Post by jedi334 on Feb 14, 2013 12:44:09 GMT -5
"It's not the size of the Jedi or the amount of power running through her lightsaber, but the strength of her heart."
?Barriss Offee
Name: Chias Nero?Barriss Offee
Race: Echani
Age: 23
Height: 5’5
Weight: 152 lbs
Birth place: Eshan
Appearance: Chias wears white robes and a gown along with a single bronze bead in her hair. Her leather boots and belt which holds her lightsaber are colored alabaster white. Her skin is the chalk white of the Echani. Her hair is colored bright silver that is cut short with semi long bangs in front; her eyes are colored a sharp icy sapphire that often look down in shyness but are focused when in study or instructing.
After suffering a serious gun shot wound while protecting civilians during a terrorist attack her entire left shoulder was replaced with a cybernetic prosthetic that was molded from her right one. The hard but smooth silver outer shell covers the complicated network of gears, wires and nerve connections, a single green light glowing to signify its operational status
Her finger and toenails nails are painted a light pearl grey and are meticulously manicured and pedicured so not to scratch the archive counsels scuff the marble or carpet of the Temple floors and she rarely uses make up. Her robes and gown are crisp and cleaned often so not to bring outside dirt and dust.
Though having the thin and athletic build of her people, Chias is considerably shorter then the normal Echani female. To draw attention away from this she consciously stands and walks as straight and tall as possible to make up for her lack of height, often standing on her tiptoes to try and reach high places and using stepladders as a last resort.
Her body language suggests a shy but helpful nature to anyone that needs assistance but also she tries not to be a nuisance. Her facial reactions are muted so no to draw attention to herself, when she speaks it’s low and soft, when she laughs or smiles it’s to her herself. The best way put it is that she makes herself as invisible as possible so not to draw annoyance or conflict.
Personality: Chias is a shy and quite girl but also kind and gentle. If you get her on a topic she enjoys such as Jedi history or flora she will talk your ear off, when she allows herself time away from the archive she enjoys visiting the many magnificent fountains and picturesque parks on Coruscant.
Though only a handful of curious Jedi have listened without her knowledge Chias is a half decent singer whether it be absent minded humming or quietly singing Echani work songs. Some have seen her lightly skipping to the music in her head when she thinks no one is around and when she visits her favorite fountains or lake sides in parks she will dip her bare feet in the cool water despite being scolded by local security.
While she wears the robes of the Jedi she often feels confined by the heavy leather boots and is barefoot whenever possible despite the odd looks by the archive patrons. Behaviors such as this has made her one of the more peculiar Knights in the Order but the carefree nature is balanced by her dedication to the archive and her duties.
When it comes to the Jedi as a group Chias' opinion is one she keep close to herself, she appreciates their sense of order and duty but wishes they would stay out of politics and war as they have no place in either.
Faction: Jedi Order
Rank: Knight
Lightsaber: Single shoto blade single phase
Color: Blue
Practiced Lightsaber forms:
Shii-Cho: 4
Soresu: 3
Force-Sensitive Abilities or practices:
Telekinetic: 3
Telepathic: 3
Body: 1
Sense: 3
Protection: 4
Healing: 3
Destruction: 0
Attributes:
Physical Strength: 3
Intelligence: 6
Speed: 4
Leadership: 2
Unarmed: 3
Melee Weapons: 2
Ranged Weapons: 1
Bio:
The Jedi Order is filled with great warriors, leaders, peacekeepers, diplomats and scientists. There are a very few however who have dedicated their lives in chronicling and archiving the vast histories of the Jedi and of the Republic itself while teaching it to the newer generations, one of these archivist is named Chias Nero.
Early life:
Born on the world of Eshan whose people were a race accomplished warriors and used combat as a communal tool, Chias was the only daughter of the leader of the second most powerful clan on the planet. A pillar amongst his people, Cheino Nero was a retired gladiator who taught his daughter that combat was a part of her very being and was also an adviser to the ruling clan’s Elders.
