There are no victors in war, only survivors.
—Sanura Hotepshen
Sanura Netjeret Hotepshen was a female Pantoran politician who served as the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic from 3626 BBY to 3622 BBY, serving as the last chancellor before the Fall of Coruscant to the Galactic Commonwealth. Prior to being elected chancellor, Sanura served as senator of Pantora and the Sujimis sector. Elected Supreme Chancellor in 3626 BBY at the age of 20, she was one of the youngest chancellors in the Republic's history.
Born in 3645 BBY to Senkhara Hotepshen, matriarch of the Hotepshen family, a family active for centuries in Pantoran and Republic politics, Sanura lived a comfortable life as a member of one of the most influential and esteemed families of her homeworld. Although Force-sensitive, her parents refused to have their eldest daughter inducted into the Jedi Order. Sanura grew up with a younger brother, Anhur, and a younger sister, Ranara. At the age of 16, she was elected to represent her people in the Galactic Senate. In the Republic Chancery election of 3626 BBY, Sanura's mentor Vasara Tanis was one of those nominated to succeed Chancellor Johanna Hayledea, who decided to step down after one term. When after several rounds of voting a majority failed to elect a chancellor between the frontrunners, debate erupted in the Senate. Sanura gave a rousing speech in favor of peace with the Sith Empire, impressing many members of the Senate. After three more rounds of voting, Sanura was unexpectedly elected chancellor. She accepted the mandate to govern and set out to combat the economic crisis and decrease the increasing wealth disparity in the Republic.
After major social reforms and democratization efforts in the Sith Empire by Empress Liana Ascalia and Emperor Caspian Zavarai, Sanura came to believe that it was indeed possible for the Galactic Republic and Sith Empire to coexist peacefully. In 3624 BBY, she expressed her honest intent for peace with the Sith Empire to their leaders, much to the annoyance of many senators who considered peace with the empire to be impossible. With many in the Republic tired of seemingly endless war, the Galactic Senate and Sith Congress ratified the Treaty of Shili, establishing peace between the two galactic nations. Sanura also greatly raised the taxation rates for megacorporations and the wealthiest citizens, and established much-celebrated social welfare programs, which led to her being seen as a voice for the working class.
The galactic peace was short-lived however, as in 3622 BBY the Sith flagrantly violated the Treaty of Shili, by launching surprise attacks on the Republic capital of Coruscant and the Republic fleet at Anaxes. With the aid of an engineered hypergate generator, the Sith armada bypassed the hyperlane network and teleported right into the heart of the Republic. Caught completely by surprise, Coruscant was occupied by the Sith Empire and a large part of the Republic Fleet at Anaxes was almost completely obliterated. During the battle Sanura was confronted by the Sith Empress Liana in her own office, who taunted her for her naive idealism that had led the Republic to its downfall. Before Liana could imprison her she was rescued by Jedi Grand Master Satele Shan. Shortly after, under duress, the Galactic Senate elected Liana Ascalia as the Republic's Supreme Chancellor, who then declared the Republic dissolved and the dawn of a new era: the age of the Galactic Commonwealth.
With large parts of its fleet obliterated, the Republic and most of the galaxy was conquered by the Galactic Commonwealth within a year. Sanura blamed her naivety and youthful idealism for causing the Republic's fall, which many people in the galaxy seemed to agree with. Her four year tenure as chancellor left a divided legacy on the Republic in the following decades. Some considered Sanura a working class-hero who fought for the rights of the less fortunate and the minorities and a victim of circumstance, nobly believing that people could change, a believer in peace with the eternal enemies of the Republic. Many others considered her an incompetent populist who had allowed the enemy to exploit her naive idealism, which led the Republic to ruin.
By the time of Ruusan Reformation, Sanura's chancellorship was almost universally viewed negatively, with most historians considering her one of the worst Supreme Chancellors in the entire history of the Galactic Republic. Despite this, a few historians argue that Sanura did not lead the Republic to its doom, but was a victim of circumstance, arguing that it was almost impossible to predict that the Sith would strike at the Republic's heart by means of esoteric technology. The overwhelming majority of historians; however, harshly criticize her shortsighted obsession with peace and view her as the leading cause of the Republic's fall.
