- "I endure only the worst to achieve only the best."
- ―Ronovi Tavisaen
Ronovi Tavisaen is an Epicanthix hailing from Yridia IX, an Obelisk Primarch in the Dark Jedi Brotherhood, and a recognized fighter, scholar, and tactician in Plagueis. Most recognized as the first female Headmaster of the Shadow Academy, she also served as Consul of Tarentum and was an honored Tarentae and vassal of Arcona. While she is a brutal, cunning, and menacing character, Ronovi is very much devoted to the Brotherhood and exhibits impressive strength due to her heritage and her skill.
Pre-DJB History
Origins
- "I did not fall to the dark side. I was not seduced by the dark side. Falling indicates passivity. Seduction indicates a lack of control. I chose the dark side. I chose power."
- ―Darth Sarin
A blindfolded Ronovi being trained in instinct by her father.
Ronovi's father, Zane Tavisaen, was a prominent spacer in the Outer Rim and had a strong affiliation with the Galactic Empire. After the emperor's death in 4 ABY, Zane returned to Panatha but was not afraid to show hostility toward the New Republic. On his home planet, he met and fell in love with his future wife, whose affection settled his bitterness at least partially. The two married in Tree City before traveling to Yridia IX, where they temporarily resided in Eden, a burgeoning metropolis at the time. When his wife became pregnant, Zane moved with her to the outskirts of the city where she gave birth to a son, Yaske. She then gave birth to Ronovi in 10 ABY and had a second daughter, Sarit, four years later.
Ronovi was raised on strong family values and taught to cherish being with her parents and her siblings as much as possible. Unlike the other Epicanthix, who were notorious for conquering other planets in the Pacanth Reach, Zane wished for a quieter life. He seemed happy enough to be a mechanic, busily repairing starships and freighters owned by Eden civilians. However, Ronovi desired to be a warrior like her ancestors, even though her brother began to follow in their father's footsteps while her sister delved into science and literature. It wasn't until she was ten years old that her father took an interest in teaching her martial arts, as he himself had practiced fighting techniques when he was young.
Zane instructed Ronovi to value her instincts in combat and maintain perfect control over her reflexes. He exposed her to a variety of fighting styles, teaching her how to use everything from a short staff to a dagger to her bare hands. While her mother disapproved of her daughter learning how to fight, Ronovi, the black sheep of the family, wasn't looking back. After the conclusion of the Yridian Revolt in 24 ABY, Zane decided that the family should return to one of the major districts in Eden so he could extend his business in ship maintenance. It was there that he first allowed and even encouraged Ronovi to dabble in darker arts, and she reveled in the power they gave her. She concluded without hesitation that the dark side was the true source of perfection, and that it was responsible for her increasing notoriety as she grew older.
Noticed in the Night
- "Back then, the only surefire way to make you mad was to say that you hit like a girl."
- ―Dralin Fortea
Ronovi circa 26 ABY.
Ronovi's decision to become a brawler was mainly due to her city's reputation. Although her parents were strictly middle class and law-abiding citizens, her residence in District III of Eden City was surrounded by darker influences. The young woman was introduced to underground fighting rings in District IV, where spectators would audaciously bet on who would get slaughtered in death matches. She quickly earned a name as a suitable challenge for many skilled combatants, becoming infamous for her agility and aggressive moves. However, every altercation would result in one battle scar or another, and soon Ronovi found herself duking it out not only with angry rivals on the street but also in what was considered to be the most violent part of the city's entertainment industry.
Nonetheless, Ronovi was not particularly happy with her level of skill as a martial artist. Her father stopped training her by the time she turned sixteen, telling her that he had taught her everything he knew. Ronovi continued to associate herself with the underground ring for the next two years, and it was during one evening's round of matches that she garnered the attention of a Tarenti named Dralin Fortea, who held the rank of Protector at the time. After several bouts with weaker adversaries, the Epicanthix was paired against one particularly infamous brawler and began to gain the upper hand just before she noticed that her opponent was drawing a dagger from his sleeve. It was then that Ronovi first demonstrated that she was a Force-sensitive, displaying unnatural power as she threw her challenger halfway across the room before he could stab her.
The next morning, Dralin spoke privately with Zane, telling him that he was interested in bringing the eighteen-year-old girl to the Brotherhood. Ronovi quickly agreed to the offer after her father told her of the encounter, and she was shipped to the Shadow Academy to begin her initiation into the Obelisk Order, leaving her meager belongings behind. She was then transported to the Sword's Sheath on the Itaana belt, where she became Dralin's first true friend and a full-fledged member of House Gladius within Clan Tarentum.