Eshan being a Republic world, Chias was tested at birth for Midi-Chorlians the cells associated with the Force and it was discovered her count was in the range of someone who was Force sensitive
Over the next five years, her mother took teaching her the histories of the Echani while her father taught her the only way he knew how…through training. The two would spend hours together as he would teach the basic combat forms and techniques that her family was known to use. This along was many trips, picnics and family gatherings, it was the happiest time of her young life.
As Chias grew, so did her appetite for learning. She would look at worlds beyond Eshan and ask her parents all they knew about them and when they did not know she would find every bit of accessible information on each world.
On her sixth year, a Jedi Watchmen arrived on Eshan having learned of her Force sensitivity, he met Chias and asked if she would like to come Courscant with him. She looked back her parents and ask for their guidance.
They said this decisions must be made by her and it was her opportunity to see all those worlds she had read about but no matter where she went her they woulkd be with her. After a tearful goodbye, she boarded the transport ship to Courscant and peered out of the small port hole of the ship as it flew away from Eshan...knowing she would never return.
Life on Courscant\Youngling life:
Chias arrived to the capital of the Republic with her eyes wide. As she was guided through the busy streets of the endless cityscapes, she saw dozens of alien species she had only read about in her books and holo recordings. It was both overwhelming and thrilling at the same time.
Her training began and over a six year period, she learned of the life of a Jedi and was given the standard training saber that all younglings used. She was taught the of the histories of the Order, excelling in tests and studying, while her fellow younglings complained of endless lectures Chias would be in the front of the class listening eagerly.
Despite this, it was very difficult for her to make friends; while she knew they were all Jedi and were all were one family, her quiet nature made it difficult to approach her fellow learners. This left her very shy and withdrawn and she spent most of her time in the quite of the Jedi Archive, entranced by the vast images and information it provided.
Seeing her love of the past and her attachment to the Archive itself, Master Doreas Chen who was an instructor, enrolled Chias in the archivist program and also took her as his padawan learner at the age of 13. Under his tutelage she mastered the basic lightsaber form of Shii-Choo and began to learn the defensive style of Soresu.
He also took her on journeys on and off Courscant where they recorded certain important sessions of the Senate, to exploratory digs on planets in the Core World system and exposing her to various cultures.
While she enjoyed the new sites and knowledge, the sheer mass of it could be overwhelming. Chen seeing her trouble taught her how to reorganize the information through the use of meditation.
Under the Archive staff's supervision, she assisted in reorganizing certain sections of the Archive for more easy use for padawans and younglings, helped in renovation to parts of the Archive that were in need of repair and brought plants and more lighting to make dark research halls more cheerful.
An uncertain first step:
Two years passed, despite her trips on and off Courscant, Chen thought she had stayed within the Archive for too long and it was time for her to begin her trails to becoming a Jedi Knight,the test of Spirit being her first test. At Chias' suggestion Chen decided to go to the ancient Jedi home world of Tython, a place for those in the Order to reconnect with the Force, it was here the first Trail would be attempted.
Path to the doorway:
With her Master accompanying her, she booked two seats on a transport ship and made the long trek across Republic space to Tython, arriving at the main settlement but not staying behind behind the tall walls.
They instead requisitioned camping equipment and rations as well as the most updated map the Order had of the planet and they began the long hike over grasslands and forests. Sensing that the Force was leading them to a certain point they trekked to the largest mountain in the hemisphere.
Along their way she came across many old Jedi ruins such as youngling training yards, mediation shrines and most impressively the remains of the original Jedi Temple. Chias took holo stills and chronicled every day of their journey as the mountain grew closer.
Facing the mirror\Forging of a symbol:
They finally arrived at the mountain base, finding a small and unused path that moved upward along the massive peak. They moved slowly along the rock face and jumped across small gaps in the path and camped under rock shelves feeling many unseen and wild eyes watching them at night.
