Tiss'shar

Tiss'shar

TheTiss'shar were aspecies of predatorysentienttherapodreptiles from theplanetTiss'sharl. They were comparatively strong, dexterous, and intelligent, possessing slender frames with long necks and short tails. Theirmouths were filled with sharpteeth, and theireyes were dark and glassy.

Members of the species were well known for their considerable business savvy, and Tiss'shar businessbeings could be found throughoutthe galaxy. They were also known for their cunningassassins, who were sought after for their efficiency and business-like demeanor. Tiss'sharpolitics were dominated by theTiss'sharl League, a group of successful business leaders who ran Tiss'sharl's government. Tiss'shar politicians were known for their cutthroat practices, sometimes involving assassination of other members.

The species was caught up in anImperial scheme eight months after theBattle of Yavin. Ordered byDarth Vader to reduce the prices of one of their world's products, the President of the Tiss'sharl League was approached by an agent of theRebel Alliance, only to discover that drawing out Rebels was the actual purpose behind Vader's demand.

Biology and appearance[]

The Tiss'shar were bipedaltherapods descended from predatoryreptilians native to the humid jungle continents ofTiss'sharl.^[2][1] They were relatively strong and agile, with long necks, slender torsos, wider hips, and a short but wirytail. Theirmouths were filled with short, sharpteeth, and their large tongues were pink and constantly moving. Their largeeyes wereblack and appeared glassy as a result of the clear, resilient film that covered and protected them.^[1] Many Tiss'shar had prominent sickle-shaped claws on the first toe of their feet; some also possessed a crest of feathers atop their heads.^[3]

There were sixsubspecies of Tiss'shar, distinguished most easily by the markings on their scales.^[2] Thesil-ar were the most common, and had diamond shaped markings on the backs of their heads and torsos, and on their limbs. Thekal-ar were another common subspecies, having thin, concentric bands beginning at the base of their jaws and going all the way to their feet.^[1] Other subspecies included theask-ar, which had red markings resembling masks on their faces; theorl-ar, which had green scales punctuated by yellow-orange stripes; thenil-ar, which had thin red bands around their eyes, wrists, ankles, and tails; and theisk-ar, which were albino Tiss'shar with translucent white scales and no other visible markings.^[2]

Society and culture[]

Tiss'shar social structure was inextricably tied to business. Nearly all Tiss'shar families had a corporation as a patron, which provided the family with its material needs in exchange for the dedicated labor of its members.^[1] Patron corporations regularly supplied food, housing, health care, education, and security services.^[2] While most companies native to Tiss'sharl focused on enviro-technology and modern weaponry,^[1] they also produced many other high-end products such ashyperdrives anddroids.^[2] Tiss'sharl was open to companies from offworld, and some of the most prominent corporations from aroundthe galaxy set up offices there; however, these companies' less generous benefits packages often meant they could only attract less skilled Tiss'shar to their payroll.^[1]

The predatory instincts of the Tiss'shar, redirected into the realm of business, served them well. While no stereotype fully defined the species, they often were considered aggressive, resourceful, calculating businessbeings. These traits also made them excellentassassins and gunfighters, renowned galaxywide for their efficiency. Most Tiss'shar had an appreciation for the art of the deal, and conducted their business legitimately; even those who chose the path of the assassin remembered that they were conducting business and respected their contracts.^[1] Tiss'shar tended to focus solely on success, tackling problems with a detached and calculating approach. They often preferred subterfuge over overt physical approaches when solving disputes.^[2]

Government among the Tiss'shar was also tied to business. Tiss'sharl was governed by theTiss'sharl League, a body consisting of those businessbeings whose companies posted the highest profits for the previous five local years, with each local year being roughly eleven standard months long.^[1] The body was not restricted to Tiss'shar; foreigners were also eligible to become a part of the League,^[2] which was headed by a President andVice President, with officers and league councilors filling out other roles. Tiss'sharpolitics by the time of theGalactic Civil War were extremely cutthroat, with advancement often occurring as a result of assassination.^[3]

TheTiss'shar was made up of hisses, shrieks, and lisping vocalizations. The written form of Tiss'shar consisted of sharp lines and curves in series, and was described as possessing a violent-looking aesthetic.^[2]

Tiss'shar typically did not wear clothing other than a simple tool harness,^[4] though that was far from an absolute rule. Citizens of the capitalcity could be seen wearing garments of various sorts covering their upper torsos. Members of the Tiss'sharl League and their guards often wore elaborate outfits about their necks and shoulders, and guards also wore wide-brimmed helmets. Assassins sometimes wore a face-concealing cowl.^[3]