DJB: The Early Years
New Blood in the Brotherhood
Ronovi as a new member of Gladius, circa 28 ABY.
Upon arriving at her house, Ronovi was welcomed by her Quaestor, Telona Murrage, and fully inducted as a Gladian. She soon learned that she had been initiated into Tarentum at a time of conflict within the Yridia system. With the recent war against the Yuuzhan Vong over, the clan's new troubles lay with Deutta the Hutt, a crime lord who held dealings with the remaining Vong in order to overthrow Tarentum's government. Therefore, Consul Anshar Kahn Tarentae arranged a strike team to intercept and eliminate Deutta on Karideph. Ronovi became one member of said team, and it was on Karideph that she met Doni Tzu Tarentae, who had been captured by the Vong.
After inadvertently saving Doni Tzu's life, Ronovi became his apprentice as soon as she recovered from her battle injuries. Doni Tzu was notorious for being ruthless to both his enemies and his peers, as well as for angering even the most prestigious members of the Dark Council. But with her master's reputation in the back of her mind, Ronovi learned much from him when it came to diplomacy, wit, meditation, and basic Force powers. She would continue to learn from him until she was told of his unexpected departure from the Yridia system after a house mission that left Apollo, a veteran of the Emperor's Hammer, as the house's new Quaestor.
Ronovi participated in a clan strike on Prakith following her master's sudden exodus, helping to seize and plunder a facility containing various technologically advanced weapons and devices. Her work so impressed her house summit that she was appointed the new Sergeant of Arcano Signum, a battle team led by Dralin before he stepped down as its Tetrarch. Ronovi also began studying military tactics and combat as part of her academics, and Maxamillian von Oberst-Tarentae, pleased with the Obelisk's strategic knowledge, made her a Lieutenant Colonel of the I Corps in the newly reformed Tarentum Military.
Mayhem and Mantle
Ronovi seen for the first time with her eyepatch, circa 29 ABY.
Upon leaving Prakith, Ronovi began to conduct several war campaigns with her assigned troops. As she was still relatively new to fighting on battlefields, she did not take as much care to protect herself physically. Doni Tzu's absence did not help Ronovi, as her Force abilities were still raw and unhewn, making it difficult for her to concentrate while fighting. Ultimately, such carelessness brought about a dramatic injury during a siege against a planet still influenced by fragments of the Empire. Her unit, while surrounded by Imperial remnants, attempted to breach the lines of defense and caused a hurricane of blaster fire. One particularly aimed shot struck Ronovi in the face, and the result, though not fatal, was the loss of her left eye.
A cybernetic eyepatch brought back most of Ronovi's vision, a design she chose over a more organic look for the purpose of intimidation. It was even rumored that Ronovi refused anesthesia when she underwent surgery, submitting herself to outrageous pain for the sake of her quest for power. While her dreams of being a physically perfect warrior vanished, this did not offset her long-term goal of ultimate strength and technique. She was recognized for her work as a soldier and offered the available position of Aedile in House Cestus by Anshar. Ronovi accepted the job and traveled to Koros, where she settled into the Cestians' complex aboard the decommissioned VSD Corsair. She started working with Kazarelth Talismarr, the house's Quaestor, and found him to be a suitable ally and confidant.
Kazarelth and Ronovi, as Quaestor and Aedile, were both significantly younger and less experienced than many other members of Tarentum by the time they became the leaders of Cestus. However, with their youth came fresh ideas and proposals to increase recruitment rates and strengthen the house as a whole. As she drew up strategies for present and future objectives, Ronovi reminded herself that Gladius would not forget her contributions, even though her former colleagues were now her rivals. This rivalry blossomed when both Gladius and Cestus were sent to Samur to find shards of the Crystal of Tears, which apparently granted their wielders power. Ronovi became a holder of one such shard after she survived a scuffle with the Yuuzhan Vong, which cost several lives but eventually got the two houses working together to fend them off.
The Ninth Great Jedi War
Ronovi during Antei, circa 30 ABY.
Ronovi was one of the many Tarenti who traveled to Antei only to discover that the Vong were dying and the Brotherhood's new target was a sect of Jedi. While on the ground, the newly promoted Dark Jedi Knight and Colonel of the I Corps worked alongside her recently returned master, her new apprentice Jaron Kai, and members of both Gladius and Cestus on several operations to overtake droid forces as well as Jedi forces deployed to the north of Adas. Ronovi also was a victim of a near-conversion to the light side, being saved in the nick of time by Doni Tzu before the Jedi finished the job.
