Lorian Aldaris
The Echani Exile
LORIAN ALDARIS
| Age | 26 Years Old |
| Species | Echani |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | 1.91 metres |
| Weight | 94 kilograms |
| Force Sensitive | No |
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Lorian Aldaris was once a highly sophisticated individual, although he has changed due to circumstances. Elegance and class have been traded for intimidation factor and brawn. Whilst some may still consider him handsome, Lorian no longer styles himself to entrance others. On Eshan he used contact lenses to make his eyes appear blue like the rest of his family, although has since abandoned such a practice.
The Echani exile has long abandoned the courtly vestments of Eshan, instead opting to wear a more clandestine outfit, typically consisting of a poncho and plain yet dark clothes underneath. Lorian has a combat suit which replicates the Echani styles of his House but seldom wears it. Physically imposing being in the galaxy, Lorian Aldaris stands at a height of six feet and three inches, whilst weighing in at ninety-four kilograms. He is fast and robust, a near Herculean warrior whose main attributes are his strength and dexterity.
Despite his noble origins, Lorian typically ignores this and doesn’t act like he has come from some place of high stature. Instead, he treats himself as both a warrior and a traveller. Moulded by his time in the Echani Guard and the Outer Rim, the exile is as intimidating as he is athletic. The Echani has no facial hair and keeps his platinum hair at medium length. His face is well-defined, his skin light, and his eyes a soft yellow. Noticeably, a scar runs down the left side of his face. Being raised on a more temperate world, Lorian naturally prefers warmer climates.
INVENTORY
- Echani Ritual Brand
- RSKF-44 Blaster Pistol
- Vibrokatana
- R2-L9 Astromech Droid Companion
- Stealth-Field Generator
- Whipcord Launcher
- Smoke Grenades
- Throwing Knives
- A99 Aquata Breather
- YT-2400 Light-Freighter Final Destination
Lorian is not someone who gives up easily. Once his mind is set on a task or goal, he will not stop until he completes it. This is often easily characterised by his gallantry. Lorian’s determination is one of his major strengths, and his motivations to succeed push him to be the best he can at every facet of his life, namely regarding combat and his progression towards fame or infamy. Lorian’s determination is a true mark of resilience.
Like all Echani, Lorian was born a warrior. He was raised in the art of combat and was moulded by it as a youth. This has resulted in the Echani becoming the epitome of what a brave warrior should be. Often coinciding with his resilience and capabilities, Lorian is a headstrong and powerful warrior who can be noted for his courage. For him, no enemy is too strong, nor any situation too difficult to overcome. Despite this, he is not overconfident, measuring his situation according to what needs to be achieved.
Owing much to his upbringing and time amongst the Echani Guard, Lorian can be considered honourable when it comes to combat. Should an opponent be unworthy of death or no longer armed and dangerous, Lorian will often refrain from killing them. But he can also be ruthless when dealing with the dishonourable or the wicked. Those undeserving of mercy and the cruel will face Lorian’s wrath.
Partially owing to his impressive build and otherwise his demeanour, Lorian is an intimidating individual. Standing tall and broad, the combination of his attitude and physiology work effectively at being brutish. Much of this has translated into his general attitude as well, thus even whilst he tries to avoid conflict, Lorian can be confrontational. Such as even when he was attempting to prevent his exile from Eshan, he chose to try and intimidate the prosecution rather than persuade, which resulted in his downfall. It may do so again.
Lorian as an Echani is capable of reading body cues to a degree that would otherwise be considered unnatural. Because of this, he can read his opponents better than others, providing critical insight. Otherwise, the Echani is constantly alert, ensuring that he is neither caught off guard nor put at a disadvantage due to an ambush. Even when asleep, he has his astromech droid watching over him.
Since being exiled from Eshan, Lorian has wanted nothing more than to become galactically renowned. Whether it be fame or infamy, the Echani does not care as of yet. So long as what he is doing will lead him to greater things, he will happily do it. As a result, he will work for whomever or whatever, so long as he can somewhat maintain his morals. Because of this, he has frequently found himself engaging in more illicit activities than he would otherwise be used to, yet he regrets none of it in the slightest. Lorian Aldaris wants his name in the history books of the galaxy.
When it comes to his work, or for much of life in general, Lorian has consistently displayed apathy. The warrior removes much of his emotions from his actions, not showing all that much care for who he is interacting with or otherwise what he is doing. Currently, he feels detached from the galaxy, only really worrying about those he has left behind on Eshan or the very few companions he has. Everything else to him is obsolete, and only a path to glory.
STRENGTHS
Close-Quarters Expert - Through his training and experience, Lorian is practically a master in close-quarters combat. Be it wielding an Echani Ritual Brand or without a weapon at all, there are likely few non-force-wielding opponents in the galaxy that could match his prowess.
Observational Adaptation - As per the Way of the Echani, Lorian is skilled at observation. A brief look at an individual can paint a large story, and the former guardsman can analyse opponents on the go. From there he can adapt his approach to any situation, be it in combat or otherwise.