Tiss'shar cuisine, befitting their predatory nature, was served unheated. Meat was served still attached to the bone of the creature of origin, with no attempt made to disguise the source; small animals were served whole.^[3]

History[]

Tiss'sharl was aplanet in theXappyh sector, located in theOuter Rim Territories.^[5] Sometime prior to3976 BBY,Mandalore the Ultimate ordered theMandalorians to expand outward. Among the peoples they discovered were the Tiss'shar, many of whom became recruits among the Mandalorians, who had begun to accept members of non-Taung races.^[6]

In3704 BBY, thehyperspace explorerFreia Kallea connected the nearbyMorellian Trail to theSpurs of Celanon as part of the super-hyperlane that came to be known as theHydian Way. This opened up this region to the rest of the galaxy, and the space that included Tiss'sharl was explored between3000 and1000 BBY.^[7] The Tiss'shar came under the undisputed authority of the Tiss'sharl League in approximately 1000 BBY; the rule of the League provided stability and abundance for the Tiss'shar, though it also eventually fostered the cutthroat politics that characterized it during theImperialera.^[3] During theClone Wars, Tiss'sharl fell within territory controlled by theGalactic Republic.^[7]

By the time of theGalactic Civil War, the Tiss'shar were well-integrated into the galaxy. They were key players in the galactic economy, with Tiss'sharl the focus of extensive import and export activity, often generating a trade surplus. Many galactic corporations, includingTaggeCo, had set up offices on the planet.^[1] The world was loyal to the Empire, withMoffGiiedt serving as Imperial liaison to Tiss'sharl.^[3]

The election prior to theBattle of Yavin leftSi-Di-Ri in the Presidency of the Tiss'sharl League, with his friendAstre-De-Kay as Vice President, andGeor-Dan-Thi appointed to the League Council. Geor-Dan-Thi soon rose in power, asMayorAntha-Kres,SecretaryLai-O-Sid, and Astre-De-Kay all soon died under questionable circumstances. Many, including Si-Di-Ri himself, believed Geor-Dan-Thi, by then Vice President, was not finished rising through the League's hierarchy through assassination.^[3]

The Galactic Civil War brought new challenges.LordDarth Vader visited the world three times in a year, each time demanding a lower selling price of TaggeCoblastercartridges. Vader's third visit occurred eight months after the Battle of Yavin, following thedeath of Moff Giiedt. Vader brought Giiedt's replacement,CommanderDemmings, and spared him the task of demanding yet another price cut, to 1,000credits per 5,000-cartridge container.^[3]

Si-Di-Ri secretly met with formerSenatorTimi Rotramel ofMon Calamari, who was sent by theRebel Alliance to offer Tiss'sharl protection from the Empire, including the establishment of an Alliance base. Despite the pressure Imperial demands were making on Tiss'sharl's economy, Si-Di-Ri refused Rotramel's offer, as the Rebellion was on the run and in hiding from the Empire, and thus was not a viable alternative in his eyes. His refusal occurred just as Vader arrived at the meeting. The raise in prices had been part of a ploy by Vader to draw a Rebel emissary to Tiss'sharl, though he had expectedPrincessLeia Organa instead of Rotramel. Vader killed the Senator, and, in light of the President's loyalty and unwitting assistance in the gambit, allowed TaggeCo to retain its current prices. Si-Di-Ri, realizing he was ultimately a pawn in spite of his position, and realizing the position was not worth the constant risk of assassination, chose to resign his post, the first President of the Tiss'sharl League in recent memory to do so.^[3]

Tiss'shar in the galaxy[]

The Tiss'shar were known across the galaxy as shrewd, resourceful businessbeings. Tiss'shar merchants could be found on all of the major hyperlanes, and Tiss'shar corporations were aggressive in their search for new markets and business opportunities throughout the galaxy. Tiss'shar who didn't care for more legitimate means of gathering wealth often became corporate or freelance killers.^[2] such as thebounty hunterXufal D'uat.^[8]