After five long days of following a small stream and then coming through a long naturally formed passageway, they came upon a massive waterfall the crystal clear water tumbling over a hundred foot drop as it churned and foamed in a filling pool. Chen told her that this was part of the quest was something she would face alone and he went to the entrance to keep guard in case they attracted any predators.
Setting her gear down, she disrobed to her undergarments and dove into the churning pool. She clutched her practice saber as she swam toward the rock climbed on walking right in the middle where centuries of the ever pounding falls had reshaped the rough mineral to a glassy smoothness.
She knelt on her knees, sitting on her pale legs and setting her saber in her lap as she sat in front of the water stream. But then something insider told her to move right under the stream itself. She shut her eyes as she went into a deep meditative state, the world fading away as she disconnected from her earthly vessel to the astral plane.
She opened them to find herself at of all places Eshan in the combat arena in the main colony, it appeared in a blurry faded view which reflected her vague memory of it as she stood dry wearing her full robes and gown with her saber drawn.
Looking around, she saw the stands full of shadowy figures with no faces and only the slightest traces of human forms as they simply watched and waited. Then she sensed a shadowy presence, looking across the arena floor to see a figure clad in black and dark red robes, holding two long bladed lightsabers as they burned the dark scarlet beams of the Sith.
Her opponent raised their hooded head, fear over taking her as Chias saw her own face looking back at her. A splash of red blood was streaked across the pale face as her once sapphire eyes burned a dark glowing yellow as her doppelganger crouched down and let forth a shriek that chilled Chias’ soul as it shot forth and crossed blades with her.
The opponent she was fighting was everything she as afraid of, a creature who let all of her feelings of solitude and anger fester and build until it exploded in a hurricane of Dark side power, a being that would never let anyone call her weak or foolish ever again.
The more Chias tried to fight it the stronger it became. Then she slowly began to realize that where this creature fed on pure strength and anger, her own power came from the one place that had always helped her…her mind.
She focused her mind so all things around slowed down as she got into a Echani defensive stance. She dodged and blocked each attack, her Sith counterpart strength began to ebb as Chias moved with quiet graceful movements that her father taught her so long ago until eventually the specter faded and she stood alone.
She slowly opened her eyes to find herself back in the same spot she began her meditation. She glanced down and saw something she not noticed before, gleaming and embedded in the rock was a small blue stone.
She pried it loose with her fingers and held it tight with her practice saber as she swam back to the shore where her Master waited. She saw a small campsite over his shoulder as she came out of the water, finding out later that they had been there for over two weeks.
She sat by the fire, wrapped in her robe as she told her Master of her experience, he stated that she faced her darkness and prevailed by sheer will and had thus passed her first Trail and was ready to construct her lightsaber.
Realizing that each saber was a unique as the Jedi who wielded it Chen suggested the rock where she had her vision and found her crystal. Wading back into the water she swam out and used a laser torch to carve out the appropriate amount of stone she would she would need.
Knowing that she could not complete the weapon where they were, they pulled up camp and made the long trek back and then returned to the Temple. With her Master assistance she cut the stone into the appropriate hilt, coating it with a Agrinium hardening agent. She laid the hilt along side the crystal and parts from her training saber, ready to begin.
With all the parts gathered, Chias began the month long mediation session as she slowly began to construct her short bladed weapon she saw in her mind and after many failed attempts she succeeded with her lightsaber resting in her lap.
Taking a Bullet:
The Trail of Flesh came at Chias like a shot...literally. Three years after her excursion to Tython, Chias was on a rare trip outside the Temple having heard of a Naboo spice she wanted to try with her broth and noodles.
With the few credits she had saved, she made the long walk across the sector to a market far away from the Temple focused on getting what she needed and getting back back to the Archive. She moved about the busy pavilion, buying the spice and conversing with a merchant when something caught her eye.
