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- "Well, then I suggest you start masturbating yourself blind because everything else I'll suggest requires nudity."
- ―Shadow Taldrya
Shadow Taldrya, real name unknown, is a Dark Jedi Master of Clan Taldryan. After spending most of his childhood apprenticed to a former Sovereign Protector, he was inducted into the Dark Jedi Brotherhood. Under the tutelage of Dark Jedi such as Jac Cotelin, Sharad Taldrya Hett, and Keirdagh Taldrya Cantor, Shadow rose quickly through the ranks and garnered much praise and recognition for his work in both his Clan and the Brotherhood.
A steadfast and loyal member of the Clan for many years, Shadow has fought in most every major conflict that has arisen between Taldryan and the rest of the Brotherhood. A renowned swordsman, Shadow spends a great deal of time enhancing his physical skills, while forsaking his Force discipline. Though a Master by rank, much of the Elder-level abilities are beyond his power. Because of this, Shadow tends to attack quickly and decisively, before letting his Jedi-trained adversaries a chance to channel the Force.
After his capture and subsequent escape from a Yuuzhan Vong Slaveship, much of Shadow’s nonchalant attitude was lost, replaced with a growing hunger to avenge himself and his Clan. Working with the Brotherhood’s warriors, Shadow used what he had learned aboard the Slaveship to help teach younger Jedi how to battle the Force-invisible foes. But this only fueled his rage, and he decided to pursue his own vengeance, leaving the Brotherhood behind for many months. Having returned at last, Shadow stands poised to lead Clan Taldryan into a final battle with the Vong.
Biography
Early Life (5 BBY - 5 ABY)
Born on Coronet City, the Capital of Corellia in 5 BBY, four years before the creation of the Alliance to Restore the Republic. His father, Garren, was a senior officer in the Corellian Security Force, a well-respected and powerful man. As a toddler, he followed Garren everywhere he went. He was lovingly called his father's little shadow, which eventually became a nickname that stuck. They lived a comfortable life during those early years, but that peaceful existence was not meant to last.
As it turned out, his father had been cutting deals with the local crime syndicate. In exchange for paying off his debt, he made sure that certain evidence would never make it out of CorSec headquarters and kept his men out of the Blue Sector to keep from interfering with the illegal activities going on there. In 2 BBY, when Shadow's father was drafted into military service, the protection he had traded for was gone. The debts returned, along with favors owed, so Shadow and his mother were forced to sell their home, still indebted to the Syndicate.
Abandonment Issues
With his father on the other side of the galaxy and his mother working for the Syndicate, Shadow was forced to grow up fast and learn fend for himself. Left to wander the sprawling city alone he quickly picked up basic survival instincts, managing to avoid the more violent slums and make friends in the tougher gangs, though most of his free time was spent hanging CorSec headquarters and running errands for his father's old buddies. In return, they would pass him a few credits every now and then and let him practice with their weapons and equipment. Eventually, they even took to teaching him some hand-to-hand combat skills.
Trials of Youth (5 ABY - 16 ABY)
Independence
- "There's no one left to tell me what to do."
- ―Shadow, to Captain Odis
For the first time in his life, Shadow was truly alone in the galaxy. His father was all but dead to him and he had no other kin on Corellia. With the entire galaxy before him, Shadow sought to travel to the most distant stars. With the help of one of his father's old friends, he managed to get hired aboard a smuggling vessel, the Silver Tongue. The Captain, Odis, kept him on as little more than a laborer. He was made to stay inside during negotiations and always had to load and offload cargo with an old lifting droid. The only real pleasure he got from the job was sitting at a viewport watching the stars fly by or seeing a planet from space before they touched down.
It wasn't until they returned to Corellia that things went wrong. Docked at Centerpoint Station, Odis got into an argument over payment, which led to a violent altercation. The Captain and his co-pilot were taken down in a hail of gunfire before their pistols could be drawn.