Biography[]
Childhood and early life[]
Pantora, the planet where Sanura was born and grew up
Sanura Netjeret Hotepshen was born on 9 Sarbator 3646 BBY in the Iset National Hospital of Pantora's capital Ahenkuro as the first child of Senkhara Hotepshen, an assemblywoman in the Pantoran Assembly and Nefertem Shohet, a famous actor. Sanura, like all female members of her family, was given the honorific middle name of Netjeret, meaning divine.
Sanura grew up in the outskirts of Ahenkuro and lived in her family's mansion where she lived in luxury, as her family was very wealthy. In 3636 BBY, when she was five years old, Sanura's younger brother Anhur was born. A year later, at the age of six, Sanura displayed Force-sensitivity when she levitated a glass which had fallen from a table. The family was subsequently visited by a Jedi Master who asked for permission to take Sanura to Tython to be trained as a Jedi. Her parents, however, immediately refused to allow their eldest daughter and presumptive heir to the family's legacy to be taken away.
In Divini 3640 BBY, Sanura began attending Kuruwa Primary School. There she received primary education and befriended some students such as Jina Adowa, who would eventually become her best friend. Sanura proved to be a diligent and eager student, and received excellent grades throughout her primary school years. In 3638 BBY, when Sanura was eight years old, her parents agreed to let her brother Anhur, who had displayed signs of Force-sensitivity, to be taken away by the Jedi to be trained as a Jedi. Sanura strongly disagreed with this decision and tried to change her parents' mind, but was unsuccessful. Despite the loss of her brother, Sanura continued to perform well in her studies. After completing her fourth year, due to her nearly perfect grades and outstanding performance, Sanura was advanced to grade six, skipping grade five entirely.
In 3637 BBY, when Sanura was nine years old, her younger sister Ranara was born. In 3634 BBY, when she was 10 years old, Sanura transferred to Kuruwa High School. At this school, Sanura continued her education and again proved an exemplary student. At the end of her second grade of high school, thanks to her outstanding prestations, Sanura was advanced to year four. From her fifth year, Sanura developed an interest in politics and governance, and she began considering a career in politics in the future. It was also in this year that Sanura developed a crush on her classmate Jonah Kasani. During the final months of the school year, Sanura confessed her feelings to Jonah, and the two started a romantic relationship.
In her senior year, Sanura developed an even greater fascination in politics and governance, and began to seriously consider running for office at some point in the future. Her boyfriend Jonah supported her in these efforts. In her senior year, Sanura made sure to enjoy her final year as a student, she often went to parties and went on excursions to various locations with her boyfriend Jonah and her best friend Jina. At the same time, Sanura made sure to study diligently and do all her homework, which ensured her grades remained outstanding. When her senior year came to an end, Sanura emerged as her year's valedictorian, and she gave a speech at the graduation ceremony. At the prom which followed after, Sanura attended with Jonah and Jina, along with several other friends.
During the summer vacation, Sanura and Jonah went on a vacation to the Core Worlds. The two first visited Coruscant, where Sanura was impressed with the vastness of Galactic City and its monumental architecture. They also visited many landmarks such as the Palace of the Senate, the Palace of the Republic, the Galactic Library and the Jedi Temple. After visiting Coruscant for a week, Sanura and Jonah continued their vacation on Spira, where they enjoyed relaxing on a beach resort. Afterwards the two also made stops at Alsakan and Zarashtra, before returning to their homeworld Pantora.
Just a week after the two arrived back on Pantora, Senator Urma Radaan of the Sujimis sector announced her retirement. Soon after the media began speculating on possible contenders for the senatorship of the sector. Jonah briefly floated the suggestion of Sanura running for senator, which she quickly dismissed as unrealistic given her extremely young age and inexperience. However, when Sanura joked to her mother Senkhara that she was considering running for the position, Senkhara expressed her support. Senkhara, who had recently been elected as Supreme Chairwoman of the Pantoran Assembly, said it was not impossible for Sanura to win the upcoming election. When during a dinner between the Hotepshen and Kasani families, Jonah's father Jared said Sanura would have their full support if she decided to run, Sanura began to seriously consider the idea. Yet Sanura expressed her reservations and said it would be viewed as nepotistic as her own mother was Pantora's head of state. After a week of thinking it over, Jared managed to convince Sanura to run, arguing that the worst that could happen is a loss.
