A celebrated Human Jedi Master of the male persuasion, Lanius Qel-Bertuk presided as Headmaster over the Jedi academy situated on Almas. Within the Order, certain individuals regarded Lanius Qel-Bertuk as one of the most insightful Jedi, while the Jedi High Council viewed him as something of an unconventional figure.
Upon reaching an age where visions of future accomplishments began to form, Lanius Qel-Bertuk was identified as Force-sensitive by Acquisition Division recruiter Jonas Fel'Kona and subsequently brought to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, though it is possible his training had commenced elsewhere beforehand. It was within these hallowed halls that he came to realize the disparity between the idealized legends of the Jedi and the realities of their existence.
Qel-Bertuk's training in the Force was undertaken as a Padawan under the tutelage of the Twi'lek Jedi Master Nerra Ziveri. When Ziveri assumed the role of headmaster at the Almas Academy, he brought Qel-Bertuk along, initiating his preparation to eventually succeed him in the same position. Having attained the rank of Jedi Knight, Qel-Bertuk discovered a natural aptitude for instruction, becoming one of the most well-liked instructors at the academy. As he refined his precognitive abilities, Jedi Qel-Bertuk was chosen to serve as the Jedi Watchman for the Cularin system.
In the year 56 BBY, Ziveri abruptly elevated Qel-Bertuk to the rank of Master and appointed him as the academy's headmaster before embarking on a mysterious mission from which he did not return. Qel-Bertuk maintained Ziveri's established practices, including the somewhat controversial experimental Jedi quests. Furthermore, he broadened the students' curriculum to encompass subjects beyond the direct application of the Force, espousing the belief that "A Jedi should know as much as possible about everything," a reflection of his own pursuits as a Sentinel.
Master Qel-Bertuk possessed a remarkable gift for discerning the future, an attribute that Grand Master Yoda himself acknowledged during a visit to Almas. He perceived the disturbances associated with the resurgence of the Sith and the escalating influence of the dark side earlier than many others. In an attempt to pinpoint the source of this disturbance, he dedicated an increasing amount of time to meditation, which consequently detracted from his teaching responsibilities.
Around 42 BBY, Constanten, a Tarasin Jedi, concluded her training at the Almas Academy and faced a pivotal decision: to remain on Almas or to transfer to Coruscant. Qel-Bertuk elucidated that neither choice was inherently wrong, but emphasized that remaining on Almas would present a greater challenge, as a Jedi must be unburdened by attachments, a feat more difficult to achieve within one's native system. Ultimately, Constanten chose to depart, only to return to the Almas Academy two decades later, having achieved a state of detachment.
Subsequently, Qel-Bertuk reached out to Valiri, a Jedi trained on Coruscant who had recently completed his own training. Qel-Bertuk extended an offer to Valiri to join the Almas Academy as an instructor and protector. Valiri, familiar with Qel-Bertuk solely through his reputation, contemplated the offer through meditation and eventually accepted.
In 31 BBY, Master Qel-Bertuk detected a disturbance in the Force emanating from the nearby planet Cularin, which he correctly surmised was linked to the recent disappearances of individuals from the cities of Gadrin and Hedrett. Reasoning that his and his Jedi's notoriety on Cularin would hinder their effectiveness as investigators, he dispatched E1-6RA to seek out independent agents who could conduct the investigation in exchange for Qel-Bertuk serving as a contact. The outcome of this outsourcing remains unknown.
The missing individuals had, in actuality, joined the Cularin resistance in an effort to uncover evidence of the Metatheran Cartel's illicit activities on the planet and ultimately expel them, a goal they eventually achieved. The Cartel held its envoy Velin Wir accountable for the transgressions and dispatched a new envoy, Thurm Loogg, to request permission to remain on the planet. Governor Barnab Chistor of Gadrin delegated the decision to a vote. During the ensuing celebration, some Padawans abstained from voting, despite widespread expectations that the Jedi Order would vote as a unified bloc. Master Qel-Bertuk himself did not attend, instead sending E1-6RA as his representative.
With the outbreak of the Clone Wars between the Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, Master Qel-Bertuk invoked his Right of Denial and relinquished his lightsaber, opting not to become a General in the Grand Army of the Republic.
In 20 BBY, the Almas Academy maintained control over the Almas Sith fortress, constructed centuries prior by Darth Rivan on the planet's opposite hemisphere. Qel-Bertuk dispatched a contingent of Jedi to the fortress, both to conduct research and to safeguard it against potential attacks from a dark-side sect known as the Believers. Due to the fortress's intricate network of mechanical traps and the pervasive influence of the dark side, many sections remained unexplored by the Jedi. Qel-Bertuk implemented a rotational system to ensure a constant presence of twenty Jedi at the fortress.
The fortress came under attack by an unidentified group. During a sandstorm that disrupted communications and recordings, the invaders neutralized six Jedi guards at one of the entrances; three were discovered deceased, while the remaining three were missing. Qel-Bertuk assembled several elite search teams to investigate the interior of the fortress. Fearing that the attack was a ploy to lure the Academy's most formidable Jedi and recognizing the enemy's ability to overcome some of his most skilled warriors, he sought to enlist the aid of non-Jedi individuals, dispatching Jedi apprentice Janiah to deliver messages to potential recruits.
Qel-Bertuk convened with a minimum of three search teams, one of which likely included Jedi Mistress Devan For'deschel and six high-ranking Jedi, and divided the fortress into designated search areas. The search yielded results: at least two of the missing Jedi (Constanten and Valiri) were located, alive but devoid of their Force essences. Additionally, five other individuals, including Dark Jedi Karae Nalvas, were discovered in a similar condition. The "empty" bodies were transported to the Almas Academy.
There, Jedi librarian Oden Malksch inadvertently possessed Nalvas's body, gaining access to a portion of his memories and providing Qel-Bertuk with crucial information, including the involvement of Chevin slaver Phylus Mon. Qel-Bertuk inferred that Phylus Mon might also be responsible for the disappearance of several Force-sensitive Tarasin children. Qel-Bertuk organized a new team to raid Phylus Mon's clandestine headquarters, as pinpointed by Malksch, and to recover the stolen Force essences.
Following the successful completion of this mission, Qel-Bertuk extended his gratitude to the heroes and hosted a small celebration in his office, where they were acknowledged by numerous knights of the Academy, Governor Barnab Chistor, Senior Counselor Westa Impeveri, Nadin Paal, and Senator Wren's assistant Sa'arli.
Qel-Bertuk's life came to an end around 19 BBY while defending the ch'hala heart tree from the Wyrd. He reappeared as a Force ghost and attempted to console the Padawan Meera Lisso in the wake of the destruction of the Almas Academy.
Master Lanius Qel-Bertuk consistently presented an image of composure, embodying the serious yet compassionate educator who held the lives of his students, and indeed the entire galaxy, in the highest regard. He possessed an exceptional memory, invariably recalling the names of the Jedi he had encountered. A peculiar habit of his was to avoid direct eye contact during conversations, instead allowing his gaze to wander while muttering to himself, a consequence of his ability to perceive movements within the Force. Qel-Bertuk was characterized by his ice-blue eyes, raven-black hair, and a graying beard that framed a friendly, often smiling face. A burn scar marked his left cheek, and he was missing the third finger on his left hand.