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.
Kyyljitharr was born into privilege on Kashyyyk, son of one of Senator Yarua’s aides. His carefree youth took a sudden turn when his father’s devious defiance of Kashyyyk’s leaders led to the loss of his station and the creation of the "Warmongers", an independent Wookiee fleet. This fleet was placed under the leadership of Kyyljitharr’s charismatic uncle, the Fleetmaster Nagurra. Joining them, Kyyljitharr embraced a life of violent raids, particularly against Trandoshan slavers, and became a brutish warrior. He discovered his uncanny ability to track prey and targets across the stars, a sense which he called his "nose" and that his uncle put to good use.
Marked by the story of his mother’s death, a strained relationship with his father, and a grievous injury that left him reliant on a vocal implant, Kyyljitharr found belonging, purpose and a new name, “Keel”, among the crew of the Syren’s Tear, the fleet’s flagship. Despite bringing home Wookiees who'd been taken away by war and slavery, the Warmongers drifted further from their people, having welcomed Madclaws (Wookiees exiled for the use of their claws in combat) among their ranks and becoming more and more ruthless. Now full-fledged pirates wanted in many systems, they colluded with the criminal world ultimately becoming part of it. Decades of violence and isolation from the world outside of the crew hardened Keel, but his life as a pirate ended when he was arrested and imprisoned by the New Republic in an assault that saw his closest friend die. In prison, Keel began to question the destructive path his uncle had charted for him.
Offered a second chance by Jedi Knight Nojin Hu and Jedi Master Ulworfhav, Keel hesitantly steps onto a new path, unsure if he'll really take that opportunity or flee back to his old ways. A brash, assertive, and fiercely loyal Wookiee (with the right crew), Keel is driven by a desire for companionship and purpose, though he wrestles with his violent instincts and a deep-seated mistrust of those he calls "outsiders". (READ MORE FOR FULL VERSION) - Why does your character want to be a jedi? Most of Keel’s life was spent in the shadow of either his father or his uncle. After years in prison where he suffered from the isolation, his first impulse would be to find his crew again, because he needs the companionship and familiarity of this found family so badly. He was presented with another opportunity however (joining the Jedi) and that coupled with the fact that prison time has forced him to take some time to self-reflect, he figures he might as well try this, even if the deal includes a form of commitment he does not like, it beats spending the rest of his days behind rayshields. Deep down, he knows his former life was a dangerous, destructive (and self-destructive) path, and this is why he accepted. To be honest, he will start off as thinking that this is very much temporary, that he’ll join his uncle again in no time and things will go back to how they were, but I intend to not play the reluctant aspect too long, as the self-improvement possibilities (and sense of purpose) offered by a life with the Jedi will undoubtedly be a strong motivation. And hopefully, the camaraderie aspect too.
- Are
there aspects of your character’s background (people, events, places)
that were more formative to your character’s current personal
development? There are lots of formative elements, such as his father, the tale of his mother’s passing, the Syren’s Tear, its crew, the Warmonger Oath, the death of his close friend Roranta or his time in prison. If I had to pick just one however, it would be the strong influence of his uncle, leader of the Wookiee pirate crew known as the Warmongers: Nagurra the Fleetmaster.
- Describe the kinds of personal relationships you might have had in your past? Kyyl craves companionship. As a young Wookiee, the most important thing for him was his friends. Being separated from them because of his father’s actions was difficult, but when he joined the Warmongers and the crew of the Syren’s Tear, he found that again. He enjoys the banter, the friendly and not so friendly jabs, occasional interpersonal drama, the feeling of knowing the individuals that are part of the group, the intricacies of their bonds and of having been there for the most important moments. The shared memories and shared identity that comes from being part of a close-knit group is something that reassures him, grounds him. Within a group he knows, he is a positive presence, smiling, encouraging, making jokes and slapping shoulders. This demeanor changes when he is out of his comfort zone, especially with those he considers outsiders (which was for a long time anyone not part of the crew). He generally distrusts most institutions (administrations, armies, organized religion, political parties) and will by extension dislike people who are part of them. He hates Trandoshans, but that mostly comes from fighting them for most of his life and from his uncle’s rhetoric. That and the fact that he is probably very recognizable (A massive Wookiee pirate with a throat implant) means that there may be lots of Trandoshans out there who would gladly make him into a bathroom rug or mantelpiece decoration.
- What is most Jedi-like about your character? What is least Jedi-like about your character? The most Jedi-like aspect of Kyyl is his belief in redemption, exemplified by his strong bond with the crew’s Madclaws. He understands that one bad action does not make a bad person (which also means that he understands that one good action does not make a good person. Unfortunately that viewpoint does not extend to Imperials, Trandoshans and people who wear sunglasses inside. It may be a bit of a contradiction, but his least Jedi trait is probably is complete lack of regard for the sanctity of life. He has spent so much time killing with no second thought, that taking a life is something that does not bother him in the slightest, especially if it appears to be the easiest way to handle a situation.
- 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? He always linked his ability to locate things with his sense of smell, calling it his “nose”. If the Force is mostly a mystery to him, the sensory aspects of the Force (and some of the emotional ones as well) are all tied to scents, smells, and fragrances.
- 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? Most of Keel’s life as part of an “independent spacefaring crew” was made of violent crime, but no one thing stands out. He aspires to be a leader, just like his uncle is. Inspiring others, bringing likeminded people together, giving a space for those who have been shunned, forgotten, set aside. But although he does not share that aspiration with everyone, it isn’t exactly a secret.
- What elements of your character are you most excited to explore, whether narrative or mechanical?
I play Kit in JOR, and as much as I love him, I want to play a very different Wookiee. I love my Wookiees, but I also try to make them stand out just a bit, Kit wasn’t as brave as your typical Wookiee, and Keel isn’t as honorable. Where Kit was the Cowardly Lion, I want Keel to be more assertive, brash, and socially able. Where most of Kit’s failures came from inaction, I want Keel’s to be one to act too much. He did too much, tried too much, and didn’t stop often enough to consider the path he was taking and where it was leading him. Kit was defined by many failures that usually set him back, I would like to try a character that fails forward. The challenging part for me will be to strike a balance between making brash, stupid, violent decisions and not spoiling the fun of other players at the table or feeling like I’m derailing things for the GMs by doing so. As for evolution and character growth, I could see him moving away from being a brute and becoming something of a leader (depending on how things go). I like being surprised by the Force, and outside of leaning into his “nose” (Seek) his understanding of the more esoteric aspects of the Force will largely depend on what lessons are imparted on him by the Jedi and the Galaxy.
- Does your character have a long-term plan, mechanically? No, I go with the flow of the game. I have a feeling I’ll frontload the combat stuff and he may develop more subtle aspects later on. I could see Keel grow an interest in the skills his uncle has often displayed, so going into more spacefaring/leadership trees (Ship Captain, Warleader, Starfighter Ace maybe)
- The
Dark Side tempts each Jedi differently. How does it prey upon your
character's emotional weakness and what makes them susceptible to it? Influence and power over others is something that appeals to Keel. His emotional weakness is cruelty as when in a position of power and in a very dark place he could be tempted to use his strength to exact revenge or inflict pain just for the sake of it.
- Would you rather start your character as an Initiate or as a Padawan? Initiate. Keel was a pirate most of his life, recently learned about the Force and does not know much about it. He has not been on Dantooine long.