Sugi

Last Updated: 12/5/2023

Name: Sugi

Humanoid: No

Classification: Dwarf/Reptilian

Homeworld: Unknown

Coloration: Green or Yellow

Biology: Sugi were short, shriveled creatures standing no more than a meter high. They had two-toed feet, spindly legs, and long, thin arms with wrinkled, five-fingered hands. Their necks were incredibly thick, they had a small but pronounced chin, a thin mouth, and two enormous, bulbous, sunken in eyes that usually took on a pink or magenta hue.

Most Sugi could not speak Basic (although there were seemingly a few exceptions). Their eyes and lungs could not handle the atmosphere of most planets, and so they were forced to wear special goggles and a breathing apparatus, similar to the Kel Dor. Unlike the Kel Dor, however, the Sugi also outfitted themselves with large, bionic exoskeletons, giving them an “abdomen” as well as four large legs and a deadly stinger. This was done for mobility, as well as just to make the species come off as more intimidating. Because of this, many people, including the Empire, misclassified the Sugi as an Insectoid race, although biologically they were not.

Lore: The Sugi were some of the galaxy’s greatest weapons/arms manufacturers and dealers. They were known for their high prices and corruption, as well as their unbiased attitude towards any war factions or sides. Their entire society hinged on their weapon sales, which is why so many outfitted themselves with the intimidating bionic paraphernalia.

Legends/Canon: The Sugi only exist in the current Star Wars Canon. They were set to air in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 7 Utapau Kyler Crystal arc, however, after that arc was abandoned, they instead appeared in the novel Tarkin (and later Jedi: Battle Scars).

Unexplored: There’s actually a lot unexplored here that could be incredibly interesting. We don’t know how the species got into the arms race in the first place, how they got the technology to construct such strange bionic suits, and whether they did so all on their own or had assistance from some outside alien sources. We also just haven’t seen them do a lot so far in Canon, although they have a fairly prominent role in the galaxy’s economical, or at least black market, landscape.

They interacted with the Galactic Republic, the CIS, and the Empire at some point, but we don’t know who else they have talked to or where else they’ve been, which opens up a plethora of potential stories and settings. Did they ever pick a side in the war? Were they ever attacked or looted by pirates or the Empire? What happened to them during the Resistance era? And what is their homeworld like, what traditions does the species have, and are there others who care nothing about weapons manufacturing? There’s so much here that has yet to be explored.

Additional Notes: This species has both a really cool design as well as an immense well of untapped potential. I think we’ll definitely get to see more of them in Canon works, but in the meantime, I definitely recommend putting the Sugi into your next Star Wars project! I mean, who doesn’t need weapons in a Star Wars story, am I right?

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