Kobal Xallin

Kobal 'Koba' Stallin was a male Human Officer of the Imperial Military, Emperor's Royal Guard and, following training in the dark side of the Force, he became a ferocious Sith Lord and Jedi hunter. On becoming a Dark Jedi, Stallin is also known to have been a shadowy-figure in an ancient secret Sith cult that was later discovered to be known as the Dark Knights of Korriban.

Early life (19 BBY–3 BBY)
"I will have him prepared for the University and then I can wash my hands of the boy." Hira Vellona Born the only child to Andis Stallin, a Director of Operations in the Santhe Corporation, and Dalegne Moonchild, daughter of an aristocratic politician. It was through his mother that he acquired the Force. When he was around 6 years old both parents were killed when their luxury transporter ship collided with a Republican vessel leaving him an orphan. As a result he moved to Coruscant and spent the remainder of his childhood with his only living relative, Hira Vellona, an unfavourable Aunt. Hira, a bitter widow, was Andis’ elder sister and disliked his wife, Koba’s mother. Some speculated that she probably feared Dalegne's ability of the force but others have argued that she was merely Force-sensitive. Hira nevertheless continued in this vain showing utter disdain for the boy and his 'hidden talents'.

Entry
"Without conflict, life has no meaning. Without overcoming adversity, life has no purpose..." Extract from Koba Stallin's Diary At 16 years of age he dropped out of prep school (for the University of Coruscant), the only thing keeping him there was the School Cadet Corps. Dedicated to serve and fight for Emperor and Empire, despite being too young, he provided forged identification documents showing he was 18 and applied to join the Imperial Military. Achieving a very high score in the entrance examination and physical tests, he was accepted into the prestigious ‘Imperial Military Academy of Carida’.

Campus romance to tragedy
"She had the audacity to steal my heart and now the nerve to return it broken." Extract from Koba Stallin's Diary During the first-term at the Academy, young and immature, he met and fell in love with an unknown female cadet following a short-term, clandestine love affair that she broke off. She cited the demands of the military curriculum and the effects the affair was having on her studies only to have a fling with Stallin’s best friend, to his fury. Shortly after, during an unarmed combat lesson, he was paired to spar with this friend during which his friend was killed. It was never concluded whether the death was accidental or through an act of rage. Nevertheless it came to the attention of the Emperor, who personally addressed and briefly spoke to Stallin during the Academy's annual celebration parade celebrating the anniversary of the Galactic Empire.

Officer Cadet Stallin
"I can foresee you becoming a valuable weapon to the Empire, young Stallin." Emperor Palpatine to Officer Cadet Stalin Stallin spent his first term at the Academy learning basic training and field exercises of the Imperial Stormtrooper Corps, moving to tactics and basic flight before finishing at the Storm Commando School. His personal record is partially complete leading some to believe certain documents have been intentionally removed or destroyed. What little reports that do remain note that he was an all-round sportsman, showing exemplary sword fighting and unarmed combat skills. As a keen student, he excelled in History and Languages. Serving only two of the four terms, he graduated early commissioned as a Lieutenant into the Imperial Marines unbeknown to the cadets and minor staff.

Imperial Royal Guard Academy
During his time on Carida, Stallin was consistently within the top-third of every subject, achieving the top marks in some areas. Such was his physical strength and mental determination, that he was handpicked to attend the Imperial Royal Guard Academy on Yinchorr. Here, he spent a gruelling year training to become one of the Emperor’s Royal Guardsman. For twelve months he honed his pilot skills flying Royal Guard TIE Interceptors and fine tuned his unarmed combat with techniques such as the Echani art. Already a cunning swordsman and vicious combatant, combined with his rudimentary grasp of the Force, he immediately caught the attentions of the training and selection staff. Stallin was tested and selected to undergo additional training as a Sovereign Protector. It is here that he began his dark side training.

501st Legion


To gain combat experience Stallin volunteered and fought with the 501st Legion, 'Vader's Fist'. Seeing service onboard the Star Destroyer Devastator, he took part in first-hand fighting against the Rebel Alliance. He headed a platoon during the infamous attack on Tantive IV that dealt a crushing blow to the rebellion and led to the capture of Princess Leia Organa. In the continuous galaxy-wide search for the Death Star plans that fell into rebel hands, he again lead his platoon co-ordinating searches on the planet Tatooine. He finished his attachment serving as a Forward Observation Officer with a Reconnaissance Platoon on Yavin IV and when he left to take up his post as an Emperor's Royal Guard, he was decorated and promoted to the rank of Captain.

Sovereign Protector


In service as an Imperial Sovereign Protector, Stallin was posted as a guard in various locations throughout the Galactic Empire. It is known that he stood guard at the Emperor's Citadel, which is considered to be a very prestigious posting amongst fellow guardsmen. He also personally protected the Emperor Palpatine himself in the Emperor's favourite throne room at the Imperial Palace on Coruscant, an ultimate honour and a very proud occasion. It is a true indication of either how talented Stallin was or how favourably considered he was by Palpatine to carry out these duties. Stallin was also an Emperor's Shadow Guard, meaning he was skilled in the use of the lightsaber pike as well as the force pike. This would explain why he was used to carry out several missions individually or as part of a small group at the orders of the Emperor. This would also explain his various roles and locations during the Galactic Civil War and tie in with his military training and experience.

