Finis Valorum/Legends

"Connected with the past, Valorum was. Rooted deep in tradition's soil."

- Yoda

Finis Valorum was the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic before Queen Padmé Amidala introduced a Vote of No Confidence into the Galactic Senate, which then passed it. He was subsequently replaced by his colleague, Senator Palpatine of Naboo.

Biography
Valorum came from an ancient and distinguished family, and at least two of his ancestors had served as Chancellor in the past. This background, ironically, worked against him, as many came to believe he had been elected solely because of his famous surname.

Before his election as Chancellor, Valorum was Senator of the Lytton Sector. He was a member of the Core faction of senators, was a member of Chancellor Kalpana's administration, and had been involved with negotiations to end the Stark Hyperspace War.

Valorum was the one who instituted the vogue amongst the Coruscanti elite of going to operas; it was joked amongst his political enemies that he enjoyed them because they were the only places where he could get any applause.

After his resignation, Valorum spent his retirement working with the Refugee Relief Movement on worlds such as Alderaan. He also wrote an autobiography, Holding Back the Tide, released in 22 BBY. It was widely panned.

Valorum was killed in a terrorist attack shortly after the Battle of Jabiim. The attack was secretly orcestrated by Darth Sidious but publically attributed to the Separatists, in an attempt to get rid of Valorum because he had been talking to Senator Bail Organa about Palpatine's political manueverings. Thus, Valorum could be the de facto founder of the Alliance to Restore the Republic. In truth, apparently upon the machinations of Darth Sidious, Finis Valorum was murdered by Anzati assassin Salje Tasha, upon the behest of the corrupt Senator Viento upon orders by Sora Bulq. This information would later be utilized by Quinlan Vos in his hunt for the Sith.

Valorum was also known for his connections with various women. He had close ties with Jedi Master Adi Gallia; was rumored to be having an affair with his Senior Administrative Assistant, Sei Taria, during his chancellorship; and after his retirement from politics, was sighted in the companionship of a "doe-eyed blonde number."

The Finis Valorum Memorial was constructed on Coruscant to honor the last being who served as Chancellor before Palpatine's rise to power.

Behind the scenes



 * Valorum was played by actor Terence Stamp who has stated that the character was inspired by then US President Bill Clinton. Stamp recalls that George Lucas described Valorum as a good but beleaguered man; Valorum's "connections" with the above-stated women are probably references to Clinton.
 * Valorum's appropriate first name, Finis (which means "the end,") was also given to him by the Expanded Universe.
 * In the first draft of Star Wars, Valorum was intended to be a dark, masked prince&mdash;a role similar to the Darth Vader known today.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Republic: The Stark Hyperspace War
 * Jedi Apprentice: The Only Witness
 * Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan: Last Stand on Ord Mantell
 * Jedi Council: Acts of War
 * Darth Maul: Saboteur
 * Cloak of Deception
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace


 * Star Wars Republic 61: Dead Ends
 * Labyrinth of Evil
 * Republic HoloNet News Special Inaugural Edition 16:5:241 - Star Wars Insider 84