Early political career[]
Campaign for senator[]
Primary campaign[]
On 2 Celestine 3630 BBY, Sanura officially made her announcement declaring her intention to run for the seat of retiring Senator Urma Radaan and said she would seek the nomination of the Pantoran People's Party (PPP), the same party that her mother Senkhara was a member of. The announcement was made during a press conference in the presence of nearly all of the planet's major news channels. Almost immediately, the media began raising the issue of Sanura's young age and inexperience, as well as the fact that her mother was the incumbent leader of Pantora. Several of Sanura's rivals who also sought the nomination of the PPP also criticized this and accused both Sanura and her mother of nepotism. However, Sanura said she would prove her intentions and honesty in the candidates' debate and criticized accusations of nepotism as unfounded.
In the first week of her campaign for the nomination of the PPP, Sanura polled quite poorly due to the fact that she was an obscure person, only being known as the daughter of the Supreme Chairwoman. Though her name recognition by her surname did garner her around 4% of the vote in the first polls. In the first week, Sanura tried to raise her profile by giving public speeches in a grassroots campaign, but this was not very successful. When she entered the second week of her campaign, Sanura was still only polling around 5% in the primary election for the PPP nomination. Nevertheless, Sanura did not lose hope, and she hoped that the first candidates' debate would improve her polling. During her campaign, Sanura did not accept corporate donations and neither did she use any of her families' wealth to pay for her campaign or for advertising. Nevertheless, both her own family and the Kasani family secretly made use of their large social networks to bolster her campaign.
By the start of the third week of her campaign, Sanura's average support in the polls for the senatorial candidate of the PPP had increased to 10%, putting her in third position behind veteran assemblywoman Tyra Kadir who averaged 30%, and speaker of the Assembly and longtime party vice chairman Larius Morias who averaged 35%. Many in the party were wary of Sanura's candidacy due to concerns of nepotism and her relation to her mother Senkhara, the chairwoman of the party and the leader of Pantora. At the first candidates' debate on 18 Celestine, Sanura was often the target of criticism by the other candidates. The other candidates raised the concern of Sanura being the daughter of the party's chairwoman, Morias even accused Sanura of thinking the senatorial candidacy was her 'birthright'. However, despite being targeted by the other candidates, Sanura managed to make convincing counter-arguments and refute all the arguments of her opponents by carefully and vigorously explaining her policies. She diligently explained her vision and plans in case she won the senatorship, stunning the audience. The other candidates, having misjudged Sanura as an inexperienced and poor public speaker and clearly not expecting someone so young to be such a capable public speaker, were left embarrassed by the much younger candidate.
Following her surprising debate performance, polls now gave Sanura 20% of the vote, still behind Kadir who polled at 24% and Morias who polled at 31% of the vote. Sanura continued to run a grassroots campaign and every single day she met with constituents around Pantora, debating with them and explaining her views for a fairer and more equal galaxy. On 22 Celestine, several organizations such as the Pantoran Equality Alliance and the Democratic Socialist Party of Pantora, whose own candidate withdrew his bid, endorsed Sanura's candidacy. Several days latter, Sanura's polling at the primary election had increased to second place at 24%, behind Morias at 30% but above Kadir's 21%. In the following two weeks, Sanura's support continued to grow, until she eventually eclipsed Morias in the polls by 7 Devini, in which she polled at 36%, Morias at 34% and Kadir at 22%. The following day, Kadir announced she was dropping out of the primary race and officially endorsed Morias' candidacy to be the Pantoran People's Party's candidate at the senatorial election. She cited Sanura's youth, inexperience and her connection to Senkhara Hotepshen as her reasons to endorse Morias.
Following this announcement, Sanura returned to second place in the polls at 39%, while Morias now polled at 53%. Morias was now viewed by many within the PPP as the presumptive nominee for the party's candidate at the senatorial election. A week later, a week before the primary election, Morias was absent from the second primary debate, instead sending his political ally, assemblywoman Nika Votra, to debate Sanura in his stead. This was immediately criticized by many within the PPP as inconsiderate or even lazy. Votra was wholly unprepared for the debate, contradicting either herself or Morias' official policies, and making erroneous claims. Sanura on the other hand managed to come out as a the clear victor of the debate. A post-debate poll put her support amongst the party at 46%, while Morias had declined to 48%.
In the primary election on 23 Devini, Sanura managed to defeat Morias in what was considered an upset victory by many. Receiving 52.4% of the vote against Morias' 47.6%, Sanura won the right to represent the Pantoran People's Party at the general election for the senatorship of Pantora and the Sujimis sector.
