This section will cover any major updates to the character's story as the campaign unfolds.
- Please provide a brief (at least one short paragraph) backstory for your character.
The Galaxy has meaning, each person different in their own interpretation of what kind of place it can be. For the sheltered and privileged? It can be comfortable, perhaps even inconvenient. For the lost and damned? It can be a cruel place with danger lurking behind every corner. For the Alecdian child, born of a mother and father he never knew? The Galaxy was imbalanced in whom it rose to greatness and those whom it deemed worthy of nothing more than scraps.
There were certainly worse planets to be born on and it was for that sheer drop of luck that the parentless child found himself born on Naboo, placed within an orphanage for those in situations similar to himself. Imperial culture was a fickle, harsh tutor, something that the boy had to adapt to quickly if he were to fit in and not draw the ire of the matrons who looked after the young whom had no chance of fending for themselves. It was by no means a hostile environment, the boy holds little memory of anything overtly negative of those early years yet perhaps he held little memory of the place at all, considering his unique 'gift' and the course direction he life would take from that point on following its discovery.
When the shock of seeing this quiet, alien child sat on his own lifting small pebbles with naught but an invisible force alone spread across the matrons and the other children? It did not take long for the authorities on Naboo to become informed and swoop in to take- No, uplift this child and put him upon the path of tutelage. His parents, whomever they may have been, affiliations be either Imperial, Republic or some murky background that held sway to neither, had clearly not thought about the after when the deed had been done. A child with no past can only have the present and, if fortunate enough, a future. The boy found his future with the Imperial Knights.
That was his name then, Trainee. Trainee One-Zero-Six. There would be no respite: from the moment he stepped off the shuttle at the Imperial Knight academy on Naboo, even at his age, every second was spent drilled under the pressure of the draconic and militant atmosphere of what his future life held. The Trainee had no inclination to disobey nor push against the new way of things, instead the boy embraced it, finally finding the understanding of reward. Every lecture, every sparring session, every second was a moment for the Trainee to improve himself- Not for something as vain as competition but something much simpler: For a boy to have nothing, only to be given an opportunity, a fool would let it slip out of their hands.... Something that someone took notice of.
Velale Desanox, a Knight-Captain within the IBM Chapter of the Imperial Knights, had taken note of this lost soul given purpose. It was clear that despite the poor hand dealt to this child, the child did not whimper or lament on the past but instead took things into his own hands and worked with the tools he were given. A Knight-Captain with no children, a Trainee with no knowledge of his parents, perhaps that is why the Trainee became a Squire? The boy found himself under Velale's command directly.
A new bond came with a new name, a true name. He was Calirian Desanox now, offered wholeheartedly by the Knight-Captain to turn the boy whom had only known designations and rank into something more than just an Imperial Knight: a son, perhaps not of same blood but a bond strengthened by unity for their cause and the duty they shared to the Empire they called home. It was under his father's tutelage that the Squire learned not only to stand shoulder to shoulder with his comrades but to lead, to inspire, to be the one whom perhaps his father would hand the torch to one day. It was Calirian's participation in the capture of a known fugitive that brought those years training and preparing himself that finally christened his new identity into something of worth. Following his father's command and displaying an exemplary feat of bravery in the face of danger as the Imperial Knights swept in to neutralize the target and those whom followed him, Calirian's display of courage mixed with that bright mind and practiced blade hand ensured that the capture resulted without a single Imperial Knight casualty. For this? He would be a Squire no more, elevated to the rank of Armiger for his service.
With a new rank came new responsibilities and, for a time? It seemed that the duties and expectations that were associated with his rank fit Calirian like a glove. His father had taught him well, taking on several missions of low import at the helm of a squad of Squires with the intent to give the once-orphan a taste of independence and authority. Those who served beneath Calirian found themselves trusted to do their part but were expected to give it their all, for each victory was not just taken at base value, especially for the Armiger who sought to prove his worth to the man whom had given him everything: A purpose, guidance, even a name. Calirian owed his father more than he could ever give. Though as sturdy and set as his path seemed? All it would take was one blow of the wind for the house of cards to come crashing down.
It was supposed to be another routine mission. The details, whilst limited, had not inspired a lack of confidence, yet the fact that it had come to the chapter's attention at the request of the Moffs? Calirian knew better than to question what item they had been sent to retrieve could be of such import to those whom lived comfortable lives nor the lack of intelligence provided regarding it. Everything went exactly as it should have, no interruptions during their travel to the planet, no resistance upon landing yet... As the team lead by Calirian made their way through that entrance? Something whispered to the Armiger. Something ominous.
Their search through the ruins led to only more and more grim tidings, the atmosphere had turned from one that the Knights had been familiar with turned dour, oppressive yet that courage that had seen Calirian lock blades with danger time and time again spurred him and his men forward. Every hallway that they passed through on their way to the main chamber presented another whisper, another growl in his ear but facing the unknown? Perhaps it was dismissal, perhaps it was simply a lack of understanding of the gravity of just what it was that had warranted Calirian and his team to venture into this forsaken place... Still they ventured fourth, despite the reservations.
That was the last thing he remembered from that accursed place, a haunting dream that was disrupted only by his waking on a triage bed by the pain that his body had suffered and the steady, concerned hand of his father at his bedside. Those eyes said it all. Calirian had failed, the object destroyed and many of his number dead. Those whom survived stood by the Armiger, saying it was he who had saved them from the madness and subsequent death that had befallen their comrades and whilst the Knights could be convinced of his son's innocence? It was not in the Knight Commander's gaze that Velale found his concerns, rather those whom had sent his son to what nobody had the foresight to prewarn these fresh-faced Knights about just what they were walking into. The Moffs would demand punishment for one whom had failed, especially with a failure so colossal.
