, while weaponsmiths were actively hunted and killed by rivals if they did not align themselves with a specific faction. Because of this, Kharse found a rapid niche as a medic within the vessel. While a dangerous role, the ''Chthonian Dawn'' had lost many of its previous experts either in violent encounters or foolhardy raids, and had increasing casualties from infections or easily healed wounds. With some existing experience and knowledge of medical matters, Kharse was able to quietly talk his way into becoming an apprentice to the ship's sole surgeon.

Far from squeamish about the sight of blood and capable in his craft, Kharse was able to carve out a protective bubble for himself through his talents. Refusing to take bribes to kill others and avoiding botching surgeries, Kharse balanced threats to his life with active protection. Although others attempted to use threats to end his life in an effort to bump off rivals, his blunt refusal to do so for anyone earned a degree of loyalty from the entire crew. It at least meant there was one relatively neutral area they could rely upon amid the treachery. When one raid party leader attempted to kill Kharse via poison for refusing to kill a ranking officer, he was strung up and flayed within the cargo bay by others. Kharse would quickly use such opportunities for his own benefit, and more than once faked an attempt on his life to kill those he considered a possible threat to his plans.

Becoming accustomed to this control, Kharse would remain in his position for several years, learning his crafts and also quietly picking up additional skills. By the end of his third year on the ship, Kharse brokered a series of agreements and quiet negotiations with several factions. Then, once they were in place he challenged the captain openly. With the crew of the ''Chthonian Dawn'' already suffering from severe discontent after multiple failures, and the captain himself was growing old and fat. Kharse had prepared for a major fight, but instead quickly found himself with the upper hand in their duel, and killed the captain with relative ease. With only a relative few loyalists to remove, Kharse was able to set himself up as overall commander of the vessel.

==== Sinner's Bounty ====

Kharse's leadership would prove to be more cautious than the pirates were used to. This risked rebellion multiple times they would recoginise there was a method to the man's apparent madness. Often planning far ahead and spending his hours pouring over information, Kharse would earn his victories by manipulation and stacking the deck over simple daring and guile. Establishing famines on certain worlds to make them vulnerable, drawing off threats to open the way to seemingly strong but now vulnerable targets for raid, and even the taking of whole harbours for months thanks to simply talking his way past their defenses; Erasmus' first weapon was manipulation. Even through this success, he would find more traditional risks from his comrades. His life was almost ended early into his career in a surprise duel. A subordinate unhappy with his share of the spoils from an especially profitable haul challenged Erasmus for his captaincy. Unable to delay or manipulate events as he desired, Erasmus would almost meet his end as both he and his foe ran one another through. With the blade missing his heart only by inches and taking months to recover, Erasmus would put far more martial prowess into his attacks, relying on displays of skill to deter others from further challenges. Or, as he would put it, "wasting my time with needless bravado."

Even with some troubles among his crew, Erasmus' sole ship would rapidly become a fleet through one carefully timed raid against a port on the fringes of Wild Space. A shipbreakers yard utilised by both the [[StarWars:Judicial Forces/Legends|Republic Judicial Corps]] and [[StarWars:Outland Regions Security Force/Legends|ORSF fleet]] would be infiltrated and claimed by Erasmus' crewmen. Combined with and extremely well timed attack by the ''Cthonian'', and Erasmus was able to flee the yard with two frigates and six corvettes to his flotilla. Spending months to recruit and gather reliable crewmen for each, Erasmus would gain the attention of the Pirate Lord of the region - Seltinar the Hammer. A message with an offer of glory and good fortune was sent to Erasmus, along with a veiled threat should he ignore the message.

==== Red Right Hand ====

The Crimson Spire - Seltinar the Hammer's main stronghold - was an easy location to find, but in an area few would dare to approach. Situated on the surface of a planet, overrun with hostile life and orbiting a dying [[StarWars:Star/Legends|supergiant]], it was encircled by navigational hazards, traps, and ambush points. Simply reaching the world was considered proof of capability, and Erasmus would spend a full year gathering information before finally making the attempt, losing one ship in the effort. Even so, answering Seltinar's message would prove troubling, and Erasmus was challenged by several of the lord's subordinates before arriving. Although Erasmus initially believed these were an effort to oppose potential threats or even mark out their position among the pirates' pecking order. The truth would prove to be more complicated. Seltinar, a [[StarWars:Feeorin/Legends|Feeorin]] outfitted with crude but physically powerful cybernetics, had bid Erasmus and several other pirates to arrive at the world. Both seeking personal glory and to keep his power, he offered each of those he had summoned an offer to gain a position in his organisation. Supplies they often lacked, a reliable port to return to, and an ease of replacing losses in war; all benefits to logistics which Erasmus often found frustrating. Yet to join the group would be to give up freedom and answer to another.

