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- "Without honor, we are nothing but savages. Without loyalty, nothing but betrayers. It is these two virtues that make us who we are, and without them, make us who we should never be."
- ― Cassandra Tyris
Cassandra Oriana Tyris is the Supreme Chancellor of the Taldryan Republic, and a former Senator for the city of Caleria on the Republic capital world of Kasiya. She is the second to hold this station, and often times is referred to by the title given to her because of that: Lady Second.
Early History (Birth - 40 ABY)
Remembering very little about her childhood's younger years, the first memories that Cassandra can recall were when she was discovered by a group of Mandalorian warriors who were passing through an area that had been ravaged by an Imperial Remnant group. They had found her with to the body of a woman, assumed to be her mother. At the time, according to them, she was no more than six years old. The area clearly had been destroyed a significant time ago, and even in a famished fatigued state, the young girl stood firmly against the Mandalorians with a spear in hand to defend her mother's corpse. Impressed by her bravery and resilience, they took her in as a foundling and raised her as their own on the ruined planet of Concord Dawn.
Growing up within the Mandalorian culture, she learned the importance of honor, strength, and loyalty. She was trained in the art of combat and became a skilled warrior in her own right. She quickly rose in both practical and intellectual knowledge, physical strength, and mastery of the Mandalorian Core martial art all by the age of 10 which earned the respect of her fellow Mandalorians.
Despite her loyalty to the Mandalorian way of life, the young girl had a deep desire to explore the galaxy and see what else was out there. When she reached the age of 13, Cassandra participated in her clan's rite of passage: verd'goten. She was tested on everything she had learned, besting many of the more seasoned Mandalorians within the clan, and eventually was proclaimed an adult in their eyes. As an adult, she was given the choice to become a full Mandalorian, but she instead chose to leave the Mandalorians and embarked on a journey of self-discovery.
Upon her departure, she was given a beskar necklace which had a crest hanging from it with a symbol of a Quenker, the creature of which she had rescued a cub from when it was separated from its family and spent nearly a month to find its family and return it. On the same necklace was a purple and white pendant that she was told she had been found with, opening to reveal a quote inside: '"My stars, my life, I love you always and forever my precious Cassandra Oriana. - Alana Tyris, Mom"'
She had a name. Cassandra Oriana...Tyris. With bittersweet goodbyes, she made her way off of Concord Dawn and began exploring the galaxy. Compared to what she had been used to, it was a vast and endless place both with its positives, and its negatives.
Taldryan Days (36-40 ABY)
After many years of traveling the stars, journeying from system to system, she found herself on the moon Ostara in 36 ABY, a bustling world known for its diversity and tolerance. There, she became involved in local politics and began advocating for the rights of citizens who were often marginalized and overlooked by the ruling clan of Taldryan. Her efforts on behalf of the people of Ostara earned her a reputation as a passionate and effective advocate. She was eventually appointed as an advocate to the Taldryan leadership within the Citadel, the clan's base of operations, for the citizens and she worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those around her.
As her influence grew, an event known as the Elysia Incident occurred which resulted in solar flares from the Caelus Star striking the moon and severely disrupting its magnetic field. Organizing as many civilian transports as she could, Cassandra assisted in the evacuation of the world but inevitably she was unable to escape before ion storms engulfed the skies, destroying several transports already ascending towards space and preventing anyone else from leaving.
With the moon trapped in perpetual darkness, the only light coming from the constant storms far above in the atmosphere, Cassandra worked closely with the remaining Taldryan members and civilians that were still there to try and mete out a life for themselves. Most electronics fried, and it was several months before reinforced generators could be constructed and the first fringes of power restored to the Citadel. It had been noticed that she was force sensitive, something that priorly had been overlooked, during an attack on the Citadel ruins by a pack of rancor that intruded from the forest.
As one of them had moved towards a group of children, Cassandra placed herself between the group and the rancor and in her anger somehow had sent it staggering backwards with a deep indent in its chest. It had struggled to breathe, before it finally dropped to the ground and was dead. Upon seeing this, one of the Force Disciples that was present on Ostara took her under his wing and helped teach her how to control her power and harness it. He also taught her the exquisite lightsaber art of Vaapad, using his own force powers to help in hardening her emotions and mind to master it.
Several years passed before the Regent of the Brotherhood, Zxyl Taldrya, managed to get through the ion storms. She was happy to learn that nearly everyone who had fled Ostara had survived. Upon being given the option to remain on Ostara or travel to the new capital on the moon Kasiya, she chose to go. She knew those still there would be fine, as they all had gained immense strength and capabilities over those dark years, and wanted to work towards the betterment of the now reformed Taldryan Republic as a whole.
Shortly after arriving on Kasiya in 40 ABY and diving right into life as an advocate, she gained the attention of the leaders of the city of Caleria where she was living. They recognized not just her talent, but many of them remembered her and her efforts on Ostara years ago. She was asked to become a Senator for Caleria, to represent them and their interests within the Taldryan Senate.
At first, she was hesitant to take on such a responsibility. But after much reflection, she realized that this was an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of millions of people. She accepted the position and after moving to the capital of Port Kasiya she began her new role with passion and dedication.
