Kassus
The Haunted
Name: Kassus Tellrim
Age: 46
Species: Nautolan
Height: 1.98m
Weight: Big Muscles
Force Sensitive: Yes
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Kassus is tall for a Nautolan, standing over most regular humans in both his height and general bulk. Whether a genetic quirk, hard work, or force steroids is really unknown, but suffice it to say the Jedi is larger than most would expect his kind to be. Despite his general bulk, Kassus carries himself with a practiced litheness. Through years of training the Nautolan has learned to move with both speed and precision, surprising most people who encounter him.
Though many find his size intimidating, most of the time Kassus' expression betrays nothing but kindness and compassion. Despite what now haunts him the Nautolan has an entirely friendly demeanor. Approachable, and appearing as more an oversized teddy bear than someone to be frightened of. Especially in his traditional Jedi Robes.
PERSONALITY AND BELIEFS
Kassus was once a young, idealistic Jedi who fully believed within the good nature of people and the galaxy at large. After the events of his past and what happened at the Enclave, this outlook was shattered in indescribable ways. Though he still believes within the tenants of the Jedi Code and the works of the Order, something has changed within him.
Gone is the hope that everyone can be redeemed. Gone is the naive hope that even the worst can find their way back to the light. Gone is the trust which might once have been extended to even the worst the galaxy has to offer.
Still, despite the change within him Kassus still clings to pieces of his old self. He tries without end to be welcoming, full of heart, and in good cheer. Always slow to anger with those who do not deserve it, and more likely to forgive than to condemn those with genuine intent. Kassus simply now knows, not everyone deserves forgiveness, and some are too dangerous to be left alive.
STRENGTHS
[+]Experienced: Though from a tiny Enclave of Jedi within the distant rim of the Galaxy, Kassus' left his comrades and ventured out into the galaxy more than once. He joined the War of the Galactic Alliance and fought against the Sith. There he gained his expertise in both the command of men as well as fighting the eternal foe. He is at home on the battlefield, and more prepared than most.
[+]Well-Trained: Isolated from the age of a young tadpole, Kassus spent most of his life in training at the Enclave. He earned an education in many forms of combat, especially favoring the more defensive styles of Soresu. He is well trained in keeping himself safe, and has long considered himself an expert combatant.
WEAKNESSES
[-]Haunted: The events at his Enclave have left Kassus scarred in more ways than once. He is haunted by what happened and the ghosts of his past follow him, the small trinket around his neck weighing him down like a stone.
[-]Old Injury: Having fought in more than one war, Kassus carries the scars to prove it. His body is a tapestry of scars and old injuries, and although his body has healed over the years some muscles and even bones still remain more sensitive than they should be.
HISTORY
Kassus was born from an egg.
Though originally from Glee Ansem, he like many others was chosen at a relatively young age to train as a Jedi. Leaving his ancestral home only shortly after growing arms and legs, Kassus departed the waters of his homeworld for a small Enclave on Sajun. Not embroiled in the greater wars of the galaxy but still beholden to the Jedi Codes and traditions, the Enclave focused mostly on training the next generation of Jedi and guarding something unspoken.
It was here that Kassus grew up, studying under various Jedi Masters and Knights before eventually being taken on as a Padawan by a woman named Laurel Vess. Knight Vess proved herself to be an exceptional and effervescent Master. Her boundless enthusiasm quickly instilling itself within Kassus himself, the pair forming a tidal wave of cheer and good nature which even the most stern Jedi could not help but smile at. Over the years the duo quickly became one of the Enclave's most important sources of outside information. The two often traveling to the furthest reaches of the galaxy to bring back news, supplies, and sometimes even new pieces of knowledge.
Before long the small Council of Elders on Sajun declared Kassus ready for his Knight trials, the young man soon embarking into the greater Galaxy to aid their brother Jedi in the wars against the SIth.
Though this time was filled with harrowing plights and horrors that would cut down most good cheer, Kassus managed to keep his vivacious nature. Often acting as a bouy for the troops around him and sending a surge of joy to those in his company.
Upon his return to the Enclave on Sajun, the Council of Elders granted him his promotion to Knight. From there, though parted from Laurel's permanent company, the young man continued to take up many of the same rolls as her. Acting as a scout and recruiter, Kassus would oft venture out into the galaxy seeking both news and potential recruits that could be brought back to the Enclave. Through this role and his joyrous nature, Kassus grew to have a deep bond with many of the padawans and younglings on Sajun.
One of these students was young Tahli Oru, a talented but wayward Togruta whom Kassus stumbled upon during his many adventures. Explaining the power Tahli had, Kassus offered her a chance to become a Jedi. Though nervous at first, the young girl and her family accepted, traveling through the far reaches of the galaxy to begin her training at the Enclave. Over the next few years, as Talhi began her training and joined the other students Kassus continued his role as the Enclave's scout. Checking in every time he was back, and spending time with the younglings at the Academy.
Tahli, much to Kassus' joy, had become good friends with another Padawan by the name of Anselle. The Nautolan often spending time with just the two girls as he told them of his adventures and taught them tricks within the force.
Years passed by, and as the galaxy fell into war once more Kassus' trips back to the Enclave became less frequent. Though he still cared deeply about his home on Sajun, the war at large took more and more of his attention. This absence created rifts, and within those rifts spawned something neither he nor the elder could ever have predicted.
It was only after the end of the war that Kassus returned home, battered, half broken, but still clinging to the little joys within his life. Unfortunately, to his horor, his return was not filled with the glee of familiar younglings nor the celebrations of his friends. Instead, he found the Enclave in dissaray. His former Master killed in her sleep, Padawans burned by sparks of lightning, and Knights half severed by the stroke of a lightsaber.
At first he thought it Sith. Revenge for his deeds in yet another war. Yet as he made his way through the temple and parsed the destruction, the truth unwound itself in true horror.
In the center of the carnage Kassus found not a Lord of the Sith, but Tahli. Her face a mask of rage and wrath, one hand clutching a lightsaber, while the other held what the Jedi of Sajun had guarded for so long; a Sith Holocron. Behind her lay Anselle amongst the pieces of a broken wall, face hollow with distant despair. Though the pain nearly broke him, Kassus knew what had to be done.
As he carried Anselle's unconscious form to his ship the Nautolan wept, his heart broken, and the greatest piece of him left behind.
In the echoes of what happened, the Enclave on Sajun slowly rebuilt itself. A pale shadow of it's former self, but still alive. Kassus lingered around the Temple, doing his best to keep the spirits of those remained high. Ignoring his own.