Erasmus quickly saw what this actually intended to offer - Security. There had been several rising pirates in this portion of Wild Space within recent years, through raids, daring assaults, or sheer luck. This had been earning unwanted attention from outsider powers, but each also posed a risk to Seltinar's dominion. By having brought them there and making them offer as a king would, it sought to prevent them disrupting the status quo that had been established. Erasmus already knew rejection wasn't an offer, even before another pirate attempted to leave only to be brutally murdered by Seltinar in person. Yet neither could he simply accept a place in another man's dominion. So, Erasmus accepted the offer, accepted the additional crewmen, and began to make his plans. Each pirate was granted a new target and a witness to see how they accomplished he goal, with many overlapping to force conflict. Erasmus' own victory would be accomplished without bloodshed, sending his rival chasing a decoy target while he hunted down the derelict ship and the prizes within its hold. Yet within that hold Erasmus offered a vague message of assistance for future operations, but with enough imperfections to indicate a fabrication when it was inevitably brought forward to try and bring up Erasmus on accusations of conspiracy.

Year by year, moment by moment, Erasmus would make his decisions carefully and with consideration. Taking risks when needed, taking glory in battle, and ensuring those he stood with were loyal to his own banner. Over the course of the next two years, Erasmus would carefully ensure he was one thing to Seltinar above all others - Indispensable to managing his dominion.

==== Who Laughs Loudest ====

Erasmus would finally make his move during the [[StarWars:Stark Hyperspace War/Legends|Stark Hyperspace War]]. With attention drawn elsewhere due to the [[StarWars:Stark Commercial Combine|Stark Commercial Combine]] posing a direct and obvious threat to the Republic, Seltinar was forced to make his move. Although in part driven by several defections from Seltinar's own fleets to the Combine, and the decision putting Stark on a pedestal far above Seltinar's own accomplishments. Although certainly a minor and distant threat, making a far stronger stand seemed to irk the pirate lord, and he made a demand of Erasmus to target a Republic world they would have otherwise ignored. Well fortified and far beyond the protective chaos of Wild Space, Erasmus repeatedly refused. Only when Seltinar was forced to publicly rebuke Erasmus and cite Stark indriectly as his reason for pursuing such a dangerous target did Erasmus opt to move. However, Erasmus slowed his pace, stopping repeatedly for seemingly minor ventures which offered them little benefit. Although this brought whispers of Erasmus being cowardly, a handful realised he was simply biding his time and waiting for something. The "something" in question would follow only days later, with the collapse of the Combine and loss of the entire organisation to a joint [[StarWars:Trade Federation/Legends|Trade Federation]] and [[StarWars:Jedi/Legends|Jedi]] assault, along with Stark's own betrayal of those he stood with.

Erasmus spoke to the other captains of this, and then cited Seltinar's own seemingly unhinged behaviour, and how he had seen this as so much of a threat he was sending them to their deaths in the name of a bruised ego. He then admitted to delaying, certain this would happen, and asked which they would prefer in control - A man who couldn't recognise lost battle and would waste lives on an idiot's gambit out of pride, or a leader who saw it for what it was and would delay wasting lives until he witnessed its collapse. Erasmus' prior reputation and talent was enough to turn most to his side, and the few who refused were quickly removed from any position of leadership.

When Erasmus returned to the Crimson Spire, he had already won the battle. Carefully having positioned his own men in areas to best control the facility, closing down defenses and removing the few too loyal to be trusted, Erasmus' fleet returned and took control without firing a single shot. Seltinar would die some time later in the bowls of his palace, hunted down in the dark after being robbed of all power and authority to his name. After a few well crafted conflicts to weaken the few who might pose an immediate threat to his control, Erasmus took the throne as the new pirate lord of his fleets.

