in:Canon articles,Articles in need of updating,Human and Near-Human species,Outer Rim Territories sentient species

Pau'an

This article details a subject that is considered canon.

This article covers the Canon version of this subject.

Click here for Wookieepedia's article on the Legends version of this subject.

Content approaching.The High Republic: The Fallen Star,Last Shot,Star Wars: Build the Millennium Falcon 40,Star Wars: Complete Locations–class.

Parts of this article are no longer up to date.

Please update the article to include missing information, and remove this template when finished.

Pau'an

Biological classification

Designation

Sentient^[1]

Classification

Humanoid^[2]

Physical characteristics

Average height

1.90meters^[3]

Skin color

Gray^[1]
Light^[4]
White^[1]

Eye color

Black^[1]
Silver^[5]

Distinctions

Jagged teeth^[6]
Long nails^[6]
Lined skin^[6]
Red markings^[6]

Average lifespan

Up to 700years^[7]

Sociocultural characteristics

Point of origin

Utapau^[6]

Habitat

Sinkhole caves^[8]

Diet

Carnivorous^[9]

Language

Pau'ans were gaunt, long-limbedhumanoids fromUtapau. They dwelled in theirplanet's sinkholes, and tamed the localvaractyl for riding. Due to their long life-span, they were also known asthe Ancients. TheUtai, another indigenousspecies that lived on Utapau, along with the Pau'ans, were collectively known as theUtapauns.

Biology and appearance[]

The Pau'ans were aspecies of gaunthumanoids withgray, furrowed skin, and sunkeneyes. Theirarms ended in long, pentadactyl hands with an opposable thumb and sharp nails.^[1] Beingcarnivores with a preference for raw meat,^[9] they also had sharp, jaggedteeth.^[6] In addition to those intimidating features, Pau'ans were tall—Tion Medon, aPort Administrator during theClone Wars, stood at about 2.06meters.^[11] Pau'ans had two stomachs.^[12] They had hypersensitive hearing, which prompted them to wear special coverings to protect their fragileears. Their life-span was measured in centuries, which earned them the nickname of "Ancients".^[3] They had red blood.

Society and culture[]

The Pau'ans weresentient beings, capable of intelligent thought.^[1] Although they often appeared fearsome to outsiders, most of them were peaceful and amiable.^[2] On theirhomeworld ofUtapau, they preferred to dwell in darkness rather than light,^[9] and theircities were built within theplanet's many sinkholes.^[13]

Pau'ans wore special covers to protect their ears.

Pau'ans shared Utapau with at least three other species, namely theUtai, theSugi, and theAmani.^[14] The Utai were a fellow indigenous species on Utapau, with whom the Pau'ans had a symbiotic relationship. The two races were collectively referred to as Utapauns.^[15] Like the Utai, the Pau'ans built their cities and buildings in theOssic architectural form.^[16] The primary Pau'an settlement andspaceport on Utapau wasPau City, which was administrated by various officials including theGovernor, the Police Inspector,^[14] and the Port Administrator.^[1]

The Pau'ans' nativelanguage wasUtapese,^[3] but they were also capable of speakingGalactic Basic Standard.^[1] Some Pau'an's, such asGen Tri of theSpice Runners of Kijimi, used thegender-neutral singular pronoun "they, them".^[17]

It was typical for creatures to be freshly slain every day for meals on Utapau, rather than being killed and then cooked or stored for later consumption, due to the Pau'an preference for raw meat.^[3] They domesticated the fast-pacedvaractyl to use as mounts.^[18]

History[]

Development and Republic Era[]

A Pau'an ambassador confers with two Utai.

Originally, the Pau'ans occupied the surface of Utapau, while the Utai lived in tunnels and caverns. Over time, however,hyperwind storms became more frequent all across the planet and forced the Pau'ans underground. The two societies then merged and started founding sinkhole cities.^[3]

At the end of theClone Wars, the planet wasoccupied by theConfederacy of Independent Systems. TheJedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi came searching forGeneral Grievous: Port Administrator Tion Medon discreetly informed him of Grievous's location, allowing him to bring theforces of the Republic toliberate the Pau'ans.^[1]

During the Clone Wars, aPau'an male served theJedi Order as aJedi Temple Guard.^[5] The same Pau'an would turn to thedark side of the Force and attain the title ofGrand Inquisitor, the leader of theEmpire's Inquisitorius.^[9]

Imperial Era[]

"Do you think I wanted Utapau to join the Empire? The compromises I made created a future for my people."
"I've been to Utapau, Senator. They spit your name out like a curse."
"Out least they are alive!"

―Bode Akuna joins Imperial Senator Daho Sejan andCal Kestis' conversation^[19]

During thereign of the Empire, many Pau'ans fled their homeworld after it wasoccupied by the Empire.^[20] Although ImperialSenator Pau'anDaho Sejan was against the idea of Utapau joining the Galactic Empire, he made concessions, which in his words, gave his people a future. However, most Pau'ans did not agree with Sejan, so much so that they would spit in contempt when they heard the senator's name.^[19]

At the time of theBattle of Yavin, aPau'an drug dealer worked at acantina onCoruscant. He would recruit strays to make deliveries.Anandra Milon visited him withher brother to find shelter, but refused and fled when astormtrooper andunderworld policeman arrived.^[21]

Behind the scenes[]

The Pau'an design featured in Obi-Wan Kenobi — The Pau'an design featured inObi-Wan Kenobi

The design of the Pau'ans forStar Wars: Episode IIIRevenge of the Sith was originally intended for thenatives ofMustafar.^[22] The Pau'ans themselves were designed aslemur-like creatures perGeorge Lucas.^[23] These lemur concepts would later become theLurmen.^[24] ArtistSang Jun Lee drew some initial sketches of the Pau'an species, andRobert E. Barnes andMichael Murnane created sculptures of their faces. The design developed over time and was later changed to the Pau'ans' current appearance asRevenge of the Sith developed.^[25] The Pau'ans inRevenge of the Sith were created through a mix of prosthetic makeup effects andcomputer-generated imagery.^[23] The design of their face was inspired by an African tribal mask.^[26] For theDisney+ streaming seriesStar Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Grand Inquisitor, and by extension the Pau'an species, was redesigned^[27] despite its prior appearance in a live action production viaRevenge of the Sith.^[1]