Tanno Vik, a male Weequay, fought for the Galactic Republic during the Cold War period, which was a time of tension between the Republic and the opposing Sith Empire.
When Vik was a child, his mother arranged for him to be transported to the moon of Nar Shaddaa on a ship, where he was raised as an orphan. Tanno Vik went from one gang to another, learning survival and combat skills, and betraying his comrades when the gang displayed any sign of weakness or instability. In order to escape the crime-ridden moon, Vik joined the Galactic Republic Military. However, his insubordination resulted in him being transferred from one assignment to another, preventing him from securing a position with the Republic Special Forces Division.
Due to accusations of criminal behavior during his military service, Vik's chances of promotion were slim, particularly after being convicted as the ringleader of an exploitative scheme on the planet Talay. After his dismissal from the military, Vik earned a living as a mercenary on Balmorra, with the aim of infiltrating the Balmorran Arms Factory to steal prototype weapons for profit. Simultaneously, Havoc Squad arrived on Balmorra to recruit him for a mission targeting an Imperial superweapon known as Gauntlet. After his recruitment, General Elin Garza officially promoted Vik to the rank of Specialist. Vik played a key role in the destruction of the Gauntlet.
During the invasion of the Eternal Empire, Vik's commanding officer disappeared. Shortly after, Vik deserted the military and established himself as a crime lord on the shadowport Asylum, where he became rivals with Oggo, who headed up a local crime syndicate. Later, Vik encountered the Outlander after he had kidnapped one of their allies, Tora, for stealing from him.
As a mercenary, Vik developed the ability to quickly identify weaknesses in obstacles and threats, a skill that impressed his instructors upon entering Republic service. He made use of some of the most technologically advanced weaponry available in the galaxy.
Tanno was first mentioned in a Holonet databank entry on The Old Republic website, which included Aurebesh phrases like "On Garza's List," "Red Hand Magaran," and "Language Aquisition Issues."
David Anthony Pizzuto originally voiced Tanno; however, following David's death in 2012, Fred Tatasciore took over the role, starting with Star Wars: The Old Republic: Rise of the Hutt Cartel.
In the sixth chapter of Star Wars: The Old Republic: Knights of the Fallen Empire, the Outlander can choose to kill Tanno Vik rather than recruit him, even if the player is a Trooper.