Post by Meira on Jan 8, 2009 18:07:08 GMT -5
Name: Rook Solosten
Race: Human
Age: 29
Birthplace: Coronet, Corellia
Allegiance: Corellia, Republic
Status: Royalty
Rank: King of Corellia
Height/Weight: 6'1"/175
Appearance:
Rook is tall and lean and stands in an upright posture that is unmistakably regal. His dark blonde hair is cut to the average male length, with a tendency to mess if he does not remember to keep it subdued. He is meticulous at remaining clean shaven. His dark grey eyes sit below low brows and above a straight nose and nicely squared jaw.
Rook is always dressed in a manner becoming of a king. Even his pajamas seem regal. He is almost always seen wearing a finely fitted suit. Below his noble trappings, scars can be found, starting at his shoulders and ending about half way down his back. These are the remnants of a sand panther attack.
Personality:
Rook, ever since he was a child, has always possessed a warm and personable aura. He is casual, without being sloppy, and is inviting in his manner. This has made public relations and other kingly obligations fairly easy for Rook. He's a good read of people, and able to discern how to interact with them with a fair amount of accuracy.
He prefers to keep interactions with other familiar and easy going. Rook is quick with a smile and a joke when necessary. This is not to say, however, that he is unable to bring an edge to his voice when the situation calls for it. Rook's presence can be just as formidable as it can be friendly. But he rarely uses this tactic, preferring the old adage that one can catch more flied with honey than vinegar.
Below the surface, there is a slightly darker side to Corellia's young king. Recent events have left him gutted, and very much alone. There is a hesitance in his heart that he dares not share with others. He feels the weight of his crown, and knows that -especially in these times- weakness is not an option. He is therefore adamant about presenting a strong face for his people, and is vocal in his support of the Republic and their efforts against the Sith Empire.
Ships/Vehicles: n/a
Equipment: n/a
Stats:
Strength - Average
Agility - Average
Intelligence - Above Average
Charisma - Superior
Combat Training:
CQC: Novice
Melee: Fencing-Adept
Ranged: Pistols-Apprentice
Other Training:
Galactic Law: Expert
Biography:
The birth of an heir is a happy time, not only for a royal family, but the people they serve. A second son is cause for rejoicing at the fertility of the monarchs. A third son might as well be overkill. That was what Rook was. Some of the related families, those who secretly wished the King and Queen would have no heir saw the three sons of Solosten as a slap in the face. Their own sons would surely have no chance now. Other wealthy families, those not related to the Crown now saw their daughters as prized possessions, a chance to bring them up from nobility into royalty. So while Rook grew up, he was subject to the secret loathing and adoration of aspiring adults.
Rook was not, however, the youngest. Three years after his own birth, Corellia celebrated yet another Solosten boy. Little Jahn had the honor of being the youngest, for a time. But at the age of three, Jahn was kidnapped in the middle of the night and disappeared forever. The whole of Corellia supported the fervent search, but it was to no avail. Jahn was lost. In spite of the great sadness that passed over the Royal household, the King and Queen did well to shield their sons from the pain. Rook and his brothers mourned the loss of the youngest prince, but their young minds proved resilient and the painful memory of Jahn faded with time. Little did they know that their brother wasn't truly gone.
Life as a prince proved to help the healing process, and the Solosten boys continued to thrive. Young Rook never wanted for a thing. The palace and the grounds supplied hours of adventure for himself and his brothers. Their games were subject only to the extent of their imaginations and the royal court were audience to a number of mock battles and grand adventures. But as the boys grew older, Rook slowly began to see their places in their world and how his was a good deal lower than his siblings'.
His eldest brother, the Crown Prince, was five years older than Rook and was the first to abandon their games. Rook was only four at the time and couldn't understand why his brother would rather sit at a table with books and teachers all day. No one thought to explain it to him. And then his other brother soon joined him and Rook, at the age of seven, was left to his own devices. Sure, he had his own schooling, but it was never as intense as that of his brothers'.
At first, he had tried to see this as his own advantage and did anything a normal boy would do. He taunted his brothers for having to do more work than he did. He gloated in his free time. But one day, when Rook was about ten years old, his eldest brother berated him.
