Vuvrian

Last Updated: 11/19/2024

Name: Vuvrian

Humanoid: Yes

Classification: Insectoid/Alternative

Homeworld: Vurdon Ka

Coloration: Brown, Tan, Yellow, or Gray

Biology: Vuvrians were a race of bipedal insect-like humanoids who were vaguely Human-like in shape from the neck down. They possessed two legs and two arms with at least three fingers on each hand. They possessed relatively lanky frames with wrinkled brown, tan, or gray skin, standing approximately 2 meters tall given the size of their heads. Vuvrians had long necks and oblong heads that were asymmetrical, being lumpy and almost potato-shaped, though the exact configuration varied from individual to individual. Despite the variation, every Vuvrian head possessed twelve independent eyes, one mouth, and two long, dangling antennae.

Vuvrians possessed a number of enhanced senses. This included intense eyesight that gave the species an extreme field of vision, as well as their antennae which served as extrasensory organs. Both these were dwarfed by their most powerful organ, their skin. This skin was incredibly sensitive, able to detect even the slightest touches, as well as elements such as miniscule changes in wind temperature and wind direction. These senses were the evolutionary product of surviving against mysteriously unique predators native to their homeworld who were apparently incredibly stealthy. 

Because of this sensitive skin, Vuvrians were easily overwhelmed, intolerant to extreme temperatures and generally incapable of dealing with even moderate external pain. The level of sensitivity was so impressive that the species were often mistaken for being entirely Force Sensitive, though Vuvrians who WERE Force Sensitive had their senses heightened even more, making them some of the most useful Force users, whether Jedi or otherwise. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, Vuvrian skin grew more wrinkled and coarse with age, in turn, dulling these aforementioned senses. They also commonly donned full-body clothing, save for their heads, which damped outside factors that may irritate them.

Vuvrians had slightly shorter lifespans than the average Human or Human-adjacent species, reaching maturity at approximately 11 galactic standard years old, and rarely making it to 70 years in age. They also possessed a slight degree of sexual dimorphism, with females being slightly thinner, yet having even larger heads. Vuvrian craniums contained large brains, leading to a high baseline intelligence. They were known to be able to speak almost any standard galactic language, including their own native tongue, also named “Vuvrian.” They had naturally peaceful yet inquisitive dispositions, which were often overlooked as most non-Vuvrians could not take the species seriously when first being introduced to the species due to their “misshapen” appearance (though given time their opinions would almost always change.)

Lore: Vuvrians hailed from an Inner Rim planet known as Vurdon Ka, found within the Vurdon Ka System situated along the popular “Perlemian Trade Route” super-hyperlane. The planet was known for being beautiful yet deadly, covered in exotic mosses and gorgeous gardens, but housing horrific stealthy predators who had no issue consuming Vuvrians and other sentients. The species were known for being relatively peaceful, but not quite pacifistic, interested in the galaxy around them but not necessarily fond of expansion. This meant they were perceived as isolationists, an idea many members of the species were happy with, though there was also a fairly large number of Vuvrians who had individually taken to the stars, just never really forming true communities and colonies, instead usually found by themselves.

The planet was discovered sometime prior to 22,000 BBY, becoming official members of the Galactic Republic, with representation on the Senate, by approximately that date. The species were fairly numerous, with well over 10 billion of them believed to have been found across the galaxy at some point, despite most being relegated to their homeworld. Vuvrians were incredibly welcoming, allowing almost any travelers to visit their homeworld, see the sites, and stay as long as they wished. The primary export of this world was seemingly moss, which was cultivated in gardens across nearly the entire planet’s surface. Vuvrians both on and off world were very observant, attempting to understand all cultures, societies, and traditions, sometimes adopting them but usually using them to make others more comfortable.

Vuvrians were great conversationalists, able to relate to almost anyone, making them great diplomats and debaters. Those who weren’t initially comfortable with their appearance would almost always eventually be swayed to like the Vuvrians they interacted with given enough time, respecting their opinions given their natural charisma. This made Vuvrians proficient as ambassadors, which they were commonly hired as. They were also good salesmen, negotiators, teachers, or instructors, and they made for some brilliant members of the Jedi Order, as long as they were not involved with combat. They were also regularly employed by law enforcement agencies and surveillance groups, making for good investigators or interrogators, both due to their dispositions as well as their eyesight.

