... and now, for news from the frontlines near Javin; Separatist forces have attempted a renewed invasion of the Ethereal Sector, but fleet admiral Valdayn has routed them near Luncaris. His first officer, captain Aren Entir, tells us the admiral will soon force the droid armies from the sector...
—A HoloNet News broadcast covering Arius Valdayn's victory in the Second Battle of Luncaris
Arius Valdayn was a Ethereal Human male born on Luctanem in 42 BBY. He was a military officer through most of his life, first serving in the Republic Navy and achieving the rank of fleet admiral, then continuing to serve in the Imperial Navy until shortly after the Battle of Yavin, when he defected to the Alliance Navy. He continued to serve with them until not long after the Thrawn campaign, at which point he, Tharan Attix, Althea Saerlys, Kara Keldrick and Talen Antarus came together to restore the Ethereal Empire, which shortly thereafter became an ally of the New Republic following the death of the Ethereal Emperor.
Biography[]
Early Life and Family[]
Arius Valdayn was born on Luctanem to king Atlus Valdayn and his wife, queen-consort Miraea Eredanus, as the heir to House Valdayn, which had ruled Luctanem for millennia and, following what seemed to be the ends of the bloodlines of their cousins who ruled the other systems in the Ethereal Sector, effectively the entire sector. Unknown to the general public, Arius was born with a twin sister, Atheria, whose identity was concealed under the guise of being Arius' orphaned cousin, Atheria Zoral. This deception was created for the safety of both children as well as for the monarchy, due to the belief that if anything happened to Arius, Atheria's true identity could be revealed and she could inherit the kingdom. However, the deception also had an unintended side-effect; unlike her twin brother, Atheria was born with intense connection to the Force.
Because his sister's identity was to be kept completely secret, Arius grew up with her, rather than her joining the Jedi Order. However, due to the Valdayn family's history as the leaders of the Ethereal Empire's Astral Defenders, both children grew up learning to control and master what abilities they had. Arius' were, until some time after the Clone Wars, extremely limited. His sister's, however, were wildly impressive. It was through her advice, inspired by visions of the future, that Arius aspired to join the Republic Navy War College on Anaxes, where he rapidly became one of the best students of the retired admiral, Thrar Sargon.