The two Jedi who debuted in the cinematic trailers for Star Wars: The Old Republic made a bit of an impression despite their all-too brief turns in the spotlight. They're at this point two of my favorite minor Jedi, and I thought I'd do a shared Respect Thread for them. Not to mention that this is my first ever Star Wars Respect Thread. Hooray for me.

Respect Kao Cen Darach

"Master Kao was the most principled Jedi I have ever met, staunchly opposed to the dark side of the Force in all its forms."

Combat Skill

Defeats Darth Vindican in saber combat before then briefly contending with Darth Malgus. Though he loses to Malgus, he still managed to keep him back for a time, and it's worth noting that at this point Kao Cen Darach was fatigued, and also that Darth Malgus may have been in a Force Rage, which would have enhanced his fighting potency.

What is also of note here is that he dual wields his lightsaber with Satele Shan's doublesaber. This is impressive due to how double-bladed lightsabers are traditionally harder to master:

It requires a firm stance and a two-handed grip. Novices are likely to injure themselves while training, which will expose the flaws in their techniques.

-The Book of Sith

Traditionally used only as a training device, the double-ended saber can be much more dangerous to its wielder than an enemy.

-Star Wars Episode I: The Visual Dictionary

Wielding double bladed lightsabers is incredibly dangerous, and unskilled Sith have ended their own lives-and the lives of those around them,-when attempting to use such a weapon before their training is complete.

-Star Wars the Old Republic Encyclopedia

So Kao Cen Darach's being able to dual wield one in tandem with a regular lightsaber, and to do so effectively enough to beat a Sith in combat while also fending off another one, is a clear display of at least technical skill, but likely also non-technical skill as well due to the fact that he did beat Vindican.

Telekinesis

Telekinesis is a basic Force power enabling Force users to alter and manipulate objects and beings around them with the power of their mind.

Kao Cen Darach utilizes Lightsaber Throw, a move that requires some level of TK control to be able to do:

Kao Cen Darach unleashes a Force Push powerful enough to send Darth Vindican flying several feet, essentially rag-dolling him:

What makes this more impressive is that Vindican is not complete fodder. His Force Barrier was such that it shrugged off a direct hit from a rocket fired at him by Jace Malcom:

And yet, despite the strength of his Force Barrier, Vindican was still sent flying by Kao Cen Darach's force push.

For another good TK feat, Kao Cen Darach lets out a Force Wave powerful enough to force back both Darth Vindican (who again, has a solid force barrier), and Darth Malgus:

Lastly, while fatigued, Kao Cen Darach pretty casually lifted and hurled two large bits of metal at Darth Malgus, followed by his lifting and hurling a much larger metal object:

Lightning Deflection

Kao Cen Darach is able to block and then redirect a blast of force lightning fired at him by Darth Vindican, sending the lightning into Malgus:

"Go Satele. You must walk a different path"

Respect Ven Zallow

Combat Skill

Contends with Darth Malgus, despite ultimately falling against him. Ignore the sub-titles.

During the fight, he effortlessly cuts down two Sith grunts:

And before that, another:

Zallow for his part, moved towards Malgus. A Sith Warrior bounded at Zallow from his left, but Zallow leapt over the Sith's blade, spun, slashed, and cut down the Sith.

-Deceived

Prior to engaging Malgus, Zallow kills a few other Sith goons:

Malgus finally spotted Master Zallow ten paces away, whirling, spinning, his green blade a blur of precision and speed. One Sith Warrior fell to him, then another.

-Deceived

Accolades

Malgus considered Zallow the "only Jedi present to be worthy of his attention":

Malgus knew the battle had turned, that it would soon be over. He glanced around, still seeking Zallow, the only opponent on the field worthy of his attention.

-Deceived

Agility:

Evades lightsaber strikes from Darth Malgus:

Leaps into the air to avoid Malgus' Lightsaber Throw:

Avoids Malgus as he comes down at him with the intent to impale him upon his lightsaber before then leaping high into the air and then landing gracefully:

Durability:

Ven Zallow takes being kicked by Darth Malgus hard enough to send him flying. He recovers in mid-air, lands, and cuts down two Sith, as shown in one of the above Gifs:

Ven Zallow takes being force pushed so hard he goes smashing through stone. He doesn't seem all that perturbed by this, considering he evades Malgus, leaps into the air, and then re-engages him.

Strength:

Was able to match Malgus in strength, even when both were using the Force to enhance their strength in an attempt to physically overwhelm each other:

Their blades sizzling in opposition, each used the Force to press against the strength of the other, but neither had an obvious advantage.Malgus shouted rage into Zallow's face. Only a furrowed brow and the tight line of his mouth betrayed the tension behind Zallow's otherwise tranquil expression.

-Deceived

Just in case anyone was doubting Malgus' own strength, and why matching him in strength is impressive, I direct you to this:

http://www.comicvine.com/profile/shootingnova/blog/darth-malgus-respect-thread/97516/

Hit Malgus so hard he bloodied him, and this is someone who endured a point-blank grenade blast on Alderaan, and before that a missile explosion to the face. Now granted, it is stated that Malgus didn't actually feel any pain, but even so, Zallow's ability to both knock out a tooth and bloody Malgus a bit is still decent:

Lunging forward, Zallow slashed crosswise, Malgus parried, and Zallow slammed the hilt of his saber into the side of Malgus' jaw. A tooth dislodged and his respirator was knocked askew. Malgus tasted blood.

-Deceived

Telekinesis

Telekinesis is a basic Force power enabling Force users to alter and manipulate objects and beings around them with the power of their mind.

Ven Zallow soundly trounces Lord Adraas via a Force Blast:

Lord Adraas landed before him, trying to take Malgus' kill for himself. Adraas ducked low and slashed at Zallow's knees. Zallow leapt over the blow and unleashed a blast of energy that sent Adraas skidding on his backside across the hall.

-Deceived

Ven Zallow one-shots Eleena via Force Push:

"May the Force be with you all"

Man they're so badass for having such little face time. Kao needs his own book! lol

@darthaznable: I might just agree with that. At the very least, I think he's entitled to one short story.

@shootingnova@i_like_swords@jkbart@burnface@dccomicsrule2011@killerwasp@jedixman

Zallow has more feats in Deceived, but nice job.

@i_like_swords: I thought he might. Do you remember any off the top of your head?

And thanks. It's my first SW Respect Thread, so I'm proud of it. May do another "two for one" featuring Vindican and Shae Vizla depending.

@shroudofsorrow: He defeats Adraas and takes out other Sith. It also goes into more detail about his fight with Malgus. Here's the whole thing:

Gallery

@i_like_swords: Thanks. I'll add them to the Respect Thread proper later on.

@shroudofsorrow: Good work.

You should add the Deceived excerpts which I see ILS has already given you.

Good work bro!!!

@i_like_swords@shootingnova: Added some bits from Deceived for Ven Zallow. How did I do?

@shroudofsorrow: Nice job, especially for your first thread. Only two things I would add are:

Put novel quotes in a quote format like this.

And there's a part that says neither Malgus or Zallow showed an obvious difference in strength when in a bladelock until Malgus drew on his rage about Eleena being hurt. So that's a pretty big strength feat for Zallow.

@i_like_swords: I'll add that strength bit too.

@shroudofsorrow: It's great.

Good respect thread! Ven Zallow is a personal favorite of mine

Hey, I'd add this quote from the Deceived Novel...

assuing speed and grace for power Zallow loosed a flurry of rapid strike slashes and lunges Malgus parried one blow after another but could not find a opening to mount his own counter attack.

-Deceived