Damien Tantrellius was once a Jedi Knight who fought in the Clone Wars. Following an incident that led to the death of the future-Governor Zannen's spouse, Tantrellius suffered amnesia, leading him to pursue a new life as a performer. This career change unknowingly shielded him from the Great Jedi Purge, as he was unaware of his true identity and abilities. Tantrellius achieved stardom as the main character in Jedi Men From Baronis, which inspired the formation of the Tantrellius Theatre Groupe.
Accompanied by his daughter, Plum, Yoh Podd, and Annah Dublavviane, Tantrellius and his acting company managed to make a living on the canal world of Peekoine, specifically within the mobile city known as Landslasher-4. Unbeknownst to him, Tantrellius' performances were enhanced by his subconscious use of the Force, which held his audiences spellbound. During the Galactic Civil War, Rebel Alliance operatives rescued Plum after she was briefly abducted by a swoop gang.
The individual who would later be known as Damien Tantrellius was a Jedi Knight who fought during the Clone Wars. During one particular battle, Tantrellius' actions caused the death of the wife of the future-Governor Zannen. This traumatic event caused Tantrellius to lose his memory, completely erasing his awareness of his Jedi past. He adopted the name "Damien Tantrellius," having no recollection of his original name.
Tantrellius transitioned into acting, eventually establishing the Tantrellius Theatre Groupe. He found success on Bespin starring in Jedi Men From Baronis, ironically playing a Jedi Knight. Tantrellius also had a daughter, Plum, whom he cared for. Plum admired her father greatly and aspired to follow his path in the world of theater. Also included in Tantrellius' troupe of actors were Yoh Podd and Annah Dublavviane.
At the end of the Clone Wars, Palpatine proclaimed himself Emperor, transforming the Galactic Republic into an Empire. The Jedi were declared enemies of the state, and were systematically hunted down and killed. Tantrellius, in his new profession as an actor, managed to avoid death simply because of his ignorance; most people, including himself, were unaware that he was actually a Jedi. Moving to Peekoine, Tantrellius performed at the Jediboh Theatre on Landslasher-4, a mobile city that also functioned as a canal cutter. Following the establishment of the Alliance to Restore the Republic, Tantrellius reprised his role from Jedi Men from Baronis in the sequel, Two Jedi Men From Baronis. Seeking permission from Peekoine's governor, who was none other than Zannen, Tantrellius engaged in a particularly tense conversation with the Imperial over a meal. Following the discussion, Tantrellius received approval to stage the play.
He garnered rave reviews for his performance from The Slasher Sun Times critic Rojene Eborsisk, who described the performance as "mesmerizing." Plum made her debut in Two Jedi Men From Baronis, playing the character of Leia to great acclaim. During his performances, Tantrellius would unintentionally use the Force to captivate his audience, holding them in an almost hypnotic state. He would occasionally experience flashes of his former Jedi life, but attributed these flashbacks to his deep immersion in the role.
During a performance of Two Jedi Men From Baronis, Governor Zannen and his daughter, Yuma Zannen, were in attendance. While on stage, Tantrellius was approached by a group of Rebel Alliance agents, who informed him that Plum had disappeared. Deeply worried, Tantrellius began searching through official channels for a ransom message, while also dispatching the Rebels, as well as Plum's friend, Grree L'Tharr, and Podd to locate his daughter. The Rebels returned with the information that Plum had been mistaken for Yuma Zannen. Yuma had arranged to be "kidnapped" by the criminal Gamusha's swoop gang, The Gutterwipes, in an attempt to gain attention, but the plan had gone awry.
Tantrellius spent the majority of his time on stage, even when there wasn't a performance taking place. He possessed a deep intellect, although he was prone to anxiety in stressful situations. He was admired by both critics and colleagues, with his greatest admirer being his own daughter, Plum. Tantrellius would become so absorbed in his roles that he began to believe, subconsciously, that he actually was a Jedi. This was further complicated by the fact that he genuinely had a connection to the Force, and had been a Jedi during the Galactic Republic's prime.
Damien Tantrellius initially appeared in William Herz's role-playing adventure Peekoine Opera Blues, which was featured in Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer 88. In the story, Tantrellius serves as a supporting non-player character.