Pikpik

Last Updated: 3/19/2024

Name: Pikpik

Humanoid: No

Classification: Beast (Rodent)/Diminutive

Homeworld: Unknown

Coloration: Gray and Tan

Biology: The Pikpik were a sentient race of rat-like individuals found throughout the Star Wars galaxy. Being diminutive in nature, they stood approximately 1.2 meters in height (not considering their ears), with an often slouched posture and perpetually bent knees. Pikpik bodies were primarily covered in a layer of gray fur that was lighter and thinner around their chest and face, while their arms, legs, eyebrows, and tops of their ears were much darker and thicker. They also lacked fur on their hands, feet, tails, and noses, while the interior of their ears had thin tan fur instead. Pikpik had three-toed feet and four fingered-hands, their appendages being large, fleshy, and ending in sharp, dark claws. They also had elongated tails that were segmented, being nearly as long as their bodies were tall and potentially being prehensile in nature, though they usually remained in a stiff, crooked state.

The species had large heads with massive features, including toothy mouths with four sharp canines protruding from each jaw. They also had crooked noses that extended far out from their face in a zigzag manner, ending in an upward turning rounded lobe and covered in sparse, scraggly hairs. Pikpik eyes were also wide, with maroon sclera and large black pupils. These eyes were seemingly sensitive or delicate, with the species almost always seen sporting protruding protective goggles. The Pikpik’s largest features by far were their ears, which extended well up above their head, ending in a point topped by three dark spikes, while the lower portion of these ears had splits and crevices.

These ears granted the species phenomenal hearing, which accompanied their heightened senses of sight and smelling. Pikpik were surprisingly agile despite the size and shape of their bodies. They could run and jump bipedally, but could also scurry on all fours just as quickly, if not moreso. They were also great climbers and efficient in combat. Pikpik were seemingly a somewhat filthy species, presumably resistant to the various infections and illnesses encountered within their common scraper lifestyles. The species spoke a distinct language not yet named, and though they could understand basic, they seemed incapable of pronouncing it.

Lore: Little remains known about the Pikpik, as we have currently only observed one small community who had taken up residence on the scrap-covered world of Bracca during the High Republic era. This was believed to not be their homeworld, and we still do not know where they hailed from. The species seemed incredibly proficient at hunting for and salvaging scrap, some making this their full-time career. Though it’s believed other groups could also be found spread across Bracca given the size and nature of the world, at least one prominent group consisted of only three members, each wearing similar dress and possessing nearly identical mannerisms. These Pikpik lived simple lives, surviving and seemingly even thriving using nothing more than what they were able to find among the new garbage hauls that were dumped on the world nearly every day.

Given how little they interacted with the outside galaxy, the species was rather antisocial, and especially greedy when it came to valuable finds, even resorting to theft on a whim. They had no issue placing others in harm’s way to get what they wanted, and would fiercely fight for their precious scrap, even taking up arms against young Jedi using only the kitbashed weapons made available to them. Still, the species wasn’t completely unreasonable either, and after being shown kindness via a peace offering, the one group we’ve witnessed so far warmed up to those who encroached upon their established territory and eventually found themselves allies with the Jedi Order and fellow scrappers, sharing their items and breaking bread as their preconceived viewpoints were challenged by the concepts of love and friendship.

Continuity: The Pikpik are one of the newest named species introduced into Star Wars Canon as of the initial publishing of this article, debuting in the last batch of episodes within the High Republic children’s animated series “Young Jedi Adventures’” first season!

Unexplored: Like many of the new named species introduced in one-off episodes of the Young Jedi Adventures series, the Pikpik remain widely unexplored, even more-so because this episode didn’t feature an excursion specifically to their homeworld (at least we think). So, while I have a boatload of questions I would love to see answered about them someday, I’ll stick to the ones I consider to be the most important for their current, initial worldbuilding to include in this section. Our first question, of course, being: Where do the Pikpik originally hail from? How did they end up on Bracca, is their homeworld similar or potentially the complete opposite, and is there a possibility that these rat-men are actually the original native of the notorious scrap world, living on it in a time before it became a planetary landfill and slowly evolving to adapt to its harsh, ruined landscapes as it grew more and more cluttered from the intergalactic debris?

Sticking with Bracca-related questions under the pretext that the Pikpik are not native to the world, what sort of interactions might they have had with the various other local operations and individuals? It would seem they were less than amicable with the local Dianoga population, but did they ever form any mutual partnerships? Were the Pikpik ever allied with the Scrappers Guild who had long established a massive presence on the world, or were they equally as hostile towards them as everyone else? Did the Pikpik know of the Ibdis Maw, and if presumably so, how did they interact with it? Did any form a religious connection as many others had, or did they simply avoid it or feed it their unwanted scrap out of convenience? Additionally, could the Pikpik also be found on other scrap words across the galaxy such as Karthon, Lotho Minor, or even Coruscant? And if so, was that the only environment (and subsequently profession) they found comfortable?

Moving away from that specific topic, we have to look at some other general worldbuilding traits regarding the Pikpik! When did the species first develop sentience, and what sort of creatures did they evolve from? How long had they been known in the galaxy, were they very prominent among the galactic landscape, did they have any sort of intergalactic reputations, and how did the Republic treat them, if they were even on their radar at all? On that note, were they ever members of the Galactic Republic and represented in the senate, or had they remained independent/allied with other factions, if they were even unified enough to have any sort of centralized government(s) on their homeworld? What sort of culture, society, politics, philosophies, religions, economy, exports, arts, architecture, traditions, habits may they have developed over the years? What were the species up to during various eras, events, and wars, and were they still present on Bracca after it was commandeered by the Empire, especially during the events of The Bad Batch or Jedi: Fallen Order? And finally, what were some other potentially unique anatomical or biological traits they may have possessed, such as specific super enhanced senses, possibly a uniquely strong or weak connection to the Force, or internal functions we have not been made aware of, including the still mysterious reason as to why they usually always don those large goggles?

Additional Notes: Honestly, as far as rat species in Star Wars go, this one’s on the top rung for creativity, which is impressive given just how many presently exist. There’s a lot of fun elements here, perfect for a children’s program, but I’m just not sure how practical they’d be in other mediums outside of this one specific art style without a bit of a design overhaul. Still, I’d like to see them try, so I look forward to having them mentioned or featured in future media, especially if it’s other High Republic and/or garbage world related. So, if those appearances ever happen, I will make sure to update this section, as well as the “Additional Images” portion of this article, so stay tuned!

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