Power is a gift and gifts should be used. If using my gift makes me evil, so be it.
—Pretentieux
Pretentieux was a male Treme who was sent to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant to train in the ways of a Jedi. It was there that he was bestowed with the cognomen Ieux by his classmates. He was trained to be a Jedi historian under the great Hestroge. Ieux would be knighted the day his master tragically died on Ryloth. Vowing to continue his master's legacy, Ieux took on his own padawan, a Human woman by the name of Shrayle Vellstar.
Pretentieux and Shrayle became close of the course of her training. He began to become very affectionate toward his apprentice, to the point of romance. However, the Jedi Code forbid marriage. Therefore Ieux grew a disdain for the strict Jedi laws. He believed that all being should choose their own set of laws and make decisions for themselves. Pretentieux began teaching this doctrine to Shrayle and anyone else who would listen. Before long he had gained a following.
After many heated debates with the Jedi Council Ieux resigned from the Jedi Order and took his apprentices with him. He and his followers then created the Du Vranga Gata. With this new authority and power, Pretentieux began studying the ways of both the Jedi and Sith. He gain immense knowledge of the ways of the Force and used it to strengthen his power. After the Senate gave the Jedi permission to arrest him, Ieux turned to the Underworld Coalition for help. He took a seat on the Brethrens' Court and expanded the Gata's illegal profits. However, looking for further gain, he impeached Fodor and proclaimed himself Overlord of the Underworld. He would keep that title until Muggera assassinated him in 32 BBY.
Biography[]
Training[]
Like most Jedi, Pretentieux was taken from his homeworld at birth and sent to Coruscant for training. He was founded to be skilled in the ways of the Force and was given to Hestroge for training. Ieux took a special interest in the history of the Jedi Order. Under his master's council, he would spend hours in the Jedi library studying the past. Pretentieux also studied the art of combat. Rather than using the traditional Jedi lightsaber, Iuex opted for the more distinguished Vibrosword. By 63 BBY Hestroge believed Iuex was ready to accept the title of Jedi Knight. However, that same day Hestroge was killed by thugs. The loss of his mentor had a deep impact on young Pretentieux. He even refused to come to his own promotion ceremony. When he finally accepted his new rank he vowed to keep his master's legacy alive.
Living the Legecy[]
Shrayle Vellstar, Pretentieux's first apprentice
A few year later Ieux was promoted again to the rank of master and took on his own apprentice, Shrayle Vellstar. She was chosen from about seven candidates, because Pretentieux felt a strong connection to her. However, he later wondered if the connect was caused by the Force or his own personal desires. Either way Shrayle began her training with him. Pretentieux diligently taught Shrayle all he knew. But some members of the Council feared that he was teaching her the doctrine of Hestroge rather than the ways of the Force. Despite the Council's concerns, Ieux was determined to bestow all his master had taught him onto his own pupil. He was a compelling teacher and great mentor. Vellstar soaked in all that her master said.
Pretentiex and Shrayle's first assignment together involve uncovering the location of large-scale crimelord, Fodor. The two of them would spend the next few weeks in a small starship together, traveling the Galaxy in search of the Hutt. The trip brought them loser together as they witness many wonderful things with each other. When their hunt lead them to Nal Hutta Pretentiex relized that he was in love with his padawan. However, he decided to put aside his feelings until after their mission was complete.
After interrogating a local bar tender the two Jedi concluded that Fodor was staked out in a hotel. When they arrived at the hotel they were given a less-than-warm-welcome. Thugs ambushed Ieux and his apprentice. Though the mercenaries were easily destroyed Fodor had escaped. The Jedi followed the Hutt into a large basement which served as his organization's headquarters. When Pretentieux and Shrayle entered the vault they were ambushed yet again. A Wookiee bounty hunter met them. He launched a time bomb at the two Jedi. Ieux jumped clear of the explosive. But the blast knocked Shrayle down the endless cavern. In a burst of rage Pretentieux launched himself at the bounty hunter. Dodging the blaster bolts from the murderer's bowcaster, the Jedi cut off the Wookiee's arm. His bloodlust still unquenched, the Theme plunged his weapon into his enemy's chest.
After he killed the assassin, Pretentieux's mind cleared and he sensed that his padawan was still alive. Driven by this knowledge, he descended into the caves. After an encounter with a rancor, he found Shrayle. When they returned to the surface Pretentieux confessed his feelings for Shrayle. And, to his delight, discovered that the feeling was mutual.
Acting on Selfish Impulse[]
Compelled by their new found interest in each, Pretentieux and Shrayle endeavored to deepen their relationship. Under the nose of the Jedi Council, they began grow even closer. However, their emotions clouded their common sense and they were discovered. Shrayle was told that she could not continue her training with her master and the Council threatened to expel Ieux. With a hearing scheduled, he wanted to get back at the Jedi leaders. The historian gathered all who would listen and began telling them of the Jedi's misdeeds. He criticized the strict, formal Jedi law and spoke of his belief that all people should distinguish right and wrong of his or her self.
These blasphemes gave the Council certainty in their decision to expel Ieux. Unwilling to face the shame of being remove, he resigned from the Order. So that they could marry, Shrayle too left the Jedi Order. Likewise many other padawans were moved by Pretentiex's compelling words. They agreed to join with him and form a new order. With a wife and a following, Pretentieux found himself a leadership position. Many former Jedi agreed with his doctrine of free-will. Pretentieux took his followers to the planet Ord Grango where he created the Du Vranga Gata.