"Are you really that stupid Rook?!" He had shouted. "I'm going to be King! And our brother will be a General! We've got more important things to do than play your stupid games!" No one had known it, for Rook played it off quite well, but he had been stabbed in the heart that day. From then on, the politics of Royal life were clear to him, as if a veil had been lifted, and he understood for the first time the sheer uselessness of his existence.
And as the years past, Rook grew to be strong, clever, and just as gifted as his brothers, but he always found himself in their shadow. The years past and in his adolescence, Rook learned apathy. He went through the motions of being a Prince of Corellia. He learned the art of the sword, became a top marksman, and had studied everything from engineering to law. He excelled at the latter, becoming an ace debater. If there was any place he shined apart from his brothers, it was there. But it didn't matter. No matter how much he achieved... or how little, he was treated to the same pat on the back.
Worst of all, as the boys entered their late adolescence, Rook watched as the most beautiful girls on the planet were presented to his eldest brother. Like livestock, he had his pick of the herd. By the age of 22, the Crown Prince had found himself a bride. Corellia rejoiced. The wedding was of course a grand affair, with all of the most important people of Corellia invited. Thoughts of young love and climbing the noble ladder were in the air, and young noblewomen of the most prominent families were present to the two Solosten Princes who were still single. But Rook soon grew tired of the overly polite and utterly false masks these young women presented to him. Only one young woman, Aunna Borgonia stood out.
Unlike the others, Aunna didn't follow the lines of gossip and fashion. She was a military woman, but retained the grace and beauty that was a natural gift for her. The two were quickly attracted to one another, and stole away from the party to find a place where they might be more themselves. Borrowing two carrion spats, they rode off into the wild fields owned by the royal family. Sharing childhood stories and the scenery, the two couldn't help but notice the attraction they shared.
But their stolen time would be cut short as a servant to the crown, leading a search party for the missing prince arrived and separated the two with less than subtle indignation towards Aunna. Bound by his place in society, Rook was taken away. He would later find Aunna before she left the wedding and the two would share a kiss. It would be both their first, and their last. Rook would not see Aunna again for many years.
After Aunna, Rook had lost interest in finding love. His second brother would marry and Corellia would rejoice again. For a time, it was as if the whole system waited for him to follow suit, but Rook never let any woman as close as he had let Aunna that one night. He hid his insecurity under ego. He courted many women. In doing so, he avoided coming too close to any of them. His bachelor attitude won him the hearts of the young men of Corellia and Rook soon found a place among like-minded noble youths.
Like him, these gents were on paths that lead to wealth and luxury, but no real fulfillment. Though none would admit it, they shared a bond in their desperation for purpose. And together, they dared to stretch the limits of their stations. Wild parties, gambling, womanizing, and a few illegal swoop races became their agenda. And while Rook occasionally received a slap on the wrist or a good lecture on proper behavior, it was obvious that no one really cared what he did.
At first, there was no consequence for him at all. In fact, some advisers to the King reported that Rook brought more support to the Crown from the lower classes. They said that Rook showed the common people that the nobles and Royal family were human just as them. And an early mishap, which might have proved a disaster became a wildly successful spin of heroism.
One late evening, Rook, now 24, and his group of noble bachelors had decided a hunting trip was in order. The decision had been made in a hurry, and under the influence of a great deal of alcohol. The men had mounted their Carrion Spats and rode out into the more arid regions in search of a sand panther to claim as a trophy. During their hunt, they had encountered more than they had expected, suddenly finding themselves amidst a good number of their intended prey. But in their drunken state, they had greatly underestimated the sand panthers and quickly called off the hunt. Three retreated to safety, with Rook and his best friend Jak following. But a sand panther had jumped at Jak's mount and brought him to the ground. Rook turned about and came rushing back for his friend, firing his blaster at the sand panthers. He struck two, but two more were still closing in.
Reaching his friend's side, Rook jumped from his mount and reached for his friend at the same time that a panther's claws dug into Jak's leg. Jak's screams echoed across the landscape as the poison from the panther's claws entered his blood stream. Rook tried desperately to hold on to his friend as he aimed his blaster at the panther. With one quick shot, the beast fell to the ground and Rook pulled a faint Jak back to his carrion spat. As Rook struggled to secure Jak onto the bird, the last panther attacked from behind, its claws gripping on to Rook's shoulders and back and its teeth sinking into Jak's leg, ripping open a new wound. In spite of the pain, Rook was able to wrench a vibroblade into the panther, causing it to fall to the ground. He climbed back onto his mount and rushed back into the city.
