Solah Tark

Solah Tark was a / hybrid female Jedi Master who was assigned to care for a disabled  named Eniki Kwadwo during the last years of the Old Republic.

Biography
Born on to a Theelin father and a human mother, Solah was discovered within the first few months of life and taken to the  on  to begin her training. At age thirteen, she had not been accepted for training and was instead assigned to the. Solah was placed in the where she learned the necessary skills to care for the many younglings that were housed at the Jedi Temple. At times, her job was challenging, but she proved her dedication to her younglings. Her biggest challenge, however, was yet to come.

In 22 BBY, Solah was permanantly assigned as a minder to one youngling, a Rodian female named Eniki Kwadwo. Eniki was initiated for Jedi training shortly after birth and was deemed to be an otherwise healthy infant. Around two years of age, symptoms began to manifest of a severe developmental disability. With almost-nonexistant language skills, strange behavior, constant wandering, and no sense of danger, Eniki required constant supervision. This task was given to Solah. With the help of additional assisstants, a therapist, and a specialized routine, Solah put her training to the test with caring for Eniki.

Solah was instructed to keep Eniki away from the other healthy younglings, as her charge's disability was not well-understood, Caring for the young Rodian tested not only Solah's abilities as a child minder, but her faith in the  as well. Due to the severity of Eniki's disability, she was unable to receive the same amount of Jedi training that the other younglings did. Solah often wondered why the Force would allow such a thing; why a youngling would be strong in the Force and yet be handicapped so severely. It did not seem fair, as Eniki could not be returned to, as doing so would dishonor her family. However, she was not capable of learning the ways of the Force beyond basic training.

Solah sought counsel from, confiding in him her fears and doubts. She did not want to question her faith so, but caring for Eniki had opened her eyes to different perspectives. Since Eniki was not understood by the majority, other Masters and trainees pinned the blame for her behavior on Solah, viewing her as a weak and incapable Jedi. Eniki's uncontrolled tantrums were assumed to be caused by a lack of responsibility and disipline on Solah's part. Solah, however, was a diligent minder, doing everything within her power to care for and train Eniki and give her as equal a chance as the other younglings to reach her potential. The hard work shown through in the bond that Solah and Eniki shared. It was not to say, though, that the insensitivities of the other jedi did not hurt, as Solah would begin to question her abilities. Windu's guidance gave Solah a boost, but she still had to sort out her worries by herself.

Despite the difficulties, Solah swore to never give up on Eniki.

Personality and traits
Solah Tark was a loving individual who devoted herself to Eniki Kwadwo's care. A member of the Jedi Service Corps, Solah did not recieve the individualized training that padawans did, and as a result, she was not as deeply embroiled in the Force as most Masters. In dealing with Eniki's disability, Solah often found herself questioning her abilities and faith. She was counselled by Mace Windu to help her deal with the insensitivities and intolerance from other Jedi who were not as well-informed about Eniki. Despite the almost daily assault of snide remarks and condescending looks, Solah was dedicated to Eniki, doing everything within her power to give the young Rodian as equal a chance as the healthy younglings.

Behind the scenes
Solah Tark's name is a reference to the character Sola and the Thark tribe of green Martians from Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom novels.