Huralok

Last Updated: 11/13/2023

Name: Huralok

Humanoid: No

Classification: Beast/Reptilian

Homeworld: Djurmo

Coloration: Brown and Black

Biology: Huraloks were a stocky, unique-looking species described as being reptilian in nature, although they bear more similarities to traditionally beast-like races found within the Star Wars universe. They stood anywhere from 1.5 to 1.7 meters tall on average, and had naturally thick proportions, with muscular frames and taut yet stubby limbs. Their dark red or reddish-brown skin appeared to be a leathery consistency that was coarse and wrinkled, seemingly regardless of age. Supposedly they had patches of black scales on their body as well, potentially located on their backs, although at least one individual seemed to have them creeping up and onto his head and face. Their bodies were resistant to extreme environments, especially resistant to high heats, fire, and lava. Huraloks stood with a slightly hunched post, with little evident neck separating their head from their torso.

Their legs were nearly as thick as a Human’s torso, with massive, rounded feet that sported three sharp, black claws each, as well as gray undersides that contrasted with the brown flesh of the top of their feet; usually exposed as the irregular shape and size were not necessarily shoe-friendly. Their hands were similarly wide, with only three (occasionally four) large fingers each, including one thumb per hand, each displaying large, often sharp fingernails. Their torsos were wide and their shoulders broad, making them seem like an even sturdier species than they seemingly really were. Even still, they were a very durable species who could tank a hit that would down many other species, and their muscles, skin, or potentially even scales may have grown thicker around their back, neck, and midsection to be able to pull off such feats.

Huraloks heads were wide, with a slightly protruding mouth filled with huge, white teeth (with prominent, pointed canines), two nostril slits on the sides of their muzzle, and wide set eyes which were disproportionately massive in a way that made them seem almost cartoonish in nature. These eyes had yellowish sclera, bright red irises, and beady black pupils. Huraloks had no visible aural cavities as far as we are aware, although they may have been tucked back behind the eyes towards the back of the species’ head. Huraloks also did grow dark black hair, usually manifesting as a long patch on the upper and back central portions of their head, as well as a goatee like growth, at least for the males, sprouting from their lower jaws, all coarse and disheveled when fully grown. It was possible but not always common for Huraloks to grow mustaches and/or eyebrows as well.

The overall appearance of the Huraloks was considered rather unsavory by galactic standards, which made them prime targets for xenophobia. Of course, their natural predisposition for violence didn’t help their public standing, and they seemed to be less mentally developed than the average galactic denizen, however, it’s possible to chalk this up to their relatively new introduction into the greater galaxy as a whole. Huraloks were also known for their impeccable memory, and long lifespans, often living to be around 350 years old on average. While they did possess their own unidentified native tongue, they could pronounce Galactic Basic with no issue. And it has been confirmed that they produced Force Sensitive individuals at an approximately average rate, although these instances rarely if ever revealed themselves.

Lore: The Huralok hailed from the harsh, volcano-covered Mid Rim planet known as Djurmo, the most prominent world of the Djurmo System, and one of only two known inhabited worlds within the entirety of the surrounding Strabin Sector, sharing their home sector with shapeshifting, psychic species known as the Homanan, although there’s currently no evidence that the two species ever interacted. Surprisingly, despite being nestled within the Mid Rim, and technically being one of the world located along Essien Run trade route, the Huraloks were not discovered until sometime between 3000 and 1000 BBY, making them a fairly “new” sentient species by galactic standards. This is most likely because their homeworld would have been deemed uninhabitable at a glance, not prompting further observation by your average exploration teams.

Instead, it would seem the Huraloks were finally discovered by some sort of Republic expansion, research, or survey group, as they were subsequently brought into the folds of the Galactic Republic and were granted a seat on the Senate. During the next few millennia, they earned quite the reputation for themselves, but not as valuable members of the Republic. No, over the years an unusual number of Huraloks had become pirates, making the species almost synonymous with the less than savory occupation. The Huraloks had proven themselves to be unruly, quick to anger and prone to violence, spiteful, manipulative, and above all, greedy. They were a highly xenophobic people, with the only thing they despised more than each other being other non-Huralok species.

This meant that many members of the species became isolationists or crime bosses who let others do their dirty work. There was no unity among their people, and their population actually suffered because Huraloks rarely mated due to not getting along with any suitable partners. There were next to no sustainable Huralok relationships, and they did not believe in love, romance, or marriage, instead only breeding out of sheer necessity. This apparently caused the species to be pushed to the brink of extinction on a number of occasions. Still, despite their abhorrent reputation, to the point where many in the galaxy believed they had next to no redeeming qualities, they somehow managed to remain affiliated with the Republic.

At some point, the Huraloks also developed an intense dislike of the Jedi Order, and while there were members of their people who develop Force abilities, there were never any Huralok Jedi as their aversion to discipline, dedication, peace, and religion made the Order antithetical to their own existence. The species would remain in this unfavorable state up until the collapse of the Republic, where any favor they might have held was quickly cast aside. As it would turn out, the Huraloks and their disorderly nature served as the perfect vessel for the Imperial propaganda machine. The Empire went to war with the Huraloks, combating their pirates and subjugating their homeworld. In one fell swoop, they had taken any unity or power the species had remaining and turned it on its head.