The two were found early in the morning. When the three that had gotten away returned, they had raised an alarm and the Royal Guard was dispatched to search for Rook. The carrion spat was wandering aimlessly in the streets of Coronet. Both Rook and Jak were unconscious. They were rushed to a hospital where Rook barely survived. Jak was not so lucky.
Before the press could turn the story against Rook, advisers to the Crown announced that Rook would be awarded the bloodstripe for his courage in attempting to save his friend. While the public ate up the story, Rook could see in the eyes of his family that they did not.
After weeks of recovery, Rook finally left the hospital. He fell out of the public spotlight for nearly three years, drowning the loss of his best friend in alcohol. His brothers did nothing to help, as they took every opportunity to remind him that Jak would still be alive had Rook not acted like such a child in the first place. Depression gave way to anger at his brothers and Rook emerged back into the world with an agenda.
Rook began to travel Corellia, looking for any sort of activity that might smudge the family name. His adventures cost the Crown a great deal of money as they tried to cover up his antics. After a few months, the King had had enough and ordered that Rook be brought back to the capital, in chains if necessary.
One month later, on his twenty-seventh birthday, Rook stood before his father and the Crown Prince. The Kind entered into a long monologue, detailing every instance of how Rook was wasting his life. He spoke of Rook's potential and how it was being squandered. As he drew his speech to a close, the King sat down on his throne, slouching as if the weight of the galaxy were on his shoulders. After a few moments, he continued.
"You are a Prince of Corellia, and it is high time you started acting like one. I am sending you to Coruscant. You have been appointed as Junior Senator under Donald Kail." Rook and the Crown Prince both opened their mouths to protest, but a wave of the king's hand silenced them before they could even begin. "If you cannot serve your people here, you will do so on the floor of the Senate! This is your last chance Rook."
Rook was then dismissed to pack his things. He was to leave first thing in the morning.
His life in the senate would be short lived, however. After meeting with Corellia's senator, Rook set about his mundane tasks for a few months. Though the work was dull, life on Coruscant provided plenty of distractions. In all, he kept his misbehavior to a minimum of gambling and only a few wild parties. For the most part, he kept his head under the radar.
When the Annual Senator's Gala came around, Rook found himself with an invitation. The Gala itself was only mildly entertaining, but while there, Rook met an intriguing woman. Queen Sali Hyria of Onderon and Rook found themselves to be two nobles equally bored in the presence of politicians and other wealthy elite. They talked, drank, and danced, taking comfort in the company of another like minded being. The two left the Gala at the same time, though in different vehicles. What would happen next would change both of their lives forever.
Sali and her guard were always on alert for assassins. Some had killed her family, and the possibility of them coming for her was always near. This night, that threat was far too real. Her ship, which was to take her home had been sabotaged and crashed down into the undercity. The only survivors were Sali and a knight whom she had met at the Gala and who had insisted on escorting her home. Ryn Sundar had nearly died in the crash as he focused his force powers to protect the queen.
Rook had seen the explosion of the ship and had tried to reach the crash site to save Sali. He crashed his own speeder in the attempt, but survived to stumble upon the most bizarre scene.
When he reached the site, two others had beat him there. One was a woman, whom Rook would soon recognize as Aunna Borgonia, now an escaped prisoner accused of treason. The other was a man, Aunna's companion, and a dark Jedi, Vex Praetor. Though Vex had wanted to slaughter them all, and had come very close to killing Rook, Aunna convinced him that the nobles and even the Jedi could prove useful. Though Rook's every being distrusted Vex, he believed Aunna and the four trekked through the undercity to find safety. For their help, Rook promised to do all that he could do the help clear Aunna's name in the future.
Not long after that fateful night, Rook was called home to Corellia for the coronation of the Crown Prince. It seemed his exile had been successful. Rook had not marred the family name, and was now welcome at home again. The festivities lasted for a week, culminating in the coronation ceremony. The entire royal family was present, and all of Corellia was watching.
But as the King made to place the crown on his son's head, a shot rang out and the Crown Prince fell to the ground. Panic ensued, the Crown Prince had been assassinated! Security was quick to act, and all the nobles were escorted to transports that would take them to a safe house, spare Rook who has refused to leave his brother's side. Call it fate, the force, or coincidence, whatever it was, Rook's decision to stay would surely save his life. All of his family, mother, brother, and sisters-in-law were slaughtered en route to the safe house. His father the King was the only one to arrive, but he too would meet his end that day.
