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- "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. "
- ― Martin Luther King, Jr
Vai Azexel is a Dark Jedi Knight of Clan Tarentum and is the current Aedile of House Cestus. Originating from harsh windy moon of Iktotch in the Expansion Region, this Iktotchi warrior of the final way appears as a frightening sight with his sharpened teeth and charred-reddish skin with black markings. Yet behind the ferocious appearance is a devoted clansman and leader that helps guide the future of his clan.
History
A Beginning
Growing up on the moon of Iktotch, Vai was an outsider because of his uniqueness. His red skin was a side affect of the drugs his mother was addicted to combined with the sheer power of lightning. Indeed, he was born with light tan skin that shined in the light, however when he was eight years old this all changed.
During a violent storm sometime in 0 BBY, Vai was struck by a bolt of lightning, his skin blistered and erupted leaving charred red remains. The pain was intense which caused Vai violent mood swings. On top of the mood swings, Vai was chastised by the other Iktotchi children which caused him to hate them. When he was 14, Vai ran away from home and vowed to never return. His parents tried to plead with him, but the angry boy would not hear them and vanished into the caverns of Iktotch.
Fear overcame the young man as he tried to survive in the wilderness. The winds of Iktotch pierced his red skin as sand found its way into places that caused him agony. For the next year he barely survived in the wild, hunting and killing the creatures that called it home. However, near the end to the second winter Vai was in jeopardy, unable to find shelter and freezing to death the Iktotchi was came upon by a Zabrak who along with his associates brought the young man into their shelter. This began Vai journey into the dark side as unknown to the Iktotchi this man and his associates were members of a cult of Dark Jedi. It began with simple things, simple choices that would lead down the path to the dark side. The Dark Jedi used power as a tool to influence the young man as they turned him into a weapon that would destroy anything that stood in his way.
A Shadow Returns
Sometime in 20 ABY, a village in northern Iktotch noticed a man coming into town wearing a black robe. From his shape, he was noticeably Iktotchi, however something was different about the man. The man entered a building of worship and sat at a back table. One of the priests noticed the man’s eyes were a color of yellow that he had never seen as they pierced through the man’s cloak. One of priests approached the man, but with a wave of cloaked figures hand the priest turned away. Everyone else avoided the man, afraid of what he was, a monster to those who saw his exposed flesh.
The man did not come to this town for prayer, nor to give the locals sometime to stare at. No, his reasons were more ambitious as another man entered the building. The man was dressed in a long flowing golden robe and carried a golden case in his hands. The contents of the case glowed with energy that the cloaked man could feel. The priest turned and walked down a dark hallway to the right of the cloaked man. This glowing objected held significance to the village and the man who carried it was followed by two armed guards. The three men entered a small room down the hall. As the door clicked shut, the cloaked man sped down the hall and barged into the room and used the force to constrict the breathing of the two guards until they died of affixation. The priests face flushed white as the red-skinned Iktotchi pulled back his robe revealing a black and silver lightsaber. Without a word, the man held out his hand as to summon the chest, but the priest refused. With a smile, the large Iktotchi ignited his saber and twisted it upward at the head of the priest. With a flash of red it was over, the priest’s head lay on the ground and the chest was in the crimson Iktotchi’s hands. Setting down the chest for a moment to put his robe on, the man then turned for the door to make sure the hallway was clear, and the picked up the chest and headed down the hall.
As the hooded man exited the room, all eyes were upon him and fear was set upon their faces. The Iktotchi ignored them and made his way to the exit of the temple, however when he made his way outside he was confronted by the local constable and his deputies. Dropping the check, the crimson Iktotchi ripped off his cloak and exposed his crimson red skin as he placed his saber in his hand. The constable attempted to gain order of the situation; however the crimson Iktotcho would have none of this and let his saber fly through the air. With precise control the saber cut air and flesh, killing all those who would dare stop him. Bodies of priests and officials covered the bloody steps of the temple.
