[center][b]Ael Ked[/b] 
(Only responds to ‘Knight/Master Ked,' 'King Ked,' or 'Corporal Ked')[/center]

[hider][center][IMG]http://i46.tinypic.com/3010px2.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER]
[B]FACTION[/B]: New Jedi Order/New Republic
[B]RANK[/B]: Knight/Corporal
[B]SPECIES[/B]: Epicanthix
[B]AGE[/B]: 48
[B]GENDER[/B]: Male
[B]HEIGHT[/B]: 2.24 m (88.33 in.)
[B]WEIGHT[/B]: 174.55 kg (384.82 lbs.)
[B]EYES[/B]: Grayed Green
[B]HAIR[/B]: Stark Black with gray strands
[B]SKIN[/B]: Brown-yellow
[B]DISTINGUISHING MARKS[/B]: Distinct Epicanthic folds. Scar across right breast. Mature body hair. Toned and even musculature. Tattoo on left shoulder of childhood tribe. Dark red left knee. Pure black goatee with gray strands. Wide nose. Heavy German/Russian accent.

[B]STRENGTH[/B]
[COLOR=#00FF00]High[/COLOR]. Since childhood, he’s been trained to be a warrior and soldier. Because of his culture and biology, his high levels of testosterone has helped him exceed in physical aspects of skill and ability. It usually takes him longer to figure out semi-complex problems than it would others.
[B]DEXTERITY[/B]
[COLOR=darkgreen]Average[/COLOR]. Because of his large body, his flexibility is that much lower. Still, his natural speed is great and he is able to jump higher than most. He’s not keen on thinking outside what he knows and understands. New philosophies and ideas usually wash over him without affecting his mind.
[B]CONSTITUTION[/B]
[COLOR=#00FF00]High[/COLOR]. He has a superb immune system. Any fractured bones or bruised muscles become healed much faster than most others. His race disallows persuasion by words and ideals. Insulting him or threatening him does nothing to sway him.
[B]INTELLIGENCE[/B]
[COLOR=red]Low[/COLOR]. Though he has a great war-mind, his academic and cultural intellect is quite low. He has a great sense of time, length and even weight. Also, his knoweldge of the Eightfold Path and Jedi Codes is high. He knows about the physical body and of combat (either hand-to-hand, one-on-one, or otherwise).
[B]WISDOM[/B]
[COLOR=orange]Below Average[/COLOR]. His insight is short. He rarely thinks inward or meditates on personal matters. Going to him with a personal issue would result in a quick and tasteless response. He doesn’t understand emotion but, rather, action. Some would say he’s Echani in that respect.
[B]CHARISMA[/B]
[COLOR=#FF0000]Low[/COLOR]/[COLOR=#00FF00]High[/COLOR]. Cold and calculating, people do not go to him for personal advice or to learn intimate subjects. He is a great leader, but not one to love. He makes for a great General and rallier-of-forces, but not a friend or lover. He is very much the strong father-figure, if not authoritarian.

[B]FORCE POWERS[/B]
[CENTER]Key Force Powers:[/CENTER]
- [COLOR=#EE82EE]Revitalize [/COLOR](An inherent ability that helped him through his extensive childhood training. He can meditate for three weeks without food and one week without water. He can fight with high energy for a few hours. When he trains regularly for days straight, he's using this ability.)
- [COLOR=#00FFFF]Body [/COLOR](He can take on three large males in a fair wrestling match without this. But using Body allows him crash his fist through tree trunks and lift the entire thing to throw it several feet.)
- [COLOR=#00FFFF]Heal Self[/COLOR](He can regenerate regenerative tissue (e.g. skin) quickly and clean dirtied wounds just as fast. The scars on his body are from when he hadn’t developed the skill to its current degree.)
- [COLOR=#ee82ee]Force Absorb [/COLOR](Though his well of Force energy is deep, he can use it quickly. He took years to develop this skill. Now, being in the thick of battle can keep his Force energies at a consistent level.)
- [COLOR=#EE82EE]Pyrokinesis [/COLOR](This was the first Force power he discovered and thus the most developed. By fourteen years old, he could burn down an entire village. He has increased its intensity and heat since then.)