As the sole surviving Solosten, Rook suddenly found himself being made King of Corellia. It was not a happy day.
Rook has since set his whole being into finding those that murdered his family. His pursuit of justice has hardened his heart and broken his soul. But his resolve holds strong. Now a King, he has little room for error, and even less for failure.
Roleplay Sample:
The decision had been made for him, like so many others in his life. He was being sent away, out of the direct sight of his family and people. Out of sight, out of mind. He could be insulted, he supposed, but Rook didn't want to give them the pleasure. No, he'd play this little banishment to his advantage.
As the night wore on, Rook watched as servants packed up his belongings. One by one containers entered and left his suite until nothing was left. He stood on the balcony, looking over the capital city. Some bloody birthday. A knock at the door drew his attention away from the bustling nightlife of Coronet and Rook turned to see who had come to bother him now.
It was hardly a surprise. Rook's most esteemed older brother, the Crown Prince of Corellia entered the room. Both brothers dawned a look of disdain on their faces as they looked at each other. Rook waited, but when his brother said nothing, he decided to fill the silence himself.
"What is it? Come to say goodbye, have you? Or happy birthday perhaps?" He paused, but his brother still did not speak. "No?... Right, well, if you don't have something to say, I've got a lot to do. So if you please..." Rook placed one hand on his brother's shoulder, his other hand held out showing the way to the door. But the Crown Prince pushed Rook's hand off violently, suddenly bringing his face very close to Rook's. From this distance, Rook could see the anger in his brother's eyes, if the tone of his speech weren't enough.
"You do not deserve this, little brother." His words were little more than a whisper as they were shot out. "You will fail, as always. But you will not get to come home this time. I am going to see to it. When you dishonor yourself again, I will personally make sure you are disowned." He then pulled away and moved towards the door. With one hand, he pointed at the golden blood stripe that ran the length of the side of Rook's trousers. "Enjoy it while you can."
Rook watched as his brother left the room. His own anger welling up inside of him. He wouldn't give them the pleasure. He couldn't. He'd swing this to his advantage... somehow. How hard could it be?
Race: Human
Age: 29
Birthplace: Coronet, Corellia
Allegiance: Corellia, Republic
Status: Royalty
Rank: King of Corellia
Height/Weight: 6'1"/175
Appearance:
Rook is tall and lean and stands in an upright posture that is unmistakably regal. His dark blonde hair is cut to the average male length, with a tendency to mess if he does not remember to keep it subdued. He is meticulous at remaining clean shaven. His dark grey eyes sit below low brows and above a straight nose and nicely squared jaw.
Rook is always dressed in a manner becoming of a king. Even his pajamas seem regal. He is almost always seen wearing a finely fitted suit. Below his noble trappings, scars can be found, starting at his shoulders and ending about half way down his back. These are the remnants of a sand panther attack.
Personality:
Rook, ever since he was a child, has always possessed a warm and personable aura. He is casual, without being sloppy, and is inviting in his manner. This has made public relations and other kingly obligations fairly easy for Rook. He's a good read of people, and able to discern how to interact with them with a fair amount of accuracy.
He prefers to keep interactions with other familiar and easy going. Rook is quick with a smile and a joke when necessary. This is not to say, however, that he is unable to bring an edge to his voice when the situation calls for it. Rook's presence can be just as formidable as it can be friendly. But he rarely uses this tactic, preferring the old adage that one can catch more flied with honey than vinegar.
Below the surface, there is a slightly darker side to Corellia's young king. Recent events have left him gutted, and very much alone. There is a hesitance in his heart that he dares not share with others. He feels the weight of his crown, and knows that -especially in these times- weakness is not an option. He is therefore adamant about presenting a strong face for his people, and is vocal in his support of the Republic and their efforts against the Sith Empire.
