Keerukk

Keerukk was a Wookiee Jedi during the times of the Galactic Civil War. He had the unique ability to speak Basic, given to him by the Force. Keerukk always believed he had a larger calling than to stay on Kashyyyk.

Early Life
Keerukk was born in 136 BBY

When Keerukk was a small child, he discovered that he was able to speak Basic. He was afraid that all the other Wookiees would cast them out from their society, so he kept the ability a secret.

Keerukk spent most of his time playing with his brother, Raashakka, and his good friend Reekarra. During one expedition into the jungle with his brother and friend they stumbled across a large breeding ground of Kkekkrrg rro. The group was amazed by the large quantity of the beast. They decided to venture farther into the breeding ground. Reekarra went to far off into the breeding ground and was attacked by one of the Kkekkrrg rro and killed. After seeing his friend killed, Keerukk screamed out in Basic. His brother then learned his special ability.

Leaving Kashyyyk
130 years after the death of Reekarra, Keerukk returned to the very same breeding ground where his friend was killed. Keerukk sat on a hill close to the breeding ground and gazed upon the stars. During his stargazing, Keerukk sensed a starnge present deep in the jungle. He ran down the hill and into teh jungle to find out what it was. After pushing his way through many vines he discovered a crashed Z-95 Headhunter. Keerukk realized that it was able to be repaired, so he soon began work.

It took about three months to get the ship in working condition. Once Keerukk fixed the ship he bid farewell to his brother then blasted off to go and explore the Galaxy as he always wanted.

Discovery of the Force
After exploring the Galaxy for several months, Keerukk decided to take a break on Coruscant. While having a drink in one of the planet's cantinas Keerukk was confronted by a Trandoshan by the name of Balthar Rodak. Balthar informed Keerukk that he knew what his true calling was and that if he came with him he would discover it.

On the balcony of Balthar's Coruscant apartment, he informed Keerukk that he was a Jedi Master during the times of the Clone Wars, and that he wanted to train Keerukk in the ways of the Force. Keerukk was sceptical about teh Force, but once Balthar informed him that the Force gave him the ability to speak Basic, Keerukk pledged himself to becoming a Jedi.

Training as a Jedi
Over the course of two months Keerukk trained under Balthar. He trained so extensivly he received the title of Jedi Knight in those short two months. Keerukk did most of his training on Tatooine, Balthar thought it was the most safe planet, where they would be undetected by Palpatine or Darth Vader.

During a day of meditation on a sand dune, Keerukk received his first lightsaber from his master. The lightsaber had a blue blade and had been Balthar's old apprentice's lightsaber. After Keerukk received the lightsaber, the two Jedi were approached by twenty stormtroopers. Balthar ordered Keerukk to return to their ship which was parked a short distance away from their meditation spot. Keerukk followed orders while Balthar fought against the stormtroopers.

Balthar was able to kill all but three of the stormtroopers. The final three troopers remaining tossed a smoke grenade in hopes of confusing Balthar, but Balthar could easily sense the blaster fire coming from the stormtroopers. In the end, two of the troopers activated thermal detonators. They waited until the last second to throw the explosives, and once they did the bombs landed next to Balthar. Balthar attempted to jump out of the way, but the thermal detonators exploded, engulfing Balthar's legs in flames. Once Balthar hit the ground, the stormtroopers fired blaster bolts into his left arm, chest, and finally head. Keerukk was devasted by his master's death, but realized he had to carry on and revive the Jedi Order.

Training Alone
After the death of his master, Keerukk realized he would have to train himself. He traveled to Naboo for this training. During his time there, he constructed a new lightsaber with a bright green blade. Keerukk also helped out with the Naboo Royal Security Force. He obtained the rank of Master Sergeant, and became higly respected among the RSF.

The Apprentice
After one year, Keerukk returned to Tatooine to search for his master's lost lightsaber. Keerukk ended up finding the weapon, but shortly after finding it he realized a transport shuttle had crashed not far off from where he was. Keerukk ran to the shuttle, where he fought off a group of pirates trying to slavage whatever they could from the wrecked ship. After defeating the pirates, Keerukk sliced into the ship. There he found a boy trying to fend himself off from the flames. Keerukk rescued the boy, and escaped the ship shortly before it exploded.

Keerukk sensed the Force in the boy. Keerukk learned that the boy's name was Mayden, Mayden agreed to become Keerukk's apprentice and learn the ways of the Force.

As the months passed during Mayden's training Keerukk could not determine which side of the Force was stronger in Mayden. The was an equal balance between light and dark in the boy. Keerukk brought Mayden to the very same place where Keerukk had received his first lightsaber. They began to meditate on the dune, Keerukk then brought his apprentice back from the meditation where he gave Mayden his master's old lightsaber. Mayden accepted it greatly.

Since Keerukk could not sense a larger amount of one side of the Force in Mayden, he had set up a test for the boy. Keerukk had a Rodian named Feexo that he had met during his days of exploring the Galaxy. He had Feexo act as if he was attempting to arrest them in the name of the Empire. Mayden suddenly attacked Feexo in anger, stabbing his yellow bladed lightsaber into Feexo's arm, and slashing the Rodian across the face. Keerukk ordered Mayden to step down but the young apprentice refused. Keerukk was forced to duel Mayden. Keerukk was able to pin Mayden to the ground and get him to stop his display of fury. Keerukk now knew his apprentice was stronger in the dark side of the Force.

Keerukk began to train Mayden harder and harder to go down the path of the Jedi.

Death
After a year of training Mayden, Keerukk had sensed his apprentice had grown stronger in the light side of the Force. Keerukk took Mayden to Naboo, once arriving there Keerukk and Mayden were informed that terroist had planted a bomb on the top story of a bank. Keerukk agreed that he would go in the bank and disable the bomb.

Keerukk and Mayden arrived at the bank and battled their way through the terrorist. Once they reached the top floor of the bank, Keerukk began to approach the large bomb to disarm it. Suddenly, Mayden drew his lightsaber on him. Keerukk demanded what Mayden was doing as he drew his own lightsaber. Mayden informed Keerukk he had his own plans for the new Jedi Order and that he found the dark side the true path of the Force. The two clashed sabers, but before they could duel anymore the bomb went off, engulfing them both in flames and debris.

During the blast, Keerukk's entire lower half was blown off along with his right arm, and left eye. His lightsaber had been melted into his left hand. Mayden has lost both his legs and his left arm, most of his face had been melted off, and he had been impaled on a metal rod. RSF troops marched in to the debris covered room, and rescued Mayden and Keerukk.

Keerukk and Mayden were rushed to be operated on. Robotic limbs were replaced for the limbs that had been lost on the two. Keerukk's hand which his lightsaber had melted onto had to be removed and replace with prosthetic hand. During his stay in the hospital, Keerukk lost his will to live and died peacefully in his sleep.

After recovering, Mayden took Keerukk's body back to Kashyyyk. There, Mayden and Raashakka buried Keerukk upon the hill where Keerukk used to go and stargaze. After Raashakka had left, Mayden apologized to his deceased master for turning to the dark side. Mayden ignited his own lightsaber through his heart, feeling it was the only way to have his master forgive him.

Keerukk died in 2 ABY

His final words were: "There is still hope."

Appearance
Keerukk was mostly brown, but across his back, head, and chest he had streaks of white fur.