Physical Perfection - Lorian is strong and fast, owing to years dedicated to honing his body and mind. He is a combat machine, agile and quick to react, and few things can shake him.
WEAKNESSES
Weakness at Range - While he can handle a blaster pistol deftly enough, any sharpshooting beyond relatively close range, Lorian is close to incompetent. If he cannot get up close and personal, he would rather retreat to re-engage than lose a gunfight.
The Force - It should go without saying that Lorian is not completely kitted out to deal with either Sith or Jedi, at least not without prior preparation. Keeping up close and attempting to beat them for skill is where a situation may fall to his advantage, but when the Force is in play he is left with few options.
Stealth Self-Sabotage - Due to his size and lack of experience, Lorian is not well-acquitted for stealth. For this, he relies heavily on technology to supplement his shortcomings.
HISTORY
Lorian Aldaris was the firstborn child to the Countess of Castle Aldaris, Lyra Aldaris, and her consort, Lucian. Despite being the heir, Lorian was unpreferred as he was born into a matriarchal society. However, unlike any of his current family, including an elder cousin Cassian, his eyes were yellow rather than blue. Otherwise, he was identical to his family. Not wanting to have her first child seen as different, despite being male, she forced her son to wear coloured lenses at a very young age. Growing up close with his cousin Cassian, after four years his sister Astraea was born. Inseparable from her brother, she was born heterochromatic. Such a trait was considered a blessing, hence it would remain unhidden.
As a result, Lorian and Cassius had to look for idols elsewhere, especially with their training under the master-at-arms to become warriors beginning at such an early age. The Way of the Echani was drilled into their minds. That idol would be found peering through the history books. An Echani Jedi Master, a conqueror of worlds during the Clone Wars, wielding a double-bladed lightsaber as if it were a ritual brand. Leonidas Farkon, the child of an Echani countess, fabled as the “Son of Eshan”. He was one of the planet’s greatest heroes of that age and was further immortalised following the fall of the First Galactic Empire.
This newfound inspiration spurred Lorian, and his cousin Cassius, to become great fighters. Quickly it became known that these two Aldaris boys were amongst the best warrior prospects the planet had to offer at just eight years old, even coming into the notice of their parents as an opportunity to gain prestige. They eagerly made preparations to ramp up their training to try and push the cousins into the Echani Guard, the most renowned warrior group in the Six Sisters. A year later, his training ramped up, and at only ten years old, Lorian began wielding the iconic Echani ritual brand for the first time.
Lorian started this training two years after his cousin, mostly due to their age, and as a result, was a couple of steps behind when they sparred. Even so, he learned to hold his own, becoming stronger, faster, smarter, and better than other fighters his age. They were both trained by the master-at-arms, Callista Vaelis. She was stern and ruthless. Practically every waking hour was dedicated to combat or physical perfection. Lorian would still manage to grow closer to his sister in this time, who was being trained to become a councillor of the Echani Command, although they were often separated. Cassius and Lorian instead fought through sleep deprivation, physical abuse, torment, misandry and more to ensure that they reached their trainer’s level of perfection. Even though they could never be enough, eventually they were rid of her.
Cassius turned sixteen and was inducted into the Echani Guard’s initiate programme. Despite being two years too young, Lorian was also taken in. It was an unusual turn of events, yet with them being practically a physical match, not much was thought of it. For the next two years, they continued to train together, and alongside equally skilled warrior prospects, male and female. At least in the Echani Guard, prestige and rank were determined by skill. At sixteen, Lorian became a fully fledged initiate, whilst Cassius was finally inducted into the guard. A year later, at seventeen, Lorian was also inducted, becoming the first in over a century to do so at such a young age. As a reward, his maternal grandfather gifted Lorian his Ritual Brand, a fine weapon engraved with the family motto in high galactic down the side of both blades. The weapon fit perfectly into his arms. As a seventeen-year-old, he would only serve in a ceremonial position however, to which he received a year of experience working under Heracles Farkon, a noble descendant of Lorian’s legendary hero.
By the time Lorian turned eighteen, he had become a tall and strong lad, skilled with the blade and had a mind honed for battle. Lorian quickly began to prove himself across the Six Sisters, keeping order on the troublesome worlds when they came, protecting against pirates and other vermin, and dealing with criminals when necessary. Fighting alongside Cassius once more, the pair worked incredibly together. He also began to explore the galaxy, leaving the Six Sisters for the first time at nineteen, whilst accompanying the councillor of House Nightstar to Coruscant, along with her daughter, Lysandra. Despite her being Cassius’ age, she was smitten with Lorian instead of the elder cousin. The pair became lovers and formed a deeply connected relationship. It was kept secret.
After two more years, at twenty-one he was promoted to becoming a Knight-Sergeant, placing him above the rank of Cassius, having protected the councillors of the Echani Command across the galaxy. With this rank came great prestige, so much so that Lysandra convinced her mother and her grandmother, the Countess, to agree to a marriage proposal between the two. At first, Lorian was excited and talked with Lysandra about it. However, when it became abundantly clear that she wanted to keep Lorian a glorified pet (in his eyes at least), as the women of House Nightstar were infamous for doing, something snapped. He broke off the betrothal and ended his relationship with Lysandra. Both were heartbroken, yet Lorian could not forgive the misandry. He thought Lysandra was better than that. He loved her, yet their differences were irreconcilable.
