Zao

"Go your way. Seek rightful balance. Learn to appreciate what you are given."

- Zao to a disgruntled customer

Zao was a blind, elderly male Veknoid Jedi Master and an accomplished chef. He did not accept missions from the Jedi Council, but followed the will of the Force as he traveled about the galaxy. Those who ate Zao's cooking often found that its taste, whether good or bad, reflected the degree to which their current mental state was in harmony with the Force. In spite of his blindness, he remained a formidable and lethal adversary, wielding his unique lightsaber cane with frightening accuracy.

Biography


"The war is already won or lost as the Force wills. We are all leaves blown by its wind."

- Zao

Before the Clone Wars, Zao served as chef to Gorto Zaga on Kiffex, during which time he explained his method of travel to Quinlan Vos.

He later cooked food on the streets of Saleucami, where he encountered his old friend Tholme, who was on the planet to investigate the actions of the Dark Jedi Sora Bulq. Zao believed the Jedi should serve the Force and the principles of the Galactic Republic, but explained to Tholme that the Republic itself no longer upheld those ideals.

Zao was opposed to the Jedi serving as officers in the Clone Wars. However, he did help Tholme locate Sora Bulq's underground Morgukai cloning facilities.

As the war continued, rumors abounded of his death. Since he was not involved with the war, he was not killed in the execution of Order 66. Dressed in rags amongst huge crowds, he was overlooked as a beggar by clone troopers searching for Jedi traitors to kill.

Behind the scenes
Zao was originally going to die in Darkness, but according to artist Jan Duursema, "Zao would have been toast in Darkness, but we were asked not to kill him."

Appearances

 * Star Wars Republic: Darkness
 * Star Wars Republic: Rite of Passage
 * Star Wars Republic: The Dreadnaughts of Rendili
 * Star Wars Republic: Trackdown
 * Star Wars Republic: The Siege of Saleucami
 * Star Wars Republic: Into the Unknown

Notes and references
Zao Zao