Turazza

Last Updated: 12/6/2023

Name: Turazza

Humanoid: No

Classification: Teacup/Reptilian

Homeworld: Unknown

Coloration: Green, Red, Purple, Tan, or White

Biology: The Turazza were an incredibly small sentient reptilian species found throughout the galaxy. The tallest Turazza stood only .75 meters in height, but they had incredible strength for their size, being able to carry things sometimes up to 10 times their own weight. They were also incredibly fast and could move on all fours (although they were usually bipedal) to outrun almost any larger species.

The Turazza were covered in small scales, and while the majority of their body was a white or cream color, they were also covered in mottled spots ranging from red to purple to even green. They had two-toed feet and three fingered hands. Their heads were large in proportion to their bodies, having a lumpy bulbous back and much narrower front. Their upper lip/jaw extended out from their head, ending in three pointed teeth. Their mouth/lower jaw was completely bitten under this long snout. Despite this, they had no visible nostrils, and most likely breathed out of their mouths. Their tongues were also long, green, and could be used to grab onto food.

When young, the Turazza’s eyes were a dark green or black. However, the older they got, the lighter green they became. Their eyes remained a solid green during this lifelong process, and they lacked any visible pupils. Turazza also hatched from eggs, usually laid in groups of three. These eggs were approximately the size of a baseball, and were a speckled gray color. Young Turazza used their long snouts to “peck” their way out of the eggs, and they would bond with the first moving creature they saw after birth (but nothing inorganic, even if it’s mobile). They treat whoever they bonded to as their parent from that point on, and many considered the strange bond to be telepathic, or at the very least empathic one nature. Turazza siblings looked very similar, but were not usually truly identical.

Because of the shape of their mouths, it was very hard for Turazza to speak Basic and so they usually stuck to speaking their native unnamed language (consisting of squeaks and similar noises). Their tongues were known to flicker out uncontrollably when they laughed, and they used their three incisors to skewer adversaries. It was even possible for them to shift their snout into an expression resembling that of a smile or frown. The lifespan of a Turazza is unknown, but it appears relatively shorter than most other average species.

Lore: The Turazza were a relatively late addition to the galactic community, only becoming widely known during the rise of the Empire. Their homeworld is currently unknown, but they were quickly spreading throughout the galaxy and could be found on any number of worlds, each one they called home. The Turazza were a very subservient race, and enjoyed pleasing whoever they had bonded to. No two Turazza really shared the same goals or ideology, which is why they were usually spread out and no singular Turazza government had ever been found. Still, they were hard workers, and their strength, size, and numbers made them valuable assets to the workforce, as well as some potential slavers.

The Turazza took bonds very seriously. They almost never left their siblings if avoidable, and it was common to see the Turazza traveling in groups of three because of this. Should one of the siblings pass away or uncharacteristically leave the group, the others would grow both depressed and distressed, not eating, drinking, or sleeping for days on end, and usually holding close onto their remaining sibling.

The Turazza also shared a special bond with their “parental figure,” the first person they saw and imprinted on after hatching. Often times they would feel a lifelong devotion to this individual, even if the individual wanted nothing to do with the Turazza that bonded to them. Usually they would eventually relinquish, or the Turazza would move on to find a new master or employer, often times landing them into trouble.

Because of their low intelligence, they were very easily taken advantage of or even taken captive. It was also incredibly rare to see any Turazza in a place of leadership. Much of this came from their inability to communicate with the world around them. They could rarely speak English, most non-Turazza did not want to take the time to determine and learn their own language, and it wasn’t common for them to come across others of their kind that they could interact with. They were simply never taken serious, and although they were strong, no one ever believed they could fight. The longer they remained integrated into in the intergalactic landscape, the more non-Turazza simply treated them as non-sentient pets, even though it was quite the contrary. For some reason their eggs were also a hot commodity, although we do not know why. We do know, however, that their gray, speckled eggs held little actually monetary value.

Legends/Canon: The Turazza exist only within Star Wars Legends, at least for the time being.

Unexplored: Aside from being introduced and expanded upon in Canon, there are still a few general avenues to explore with the Turazza. Receiving a name for their homeworld (as well as their language) would be nice. We have no idea what a society of these little guys would function as, only what individual sets of siblings can accomplish. And if it’s impossible for them to work together in a society anymore, or they just all abandoned their homeworld to join the greater galaxy, what was the reasoning behind that? How would their hierarchy and government work if they are all almost completely subservient. Are there more intelligent Turazza out there? And what do they think of being referred to as Pets? Is it something they blissfully overlook, or does it really get to them and cause their productiveness to diminish?

Additional Notes: As far as tiny Reptilian species go, the Turazza aren’t half bad. They’re definitely a little one note, but that’s part of what makes them unique. And it makes it all the more surprising when one breaks the mold and outsmarts those would would degrade or underestimate them. It’s sad that they have been relegated to such a role in the universe, but it’s a role that could be broken given the right circumstances, story, and interesting characterization!

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