Betheben Village Council

 Betheben Council  has twelve members, usually elected by residents of the village and the village's dependent thorps. In the event a councillor retires or dies, a spouse or child can inherit their seat if all eleven other councillors unanimously approve. If a councillor retires temporarily or travels away, they can appoint a Steward-Councillor (who does not have to be a family member) for up to one year, if the steward has the unanimous approval of the other eleven members. The council also sometimes appoints "officers" who have authority to act on the council's behalf in a specific area of expertise.

Shan - human female - Shan is the oldest member of the Betheben Council, taking her late husband's seat thirty years ago. She is wise, compassionate, and surprsingly hearty for her age (96). Her son Nahan (54), who performs or oversees many of the council's tasks, almost effectively a councillor in all but name, is expected to succeed her unanimously.

Allen Devouchet - human male - Devouchet is in his 70s, and is considered something of a voice of reason on the council. He was born in Betheben but worked as a lawyer across Tanith II before retiring back to the village. His daughter Jan Devouchet and her husband Eli Daw are the two record-keepers and modernizers in the village.

Randal Swift - human male - Swift is in his late 60s, and used to be a big-game hunter. His age is catching up with him physically but he still has an alert, tactical mind, and excellent knowledge of the area. An emergency council meeting of 7 members (Shan, Swift, Winter, Tzev, Rinsilver, Yala, Ann M.) just appointed him temporary Head of Defences.

Selon Winter - human male - Winter is in his 80s, from a farming background. His extended family run about a third of Betheben's entire agricultural production. His son and grandson are not interested in becoming councillor, so Winter is considering May as a candidate for Steward-Councillor (which lasts one year, and must be agreed to by the other 11 council members).

Tzev - weequay male - Tzev is middle-aged, and used to be a fearsome warrior. As a teenager in the Clone Wars he fought in the resistance against the seperatist occupation, and led later defenses against local warlords and slaver gangs during the Republic era. Tzev is a skilled marksman and explosive expert and still physically strong, probably the most physically fit of the councillors. Although Tzev has more true combat experience than Swift, he voted Swift head of defense for the current crisis due to Swift's superior knowledge of the local topography and wildlife.

Rinsilver - twi'lek male - Rinsilver was a child rescued from slavers shortly after the clone wars. Tzev demolished a slaving ring which corrupt Republic officials had allowed to operate under their noses, and unofficially-adopted Rinsilver. Rinsilver is very close to Tzev and usually backs whatever he supports, but when they do disagree on an issue, their strong personalities make the debate fiercesome.

Yala - human female - Yala in her 30s is one of the youngest councillors, having just replaced her late mother. She is the most highly-qualified doctor and pharmacist in the village, and is the final authority in medicinal tithe matters.

Ann Mazer - human female - Ann and Eric Mazer run one of the most successful trading businesses in the village, and one of the few families to privately own multiple speeder-trucks. Eric Mazer is often away making deals and contacts in the cities, while Ann is a talented skinner, leatherworker, and butcher; and powerful businesswoman in her own right. Since replacing her late father as councillor she serves as the council's expert and leader in trade and international matters.

There are also four Councillors representing the outlying thorps.