Horian

Last Updated: 12/1/2023

Name: Horian

Humanoid: Yes

Classification: Reptilian/Alternative

Homeworld: Horain

Coloration: Purple

Biology: The Horians were seemingly a reptilian species with some uniquely distinguishable traits. Since we have only seen Horian children, it is unclear what an adult instance would look like, nor what their general height or build was. From what we do know, they were generally humanoid in shape. They had purple, hairless skin and were potentially covered in scales, or at the very least they sported very pronounced spots all over their bodies. They had some reptilian features with clawed three-toed feet and four-fingered hands, possessing webbing between both their toes and fingers. Despite this feature, there is no evidence that they were in any way an aquatic species.

Horians had wide heads with gaping mouths. These mouths displayed a couple of long, pointed teeth spread very far apart from one another. They also had three large eyes positioned on the top of their head, the middle eye set further forward than the other two. The Horians had no visible nasal or ear cavities, and it is currently unclear how they specifically breath or hear. Some Horians may have also had up to four small tendrils extending from the back of their heads, although this may actually just be some sort of clothing/accessory. It is also believed that they had the vocal capacity to speak Galactic Basic.

Lore: Only bits and pieces of Horian lore can be inferred through their one and only appearance so far in Star Wars Canon. For starters, they had a semi-advanced society, with fairly well established metropolitan cities, but still possessing rather rudimentary technology and clothing. We don’t know if they were aligned with the Galactic Republic at any time, but they at least had some form of established government.

Horain itself was a rocky, industrial world sporting large factories that polluted the planet’s air, and a noticeable lack of plant life, although whether this oddity was present before or only after the factories were constructed is unknown. It is insinuated that Horain had some sort of major mining operation and provided an undisclosed valuable resource, but the specifics surrounding this too have yet to be revealed. The only other animal life seen on Horain were large pterodactyl-like creatures that were seemingly aggressive and potentially predators or at the very least scavengers.

For one reason or another (potentially due to the aforementioned resources and factories), the Confederacy of Independent Systems invaded Horain during the waning days of the Clone Wars. This rather large occupation and subsequent battle saw the enslavement or execution of many of the planet’s population. By the time the Grand Army of the Republic finally arrived, their mission had turned more from a simple liberation to rescue and recovery. Fortunately the battle seemed to be leaning in the Republic’s favor, but the final outcome of this operation, if any, was ultimately never revealed.

Legends/Canon: The Horians have only made one appearance so far in a fairly recent issue of the “Star Wars Adventures” comic run.

Unexplored: There is quite a bit here that can be unpacked and expanded upon lore-wise as much of what we know relies on inference and speculation. For starters, did the Horians have any galactic political affiliations or were they completely neutral? When during the Clone Wars did the CIS invade, and what happened to the majority of the Horian population? Did the CIS invade simply to gather slave labor, or were they after some sort of rare resource? Did the Horians have a profitable mining or construction industry, and what was their main economic driver or galactic export?

What do adult Horains look like? Do they go through any anatomical or biological changes during puberty or adolescence? How tall did they get, and how long were their average lifespans? Were they once amphibious as indicated by their webbed hands and feet? And on that note, did Horain go through any major ecological changes or has it always resembled a wasteland? What other local wildlife does their planet sport and can any other sentient species be found on Horain? What is the name of the pterodactyl-like species, and were they a predator to the Horians? 

Were there any unique cultural or religious practices associated with the Horians? What did their native tongue(s) sound like and what might they be called?? How did they view the rest of the galaxy, their occupation, and subsequent rescue by the Republic? What happened to them after the Clone Wars? Were they quickly occupied by the Empire or were not even worth their time due to their potentially dwindling population? Were they ever allied with groups like the Rebel Alliance or New Republic? And were they once again thriving or on the brink of extinction by the time of the Cold War/Sequel Era? Answering these and many, many more similar questions can help establish the foundations of an exceptionally interesting species within the Star Wars universe.

Additional Notes: The Horians were definitely conceived to be a one-off species, appearing as a background element of a comic centered around the rogue B1-Series Battle Droid, “Bats.” Still, there are enough interesting design elements to make this species somewhat stand out, and because it takes place within Canon, the possibility of them being revisited within the connected universe is not as low as some may think.

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