Ardun Kothe was a Jedi Knight of the Human species (a male), who later transitioned into the role of a spy for the Galactic Republic, operating under the Republic Strategic Information Service during both the Cold War era and the Galactic War.
Born to Edra and Neven Kothe, this Force-sensitive Human was forced to leave his home planet, Dantooine, and seek refuge in the Core Worlds at the onset of the Great Galactic War due to the invasion by the Sith Empire. As a young boy, the Jedi Order detected his connection to the Force and inducted him into their ranks. He underwent training in the Force and eventually achieved the rank of Jedi Knight. During his time as a Jedi, Kothe worked with refugees on Brentaal IV and was well-regarded, maintaining close relationships with fellow Jedi such as Syo Bakarn and Jaric Kaedan.
Throughout his service in the Great Galactic War, Kothe played a crucial role in rescuing Senators Thranz and Falit from an assassination attempt on Coruscant. Following the signing of the Treaty of Coruscant in 3653 BBY, Kothe made the decision to leave the Jedi Order and enlist in the Republic Strategic Information Service as an agent. Demonstrating exceptional skill and dedication, Kothe quickly advanced through the ranks and was appointed commander of the Mid Rim Operations Group within sixteen months of joining the SIS. In this role, he initiated a number of clandestine operations, including Operation: Etching Wheel, Operation: Derelict, and Operation: Glass Knife.
Around 3642 BBY, the Galactic Senate granted Kothe special authority to operate autonomously, empowering him to take whatever actions he deemed necessary to prevent another devastating war with the Sith Empire. Kothe held a firm belief in fate and the possibility of redemption, hoping to convert enemies from the Empire to the Republic's cause. He later encountered Cipher Nine, an agent working undercover for the Empire. However, Kothe doubted the agent's sincerity in defecting and manipulated Nine using their own brainwashing code. He and his team exploited the agent to acquire various items for a purpose that remained unclear, while the Agent secretly sought a way to break free from the programming. During a mission on Quesh, Kothe pursued the Shadow Arsenal, a collection of undetectable nuclear missiles developed near the end of the previous war. His intention was to use these missiles as a deterrent, believing that threatening Kaas City on Dromund Kaas would force the Sith to surrender. He instructed Nine to remain at the shield controls until the missiles were secured, after which Nine was to return to Imperial Intelligence for a brief period. Shortly after, the chemicals used for brainwashing took effect, resetting the Agent's programming. The agent confronted Kothe, who revealed his past as a Jedi.
As the confrontation reached its climax, Nine trapped Kothe behind a force field and activated the security turrets. Remembering the tenets of the Jedi Code, Kothe met his end, falling victim to the turrets' fire.
Ardun Kothe seemed particularly drawn to the concepts of subversion and the recruitment of enemy assets. He was inclined to believe that his adversaries could be transformed into allies, but he was also mindful of the inherent dangers involved. His involvement in several slave rebellions suggests that he held strong political convictions.
Should the agent player choose the light side path and spare Kothe, he and his team will later reunite with Cipher Nine on Corellia, replacing Neyla Hawkins in that role. Nine will inform him about the Star Cabal, and Kothe will agree to assist in faking the agent's death. Towards the conclusion of Chapter 3, Kothe will eliminate the two Dark Council agents who arrive at the Star Cabal headquarters. He will then request the Black Codex, promising to use it to dismantle the Star Cabal before securing the data. Nine can choose to either betray Kothe and kill him, or refuse to give him the Black Codex, in which case Kothe will leave. If Nine does hand over the Black Codex to Kothe, he will ask Nine if the agent wishes to join the Republic before departing. Nine can either decline or accept the offer, earning light side points.
If Nine spared Kothe and chose to defect to the Republic, at the end of the battle against Revan on Yavin 4, the agent will contact Kothe to provide an update on the Empire's operations and events since their last encounter.
Dude Walker provides the voice for Ardun Kothe.