Shoaneb Culu

Shoaneb Culu, a Miraluka female, originated from the planet of Alpheridies. As with all members of her species, she lacked eyesight but possessed a natural connection to the Force. Throughout her youth, she became accustomed to how Alpheridies' environment influenced her innate Force-sensitivity. Going against her parents' wishes, she departed her homeworld at a young age, seeking out members of the Jedi Order. Before her departure, she pledged to return one day and establish a Jedi training center there, with the aim of training the naturally Force-sensitive Miraluka. Culu considered the long journey ahead, believing that founding a Jedi school on Alpheridies would offer other Miraluka the opportunity to have Jedi readily available to instruct them in the ways of the Force. With this goal in mind, she resolved to explore all the knowledge and lore available to her once she began her training as a Jedi, to be better prepared for the teaching role she aspired to fulfill.

However, Culu's travels proved to be more challenging than she initially anticipated. Venturing beyond the familiar boundaries of her homeworld, Culu experienced a profoundly different sensation through the Force, emanating from her new and constantly changing surroundings. The Force vibrations she felt became increasingly difficult to endure, and she occasionally lost her balance as she attempted to adapt to the new environments she encountered. Over time, Culu learned to adjust to her new perceptions and managed to reduce the time it took her to regain her bearings from days to hours, and eventually to seconds.

It took Culu more than a year to finally reach the place where she could feel the Force calling to her—the Jedi library world of Ossus. Upon arriving on the planet, she felt drawn to Master Vodo-Siosk Baas, who eventually agreed to take her on as his apprentice. Culu began her training immediately, showing a keen interest in her studies of ancient Jedi lore. Her excitement about finally training as a Jedi, combined with her naturally inquisitive nature, led Culu to spend long hours in the Great Jedi Library studying ancient lore. She was often found asking Baas and other Masters numerous deep, thought-provoking questions. Culu's relentless questioning troubled Master Baas, who mistook her curiosity for a desire for quick power. However, when Master Baas expressed his concerns to Culu, she told him of her desire to eventually return to Alpheridies and establish a Jedi training center there. She explained that it was not a lust for power, but a desire to help others; she hoped to learn all she could from the libraries and Jedi Masters so that she could one day become a teacher herself. Hearing this, Master Baas was greatly relieved and dedicated many hours each day to Culu, helping her gain a deeper understanding of the Jedi Order, its history, and the Force.

Culu excelled in the academic aspects of her studies, surpassing her peers in understanding the Force and assimilating Jedi lore. However, her natural Force abilities eventually fell below those of the other apprentices, causing her to fall behind in her Force technique. Over the next several months, Culu became increasingly frustrated with her lack of progress, fearing that her dream of bringing Jedi teachings to her homeworld would not come to pass.

Master Baas recognized the difficulties his young apprentice was facing and decided to spend time with Culu, assuring her that she need not worry about the future and should instead trust in the Force. After several private sessions with Master Baas, Culu began to understand his message—that she should not concern herself with things beyond her control and that her expectations for her homeworld were hindering her training progress. She began to realize that her plans might not align with what the Force would produce, regardless of her actions. Following these sessions with Master Baas, Culu overcame her discouragement and continued her training with a new perspective on her future as a Jedi. Despite her improved attitude, Culu still struggled with her training in Jedi techniques, particularly in constructing her own lightsaber. However, she did not allow herself to become anxious over these difficulties. Instead, she accepted that she had not yet reached her full potential in these areas and dedicated more time to her Force training.

