Tippet was no ordinary Ortolan. Or rather, that's what he always *hoped* people would think. Despite his technical acumen and ingenuity, Tippett felt relegated to the background, while other more social beings basked in adulation.

And it was not from lack of trying that the validation he craved continued to elude him. Quiet but keenly observant, Tipp took note of every clue and every sign that he could seize upon, all in an effort to win sweet, sweet adoration. But to no avail!

Any minute praise Tipp did receive, was directed toward his creations. And even then, it always took the form of backhanded compliments, or in some cases, strange misinformation.

After crafting a mobile walker-like chassis for Ortolans, so that they could overcome some of the so-called "challenges" they faced on worlds that called for the simultaneous use of hands AND feet? Rumors and "Legends" began to spread of four-limbed Ortolans!

That Orto had fallen under Imperial rule only made Tippett feel more invisible. It added insult to injury, as Imperials would just as soon spit on an "alien" as look at one.

So Tippett fled Orto, bartering passage with some sketchy visiting spacers who expressed interest in his technical expertise. Lending them his ability to make mechanical things work — and not work — Orto was granted a seat on a tramp freighter in exchange for ensuring that local Imperial forces' tractor beams and security measures were inoperable when the ship took flight. Easy enough! Unknown to Tipp however, the ship was bound for a Rebel Alliance rendezvous.

But therein lay hope at last! Perhaps if he worked hard enough, Tipp thought, not only might his deeds help free Orto from its Imperial yoke, but he might also finally earn some modicum of real recognition.

Alas, the latter at least was not meant to be. So innocuous, unthreatening, and inconspicuous was Tippett — even in the mighty land-sea-and-space-worthy suit of his own design! — that the Alliance had other plans for him....

More than anything, Tippett wants to be noticed! He wants to win respect and validation for his hard work, and to prove that Ortolans are as capable as any species in the galaxy!

An eager-but-overlooked engineer, Tippett privately sees it as his duty to always work as hard as he can. Maybe then, he'll prove his worth to people, and finally become universally loved! Officially, it's to prove his worth in the eyes of his new allies, the Rebel Alliance.

Tippett is a stout, blue-skinned Ortolan with blue skin, large dark eyes, and a well-meaning, eager expression. Due in part to his quiet wallflower demeanor, and his diminutive size, Tippett all too often goes unnoticed or outright ignored.