Corellia Shadow had reacted faster than them, hurling himself behind the ramp of the ship and drawing his bryar pistol. He forced himself to remain still, though he had never felt more of an urge to run. Before he could make a move, he heard an odd hiss followed by a vibrant humming. Shouts were quickly followed by screams and bursts of blaster fire. He didn't know what was happening, but he didn't dare run now. Quite suddenly all was silent, but for the odd humming noise. Forcing himself to move, Shadow slid out from cover and fired two shots. Both blasts were ricocheted off of a glowing red blade, then his weapon was yanked from his hand by an invisible force.
The man turned the mysterious weapon off and handed Shadow's pistol back to him. The stranger was a man of about forty, with prematurely white hair and sharp features. He wore a tattered brown cloak, black combat boots, and limped heavily on his left foot, and had somehow saved Shadow's life. He introduced himself as Kotus, a former Sovereign Protector, one of the elite guardsmen that had once served the Emperor. He claimed to have a limited understanding of the the Force, but was quite adept at lightsaber combat. He said he had felt Shadow's need and realized he had Jedi-potential. Kotus held out a hand and offered him a small, unadorned lightsaber hilt... and the training he would need to use it.
Apprenticeship
- "Let's go, old man. We're not getting into another fight over your damned Empire."
- ―Shadow, calming down a drunk Kotus.
Shadow's apprenticeship spanned nearly a decade. During that time, Kotus taught him the intricacies of wielding a lightsaber and using the Force to enhance his battle prowess to overcome impossible odds. The lessons started out simple enough, learning of the various lightsaber and Force forms and meditating while traveling hyperspace. He advanced quickly with the lightsaber. They began sparring every day and discussing the Force at night, though Shadow preferred physical combat to mental.
Whenever they weren't training, they would be in the heart of a city, exploring dangerous slums, earning money playing cards or betting on the local races. With his limited knowledge of the Force, Kotus always stacked the odds in their favor, which kept them fed and bought them a bed to sleep on... usually with a moderately priced whore for company. Shadow's years spent training taught him as much about life and the galaxy as it did about the Force and the Jedi arts. Their travels took them from the stunning capital of Coruscant to the ghettos of Nar Shadaa and everywhere in between.
File:Nar shadaa streets.jpgStreets of Nar Shadaa
Wherever they traveled, though, they drew trouble to them like a magnet. Trouble over cards and dice, over women, over the Empire. Shadow didn't buy into Imperial or Republic propaganda, but always backed his master, usually saving their necks when things got out of hand. Kotus would call it "hands-on training" once he sobered up, but Shadow didn't mind. He enjoyed the time he spent amongst the scum of the galaxy. Whether in the seedy bars and brothels or working for crime lords and bounty hunters, Shadow felt at home.
Discovery
- "You abandoned us. You abandoned us and she died. I'll kill you!"
- ―Shadow, discovering the truth about his father
Fallen
- "He was an asshole, a drunk, and a whore-monger... the best teacher I could have ask for."
- ―Shadow, reflecting on his father's death
As his father's lifeless body slumped to the ground, Shadow heightened awareness revealed he was not alone. A lone man stood behind him, radiating darkness. Still filled with hatred, he turned around and lashed out with the Force, sending a crushing wave of energy at the intruder. The man waved his hand deflecting the attack and let out a low, mocking laugh. Enraged, Shadow jumped him, his lightsaber swinging for the man's head. A white blade flashed in the near-darkness and blocked the attack. Shadow spun backwards and prepared to swing again, but his lightsaber was yanked from his hand. He was defenseless. Beaten. Ripples of amusement spread through the Force, causing renewing Shadow's rage. Before he could rise and attack again, the flawless white blade was just before his neck. He stared up into the darkness of the man's cloaked face and awaited his death.
