Briné Salmune

"The humans and Gunguns alike must mourn the loss of such a jewel."

- Vatié Bibble

Briné Salmune was the sixth royal handmaiden to Otoh Gunga from 24 BBY to her murder in 19 BBY at the hands of the Empire.

Early Life(49 BBY to 32 BBY)
Briné was born into one of the poorest areas of Naboo, on the shores of Lake Paonga. For her entire childhood she lived and slept in one room with her parents, and the three of them remained dependent on the waters to have enough to each. Her father occasionally poached on the lands nearby with richer owners, and Briné developed her own sense of right and wrong which would later cause her to clash with her richer fellow handmaidens.

Despite her povery, Briné was a happy, adventurous child, exploring the shores of the lake and often diving down to look for Gunguns, though she never found any. Her interest in Gunguns led her to become a powerful swimmer, and during certain years of her life she spent more time in the water than out. Her parents and neighbors also thought it wise to educate her about plantlore and medicine, and she showed something of a talent for it. This was noticed at school, and at age 13, she received a scholarship to travel to Theed and train as a doctor.

Unfortunately, due to Naboo's economic difficulties in 35 BBY, Briné's scholarship was cancelled after less than a year, and she was forced to drop out of school. For three more years, she worked odd jobs in Theed, and in 33 BBY applied to become a handmaiden. She was selected by Captain Panaka for Padmé Amidala due to her medical knowledge.

Handmaiden(32 BBY to 24 BBY)
Trouble erupted quickly in training between Briné and the aristocratic handmaidens, when she started stealing from them. Panaka gave her a stern talking-to, and she stopped, but remained angry, until young Moré Yelnina went out of her way to be friendly and understanding, and the two of them bonded. Moré had a fascination for Briné that went beyond friendship, but Briné kept a responsible distance from this due to the other girl's young age. She began training her as a medical assistant.

When the Trade Federation invaded Naboo, Briné was captured, but escaped, swimming down much of the Solleu River, and destroying Federation machinery set up to interfere with its currents. She was deeply grieved by the death of Moré early in the occupation, but after the battle was thrilled to meet the Gunguns at last, and soon won the affections of both Jar Jar Binks and Boss Nass. She continued to participate in communications between Theed and Otoh Gunga over the following years, until on Amidala's leaving office she was officially made Theed's ambassador there.

Ambassador to Otoh Gunga(24 BBY to 19 BBY)
As ambassador, Briné refused to change her name, but did accept the services of the handmaiden Lutié Rabierre, who accompanied her to Otoh Gunga. She spent most of the Clone Wars there, but made trips back to Theed every few months. During one such trip she fought in the Trade Federations Second Attack on Naboo. In the aftermath, she met and became romantically involved with Velé Undessta. They got engaged months before the end of war.

On the death of Amidala and the handmaidens' vengeance oath against the Emperor, Briné agreed with Ellé Okrest and Lané Votorina's belief that it was Panaka who had told him of her marriage to Anakin Skywalker, and that he was therefore partly responsible for her death. When the handmaidens condemned him as a traitor, she offered to poison him, and was the main instigator in their subsequent plot. As a result, it was she whom Rabé Excenil named to one of their foes the night before the poisoning was to be done, and she was murdered in her bed in the very early hours of the next morning. Velé was also killed.

Rabé was held responsible for her fellow handmaiden's death and was killed by Sabé Andierre. Briné was buried in the Handmaidens' Graveyard and was publically commerated by both Queen Apailana and Boss Nass.