Skel

Last Updated: 12/14/2023

Name: Skel

Humanoid: Yes

Classification: Dwarf/Beast (Ovine/Canine)

Homeworld: Hoth

Coloration: Yellow, Brown, Gray, & White

Biology: The Skels were a diminutive species hailing from the iconic ice planet of Hoth. Standing no more than 1.2 meters tall when fully grown, Skels were generally bipedal in nature, although they could run on all fours occasionally as well. The species had a stocky appearance, although that was in part due to their thick fur, so we’re not entirely sure how thick much of their body actually was. They stood with a slightly hunched posture, their knuckles just shy of dragging on the ground when they moved. Their bodies were also somewhat disproportionate, with their upper torso and head being much larger than their lower body and legs, although their wide feet seemed more than capable of counter-balancing this.

Skel flesh was yellowish in coloration, exposed only at their face and snout, hands, and feet. The rest of their body was covered in bulky fur that insulated their already cold-resistant bodies. This fur varied in color depending on location, being dark brown around their legs, torso, and biceps, while their hair turned white or light gray from their elbows to their wrists, on their shoulders and around their chest and upper back, as well as sprouting from the top and sides of their head. The white hair was noticeably longer than that of the brown, billowing or swinging freely as they moved against Hoth’s icy winds.

The Skels’ three exposed toes bore long, dark claws, while their four-fingered hands also ended in the same sharp talons. Now, two distinct depictions of the Skel have appeared, one during the late Old Republic era, and the other millennia later during the Galactic Civil War. The Old Republic instances seemed somewhat larger than the others, usually reaching the full 1.2 meters in height, with pointed ears, large brows, sunken eyes, and a somewhat elongated snout that was canine in nature, ending in a large, brown nose. The ones around at the same time as the Empire were a bit smaller on average, usually seen between .75 and 1 meter tall, with less prominent ears but an even more defined brow that ended in points at the upper edges of their forehead, as well as larger, glassy eyes, an even longer snoot that ended with a pig-like nose, and two sets of two large, white tusks protruding from their lower jaw.

The former variant had much darker nails, while the latter had light nails, and sometimes two to three claws per finger or toe. However, both types had solid black eyes, ridged snouts, and strong jaws situated under said snouts. There is no defined reason explaining the difference between the two variants. It’s very possible that the older version (timeline-wise) simply evolved to look more like the newer one given the thousands of years in between, but it could also be attributed to varying subspecies, or just an updated depiction not meant to infer variation. In that last case, the general rule of thumb would just be to count the newest iteration as most official/canonical, which would make the Old Republic canine version the definitive appearance.

Anyway, the Skels were known for their surprising speed and strength, able to swarm and kill any lifeform found on Hoth just shy of Wampas. They were vicious and brutal, clawing, biting, slashing, and in some cases, tusking, both predators and prey with an unmatched ferocity. They were also great diggers, adding to their stealthiness by burrowing just below the snow. Their thick hide and fur make them nearly impervious to any level of subzero climate, and they could dwell within the snowy surface for long periods of time. The species were carnivorous, feeding on any meats they could find, including live animals, carrion, or even unfortunate travelers. They also had keen senses of smell and eyesight, allowing them to hunt effectively in harsh weather. Skels spoke an unnamed language consisting of growling and grunting, indicating both their canine and suidae traits, however, they were incapable of speaking Galactic Basic.

Lore: The Skels are one two “sentient” species native to the planet Hoth, the others being the much larger Wampas, although the sentient or semi-sentient nature of Wampas, as well as their true place of origin, is often brought into question, so on occasion, Skels are considered the planet’s only real population. It was believed Skels developed true awareness not long before they were discovered during the Cold War in 3642 BBY, where they were encountered by the Jedi Order, Sith Empire, a major pirate coalition known as the White Maw, and even the Chiss Ascendancy, all at the same time. The presence and subsequent skirmishes brought by these factions brought a large shift to Hoth, causing Skels to hate pretty much all offworlders from the get go.

While some attempts appear to have been made to negotiate the Skels, or even befriend them on the Jedi’s part, the native population was having none of it, instead choosing to be hostile to anyone and everyone they encountered. Being fierce and ruthless warriors, Skels were responsible for a number of deaths and a sizable amount of destruction during Hoth’s occupation, although many of their kind were ultimately wiped out as well. Being the Skels first introduction to a number of galactic staples, we would see them adopting the usage of rudimentary tools and melee weapons (although they were still more prone to fashioning clubs from the bones of their fallen brethren), and while they did not wear any true clothing, many Skels began to don stolen or looted belts around their waists.