Storm Commando
On the discovery of the rebel base, Echo, on Hoth; Stallin was sent on detachment from the Emperor’s Shadow Guard. Utilizing his combat knowledge and experience he led a six-man Storm Commando Special Operations unit. The unit consisted of two Bombtroopers, a Signaller and two Snipers. The unit's purpose was threefold. Immediately, they were to set up an observation post and monitor enemy size, activity and location. Secondly, to establish and maintain radio contact and relay all military intelligence back to Ops HQ. Lastly, they were to wait until reinforcements arrived and join the attack on the rebel positions. During the attack, the demolition troopers detonated explosives installed in key areas and the snipers picked off rebel leaders and officers. Following the successful return of all men and the completion of this operation, Stallin was again decorated and promoted to the rank of Major.

Dark Jedi
Stallin commenced training in the dark side of the Force after being recruited as an Imperial Sovereign Protector.

Sith Lord
Information is again sketchy, but Stallin did take on at least one apprentice. As a servant to the Knights of Korriban he never wrote down the secrets revealed to him. It is possible he held information within his holocron but until it is discovered it is a matter on conjecture.

Imperial Knight of Darkness
"Death, gives life purpose. Yet, the secret to immortality gives life meaning..." Extract from discovered scrolls curiously similar to an entry in Koba Stallin's Diary As Stallin did not begin his dark side training until at least 1 BBY he could only have been initiated into the Knights of Korriban brotherhood after this time.

Personality and traits
It has been noted throught his life that he was extremely aggressive and violent. Despite being brought into the world by loving parents, he was an awkward child, disobedient and ill-behaved. Little wonder he endured a stern upbringing. Once orphaned, he became the product of a cold, loveless childhood. As an only child he was well cared and provided for and enjoyed a wealthy upbringing. This attracted jealousy and confrontation on many occasions. Never experiencing true friendship throughout his school years he became a loner and self-interested. He made friends through mutual interests but never allowed personal feelings or personalities affect his judgment. From the beginning, his Aunt, Hira Vellona, instilled into him a self-reliance based upon individuality, labour and resourcefulness. Disillusioned with friends and teachers who did not seek understanding, power or gain, he became attracted to the discipline and power of the Imperial Military might. This spurred him into forging his details and joining, though some have suggested it was to escape his Aunt. This theory has some worth as news of her death arrived he did not seek leave from the Academy and continued with his studies.

Attracted to self-discipline and power he was only ever going to serve the Galactic Empire and study the dark side of the Force. He believed in service and obedience to the Empire, and secretly believed in blind loyalty to the position of Emperor but not necessarily the Emperor personally. It was a matter of convenience that Emperor Palpatine, although highly intelligent, was hugely successful in wiping out the Jedi Order and creating the Empire. As he became more and more a Sith Lord, his loyalty to Emperor and Empire gradually combined with a desire to gain power and more power. Nevertheless he became obsessed with the mystical dark arts and a devoted servant to the cult of which he was a member.

On leaving the Academy he ceased to show his face in high society circles choosing a quiet life to pursue other avenues. Stallin did not shy away from public altogether, still keeping his Aunt's home on Coruscant. Most of his time was in service of the Empire whether in Stormtrooper uniform, or that of the Emperor's Royal Guard. When not on active duty he was training in the dark side. He tended to wear a hooded cloak of the Dark Jedi and this coincides with his initiation into a secret Sith cult. It is during the occult rituals of this order that he becomes influenced by or introduced to, the mysterious so-called, 'powers of night and darkness', and in particular the 'light of darkness'.

Powers and abilities
Stallin was a master strategist and quick-thinking tactician. An experienced mind and hand at close quarter combat and attacking a superior force with inferior numbers. He was a skilled swordsman, his hand-to-hand fighting was fearsome and a marksman from his Academy days. Decisive, confident and at times, ruthless, he was a natural leader and soldier.

Lightsaber
Although an able swordsman, Stallin was not a dedicated proponent of the lightsaber. He was also fully versed in the use of the force pike and lightsaber pike from his experiences as one of the Emperor's Royal Guard. Just as the Jedi Order believed the lightsaber was a noble weapon, Stallin believed the Force to be a noble, ruthless and powerful weapon. A weapon only few could master and a weapon even less could defeat.

Stallin was a practitioner of the slightly amended Form IV: Ataru with elements of Sokan added. He favoured this style as it was swift and powerful allowing a fury of attacks to hail down onto the opponent keeping them on the defence. As a result of this style, he constructed his lightsaber with a long narrow hilt. The hilt was a black alloy with large, polished silver alloy grips. This allowed good grip during combat but the dark effect also allowed for easier concealment. The crimson 'bloodshine' blade was created by synthetic lightsaber crystals providing ease and creating a more powerful blade. As customary for the Sith, Stallin channelled his hatred for the Jedi during the forging process, binding it with the dark side allowing greater potency.

Behind the scenes

 * To tie in with his military training and presence in certain battles, Stallin's year of birth is 19 BBY. By coincidence this is also the year of the Jedi purge and the births of Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa.
 * His forname Koba is pronounced Ko (as in coke) ba (as in ccuba). Kobal is pronounced Ko (as in coke) bal (as in barley).
 * His surname Stallin is pronounced 'Sta (as in stack) -llin (as in Lin''da) and said as if saying 'To Lynne'.