Mikhos ((pronounced /'Mi-khoʊs/)) was an albino Rodian slave who lived on the backwater world of Tyne's Horky as of 23 ABY. He was the grandson of Jannik the White. For unknown reasons, his blood possessed curative properties, and he was valued by the local population as a healer. Once word got out to the rest of the galaxy, Mikhos was seen as a precious commodity and he was placed in protective custody.
Biography[]
Messiah of Tyne's Horky[]
Born to spice-addicted parents, Mikhos was sold into slavery at an early age. He worked in the mines for about a year before being released by an unknown benefactor who confused his pale complexion for a long-forgotten local prophecy. The prophecy apparently had foretold that a "blue-eyed white ghost" would come to the mines and bring the inhabitants fortune and good health. The miners had seen albinos before, but none with the striking blue eyes that Mikhos possessed.
Being a ward of the state, Mikhos had no family connections. To pay off his parents' debt, he worked as an errand boy and mechanic, helping to maintain the mining equipment. He was forbidden to go in the mines without wearing protective gear as the locals were afraid that the silica dust would "contaminate his purity." Locals took advantage of Mikhos's welfare status and indulged their curiosities, finding that the young Rodian's blood indeed possessed medicinal properties. Mikhos became one of the most-guarded secrets on Tyne's Horky and the residents enjoyed many years of good health and prosperity.
Around 21 ABY, a journalist came to Tyne's Horky, looking to document the culture of isolated mining communities on remote planets. When inquiring about the healthcare practices, the journalist was told of Mikhos and was even permitted to meet him. Seemingly a happy, healthy young boy, Mikhos endured blood collections every few months, which was enough to sustain the small local population. The journalist recorded the findings and left the planet. Soon, the HoloNet headlines were ablaze with the news of "miracle cures on Tyne's Horky." Pharmaceutical companies and even juri juice breweries were lined up, demanding to know more. Before long, almost the entire galaxy wanted a piece of Mikhos.
Coveted Commodity[]
Mikhos running.
Ethics were put in question by several groups as everyone asked if the life of one child was worth more than the lives of the millions that could be saved. A juri juice brewery, not wanting to take any chances in missing out on this new commodity and planning to manufacture a line of homeopathic drinks, decided to take the first step. Looking to avoid suspicion, the brewery scouted the seediest of taverns, finding the lowest of the low in the form of a group of slacker bounty hunters. The hunters, Puroto Blu'zz and Lexi An'yettu, readily took the job, not entirely informed about what they agreed to do. The brewery preferred to keep the details to a minimum as they did not want personal morals to become involved. Simultaneously, a plan was put into action to send a group of Jedi to Tyne's Horky and put Mikhos into protective custody. This was to be Dareth Pan'dha's first mission to prove his worth as a padawan. Accompanied by his master, the Twi'lek Ric'ah T'rib, Dareth set out on the journey to the isolated Mid Rim world.
Mikhos was aware that he had gone from hometown messiah to secret ingredient practically overnight, but he did not know to what extent. The local residents did their best to keep him hidden without raising his suspicions. They did not want to stress him for fear that it may somehow change the chemical composition of his coveted blood. He continued to work as an errand boy right up until he was spotted in Doodnik's Cafe by the bounty hunters. Mikhos was quickly apprehended. It was then that the hunters realized what exactly they were hired to do and had a change of heart.
The hunters returned to their ship with Mikhos, finding the docking bay surrounded by Jedi. A brief firefight ensued and words were exchanged, an agreement reached. The hunters explained that they were planning to desert their employer as selling a young Rodian to a brewery was "sick beyond sick." The hunters offered to ferry Mikhos to Coruscant with the Jedi as their escort.
Relocation to Coruscant[]
Leaving the small-town comforts of Tyne's Horky behind, Mikhos embarked on a trip to the towering ferrocrete skylines of Coruscant. Upon his arrival, he was placed in protective custody, isolated from anyone who may have had connections to the many pharmaceutical companies chomping at the bit. A cover story was fabricated to satiate the press, saying that Mikhos was killed in a mining accident.
Mikhos was alive and well, however, living in the newly-refurbished Jedi Temple. He worked with Jedi healers to see if a synthetic compound could be produced that possessed the same curative properties as his blood. In his free time, Mikhos was still just like any other child, running wild and causing mischief.
Personality and traits[]
Mikhos was a happy young Rodian, despite the unusual set of circumstances he found himself mired in. Like most children, he preferred to play rather than work and exhibited natural curiosity about the world around him. He was an apt mechanic, that prowess developed when he was a slave on Tyne's Horky. His pale complexion was inherited from his grandfather, Jannik the White. Unlike Jannik, who was a true albino, Mikhos was a false albino. This form of albinism was what gave Mikhos the characteristic blue eyes. Since he had no pigmentation, he wore long-sleeved clothing and a broad, conical bamboo hat to protect his sensitive skin and eyes from the sun.
Mikhos spoke Basic with a moderate lisp in which "s" syllables were slurred, producing a "sh" sound. This was a common speech impediment among Basic-speaking Rodians, due to the structure of the mouth and palate. It was unknown if Mikhos possessed a degree of Force sensitivity. It was speculated that the Force played a role in his blood's strange medicinal properties, however nothing was found as the matter had not yet been investigated.
Behind the scenes[]
Mikhos was originally created some years back for a story that was never written. The author decided recently to reuse and rework the character's biography. Among the changes that were made was Mikhos's complexion. It was a recent decision to make him a false albino, with blue eyes as opposed to red. Another recent change was the mention of Mikhos being related to the albino Rodian Jannik the White. His homeworld was also changed from his original backstory; Mikhos was supposed to come from Rodia. The decision to have Mikhos live on Tyne's Horky was made in part due to the author's own disenchantment with the backwater feel of where she resides.
The name "Mikhos" is derived from both the Hebrew and Greek name of the same spelling. The Hebrew definition of the name is "gift from God," while the Greek definition is "who is like God." The name was selected for its meanings and "somewhat Rodian feel."
Mikhos's bamboo hat was designed by the author based on her own conical hat. The similarity to K'Kruhk's hat is a coincidence. The author just happens to like those hats.