It is unclear how the Skels fared against the aforementioned Wampa population, although we have little proof that they were able to surpass what many considered to be the planet’s apex predators. Still, as more and more people traveled to Hoth, such as an Ortolan colonial group, the Skels became more and more aggressive towards outsiders. Living among nomadic tribes, the wandering Skels would sometimes form raiding parties under fierce warriors who took on rudimentary titles such as “Frostclaw” to pillage settlements, steal items, and eliminate settlers. Their brutality eventually became such a problem that the Republic was forced to intervene, establishing an even greater presence on Hoth for a time, although the ethics of such a move were in high debate.

Skels never stayed in one location for too long, migrating across the planet’s surface and usually taking up residence among the planet’s various caves and crevices. If they could not locate sufficient shelter, they would instead bury themselves under the snow for periods of time, potentially to rest or just to weather out inclement storms and high, frigid winds. They also used these skills to ensnare prey, creating ambush scenarios and hiding their true numbers when approached by enemies. Skels would eat any and every creature they came across, hunting native Icetrompers, Hoth Hogs, Tauntauns, and pretty much everything else. Skels were territorial, however, there is little documented evidence that they ever went into conflict with each other.

By the time of the Battle of Hoth during the Galactic Civil War, the Skels had barely progressed past what they were almost four millennia prior. They had undergone no major technological or societal advancements, had not developed any additional communication methods or relationships with other species, and continued to live primitive, aggressive lifestyles, with no proof of any further substantial contact efforts from the outside galaxy. During the brief fight between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire on their homeworld, we do know that the Skel were against both factions, even destroying one or more of the probe droids the Empire had dispatched to locate Echo Base. However, no known effort was made by the Empire to quell such retaliation, presumably given how inconsequential the species was in the grand scheme of the ongoing conflict and universe overall.

Legends/Canon: The Skels are currently relegated to Star Wars Legends, although their inclusion within the ongoing Star Wars: The Old Republic Legends MMO means they can still receive lore updated within EU continuity to this day!

Unexplored: We know both much and yet so little about the Skels at the present moment, and given their status as an EU-exclusive concept, there are a few different ways further exploration into their lore could go. Of course, the species could still receive additional lore as long as SWTOR stays active, although, if the Skels are canonized soon, we could also see a parallel set of lore start to branch out in a possibly different direction at the same time. For the sake of conciseness, we’ll assume that all of their lore can and will transfer into Canon with nothing lost, so that we can ask questions such as: When did the Skels first develop sentience, and were they truly discovered during the “Cold War?” Did any Skels leave Hoth, whether of their own volition or otherwise, following this event? And if so, where did they end up and how might it have changed them?

On that note, what did the outside galaxy think about them? We know “Skel” was sometimes used as an insult out among the galaxy, but was that simply a coincidence based off of a word found from among the trillions of other intergalactic languages, or did it have to do with the Skels and their reputation? What did the Skels themselves think of offworlders? We know in a general sense they were opposed to the idea of others moving into their territory, but seeing as they had recently developed a higher sense of awareness, what were some of their complex thoughts regarding the issue? Were they afraid of the unknown, curious about advanced technologies, disdainful towards those who didn’t look like themselves? Did they begin to dream of traveling the stars, or was their hatred of anything not natural so deep that they wouldn’t even consider the thought? This is such a great place to explore burgeoning sapience, and there are so many questions I think we could pose that would be fascinating to explore through their lens.

Of course, pulling more from Canon, were any attempts made to ever incorporate the Skels into the Republic, and were they still remembered or contacted by the factions like the Jedi Order during eras like the High Republic? Would they have ever been touched by any other major conflicts, given the secluded nature of Hoth, such as the fight against the Nihil or the short lived Clone Wars? Was Hoth reclaimed by the New Republic, further invaded by the Empire, or might it have served as a staging area for the First Order or even the Resistance, who often repurposed old Rebellion installations? Will there ever be a time where the Skels warm up to the outside galaxy, or can that progress and healing maybe only come if all outside presences remove themselves from the Skel homeworld? Additionally, what relationships might eventually form between the Skels and the Wampas? Could we see some sort of complex joint society millennia in the future? Exploring all of these questions, as well as the discrepancies in appearances I mentioned up in the “Biology” section would prove incredibly beneficial!

Additional Notes: I adore the Skels! They’ve been stuck in the back of my mind since I learned of their existence a few years prior. A native species on a classic and iconic Star Wars planet that wasn’t introduced for quite some time but whose existence still makes perfect sense is just so very in nature for this franchise, and I quite enjoy their design as well (although as for which, I do prefer the more pig-like version with the tusks). This is a species I think NEEDS to be brought into Canon, although I suppose they may be wary of including such a key proponent of a world seen among the Original Trilogy, a “legacy world” if you will. Still, it could easily work, and maybe after SWTOR finally ends its run, we could see the Skel brought into the modern continuity. I just hope too much isn’t lost in translation as I love their lore just as it is!

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