Wookieepedia:Featured articles/History
From Wookieepedia, the Star Wars wiki.
This is a list of all featured articles showcased on Wookieepedia's Main Page. For a list of articles scheduled to appear on the Main Page in the coming weeks, see the queue.
January
January 7, (Week 2) 2008 – Nantex-class territorial defense starfighter and Zayne Carrick
The Nantex-class territorial defense starfighter, also known as the beak-wing fighter or simply the Geonosian starfighter, was a model of starfighter that was manufactured by Huppla Pasa Tisc Shipwrights Collective and designed for the exclusive use of the Geonosians when guarding their territories against intruders. During the Clone Wars, these small, speedy craft would see service with the naval and land forces of the Confederacy of Independent Systems in a small number of key battles, including the campaigns of Sev'rance Tann and the Battle of Muunilinst, as well as the Battle of Geonosis itself that saw the opening shots of that pan-galactic conflict.
Zayne Carrick was a Human Padawan learner during the Mandalorian Wars. Hailing from the family of a banker and a gardener, Zayne was barely accepted into the Jedi Order, with his level of Force sensitivity described as "marginal", and spent his youngling days at the Jedi Enclave on Dantooine. He was later assigned as the Padawan to Jedi Master Lucien Draay who, unbeknownst to both Zayne and the Dantooine Enclave Council, was a member of a secret Jedi organization bent on preventing the return of the Sith by any means necessary.
Training on the city-world of Taris under the supervision of Lucien and four other Jedi Masters, Zayne never expected to go far; he lacked confidence in his abilities, performed poorly for a future Jedi, and was treated as little more than a source of comic relief. Not even expecting to be knighted, he nevertheless attended the knighting ceremony—but, running late, was shocked to see his four fellow Padawans dead—killed by their own Masters in cold blood.
As Zayne later discovered, the Masters saw a vision that identified one of the Padawans as a threat to the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic. As the only surviving Padawan, still seen as an enemy by the Jedi Covenant, he united with Marn Hierogryph, a Tarisian black-marketeer he used to chase in the past as a law enforcer, and two mysterious Arkanian offshoots, Camper and Jarael in his quest to avenge his murdered friends and force the Masters to confess in their crime and clear his name. Little did he know that, on his run, he would be thrown right in the middle of the emerging Mandalorian Wars, chased by the Republic and the Mandalorians alike.
January 14, (Week 3) 2008 – Arca Jeth and Carosite
Arca Jeth was an Arkanian male who was a Jedi Master and Watchman of the Onderon system. He was known to have been one of the wisest Jedi of the Old Republic era, and trained Ulic Qel-Droma, his brother Cay Qel-Droma, and the Twi'lek Tott Doneeta in the ways of the Force. He was also one of the first known Jedi to use the ability of battle meditation.
In 4,050 BBY Master Jeth was part of a Jedi/Republic task force which was sent to the Hapes Cluster to eliminate the threat of the Lorell Raiders, who had been preying on Republic shipping lanes for decades. Following the defeat of the Lorell Raiders, Jeth took part in the Hyabb-Twith Campaign and helped drive the Nelori Marauders from the Hyabb-Twith Corridor. He served the Galactic Republic on Coruscant during the Great Droid Revolution of 4,015 BBY in which he demonstrated the Force technique that allowed the Jedi to deactivate the attacking droids using the Force. He would later mediate the Beast Wars on Onderon, and help drive the dark side spirit of Freedon Nadd from the planet. After helping Onderon to obtain peace, Arca was slain at the Conclave on Deneba by a Krath war droid.
In the arms of his most gifted student, Ulic Qel-Droma, Arca Jeth became one with the Force.
Carosites were a mammalian sentient species originally native to the planet Carosi IV. However, when the star Carosi began to rapidly expand, they were forced to evacuate their entire population to the outer planet Carosi XII and rebuild their civilization.
Carosites were renowned throughout the galaxy for their medical skills. Their medical academies attracted some of the galaxy's greatest doctors to study and teach, drawn by their significant advancements in the treatment of mental illnesses and in medical droid technology. Carosites were generally pacifists, although on occasion flew into berserker rages to protect their patients. Their reverence for life and medical acumen culminated in their famous hospital ship, the Sudden Restoration. Throughout the Galactic Civil War it provided free health care to all, without regard to political affiliation.
January 21, (Week 4) 2008 – Dace Diath and Bouncer
Dace Diath was a Human male and one of many Jedi Knights who trained under Master Vodo-Siosk Baas. He spent the majority of his early life on Tatooine being taught his initial training by his father, the Jedi Master Sidrona Diath. Upon completion of this training, he traveled to Ossus and became an apprentice to Master Vodo. He would eventually be one of the Jedi sent as reinforcements to help Ulic Qel-Droma during the Freedon Nadd Uprising on Onderon. He later participated in the Convocation at Mount Meru and fought against the Krath during the Great Sith War.
