Finis Valorum/Legends

"Connected with the past, Valorum was. Rooted deep in tradition's soil."

- Yoda

Finis Valorum was the Chancellor of the Galactic Republic before Queen Padmé Amidala introduced a Vote of No Confidence into the Galactic Senate, which then passed it. He was subsequently replaced by his colleague, Senator Palpatine of Naboo.

Early life
Valorum came from an ancient and distinguished family, and at least two of his ancestors had served as Chancellor in the past. This background, ironically, worked against him, as many came to believe he had been elected solely because of his famous surname.

Before his election as Chancellor, Valorum was Senator of the Lytton Sector. He was a member of the Core faction of senators, was a member of Chancellor Kalpana's administration, and had been involved with negotiations to end the Stark Hyperspace War.

Chancellery
In 40 BBY, Valorum ran for Chancery under the support of the Core faction of senators. Valorum was largely elected due to the recognition and influence of his family. His involvement as a negotiator in the Stark Hyperspace War was another factor that aided his election. He presumably also was helped by his accomplishments as an advisor to Kalpana.

Additionally, the Tarkin family helped elect him, in return for a promise that Ranulph Tarkin would be posthumously praised for his job in attempting to defeat the Stark Commercial Combine.

As previously, Valorum was supported by the Core faction of senators. Despite the fact that many senators doubted Valorum's competancy, he easily won re-election due to the facts that his enemies considered him easily controllable and there were no real opposing candidates. However, many of those considering opposing Valorum considered backing Palpatine. Perhaps because of this, it was shortly after the election that Valorum and Palpatine began a friendship, with Palpatine becoming a de facto advisor to the Chancellor.

After the Incident at Dorvalla in 33 BBY, on the initiative of Senator Palpatine, Valorum suggested for the taxation of Free-Trade routes to make peace with the Nebula Front who had been terrorizing the Trade Federation. The Front did not think this would make any difference and attempted to murder the Chancellor. The terrorists made two assassination attempts, both were foiled by the Jedi.

Shortly afterwards, Palpatine secretly funneled several million credits, believed to have been stolen by the Nebula Front, through the Bank of Aargau, and into the accounts of the Valorum family. Palpatine's aid, Sate Pestage, ensured that the exchange was uncovered by Valorum's political enemy, Senator Orn Free Taa, who revealed it to the Internal Activities Committee, thus critically weakening Chancellor Finis Valorum's already tenuous hold on power.

In 32 BBY, again on initiative of Palpatine, Queen Amidala of Naboo, acted a Vote of No Confidence in Valorum, an act that sealed the fate of the Republic. Valorum was voted out of office and did not return in the senate.

Valorum was the one who instituted the vogue amongst the Coruscanti elite of going to operas; it was joked amongst his political enemies that he enjoyed them because they were the only places where he could get any applause.

The reemergence and death


After his resignation, Valorum spent two years in seclusion. After he returned to public life, he spent his retirement working with the Refugee Relief Movement on worlds such as Alderaan. He also wrote an autobiography, Holding Back the Tide, released in 22 BBY. It was widely panned. He also became friends with Senator Bail Organa.

Valorum was killed in a terrorist attack shortly after the Battle of Jabiim, when his freighter, Star of Iskin, exploded on takeoff. The attack was secretly orchestrated by Darth Sidious but publicly attributed to the Separatists, in an attempt to get rid of Valorum because he had been talking to Senator Organa about Palpatine's political maneuverings. In truth, apparently upon the machinations of Darth Sidious, Finis Valorum was murdered by Anzati assassin Sajé Tasha, upon the behest of the corrupt Senator Viento upon orders by Sora Bulq. This information would later be utilized by Quinlan Vos in his hunt for the Sith.

Valorum was also known for his connections with various women. He had close ties with Jedi Master Adi Gallia; was rumored to be having an affair with his Staff Aide, Sei Taria, during his chancellorship; and after his retirement from politics, was sighted in the companionship of a "doe-eyed blonde number."

The Finis Valorum Memorial was constructed on Coruscant to honor the last being who served as Chancellor before Palpatine's rise to power.

Behind the scenes



 * In Latin, Finis Valorum means "end of valor/honor"
 * Valorum was played by actor Terence Stamp who has stated that the character was inspired by then US President Bill Clinton. Stamp recalls that George Lucas described Valorum as a good but beleaguered man; Valorum's "connections" with the above-stated women are probably references to Clinton.
 * In the first draft of Star Wars, Valorum was intended to be a dark, masked prince&mdash;a role similar to the Darth Vader known today.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Republic: The Stark Hyperspace War
 * Jedi Apprentice: The Only Witness
 * Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan: Last Stand on Ord Mantell
 * Tag & Bink: Revenge of the Clone Menace
 * Jedi Council: Acts of War
 * Darth Maul: Saboteur
 * Cloak of Deception
 * Episode I Adventures 3: The Fury of Darth Maul
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Episode I: Obi-Wan Kenobi
 * Star Wars Republic: The Devaronian Version


 * Shatterpoint
 * Star Wars Republic 61: Dead Ends
 * Star Wars Republic: Trackdown
 * Labyrinth of Evil
 * Republic HoloNet News Special Inaugural Edition 16:5:241