Graygl

Last Updated: 1/25/2024

Name: Graygl (or Iskalonian)

Humanoid: Yes

Classification: Amphibious

Homeworld: Danalbeth (and Iskalon)

Coloration: Green and Red

Biology: Graygls were an amphibious species with slightly ambiguous anatomy due to the limited nature of their existing illustrations. They appeared to be slightly larger in build than the average Human or near-Human species, presumably being bipedal-esque in nature, although we technically do not know how the species appeared from the waist down or how many legs, dorsal fins, or tails they might have had. The species had two muscular arms, with what appeared to be fins on their forearms, as well as four or possibly five-fingered hands that were ribbed and ended in small claws. Their skin was also completely hairless, being smooth in texture and dark green in coloration

Graygl heads were large and a bit wrinkled, with two fin-like growths in place of “sideburns,” as well as a third fin acting as a sort of “mohawk” that ran from the top of their forehead over and down the pack of their head. The species had pointed ears, lacked any sort of nose or nostrils (presumably there were gills behind their jaw fins), and their mouth was full of sharp, white teeth, their upper lip partially overlapping their bottom. Their eyes were also very distinct, being bulbous and bright red, with black pupils that actually appeared to be pits within their eyes, similar to what we see with species like the Kassk or some Lasat. Interestingly, the Graygls strongly resembled another Iskalonian species known as the Frid.

Being an amphibious species, the Graygls had the capability to live and breathe underwater, although we currently do not know if they could also survive above the surface without the assistance of a “fishbowl” breathing helmet like so many of the other Iskalonians. They appeared to be rather muscular and were presumably very strong swimmers. Graygls were presumably capable of speaking Galactic Basic, and capable of projecting their voice underwater, as that was the standard for the Iskalonian School. They were a docile species by nature, although their intimidating appearance served as a defense mechanism that they often utilized to their benefit.

Lore: The Graygls were a sentient race that had existed for many millennia, although we’re not sure when they were first discovered as they seemed to have relegated themselves to the oceanic depths of their purported homeworld, Danalbeth, leading to a noticeable lack of historical documentation regarding the species by the outside galaxy. At some point during the tail end of the Old Republic era, around 5,000 BBY, the Graygls’ homeworld would face a series of catastrophic events resulting in its near-destruction and the complete collapse of Graygl civilization. The surviving members of their population were left helpless in a dire situation, facing possible extinction until they were visited by a mysterious group who offered them salvation.

These saviors transported the Graygls to the oceanic planet of Iskalon, where they were integrated into the hodgepodge society of aquatic refugees known as “The School,” becoming one of the seventeen species to adopt the world as their new home and take on the collective moniker of “Iskalonian.” From there, their traditions and culture merged with that of the other Iskalonians, and much of their individual nature was lost. They were also considered one of the scariest and most intimidating species among the School, although the other species accepted them regardless and did not seem to hold any prejudice based on their appearance. The Graygls used this natural disposition to protect the school by scaring off Iskalon’s natural predators including the massive, horrifying, serpentine creatures known as the Chiaki

Like the rest of the School, the Graygls faced a major threat when the Galactic Empire arrived within the Iskalon System to occupy all of its inhabitants. Establishing a command outpost on Iskalon’s sister world of Gamandar, the Empire eventually launched a missile that struck Iskalon, inciting a massive tidal wave that killed many of the world’s inhabitants and destroying the underwater supercity known as the “Pavillion,” diminishing the Graygls’ population further. The School loosely aligned themselves with the Rebel Alliance for their own survival’s sake, although they did not overtly fight back against the Empire. Eventually they would be freed from the Imperial oppression, as well as a brief invasion by the Nagai.

The Iskalonians had collectively been fairly involved with the outside galaxy prior to the Galactic Civil War, however, after the Imperial invasion they retreated and became an isolationist people, realizing they only needed each other. Despite some dealings with the Rebellion, the Iskalonians all agreed not to join the New Republic, and remained independent from that point forward. Despite this, New Republic researchers still investigated the various members of the School to determine the various catastrophes that brought them together. This included a visit to the remnants of the now fully abandoned remnants of Danalbeth, although no cause of destruction was ever revealed. It was also disclosed that in the School’s early days, they were commonly targeted by slavers, with the Graygls being a prime target and possibly indicating that other members of their kind may still be spread out across the galaxy, forcibly separated from their kind.

Continuity: The Graygls only exist within Star Wars Legends, and specifically within an earlier iteration of the EU at that, meaning their… “canonicity” at any point following, as with most elements introduced within the 1977 marvel comic run, grew more and more dubious.

Unexplored: This is a tough one because the species seemingly abandoned a lot of their individuality when they joined the great melting pot that was the School. To explore the Graygls in their current state would be more-or-less to explore the Iskalonians as a whole. Still, it would be fascinating to see what they were like leading up to their initial collapse, what sort of devastating event(s) took place, how some of them managed to survive, and what their first days or even years being integrated into the School looked like. What parts of their culture might they have retained or integrated into the greater Iskalonian society? How many of their kind were still out among the stars due to being exported from Iskalon as slaves? What were their specific thoughts on the events leading up to, during, and following the Imperial invasion and ravaging of their new home? And did any members of the species ever desire or attempt to travel back to Danalbeth? Answering some of these questions, as well as receiving a full-body illustration, would really go a long way in distinctively characterizing the Graygls!

Additional Notes: Nothing too noteworthy here, although I suppose they are one of the more striking members of the School. If the Isklaonians ever receive any major lore or developments within Canon, I would love to see this species return with an updated but still true-to-the-original design, but until that day comes, unfortunately, we just don’t have a lot to work with here…

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