Ships/Vehicles: n/a
Equipment: n/a
Stats:
Strength - Average
Agility - Average
Intelligence - Above Average
Charisma - Superior
Combat Training:
CQC: Novice
Melee: Fencing-Adept
Ranged: Pistols-Apprentice
Other Training:
Galactic Law: Expert
Biography:
The birth of an heir is a happy time, not only for a royal family, but the people they serve. A second son is cause for rejoicing at the fertility of the monarchs. A third son might as well be overkill. That was what Rook was. Some of the related families, those who secretly wished the King and Queen would have no heir saw the three sons of Solosten as a slap in the face. Their own sons would surely have no chance now. Other wealthy families, those not related to the Crown now saw their daughters as prized possessions, a chance to bring them up from nobility into royalty. So while Rook grew up, he was subject to the secret loathing and adoration of aspiring adults.
Rook was not, however, the youngest. Three years after his own birth, Corellia celebrated yet another Solosten boy. Little Jahn had the honor of being the youngest, for a time. But at the age of three, Jahn was kidnapped in the middle of the night and disappeared forever. The whole of Corellia supported the fervent search, but it was to no avail. Jahn was lost. In spite of the great sadness that passed over the Royal household, the King and Queen did well to shield their sons from the pain. Rook and his brothers mourned the loss of the youngest prince, but their young minds proved resilient and the painful memory of Jahn faded with time. Little did they know that their brother wasn't truly gone.
Life as a prince proved to help the healing process, and the Solosten boys continued to thrive. Young Rook never wanted for a thing. The palace and the grounds supplied hours of adventure for himself and his brothers. Their games were subject only to the extent of their imaginations and the royal court were audience to a number of mock battles and grand adventures. But as the boys grew older, Rook slowly began to see their places in their world and how his was a good deal lower than his siblings'.
His eldest brother, the Crown Prince, was five years older than Rook and was the first to abandon their games. Rook was only four at the time and couldn't understand why his brother would rather sit at a table with books and teachers all day. No one thought to explain it to him. And then his other brother soon joined him and Rook, at the age of seven, was left to his own devices. Sure, he had his own schooling, but it was never as intense as that of his brothers'.
At first, he had tried to see this as his own advantage and did anything a normal boy would do. He taunted his brothers for having to do more work than he did. He gloated in his free time. But one day, when Rook was about ten years old, his eldest brother berated him.
"Are you really that stupid Rook?!" He had shouted. "I'm going to be King! And our brother will be a General! We've got more important things to do than play your stupid games!" No one had known it, for Rook played it off quite well, but he had been stabbed in the heart that day. From then on, the politics of Royal life were clear to him, as if a veil had been lifted, and he understood for the first time the sheer uselessness of his existence.
And as the years past, Rook grew to be strong, clever, and just as gifted as his brothers, but he always found himself in their shadow. The years past and in his adolescence, Rook learned apathy. He went through the motions of being a Prince of Corellia. He learned the art of the sword, became a top marksman, and had studied everything from engineering to law. He excelled at the latter, becoming an ace debater. If there was any place he shined apart from his brothers, it was there. But it didn't matter. No matter how much he achieved... or how little, he was treated to the same pat on the back.
Worst of all, as the boys entered their late adolescence, Rook watched as the most beautiful girls on the planet were presented to his eldest brother. Like livestock, he had his pick of the herd. By the age of 22, the Crown Prince had found himself a bride. Corellia rejoiced. The wedding was of course a grand affair, with all of the most important people of Corellia invited. Thoughts of young love and climbing the noble ladder were in the air, and young noblewomen of the most prominent families were present to the two Solosten Princes who were still single. But Rook soon grew tired of the overly polite and utterly false masks these young women presented to him. Only one young woman, Aunna Borgonia stood out.
Unlike the others, Aunna didn't follow the lines of gossip and fashion. She was a military woman, but retained the grace and beauty that was a natural gift for her. The two were quickly attracted to one another, and stole away from the party to find a place where they might be more themselves. Borrowing two carrion spats, they rode off into the wild fields owned by the royal family. Sharing childhood stories and the scenery, the two couldn't help but notice the attraction they shared.
But their stolen time would be cut short as a servant to the crown, leading a search party for the missing prince arrived and separated the two with less than subtle indignation towards Aunna. Bound by his place in society, Rook was taken away. He would later find Aunna before she left the wedding and the two would share a kiss. It would be both their first, and their last. Rook would not see Aunna again for many years.
After Aunna, Rook had lost interest in finding love. His second brother would marry and Corellia would rejoice again. For a time, it was as if the whole system waited for him to follow suit, but Rook never let any woman as close as he had let Aunna that one night. He hid his insecurity under ego. He courted many women. In doing so, he avoided coming too close to any of them. His bachelor attitude won him the hearts of the young men of Corellia and Rook soon found a place among like-minded noble youths.
