Alexem

"But the tales I've told these little people! I've regaled with details of every evil deed you have committed, and more than a few you haven't. The warriors want to cut you down right now, but Elder Alexem here wants to give you a chance. So you'd better explain to the silly old geezer why they shouldn't kill you."

- Kelyan

Alexem was the elder of a village of Squibs on the planet Holador. His tribe was descended from a group of Squibs who crash landed on the world c. 221 BBY and had since adopted a primitive lifestyle. Alexem was a respected member of the tribe, the protector of its Holy Icon (the nonfunctional comms relay), and a resolver of its disputes.

One day, a Twi'lek woman named Kelyan appeared in the village with tales of a band of evil offworlders who were close behind her. While the village warriors itched to defend their loved ones, Alexem urged caution and sent warriors to escort the strangers to him. Once they had arrived, Alexem weighed both parties' stories. He declared that the Twi'lek had been lying and that the outsiders were to be treated as guests. He then let them continue on their way unmolested.

History
"Good grief, more off-worlders. I better go tell the boss."

- Squib scout

Alexem was born in a primitive Squib village on the planet Holador. His people were descended from Squib spacers who crashed on the world c. 221 BBY. Despite their distress signals, no rescue came for the survivors, and their technology slowly failed. Over seven generations, they adapted to primitive living conditions and learned to eke out an existence by hunting and gathering. That they would someday be saved from their lot by people from the stars became an intrinsic part of their mythology. Technological items were recycled for more basic purposes, and the comms relay came to be seen as a Holy Icon. Alexem was one of the last Squibs in his tribe to retain knowledge of Basic, and he rose to be the elder of the 50-Squib village in the latter days of the Galactic Republic.

One day in 21 BBY, an outsider appeared, a Twi'lek named Kelyan. At first, the Squibs were skittish around her, but she spoke Squibbian and used it to regale the tribe with the exploits of her companions and their battle with a group she referred to as the Assassin Lords and their minions. The villagers slowly came to trust the stranger, even to like her, but Alexem was not so sure of her intentions. There was something about her that he just did not like, and he hid his ability to speak Basic from her. He thought it better to hear both sides of a debate before making up his mind.

Some days later, a scout returned from the tunnels neighboring the village with news of another group of offworlders. Kelyan warned that these were the evil beings whose misdeeds she had been recounting, and the edgy warriors called out for the strangers' blood. Nevertheless, Alexem ordered a group of warriors to find these outsiders and escort them to the village. It was time to get to the bottom of the Twi'lek's story, not for violence—yet.

That evening, the warriors returned with the so-called villains in tow, and the Twi'lek woman chided them for their supposed misdeeds. The village warriors seemed more on edge than ever, but Alexem ordered them to hold off. Revealing his knowledge of Basic, he bade the outsiders to explain who they were and what they were doing on Holador. A bitter back-and-forth ensued with the Twi'lek and the strangers arguing for their respective innocence and the other side's duplicity.

Alexem weighed both sides' words carefully and came to his decision: The outsiders appeared to be mean no harm to his people, so they would be allowed to leave in peace. In fact, his village would aid them in whatever way they required. As for Kelyan, Alexem declared that despite her mendacity, she was a guest of the village and had not actually broken any of the tribal laws.

Personality and traits
"I listen true."

- Alexem

Alexem was old for his species. During village business, he sat in a decrepit flight chair near the fire pit at the center of the village, the Holy Icon to his back. He wrapped himself in thick blankets that left only his eyes and ears visible.

He was wise and patient, calming his warriors' tempers and insisting on hearing both sides of a dispute before coming to a decision. Alexem spoke Basic, but imperfectly. His accent was thick, and his command of vocabulary and usage were far from perfect.

Behind the scenes
Alexem appears in Strike III, an adventure for the Living Force campaign of The Star Wars Roleplaying Game from Wizards of the Coast. Alexem and his village are part of an encounter in which the player characters are expected to rely on roleplaying and non-combat abilities to advance their quest. Meanwhile, they must contend with Kelyan, who is doing her best to convince Alexem and his tribe that the player characters are dangerous and should not be allowed to leave the village alive.

In an encounter with a Squib scout from Alexem's village, the player characters may react cautiously and amicably, or they may treat the scout aggressively. Should they choose force and intimidation, Alexem's warriors attack them rather than escort them to the village. The scenario considers fighting to the wrong course of action, however, and penalizes such behavior by pushing such characters further toward the dark side.

Once at the village, the outcome of the encounter depends on players making good die rolls and thinking of ways to curry favor with Alexem and the Squibs, such as offering technological items, rations, or medical assistance. Should they do poorly, the Squib warriors attack. Success means that Alexem and his companions decide that the outsiders are in fact harmless and befriend them. As the best possible outcome, this is considered the canonical event.