Even Piell/Legends

"I kept these scars to remind me: of the eight who fought in the throne room that day, six died. Only one being walked out."

- Even Piell

Even Piell was a Jedi Master and Jedi Council member from the planet Lannik with a well-deserved reputation of being a humorless and fierce warrior. He was present when Qui-Gon Jinn introduced Anakin Skywalker to the Council.

Early life
Born and raised on the planet Lannik, Even Piell was spotted for his Force aptitude at an early age, and he was taken to Coruscant for training. However, his love of his homeworld never left him, and when he became a Jedi Knight, he spent some years back with his people. He served their royal family by working as part of royal security at a time when the lives of the monarch and his family were under threat.

Although small in comparison to other humanoids, Even Piell was well-respected in Jedi circles for his skill with a lightsaber. He followed a strict code of honor that was an extension of the warrior code of Lannik. In difficult situations, Even could be counted upon to keep a cool head and apply his considerable wisdom and intelligence in the thick of action. For these reasons, Even was selected to serve on the Jedi Council just as the order was about to enter its most turbulent period.

Jedi missions
Before the Invasion of Naboo, events centered on Even Piell's homeworld most occupied his efforts. The planet had long been troubled by anti-monarchist violence. The movement had been led by a terrorist group called the Red Iaro. The group had large forces and supplies that had been provided by many offworld supporters who had an interest in the fall of the Lannik royals. Years of conflict and terrible losses on both sides resulted only in deadlock. Growing increasingly desperate, the Red Iaro started to use more extreme methods. These included a suicide raid on the Lannik royal family during a visit of representatives from Corellia. If it were not for Even Piell, who had attended the meeting as a precaution, all present would have been killed. As it was, Piell battled the eight intruders single handedly, killed seven of them and forced the eighth, the leader named Myk'Chur Finux Zug, to flee with a serious injury. Zug managed to loose a lucky shot at Piell and as a result the Jedi lost his left eye. The Lannik royals and the Corellian delegates (who were the parents of Adi Gallia), were saved.

Instead of using bacta therapy to heal his wound, or being fitted with a prosthetic eye to restore his full sight, Even chose to wear his scar as a badge of honor. He was proud of the fact that he had stood alone against eight highly-trained killers and prevailed, especially that he did so while protecting his royal family.

Emissaries to Malastare
Shortly after the Invasion of Naboo, Adi Gallia informed the Jedi Council that the Red Iaro had declared a stalemate. They wished to begin peace in the process. Negotiations were to take place on Malastare. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine requested that only members of the Council go to arrange a truce between the Red Iaro and the Lannik royal prince. Along with Mace Windu, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Yaddle, and Plo Koon. Even Piell volunteered to go. Adi Gallia also joined them, in repayment for saving her parents.

When they arrived on Malastare, they were greeted by Baskol Yeesrim and Ainlee Teem. The Jedi were shown to the Governor's Palace. On the way, Even discovered that were being followed by a Red Iaro terrorist and a Ffib priest. Even and Adi dropped back to deal with them. Caught by surprise, the two beings opened fire upon the two Jedi. The noise was heard by Ki-Adi-Mundi and his apprentice, A'Sharad Hett, who came to investigate. The two men fled. The Jedi followed in hot pursuit, but were unable to apprehend the fugitives.

Soon after, the Lannik prince, R'cardo Sooflie IX, arrived and the Jedi were summoned to the Arbitration chambers. When they entered, the Prince inquired about the identity of the Lannik Jedi. Even Piell introduced himself to the prince and stated that he had served his father and grandfather. Adi Gallia was quite annoyed with the fact that the prince had no idea who Even was, as the Jedi had single-handedly saved the royal family. Shortly afterward, the Red Iaro's representatives entered, led by Zug. While the negotiations were taking place, the Malastare fifth race elimination finals of the podrace started. The prince's short temper was not encouraging the negotiations, so Master Windu decided to resume the meeting the next day. Aks Moe was about to summon the air taxis to take the Jedi back to their apartments when one of the prince's advisors suggested they take the Lannik's personal shuttles.

On the way back Even occupied one of the two shuttles with Masters Windu and Gallia. Two advisors, including one named Hutar, who Even had served with on Lannik, were accompanying them. A podracer distracted the Jedi, while the advisors revealed that they were members of the Red Iaro and they were carrying thermite bombs. Thinking quickly, Even cut the shuttle in half with his lightsaber, saving their lives, but causing the shuttle to fall out of the sky. The same happened to the other group, but they still had a shuttle. Sebulba, one of the contenders of the podrace, was heading their way. Mace leaped onto the side of his pod racer. The Jedi Master asked him to slow down the pod so the Jedi could reach the ground, but this angered the Dug since he was leading the race. The other group of Jedi spotted them and rescued them just in the nick of time. The Jedi realized that the attack on the shuttles was just a distraction; the remaining Red Iaro members were in the Palace with the prince.

The Jedi arrived and apprehended the terrorists except Myk'Chur Finux Zug. He fled using a jet pack but he crashed into Sebulba's pod. The prince was saved, but was ungrateful to Even again. Even so, Even was pleased that he could serve the monarch of Lannik again.

Clone Wars
Many years later Piell was one of the many Jedi who fought in the Battle of Geonosis and yet one of the few who managed to survive. He fought for the Republic during the Clone Wars, and was later present at Anakin Skywalker's knighting ceremony. As of 19 BBY his seat on the council was vacant, and would be filled by Skywalker. Piell's ultimate fate is unknown.

Behind the scenes

 * Even Piell was portrayed by Michaela Cottrell in The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones (seen in archive footage of the Jedi Council used in conjunction with new material). He was voiced by Daran Norris in Clone Wars: Volume II.

Appearances

 * Yaddle's Tale: The One Below
 * Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan: Last Stand on Ord Mantell
 * Jedi Council: Acts of War
 * Cloak of Deception
 * Episode I Adventures 1: Search for the Lost Jedi
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars Republic: Emissaries to Malastare
 * Star Wars Republic: The Hunt for Aurra Sing
 * Star Wars Republic: The Stark Hyperspace War
 * Star Wars: Zam Wesell
 * Jedi Quest: The Master of Disguise
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * The Lesson
 * Star Wars: Clone Wars
 * "Chapter 21"