Near the end of Culu's apprenticeship, fellow Jedi Ulic Qel-Droma requested reinforcements from the Jedi assembled on Ossus and the Galactic Senate on Coruscant to aid in the Freedon Nadd Uprising. Culu, like many other Jedi present on Ossus, volunteered for service on Onderon. Upon hearing Culu's request, Master Baas took her aside and offered his counsel. Baas expressed his concern that Culu did not yet possess enough confidence in her abilities to be an effective member of the task force. However, Culu did not become frustrated or agitated with her mentor's concerns. Instead, she calmly replied that she understood his reluctance and that he had been a good teacher, but she had learned to place her trust completely in the Force. Culu confessed that she sought Onderon not for glory, but because the Force was guiding her toward something important. Baas was surprised by the calmness he sensed in her and realized that he had misjudged his student. Baas gave Culu his blessing, and the morning after the assembly, Culu joined her fellow Jedi Qrrrl Toq, Dace Diath, Kith Kark, and Nomi Sunrider on the task force headed to Onderon.

Ulic Qel-Droma and his brother Cay, Tott Doneeta, Oss Wilum, and Jedi Master Arca Jeth had originally been on Onderon to track down and combat the dark side energies that had subdued the planet for centuries. Shortly after defeating Queen Amanoa and repelling the spirit of the Sith Lord Freedon Nadd, Master Jeth and the other Jedi were confronted by a new dark side power: a Sith cult known as the Naddists attacked the funeral procession of Amanoa and managed to steal the sarcophagi of both the fallen Queen and Freedon Nadd. Following this event, Master Jeth was captured by the Sith sorcerer King Ommin and subjected to prolonged torture. Culu and the rest of the task force were then dispatched to Onderon to assist Qel-Droma and his companions.

The five Jedi traveled to Onderon and made their way to the walled city of Iziz, the last reported location of Qel-Droma and his team of Jedi. However, upon arriving at the city, Culu and the others sensed through the Force that Qel-Droma was no longer in Iziz, but rather somewhere nearby. They discovered that he was being held in the Beast-Lord Oron Kira's fortress not far from the city. Rushing to Qel-Droma's aid, Culu and the other Jedi charged the more numerous ranks of Dark Side Adepts, using the Force to project a shield around themselves, employing Force battle techniques perfected by Jedi over many centuries. During the fight to reach Qel-Droma, Culu demonstrated a natural skill with her lightsaber, often fighting separately from the other Jedi. Culu and her Jedi comrades finally reached Qel-Droma, and together, the combined Jedi force stormed Ommin's stronghold and managed to free the imprisoned Arca Jeth as well.

Following King Ommin's defeat by the Jedi, the remains of Freedon Nadd, Ommin, and Amanoa were interred in a tomb on the jungle moon of Dxun, where it was hoped that Nadd's dark side taint would eventually dissipate. Culu was among the Jedi present on Dxun during the interring ceremony.

After the events of the Naddist Revolt, Jedi Knight Culu and the other surviving Jedi who fought in the uprising were granted a short respite and were taught to fly drexls, the famed beast mounts of Oron Kira and the Beast Riders. Soon after, Master Jeth informed Culu and the other gathered Jedi on Onderon about a coup that had recently occurred in the Empress Teta system. Tott Doneeta also spoke of Aleema and Satal Keto, Tetan royals who had also been on Onderon recently. Culu deduced that these two cousins must have learned Sith magic from King Ommin and carried Sith teachings across the galaxy. This development greatly concerned Master Jeth, so he ordered Culu, Dace Diath, Qrrrl Toq, and Oss Wilum to Ossus to report to the Jedi assembly what had transpired on Onderon. He also advised them to warn the Republic of the impending danger posed by the rise of the Ketos' Krath cult.

The information provided by Culu and her fellow Jedi allowed the Republic to organize a joint Republic-Jedi fleet and set out for the Empress Teta System, specifically to Koros Major. Culu served as a pilot in the combined fleet, which arrived in the system just in time to assist the last remaining resistance fighting against the Krath. However, Satal and Aleema Keto used their Sith magic, creating illusions and causing the Krath forces to employ suicide tactics against the attacking Republic fleet. The Republic-Jedi fleet suffered a severe defeat and was forced to retreat to Republic space. Culu was among the few Jedi pilots to survive the attack on Koros Major.

