Ephir Raltharan

Ephir Raltharan was a male Basca military officer from Vytuia. Eschewing service in the Royal Army of the Golden Empire, he instead became commander-in-chief of Vytuia's defense force. He was the younger brother of Centurion Sato Raltharan.

Early life
Ephir was born in 84 ABY, three years after his elder brother Sato. The brothers were fairly close growing up; while they rarely saw one another at school, they shared a duty-minded, focused attitude. Ephir always suspected their was something special about his brother, although it would be decades before he could put a name to it. Their father, Miyak Raltharan, was a distinguished noble and accomplished military commander himself, and expected both his sons to follow in his footsteps. Sato deferred his enrollment in a military academy to join the Noble Order of the Pyriolari, but Ephir took his own appointment as scheduled.

Sato spent four years among the Pyriolari, and consequently Ephir received his officer's commission first. While serving as company-level officers, the two kept up correspondence when they were stationed thousands of miles apart. Both fought in their home nation's military campaigns, and Ephir was decorated for both service and valor. Sato was Ephir's best man when the younger Basca married in 109 ABY.

Guarding the home front
In 110 ABY, Ephir had just received a captain's commission when the Golden Empire arrived at Vytuia. The Basca states united in deference to the new government, and Sato was taken as a Novice of the Order of Keltrayu. Though examined by the Order's Praetors, Ephir was informed he lacked.

At his father's encouragement, Ephir considered joining the Royal Army, but ultimately decided to stay on Vytuia. The planet's armed forces were being reconfigured into a planetary defense force, and with many experienced Basca joining the Royal Army, there were several opportunities for those who remained to advance. Ephir helped incorporate newly imported weapons technology in Vytuia's militia. Though disappointed at what he perceived as a lack of ambition, Miyak Raltharan nevertheless used his connections to help his son advance.

Miyak died in 133 ABY and, with Sato a Centurion, Ephir inherited his title and fortune, although he promised to give his brother his fair share should Sato even resign from the Order. The two kept in touch via the Royal HoloNet, and Sato visited Vytuia on occasion to see his brother, sister-in-law, and nieces and nephews—Ephir and his wife had five children. They also visited Sato while he was Consul of. Ephir met a number of Sato's fellow Centurions, but established an occasional correspondence with Te`net Organi.

Ephir was the last next-of-kin informed after the deaths of the Shest Minor Seven. Though he was heartsick to hear of his brother's death, he maintained a stoic attitude when Breek Zagrev informed him, and assured her that his brother would have considered death in battle an honor. Perceiving Breek's own grief, though she hid it well, he also added that he trusted her judgment and was proud of her for having won the Battle of Shest Minor. He was present at Keltrayu's Tomb on Keliso for his brother's interment.

Later years
By 145 ABY, Ephir had been made Colonel General of the Vytuia Defense Force—supreme commander of Vytuia's home guard and a personal staff member of the planet's Consul. He attended the wedding of Tariun Sakaros and Breek Zagrev at the end of that year, where he was able to interact with some Centurions who had known his brother well, including his friend Te`net.

Ephir served as Colonel General for four years before retiring for health reasons immediately after the Nightmare War; he had stayed on that long only to protect his homeworld if it came under attack. In 152 ABY, he suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. Despite being taken quickly to a, he died the next day.

Legacy
Colonel General Raltharan was given a funeral with full military honors, attended by the reigning Consul of Vytuia and the planetary Tribune, the Consuls under whom he had served, and Te`net Organi.

Ephir and his brother Sato were the subjects of the bestselling book Brothers in Arms: The Raltharan Story.

Appearance and personality
1.75 meters (5'9") in height and heavily muscled from a career in the military, Ephir had brown skin and dark brown eyes. He had the hardened ridges of flesh all Basca did; one swept down each of his cheeks and curved past the sides of his mouth to terminate at his chin.

Like his brother Sato, Ephir believed deeply in duty and loyalty. He was more attached to his homeworld and species than Sato was, and, in the absence of any Force talent, felt he could serve Vytuia best by protecting it directly. He was widely respected by his subordinates for his leadership and willingness to adapt old customs and strategies to suit new technology and conditions.

Ephir had a professional correspondence with a number of military officers of the Armada. He was fond of his brother and very close to his wife and children. While he respected his father, Ephir himself took a different approach with his own children; he taught them respect, duty, and commitment, but encouraged them to follow their own paths rather than the ones he thought best.