In the final days of the war, Ronovi aided Tarentum in seizing full control of Codei Prison and was a witness to the conspiracies and subsequent death of Sun Vail, sister of the exiled Dark Jedi Bane. However, the Epicanthix would remain mentally affected by her close encounter with the light side, and she swore to herself that she would eliminate her dependence on others for survival. By the time she returned to Yridia, Ronovi ended her apprenticeship with Doni Tzu, moving away from the role of student while still maintaining an alliance with her former master. Unfortunately, she no longer had an apprentice of her own to teach, as Jaron had disappeared during the reclamation.
Even though Tarentum suffered multiple casualties from the conflict, its leaders did not ignore Ronovi's major contributions to the war effort. She was given two field promotions, becoming one of the Equites as well as earning the rank of Brigadier General while still positioned on Antei. Subsequently, she was granted control of the Corps' First Division and further established her place in Tarentum history. Anshar and Oberst also decided to award Ronovi the prestigious Sapphire Blade for her service to the clan and the Brotherhood, and they offered her the open position of Quaestor of Cestus following Kazarelth's resignation. Ronovi agreed to lead with Vai Azexel as her second-in-command, and she made it her primary goal to continue to strengthen the house as the clan's battle wounds began to heal.
Traumatic Evolution
File:Ronovi.custom.muz.jpgRonovi circa 31 ABY.
Despite Ronovi's attempts to become more self-reliant, she did not expect her past ties to be broken so suddenly. For her first official mission as Quaestor, Ronovi was instructed to return to her homeworld to discuss war recovery efforts and new taxation. Several Cestians continued to observe the city after the tense meeting between Yridian and Tarentum officials until a PCL 27 freighter abruptly crashed into Yridia IX's surface. While Ronovi and her sister survived, the two's parents were both killed from the impact and subsequent destruction. Later that evening, the Templar killed Sarit by beheading so that the latter would not tell Yridian officials that the crash was in fact an assassination attempt, and Tarentum the target.
The Eden City Tragedy left Ronovi with a very disturbed mindset. Her father's untimely death affected her the most, and she wished to avenge the man who had assisted her in her journey to the dark side. Her sister's hasty murder, however, left plenty of time for regret, and Ronovi turned to the Force as well as combat for comfort. At the same time, she focused on reforming House Cestus structurally into the Hieros Lokhos ton Taras, allowing it to operate like a sacred band. Seen as a vital asset to the clan, she was summoned to Castle Tarentum and appointed the clan's new Proconsul after Anshar yielded the throne of Prince of Yridia to Oberst.
Ronovi led Tarentum forces to Yridia IV where they intercepted and killed Adamu, a powerful Dark Jedi responsible for several of the attacks that had plagued the Yridia system. As it turned out, four once trustworthy agents of the clan, known as the Keepers, had been secretly working with Adamu and others to bring about massive amounts of death and decay to the Yridia system. Ronovi grew even more aggressive and vengeful as a result of such betrayal and the death of most of her family, but because of this, her connection to the dark side was stronger than ever before. If she had ever doubted her decision to become a Dark Jedi, such thoughts were gone, permanently.
DJB: The Middle Years
Prince of Yridia
Ronovi, PYRG, circa 32 ABY.
Ronovi saw and endured more than she ever bargained for during her tenure as Proconsul. Leading Tarentum in its efforts during the Sixth Rite of Supremacy, she fought valiantly alongside her fellow Tarenti for the dominion of Salas V. However, the clan fell short of gaining the title of First Clan, although they were able to subdue and crush the opposition stemming from Scholae Palatinae and Plagueis. Independent House Revan, responsible for crippling several of Tarentum's forces, became the First House of the Brotherhood, besting Taldryan for the prized planet.
The Tarenti returned to the Yridia system with their heads lowered in disappointment, and soon tensions began to rise within the houses. Ronovi paid little attention to the impending turmoil at first, instead deciding to deal with two criminal families that were frustrating the governor of Yridia IX. It was in Eden that the Prelate found her brother Yaske, who had returned to the metropolis to avenge Sarit's death after disappearing from the Tarentum Navy. While Yaske had become a powerful warrior since his piloting days, Ronovi still outmatched him, digging her sapphire blade into his heart and relishing in his death. This event concluded the long overdue demise of Ronovi's entire family and made her the only surviving Tavisaen.