However, Shadow was once again sparred that grim fate. The cloaked man introduced himself as Keirdagh Cantor, and offered Shadow further training and more power than he could possibly imagine. Keirdagh explained that he was a member of a Dark Brotherhood, a group of fallen Jedi who had joined together after the fall of the Empire. Those with potential were brought to the planet Eos, where their training could be completed in secret. Away from the New Republic and Luke Skywalker's fledgling Jedi Academy. The choice was obvious. Turning his back on his previous life, on the lies and deceit and betrayals, Shadow accepted Keirdagh's offer and was named an Apprentice of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood.
The Dark Side (16 ABY - 17 ABY)
Shadow Academy
- "Forget the karking Force. Give me back my lightsaber!"
- ―Acolyte Shadow, Force training
Shadow's transition to the rigid training practices of the Shadow Academy was far from smooth. Having spent so many years with free reign over his lessons, the rules imposed on him by the Brotherhood were quite constraining. The worst of it was the loss of his lightsaber. The last remnant of his old life that his father had given him so many years ago, that he had trained with and fought with, was taken away because his rank precluded the ownership of such a weapon. It was this inflexibility that turned him against the Academy and, for many years, he would only speak of it with disdain.
His initial lightsaber training was boring. He was already well-versed in the core forms, which made relearning the basic marks of contact and maneuvers very unappealing. Shadow instead decided to prove himself worthy for advancement by challenging a group of Jedi from the Intermediate class. After handily defeating his first three opponents, the other members of the class attacked him as one. The training sabers they used were non-lethal, but the wounds they inflicted were still painful. All but one joined against him. A fellow human helped him to fend off the onslaught, a young man by the named of SwipeR, who had just recently been promoted.
The two eventually managed to fight their way to a stand-off, when the senior instructors stepped in and reprimanded them both for starting fights. Their punishment, though, was an early promotion to the advanced class. The two bonded quickly after that and worked together to complete the rest of their training.
Despite his quick succession through the lightsaber classes, the study of the Force was an altogether different matter. As his teachers so often pointed out to him, he was far too impulsive to grasp the "depth and subtle nuance" of the Force. This inability on his part didn't overly concern him. Shadow preferred to rely on quick thinking and physical skill to defeat his enemies. However, it was required that he learn something of the Force to advance so, through strict training regiments and solitary meditation, he gained a limited understanding of the most practical techniques. Instead of harnessing the raw power of the Dark Side to reign destruction upon others, he opted instead to learn abilities that would further enhance his combat prowess.
Beginning of the End
- "Pathetic. I could learn more from a kriffing bantha."
- ―Shadow, frustrated with the leaders of House Galeres
Shortly after being promoted to the rank of Acolyte and graduating from the Shadow Academy, Shadow stood at a crossroads. Because of his unfavorable attitude, the Headmaster suggested he transfer to House Galeres, the Obelisk House of Clan Arcona thinking it would be the best fit for him. The Headmaster was greatly mistaken. Incessant squabbling was the prevailing atmosphere in Galeres and general activity was lacking, but events outside of the Clan were moving at a fast pace.
At the meager rank of Acolyte, Shadow was more or less unaware of the mounting conflict in the Brotherhood. Grand Master Zoraan was abusing his power and lashing out at the Clans, which he felt were trying to usurp him. This power struggle quickly erupted into a full scale war, as forces from the Emperor's Hammer allied with certain Clans to take the Grand Master down. Though he was no where near the battle, Shadow was told tales of the Force Storm that was unleashed and tore the Dark Hall asunder. After the battle, and oblivious to the possible future repercussions, the Dark Council surrendered to the will of the Hammer's Fleet Commander and allowed him to appoint the next Grand Master.
Arcona had been indecisive during the conflict, instead falling prey to drawn out and pointless debates. This inaction during a time of crisis proved to Shadow that he did not belong with this Clan. His leaders were barely competent and he had received no further training since his time in the Academy. Days after the destruction on Eos, Shadow was at the nearest starport waiting for a transport, leaving nothing more than a datapad informing his Summit that he was transferring.
