Rowan Freemaker was a Force-sensitive member of the Freemakers, a family of scavengers that traveled throughout the galaxy during the Imperial Era. He was the younger brother of Zander and Kordi Freemaker. His best friend and long time companion was the modified B1 battle droid Roger. Together, they lived at a garage based in a space station called the Wheel in the Abrion system. Rowan was an adventurous twelve-year old boy who had a knack for getting into trouble. He was playful, friendly, loyal, and a solid moral compass.

Rowan entered a new turning point in his life when he discovered that he was Force-sensitive after stumbling upon the hilt of the Kyber Saber crystal. Rowan encountered the Sith agent Naare, who posed as a Jedi and offered to train him in the ways of the Force. As a result, Rowan and his family became involved in a quest to find the various crystals that made up the Kyber Saber. Rowan’s quest to find the Kyber Saber brought him into conflict with the Hutt crime lord Graballa, the bounty hunters Dengar, Baash, and Raam, and the Sith Lords Darth Sidious and Darth Vader.

During the quest for the Kyber Saber, Rowan and his family came to depend on each other and strengthened their bonds. After learning the truth about Naare, the Freemakers embarked on a race for the remaining Kyber Saber crystals. Despite obtaining the crystals, Naare caught up with them on each occasion and stole the crystals.

Following a confrontation with Naare on Hoth, Rowan and Roger separated from Zander and Kordi in order to protect his siblings and to prevent Naare from getting her hands on the last Kyber Saber crystal. However, Naare lured Rowan back to the Wheel by harming his siblings and managed to reforge the Kyber Saber. Rowan and his family manage to retake the Kyber Saber following a showdown on Coruscant. Wanted by the Empire, the Freemakers joined the Alliance to Restore the Republic.