He was an experienced and talented pilot, and while on Onderon learned to fly one of the Beast Rider's war beasts.
Dace Diath, along with fellow Jedi Qrrrl Toq and Shoaneb Culu, was killed when Aleema Keto used Sith powers to destroy a star in the Cron Drift. He was an ancestor of Jedi Master Nico Diath and Padawan Tae Diath.
Bouncers were the native sentient species of Ruusan. Globe-like creatures, they received their name from their method of locomotion: propelled by the wind, they bounced themselves off obstacles to reach great heights.
Their homeworld was the location of a great battle between the forces of the Army of Light and the Brotherhood of Darkness during the New Sith Wars. The Bouncers tried to ease the struggles of both sides, bringing support and comfort to the dying using their mild telepathic abilities. When the conflict ended with Lord Kaan unleashing the thought bomb, trapping the spirits of hundreds of Jedi and Sith inside, the Bouncers maintained a prophecy that "a Knight would come, a battle would be fought, and the prisoners go free." The Bouncers helped fulfill this prophecy when they guided Kyle Katarn to the Valley of the Jedi over a thousand years later. A Bouncer was also responsible for the survival of Rain, who went on to become the Sith Lord Darth Zannah.
January 28, (Week 5) 2008 – Matt Talon and Oss Wilum
Matt Talon was a Human male who served as a light scout trooper in the First Sun Mobile Regiment. During his time as a First Sun trooper, he was wounded during a battle which left him with a distinguishable scar on his face, which ran from his right eye down to the right corner of his mouth. After the company he served in was almost completely wiped out in an Imperial attack, he became disillusioned with his mercenary service, and began wandering the galaxy. During this time he continued to wear his First Sun Mobile battle armor, and found work as a bounty hunter. He was also a member of The Most Honourable Guild of Armourers, which included such famous members as Boba Fett, and Dengar.
He eventually made contact with the Rebel Alliance, and he was assigned to work with the Sullustan named Thila, aboard the ship Arkanian Dawn. This decision turned out to work in his favor, and through his work with Thila, he developed a deep-seated loyalty for her. His work with the Alliance helped him channel his rage and disillusionment into something productive, and he was able to become an effective soldier in the fight against the Empire.
Oss Wilum was a Vultan male who served as a Jedi Knight during the days of the Old Republic. He was originally apprenticed to Jedi Master Garnoo, and would later train alongside Nomi Sunrider under Jedi Master Thon.
He was one of a select number of Jedi sent to aid Ulic Qel-Droma during the Naddist Revolt, and would later fight in the Great Sith War. During this conflict he was one of several Jedi tricked by the rogue Jedi Exar Kun into turning against the Jedi Order. Oss was seduced by Kun's lies that he had discovered ancient Jedi secrets that the Masters of the Order were hiding from others. Following Kun's orders, Wilum returned to Ambria and attempted to slay Master Thon by calling upon two Hssiss from a nearby lake. Thon killed the Hssiss and was able to bring Oss back from the dark side of the Force.
Although nothing is known as to how he died, he was honored in a monument on New Holstice which was devoted to fallen Jedi, where his name was eternally whispered by the wings of a memory moth.
February
February 4, (Week 6) 2008 – 501st Legion and Wes Janson
The 501st Legion, also known as "Vader's Fist" and the Five Hundred and First during the Galactic Civil War, was a legion of elite clone troopers commissioned by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine during the Clone Wars.
The 501st later became Darth Vader's personal stormtrooper unit after he led them during Operation: Knightfall. After fighting in some of the greatest battles of the post-Ruusan Reformation era, the 501st became one of the most well-known and most feared legions.
During the Galactic Civil War, the 501st was the last remnant of the Grand Army of the Republic fully composed of clones of Jango Fett, as opposed to the ever-growing and more diverse Stormtrooper Corps where the Fett clones became a minority with the inclusion of a pool of clones from different templates and birth-born recruits. Eventually, with the relaxing of Imperial NhM policies, more diverse recruits would be added to the 501st, including even non-Humans.
Members of the 501st constructed a journal of their thoughts during some of the most infamous battles in which they fought.