Shadow began to question his decision to join the Brotherhood. The galaxy was vast and his unique skills would be an incredible asset in nearly any occupation. As he mulled over the possibilities in his future he realized he was being watched. He looked up to see two figures waiting before an immaculate shuttle- one brash and excited, the other cold and calculating. Shadow realized the former was his Academy friend, SwipeR and he was quickly introduced to the latter. Sharad Hett was a Quaestor looking for tough, capable Dark Jedi to rebuild his House. At SwipeR's urging, Shadow agreed to accompany them back to Kaiburr, the home planet of House Dinaari.
Brotherhood Within
- "Clan Taldryan:A brotherhood within a brotherhood."
- ―Sharad Hett
Shadow's transition to becoming a member of Taldryan was as quick as it was absolute. He shared a bond with the members of his new House and Clan, one he had not truly had since his family had been torn apart. His skill with a blade was a source of pride, whereas in the Academy it had given rise to jealousy and hatred. The entire Clan fostered a sense of unity, of brotherhood, which proved to Shadow he had at last found his place in the Galaxy.
Taldryan did not support the traditional training method of master and apprentice, preferring a more communal mentoring. Elder members of the Clan taught the younger and so all shared the same drive for excellence, the same values and motivations. The constant disputes and disagreements that had defined the members of Arcona was replaced with a fierce loyalty towards one's brethren. Led by former Grand Master Jac Cotelin and his Proconsul Keirdagh Cantor, the Clan was impeccably commanded. Even the lowliest of members were viewed as equals and Shadow spent much time learning from his Clan Summit.
File:Dinaariclaw.jpgHouse Dinaari Logo
This mentorship, the knowledge and wisdom passed on to him, was the primary reason he was approached to fill the role of Dinaari Quaestor at the mere rank of Jedi Hunter. Less than a year after transferring out of Arcona, Shadow was appointed leader of the most powerful Obelisk House in the Brotherhood. Wary of his newly acquired responsibility, he chose to fill the vacant position of Aedile with someone he knew he could trust and that had always had his back. The choice was obvious. Shortly after his elevation, he added SwipeR to the Dinaari Summit to help him in reviving the once stalwart House and prepare for the battles yet to come.
A Jedi's Weapon
- "It's not the first one I've held and something tells me it won't be the last."
- ―Shadow, upon receiving his lightsaber
Shadow's first true leadership challenge came not long after his appointment. Sharad Hett, his former Quaestor now the Obelisk High Commander, wished to test the might of the Obelisk Houses by holding a Brotherhood-wide contest of skill. To fulfill his obligations as a Quaestor, Lord Cotelin decided to promote Shadow to the rank of Dark Jedi Knight and declared that the vendetta would be his personal trial.
Shadow and SwipeR prepared their House for the feud as best they could. Together, they spearheaded Dinaari's efforts in the Obelisk Rite of Supremacy, battling side-by-side to ensure that the House would retain its dominance. After over a month of constant feuding with the best the Obelisk Houses could marshal, Dinaari emerged victorious and regained its title of First House of the Obelisk. It was a momentous occasion and the highlight of Shadow's early career. More importantly, it had proven to the young Quaestor that he had indeed earned the right to wield his lightsaber as a Dark Jedi Knight.
Unfortunately, even the greatest of victories can have unexpected consequences. Having led his House to redemption, Shadow felt he could do no more with what training he had. His time as Quaestor had shifted his priorities to that of the House's future rather than his own. With little left to offer, he stepped into his Consul's office and tendered his resignation. Content with what he had accomplished during his time as a leader, Shadow returned to own training, ever-seeking the perfection of his warrior skills. Now, once again armed with a lightsaber, he was ready to step up and challenge himself against the best the Brotherhood had to offer.
The Politics of Power (18 ABY)
Guardian
- "We seek not fame, nor indulgence, nor glory... We stand united, because we are sworn through our own blood to die as brothers, defending Him with our last breath."