=== The Crimson King ===

==== Wolf at the Door ====

Erasmus' victory bore with it more treasures than he could have ever dreamed. Riches plundered across a century of piracy, coveted technologies taken from hospital ships and science stations, even lost artworks thought to have long been destroyed but found on derelicts. All were housed within the Crimson Spire, and much of it fascinated him. Yet, to keep the loyalty of those he stood with, Erasmus would give up many of these to his captains. As much for the sake of avoiding civil war as cementing his new rule, Erasmus handed out a portion of the tower's wealth to those who had stood alongside him. With it came a promise to each captain - For the first year under his rule there would be no tribute taken from any of them, and their lord would stand only on his own strengths. This was, by his own crew, seen as madness but it was too generous of an offer for the others to simply ignore. Yet neither understood that he was simply buying himself time to take advantage of an unexpected discovery. While rooting through the innards of the spire, Erasmus had uncovered a hidden museum of sorts. Within it were boundless treasures and icons of a [[StarWars:Sith Empire/Legends|long dead empire]] and the items of its lords. Erasmus only found a scant few notes as to why it had been hidden, but each indicated it was too useful to remove but too dangerous to wield.

Buoyed by the curiosity and sense of triumph he had gained from his new position, Erasmus walked alone in these places, without his guards or security of any kind. It was during this time that his crew, veterans all who had known him for years, seemed to notice a change. Both a self-assurance which went beyond simple certainty of his skills and into a surety of things to come, as if he knew what would come to pass next. Furthermore, certain figures would end up dead before they might turn against him. As if the moment they spoke against his rule, misfortune would befall them. This would come to pass when the full raiding flotilla of Raith the Black would be destroyed in a freak accident, encountering a rival and far larger fleet in an engagement which should have been impossible.

The ability Erasmus had gained stemmed from what he had found in those museums, especially a number of ancient tomes. Crafted by those who had [[StarWars:Brotherhood of Darkness/Legends|almost annihilated the Republic in days long gone]], it detailed how to tap into an inner power and harness the potential to kill and shape fate itself to their benefit. The only thing which gave Erasmus pause was the understanding that, however capable, these same skills had not preserved their leaders from ultimate death and defeat. Yet, some part of him felt a calling to it and a natural inclination to use the powers detailed within its pages. And with every page turned, the newly crowned pirate king claimed with it the power of a sorcerer.

==== Dead Men Tell All Tales ====

If there was any unease among the corsair lords of Kharse's dominion, they did not raise their voices. The unnatural powers that Erasmus was cultivating granted them an edge few other minor lords could benefit from, least of all [[starwars:Precognition/Legends|his ability to seemingly predict future events to their benefit]]. Those who did see Erasmus departure as a possible sign of weakness would soon find themselves in error, with some meeting their end within hours of discussing breaking from the fleet or attempting to assassinate Erasmus himself. More impressively, Erasmus' own strategies would seemingly follow illogical or bizarre patterns, only to to have raids and planned strikes succeed in time with natural disasters or failures.

Erasmus himself would lead fleets repeatedly during this time, but all too often would seek out odd or strange targets which seemingly made no sense at first. Outlying worlds with seemingly no material benefit or strong infrastructure or even any life at all. Yet on each he would continually find a hidden fortune. On an airless abandoned world Erasmus led his vessels to a mountainside, and spent several weeks digging into the side of it. This risked mutiny, until one dig site uncovered a long-buried base, dating back to the earliest days of [[StarWars:Xim/Legends|Xim the Despot]]. Although long outdated and utterly obsolete, the technology within was an archaeological treasure trove, and Erasmus was able to sell the bulk of it to private collectors; keeping only a selection of data crystals for himself.

A much later conflict would see Erasmus leading a raid directly into a warzone between two Outer Rim warlords, raiding a museum several kilometres from the frontlines but blowing up the landing zone for one side. The chaotic rout which followed Erasmus' forces were able to withdraw as one warlord was lost in battle, even going so far as to steal several of their dropships as they retreated. This would be the first of several unforeseen consequences in Erasmus' ambitions. The surviving warlord would turn his attention to Erasmus' fleets, seeing them as a rival, and initiating a protracted war which would drag out for over a decade.