[CENTER]Other Force Powers:[/CENTER]
- [COLOR=#0000FF]Sense[/COLOR]/Tracking (His tribe specialized in hunting and tracking deserters and enemies. This extenuates his natural abilities to track prey.)
- [COLOR=#EE82EE]Jump [/COLOR](This is merely used to catch runaways and prey or to gain the upper hand in a duel.)
- [COLOR=#00FFFF]Speed [/COLOR](Same as the above. Other applications include: the completion of several tasks in a timely manner.)
- Moving Meditation ([COLOR=#00FFFF]Alchaka[/COLOR])(This was first instilled when his tribe would war against others. He easily applied it to the Force when he entered the Order.)
- [COLOR=#00FFFF]Tapas [/COLOR](The winters required bundling up, but this would restrict his movements when other tribes invaded their territory. Eventually, the Force allowed him to keep warm with minimal clothing.)

[B]LIGHTSABER FORMS[/B]
- Vaapad (Jar’Kai) (His personality inclines him to learn this Form before others. Even with his high testosterone levels, short temper, and thirst for victory, his reasons for fighting are usually "just." Since the only other education he acquired was that of the Jedi Philosophies, he knows how to keep a level mind while expressing his aggressiveness in efficient and progressive ways.)
- Soresu (He dislikes this form almost completely and was initially inclined to learn Djem So. However, his Master required his understanding of this Form as it was the complete opposite from what he was used to. Though he would never teach the Form, he doesn’t deny that it has saved his life several times when he was pushed to his physical limits by others more skilled than himself.)
- Vaiko (His culture stresses the quick learning of others' movements and behaviors during battle. Because of this, he has developed a high aptitude for Vaiko, though he doesn’t know of the Form or that he’s even skilled in it.)

[B]SKILLS[/B]
- His species natural affinity to protect the mind from invasion allows him to keep safe from illusions, mental manipulation, and invasive techniques without much intervention on his own.
- Managing people in stressful situations.

[B]STRENGTHS [/B]
- Deep well of Force-energy
- Never underestimates and opponent
- Military Tactician
- Proactive, focused, and diligent

[B]WEAKNESSES[/B]
- Uses the Force with little discipline
- Unable to uphold a duel across long distances
- Uneducated in academics and cultures
- Aggressive/arrogant and stubborn/short-tempered

[B]GEAR[/B]
- Red combat suit (The top can easily be discarded for freer movement. This is often done due to his high body temperature. Because of this, it is silk-like and breathable but skin-tight with a zipper down the middle for easy access. Knee-high boots are made of a Cortosis-weave that he’s used to block other Lightsaber wielders before. His trousers are loose but thin enough to tuck into his boots without much irritation and have a low crotch, along with his lack of underwear (only enough to keep his manhood ‘out of the way’) allows for greater movement.)
-- Leather belt (It was made by his father from his first kill. It is unusually resilient. Its use other than keeping his Lightsabers around his waist is purely aesthetic.)
--- Hak (This Lightsaber on his right side has within it a Sigil crystal, increasing the potency of the purple blade.)
--- Blok (This Lightsaber is on his left hip and has within it a Phond crystal, making the orange blade lick with flames.)
--- Oew (This Lightsaber is strapped to his back and is imbued with Baas' Wisdom, a crystal which causes a minor instance of frostbite when touched (either the blade or the shaft at any time). This is a phrik saber staff with a meter long white blade and a two meter long shaft.)


[B]SHIP[/B]
- [I]Shib[/I] or 'The Falcon' in Basic (This easily modified YZ-900 freighter is mostly for simple transport from Temple to War ship or vice-versa. However, it has been upgraded with a second Shield Generator and a much larger, but more powerful and efficient engine. Both take up an entire cargo hold together, however. The co-pilot position has been replaced with upgraded computer, scanning, and navigation systems which allow for single pilot use. The ten autoblasters as well as the Proton torpedo launcher can be easily controlled here. The second cargo hold has been replaced to hold four more torpedoes, for a total of 20. There is room for two more crew members to man the Twin Heavy Cannon Laser turrets (THCLs). One of these turrets was removed for the additional two autoblasters. Only three more passengers can board this ship after the full crew of only 3 men.)

