Thalleus Tharn

Thalleus Tharn, a male Bith, lived during the era following the conclusion of the Second Galactic Civil War. He embraced the Bith's reputation as a species celebrated for their intellectual prowess and scholarly pursuits.

In 44 ABY, during the Mandalorian siege of the Jedi Temple, Galactic Alliance Chief of State Natasi Daala enlisted Doctor Tharn to ascertain the mental soundness of Jedi Knights Sothais Saar and Turi Altamik, both of whom were psychotically-afflicted. As they traveled to the Temple in Chief Daala's limousine, he accompanied her. Upon arrival, he remained in the vehicle while Daala engaged with the Jedi delegation. The Chief of State negotiated with Captain Han Solo, the Jedi's representative, and agreed to end the siege, contingent upon, among other things, Saar and Altamik being taken into Galactic Alliance custody. Subsequently, Doctor Tharn was summoned to join Chief Daala and Captain Solo, but he declined the latter's attempt at a handshake. After Daala extolled his numerous accolades, the specifics of his involvement were verified. This included sedating both Jedi for secure transport and conducting a comprehensive examination once they were safely within his facility. When questioned about whether he knew of Daala's intention to have them frozen in carbonite, Doctor Tharn asserted that such measures were essential to secure the criminally insane Jedi until a cure for their condition could be found.

Doctor Tharn immediately recognized that both Jedi had recovered from their ailment as he summoned Sothais Saar and Turi Altamik from the Temple. Nevertheless, he was determined to substantiate his assumption through the examination requested by the Chief of State. Daala believed it would be more prudent to apprehend them discreetly rather than allowing them to proceed unhindered, a view the Bith doctor shared, leading him to instruct his orderlies to take both Jedi into custody. However, Captain Solo, who believed the exchange was to occur publicly, denied his request. As the Jedi approached, Chief Daala accused them of being impostors who might have had their appearances altered through plastic surgery. Captain Solo countered that Doctor Tharn, also a surgeon, could examine Saar and Altamik to determine if their features had been modified. Hesitant to accept Solo's claim that the Jedi had been cured, Chief Daala stated that she would only accept Doctor Tharn's assessment. When Solo suggested to the Bith doctor that other medical professionals would scrutinize his methods, Tharn requested that the patients be transported to his hospital for proper evaluation. However, when Solo implied that the Mandalorians assigned as guards might be unable to protect the doctor if the Jedi became hostile, Tharn opted for a preliminary field assessment, to be conducted in full view of the HoloNet audience. He then ascended the steps of the Jedi Temple and approached Saar and Altamik, who both yielded in the presence of armed Mandalorians and Galactic Alliance Security officers.

Doctor Tharn questioned Saar's raised-hands gesture of surrender, agreeing with the Jedi's reasonable claim that he did not want to provoke the Mandalorians into firing their blaster weapons haphazardly. He then spoke with Turi Altamik, who admitted that while she and Jedi Saar had previously suffered from a violent bout of psychosis, they had both since recovered. Saar expressed his hesitation to trust Tharn, but the doctor assured him that his methods for determining the Jedi's sanity were solely for their benefit. He further asserted that no weapons would be fired at them unless the Chief of State gave a direct order. As both Jedi lowered their hands, Tharn again demanded their trust. When they agreed, the Bith suddenly kneed Sothais Saar in the groin, and Altamik raised Doctor Tharn into the air with the Force to prevent him from attacking Saar again. Upon being returned to the ground, Tharn revealed the results of his field exam: the fact that he was still alive indicated that both Jedi were indeed sane, as Captain Solo had stated. He explained that he had been certain of the Jedi's sanity from the moment they emerged from the Temple, but performed the preliminary assessment to appease the Chief of State. Despite his methods, Daala reluctantly accepted Tharn's opinion and lifted the siege, but vowed to have the Mon Calamari Jedi healer Cilghal confirm the successful recovery of all the criminally insane Jedi to her satisfaction.

Doctor Tharn, a tall, middle-aged Bith with green skin, was known for his distinguished demeanor and refined speech. His large cranium was nearly [emerald](/article/emerald-legends] in color, and his eyes were jet-black. When flustered, Tharn's epidermal cheek folds receded and paled to chartreuse. Doctor Tharn's voice was deep and polished, reminiscent of the voices of actors from various men's advertisements, according to Han Solo. Tharn avoided and refused to greet others with handshakes, viewing the gesture with disdain when offered to him.

The Bith doctor was widely recognized and respected for his numerous academic achievements, with a reputation that preceded him. By 44 ABY, Tharn had received more honors than could be counted. His extensive medical expertise led to his appointment as the head of the xenopsychiatry department at Greater Coruscant University. Han Solo initially called him "brain-breaker," but openly expressed respect for Tharn's reputation after being impressed by Daala's praise of his preeminence. "The expert," as he was sometimes called, likened brain surgery to an art form and dismissed Captain Solo's suggestion that using droids—which Tharn believed were incapable of producing art—would reduce the risks associated with such procedures.

Tharn recognized the threat posed by criminally insane Jedi and supported detaining them with carbon freeze as the safest and most efficient method. He showed considerable anxiety when he realized the danger they would pose to him and his facilities, opting for an on-the-spot field test instead of a thorough hospital examination. Tharn understood the Jedi's apprehension about trusting him, a representative of Chief Daala, and did his best to alleviate their fears. However, while he partially agreed with Daala's stance on the mentally insane Jedi, Tharn preferred to use his own methods when handling Saar and Altamik. He also had no reservations about acting contrary to the Chief of State's orders, much to her disapproval. He also considered public opinion and made a show of assisting Saar after incapacitating the Jedi Knight with a knee to the groin, an act Captain Solo believed would make Tharn a household name. When Solo suggested that Tharn's technique would be scrutinized by his professional colleagues, the doctor became anxiously concerned about their opinions.

Thalleus Tharn was a character conceived by author Troy Denning for the sixth novel in the Fate of the Jedi series, entitled Fate of the Jedi: Vortex. Vortex marks Tharn's initial and sole appearance to this day.