Er’kit

Last Updated: 12/18/2023

Name: Er’kit

Humanoid: Yes

Classification: Alternative

Homeworld: Er’kit

Coloration: Light Blue, Purple, Red, Yellow, and/or Gray

Biology: The Er’kit were a unique humanoid species found throughout the Star Wars universe. Adult males stood slightly taller than the average Human or near-Human species, presumably between 1.8 and 2 meters in height, while females seemed to be slightly shorter upon reaching adolescence. In fact, nearly all Er’kit we’ve seen so far were on the shorter side, posing some interesting questions regarding their lifespans and maturity. They were a very thin species with gangly limbs, their legs especially long in relation to the rest of their bodies. They had petite torsos with a bony stomach and chest. Their feet were small and round, possessing stubby toes and nails similar to pachydermoid species. Their fingers, in turn, were disproportionately long, with each hand usually possessing four fingers each, although some had three. 

Their slightly wrinkled skin was usually a pale blue or gray, with wide purple and thin yellow stripes often on the outer portion of their arms and the majority of their head and back, although it appears that these patterns may vary from Er’kit to Er’kit, and some were instead solid colors such as purple or bright red. The backs of their craniums were elongated, although it is unclear whether this housed a large brain, another crucial organ, or something else entirely. Their noses were stubby, their eyes were slightly larger than the average humanoids, and their ears were long and pointed, facing out and slightly downward from their heads. They had the capacity to pronounce Galactic Basic, although the name of their native tongue remains unknown.

Lore: We have received next to no information regarding the Er’kit’s history or other lore in either Legends or Canon material. The only thing that’s really been revealed is that they were a part of the Galactic Republic, one of their prominent Senators being arrested for also being involved with Thalassian Slave Trade. It is also believed that they were somewhat of a reclusive species, and may have had some relation to the much more prominent Aleena species, although neither of these things have received any concrete confirmation. Canonically, the planet Er’kit was home to multiple slaving operations like the Thalassian slaving ring and Blood Dawn, although it is unclear whether the Er’kit people had any direct involvement (as slavers or slaves). It has also now been established that many Er’kit migrated to communities on Tatooine, and that a number of their kind also allied themselves with the dastardly Nihil.

Legends/Canon: The Er’kit existed before the current Canon was established, but received little additional lore, especially compared to what we’ve seen in Canon now.

Unexplored: Fortunately, there hasn’t been much conflict between the Er’kit’s Canon and Legends lore. This allows us to really explore all currently unknown aspects of the info surrounding them. Their society, governmental structure, economy, culture, history, traditions, and other extended mythos remains ripe for expansion. Other beneficial questions we can pose include whether they have heightened intelligence due to their large craniums? Were they prominent slavers, popular as slaves, or, aside from their Senator, was the slave trade on Er’kit rooted entirely with offworlders who simply took advantage of the struggling world. Did the Er’kit have any relation to the Aleena or other similar species, and outside of linked anatomical traits, did they have any alliances or rivalries with other races (within or outside of the Galactic Republic)? Finally, were they truly isolationists, were they just few in numbers, or are they located throughout other parts of the galaxy that we simply haven’t explored yet? Expanding upon these questions as well as our usual list of extended, general worldbuilding traits, will prove incredibly beneficial for characterization and writing!

Additional Notes: Despite being one of the many colorful species introduced in the podracing scene within Episode I: The Phantom Menace, the Er’kit are fairly… unremarkable? Maybe that’s not the corect word, but despite their unique appearance, they still come across as a rather bland species in their current standing. Seeing them pop up more would definitely help spice the Er’kit up lore-wise, as would seeing other variations of the species like female, tall instances, or ones with different pigmentation (some of which we have finally seen thanks to The High Republic)! They just need a little push, and hopefully with their aforementioned recent reappearance within the High Republic media, they will get it sooner than later. Definitely be on the lookout for continual expansion to this article and this species!

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