[B]PERSONALITY[/B]
Calculating and cold, Master Ked is stern and has an air of authority and seriousness about him. His ideals are quite concrete, but that is because he has rarely been proven wrong by past scenarios. His natural education of guerrilla warfare and his further study of planetary war strategies give him the ability to adapt to almost any situation on the field and make quick and decisive calls. Many of them are controversial since they sometimes require the sacrifice of some of his men. But he’s won many battles against rogue nations. He’s often called onto the field for advice and intervention, making his workload much larger. Regardless, he takes his responsibilities seriously and completes all tasks assigned to him in a timely manner, which is usually before others expect them to be completed. Along with this, he knows everyone's name. And when he doesn't, he learns them quickly. This is a sign of respect to him.

Any personal matters brought to his attention are ignored or waved off. When personal matters concern himself, he confronts the individual sternly and unyielding in order to solve differences. Unfortunately, his stubbornness doesn't allow for much compromise and results in a strain between the two. Consequently, these are strong and profuse. As much as he is revered and respected, many dislike and disagree with his methods. He blames them for the inability to sacrifice the few for the many, as his Jedi Codes require him to do. They are too weak to make the hard calls and, thus, are not as capable as him. He views the Force as "ancestral influence" or "gifts." He speaks in short and concise sentences and often gets frustrated when listening to those more winded than himself.

His ability to feel compassion or empathy is almost void but is compensated by his sympathy (however little) and practice of respecting others. There's also a distinct irony or hypocrisy about him. He believes others should be able to help themselves while he tend to do as much as he can for others. It usually applies to those who deem themselves skilled enough to protect others that he will point out their shortcomings should they have any. At the same time, he will protect them with his life, as any Jedi would.

Reproduction is a necessary stage in life, and he has fathered several children, and the mother has been married, but he rarely shows any kind of affection towards his children, never mind his wife. But his culture doesn't allow for close attachments, which he has done well within the Order of abstaining from hindering relationships. He believes: to become physically powerful, such as himself, they much be mentally resilient. This means the individual must not be able to feel anything at the death of another for a moment of hesitation will be the cause your own death. Emotional detachment is the foundation of a capable warrior.[/hider]

[hider][b]Name[/b]: Epicanthix (Plural) Epicant (Singular)
[b]Biology[/b]: Average 2 meters tall. Strong musculature. Dark skin tone and hair. Brown/Green eyes most common. Epicanthic folds on eyes. Otherwise, Human biology.
[b]Strengths[/b]: Immunity to mental manipulation and probing from the Force. Even powerful Darths cannot read the mind of a *true Epicanthix. However, due to breeding with humans, this immunity has lessened over the millenia they have been isolated on Panatha. Average lifespan about 130 years.
[b]Weaknesses[/b]: Illnesses and diseases as well as physical weaknesses typical for the Human race.
[b]Diet[/b]: Largely depends on region. They are omnivorous, however.
[b]Behavior/Temperament[/b]: The tribe-mind among them makes them easily riled and quick to take the defensive or offensive.
[b]Communication[/b]: Epicant: mostly 3-4 letter words with a German/Russian accent.
[b]Planet[/b]: Panatha
[b]Topograph[/b]: Varied
[b]Culture[/b]: [hider]The heavy and varied terrain of Panatha protects people from each other. Seclusion is easy to find on this planet. Generations passed and this seclusion became the norm. Centuries passed and invading this seclusion was offensive, a taboo. Tribes were small, but inbreeding was never a problem. Arranged weddings allowed for opposing tribes to come together and possibly settle their differences. This rarely occurred, however. A week of peace was welcome, regardless. Its location in the Outer Rim meant it wasn’t much colonized, if only because of its limited resources. 

It could be argued that their beliefs are land-ownership bound, but privacy and seclusion are held before what land they inhabit. Many tribes of the Epicanthix are relatively nomadic, though there are still those who create more permanent structures into the ground and practice agriculture. They are able to keep a larger population satisfied but are more apt to attack passing-by tribes. Because of this, they are more apt to be attacked, requiring more resources to keep these armies up. Objectively, these villages are just as efficient as the nomadic tribes since the tribes move more often, attacking and defending themselves much less. 