Wes Janson (pronounced /Wěs Jǎn'-sǔn/) was an ace starfighter pilot of the Alliance to Restore the Republic and New Republic. He served with Rogue Squadron, the Rebellion's most elite starfighter squadron. As a key member of the Rogues, he fought at the battles of Hoth and Endor, among others. He would later go on to serve with Wraith Squadron, the New Republic's pilot/commando unit. Janson eventually reached the rank of Major after years of service fighting against the Galactic Empire, including the campaigns against Warlord Zsinj, Prince-Admiral Delak Krennel, and Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Janson retired from active service after the end of the Galactic Civil War, but returned to serve the New Republic by leading a group of volunteers during the Yuuzhan Vong War. After the Yuuzhan Vong surrender, Janson would once again return to combat in the Confederation-Galactic Alliance War, joining Rakehell Squadron in support of Luke Skywalker's insurgency against Jacen Solo.
Aside from his piloting skills, Janson was a gunner, first and foremost. He was regarded as a deadly shot with blasters and skilled at hand-to-hand combat. When not fighting, he was known for his practical jokes and witticisms among his fellow pilots.
February 11, (Week 7) 2008 – Callista Ming and Daric LaRone
Callista Ming was a Human Jedi Knight from Chad during the waning years of the Galactic Republic. A former Padawan of Djinn Altis, Callista survived the initial stages of the Great Jedi Purge and made contact with other survivors on Belsavis. When the automated dreadnought Eye of Palpatine came to demolish the settlement, Callista and her lover Geith launched a desperate mission to sabotage the ship. They were successful, but in the process, Callista shed her physical body, remaining embedded in the ship as a disembodied ghost.
Many years later, Luke Skywalker and several other Jedi were brought onto the ship as it resumed its mission. Callista, in spirit form, communicated and began to fall in love with Luke. She later took the body of one of the other Jedi, Cray Mingla, after Cray gave it up to stop the superweapon once and for all. However, in the process, Callista lost her ability to touch the Force. Despite this loss, Callista helped thwart Admiral Daala and the Death Seed plague conspiracy, though she and Luke parted ways forever.
Daric LaRone was a Human male stormtrooper born on Copperline. He had two younger brothers. While serving on the Reprisal, he became unsatisfied with service to the New Order after being ordered to massacre civilians on Teardrop. Confronted by Imperial Security Bureau Major Drelfin over his tacit refusal to kill the civilians, he was forced to kill Drelfin in self-defense. He and fellow stormtroopers Korlo Brightwater, Taxtro Grave, Saberan Marcross, and Joak Quiller took an ISB-modified Suwantek TL-1800, the Gillia, and fled, intending to go the Outer Rim Territories.
However, still feeling compelled by their duty to Imperial citizens, LaRone led the group in a number of vigilante actions on Drunost and Janusar, with LaRone christening them the Hand of Judgment. Later, he and his four comrades met up with Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Chewbacca and they managed to work out a mutual working relationship between the Rebels and ex-stormtroopers. LaRone and the group ended up on Shelkonwa, where they helped Mara Jade eliminate treasonous Governor Barshnis Choard.
February 18, (Week 8) 2008 – Ephant Mon and Hallis Saper
Ephant Mon was a Chevin male from the planet Vinsoth. Despite his awkward appearance, Mon was a skilled and powerful combatant and, during his youth, he was considered handsome by Chevin standards. Mon started off as a mercenary in his youth before becoming a gunrunner, supplying arms to all sorts of military factions, from planetary militia groups to the more organized Rebel Alliance. His goods were usually stolen Imperial weapons which, though outdated, were still serviceable. Mon also worked as a slaver at some point in his lengthy life.
An old acquaintance of Jabba Desilijic Tiure, Mon served as the Hutt's liaison and took care of his estate while Jabba was away on business. The Hutt's trust in Mon was founded in their life-long friendship which saw the two friends pursue many collective paths, both having once worked together as high-risk gunrunners. After Jabba saved his life on Glakka, Ephant became the Hutt's head of security, rooting out several conspiracies and assassination plots. Although he repaid his dept in abundance, Mon's loyalty to Jabba was unswerving, and he kept his position for several decades, until Jabba's death in 4 ABY. Mon was extremely loyal to the Hutt, for Jabba had once saved his life—Mon regularly turned down extravagant offers from Jabba's rival, Lady Valarian, who wanted to see the old Chevin leave Jabba's employ and join her criminal enterprise.
Ephant Mon was friendly with many of the regulars in Jabba's Palace, such as the Klatooinian Barada; however, he particularly despised Ree-Yees and Salacious Crumb. Ephant, who was slightly Force-sensitive, did not perish in the Skirmish at Carkoon, instead preferring to stay at Jabba's Palace after he sensed the Force in Luke Skywalker.
