Assayr

Assayr (//) was a male Keerzachi Centurion and Royal Guard of the Golden Empire.

Early life and Novitiate
Born on Yaellia in 119 ABY, Assayr lived with his family for seven years before his disconcertingly fast reflexes and uncannily accurate guesses finally drove his parents to contact a Praetor-Recruiter of the Order of Keltrayu. Assayr was accepted as a Novice of the Order and went to train aboard the Sith Star.

Assayr's naturally armored skin made him a natural for Var Shek, and he was one of the few Novices who felt comfortable sparring with Malyri and Kylaea Porén without protective gear. He opted to specialize in, and studied under both Eskol Kaartinen and Tesshen Manytrek. He earned a reputation as a friendly Novice who remained calm when fighting, although he did not hesitate to hit hard and strike without mercy. At some point he became friends with Vaiyani and Res-Tar-Khad.

Youthful service
Assayr was commissioned in 141 ABY and immediately took the field during the Tribulation. He served in the Vagaari War under the command of Tarse Medrego, although at least once he was rerouted to assist Aria Nikina in liberating a slave world.

After the wars, Assayr served in a variety of law enforcement and peacekeeping roles, many in the former which was slowly being absorbed by the Golden Empire. In recognition of his skill and courage, Queen Rin Sakaros appointed Assayr to her Royal Guard in 147 ABY. He served until 150 ABY—including a year along with Vaiyani—until he was succeeded by the Vos'elk'eetash, whom he helped train for the Guard.

Later life and last stand
Assayr went from trouble spot to trouble spot over the next few years, helping to police the border regions and often working alongside the Royal Corps of Gendarmes. In late 151 ABY, he married a fellow Keerzachi named Chicha, and they had a son, Firat, the next year.

Assayr took part in the Battle of Renthiv in 155 ABY, leading an attack on a heavily-fortified mountain stronghold. When the Garjo sallied out, Assayr volunteered to stay behind and hold them off to give the Empire time to gather reinforcements. He and fourteen Massassi stood against hundreds of surging Garjo, the Massassi sniping the attackers and Assayr deflecting their blasterfire. Eventually the Garjo charged, and Assayr and the remaining Massassi went to meet them. The Centurion cut down several of his attackers before a halberd rifle caught him in the arm and knocked his lightsaqber from his grasp. A second later, a Garjo impaled him from behind.

Legacy
Vos'elk'eetash descended on the Garjo before they could really regroup, slaughtering dozens and forcing the survivors into retreat. She collected Assayr's body and lightsaber, as well as the bodies of the Massassi, and returned them to Breek Zagrev. Assayr was interred in Keltrayu's Tomb on Keliso.

The Garjo, impressed by Assayr's courage, named Assayr's Gate for him.

Powers and abilities
Aside from the normal emphasis on and  from which all Centurions profited, Assayr had special skill with Soresu. He was able to stand against an onslaught of Garjo blasterfire without being struck, reflecting or deflecting every shot with his blade and falling only when he was swarmed by sheer numbers.

Appearance and personality
Assayr stood 1.88 meters tall and had the appearance of a trim build, like most Keerzachi. He had dark brown skin, with lighter myrtle green and brown carapace plates on his body, and ochre eyes. He carried a single, straight-hilt lightsaber with a red blade.

Most Centurions believed Assayr was friendly and good-natured, though they admitted that he was without hesitation or mercy in battle. He was sufficiently personable and inspiring that over a dozen Massassi warriors agreed to die alongside him rather than retreat. He was especially close with his sister Vaiyani, and was a loving and affectionate husband and father. Despite his close bonds with many friends, he did not hesitate to sacrifice himself so that the Royal Army could ultimately defeat the Garjo.