Savan

Biography

Early life

Growing up among the Falleen royalty, Savan quickly became adept at the constant power plays and struggles for status. Her connection to the Black Sun criminal syndicate likely originated through her uncle, Prince Xizor. The exact timing of Savan's entry into Black Sun remains unclear, but by 7 BBY, she was employed by her uncle's organization away from their home planet, making her one of the few Falleen to venture off-world. This absence saved her life during the Imperial attack that decimated her family. Presumed dead by authorities, a belief she never corrected, Savan found the resulting anonymity advantageous for her criminal pursuits. It remains uncertain whether Xizor himself knew she lived; if he did, he never acknowledged it.

Black Sun

In the years that followed, Savan maintained a discreet presence, steadily advancing through the ranks of her uncle's criminal network, aiming to eventually succeed him. However, Xizor's death in 4 ABY prompted a change in her strategy. Using artificial flesh to disguise herself as a female Human, she secured a position among the Vigos, the remaining central authority of Black Sun. She achieved this by exploiting her uncle's assassination of Green, the Human Vigo, and claiming his seat. Demonstrating her Falleen nature, she quickly manipulated the rivalries between her fellow councilors, turning them against each other.

While publicly presenting herself as a unifier seeking to reconcile the warring Vigos, Savan secretly managed an extensive intelligence network that fueled their conflicts, escalating their feuds into a near civil war. Her strategy of divide and conquer aimed to weaken her rivals, preventing any from challenging her rise to power. One crucial element for her open move was her uncle's Human replica droid, Guri, which would give her the needed advantage.

The hunt for Guri

Savan was aware that Guri possessed vital Black Sun secrets stored in her memory, entrusted to her by Xizor during her time as his lieutenant and chief enforcer. Furthermore, she knew that she alone knew Guri's master command codes, derived from her family's DNA. Once captured, the droid would serve her with the same loyalty she had shown Xizor. Disguised as an elderly Falleen shopkeeper named Azool, Savan hired Kar Yang, a Hiitian bounty hunter, to capture Guri. Unbeknownst to Yang, Savan was also using his droid, Lintu, to monitor him and ensure his allegiance. Shortly after, she was attacked by Prevaro, a Rodian who mistook "Azool" for Xizor in disguise. Savan resolved the situation by revealing her true identity and appointing him as her new chief lieutenant.

Meanwhile, Yang tracked Guri from Hurd's Moon to Murninkam and back, eventually realizing he was being manipulated and destroying his assistant droid. He continued his mission, now intending to capture Guri for his own profit. Recognizing that her deception had backfired, Savan decided to travel to Hurd's Moon herself to oversee Guri's capture. However, she made a final appearance in her Human disguise, approaching an Alliance delegation led by Princess Leia Organa and Han Solo on behalf of her Black Sun faction, attempting to negotiate a truce. The meeting was interrupted by an attack, seemingly by soldiers from a rival faction, but actually a false-flag operation orchestrated by Savan to gain the Rebels' trust. Princess Leia grew suspicious and later uncovered her true identity.

Enemy of the New Republic

Upon arriving on Hurd's Moon, Savan and Prevaro quickly discovered that Guri was in the possession of Massad Thrumble, a retired Imperial Admiral and droid engineer. They gathered a small force of local thugs to attack Thrumble's stronghold. Unbeknownst to them, two other groups were also preparing to assault the fortress: an Alliance team including Han Solo, Leia Organa, Lando Calrissian, Chewbacca, and Luke Skywalker, as well as Spinda Caveel, a rogue scientist seeking the information Guri carried, and his bodyguards, the Pikkel Sisters.

Entering the fortress, Savan deployed most of her forces to distract the others while she searched for Guri. She found her with Thrumble and his medical droid, A-OIC, who were attempting to escape. Holding them at blasterpoint, she approached Guri and whispered the master command code, a triumphant smile on her face. Seemingly achieving the desired result, she unleashed the deadly assassin droid on Thrumble and his droid. To her shock and dismay, Guri suddenly attacked her instead, knocking her unconscious. It was later revealed that Thrumble had wiped the code, along with any Black Sun knowledge, from Guri's memory just hours before.

Defeat and conviction

Meanwhile, the Alliance group gained control and moved to arrest Savan. She was apprehended by local authorities, although the specific charges remain unclear. Ultimately, Savan's efforts proved futile, as Black Sun collapsed due to the internal conflicts she had instigated. As the Vigos eliminated each other, central authority vanished, and the organization, without leadership, disintegrated. While this was part of her plan, Savan was no longer in a position to benefit.

Personality and traits

Savan was a skilled strategist, capable of predicting the downfall of Black Sun's leadership and timing her actions accordingly. She also possessed remarkable skill in disguise, using simple masks to convincingly portray both a Human woman and an elderly Falleen man. Savan was also proficient in piloting transport starships and using blasters, skills likely acquired during her time as a lower-level Black Sun operative.

Like her uncle, Savan was arrogant and conceited. While willing to handle lower-level tasks when necessary, she generally held mercenaries and low-ranking Black Sun members in contempt, viewing them as inferior. Her personality, shaped by her Falleen upbringing amidst scheming noble families, was calculating and distrustful. She preferred to maintain complete control over major operations and disliked delegating responsibility.

Behind the scenes

In her initial appearance in Shadows of the Empire: Evolution 2, Savan was depicted with brown eyes. In all subsequent appearances, her eyes have been portrayed as purple.