Devlikk

Last Updated: 11/13/2023

Name: Devlikk

Humanoid: No

Classification: Beast (Rodent)/Reptilian/Avian/Dwarf

Homeworld: Ord Radama

Coloration: Green, Yellow, & Tan

Biology: The Devlikks were a diminutive species that were equal parts bird, beast, and reptilian, although they are technically classified as an avian species in-universe. They stood approximately 1.4 meters tall when fully grown, and had rather slender builds, weighing very little. From the neck down they had hairless, featherless skin that was coarse and wrinkled. It was also mottled with dark spots on the shoulder torso, and a gradient of green on the body to tan on the limbs. From the neck up, they did sport unique green hair-like feathers of varying lengths and thicknesses.

They had short legs split into three distinct segments and separated by two knee-like joints. Their feet also possessed only two toes each, sporting large claws of dark coloration. Their torso was elongated, with a small, thick tail protruding from their lower back. Devlikk arms were relatively long, almost disproportionately, in regards to the rest of their bodies, extending down past their first set of knees when held straight to their side. Their wrinkled hands featured three fingers each, with the middle one being the longest. Each finger also sported a talon, again, with the middle one much larger and more curved than the others.

Devlikks had very long, muscular necks, with the base of their neck surrounded by a full mane of feathers. The center of their neck was veiny and tan in the front, while green and covered in a thin layer of feathers in the back. Their heads were quasi-Canine-like in nature, with a long, thin snout ending in a pink nose and featuring a wide mouth with thin, pink lips and sharp teeth. The back of their heads featured ornate plumes of large fuzzy feathers, many of which were rather thick as far as feathers were concerned. There were also small circles of tan feathers surrounding their squinted, red eyes.

Devlikks were a fairly brittle species and were in no means known for their physical strength. They could, however, defend themselves using either their sharp talons or teeth. They were also rather slow, often waddling around on their small legs, only slightly faster scurrying on all fours. The most unique aspect of the Devlikks was their incredibly short lifespans, able to reproduce after only a couple of years, and commonly dying of old age between the ages of 9 and 10. This meant that they reproduced often, although we’re unsure whether or not they laid eggs or gave birth to live young. From what we know, they also had the capacity to pronounce Galactic Basic, although it may have been uncomfortable for them, causing them to prefer their native tongue.

Lore: Devlikks were a rather advanced species, their swampy homeworld of Ord Radama covered in sprawling cities that were almost maze-like in nature. They were able to navigate the winding pathways and structures with ease, although offworlders found their municipalities quite confusing. Still, the Devlikks always tried to accommodate offworlders and built their doorways, buildings, and even furniture to accommodate the average 1.8 meter tall humanoids. They could scurry around on all fours, but also preferred to waddle on all fours to fit in with the rest of the galaxy. And while they may have seemed uncomfortable or out of place living in houses, or operating machinery that appeared far too big for them, it was something that they had long since grown accustomed to and paid it no bother,

Due to their short lifespans, Devlikks strived to accomplish as much as possible during their lives. Productivity and achievements were of great value, and children would often attempt to finish what their parents or even ancestors had started. Devlikks put little value in many things that were important amongst the rest of the galaxy, caring little for concepts like politics, money, or even war. They did, however, place worth on fame and even fashion. Devlikks often didn’t wear much clothing, but it was common for them to wear headdresses, jewelry, eyewear, or the occasional shirt. They also enjoyed styling their feathers, whether molding them into ornate shapes or bounding them into pig or ponytails.

The Devlikks were discovered by the Galactic Republic during the early days of the Old Republic era, their homeworld of Radama becoming receiving the prefix “Ord” as it was designated a Republic Ordnance/Regional Depot. Republic forces were deployed there where they remained for many years. At the start of the Mandalorian Wars Ord Radama was conquered by the brutal Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders, although not long after the Sith Empire took control of the planet and held onto it during the entirety of the Jedi Civil War. They imposed a strict rule over the Devlikks, with many coming to fear their oppressors while others built temples to worship them.

It wasn’t until the Great Galactic War that following a bloody siege, the Jedi Order arrived on their once great outpost to reclaim it from the tyrannical Sith and their reformed Empire. A massive battle was fought both at the old capital of Livien Magnus as well as in the skies above the planet, and the Devlikks could only sit by and watch. In one of the single worst days of their entire history, a Sith dreadnought collided with a major city, killing over one hundred thousand Devlikks in a single moment. The entire species faced extinction not long after this due to a shortage of food and other supplies, but sadly, the Republic almost entirely abandoned them as they moved on to the next theater in the great war.

It took them millennia to recover, but they had finally reached a point where they could begin to spread out throughout the galaxy, using their drive and innovation to land many jobs, including technicians, professional podracers, or even foot-soldiers within the Nihil during the High Republic era. They were still within Republic jurisdiction, however, their level of involvement or willingness was really unknown. The Separatists established a stronghold on Ord Radama during the Clone Wars, potentially with support of the Devlikk people. However, shortly before the war’s end, the Grand Army of the Republic arrived and turned the planet into a battlefield, only resolving with the collapse of the Confederacy of Independent Systems and the reformation of the Republic into the new Galactic Empire.

Under the Empire, Ord Radama was almost immediately subdued and was turned into a crucial Imperial staging area for their conquest of the Outer Rim. The Devlikk people initially welcomed the peace the Empire brought with open arms, however, they quickly learned that they had simply been occupied by another in a long line of oppressors. Over the course of the Galactic Civil War, the Empire continually strengthened their grip on the Devlikks. First limiting free speech, then declaring martial law, before eventually selling many Devlikks into slavery. In turn, the Devlikks started an underground spy network that fed the Rebellion information right under the Empire’s noses right up until the end of the war and the liberation of Ord Radama.

Legends/Canon: The Devlikks originated in Star Wars Legends, making their debut in The Phantom Menace. They had a lot of additional lore Legends, including everything mentioned pre-High Republic above as well as all the information we have regarding their time under the Empire. However, they have recently been featured in the High Republic media event where they have started to receive their own Canon-exclusive lore.

Unexplored: We still know very little about the Devlikks origins, early history, and discovery. When did they develop sentience? What sort of creature did they evolve from, was it more avian, reptilian, or mammalian? When did they start to construct their elaborate cities on Ord Radama, and how long ago did they develop advanced technologies? Did they develop their own form of space travel or even hyperspace technology, or did they need to wait until they were visited by offworlders to fully comprehend it? Were they truly discovered by Republic explorers, or were they first encountered by a different group?

Did the Devlikks have any wars among themselves or were they too preoccupied by being dragged into others’ wars? What sort of governmental structure did they boast, if it was even defined, and were they ever officially made part of the Republic Senate? Did the Devlikks offer any sort of unique exports or services? And how common was it for offworlders to visit Ord Radama outside of wartime? Finally, what sort of philosophies did the Devlikks hold? How did they view and process their short existence, and was it considered more of a curse, blessing, or nothing worth even thinking about at all? Exploring the perspective or inner monologue of a Devlikks character in-depth is an opportunity just waiting to be taken advantage of!

Additional Notes: What a unique, chimera-like design that’s actually quite memorable. If only the Devlikks have appeared more in Star Wars media up until this point, they may have become quite iconic. I’m really hoping with stuff like The High Republic we might see more of them, because there is so much potential surrounding their design, lifespan, and lore!

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