Farzala Tarabal

Farzala Tarabal was inducted into the Jedi Order during the High Republic. Early on, he became close friends with Lula Talisola and Qort. As younglings, the trio would eagerly watch holodramas featuring the renowned Jedi Master Tal Bota, dreaming of their own futures as Jedi. At one point, as a young Padawan, Jedi Master Obratuk Glii imparted a lesson to Tarabal, explaining that fear is not an adversary but rather a valuable learning opportunity. Glii reflected on how his advanced age had led him to witness the deaths of many former Padawans, but he still maintained a broad perspective and served the Force.

Tarabal was among the many Padawans stationed aboard the academic cruiser Star Hopper. The ship traveled the galaxy to broaden the Padawans' understanding of the Jedi ways while they underwent training under the guidance of Jedi Masters Yoda and Torban Buck.

Lula Talisola and Qort were Tarabal's close friends and fellow Padawans on the Star Hopper. Tarabal and Qort often engaged in mischievous activities, prompting Talisola to watch over them.

In 232 BBY, the Star Hopper was the closest Jedi vessel when the Trymant system was threatened by an Emergence resulting from the Great Hyperspace Disaster, and thus it hurried to provide assistance. Tarabal questioned the decision to proceed without waiting for backup, but Yoda insisted, believing that the Padawans represented the system's only hope. On the way to Trymant, Yoda tasked the Padawans with gathering information about the incident. Tarabal and Qort identified it as fallout from the Great Disaster, while Talisola and Bibs informed the others that the debris posed a threat to the densely populated Bralanak City on the planet Trymant IV.

As the cruiser prepared to exit hyperspace, Yoda and Buck instructed the Padawans to work on the ground to rescue civilians and handle smaller debris, while the Masters dealt with the larger pieces. The Padawans boarded their rescue speeders, with Tarabal joining Talisola in her speeder. The Star Hopper entered the Trymant system, and the speeders descended toward Trymant IV. Tarabal directed the other speeders to maintain a tight formation and warned them about a nearby piece of debris that narrowly missed his and Talisola's speeder, expressing relief at their close call.

After landing to assist the citizens, Tarabal spotted a piece of debris threatening people on a nearby roof. He and Talisola boarded their speeder, followed by Bibs and Qort on a hover platform to rescue the trapped residents. Despite his uncertainty, Tarabal managed to shoot down the debris, breaking it apart before impact. When Talisola inquired about rescuing the city's inhabitants, Tarabal suggested using a nearby Spider Cruiser, which had been used by Nihil marauders to attack Trymant IV in the wake of the Emergence.

The Jedi confronted the Nihil, demanding the use of the cruiser for evacuation, but the marauders refused and opened fire. After deflecting the blaster bolts with the other Jedi, Tarabal declared their intention to seize the cruiser by force, charging forward alongside Talisola and Qort. A large piece of debris then fell towards them, but Zeen Mrala, a Force-sensitive resident, used telekinesis to held back the debris, surprising Tarabal and the other Padawans. While Talisola assisted Mrala, the Jedi found themselves surrounded by Nihil marauders, with Eye of the Nihil Marchion Ro ordering their deaths.

Tarabal asked Talisola for guidance, and she resolved to fight. However, before the Nihil could fire, Masters Yoda and Buck arrived to rescue the Padawans, with Buck announcing his arrival with his nickname, "Buckets of Blood," to Tarabal's surprise. The Jedi engaged the Nihil, with Tarabal facing several marauders himself. Noticing a Nihil about to launch a large projectile, Tarabal alerted his fellow Jedi, allowing Yoda to slice the projectile into pieces midair.

As the Jedi continued to fight, Tarabal inquired about Talisola's situation, and she noted Mrala's skill in using the Force. Tarabal then noticed Buck surrounded by raiders and suggested he needed assistance. The Padawans charged to Buck's rescue, but they were interrupted by the arrival of a Republic rescue fleet, prompting the Nihil to flee. As Republic vessels landed on Trymant IV, Buck thanked the Padawans, and Tarabal and Talisola questioned him about his nickname. The two Padawans exchanged confused glances upon Buck's explanation that he was a healer.

