Zixon

Last Updated: 11/8/2023

Name: Zixon

Humanoid: Yes

Classification: Beast (Lepus)

Homeworld: Minfar

Coloration: Green

Biology: The Zixons were a sentient species who shared a number of traits with the iconic Lepi. They were both bipedal, rabbit-like species covered in green fur and sporting long, pointed ears. This, however, is where most of the visual similarities end. Zixons stood slightly shorter than the average Human, usually 1.4 to 1.7 meters in height. They had stocky, muscular bodies, with thick patches of fur on their arms, much more than anywhere else on their bodies. Each of their hands sported four large, black claws that could be used for digging or self-defense.

Zixons had rounded heads with elongated ears extending from the upper back side of their head. Their fur grew darker around the large, shiny, flat nose located on the front of their face. Underneath their nose was a wide mouth with inconspicuous lips. Zixons also had large, bulbous, solid black eyes with no apparent eyelids, eyelashes, or eyebrows.

Due to their subterranean lifestyle, these large ears and eyes provided the Zixons with exceptional hearing and eyesight, giving them the ability to maneuver easily in low or no-light environments. Zixons had the capacity to pronounce Galactic Basic, but they also possessed a native tongue of squeaks and similar cries, one sound in particular serving as the basis for the name “Zixon.” Zixons had a strong connection to the Force, and most likely possessed an elevated natural midichlorian count, although this has not been officially confirmed.

Lore: The Zixons were an isolationist species who took up residence in the caves and tunnels under the surface of the planet Minfar. They had little interaction with the outside galaxy, although they were consistently visited by explorers and researchers, giving them access to a number of advanced outside technologies, although the Zixons still did not advance very quickly overall. By the final days of the New Republic, Zixons had adopted basic tools, weapons, communication technologies, and clothing, but still had no vehicles or more complex technologies.

It is unclear what the Zixons called themselves prior to their discovery, but sometime seemingly long before the rise of the Empire they were discovered by intergalactic explorers who gave the Zixons their current name based off of the sounds that they commonly made. Alongside adopting this name, the Zixons also quickly adopted the universal language Galactic Basic and many other new traits such as wearing clothing and basic engineering. Unfortunately, due to the shape of their clawed hands, Zixons had a very hard time using tools or blasters designed for humanoid hands, and very few objects were specially designed to accommodate their fingers.

The Zixons were highly religious, worshiping the Force, or at least their interpretation of it, as it seemed to grant them a set of unique abilities. Supposedly the water, wind, and leaves spoke to them, revealing information that they would otherwise not be privy to, such as someone’s name before they even met. They also enjoyed dancing and creating music using a number of unique horns and other instruments that they had invented. They had ceremonial dress that they would wear to these celebrations, often in honor of friendly outsiders who came to visit, and they would give these visitors gifts of food, songs, and even crowns of beautiful purple flowers.

Unfortunately, many who came to Minfar did not have friendly intentions in mind. During the Galactic Civil War, the Galactic Empire invaded Minfar and oppressed the native Zixons. Some individual or potentially organization showed up to liberate the Zixons from the Empire, granting them weaponry and other technologies that could help them defend themselves should future issues arrive. Sure enough, the First Order would arrive and establish a garrison on Minfar during the Cold War, and the heroes of the Resistance would answer the call to assist the Zixons and drive back their occupiers once again.

As for why Minfar was considered valuable by either of these organizations is completely unknown, as it is often described as an unremarkable, backwater planet with few to no valuable resources located in an out of the way, non-strategic location among the Inner Rim. However, the Zixon have proven time and time again that they are incapable of defending themselves against larger threats, and so outside help is required to keep them safe. Interestingly, among their cavernous homes, the Zixons are also hunted by large predators known as Grobels. They do seem able to fight off the beasts or at least hide from them. And they themselves hunt other subterranean animals that they transform into notably delectable meals suitable for their omnivorous diet.

Legends/Canon: The Zixons were created for official Star Wars Canon.

Unexplored: There’s still a fair amount left unexplained about the Zixon. If we hope for them to become more memorable and mainstream in the future, receiving the answers to the following questions would definitely be beneficial. First and foremost, why were they consistently occupied by militarized oppressors? What about the seemingly insignificant Minfar warranted these occupations? Was it an unrevealed natural resource? Or a secret strategic advantage? Or maybe it had to do with the Force and its presence on the world? Since both of these factions were led by Dark Side Force users, could they have discovered something of significance on this world?

On that thought, what was the Zixons’ relationship to the Force? Did they possess a high midichlorian count, or was their connection more “superficial” like that of the Vurk or Wookiees? Was Minfar a possible vergence in the Force? And how did the Zixons perceive the Force? Did they understand it the same way that the Jedi and Sith did, or were their philosophies and views regarding it substantially unique? When were the Zixons first discovered and by whom? As they seemingly existed within Galactic Republic space, were they considered true members or given a seat on the Republic Senate? Who gave them access to the technologies that they had, and how did they view these new tools and gifts?

What sort of societal or governmental structure did the Zixons possess? How did things like culture and economy work among their tunnels and subterranean cities? How common were the threats of the Grobels, and did they devise a way to combat them, or did they simply learn to hide and flee? What exactly did the Zixons eat, and why had they become so good at cooking things that even outsiders enjoyed eating? How often were they visited by outsiders, how did they view these strange visitors, and what sort of customs and celebrations did they enact when visitors arrived? What were the significances behind their songs, dances, and flowery adornments, if any?

Who or what saved the Zixons from the Empire? How intense were the wars on Minfar? Were they able to steal any Imperial tech from dead or fleeing soldiers? Did they know about what was going on in the outside galaxy? Were the Zixons ever invited to join the Rebel Alliance or the New Republic? And did they further assist the Resistance after Minfar was liberated from the First Order? What did the outside galaxy think about the Zixons during various eras, if they even knew of their existence in the first place? And in relation to the rest of the galaxy, did the Zixons possess any additional unique habits, traditions, cultural practices, inventions, arts or architecture, religious beliefs, etc. that we have yet to learn about?

Additional Notes: I do find it weird that both the Zixons and the Lepi are sentient green rabbit species, but there are more than enough differences to firmly distinguish the species from one another. The idea of a subterranean lepus species with a strong connection to the Force and “incredibly awkward hands” is fairly unique, and I hope we get some additional illustrations in the near future as the few nearly colorless images we have at the moment just aren’t cutting it. I think there are still some interesting mysteries surrounding the Zixons and Minfar, so I have a feeling these will be revisited someday. And when they are, this article will get a satisfying overhaul.

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