Hallis Saper was a freelance holodocumentarian who later served with New Republic Intelligence. A tall, slender Human female from Bonadan, Hallis typically wore her long brown hair either in a braid or in large, elaborate pilings atop her head. Originally trained in sludgenews, Hallis experienced a turning point in her career when she accompanied Red Flight to Adumar as a mission documentarian. Despite the fact that the mission didn't go according to plan, with the pilots becoming enemies of Adumar's largest state, Cartann, Hallis was loyal to the pilots and played a vital role in their survival by convincing Iella Wessiri to disregard her orders and assist the New Republic pilots. Following the mission, she went on to join New Republic Intelligence, serving in the Yuuzhan Vong War as part of a disinformation campaign.
February 25, (Week 9) 2008 – Gotal and Cindel Towani
Gotals were a species of tall, hairy humanoid sentients native to the moon Antar 4. Their most distinctive features were the twin conical horns growing on the top of their heads, which acted as highly responsive electromagnetic sensors. These head cones were sensitive enough to pick up subtle changes in another being's electromagnetic emissions from emotional changes, making Gotals natural empaths. The unique nature of these sensors shaped Gotal culture, and helped individual Gotals carve niches in galactic society ranging from bounty hunters to diplomats.
Gotals were part of galactic society as far back as the early days of the Galactic Republic. During this time, Gotals served the Republic as Jedi and as Antarian Rangers. In the Republic's later years, however, their relations with other cultures became troubled. Conflicts such as the Duinuogwuin-Gotal conflict and the Separatist Crisis resulted in the Gotals taking the losing side in the Clone Wars. Distrusted by and distrusting of the Galactic Empire, the Gotals returned to the mainstream as part of the New Republic and later, the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances.
Cindel Towani was a female Human journalist during the time of the New Republic. When she was five standard years of age, her family crash-landed on the forest moon of Endor where her parents were captured by the native Gorax. Cindel, along with her teenage brother Mace and the Ewok tribe that included Wicket Warrick, managed to rescue the Towani parents.
It was in vain, however, as both of Cindel's parents and Mace were later killed by a group of Sanyassan Marauders. She and Wicket were eventually taken in by another stranded Human, an old man named Noa Briqualon. Together, they managed to defeat the Sanyassans, and the two Humans were able to leave the Endor moon using the power cell of the Towani family's star cruiser—which they had retrieved from the marauders.
Years later, a news story in which she leaked information about the Yevethan attack on Polneye helped garner public support for New Republic intervention.
March
March 3, (Week 10) 2008 – Shoaneb Culu and Teneniel Djo
Shoaneb Culu was a female Miraluka who served as a Jedi Knight in the days of the Old Republic. She traveled from her homeworld of Alpheridies to seek out a Jedi who could train her in the ways of the Force, planning to return one day to her homeworld and establish a Jedi academy there. She wished to bring Jedi training to the already Force-sensitive Miraluka, so that other Miraluka would not have to travel from their homeworld to learn about the Force. She eventually found her way to the Jedi library world of Ossus where she trained under the Jedi Master Vodo-Siosk Baas—she would ultimately become a very knowledgeable student of the history of the Jedi Order. Following the completion of her training, she was selected to be one of the few Jedi who were sent as reinforcements to help Ulic Qel-Droma during the Freedon Nadd Uprising on Onderon. The Naddist Revolt helped identify Shoaneb as an aspiring and deserving Jedi, and she would later participate in the Convocation at Mount Meru, as well as fight against the Krath during the Great Sith War.
She was an experienced and talented pilot, choosing to fly a S-100 Stinger-class starfighter in most conflicts. During the Great Sith War, she flew as Jedi Three against the Krath on Cinnagar. She was also one of a handful of Jedi who learned how to fly one of the Beast Riders' war beasts shortly after The Naddist Revolt.
Shoaneb Culu, along with fellow Jedi Qrrrl Toq and Dace Diath, was killed when Aleema Keto used Sith powers to destroy a star in the Cron Drift.
Teneniel Djo was a member of the Singing Mountain Clan of the Witches of Dathomir who eventually became the Queen Mother of the Hapes Consortium.
Raised by her grandmother Augwynne Djo after her mother Allaya's untimely death, Teneniel was gifted in the use of the Spell of Storm. After living in semi-exile in the desert while searching her dreams and looking for a husband to kidnap, she came across Luke Skywalker and Isolder, the latter of whom she eventually married.
After Isolder's mother Ta'a Chume stepped down as Queen Mother, Teneniel and Isolder reigned over the Hapes Consortium for approximately 17 years. During the Yuuzhan Vong War, Teneniel suffered a Force-induced miscarriage that left her semi-catatonic and vulnerable to attacks from many who had deemed her unfit to rule. In 27 ABY, an attempt to kill Teneniel initiated by Ta'a Chume was executed successfully, with her daughter Tenel Ka succeeding her as Queen Mother.