As a senator, she worked to strengthen the ties between Port Kasiya and Caleria, as well as improve relations with the neighboring moon of Chyron. She also pushed for legislation that would help subsidize homes for the city's homeless population in Holmes, protect the environment, and promote sustainable practices. Despite facing opposition and criticism from some of her fellow senators, she remained steadfast in her beliefs and continued to fight for what she thought was right.
Over time, she became one of the most respected and influential politicians on Kasiya. Her leadership and dedication earned her the nickname "The People's Senator." Looking back on her life, she knew that she had come a long way from her humble beginnings as a foundling. She was proud of the person she had become and knew that her journey was far from over.
Dark Whirlwinds (41 ABY)
The Second Chancellor
In early 41 ABY, Supreme Chancellor and Lord First Appius Wight brought a motion before the senate to assist in the defense of the Saijo Sector directly to the south of their sector. Pirates had somehow managed to break through the extensive defensive perimeter that the Saijo monarchy had established along their southern border with the Kallea Sector. As part of his argument for supporting the assault, he warned what could happen should the pirates overtake the system as Taldryan's own home sector was next in their path. This was especially emphasized due to the mysterious disappearance of the Vice-Chancellor and Naval Grand Admiral Teebu Nyrrire, which had already greatly weakened their naval offensive and defensive capabilities.
Despite the warnings, the senate overwhelmingly voted against their involvement in the war, as in their eyes there was not enough evidence to support any credence that the pirates would indeed move further north. Already they were far outside of their normal areas and for decades Saijo had blockaded every form of supply route that could have benefited Kallea, particularly the Corellian Trade Spine, and constantly authorized assaults into their territories. The citizens of Caleria were equally apprehensive and desired nothing more than to focus on themselves for now and continue finding ways to try and get back to Ostara, since all support in doing so from the Republic itself had all but faded. Due to this, Cassandra voted against joining the war as well.
She was stunned when barely a few days later word had reached her offices back in Caleria that the Supreme Chancellor had ignored the will of the senate and dispatched the Taldryan Republic Naval Fleet to assist the Saijo monarchy in fighting back the pirates. Almost immediately the senate called an emergency session with War Marshal Lee Starr presiding in the absence of both Chancellors. While many could understand the reasonings behind what he had done, many of the other senators could not get over the singular fact of the issue: he disobeyed a direct senate mandate. Finally, the senator of Chyron brought the motion for a Vote of No Confidence in the Lord First's leadership. It fell largely against the expected lines, with Chyron and other Calerian senators all voting in favor, while most of Elysia's and Kasiya's senators voted against it. Cassandra was one of just a few Calerian senators to vote against it, favoring instead severe sanctions against his office, given everything he had accomplished and done for the Republic. It came down to a solid tie, in which the War Marshal concurred with those voting in favor of his removal.
When the fleet returned, Appius had closed himself up in his office while the newly returned Vice-Chancellor Nyrrire assumed his post in leading the senate. When votes came up on who should be nominated to succeed him as the Second Chancellor, Grand Admiral Teebu Nyrrire of the Naval Fleet, nominated himself as he already had the post of Vice-Chancellor and direct succession made the most sense. However, before the vote could take place, once again the Chyron delegation stood against it. They cited his disappearance and the sudden appearance of damning evidence that he had been working with the main adversary of the Taldryan Republic, the 19th Saber Imperial Remnant as one of their officers the near half-year he had been gone. The cries to instead vote for another, similarly, were more vocal than anything else. Once Nyrrire retired himself from the chamber, the most prominent names went up. Jorm Na'trej, who was the Chancellor of Chyron, War Marshal Lee Starr of the Taldryan Strategic Operations Council, Koda Kendis the Chancellor of Elysia, among four others. Coming as a shock to both herself and a few others, Cassandra's name was thrown up alongside theirs.
Once her name was up the deliberations were not long before a vote was held and it was a close race between herself and Jorm Na'trej, the others trailing far behind. Ultimately, however, she pulled ahead in the later hours and the gap only grew. By the evening of the same day that both of the former Chancellors had been all but removed from power, she was now to assume the role of the Second Chancellor and Lady Second, as the Taldryan Republic's new Supreme Chancellor.
Disappearances and a Mock War
The next day as she assumed her post and had her belongings transferred to Taldryan Tower, she was stunned to find everything from her predecessor was gone. His quarters cleared out. His office was barren except for the large furniture that had been present before. Everything that could have indicated anyone had even been in this office was gone, leaving the illusion that she herself was the first to be there. Upon requesting an inquiry, she found out that Appius had disappeared from the city without so much as a word after the vote to remove him had taken place. Nyrrire, as well, had gone missing though the Office of Secret Intelligence had obtained evidence that he had been kidnapped by unknown renegades. Only one of his twin lightsabers remained and now was in her possession.
Initially she brought on the Elysian Chancellor, Koda Kendis, as her Vice-Chancellor but his longing for his home as well as the constant bustle of the bureaucracy proved to be not for him and she gracefully allowed him to return home. Following that, she identified someone who had served Taldryan in the past: The last Consul, Seraine "Erinyes" Ténama.