Ieux taught the padawans in both the ways of the Force, as he saw it, and in lightsaber combat. He also found that he more support. On the planet, the natives were under constant attack from the semi-sentient Kull. They willing gave Pretentieux power over them, in exchange for his protection. However, the Jedi were not pleased with Pretentieux's rebellion. Fearing that the Jedi would try and destroy his sect, Pretentieux sought outside aid. When the government turned him down he began to look at more unorthodox allies. One such ally was the Underworld Coalition. The Coalition boasted in being able to protect its members from any foe. This was exactly what the Du Vranga Gata needed.
Creating an Empire[]
I am rising above all the Jedi. Soon all of those stubborn dogs will bow before me.
—Pretentieux
Another major problem which came Pretentieux's way was that of finances. The Gata was growing and it did not have the funds to support itself. Once again, Ieux turned to the Underworld. His criminal comrades had many ways of getting many. He used his connection to a local drug lord to answer his problem. The Gata leader would have his underlings harvest the weed on Ord Grango and sell it to the Coalition dealers.
Pretentieux found that these sells not only financed the DVG but also made him quite wealthy. Soon he was living in a large palace and was constantly attending the Brethrens' Court, hoping to make even more money off of the Coalition. Though this made him very wealthy it also put him at odds with some of the more conservative members of the Gata. One of the younger Gata announced that he was going to leave the order, because of Ieux's criminal actions. Offended by his, Pretentiex attacked the young man. The learner fought back, but was no match for his master's experience. In a matter of moments the traitor was killed. To set an example to the others, Pretentieux threw the body into the kull pit. After the attempted coup, Pretentieux became paranoid that other members of the DVG would rebel against him. When the Grata were first formed, Ieux had established a system of ranks and titles modeled after that of the Jedi Order. To achieve the rank of master one had to complete a set of trials. Soon after the youngling tried to leave the order, Pretentieux announced that to gain the rank of master one had to survived for a set among of time in the kull's lair, without any weapon but the Force. This ensured that all of Ieux's threats would be killed off. Though the move did secure his leadership role, it made him even more enemies among his followers.
Fateful Duel[]
No will will defy me! Especially my wife.
—Pretentieux
Ieux duels his lover.
Even Shrayle seemed to question Iuex's motives. When she confronted Pretentieux he took offense. In his rage, he shot a beam of Force lightning at her. Shrayle deflected the blow with her lightsaber and sent them back at her husband. This spurred Pretentieux into an even greater anger. He drew his weapon and attack his wife. Shrayle fought back and the two engaged in bitter combat. After their duel led them to a Gata temple, Shrayle realized that she didn't want to fight her mentor. She threw her lightsaber to the ground and begged for Pretentieux to do the same.
But Pretentieux was not moved. He said that she had to be punished for her treason. But when he prepared to slay Shrayle he found that he couldn't. Therefore he banished his wife into Ord Granga's fierce jungles. Days later, Ieux felt a disturbance in the Force, which he interpreted to be Shrayle's death.
Rising to the Top[]
A cunning mind.
Pretentieux attempted to push the thought of his wife's death out of his mind. Instead he concentrated on making his mark on the Galaxy. His chance came when long time Overlord and founder of the Coalition failed to prevent a large shipment of smuggled goods to fall into the hands of Republic authorities. Ieux used this excuse to bring up a motion to impeach Fodor.
The other Court members, also hoping to gain the disgraced Hutt's throne, voted in favor of the proposal. However, Pretentieux's next objective was harder to accomplish. He had to convince the power-hungry Brethren to make him their ruler. When the next gathering was help, Ieux treated his fellow crimelords with the drug rextiod. The drug soon corrupted his cohort's minds. In their impressionable state the Court agreed to make Pretentieux overlord. When the crimelords awoke from their induced slumber, they were shocked to discover their actions. At once, the delegates demanded a recount. Unwilling to let his power be taken from him, Pretentiuex killed several of the Brethren and exiled those who survived.
With control of the Underwolrd, Pretentieux revolutionized the Coalition. He turned the loose collection of criminal organizations into a powerful empire. By raising tribute Ieux increased his power and held onto this power by enlisting the Bounty Hunter Guild. Because of these measures Pretentieux would rule the Underworld for more than a decade.
Endgame[]
Pretentiuex was not the only greedy crimelord in the Galaxy, and many others had their eyes on his throne. Muggera the Hutt was one of these people. Unlike other would-be successors Muggera did not openly confront Ieux. Rather, he invited him to his home, which was customary for Pretentieux's cohorts. The Overlord occupied the Hutt's home for three days. During the course his stay Muggera bought a kull from Ieux. On the last day of Pretentiuex's stay, Muggera challenged him to game of sabacc. As the game progressed the Hutt made a risky gamble. He bet Pretentiuex's criminal empire against his, the winner getting both.
Slyly, Ieux used his Force powers to defeat his rival. He gloated over Muggera by seating himself upon the humble Hutt's throne. However, as he sat a trap door was activated and Pretentieux found himself at the mercy of the beast he had given Muggera the day before.
Postmortem[]
After his death, Pretentieux was virtually forgotten. His criminal empire pasted from the hands of one crimelord to another over the course of the next few years. However, he still left a mark upon the Galaxy. His rebellion against Jedi Council would fuel anti-Jedi feelings and prompt future insurrections. His mark of the crime world was more evident. Ieux's manner of conducting illegal business served as benchmark for later Overlords.
Personality and Traits[]
Pretentieux
Pretentieux was defined by his arrogant and stuck-up ways. He viewed himself as superior, both mentally and in the ways of the Force. Moreover, he was compelled to display his power for all to see.
After forming the Du Vranga Gata, Ieux became paranoid and untrusting. This distrust caused him to execute many of his former allies, including his wife. His affection for Shrayle, prior to his turn to the dark side does appear to be genuine. However, his fear that she would betray him movitated Pretentieux to banish her.