So, whilst Calirian recovered in the steady and careful hands of the medical droids? Velale sought to campaign to protect his son's life. Days went by, weeks of politicking and dancing in circles trying to avoid the Moff's demands of his son's head. It was not an easy task, especially with the head of the bureaucratic beast rearing and spitting the heated flame of rhetoric towards duty and that if his son had any dignity left? He would willingly give himself over for trial and swift execution for his failure that rippled towards even the highest heads of the Board. Even as his son recovered and was able to walk by his side once more? Velale could tell there was something off about him. It was the little things, the eyes that sometimes darted as if spotting something out of the corner of his vision or the quiet mumblings that had once never occurred... Whatever had happened down in that ruin? Something, however small, had come back with his son.
Eventually, a settlement was reached. Blaster bolts, burns, shrapnel, cuts- These were the things that the medical droids could heal. When it came to matters of the soul and all the spirituality that surrounded what ailed Calirian? That was beyond their scope. It was clear that the Imperial Knights could not assist the Armiger and yet? They knew of an Order who could. Talks were made, more pleas when it came to Velale and whilst the Moffs would no doubt disagree and feel outrage towards the plan of action for their now wanted culprit of their missed chance of strengthening their position? It was the only chance.
The only chance for a man to save his son.Discharged from the Imperial Knights, given nothing more than some clothes and a blaster to try and blend in and avoid those whom would no doubt seek to make opportunity of the bounty that would no doubt fall upon his head in the time to come? Calirian was ripped out of a world he knew and thrust out to one that seemed outright alien. The courage that had once meant meeting threats head on with blade in hand and voice rallying men had to adapt to facing the unknown all over again.
The last time the disgraced Armiger saw his father was at the Rimworld Pact crossing. Sorrow in the eyes of the man who had given him everything, only for the final 'gift' to be to send his son away into the hands of the Jedi Order. To save him. It has been some time since Calirian first set foot on Dantooine. Now a Padawan somewhat settled, though that ominous presence that followed him around the room and whispered in his ear had never stopped. He could only hope that the Jedi would be the ones to save him from himself, as his father had thought. - Why does your character want to be a jedi? Calirian wishes to be a Jedi for a selfish reason- He has a problem and the events that led him here have given him the belief that if anyone can help him overcome it? It's the Jedi. That said I'm sure as time goes on, he'll discover that there's more that the Jedi can offer him and things he can offer to the Jedi in return, being who he is and his background.
- Are
there aspects of your character’s background (people, events, places)
that were more formative to your character’s current personal
development? Absolutely! These are hopefully reflected heavily in the backstory I have provided though I am happy to talk shop more about these upon request.
- Describe the kinds of personal relationships you might have had in your past? I imagine that the Imperial Knights would either mutually respect him or downright want him dead, depending on the chapter that he's interacting with. His enemies are no doubt embedded within the IBM, for reasons detailed in the backstory provided. I'm sure there are others who have had an interaction with Calirian which would border on the more hostile side depending on their status of legal activities (and if the Knights were sent to deal with them) but these are not the primary focus of this character.
- What is most Jedi-like about your character? What is least Jedi-like about your character? Calirian's hope to ensure peace between his once-home and his place within the Jedi now as well as his courage to ensure that is possible, be it on a battlefield or in a statesroom, are what I would wager his most Jedi-like traits to be. As for least Jedi-like? His anger at the hand he's been dealt and the fact that he's still adjusting from the draconic, militant mindset that the Imperial Knights drill into their recruits. It's going to be a hell of a shock when he's expecting drill instructions and instead gets a kind old man who offers him tea.
- Does your character have a strong idea of the Force? Do they experience it in a certain way or is it a mystery to them? Being a former Imperial Knight, Calirian understands the Force and has used it. The only difference is that with how the Imperial Knights view the Force as a tool rather than anything else, it's likely been purely on a 'need-to-know' basis and so a lot of concepts are probably unfamiliar to him. Probably why things went the way they did.
- Some
characters have dark (or great) secrets that they keep locked away from
even their dearest friends. Does your character harbor a great regret
or a secret aspiration that is central to their character? Yes, this is in the backstory but I will probably want to discuss this behind closed doors as to the specifics for a possible revisit in a player session later down the line. I'd like to keep this as spoiler free as possible because I think it'd be great for people to participate in something with what I have written and not have any prior details that may ruin the vibe.
- What elements of your character are you most excited to explore, whether narrative or mechanical?
This character is a new one for me. I usually play downright unhinged psychopaths, schizophrenics or eldritch abominations. Naturally I've added something I feel at least somewhat comfortable with, albeit toned down to the bare minimum, to a character that's designed to be a warrior diplomat. I am excited for politics, intrigue and the mysticism that comes with the Force that I do not usually get to interact with as well as seeing how my character develops in a new environment. Rather than try and be a wallflower who doesn't add much I've decided to try and stand up in front of the mic for a change, which is probably going to be the most challenging thing.
- Does your character have a long-term plan, mechanically? My long term mechanical plan is to be a duellist diplomat commander fellow. That sounds unhinged but I've taken Warleader, Makashi Duellist and aim to strike a nice happy balance between fighting and diplomatic skills.
- The
Dark Side tempts each Jedi differently. How does it prey upon your
character's emotional weakness and what makes them susceptible to it? Quite literally actually, considering what's written in the backstory. A little whisper here or there with some plans to make it a little worse with choice picks of mechanical Force abilities. Calirian's got a lot to unpack, there's plenty opportunity for the Dark Side to twist his perception.
- Would you rather start your character as an Initiate or as a Padawan? Padawan, for reasons reflected in the backstory provided.