Shoaneb Culu

"The Jedi prophecies predict a great conflict with the Dark side&hellip;"

- Shoaneb Culu shortly before the Great Sith War.

Shoaneb Culu was a female Miraluka who served as a Jedi Knight in the days of the Old Republic. She traveled from her homeworld of Alpheridies to seek out a Jedi who could train her in the ways of the Force, planning to return one day to her homeworld and establish a Jedi academy there. She wished to bring Jedi training to the already Force-sensitive Miraluka, so that other Miraluka would not have to travel from their homeworld to learn about the Force. She eventually found her way to the Jedi library world of Ossus where she trained under the Jedi Master Vodo-Siosk Baas&mdash;she would ultimately become a very knowledgeable student of the history of the Jedi Order. Following the completion of her training, she was selected to be one of the few Jedi who were sent as reinforcements to help Ulic Qel-Droma during the Freedon Nadd Uprising on Onderon. The Naddist Revolt helped identify Shoaneb as an aspiring and deserving Jedi, and she would later participate in the Convocation at Mount Meru, as well as fight against the Krath during the Great Sith War.

She was an experienced and talented pilot, choosing to fly a S-100 Stinger-class starfighter in most conflicts. During the Great Sith War, she flew as Jedi Three against the Krath on Cinnagar. She was also one of a handful of Jedi who learned how to fly one of the Beast Riders' war beasts shortly after The Naddist Revolt.

Shoaneb Culu, along with fellow Jedi Qrrrl Toq and Dace Diath, was killed when Aleema Keto used Sith powers to destroy a star in the Cron Drift.

Early life
"Shoaneb is very dexterous&hellip;although she only sees in the Force."

- Vodo-Siosk Baas

Against the wishes of her parents, Shoaneb Culu left Alpheridies at any early age to seek out members of the Jedi Order. However, before she left, Shoaneb vowed to one day return to her homeworld and establish a Jedi training center there, in an effort to train the already Force-sensitive Miraluka. Shoaneb looked at the lengthy journey that lay before her, and reasoned that founding a Jedi school on Alpheridies would allow other Miraluka to more easily seek out a Jedi to teach them the ways of the Force. To this end, she decided that, once she had begun her training as a Jedi, she would pursue all the knowledge and lore available to her, so as to be better prepared for the teaching role she wished to pursue.



However, Shoaneb's travels became much more difficult than she had first anticipated. Throughout her childhood she had grown comfortable with how Alpheridies affected her natural Force awareness&mdash;so when she ventured outside of the boundaries of her homeworld, Shoaneb experienced an exceptionally different feeling through the Force, given off by her new, and ever changing, surroundings. The Force vibrations that she felt started to become increasingly difficult, and at times she became unbalanced as she attempted to adjust to the new environments she found herself in. Eventually, Shoaneb learned how to adjust to her new awarenesses and managed to shorten the time it took her to reestablish her bearings from days, to hours, to seconds.

Jedi training
"Master Vodo&hellip;I think I ruined this crystal. I'm sorry, Master Vodo. I cut it at the wrong angle."

- Shoaneb Culu while trying to construct her lightsaber.

Shoaneb's journey took more than a year before she finally reached the place where she could feel the Force calling her&mdash;the Jedi library world of Ossus. Once on the planet, she found herself drawn to Master Vodo-Siosk Baas, who eventually agreed to take her on as his apprentice. Shoaneb began her training immediately, and took an active interest in her studies of ancient Jedi lore. Due to her excitement about finally being able to train as a Jedi, and coupled with her naturally inquisitive nature, Shoaneb found herself in the Great Jedi Library studying ancient lore for long hours, and asking Vodo and other masters a great many deep thought provoking questions. Shoaneb's relentless line of questions troubled Master Vodo, and he mistook her curiosity for a thirst for quick power. However, when Master Vodo confronted Shoaneb about his worries, she told him of her desire to eventually return to her homeworld of Alpheridies and establish a Jedi training center there. She explained that it was not a lust for power, but a desire to help others, that she hoped to learn all she could from the libraries and Jedi Masters, so that she could one day become a teacher herself. Hearing this, Master Vodo was greatly relieved and dedicated many hours each day to Shoaneb, helping her gain a deeper understanding of the Jedi Order, its history, and the Force.