Both the tribes and villages are led by known oligarchies. They are relatively incorrupt, but there are always those exceptions. These ‘Councils’ are made up of the elders who’ve shone that, through their extensive life-experience; they are capable of successfully leading their tribe or village to any victory. Any loss is counted by the total termination of the village or tribe. This ‘termination’ can be the enslavement or melding of or with another tribe or village. It can also simply be that it was killed off entirely. It is currently seen as honorable to have the entire community to be killed. The slavery, though not oppressive, is a stigma that each oligarchy discourages.

Generations passed as did millennia and the amount of conflict only grew as the sense of individualism grew. Sizes of tribes and villages never rose and actually decreased, though this is statistically insignificant. Those who remained nomadic traveled farther distances, gaining space between them and others. Even with more movement or stronger defenses, the villages and tribes knew each other well enough to know what type of terrain they usually settled in and during which seasons. Tribes include, but are not limited to, Mountain, Snow, Forest, and Swamp. Villages include, but are not limited to, Plains, Deserts, Lakes, and Rivers, though the latter is slightly nomadic. 

The Mountain Tribes, or those with ‘Grii’ in their names, are strong and agile but not quite resilient or wise. They often become physically ill and are known for their shorter lifespans (around 120 years). However, they are difficult to attack and easy to defend (due to their locations), making their ‘shorter’ lives more peaceful. Hunting is the most difficult of the Grii Tribes, but their prey is varied. Many herbs grow on the sides of these mountains as well. These tribes remain closer to the equator and never ascend high enough to where frost forms. Ironically, the tribes which remain higher upon the mountains are seen as more fortunate since they can handle the thinner air. They favor utilities and tools more than other goods and are often sought after for their inventions. The Grii Tribes share a crest with the image of a club within it and the color brown.

The Snow Tribes, or those with ‘Oew’ in their names, are arguably as strong or stronger than the Grii but show a greater resilience to their environment. Interestingly, they have the widest range of lifespans, from 115 to 145, and are also the highest and lowest of all the tribes and villages. The Oew are some of the most aggressive and possessive of settlements. They dwell atop mountains as well as the poles of the planet. Those closest to the poles are seen as stronger as and better than those further or atop the mountains. There is also a semi-strict caste system of various levels, though none are truly above others. The Oew specialize in weapons and wield a wide variety. They share crests with weapons, specifically a spear with spikes along the shaft and the color white.

The Forest Tribes, or those with ‘Fiv’ in their names, are known for their ability to travel quickly through the treetops as well as their intimate knowledge of the forests. They are quite difficult to locate, allowing them to live through the typical lifespan of an Epicanthix. Their tree houses are expertly camouflaged, but the travel between the Grii and Udz (since they keep in the forests between them) makes this necessary. They have been attacked many times and have become paranoid of becoming attacked. They use stealth to overcome their foes and are known for their skill movement and silence. Other see them as unnecessarily aggressive while they believe everyone else to be. Communication is not a strong suit among the settlements. The Fiv Tribes share logos with bows and arrows and the color green.

The Swamp Tribes, or those with ‘Saq’ in their names, are quite cunning and unusually manipulative though are the least adapted to their environment. They’ve kept as many promises as they’ve broken, which makes them notorious for their seeming inability to cooperate fairly with outsiders. Some might know of the necessary measures taken by the Saq, however. They are known for making traps within the bogs and bayous they live within. Keeping close to the equator, they inhabit the most humid of environments. Above most anything, they specialize in gaining intelligence and secrets of opposing tribes and villages. Insignias of the Saq all show ropes or chains in their patterns and the color black.

The Plains Villages, or those with ‘Udz’ in their names, are usually quite intellectual and wise. Unlike other tribes, however, they don’t place such high reliance on physical strength and skill in movement and formations. They focus on defense, something the Epicanthix are also not known for. Ironically, the Plains tribes are some of the biggest, but agriculture and ease of building structures allows for greater populations. They live within the tropics of the planet and construct villas out of grass and mud for the elders of the Council while the rest of the population live in ornate tents. Along with their impressive defense, the Udz are known for their craft in shield and armor craft. These people live for quite a long time, usually 140 years. They share a tribal sign of shield and the color beige.