March 10, (Week 11) 2008 – Corwin Shelvay and Independence
Corwin Shelvay was a male Human Jedi Knight in the time of Emperor Palpatine's Great Jedi Purge. The apprentice of Darrin Arkanian, Shelvay traveled the galaxy with his master until he was captured by the Empire on Coruscant. Arkanian rescued him at the cost of his own life, falling to the blade of Antinnis Tremayne. Shelvay got his revenge on Tremayne, grievously injuring him, but came perilously close to the dark side in the process.
After wandering the galaxy in search of a new purpose, Shelvay eventually joined the Rebel Alliance. In the following years he recruited new members into its ranks and led special forces teams in attacks against the Empire. He may have even trained students of his own in the ways of the Force.
The Independence was a MC80 Home One type Star Cruiser that, under the command of Admiral Ackbar, acted as the Rebel Alliance Fleet's flagship in the early years of the Galactic Civil War. It acted as a staging ground for several hit and fade attacks against the Galactic Empire and saw action several times against Imperial forces. During this time it also oversaw the training of several promising recruits to the Alliance to Restore the Republic.
The Independence acted as communications control ship for the Alliance Fleet at the Battle of Endor. Six months later it participated in the Battle of Brentaal IV. Almost twenty years later, it would again see action, fighting the Yuuzhan Vong for the New Republic.
March 17, (Week 12) 2008 – Deena Shan and Knowledge Bank
Deena Shan was a young Human female who, looking for adventure and a better life for herself, left her homeworld of Etti IV and became a private in the Alliance to Restore the Republic shortly after the Battle of Yavin. Initially working as a supply officer on the Kalla's Stanchion, she found herself accompanying Han Solo, Leia Organa and Chewbacca, after an Imperial attack and fighting alongside the famous Rebels solidified her decision to join the Alliance.
She later posed as an Imperial lieutenant on a mission to the Imperial base of Kalist VI, where she and Imperial captain Kale Roshuir quickly developed a mutual attraction. Despite her feelings for him, Deena led Roshuir's forces into a trap where many of them were killed, allowing the Rebels to free the captive Jorin Sol and escape with a group of Jabiimi slaves and vital fuel for the Alliance Fleet, but forever making an enemy of her lover.
Confused by her feelings for Roshuir and determined to prove her worth to the Rebels, Deena later accompanied Luke Skywalker on a mission to rescue his old friend Janek Sunber. Despite again encountering Kale Roshuir, who attempted to stop them, Deena and Luke were able to rescue Sunber and return to the Rebel Fleet, though their unsanctioned mission resulted in them both being disciplined. The two would soon work together once more in a mission to infiltrate Bannistar Station.
The Knowledge Bank was a sentience native to Mon Calamari that was aware of all events that happened on the ocean world. Consisting of a cluster of mollusks, the Knowledge Bank used telepathy to gain information on events all across the planet as well as from the minds of those who visited it. It would then relay that information to those who could communicate with it, either telepathically or with the special ritual language other denizens of Mon Calamari used.
The Bank was sacred to the native Mon Calamari and Quarren, and its existence was kept a closely guarded secret. A group of smugglers and bounty hunters accessed it in 1 BBY in their search for the treasure known as the Yavin Vassilika, and the Jedi Cilghal used it in 11 ABY to find the missing Admiral Ackbar.
March 24, (Week 13) 2008 – Garik Loran and Tig Fromm
Garik "Face" Loran was an Imperial holovid child star. Later in life, Loran escaped the Empire and had a change of heart, joining the Rebel Alliance and serving as a starfighter pilot. After a rather unimpressive career, Loran was recruited into Wraith Squadron by Wedge Antilles. Face flourished in the Wraiths, using his skills and talents at acting to help destroy the Implacable and the Razor's Kiss through unorthodox schemes such as posing as General Kargin, the leader of the Hawk-bat Independent Space Force. He eventually was promoted to captain and became the commander of the Wraiths after Wedge transferred back to Rogue Squadron.
When the New Republic Intelligence Service took over Wraith Squadron, Loran followed the unit over to Intelligence. Loran served as commander of the Wraiths for many years, including through the entire Yuuzhan Vong War. He helped defend Borleias and infiltrate occupied Coruscant, along with Luke Skywalker, Mara Jade Skywalker, Tahiri Veila, and Danni Quee, the latter mission resulting in the successful elimination of the dangerous Dark Jedi Lord Nyax before the Dark Jedi could escape from the planet.
