Iridonian

Last Updated: 11/8/2023

Name: Iridonian

Humanoid: Yes

Classification: Near-Human

Homeworld: Iridonia

Coloration: Unclear

Biology: We know very little about the Iridonian’s actual biology. It’s clear that they had the same general height, weight, build, bodyshape, and number of limbs as the average Human. However, they were stronger and much more nimble than baseline Humans. It has been confirmed that they possessed one heart. They also seemingly had the capacity to pronounce Galactic Basic. All known Iridonians wore sealed, full body suits, although it’s unclear whether the species could or could not breathe without them. In addition, there may have been some biological link between Iridonians and their eventual peers, the Iridonian Zabraks, potentially even serving as one of the ancestors for these possibly hybrid Zabrak people.

Lore: Iridonians were a species that existed during the early to mid-Old Republic era, hailing from the famous world of Iridonia. They were a renowned species, despite being found almost nowhere in the galaxy aside from their homeworld. This reputation was filled with infamy, as the Iridonians were a race of fierce warriors. Unlike many warrior cultures, however, Iridonians lacked any honor, and were feared for their intense bloodlust and love of violence and death. While they possessed a relatively small population, generally avoiding straight up conquering others worlds or expanding their empire, mostly to avoid the complicated politics involved with it, they were still, at one point, viewed as worthy rivals of the then massive Mandalorian Empire.

In fact, the Iridonians had declared all Mandalorians, as well another warrior race known as the Echani, to be utterly despicable and unfit to live. They despised the former for seeking monetary gain alongside violence, as the Iridonians had little love for money, and they wished death upon the latter simply due to their strict moral codes and honor-bound philosophies. Despite publicly hating these two groups in particular, the Iridonians truly despised any and every non-Iridonian species or group, choosing to make no alliances or join any galactic governments such as Galactic. The Iridonians also held especial ire towards both the Jedi and Sith Orders, partially for their religious beliefs and partially due to their mysticism and strength, and both Jedi and Sith were wary of the Iridonians but also revered and valued their raw ambitions.

Despite holding many primitive beliefs, the Iridonians were quite technologically advanced, developing unique weaponry and armors that they mostly kept to themselves, but sometimes did sell to offworld buyers. Even then, they hiked all of their prices seemingly out of nearly pure contempt for the outside galaxy, and their weapons were quickly banned by the Republic for their unbelievably destructive and unethical methods and capabilities. Sometime approximately around 4000 BBY certain more progressive Iridonians began to sell themselves out as mercenaries as they realized it would grant them access to even more chances to kill, even if it meant that they did have to tentatively cooperate with others and earn wages.These mercenaries became highly valuable, and even those who despised them or who they despised such as the Force factions or Mandalorians sought to recruit them.

To the outside galaxy, Iridonians were seen as quick-tempered, pompous, and unreasonable, although they were admirably enthusiastic and truthful, seeing no reason for deception. They were easily swayed, and often turned on potential allies, even killing their own on a whim if they grew bored. These small civil wars and general unrest is what primarily set the species back, and they were usually avoided or discriminated against by non-Iridonians. Still, they were respected as some of the galaxy’s greatest natural warriors, and they were perpetually surrounded by an air of mystery as many had never even seen an Iridonian’s face.

Iridonians did possess their own traditions, such as participating in death games among their ranks for pure fun, but also to weed out the weak. In addition, they were also known for desecrating corpses, disrespecting their opponents by continuing to damage their bodies long after death. Iridonians rarely spoke, and did not believe in the concept of friendship or kinship, valuing family very little. For whatever reason, Iridonian hearts became popular on the black market, and the species were plagued by organ harvesters.

They also may have bred with Dathomirian Zabraks or some other Zabrak ancestor species to produce the Iridonian Zabrak race with which they shared their planet, but we do not know how the two species interacted or viewed each other despite them coexisting for seemingly millenia. What is evident is that the much more rational Zabraks would adopt many of the Iridonian’s warrior culture traditions, while also refraining from succumbing to their bloodlust. By the start of the Clone Wars, it appears as though the Iridonians had become completely extinct, although what happened to them and why the Iridonian Zabraks continued to thrive remains a complete mystery.

Legends/Canon: The Iridonians remain exclusive to Star Wars Legends via Old Republic-related media.

Unexplored: As shown above, the Iridonians were rather fleshed out in Star Wars Legends, despite their limited appearance. This is mostly due to the fact that they are a very simple species to understand. That being said, there are still some things about this species that could be further expanded upon, especially if they are ever to be brought into Canon. Questions that should be answered include the following: What is this species’ relationship to the Iridonian Zabraks, how did they interact in the past, and what did they think of each other? What did Iridonians look like, and why did some, if not all, wear unique full body suits? When did they first develop sentience, and when and why did they seemingly go extinct?

What did Iridonian tech look like, why was it considered so deadly and heinous, and did their volatile nature hinder technological growth or production? When did some of them begin to go against their nature and pursue lives as mercenaries? How successful were those ventures, and did they gain a reputation for working against their employers? How many of these mercenaries ended up working with the Jedi and Sith Orders, and since we know at least one could wield the Dark Side of the Force, were any ever officially made Jedi or Sith? What sort of governmental, economical, or societal, or political structures did they have? And how common were Iridonian deviants who rejected their people’s way of life and pursued good and non-violent lifestyles? Finding the answers to these questions, as well as learning how this species would fit into Canon’s condensed timeline, would help to fully establish this species as a staple and make them as well known as their Zabrak counterparts!

Additional Notes: This is such a unique and mysterious concept, and I wish they had explored the Iridonians further when the Old Republic was in full swing. I personally believe that they could still easily find a home among Canon, and maybe they can be explored further in media pertaining to The High Republic, or other future projects that explore eras even before that! As of the publishing of this article, I was recently made aware of this species’ existence, and so I am now super hyped to see them get the recognition that I think a concept like this truly deserves!

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