The Desert Villages, or those with ‘Krik’ in their names, are a formidable force to go against for the physical power of their men is only matched by their intimate knowledge of lore and military tactics. Since they live in the desert, they become ill more often than those of other tribes. They are also not known for their dexterity or skills in stealth. The Krik use offensive tactics, but only to drive back those who threaten their solitude. They don’t wish to fight and will tell the intruders to leave before attacking them ruthlessly and completely. The Krik have the most victories in war and, thus, the highest population of slaves. They live in underground tunnels and caves to keep from the sun. Since the presence of slaves is so high, the family is held sacred even above combat and lore. Their signatures share three circles in a line or sometimes interlocking and include the color red.

The Lake Villages, or those with ‘Mil’ in their names, are sternly attached to the native lore of Panatha. Many seers and mystics live along lakes to provide others with their knowledge through visions and whispers from the Whisps. They are quite peaceful and friendly, favoring diplomatic solutions to conflicts with other villages and tribes. The Mil are concerned with their mental and physical health, however, and are so superstitious that it clouds their abilities to think critically They build cabins from the woods they live near, which often causes trouble with the Fiv. Fortunately, the Mil choose their words carefully and don’t take more than they are allowed by the nearby Fiv. The Mil focus on their mysticism over combat and seclusion and will house deserters if their auras are not negative. Interestingly, their superstitions seem to have some sort of viability since they live as long or longer than the Udz. Their flags depict images of smoke and the color purple.

The River Villages, or those with ‘Tox’ in their names, are quite adaptive to their surroundings since rivers often flood and they are usually targets for attack to usurp key river ways for transportation. As adaptable as they are, they can be quite hospitable as the Mil are known to be but can be just as aggressive as the Oew. If forced to fight, they adapt tactics from the Fiv and Saq but never initiate an attack. Still, their hidden methods are quite effective and difficult to displace when displacement of their village is a determined mean to an end. The Tox live in boats or structures that shelter them from weather but can float down the rivers they inhabit, allowing them to escape should they need to. Along with this, they are the only tribe to flee from conflict rather than admit complete defeat which places them below all other villages and tribes. However, they prize individual and collective life above combat and pride. The Tox live average life spans because of their fleeing. Their logo includes a star or a collection of them as well as the color blue. 

The Force is viewed as Ancestral Influence. There are few who are gifted with special abilities that enhance their body or allow them to perform magics. Some can hear their wishes and chants. It's not often for the Epicanthix to use these powers for their own ends, since they are very communal. Those who do, however, are seen as selfish and become an equivalent to a Sith. Otherwise, their aggressive tendencies leave them in gray areas. 

Physical maturity is met quite early among the Epicanthix, though varies from individual to individual. Records report full sexual and physical maturity to be around the age of 20 for both sexes. Sexual maturity begins as early as 8 years old and as late 15. Arranged marriages occur between tribes or villages but more often within their own. The children are usually around 16 to 18 years old and are expected to have a child 6 months later (their pregnancies are surprisingly shorter in spite of their lengthened lifespan). These marriages are usually festive and ornate and take months to plan and a week to celebrate. The ceremonies differ from village to tribe but take hours to complete.

Gender is quite an important thing among the Epicanthix. Women are revered and respected and held above men. They are expected to learn the deep lore of their ancestors and learn how to efficiently perform the tasks they are born into. They learn lore and healing before the intricacies of their family’s profession. They are also expected to begin to bear children early and constantly. The men are expected to protect, not only their village or tribe, but the women within them. When attacked, the women are targeted before the men in hopes to kill off their lore and ancestry. Interestingly, neither gender is better to bear than the other. The women within the Council are heeded more immediately than the men. It’s an odd form of matriarchy. 