After literally and figuratively washing her brother's blood from her hands, Ronovi returned to Castle Tarentum only to learn that the houses had succumbed to inner conflict and direct disobedience to the clan summit. Examples of such disreputable behavior included a distrusting House Gladius's brutal attempts at self-sufficiency, as well as House Cestus' division into two warring factions when a priceless artifact was discovered deep below the VSD Corsair. Most of all, however, house loyalties were overshadowing the vows that the Tarenti had made to Lord Khyron, the Sith King. Oberst and Ronovi knew that they had no other option but to close all three houses, replacing them with the newly established House Kaerner and House Reinthaler. When the dust of the clan's rebirth had cleared, Ronovi emerged as the newest Tarentae and Consul of Tarentum, becoming only the second woman in the clan's history to hold the position.
From the Throne to the Academy
- "There are things that even the Dark Lords fear hidden in the Dark Vault. We are the guardians of those secrets."
- ―Taigikori Aybara
Ronovi alongside Scion Altera and Dralin Fortea circa 33 ABY.
The future was not bright for Tarentum. Ronovi had much on her plate as Consul and as a newly promoted Major General, making instrumental changes to the clan's structure and hierarchy. Demanding another reformation of the Tarentum Military, she shut down the I Corps and introduced the Yridian Surface Command, headed by High General Sato Tarentae and Fleet Admiral Sith Bloodfyre-Tarentae. When infrastructural development on Yridia IV went awry and anti-Tarentum sentiments began to spread among various dissidents, Ronovi declared a new state of government for the dark clan known as the Yridian Kratocracy, in which the name of the Sith King was glorified by all. Alongside Sashar Arconae, Consul of Clan Arcona, she helped institute the Estle-Eden Axis, based on the Treaty of Kessel signed by Tarenti and Arconan officials several years before. And through it all, she consistently worked and communicated with her two apprentices, Syrna Valkiss and Giovanni Palermo. However, in her bold attempt to stabilize the young kratocracy, Ronovi could not prevent the impending decimation within the clan’s dominion.
In 33 ABY, a cult known as the Church of Infinite Perception invaded Yridian space after the obliteration of Tarentum's entire naval fleet save for the Magnus Kaerner. It was soon discovered that the Church was working with four surviving Yuuzhan Vong, as well as a former servant of the Keepers, Lady Nilani. With Yridia IV seized, dozens of Tarenti and army troops were killed. Ronovi called on the Arconans to help the beleaguered clan and alerted Grand Master Muz Ashen of the threat, then confronted Lady Nilani in Castle Tarentum and killed her with the assistance of Ethnarc Stanson Rend. By the time the Dark Council's fleets arrived in Yridian space, Arcona and Tarentum had worked together to kill the Preceptor of the Church and destroy the cult’s control over Yridia IV. The costs of the attempted coup were dear, and Tarentum’s numbers suffered greatly due to the conflict. Shortly after the events in Yridia, the Grand Master declared the Brotherhood to be in disarray and downsized all six of the clans to houses, and Tarentum was forced to close Houses Kaerner and Reinthaler and reform its battle teams.
Ronovi was left physically and emotionally wounded by the radical changes in Tarentum's structure, especially after Lord Khyron indirectly challenged her rule over the imbalanced fiefdom. She began to believe that she could not be the harbinger of hope and victory for the Tarenti as once expected of her, realizing that perhaps she had overstayed her welcome as Prince of Yridia. The newly demoted Quaestor decided somewhat on a whim to travel to Lyspair, home of the Shadow Academy, and devoted much of her time to more scholarly studies. Taigikori Aybara, the Headmaster of the Brotherhood, took Ronovi under his wing and began to teach her the darker arts that the Academy had to offer. As a result, the Exarch abdicated the throne of Yridia in 34 ABY in order to focus primarily on her work as Praetor. This allowed Sith Bloodfyre to reign over the house for a third tenure and officially ended Ronovi's five years in consecutive leadership positions.
Displacement
- "You started out as some petty fighter, became the ruler of the entire system you called home, and then...became some petty fighter. Good job, Ronovi."
- ―Dralin Fortea
Ronovi the Arconan, circa 35 ABY.
Comfortable with her new position in the Shadow Academy, Ronovi went straight to work on various new courses and degrees while dividing her time between Lyspair and Yridia. The knowledge that she was imbibing enticed her more than she expected, especially when she had become so accustomed to combat and military operations. As she delved further into dark sciences and philosophy, she began to wonder if perhaps her true path for perfection lay in a different direction than she had first believed. Ronovi was later rewarded a Ruby Scepter for both her diligence in the Academy and her devotion to Tarentum as Quaestor and Tarentae.
