A reclusive Rodian individual, residing as a hermit, made his home on the planet of Tatooine during the time of the Galactic Civil War. Following the Battle of Yavin, this hermit guided a youthful adventurer along the path to becoming the celebrated Hero of Tatooine.
As a staunch advocate for both the Galactic Republic and the revered Jedi Order, this Rodian lived through the waning years of the Old Republic. In his younger days, he actively participated in numerous conflicts against forces he deemed aligned with darkness. His dedication was recognized with the awarding of the Mark of the Hero, a ring rumored to possess significant power. Regrettably, the Rodian was a helpless witness to the fall of the Republic and the subsequent establishment of the Galactic Empire. Over time, he observed the Empire's descent into ruthlessness and injustice, casting the galaxy's inhabitants into the Dark Times. Overwhelmed by despair and a sense of hopelessness, the Rodian chose to enter into exile on Tatooine. Eventually, he settled within a frigid cave infested with squill, located on the desolate desert world. Within this cave, the hermit lived in seclusion, dedicating much of his time to reading and contemplating the galaxy's condition. Despite his isolated existence, he remained informed about the various challenges faced by Tatooine's inhabitants. By the time of the Battle of Yavin, the Rodian hermit had developed a firm belief that the galaxy was in desperate need of heroes, individuals who could embody the principles of light and inspire positive change.
During the year 1 ABY, the Rodian's solitary life was interrupted by a spacer exploring the cave. A conversation revealed a shared perspective on the Empire and the galaxy's plight. Observing the adventurer's eagerness to assist, the hermit began to consider the individual's potential as one of the heroes he envisioned. To assess the spacer's true intentions, the hermit initially tasked them with retrieving a squill skull from the cave's depths. The adventurer emerged victorious from the confrontation with the squills, returning to the Rodian with the requested skull. Impressed and delighted, the hermit entrusted the spacer with the mission of becoming the Hero of Tatooine, hoping they would embrace his former responsibilities and safeguard the planet. The old man laid out four tasks, designed to aid Tatooine's residents while showcasing the essential heroic qualities: intelligence, courage, honor, and altruism. To earn the Mark of Intellect, the adventurer provided assistance to Tearfin, a bounty hunter, in identifying a thief among a group of smugglers. To acquire the Mark of Honor, the spacer aided Roric and Helen Goldenfield in addressing the pirates who were harassing their ranch. To earn the Mark of Courage, the adventurer vanquished a dangerous bladeback boar. Finally, to secure the Mark of Altruism, the spacer successfully rescued the family of a moisture farmer who had been abducted by Sennex slavers. Upon completion of all the tasks, the spacer returned to the hermit, who expressed his congratulations for their bravery and heroic deeds. The Rodian formally declared them the Hero of Tatooine and bestowed upon them his old ring, the Mark of the Hero, which was believed to possess the power to revive its wearer from death.
The Rodian hermit made an appearance in the 2003 video game titled Star Wars Galaxies, a massively multiplayer online roleplaying game that was developed by Sony Online Entertainment and published by LucasArts, prior to its shutdown on December 15, 2011. The Rodian hermit's inclusion in the game was part of the "Hero of Tatooine" questline, which was introduced with "Publish 9" on June 29, 2004.
The "Hero of Tatooine" questline underwent significant revisions with the release of "Publish 25," also known as the "New Game Enhancements," on November 15, 2005, however, the Rodian hermit's role within the quest remained unchanged.