Dia

""You're not just one thing, Ath'ika. Every action you take is important. Were you the one piloting that transport? If so, you're the reason why the whole group is here. I normally stay on Concordia to manage the Starsider ranch, but when a friend of mine was in danger, I couldn't sit by like I usually would. We're all important, so don't sell yourself short.""

- Dia to Athena Jetspeed during the Rebel Extraction on Oriska Minor's Imperial Prison Facility

Early Life
Dia was born in 23 BBY in Sundari, Mandalore. Her parents were Iisa Quix (later Waran, after adopting the twi’lek clan name from Dia’s mother) and Chee’Waran.

Chee was taken from her homeworld, Ryloth, when she was in her late teens. She ended up at a black market, slave auction in the lowest depths of Sundari, Mandalore. Iisa had been born in the slum parts of the great city, where as non-humans, his family found it very difficult to earn a decent living. Iisa frequented the dark markets, hoping to score any job he could find with the unsavoury characters there. This was where he met Dia’s mother, Chee. She was due to be sold at an auction and shipped into slavery or some kind of other nefarious, dark world.

Iisa usually avoided the slave auctions, feeling saddened and helpless about them. However, this time, he stayed. He became fascinated by a blue, female twi’lek a little younger than him. Unlike the other beings sadly due to be sold to the highest bidder, the blue twi’lek was not scared. She was furious. She cursed in broken Basic at thugs that held her back. She struggled and fought against them. Her tenacity and warrior spirit turned off a lot of bidders as the auction began. Something within Iisa stirred and he felt compelled to help his fellow twi’lek. Bidding everything that he had earned that day from running spice, Iisa won the auction and Chee became his property.

Once away from the auction and in a safer part of Sundari, Iisa gave Chee back her freedom. She did not thank him and headed in the direction of the closest spaceport. However, with broken Basic and no official identification, Chee had no way to get offworld. Eventually, she returned to Iisa’s side, thanking him and asking him for help to get back to her clan on Ryloth. Iisa promised to do all that he could to get Chee back home.

Iisa’s family were not pleased with his actions that day. They were already struggling to make ends meet and would find it even more difficult with another mouth to feed. Chee surprisingly seemed more vulnerable and scared than ever at Iisa’s family’s reaction, but he was determined to help a fellow twi’lek.

Eventually, Chee became an extended member of the Quix family. Iisa would learn more about his twi'lek culture and heritage, whilst Chee adopted more of the Mandalorian ways. The pair would eventually marry, finding honest work and earning enough credits to buy their way out of the slums of Sundari. Upon marriage, Iisa would drop his surname, Quik, and adopt Chee's clan name, Waran.

In 23 BBY, shortly after the passing of Iisa's parents, Dia'Waran was born.

Childhood and Early Losses
Dia's childhood was quiet and humble. Once her parents had worked their way out of the slums of Sundari, they lived in a quaint apartment on the edge of the industrial zone in the city. Both of Dia's parents, Iisa and Chee, worked civil jobs in the finance and distribution sectors. They worked hard, long hours to pay for Dia's schooling and to save up credits to be able to leave the city one day. Dia's father, Iisa, longed to leave the city and move towards the former capital of Mandalore, Keldabe. Life would be quieter and simpler, a perfect place to raise Dia and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Clone Wars came to Mandalore shortly after Dia was born. A peaceful reign and established neutrality in the Clone Wars led to supply shortages for Mandalore. Dia was in infant childcare when the Moogan Tea black market scandal hit Mandalore. Imported Ardees Beverage brand tea from the black market was distributed to keep up with demands for the citizens, mainly being sent to support school lunches. Dia was exposed to the tainted tea, which caused an illness outbreak across many schools in Sundari. Fortunately, Dia's exposure was light, but her mother quit her job as a distribution administrator in protest of corrupt government procedures that caused the mass poisoning of children across the city. Following the scandal, Dia's parents vowed to move out of the city as soon as possible.

A few years later, tragedy would strike the Waran clan. 19 BBY saw the start of the Mandalorian Civil War. The Battle of Sundari between the Republic, Mandalore Resistance and Death Watch destroyed the capital city. Dia had been at school during the time, but was evacuated to safety when the true battle began. Dia did not know what happened to her parents, but she would learn that her mother and father were civilian casualties of the fighting.

Due to the loss of her parents, Dia was placed into Sundari's foster care system for the next ten years. In 10 BBY, Dia would leave the foster care system. She would learn that her parents had purchased a large plot of land outside of Sundari, with the intent of moving the whole family there. The plot of land was left in her name following the passing of her parents. At thirteen galactic standard years old, Dia was alone against the galaxy.