As time went on, Ronovi grew more and more disillusioned by Tarentum proceedings. The Yridian Kratocracy had crumbled in exchange for fanatic religious sects, and the Tarentae had once again become withdrawn in their own politics. She truly believed that the house as a whole was top priority, and as the Independence Games began in 35 ABY, Ronovi noticed just how isolated the Tarenti had once again become. Most of all, she was angered by the casting aside of various projects and objectives she had undertaken as Quaestor in favor of the Tarentae's families and estates. Ronovi subsequently abandoned Castle Tarentum, returned to Eden City, and decided after weeks of contemplation that she would go somewhere else if her work was to be ignored and her presence not welcome. She sacrificed the Tarentae name in order to join the newly reclanned Arcona, where many of her allies and friends now resided. Her history in Tarentum, spanning nearly seven years, would become nothing more than a distant memory.
Accompanied by Stanson Rend and Giovanni Palermo, Ronovi traveled to the Dajorra system. She was welcomed by the Arconan summit in Estle City and invited to join the ranks of House Qel-Droma as a member of Shadow Gate, a team that operated along Port Ol'val. However, Taigikori demanded Ronovi's presence more and more frequently on Lyspair, and each duty she subsequently undertook seemed to foreshadow her future endeavors within the frosty corridors of the Shadow Academy.
Crusades and Carnage
- "Ronovi is the only one in this room to pass this test. Do you have the guts to surpass her?"
- ―Fremoc Pepoi during a combat course at the Academy
Ronovi and Taigikori Aybara, leaders of the Shadow Academy, circa 35 ABY.
Ronovi proved herself to be a worthy vassal of the Shadow Clan, becoming a stalwart Arconan vigilante on Ol'val and gaining favor with her summits. At the same time, the events surrounding Lyspair concerned her. Liu Van Dae, an enigmatic Jedi hellbent on killing the Grand Master, fought and mutilated Taigikori within the Dark Vault, spawning a vicious alertness deep in the Epicanthix's mind and stomach. She continually warned the Headmaster of being lax on security when the presence of the light side house Odan-Urr, along with the growing numbers of dead within the Brotherhood, struck an angry and carnal chord with all seven of the sovereign houses and clans.
She did not have to wait long for war. The Invasion of New Tython was imminent, and Muz Ashen ordered all of the Brotherhood to besiege the temples and fortifications of Odan-Urr. Ronovi fought within the legions of Qel-Droma, pleased with the idea that she could take vengeance on the Jedi who held fellowship with those who had attempted to convert her to the light side in years past. She proved to be not only one of the most valiant warriors of Arcona, but also of the entire Dark Jedi Brotherhood, winning twenty-five Jedi's lightsabers as bounty after she gleefully slaughtered them. Once again, Ronovi's power and presence garnered attention from her superiors, and Taigikori and Muz honored her with the title of Second Hero and the rank of Obelisk Primarch upon her return to Anteian space.
In the final days of her residence within the Dajorra dominion, Ronovi fought alongside the Entars to end the War of the Three Families. Her decision to side with the clan summit was due to her abhorrence of inner conflict, and she was determined to put a stop to Teroch Erinos, who had vowed revenge for the death of his father Sashar Arconae. Shortly after the chaos had subsided, Ronovi was unexpectedly called back to Antei and told to stay on Lyspair, as Kir Katarn, the revered Justicar, had just resigned from his post. She soon learned that Taigikori had been selected as Kir's successor, and that she, the first woman to ever be offered stewardship of the Shadow Academy, would be appointed Headmaster. In response to this news, Ronovi accepted the name of Dupar and for the first time, at only the rank of Primarch, entered the restricted areas of the Dark Vault where the malicious aura of its treasures, including yet to be studied holocrons, awaited her.
The Meltdown
- "Leave. Your capabilities as Headmaster have been compromised."
- ―Muz Ashen
Following the positive recognition she had received during the war and her time in Arcona, Ronovi expected a long and prosperous reign as Headmaster. She took on her tasks with vigor, becoming involved in various inner modifications to the Shadow Academy in terms of its departments, practices, and archives. Her visits to the Dark Vault, however, grew more and more frequent, as she compulsively examined and re-examined holocrons for the sole purpose of extending her knowledge. She looked to various dark side artifacts to enhance her physical and mental capacities, and as a result, she became heavily influenced by lore and history that she still could not fully fathom at her rank. As a result, Ronovi became more and more difficult to work with, her attitude growing more sinister and her outbursts of violence gaining notice from the Dark Council.