- ―Excerpts from the Code of the Royal Guard
Early in his career as Quaestor, Shadow was inducted into the Grand Master's Royal Guard, the first and last line of defense for the Grand Master. The society was home to the elite warriors of the Brotherhood, trained in the darkest, most deadly arts, many of which were believed to be lost to time. After his resignation, he chose to expand his role in the Guard, besting his peers and rising quickly through the ranks.
File:Gm royal guard.jpgRoyal Guardsmen in training
As Gladiator Prime, Shadow played a key role in both the training of new members and in protecting the Grand Master. It was during an assassination attempt that he proved his worth and discredited the current Commander. Ziguarath was forcibly removed from his position, disgraced in the eyes of the Dark Lord. For his actions during the crisis, Shadow was awarded with the position of Commander of the Guard. It was his first assignment on the Dark Council but, loyal to Taldryan, Shadow initially rejected the appointment. Unable to find another suitable for the position, Grand Master Firefox agreed to a joint membership. Shadow would maintain his allegiance to Taldryan while serving on the Council.
Duplicity
- "I took this job because you couldn't find anyone else capable of doing it. And this is the thanks I get? Had I known your word was that worthless I wouldn't have sworn my life to the protection of yours. Consider this my resignation."
- ―Shadow, resigning from Commander of the Guard
As Commander, Shadow instituted a complete restructuring of the Guard, deciding to implement stricter requirements for both induction and advancement. The Royal Guard had become undisciplined during the reigns of the past few Commanders, leaving the Grand Master and the Council vulnerable to the machinations of the seven Clans. With his new policies in effect, Shadow gathered to him only those with true skill, his own cadre of warriors trained at his own hands.
During this time, Shadow's reputation was such that it drew attention from the Deputy Grand Mistress, Mairin Astoris. Lord Firefox had temporarily vacated his throne, leaving his Deputy in command of the Brotherhood during his absence. When she sought him out, Mairin was aware of a threat to the Brotherhood's survival. She required his assistance in allying the Clans against a Pirate Consortium that had attacked a number of the Brotherhood's outlying Systems. With the help Shadow was able to give, the Deputy Grand Mistress was able to bring the Clans together for the first time since Zoraan seized the dark throne. United under common rule with a common goal, the Brotherhood quickly turned the tide of the war.
As the conflict turned in favor of the Brotherhood, Shadow found himself being shut out of important decisions in regards to the battle planning. No longer would the Deputy heed his advice or seek his assistance in the matters of war. To further compound his problems, his dual allegiance had become a source of contention with the Consuls of the other Clans, and he found himself constantly at odds with the rest of the Council. Despite his efforts, Shadow had been little more than a pawn used by the Shadow Hand and, having served his purpose, was relegated back to a mere guard and servant.
Shadow eagerly awaited the return of the Grand Master. It was he who had agreed to let him serve as both Councilor and Clan member, and surely he would be able to restore order. However, upon Firefox's return to Eos, and despite his previous agreements, the Dark Lord sided with the rest of the Council and forced him to choose between his position and his Clan. To Shadow the choice was obvious. As the war was all but over, Shadow publicly denounced the Dark Council and resigned from the position of Commander of the Guard. Without waiting for punishment or reprimand, he returned to the Karana System to help his Clan eliminate what was left of the pirate fleets.
Defiance (18 - 21 ABY)
Shadow of the Empire
Exodus
Conquest of Antei
Ashes to Flames (21 ABY - 25 ABY)
Infection
Warrior of Taldryan
Elder Rising
Revelations (26 ABY - 29 ABY)
Second Darkness
Captivity
Battle of Antei
- "The only things for us here now are death and pride. Both are fatal."
- ―Aabsdu Dupar, accepting defeat at the hands of the Yuuzhan Vong
From the Darkness (30 ABY)
Determination
- "Someone needs to teach them how to fight. Might as well be me."
