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Sothi Henson | Aranik Kayem | Beluve Trae'ana | Adeia | Serrazelgobaa
A soft-spoken Bandarin with a quiet and polite demeanor, Henson is a unique traveller with an important destiny. He is an experienced interstellar pilot and navigator, having served much of his life as a crewmember aboard transport and science vessels. Henson gained much wisdom and insight along the way, and is now captain of his own ship, the Taamakae ("Stormcrow"). This has given him the freedom to journey beyond the scope of Bandarin space, fueled by the strong desire for discovery and enlightenment. However, events have come to pass that have greatly altered Henson's motivations. Though he is kind and compassionate to others, his warm nature is, at times, a thin veil over the inner demons of sadness and regret. Having lost a lifelong friend, Malelle Teaj'ana, to Towakkin Raiders, Henson internalizes much of his suffering. This conflict can sometimes cause him to seem distracted and distant to those around him. Yet still, he is deeply respected and admired by friends for his strength of will and character. In many ways, Henson can been seen as a symbol of Bandar's changing psyche - growing and adapting to the turbulent events of his life, yet conflicted by the implications of these changes. However, his determination to find peace and balance, is steadfast.
To be One of the Kida'arin Order is an intense physical and spiritual commitment. The Kida'rin Guardian shares an intimate bond with the spirit of the Natural world, and must learn to harmonize with its powerful rhythms. This bond is a singular dedication of body and soul, and can be greatly taxing to both, under the wrong circumstances.
It is for this reason that Aranik Kayem, a brilliant young Guardian, became one of only few Bandarins ever to resign his knighthood from the Order. Kayem had been the youngest Bandarin ever to become a Guardian. The Order recognized in him a great affinity and prowess for the Kida'rin disciplines, never before seen at such a young age. His abilities advanced quickly, and at first, smoothly. Over time, however, as his training accelerated, Kayem's powerful skills began to advance faster than his ability to build synthesis and unity from what he learned. Over time, Kayem became dangerously overwhelmed. After a long, turbulent struggle to find balance, Kayem ultimately decided that he must break his bond, and leave the Kida'rin Order.
In many ways, this decision has left him feeling incomplete. Having experienced the enlightenment of the Kida'arin bond to Nature, and the strength and insight that came with it, it is difficult not to be fearful at the sudden "blindness" of letting it go. However, despite leaving the Order, Kayem remains a skilled warrior (and was allowed to keep his Banstone sword). As a close friend to Sothi Henson, Kayem provides insightful council, and at times, when circumstances necessitate, a skillful physical defense. Though troubled by his own past, Kayem is a consistent source of reassurance and mentorship for Henson, throughout their journies. Kayem is wise, more so than he realizes. Perhaps the strength and courage he inspires in others can one day be realized again in himself.
In the Bandarin language, "Trae'ana" translates to "Child of Light." Named for her birth on the fifth day of Maeafala (on which the southern sky is lit by brilliant colors), Trae'ana emits an inner warmth and brilliance that has a calming effect on all who meet her. It is fitting, therefore, that she be destined to be an important Bandarin leader and diplomat.
Trae'ana began her path toward becoming Maoin Grand Minister as a spiritual scholar at the Taepios University in So'arin where she studied under Bosnn Trovyr. After graduating, Trae'ana served for 8 years as a historian in the Laon Dae'a Council before becoming a Senator herself. After 16 years of service as a Laon Dae'a councilor, Trae'ana was elected to Maoin Grand Minister where she has served ever since.
However, with the coming of the dark age of Tlalo'kala Mon, many who are close to Trae'ana can sense a change in her nature. The warmth and kindness remains, but her presense is touched now by the weight of sadness as she carries the burden of leadership - making the decisions that will place the peaceful Bandarins into a war that threatens the core of their spiritual identity. It is as if the "child of light's" illumination dwindles with the coming darkness.
In the Outer Arms of the Galaxy, an outcast society lives and thrives on the weaknesses of an under-policed Republic. Based on loosely-organized clans, these "pirates" have earned a reputation for undescriminating brutality - attacking undefended starships and taking what they please (including captives for a profitable black market). What is less known, however, is that behind the criminal face of the Pirate Clans, are societies of people with their own distinct ways of life, many of whom have never known any other.
A young woman named Adeia was born of mixed-humanoid decent into the Towakk clan, a strong pirate faction known for frequent confrontations with the Klylkee. Adeia's mother died when he was barely 3 years old, and she never knew her father. Growing up, her only family were the Towakkin Raiders who raised her as a member of their ranks. Adeia grew up in a world of violent struggle for survival. She learned the strength of loyalty with her Towakkin brotherhood, but she also learned what it is to hurt others... a feeling that has never been at ease in her heart. Adeia is thankful for all the Towakkins gave her - the will and strength to survive. However, in her heart, she has always felt like an outsider - her outward struggle for survival in the harsh pirate frontiers pales by comparison to the inner conflict she feels between the violent turbulence she has learned in life, and the undeniable aching of her heart's guilt.
It is clear that, given the chance, Adeia could very well abandon her world of piracy and murder for even a small possibility of peace... even if it means making a mortal enemy of the only family she's ever known...
The intimidating stature and bold manner of Serrazelgobaa, hides a more complex, sensitive nature from the eyes of outsiders (as is often the case for her kind). Thought of as a stern, warrior society, the Klylkee are largely undercredited for their sense of artistic and scholarly endeavor, as well as their capacity for compassion and loyalty. Serra herself is very distrustful of other species, having had many negative experiences in the past. One exception is the Bandarins, whom she deeply respects (even if she outwardly refers to them as naive and wreckless with trust). This guarded nature can make Serra seem cold at first -- her trust is hard to earn, but once secured, Serra is a truly loyal friend.
On Klylkee, Serra has worked her way up through the ranks of the military and is now a well-regarded tactical officer aboard a Klylkeen Light Frigate. However, she is currently on special assignment as an advisor to the Bandarin, Sothi Henson. What few know, however, is that Serra specifically requested this assignment -- moved by the courage and determination of Henson and his crew, Serra felt compelled to step in as a tactical advisor for the dangerous mission that lay ahead. An additional motive, of course, is to keep close watch over the pirate captive Adeia whom Henson insisted could help them on their mission. Serra doesn't trust the "naive Bandarins" to keep her from escaping, nor does she believe Adeia's willingness to help is genuine. Luckily for Serra, the Bandarin's vessel ("Stormcrow") was built to support additional crewmembers and can afford the extra space for her large build to move about (albeit cramped at times!).
Despite Serra's propensity to be stubborn and domineering at times, Sothi Henson has learned to value her integrity, and to appreciate her odd sense of humor which has been known to surface from time to time.
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1. This decision came at a troubled time for the Order - the War of Tlalo'kala Mon had tapped their resources and dwindled their numbers. However, they were supportive of Kayem's decision, recognizing his soul's dangerous self-conflict.
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2. Klylkee is located near the Pirate Frontier, and as a result, has been involved in constant confrontations with the many species of Pirates.
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3. In the Stormcrow's search for Bandarins captured by the Towakkan pirate clan, Adeia agreed to lend her help (an outward betrayel of her Towakkan brothers). Her motivations, however, remain unclear.
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