The events of Horizons would prove to be detrimental to the Academy, as the sickness known as the Horizon plague first seemed to emerge from the initiate ranks on Lyspair. An attempt to quarantine the facilities partially failed, and soon after Ronovi felt her connection to the Force slip away, one of the initial symptoms of the plague. The loss of a major source of strength, coupled with the dramatic changes to her mood and personality, nearly resulted in the Headmaster's destruction of the Shadow Academy and everyone in it for the sake of eradicating a potential pandemic. When news spread that the plague had in fact not originated from Lyspair and inoculations were hastily administered to the infected, Ronovi's brash decisions were viewed with harsh skepticism, and she intended to compensate for her lapse in judgment and power by hoarding holocrons and artifacts so she could further study them. Such paranoia and obsession later frustrated Benevolent Taldrya Whiner, Keeper of the Holocrons, who demanded that the items be returned to him after what he viewed to be adequate analysis.
Refusing to release the holocrons in her possession to Benevolent, Ronovi continued her self-indulgent research. Benevolent, unbeknownst to her, reported her behavior to Muz, who traveled with him to Lyspair. Upon seeing Ronovi physically lash out at the Son of Taldryan in the Dark Vault, the Grand Master instructed Ronovi to depart from the Academy, thereby ending her short-lived dynasty as Headmaster. Wheeling an entire cabinet of Whyren's Reserve onto a prepared Starwind-class pleasure yacht, the ousted Epicanthix orbited around Antei in a drunken despair before the Force suddenly seemed to call to her. A heavily intoxicated Ronovi keyed in the coordinates that appeared in her mind, jumped into hyperspace, and re-appeared within the Shroud, where the dark side pulsed within the perilous nebulae.
Characteristics
Physical Appearance
- "You know...you remind me of a blonde female pilot I once knew."
- ―Solus Gar
File:Ronovi.slagar.2.jpgRonovi circa 35 ABY.
Ronovi's battle armor and robes.
From a first look, Ronovi is looming and intimidating. As is typical of an Epicanthix, she stands over an impressive two meters in height, with a long torso and strongly built legs so that she may tower over allies and opponents. Her weight gives her a more slender look, but in truth she is built very much like a brick, being tough, sturdy, and battered. She is very well-toned, with broad shoulders and a chest that seems to belong more to a man than to a woman. Her right ear is slightly mangled, the lobe having been removed by a blaster bolt.
Despite her build being very appropriate to that of a soldier, Ronovi does maintain some feminine features. Her slender and slightly pointed nose, her high cheekbones, and her dark eyebrows complement her darker, sharper look. If anything, her looks could be considered "tomboyish," though her face does hold a refined, almost noble aura about it despite some small, white scars that line her chin, lips, and forehead. She keeps her naturally black hair long, usually tied back with a few strands falling across the nape of her neck and her collarbone.
Ronovi has worn both civilian garb and military as well as ceremonial uniforms. However, her battle attire includes standard military black boots and breeches, a bronze-hued breastplate and gauntlets, and a sleeveless black coat with silver accents, which replaces the standard Dark Jedi cloak or robe. Under the coat, she keeps a small flask at her side that is normally filled with Whyren's Reserve, a rare and expensive brand of Corellian whiskey. Her left eye is a cybernetic implant, an electric patch that works as a vision replacement. Her organic eye, once a deep brown, has now become amber due to the dark side's physiological effects on her body. From a distance, Ronovi does appear to be carved from a block of dark marble, but once closer, one can see the intricate details of her appearance, allowing her the threatening persona of a warrior.
Lightsabers
Ronovi's single-handed lightsaber.
File:MalevolentObeliskLBlue.pngRonovi's double-bladed lightsaber.
Ronovi's primary weapon is her lightsaber. Her first personalized lightsaber was crafted by Shikyo Keibatsu, Herald of the Brotherhood. Equipped with a bronze plasma blade, this single-handed saber boasted a long handle with a wooden texture and a brass-like tang guard carved around the emitter, easy to grip and beautifully constructed. It is safe to assume that Ronovi purposefully had the hilt resemble that of an ancient war sword, given that she has adapted to the aura of an Obelisk and a general. Recently, in order to better accommodate her developing saber skills, Ronovi wields a simply constructed double bladed lightsaber with cerulean blades and a bare-boned silver hilt. She hopes to have one personally constructed for her in the near future.