Three weeks later, Lysandra’s grandmother abdicated her position. With her mother becoming the new Countess, Lysandra became the Nightstar family’s councillor on the Echani Command soon after. Politically adept, she further blocked Lorian’s advancement in rank. There were further attempts to ostracise him amongst his peers, although thanks to Cassius, few fell for this ploy. Even so, the number of important assignments he was sent dwindled. The Commander blocked him from training with the rest of the group although it would do little to hamper his skills. Eventually, rebellion stirred up inside, and it broke out on Bengali.
Whilst there, Lorian met a Thyrsian archaeologist named Raven. Sweet yet a powerful fighter in their own right, the two spent a few nights together. The tryst ended when he returned to Eshan, however Lorian had been under constant watch by House Nightstar’s spies. Upon his return, he was accused of being a traitor by Lysandra, falsely claiming that he was trading information with a Thyrsian spy, intent on infiltrating and destroying the Echani command. There was little evidence to suggest that he and Raven were lovers, but due to House Nightstar’s influence, Lorian was placed on suspended leave and was on trial for nine months. He was not allowed to leave Eshan for the duration, as his skills would deteriorate without being allowed to practise. Whilst his family remained neutral, only House Farkon of Silver Island stood up for him. House Raith of the Frostwind Mountains, the feudal enemies of House Aldaris backed House Nightsar, and the other nobles followed suit. The nail in the coffin was driven in when after the trial, it was reported that Raven had given birth to an Echani-Thyrsian son, easily identified as Lorian’s bastard due to their yellow eyes and platinum hair, whilst having the darker complexion of a Thyrsian. The verdict of espionage was guilty despite its falsehood.
With his mother and father barely able to look at him, and Cassius having denounced his once best friend, Lorian was stripped of his rank and declared an exile. His sister, Astraea, asked him privately to take her with him, but since Lorian did not know where he’d go, he didn’t want to take her into the unknown. With a tearful goodbye, he was loaded onto a ship by the Echani Guard with little to his name, save for his ritual brand, a combat suit, and a few credits to get by. The punishment was harsh, but the Echani were no savages. Lorian was given one final goodbye from Lysandra as well, the Councillor exchanging a final kiss to declare her victory and domination over him. A sleight he would never forgive the woman he still loved.
Sent out into the unknown, the twenty-three-year-old took the name of Kaeden Novak, an old Echani legend who had become a beloved scoundrel and rogue when he saved and romanced an Echani Countess on his travels. It was an appropriate alias to go by, as it reminded him of home, of Castle Aldaris, despite being so far away, and likely never able to return. Even so, he started by doing a few low-paying jobs, ranging from minor bounty hunting to bodyguard work. His fighting and observational skills made him ideal for this, and Lorian’s years of training in the Way of the Echani proved highly useful. Any opponent he fought was about as easy to defeat as a Rancor fighting a Womp Rat. The Echani Exile quickly picked up higher-paying mercenary work. He made an effort to avoid confrontations with both Sith and Jedi.
He continued exploring the Outer Rim, taking on well-paying jobs and building up a small arsenal of weapons and equipment. On his travels, he managed to find a companion. In a scrapyard where he was hunting a thief, he found an old R2 astromech from a bygone era. Repairing him as best he could, R2-L9 became his trusty companion. Lorian began making a name for himself as Kaeden, and at twenty-four he carried a reputation. The pay increased, but so did the attention. Lorian managed to get on the wrong side of a few mobsters who were soon out for blood. Realising just how much trouble he was in, Lorian and R2-L9 went underground. The Echani returned to using his real name which meant he was starting from scratch again. He also wanted Lorian Aldaris to go down in the history books. Not Kaeden Novak. Not anyone else. So he abandoned his alias.
Even with the added security of a completely different identity, Lorian still spent a year bouncing around worlds constantly, never staying anywhere or with anyone for more than a couple of weeks at a time. During this time he returned to the previous status quo as a mercenary and acquired a YT-2400 Freighter to use as his ship. He named it Final Destination, to signify that this was where his final path began. On a few occasions, he’d even receive brief visits from Cassius, although he rarely ever provided aid. Over the next year, Lorian would occasionally work alongside or compete against Mon Calamari bounty hunter Tasab Li, forming a somewhat friendly relationship. Yet Lorian knew he could not trust a man driven by greed, thus his confidence still only remained in R2-L9, who had proven on more than one occasion to be a very useful companion.
Still needing to find work, the twenty-six-year-old Echani exile finds himself on another begotten world, surrounded by scum and villainy, completing yet another job. His skills remain as sharp as ever and he has a new reputation to boot. Now, with lofty ambitions and a desire to be known across the galaxy, Lorian seeks glory and greatness.