- ―Shadow Taldrya, accepting the position of Tribune
Resurgence
- "At this point the reasons don't matter."
- ―Shadow Taldrya, criticizing Sarin's vendetta against the Vong
Unification
- "The feat is not impossible, merely difficult."
- ― Commodore Joss Malin, prior to the re-taking of Antei
The Fall (31 ABY)
- "blah blah blah"
- ―temporary
Physical Appearance
- "Everyone loves Shadow."
- ―Shadow Taldrya
As an adult, Shadow stood 1.87 meters tall and weighed roughly 92 kilograms. His hair was black, the left side brushed down and back, while the right was pulled forward across his forehead. His eyes were a piercing brown under a thick, expressive brow. He had angular features, with high, prominent cheekbones. Years spent undergoing strenuous, physical training gave Shadow a very muscular appearance. Despite having a large frame, Shadow's near-constant training with various lightsaber forms and fighting styles has kept him lithe and agile.
Though a brawler in his youth and a front line soldier for most of his Brotherhood career, Shadow kept his face and body relatively scar-free with the use of bacta and various Force healing techniques. He's had no prosthetic limb replacements - a testament to his skill with a blade. During his younger years, he rarely had trouble finding women to provide him with company, though that could be contributed to his Corellian charm as much as his good looks.
For most of his affairs, Shadow wore a simple, sleeveless black tunic with a high, stiff collar trimmed with a thin line of silver. A wide, leather utility belt held the tunic closed at the waist and carried various equipment, including his custom-crafted lightsabers. His pants were unadorned, black, and tucked into his high combat boots. During occasions of note, he would don a voluminous black cloak over his tunic to add a sense of grandeur to his appearance.
When on mission or during times of war, Shadow would also have a Bryar pistol holstered at his side, along with a pair of daggers strapped to his boots. While undercover, or when visiting planets under the jurisdiction of the New Jedi Order, Shadow would wear a Corellian-themed disguise. He would replace the cloak and tunic with a heavy brown jacket over a loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirt. Instead of his utility belt, he had a simple holster holding his Bryar pistol and carried the rest of his supplies in a brown leather backpack. He also made changes to his personality, adding an air of bravado to his words, and emphasizing his natural Corellian accent.
Personality and traits
- "Do you want to fight, or were you looking for some other kind of workout?"
"Just shut up and take my pants off."
- ―Shadow encounters a random Jedi slut
Charismatic and physically imposing, Shadow stands out amongst most Dark Jedi with his charming smile and nearly all-consuming desire for women and gambling. However, he also has proven himself to be a cunning strategist and gifted leader. Outside of Taldryan, this odd combination of traits is often the source of outrage and utter disgust, but the opinions of the lesser Clans means little to nothing to him. Fearless and strong-willed, Shadow possesses a dry, sarcastic wit and is known to be flippant towards members of the Dark Council.
As a child, Shadow was often left to his own devices, fending for himself for long periods of time. This left him with a strong independent streak and he rarely accepted help from others. Growing up, he learned that the only person he could really count on was himself. In his youth, Shadow was often brash and impulsive. While his father was his "master", he lived very much the scoundrel life and every day was filled with gambling, brawling, and womanizing. Much of his Force training at this point consisted of manipulating dice and sensing what cards his opponents had been dealt. After the solitude of his childhood, he instantly became enthralled with the teeming underbelly of galactic society.
During his first few years in the Brotherhood he would often make enemies with his boisterous attitude and superior swordsmanship. He grew up boasting and, though his ego was small compared to some, his classmates would often react angrily when unable to defeat him in practice. When he found himself with fewer and fewer willing sparring partners, Shadow stopped showing off and would eventually even allow his opponents to score hits against him, figuring that their false sense of accomplishment would provide him with more partners and leave them defenseless in a real fight.