Unfortunately, although she excelled at the academic level of her studies, the level of her natural Force abilities eventually fell below that of the other apprentices. Because of this, she continually fell behind in her Force technique, even though she surpassed her peers in the understanding of the Force and assimilating Jedi lore. The next several months saw Shoaneb become increasingly frustrated with her lack of progress&mdash;as time continued to pass, she began to fear that her dream of bringing Jedi teachings to her homeworld would not come to pass.



Master Vodo recognized the troubles that his young apprentice was going through, and decided to spend time with Shoaneb and show her that she could not worry about the future, but that she could only trust in the Force. After several private sessions with Master Vodo, Shoaneb began to understand what he was telling her&mdash;that it was not her place to be concerned with things outside of her control, and that her expectations for her homeworld were hampering her training advancement. She began to see that what she had planned may not be what the Force would produce, regardless of her actions. Following these sessions with Master Vodo, Shoaneb's depression quickly turned around, and she was able to continue her training with a different outlook on her future as a Jedi. Although she had developed a new outlook, she still experienced difficulty with her training in Jedi techniques, especially when it came to constructing her own lightsaber. Even though she still had problems, she did not allow herself to become anxious over them. Instead, she accepted the fact that she had not yet reached her full potential in these problem areas, and decided to dedicate more time towards her techniques training.

Near the end of Shoaneb's training, Ulic Qel-Droma sent a request to the Jedi assembled on Ossus for reinforcements in fighting the Freedon Nadd Uprising. Shoaneb, as with every Jedi present, volunteered for service on Onderon. Upon hearing Shoaneb's request, Master Vodo pulled her aside from the assembly and offered his counsel on her offer. Vodo voiced his opinion that he did not think that she yet possessed enough confidence in her own abilities to be an effective member of the task force. Shoaneb, however, did not become frustrated or agitated with her mentor's concerns&mdash;instead, she calmly replied that she understood his reluctance, but he had been a good teacher, and she had learned to place her trust completely in the Force. Shoaneb confessed that it was not for glory that she sought out Onderon, but instead, she felt the Force pulling her towards something important. Vodo was surprised by the calmness that he felt in her, and realized that he had misjudged her. Vodo gave Shoaneb his blessing.

The morning following the assembly, Shoaneb joined her fellow Jedi Qrrrl Toq, Dace Diath, Kith Kark, and Nomi Sunrider on the task force headed to Onderon.

The Naddist Revolt
"I understand your reluctance, Master, but I have placed my trust completely in the Force and I feel it calling me to this task."

- Shoaneb Culu shortly before leaving for Onderon.



Ulic Qel-Droma, his brother Cay, Oss Wilum, and Jedi Master Arca Jeth had originally been on Onderon tracking down and fighting the dark side energies that had gained control of the planet. However, not long after defeating Queen Amanoa and driving back the spirit of Freedon Nadd, Master Arca and the other Jedi were confronted by a new dark side power. A Sith cult known as the Naddists attacked the funeral procession of Amanoa and managed to steal the sarcophagi of both the fallen queen and Freedon Nadd. Following this event, Master Arca was captured by the Sith apprentice, King Ommin, and subjugated to prolonged torture. At the request of Ulic, five Jedi, including Shoaneb Culu, were dispatched from Ossus to help contain the situation that was steadily escalating on Onderon.

The five Jedi traveled to Onderon and made their way to the walled city of Iziz, the last reported location of Ulic and his remaining Jedi. However, when Shoaneb and the others arrived at Iziz, they sensed through the Force that Ulic was not in the city, but instead, somewhere nearby. They realized that he was in a fortress not far from the city, and rushed to Ulic's aid. Shoaneb and the other Jedi charged the more numerous enemy ranks, using the Force to project a shield around themselves, and utilizing Force battle-techniques that the Jedi had perfected over many centuries. During the fight to reach Ulic, Shoaneb demonstrated a natural affinity with her lightsaber, often fighting separate from the other Jedi. Eventually, Shoaneb and her Jedi comrades reached Ulic, and together, the combined Jedi force stormed King Ommin's stronghold and managed to free the imprisoned Arca Jeth.

Following King Ommin's defeat by the Jedi, the remains of Freedon Nadd were entombed on the jungle moon of Dxun, where it was hoped that his dark side powers could be contained. Shoaneb was among the Jedi present on Dxun during the interring ceremony.

The Krath conflict
"No! Such an attempt will end in disaster&hellip;for you&hellip;and for all of us!"

- Shoaneb to Ulic during the Conclave on Denab.

