Meerian

Last Updated: 11/20/2023

Name: Meerian

Humanoid: Yes

Classification: Near-Human

Homeworld: Bandomeer

Coloration: Pale Gray, White, Pink, Silver or Gold

Biology: Meerians were a very near-Human species, with only a few natural differences from that of the average Human. They had the same general build and anatomy, however, they were much shorter, often standing between 1 to 1.6 meters in height. Meerians were naturally very lean and muscular, possessing immense strength for their size, and finding it very difficult to become out of shape. Their skin was very pale, with light pink or tan pigmentation and a sensitivity to sunlight. Their thick hair was also most commonly white, silver, or light gold in coloration. It did not change color with age, and was known for its natural sheen. Meerians had no pupils or irises, the coloration of their solid sclera usually matched the color of their hair (most often silver or gold).

Meerians had slightly pointed ears, and an enlarged nose as well as much wider nostrils than the average Human. Their noses evolved in this way to help them filter the toxic air of their homeworld, and their nostrils and large tongue both worked together to remove many different toxins from each breath they took. This made Meerians very resilient breathers, and often did not require breathing apparatuses where many other species did. Meerians had the ability to speak Galactic Basic, although they also spoke their native tongue of “Meerian,” and they potentially had the ability to breed with Humans.

Lore: Meerians were primarily an isolationist species, not coming into contact with the outside galaxy until much later than most other species as already advanced as they were. This was primarily because their homeworld was incredibly inhospitable, half the planet covered by the raging “Great Sea of Bandomeer,” and the other by a massive landmass plagued by toxic fumes and an abnormally high number of aggressive predatory animals, the dense asteroid field surrounding the planet just making things worse.

Despite this, however, much of Bandomeer’s single continent also sported beautiful, sprawling plains and expansive crop farms or botanical gardens. Meerians were originally a race of gardeners, farmers, and botanists, while also still being skilled survivalists. And while they had developed small civilizations and limited technology, they were still well behind the galactic standard. They had no space-faring vessels, and definitely no way to navigate past the asteroids. From what we know, they also did not live near the sea nor attempt to traverse it.

Sometime around 4000 BBY, Republic explorers finally breached the asteroid field in search of precious resources and incidentally discovered the Meerians. The Meerians were officially made a part of the Galactic Republic, and were most likely granted a seat on the Republic Senate, however, they received very little protection from the galactic government and were quickly taken advantage of. Mining guilds like the “Offworld Mining Corporation” swarmed to the newly discovered Bandomeer to extract its precious Ionite, Azurite, and other valuable ores. With them they brought advanced technology that astounded and frightened the Meerians, and they rapidly began to destroy the lush fields and farms the Meerians had spent so long cultivating.

This disappointed the Meerians, who were initially excited to make contact with offworlders. Instead of rebelling, they withdrew and tried to go back to their old ways despite their world changing right before their eyes. The mining corporations did, in fact, compensate the Meerians quite heftily (after a Republic ordinance was declared), but this just left the Meerians conflicted, their pockets steadily filled with credits as the natural beauty of their world was stripped away, replaced by massive quarries and new cities to house all of the miners continually being transported into Bandomeer. Spaceports were erected, the population began to boom, the polluted air increased tenfold, and the populace became much more diverse, with a large number Humans, Arcona, and even Phindians calling Bandomeer home.

For almost four thousand years, the OMC and other major organizations ravaged Bandomeer, and kept the local population at bay. However, the Jedi Order did take notice of the world at some point and planted a chapter of the Jedi Agricultural Corps or “AgriCorps” on the world, who helped at least a little with slowly replenishing the planet’s once great farms. Despite this, there is no mention of Meerian among the Jedi Order, however, they were at the very least considered allies. Attempts to mine the asteroid field were also made, but it was discovered that even small fragments would plummet to the surface and deal extensive damage. For the most part this idea was abandoned, although a few ventures were still attempted throughout the years.

The destruction of the world escalated only a few decades prior to the Clone Wars, and it was discovered that a fallen Jedi named Xanatos had been pulling the strings behind the mining organizations and causing undue destruction to the world and its people. The Jedi were forced to show their hand and stop Xanatos, the result being the OMC and many other corporations pulling out and abandoning their laborers on the world, only a few smaller mining groups still in operation. For the first time in millennia, the Meerians had some level of independence, autonomy, and control over their home.

