Jedi Master Li-An Jinn - Character Background
by Darth Caedus

Jedi Master Li-An Jinn was born Li-An Ka, on the remote forest world of Dennaar. He is part of a tribe of outlanders, called the R'vi, or the ageless, nomads who live in peace and harmony with nature and the land around them. At an extraordinarily young age, Li exhibited some unusual abilities. Among them was the ability to communicate with animals. The R'vi saw this as a blessing from the gods and at only 4 years old Li-An Ka became a holy man among his people.

2 years later, Jedi, Mace Windu awakes from a troubling dream. He saw a village burning, and a young boy cry out for help. Driven by a strong pull of the force, Mace embarks on a quest to the outer rim to find the cause of his troubling vision. Following eddies in the force Mace comes upon Li's village under seige by the Czerka corporation. Mace, running completely on instinct, drives away the Czerka and destroys their lumber harvesters, saving the R'vi and their land. Young Li-An Ka approached Mace and told him that he knew he would come, that he saw it in a dream. Mace asked Li if he would like to come back to Coruscant with him and learn the ways of the Jedi. Li-An meditated over this for a few days and after conferring with the tribal elders, he decided that his destiny did lie among the stars and he would go with Mace.

Li's arrival at the Jedi temple was met mostly with jealousy from his fellow students, he was already quite adept at communing and giving himself over to the force, and he easily outclassed his peers. He was, however, at first reluctant to pick up a lightsaber, not understanding the purpose of such a violent weapon. He soon changed his mind when he found that to truly master the weapon one must completely envelope himself in the force. He decided to dedicate himself fully to the training of lightsaber technique and meditation. Much like the warriors of his own tribe, who pledge themselves to the perfecting of their "Shaza," or warrior training. He was eventually chosen to be Mace Windu's Padawan learner. Mace taught him many things, including the secrets of the dangerous lightsaber forms that he practices.

The years passed without incident and Li moved from Padawan to Knight. He had a great love of all living things and radiated peace and tranquility to all around him. He also had a very friendly demeanor, making him a favorite around the temple. Because of his great patience and willingness to teach, he often helped out with youngling classes, teaching them the basics of lightsaber combat and the ways of the force. He also went on many diplomatic missions, often finding peaceful resolutions where others could not. On one such mission he was accompanied by Qui-Gon Jinn, a man he much admired, not just for his skills with a lightsaber but also his willingness to voice his opinions. During some unfortunate "aggressive negotiations" Qui-Gon sacrificed his own safety charging into a squirmish where Li was pinned down. Together they were able to drive back and defeat their enemy's overwhelming forces, they've been good friends ever since. Years later, when Li learned of Qui-Gon's death on Naboo he took it very hard. Invoking one of the ancient traditions of his people, in a private ceremony, Li-An adopted the name of the fallen warrior, taking the name "Jinn" to both honor the dead and gain strength from their spirit. Thus he became Li-An Jinn, Jedi of the R'vi.

He became a General during the Clone Wars and led his troops in the defense of many worlds including his own. He gained much respect from his men and each soldier, having been personally saved time and again by Li, pledged their loyalty to him. When Order 66 was given Li-An Jinn was able to escape because his personal garrison, not being able to turn on their Jedi General, gave their lives defending him from the rest of the clones. Li went into hiding, constantly on the run. Vader, as with all remaining Jedi, pursued him relentlessly. They did battle many times, always ending the same way, with Li's narrow escape. During this time Li took on a Padawan, Aislinne Vail , a Correlian girl who was on her way to the Darkside. Eventually, Vader lost interest and became obsessed with finding Luke. Li and his Padawan bounced around the galaxy dealing with injustices and fighting for freedom. After the defeat of the Emperor, Li-An Jinn went back to his home planet and once again lived as a holy man among his people. He often serves as a consultant and friend to both Luke Skywalker and the New Jedi Order. Luke offered him a seat on the council, but he refused stating that he could do more good in the outer rim than sitting in the temple dealing with the senate. Li and Aislinne eventually married and live together on Denaar. Li is still in contact with the Jedi Temple and is often called upon to offer advice to the younger generation.

I hope you all liked this overview, the rest of the stuff I have deals with one period in that time frame, when Li takes and subsequently falls in love with his apprentice Aislinne Vail (pronounced ashleen). If y'all are interested I will post that story up too.