Zao
From Wookieepedia, the Star Wars wiki.
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| Zao | |
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None |
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White |
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- "Go your way. Seek rightful balance. Learn to appreciate what you are given."
- ―Zao to a disgruntled customer[src]
Zao was a blind, elderly male Veknoid Jedi Master and an accomplished chef. He did not accept missions from the Jedi Council, but followed the will of the Force as he traveled about the galaxy. Those who ate Zao's cooking often found that its taste, whether good or bad, reflected the degree to which their current mental state was in harmony with the Force. In spite of his blindness, he remained a formidable and lethal adversary, wielding his unique lightsaber cane with frightening accuracy.
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[edit] Biography
- "The war is already won or lost as the Force wills. We are all leaves blown by its wind."
- ―Zao[src]
Before the Clone Wars, Zao served as chef to Gorto Zaga on Kiffex, during which time he explained his method of travel to Quinlan Vos.
He later cooked food on the streets of Saleucami, where he encountered his old friend Tholme, who was on the planet to investigate the actions of the Dark Jedi Sora Bulq. Zao believed the Jedi should serve the Force and the principles of the Galactic Republic, but explained to Tholme that the Republic itself no longer upheld those ideals.
Zao was opposed to the Jedi serving as officers in the Clone Wars. However, he did help Tholme locate Sora Bulq's underground Morgukai cloning facilities.
As the war continued, rumors abounded of his death. Since he was not involved with the war, he was not killed in the execution of Order 66. Dressed in rags amongst huge crowds, he was overlooked as a beggar by clone troopers searching for Jedi traitors to kill.
[edit] Powers and Ability
Zao was a powerful yet mysterious Jedi who relied on the Force to control almost all natures of his life due to his blindness. He was skilled with his lightsaber staff, despite his blindness. He also created a soup, that according to him, was completely in harmony with the Force - those who tasted it experienced different flavors depending on their own balance within the Force. Tholme and T'ra Saa, for example, thought it was delicious, while Quinlan Vos tasted nothing.
[edit] Behind the scenes
Zao's name was adapted from "Tao" – the name of the oriental philosophical system. The way of Tao is very similar to Zao's beliefs.[1]
Zao was originally going to die in Darkness, but according to artist Jan Duursema, "Zao would have been toast in Darkness, but we were asked not to kill him."[2]
[edit] Appearances
- Star Wars Republic: Darkness (First appearance)
- Star Wars Republic: Rite of Passage (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars Republic: The Dreadnaughts of Rendili (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars Republic: Trackdown
- Star Wars Republic: The Siege of Saleucami (Vision to Tholme)
- Star Wars Republic: Into the Unknown (Appears in flashback(s))
[edit] Sources
- The Official Star Wars Fact File 137 (VOL4, Volfe Karkko)
- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