Following the events of the Naddist Revolt, Shoaneb, and the other surviving Jedi who fought in the uprising, were afforded a short vacation, and were taught to fly the war beasts of Onderon. Before long Master Arca arrived and informed Shoaneb, and the other gathered Jedi on Onderon, about the coup that had recently taken place in the Empress Teta System, and which had witnessed the rise of the Krath. These new events caused Master Arca much concern, and he therefore ordered Shoaneb, Dace Diath, Qrrl Toq, and Oss Wilum to Ossus to report to the Jedi assembly what had transpired on Onderon. He also advised them to warn the Republic of the impending danger presented by the rise of the Krath.



The information provided by Shoaneb and her fellow Jedi allowed the Republic to organize a joint Republic-Jedi fleet and set out for the Empress Teta System&mdash;more specifically to Koros Major. The combined fleet arrived in the system just in time to lend aid to the last remaining holdouts which were fighting against the Krath. However, the Krath commanders, Satal and Aleema Keto, utilized Sith magic, causing the Krath forces to employ suicide tactics against the attacking Republic fleet. The Republic-Jedi fleet was severely defeated and forced to retreat back to Republic space. Shoaneb Culu was among the few Jedi pilots to survive the attack on Koros Major.

The severity of the Krath coup, combined with their victory at Koros Major and subsequent incursions into Republic space, worried Jedi through the galaxy and a conclave was called on the planet of Deneba. The Conclave on Deneba was held on Mount Meru and saw thousands of Jedi Masters and Knights arrive to take part in the discussions&mdash;among the many Jedi Knights present, Shoaneb Culu. During the convocation, Ulic Qel-Droma presented a plan in which he would volunteer to infiltrate the Krath, and bring the cult down from the inside. However, many Jedi, including Arca Jeth and Shoaneb Culu, openly spoke out against Ulic's plan. While the assembly was debating the proposed strategy, the conclave was suddenly attacked by the Krath and an army of their war droids. Shoaneb fought beside her fellow Jedi, and they were able to repulse the attackers, though Master Arca was killed during the fighting. Ulic was devastated by Arca's death, and found his justification to implement his infiltration plan.

Ulic's plan to infiltrate the Krath was successful, and he steadily rose through the Krath ranks. After several months, and with no word from Ulic, the Jedi tried to establish contact with their undercover comrade. After an unsuccessful attempt by Nomi Sunrider, the Jedi decided that it was time to forcefully rescue Ulic from the Krath. The Jedi planned an all-out assault against the Krath forces on Cinnagar, involving a fleet of warships and a strike team of Jedi. Attached to the Republic fleet was a squadron of Jedi starfighters, consisting of Oss Wilum and Dace Diath flying the new Star Saber XC-01 fighters, and Shoaneb flying her personal S-100 Stinger-class starfighter&mdash;during the attack, Shoaneb's call sign was Jedi Three, while Oss and Dace were Jedi One and Jedi Two, respectively. For the most part, the attack went according to plan, and Shoaneb demonstrated her flying abilities by destroying several anti-aircraft emplacements. However, when the Jedi strike team confronted Ulic, he turned them away, instead choosing to stay with Aleema and the Krath.

The First Sith War
"This war of the Sith is spread by military might and evil use of the Force&hellip;"

- Shoaneb Culu during the Great Sith War.



The events that transpired on Cinnagar forced Shoaneb and the other Jedi to retreat to Ossus and decide upon what their next course of action would be. In response, Master Vodo and a number of other Jedi, including Shoaneb, arrived on Coruscant to convene the Senate and advise them of the troubles ahead. While Shoaneb and the other Jedi were on Coruscant, Ulic led the Krath in a massive attack against the Republic capital. Shoaneb, along with Dace Diath and others, defended the city world against the invading horde. The Krath were eventually repelled by the Republic and Jedi forces, and forced to retreat away from the planet. When the Krath retreated, Ulic was left by himself to fight the combined might of several Jedi, including Nomi and Master Vodo&mdash;both of whom used the blocking technique which had been taught by Master Odan-Urr. Shoaneb combined her Force powers with the other Jedi present and helped to momentarily imprison Ulic.

Even though the Jedi had managed to temporarily capture Ulic, he was soon rescued from captivity by his Sith Master, Exar Kun, and Mandalore the Indomitable. Once he was back in command of the Krath forces, Ulic was informed by Mandalore that he had been betrayed and abandoned on Coruscant by Aleema. Ulic considered what Mandalore had told him, and found it to be true, sensing it through the Force. His revenge was quick and decisive&mdash;Ulic organized an attack fleet to head for Kemplex IX, and placed Aleema in command. Ulic knew that Aleema's attack on the Republic outpost would result in a deadly supernova, though he led her to believe that she would be perfectly safe. When word of an attack on Kemplex IX reached Jedi ears, Shoaneb, Dace Diath, and Qrrrl Toq volunteered to lead a Jedi force in response to the distress signals.

