Jerek Odres

"They say that when you are a Jedi, you have an easy life. However 'they' have never actually been a Jedi."

- Jerek Odres reflecting

Jerek Odres was a Human Jedi Padawan involved in the Hutt Wars during the Kymoodon Era in SWRP canon. Jerek was born in 12,998 BBY on the planet Coruscant. At age four he was taken away to be trained by the Jedi Order after being found to be Force sensitive. Once there, he trained for eight years until age 12 where he was further trained by Zabrak Jedi Master Retwinarr Kerosca. During the eight years he picked up a crush on Valena Cross. Retwinarr trained Jerek in the ways of Soresu and had him incorporate something from all the existing styles into it. One of the trials that Retwinarr put Jerek through took place on Kashyyyk, in which Jerek made great improvement. When Jerek Odres was 20 years old, Retwinarr was killed when they both were led into a trap by a Darksider. Retwinarr was stabbed through the stomach, however Jerek was able to kill the darksider. Jerek gave his master's possessions, save his lightsaber, a on the Great Jedi Temple on the planet Ossus. Two weeks later he got to meet his newest master on his home planet of Coruscant. At first Jerek was quite nervous, but eventually he was able to pull through.

Early Life
"Well I actually had quite a boring history, but if you really want to talk about it..."

- Jerek Odres

Jerek Odres was born on the planet Coruscant, in a small city on the east side of the planet. He had white hair and light blue eyes, which many saw to be a sign that he was force sensitive. Even though they had raised young Odres for four years, he was found to be force sensitive, and taken to the Jedi Temple on Ossus. After becoming a Youngling, he studied with the other children for eight years. During which he caught the eye of a Zabrak Jedi ; known as Master Retwinarr Kerosca. Little did young Odres know, was that Master Kerosca was one of the toughest and oldest masters. It was very difficult for the Padawan to keep up with his master's standards. Even going as far as to learn Soresu to keep up his defenses. During this time, he was beginning to have romantic feelings for a woman in the Jedi. She was, at the time, a Padawan. Her name was Valena Cross. The love was unrequited and Jerek knew the risks of falling in love as a Jedi; so he payed it no mind.

Kashyyyk Training
"Size is relative master."

- Jerek Odres to Master Retwinarr Kerosca

In the year 12,982 BBY, Jerek Odres and Master Retwinarr Kerosca got into a horrible situation that ended up with them crash landing on the planet Kashyyyk. From there Jerek Odres was trained until the Jedi Order could possible get them off of the planet. During the time they were there, Retwinarr put Jerek through three tests. Jerek and his master did a sparring match for the "Heart Of the Blade" trial. The next one was what gained Jerek his lightsaber. Jerek was sent into a force sensitive cave forced to battle through surrounding Kinrath. At one point he was trapped in the cave by a giant boulder. This made the Padawan have to utilize telekinesis on a much higher level. Not only this but his knowledge of the force also flourished. Jerek Odres learned to control his fear, and learned that size is relative to a Jedi. The lightsaber that Jerek constructed in the force sensitive cave was purple with a and  crystal. It had a relatively unique design that was made specifically for Jerek's lightsaber form. After the creation of the lightsaber, he descended into the Shadowlands for a trial of survival. Jerek Odres was to find edible and useful plants, and find a fresh water spring. While doing this, he faced a in the Shadowlands, and used the added leverage of his force jump to slice down the creature's back; killing it.

Death of Master Retwinarr Kerosca
"You killed my master! I won't let you get away with this."