The severity of the Krath coup, combined with their victory at Koros Major and subsequent incursions into Republic space, worried the Jedi leaders. Consequently, a conclave was convened on the planet of Deneba. The Conclave on Deneba was held on Mount Meru and drew thousands of Jedi Masters and Knights to participate in the discussions. Shoaneb Culu was among the many Jedi Knights present. During the assembly, Ulic Qel-Droma proposed a plan in which he would volunteer to infiltrate the Krath and destroy the cult from within. However, Culu was one of many Jedi who openly opposed Qel-Droma's plan. While the assembly was debating the proposed strategy, they were suddenly attacked by the Krath and an army of their war droids. Culu fought alongside her fellow Jedi, and they managed to repel the attack, though Master Jeth was killed during the fighting. Qel-Droma was devastated by Jeth's death and used it as justification for implementing his infiltration plan.

Qel-Droma's plan succeeded, and he quickly rose through the Krath ranks while unknowingly walking the path of the dark side. After several months of no contact with Qel-Droma, the Jedi sent Nomi Sunrider to find him. Following Sunrider's unsuccessful attempt to bring Qel-Droma back to Ossus, the Jedi decided it was time to extract Qel-Droma from the Krath, forcefully if necessary. The Jedi planned an all-out assault against the Krath forces on Cinnagar, involving a fleet of warships and a strike team of Jedi. Attached to the Republic fleet was a squadron of Jedi starfighters, consisting of Oss Wilum and Dace Diath flying the new Star Saber XC-01 starfighters, and Culu flying her personal S-100 Stinger-class starfighter. During the attack, Culu's call sign was Jedi Three, while Wilum and Diath were Jedi One and Jedi Two, respectively. For the most part, the attack went as planned, and Culu demonstrated her flying skills by destroying several anti-aircraft emplacements. However, when the Jedi strike team confronted Qel-Droma, he turned them away, choosing to remain with Keto and the Krath instead.

The events on Cinnagar forced Culu and the other Jedi to retreat to Ossus and decide on their next course of action. Subsequently, Master Baas and a number of other Jedi, including Culu, arrived on the Republic's capital world of Coruscant to convene with the Senate and advise them of the troubles ahead. While Culu and the other Jedi were on Coruscant, Qel-Droma, who had by then become a Sith Lord, led the Krath in a massive attack against the Republic capital. Culu, along with Dace Diath and others, defended the city-world against the invading armies. The Republic and Jedi forces eventually repelled the Krath, forcing them to retreat from the planet. Due to Aleema Keto's treachery, Qel-Droma was left alone to face the combined might of several Jedi, including Sunrider and Master Baas, both of whom used a Force-blocking technique taught by Master Odan-Urr. Culu combined her Force powers with the other Jedi present and helped to temporarily imprison Qel-Droma in the light side of the Force.

Although the Jedi managed to temporarily capture Qel-Droma, his Sith Master, Exar Kun, and Mandalore the Indomitable soon rescued him from captivity. In the process, Culu's former Master Vodo-Siosk Baas was killed. Once Qel-Droma was back in command of the Krath forces, Mandalore informed him that Keto had betrayed and abandoned him on Coruscant. Qel-Droma considered Mandalore's words and sensed their truth through the Force. His revenge was swift and decisive—Qel-Droma organized an attack fleet to head for Kemplex Nine and placed Keto in command. Qel-Droma knew that Keto's attack on the Republic outpost would result in a deadly supernova, though he led her to believe that she would be perfectly safe. When word of an attack on Kemplex Nine reached the Jedi, Culu, Dace Diath, and Qrrrl Toq volunteered to lead a Jedi force in response to the distress signals.