A New Clan + New Beginnings
Dia had meagre belongings when she finally made her way out of Sundari. Her goal was to head to Keldabe, following her parents' plan for a simpler life. She would be homeless for a few weeks, living through the generosity of Keldabe's residents. Feeling guilty for taking advantage their hospitality, Dia made the decision to sell her family's plot of land just outside of the town. There was nothing left for her on Mandalore any longer. She needed credits to support herself and get off world to start a new life.

The first interested buyer of her family's plot of land was a retired soldier who introduced himself as Thrix Starsider. He had made a big decision in his life too, a career change. Upon selling his current business, a droid and speeder repair shop, he was looking for a new venture. The plot of land was tempting for the old soldier as he had taken an interest in agriculture. Thrix told Dia that he had two sons and a daughter, as well as a wife, and wanted to start a new life with them. The bid he placed for Dia's plot of land was more than fair and the pair exchanged deeds and credits. With credits behind her, Dia could leave Mandalore and start again. But, she had no idea where she would go or what she would do with her life. Upon noticing Dia's concern, Thrix offered her a job on his planned ranch. Dia accepted the job but warned Thrix that she would not stick around for long.

Dia quickly became engrossed with helping Thrix Starsider establish his ranch and new company, Starsider Supplies Corp. She became fast friends with Thrix's three children, Verkan, Copad and Ca'nara. She was not used to having friends, becoming overwhelmed by their company at times. Once the ranch was established approximately two years later, Dia moved into a home of her own, attached to the livestock barn.

Ranch Work + The Mandalorian Way
Dia's promise to Thrix Starsider about not staying for a long time at the Starsider ranch fell flat. The twi'lek loved ranch work, especially working with the livestock. She resonated best with the banthas and the orbaks that were used to herd them. Soon, she was promoted to head ranch hand as Starsider Supplies Corp. grew in exponentially. With her natural affinity for ranch work, Dia finally found her true home. Starsider Supplies Corp. started as an organic bantha milk supplier, but as their herds grew and demand increased, the farm expanded to also growing and distributing crops.

As Starsider Supplies Corp. employed more farmhands, Dia’s involvement in the workforce and not just the livestock grew. Outside of her work, she would spend hours with Thrix and Allana Starsider, learning about the nomadic history of the Mandalorian culture. Her knowledge of ranch work and growing interest in the Mandalorian creed shaped her into an instructor of sorts. Not only would she teach young ranchers how to ride an Orbak or how to encourage a bantha back to its barn, but she would also teach them about their ancient ancestors. Dia loved being a teacher to other beings. Her experience would turn to combat training also when she became more confident with her choice of weapon.

Personality and traits
Dia is a loner by nature, finding it easier to communicate with livestock on the Starsider ranch, rather than other beings. Upon first meeting, she can come across as shy and guarded. On more than one occasion, she has been called quiet and standoffish. Due to losses throughout her life, Dia finds it very hard to trust others and thus keeps her distance.

To those that Dia is close to, she is extremely kindhearted and warm. She shows her affection for others by verbal compliments, always trying to affirm someone’s importance and pick up their spirits. She is also very loyal to those who stand by her, perhaps a little clingy at times, but she does tire quickly of socialising when in large groups of people.

Although she has taken on the head ranch hand role at Starsider Supplies Corp., Dia is much more of an advisor than a leader. She is very thorough and organised, finding it difficult to adapt to sudden situations at times. She loves seeing younger beings flourish under her guidance though.

Dia very much struggles with changes in relationships. She finds it hard to let go and is easily upset when beings she cares about go through personal hardships.

Skills and Abilities
Having been raised in Sundari, where the Mandalorian culture was much more in line with Core Worlds philosophies, Dia started her traditional Mandalorian training late in life. Around sixteen years old, she earned her first set of custom armour that was gifted to her by Thrix Starsider, shortly after the Starsider Ranch moved from Mandalore to Concordia. Upon receiving her armour, Dia took her training very seriously.

Dia is skilled with a blaster, due to a target practice course that she has set up in a disused storage barn on the Starsider Ranch. Late evenings in the summer would be spent lining up shots, drinking tihaal and spending time with close friends she made during her time working on the ranch.

However, her main choice of weapon is an electrostaff, one that once belonged to a Magna droid from the Clone Wars, according to the market trader she purchased it from. Her training with the electrostaff began with assistance of former Jedi Knight Lena Kendari, who ran her through basic drills of pole saber combat. With a training base beneath her, Dia would develop her own, unique fighting style with the electrostaff, using it as means of propulsion for spinning kicks or clearing distances. For close range combat, she is hand to hand combat trained but also makes use of an electrified cattle prod, gifted to her by Mandalorian veteran, Dranor Kargak.

Dia has a natural bond with living creatures of any kind. She has qualifications in animal welfare and vetinary care, picked up via remote learning through a core worlds university.