MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2008
STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS -- CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
THE JEDI
ANAKIN SKYWALKER
A Jedi Knight whose brash and rebellious nature will one day lead him down the dark path, at this stage in his journey, Anakin Skywalker is an idealistic leader and heroic champion of the Galactic Republic. Guided by a self-assurance that borders on arrogance, he is bold and aggressive, but as he has matured, he has also learned that sometimes strategy and temperance can prove more effective than a flashing lightsaber.
Even so, Anakin's brash impulsiveness prompts Master Yoda to pair him with a new apprentice in an effort to help curb the young Jedi's wild ways. As Anakin
steps into the role of teacher, he finally sees the other side of the Master-Padawan relationship and recognizes the difficulties that he presented for his own former Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Leveraging his experiences as a headstrong learner, Anakin commits to becoming a good example for his own apprentice but in tight situations, he still relies on derring-do and instinct.
OBI-WAN KENOBI
Though he is deadly with a lightsaber and skilled in the art of war, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi is
a peaceful soul, guided by an empathetic spirit even amidst the violence and devastation of the Clone Wars. He recognizes that there are often alternatives to fighting and takes up arms only in an effort to defend the values and ideals of the Galactic Republic.
In stark contrast to his volatile former Padawan, Obi-Wan remains calm and level-headed even in the most dangerous situations,
relying on temperance, discipline and dry wit where Anakin would default to violence. Having recently seen Anakin graduate to the status of Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan now finds endless delight in watching his friend and one-time student struggle with a strong-willed learner of his own.
AHSOKA TANO
Discovered as an infant by Jedi Master Plo Koon and raised in the Jedi Temple, Ahsoka is Anakin's new apprentice, and she is eager to prove herself to her new master. Headstrong and
enthusiastic with an abundance of innocence and optimism, she rarely hesitates to express her youthful exuberance ... though she has yet to learn the finer points of diplomacy and timing. A formidable swordswoman, budding tactician and shrewd critical thinker, she is nonetheless still a youngling and has not yet reached the traditional graduation age.
But the ever-escalating galactic
conflict has stretched the Jedi resources thin, thus Ahsoka's talents earn her an early promotion. Straddling the chasm between Anakin's impulsiveness and Obi-Wan's staid deliberation, Ahsoka also brings her disarming wit to the front lines, often lightening the burden of war with a well-timed quip or an insightful jab. As a result of her rigorous education, Ahsoka tends to play most
situations closer to the book than does her Master, but she's quickly learning that sometimes there's no substitute for a healthy dose of improvised derring-do. Despite her inexperience, she rarely hesitates to question orders and voice her own opinion, much to Anakin's chagrin.
MACE WINDU
Second only to Master Yoda in his command of the force, Jedi Master Mace Windu serves as a revered and senior member of the Jedi Council. Introspective and slow to speak, Mace often
appears to bear the weight of the war on his shoulders. In reality, Mace's taciturn nature flows from his passive, though highly focused, contemplation of the Force. Graceful yet powerful in battle, Mace Windu wields his lightsaber with a skill equaled only by Yoda.
Intensely devoted to the Jedi, Mace willingly makes any sacrifice necessary to uphold the Order's ways. Sober, level-headed, even somber at times, Mace rarely cracks a smile -- a fact that intimidates many who do not know him well. Yet those who do understand Mace know that his
detached demeanor belies his true nature. Deep down, Mace Windu is a fiercely compassionate soul who is willing to risk the longest odds if he believes the cause is just.
CAPTAIN REX
Anakin's second-in-command, Clone Captain Rex is a freethinking and aggressive
soldier's-soldier. Gruff, no-nonsense and tough as nails, Rex will voice his professional opinion to even the highest-ranking Jedi. In command of the famed 501st Clone Trooper Battalion, Rex and his men are assigned to patrol the most lawless and dangerous sector of the galaxy, the feared Outer Rim.
COMMANDER CODY
Clone Commander Cody is second-in-command to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Straight-laced and strict, no
mission is too tough for Cody and the men of his highly decorated "Ghost Squadron." In battle and in life, Cody places duty above all else, and nothing pleases him more than seeing his men win a hard-fought victory for the Republic.
CLONE TROOPERS
THE CLONES
Bred and trained on the oceanic Outer World planet of Kamino, a clone trooper is born to serve the
Republic. Unflinchingly loyal, a clone may perform a variety of jobs, including, but not limited to, soldier, pilot and scout. Despite sharing identical genes with his "brothers," a clone trooper takes pride in his individuality, often fostering a greater sense of identity by giving himself a name, a stylized haircut or even the occasional tattoo.
Although a clone is trained not to question his role in the war, he is human. As such, a clone harbors the occasional feeling of doubt or regret. While a clone's role may not seem an enviable one, the hardships of battle foster an unparalleled camaraderie that only further cements his fraternal bonds.
PADME AMIDALA
A former child-queen from Naboo, Padme Amidala has taken her rightful seat in the Galactic Senate. As a political delegate, Padme remains dedicated to ending the war and restoring peace to the galaxy. With her faithful steward C-3PO at her side, Padme seeks every opportunity to champion the rights of the galaxy's marginalized and downtrodden. Though typically calm, Padme is no stranger to peril and will wield her trusty blaster with remarkable skill in order to protect the things she holds dear -- most notably, the Republic and her clandestine love for her husband, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker.