Tig Fromm was an Annoo-dat gangster and, as the son of Sise Fromm, heir to the then-most-powerful crime family in the galaxy. Through a series of misadventures he came to be known by the nicknames Baby-Face Fromm and Junior Fromm.
Tig ran the Fromm Gang's operation on Ingo where he developed a belief that the Fromm Gang could achieve dominance over their rivals through the acquisition of advanced technology. To this end, he attempted to steal a powerful new laser from the scientist Lonn Idd, but was thwarted by intervention of the droids C-3PO and R2-D2.
Tig later developed the weapons satellite Trigon One as part of a plot to overthrow the other gangs. However, the interference of the Annoo Resistance led to the destruction of the Trigon One and the downfall of the Fromm Gang. Tig, along with his father, was later turned over to rival crimelord Jabba Desilijic Tiure by the bounty hunter Boba Fett.
March 31, (Week 14) 2008 – Danni Quee and Elom
Danni Quee was a New Republic scientist during the Yuuzhan Vong War. She was present at the very first Yuuzhan Vong incursions into the galaxy, experiencing the horrors of war and the ferocity of the invaders from Helska 4 to Coruscant. Danni, though originally an astrophysicist, soon became an expert on the Yuuzhan Vong's biots and biotechnology, searching for ways to counter their weaponry. She was constantly near the front lines on the war, seeking to decipher the alien organisms while honing her latent Force abilities. Her efforts led to the development of yammosk detection and jamming equipment, a valuable contribution to the war effort. Danni accompanied Luke Skywalker and Jacen Solo to Zonama Sekot, where she was fascinated by the living planet. At the war's end, Danni remained on Zonama Sekot, resigning from the Jedi Order during the Dark Nest Crisis.
Eloms were short, stocky, bipedal sentients, with a thick pelt of oily, dark fur, native to the frigid and mineral-rich desert planet of Elom, located in the Borderland Regions. The primitive species had extremely tough skin, several layers of fat, and their hands and feet were coated by thick calluses.
As a result of living in dark caves, where the only light was created by phosphorescent crystals, Eloms had exceptional eyesight, though they could not tolerate bright light. Rarely leaving their underground habitats, Eloms were pacifistic and peaceful herbivores, despite their savage and fearsome appearance.
Although they were highly ambitious and intelligent, Eloms were often manipulated into becoming involved with illegal activities, due to their underestimation of the capacity for wrong doing exhibited by other species. With an average lifespan similar to Humans, Eloms remained undiscovered for thousands of years by Galactic Republic scouts, although the species they shared the planet with, the tall humanoid Elomin, had made contact with the scouts long before they had even discovered the Eloms.
April
April 7, (Week 15) 2008 – Bureau of Scouting and Exploration Services and Winter Celchu
The Bureau of Scouting and Exploration Services, more commonly called the New Republic Scout Service (which itself was shortened to NRSS), was the official exploration arm of the New Republic. Its goals included discovery of new planets and star systems, establishing relations with new species, and blazing new hyperspace routes. Created despite initial opposition from the New Republic Provisional Council, the NRSS eventually flourished into a galaxy-spanning organization with thousands of bases, depended upon by NRSS-employed scouts, corporate scouts, and independents.
Members of the New Republic Scout Service had a diverse array of backgrounds, from youngsters for whom it would be their first job, war-weary Rebel pilots and soldiers looking to augment their already formidable skills, and former Imperial Survey Corps scouts (many of whom had become disillusioned with the Empire and become independent scouts prior to Palpatine's death).
Winter Celchu, the only child of Sheltay Retrac, was raised as a sister and companion to Princess Leia Organa during the dark years of the Galactic Empire. Like her adopted sister, Winter became a pivotal player in the Galactic Civil War, serving in various roles but most notably as a spy. As an operative of Alliance Intelligence, she served the Rebel Alliance and later the New Republic admirably. Her holographic and audiographic memory gave her a special advantage in piecing together confusing situations or even simply computing data. She was often attached to Rogue Squadron as an intelligence officer, though sometimes under false identities.
Winter also served a vital role as Leia Organa's best friend, aide and confidante. She had special relationships with Leia's children Jaina, Jacen, and Anakin Solo, whom she raised during their first years of life. She had a long romance with Tycho Celchu, from whom she was often separated by war, but the couple would eventually marry. She was also known to be a close personal friend of Admiral Ackbar.