A large number of Tiss'shar found their way into theCorporate Sector.^[1] Eleven percent of the population ofBonadan, one of the Sector's busiest ports, was Tiss'shar, and a significant population of them lived on the urban planetMedia on the Sector'sLucaya Crosshyperlane.^[7] Some Tiss'shar in the sector found work in legitimate business, while others served as "protection agents" and corporate assassins.^[1]Uul-Rha-Shan, a former gunrunner turned gunslinger, was hired byCorporate Sector AuthorityViceprexMirkovig Hirken to serve as hisbodyguard.^[9]

Yet other Tiss'shar turned topiracy. One of the most infamous wasAbin-Ral-Xufush, the notorious leader of theShadow Wing piratefleet.^[10] Another Tiss'shar pirate wasPao-Neh-Lo, an experienced and merciless member of the crew of theprivateeringvesselFar Orbit.^[4]

The Tiss'sharTra-Skan-Lor served as theDirector of theSpecial Acquisitions Branch of theLibrary of the Republic and caused theSayings ofEmperorUueg Tching ofAtrisia to become deeply embeded within the culture of the Branch.^[11]

The droid manufacturerUhr-Vah-Vo TechWorks was operated by Tiss'shar, and was purchased by theInterGalactic Banking Clan several years prior to the outbreak of the Clone Wars.^[12]

Asnon-humans, Tiss'shar faced some discrimination during the time of the Galactic Empire. Like many non-human races, they were not welcome onCoruscant.^[3] Non-Tiss'shar sometimes referred to them derogatorily as "snakes."^[3][13]

Behind the scenes[]

The Tiss'shar first appeared in the form of the reptilian thug Uul-Rha-Shan inBrian Daley's novelHan Solo at Stars' End, in1979,^[13] though the species would go unnamed until Uul-Rha-Shan's write-up in theHan Solo and the Corporate Sector Sourcebook, published in1993.^[9] The species itself would first be explored inGalaxy Guide 12: Aliens — Enemies and Allies two years later.^[1]

The appearance of the Tiss'shar has varied with time. In thecomic adaptation ofHan Solo at Stars' End, Uul-Rha-Shan appeared as a robust, almost amphibian alien with a protruding snout.^[15] This depiction was apparently forgotten years later, whenMike Vilardi illustrated a more slender, lizard-like depiction of him forHan Solo and the Corporate Sector Sourcebook.^[9] This version of the Tiss'shar would inspire later images drawn throughoutWest End Games's publications,^[16][1][10] as well as the image inWizards of the Coast'sUltimate Alien Anthology.^[2] InEmpire 31, the Tiss'shar acquired an appearance much more like what dinosaurs such asVelociraptor were widely believed to look like at the time of the issue's illustration, complete with the characteristic sickle-shaped claw on the foot's second digit.^[17]

Star Wars: Empire 31 artistJoe Corroney at first had difficulty drawing the reptilian protagonists of the issue, but eventually adjusted and came to enjoy the task.^[14] The depictions of various Tiss'shar in that comic suggest far more outward variety than the six subspecies described in theUltimate Alien Anthology.^[3][2]

Appearances[]

• Han Solo at Stars' End(First appearance)
• Han Solo at Stars' End comic
• "Preparing for War" —The Far Orbit Project
• Empire 31

Sources[]

Explore all of Wookieepedia'simages for this article subject.

• Han Solo and the Corporate Sector Sourcebook(First identified as Tiss'shar)
• Alliance Intelligence Reports
• Galaxy Guide 12: Aliens — Enemies and Allies
• Pirates & Privateers
• Stock Ships
• The Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology
• Star Wars Encyclopedia
• Alien Encounters
• Ultimate Alien Anthology
• The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology
• The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
• The Essential Atlas
• Scavenger's Guide to Droids
• The Written Word onHyperspace(article) (content obsolete and backup link not available)
• The Essential Guide to Warfare
• Drawing from the Past: How Prehistoric Creatures InfluenceStar Wars Designs onStarWars.com(backup link) (original link is obsolete)
• So Uncivilized: Great Gunslingers inStar Wars, Part 1 onStarWars.com(backup link) (original link is obsolete)
• So Uncivilized: Great Gunslingers inStar Wars, Part 2 onStarWars.com(backup link) (original link is obsolete)
• Galactic Gladiators: Great Warriors ofStar Wars onStarWars.com(backup link) (original link is obsolete)
• A Tale of Two Bothans: InterpretingStar Wars Aliens onStarWars.com(original link is obsolete)

Notes and references[]

External links[]

• The Official Joe Corroney Discussion Thread(post by Joe_Corroney) on theJedi Council Forums' Literature board (February 12,2005)(backup link)