Knights of the Old Republic: Convict's Dawn

"Perhaps I killed a Jedi and took it from him." "I don't think so. No one can kill a Jedi."

- Qui-Gon Jinn and Anakin Skywalker

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: Convict's Dawn is a fan-fiction novel written by Jedi Master 76. Written in the Summer of 2008, the work was published to the internet on August 8th, 2008. The work was released shortly after the release of the Beta version of Jedi Master 76's Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic modification, "Knights of Alderaan". Though the basic plot is the same, major plot details are altered between the two, and there are characters that are present in the novel that are not present in the mod, and vice versa. It is the first novel in the Days of Dissidence series by Jedi Master 76. As alluded to in the title, the novel is set with the theme of the dawn, or morning. The novel itself is a fast-paced, relatively light read. There is less violence and plot-based dilemmas in general, and more humor and character interaction.

The story, like the mod, centers around fugitive Zaen Benax, a runaway from Alderaan who is being hunted by the Jedi and his own family because of crimes that he can't hide. After a series of unfortunate events and run-ins with a group of bounty hunters and a Mandalorian mercenary company, Zaen reaches Dantooine in an attempt to join the Jedi Order. However, due to his dark past as a Sith learner and his supposed murder of a Jedi Master, the Ithorian Tor'Chal, Zaen has been branded a Jedi killer and is hunted by the Jedi on Dantooine. Eventually, he is found by Jedi Knight Gaiel Remus, who assists him in leaving Dantooine safely with the crew of the Azure Angel II, a group of smugglers who have constant encounters with the Sith Empire.

The novel itself has familiar Knights of the Old Republic locations, like Dantooine and Taris. However, the novel also brings us to the KoTOR variants of other, familiar worlds, like Sullust and Alderaan. In addition, besides the new characters, KoTOR characters make common cameo appearances, some serve essential to the plot. Though there is are several mentions of the Revan, KoTOR's chief protagonist, he does not actually appear during the course of the novel.

Preface
''So, you've come to hear the story? This story is unlike most. This tale is set a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. This galaxy is home to many that would be familiar to you: Kenobi, Windu, Dooku, Fett, Amidala, Skywalker, Horn, Katarn, and Solo. Their tales have been told, and retold, as they will always be. But have you heard of those that forged their legacy? The legacy of the Jedi Order and the Sith Empire under Darth Revan leading up to its fall under Darth Traya. Set 3,000 years before the Clone Wars, the rise of Palpatine, the revenge of the Sith, and the return of the Jedi. This story takes place during a time of galactic turmoil, of political unrest, and folding allegiances. Why should one be loyal to their traditions? Is love truly the strongest force in the universe? Is the Force an ally, or a tool? Does the Republic truly represent order and stability in the galactic circle?''

''These are the questions that revolve around the Jedi that serve the Galactic Republic, from the Mandalorian Wars to the First Jedi Purge and beyond. Though many tales are spun around the chaotic rise of Revan's Sith Empire, ours focus on a select few. The Jedi Seer, the Knight of Alderaan, and the Paladin of Darkness, their epithets. Around these three our story shall be spun, and these three shall direct the fates of those around them, for good or ill.''

''This is Star Wars. And this is the story of the Knights of the Old Republic.''

Preview
“Hello, Zaen.” The man’s holographic figure crackled with the buzz of static. Zaen could feel a dark aura flowing from this man. If De’dlay’s strength was a rushing river, then this man’s was clearly a chaotic ocean. Even from such a distance, the darkness made Zaen uneasy, weakened by the pestilence that eminated from this man.

“It seems you thought you could just escape our friendly little nest, did you? Well, I’ve got a surprise for you, boy. If you even try to escape, I’ll order these fancy Czerka cannons to blow you right into space dust. Would you like that? Hmm? Your father has put quite a price on your head. I think I should collect that reward.”

The entire time the figure had been speaking, Zaen was attempting to calculate hyperspace coordinates. He had to get away, almost anywhere was fine, but he had to escape from Alderaan. His first option was clearly the easiest. Sullust was a direct line from Alderaan, and it was a quickest trip, taking only three days. Hopefully, the Sith didn’t control that planet. Zaen had grown irritated by the figure’s taunting, so he muted the channel. Giving orders to T1 the orders to jump to hyperspace on his signal, he turned his attention back to the hologram. Switching it back on, he tried to appear as innocent as possible. “Who are you?”

