Rygel XVI

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Dominar Rygel XVI
First appearance	Premiere
Last appearance	Peacekeeper Wars: Part 2
Details
Nickname(s)	"Sparky", "Fluffy", "Buckwheat"
Gender	Male
Species	Hynerian
Affiliation	Hyneria, Unaffiliated
Age	500 cycles
Vehicle of Choice	Royal Hover Sled
Portrayed by	Jonathan Hardy (voice), Sean Masterson, Tim Mieville, Matt McCoy, Mario Halouvas and Fiona Gentle (operators)

Overview

Dominar Rygel XVI is the deposed ruler of the Hynerian Empire and former Peacekeeper prisoner for over 130 cycles.

Character History

Pre-Show

Standing all of 26 inches tall - when he deigned to stand at all - Rygel XVI was once the royal sovereign of more than 600 billion loyal (or so he claimed) subjects, the ruler of the Hynerian Empire. Unfortunately for him, none of them were with him in the Uncharted Territories. Over 130 cycles ago, Rygel's cousin Bishan overthrew him and seized the throne. Rygel never discussed the political causes for the coup, though he intended to avenge himself as soon as he got the chance. Bishan turned the dethroned Dominar over to the Peacekeepers, who held him prisoner for more than 130 cycles. Rygel initially spent his confinement aboard the Peacekeeper Command Carrier Zelbinion, where he was regularly tortured and humiliated by the ship's captain, Captain Selto Durka. He survived, but grew to hate Durka and Peacekeepers in general because of it.

Season One

He was eventually transferred off the ship, and endured an unknown number of prisons before finally landing onboard Moya. The Leviathan had numerous passages and conduits that only someone of his size could use, and he began to come and go as he liked, secreting food and valuables where the Peacekeepers couldn't find them. His efforts eventually paid off when he became the guiding force behind Moya's escape from Peacekeeper servitude: he had obtained the necessary code keys and bribed the guard drones in order to make the prison break possible. Of course, if Rygel could have freed the ship alone, he might just as easily have left his fellow inmates Ka D'Argo, and Pa'u Zotoh Zhaan in chains. After the escape Rygel spent his time aboard Moya as the ship's main negotiator, obtaining food and supplies.

Though Rygel did at times provide valuable services for the crew, from negotiating to pissing explosively, he often caused more trouble than he was worth. In one instance, Rygel tried to betray his shipmates to Crais and Scorpius in exchange for resources to return him to Hyneria. He only gave up when he learned that Scorpius planned to kill him anyway.

Season Two

Rygel, in short, was greedy, self-absorbed, egotistical and greedy. He made a habit of "procuring" items from his fellow shipmates, eating much more than his fair share and more often than not putting those around him in danger. But there was another side to Rygel. When absolutely necessary he would "bravely" put himself in harm's way for the rest of the crew and then remind them of it constantly afterward. He was instrumental is saving Moya from the Drak. He joined Aeryn, Crais, Stark, and one of the twinned Johns aboard Talyn when the Peacekeeper retrieval squad commanded by Xhalax Sun attacked both Moya and Talyn. While John and the Ancient Jack, were busy constructing a displacement engine, Rygel held off a small army of Charrids, nearly single-handedly. He even negotiated the safe passage of the crew aboard Scorpius' Command Carrier.

Since the destruction of the Scorpius' Command Carrier, Rygel has warmed to his role as a member of Moya's crew and has willing sacrificed himself at the expense of his crewmates, allowing Noranti to infect him with near fatal Hynerian disease as a distraction while the crew attempted to rescue Aeryn from the Scarrens. During their most complicated plan to date, Rygel incited the Charrids to attack the Kalish in the Scarren base.

In a personal victory, Rygel was able to exact revenge on his tormentor Durka, who had gained control of the Zenetan Pirates. But Rygel still await his most major of victories. Through the Peacekeepers, he has received reports that the subjects of the Hynerian Empire are unhappy with Bishan's rule, and that the time might soon be ripe for Rygel to reclaim his rightful place on the throne. Until that happens, however, he intends to obtain as much wealth and glory as he can by whatever means possible.

If and when he does return home, one thing is certain: his cousin will rue the day he crossed Dominar Rygel XVI.

Behind The Scenes

• Actor Jonathan Hardy makes no effort to guise his voice. The voice he provides Rygel is very much his own, unlike other major voice actors such as Tara Strong or Frank Weller, who provide voices for many different characters on many different TV shows.