- Jerek Odres to the Darksider who murdered Retwinarr Kerosca

Once the trial was over, Jerek Odres and Master Retwinarr Kerosca were rescued by the republic scouts. Four years after they were back at the temple, Master Kerosca was called to a meeting with a high political figure. By decision, Master Kerosca took his Padawan with him so that Jerek could get some hands on diplomacy experience. The meeting was to take place in a large office room, presumably the politician. However it turned out to be a trap in which a devotee of the darkside descended upon them on arrival. It was clear that the darksider however was only there for Retwinarr. Master Retwinarr Kerosca did not want to risk his Padawan to true darkside just yet. Jerek Odres was force pushed and locked out of the room. He could only watch from a near-by window parallel to the windows of the office as his master was killed in cold blood. A large burst of force energy pushed through the locked door of the office. Jerek Odres confronted the devotee of the darkside. Using his highly defensive skills, Jerek was able to block a lot of the shots, until he was almost thrown out of a window. Literally hanging on a ledge, he used the force to jump a great height back up to the window. Through a weakness in the darksider's lightsaber style, Jerek was able to strike him down.

Grievance and Replacement Master
"Goodbye Master... May the force be with you."

- Jerek Odres at his master's funeral

Back at the temple, Jerek Odres gave his master's objects, save the lightsaber, a Jedi Funeral. Master Retwinarr Kerosca had already become one with the force and his corpse was gone. Jerek mourned the lost of his master for two weeks. It was at this time, that his feelings for Valena were starting to resurface, and even meeting a new acquaintance named Hiroke Kouta. Jerek's resolve was weakened with the death of his master. As a result he began to look upon her from afar when ever she was around. He was captured by her beauty and found it difficult to concentrate with her near. Unknown to him, was that Valena's heart was captured by a Bogan; which was even more forbidden than what Jerek had for Valena. Soon he gained a new master who turned out to be a Jedi Knight. His newest master is going to be finishing Jerek Odres' training to be a Jedi Knight. They are currently assigned to each other, but have not formally met or trained together. To Jerek's surprise however, he ended up being trained by two different Jedi knights. One of them was a Cathar named Bahadur Kodaji Riyaz. The other was also a Cathar named Jamall Mohatu. To further surprise, Samanya Mohatu also joined up as a fellow student of Jerek's; Cathar as well. It was safe to say that Jerek was feeling quite overwhelmed by the number of Cathars surrounding him. However he quickly got comfortable with them as they were welcoming.

Personality and traits
"You are very serious my Padawan. Perhaps we will use that to our advantage."

- Master Retwinarr Kerosca

During the time Jerek Odres spent at the Jedi Temple, he was known as serious, forward-looking, and level-headed. No one generally liked Odres very much due to his seriousness gained by his past. He is not too uplifting in attitude however he does not drown in his past. Happily he looks to the future to see perhaps a better life style as a Jedi. He has developed the onset of a Jedi's early mindset because of his eight years at the temple. The fear of using emotion, and fear of the darkside itself is starting to fade. This human is beginning to use his emotions to his advantage instead of being devoid of them. He has overcome size limitation when it comes to telekinesis, thanks to his experience making a lightsaber. Jerek has a hunter complex deriving from his love and excitement for a chase. This is displayed in his trial of survival and even the will to live was increased. When the situation demands it, he can be quite aggressive. In his aggression he did a larger than usual force jump and killed a at the same time. However, normally he is quite calm as he places himself in the eye of a storm. His Soresu form is what keeps him in a quiet demeanor. Secretly, he is in love with Valena Cross, a Jedi Knight who is relatively the same age as him. These feelings have strengthened with the detachment of his Master. The love is unrequited however, and Jerek has not found out that she is in love with a Bogan. Jerek even showed an honorable side during his duel with Hiroke Kouta in which even after losing his vibroblades, Jerek gave them back to Kouta to continue the duel. To the recently met Mohatu twins, he was quite formal. Jerek Odres seems to have a large sense of protectiveness as seen when one of his friends is seemingly hurt. Samanya was knocked down during a training exercise to which Jerek ran over to make sure she was alright.

Valena Cross
"My unrequited love... I don't even think she knows I exist."