Election campaign[]
Following her victory in the primary election, Sanura was described by many news agencies as the presumptive senator-elect for Pantora and the Sujimis sector, as her party, the Pantoran People's Party, had won the elections for the senatorship continuously for the past 40 years. Standing between Sanura and the senatorship now stood Senuji Zordis of the Pantoran Conservative Party, who was the only candidate in the general election who had a remote chance of beating the Pantoran People's Party's candidate.
At the general election debate of 30 Devini, Sanura faced Zordis in a heated debate. Zordis targeted Sanura's age and inexperience as concerns, although Sanura managed to win over the public with her charisma and strong arguments. After the debate ended, more than 68% of viewers found Sanura to have been the winner of the debate. Two weeks later, on 13 Concordia, Sanura defeated Zordis decisively in the general election, winning 58.26% of the vote against Zordis 41.79% and other minor candidates. On becoming senator-elect, Sanura was congratulated on her victory by both Zordis and her former political rivals Kadir and Morias., who all wished her well in her senatorial career.
A few days after she won the election, Sanura's mother Senkhara held a large victory ball at their mansion to celebrate her daughter's victory in the election. In attendance were several senators of the Galactic Senate, including Vasara Tanis of Alsakan. During the ball, Senkhara introduced Sanura to Tanis, who told Sanura it was an honor to meet the Galactic Senate's newest and youngest member. Tanis mentioned how she was only twenty when she was elected senator of Alsakan, comparing herself to Sanura. Tanis said that the views of the Pantoran People's Party largely aligned with her own, and offered to guide Sanura on her first day on Coruscant, which Sanura accepted.
Departing Pantora[]
On 30 Devini, one week after her election victory, Sanura said goodbye to her parents Senkhara and Nefertem and to her seven-year-old sister Ranara. Senkhara and Nefertem wished their daughter well and asked her to communicate regularly. Sanura said she would do so, promising to try to videocall every day. That same day, Sanura was set to depart Pantora for Coruscant, home of the Galactic Senate. At Ahenkuro spaceport, Sanura was introduced to her personal luxury spacecraft, a G-2 Conditor, piloted by her personal chauffeur, Mariya Cho, who had also served as the chauffeur of Sanura's predecessor Urma Radaan. Cho introduced herself to Sanura, expressing her enthusiasm for taking her anywhere in the galaxy where she needed to go during her senatorial career. Sanura was surprised at the prospect of getting her own chauffeur, to which Cho replied that it was standard for all senators of the Galactic Senate. Cho then took Sanura on a short tour of her starship, guiding her around the various rooms of the luxury ship such as the living room, the kitchen, the dining room, the bathroom and the two bedrooms. Cho finished her tour by showing Sanura the cockpit, where Cho would spend most of her time aboard the ship. Cho explained that the ship was equipped with a state-of-the-art class 1.00 hyperdrive, capable of traversing the galaxy safely and quickly.
Cho then asked Sanura if she was ready to depart Pantora for Coruscant, to which Sanura replied that she was. However, before Cho could initiate the takeoff procedure, Sanura was surprised to see her boyfriend Jonah arrive just outside the ship with two large suitcases. Sanura asked Jonah what he was doing here, to which Jonah replied that he was there to join Sanura of course. Jonah confessed that he wanted to take the next step in their relationship, living together. Sanura expressed surprise, but also happiness at this. Sanura then welcomed Jonah aboard the ship and introduced him to her personal chauffeur, Mariya Cho. Jonah was impressed and enthusiastic about Sanura getting to go wherever she wanted in the galaxy, but Sanura clarified that during her term as senator most of her time would be devoted to working and serving the people of Pantora and its sector. Although Jonah expressed some disappointment at this, he said as long as they were together he would be happy. With that, Sanura gave permission for Cho to depart Pantora for Coruscant.
Sanura traveled to her new home of Coruscant to take her place in the Galactic Senate
The journey from Pantora to Coruscant took Sanura about 96 standard hours, or four standard days. During the journey, Sanura made use of her time by exploring her starship and makings use of its many luxuries such as the hot tub and the home cinema. Sanura also got to know her chauffeur Cho better. Cho revealed that she been a professional chauffeur for over 35 years, having served the senators of the Sujimis sector long before Sanura was even born. Sanura also inquired Jonah on whether he was planning on applying for a job or if he intended to leech of her sizable salary of 300,000 credits a year. Jonah responded by saying that the second option sounded excellent to him. Sanura said she wasn't looking forward to Jonah loitering the entire day in the Pantoran Embassy on Coruscant, she instead encouraged him to go look for a job he wouldn't mind doing. Jonah unconvincingly said he would think about it.
