Post by ConsularSeagull on Oct 1, 2013 1:30:28 GMT -5
"Do you know what equals power? Power. Power equals power. Crazy, huh?
But the type of power? Doesn't matter as much as you'd think..."
- Rich Burlow
But the type of power? Doesn't matter as much as you'd think..."
- Rich Burlow
Name: Akih Alash
Race: Jawa
Age: 26 galactic standard years
Height: About 3'2"
Weight: 63 pounds. Exactly.
Appearance:
What can be said about a Jawa's appearance that isn't dictated by the clothes they wear? For most people, beauty is skin deep. For a Jawa, it is cloth deep. That being said, underneath the layers, there is indeed a face. This face isn't much to look at, and it bares resemblance to a more flat-faced rodent. Like all Jawa's, Akih is also really darn tiny, but he's actually a tad more lean than his scavenging brethren due to... unfortunate childhood circumstances.
What really sets him apart from first glance is his deviation from the traditional Jawa apparel. The one similarity it shares is the facial wrap, covering his entire head completely in black cloth. Right where his eyes are sit the signature orange gems that give his species their unnerving glare. That being said, the head wrap is the only similarity. The most notable difference, is that his entire robe is somewhere between dark grey and obsidian, with slightly lighter tones around the sleeves. The hood he always keeps drawn is tight fitting and snug, though extra cloth makes it seem perpetually loose. Finally, the hood doesn't even bear the pointed top of most Jawas'. It really has more of a rounded look to it.
As a last bit of apparel, he wears gloves that disappear underneath his sleeves, and cloth boots that strongly mimic the pattern of 'no skin'. He also wears a belt, though not across his waist. Due in part thanks to his stature and the fact that his belt was intended for normal humans, he carries it like a sash, diagonally striped over his left shoulder.
Personality:
Akih is a scavenger. He was born a scavenger, and he'll die a scavenger. It is who he is, as much as a lightsaber is his chosen weapon. He's the kind of fellow who if you give him an inch, he'll find a centimeter and mash the two into a new method of measurement altogether, then maybe take that mile for good measure. He's been described as almost having an intuition for clever makeshift inventions, to the point where if MacGuyver existed people would surely mock the similarities. As it can possible be inferred, he's also rather clever, being both good at being ignored, making do with very little, and finding what he wants.
In addition, Akih is also quite the pragmatic individual, never believing in 'fair fights' or 'honor'. The former is silly - we're all born equal, what's not fair again? - and the latter is simply a justification of the former. Why engage in a duel of skill when the game is so easy to rig? Heck, that just shows cleverness over a simplistic approach, and last time Akih checked, clever was something most people strive to be. Of course, this does make him seem a little cowardly from time to time, as most of the time he just backs out until he's certain the odds are in his favor. Logically, he's a little patient, as seizing an opportunity is vastly different from taking a risk. It just needs a little more assessment.
Curiously enough for one of his side of the force, Akih has quite the snarky sense of humor, always one to make a snide comment or crack a one liner. People always assume they serve a purpose, such as goading an opponent or lure them into a trap, but the truth is he just kind of says the first thing that pops into his head most of the time. Though, he doesn't tell people that, of course. Rule one of a pragmatic mindset is to always keep 'em guessing. In fact, his goal in any social situation is to keep as much of yourself a mystery as you can, until revealing the truth becomes optimal. This, in turn, gives him a flair for the dramatic. Wait until its appropriate, stun the audience with a plot twist, then butcher them with a lightsaber, or something like that.
This brings us to perhaps his most interesting flaw, and his most unique strength: his view on the force. Akih will be the first one to tell you (probably with a deadpan glare) that he's always had a professional relationship with the force - it is tool and a partner to wield, nothing more, nothing less. Through all the pragmatism and humor, the little jawa truly does crave power. In this regard, he can actually appreciate the Jedi Order; quite a few of their number are truly remarkable. That being said, from a strictly unbiased opinion, Akih always reckoned the dark side just got you there quicker. He doesn't view the force religiously, or as a universal constant, or even as an emotional fulcrum. It is simply a tool. And all those mumbo jumbo rules and traditions? They're about as silly as honor; all they do is get in the way
His views do lead to an interesting practice however: rather than adhere to any form, Akih applies himself to the force and his blade in the manner of a true Jawa. That is to say, completely deconstruct everything in any regard, choice pick over the ideals you like, and fuse them together until you get a surprisingly effective style that happens to be rather elegant, in a Frankensteinian way. His fighting style incorporates a little of most of the forms, and can be shifted around. One second it looks a bit like Ataru with a hint of Makashi, the next its Soresu with some mild Djem So counters thrown in. Ironically, he detests the Nimian form, as it keeps none of the individuality of the forms that precede it; they're just kind of fused together in a non-fluid, static, consistent way. Its difficult to shift because it always incorporates none of the strengths and none of the weaknesses, whereas the way of the Jawa (as Akih somewhat vainly calls it) constantly shifts the strengths and the weaknesses around. They're still there, just movable and mutable.