“Vai stop”, yelled a voice from behind. Turning, the Iktotchi notice a middle aged man standing over the chest. “Get away from that old man” cursed the crimson warrior. “Get away from what Vai. What happened to you?” said the man. Without thinking, Vai grabbed the man by the neck and snapped it, killing him. From the other direction a woman screamed in a familiar voice causing Vai to turn and look, it was his mother. Pausing for a moment, Vai looked at the man he just killed, it was his father. Madness overcame Vai, as he fell to his knee’s holding his fathers lifeless body and screamed. After a few moments, Vai stood and walked dazed back into the darkness; without the prize.
Betrayed
Returning to his so called brothers, Vai quickly realized that they had been manipulating and using him for something that they could not gain access to. To them, the Iktotchi had betrayed them and he would suffer for this. A coldness surrounded Vai’s so called companions as they sat around the camp fire, their hostile eyes pierced his very soul as he dared not make eye contact. That night, Vai didn’t sleep, he was too afraid to as if he did he might not wake up again.
The next morning, Vai crawl down from his sleeping area to find all his brethren standing in a half-circle surrounding him. As Vai approached cautiously, all the dark jedi ignited their lightsabers with a snap-hiss. The hum of all the lightsabers nearly silenced the hard pumping of Vai’s heart. The man who took Vai in stepped forward and spoke “Vai Azexel, you have betrayed us and now you will suffer for this.” The Iktotchi tried to run for the exit, but was flung in the air by the Master and slammed against a wall before he was dropped; with a thud he hit the floor of the cavern. The brethren laughed as they walked up to Vai; a sinister smile was on their face. “Do you think were just going to let you leave Vai?” said one of the other dark jedi with a laugh. Over the next hour or so, the dark jedi destroyed the Iktotchi before dragging him to their prison where he was strapped to a torture table.
Vai awoke after several hours, unable to see, yet felt a numb pain coming from his right shoulder. He attempted to move it, but something felt missing. Moving his other arm, Vai felt for his head and pulled off a mask, what he saw next caused him to scream. Laying on his stomach was his severed right arm with the words “Betrayer” carved into it. The stump of his right arm suddenly throbbed like nothing else, the sensation of a limb being ripped off. Vai was naked, all his equipment & clothing were missing, including the lightsaber that he had built himself. Reaching out with the force, Vai pulled the bolts that held the straps holding him in place. As he stood, his entire body called out in pain as he walked out of the prison door that had been left open. The halls and caves were deserted, dark and cold as Vai limped through them. Rounding a corner, Vai found a robe that was torn and ripped, it was his. Blood was sprayed all over the wall next to the robe as well; signs of a battle. He knew this is where it happened, where the Dark Jedi had literally ripped his arm off.
Walking into the cold hard winds of Ikotch, Vai made his way back to the village he had been just the yesterday. He knew this was a rough road ahead, he knew what he had done. When he was younger, if he had just came home, his father and mother would have welcomed him home. However now, his father is dead, killed by his own hands and his mother is alone, left to survive without her husband. These thoughts went through the Iktotchi’s mind as he walked to the village, the thoughts of the wrong choice that cost him everything.
Returning Home
The village was in mourning, so many of its priests and brave servants that had been killed by a monster. As he walked in, he was quickly noticed and the entire village chased him. Vai was quickly out numbered and was shot in the back by one of the guards with a paralyzing dart. His unconscious body fell forward and smashed hard against the main street of the village. He awoke the next morning is prison with people staring in the portals at him. They yelled “monster” and “fiend” at him and Vai knew it was the truth, he had turned into a monster, one capable of killing so many of those who were once friends. “I want to see my mother” said Vai in a stern tone. The new constable approached Vai’s cell and scowled “you won’t be seeing anyone but the hangman you monster.” Vai quickly realized that the village would not acknowledge that he was once one of them and it was a mistake returning to the village.
If he were to survive, Vai knew he needed to escape the village and never return. During the night, Vai called upon the force to grab the keys to unlock the cell. Pressing the door open, it made an eerie creak that awoke one of the guards. “What the..” was all the guard could say before Vai incapacitated him. Sleeking his way through the dark pathways of the village, Vai made his way to his old home and paused for the moment. Walking in, Vai quickly encountered his mother how said “What do you want? Haven’t you done enough? You killed my husband, your father. What happened to you Vai?” Vai paused and reflected for a moment and then said “I have to go away mom and I won’t be coming back. I’m so sorry what I have done to you, to our family.” As Vai began to turn, his mom placed her hand on the shoulder of his missing arm and said “you have suffered for this as well and I hope that you take something away from this and change your ways. The choice is yours my child.” With that, his mom turned and gave Vai a backpack full of survival rations and gear as well some warm clothing and then said “this belonged to your father, I hope it serves you well as it did him. He loved you Vai always remember that.” Vai turned and gave his mother one last hug and said “goodbye mom” before walking out the door and trekking out of the village.
