History

Drae’den was brought into the Jedi as a child and grew up entirely inside the Order.  His early childhood was unremarkable and melancholic, where he was competent as a student but never excelled.  It was upon entering his teens and finally venturing out into the greater galaxy alongside his teacher Yuon Par that he finally began to find himself, abandoning the stoic and rigid facade for a relaxed and laid-back demeanor that would define the man and allow him to more fully realize his power in the Force.  By the time he was in his early 20s, he was a fledgling Jedi with a talent for stealth.  Skilled and trusted enough as a young new Jedi to tutor Padawans, Drae’den built a friendship with a teenaged Jahnn, who built him a double-sided lightsaber that he felt would better suit Drae’den’s style of fighting; Drae’den would use a double-sided saber from that point on.

Drae’den would be brought into an ill-fated mission to the planet Modranaan, which would meet with failure but build strong friendships with his comrades that would endure for decades to come.  During the Republic-Imperial War, Drae’den worked with the Jedi Knight Lightsider to organize a Rift World Alliance that he would leverage against the Empire to liberate Correllia at the war’s conclusion.

Drae’den was Jahnn’s confidant when the latter discovered the history of the ancient Vergent Order, and supported his friend’s vow to rebuilt the order in defiance of Jedi tradition.  When Council members Aleusis and Fane and their followers in the Jedi Order attempted to kill the new Vergent pilgrims, it was Drae’den who brought their proof to the Council, exonerating Jahnn and branding the renegade councilmembers traitors and criminals.

Drae’den and the other Vergents pursued Jahnn and Saya’ka to Zakuul when they were captured by the Eternal Fleet, but were condemned to a carbonite prison for over five years before being released by resistance fighters.  Now acting as a trusted general and mentor within the Eternal Alliance, Drae’den continues to be both a Jedi and Vergent.

 

Character

Drae’den’s a laid-back big brother type.  He’s likely a stronger fighter than any of the other Vergents, but he doesn’t act like it.  He prefers to let the others shine forth rather than eclipse them.  He offers his wisdom quietly and never forcefully.  When someone is determined to make a bad decision, he will respect their decision but also make sure he’s ready to help them if their decision becomes a mistake.  Drae’den also feels the lack of parents and family in his upbringing, and becomes especially protective of children and their parents.  The idea that he’ll never know his parents is one of the few things that can move him to melancholy.

 

Combat

While Drae’den is gentle by nature, when he commits to violence it is a full commitment with no doubt or hesitation, and in combat Drae’den is blindingly fast and deathfully accurate.  He uses his speed and mobility as an advantage against his opponent, maneuvering behind his enemy and staying out of direct line of sight wherever possible.  He usually wields a rare double-sided lightsaber to fully exploit his quickness, since he can keep the weapon in constant motion.  As one of the few true masters of the Jedi Shadow discipline, Drae’den’s skills in stealth and infiltration are witout peer.  He tends to hold back the full extend of his skills and power, and so there’s some question exactly how powerful he is compared to the other Jedi Masters and Vergents.

 

Special Skills

Medicine, botany, and chemistry.  While possessing no healing power through the Force, Drae’den is a studied authority on medicine and medical procedure.  He couldn’t perform brain surgery or an organ transplant, but he’s capable of resetting bones or suturing wounds.  He is also an expert in growing, cultivating, grafting, identifying, and refining plants and plant matter, which he can use to produce drugs and medicines.  Partially owing to his botanical expertise, Drae’den’s also a gourmet vegetarian cook.  However, as an enlightened Jedi Drae’den feels no need to constantly discuss the virtues of the Vegan lifestyle with others.

 

Allies

Jahnn – a “little brother” who bonded with Drae’den in his teens, Jahnn remains a devoted friend.  Drae’den sometimes plays Yoda or Obi-Wan to Jahnn’s Luke, when Jahnn gets it into his head to do something particularly impulsive.

Ra’r’tee – another padawan Drae’den tutored in his younger days, Ra’r’tee remains a favorite student than he dotes on.  She was also involved in the doomed mission to Modranaan along with Drae’den, Jahnn, and Saya’ka.  Drae’den acts as a confidant Ra’r’tee turns to for advice on Jedi matters.

Lightsider – a Jedi Knight from the frozen, unremarkable snow planet U’tah that Drae’den fought alongside for most of the Republic-Imperial War.  A master of Jedi armor-crafting who built the Master’s robes that Drae’den still often wears.  Lightsider fell in battle when his SWTOR subscription tragically lapsed.