“Who am I?” the man chuckled, as if Zaen had added some subtle humor to his words. “Well, that is certainly an enigma, isn’t it, young Zaen? For now, you can call me Preux. For that is how I shall soon be addressed.”

“You’re insane.”

“Am I?” asked the man, mockingly. He was clearly displeased with Zaen’s blunt choice of words. “I believe your antics here on Alderaan could easily be classified as insane, Zaen Benax.”

Story

 * Knights of the Old Republic: Convict's Dawn/1-2

Sith Empire

 * Jaeln Benax - Sith apprentice
 * Zaen Benax - Sith hopeful
 * Calay - Sith apprentice
 * Saul Karath - Sith Admiral ( Flashback only )
 * Vaerk Luus - Sith Captain
 * Darth Malak - Dark Lord of the Sith ( Mentioned only )
 * De'dlay Yavalaaka - Sith Master

Galactic Republic

 * Danters - Republic Captain
 * Lucius Vaaz - Republic pilot ( Flashback only )

Jedi Order

 * Belaya - Jedi Knight
 * Bolook - Jedi Master
 * Kalthar Deen - Jedi Master
 * Celsus Djan - Jedi Knight
 * Dorak - Jedi Master
 * Syme Dvor - Jedi Knight
 * Vrook Lamar - Jedi Master
 * Zhar Lestin - Jedi Master
 * Gaiel Remus - Jedi Knight
 * Revan - Jedi Padawan ( Mentioned only )
 * Bastila Shan - Jedi Padawan
 * Betror Sylan - Jedi Padawan
 * Nemo - Jedi Knight
 * Telerus - Jedi Knight
 * Vandar Tokare - Jedi Master
 * Tor'Chal - Jedi Master
 * Northeus Ulsan - Jedi Master ( Flashback only )
 * Lonna Vash - Jedi Master ( Mentioned only )

Czerka

 * Raystin Benax - Czerka affiliate
 * Preux - Shadowhand ( Appears as Hologram )
 * Daln Tertig - Czerka CEO; Alderaan branch ( Appears as Hologram )

Mercenaries

 * Xard Andara - Mercenary
 * Kardyl Asaku - Mercenary
 * Dubain - Mercenary Captain
 * Oxyn Gar- Mercenary Captain
 * Shela Mendovi - Mercenary
 * Cardo Vascar - Mercenary

Other

 * Junara Benax - Alderaanian civilian
 * A'snora Bogdu - Ship captain
 * Mal Cando - Sullustian civilian
 * Delvin Cortes - Crewmember
 * Handon Guld - Dantooine civilian ( Mentioned only )
 * Ranvel Har - Hidden Bek
 * Donnel Ioca - Hidden Bek
 * G'aal Iulis - Iridorian cipher
 * Lexx Jav - Bartender
 * Lamia - Dantooine civilian ( Flashback only )
 * Rickard Lusoff - Dantooine civilian ( Mentioned only )
 * Marlena - Bartender
 * Jennae Nall - Merchant
 * Corx "Sir" Neeb - Merchant
 * Cadasta Neeb - Sullustian civilian
 * Calder Nettic - Merchant ( Appears as a corpse )
 * Fetarollias "Fetcher" Niridiacher - Crewmember
 * Calo Nord - Bounty Hunter
 * Obydias - Dantooine civilian ( Flashback only )
 * Manda Revarr - Crewmember
 * Casus Sandral - Archaeologist ( Mentioned only )
 * Selias Siital - Ship pilot
 * T1-N7 - Astromech droid
 * T2-M1 - Astromech droid
 * R'alna Venli - Ship captain
 * Uriah - Pazaak dealer, information broker ( Mentioned only )

Locations

 * In order of appearance


 * Polus ( Orbit )
 * Alderaan
 * Sullust
 * Anaxes ( Flashback only )
 * Taris
 * Dantooine

Behind the scenes
'''Warning: The Behind the scenes contains spoilers for.    