Yet it was during this time that Erasmus began to experiment with darker powers. The ability to speak with the spirits of the dead, to torment and even read their essences for information. This would result in the requests for bodyparts by Erasmus, often disguising the effort of his activities by demanding the heads of his foes. Erasmus' throne room would soon be joined by the skulls of his defeated enemies or those of "worthy status", with their spirits bound to them and serving as an unwilling advisory council. Though no pirate could state why, they would begin to feel a sense of nearby pain when in Erasmus' presence, as if witnessing a public execution.

==== Anamathea's Dream ====

With his power in the Force growing, Erasmus set his sights on wider grabs for strength. With little warning he spoke to every ship serving him, summoning them to their bastion world and organising them into multiple battlegroups over their standard formations. The surprise of this was abrupt and to many it seemed as if Erasmus had gone mad, mobbing together the cutthroats and traitors into single organised combat formations which could easily implode into infighting. The alliance between them was kept in check largely by self benefit and greed over any true loyalty, and even the news that Kharse himself would be leading one such group did little to still concerns. Matters were made worse only when Kharse cited their main targets - The treasure worlds of both a [[StarWars:Hutt/Legends|Hutt]] family of middling power, the primary stronghold of a notorious rival pirate lord they had thus far avoided irking, and the major resource mining planet linked to the [[StarWars:Trade Federation/Legends|Trade Federation]].

The last of these proved enough to have several captains openly challenge Kharse, claiming he had lost his mind. Each of these was dealt with by Kharse in turn, each in open battle where odd quirks of fate or misfortune always ensured his opponents met their end at his blade. This quelled at least some word against him, but nevertheless concern remained high as they moved out, leaving only a token force to safeguard their holdings. What followed would become a string of assaults known as the Red Scar Raid in generations to come, as much for Kharse's bizarre streak of good fortune as the strange events which felled their foes.

The moment that Kharse's fleets set off after their chosen targets, several actions played out one after another. The Hutts became embroiled in a feud with a rival family, diverting their attention and personal armies away from the targets Kharse had outlined. For two critical days the battlegroup ran rampant over their chosen worlds, escaping with no shortage of personal treasures, slaves, and precious metals. The rival pirate king Kharse led his fleet personally against had been quietly tacking an outbreak of disease among several of his holdings borne from corrupted water supplies; those who raced to defend against the assault were limited in strength and capability. Within days, Kharse had purged every world of resistance and plunged the castle which had served as his foe's stronghold into the heart of a sun, taking the pirate king's skull as a trophy by the battle's end.

The raid upon the Trade Federation was to be the action most fraught with danger, but a new circumstance arose on the same day which drew away many ships from the chosen sector. The defensive vessels and trading ships had been directed to [[StarWars:Invasion of Naboo/Legends|blockade the world of Naboo]], devoting them to fully surrounding the world. Unable to withdraw from their chosen operation, the pirate forces were able to raid multiple storehouses and targets without reprisal, then withdraw in their own leisurely time.

The stunning success concluded with a return to their strongholds, which had been left intact following their departure. No word had come of any assault or threat, but those left to defend it were unnerved. They spoke of certain attempts by known raiders to target Kharse's territories, but offered no details to their fate. The only clue as to what had taken place was a recording, of pained and unending screaming from the crews who had attacked before something ripped them out of realspace and back into hyperspace. The cause behind this or even how Kharse had known when to strike was a matter he remained tight lipped on.

==== No Greater Victory ====

The Red Scar campaign would be just the start of many such sudden rampages Kharse would inflict upon the surrounding sectors. Time and again he would muster his fleets, summoning them for a new campaign for parts unknown, and time and again they would return victorious. Such efforts were never safe and never weak, but Kharse knew how to leverage the greed and ambition of those under him in his favour. Carefully pitting fractious and determined factions against one another, he would manipulate them as easily as a piece on a [[StarWars:Dejarik/Legends|Dejarik]] board, using their personal failings or character flaws to his benefit. Yet Kharse himself was careful. Rarely turning directly to conquest, he would only expand his reach to a few planets at a time, and even then rarely offering any one underling total authority over the region. To him control mattered more than power, and there was a balance to be struck there.