April 14, (Week 16) 2008 – Jarael and Lepus Carnivorus
Jarael, born Edessa, was a female Arkanian and protector to the mechanic she knew only as "Camper" prior to and during the Mandalorian Wars. Jarael was a hot-tempered Arkanian offshoot with eyes and hands like Humans and pointed ears. She was a fierce fighter who demonstrated an extreme loyalty to Camper and her other allies; normally armed with a shockstaff, she was a tough opponent when fending off enemies, whether they be bounty hunters, Mandalorians or Jedi Masters.
The pair eventually settled on Taris in the Lower City, living out of a garbage hauler, The Last Resort. She became a traveling companion to the fugitive Zayne Carrick after he was framed for the Padawan Massacre of Taris. Along with the criminal Marn Hierogryph, the four attempted to evade capture by the Taris Civil Authority and the Jedi until Zayne turned himself in to save them. As the Jedi were about to pass sentence, Jarael rescued Zayne, touched by his sacrifice. The four, including a recovered bulk-lifter droid called "Elbee," escaped Taris, and went into hiding from the Jedi as the Mandalorian Wars erupted and the Republic found itself engaged in a devastating conflict.
However, after Camper fell ill, Jarael was forced to take him to Arkania, to the businessman Arkoh Adasca. Adasca, however, had other plans for both Jarael and Camper, and blackmailed Camper into serving him, while Jarael was helpless to stop the mad Arkanian. As Adasca sought more power from both Mandalorians and representatives of the Republic, the timely trap sprung by Zayne Carrick and other individuals stopped his plans. However, the weapon Adasca was bargaining with, creatures known as exogorths, forced Camper to lead them away from the Republic and known space. With the loss of Camper, Jarael traveled with Zayne Carrick to help him confront his notorious Jedi Masters and to clear his name.
The Lepus Carnivorus, more commonly known as Lepi, were a species of rabbit, ranging in color from green to dark blue. Their most distinctive features were long ears and feet and buck teeth. Native to the planet Coachelle Prime, their high reproductive rate forced them to colonize the entire star system to avoid overcrowding. The Lepus Carnivorus were typically gregarious individuals, although prone to bursts of anger if their family or species was insulted. Lepi were constantly in motion and were known for their speed.
The most famous Lepus Carnivorus was the smuggler Jaxxon, best known for his part in defending a village on Aduba-3, alongside New Republic hero Han Solo. Along with six others, they repelled the superior forces of the Cloud Riders. Other notable Lepi included the criminal Grubbat Fhilch, executed by Jabba the Hutt, and the Tatooine colonist Heff, killed by Jodo Kast.
April 21, (Week 17) 2008 – Roni von Wasaki and Sate Pestage
Roni von Wasaki was a male Human Jedi Knight of the Expansionist Era who established and maintained the peace in several frontier sectors. His presence earned the ire of local crime lords, who retaliated by placing a large bounty on his head. Though Wasaki was able to fend off many would-be captors, he fell prey to Leshy Drobo, Gammid, and XT-8. Though he was able to kill Gammid, the other two apprehended him, encased him in carbonite, and prepared to deliver him to their client.
However, Wasaki used the Force to enter Drobo's mind, and convinced the bounty hunter to set him free. The droid learned of this, and killed Drobo, but in the process, destroyed the hyperdrive of their craft, the Starkiller. The thirty day trip was elongated to 20,000 years, and Wasaki, preserved in carbonite, was slowly driven insane. Stumbled upon by a group of intrepid soldiers of the Alliance to Restore the Republic, Wasaki was freed in the Imperial Period, a desolate madman.
Sate Pestage was a long-time advisor and right-hand man to Palpatine, and one of the few people who truly knew him. Serving Palpatine from his days as a senator on Naboo, Pestage rose alongside him, becoming an advisor to Palpatine as Supreme Chancellor, and then Grand Vizier of the Galactic Empire.
During the time of the Galactic Republic, Pestage did much of Palpatine's covert work, from espionage to murder. As Grand Vizier, he controlled the day-to-day operations of the Empire by the time of the Battle of Hoth. He also served as Palpatine's assistant, tasting the Emperor's food for poisons, managing his schedule, and screening his calls.
After Palpatine's first death at the Battle of Endor, and as the highest surviving member of the Imperial hierarchy, Pestage assumed control of Coruscant and the Empire as the Interim-Emperor. However, the other Imperial Advisors turned on him, as did members of the military and Director of Imperial Intelligence Ysanne Isard. To save his life, Pestage made a deal with the New Republic to turn over Coruscant in exchange for immunity and planetary holdings. Isard closed on him, though, and Pestage was executed by Admiral Delak Krennel. However, the vizier was also said to have gone to Byss and died there; it was believed that one of these two Pestages was a clone.