Like him, these gents were on paths that lead to wealth and luxury, but no real fulfillment. Though none would admit it, they shared a bond in their desperation for purpose. And together, they dared to stretch the limits of their stations. Wild parties, gambling, womanizing, and a few illegal swoop races became their agenda. And while Rook occasionally received a slap on the wrist or a good lecture on proper behavior, it was obvious that no one really cared what he did.
At first, there was no consequence for him at all. In fact, some advisers to the King reported that Rook brought more support to the Crown from the lower classes. They said that Rook showed the common people that the nobles and Royal family were human just as them. And an early mishap, which might have proved a disaster became a wildly successful spin of heroism.
One late evening, Rook, now 24, and his group of noble bachelors had decided a hunting trip was in order. The decision had been made in a hurry, and under the influence of a great deal of alcohol. The men had mounted their Carrion Spats and rode out into the more arid regions in search of a sand panther to claim as a trophy. During their hunt, they had encountered more than they had expected, suddenly finding themselves amidst a good number of their intended prey. But in their drunken state, they had greatly underestimated the sand panthers and quickly called off the hunt. Three retreated to safety, with Rook and his best friend Jak following. But a sand panther had jumped at Jak's mount and brought him to the ground. Rook turned about and came rushing back for his friend, firing his blaster at the sand panthers. He struck two, but two more were still closing in.
Reaching his friend's side, Rook jumped from his mount and reached for his friend at the same time that a panther's claws dug into Jak's leg. Jak's screams echoed across the landscape as the poison from the panther's claws entered his blood stream. Rook tried desperately to hold on to his friend as he aimed his blaster at the panther. With one quick shot, the beast fell to the ground and Rook pulled a faint Jak back to his carrion spat. As Rook struggled to secure Jak onto the bird, the last panther attacked from behind, its claws gripping on to Rook's shoulders and back and its teeth sinking into Jak's leg, ripping open a new wound. In spite of the pain, Rook was able to wrench a vibroblade into the panther, causing it to fall to the ground. He climbed back onto his mount and rushed back into the city.
The two were found early in the morning. When the three that had gotten away returned, they had raised an alarm and the Royal Guard was dispatched to search for Rook. The carrion spat was wandering aimlessly in the streets of Coronet. Both Rook and Jak were unconscious. They were rushed to a hospital where Rook barely survived. Jak was not so lucky.
Before the press could turn the story against Rook, advisers to the Crown announced that Rook would be awarded the bloodstripe for his courage in attempting to save his friend. While the public ate up the story, Rook could see in the eyes of his family that they did not.
After weeks of recovery, Rook finally left the hospital. He fell out of the public spotlight for nearly three years, drowning the loss of his best friend in alcohol. His brothers did nothing to help, as they took every opportunity to remind him that Jak would still be alive had Rook not acted like such a child in the first place. Depression gave way to anger at his brothers and Rook emerged back into the world with an agenda.
Rook began to travel Corellia, looking for any sort of activity that might smudge the family name. His adventures cost the Crown a great deal of money as they tried to cover up his antics. After a few months, the King had had enough and ordered that Rook be brought back to the capital, in chains if necessary.
One month later, on his twenty-seventh birthday, Rook stood before his father and the Crown Prince. The Kind entered into a long monologue, detailing every instance of how Rook was wasting his life. He spoke of Rook's potential and how it was being squandered. As he drew his speech to a close, the King sat down on his throne, slouching as if the weight of the galaxy were on his shoulders. After a few moments, he continued.
"You are a Prince of Corellia, and it is high time you started acting like one. I am sending you to Coruscant. You have been appointed as Junior Senator under Donald Kail." Rook and the Crown Prince both opened their mouths to protest, but a wave of the king's hand silenced them before they could even begin. "If you cannot serve your people here, you will do so on the floor of the Senate! This is your last chance Rook."
Rook was then dismissed to pack his things. He was to leave first thing in the morning.
His life in the senate would be short lived, however. After meeting with Corellia's senator, Rook set about his mundane tasks for a few months. Though the work was dull, life on Coruscant provided plenty of distractions. In all, he kept his misbehavior to a minimum of gambling and only a few wild parties. For the most part, he kept his head under the radar.