- Jerek Odres watching Valena Cross from afar

Valena Cross was a Human Jedi Knight who is the current master of Jerek. Although she is a Jedi Knight, she is the same age as Jerek Odres. For all intensive purposes, Jerek and Valena are equals except on somethings in which Jerek is superior. Unknown to Valena, Jerek has a love for her. However, unknown to Jerek, Valena is in love with a Bogan who is the son of the Grand Master of the Jedi.

Retwinarr Kerosca
"You have caught the eye of Jedi Master Retwinarr Kerosca. You have my condolences."

- A Jedi Instructor to Jerek Odres

Retwinarr Kerosca was the original Jedi Master of Jerek Odres. Although generally tough and hard on Jerek Odres, they got along and eventually formed a father-son bond. Retwinarr Kerosca shaped the very personality of Jerek into a formal, Jedi tone. Jerek Odres was absolutely crushed when Retwinarr Kerosca was killed.

Hiroke Kouta
"So what do they call you big guy? Unless you prefer 'big guy'."

- Hiroke Kouta getting to know Jerek

Hiroke Kouta was an Echani seeking entrance into the Jedi Enclave on Alderaan in which Jerek gave him directions. After sparring and getting to know each other, they did not part on good terms. They are acquaintances.

Jamall Mohatu
"The Force, sis. The Force"

- Jamall Mohatu explaining how Jerek is floating

Jamall Mohatu was one of the Jedi Knights to train Jerek Odres after Retwinarr Kerosca. They first met on Jerek's home planet of Coruscant with Jamall's twin sister Samanya coming along as well. They have a respectful master-apprentice relationship.

Samanya Mohatu
"...How is he doing tha..."

- Samanya Mohatu in response to Jerek's floating meditation

Samanya Mohatu is a fellow student of Jerek Odres and five minute older, twin sister, of Jamall Mohatu. She met Jerek Odres at the exact time Jamall did. They haven't really gotten to know each other, but Jerek respects her just the same. They have opened up a friendly dialogue, and already informally addressing each other as friends, even if Jerek still remains formal when appropriate.

Lightsaber training
"Believe me my Padawan, your training will consist of heavy defensive practice."

- Master Retwinarr Kerosca

Although just a Padawan, his skills match that of a Jedi Knight. Jerek Odres has been heavily trained in the use of. Jerek Odres has mastered the basics, intermediate, and advanced abilities of Form III. Due to him being ambidextrous, he can wield his lightsaber in both hands, as well as two lightsabers equally. Taking advantage of his ambidexterity, he has even incorporated some Jar'Kai into his lightsaber style whenever it was applicable. Jerek has demonstrated his ability to manipulate his lightsaber's off switch to great effect. When facing opponents armed with ranged blasters, he incorporates Shien into this style by trying to reflect blasters to their source, albeit unknowingly. There is even signs of aggression from Form IV's Ataru, which may signal him wanting to learn it in the future. In Jerek's early training with Master Retwinarr Kerosca, he had to always be on guard for his master was aggressive. Retwinarr put Jerek through much rigorous training to incorporate some of the forms' most valuable techniques. Specifically, He was trained in Shii-Cho's trapping, Makashi's dueling eccentric precision, Ataru's aggression and acrobatics, Shien's blaster reflection, Djem So's brute strength use, and Juyo's erratic strikes. Truthfully, Retwinarr was one of the order's most rigorous trainers. Jerek Odres possess the physical capabilities for the more aggressive and offensive forms, but Retwinarr saw that without proper training, Jerek would be predictably slow and and easily defeated. Due to his lightsaber training he now has more dexterity than regular humans. With the Qixoni crystal within his lightsaber, he can cut through things easier. With the Damind crystal within his lightsaber, he has a longer and wider blade. With a longer and wider blade, Jerek finds it easier to deflect blaster fire.

Force powers
"Although you are only a Padawan, your potential is unlimited, and your progress amazing."