The Wanderer & the Warrior
Over the next five years, Vai survived the best he could, taking jobs in villages far from his home. He lived under the false identity of Chosa Bukk and acquired jobs so he could afford a place to live and settle down, atleast that was what he wanted people to believe. Secretly Vai / Chosa held fighting classes that taught a combination of K’Thri & Vim for the young men of the villages he stayed in, slowly bringing together his own group of warriors. Each group had their village leader which reported to Vai as he traveled and met more people to follow his teachings. This was a currency making venture as well as place to learn fighting arts and Vai was doing well. By 26 ABY, Vai had enough money to contact an expert cybernetic specialist to construct him a new right arm. The new arm was a work of art, with full movement and added strength. To attain this level of ingenuity the shoulder was replaced as well along with some of Vai’s back. When his new arm was done, Vai contacted an armorsmith to create him a custom armor that would cover his red skin and face as well both his arms. The new armor was colored bronze and black and had electro-servo motors built into it to give Vai added abilities including strength, running speed and jumping abilities.
In 28 ABY, with his new armor and cybernetic arm, Vai decided it was time to leave his homeworld for good and went to Duro to assist in the fight against the Yuuzhan Vong (Battle of Duro). The battle was nothing like anything he had seen before. The Yuuzhan Vong had taken control of the planet and Vai escaped with others to a fleet of Galactic Federation. Over the next two years, Vai fought against the Yuuzhan Vong, receiving several scars to show where he had been as well several medals and other honors. The armor had held up remarkably and his arm was working as good as when it was new, Vai felt stronger than ever until the [[starwars: Battle_of_Bastion|Battle of Bastion}}. In 28 ABY, Vai seeked out more action against the Vong and found it with the Imperial Remnant. Even though Vai wasn’t human, the Imperial’s took Vai’s assistance as a pilot in the space battle against the Vong forces. During the battle Grand Admiral Gilad Pellaeon had his Super Star Destroyer attempt to break out of mass shadow of a nearby gas giant. The super star destroyer was heavily damaged and Gilad was nearly killed. The Admiral and others were evacuated from the ship, however a message was not sent to the pilots and Vai was flying near the super star destroyer when it exploded, his fighter was caught by the shockwave and tumbled wildly into deep space; after the battle, he was listed as KIA.
The Slave
Vai’s fighter tumbled through space with the Iktotchi stuggling to regain control. Most of its systems had shorted from the power of the explosion and Vai knew that he should be dead. Eventually he regained control of what was left of his vessel, noting a pressure leak and other systems starting to shutdown Vai knew he needed to land, but where. He was someplace in the Braxant Sector which didn’t have much in ways of places he could land his fighters. Finding a barren world, Vai landed his fighter and exited the ship. The planetoid had little atmosphere, however this wasn’t an issue for the Iktotchi as his armor had a built into air supply up to eight hours for emergencies. There was a small settlement he had noticed from the air that was about five miles from where he landed. Unwise pilots would often land in a city, pop the hatch and meet the locales the wrong way; Vai was not that type of pilot and walked his way to the village as not to arise suspicions. When he arrived he saw heavy smoke coming from the village and a slaver ship being loaded up with some weird looking villagers. The slavers were large, bipedal species with scaly skin and large orange eyes; they were known as Trandoshans an ill-tempered race that enjoyed the sport of the hunt. Vai needed supplies to repair his fighter and perhaps these Trandoshans would be willing to forfeit their equipment.
