Drakin Arkrunner

"Drakin, no matter what you do, try not to upset the locals."

- Master Panok Reggim Drakin Arkrunner, born Drakin Fharlos, was a male Nautolan Jedi knight during the waning days of the Galactic Republic. The most well-known apprentice of Jedi Master Panok Reggim, Drakin fell to the dark side during the galaxy spanning clone wars, seeing the Jedi as hypocritical and corrupt. He joined Dooku’s dark acolytes aided in intelligence gathering against the Republic before he was discovered by his former master. Afterwards, Drakin fled to Serenno to join the rest of the Acolytes such as Sora Bulq and Tol Skorr. During a chase with his old master, Drakin lured Reggim to Saleucami where the two engaged in a duel which would cost the fallen Jedi his life.

Early Life & Joining the Jedi
"name's Drakin and I'm gonna be the most powerful Jedi ever!"

- A young Drakin Arkrunner Drakin Fharlos was born in 47 BBY on the planet of Glee Anslem. He was orphaned just after his birth and he was later adopted by human colonists on world. When he was 1, he was discovered as force sensitive by Jedi Knight Kit Fisto and taken to Coruscant to join the Jedi Order. With this, Drakin was raised at the Jedi Temple and grew up among his peers within the Jedi Academy. When he rose to the appropriate age and skill, he attended his Gathering on Ilum where he achieved a green Kyber Crystal he would use to construct his lightsaber. Drakin continued to rise in skill het met Jedi Knight Panok Reggim with whom he was initially very conflicted with. Still, Reggim was encouraged to take the young Nautolan as his apprentice and the two went on a mission to New Cov in order to settle a land dispute. The mission went off perfectly and Reggim took Drakin as his apprentice, continuing the Jedi’s training as a Padawan learner.

Reggim's Apprentice
"It's like a world of its own..."

- Drakin upon seeing Odestralee

Under the tutelage of Reggim, Drakin was brought to many different planets on a variety of missions one of which he joined his master on a mission to his homeworld of Odestria. During the visit he attended the coronation of Traxus Kopan III, aiding in the prevention of his assassination by radical Sevian nationalists.

Mission to Byskatri
"Friendly place..."

- Drakin's reaction to the Byskatran separatists. His time with Reggim also took him to the Outer Rim world of Byskatri during the separatist crisis of 24 BBY. During this time, he and his master examined the resurgence of the Red Hand, a former Terrorist organization now focused on a new image and message of Pro-Byskatran nationalism. The hand sought to send a message by instigating mass anti-government protests against rising Republic taxes and trade deals, arguing that the Trade Federation’s higher taxes on Byskatran goods were due to Republic interference in trade deals.

When Reggim and Arkrunner arrived, they were met with hostility from the protesters, who saw their arrival as Minister-President Remula’s attempt to quash a peaceful protest. After making their way to the government quarter and meeting up with Remula, he tasked the two Jedi with negotiating with the Red Hand’s leader, Argus del-Krav. The meeting was set up and the two Jedi were on their way to meet Krav. During this time however, it appeared that del-Krav’s meeting was a trap and the shuttle carrying the two jedi was shot down over the Bemgos Jungle. While the two Jedi survived, it was clear that their mission on Byskatri would not be a simple one.

Panok and Drakin made their way through the Jungle, facing a swarm of poisonous Korr beetles and an encounter with the massive Bestarr beast. At a loss for what to do, the two split up in order to cover more ground and potentially find shelter. While Drakin has managed to come into contact with a small tribe of locals, who aided the Nautolan Padawan in finding del-Krav’s compound. The two Jedi successfully met back up and found themselves well on their way to del-Krav’s compound. When they arrived, del-Krav personally welcomed them in, only to make an attempt on their life and subsequently arrest the two Jedi. He planned on framing them for an assassination attempt on his own life, thus riling up the public against the Republic and the Jedi. However, the two managed to escape and arrest del-Krav, forcing him to admit to his plans for the planet and lead to the end of the Byskatran separatist movement, for the moment anyways.

Promotion
"By the right of the Council, by the will of the Force. Drakin Arkrunner, dub thee I do... Jedi.... Knight of the Republic."

- Master upon knighting Drakin.

Following the event on Byskatri, Drakin was sent to do his Jedi Trials, being forced to remain on Coruscant while his master travelled to Odestria for a task. After Reggim returned, Drakin’s ability in the trials was partially overseen by his master as well as fellow Nautolan Jedi Master Kit Fisto. Drakin fought hard to pass his trials, exemplifying his skill and using the abilities and tactics instill within him by his master to pass the trials. When he finished, Reggim put forward his name to ascend to a Jedi Knight. Reggim attended his knighting ceremony and in 22 BBY, Drakin Arkrunner was promoted to the rank of Jedi Knight.