Sadly this was short lived, as only 25 years later the Galactic Empire rose to power, and due to mining strikes in response to the new regime’s establishment, the Empire deployed in full force to subjugate the world. Darth Vader and his personal forces swept across the planet, shutting down any hint of resistance, destroying the remaining mining operations, and slaughtering many civilians in the process. This occupation would last during the entirety of the Galactic Civil War with no apparent liberation from the Rebel Alliance as Bandomeer became home to an Imperial Remnant faction following the war.

The Empire continued local mining operations, and at least one uprising did happen while the Remnant was in power. This was, seemingly, to no avail, and any Meerians still living on Bandomeer were continually oppressed. With vast wealth and technology, but no way to utilize it, they withered away and lost any pride they once held. Before long, the Yuuzhan Vong Invasion took place and the local populace was completely wiped out, Bandomeer becoming a dead world that would someday end up within the realm of Darth Krayt’s New Galactic Empire.

Personally, at least when they were first encountered, the Meerians were a very peaceful species who cared for nature and had a keen attention to detail. Offworlders described them as relaxed and without any real haste, very open and welcoming, optimistic and always looking on the bright side of things, and with a general lack of understanding of social cues. They were agreeable, empathetic, and hated confrontation, meaning they very rarely won debates or took solid stances on things they may not have agreed with.

They also believed in looking others eye-to-eye, and grew insecure when they realized many other species were much taller than them. This caused a lot of Meerians to purchase repulsor chairs so that they could elevate themselves to meet others face-to-face. This was less out of pride, and more out of a fear of disrespecting their new offworld inhabitants. As they grew much more disillusioned with said offworlders, this custom grew much less prominent. By the time of the Clone Wars, Meerians utilizing repulsor technology for these means was a rare occurrence.

Throughout the millennia of watching their world crumble, with each generation forgetting more and more of the way things used to be, their perspectives began to change as many Meerians grew bitter and greedy. Most of the Meerians who began to stray away from their cultural attitudes would take their dues and leave Bandomeer with the prospect of better worlds. This caused a Meerians to begin to pop up in every corner of the galaxy, making the species much more universally known, and after the species’ destruction at the hands of the Yuuzhan Vong, these “prodigal sons” became the only Meerians left in the galaxy.

(Their names also had a very stringent convention, being exactly 6 letters long with the first and fourth one being capitalized i.e. “SonTag,” “WinLos,” “JegLor,” “GanFel,” etc. Only the Meerians who were born offworld adopted the much more conventional galactic first/last name convention.)

Legends/Canon: Everything mentioned above is currently exclusive to Star Wars Legends, HOWEVER, the Meerians have been mentioned in media from The High Republic, meaning at the very least they are Canon in name. Much of the above lore can easily translate into Canon immediately, however, anything mentioning the Yuuzhan Vong, Darth Krayt, Warlord Zsinj, or even Xanatos will most definitely have to be omitted.

Unexplored: Within the context of Canon, anything and everything can be explored at the moment. They are a blank slate of a species, although they rarely if ever don’t at least pull some of their lore from what was established in Legends. So exploring what happened to the Meerians during Canon-exclusive eras like the High Republic or Cold War would be very beneficial, and expanding upon concepts like the Meerians who abandoned Bandomeer, the Imperial Remnant occupation, the volatile asteroid belt and subsequent landfall, or the massive millennia-spanning mining operations would be fun while honoring pre-existing lore.

Additional Notes: While not the most memorable species visually, they do have some very distinct lore which sets them apart from a lot of sentient races, even in Legends. I’m glad to see them be canonized, especially with how attentive The High Republic has been to the more obscure side of Star Wars Legends, however, I’m still waiting for further expansion as we sadly know very little about them in lore. Here’s to hoping that maybe someone will see this article and decide to give them the spotlight, but until then, feel free to use the info above and create your own Meerian OC for whatever fan project(s) you’re working on (and if you aren’t working on any, here’s your encouragement to start)!

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