Twi'lek

Twi’leks are an omnivorous, hairless, humanoid species. Their lengthy lekku are prehensile but also serve additional functions. These include playing a role in sensory input as well as providing a location for their brains to store memories. Their smooth skin comes in a broad range of colors, which are commonly associated with ancestry and clan. Some individuals even have natural striped patterns. Their orange or yellow eyes offer exceptional night vision, and their flexible fingers terminate in clawlike nails.

Twi’lek society is tightly linked to an ancestral structure of clans. In the lack of a central planetary government, each city is instead ruled by a head clan made up of five Twi’lek males. Each group of leaders is born to assume this role. Notably, the head clan serves as a city’s leadership until a member of the clan dies, at which point the surviving members are deposed so that the next generation can assume the leadership roles. As these roles are hereditary, there are strong rivalries surrounding each appointment.

Twi’leks entered galactic society soon after the medicinal—and recreational—values of the mineral ryll were discovered. At that time, Twi’leks had no native spacefaring capability. Partly because of this limitation, their world soon became dominated by the Hutts, who seized control of ryll mining and production. In short order, this led to the Twi’leks’ involvement in the slave trade.

Twi’leks are generally regarded as being cunning and manipulative, conducting subterfuge within their clans and in the service of other causes. However, they are not particularly confrontational, preferring to avoid taking a stand on an issue whenever possible.

Ryloth is an Outer Rim world located on the Corellian Run. Its seasons are violent and its environments extreme, ranging from snowy wastelands to scorching deserts. The majority of the native Twi’leks live within a narrow temperate band. For millennia, Ryloth’s primary export has been slaves. As a consequence, Twi’leks can be found throughout the galaxy, and many have never visited the Twi’lek homeworld.

The primary native spoken language of Twi’leks is Ryl, and the vast majority are fluent in it. In addition, Twi’leks can communicate with one another using their lekku. The head-tails can be used to accentuate spoken languages, but they may also be used in a nonspoken sign language. Because of their galactic presence, most Twi’leks also know Basic, while those who are active in the slave trade invariably learn Huttese.

Twi’leks do not profess any particular faith in the Force in a religious manner, nor do they have any native Force traditions However, conversations between Twi’leks who use their lekku are believed to have spiritual connotations. Some scholars of Jedi lore believe that the lekku have a degree of inherent Force sensitivity. This suggests that Twi’leks could have at least a limited connection to the Force, though they may not necessarily recognize it.

Much of the galaxy finds Twi’leks and slavery to be synonymous. To many Twi’leks’ shame, slavery is one of their homeworld’s chief exports, and far too many of their fellows are complicit in this reprehensible business. Many Twi’leks are born into slavery. Some become slaves far from Ryloth, while others are sold into slavery at a young age by their homeworld. Under Imperial control, Twi’lek slavery has become even more prevalent, as the Empire is perfectly happy to encourage the deplorable practice through neglect. Even for those who escape, their time spent in captivity often defines their lives. Some former slaves revel in their freedom, while others embark upon personal crusades to free others from such a thankless existence.