The Clone Wars
At the outbreak of the Clone Wars, Drakin remained at the Jedi Temple during the First Battle of Geonosis. After the formal declaration of war, Drakin reported to the Jedi Council and was given the rank of Jedi Commander and later General. He was assigned to the 187th Armored Rangers, joining along with his Jedi Master Panok Reggim in the fight against the Seperatists. During the early years of the conflict, Drakin became known as a brilliant tactician and commander, often leading his troops with tact and skill. This was on display when he led Reggim’s fleet during the Battle of Borgo Prime, successfully leading Reggim’s force to victory when the Jedi General was absent and saving Master Tessania.

Fall to the Dark Side
"I am what the Jedi have become in reality."

- Drakin upon explaining his reasons for falling to the Dark Side. As the War continued, Drakin’s faith in the Jedi Order began to waver. The young knight began to suffer from premonitions of the fall of the Order due to the War. He began to enjoy the violence of the conflict and became fed up with the Jedi hypocrisy and ignorance to their own misgivings during the war. He started to think that the Jedi had become nothing but killers employed by a corrupt Republic which was on its deathbed. From here, Drakin secretly fell to the dark side, travelling with his master to Odestria in order to aid in the separatist crisis there. Drakin feigned having to leave early during the mission and towards the end of the event, he assassinated the perpetrator and main conspirator Darius Vrosev.

As Panok began to become more suspicious, Drakin attempted to mislead the Jedi Master by attempting to frame his Admiral, Jerek Guderian with the crime. However, when it was revealed that the assassination was committed by a force sensitive, Drakin knew that it was inevitable he would duel his master. He attempted to stall this by creating a red herring with an escape pod and engaging the Vanguard, Reggim’s flagship, in a Level 6 lockdown. However, after a bit of a hassle, the two would eventually come to blows on Dantooine.

Duel on Dantooine
"Why... why would you betray the Republic, the Jedi, ME?! "I doubt you'd understand Master... the Jedi, the Republic... they aren't what they once were. The Jedi have become hypocrites, no longer peacekeepers, you're warriors who claim to abhor violence." "That's because we do!" "Only a Jedi will claim to abhor violence while cutting down an army. Don't you see? The Order is finished, by wars end it will be absorbed by the Republic or be destroyed." "So you'd join Dooku...?" "No... I'm simply casting away the false pretense of pacifism, I AM what the Jedi are in reality."

- Drakin and Panok before their duel.

Both Jedi made their way down to the surface of Dantooine, with Reggim believing that the traitor had escaped in the pod. When the two found the escape pod, Drakin suggested that they split up and search different places. Panok agreed and the two separated for the final time. Drakin took the time to prepare as he knew it wouldn’t be long before his old master discovered the truth. When Reggim learned the truth, he could feel it through the force. He waited by a nearby river and when Panok happened upon him he stood ready to duel. Upon being questioned by his old master, Drakin explained his reasons, citing the corruption of both the Jedi and the Republic as his reasons for betraying him. He stated that he was the very personification of what the war was turning the Jedi into. With that, the two men squared off, ready to fight.

Drakin made the first move, attacking Panok with his vicious Form VII assault. His speed and unpredictability caught Panok off guard and his strong slashes of Form V where largely ineffective at first. All seemed lost until Panok realized that Drakin was getting tired too quickly, his quick, vicious attacks were taking their toll on his endurance and so, Panok attacked with equal ferocity. The Panasian used his size and strength to his advantage, pushing Drakin back, catching him off guard and slicing off two of his head tendrils. The master seemingly had Drakin in a corner until an enemy shuttle blasted their battlefield, separating Panok and his fallen, former apprentice. Drakin jumped up on to the shuttle, mocking his master’s weakness as he withdrew. In response, Panok tossed his lightsaber at Drakin in a fierce saber throw. The fallen Nautolan was caught off-guard and managed to redirect the saber in such a way in which it cut through and severed his left leg.

After this, Drakin managed to escape, getting in contact with Dooku and joining his Dark Acolytes, serving out the rest of the Clone Wars as one of Dooku’s minions.

Battle of Byskatri
"This battle was a test, I wanted to see if the Jedi and the Republic really wanted to get rid of me. Turns out, I'm so important that they want me removed from action."

- Commander Drakin Arkrunner. Before long, Drakin had become a renowned commander within the Separatist army. His knowledge of Republic tactics and plans made him a wonderful asset, especially when the Republic invaded Byskatri after its annexation by the CIS. Little did Drakin know that the Republic battle plan on world was to capture or neutralize him in order to prevent further leaks in information. When the Republic happened upon him, he fled, smashing through their lines and making a hasty exit to one of his ships. Drakin managed to lure Panok’s force to Boz Pity, making it seem as though he would make a final stand there. However, he lured Panok into a trap and when his lone flagship entered the system, it was damaged by the Separatist fleet and crashed on world. From here, Drakin managed to fleet back to the Separatist heartland, avoided capture for a bit longer.

Defeat and Death
"...Eh heh... turns out I was right.... all the Jedi can do to win now is... is... to just commit more violent acts...I.. I win..... maste..r..."

- Drakin's final words.