It took the responsibility of leadership to calm Shadow's wild independence. His loyalty to Clan Taldryan had filled a void in his life that he had never had. The Clan had given him a sense of purpose and, for once, he had people to depend on and who depended on him. As a leader, Shadow expected as much from his subordinates as he did from himself. This lead-by-example attitude served to bolster his standing in both the Brotherhood and in the eyes of his Clan members.
Imprisoned aboard a Yuuzhan Vong Slaveship during the Battle of Antei drastically altered Shadow's demeanor. Through force of will he maintained the illusion of his former self, but he was often silent and contemplative. Being tortured by the Vong had shown him he was not invincible - a crushing revelation, but one that only served to strengthen his resolve. In truth, but a remnant of what he once was remains, the rest of his being now consumed with a lust for vengeance.
Powers and abilities
- "What kind of Adept can't even wield Force Lightning?"
"The kind that would rather rip your head from your shoulders with his bare hands."
- ―Unknown Light Jedi and Shadow Taldrya
A born warrior, Shadow excelled in nearly all forms of physical combat. He was an expert marksman, a ruthless hand-to-hand combatant, and a cunning swordsman. Despite his formal training, much of what Shadow learned came from the years he traveled with his biological father, a former Sovereign Protector. His father was an expert in the arts of war having spent much of his life undergoing rigorous testing training, which he chose to pass on to his son. Unfortunately, he was only taught a limited understanding of the Force as Palpatine feared his protectors would gain ambition or independence.
As a result of this lack, Shadow never truly tapped his full Force potential and his powers developed by instinct rather than with training. Much of these abilities were in the vein of physical enhancement and soon augmenting his strength and speed with the Force became as natural as breathing. Precognition and heightened awareness also came to him naturally, as they were merely extensions of a well-disciplined body and mind. Shadow would often combine these skills with his knowledge of fighting to read his opponents, lay bare their intentions, and master their style. In combat, these abilities were essential and with his superior martial skill, Shadow could rarely be bested in battle.
While his Force aptitude suffered, he was able to focus his power in a much more visceral manner. Forgoing the traditional path of mastering the Dark Side, Shadow instead became an expert swordsman, adept at several of the lightsaber forms. His father had taught him the basics of Shii-Cho, a powerful, albeit artless form, that served him well during his early adventures. The Brotherhood expanded upon this knowledge, offering him training in various forms both offensive and defensive. Shadow chose to continue on with Shii-Cho, mastering the form before delving into the more defensive Soresu and eventually Djem So. More recently, Shadow has spent his time mastering the variant form known as Shien. Its aggressive nature and unique style suited him well and, coupled with his precognitive abilities, proved very effective in his encounters with Jedi, light and dark, as well as the Yuuzhan Vong.
Shadow's abilities with a lightsaber and his under-reliance on offensive Force techniques allowed him to fight his way free of a Yuuzhan Vong Slaveship, where many of his fellow Dark Jedi fell. After escaping from the Embrace of Pain, a brutal torture device, Shadow managed to defeat several Vong warriors and escape to rejoin his Clan in the Battle of Antei. This feat garnered the attention of Grand Master Sarin, who tasked him with the training of the Brotherhood's warriors in martial combat.
Lightsabers
Shadow's past lightsabers
- "See, the smaller one is just to loosen you up a bit. I'll finish you off with the big one."
- ―Shadow, mocking a lower ranked Jedi with sexual innuendo
Shadow's first lightsaber was given to him at the age of twelve, when Kotus took him on as an apprentice after witnessing his innate Force abilities in a struggle on Centerpoint Station. For nearly a decade, the simple hilt was his constant ally and champion, a faithful companion that taught him discipline and skill. By today's standards, it was a crude and simple design, little more than a banged up, charcoal black cylinder with an open emitter and a large activation stud. In its prime, though, during a time in the galaxy where such weapons were so rare, it was an invaluable tool that prevented as many fights as it ended.
