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Ithorian

<Ithorian

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Ithorian

Biological classification

Designation

Sentient^[1]

Physical characteristics

Average height

1.8–2.3meters^[2]

Skin color

Brown
Dark red
Green

Hair color

Brown
Gray
White

Eye color

Black
Blue

Distinctions

Average lifespan

85standard years^[2]

Sociocultural characteristics

Point of origin

Ithor^[4]^[2]

Diet

Ant-fly^[3]

Language

Ithorese^[2]^[5]

"Ithorians. Four throats. Quite powerful."
"So I've heard."

―Shaak Ti andPalpatine after witnessingRoron Corobb destroy a corridor with his voice^[6]

Ithorians were amammalian herbivorous sentient species from theplanet Ithor. They were commonly called "Hammerheads" by less sensitive beings because of their long, curving neck and T-shaped head. They found this nickname offensive.

Biology and appearance[]

"I was such a promising pupa. Glassy-eyed, appendageless, able to move my body at will. The world was a titillating surface, an endless, glistening horizon that I had only to track across, to let slip under my underbelly, to feel satisfied. Ah, the joys of youth!"

―An Ithorian's notes^[3]

Ithorians had two mouths and four throats, allowing them to speak in stereo. Female Ithorians had two humps on the back of their head, while males had only one. They had glossy, usually brown flesh. They stood roughly between 1.8 to 2.3 meters fromeyestalk to toe. Their reflexes and coordination were somewhat slower than that of averagehumanoids.

In addition to allowing them to speak their unique stereophonic language, the Ithorians' four throats also had the ability to violently expel air, resulting in a deafening and potentially concussive scream. Although even common Ithorians possessed this strange talent, those withForce training (such asJedi Master Roron Corobb) couldpush enough power into their sonic bellow to shatter iron and shredplasteel. Despite this fact, most Ithorians went their entire lives without ever resorting to violence, and so the ability remained relatively ambiguous.

Ithorian youths were known as "pupa," and were commonly glassy-eyed, appendageless and limber, until they metamorphosized. After the molt, Ithorians lost anaural flap and everylocomotion tube, gained lumps, craters in theircraniums and an appetite forant-flies. An adult Ithorian could father several thousand offspring.^[3]

History[]

"The word for love in one language is the word for dinner in others."

―Wuher —

Link ▶️(file info)^[7]

Ithorians were natives of theplanet Ithor, a lush world with sprawling rain forests. The Ithoriansworshipped Mother Jungle, and long ago vowed never to desecrate their planet. Once they discoveredrepulsorlift technology, the Ithorians built expansive "herdships" floating in the skies above their homeworld. The species migrated to these platforms, ensuring that Ithor would remain pristine forever. These herdships eventually were given the ability to travel interstellar distances. The Ithorian people were led by theirhigh priest. First contact with the Republic occurred in12,000 BBY.

The Ithorian delegation in theGalactic Senate

Abroad, Ithorians integrated well with theGalactic community. Their own language was incredibly beautiful, yet difficult to learn, as the Ithorians had twin mouths on opposite sides of their necks. Fortunately, they could speakBasic, albeit with a strange accent. Many ithorians also used translation devices such as theithorian translator, which was usualy mounted on top of their elongated neck. Each Ithorian herd was presided over by aForce-sensitive individual who served as both a priest and healer.

The Ithorians were crucial to the efforts to restore many planets that had been devastated by theMandalorian andJedi Civil Wars. One notable example wasTelos IV, whosereconstruction was minutely directed and supervised byChodo Habat and hisherd.

Around the time of theCold War, a proxy conflict between theSith Empire andGalactic Republic, it was discovered that the previously unknownspecies responsible for building the technological wonder that were theHeffrin Aqueducts on the planetHeffrin, were in fact early Ithorianexplorers. This led to great debate among the Ithorian culture.^[8]

Ithorian society maintained its peaceful nature by exiling those who had a tendency towards violence and aggression. Two such exiles were theMoomo brothers,Dob andDel, who worked for theGalactic Republic as hired muscle, although they were less than competent in their efforts. An exile namedMomaw Nadon was present in theMos Eisley cantina shortly before theBattle of Yavin.