Early in 19 BBY, Drakin send Panok an encrypted holofrequency to challenge him to a final fight on Seleucami. During this time, the planet was under siege as part of the Outer Rim Sieges. He knew Panok wouldn’t pass up the opportunity and so when his old master arrived alone, he was there waiting for him. While Panok would try to convince Drakin on his wrongdoings yet again, the Nautolan would simply ignore him and he charged his former master. The two clashed in a vicious duel, one which seemed to go on similar to their first fight on Dantooine. Drakin’s speed using Juyo and Ataru seemed to outpace Panok’s slower and heavier handed Djem So. Unlike last time however, Drakin seemed to no be wearing himself out. In fact, it seemed that in his anger the constant fighting seemed to make him stronger. All seemed lost until Krayt Squadron made a surprise attack on their position, causing Drakin to fall off balance and allowing for Panok to seize the opportunity. With Drakin caught off balance, Panok started to push forward, redirecting the Nautolan’s attacks and pushing him back to a nearby ridge. Panok managed to put some distance between them but in his rage, Drakin flew forward at him, causing Panok to twirl and deflect his attack. Seizing the new opening, Panok swung his blade forward, catching Drakin in the back and cutting up the length of his body. The blow likely severed the Nautolan’s spine as he crumpled over soon after. Unable to move and on the verge of death, Panok took him in his arms, remorseful for the fact that he had to kill his first apprentice. Drakin seemed unapologetic, bringing up the fact that Panok had to resort to killing him in order to succeed. After giving him a final smirk, Drakin Arkrunner died, leading his old master to give him a short Jedi funeral and depart Saleucami.

Personality and Traits
"Don't talk to be about dogma... I was a Jedi for years, I know all about it."

- Drakin Arkrunner. Drakin was a gifted Jedi gifted with an even more colourful personality. The Nautolan was not short on wit, something which he would use to continuously challenge his stoic master Panok Reggim. He was often seen as brash and arrogant by his fellow students at the Coruscant Jedi Academy and often by his master as well. Regardless, he was compassionate and believed that the Jedi’s place was to provide the Galaxy with peace and security and not act as a military. After being promoted to a Jedi Knight, Drakin became much more reserved and quieter. Unlike his master, he did not take part in the Battle of Geonosis, electing to stay behind on Coruscant to guard the Jedi Temple. When the Clone Wars broke out, Drakin was given the rank of Jedi General within the Grand Army of the Republic and served alongside Master Reggim in the 137th Armored Rangers. During his time in war, Drakin proved himself as a tactful commander and leader, applying his lessons from Reggim to the battlefield.

As the war dragged on however, Drakin began to change. His tactics began to get a lot more aggressive and brutal and his casualty count began to increase dramatically. When it was revealed that he had been working as a Separatist spy, he cast aside his false persona and revealed his true colours as a bloodthirsty fallen Jedi, tainted by the Dark Side. As a Dark Acolyte, Drakin was sadistic and cruel, taking pride in the suffering he brought to his enemies on the battlefield. When he was finally cut down by his old master on Seleucami, he was unapologetic, believing in his view of the corrupt Jedi Order until the very end.

Powers and Abilities
As a Jedi Guardian like his master, Drakin was a tactful and skilled swordsman. He was a practitioner of Form IV Ataru, the most acrobatic and physically demanding lightsaber form. This was done in an effort to break away from the slow, aggressive nature displayed by his master’s overspecialization in Form V. Still, despite his preference for Ataru, his apprenticeship under Reggim allowed for Drakin to understand the fundamentals of Shien, using it over the dueling variant Djem So.

Drakin’s skill with Ataru proved to be both a benefit and a curse when he joined Dooku’s Dark Acolytes. His duels with his former master proved how much of an edge a quick nimble fighter could have against a slower more aggressive swordsman like Panok. Still, despite his initial advantage, Drakin would succumb to the weakness of Ataru, the physical burden it had on one’s body. In both instances, his style would overexert him, resulting in his defeat and eventual death.

Drakin’s lightsaber contained two crystals employing a bifurcating cyclical-ignition pulse that allowed the blade to operate underwater. He did this to aid in more aquatic missions as well as to display solidarity with fellow Nautolan Jedi Kit Fisto.

In terms of Force potential, Drakin had learned how to use the force in order to use basic augmentation such as Force Speed and force jump. Additionally, he could deliver force pushes and pulls. He was skilled in telekinesis and learned how to conduct a Saberthrow thanks to his tutelage under Reggim.

Behind the Scenes
Drakin was a character developed by the author’s friend in elementary school. Like Panok, the character had started out as a stand-in for existing Star Wars characters, in this case the character was Anakin Skywalker. During school, the two would play out the final climactic duel between their characters similar to that of the final duel between Obi Wan and Darth Vader on Mustafar. After the author moved away and lost contact with this friend, he adopted Drakin into the new continuity he developed, ensuring to include the character’s fall to the Dark Side, albeit at a earlier date.