Trome

Last Updated: 1/31/2024

Name: Trome

Humanoid: Yes

Classification: Near-Human/Dwarf

Homeworld: Unknown

Coloration: Pink, Tan, or Brown

Biology: Tromes were a race of diminutive sentients who bore a striking resemblance to real world mythical creatures like gnomes (or fantasy dwarves according to some). They stood approximately the same height as Ewoks, generally 1 meter tall on average, with a bipedal, humanoid frame featuring two arms and two legs. They had Human-adjacent pigmentation, their skin appearing to be either pinkish-tan or a yellowish-brown in coloration. The species was surprisingly muscular for their size, their beard often obscuring how toned they truly were. Their forearms/hands and calves/feet were abnormally large, having four fingers and three toes respectively.

Tromes had rounded heads, with prominent, bulbous noses, as well as large, white eyes with small, black pupils. The species had scruffy eyebrows, alongside bushy eyelashes that grew from the sides of their eyes, both dark blue in coloration, the same color as their eyelids. These eyebrows and lashes overlaid their distinctive “beards,” elongated gray hair that sprouted from the top of their forehead all the way down to the bottom of their chin, as well as around portions of their head, obscuring every part of their face aside from their eyes and nose, and reaching all the way to the ground. The species also had wide mouths, featuring only one large, square tooth protruding from the center of their lower jaw.

The species was incredibly strong for their size, Tromes easily able to lift things equal to their own bodyweight. The species could pronounce Ewokese, and potentially Galactic Basic Standard, albeit with a distinct, high-pitched shrill. It is unclear whether or not the species had a propensity for the Force, or if they had an elevated midi-chlorian count, however, like many other species residing on Endor, it is very possible they possessed some sort of distinct, mystical power that could potentially be related to the Force, Magicks, or any other undisclosed source.

Lore: The Tromes are a mysterious race, with a number of their kind ending up calling the Forest Moon of Endor their home. Presumably they were one of the many species found on the mysterious “ark” that crash landed on Endor some time in the past, eventually forming a civilization on the moon just as many other non-native sentients did. It is unclear how long they were actually there by the end of the Galactic Civil War, although they still seemed fairly few in numbers, with all instances seeming to be male. From the instances observed near the Ewoks, we know the Tromes were a rowdy bunch who were prone to emotional fits, especially collective bouts of anger. Tromes were also highly competitive, enjoying sports, and especially wrestling, leading the Endorian Tromes to hold an annual wrestling championship. While not opposed to associating with other species, the Tromes seemed to primarily keep to themselves, leading their existence to forever remain mostly unknown.

Continuity: The Tromes have currently only ever been mentioned once, and only within EU media, meaning they are not Canon at present.

Unexplored: This mysterious species requires quite a bit of legwork on the lore end if they’re ever to be seen as a fleshed-out part of the Star Wars universe. That means we’ve got quite the list of questions to pose that would help us get there should the species make the transition into Canon with all of their established characterization intact (or if you’re writing something set specifically within the confines of their little corner of the EU). Of course, our usual starting question is simply, where did they come from? What planet or celestial entity or “realm” might the Tromes have originated from, and how exactly would so many of them (potentially their entire population) have arrived on the Forest Moon? If it was aboard the aforementioned ark, why would they have been embarking in the first place, and is it possible they were fleeing something in the past?

How big was the Trome population by the Galactic Civil War era, and what were their overall relationships like with the other denizens of Endor, especially the native ones such as the Ewoks, Yuzzums, Duloks, Goraxs, and Wisties? Did the outside galaxy know of the existence of the Tromes, and if so, how much? Is it possible they inspired various gnome-like myths across the galaxy? And can we say for sure whether or not they had mystical powers? If so, what might those powers have been, and to what extent could they exercise them? Would they have been based in the Force, or some other unique Magick powers that we can’t even begin to comprehend? What did the Tromes think about various galactic events, and were they affected at all by the moon’s Imperial occupation and the subsequent Battle of Endor? Exploring the answers to all of these questions, as well as worldbuilding concepts surrounding their Endorian civilization or whatever sort of societies they may have had prior to their arrival, will finally cement this species as a unique and entrenched aspect of the universe.

Additional Notes: Another case where I can’t fully state whether the species was left intentionally vague for the sake of “mysticism” or if there just wasn’t a desire to give one-off elements any meaningful extended lore, although given the era and source material I’m 99% sure it’s the latter. Which I guess is a shame since a fair number of other “Ewoks” species did eventually receive some additional appearances, although this design just isn’t really the most inspired and wouldn’t work outside of the cartoonish style of the Ewoks animated series without some serious tweaking. This is not a species I’m dying to see brought into Canon anytime soon, although I’ll never complain if an obscure species is ever given a second chance to shine, and maybe the species can thrive in a strictly written medium!

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