Zephren Mallok

Name: Zephren Mallok
Player: Brian Kirkland
Age: 59
Species: Verpine
Gender: Male
Height: 2.0m
Type: New Republic Senator of Roche

Languages: Verpine, Basic

Special Abilities:

• Technical Aptitude: Verpine receive a +2D bonus to all Technical skill rolls due to cultural emphasis on technology
• Chitinous Exoskeleton: +1D to Strength when resisting physical (but not energy-based) damage.
• Compound Eyes: Allows magnification to microscopic details. +1D to Search rolls when using this.
• Organic Telecommunication: 1 km range. When working together, Verpine can extend this range by 1km for each individual in the effort. (Perception based skill)
• Requires special clothing and gear such as vacuum suits.

Background

Zephren Mallok was born in the Roche asteroid field. His family unit owned a series of repair shops on Coruscant. His father constantly flew from Roche to Coruscant to run his company. During Zephren's childhood, he occasionally accompanied his father on these trips. At most other times, he was left to be raised by the hive back at the Roche asteroid field. As with most Verpine children, he was obsessed with tinkering with the latest electronic devices. His father always had the latest technological gizmos around, from droid components to computer equipment for starfighters and space freighters.

His father's business was nothing fancy during Zephren's childhood. However, as Zephren grew, so did the business. Because of his father's modest wealth, Zephren was put through some of the best schools in Roche. He excelled in his academic work, and as he approached graduation he began emerging as one with great charisma and energy. He was a natural leader and he continued building a reputation as such.

His father's business blossomed into a large system repair company based out of Coruscant. The company repaired starship components, weapons, computer systems, droids, and many other electronics. During the years of Imperial rule, the business expanded rapidly. Upon graduation, Zephren was offered a prestigious job within his father's company. However, he did not want to use his father's success to inherit power.

After graduation, Zephren moved to Coruscant to live with his father. Instead of taking a job within his father's company, he decided to pursue a career in politics. He joined up with the Roche delegation in the Imperial Senate as an intern. The Imperial Senate, of course, had little power at the time due to Emperor Palpatine's overwhelming influence in the chamber. Nevertheless, Roche was represented, and there was bureaucratic work to be done.

Over the years, his charisma and leadership qualities gave him boosts within the bureaucratic ranks. Slowly, his name became more and more known throughout Roche politics. When the Empire dissolved the Senate, Zephren found himself back in the asteroid field of Roche where he entered into the local political realm as a political adviser.

He was highly respected by his hive community, partly because of his father's success and partly because of his natural charisma. Charisma was not something that came naturally to a Verpine. Another quality that Zephren possessed was the ability to reach across cultures. His ability to communicate and work with other species gave him profound respect among his hive.

Zephren evolved from an adviser to a true politician over the years. As he matured, he refined his leadership skills. After the fall of the Empire at Coruscant, the dominoes began to fall across the galaxy. As the New Republic gained power, so did Zephren. He won an important race and in a few years he became the chair of a powerful trade regulation committee. His popularity with the local populace skyrocketed as he brought increased trade and commerce to Roche over the next few years under New Republic rule.

In one particularly popular move, Zephren Mallok was a key government player in bringing the New Republic Starfigher Corps headquarters to Roche. The NRSFC General Brian Kirkland had negotiated with the Roche government after expressing interest in making the move. New Alderaan was proving inadequate, and Roche's reputation and technical expertise would prove to be quite useful. Zephren knew that a high profile military headquarters on Roche would further protect their system from Imperials, and he knew the Verpine's highly tuned technical skills would be a great benefit to the military.

Not long after that deal, Zephren began a campaign for New Republic Senator of Roche. The outgoing senator was resigning and Zephren's chances of election were strong given his maturity and popularity. After an intense campaign, Zephren won the election handily and proceeded to move to Coruscant to begin his term as Senator.

Government on the capital planet was, needless to say, overwhelmingly different from local Roche politics. Zephren's experience in the bureaucracy allowed him to easily adapt to the life of a senator. He was working with cultures from all across the galaxy, which was a drastic change from his work with the Verpine on Roche. Zephren adapted well to the new environment and maintained an inviting personality.

Physical Description

Zephren Mallok is a tall, hermaphroditic insect biped of vaguely humanoid build with oddly-jointed limbs. He has two long antennae that grows from the back of his head, and large black eyes. He has an exoskeleton made up of brilliant green chitinous plates. His limbs end with three digits, one of which is opposable.

Personality

Zephren Mallok is, like most Verpine, a technically-oriented person. His mind is very calculating and analytical. His personality is very easy-going and he likes to work with people to come to consensus. He maintains a fair amount of charisma, even for a Verpine. When socializing, he is very direct. He is very emotionally aware and is able to control his own emotions while detecting the emotions of others. This helps him communicate, especially with those outside of his culture.

He is a very technology-friendly voice within the Senate, supporting nearly every initiative that provides new technology or funding for technological endeavors.