His second lightsaber was awarded to him by Jac Cotelin, after being prematurely promoted to the rank of Dark Jedi Knight. The hilt was made from a bright metal alloy, with part of the grip and neck painted over in black. Far more cumbersome than his first weapon, Shadow did however prefer the distinct bell emitter. The blade was the purest of whites and tapered out at just over 1.2 meters in length. The weapon served him well in his trials as
File:0084-lightsabers.jpgShadow's lightsabersDinaari Quaestor, helping him to overcome vast odds and maintain the rank of First House of the Obelisk. Not long after, though, he decided to expand on his lightsaber training.
This led to him requisitioning a pair of lightsabers from then Head Master, Spears Tarentae. Fashioned to resemble the blade wielded by fallen Sith Lord, Darth Vader, the hilts were identical in size and shape, though one was stained blood red, the other Obelisk blue. The blades were also different in color, one remaining a pure white, while the other was a soft blue. With these twinned lightsabers, Shadow sought to master the art of Jar'Kai Niman, but found himself frustrated with its poor offensive capabilities. It wasn't until he learned of a recently re-discovered form known as Shien, that he adjusted his training to better suit his needs.
Not long after discovering this archaic form, Shadow realized he could strike faster with a curved hilt design. For this he approached the Herald, Muz Ashen Keibatsu, and requested the creation of two new hilts - one standard, the other a type two variant. Aside from the difference in shape, both lightsabers were aesthetically the same, brushed metal with black grips, emitting silver blades and etched with a symbol of unknown origin.
During the events of the Eighth Great Jedi War, Shadow lost his lightsabers when captured by the Yuuzhan Vong. After his escape, Shadow went about creating a new set to use, which would compliment his preferred form of Shien. Opting for simplicity, he decided on a standard hilt and a shoto, a short lightsaber to wield in his off hand. He returned to the basic design of his first lightsaber, though designed with more skill. His hilts were created from blued steel with onyx and graphite forming the grips. A small sapphire lay embedded near the emitters, which shines brightly when the blades are active. To better bond with the weapons, Shadow decided to manufacture his own silver-hued focusing crystals as a tribute to the trials he faced during his capture. Both blades emit a lustrous silver glow that tapers at just under a meter and a half in length. Once completed, Shadow handed the weapons to the Herald Shikyo Keibatsu who used his alchemical skills to bind the weapons to him.
Trivia
- First member of the Brotherhood awarded with the title Grand Whore of the Brotherhood
- Served as Dinaari Quaestor twice
- Four time winner of the "Tally's" People's Choice award
- Trademark IRC moves are thrusting and bending people over tables
- Created the first working draft of the Brotherhood's Rites of Combat for then High Commander Korras
- Shadow's table was a gift from Benevolent Whiner
- Created the first draft of the Proconsul Handbook
- One of the pioneers of the deadly art of bryar ownage, but cooler than Kir
- SECOND longest serving Quaestor of House Dinaari at 1 year, 1 month and 19 days (damn you, Vlad!)
- Shadow once served as both Acting Obelisk High Commander and Acting Commander of the Guard at the same time
- Shadow shares a similar style of Form Shien with Adept Korras of Tarentum
- Received his Echani training from Kir Taldrya Katarn
- First member to receive the newly created Pendant of Blood medal
- Created the uber awesome CTF Primer for DB members to master the sexy art of CTF
- Plays the Flag Runner position in CTF and "bunnies" when he can
- December 15, 2002 - Shadow starts thrusting
- November 10, 2003 - Shadow starts bending people over chairs
- March 01, 2004 - Benevolent destroys Shadow's chair in a jealous rage
- March 03, 2004 - Benevolent replaces the chair with Shadow's stain-proof, indestructible table
- Shadow won the first SHAFT CTF Edition competition in March
- On October 31, 2007 Shadow regretfully became a Bryar Bitch
- Though not officially accredited with its demise, Shadow believes that he himself had much to do with the awesome destruction of the entity known as the Club of Shame aka the DBPA