Shikitari

Last Updated: 1/30/2024

Name: Shikitari

Humanoid: Yes

Classification: Insectoid

Homeworld: Shikitari

Coloration: Blue

Biology: Shikitari biology was incredibly strange, as they had many stages to theur life cycle. Shikitari began life as massive eggs laid in clusters surrounded by a layer of protective, toxic gel, eventually hatching into a massive, grub-like larvae. After consuming large amounts of sustenance under the care of a guardian, the larvae would become a pupae. The pupae would then, if possible, merge with as many other Shikitari pupae as they could find, forming one massive organism. From there, they would evolve into their “sentient phase” as they became one collective organism that took of the traits of whatever had raised it while as a pupae. After this incredible but short-lived phase, they would enter a period of transforming inside of a self-produced chrysalis. When their cocoon finally split opened, multiple non-sentient “flutterscouts” would emerge and lay new poisonous egg colonies, beginning the entire cycle over again.

Because they took the form of whatever raised them, Shikitari did not have a singular, set anatomical form while in their sentient phase. The one pictured above was more than likely raised by a larger individual/species, such as a Dowutin or a Wookiee. There are a few rules they still must follow while in this stage. They cannot grow hair, so if their guardian was furry, they would take their appearance minus the fur. They always keep the same general head shape and design, meaning the bulbous eyes and insectoid mouth/pincers were expected, even if number of feelers or tentacles they developed could vary. They also always remained the same shade of blue, despite the color of their guardian. And they could grow extra appendages if needed, in case they were raised by the likes of an Ardennian, Besalisk, or even something stranger like a Lamproid, Killik, etc. Under normal circumstances they could not speak Basic, and this phase only lasted a few weeks before they lost all of their sentience and entered their cocoon.

Lore: Because of the changing nature of their life cycle, and the shift from non-sentience to sentience, and then back to being a regular animalistic insect, they had no set society. Instead, the larvae and pupae were cared for by whoever found them, or they just died in the wilderness. It is possible that they entered this sentience phase to be able to care for the next generation of young, and allow them to imprint on one of their own kind, although there were most likely Shikitari farms or nurseries spread out across the galaxy.

Legends/Canon: Shikitari only exist in Legends, and due to their bizarre and complicated nature, it seems unlikely that they will make it into Canon in their current state.

Unexplored: So usually in the unexplored section, I talk about their culture, economy, or society. But this species cannot have that. It would be interesting to explore the thought process of a Shikitari while they are in their short sentient phase, possibly through a Star Wars short story or throwaway character. However, the most you can explore is who takes care of the eggs and other younger stages of the species, how many more cycles are there after the sentient phase, and do they actually retain some form of semi-sentience but just can’t express it in their other forms?

I think more than anything, the Shikitari need some artistic exploration. I would love to see them in other shapes and sizes, as well as a more realistic take. And we really don’t know what their other stages before and after look like either. I’m curious as to just how large and bizarre a “flutterscout” would be.

Additional Notes: The fact that someone created such a convoluted species background (in a good way) for a character who appeared in a few frames of a short animated project back in 2003 both impresses and astounds me. I can’t say they are very useful in writing due to their short sentient lifespan, however, you could still explore the species to some extent. And since they technically are not Canon, you could use the species design without all of the history/background, or vice versa.

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