 * Inspiration for Zaen Benax’s character came from dialog between Qui-Gon Jinn and Anakin Skywalker in The Phantom Menace, displayed as the opening quote. Anakin asks about Qui-Gon’s “laser sword”, and wonders if he’s a Jedi. Qui-Gon attempts to mislead Anakin by telling him that he “killed a Jedi and took the lightsaber from him.” Anakin argues that no one can kill a Jedi. JM76 believes this is how most people viewed the Jedi. Therefore, if Zaen were to kill a Jedi, chaos would ensue.
 * The main character’s name, Zaen, is in no way related to the canon character of the same era known as Zayne, and was no way inspired by the name or character of Zayne Carrick. When the character was created (early 2007), JM76 had not heard of the KoTOR comics, thus he had no knowledge of Zayne.
 * Gaiel Remus was not present in the mod of Knight of Alderaan, nor was he present in the very first drafts of the novel. However, JM76 quickly realized that if the story was only focused on Zaen, the novel would collapse on itself rather quickly. Gaiel’s presence is replaced by Revan in KoTOR, because Zaen is a recruitable character that travels with the party.
 * The fact that Zaen frequently destroys the droids he received is somewhat of an inside joke with the author. This is due to the fact that in both KoTOR 1 and TSL, he replaces droid characters in your party; T3-M4 and G0-T0, respectively. Plus, in early drafts of the story, he was a droid mechanic, not a Sith apprentice.
 * The smugglers were added quite late in the story, almost near the final draft, though JM76 didn’t know whether they were good additions to the story. After getting positive feedback about their side of the plot, however, JM76 decided to keep them in as regular characters.
 * The character of Celsus Djan is quite different in KoTOR. In the mod, he is a Sith under Malak, one who serves him only out of spite and fear that he will kill him like he killed his lover. The party met him on Manaan, where he would attack the party. His strength is comparable to Malak’s in game, and he is quite a difficult opponent to subdue, with powers like Force Storm and Kill already in his possession. Once he is defeated, however, he can either be persuaded to commit suicide, or attempt to rejoin the Jedi.
 * All mentions of Lucien Draaay and the Jedi Watchciricles are an allusion to the KoTOR series of comics.
 * There are many allusions to other authors and other fanon-based creations in Convict’s Dawn. The Bendu Order, while briefly mentioned in canon, is a nod to Brandon Rhea’s Bendu Order article. Selu Kraen, the main character of Atarumaster 88’s Force Exile series, is present in Zaen Benax’s Force dream as the 2nd “spirit”. The other three spirits are Kyle Katarn, Mace Windu, and Northeus Ulsan.
 * Some gags from the #swfanon were thrown into the story, just for laughs. Several of those include: mentioning the Jedi Bendu, several characters saying the magic word of “Bah!”, and a brief nod to the “Angel of Death”, a common nickname for Solus in the IRC.
 * Mentions of 1138, May the Force be with you, and I have a bad feeling about this are present in almost every Star Wars film and in the KoTOR series.
 * The story begins in space, similar to all the Star Wars films, Timothy Zahn novels, and Knights of the Old Republic video games.
 * Bolook’s line to Gaiel about Jedi not killing their prisoners is homage to Gandalf’s words to Frodo when they are Moria, in the Lord of the Rings. It is also reminiscent of Bastila's line to the amnesic Revan from KoTOR I.
 * Dubain’s words about respecting the Jedi comes from Canderous Ordo, who said that the Mandalorians do not envy the Jedi because they bested them, rather, they respect them as better warriors.
 * Jennae Nall is meant to be the mother of Janice Nall, the merchant who sells Revan and his party T3-M4.
 * Zaen’s flame abilities were a last minute addition to the novel, but JM76 liked the idea of his forte being flame-based abilities, and thought of it as homage to the One Piece character Portugas D. “Fire Fist” Ace.
 * The line “Give me your name, and I’ll give you mine.” Is a line commonly said by the protagonist of the video game Tales of Symphonia, Lloyd Irving. Similarly, Zaen’s thought of “You can’t help being born,” is akin to a similar line stated by Lloyd during the course of the said game.

Themes

 * The themes of Convict's Dawn are perseverance, hope, and companionship.

Music

 * Zaen's Theme: Through the Fire and the Flames (Dragonforce)
 * Gaiel's Theme: Qui-Gon's Noble End (John Williams)
 * R'alna's Theme: Sanctuary (Utada Hikaru)
 * Convict Dawn's Theme: Brighter Side (SaGa)

Mod Counterpart
The current Knights of the Old Republic counterpart can be found here. However, that mod is currently only the BETA version, and thus several things could be unstable or broken. Download at your own discretion.