Ranil Starwing

"I hate the Jedi and the Sith. I'm where I am now because of both Orders." —Ranil Starwing

Ranil Starwing was a Jedi exile during the Clone Wars and later a Jedi Knight by the time of the Great Jedi Purge. She was known for her prowess with twin lightsabers and for her mastery of the Ataru combat form.

After her brother, Varlas, was seduced by the dark side and killed, Ranil exacted revenge upon his enemies, which resulted in the murder of over twenty Onderon security personnel. When she returned to Coruscant, she was exiled from the Jedi Order by the High Council, though she managed to retain her dual blades.

Eleven years later, during the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker were sent to locate Ranil in an attempt to verify rumors that she was in close contact with Count Dooku. Those rumors were proved false, but it was discovered that Varlas Starwing had survived his supposed death and that he was aiding Dooku instead of his sister.

Early life
Born on the Core world of Corellia, Ranil was the second child of Veran and Shaela Starwing. Her brother, Varlas, had been born three years earlier and taken to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant not long after when he was identified as Force-sensitive. The trait seemed to run in the family, for when Ranil was around seven months old, Jedi Master Cin Drallig arrived on Corellia. He marked Ranil's potential almost immediately and, having gained her parents' consent, brought her to join her brother at the Temple.

Disturbing connection
"It can be very dangerous when two lifeforms are connected so strongly. Potentially lethal, in fact. There has been some evidence in the past that if one who possesses this Force-bond is killed, the other may also be destroyed as a result." —Ki-Adi-Mundi describing a Force-bond

It was very quickly realized by the Jedi Council that Ranil and Varlas possessed an unusual relationship, even for siblings. They maintained a Force-bond that may have been the result of early separation from their parents, creating a subconscious need for the comfort of family. The connection worried Council Members greatly because of its potentially life-threatening consequences. They agreed to monitor the Force-bond closely, but, as Mace Windu later admitted, they were not watching it closely enough.

Apprentice of Cin Drallig
Along with her brother, Ranil underwent standard initiate training under various masters until she was almost twelve. Though her Force capabilities were average, she showed much more promise in the field of physical combat and soon became known as one of the top students when it came to lightsaber skill. Cin Drallig, the very master who had brought her to the Temple, was noticeably impressed by this. He informed Council Members of his wish to take Ranil as his Padawan, and, after due consideration, the match was approved.