Personality  At first sight, Zane appears to be a haunted man complete with the 1,000 yard stare. And for the first couple of years in the rim this may have been true, although after that it was mainly a facade to avoid getting hassled by drunkards.  Those that have contact with Zane before would really know that he's a bit loud, more than a bit reckless, and likes to joke around.  Although that could also be because a decent amount of the time he's also slightly inebriated.  Despite his profession and how he acts, you get the feeling that something doesn't quite add up.

Background
The Past: Not much is known about Zane's past.  Zane doesn't tend to bring it up for his own reasons.  There is at least one member in the group that knows about his past, and a couple of others that have bits of knowledge.  The Rebels leadership (at least those the characters deal with) are completely aware of his past.

The Last Decade: Zane has been floating around the Outer Rim.  A majority of the time was spent drinking his sorrows away in seedy bars and cantinas.  He spends the rest of his time working as a smuggler.  Running goods or other types of cargo as long as the price is right.  He generally uses other people's ships or even ships that are stolen to complete his work.  Zane also has a working relation with the Rebels and has done a large number of jobs for them over the years.  He's currently not interested in joining as he claims the pay is worse than what he currently makes.  He also has worked with the Imperials, but only as a front to smuggle those that wish to defect.

Connections <Open to more>
Akiri - Zane smuggled Akiri and a small group of defectors away from the Imperials.  He's had contact with her a few times during missions with the rebels afterwards.
Shen - Shen is currently Zane's favored mechanic.  He usually has the young Sullustan fix anything he's broken.  Zane also is highly amused by the fact that Shen doesn't seem to really get humor.
TwoOneBee - Needless to say, a good healthcare plan isn't usually something smugglers have.  This isn't one of those cases.  They also have have ongoing series of Pazaak games.

Ah, finally a little time to attend to this thread.  It is good to be able to do so.

In brief, I like all of what you have all proposed above.  I object to none of it, this post is just possible suggested refinements.  My NPCs Ali and DeeJay are still open to more connections.  And you can always offer some for your character.

Ali is great friends with Zekk, she may have taught him to read lekku (it takes magnified senses and extra time for a non-Twi'lek) and they could have trained in the Force together briefly before Ali reached the limit of her slight potential.

TwoOneBee and DeeJay would be natural friends, they are the only droids aboard and would feel a kinship.  Having been a slave, it would be very difficult for Ali to give TwoOneBee an order.  She might appear to do so if a convincing cover needs to be established but TwoOneBee would know it was merely acting.  It might be that Ali only gave one order to TwoOneBee (with his permission), essentially, 'don't obey any more orders'; making him technically free. Either way, Ali (and likely the rest of the crew) know not to argue with a competent medic.  TwoOneBee may know some replicants and have them as allies.

Ali would be very fond of Thuk as well and truly appreciates his unique Force-and-muscle skillset.  She would also teach him lekku-speak if he wishes.

Since Shira seems to be an out and proud member of the crew, I imagine that she could have started out as a stowaway but has been adopted by the crew.  This actually does make sense, young Force-users have to be protected but also trained.  If they are not protected by Jedi, they will be claimed by the Sith.  The very good Star Wars: Rebels is following similar arcs, with both Ezra being given shelter aboard the Ghost and the Sith actually trying to abduct Force-strong babies to make up the next generation of Sith.

What species of aliens was Celes raised by?  This answer is not critical but I can work the answer into the game maybe.

Vanz is from Courscant, fantastic!  I always thought a planet-sized city was one of the few unique elements of the prequels.  I will see what I can do about working some of Coruscant into the game.  It will be tough as that is the seat of Imperial power (but then, no one expected Luke to be raised in Darth' Vader's childhood home).

Zane is cool as is.  One neat hook is that, having worked with Imperials before, they may still trust him (and Akiri).  This could be a reason to pull an undercover infiltration mission (which, of course, will go wrong).

That's it for now.  I hope to add more later...

These are some pretty good characters. So far a recap of confirmed and suggested connections with Celes:

Nate Stryker - Business partner and fellow bounty hunter. Confirmed.

Shira - Rescued from slavers. Suggested.

Akiri - Former associate during time with the Empire. Suggested.