Birth place: Tatooine
Faction: Dark Jedi
Rank: Knight- Assassin
Lightsaber: Single blade (short)
Color: Red, with a redder aura
Practiced Lightsaber forms:
Shii-Cho - 4
Makashi - 3
Soresu - 2
Ataru - 2
Shien - 1
Djem So - 2
Juyo - 1
Force-Sensitive Abilities or practices:
Telekinetic: 3
Telepathic: 6
Body: 4
Sense: 4
Protection: 5
Healing: 0
Destruction: 5
Specialized Skills:
Attributes:
Physical Strength: 4
Intelligence: 6
Speed: 5
Leadership: 8
Unarmed: 3
Melee Weapons: 7
Ranged Weapons: 3
Bio:
Ashes to ashes and jawas to sand people
Akih's birth was heralded among the Jawa fortress he was born to. It was not often that a shaman gave birth, and even rarer was it that the father was a captain of a sandcrawler. In terms of immediate political authority, Akih was born the equivalent of a prince, and he was heralded as such. The day he first saw the sun was a day of great celebration indeed. The entire population of the fortress was present for it, and much rejoicing was had by all. And, most happily, the mother even received a blessing from the force: a vision showing her that her son would grow to be an effective leader. Truly, were this life to continue, he might have become a powerful figure amongst the Jawas. Of course, the force works in odd ways, and tragedy often is preceded by joy.
Not a week after the young prince of the sands was born did the tribe come under attack by Tuskan Raiders. Of course, the fortress had withstood attacks before, but this one was different. Namely, the majority of Jawas were out scavenging to make up for lost time during the festivities. The remaining members were women and children. They never stood a chance - not even Akih's mother. Once those who put up a struggle were dealt with, the Sand People collected their prizes: a host of new technological marvels (Their tribe's storyteller had a flair for collecting the past) and several new young slaves. These particular Raiders were always cautious in collecting slaves, but they needed them to maintain the collection, as well as firearms. To head off slave revolts before they happened, the tribe kidnapped young Jawas and raised them as slaves. They adapted to the life much easier, and the older ones could raise the younger ones to obey.
And that was pretty much how the first five years of Akih's life played out. Once the potential greatness he was promised at birth was horribly stolen from him, he was forced into the most humble of starts. The real tragedy is that he never even new, nor would he learn. Being a child in a Tuskan encampment presented a unique challenge. For one thing, there was never enough to eat. For another, any sort of acting out got you beaten - regardless of age. He was raised into the environment by the more submissive slaves, whom had survived only to cowardice, and the lessen stuck with him: pride only got you killed. Here, his first lessons in repairing things started painfully early, as well. By age three, he was forced to have a rough knowledge of how several simple machines worked.
As a slave, his routine equated to a day in, day out type deal, with waking up dreadfully early becoming the most irritating bit. He was given some food, and then his lessons started. It was always noted that he took to the two languages he was taught startlingly well. By the time he was almost five, he could speak trade Jawaese fairly well, and he knew enough Tuskan to understand orders. Sadly, actual Jawaese was suppressed in the tribe, seeing as how the heavy reliance on scent made it too bothersome for the Tuskans. Slaves should be seen, not smelt. Once the lessons finished, he was more or less left to his own devices, seeing as how the Raiders had little use for a four year old slave. As long as he kept to himself, he wasn't beaten, and he learned by watching the other slaves. He did, however, have a knack for avoiding trouble that no one could really figure out. Somehow, he just knew when a Raider would enter a room, or when to tuck himself into a corner. It was almost uncanny.
Of course, the tribe he was 'working' for had their share of problems. Namely, they recently moved their camp a little too close to civilization so as to better steal and pillage, but they were becoming noticed as a side effect. A lot of their effort was simply put into staying hidden, but they could cope. The tribe's true fatal flaw was caused by a single theft: a dark jedi. Pro Tip 1: Never steal from a dark jedi. Especially his lightsaber. Pro Tip 2: If you do somehow manage to accomplish the theft, make certain you kill the dark jedi. Doing otherwise can be rather bad for one's health. Just ask the Sand People. Seeing as how they were the only tribe close enough to civilization to blame, the dark jedi in question, a master Cedric Malum, had a relatively easy time tracking down the tribe. He also didn't encounter much resistance as he preceded to slaughter them all.
RP Sample:
