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Character Zeradias Mant

Zeradias Mant

Democracy Dies in Darkness
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BASIC INFORMATION
NAME:
Zeradias Mant
AFFILIATION:

  • Aurodium Sword, Commandant
  • People's Bank of Coruscant, Executive Chairman
  • Galactic City Authority, District Executive of Sector 943
FORMER AFFILIATIONS:
  • Galactic City Authority, Mayor
    • Galactic City Common Council President
    • District Executive of the Central District
  • Coruscant First, Leader
  • Interstellar Cooperation Organization, Secretary-General
  • Iron Empire, Vice Regent and Grand Admiral
  • One Sith, Inspector General of the Navy
  • Coruscant Security Force, Chief Administrative Officer
AGE: Upper-50s
SPECIES: Near Human
CITIZENSHIP: Coruscant
FORCE SENSITIVE: No


TITLES AND HONORS
  • Lord of Galatine
  • Order of Baelor
  • Star of Coruscant
  • CSF Medal of Valor
CHARACTER OVERVIEW
A veteran fleet commander and government administrator, Zeradias Mant has lived a long and storied life making monumental impacts on the lives of trillions throughout the galaxy. Though his rise to intergalactic renown is largely attributable to his service as a senior advisor to the Iron Emperor Isamu Baelor, his legacy is waging a political campaign against overwhelming odds to deliver a truly independent and sovereign Coruscant. Despite being a cold realist, he has garnered a reputation for his pragmatic approach to diplomacy and is well-regarded in both imperial and democratic circles, though that reputation has soured some in the wake of his political career.

APPEARANCE
Zeradias is of average height and has ice blue eyes with a piercing gaze. He is an aging man, with thinning hair and lined features. Some consider him handsome, at least for his age. Despite his advancing age, he looks strong and capable and is every bit the skilled soldier he was in his youth.

PERSONALITY
Though mild-mannered, Zeradias is a shrewd man often described as cold, calculating, and capable of great cruelty. He possesses a cold cunning, a skill for strategy, and plans far for the future. He rarely shows emotion, giving a cold impression to others. His manner of speaking tends to be blunt and insulting, his comments are frequently coarse and he is not above provoking or belittling those who oppose or irritate him. All of this makes him unsettling to a great many people. Despite all this, he places great trust in his subordinates and peers. Zeradias' obedience is strictly limited to individuals he respects, and while he will fall in line when required, he has no problem showing open disdain for authority from anyone outside of his circle.

He has a very calm and calculating personality, seldom publicly expressing anger, happiness, or sadness. Politically astute, he frequently offered the most pragmatic advice to his superiors, albeit the most ruthless. However, despite his ruthlessness, Zeradias appears to follow a code of honor to a certain degree, abhorring needless violence and cruelty. Zeradias speaks softly, rarely raising his voice, forcing those who listen to do so intently. When Zeradias speaks, silence often follows.


BIOGRAPHY

PROLOGUE: THE MEAN STREETS OF CORUSCANT
Zeradias Mant was born to an influential Coruscanti family and was raised throughout the galaxy, though rarely with his family. At a young age, Zeradias was sent to Mandalore to study at the Royal Academy of Government. At the young age of 24, Zeradias found himself to be at a significant advantage compared to others his general age throughout the galaxy. Though he felt little connection to his homeworld, he was still drawn to it. No yearning though, could convince him to enlist and serve under the Sith, who've largely governed themselves through repressive tactics and deceit. He returned to Mandalore, from whence he studied, and joined the Mandalorian Protectors. His professors at the Royal Academy strongly discouraged the decision, citing he was too smart to put himself on the frontlines, and instead suggested he would much better serve from behind the scenes. This was after the fact though, and Zeradias was already committed.
The first months of his service he was a grunt, doing what he could to survive. It was a demanding environment that Zeradias was not prepared for, but he stayed afloat. He wasn't exceptional at infantry work, but he did his job to standard. He learned the native language, Mando'a, and embraced some of the more refined traits of Mandalorian culture. Some of his comrades even went as far to name him vod. After several months, he was transferred to a communications section where he excelled. He was shortly promoted to Rally Master thereafter and headed the Keldabe Radar Station. After two years of cumulative service, Zeradias' term of enlistment ended. He attended the Corulag University of Economics for the following four years.
Still, his homeworld called. Unable to ignore Coruscant's cries any longer, he returned home and joined the Coruscant Security Forces. Because of his experience and demonstrated leadership potential, he was granted the rank of Sergeant upon entry. He served as a traffic supervisor for several years, enforcing the planet's traffic law as well as handling many aspects of routine anti-crime operations. While he was in a lower activity assignment, he took classes at the University of Coruscant, graduating shortly before being promoted to Chief Inspector and assigned to the CSF's vice section, charged with combating the planet's vast anti-trafficking networks. It seemed like an impossible task, and largely it was, but it provided Zeradias with endless work. With no purpose or distinguishable meaning behind his drive, Zeradias fumbled. He requested a demotion to return to his previous job where he could attain some fulfillment from his work. This request however, was denied. Instead, he found himself promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, where he served as the vice commander of the One Sith's diplomatic escort team in the CSF's Diplomatic Protection Unit. It seemed counterintuitive that the Sith - people renowned for their cruelty in conquest and twisted morals - even had a diplomatic team. It was at this assignment though, that Zeradias' perception of the Sith changed. Though some of the rumors were validated, he found that not all practitioners of the Sith teachings were evil. It wasn't as black and white as he and many others imagined. Some of them were capable of empathy, or so it seemed at least.
Zeradias was able to apply some of his skillset from his Mandalorian Protector days to his present detail. The Sith visited the worlds within their dominion frequently, if not to maintain relations, to ensure fealty. One out of every five visits, at least, posed some sort of security threat. Zeradias himself had to take lives in defense of the Sith. It didn't please him, but he understood why it had to be done. After a seemingly routine visit to Dulvoylinn, the detail commander was killed in an ambush, along with two other members of the security detail and the Sith knight they were guarding. The mission a failure, Zeradias assumed interim command of the escort team and returned to Coruscant, where he was summoned to appear at CSF headquarters. Expecting to be reprimanded or worse, he was praised for salvaging what was left of the escort team and for quietly returning with their fallen Sith compatriot. On the spot, he was promoted to the Commander of the diplomatic escort team, where he served for three years before being placed on the command track within the Coruscant Security Forces. He was assigned to serve as the law enforcement organization's comptroller. It was just the dull assignment he needed, following the excitement and peril of his previous one. He stayed in that position for five years, before taking an indefinite leave of absence.
RISE AND FALL OF THE ONE SITH
He once more committed himself to academia, furthering his studies at institutions of higher learning. From Arkania to Naboo, Zeradias expanded his mind as his pocketbooks shrunk. Had it not been for his parents' sizeable estate, there is little doubt Zeradias would not have had been able to fund his academic ventures. In 843 ABY, he became an Adjunct Professor of Law for the Mrlsst Trade and Science Academy. His time on Mrlsst was short-lived though, as he grew to detest the methods of the Tapan government which held dominion over the system. He returned once more to Coruscant, where he commissioned as an officer in the One Sith Navy. Commensurate with his education and experience, he entered the service as a Captain, serving as the Deputy Inspector General of Shadow Hand Command.In time, he rose to the rank of Commodore and held the position of Inspector General of Shadow Hand Command.
