Pooja Naberrie Lydonia was a Human female from the planet Naboo. Born to the famous Naberrie family in 26 BBY, she was the daughter of Sola Naberrie and her husband, Darred Janren, as well as the niece of the famed Naboovian Queen, Padmé Amidala. Like her aunt, Pooja took an interest in politics at an early age. When she chose to enter the political arena, she assumed the name Lydonia as her name of state.
Pooja served Naboo in various positions until the age of sixteen, when Queen Kylantha appointed her as the Senator of Naboo and the Chommell sector, the very same position Pooja's aunt had held until her death. Pooja held the Senate seat until the dissolution of the Imperial Senate in 0 BBY. Amidst great controversy, she and her people fled Imperial Center and returned to Naboo. After her return, she was instrumental in the efforts to provide relief to the Alderaanians after the destruction of their homeworld, taking in two orphans herself.
She retired from politics for several years, living quietly in the Lake Country until she was recalled to service after the fall of the Empire. The new king appointed Pooja to be their representative in the New Republic Senate on Coruscant, where she was reunited with her close friend, Leia Organa.
Biography[]
Early life[]
During her childhood, Pooja lived with her parents and sister, Ryoo, in the capital city of Theed. Her earliest memories included the sporadic visits of her aunt, Padmé Amidala, as well as her Jedi protector, Anakin Skywalker. She also recalled her aunt's mysterious death and funeral, especially its effect on the family afterward.
Much of her childhood was spent at the Royal Academy of Theed, where Pooja focused on the political sciences. During her time there, she met a younger student, Madlyn, and served as her Student Mentor. The two became close and their friendship continued over the years. Upon her graduation from the Academy, Pooja declared her adoption of the name Lydonia as her name of state. At age twelve, she was elected Governor of the Lake Country. Two years later, Pooja followed her governorship with a term as Princess of Theed. Many considered her as a possible candidate for Queen, but Pooja refused the nomination and instead threw her support behind her friend from the Academy, Madlyn Kylantha.
A year later in 10 BBY, Pooja's term as Princess of Theed came to an end. However, instead of retiring, she accepted Queen Kylantha's appointment of her as the Senator of Naboo and the Chommell sector. Along with her Chief of Security, Captain Welck Peoly, her three handmaidens, Niaé, Meliaé, and Amarié, and her guards, she lived almost exclusively on Imperial Center. Her trips home to Naboo were almost always marred by tragedy, dealing with the deaths of her Naberrie grandparents.
Imperial Senator[]
While on Imperial Center, Pooja came under the wing of Bail Organa, the Senator of Alderaan and a former friend of her aunt, Padmé Amidala. She joined him on the Emergency Relief Committee, where the two grew close as mentor and protégé as they and the other senators on the committee struggled to bring some measure of assistance to the increasingly-hungry citizens of the Empire.
Another friend Pooja obtained during her time as Senator was Corr Lassiter, who eventually replaced Bail Organa as Chairman of the Emergency Relief Committee. He shared their desires to help the people, as well as their frustration in the face of the apathy shown by their fellow Senators. Unfortunately, Pooja also came under the attentions of Major Scrye Pavish, a member of Emperor Palpatine's staff. She was never certain if his attentions were romantic in nature or if he simply wished to watch her at the behest of his master.
In 1 BBY, Bail announced his intention to retire his seat and appoint his only child, Leia Organa, to his place within the Senate. Pooja was wary of this course at first, given Leia's lack of true experience, but quickly came to see the younger woman's political acumen and began to see her as a friend. Naturally, a year later, Pooja was quite concerned with Leia's intention to obtain a vital piece of information for the Senate, especially since Pooja was very much aware of her colleague's Rebel sympathies.
Responding to Leia's concerns, Pooja assigned her handmaidens and Captain Peoly to various tasks that would later save her life as well as uncover a great Imperial conspiracy. Soon after, Emperor Palpatine shocked the galaxy by dissolving the Imperial Senate. Warned by friends of the danger she was in, Pooja assembled her people and escaped the Palace under heavy blaster-fire. Along with many other senators, the Naboovian delegation came under fire in orbit. Pooja's ships escaped, but only because of the sacrifice of her friend, Corr Lassiter, who intercepted a fatal shot meant for one of the Naboovian ships.
Return to Naboo[]
Upon her return to Naboo, Pooja immediately reported to Queen Kylantha, her court, and Moff Panaka of the circumstances that had led her to flee Imperial Center. Soon after, the news of Alderaan's destruction reached Naboo. In the chaos that followed, Pooja discovered the source of the Death Star's mysterious funding. All roads led to the Emperor, which proved to be the final straw. With Panaka's cooperation, Pooja and Queen Kylantha devised a plan to slowly pull the Chommell sector away from the centralized workings of the Empire, taking advantage of the chaotic mess left by the Rebel Alliance.
Another project that Pooja immersed herself in was the relocation of the Alderaanian survivors. Naboo and several other worlds had loosened their immigration laws to allow the survivors to settle on their worlds if they so wished. Pooja herself took in two orphaned children, a girl, Altaira, and a boy, Bren.
Retirement[]
In the aftermath of the destruction of the Death Star, Pooja chose to step down from active political service. She took Altaira and Bren with her to the Lake Country, where they settled into Naberrie family home, Varykino. Pooja stayed out of politics, hoping to avoid any agents that Palpatine might send after her. However, her non-interference did not spare Pooja a midnight visit from Darth Vader, though he did not harm her or her wards.
During this period of retirement, Pooja also began working on her memoirs, detailing the events of her political career and especially her time as an Imperial Senator. She chose not to publish her work at that time, but she continued to work on them throughout the years.
Four years after her retirement, Pooja's ward Altaira entered the Royal Academy. Soon after, the Battle of Endor occurred. The Chommell sector remained largely unaffected, but events began to move rapidly. After the New Republic took possession of the Imperial capital, Kylantha announced her intention to step down from the throne. An election was called, and the Naboo elected their first King since King Veruna, a young man named Talesin.
Recalled to service[]
After the election, the new King visited Pooja at Varykino. He requested that she once again take up the mantle of Senator, instead serving Naboo in the New Republic Senate. Though conflicted about returning to politics, Pooja agreed after a great deal of discussion with her family.
In 5 ABY, Pooja returned to Coruscant. She was met by the New Republic's Vice-Chancellor, her old colleague, Leia Organa. The two women resumed their friendship, and Pooja was introduced to Leia's fiancé, Han Solo, and Leia's brother, Luke Skywalker.
Behind the scenes[]
Pooja Naberrie Lydonia was inspired in part by her own aunt, Padmé Amidala, as well as the desire to see how differently Pooja reacted to circumstances than how Amidala would have reacted.
Pooja's appearance resembles Sophie Marceau as she appeared in the movie Braveheart.
Appearances[]
- Rebel Choice (First appearance)