A day before her arrival on Coruscant, Sanura was contacted via holocall by Senator Vasara Tanis of Alsakan, who told Sanura that her mother Senkhara had informed her of her impending arrival on Coruscant. Tanis offered to accompany Sanura on her first day on Coruscant, and introduce her to the life of a senator in the Galactic Senate. Sanura kindly thanked Tanis for her offer, gladly accepted and said she was looking forward to meeting her again.
Galactic Senate[]
First senatorial term[]
First day[]
I, Sanura Hotepshen, representing the people of the Sujimis sector, do solemnly swear before all the people of the Republic that I will defend and support the constitution and the laws of the Galactic Republic.
—Sanura taking the oath of office as senator
On 4 Concordia 3630 BBY, early in the morning, Sanura arrived on Coruscant after a four-day journey. Cho docked the ship in Sanura's private hangar in Galactic Senate Spaceport. On her arrival and exit from the ship, Sanura was greeted by Tanis, who welcomed Sanura warmly to the capital of the galaxy. Shortly after, Jonah also exited from the ship, causing Tanis to look at him with interest. Sanura then introduced her boyfriend Jonah to Tanis, who expressed her pleasure to meet him. Tanis inquired Sanura on how her journey from Pantora to Coruscant was, to which Sanura responded by expressing it was very comfortable and enjoyable. Tanis then humorously told Sanura to enjoy the amenities in her ship during her term, as well as those in the Pantoran Embassy, adding that she herself had often indulged in them.
Tanis then asked Sanura to tell her chauffeur to take them to the Palace of the Senate, explaining that Sanura would take the oath of office before a session of the Galactic Senate. Sanura obliged and asked Cho if she could take them to the Galactic Senate. Cho then led the three of them around the spaceport until they exited the building to arrive on a docking bay, where an limousine was parked. Sanura expressed surprise at the sight of the vehicle, and asked if it was hers. Cho nodded and confirmed that the limousine would be her primary means of transport on Coruscant during her term as senator. The three then entered the passengers' compartment of the limousine, while Cho entered the vehicle to sit in the driver's compartment. Cho then started the vehicle's engines and began the the trip to the Palace of the Senate. During the journey, Sanura expressed how she never expected to be serviced with such luxury. Tanis then asked Sanura how she expected to get around the most densely populated planet in the universe. Sanura confessed she had thought she would need to take public transport, to which Tanis chuckled. Tanis then mentioned a monorail link between the Galactic Senate Spaceport and the Palace of the Senate, to which Sanura expressed confusion, asking why they didn't go by monorail then. Tanis answered that taking the limousine would slightly save on time when they needed to go to the Pantoran Embassy later that day.
Sanura took the oath as senator in the Grand Convocation Chamber
On their arrival at the Palace of the Senate, Tanis immediately led Sanura through the building to the Grand Convocation Chamber, where the Senate was in session, although less than half of its members were physically present. Tanis guided Sanura to the senate pod of the Sujimis senator, on which she would soon take the oath of office. After wishing Sanura good luck, Tanis left Sanura alone and headed to her own senate pod. Before entering the chamber, Sanura faced Jonah, who commented he probably wasn't allowed in the chamber. He wished her good luck and gave her a kiss, before heading off and telling her he would find her when she was finished. Gathering her thoughts and steeling herself, Sanura entered the enormous Grand Convocation Chamber for the first time. Sanura was astonished by its sheer size and grandiosity. Sanura then looked around the chamber, noticing how many senators had taken note of her arrival and were staring at her. Soon, Supreme Chancellor Johanna Hayledea, who stood in the center of the chamber on the Chancellor's Podium, announced Sanura's arrival to all senators present. Chancellor Hayledea welcomed the newest and youngest member of the Senate to the chamber, saying that being elected to the highest democratic body in the galaxy at such a young age was a testament to her abilities. Chancellor Hayledea then asked Sanura if she was ready to take the oath of office, to which Sanura said she was ready. Vice Chancellor Callan Conditor then recited the oath of office for Sanura, asking her to repeat the exact oath. Sanura did so, repeating the oath to the letter. Immediately afterwards, most of the Senate broke into applause, formally welcoming Sanura to the Galactic Senate.
