Brayan

Last Updated: 09/02/2025

Name: Brayan

Humanoid: Yes

Classification: Alternative

Homeworld: Bray

Coloration: Pink-Purple

Biology: The Brayans were a humanoid species bearing at least some Human-like traits. They possessed the same general height, build, and frame as the average Human, with the same general number of feature, though that’s more-or-less where the similarities ended. Brayans possessed light purple skin and light brown or orange hair. Their hands featured four lanky digits each, and their limbs seemed relatively thin as well. Brayan heads were somewhat angular, with large craniums but tiny chins. They had massive, bulging eyes, with large black pupils at the center. They also had enlarged noses, as well as huge ears that extended almost directly outward from their heads. Conversely, their faces also displayed very small, low-set mouths full of white teeth. Given the ever-dark nature of their homeworld, the species large features seemed to grant them enhanced senses, including both sight and hearing. Brayans had the capacity to speak Galactic Basic Standard seemingly without issue.

Lore: Though unconfirmed, it is implied the Brayans were allies of the Galactic Republic by the time of the Clone Wars, though maybe not members, possessing the ability to reach out directly to the Jedi Order for assistance but also explaining how difficult their existence was, becoming even more so after the arrival of the Separatist leader, Count Dooku. For a time, Dooku took up residence on the planet Bray, known for being cloaked in darkness, becoming a more-or-less forgotten world nestled within the Expansion Region, known only by a few as “The Planet of Eternal Night.” This served as the perfect base of operations for Dooku, where he formed a partnership with a powerful local being known simply as the “Dark Lord Ravna.”

Ravna had taken up residence within a massive structure the locals referred to as the “Citadel of Light.” an ancient wonder implied to have once been the most important location on Bray location to the natives, potentially able to push back the night, though it had long since been abandoned, fallen to ruin, and now housing near-unimaginable horrors. The Brayans now loved primarily in small cities consisting of unique domed structures that produced enormous amounts of light, sometimes containing spaceports where travelers could stop to drink or rest. However, the Brayans had become plagued by Ravna for some time, leading to a decline in their population thanks to his incessant attacks. It turns out that Ravna was some sort of vampiric creature, able to bite or scratch and infect any living being, transforming them into a bat-like species that could then further spread the infection. These beings were revealed to be resistant to nearly all forms of damage, even able to consume the energy from both blasters and lightsabers without sustaining any harm.

Due to this power, Ravna had been amassing a monstrous army within the Citadel for some time, sending out only a fraction of his forces to attack the Brayan cities and villages, though it was still enough to drive the at least somewhat superstitious species into a paranoid state, halting progress on the planet as the Brayans lived in constant fear. The issue had only worsened following the arrival of Count Dooku, who sough to use Ravna and his minions as a new army for the Confederacy of Independent systems, one that could not only wipe out the clones of the Grand Army of the Republic, but forcibly turn them against their brothers. The Brayans were only a test bed for a much larger plan, but fortunately, Brayan intelligence was able to alert the Republic, who sent two Jedi Masters, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Adi Gallia, alongside a contingent of clone troopers, to investigate.

Upon arrival, panicked Brayans thanked them immensely for answering their call for help, establishing they were no friends of the Separatists, before one of Ravna’s turned beings attacked, infecting one of the clones serving under the 212th Attack Battalion’s Commander Cody. This led the Jedi into a confrontation with both the Sith and Dark Lords, revealing their pact was tenuous as Ravna wished to consume Dooku should he not get his way. After a brief conflict, Ravna did indeed turn on Count Dooku, infecting him, though the Count was able to fight off the infection, briefly teaming with the Jedi to hold back the vampiric being while the Jedi used the Force to destroy the Citadel. The Dark Lord was crushed under the massive structure, his seeming demise marked by the end of the infection, with all of Ravna’s turned, including Dooku, numerous surviving Brayans, and what was revealed to have been an entire battalion of stolen clone troopers, reverting to their normal state.