The Vuvrians, for obvious reasons, were fairly well respected members of the Republic, and more specifically the Senate, representing not only Vurdon Ka, but others upon request as well. When the Republic was reformed into the “first” Galactic Empire, the Vuvrians were pretty evenly split into three distinct ideologies. The most vocal Vuvrians continued in support of the Empire, remaining on the Senate, and even being brought into the folds of the Imperial military complex due to their value, despite the government’s rampant xenophobia and especial disapproval of non-Human-like races. There Vuvrians would negotiate military contracts, oversee trades and disputes from the shadows, and lend their perspectives to both strategic and efficiency efforts.

Despite this public approval, quite a few Vuvrians who were out among the galaxy also joined the Rebel Alliance, while many citizens of Vurdon Ka voiced their support for the Rebellion as well, serving as skillful spies and information gatherers for the growing movement. Even still, many of the traditional Vuvrian isolationists also attempted to take a completely neutral stance, sitting out the entire Galactic Civil War as their homeworld was seemingly never officially occupied. Following the collapse of the Empire, the Vuvrians officially joined the New Republic, though their world was eventually conquered and decimated by the Yuuzhan Vong, leaving the future of the species uncertain. Despite their aversion to extreme environments, it was observed that Vuvrians who left their homeworld tended to move to planets with harsh climates. It’s worth noting that, with few exceptions, Vuvrians did not have surnames, going by single titles instead.

Continuity: Vuvrians do exist within Star Wars Canon due to their inclusion within Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope, though almost none of their lore, aside from the vague notion that they were observant and skilled talkers, currently exist within the current continuity, instead being exclusive to Star Wars Legends lore.

Unexplored: Honestly, despite their relatively few appearances, at least within the EU, we have a pretty good understanding of the Vuvrians. They don’t necessarily leave room for many broad questions regarding their existence, but there are at least a few ideas we can still discuss here. So let’s start with the question, when did the Vuvrians first develop sentience, and what sort of creature did they evolve from to result in their rather bizarre appearance? On that note, what sorts of predators caused them to develop their extreme sensitivity, how did they hunt, and how long did it take the Vuvrians to eventually develop this defense mechanism? What exactly does the surface of Vurdon Ka look like (we have general descriptions, mostly about moss, but not real looks)?

Who first discovered the Vuvrians, was it Republic explorers or someone else? What did they think of their first exposure to the outside galaxy, and how readily did they join the Galactic Republic? Approximately how many Vuvrians left their homeworld over the millenia, and how widespread was their presence by the “modern era(s)?” Why was the species so split when it came to the rise of the Empire? And are there any changes between their EU lore and what may be established in Canon (including their post-Empire existence/fate as the Yuuzhan Vong invasion seemingly never takes place within the current continuity)? It may still be worth exploring a few of the usual worldbuilding traits I usually list, though most of them have already been covered to some extent. And despite being around since essentially the beginning, the species is still in need of some additional visual exploration across all mediums.

Additional Notes: It’s interesting how, among a movie full of unique and diverse alien designs, the Vuvrians still manage to stand out as one of the most visually distinctive, and yet they also remain one of the most obscure from the original Star Wars film. Maybe it comes down to not being included in the Cantina scene, but I’m just surprised we’ve seen next to nothing of them visually since their debut. I’m a huge fan of the design and how the lore surrounding them in the EU really takes advantage of it! I also wanted to make mention that I grew up watching the original “Lost in Space” series with my dad (he had the entire show in DVD box sets) and this REALLY reminds me of something from there. I can’t say for sure that it’s recycled, but something similar happened with “Dr. Who” and Bossk so I wouldn’t exactly be surprised. Maybe I’ll do a LiS alien deep dive someday, and I’ll update this article with any of my findings!

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