Once again, Vai pushed himself into a dark path, he didn’t care about the villagers or the Trandoshans, all he cared for was himself and his survival and he would use these people for this advantage. Infiltrating into the village, Vai camouflaged himself and worked amongst the people and got close to the Trandoshan’s and his ticket off this rock, their ship. As Vai approached closer, he was noticed by one of the slavers. Without hesitation Vai grabbed the slavers neck and snapped it causing instant death. The villagers started the scream and a fear came over the entire village as Vai turned from the sight of the dead slaver. A heavily armored Trandoshan with one eye exited the transported and looked over the slaves and then pointed at Vai. The slavers quickly surrounded the Iktotchi and attacked him. Vai fought back valiantly until he was shot in the back by a rifle; lucky for Vai it was set on stun. Knowing this Iktotchi would fetch a good price, the Trandoshan Warlord commanded that Vai be brought onboard and place in the solitary hold.
Vai awoke strapped down in the hold of the transport as it lifted off from the planetoid. This wasn’t how he had imagined he would get off the barren world, but got him off still the same. The transport landed inside a bigger vessel which then departed for Trandosha with its prizes. Hours passed, with the Trandoshan peering in on the Iktotchi from time to time, making sure nothing happened to their catch. Vai simply relaxed the best he could, he had his armor still which was all he need. When the ship arrived at Trandosha, Vai was quickly processed and moved to the selling block as a warrior for high sum of credits; this is where the Dark Jedi Brotherhood found him.
The Brotherhood
Vai was sitting in his cell when he felt the presence of the Dark Jedi and stood facing the tall cloaked figure of a Twi’lek. Without a physical word, Vai could feel the Dark Jedi looking into him and seeing the Iktotchi’s past. With a grin the cloak figure said “do you wish to be a slave and be sent to pits as sport for the crowds? or perhaps you wish something better, something that will make you powerful again like you once were?” Vai paused for a moment, looking inside himself. He knew where his destiny lay, as that was one thing that Dark Jedi on Iktotch had taught him was to listen to what the force told him. Vai stood and faced the Twi’lek once again and agreed. The cloak figure walked away as Vai watched him disappear into a building. A few moments later the Trandoshan slavers were unlocking his cell and guided him to a shuttle bay. The Twi’lek Dark Jedi was waiting for him at the ramp of his Lambda shuttle. With the wave of his hand the Trandoshan’s left Vai alone to walk. “The choice is yours Vai, join the Dark Jedi Brotherhood and unleashed your true talent or you can walk away and live the life you always had; running from your past” said the Twi’lek as he disappeared up the ramp of the transport. Vai’s mind was already set, he wanted the power he once had back within his grasp and this Dark Jedi Brotherhood could be the way he could attain the power he wanted. He boarded the transport and found other potentials on the cargo bay. Sitting down with them, the Iktotchi could feel all their eyes on him and fear in their minds. Vai smiles at this and thought to himself “only the strong will survive” as the transport lifted off Trandosa and hyper-spaced into deep space.
Learn the Darkside (Shadow Academy)
In darkness of space lay the mobile academy for the training of new members of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood, and this is where the transport headed. Communication chatter filled the cockpit of the T-4a transport as it approached the Arcanum. Receiving clearance to land, the shuttle smoothly entered the hanger bay of the Khyron-Class Dreadnaught. After the ramp slide open, a team of four Dark Jedi entered the shuttle and started yelling at the potentials, as an aura of fear emanated from them. Vai with a stern face followed the instructions perfectly, almost too good and caught the eye of a senior member of the team. With a quick move, the senior Dark Jedi’s lightsaber was in her hand as she ignited it and pointed the tip at the Iktotchi. “You show no fear and I can sense your control over your emotions. We will break you of this and rebuild you even stronger.” With that, Vai and the other potentials were moved into a large room.
The room was pitch black with a single light illuminating an extended platform high above. Whispers could be heard all around as the potentials nervously kept to themselves with an occasional outbreak. Those who couldn’t cut this vanished into thin air as if a hand picked them up and sent them straight to oblivion. From above a large door slide open and boots could be heard clanking upon the metal floor as a hooded man stood at the podium. The man spoke, “Welcome to the Arcanum students of the Shadow Academy. Here we will break and rebuild you” clenching his fist, “and turn you into an instrument of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood. I am Aabsdu di Plagia Dupar, the Headmaster of the Academy and this is my Praetor, Dacien. Along with my staff, we will teach you how to truly find power from the darkside.” With that the Headmaster walked away from the platform and headed through the door which shut behind him with a hiss.