The Great Sith War had begun to take a toll on the Jedi ranks, and many Jedi had gathered on Ossus in response to the various attacks on Jedi Masters by agents of Exar Kun. During the gathering in the year 3996 BBY, the Jedi Knight Tott Doneeta announced that the Republic jump station at Kemplex Nine was under attack by a mysterious Sith ship. The gathered Jedi expressed their concern over this, and Master Thon explained his belief that the enemy attack on Kemplex Nine was actually a feint, reasoning that everything the Sith wanted was right there on Ossus.

Upon arriving at Kemplex Nine, Culu, Toq, and Diath found the ancient Sith ship, commanded by the sorceress Keto, orbiting the Republic jump station. Culu followed her fellow Jedi on an attack run of the Sith ship, but she suddenly sensed a great disturbance in the Force. She felt the immense Force energies of the Sith ship as Keto began to focus its power. Unbeknownst to Culu and the other Jedi, Keto had activated the ancient weapons on the Sith ship to rip the core from one of the stars in the Cron Cluster. The resulting supernova engulfed Culu's and the other Jedi's starfighters, killing all three Jedi instantly.

Shoaneb Culu possessed brown hair and fair skin, and was naturally curious. As a Jedi, she had a strong desire to learn all possible knowledge from the Jedi Masters. During her training on Ossus under Master Vodo-Siosk Baas, her constant questions and inquisitive nature were initially mistaken for a thirst for quick power. However, after she explained her natural inquisitiveness and her hopes of one day becoming a Jedi teacher on her homeworld, Master Baas realized his mistake. He then dedicated much of his free time to helping her gain a deeper understanding of the history of the Jedi and the Force.

When Culu found that her progress in her studies was slow compared to her peers, she became increasingly frustrated and eventually discouraged, feeling that her dream of bringing a Jedi academy to her homeworld would not come to pass. Baas helped her realize that she should not be concerned over things outside of her control, and she overcame her discouragement, growing less anxious over her weaknesses. She developed a complete trust in the Force and later believed that Ulic Qel-Droma's infiltration mission of the Krath would end in disaster.

Like other Miraluka, Culu possessed Force sight, a natural ability that allowed her to perceive the world through the Force, compensating for her lack of physical eyes. Despite initial difficulties in mastering Force techniques and constructing her lightsaber, Culu dedicated herself to overcoming these challenges, ultimately becoming a skilled duelist and Force adept. During the Naddist Revolt on Onderon, she showcased her lightsaber prowess as one of only five Jedi facing a vastly larger enemy force. In this conflict, Culu frequently fought independently from her fellow Jedi. Later, during the Great Sith War, Culu once more displayed her lightsaber skills and Force abilities while defending Coruscant from a Krath assault. After the Krath were compelled to retreat, she joined forces with her fellow Jedi to capture the renegade Jedi Ulic Qel-Droma, using their combined Force powers.

Culu was also a proficient pilot, often piloting her customized S-100 Stinger-class starfighter into battle. She participated in the joint Republic-Jedi assault on Koros Major, and remarkably, was among the few Jedi pilots who survived the engagement. She also served as part of a Jedi squadron during the unsuccessful attempt to rescue Ulic Qel-Droma from the Krath palace on Cinnagar. In that battle, flying as Jedi Three, she was instrumental in destroying several critical anti-aircraft installations. Additionally, she is credited with downing multiple enemy starfighters. Following the Naddist Revolt, Culu, along with other Jedi who fought in the conflict, received training from the Beast Riders of Onderon in riding their war beasts.

Tom Veitch created Shoaneb Culu, and she made her debut appearance in the comic book mini-series Tales of the Jedi: The Freedon Nadd Uprising, which was released in 1994. She subsequently appeared in several other Tales of the Jedi mini-series. Despite playing significant roles in the comic book versions of both story arcs, Culu is absent from both the Tales of the Jedi and Dark Lords of the Sith audio dramas.

The Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Handbook mentions a Jedi academy known as the Culu Memorial Center. The narrative suggests it was constructed sometime after the Great Sith War. However, it has not been officially confirmed that the center was named in honor of Shoaneb Culu.