Could do with some more connections. Definitely open to some kind of connection with Ali. Maybe Celes and Nate were tracking Zane for some reason, but never caught him. I doubt there'd be any formal connection with Vanz, though Celes would both dislike him (for his undisciplined attitude) and respect him (for his skill and capability). Any ideas?

As for her upbringing, Celes was raised by trandoshans for over half her life. It was awkward, as one might imagine.

Akiri and Celes probably palled around in the Academy.  If nothing else 'the Academy' is always when things are light and the propaganda is easy to buy.

Akiri just didn't get out until later than Celes did, judging by that quick divergence away from the Imps in Celes's little entry there.

Celes could very well have been tracking Zane that's for sure. Her and Nate would definitely have a good reason to if they knew what happened... Then again I suppose bounty hunters don't actually need to or generally care to know what happened.  There are credits on the line and that's all that matters.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:02, Sun 20 Dec 2015.

I imagine Celes had a relatively brief stint with the Imperial Navy, maybe just going through the Academy and having a single tour of duty before deciding against re-enlisting. Which doesn't seem to be a thing most people do, or a choice most people get. Not sure. But she definitely didn't behave in a bridge-burny way, what with the reason she left in the first place. Didn't want to be branded a traitor or anything. Definitely time to get to know Akiri, and definitely left earlier. Their version of justice is pretty shady by her sense of ethics.

As for Zane, whether or not Celes could find out what he was really wanted for would depend on whether the sources were reliable. If it was really bad, she might still have a problem with him. If it was totally unjust, she might have been tracking him down specifically to help him escape that kind of heat (and cash in on it, girl's gotta eat).

And whether Nate knows Celes's motives depends on how he sees ethics and morality. She might put on a professional "kick ass and chew bubblegum" mask, or might full on let him know that she isn't into things like wanton murder of the innocent. Could go either way, depending on the personalities around her.

Nate is definitely all about real justice. His experience with Imperial "justice" killing everyone he knew demands no less. He is not very tolerant with people who simply throw around accusations, so he does a good deal of research on every target he takes, so that he doesn't end up sending an innocent up the river. Chances are that if Celes and he were looking at Zane as a potential target, he'd have discovered the truth, which means like Celes, if it's a bogus charge, he'd have been after helping Zane by making him "disappear" (disintegrations don't let you collect a bounty, but they do make people not look anymore).

All good thoughts, folks.  I like the growing connections.

Any connection with Ali would probably work with Celes (or with any other character).  Ali would automatically be impressed with anyone who rescued slaves.

In reply to Celes Varik (msg # 16):

That sounds like a good connection, although Zane suggested the same connection.

It looks like Nate has few connections.

Zane as a former "target".

Possibly Shira as a rescuee (I believe Zane said Akiri, though he also mentioned Shen, so it may have been a misread, Shira...regardless, Celes and Nate could have caught up to Zane while he was transporting you to safety, so it could still work with both).

And of course his partner, Celes.

The main thing that really holds Nate to the Alliance is simply loyalty, and that removing the Empire from power will assure justice in the galaxy...That and the fact that he can steal acquire plenty of demo on "supply runs".

To be fair, I wouldn't be surprised if everyone suggested that connection  (or thought about it).  Who doesn't want to rescue a slave to make them feel better about the bad things they do?

Or in the case of less morally gray people, make them feel better about... not giving money to charity? ...Maybe? I dunno... I suppose over hearing someone in the store saying they gave to charity can easily be one-upped by a " Oh yea, well I set a slave free.  What you got on that!?" And then they would drop a mic they inexplicably were carrying around for just such an occasion.

Who am I kidding, I don't know how "good" characters think or feel.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:53, Tue 22 Dec 2015.

Well, to be fair, I think any good person would rescue a slave just because it's the right thing to do, assuming they have the ability and opportunity.
I'm of the opinion that neutral/morally ambiguous people are just good people who can't reconcile their bad choices with considering themselves good, so they continue to make bad choices from time to time to justify not feeling like a good person. They would do the same as a good person, then to offset feeling like they have a shot at redemption would do the aforementioned mic drop.
Bad people on the other hand would carefully weigh whether rescuing the slave or leaving them to their fate would be of greater benefit to themselves.
That's just my .02 credits.

I suppose it might come down to just what you risked to rescue a slave.  I truly believe that the vast majority of sentiments in the Galaxy oppose slavery but aren't going to risk their lives to stop it.