- Master Retwinarr Kerosca

Jerek Odres has a very powerful connection to the force, performing almost all of his force powers at the same power as most Jedi Knights, and fewer powers at the rank of some Jedi Masters. Jerek is able to perform great feats of acrobatics with the use of Force Jump. He has demonstrated the ability to jump a length of over 145 meters. He has even fallen from a height of 23 feet with no damage to him physically. Perhaps the most impressive display of the force come from his telekinesis skills. Jerek Odres has the telekinetic capabilities to lift an object that is equal to the weight of 15,000 pounds. The reason for this is that his lightsaber contains a Qixoni crystal that strengthens his connection to the force among other things. In combination with his training, the crystal improves his abilities while Jerek is in the presence of it. On Kashyyyk Jerek lifted a boulder that was over a metric ton.

Known Force Abilities

 * Control
 * Force Sense
 * Alter
 * Force Sense
 * Alter
 * Alter
 * Alter
 * Alter
 * Alter
 * Alter
 * Alter

Other abilities
During his time on Kashyyyk for training, he was taught basic survival skills. He learned how to locate food, water, defend himself against viscous animals, and set up a shelter. This was all hands-on training and very difficult if you are sixteen. He is even capable of fluently speaking, understanding, and writing and. Jerek can speak Zabraki due to this being his former master's tongue.

Behind the scenes
"While you think he is overpowered, look at Nathaniel Kenobi Solo and tell me they are even remotely equal."

- Joseph Pokakaa in response to Mary Sue claims over Jerek Odres

Jerek Odres was created by writer, and role player Joseph Kamaka Pokakaa IV. Joseph has expressed great enthusiasm in playing a generally unique character. Originally Jerek Odres was a twelve year old Draethos named Okarr Kerr who was a Rogue Jedi of the Rowrakruk. Due to the inactivity of a member of the site in which this character was used, Okarr Kerr was effectively trapped. Joseph then got the permission to change into a human and retain trained abilities. This sparked a brief fight between the moderators of the Jedi Order due to lack of communications. The character has garnered some criticism of being overpowered in the number of force powers he has for a Padawan. However Joseph has long since silenced this by explaining the situation of how these powers were accumulated, and by generally ignoring comments on such.

In real life, Sreeya (the creator of Valena) and Joseph Pokakaa(creator of Jerek Odres) are friends. Also, the creator of Jamall and Samanya Mohatu is actually a moderator who is friends with Joseph Pokakaa, as well as the creator of Kouta.

Perhaps the most ironic trait of Jerek is that his lightsaber style is Form III: Soresu. It is ironic because Joseph hasn't gotten along with his father in the past, but still decided to make Jerek's lightsaber style Form III as dedication to his father, Joseph Kamaka Pokakaa III.

Originally, Jerek also knew Force Lightning, Force Repulse, Telepathy, Force Cloak, and Force Concealment, but those were changed due to the intervention of the moderators of the Jedi Order.

Jedi Master Retwinarr Kerosca is a name combination of past characters that Joseph Pokakaa had. Okarr Kerr, the original Jerek Odres; and Vosca Retwin, a Felucian Jedi who fell into disuse.

Aevis Santoro was going to be Jerek's new master after Retwinarr. This was changed to Valena Cross to add some interest to the relationship. However it was then changed back to Aevis Santoro due to schedule conflicts. Once again it was changed to an entirely knew Jedi Knight character due to Santoro being unavailable.

If ever animated, Joseph Pokakaa has expressed that he would like James Earl Jones to voice Jerek for laughs.

Appearances

 * Joining the Order (SWRP)
 * Home Planet Training

Non-Canon Appearances

 * Serendipity (SWRP)
 * Self Teaching Force Throw (SWRP)
 * Last Minute Changes (SWRP)
 * Aevis Santoro Trains Jerek Odres (SWRP)

Notes and references

 * Hutt Wars SWRP
 * Jedi Padawan
 * Coruscant
 * Jedi Padawan
 * Coruscant
 * Jedi Padawan
 * Coruscant