Ronovi practices over four lightsaber forms which include Soresu, Makashi, and Vapaad, the last of which she has nearly mastered. The result is a near perfect combination of defense, agility, and fury, making the Obelisk a formidable opponent. Her decision to take on the discipline of the Centurion has molded her into the epitome of a soldier, and as a result, she is able to quickly learn and execute the strikes and stances of the saber forms that she has chosen to perfect.
Her preferred lightsaber form, in the end, is the brutal Juyo, a form she has mastered and perfected. It is when using Juyo that Ronovi can fully demonstrate her caliber as a brawler, warrior, and soldier, unleashing a primal monster from within as she batters against her enemies with pure, unfiltered strength and power. Through such aggressive strikes, she believes that her Force senses are amplified, as well as her capability to utilize powers such as Force Rage in order to channel her emotions into powerful weapons against her opponent.
Combat
File:Com-Ronovi4-1.jpgRonovi armed with her lightsaber, sapphire blade, and ruby scepter.
- "If I had to choose between fighting a Rancor, or Ronovi...I'd take the Rancor."
- ―Marick Arconae
Besides her lightsaber, Ronovi has utilized various other weapons throughout her fighting career. She is a frequent wielder of heavy blaster pistols, normally carrying at least one on her person during strikes or battles. While she prefers using blasters in the style of the SSK-7 model, she sometimes resorts to using hold-out blasters due to their size and sleekness. Although she is not a sniper, Ronovi has occasionally been equipped with a blaster rifle, and she has specifically used a disruptor rifle during select missions.
Having dabbled in swordsmanship in the years before and during her time in the Brotherhood, Ronovi also uses swords, daggers, and knives in combat. She frequently totes her sapphire blade, using it as a back-up in case she is disarmed of her primary weapon. On select missions, Ronovi has carried a vibroshiv as well as vibroknucklers, which allows her close and almost intimate contact with her opponent before slitting his or her throat. Vibroknucklers also give her an excuse to go straight into hand to hand combat, since she can use the vibroblades for defense and bring the enemy to a bloody death. When Ronovi wishes to use a blunt weapon in order to enact a slower demise, she chooses her ruby scepter.
Ronovi has learned over ten hand to hand disciplines, including Broken Gate, Hapan, Petranaki, and Stava. Her preference for aggressive yet agile moves may leave her open to attack, but in exchange she is able to deliver strong and precise strikes against her foes. She will sometimes use a quarterstaff in fights and training exercises, but ultimately what Ronovi loves to use most is her bare fists. Her past as an underground fighter emphasizes her passion for unadulterated brawling, making her somewhat of an adrenaline junkie.
The Force
Due to her emphasis in physical power, Ronovi can be considered a minimalist of the Force in terms of actual Force attacks. This was once due to her Force powers being feebler than those of her allies, and she did not feel confident using them. Now, though she has mastered several powerful Force abilities, she has gotten used to counting on her physical senses and instincts rather than on her Force control. This is also because Ronovi's Force reflex and Force defense are still particularly lackluster, as she is more vulnerable to Force attacks than many others equal to her in rank. However, Ronovi is very efficient at using Force senses, which include psychometry, and can detect and observe various occurrences within a large square area. As a direct result of this, she is occasionally overwhelmed by the information that she subsequently receives.
Because she is an Epicanthix, Ronovi possesses an interesting and rare genetic immunity to Force-assisted mental tricks and influences. As such, it is near impossible for even the masters of the Force to accurately read her mind or attempt to control her. This has served as a tremendous aid to her during times in which she has been imprisoned and interrogated, as her captors can never clearly comprehend her true intentions. Of course, sometimes she is far too vocal, especially when inebriated, and in those cases, mind tricks are not even necessary.
Ronovi is not a follower of any specific Force doctrine or teachings, despite the fact that she has grown familiar with several Force philosophies. This is because she simply thinks of the Force as a tool rather than a mystical entity. She maintains a down-to-earth, no-nonsense perspective of the dark side, practicing its arts with the idea that it assists her toward a greater end goal. To her, the Force is a manual for knowledge and strength, not a spiritual guide or almighty deity. What is crucial is the individual power garnered from the Force, not the Force itself, and the end result of its teachings and its history. While many would compare such a mindset to Obelisk ideologies, Ronovi claims that it is merely common sense.
Personality
Ronovi and Dralin enjoying drinks at The Mirage, circa 33 ABY.
