Alcedian

Last Updated: 09/06/2025

Name: Alcedian

Humanoid: Yes

Classification: Near-Human/Avian

Homeworld: Valo

Coloration: Gray, Blue, Purple, Pink, or Peach

Biology: The Alcedians were sentient species who were in the process of evolving from a more avian-like race into a relatively near-Human design. They shared many of the same general features as Humans, have the same average height, build, and frame, with two arms and two legs, as well as the same number of digits on their appendages and a strikingly similar facial structure. Where they started to diverge included their coloration, with Alcedians having varying shades of gray pigmentation. They also had feathers sprouting from their upper backs, shoulders, elbows, and forearms, which were usually the same color as their hair, said colors ranging from dark blue to peach to hot pink. It was fairly common for Alcedians to have sharp talons extending from the tips of their fingers.

While Alcedians had fairly Human-like faces, differences included their jagged teeth, upturned noses, and enlarged eyes that sported yellow sclera, golden irises, and solid black pupils. While their hair sometimes took on a feather-like appearance, it was not the same texture as their feathery arms. As mentioned above, the hair on top of their heads, as well as usually their eyebrows, were the same color as their feathers, and Alcedians were also known for the long hairs that extended down the sides of their jaws like semi-sideburns. It has been stated that the species’ arms used to be wings, although they had long since lost the ability to fly, their wings evolving (or devolving) into much more standard upper limbs. Apparently it was quite common for Alcedians to be Force Sensitive, although we do not know about their baseline Midi-chlorian count. They also had the capacity to clearly pronounce Galactic Basic Standard. It is very likely Alcedians could cross-breed with Humans, although we have yet to observe a hybrid of the two.

Lore: The Alcedians hailed from the planet Valo, an incredibly popular Outer Rim world during the High Republic era which was considered a staple of the galactic frontier. Longstanding members of the Galactic Republic and allies of the Jedi Order, the Alcedians were known for being friendly towards outsiders and had welcomed a fair number of Human settlers to Valo who had helped expand the world. The tourism industry on this lush, multi-biome world was thriving at the peak of the High Republic, even hosting the galaxy-famous “Republic Fair” at least once in 231 BBY (although it didn’t exactly go the smoothest). The planet was attacked not once but twice by the Nihil, in part due to their strong relationship with the Jedi, as well as just their prominence among the galactic landscape.

The first attack resulted in mass destruction and hundreds of thousands of casualties, including both Alcedians and non-Alcedians alike. Fortunately, given the Jedi presence on the world (including an established outpost helmed by Jedi Master Elzar Mann) the Nihil were driven back. The Alcedians had only just begun to recover when, around a year later, the Nihil invaded once again, this time usurping the world completely. Valo was now located within the Nihil’s “Occlusion Zone,” a section of space sealed away behind a barrier known as the “Stormwall” that was intended to be independent from the Galactic Republic. The Alcedians would suffer even more during the following years, although the Jedi remained an ever present symbol of hope. Centuries later, following the initiation of Order 66, Valo became a safe haven for fleeing Jedi, drawing the ire of the Galactic Empire and leading the Inquisitorious to arrive and hunt down the survivors, presumably making the Alcedians stark enemies of the regime.

Continuity: The Alcedians were created specifically for Star Wars Canons, currently relegated to printed media like comics and books.

Unexplored: There’s quite a bit left unexplored regarding the Alcedians, although I am glad we FINALLY got a name for them (and their homeworld was finally linked to Valo). I have yet to read the recently released “Escape from Valo” children’s novel which supposedly gives us a much more personal look at the species and world, so I don’t want to pose too many hypothetical lore-based questions here that may have been answered there. As I learn more, I may come back and come up with some specific questions that still may have yet to be explored. But in the meantime, I think it would be best to get some established answers regarding their various worldbuilding traits including their origins, evolution/devolution, history, politics, government, culture, society, economy, religions, philosophies, traditions, habits, practices, advancements, technologies, architecture, arts, languages, diets, etc.

Additional Notes: I remember tracking this one for quite some time, finding Kho Phon Farrus’ appearance to be quite striking and wanting to possibly feature one of them in my own upcoming fan works! It’s always awesome to see species like these that don’t have live action or animated origins still selected for further expansion, and it gives me hope that a lot of the other currently unidentified species that I’ve spent so long trying to highlight still have a chance to be named and expanded upon in something in the future!

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