Ordo (Talpini)

Ordo was a Talpini Nihil marauder who was part of the crew of the Gaze Electric, Eye of the Nihil Marchion Ro's flagship. In 232 BBY, the Talpini—along with the Nihil Garank and Baheeoo—rushed across the Gaze Electric to relay Ro's command to change course to the planet Trymant IV. Out of a desire to reach the bridge first, Garank hoisted Ordo off their feet and tossed the Talpini's body into Baheeoo, causing both to tumble to the ground. As Garank sprinted away, Ordo and Baheeoo opted to mount a Bogaranth creature and ride it to their destination. Upon their arrival at the bridge, Garank was killed when they were eaten by the Bogaranth, which caused the other two Nihil to lament over the Gamorrean's loss.

Biography

The Talpini Nihil marauder Ordo was part of the crew of the Gaze Electric—the flagship of Eye of the Nihil Marchion Ro—during the High Republic Era, as one of a small group of Nihil permitted aboard.^[1] In 232 BBY, Ro orchestrated a collision between the Byne Guild freighter Legacy Run and an obstacle that resulted in the Great Hyperspace Disaster, which spurred Emergences—pieces of hyperspace debris—emerging from space and impacting celestial bodies throughout the galaxy.^[2] After being informed one such Emergence would threaten several locations in the Trymant system, Ro decided to travel to the planet Trymant IV.^[1] The Storm^[3] Zagyar tried to relay the command to the bridge, but after finding that the comms on the Gaze Electric were inoperable, instead sent the Nihil Ordo, Garank, and Baheeoo to immediately alert the ship's captain to the change in plans.^[1]

Motivated by Zaygar's threat to throw the last Nihil who arrived out an airlock, the three Nihil rushed from the back of the Gaze Electric toward the bridge, unsure if they would arrive in the short amount of time Ro expected. Garank pointed to the side and huffed in Gamorrean, confusing Baheeoo as the Gigoran looked to see what their colleague was gesturing to. While Baheeoo was turned away, Garank picked up a protesting Ordo and tossed the Talpini's body against the Gigoran, sending both sprawling to the floor. Garank then fled and left the pair behind, intent on reaching the Gaze Electric's bridge before them. Baheeoo and Ordo decided to take a risky shortcut through the pen holding the ship's Bogaranths—bloodthirsty creatures that ate anything in their path. While Garank continued sprinting in the bridge's direction, Ordo and Baheeoo mounted a Bogaranth and rode it to the same destination, causing a crowd of Nihil to dive out of their way in fear as they passed.^[1]

Upon arrival, Ordo called out that they had reached their destination, while Baheeoo indicated that they saw Garank there as well. However, when their Bogaranth ate Garank, Ordo and Baheeooo lamented the Gamorrean's passing. The pair rushed in to inform the captain to set a new course. The Pantoran was surprised at their arrival and ordered the crew to enter Trymant IV's coordinates, and Ordo and Baheeoo were informed shortly afterward by another Nihil that the Nihil Grik had just fixed the comms. As the Gaze Electric jumped to hyperspace, the Nihil on the bridge listened to an incoming holographic message from Ro, who promised the Nihil would gain incredible powers over the Galactic Republic and their destiny awaited at their next destination.^[1]

Personality and traits

Ordo was willing to follow orders, especially motivated when informed that only the first Nihil to reach the bridge would not be thrown out an airlock. Though Garank tried to sabotage Ordo and Baheeoo's efforts during their race to the bridge, the Talpini opted to stay with the Gigoran for the rest of their trek across the Gaze Electric. Despite Baheeoo's reservations about riding a Bogaranth to reach their destination quicker, Ordo alluded that the risk was worth it due to the time constraints Zagyar had imposed on them. The Talpini had green eyes, yellow hair, and light skin.^[1]

Skills and abilities

Despite Bogaranths being dangerous and hard to handle creatures, the Talpini was able to mount and ride one of them alongside Baheeoo. Ordo was also physically fit, able to run for long distances. They spoke Galactic Basic Standard.^[1]

Equipment

While aboard the Gaze Electric, Ordo wore a green jumpsuit paired with green boots. The Talpini also wore a black sash around their side and a yellow holster.^[1]

Behind the scenes

Ordo first appeared in "Tales of Villainy: The Gaze Electric," a secondary comic story published in the sixth issue of the 2020 Star Wars Adventures anthology comic-book series. The story was written by Daniel José Older, illustrated by Nick Brokenshire, and published by IDW Publishing^[1] on July 7, 2021.^[4] When designing the color scheme for the comic story, Brokenshire aimed to reference the style of Star Wars comics from the 1970s and 1980s, when there was limited color technology and panels still needed to visually pop. As such, the Gaze Electric and its crew—including Ordo—were colored in this style, though the artist noted that the colors may not necessarily be meant to reflect reality.^[5]

Appearances

• "Tales of Villainy: The Gaze Electric" — Star Wars Adventures (2020) 6 (First appearance)

Sources

• The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic: Volume I

Notes and references