Beset by the travails of galactic
war, Padme and Anakin see far too little of each other -- a fact that weighs heavily on Padme's heart. But Padme's greatest strength is also her primary weakness: On more than one occasion, Senator Amidala's accepting ways cause her pain when her ability to see good in even the darkest day prevents her from sensing evil in the duplicitous spies and politicians around her.
R2-D2
Anakin received R2-D2 as a gift from Padmé, and this plucky little astromech droid and his master
have been inseparable ever since. Like Anakin, Artoo is fearless, quick-thinking and dedicated. He is a tireless worker, a sympathetic listener and always ready for action when the chips are down. Armed and upgraded with an amazing array of functionalities -- including hover jets, a Holoprojector, computer interfaces, diagnostic plugs, a periscope, a clasping arm, an electric prod for self-defense, storage compartments and a variety of tools attached to the end of his articulating arm -- R2-D2 comes prepared to tackle any job.
Though droids are not officially programmed to experience emotion, Artoo seems to be a notable exception. Loyal to the end, R2-D2 is a true friend to many, including Padmé, C-3PO, Ahsoka Tano and, of course, Anakin.
C-3PO
C-3PO is a protocol droid fluent in more than 6 million forms of communication. Built by Anakin Skywalker when he was still a boy and then given to Padmé Amidala as a gift, Threepio constantly struggles to reconcile his genuine concern for his friends with a natural aversion to danger that borders on anxiety. The usual result is a comedic monologue centered on the seemingly insurmountable peril he can find in even the most benign circumstance.
Yet, despite his nervous, know-it-all, sometimes even bossy disposition, C-3PO remains a loyal and devoted servant and friend.
COUNT DOOKU
A former member of the Jedi Council, Count Dooku is among a handful of Jedi who have disavowed the Order. After pursuing extensive Force training at the hands of his merciless master, the innately evil Darth Sidious, Dooku wields the full power of the Force's dark side. As second in charge of the Separatist forces, it is Dooku's task to destroy the Republic without mercy or compassion.
Demanding, power-hungry and cruel, Dooku commands his underlings with ruthless
efficiency. Even his icy assassin, Asajj Ventress, fears her master's wrath, knowing all too well that few people live to fail Count Dooku twice.
GENERAL GRIEVOUS
THE ALLIES
THE VILLAINS
A highly-skilled warlord from planet Kalee, General Grievous always wanted to be a Jedi but lacked
the requisite Force abilities. Realizing that his powers would never equal a Jedi's, Grievous vowed to destroy the Jedi Order. The first step in his diabolical plot was to undergo a series of surgical procedures that replaced his body parts with robotic appendages that give him superhuman strength and agility. Now, countless procedures later, Grievous lives as a man trapped inside a machine's body, a sacrifice he has made to have powers that, finally, rival those of a Jedi Knight.
Ruthless and unrelentingly cruel, Grievous takes joy only when inflicting suffering upon others. Grievous is third-in-command to the Separatist forces, behind only Dooku and, ultimately, Darth Sidious.
ASAJJ VENTRESS
Lithe and lethal, Ventress is the trusted assassin of the villainous Count Dooku, serving him from
the shadows as he weaves his web of deception throughout a galaxy engulfed in the Clone Wars. Though not officially a Sith apprentice (as there can only be two Sith), Ventress has been well trained in the ways of the dark side and can wield her twin lightsabers with surgical precision and deadly force. In addition, her serpentine grace and devious cunning make her a deadly foe for even the most seasoned Jedi Knights.
A lifetime of enduring cruel hardships has purged any compassion from her evil heart. Forged in the crucible of her bloody homeworld, her intense rage and smoldering bitterness keep her on the dark path and bolster her ability to wield the dark side of the Force.
NUTE GUNRAY
The only thing this oily Neimoidian leader of the Trade Federation wants more than money is to
see the demise of his long-time nemesis, Padmé Amidala. To this end, Gunray will strike any deal he must with the Separatists in order to preserve his profit margin and pursue the woman who nearly caused his downfall after the Battle of Geonosis.
CAD BANE
A ruthless bounty hunter from planet Duros, Cad Bane is the pre-eminent manhunter in the galaxy.
No quarry is too dangerous for Bane if the price is right. Using an impressive arsenal of weapons and evil allies, the cold, cruel and calculating Bane stops at nothing, even if it means tracking his prey to the ends of the galaxy.
THE DROIDS
Built to every description and purpose, Separatist droids carry out the grunt work and menial labor required to conquer a galaxy, including serving as cannon fodder. Functioning in every capacity, from shock-troops, pilots and gunners to medics, armed forces and more, Separatist droids are built only to serve. Severely limited in their intelligence but skilled in their occupation, the droids often find that their orders exceed their abilities.
CHANCELLOR PALPATINE
Elected Chancellor at the war's outset, this former senator from Naboo must now guide the
Republic through its darkest hour. Supported in his task by a massive clone army and a cadre of dedicated Jedi, Palpatine knows that restoring peace to the galaxy will be no small feat. Though certain critics of his administration have accused Palpatine of shady dealings, Palpatine never strays from his stated goal, which is to win the war as quickly and painlessly as possible.
When working with the Jedi, his most powerful allies, Palpatine remains aware that their assistance is fundamental to a Republic victory. In particular, Palpatine develops a fondness for Anakin Skywalker, in whom he senses peerless potential. Whenever Anakin and Palpatine are together, the chancellor carefully fosters their relationship toward a special, almost fatherly bond. And yet,
many find themselves unable to fully trust this consummate politician ...
THE MANIPULATOR
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