Following the Galactic Alliance invasion and victory at Coruscant, Shadow Hand Command fell. Despite his best efforts to consolidate power and maintain a functioning command, the naval force was lost. One Sith agents throughout the planet were captured or killed. In the months that followed the fall of the Sith capital, the One Sith's empire fell as well. Rumors from credible sources told that the Military Executor Isamu Baelor was leading a mass exodus to the Unknown Regions. Much to his surprise, this flotilla was not a fringe organization of the One Sith, but rather one opposed to its ideology. His homeworld in shambles, there was nothing further that Zeradias could do given his affiliation; he knew that despite his non-combat role, his very association with the One Sith tainted any prospect that he would see fair justice under the new regime. His commission all but resigned, he requisitioned a grounded star destroyer before escaping now-Galactic Alliance space and rendezvousing with Baelor's flotilla.
A PEACEFUL LAND, A QUIET PEOPLE
Instrumental in quashing the pirate factions n the Crossbones Conflict, Zeradias found himself face-to-face with the Executor-turned-Emperor. His actions having garnered Baelor's favor, his relevant past permitted him to join the newfound 'Iron Empire' as a Warden and Commodore, to assist in both management of naval assets as well as governance of the realm-to-be. After establishing themselves on the Chiss homeworld of Csilla, the Iron Imperial military defended itself and it's dominion against multiple fringe One Sith assaults. For a time after their riddance, there was relative peace. Despite the Iron Empire liberating Csilla from the tyrannical clutches of the defunct One Sith, there were many among its populace discontent with their presence. An insurrection began, and continued for the first year of the Iron Empire's existence and its expansion into the surrounding systems. Resigning his post as Warden of Csilla for a commission as a flag officer, then-Rear Admiral Mant led many comprehensive reforms to naval organization, resulting in signification increases in efficiency and power. He also saw himself spearheading several diplomatic initiatives, establishing relations with the Silver Jedi Order and creating a personnel exchange program to better foreign relations.
As the Iron Empire continued to solidify its hold on the Unknown Regions and its place in the galaxy, Zeradias ascended to the position of Chief of Naval Operations and was promoted to Grand Admiral, in line with the required rank of its respective office. As one of the more progressive members of Emperor Baelor's court, Zeradias continued to improve naval efficacy and diplomatic relations, establishing communications with the Outer Rim Coalition, Dawnguard, and securing an defensive alliance with the Galactic Empire. Recognized as a longstanding loyal denizen of the Iron Empire and effective leader, Zeradias was appointed Vice Regent, to serve as the right hand of the Full Metal Emperor. As the Vice Regent and principle commander of the Unknown Regions' largest navy, Zeradias Mant was widely recognized as one of the most powerful people in the Galactic Northwest.
He worked diligently to foster relations at home and abroad, strengthening the Iron Empire's place in the galaxy in preparation of inserting itself in the Great Galactic War - a conflict brewing between the Light and the Dark. In doing so, he discovered what he believed would be insurmountable, long festering issues. To his surprise, apathy had taken root at alarming levels. Even so, Zeradias dutifully did what he could to contain and remedy the damage. Upon an unofficial investigation, he had discovered that government's finances were in complete disarray, and Zeradias was powerless to do anything. Finding himself working to keep a sinking ship afloat, he instead took it upon himself to caution those he thought would be receptive to the warning. Satisfied that their vassal states would act to their own interest, he returned to the Emperor where he would resign his post as Vice Regent and his commission in the Iron Imperial Navy. Shortly thereafter, the Iron Empire itself had dissolved.
CORUSCANT FIRST AND ALWAYS
While factions continued to rise and fall, one planet in particular retained its relevance regardless of who may have held it: his homeworld, Coruscant. Using his own capital, he launched a bid to reinsert himself into Coruscanti politics at the behest of old comrades from his time with the CSF. He founded a new political party, Coruscant First, with the primary goal of reasserting Coruscant's importance to the galaxy, and to distance itself from states occupying it from abroad. His campaign war chest was well-funded from private donors, with Zeradias making sizable contributions himself. Between his Coruscanti origin, military experience, and background with the Coruscant Security Force, he was an instant hit with the working class. Despite smear attempts by his rivals, citing the Iron Empire's collapse and his family's wealth, he was seen as a nose-to-the-grindstone person, a Coruscanti success story. He won the election with over a 2/3 majority and was sworn in as the Executive of the Central District the following day. His message resonated with not just the working class, be all the way from the poor of the Old District to the upper middle class of the Jrade District. Despite the growing calls for Coruscanti independence, the Galactic Alliance maintained its stranglehold on the ecumenopolis world. Assembling some of his most trusted advisors, he launched a campaign to distance Coruscant First from the central government under the Galactic Alliance, headquartered in his representative district. He would maintain a position of prominence in the Galactic City Authority, to hold sway where and as needed, all the while building and militarizing his support base.