After the swearing-in ceremony, Sanura exited the Grand Convocation Chamber, and she encountered her colleague Vasara Tanis again. Tanis again expressed her warmest welcome to Sanura, wishing her a successful political career. Soon after, Sanura and Tanis were joined by several other senators who were eager to meet their newest colleague. Senators Carolus Saltatio of Augstaka, Makeda Kibiri of Denon, Azura Haxaya of Zarashtra and Bogdan Karjek of Ascendiai all introduced themselves to Sanura, who in turn expressed she was pleased to meet them all. Shortly after being introduced to the five senators, Sanura realized that she had heard of their planets before. Sanura was surprised to discover the five senators all represented one of the members of the Eminent Eight, the most influential worlds of the Galactic Republic. She expressed how insignificant she felt to be in the presence of five senators representing the Republic's most populous planets, although the senators assured her that all voices in the Republic should be heard. As Sanura continued her conversation with the five senators, they were interrupted by three others. Senators Sidonia Valorum of Coruscant, Aisha Zahara of Halcyon, Nicander Zelos of Erigorm and Aragon Adasca of Arkania approached Sanura. The four senators warmly greeted Sanura and expressed their warm welcomes for their newest and younger colleague. Tanis said it was a pleasure to see her colleagues again, although Sanura noted a hint of sarcasm in her voice. The four senators said they looked forward to working with Sanura, before heading their off.
Sanura asked Tanis if she knew them, to which Tanis replied she did. She explained she had known them for quite a while, and they had been political rivals ever since they met more than a decade ago. Tanis explained that Senators Valorum, Zahara, Zelos and Adasca were all part of the Galactic Salvation Alliance, a political party determined to drastically increase military spending and destroy the Sith Empire by any means necessary. Tanis also explains how the party held the view that the Sith species and their religion needed to be either contained, or destroyed if that failed. Finally, Tanis revealed how the party was dominated by Humans and to a lesser extent Near-Humans and it was an open secret the party looked on any species not in either of those categories. Sanura was repulsed by the party's views, although Tanis said that their goal of removing the Sith threat was a noble one. When Sanura asked Tanis what her view on the matter was, Tanis explained how she considered the Sith an enemy with whom peace was nearly impossible. She stressed how victory for the Republic did not have to come at the cost of forsaking their morals and resorting to the means the Sith employ. The other senators said they had a common opinion in that regard and asked Sanura if she agreed. Sanura expressed doubt. She said that during her entire lifetime, and long before, the Republic had only known war with the Sith, and that it was perhaps time to consider peace and co-existence.
After discussing some more with her new colleagues, Sanura and Tanis parted ways with the other senators. Tanis asked Sanura if she knew where her boyfriend Jonah had gone. Sanura replied that she did not know, so she called him on her holocomm. Jonah answered Sanura's call and told her he was in the Grand Cafeteria. Sanura and Tanis headed there and encountered a happy Jonah enjoying a pizza at a table. Sanura and Tanis walked over to Jonah, who smiled at them. Tanis commented to Sanura that her boyfriend certainly seemed to be enjoying himself. Jonah told the two senators that the food here was amazing, to which Tanis smiled and commented that the Senate certainly ensured their meals were both delicious and fresh. Jonah then invited the two to sit with him, causing Sanura and Tanis to share a humorous glance. The two ladies obliged, Sanura taking a seat next to her boyfriend and Tanis taking a seat opposite of Sanura. Jonah asked the two women if they wanted a piece of his pizza, the two then smiled at each other and both took a piece of the pizza. Sanura then took her first bite, and commented that the pizza was indeed delicious. Tanis then invited Jonah to get some more pizza, and offered him her personal Senate ID Card, as senators, bureaucrats and other staff could eat for free, within a daily budget. Tanis sternly told Jonah not to lose her card of she would personally ensure that he would never be welcome in the building again. When Jonah stared at her in surprise and worry, Tanis replied 'just kidding', but insisted that he not lose the card. Jonah obliged and headed off to get some more pizza.
Personality and traits[]
Appearance[]
Sanura Hotepshen in the Chancellor's Office
Sanura Hotepshen was a female Pantoran with light blue skin who stood 1.78 meters tall as an adult, slightly taller than the average female Pantoran. She weighed 63 kilograms and possessed a slender physique. Sanura had black hair, although she sometimes dyed it pink. Sanura was considered by many individuals such as fellow politicians to have a 'handsome' face, not traditionally beautiful, but striking nonetheless.
