Irrukiine

Last Updated: 12/4/2023

Name: Irrukiine (Irk)

Humanoid: Yes

Classification: Beast (Canine)

Homeworld: Malrev IV

Coloration: Dark Brown, Light Tan, and Gray

Biology: The Irrukiine were an enhanced bipedal canine species originating from a world strongly influenced by the Dark Side of the Force. They stood anywhere from 2 to 2.5 meters tall, and exhibited a rather humanoid physique while still possessing the traits of a canine. They had muscular bodies with little to no fat, visibly protruding veins, and a thin layer of brown or gray fur. This fur thickened on their head as well as around their forearms, feet, and nether regions. They possessed large clawed feet with either two or four toes, and two sets of large, muscular arms. 

Unlike a traditional body, they appeared to have two torsos stacked on top of one another, with each torso possessing an abdomen, pectoral muscles, and a set of arms (however only one of these sets of pecs displayed nipples). The upper set of arms were much larger, harrier, and possessed 4-fingered hands, while the smaller were shorter and only sported 3-fingered extremities. Their heads were very dog-like, with pointed ears, an elongated snout, a large black nose, and a mouth full of razor sharp teeth (their canine teeth were exceptionally long). Their faces were grizzled and muscular themselves, and the hair on the top of their head grew thick as it ran down the back of their neck. They also had beady yellow eyes that seemingly glowed in the dark.

They had an incredible sense of sight and smell, and were renowned for their extreme strength and agility. They had also been influenced and enhanced by the energy emanating from a Sith temple on Malrev IV. This seems to have influenced them both psychologically and physically, so it is unclear exactly what they looked like before the temple took hold of the species. Their minds have been completely altered to the point where they are permanently subservient to the special dark side magic of the temple and anyone who can manage to wield it. They have highly developed brains, however, their intelligence has been severely limited due to the effects of the temple. It is unclear if they could speak Basic, or if they even had the capacity to. And their lifespan is unknown, but is believed to be longer than the average humanoid.

Lore: Nothing much is known about the past of the Irrukiine (referred to as Irks by many offworlders). It seems that at one point they were a much more passive and progressive people, however, after the Sith arrived on their homeworld of Malrev IV, this was all changed. The Sith’s influence changed the Irrukiine for the worse. They became mutated, violent, and much more primitive (although they still held the capacity to quickly learn advanced ideas). They also became addicted and subservient to the magic emanating from the temple the Sith left behind.

Because their minds were so twisted to it’s will, anyone who could harness the magic of the temple could control every single Irrukiine on Malrev IV. This was originally thought to be simply an urban legend, however, it was later discovered to be true when the Devaronian Cartariun and later the Bothan Girov Dza’tey put it into practice. Going up against the New Republic, many of the corrupted Irrukiine were killed, but it was revealed that they did indeed know how to operate blasters and even pilot starships while not possessing any of those technologies themselves.

The Irrukiine themselves were known for being an incredibly violent and savage species, easily aggravated, completely carnivorous, and brutally savage when on the hunt. Some wore minimal clothing, while many wore nothing at all. They were fiercely protective of the ancient Sith temple left on Malrev IV and attempted to stop anyone who had not already mastered it’s secrets from entering. They lived very primitive lifestyles with no technology, although they may have been much more advanced in the past as they still possess the innate memories and knowledge to comprehend the aforementioned blasters and starfighters. What happened to them after the New Republic invasion and the death of Girov Dza’tey was never revealed.

Legends/Canon: As of the last time this article was updated, the Irrukiine are still limited to Star Wars Legends.

Unexplored: As one of the many, many Legends species, anything can technically be “explored” if they are ever adapted into Canon, especially with the history of the Sith and New Republic differing so much. However, within the confines of what we know, the best thing to explore would probably be their life before the influence of the Sith set in, as well as what happened to them after the New Republic invasion.

How advanced were the ancient Irrukiine and what did they look like? What did they think of the Sith? Did they worship them, or see them as invaders? What did they do when they realized they were starting to lose their mental autonomy and mutating into something unnatural? Did they panic, try to search for answers, or was it an instantaneous change that they just didn’t see coming? And did the New Republic capture or destroy the temple, finally freeing the Irrukiine from it’s influence? Would anything even change or are they too far gone? Or were they abandoned by the New Republic to suffer at the hands of the temple (and whoever commands it) for the rest of eternity?

Additional Notes: I actually really like the Irrukiine’s design, especially with that double torso. The mystery surrounding them and their past is super interesting, however, an individual Irrukiine really isn’t. Because they have very limited thought, it’d be hard to characterize them without first freeing them from the Sith’s control. Still, overall I’m a fan!

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