Even with his modest holdings, the Republic was not unaware of the threat Kharse's fleets posed and made several efforts to root him out. Each ended in failure, with a flotilla of [[StarWars:Judicial Forces/Legends|Judicial Forces]] ships ventured into his space, a freak incident with an energy anomaly tore them apart. When a Jedi was sent to investigate them, Kharse dealt with them personally. Capturing the Jedi alive, few knew what Kharse had planned for the [[StarWars:Jedi Knight/Legends|Knight]], only that his screams would echo from Kharse's personal chambers for months to follow. Year after year, decade after decade, Kharse would carefully maneuver his holdings and choose his battles with a mix of fate favoured recklessness and precision care which seemed to contradict one another. Although some still wondered how good fortune always seemed to favour him, such questions were easily silenced by the next bounty his decisions brought to them.

The outbreak of the [[StarWars:Clone Wars/Legends|Clone Wars]] did little to change Kharse's tactics, save for having to account for a far more militarised galaxy. Although Kharse pointedly avoided direct confrontations to avoid bleeding his forces or drawing them into a protracted conflict, but at the same time picked clear and beneficial targets for his own use. Despite having a longer standing enmity with the Republic, the CIS was Kharse's chosen opposition in this time. This was as much due to the larger and wealthier corporations serving as the backbone of its military making for profitable ventures as certain individuals who offered a potential risk. These were beings powerful in the Force, [[StarWars:Dark Acolyte/Legends|either acting as servants for a powerful figure in the Dark Side]] or lesser known factions attempting to turn the war to their advantage. Unwilling to ignore potential rivals following an encounter with one Dark Acolyte, Kharse pointedly attacked and raided sites of Force relics to keep for himself, and deny them strength.

By the time of the Clone Wars' end, Kharse had remarkably accomplished all he had desired - Between captured ships and those he had begun manufacturing, he had a fleet worthy of any warlord. His servants and followers were loyal to his banner via self-interest without compromising their ruthless talent for destruction and ambition, and his worlds were minor and well guarded enough to be overlooked by the major powers. Best of all was a vast library of occult teachings and rituals of Sith long past, allowing him to slowly enhance his power over time undisturbed or challenged by others. To Kharse this was the victory he had long desired, and as with all things it was not to last.

==== Scattering of Embers ====

Kharse had known that the Clone Wars would not last, and that one side would eventually emerge victorious. Unconcerned with the conflict, he was content to allow for the chaos to dominate the galaxy and take advantage of the bloodshed. A supply post raid in one place, attacking a logistics convoy another, his targets were always well chosen and well timed. On the rare situations in which he encountered rival Dark Side users, Kharse relished the challenge to test his powers against them, while ever avoiding the more powerful players in the galaxy. The few times his reputation dipped among his followers were when he opted to avoid direct confrontations with [[StarWars:Dooku/Legends|Count Dooku]] or [[StarWars:Grievous/Legends| General Grievous]], and a skirmish against [[StarWars:Sev'rance Tann/Legends|Sev'rance Tann]] in which [[StarWars:Decimator (war machine)|Decimators]] routed his troops.

When Kharse felt the war coming to a close and an ending in which the Republic would emerge victorious, Kharse was certain he would see a far more militant opposition to his activities. Years of war and a vast standing military would not be so easily set aside, and the complacency of the Republic would no longer be a quality they could rely upon. Kharse would soon find himself both entirely right and wrong beyond his understanding. The conflict's final days would see the complete annihilation of the Jedi, abrupt decapitation of the CIS' leadership, and the reformation of the Republic into the [[StarWars:Galactic Empire/Legends|Galactic Empire]] with militant peacekeeping giving way to tyranny. Most pressing of all was the rise of [[StarWars:Palpatine/Legends|Palpatine]] as its leader, and enforcing his will with a powerful cadre of Dark Side wielders. Kharse knew enough to recognise as Sith when he saw one, and realised now that the prior conflict had been a mere theatre show so one side could make its play for power. That added complications, as a violent reprisal was certain.