Atop a roof over looking the market stood a man clad in rags and a hood holding a high powered pulse rifle. Her eyes followed the laser sighting, seeing it mark a young woman in expensive looking clothes. Chias instantly dropped her parcels and rushed forth, shoving the woman down and covering her body as the shot rang out.
The laser bolt ripped through her left shoulder as dark red blood exploded forth covering the crisp white sleeve of her robe in a dark burgundy as her arm went limp which made her drop her saber hilt as she used ever ounce of will to stay on her feet.
With her dominant arm injured, she switched to her weaker hand as she gritted her teeth and unsheathed her light saber for the first time outside of the practice chambers. Disorder erupted in the market as she shielded the woman as the sniper continued to fire. Needing to move more freely, she found a security officer and left the woman with him telling him to get back up.
At first she considered falling back, she was in an unknown area and she was injured. But contacting the Temple and waiting for assistance from proper Jedi Knights could mean more injury and fatalities, she would have to distract him until the authorities arrived despite being in great pain and also terrified.
She made herself visible so the sniper could see her, hoping he was naive enough to think she was a Master sent to stop him. Her jest worked as the shooter focused his fire purely at her and she began to move toward the building where the sniper was.
She hid in the entrance and saw a merchant stand across from her and bolted forth. She deflected shots with her saber as she hid within the stand, giving cover to the civilians as they escaped to safety. This was her strategy as she moved from stand to stand, giving the frightened citizens time until eventually security arrived and arrested the sniper.
She learned that the man she stopped was part of an archaist group called The True Sons of Coruscant, a group s focused on toppling the Senate and reshaping it into a utilitarian regime. The woman she had protected was the wife of a prominent Senator. Her shooting would then be blamed on corrupt security officials, in turn damaging realtions between many key Senators creating internal strife giving the group the opportunity. With the Senator wife and and group disbanded Chias passed her Trail of Flesh & Courage.
Relearning and proving one's self:
Chias was taken back to the Temple as the medical droids and healers examined her injury. The blast caused a great amount of damage to her shoulder, so much so that a cybernetic prosthetic was suggested. While she was uncomfortable having synthetic parts within her, she faced the possibility of loosing her entire arm if she did not agree.
The procedure took over 5 hours, the joints and tendons replaced with Plasteel cybernetic parts that connected to her nerves, while this substituted for her missing shoulder the recovery was very difficult. The after effects were stiffness, minor to moderate pain and the occasional spasm as the nerves connecting to the wires. It could be painful and irritating but necessary to have use of her arm.
With the surgery complete, she was then transferred to a kolto tank where she spent five weeks healing. Chen was greatly troubled however, he was afraid given the trauma she could continue with her training, but he dismissed his doubt having faith in his student seeing this as her Trails of Skill.
Her rehabilitation started immediately, Chen took her out of the medical bay and started with movement exercises with her fingers, wrist, and arm using light weights and stretching bands. The physical therapy took weeks but eventually she regained a great deal of motion.
With the muscles retrained, the next stage was strengthening her grip, the hilt of a youngling practice saber her tool as she slowly relearned the basic movement and blocking techniques that all learners were taught in the first years of their training.
Day after day, Chen instructed Chias as she fought through the incredible pain. Mental and physical exhaustion bringing her to the edge of quitting. Chen would bring her back reminding of her self worth, her of her kind heart and the strength of her mind as he reaffirmed her belief that she would become a Jedi no matter what.
Two years passed, and then Chias found herself in front of her Master along with two of her fellow padawans with their sabers drawn as her Trails began. At first Chias struggled, weakly parrying both her opponents attacks as the heavy boots she wore made her movements clumsy and awkward.
Realizing that she moved better without them she quickly kicked them off, her bare feet making her movements more flowing as she began to counter every attack. This satisfied her Master and with all four of her Trails passed she achieved the rank of Knight.