Remember in the (sigh) prequels that Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan didn't just march into the Hutt's lair and say at saber-point, "Slavery is immoral and it ends now."  And remember young Anakin chiding his mother for both slaves not feeling sorry for the poor marooned princess (who is really an elected official if I understand that right).

I'm guessing that, as this is a game of heroes, when a character rescued slaves, it wasn't by signing petitions or wearing wristbands, it was by charging a hail of blaster fire and maybe Sith sabers.

Before my halo shines too brightly, let me say that I am appalled that there are still places on this Earth where women are 'legally' damn near property but I'm not going to wage a one-nerd war and risk my life to stop it.

One of my favorite quotes is; "A hero is someone who does the hard thing when no one else would blame them for doing the easy thing."

---

Exwhyzee (Pronounced XYZ) was born on the planet Kamino 36 years prior to the Battle of Yavin, originally designated Beta-0937 he proudly served in the Grand Army of the Republic and fought in the clone wars.

It was during this period of his life that things would drastically change for the clonetrooper.  Attached to Jedi Knight Vima-Da-Boda, is was during a mission that Order 66 was given and confirmed.  For a brief moment Beta-0937 started to comply, till his loyalty to the Jedi kicked in stronger than his loyalty to the Republic, Beta-0937 turned on his fellow troops, helping the Jedi escape. The two escaped the planet the Jedi severely wounded in the surprise attack, the two traveled together for three years before ending their journeys together on the 'Smugglers Moon' Nar Shaddaa.  Landing on the planet aboard a freighter Vima vanished into the Ecumenopolis leaving Exwhyzee with a message to make his own way in the world and thanking him for his friendship.

With a handful of credits, his clone trooper armor modified to be unrecognizable but still useful, Exwhyzee did what he knew best.  Becoming a gun for higher, first hired by a freighter captain working for a small mob boss, the boss turned on the captain and small crew leaving him and the captain jobless till they fell in with an up and coming boss. Reelo Baruk.

Reelo recognized the soldiers skill, and Exwhyzee was given his pick of jobs the crime boss needed to have done, generally leaving the Soldier to pick jobs that were less unsavory than most, generally dealing with security of shipments of weapons that were being sold to the nascent rebellion, or in dealing with other mob bosses that were trying to edge into Reelo's territory. It was during this time that at the age of 23, but physically 46 Exwhyzee managed with the help of a rogue Kaminoan have his genetic sequence altered to slow his aging down to a normal pace.

For several more years Exwhyzee was a trigger for Reelo earning his own reputation, with Exwhyzee saving up his credits till he could purchase a star fighter and astromech of his own.  Making sure it was a star fighter large enough to hold a hyperdrive so he could leave Nar Shaddaa when he wanted.  Naming it 'The Free Will' Exwhyzee did one final job for Reelo before leaving the planet for good.  Since then Exwhyzee has taken jobs when the need arises.

Born out of the Old Republic Exwhyzee dislikes the Empire, and Stormtroopers, he knows their tactics and protocols, and if they are in an area causing trouble, he will do what he can to unobtrusively help those that are liable targets for the Empire.  Loosly allied with the rebellion, he has been sought out numerous times to help in missions.

---

Anyone can feel free to inject themselves anywhere in this.. Exwhyzee is still a physically fit, albeit older man at this point.. in his 60's, he has the body of a man 20 years younger due to leading a physically fit life.  Personality wise Exwhyzee is a quite man, having lived a long life and seen much, he'll smile at a joke, but generally isn't one to quip or make light.

Grev Longtooth is a scout, more comfortable in the wilderness or unexplored worlds.  He seems to always be sharply in the present, with a cunning gleam in his green eyes.

I'm open to many connections.  I was thinkin that he and Celes could possibly have met when one of her hunts had taen her to a fringe world.  A sort-of twisted red-riding hood story, where it was the woodsman that was evil (her bounty) and the wolf (Grev) that was good, if uncomfortably predator seeming.  With her trademark red armor, Grev would often end-up calling her "Red".

Other connections welcome.

In reply to Grev Longtooth (msg # 28):

Hmm, if he often goes to little-traveled worlds, he might have actually gone to Datar at some point.