During theYuuzhan Vong War, Ithor was destroyed by theYuuzhan Vong as part of their invasion plan. They chose to destroy this planet, even though it was a lush jungle world, becauseone of the trees' pollen could cause theirVonduun Crab Armor to expand rapidly, killing theWarrior. Many years after the Yuuzhan Vong invasion,Leia Organa Solo convincedChief of State Cal Omas to allow the Ithorians to resettle on the planetBorao in theInner Rim overRePlanetHab, a large reconstruction conglomerate. Other Ithorians settled onÖetrago,Upell andFelucia.

Society and culture[]

"For every plant that was destroyed in the harvest, two must be planted to replace it"

―Momaw Nadon reciting the Ithorian's "Law of Life"^[9]

Ithorians worshipped the "Mother Jungle," a spiritual entity embodying the lush, tropical ecology of their world,Ithor. They were generally devoted environmentalists, staunch herbivores, and complete pacifists, devoting much time to contemplating their ecology, studying plants and their uses and the overall respecting of all living things. Most Ithorians hardly set foot on their own planet, instead living in floating cities above their world called herdships. Only three of their continents had been explored and harvested, the other two remain untouched by Ithorian hands. This demonstrated their extreme belief in the protection and sustaining of their environment which was apparent through their "Law of Life."

The Ithorians were organized intoherds,^[10] or clan families,^[11] which were the principal social group of the Ithorian society.^[10]

The Ithorians practiced a communal form of government. Each herdship was autonomous and self-supporting. However once every Ithorian season (about five standard years), the herds gathered for aHerd meet, a grand gathering above the surface of their world, where the herd ships would join each other in a festival and regal ceremony. Within Ithorian society, there were a priestly group known asnature priests who communed with the "Mother Jungle" and had a deeper connection to the Ithorian homeworld. Within the trading guilds themselves,Merchantates were present who dealt with business matters.

The Ithorian's curious and gregarious nature meant that many found their way off-planet via their floating herdship's space-worthy counterparts. Many became galactic traders, traveling the stars either independently or as part of their herdship. They would only resort to violence if threatened, and they were more likely to use their sonic bellow than a weapon. Because of their mild demeanor, most Ithorians avoided war in general, although theRebel Alliance did boast a few among its ranks. Their pacifistic nature meant that they refused to touch things that came as a result of bloodshed. When dealing with others, Ithorians were always supremely polite. They were very conversational and had profound respect for the views of others. Though often described as likable and friendly, many sentients found them altogether dull. Even when they had disagreements, Ithorians were unlikely to discuss their grievances with anyone unless the offending party was present. To do otherwise was considered rude.

Ithorians were commonly named after creatures on their planet, such as theFlen andGillom. Many females were named after theCellwan,Haali,Ivuur,Oovei,Vonnuvi, andWimmel; many males were named after theBoolon,Murr,Neelig, andWaawat. Aamaw, meaning "firelight", was also a very common name.^[12] Other examples of Ithorian names included Fandomar, Momaw, Oraltor, and Trangle.^[13]

In Ithorianmythology Trinta was the realm ofdemons. The Ithorians named the planetTrinta after this realm because they disliked the planet.^[14]

Ithorians in the galaxy[]

"Never pass up an opportunity to trade with an Ithorian. You'll get high-quality goods, and unless you really let him gouge you, you'll get a fair price."

―The Spacer's Handbook (Bootleg Edition)^[15]

Practicing their gentle nature even when offworld, many Ithorians served as explorers, diplomats, peace officers and navigators. Despite their reputation, not all Ithorians were so peaceful. Rarely, violent and unruly Ithorians were born and subsequently banished from their homeworld or herdship. Such Ithorians often became drifters andbounty hunters, likeDel andDob Moomo.

On some poor worlds where Ithorians had established trading centers, Ithorians were happy to give produce away to impoverished locals. Ithorians also pioneered several crop education programs for produce growers on poor and uneducated planets.^[15]

Many Ithorians were Force-sensitive and went on to serve theJedi Order, as theJedi Code valued the good nature that Ithorians so cherished.

Behind the scenes[]

The Ithorian puppet suit used in the Mos Eisley cantina scene ofA New Hope was designed byRon Cobb. This puppet was used for Momaw Nadon andDeneb Both. Interestingly, it featured four fingers on each hand, while later Ithorian designs, such as Roron Corobb andTendau Bendon (both of whom appear chronologically before Nadon and Both) feature five-fingered hands. Most sources other than Cobb's puppet, includingThe New Essential Guide to Alien Species, seem to favor the five-fingered design.

In theStar Wars radio drama,Luke commented on seeing aMeerian Hammerhead while in the cantina. Since then, another species has been identified asMeerians.