April 28, (Week 18) 2008 – Tannon Praji and Rango Tel
Tannon Praji, a Human male, was the First Minister of the Coruscant Ministry of Ingress. Responsible for overseeing immigrants and emigrants to and from Coruscant, Praji ascended to the job in a difficult time. CMoI's directives began to clash with that of the Republic, and so Praji had to invalidate their core ideals for the sake of Republic security. During the Clone Wars, he closed the borders of Coruscant to all but those known to be loyal to the Republic. Later, he called for the deportation of all those hailing from Confederate worlds. He received much criticism for his hardliner policies, was labeled as a rich, uncaring maniac, and became the subject of several assassination attempts.
In reality, Praji resented the decisions he had to make, but he was under a great deal of pressure from other governmental factions. In order to relieve his stress, he spent a great deal of time at the Galaxies Opera House, where he would commune with political entities and industry tycoons. He enlisted the help of a bodyguard, Ottegru Grey, who secretly drew funds from Praji and donated them to Palpatine. This wound up working to Praji's advantage however, as he crept into favor with Palpatine, who would soon ascend to the position of Galactic Emperor.
Rango Tel was a Human male bounty hunter who hailed from Sernpidal. Growing up as a street ruffian, an instance of pure and utter luck led him to believe that it was his life's calling to become a bounty hunter. Defeating a drunkard in an unruly bar brawl, Tel ended up collecting a bounty he never pursued. Swindled into wearing an inappropriate vac-exposure suit that he believed was Mandalorian, and with the Pa'lowick smuggler Aneesa Dym at his side, he sought to find and kill Kam Nale for a local crime lord. His career, however, ended before it began, with Nale killing the hapless Tel in a back alley in Mos Espa.
Tel, or "Tank Head" as he was known by his contemporaries, was not particularly quick witted and was prone to violence. His naiveté caused him to overpay for an inadequate suit that he thought was Mandalorian and of high quality, and his inexperience led to his death. The circumstances under which he died also point to an ineptitude for combat, which was generally regarded as being unwise amongst the bounty hunting community.
May
May 5 (Week 19), 2008 – Tavion Axmis and Red Nebula
Tavion Axmis was a female Human Dark Jedi at large during the early years of the New Republic. Apprenticed under the Dark Jedi Desann, Tavion traveled with him to find the lost Valley of the Jedi and served alongside him in Hethrir's Empire Reborn. After her defeat at the hands of Kyle Katarn and Desann's subsequent death, she became the leader of the Disciples of Ragnos cult. She took Alora as her apprentice, and set herself upon the task of resurrecting the ancient Sith Lord Marka Ragnos.
During Luke Skywalker's search for the cult, she turned Rosh Penin, one of Katarn's apprentices and a student at the Jedi Praxeum, to the dark side of the Force. Katarn and his apprentice Jaden Korr encountered and confronted her, Rosh, and Alora at Vjun, and subsequently, on Taspir III, where Alora was killed by Korr and Penin was returned to the light. Following this, Axmis journeyed to the Sith tomb world of Korriban to resurrect Ragnos; Korr was sent to stop her, and he defeated her after a fierce duel. In desperation, Axmis let the spirit of Ragnos fill her, and he guided her body in combat. She was killed after Korr defeated Ragnos, as her body could not withstand the ordeal.
The Red Nebula was a nebula that had drifted away from the main body of the galaxy. It contained a single inhabited planet, a multitude of stars, and a deadly meteor field. The planet boasted a race of red humanoids with pointed ears, who protected their homeworld from asteroid bombardment with mystical red jewels.
A group of exiles led by Klysk attempted to steal and destroy the jewels but were thwarted by Han Solo. The jewels were eventually stolen and the planet's cities were destroyed by Domina Tagge and a group of bounty hunters, which intended to use them as a weapon against the Alliance to Restore the Republic. Leia Organa and Lando Calrissian, however, were able to thwart Tagge's plan and avert disaster.
May 12 (Week 20), 2008 – Nomi Sunrider and TIE/D Defender
Nomi Sunrider was a Human female who served as a Jedi Master in the days of the Galactic Republic. As a young woman she married Andur Sunrider, who was training to become a Jedi Knight, and eventually Nomi gave birth to a baby girl, whom they named Vima. During a trip to the Stenness system, Andur was ambushed by gang members of Bogga the Hutt, who were after the Adegan crystals carried by Nomi and her husband. The ensuing fight witnessed the murder of Andur, and Nomi's decision to begin down the path to become a Jedi Knight. Nomi eventually completed her training under the Jedi Master Thon, and was placed in charge of the Jedi relief mission sent to Onderon to aid Ulic Qel-Droma in the Freedon Nadd Uprising. Along with several other Jedi, Nomi hel