Kharse would reorganise his entire domain in swift order, abandoning certain outposts and even once core strongholds to his powerbase. Others would be turned into massive traps, while the few remaining assets were poisoned. When the Empire did finally respond with a full invasion force, they ploughed headlong into a nightmare war. One world was besieged for over a year, as the Imperials diverted growing numbers of forces to a siege, battling their way through waves of heavy orbital defenses, only to finally claim the seemingly active supply base below and find it hollowed out. Another apparent stronghold would be claimed, secured, and its data passed on; only for the data to lead them into a string of ambushes and surprise assaults. The stronghold would then suddenly suffer a reactor meltdown three months in, exploding and costing thousands of lives. On the rare moment in which the Imperials claimed a beachhead on a populated world, the Imperials were constantly attacked by hyper-violent parasites and entities crafted to specifically harvest humans. Even ships which seemingly found safe harbour in open space would be disrupted, either afflicted by energies so potent that their typical defenses would be overwhelmed and kill the crew, or torn apart in subspace rifts typical of Wild Space.

Over the course of six years Kharse would burn the dominion he had crafted and scatter the ashes, using them to poison and kill anyone who attempted to prey upon his territories. Only twice had Kharse ever exposed himself to open war and allowed his ships to be seen, just enough to force the Imperials to commit to further fighting. Several full legions would be committed to the battle and then withdrawn along with a full battlegroup, badly mauled by the experience. Eventually with too many failures, the Empire would withdraw entirely from the sector, opting to instead more heavily guard patrols and keep a beacon network along with gravity well generators to try and contain pirate activity. Kharse would rebuild several lost worlds as further traps, but these would not be needed, and he would pull his assets deeper into Wild Space. Focusing instead upon seizing any remaining Trade Federation or CIS ships and bases before the Empire claimed them, Kharse's fleet remained at strength in spite of their sacrifices, giving them time to fully rearm and maintain their corsair raiding activities.

Yet the Imperial campaign would have an impact upon Kharse. Already increasingly dissatisfied with more material assets and tapping into more esoteric aspects of the Force, Kharse's mind turned to far more twisted methods of gaining power.

=== The Pale Wanderer ===

==== Onto that Unconquered Land ====

Even as he rebuilt his personal domain and continued to skirmish with Imperial patrols, Kharse watched the wider galaxy with growing disinterest. He was aware he had been outplayed without Palpatine ever knowing of his existence, and that a greater power now ruled all of the known worlds. Whatever he had built was little more than a hermit kingdom which survived by avoiding direct attention. Yet even so, he could feel history repeating. There were already rumblings of a [[StarWars:Alliance to Restore the Republic/Legends|rebellion]] from multiple sources. Former CIS allies, former leaders of the Republic's own armies, and now independent groups who were not involved. Kharse saw in it a superimposed version of his own fractured leadership, trying to balance and control multiple groups even as they threatened to turn against him. In that, he saw the Empire as the ultimate failing of his way of claiming power.

Palpatine now had all that Kharse might have dreamed of. A world of plenty, to control and rebuild as he desired, with no place beyond his reach and no coffer he could not plunder. Yet now there was no challenge. Kharse watched for years as Palpatine's forces put down one rebellion after the next, locked away the galaxy, and ruled it with an iron fist - Yet seemed to hold no greater ambition. No true effort was made to reshape the galaxy to his will beyond turning it into a jail cell for others, no grand ambitions were raised beyond petty monuments and new military garrisons. Even the very technological advances found in the Clone Wars seemed to wither and die off, as demand for new vehicles in number outstripped the quality of prior creations.

While Kharse would competently lead his forces and rebuild them, his attention then turned inward. Rather than simply hoarding and gaining assets as so many of his subordinates did with growing obsession, he considered more ambitious goals. Goals where he did not simply claim and gather the rare metals that life had formed at random, but commanded life to form them and rebuilt them as his own. To not be resigned to die trying to form a soulless and short-lived domain over a galaxy which neither noticed or cared he existed, but to reshape the very fabric and nature of that galaxy to his whims.

It would be in this time that Kharse would begin to find darker works, and explore the nature of [[StarWars:Sith alchemy/Legends|alchemic forging]] and its founding principles on reshaping life.

=== The Reluctant Warrior ===

=== The Useful Prisoner ===

== Physical Description ==

== Personality ==

== Equipment ==

== Powers and Abilities ==

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2026-09-08T20:32:17Z

Tarvitz:

[[Category:Images-Locations]]
== Licensing ==
{{AI Art}}