Teaching the flock:
Three years have now passed and Chias has become an assistant instructor within the Archive, teaching newly arrived youngling the early histories of the Jedi, taking them on a trips to the Senate showing the heart of the Republic and going back to Tython and showing them the heart of the Order.
RP sample:
“The Force.” Master Chen said gently clapping his hands together. “Who can tell me what that is?”
The lecture hall was quite as the sea of young faces shifted around nervously giving no answer as one cleared their throat. “Come now.” Chen said, giving an encouraging smile. “You must have heard something on your home worlds?”
Again, there was silence and Chias Nero who stood off to the side of the small stage could not help but give a small smile as she watched. It seemed like a life time ago since she had sat in this hall and took part in the same class, being as scared and confused as much as these new younglings were.
Being Knighted for only three years, Chias had many duties within the halls of the Jedi Archive whether it be organizing expeditions to Tython or the Senate, helping youngling navigate the vast archive records or watering the varying plants in the vast halls.
While she knew all these things were important, she really enjoyed teaching these introductory classes with her Master. While she respected and liked many of them, some of the other teachers could be curt, dismissive, intimidating or just down right rude which was not a good introduction to the life of the Jedi.
Luckily, her Master and friend Doeras Chen took a much more friendly and gentler approach and had much success with every in coming group. Even though they entered being afraid, the children enjoyed their open and friendly natures and often came to he and Chias with questions or worries.
He glanced back at her, wearing the dark brown robes of the Order. He was a man in his late forties and had a thin build. His black hair cut short and spiky as his left cybernetic eye glowing a soft green. He had lost it in a duel with a Sith Lord in the early days of the war and the missing eye was a constant reminder of that lost. This was the story around the dining halls in the Temple and Chias had a hard time believing it when she she was first told the tale.
Even before taking her as his learner there was a patience, drive and warmth to Chen that she had never felt from anyone else and he had help her through many a difficult periods during her youngling years.
But there was also a heaviness and regret to him as well, it made her think that the story was more then just rumor but out of respect for their Master\student relationship she never pressed the issue. His look was one of assistance as Chias bit her lower lip shyly and moved out onto the stage, looking upon the younglings and giving a gentle smile.
“Do not be afraid my young friends.” Her voice soft but loud enough to be heard “There is no wrong answer to this question since so many have varying opinions on it…anyone?”
There was silence for a time until Chias saw a small hand rise up in the front. Her sharp sapphire eyes scanned the group until she saw a young Twi'lek girl of five years, her skin a pale jade and her lekku pulled in a pony tail, eyes nervous as she held her hand up.
“Yes?” Chais said giving a nod and smile
“Well um…it’s what...a Jedi uses to fight with?” the girl said meekly
Chias glanced back at Chen who nodded slowly. “Yes." he said firmly "A Jedi’s strength does indeed flow from the Force, however it is a strength used only in defense…never in attack.”
Chais heard the emphasis on the never and even though she heard it so many times before it always gave her comfort. It was something that she thought needed to be a taught on the first day of a youngling’s training. So many came to the Temple thinking when they received their lightsaber they would go out and defeat the Sith Overlord or Mandalore himself single handily
Sadly, those brash Knights fell and she had attended so many funerals she had her ceremonial robes regularly tended to, so much potential snuffed out by over confidence. It was this along with many other reasons she taught this class with Chen, if they were taught the basic lessons early they would always remember them and pass the knowledge on to others.
The class went on, the students learning of the origin of the Jedi, reciting the Code and explaining the different classes and positions within the Order. Chen and Chias would alternate during the lecture, Chias focusing on the historical background on whatever was discussed and Chen on the meaning and philosophy of the subject.
This had been their teaching method for over two years now, Chias began by simply observing and eventually Chen allowed her to try instructing on her own. Seeing her shy nature could over take her sometimes, they now did it this way each focusing on their strengths and assisting the other with their weaknesses.
Chias was leading the lecture when a young boy of 7 raised his hand, giving a nod as he spoke.
