Gorach

Last Updated: 01/26/2026

Name: Gorach

Humanoid: Yes

Classification: Beastite (Simian)

Homeworld: Unknown

Coloration: Unknown

Biology: Gorachs were a large beastly species possessing a somewhat humanoid frames, with two short legs and elongated torsos sporting four thick arms, two extending from the sides and two from the shoulder area. They had four digits on each appendage, all webbed and ending in sharp claws. Their bodies were covered in a seemingly dark-colored fur, though the exact color remains unknown, with the longest patches of hair being on the backs of their arms and elbows, around their waist and groin area, and on their heads and faces. The species was especially muscular, with bulging arms and legs, and a series of stacked abdomen and pectoral muscles.

Their heads were simian-like, with massive gaping jaws filled with sharp teeth including four almost mandible-like canine teeth that jutted our far longer than the others and presumably rested outside of their lips when their mouths were closed. A thin fleshy flap of skin hung down from either side of their jaw, flanked by hair which could wrap around under their chins. Gorach noses were fully exposed, almost bat-like, being vertical slits that curved outward, connecting with their brows and wrapping beside and above their small eyes. Gorachs also had large, ribbed foreheads with three to four exposed folds before their hairlines appeared. It is undetermined whether the species had the capacity to speak Galactic Basic Standard. And it was rumored the species was immortal, only dying when killed, though this is more than likely an exaggeration regarding a still extensively elongated lifespan.

Lore: The Gorachs are a species shrouded in mystery and legend, with so few members still living in the “modern” ages that it would be essentially impossible to discern history from fiction. Supposedly, the species was once a race of intergalactic conquerors who traveled from planet to planet, subjugating, pillaging, and enslaving various species, adding the members to their empire and taxing them extensively, a collective event referred to as the “Gorach Ascension.” While not one of the major galactic empires within the annals of history, they supposedly conquered at least a few dozen civilized worlds by the height of their campaign thousands of years before the rise of the New Republic.

Myth says that sometime after conquering Lowick, home to the Pa’lowick species, the Gorachs engaged in a civil war that resulted in the death of most of their population, with the few remaining members of the species spreading out to their various territories and hiding themselves among the wildernesses of those worlds. Over time these individuals supposedly became more animalistic, abandoning clothing and tools and becoming prime targets for big game hunters. This was supposedly when and why they became a thing of legend, with stories passed around worlds that had apparently been conquered by them sometime in their distant past.

What we ACTUALLY know about the species is that at some point seemingly around the New Republic era, a Gorach had been reportedly seen living among the swamplands of Lowick for centuries, not actually interacting with the locals but still become a local cryptid known as the “swamp ape.” These legends eventually found the ear of a galaxy famous hunter, the Hutt named Parella Jiramma Baco. Parella would travel to Lowick, partnering with a local guide to track the “swamp ape” down, revealing it to be a lone Gorach. Having cornered the beast, the Gorach put up a valiant defensive effort, but was ultimately slain. Only afterward did the Hutt discover the creature’s den, revealing a gallery of fantastical pieces of art, and proving the Gorach was not some feral beast, but instead, a cultured artist who chose to live a solitary lifestyle.

No long taking pleasure in killing this legendary being, the Hutt would keep the tale secret, wiping his archives and never recounting the events to others, potentially wiping out the final member of this one feared species in silence. These events did bring into question the original Gorach myths, proving that they were not always violent conquerors but could instead be peaceful, cultured, and creative. Given no evidence existed outside of spoken tales, the extent of the legends was more than likely greatly twisted over the millennia. We do not know if the species is now truly extinct or not, however, even if a few other ancient Gorachs could still be found hiding out on other worlds, without mates or a large enough gene pool, they’re more than likely effectively extinct regardless.

Continuity: The Gorachs are currently relegated to the Star Wars Legends continuity.

Unexplored: So I sat on this for a bit, however, I think this is one of the rare instances where the less added to the lore of this species, the better. The contrast between their legend and the potential reality of their nature hits hardest when ambiguity is left in the mix, so seeing additional members of the species, learning which aspects of the legends might be true or false, and even learning what their homeworld is might undermine the metatextual reason for their existence in the first place. Still, ambiguity isn’t exactly how I operate here, and since they’re a blank slate when it comes to Star Wars Canon as they have yet to even be introduced yet, I do still need to address the idea of them being fleshed out some in the future. If so, I would at least like to see more of their biology, learn exactly what color they are, how big they grow, what their diets consist of and languages sound like. If their original tale forever remains an aspect of Legends only, then I wouldn’t mind seeing them canonically pop up in an Old Republic-era story or Easter Egg in the background of a comic and whatnot, but to what extent their worldbuilding traits should be further explored, I’d rather that decision be up to someone else.

Additional Notes: The story this species comes from, “Hunting the Gorach,” has stuck with me for a long time as it was published in the only issue of Star Wars Insider I ever owned growing up, and I honestly don’t even know how I got my hands on it. They really are framed as a part of a fable as opposed to being linked to the greater Star Wars universe, at least outside of their apparent connection to the Pa’lowick species, which was never fleshed out further anyway. As stated above, I’m kind of okay never seeing this species again, though since I know there’s essentially no way to mess up their Legends tale at this point, I also wouldn’t complain if they were adapted a bit differently into Canon, though I doubt that’s something that will ever take place.

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