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Despite increasing popularity at home, both the perception of himself and his government abroad were notably less favorable than during his time with the Iron Empire. With the Galactic Alliance's recent announcement to relocate their capital from Sullust to Coruscant, allies of the Alliance took the side of the larger government and viewed Coruscant First as an ultranationalist movement, despite Mant having personally conducted diplomacy with those very factions previously. Mant understood though that the only way Coruscant First would see success is through nonviolent protest and legal means to achieve their goals. While their methods have sometimes been gray, the claims of foreign actors seeking to undermine the party have greatly exaggerated their claims. Since it's inception, the Mant Administration has attempted to establish diplomatic relations with offworld parties in a bid to both strengthen Coruscant's security and further legitimize Coruscant First's intergalactic standing. Many smaller governments were receptive of this initaiative, however larger factions were less so, condemning Mant's actions which he believed to strengthen domestic security and quality of life.
After his inaugural chairing of the Galactic City Common Council, Zeradias was arrested by the Galactic Alliance for allegedly violating Coruscanti law. Throughout his captivity, both Mant and his legal counsel, then-Secretary of Civil Affairs Gerault Rush, insisted that not only was Mant acting within Coruscanti law, but the Alliance had no authority or jurisdiction to enforce it. After some time, Mant was released. Foreseeing conflict coming to Coruscant at the Alliance's invitation, Mant enacted a 200 parsec perimeter surrounding the planet. Almost immediately, government officials from the Outer Rim Coalition sought to instigate conflict with the party and the man that led it. Seeing the challenge for what it was, Zeradias withheld action and instead initiated economic sanctions against the Outer Rim Coalition, commensurate with the illegality of their brazen actions. The conflict Zeradias foresaw did come, though. In a coordinated attack on Alliance systems, the Sith Empire sacked the Alliance capital of Coruscant, despite the growing internal opposition against the Alliance taking place on Coruscant. Obliterating the New Jedi Order's temple and effectively crippling the Alliance's infrastructure beyond repair, Coruscant seemed to be free at last. It was the opinion of the Mant Administration that the price of freedom came far too high. Tens of millions of lives lost, and significant collateral damage was sustained. The following day, the Mant Administration published a scathing condemnation of the Sith Empire, announcing seizure of Sith-Imperial assets and branding all Sith-Imperial citizens persona non grata. This condemnation extended to other factions as well, namely the "light side" factions which Zeradias had previously worked with on a firsthand basis. Insiders report that Mant had considered mobilizing against the Silver Jedi for a time, but was talked down by his inner sanctum.
A CORE BY AND FOR THE PEOPLE
Coruscant falling victim to yet another devastating attack targeting the larger faction claiming dominion of the planet foreshadowed a grim future for the Core worlds if they didn't take action to prevent the underlying circumstances which gave way to such attacks. In an unprecedented move, the worlds of Alderaan, Atrisia, Corellia, Coruscant, and Empress Teta ratified the Core Defense Pact, establishing the Interstellar Cooperation Organization (ICO), an intergovernmental military alliance meant to protect the integrity of the sovereignty and autonomy of the Core against foreign powers without falling under the auspices of a single state. As Mant retired from public life on Coruscant, so did he from his position in ICO. Though intended to be a long-term solution, ICO was only but a short-term success, with many of the ratifying leaders parting ways with their respective governments, their successors having little enthusiasm to continue the pact.
To date, history and war scholars continue to debate the record of ICO and its effectiveness. Fans of the organization point to the absence of conflict and enhanced interplanetary cooperation in the Core as hallmarks of ICO's success, while critics are quick to point out the time of relative peace that followed the Great Galactic War and that foreign powers were still recovering from such a major event.
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
In his retirement, he sat on the Board of Governors of the People's Bank of Coruscant, also serving as its Vice Chairman. His apparent death left this role vacant, as a preliminary Coruscant Security Force investigation suspected foul play, and authorities further investigated the circumstances surrounding what had transpired. Though rumors exist that the new Galactic Alliance's intelligence services staged an assassination, a private investigator commissioned via Mant's last will believes it more likely a local political rival sponsored the murder. Coruscanti news outlets have reported that Mant's body has disappeared from the coroner's office, calling into question Mant's true fate and whereabouts.
Some time later, Zeradias Mant reemerged at the helm of a modest Iron Imperial Remnant fleet against the New Imperial Order to ensure the release of his daughter from captivity. Returning to Coruscant, he was appointed as Executive Chairman of the People's Bank of Coruscant. He further sought, and won, election to the Galactic City Council representing the industrial Sector 943.
DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH
Consistent with his platform under Coruscant First, Zeradias departed from Coruscant to found Aurodium Sword, a paramilitary non-governmental organization formed to merge the small footprint and exceptional performance of elite combat troops with the full military might of a regular army and navy as a means to break free from the vicegrip of major galactic powers.
 
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