When the Annual Senator's Gala came around, Rook found himself with an invitation. The Gala itself was only mildly entertaining, but while there, Rook met an intriguing woman. Queen Sali Hyria of Onderon and Rook found themselves to be two nobles equally bored in the presence of politicians and other wealthy elite. They talked, drank, and danced, taking comfort in the company of another like minded being. The two left the Gala at the same time, though in different vehicles. What would happen next would change both of their lives forever.
Sali and her guard were always on alert for assassins. Some had killed her family, and the possibility of them coming for her was always near. This night, that threat was far too real. Her ship, which was to take her home had been sabotaged and crashed down into the undercity. The only survivors were Sali and a knight whom she had met at the Gala and who had insisted on escorting her home. Ryn Sundar had nearly died in the crash as he focused his force powers to protect the queen.
Rook had seen the explosion of the ship and had tried to reach the crash site to save Sali. He crashed his own speeder in the attempt, but survived to stumble upon the most bizarre scene.
When he reached the site, two others had beat him there. One was a woman, whom Rook would soon recognize as Aunna Borgonia, now an escaped prisoner accused of treason. The other was a man, Aunna's companion, and a dark Jedi, Vex Praetor. Though Vex had wanted to slaughter them all, and had come very close to killing Rook, Aunna convinced him that the nobles and even the Jedi could prove useful. Though Rook's every being distrusted Vex, he believed Aunna and the four trekked through the undercity to find safety. For their help, Rook promised to do all that he could do the help clear Aunna's name in the future.
Not long after that fateful night, Rook was called home to Corellia for the coronation of the Crown Prince. It seemed his exile had been successful. Rook had not marred the family name, and was now welcome at home again. The festivities lasted for a week, culminating in the coronation ceremony. The entire royal family was present, and all of Corellia was watching.
But as the King made to place the crown on his son's head, a shot rang out and the Crown Prince fell to the ground. Panic ensued, the Crown Prince had been assassinated! Security was quick to act, and all the nobles were escorted to transports that would take them to a safe house, spare Rook who has refused to leave his brother's side. Call it fate, the force, or coincidence, whatever it was, Rook's decision to stay would surely save his life. All of his family, mother, brother, and sisters-in-law were slaughtered en route to the safe house. His father the King was the only one to arrive, but he too would meet his end that day.
As the sole surviving Solosten, Rook suddenly found himself being made King of Corellia. It was not a happy day.
Rook has since set his whole being into finding those that murdered his family. His pursuit of justice has hardened his heart and broken his soul. But his resolve holds strong. Now a King, he has little room for error, and even less for failure.
Roleplay Sample:
The decision had been made for him, like so many others in his life. He was being sent away, out of the direct sight of his family and people. Out of sight, out of mind. He could be insulted, he supposed, but Rook didn't want to give them the pleasure. No, he'd play this little banishment to his advantage.
As the night wore on, Rook watched as servants packed up his belongings. One by one containers entered and left his suite until nothing was left. He stood on the balcony, looking over the capital city. Some bloody birthday. A knock at the door drew his attention away from the bustling nightlife of Coronet and Rook turned to see who had come to bother him now.
It was hardly a surprise. Rook's most esteemed older brother, the Crown Prince of Corellia entered the room. Both brothers dawned a look of disdain on their faces as they looked at each other. Rook waited, but when his brother said nothing, he decided to fill the silence himself.
"What is it? Come to say goodbye, have you? Or happy birthday perhaps?" He paused, but his brother still did not speak. "No?... Right, well, if you don't have something to say, I've got a lot to do. So if you please..." Rook placed one hand on his brother's shoulder, his other hand held out showing the way to the door. But the Crown Prince pushed Rook's hand off violently, suddenly bringing his face very close to Rook's. From this distance, Rook could see the anger in his brother's eyes, if the tone of his speech weren't enough.
"You do not deserve this, little brother." His words were little more than a whisper as they were shot out. "You will fail, as always. But you will not get to come home this time. I am going to see to it. When you dishonor yourself again, I will personally make sure you are disowned." He then pulled away and moved towards the door. With one hand, he pointed at the golden blood stripe that ran the length of the side of Rook's trousers. "Enjoy it while you can."
Rook watched as his brother left the room. His own anger welling up inside of him. He wouldn't give them the pleasure. He couldn't. He'd swing this to his advantage... somehow. How hard could it be?