Depending on the time-frame, if Celes met Grev during a hunt, he would have met Nate too. I'm going to leave that up to Celes, since Nate is a silent-but-deadly partner.

I imagine Celes and Nate may have run across XYZ during his time with Reelo Baruk. If he was a trigger man, he may have been going after someone with a significant bounty on their head and crossed paths with the other two, their job to arrest and his job to kill. Up to you how that turned out.

As for Grev, I can definitely see Celes and Nate ending up on a fringe world and getting Grev's help to take down an evil survivalist type.

He spends a fair amount of time on little traveled to unexplored worlds.  Both for a living, and for pleassure.  Datar would be just one of many.  There could potential (with GM approval) even be an "unexplored" relocation planet.  Where the bounties that are against Celes ethics get a new start, hidden away on an unknown fringe world that Grev discovered.  Crtainly not an easy life, but off the Empires grid, and away from civilization they could start life again without their previous troubles.

Okay, Celes, Nate, Shira, let's work on those connections.  What's your thinking on them, for back-story?

I'm intrigued by this "secret safeworld" idea. Also I don't know if we ever decided for sure whether or not Celes and Nate helped Shira. Having thoughts.

So Celes ditches the Empire and goes into bounty hunting. It turns out to be awful too, but she figures she can clean up the profession by making choices. Starts off only going after truly awful bounties, but is forced to start going after less bad ones because of credits and circumstances. Runs into Grev on an isolated world, they have a Red Riding Hood adventure taking down an evil "woodsman". Celes gives Grev a lift offworld and he starts to see the wider Galaxy. Celes starts taking the less-bad bounties to Grev's old planet for a fresh start, while taking back "proof" that they're dead, racks up a reputation.

She runs into Nate and partners up, not quite telling him that she rescues people and takes them to a safeworld, also doesn't open up about her reputation being mostly a lie. Eventually they go after slavers, rescuing Shira in the process, and give her a lift back home to Datar, and maybe having some kind of mini-adventure there together. Celes and Nate leave the planet, Shira stows away, because of course she does. Grev continues his exploration of the wider Galaxy, and they run into each other again working for the Rebellion, because of course they do.

I don't really feel super cozy writing for other people, so that mostly focuses on Celes's perspective and what it's sounded like so far. Wanna squeeze in more Shira, more Nate, and more Grev perspectives. Also kinda wanna squeeze in more Zane. Also kinda wanna figure out if Nate would find out about Celes's safeworld, or if he'd be under the impression she's as cold and professional as she pretends.

Hmmm, heard my name mentioned, what are we talking about?

Deciding and then locking down character connections. There've been proposed connections with Celes, Nate, Shira, Akiri, Grev, and Zane. I was just wondering if we could web those together like Smallville or Fiasco characters. Pitched some ideas, but need more input from the rest of ya.

In reply to Celes Varik (msg # 34):

That should work for me! Shira could be a stowaway or stay out of gratitude.
I'm not sure there's many advetures to be had on Datar, since it's gentle enough for Ghostlings to survive there.

I have established Shira kept her slavegirl outfit (she collects outfits), for future use as a disguise and to remember her rescue.
Speaking of outfits, any particular places our group has been together?
This message was last edited by the player at 02:18, Mon 11 Jan 2016.

In reply to Celes Varik (msg # 34):

Okay.  Grev ended up on the unexplored world because the frieghter he was taking to another fringe world crash landed.  He set up a shelter some 30' up a tree related the the trees on Kashyyk, and started to explore the world around him.  Some few days later, he started coming across signs of another denisen.  He would come to know her as Grandmother Yaga (a former Jedi who had spent significant time with the Witches of Dathomere.  When the purge came she disappeared to this world, shifting during the exile between light and dark, mostly occuopying a grey area inbetween)  Few interactions they had, and mostly left each other alone.  Some few months later, another person came to the world.  He smelled of machine and flesh.  And Grev tracked him unobserved, seeing the half-cybernetic and unbalanced individual carrying a vibroax.  Grev carefully rationed his blaster rifle ammo, he planned hiis next courses of action.  It was then that a third visitor to this world appeared (Celes Varik).  After obsering her progress for awhile, he approached and spoke with her, proposing a deal.  Information & assistance in exchange for a trip off-world with a split in the material profits.