Ronovi's personality has rapidly evolved throughout the years. She was a temperamental, power-hungry child and adolescent, a true fighter at heart and more brawn than brain. As she progressed through the ranks, however, she became more of a military mind, becoming cool and calculating as a Master Centurion and a general. The Shadow Academy later allowed her to sharpen her senses and her understanding of the galaxy, as she was capable of studying the archives and artifacts of the Dark Vault before she even rose to Elder rank. Because of this, she became so steeped in arcane dark side knowledge that, without realizing, she cultivated the sort of ruthlessness that could lead her to break a man's neck for the slightest offense. As a result, she can be called a dark scholarly warrior: Powerful, malevolent, and remarkably intelligent.
However, Ronovi's continually growing prowess and intimidating demeanor does not mean that her old habits have faded away. She is still a blunt, sharp-tongued, and cynical character. Despite her strategic abilities, she can become quite spastic on and off the battlefield. Her rambunctiousness, unhindered honesty, and affinity for drinking contribute to her occasionally belligerent behavior. It is commonly known that Ronovi enjoys inflicting pain, treating it like a form of entertainment and emphasizing her more sadistic nature. Fortunately, she is able to keep some of her brutal mannerisms under control, instead handling situations with sarcasm, wit, and a casual air. Basically, Ronovi could easily punch a man in the jaw and then tell a joke about it later, and rumor has it that she also has an abusive history with other women.
Ronovi has few friends but a fair number of allies who she will often confide in, though not without the usual caution. Her fluency in Basic as well as Bocce, Bothese, Epicant, and Sith allows her to communicate with a large variety of species in the galaxy on a militant as well as economic level. She is almost compulsive regarding her equipment and combative skills, and she cannot tolerate romantic feelings of any kind. Despite her frequently reckless attitude and vicious tongue, Ronovi is recognized as a strong mentor, advisor, and leader.
Apprentices
Jaron Kai
29 ABY - 30 ABY
Jaron Kai was Ronovi's first apprentice, beginning her training under the then Dark Jedi Knight after House Cestus and House Gladius's joint mission on Samur. As she was ranked Protector at the time, Jaron had already proven to Ronovi that she was a capable fighter as well as a reliable member of Cestus. The two were also on friendly rather than merely cordial terms, and their master and student relationship was sided with a shared wit and perspective. Unfortunately, Jaron disappeared from Tarentum's set up base during the Reclamation of Antei and has not been seen since. She last held the rank of Jedi Hunter.
Syrna Valkiss
32 ABY - 35 ABY
Syrna Valkiss was Ronovi's second apprentice, beginning her training under the then Obelisk Prelate shortly after she earned the rank of Novice. Unlike Jaron Kai, Syrna harbored a much more reserved attitude toward her given tasks and assignments within Tarentum. As Ronovi was once on good terms with Syrna's brother, Severon Vercingetorix, she was aware of the woman's turbulent past and hoped to use it in order to submit her fully to the power of the dark side. Only then could Syrna's full potential and skill be unlocked and utilized. When Ronovi left Yridian space, Syrna decided to stay behind and was later killed during the Siege of Eden. She last held the rank of Guardian.
Giovanni Palermo
33 ABY - 35 ABY
Giovanni Palermo was Ronovi's third apprentice, having held the rank of Jedi Hunter for quite some time before becoming the then Obelisk Prelate's student. After becoming disenchanted with his former master, he was encouraged to seek assistance from Archean Erinos Tarentae only to discover that the situation would not improve his already stagnant progress. Ronovi, feeling that the long-term Tarenti needed a strong and persistent mentor, placed Giovanni under a strict training regimen, hoping to push him over the last remaining hurdles on his long path to knighthood. It took two more years, but Giovanni was at last elevated to Dark Jedi Knight while serving in Arcona alongside his master, becoming the first of Ronovi's apprentices to obtain the prized rank.
Trivia
- Ronovi is based on a previously written Sith character named Darth Desov, which was used by her creator for less formal roleplaying sessions.
- Ronovi has a large variety of nicknames, including but not limited to: "Ron," "Ronnie," "Rovi," "Ro Ro," "Ravioli," "Ron-Ron," "Runofi," "Ronovermi," and "Ronobi," all coined by Odin Vaaj, Oberst, Tlaloc Elols, Kazarelth, Ji, and Dralin respectively.
- Ronovi emerged as Champion of the Independence Games in 35 ABY, taking first place in five events.
- Ronovi is recognized as the Second Hero of the Tenth Great Jedi War, upstaged only by Benevolent Taldrya Whiner.