Octavian Grant

**Octavian Grant**, also known as the last Grand Admiral, defected to the New Republic in 6 ABY in return for information and immunity from war crimes committed during his service in the Empire. He has since been relocated to the resort world of Rathalay, under New Republic guard.

As a Lord in one of House Mecetti, one the main houses in the Tapani sector, Grant began his career in the Tapani Home Defense Fleet. After an exemplary first tour of duty, Grant joined the Republic Navy and proved to be a brilliant tactician late in the Clone Wars and was instrumental in bringing the Tapani Sector back to the Republic after initially declaring themselves supporters of the Separatist movement.

Grant continued to serve with distinction as the Republic transitioned to the Galactic Empire and received accolades for his successful, and relatively bloodless campaigns against Seperatist holdout cells - earning him praise from the core worlds and securing himself a prominent position in the Galactic Empire.

Two years prior to the Battle of Yavin, Emperor Palpatine created a new flag rank for the Imperial Navy: the rank of Grand Admiral. Palpatine decreed that only twelve could ever hold the rank of Grand Admiral at one time; among them was Grant. Of the twelve Grand Admirals, only Grant, Grunger, Tigellinus, and Peccati Syn continued to perform regular naval duties - the rest were assigned to secret assignments or projects from the Emperor - and these four admirals became the face of the Empire; recognizable to most in the Core Worlds.

Before Endor, he led a series of successful campaigns against the Rebel Alliance and after the Battle of Endor, he eventually took refuge in a group of space called the Pentastar Alignment which was still loyal to the Galactic Empire alongside a small fleet loyal to him.

Eventually he came to the conclusion that while he *should* rule, he had neither the influence (as he despises politics) or popularity (his arrogant demeanor made him the least popular of the four public admirals), and, with all likelihood, his fleet and loyal crew would be captured or destroyed if the New Republic turned their attention to him - which they would now that he was seemingly the 'Last Grand Admiral.'

Surrendering to the New Republic in 6 ABY, he and the crew of his small fleet were given immunity from prosecution, and he has since lived on Rathalay under New Republic guard and only occasionally given leave by the New Republic as a figurehead representing the 'unity' the New Republic represents - such as his appearance on the *Glorious Republic* tour.

In 9 ABY, he urged the New Republic to let him resume command to wage attacks against Thrawn - however, his request was denied and he has publicly stated that not being allowed to engage in combat against Thrawn was an 'incredibly disappointing and a foolish move by a weak and splintered New Republic leadership.'

Regardless of his surrender and his lack of popularity in the Empire, he is still maintains a huge celebrity in the Tapani sector. Sometimes referred to as the *Lord of the Expanse* (albeit in jest), Grant is a rare example of a person who is celebrated across nearly all the houses in home sector.

## Stats

**Type:** Former Imperial Grand Admiral

**DEXTERITY 3D**
Blaster 6D, blaster: blaster pistol 7D, brawling parry 9D, dodge 8D, grenade 5D, lightsaber 9D, melee combat 7D+2, melee parry 8D

**KNOWLEDGE 3D+2**
Bureaucracy 8D, bureaucracy: Imperial Navy 9D+2, bureaucracy: Tapani Sector 10D, cultures: Tapani Sector 9D, intimidation 7D+1, law enforcement: Empire 10D, planetary systems 7D+2, survival 4D+2, tactics 7D, tactics: capitol ships 9D+2, tactics: fleets 10D+1, tactics: ground assault 7D+1, tactics: starfighters 8D+2 willpower 6D+2

**MECHANICAL 3D+1**
Astrogation 4D+1, beast riding 7D+1, capitol ship gunnery 4D+1, capitol ship piloting 5D+1, capitol ship piloting: Imperial Star Destroyer 6D, capitol ship shields 5D, communications 5D+1, repulsorlift operation 5D+2, sensors 6D, space transports 4D+1, starfighter piloting 4D, starship gunnery 4D+1, starship shields 4D+1

**PERCEPTION 4D**
Bargain 8D, command 8D, command: Imperial Navy Officers 10D, command: Tapani Defense Fleet personnel 11D, command: House Mercetti personnel 14D, con 6D, investigation 9D, hide 6D+2, persuasion 10D, search 8D, sneak 6D

**STRENGTH 2D+1**
Brawling 8D, climbing/jumping 4D+2, stamina 6D

**TECHNICAL 2D**
Computer programming/repair 4D, demolitions 3D, first aid 5D, security 7D

**Move:** 10

## Equipment

Comlink, code cylinder, datapad, fancy dress, lightfoil, ceremonial blaster pistol (with no blaster packs), painted image of his former Imperial-class Star Destroyer *Oriflamme*.

## Background & Personality

A Tapani lord of House Mecetti, Grant saw himself as superior to those who were not members of the nobility, and held a particular dislike for droids and other species. His Humanocentric beliefs stood firm after he joined the ranks of the Galactic Empire, but he was not above working with aliens or non-nobles - as long as they properly displayed deference to him stayed below his station. Overall, his arrogance and aloofness made him least popular Grand Admiral among both the other Grand Admirals and the general population.

Indeed, Grant put great emphasis on rank and nobility throughout his life, a trait which would lead to his bias against common citizens. He felt that, because he held higher status due to his species and his noble parentage, he had a right to extra privileges that those without such status should not be allowed to gain. When others managed to get into positions as high as his own, he was deeply unhappy. He was also loath to have an alien among the ranks of the Grand Admirals, such as Thrawn, though he never attempted to defy Palpatine. In fact, during the Thrawn crisis, he requested to resume his station in the New Republic Navy, just because he beleived he could finally show Thrawn his own superiority.

Military-wise, Grant was not afraid to cut his losses, displaying what others might have seen as cowardice. He preferred to stay out of the limelight and operate from the shadows, while many of his peers took a far more direct approach. His style of operating ultimately saw him outlive all those who doubted him, though at the expense of his total freedom. It should be noted that he also was demonstrated loyalty to his crew by insuring they also received immunity - whether he did this because he truly appreciated his followers or whether he did this because he thought it the appropriate behavior of a noble is up for debate.

An astute bargainer, Grant was able to coax generous conditions from the New Republic in addition to keeping his life while the former Rebels killed several of the other Grand Admirals. He was loyal to the Empire only to a point; he would happily compromise the Empire to further his own means. His prejudice against aliens later nearly caused him to oppose the only lifeline the Imperial remnant had to regain their former glory.