Rukil

"You are marked, upworlder. Even my dim old eyes can see the mantle of destiny that cloaks you. Perhaps old Rukil knows you better then you know yourself."

- Rukil to Revan on Taris

Rukil was a male Human who lived in the Undercity of Taris, having lived there all his life until at least 3,956 BBY. Like his ancestors, who had been condemned to live forever in the bedrock levels of the ecumenopolis for crimes against the government, he had no chance of being able to access the higher levels of the global cities.

Biography
Rukil's father and grandfather were amongst the Outcasts who had been exiled to the Tarisian Undercity; both of whom dedicated their lives to seeking out clues to finding the fabled Promised Land. Like his forbears, Rukil also sought out the near-mythical paradise until he grew too old to undertake his own field research. The village younglings eventually began to refer to him as "Rukil Wrinkle-skin", and nearly everyone else ceased to believe in the Promised Land save for a single apprentice, Malya, a young woman who lived in the same Outcast village. Unfortunately, she had been missing for some time when the Undercity began to see an upsurge in activity from so-called "upworlders", those from the Lower City and Upper City, subsequent to the Attack on the Endar Spire.

At Rukil's behest, the amnesiac Revan sought out the journals of Malya, Rukil's father, and Rukil's grandfather, and brought them to the old man while he was trapped on Taris during the Jedi Civil War. Rukil had reached the century mark by then, having survived in the Undercity for a hundred years. Once presented with Revan's findings, he pieced together the journals' clues, finally discovering the location of the Promised Land. He shared the information with Gendar, the village leader, who stated that although the journey would be long and perilous, involving the crossing of rakghoul-infested territory, supplies were high. Faced with choosing to continue their dreary, hopeless lives or pursuing the light of hope that the journals presented, the outcasts departed for the Promised Land. Whether or not the trek proved successful was unknown; the orbital bombardment ordered by Darth Malak some time later left little evidence of the journey.

Personality and traits
Rukil was a very old member of the Outcast Village; despite the harsh conditions of that desolate place, he managed to live for a century. Like his ancestors, he cared deeply for his village, a trait which manifested itself in his obsessive search for the Promised Land. It was implied that he was quite an adventurer in his youth, searching throughout the Undercity sewers as well as other parts, looking for clues. As he reached old age, Rukil became known as an eccentric, continuing to tell tales of the Promised Land to the young people of the village, particularly Shaleena, who spoke of him fondly despite not quite believing his stories. By the time of his initial encounter with Revan, Rukil had become quite cryptic in his mannerisms, perhaps a symptom of his advanced age.

Behind the scenes
Alternatively, if the player follows the dark side, Revan sells the journals to Igear instead of turning them over to Rukil. Igear, an Outcast merchant, wants to destroy the texts out of greed; he hopes to ensure that the Promised Land is never found so that the other villagers will continue to depend on him and his store. An outraged Rukil curses Revan, then runs off, and his ultimate fate is thus unknown. This, however, is the non-canon outcome.

It is implied but never proven that Rukil might have been Force-sensitive, since, in one of his numerous dialogues, he states that he can see the cloak of destiny that shrouds Revan; if the player offers to accompany the Outcasts on their journey, Rukil refuses, stating in effect that the player's destiny lies along a different path. It should be noted that only Jedi or one attuned to the Force can see this kind of manifestation.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Notes and references
Rukil