The Empire weaponized these events, showing the galaxy just how volatile and untrustworthy non-Humans could be. Huraloks became as feared as they were rare among Imperial space, with those remaining on their homeworld unable to do anything, and those still acting as marauders taking the fight to the Empire every chance they could get. Not out of any sense of justice or a desire for freedom, but simply due to the hatred that had led them to victory in the past, a hatred that no longer won them the day against a “superior” foe. Popular children’s holodrama programs were even created, exposing Imperial youth to the dangers of the alien Huralok pirates, and how the mighty Imperial Navy was keeping them all safe from the horrors of these horrendous non-Humans. And so, no thanks to the help from the unwitting Huraloks, xenophobia flourished.

Still, there was the occasional outlier among the species. Individuals who, while still driven by spite and anger, were civil enough to maintain some level of relationship or cooperation with others. These instances smugglers, mercenaries, or nomadic soldiers, searching for jobs that offered them the most promise of violence. This is how many would encounter this species for the first time, and would get a glimpse into how the majority of the species generally carried themselves. There Huraloks would make names for themselves, not going out of their way to make an enemy of the Empire, but not shying away from a confrontation either. Things would remain this way until around 11 ABY when the species were finally abandoned by the last of the Imperial Remnant holding out there.

Losing the territory as their influence continued to shrink, the surviving Huraloks were eventually freed. It is worth noting that there is no evidence they were ever directly liberated, nor are there any known accounts of the Rebel Alliance, New Republic, the Galactic Alliance, or any other freedom fighting faction or post-Empire government. Whether this was because they were accidentally overlooked or deemed not worth saving, we’re not sure, however, there is little chance their remaining population had any substantial numbers. If they hadn’t been pushed to extinction, then they would have faced an invasion from the Yuuzhan Vong, as well as domination by Darth Krayt’s new Empire within most of their lifetimes. Unfortunately, the Huraloks stood little chance of overcoming extinction.

There are a few additional traits we know about the Huralok, such as the fact they seemingly liked the clothing and weaponry they found outside of Djurmo, and may have lived without many or any bodily coverings prior to their discovery, especially given the fiery nature of their homeworld. Once they began to become more integrated into the galaxy, regardless of how rocky that transition was, they seemed to adopt clothing similar to those worn by the average humanoid. They operated on a first and last name structure, which may or may not have also been adopted from outside influences. Finally, Huraloks were renowned for their ability to hold grudges. In fact, given their impressive memory and elongated lifespans, their grudges often outlived those they held them against, and it was one of the many reasons the species went down in galactic infamy.

Legends/Canon: At the moment, the Huralok are Canon, but it’s sort of due to a technicality. For all intents and purposes, they are Canon, as an individual clearly based on the most well known EU artwork for the species appeared in the The High Republic (2022) comic series! There is no way you can make the argument that there is no connection, however, because the name Huralok was never mentioned, it remains unconfirmed and uncanonized, most likely why you won’t find it on Wookieepedia. This is very similar to the Drovians and the Ayrou, who have both unmistakably made their Canon debut in comics from THR, despite no mention of their actual name at that time either (although the Ayrou have since finally been confirmed by name). So now it’s really just a waiting game until we can say the Huralok, both in appearance AND name are 100% Canon. But regardless, I have chosen to go ahead and classify them as being Canon, as well as having appeared in The High Republic already.

Unexplored: This is one of those cases where the species really is a blank canvas for exploration within Canon, to the extreme point that even their name could be changed. And if much of their lore is eventually adapted into Canon fairly faithfully, most of their post-Empire “history” will have to be changed to accommodate the vastly different era that followed. So, under the presumption that all but their links to EU-exclusive events are brought into Canon in their pre-established state, here are some questions we can pose that would help better establish the species within the current Star Wars continuity.

For starters, we know that they had been introduced into the galaxy by the time of the High Republic era, but how long before that canonically did they develop sentience, and how long would it have taken them to fully integrate into the Republic and even just the galaxy in general? Given what we know about them, how would they have maintained a seat in the Senate, and how would their relationships with other Republic worlds or people have played out? How many of their people actually abided by their new station as a part of a galactic government, what percentage would break away to form the pirate factions, and what was their total population at any given time, seeing as it appeared to “dwindle” quite often? Did, or would, the species ever go extinct given their current trajectory, and what was life like on Djurmo during the Imperial occupation? I would suggest the usual general worldbuilding traits in need of establishing as well, but the Huralok are a unique case where asking what their communities, philosophies, religions, traditions, etc. were like would mostly be fruitless given their predisposition. There is much to be explored with the Huralok in Canon, just not necessarily in a traditional sense.

Additional Notes: I am so glad I was able to recognize this species within THR (2022) #1, it’s actually what spurred me to write this article when I did! I believe they held a very unique place among the vast catalog of EU species. Their involvement in the Empire’s sway of the public’s view of non-Human species is fascinating, and I think there are still many stories to tell across other mediums when it comes to this hotheaded race. I’ll update this if and when the name Huralok is finally canonized, and I can’t wait to see what the future of this species in Canon holds!

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