Name: Jace Varitek
Homeworld: Metellos
Species: Human
Born: 36 BBY

Height: 1.81 Meters
Weight: 171 lbs.
Eyes: Green
Hair: Brown

Force Sensitive: Yes

(Former) Affiliation: The Jedi Order
(Former) Rank: Padawan Learner

Force Powers:

Meditation (Proficient)
Empathy (Proficient)
Comprehension (Above-Average)
Resistance (Average)

Lightsaber Combat Forms:

Makashi (Average)
Soresu (Above-Average)

Vehicle: Garman-class Mining Vessel Taloraan Sunrise, Whitecloak fighter
Weapon(s): Custom-Built Lightsaber

Background:
Varitek's earliest memories are of the cold, impersonal confines of the Jedi Temple, where he was raised into the eponymous Order. He was considered an average to above-average student, well-rounded in his studies of both the mental and physical aspects of the Force; from a young age, the thoughtful Varitek exhibited an aptitude for sensory Force powers, such as comprehension and empathy, while also applying his mind to physical pursuits such as engineering. In contrast, he had little enthusiasm for lightsaber combat, learning purely defensive forms and preferring to spend his time alone in the Temple gardens with a book, or soaring through the morning fog on Coruscant in a Jedi starfighter.

As he came of age, the free-thinking Padawan began to develop philosophical disagreements with the Jedi Order. Although he made steady progress in the Trials, he found himself repeatedly sent to the Agricultural Corps for questioning Jedi orthodoxy. Surely, he thought, if the Force was an energy field, it could be understood in scientific, rather than religious terms. He increasingly doubted the notions of "light" and "dark" aspects of the Force, but found only closed minds and deaf ears, as deaf and closed-minded as the statues of ancient Jedi warlords that haunted the Temple halls. Frustrated at his latest "demotion" to the AgriCorps, the 17-year-old Varitek made the decision to leave the Jedi Order. Later that year, the Clone Wars began.

He grew up fast, spending much of the war on the run not only from the Jedi Order, but from the agents of Separatist leader Count Dooku, desirous of another "dark acolyte" to combat the Jedi Generals of the Republic. Varitek wanted no part in either side of the war, seeing it as a clash of bureaucracies. At the conclusion of the war, both sides had forgotten the Padawan who'd vanished into anonymity on the Outer Rim, and he was never included on the Empire's list of Jedi to be purged.

In the years since, Varitek has gone from one job to another; among them, a medical officer with the Baobab Merchant Fleet, a bodyguard for holoactress Ana Stark, and a farmer on Dantooine, leaving behind him rumors of a man with Jedi powers or a lightsaber. Most recently, he has worked as the pilot of the independent gas tanker Taloraan Sunrise, sharing in the profits of the operation and calling the Sunrise home. He continues to keep a low profile, using the Force as little as possible and avoiding any contact with the Empire. Many of his Force abilities have long since atrophied from disuse, though he still meditates on a regular basis and can call upon rudimentary Force powers when necessary.

As the conflict between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance intensifies, time will tell whether Varitek will be able to keep himself out of another war, or if circumstances will finally compel him to choose sides.

Personality:
Varitek is a friendly man with a kind nature, but is also intensely private. Fiercely protective of his past, Varitek is loyal but has few close friends, fearing that any meaningful relationship could put those he cares for in danger. Despite his renunciation of Jedi teachings, he still feels a duty to use the Force responsibly and to help others in need, even at considerable danger to himself. He is thoughtful, at times excessively so, and often meditates to clear pessimistic thoughts and fears from his mind.