Battle of Kemplex IX
"If you could see what I see in the Force&hellip;terrible ripples, a wrenching! It can't be! No Jedi can do this!"

- Shoaneb immediately before her death.



The Great Sith War had begun to take its toll on the Jedi ranks, and many Jedi had gathered on Ossus in response to the various attacks on Jedi Masters by agents of Exar Kun. During the gathering, the Jedi Knight Tott Doneeta announced that the Republic jump station at Kemplex IX was under attack by a mysterious Sith ship. The gathered Jedi expressed their concern over this, and Master Thon explained his beliefs that the enemy attack on Kemplex IX was actually a feint, reasoning that everything the Sith wanted was right there on Ossus.

Upon arriving at Kemplex IX, Shoaneb, Qrrrl, and Dace found the ancient Sith ship, which was under the command of Aleema, orbiting the Republic jump station. Shoaneb followed her fellow Jedi on an attack run of the Sith ship, but she suddenly sensed a great disturbance in the Force. What she felt was the immense Force energies of the Sith ship as Aleema began to focus its power. Little did Shoaneb and the other Jedi realize that Aleema had activated the ancient weapons on the Sith ship to rip the core from the center of one of the ten stars in the Cron Cluster. The resulting supernova overcame Shoaneb's and the other Jedi's starfighters, killing the three Jedi instantly.

Personality and traits
"This is Jedi Three&mdash;I'm on the Zero-Nine gun, Oss."

- Shoaneb Culu during the attack on Cinnagar.

Shoaneb Culu was a curious person by nature, and as a Jedi, had a natural interest in learning all possible knowledge from the Jedi Masters. During her training on Ossus under Master Vodo-Siosk Baas, her constant questions and inquisitive nature were mistaken for a thirst for quick power. However, once she explained her natural questioning nature, and also confided her hopes of one day becoming a Jedi teacher on her homeworld, Master Vodo realized that he had been wrong in his assumption. He then dedicated much of his free time in helping her find a deeper understanding of the history of the Jedi and Force.



Even though she initially had a troublesome time in progressing her Force techniques and with constructing her lightsaber, Shoaneb decided to focus on her problem areas, and eventually became a formidable duelist and Force user. During the Naddist Revolt on Onderon, Shoaneb demonstrated her skills with a lightsaber when she was one of only five Jedi fighting against a vastly numerically superior enemy. During this battle, Shoaneb was often seen fighting separate from the other Jedi, and demonstrated that she had indeed overcome her initial troubles. During the Great Sith War, Shoaneb again demonstrated her skill with a lightsaber and Force techniques while defending Coruscant from a Krath attack. During that battle she was one of the Jedi who helped defend against the Krath army. After the Krath had been forced to retreat, she utilized her Force powers in helping capture the rogue Jedi Ulic Qel-Droma.

Shoaneb was also a skilled pilot, often choosing to fly her personal S-100 Stinger-class starfighter into combat. She was one of the Jedi who participated in the combined Republic-Jedi attack on Koros Major&mdash;and subsequently, was one of the few Jedi pilots to survive the battle. She again flew as part of a Jedi task force during the failed-rescue attempt of Ulic Qel-Droma from the Krath palace on Cinnagar. During that battle, she flew as Jedi Three and was responsible for destroying several dangerous anti-aircraft emplacements. She was also credited with having shot down several enemy fighters. Shoaneb was one of three Jedi pilots who responded to the Krath attack on Kemplex IX. Following the events of the Naddist Revolt, Shoaneb, along with several other Jedi who had fought in the uprising, were taught by the Beast Riders of Onderon to fly their war beasts.

Behind the scenes
In Shoaneb Culu's entry in the Tales of the Jedi Companion it is stated that she joined Kith Kark, Dace Diath, and Nomi Sunrider and that the four Jedi made up the task force which was headed to Onderon. However, as per the primary source Tales of the Jedi: The Freedon Nadd Uprising, the Nazzar Jedi Qrrrl Toq was also present on the task force.

Appearances

 * Tales of the Jedi: The Freedon Nadd Uprising
 * Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith
 * Tales of the Jedi: The Sith War

Notes and references
Shoaneb Culu