Zervo

Zervo was a Force-sensitive Naldi Freewielder capable of manipulating fire who lived during the High Republic Era. Less than a year after the Battle of Jedha of 382 BBY, Zervo was present on the moon Jedha in Jedha City's Wayfarer Quarter, where he set fire to homes and businesses, terrorizing the streets on behalf of the Namoi syndicate. While Zervo intimidated the business owner Mikilanie into paying the syndicate, the Fallanassi Sirené of the Convocation of the Force confronted him. Although the Naldi was able to overpower Sirené with fire, the former thief Tey Sirrek used the Hand of Siberus, a Sith artifact, to incapacitate Zervo. Sirrek was eventually convinced to stop and remove the gauntlet by the Jedi Master Vildar Mac, leaving Zervo unconscious, but alive.

Biography

The Force-sensitive Zervo was a Naldi Freewielder who lived during the High Republic Era. Less than a year after the Battle of Jedha^[1] of 382 BBY,^[2] Zervo was present in^[1] Jedha City on the moon^[2] Jedha, where he worked for the Namoi syndicate, terrorizing the city's Wayfarer Quarter by setting fire to homes and businesses. Zervo intimidated Mikilanie, an Em'liy business owner who sold sacred icons, telling him that Namoi Kann claimed he had not paid the syndicate. Mikilanie argued that his business was unrelated to the syndicate and that his ancestors had sold the icons for generations, leading Zervo to threaten to burn his family history. The Em'liy refused to pay, however, and Zervo ignited a flame, using the Force to burn Mikilanie's merchandise before surrounding the business owner with fire and once again demanding payment.^[1]

Zervo was interrupted by Sirené, a Fallanassi member of Jedha's Convocation of the Force council; flanked by illusory duplicates, the Fallanassi ordered him to extinguish his flame. Zervo criticized the Convocation before intensifying the flames around Mikilanie with a click of his fingers, burning the Em'liy. When Sirené revealed her true self in her distress, Zervo launched a fireball in her direction that forced her to leap aside. Accusing Zervo of murder, Sirené fought back the flames, and the Naldi expressed his belief in power as his fire began to scorch the Fallanassi. At that moment, however, Zervo was struck by energy from the Sith artifact known as the Hand of Siberus, wielded by the Sephi Convocation member and former thief Tey Sirrek.^[1]

Although Sirrek's use of the gauntlet shocked Sirené, the Sephi continued to wield the Hand of Siberus, forcing Zervo and his fire back before striking him in the chest. As energy from the gauntlet coursed over Zervo's body and the Naldi yelled in agony, the^[1] Jedi Master^[3] Vildar Mac intervened, ordering Sirrek to remove the Hand of Siberus. Zervo was left unconscious, but Sirené determined that he—as well as Mikilanie—would live. Many years later^[1] in 229 BBY,^[4] Sirrek told the story of the events involving Zervo to the^[1] Jedi Knights^[3] Terec and Ceret on the planet Kindosorn when they questioned his possession of the gauntlet.^[1]

Personality and traits

An unaffiliated Force user, Zervo believed that the Force belonged to anyone who was powerful enough to bend it to their will. He cared little for the Convocation or its members, whom he felt acted as an elite group whose power was wasted on them, keeping the Force to themselves and seeing no way other than their own. Zervo considered his power over fire to be superior and free, being beyond the Convocation's ability to contain.^[1]

On Jedha, Zervo was willing to work on behalf of the Namoi syndicate, intimidating the people of Jedha City. He was unsympathetic to Mikilanie's protests, burning his merchandise despite its history with the Em'liy's family. Zervo had feline features, with long blue hair, orange fur, and yellow eyes. A scar crossed his right eye.^[1]

Powers and abilities

A Force adept, Zervo was a Naldi Freewielder capable of manipulating fire using the Force. Zervo could wield the Force to draw fire from a source, such as a lighter, and direct the flames to spread.^[1]

Equipment

Zervo carried a lighter with which he generated fire to manipulate. While on Jedha, he wore a blue tunic and brown pants, with white cloth wrapped around his arms and feet. Zervo also wore a golden circlet adorned with a purple diamond-shaped gem.^[1]

Behind the scenes

Zervo appeared in flashbacks in the sixth issue of the 2023 Star Wars: The High Republic comic series, written by Cavan Scott, illustrated by Laura Braga and Jim Towe, and published by Marvel Comics^[1] on April 10, 2024.^[5]

Appearances

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• The High Republic (2023) 6 (First appearance) (In flashback(s))

Notes and references