Delphidian

Last Updated: 12/5/2023

Name: Delphidian

Humanoid: Yes

Classification: Near-Human

Homeworld: Delphidian Cluster

Coloration: Black or Dark Gray

Biology: Delphidians were a humanoid species bearing many of the same general traits as the average Human, such as possessing two arms and two legs, with a nearly identical height, build, weight, and frame. That being said, they also had a very distinct, rigid, striated skin texture that was coarse to the touch. Due to originating on multiple worlds within the Delphidian Cluster, each colony had their own distinct features and slight variations, however their skin was always a dark gray or pitch black in coloration. The aforementioned striation, specifically on their face, appeared to extend outward from their nose, circling the top of their head and meeting at an angled divot at the center of their brow and forehead.

Their evolutionary history remains distinctly unknown, and they existed for centuries before being discovered by the Galactic Republic around the time of the Clone Wars. Some in-universe researchers assume that they are an evolved form of Human, while others claim they were actually a bioengineered species, designed to be slaves or fill another designated, societal role. Delphidians primarily spoke a language also known as “Delphidian,” although they were perfectly capable of pronouncing Galactic Basic as well.

Lore: Not a whole lot is known about Delphidian society, aside from the fact that they are spread out in distinct colonies among the Delphidian Cluster. They have developed space travel despite initial access to the rest of the outside galaxy, and have established trade routes between the different worlds within the cluster. Still, each colony seems to remain individual from one another, with mild societal, biological, political differences found at each.

Delphidians tended to keep to themselves as a whole, and apparently not many settlers have moved into the Delphidian Cluster, keeping their communities very traditional and unaware of what goes on out among the galaxy. Still, some desire to leave the relative comfort of their small system and have travel out among the stars, operating as smugglers, spice traders, merchants, and even pirates.

They are also very tight lipped about their own origin as a species, and either choose not to disclose it, or simply do not know themselves, with indications favoring the latter. Of course, Delphidians have the ability to speak Galactic Basic Standard, however, usually choose not to, as they rarely interact with people outside of their own kind. Their native language, Delphidian, was said to have variations (or possibly different accents) among each of their colonies/worlds.

Legends/Canon: Delphidians did not exist within Legends, and are thus still a relatively new addition to the Star Wars universe, although they did serve as sort of a spearhead species for the current Canon, being used to heavily market Episode VII: The Force Awakens at the beginning of the franchise’s Disney era.

Unexplored: Almost everything about the species remains unexplored. We do not have a good example of how any of their colony’s societal and political structures work. We do not even know how many worlds exist within the Delphidian Cluster itself, only that it exists within the Mid-Rin near “Wild Space.” Their origin is also left intentionally unexplored, and the idea of them being a bioengineered race that popped up centuries ago with no present creator is very interesting and mysterious. We do not know how many of the colonies have developed space travel/hyperspace technology, and how many have left the cluster to pursue other occupations. The number of unique and interesting Delphidians who now populate the known galaxy is near limitless.

Additional Notes: The Delphidians are regarded as one of the more Star Trek-like Star Wars aliens as far as their design goes (at least according to some Trekkies online, a fandom I currently do not belong to). They are considered near-Human in nature, and it is very possible that they are biologically similar enough to breed with Humans, creating human-Delphidian hybrids which I would be very interested in seeing, although this has yet to be explored.

With only a handful of instances appearing in Canon presently, and most being nothing more than background characters, in addition to their rich and mysterious past, I find this species to be incredibly underutilized and filled with some amazing future storytelling potential! (Another reason why Sidon Ithano remains such an interesting and cool character.)

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