The Nihil cruiser escaped the blockade above Trymant IV. Yoda returned, having infiltrated the vessel to find Mrala's friend, Krix Kamerat—who did not wish to be saved due to his anti-jedi sentiment for the Jedi—and declared that the Jedi and Mrala must return to the Starlight Beacon. The Jedi boarded the Star Hopper and departed from Trymant. Mrala was upset by the loss of her home and separation from her friend, Krix Kamerat—who had been taken in by the Nihil as they departed—but Talisola comforted her, with Tarabal and Qort supporting her sympathies. As the Star Hopper approached the Starlight Beacon, Tarabal and the other Jedi observed their arrival through a viewport.

Following the Star Hopper's return to Starlight Beacon, Tarabal and the other Jedi welcomed Mrala, making her feel at home. A week after the Trymant incident, several Jedi Masters discussed Mrala's future. Estala Maru noted that she was too old for training, while Avar Kriss was unsure if Trymant IV was safe for her return, prompting Kantam Sy to suggest that Mrala remain on Starlight, as she had become close to the Padawans. When Talisola suggested seeking Mrala's opinion, Tarabal added that the opinions of Mrala's new Jedi friends were also important.

The Padawans then re-enacted the events of the attack on Trymant, providing an account of Mrala and Talisola holding back the debris, complete with Tarabal's excited narration. This convinced the Masters that the Padawans wanted Mrala to stay. Having saved lives on Trymant and knowing individuals within the Nihil, including Kamerat, she could be helpful. The Jedi had been unable to find the Nihil after their escape, but Yoda had provided Krix with a holoprojector so he could contact Mrala when ready, and the Jedi Master noted that the device could be used to track the marauders.

The Jedi Masters decided to investigate the Nihil's actions further, with Kriss suspecting that the encountered group was on a high-level mission. Tarabal suggested ambushing the Nihil and blasting them with laser cannons, which Bibs and Qort acted out. As the transponder within the holoprojector had a short range, the Jedi planned to search the Bright Jewel system, where there had been increased reports of Nihil attacks, hoping to pick up the signal. However, the transponder's location could only be received if a message was sent, requiring Mrala's collaboration in manipulating Kamerat. As Tarabal and the other Jedi watched, Yoda and Talisola asked Mrala if she would help them, but she was unable to decide.

The signal from the holoprojector led to Quantxi, a junk moon orbiting Ord Mantell. Tarabal and his friends discovered Nihil raiders massacring native Junk Mavens and intervened. While Talisola searched for Mrala, Qort and Tarabal fought for the Junk Mavens. The Junk Mavens summoned a savrip for defense, and Masters Buck, Sy, and Yoda arrived to assist. Afterwards, Tarabal reunited with Talisola and Mrala at the Republic Outpost on Ord Mantell.

Tarabal accompanied his master, Obratuk Glii, the crew of the Vessel, and Qort on a diplomatic mission to Bilbousa, the capital of Nal Hutta. The Hutts had requested the Jedi envoy due to their alliance against the Drengir. Because of Obratuk, the diplomat of the crew's hibernation, Tarabal was sent to meet the Hutts in his place, leaving Qort on the Vessel. Tarabal began discussions with Skarabda the Hutt, but the mission went awry when the hijacked Vessel's guns fired on the Hutts. Tarabal and Leox Gyasi fled through the Hutt's fortress but were soon stopped by Hutt enforcers, with whom they fought the Drengir. The human and Zygerrian were then captured and imprisoned by the Hutts. In a hanging cage, Tarabal used the Force to rock back and forth, freeing himself and Gyasi. Riding a blixus, the two saved Ishnar Ti-Kharatal, who worked for the Hutts, from the Drengir, and Tarabal retrieved his lightsaber from her. They spoke to Jabba, to whom Tarabal explained that the Jedi were not behind the attack, and Ti-Kharatal supported him. A hologram call from Master Glii reassured Tarabal's ability to act as the Order's diplomat, and discussions commenced with Tarabal leading.

Upon returning to Starlight Beacon, Farzala reunited with Lula Talisola and Zeen Mrala, who had been present during the Nihil attack on Valo. He introduced them to his new friend, Ishnar Ti-Kharatal, and met fellow Padawan Ram Jomaram. The group proceeded to the Beacon's meditation chambers to meet Masters Buck and Sy, who wanted to give the Padawans an opportunity to ask questions about the confusing events in the Galaxy and Jedi Order in recent months. After a barrage of questions about Loden Greatstorm and the Nihil, the masters informed the Padawans about a specific Nihil cell causing havoc in a particular region of the Galaxy. Soon after, they departed for the Jedi Temple on Takodana to assist Sav Malagán against the Nihil.