The door the potentials entered in slide open and several Dark Jedi awaited the newest students of the Shadow Academy. Students were split into groups and led to their dorms. Vai’s dorm mate was a Balia Donos a young human from Naboo that was discovered after killing his boss. The two began close friends are helped each other through their early days. Vai only stayed at the mobile academy for a couple months learning quickly what the Eclectic Pedagogues had to teach him. Sleeping in his bunk one night, there was a loud knock on the door, Vai answered it. The Headmaster’s Praetor stood at the doorway and handed the Iktotchi transfer orders to Clan Tarentum. Putting on his recently provided apprentice robes, Vai was escorted to the hanger bay on the Arcanum. Upon entering the shuttle, Vai noticed it was remarkably empty as he took a window seat. “Goodluck Vai, do us proud” said the Headmaster who was standing on the ramp. Vai nodded as the door slide shut. With a rumble the shuttle lifted off and flew out the hanger bay of the Arcanum. Minutes later the shuttle entered hyperspace towards the Yridia system.
A New Home (Clan Tarentum)
A small shuttle came out of hyperspace near the Aegis platform. The crew of the shuttle transmitted their clearance to the station as the shuttle begins its transit toward Yridia II. After entering orbit, the shuttle circled the planet until it changes direction for Koros. Vai was noticeably nervous; unsure of what his future holds.
Within the hull of the VSD Corsair, shadowy figures work about in the control room. The sensors of the Corsair detect a small shuttle arriving from the Shadow Academy and entering Koros space. The personnel check the arrival list and see that the newest member of Cestus is about to arrive. The communications signal on the shuttle lights up again, a voice comes on. "Corsair to Academy shuttle. We have you on our screen. All clear to land in bay 7." The shuttle flies to the surface and comes up to the massive VSD Corsair and lands in said bay. The door of the shuttle slide open and a Dark Jedi entered. Looking down at a datapad in his hand, the Dark Jedi raised his head and pointed at its sole occupant, “Apprentice Vai Azexel follow me.” Walking off the shuttle, Vai followed closely behind the menacing figure. His eyes flicker from side to side as he are led down the main corridor. Vai saw shadows on the wall, the shadows of other Cestians at work. Several rooms in the ship have been made into members' quarters, while others have become conference rooms. The Dark Jedi escorted the Iktotchi into a large dark chamber near the center of the vessel. As the apprentice walked in, he noticed two individuals sitting high in their thrones. A chill came over him as the escort leaves the room. One of the two individuals speaks, "Welcome Apprentice, to House Cestus of Tarentum. We have been expecting you. I am Quaestor Sato Tarentae and this is your Aedile Kazarelth Talismarr, I welcome you to House Cestus of Clan Tarentum, you new home. With those introductions complete, here you will have to apply what you learned at the Academy. Kazarelth will show you where you will be living for your time here with us. Your future is in your hands Vai, do Cestus proud”. Walking through the dim halls of the one-time flagship on the Tarentum fleet, the Omwati guided Vai down a tight corridor and into a small, poorly lighted room. He was finally home and for a brief moment he took a deep breath.
House Cestus
(This section is in need of a major reworking still)
The Apprentice
On Antei, Vai encountered a young human by the name of Severon Vercingetorix who was lost in his ways of learning the darkside. Taking it upon himself, Vai took the young man and began to instruct him in the way of the darkside as forever will it guide him.
DJB Facts
Positions Held
- Dark Council Staff - Shadow Academy: Professor (General Studies)
- Aedile of House Cestus
- Rollmaster of House Cestus
Outstanding Achievements
- Awarded Dark Savant in Writing & Philosophy
- Awarded Dark Maven in Philosophy
- Awarded Dark Maven in History
- Awarded Dark Maven in Flight
- Awarded Dark Maven in Writing
- Awarded Dark Maven in Service
- Awarded Dark Maven in Leadership
- First Fist of Cestus
Trivia
- Vai Azexel was the name of my avatar in Star Wars Galaxies, Intrepid Server.