Like most Pantorans, Sanura had a golden tattoo inked on her face, which like for all members of Sanura's family was located on her forehead. The tattoo on Sanura's face represented the sigil of the Hotepshen family.
Personality[]
Sanura was at heart a compassionate, friendly and idealistic individual. She often saw the best in other people and believed that people could change their ways, if given sufficient reason to believe so. Sanura proved to be charismatic and intelligent from an early age, which allowed her to become Pantora's youngest senator ever and one of the youngest Supreme Chancellors in the history of the Galactic Republic.
Sanura identified as an equalist and disliked the growing inequality between the rich and the poor. This led her to institute various policies which targeted the wealthier classes of society and benefitted the poorer ones. Sanura also had an egalitarian mindset, and addressed everyone as either Mr. or Madam, even Jedi like Jensen Hayledea, whom she addressed as Mr. Hayledea, much to the latter's amusement. Sanura strongly disliked monarchies and dictatorships, and attempted to pass a law during her chancellorship which would forbid planetary governments from using autocratic forms of governments.
Although she was considered charismatic and competent by many of her fellow colleagues, she was also quite naieve and greatly desired peace with the Sith Empire. Her obsession with peace and a return of undisturbed harmonious governance ultimately blinded Sanura from the threat the Sith posed. Despite multiple warnings from her cabinet members and her Vice Chancellor and friend Vasara Tanis, Sanura went ahead and established peace with the Sith Empire. Historians are unsure if she was genuinely idealistic and naive or just deluding herself that peace with the Sith was a realistic prospect.
Sanura was also quite a stubborn individual, viewing her own core beliefs as almost infallible. She often disregarded the advice of her cabinet unless shown irrefutable evidence that her own plans or views were wrong or short-sighted. Despite her cabinet, her advisors, the Senate and the Jedi all warning her that Sith would never accept peace with the Republic and would betray the Republic sooner or later, Sanura was intransigent and refused to change her views until she witnessed the treachery of the Sith with her own eyes as they invaded Coruscant. However, after this, she seemed to genuinely regret letting her desire for peace blind her.
Sanura was greatly distraught by the fall of Coruscant, for which she was partly responsible. For some time she lost almost all hope and became a depressed and isolated individual. She constantly blamed herself for leading the Republic to ruin and claimed that future generations would not remember her chancellorship kindly.
Skills and abilities[]
Force abilities[]
Sanura was born Force-sensitive, but her parents strongly rejected the Jedi's offers to induct their eldest daughter into the Jedi Order. Despite not receiving any formal training, Sanura was capable of moving small objects like plates and cutlery with the Force if she concentrated.
Sanura also possessed a very strong will, and even without receiving any telepathic training, she could not easily be influenced. Sanura was even capable of briefly resisting an attempt by the extremely powerful telepath Liana Ascalia to read her mind, although she eventually succumbed to Liana's attempt to intrude upon her mind. She could also send telepathic messages to other Force-users, like when she alerted Jedi Master Jensen Hayledea when Liana had confronted her in her office.
Other skills[]
Sanura was a highly skilled diplomat and public speaker. Many entities, such as Vasara Tanis, Jensen Hayledea and even Liana Ascalia acknowledged Sanura's highly charismatic and determined persona.
Behind the scenes[]
Etymology and inspiration[]
Sanura Netjeret Hotepshen's name is derived from the Ancient Egyptian language. Sanura is derived from the term snt (vocalized as sanut) and rꜥ (vocalized as ra), when combined they could be translated as 'sister of the sun'. Netjeret is derived from the Egyptian word for goddess, and Hotepshen is derived from hotep (peace, satisfaction) and shen (encircle). Thus her last name could be translated as 'eternal peace', which is ironic since Sanura's idealism is what allowed the Sith to finally conquer the Republic.
Sanura's attire was also inspired by Ancient Egyptian culture. Her headdress is based on the vulture crown, a crown worn by priestesses and female royalty.
 Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic | ||
3630 BBY – 3626 BBY ← |
3626 BBY – 3622 BBY |
(disputed) 3622 BBY → |
3636 BBY – 3626 BBY ← |
3630 BBY – 3626 BBY |
3626 BBY – 3622 BBY → |