Pakiphantos

Last Updated: 11/29/2023

Name: Pakiphantos

Humanoid: No

Classification: Beast (Pachyderm)

Homeworld: Unknown

Coloration: Gray

Biology: The Pakiphantos were a bipedal elephant-like species whose exact size isn’t currently known. What we do know is that they were taller than the average Human, but to what extent exactly is unclear. Still, the species was stocky and muscular, with thick, wrinkled gray skin covered in short, coarse hairs. The species had short legs and what appeared to be rounded feet that offered them great balance, as well as stubby arms with hands that sported at least four fingers. Pakiphantos heads looked nearly identical to those of real life elephants, with a rounded cranium, large, floppy ears, an elongated trunk that gave way to nostril cavities, and an obscured mouth sporting two almost straight, light-colored tusks protruding from their upper jaws.

Pakiphantos were known for their brute strength, often reporting to hand-to-hand combat as their skin may have been able to soften blows from blaster rifles. They were also surprisingly quick for their size, although again, we have yet to witness their top speeds. Of course, the species had excellent hearing, and possessed the rather unique ability to expel air from their trunks at an astounding speed, producing a possibly deafening trumpet-like blast at will. The species seemed capable of both understanding and pronouncing Galactic Basic, and we do not know the name of their native tongue, nor if the trunk-based noises played a part. Established as a durable species, it was even for them to lose large chunks of their ear with little repercussion. The species was also believed to have had a rather lengthy natural lifespan.

Lore: We know next to nothing about the Pakiphantos, aside from the fact that they had been discovered and introduced into the galaxy sometime prior to the rise of the Empire. They also wore less clothing than your average species, usually only donning a belt, pants, and boots. At least one member of the species, Trunc Adurmush, had established himself as a prolific crimelore in the galaxy by 10 BBY, and maintained his influence for an elongated period of time. The species does bear a noticeable resemblance to another sentient pachydermoid people found in the Star Wars universe, the Cragmaloids, although there is currently no known relation, and they do possess some differences such as their manner of dress and the average size of their ears.

Legends/Canon: The Pakiphantos were created specifically for a project within Star Wars Legends.

Unexplored: As outlined above, there is just so much here left unexplained, and until that is the case, it will be somewhat difficult to distinguish this species from the various other “elephant aliens” scattered throughout the Star Wars universe. So, as usual, we need to ask some questions whose answers would help make this species more distinct and defined. For starters, where did the Pakiphantos hail from, what was the name of their homeworld, and what environments did it boast? When were the species first discovered, and by whom? Did they have any known relationships, ties, or shared origins with other pachydermoids such as the Cragmaloids, Elespad, or even the various currently unnamed ones like the pink species that originated from the “Droids” animated series or the red one from Old Republic media?

How many Pakiphantos could be found spread throughout the galaxy, and what was the ratio of those offworld versus those who remained on their world of origin? Were the Pakiphantos ever made members of the Galactic Republic, and did they have members on the Senate? Were the species as a whole ever affected by any less-than-savory galactic factions such as the Nihil, Galactic Empire, First Order, Crimson Dawn, Zygerrian Empire, Mandalorian Crusaders, etc.? And was it common to see the Pakiphantos among criminal organizations, or was Trunc an outlier? Additionally, the usual general traits should be expanded upon, including evolution, origins, history, civilization, society, politics, government, economy, exports, advancements, developments, arts, philosophies, religions, traditions, habits, cultural practices, as well as variety in appearance and unique biological or anatomical quirks or abilities.

Additional Notes: From what we’ve seen so far, the Pakiphantos are sort of generic, although I like the idea that all of their names may just be elephant-related puns. It’s also incredibly fortunate that we even got a small illustration of the species within the Pirate’s Price novel as, given the circumstances, this species usually would have gone unpictured for years, decades, even forever maybe, collected among the many species who have only ever been given a name and the occasional descriptor. Hopefully we’ll see them more soon!

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