Ther - das Ther - das was an Arcona weapons expert and the leader of the Zulirian Swordmasters . Biography . A native of Cona , Ther - das studied ancient weaponry in the Lerct Historical Institute . However , during his second year of study , he became a salt addict . He was expelled from Lerct and placed in a recovery program . Wrestling with addiction . Ther - das then traveled to Zuliria and joined the ancient weapon department of the Zuliria Museum of Antiquities . In a few years , he managed to exorcise his addiction through hard and tenacious work , although two almost - overdoses of sodium weakened his body . He was promoted to the post of acquisition director of the Zuliria Museum , obtaining excellent pieces from all over the galaxy for the Museum . At the same time , he was re - accepted on Lerct and eventually got his degree on ancient weapons one year ahead of his own schedule . Changing occupation . However , Ther - das became bored with his studies and acquisitions , and tried to get a more active role on his passion . He practiced fencing with facsimiles of ancient Arcona weaponry and then cleaned his body of any last residue of his previous addiction . Meeting some people with similar interests , Ther - das and his new associates decided to create the Zulirian Swordmasters , an organization of ancient blade - lovers . He met mute Curdik in Zuliria and , noticing his remarkable skill , offered him a membership . He also met religious scholar Kaltor Naklian , an expert in the traditional rantok blade of his people , and convinced him to join the team as well . Recruiting . Ther - Das also met Togorian master smith Mlatar Thon Gra , who had traveled to Zuliria looking for his missing mate . Ther - Das became Mlatar ' s friend because of their common love towards swords , and the Arcona helped him in his search . They eventually discovered that Thon Gra ' s mate had been killed , and with no reason to return to his native world , Mlatar accepted Ther - Das ' offer to join the Zulirian Swordmasters . Then there was Cene Gilvent , an Ocsinin aficionado and co - worker Ther - Das met at the Museum , who was initially rejected because of her heterodox fighting method combining a dozen different martial arts ; but she was eventually accepted in the Swordmasters . Ther - Das was elected leader of the Swordmasters because of his knowledge and drive . His best friend in the team , Naklian became his second - in - command . Vigilante action . As time went on , the group members discovered that they were gifted " swordsmen " and combatants . Less than one year after being founded , they altered their original mission from " collecting " to using their knowledge to become vigilantes . They have shown a trend to attack unarmed enemies . In Teloc Ol - sen , the Swordmasters met a Rebel cell , with one of the Rebels using the vibroblade . Zulirian Swordmaster Kaltor Naklian challenged this rebel to a duel and , when he refused , Naklian simply killed him . The Rebels tried to counter attack , but the Swordmasters simply massacred them . They have since been considered a threat to the Rebel Alliance , deserving reports written by Tura Raftican and other Rebels . Personality . Ther - das had a very determined personality , as shown in his drive to overcome his salt - addiction and in his pursuit of his studies . An expert swordmaster , with a focus on ancient Arcona weapons , Ther - das was a formidable opponent in a duel .