The Star Hopper arrived on Takodana, Qort's former home, where the Jedi were greeted by Malagán and Maz Kanata, who embraced Qort. Tarabal was surprised that Kanata knew his Aloxian friend. Preparations for defense began, and the Padawans were introduced to Bareen and Sabata Krill, sisters who claimed to have defected from the Nihil and wanted to help. While the Padawans assisted Malagán in setting up defensive weaponry, Malagán spotted Sabata acting suspiciously and simultaneously received information that the Nihil had returned. Moments later, Sabata detonated numerous hidden thermal detonators around the temple, causing a massive explosion. The temple was largely destroyed, but the Padawans and Jedi survived. Qort's skull mask was also destroyed, and he took to the skies, jumping between fighters and eliminating the Nihil's ships. After dealing with the immediate threat, Qort landed, and Farzala and the others greeted him with a hug.

Back at Starlight Beacon, Masters Kantam Sy and Torban Buck revived the Great Jedi Rumble Race from their childhood, hoping to provide the Padawans with some fun during a difficult time. The race involved running around the beacon and, according to the masters, had no rules, except for not blowing anything up. Farzala participated in the Rumble Race with his friends. As the group approached the finish line, Master Buck pushed them backward, winning the race for himself.

Farzala Tarabal, a Zygerrian male, had black hair, blue eyes, and blue-gray skin. He was often involved in mischief with his fellow Padawans, Qort and Talisola. Tarabal was also energetic; after the Trymant incident, he excitedly narrated a re-enactment of the events and was eager to defeat the Nihil with laser cannons.

Tarabal demonstrated caution when the Star Hopper was redirected to Trymant, suggesting that they wait for backup, as they were the only Jedi starship in range. However, he took charge on the approach to Trymant IV, directing the other Padawans in their rescue speeders. When the Nihil marauders on Trymant IV refused to allow the Jedi to use their cruiser for evacuation, Tarabal declared their intention to take it regardless. When Talisola comforted Mrala after the Trymant attack, Tarabal supported her, assuring Mrala that the Jedi would have her back. He and the other Padawans welcomed Mrala as a friend during her time on Starlight, and Tarabal once again supported Mrala when the Jedi Masters debated her fate, reminding them that the other Padawans wanted her to stay.

During the missions to Bright Jewel and Bilbousa, Tarabal displayed leadership and interpersonal skills. He selflessly assisted the Junk Mavens on Bright Jewel, remained calm during his capture on Bilbousa, escaped, saved Leox, and was kind to Ishnar, gaining a new ally before facing the Hutts. Before the Hutts, Tarabal demonstrated his diplomacy skills in place of Obratuk Glii. Tarabal gained confidence and came into his own, speaking to Jabba the Hutt on behalf of the Jedi. He once again showed his kind and caring nature when he reunited with Lula Talisola and Zeen Mrala. After a brief battle on Takodana, Farzala comforted his friend Qort, whose mask had been cracked, revealing his true nature.

As a Padawan of the Jedi Order, Tarabal was sensitive to the Force. He was skilled in using his lightsaber, deflecting shots fired by the Nihil on Trymant IV and using the Force to push back the Nihil. While providing aid at Trymant, Tarabal successfully fired upon debris from his rescue speeder, earning Talisola's compliment on his shooting. He was also a talented diplomat, drawing on the teachings of his master, Obratuk Glii, and using this ability to discuss the alliance with the Hutts.

Tarabal wore brown robes with light-colored sleeves over darker pants and boots, along with brown gauntlets and a cape with gold patterning on the edge. While in action on Trymant IV, he instead wore a brown cloak over his robes and a green belt. Tarabal carried a green-bladed lightsaber with a gray hilt. When the Padawans of the Star Hopper assisted the citizens of Trymant IV, Tarabal rode in a rescue speeder piloted by Talisola.

Farzala Tarabal was created for the Star Wars: The High Republic publishing initiative, appearing in the comic series Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures, written by Daniel José Older, illustrated by Harvey Tolibao, and published by IDW Publishing. The character was first depicted on the initial cover reveal for the issue when the project was announced on February 24, 2020, and was subsequently introduced in the series' first issue on February 3, 2021. His surname was later identified in The High Republic Adventures (2021) 2, published on March 3, 2021. Older described Farzala as a mix between a mischievous older brother and a typical cat.

Tarabal's first name was misspelled as "Farzal" on numerous occasions, starting with the summaries released by IDW for the series' first and second issues. The error was also picked up in a blurb on the third issue within the "Launchpad" section of Star Wars Insider.