Strangely enough, it wasn't her who sought Erinyes out but the exact opposite when Erinyes randomly visited Taldryan Tower to discuss the opening of a new vineyard in the northern reaches of the Karufr Lowlands. Excited about the prospect, the two traveled together to the area in question and started bonding over their love of wine. When Erin questioned where Koda was and how he was doing, Cassandra informed her of his recent resignation and that she stood alone at the summit. With everything that had happened to Taldryan the last several years, she made the decision to offer herself up to be the next Vice-Chancellor. The idea was brought before the Taldryan Republic Administrative Committee for a vote, and unanimously was approved. As was the vineyard, by Cassandra.
The First Signs of Fracture
Late in 41 ABY, a heavily encrypted communication was sent by Grand Master Evant Taelyan directly to Cassandra's office. Up until this point, the Brotherhood had been fairly quiet aside from occasional requests for materials and goods, and this act was something that initially worried her. The Republic Senate held a strong stance against the Brotherhood, wanting to stand on its own two feet away from them. She, however, understood the connections between Taldryan and the Brotherhood and still ensured they were involved as directly as they chose to be and that loyalty to the Iron Throne was maintained.
The communication was short, brisk, and to the point. Both Cassandra and the Taldryan military were to report to a specific set of coordinates where a 'gate' had been constructed which lead to where the Children of Mortis were hiding. The plan was to infiltrate their home region on the other side of the gate known as the Ethereal Realm. Initially she brought this before the Senate and overwhelmingly was denied in the taking of Taldryan resources and military strength to do nothing but be the Iron Throne's 'dog', but after reminding them of what happened to Taldryan's old home of Karufr at the hands of the Iron Navy and that the Republic in its current form would not be able to withstand a direct assault, the vote again was held and passed.
It was at this point the Taldryan Republic had entered it's second war, the Sixteenth Great Jedi War.
The Ethereal Realm
Being new to this level of leadership as a Chancellor, Cassandra elected to join her forces on the front lines during the initial assaults into the realm. The realm itself was unique in that the force was extremely unstable when it came to the force. At times she was forced to rely on her own physical strength and endurance, while other times she could fight almost endlessly across the battlefield with unending haste and stamina as if someone had turned on a water tap and just left it running. Other times she was able to utilize abilities of the force she had never learned or even considered using before that point.
Along with members of the Black Fire Brigade, a recently re-activated detachment of the Summit Guards, a good handful of Cassandra's closest friends whom were in the Taldryan Military chose to join the front lines of the Shattered Fields as well and fight alongside her with other Taldryanites that had gone as well. Taldryan itself held itself directly in the vanguard of the assaulting forces from the various clans, demonstrating its commitment to following the will of the throne.
A catastrophy would nearly occur however when herself, Shanree, and several others would break off from the front lines to traverse the Corpse Fields and get around to the backside of a massive fort which stood in the way of the main forces. This tactic had been considered by the Children, and an empowered force was sent to face off against them. The battle was grim from the start and as it went on, it looked as if they were all going to fall there. Channeling a newly invigorated level of the Force that had entered her body, Cassandra conjured a massive Force Storm into the sky. The enemy forces fell by the dozens, some of the bolts nearly taking down Shanree as well. He, however, as a Miraluka who could see with the Force, saw that this power was about to overwhelm and consume her. In a rather brash and selfish move, he dodged numerous bolts as he sprinted to her and dove into her, disrupting the flow of the storm and bringing it to an end.
Realization
Ultimately the tactic succeeded as the group reached the rear of the fort and fought their way inside, opening the front to provide a path for the military forces to enter. Once the fort had fallen and the army passed through the fields, only the Fortress of the Unchained which served as the Children of Mortis' base of operations, stood before them.
Easily this proved to be the most difficult part of the battle, though one perk of the fortress being similar to a massive castle, there were plenty of open windows for enemies to be telekinetically thrown out. Or, at times when she was empowered, making a window to throw them out using their bodies as hammers.
Deep within the fortress she came across a massive crystalline rancor, and saw Clan Plagueis' Consul Selika Roh and Alaris Jinn, also from Plagueis, about to enter combat with it. She lept down from the balcony where she had just thrown several others out of a nearby window and offered to assist with the endeavor. After a significant fight of which the hard crystals of the rancor proved nearly indestructible, the three who each had a mastery of telekinetic powers, worked in tandem in a triangular formation and together telekinetically crushed the rancor. The three returned to their rightful assault forces and continued the fight. It was not long before the fortress was nearly overwhelmed, and victory was in reach.
After the fortress had fallen, a fall-back order was given by Deputy Grand Master Dacien Victae to depart the realm with victory secured. With ships unusable, it was a long journey back to the portal. Once back on the outside, the Taldryan forces began to regroup and take count. It was at this point Cassandra noticed she was unable to sense the others that had came with her, and upon checking the casualty logs from the Medic Corps, fell aghast at what she saw. All seven of her military friends whom had joined her, had perished.
Hero?