“You’re Echani aren’t you?” he asked as his classmates murmured curiously.
She looked briefly to the floor and gave a small smile as she spoke “Yes I am.”
“Are your people warriors…like the Mandalorians?” he asked, head cocked ot the side a bit
“In some respects yes.” She stated as she began to pace a bit on the stage. “While Mandalore and Eshan’s cultures are very similar in where combat and war are foundations of both civilizations they are also very different. Mandalorians see combat as a means of honor and expanding their empire. Echani however use combat as a means communication and finding out who people are but despite the difference both culture evolve. Just because two things are similar does not mean they are the same younglings.”
“Then why are you an assistant archivist instead of a Guardian or Consular?” he asked quirking a brow
Chias was quiet for a time feeling her cybernetic shoulder twitch a bit unconsciously, it was not the first time someone had asked her this question but she spoke the answer she always gave.
“Because the Force willed me to a different path.” She said quietly “Yes I am trained to use my lightsaber just as readily as a Guardian, Sentinel or Consular, however I serve the Order by preserving the past and making sure others may use it when needed."
She pointed to the young Twi'lek girl “You may think you are best meant for the battlefield but over time you find that you are drawn biological research.”
She then pointed to a young Bothan “You might think you will be a High Council Member but instead become a diplomatic negotiator that will help stop a war.”
Her eyes fell on the entire class. “Like with anything in life nothing is set in stone and nothing is what it seems…trust your teachers, instructors, and each other and the Force will reveal your path.”
A soft chime rang out Chen spoke over the clamoring movement as the children gathered their things. “That is all for now..." he said loudly "Be to sure to read the history of The First Jedi Council chapters three through five for next class!” he said
The hall slowly emptied as Chen walked to over to her. “Well done.” he said smiling as she looked down shyly as she spoke “Forgive me Master; I took over the lecture.”
“Not at all Chias.” He said looking at her “it was exactly what those young ones needed.”
Her eyes stayed cast down until she raised them to meet his “Thank you Master.” She said with a quiet nod.
They walked off the stage out of the hall moving the down the long curved hallway, Chias' bare feet padding softly on the carpeted floor as they moved. A long silence passed as Chen glanced at her. "You've been quiet these past few days...which is not unusual for you." he said in a hushed tone "But I can sense something is troubling you."
They arrived to the main entrance hall of the Temple, various younglings, padawans, Knights and Masters moving about. Chias' eyes settled on a small group of younglings that were just in her class, the young Twi'lek girl seeing her and waving with a bright smile before she ran off with her friends to their next course.
Chen watched her closely as he spoke "And when you look that way I can definitely sense something is troubling you."
"I tell them that they can be anything." she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "And yet with the outbreak of war and so much uncertainty how do I know any of them will live long enough to become any of those things?"
Chen face was sympathetic. "Chais..."
Her sapphire eyes looked to him, the worry clearly evident. "Am I wrong Master?" she said pleadingly "The Sith and Mandalorians will not stay content in conquering out laying systems forever. They will eventually turn to the Core Worlds and bring their fleets, soldiers and who knows what else...forcing those children to fight."
“You said it yourself my friend.” He said setting a hand on her shoulder. “Nothing is set in stone and the Force guides us to our own path…paths that are ever changing. None can fight against it whether it be you, me, the younglings or the Republic's enemies. All we can do is walk the path and see where it goes."
She considered his words and gave a slow nod. "Yes Master." she said quietly
He patted her shoulder lightly and was off to his other duties; she looked out to the massive city-scape as a smoldering sunset bathed the city in a deep orange. The lights in the towering skyscrapers switched on as she sighed, her bare toes curling on the cool marble floor.
“Nothing is set in stone.” she thought. "I hope that is true..I really do."
so if I make these changes do I need to resubmit? and sorry again about the codding I am getting used to the site I also when I post on to the site I do not see it until after I post, how do I get rid of it? Thanks for taking the time to look it over and the advice too! 