We know, despite the destruction of their once sacred site, that the Brayans celebrated the demise of Ravna and the departure of Dooku, the Clone Wars leaving their planet before it could really even take hold. Brayan children now ran free, the “nightmare” as they called it finally over, though a massive hand breaking through the rubble of the Citadel was evidence enough to prove the Dark Lord may once again rise, starting the plague over once again. It can be assumed the Brayan’s relationship with the Galactic Republic increased following these events, though its transformation into the tyrannical Empire would take place only a year or so later. We do know some Imperials ended up station on Bray prior to the Battle of Endor, though what came of that, and the species as a whole, has yet to be revealed. What we do know is that Brayan cityfolk seemed to dress like the average Coreuscant citizen, while important Brayans, and those from the smaller villages, donned ornate robes and headdresses instead, the reason why still remaining to be told.

Continuity: The Brayans are Canon as far as we’re aware, though originating from a Canon “Tales” series always casts a bit of doubt, as they’re often supposed to read more as in-universe tall tales than anything else. Still, the planet has been referenced elsewhere, and the species may have been alluded to in at least one in-universe guide, so its presumably safe to assume they’re a real species, even if what was detailed in the story of Ravna may have been exaggerated, or even potentially completely fabricated. This does bring into question what their appearance may look like if this story turns out not to be a true account, though again, we have more reason to believe this is truly who they are and what they look like as opposed to other Tales species like the Rendellians.

Unexplored: As mentioned above, we must address the idea that most of their established “lore” so far may or may not have even taken place. So a big question we need to pose is, how much of what we know is true. Could the outline exist, such as a vampiric species cohabitating their world, as well as maybe the Citadel of Light? Or does their society look much different, maybe a happy one where they thrive in darkness, that was twisted by outsiders who could not understand the concept? Or maybe they themselves are vampiric, but only in secret, so spacefarers have rationalized various accounts by assuming there must be two different sentient beings dwelling among the Bray shadowlands? There’s a lot of potential for addressing future discrepancies or revealed untruths, though I wouldn’t mind if everything we explored above did actually take place, as it definitely gives them a unique enough identity, even among species who come from dark locations.

Assuming the above account is true, we can also ask questions like: When was the species first discovered, who decided to go down to the dark world of Bray, and how long did it take the city dwellers to develop their relatively advanced civilizations and structures? How long ago was the Citadel of Light built, what was its true purpose, when was it abandoned, and could another one ever be rebuilt, or have the Brayans moved beyond the need for it now? Are they a very religious species, what do they think of worlds bathed in light, and what did the first think of Ravna and his minions when he rose to power (as well as, how long ago did that take place, and from where to Ravna come himself)? Despite being acclimated to the dark, why do some members say their existence has always been a hard one, do other issues plague their people, such as an inability to grow crops or maybe colder temperatures than they would like? And in general, what happened to the species following the Clone Wars? Did they join the Republic, only to be nearly immediately occupied and oppressed by the budding Empire (though it should be noted that even the evidence the Empire was ever on Bray comes from a different, equally as dubious Tales book, that being “Tales from the Death Star”)?

As always, I bring up some of the other generic worldbuilding traits that are always fun to see explored, such as their evolutionary history, early development, resources, arts, philosophies, society, culture, traditions, politics, governments, economy, exports, technologies, languages, diets, anatomy, habits, cultural practices, alliances, rivalries, or involvement in major events/famous members belonging to the species, as well as many other similar lore elements. Additionally, it wouldn’t hurt to have some further depictions, we only see them up close a few times in their one and only appearance, and never quite in a good, full-body shot. Different art styles, even 3D, might do them some good. And though I’m not one to usually say this, this design would feel right at home in live action I believe, especially alongside some of the other slightly unsettling humanoid species of the Sequel trilogy era.

Additional Notes: I remember seeing the Brayans a few years ago and thinking they were rather striking for have a relatively Human-like appearance, the extreme features go a long way in making them stand out. It’s not until I’m making my way through the various Tales comics now that I discover just how fascinating they truly are, and how much I want to see them more in some other piece of Star Wars media someday. With their vampire-related lore, they’re instantly interesting and worth exploring further in my opinion, and should that be an in-universe myth, their unsettling appearance, despite being seemingly friendly, if not a bit timid, would still go a long way in making them instantly recognizable to the average fan. I can just imagine those big eyes looking around in all their slimy, veiny, gross alien goodness in a Star Wars movie cantina scene or something. Lets hope that happens someday, even if being from Tales diminishes their chances quite a bit…

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