One of mine and Dad's favorite Dark Horse comics is Darkness written by John Ostrander. I love stories about Aayla Secura and Dad is a Quinlan Vos and Master Tholme fan. After reading this comic series, we were both fans of Master Zao. So much so that Dad had to make him into an action figure. Dad has been working on this action figure for a long time.
If it weren't for the help of Lucasclones, Dad may never have finished this figure. Lucasclones provided Dad with the pouches Master Zao wears around his waist. Lucasclones had needed Trandoshan body parts after the Clone Wars: Season 3 finale, Wookiee Hunt inspired him to create a few Trandoshans and Dad had a few parts he could spare. When Chad asked Dad if he wanted anything for the pieces, Dad asked if he had any waist pouches and sent Chad some images of Master Zao. Dad was thinking he was going to have to sculpt them by hand, but Lucasclones came through in a big way. Thanks Chad!!
Before the Clone Wars, Zao served as chef to Gorto Zaga on Kiffex, during which time he explained his method of travel to Quinlan Vos. When Zao's cooking didn't avail to Gorto Zaga he helped Quinlan Vos and Tholme fight off Zaga's guards before the Anzati lead by Aayla Secura stormed the Black Hole Cantina.
He later cooked food on the streets of Saleucami, where he encountered his old friend Tholme, who was on the planet to investigate the actions of the Dark Jedi Sora Bulq. Zao believed the Jedi should serve the Force and the principles of the Galactic Republic, but explained to Tholme that the Republic itself no longer upheld those ideals.
Zao was opposed to the Jedi serving as officers in the Clone Wars. However, he did help Tholme locate Sora Bulq's underground Morgukai cloning facilities.
As the war continued, rumors abounded of his death. Since he was not involved with the war, he was not killed in the execution of Order 66. Dressed in rags amongst huge crowds, he was overlooked as a beggar by clone troopers searching for Jedi to execute.
INTERESTING FACT:
Zao was originally going to die in Darkness, but according to artist Jan Duursema, "Zao would have been toast in Darkness, but we were asked not to kill him."[2]
SKILL LEVEL: ADVANCED