Ahsoka Tano once called Asajj Ventress “Dooku’s hairless harpy” due to her lack of hair. Though what is fascinating about her is her back story. Before we go into the canon version of Ventress, we do want to mention a Star Wars behind-the-scenes tidbit and a bit on her legends story.
Originally, Ventress’ design was that of a Sith witch for Attack of the Clones. However, the design was never used. Instead, the concept art was later used for the 2003 Clone Wars micro-series, where Ventress debuted. The character was transferred over when the 2008 The Clone Wars series was in development.
Canon Backstory Of Asajj “The Hairless Harpy” Ventress
A female Zabrak (the same species as Maul), Asajj Ventress, was born in 50BBY on Dathomir. She was taken from her mother at a young age. Her mother was part of a Nightsister clan under Mother Talzin, who once had ties to the Sith.
The young Asajj joined the Jedi Order and was the apprentice of Ky Narec. After Weequad raiders kill her master in 23BBY, the year before the Clone Wars breaks out, Ventress becomes the assassin of Count Dooku, a fallen Jedi known as Darth Tyranus. He twisted her grief, making her believe the Jedi were responsible for Narec’s death on Rattatak.
Over the Clone Wars, Ventress would clash with Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka Tano, who would throw barbs at her for her baldness. The feeling was mutual, with the former Jedi turned assassin calling the teenage padawan “Skywalker’s filthy obnoxious little pet.”
Asajj often did Dooku’s dirty work. Despite her connection to the Sith, she could never become one due to the Rule of Two. Eventually, Dooku would try to have her killed and send other assassins after her. Barriss Offee would then steal her lightsabers and make it appear that Ventress and Tano worked together during the Jedi Temple bombing.
In reality, both were framed for the crime. Ventress helped Skywalker track down the actual assailant. However, it was not enough to get Ahsoka to remain in the Jedi Order after being acquitted.
Death And Reaction From Anakin Skywalker
Ventress met her death on Christophsis. She and Jedi Master Quinlan Vos had teamed up to assassinate Count Dooku. They fell in love, and Vos fell to the Dark Side for a time. She sacrificed herself in a bid to stop her former master from killing her lover with Force Lightning. Her body was later laid to rest on Dathomir.
While it was no secret that Anakin and Ventress hated each other, he voiced his suspicions about how Vos turned to the Dark Side to his wife, Padmé. He thought about how Ventress and Vos were romantically involved and how forbidden it was. Finally, however, he realised that he was in the same position they were because he and Amidala were secretly married.
