A long time ago in a magazine far, far away called Star Wars Gamer magazine published by Wizards of the Coast, I created a Jedi character for an illustration who over the past few years has had a small role in the ever-expanding universe of Star Wars.

Back in 2001 I received an assignment for Star Wars Gamer #4 to illustrate a short RPG adventure called "Kashyyyk in Flames". My art director, Kyle Hunter, asked for a variety of heroic "player" characters to be featured in the artwork that would entice gamers to check out the story and play through the adventure scenario with their own characters.

As an artist I was starting to work more from life, using photo reference and actual models, to give my comic book style more realism so I called upon my pal Justin - webmaster of my official site, faithful sidekick, loyal bodyguard, etc. Justin was recently creating replica props and costumes for Star Wars as a hobby and had just designed and built his own custom lightsaber and Jedi robes (check out his and Chris Trevas' website at Parts of SW.com). Once I had seen him in costume I realized I had a heroic Jedi model to illustrate for my Gamer assignment. Over the years I've been able to utilize Justin in my other artwork for Star Wars projects and eventually the character took on a name coined by both Justin and myself, Kai Justiss, a history and a life of his own.

Here's what we know about Kai from what Justin and I surmised over discussions about the character stemming from his appearances in the Power of the Jedi Sourcebook and Star Wars Gamer, from what has been written officially in HoloNet News by Pablo Hidalgo, what Jan Duursema and John Ostrander did with him for Jedi: Dooku and finally his whereabouts as a Jedi during the events of Revenge of the Sith which has been recently detailed (for a potential project) by Abel Pena and myself. The following is Kai's bio based upon the contributions from all of the aforementioned creators above which was recently crafted and edited together by Keith Kappel for use with the Star Wars RPG:

Master Kai Justiss did not have an ordinary apprenticeship under his master, Ur-Sema Du. Master Du was attached to Jocasta Nu in the Jedi Archival Department, and was tasked with aiding her in gathering information for the archives. Specifically, Master Du and her apprentice were assigned to seek out and catalogue Force Sensitive creatures. This task took the pair on many adventures throughout the galaxy, encountering anything from Marsh Haunts on Abraxin to searching for the fabled Nightcrawlers on Kashyyyk.

Kai Justiss was quickly promoted to Jedi Knight, but he continued to perform missions for Jocasta Nu's archives, tracking down creatures of legend that supposedly manipulated the Force. Master Ur-Sema Du happened to be in the Jedi Temple shortly before the Battle of Geonosis, and was called upon to participate. She died in the arena, causing Kai Justiss a great deal of pain.

Master Justiss was promoted to the rank of Jedi Master and joined Masters Tsui Choi and Sian Jeisel in a mission to Drongar. Their fleet was attacked by Count Dooku and Kai was briefly a captive before being set free by the enigmatic Count. He returned to the temple and eight months later Master Yoda appointed Kai as the diplomatic envoy to Kashyyyk, in part due to his prior knowledge and personal relationships he had there on previous missions.

Master Justiss remained on Kashyyyk during the Separatist invasion, staving off an attack on the city Rwookrrorro with a company of clone troopers while Master Yoda and other Jedi fought at the beaches of Kaichiro.

Master Kai Justiss: Male Human Jedi Consular 6/Jedi Scholar 6/Jedi Master 1; Init +3 (dex); Defense 24 (+9 class, +3 dex, +2 Lightsaber); Spd 10m;VP/WP 98/15; Atk +12/7/2* melee (4d8+1, Lightsaber) or +11/6/1 ranged; SQ Deflect (Defense +1, Attack -4, extend defense and attack), Direct +2, Force Secret (Friendship +1), Scholarly Knowledge +6; SV Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +12; SZ M; FP 14; DSP 0; Rep +7; Str 12, Dex 16, Con 15, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 14.

Equipment: Lightsaber*.

* Master Justiss has constructed his own lightsaber.

Skills: Computer Use +7 (5), Craft: Lightsaber +3 (3), Diplomacy +12 (10), Gather Information +10 (8), Handle Animal +10 (6), Listen +5 (1), Knowledge: Biology +10 (2), Knowledge: Bioecology +9 (1), Knowledge: Cryptozoology +9 (1), Knowledge: Geography +9 (1), Knowledge Jedi Lore +9 (1), Knowledge: Wilderness Lore +9 (1), Knowledge: Zoology +9 (1), Pilot +11 (8), Read/Write Basic, Ride +6 (1), Survival +5 (3), Sense Motive +4 (2), Speak Basic, Spot +11 (7).

Force Skills: Enhance Ability +10 (8), Enhance Senses +14 (12), Force Defense +7 (5), Force Light +7 (5), Force Stealth +11 (9), Friendship +9 (6), Move Object +10 (8), See Force +13 (11).

Feats: Alertness, Animal Affinity, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Lightsaber), Force Sensitive, Starship Operation (Starfighter), Track, Weapon Finesse (Lightsaber), Weapon Group Proficiency (Blaster pistols, SimpleWeapons).

Force Feats: Alter, Beast Language, Control, Lightsaber Defense, Sense.

By the way, for everyone curious about the final fate of Kai Justiss following the aftermath of Order 66 be sure to check out HoloNet News in Star Wars insider #84 shipping soon!