Squalris

Last Updated: 12/4/2023

Name: Squalris

Humanoid: Yes

Classification: Alternative

Homeworld: Ifmix VI

Coloration: Yellow, Gold, or Green

Biology: This species was most well known for their golden skin and stocky build. They usually stood around 1.6 meters in height and had thick, wide bodies. They possessed five fingers and five toes, and their nails were known for being incredibly durable. They also had thick skin that was hard to penetrate, and was often gold or yellow-green in pigmentation. They had hunched backs, short necks, and generally had a natural reserve of fat. 

Their heads were wide, with a pronounced brow and a crest than fan from between their eyes up and over to the back side of their head. They had incredibly wide mouths, and ear holes but not actual ears. They did not grow any eyebrows or hair on the tops of their heads, but they could grow beards or mustaches that were often very similar in coloration to their skin. They also had a fleshy lobe that dangled above each of their ear openings. Of which hair could grow from as well. They were stated to have a slightly longer lifespan than the average human, usually living to at least the age of 90, and Squalris children matured faster than humans as well. Their native language of Squalrises was very different from Basic, although, with a little extra work they could learn to speak Basic as well.

Lore: The Squalrises are a very old species, already traversing the galaxy by the start of the Old Republic era. They were known for being crafty galactic merchants, and were incredibly good at bargaining. They were intelligent, sly, and smooth talkers with great communication skills. The phrase “Slick as a Squalris” was popularized for people who were talented bargainers or deal makers. They were also known for being boisterous, easy to get along with, skilled socialites, and having a comforting, almost “father figure” type personality. They were peace loving and avoided violence at all costs, while still having a very rambunctious and adventurous spirit. They were also a generally wealthy species and were frugal, but enjoyed showing off their riches whenever the chance arose, whether by flaunting their credits or wearing the most expensive robes and jewelry available.

The Squalrises originated from the treacherous planet Ifmix VI. Some remained on their homeworld while most left to pursue lucrative trading businesses throughout the galaxy. The planet itself was perpetually plagued by terrible weather, and constant wind storms and tornadoes made living on the surface less than optimal. Still, when explorers from the Galactic Republic were charting the new “Perlemian Trade Route” around 25,000 B.B.Y., they discovered Ifmix IV and the bulk of the Squalris civilization. It quickly became a popular pitstop on the trade route, and the Squalrises spread out to the other spaceports found on planets across the budding route to peddle and bargain their wares, growing incredibly rich by capitalizing on this new galactic shortcut. 

Speaking of, the Squalrises were strictly capitalists and attempted to implement the ideology everywhere they went. They believed that their booming economic structure could be duplicated on any world with a little bit of work, but only as long as the Squalrises themselves benefited from it as well. They were given a lot of freedoms under the Galactic Republic, and the Ifmix System/Perlemian Trade Route remained under the Republic’s jurisdiction up until the end of the Clone Wars. They then fell under the rule of the Empire, but there is almost no evidence to suggest that there was ever any conflict or oppression. 

In the end, most Squalrises were taught from a young age to do everything for a profit. They were sociable but selfish, and most never got involved with any galactic conflicts. There was at least one who used his status as a wealthy socialite to act as an informant for the Rebel Alliance, and while there may have been more playing similar roles to uproot the Empire, we never got to hear those stories. It was also confirmed that the Squalrises and their system fell under the rule of Darth Krayt during the rise of his Empire, although again, it is unclear what their ultimate fate was.

Legends/Canon: The Squalrises are not Canon, although they would be incredibly easy to Canonize (aside from the Darth Krayt and possibly Old Republic details).

Unexplored: So aside from completely Canonizing them, which be an entire exploration in and of itself, there are still a few things to explore with the lore established above. First and foremost, how old is the species? How long have they been around, and what ancient galactic events were they able to witness? Also, what kind of natural resources could be found on Ifmix 6? What made the Squalrises so rich in the first place? How many other worlds did they colonize, or at the very least, set up shop to peddle their expensive wares? How far was their galactic reach? Did they have a seat in the Republic senate? Did they suffer under the rule of the Empire, or were they given leeway because they were profitable for the Empire? Finally, did any other Squalrises join with the Rebellion, or was that a one time event?

Additional Notes: I actually really like this species! Their design may need a slight revamp if they were ever to be Canonized, but overall they hold a pretty unique place in the Star Wars galaxy. They’re rich but not generally crime lords like the Hutts, and they genuinely seem like they would be fun to be around, as well as  fun characters to write if you should need a boisterous, wealthy character in your next Star Wars fan work.

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