Names are quite important. The firstborn male is to have the first name of the mother’s last name in a hope to inherit her knowledge and wisdom. His last name is that of his father to inherit his strength and cunning. The firstborn female is to have the same, but reversed (her first name is the father's last name and her last name is the mother's last name). The second son has the same first name of the father save the middle letters and inherits the father's last name. The same is for the second daughter but the names come from the mother. All other sons have a first name that starts with the first letter of the father's first name and inherit his last name while the daughters follow similarly their mother. During marriage, neither the husband or wife adapts the other’s name for each are equally important.[/hider]
[b]Technology[/b]: Minimal. Basic wooden and metal tools for survival.
[b]History[/b]: They were initially strong enough to conquer man neighboring planets throughout the Reach. However, during the Old Republic, they were hunted due to their ability to resist mental Force powers against them. They could easily turn against the Sith and, thus, were a liability should the Jedi learn to take advantage of this. Planets were sieged to rid the galaxy of them after many attempts to appeal to their love of combat and turn them to the Dark Side through whatever means (they would often find balance, not to be confused with a resistance to the Dark Side). They weren't particularly strong in the Force, but should they learn its secrets the Sith would be forever wary of that individual. They almost became extinct but resorted to breeding with a few humans to lessen their abilities and their affinity toward the Force. Others say this was purely accidental. They also refused the use and evolution of technology for further fear they would be easier to locate and track. Their suspicion of Force-users is legitimate and their seclusion from the outside is significant. Currently they've found solace in their simple life-style and remain ignorant of their glorious past.[/hider]

[hider]Ages 2-24
Trains in village military. Rises to top through necessity and circumstance (though deserving, nonetheless) throughout conflicts against other villages. (It's mildly sophisticated)

Age 24
Jedi investigate world. Gain intelligence of them while provoking them due to cultural mores and taboos being practiced. Ael kills 2 Jedi as each side grows increasingly aggressive. Jedi Master escapes.

Ages 25-29
More tribal/village conflicts and merges. Eventually becomes King of the Oew Kingdom. 

Ages 30-32
Jedi return to further study Epicanthix/Ael. Convinces him to learn who/what they are. Trains with them and is tested for two years. Learns basic Basic.

Ages 33-34
Returns to Panatha to rule Kingdom. Tribe vs. Kingdom. Jedi Master (from previous) arrives to counsel Ael. Convinces Ael to become defensive. Successful. 

Age 35-40
Jedi Master (from previous) exiled. Ael interrogated but knows nothing of their accusations (other than the fact that he can hardly speak Basic and needs a translator). Considered Jedi. Sent back to Panatha to rule over Oew Kingdom. 

Age 41
Called to mission on Coruscant. Ousts drug cartell. Gifted/usurped YZ-900. Returns to Panatha.

Age 42
Corellian mission during which, Jedi teaches him Soresu. Discovers Exiled Master. Ael kills her due to excessive strength. Counsel and more training. 

Ages 43-48
Oversees development and growth of Kingdom. Political and familial intrigue. Continues to exert dominance other other tribes and villages. Discovery of Mil Kingdom. Diplomacy begins.[/hider]

[hider]<<"There's no reason for you to be crying,">> Ael told the small boy who came running to him with a large gash in his knee. The blood ran down his shin and around his calf, dripping onto the white floor of snow. 

<<"You're almost a man. You have to learn what pain is and how to endure it for the sake of your family and the kingdom.">>

Ylp Ked was the first born of Ams Ked, Ael Ked's last born. Only nine years old, the boy was training with the other children his age in the Raider's barracks. They had been practicing with wooden swords and staves. One such "practice weapon" broke the skin of the child's knee. 

King Ked had been overseeing the training as he would every other week. It wasn't unusual to see him in the military sector, since he had a much more intimate understanding the hierarchy of such a program. He knew what the boys needed to become men and knew what was required of men to protect and provide for the population of the Oew Kingdom. 

One such item was the ability to ignore pain and fight through it. <<"But it hurts,">> the boy tried to explain, of which his grandfather would have none. 

<<"And it will heal, like any superficial wound. Enemies will not allow you time to whine and nurse your wounds. They will kill you if only to remove such a failed man from the surface of this world.">>

The Epicantix were a harsh people. Their history, from before the creation of villages and tribes, was only known by the King himself, if only due to his exposure to the Jedi Archives. He would not allow this history to repeat itself. He would not allow weakness, manipulation, and complacency destroy his race once again.

<<"Father King,">> someone interrupted. Ael looked behind him to see the current Head Chief of the Kingdom. <<"An ambassador from the Mil Kingdom is here to speak with you.">>

"The Mil Kingdom"? Ael had not heard of such a gathering of the villages. He was intrigued but no less concerned. What could they want with him? He prayed to his ancestors that it would not create another war he'd have to sacrifice others to win.[/hider]