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The Sarkans were a species of sentient, egg-laying reptiles that hailed from the planet Sarka.
Biology and appearance
Sarkans were tall bipedal[2] reptiles[1] with broad, tapered snouts, five-toed feet, and five-fingered hands with an opposable thumb. Except for the skull and tail bones, their skeleton resembled that of humans. Their scaly skin boasted a variety of tones, including gray, red, orange, lilac, and green. Many Sarkans had mottled skin.[2]
They reproduced by laying eggs, and grouped themselves in family units called egg-broods.[1]
Society and culture
- "The Sarkans are serious about their customs."
- ―Leia Organa
The Sarkans lived underground, in vast caves where they mined various gems such as aqua jewels and Corusca gems. They were ruled over by a monarch seconded by an advisor. Sarkans typically wore colorful loose robes adorned with gemstones.[2]
According to Leia Organa, no species in the galaxy spent more time worrying about ritual and protocol than Sarkans. What made it difficult, even for seasoned diplomats, was that they frequently came up with new customs, making it hard to keep up.[2]
History
The Sarkans hailed from Sarka,[2] a planet located in the galaxy's Mid Rim.[4] During the Imperial Era, they notably traded their gems with the Galactic Empire, a galaxy-spanning autocratic regime led by Emperor Sheev Palpatine.[5] However, the anti-Imperial Rebel Alliance needed gems for their laser cannon, so they spent months getting the Sarkans to agree to hold a summit. Leia Organa, the Princess of Alderaan and a leading figure in the Alliance, was sent to meet Queen Zil of Sarka.[2]
Sarkans in the galaxy
A turban-wearing, pipe-smoking Sarkan[6] known as Melas[3] attended Chalmun's Cantina in Mos Eisley when Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi first met Han Solo and Chewbacca.[6] In the year 5 ABY,[7] a Sarkan named Vinthar was part of Eleodie Maracavanya's pirate crew.[1]
Behind the scenes
A Sarkan first appeared as a puppet shot and edited into the cantina footage for the Special Edition of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope in 1997. The new creature, Melas, replaced the Defel Arleil Schous. The Sarkan puppet was actually the same puppet used for Ketwol the Pacithhip, except turned around: the back of Ketwol's head became the Sarkan' face, while Ketwol's trunk and tusks were concealed by the Sarkan's turban.[8]
Appearances
- Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope (First appearance) (Post-1997 releases only)
"[[Mind Your Manners]]" — Star Wars Adventures (2017) Annual 2018- Aftermath: Life Debt (First identified as Sarkan)
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Aftermath: Life Debt
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11
"[[Mind Your Manners]]" — Star Wars Adventures (2017) Annual 2018
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Star Wars: Card Trader
- ↑ The Force Awakens Beginner Game
- ↑ Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
- ↑ Star Wars: Timelines dates the events of Aftermath: Life Debt to 5 ABY.
- ↑ Melas in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
