This is a breakdown of the different classification templates and terms we will be using throughout the articles. If you are every confused on what something means, check back here for assistance.
Page Layout:
Depiction of Species – The main image will be the clearest (full body if possible) depiction of the species in question, helping to reinforce the Biology section and give you a mental image to use while reading through the rest of the article.
Last Updated – The newest bullet to be added, this lets you readers know when the article last received any sort of non-maintenance update. Given there is only one editor for the site, it can take time to get around to everything as new lore is revealed, so I thank everyone for their patience and willingness to oftentimes read articles that are months, if not years out-of-date. I promise there’s still some good stuff there!
Name – This section is simply to reiterate the name(s) the species commonly goes by. Titles are only included if it can be proven that a species has adopted this personally, or it is the generally accepted way to refer to the species galaxy-wide.
Humanoid – This is simply a “Yes or No” section determining whether the body-type of the species at least vaguely resembles that of a Human. This is slightly broader than our “Near-Human” classification, and is one of the hardest things to really classify. But it gives an idea of the general body shape and biology of the species without going too far in-depth.
Classification – More on this towards the bottom of this page, but essentially this is how I place the species into sub-categories for easier identification and cataloging. These categories are almost entirely on my own creation, and are generally not mentioned in Star Wars lore. Its often based off of observation and assumption, so please do not cite me in regards to this category, its just a tool for myself and my readers only.
Homeworld – The planet or planets that this species originated from, or are most closely associated with.
Coloration – This identifies the primary skin, shell, fur, and/or feather colors that the species may possess. If the species can come in essentially any color, such as with Twi’leks or Togrutas, this section will simply be marked as “Varied” and the colorations will be explained further in the “Biology” section below.
Biology – This sections lists all of their visible physical traits, as well as unique anatomy, evolutionary ancestry, homeworld adaptations, lifespan, height and weight, differences in sexes, reproduction traits, subspecies and cousin species, and what languages can and can’t be pronounced based off of internal biology, etc. As long as they do not conflict, this section contains information from across all continuities.
Lore – This is actually a blanket section that covers things like the species’ homeworld, society, economy, traditions, interactions with the outside galaxy, localization, culture, traditions, allegiances, relationships, military strength, family structures, and every notable event in their history as a species. Though some take issue with it, for the purposes of this site, I try my best to combine and rationalize lore established across all continuities in this section. I will note any conflicts in the below “Continuity” section, though for further clarification, I highly recommend checking out resources like Wookieepedia which specifically separate Canon and Legends information onto their own pages.
Continuity – This section explains whether the species is exclusive to Legends, Canon, was canonized, legensized, or even only remains within non-Canon continuities such as Visions or LEGO. I will sometimes also give a brief summary of when and how they were added to Star Wars, and if they existed in Legends, I will specify any events listed in their lore that conflict with the current Canon and cannot be re-canonized (such as the Yuuzhan Vong War or Krayt’s Empire), as I aggregate all continuities into that field.
Unexplored – This section is where I go over everything that has yet to be expanded on regarding the species, either in Legends, Canon, or otherwise, and suggest how you as a fan author (or even you as an official Star Wars creator if you happen to stumble across this site) can help to expand the lore of the species in your own work. If you’re not an author, then this section does not necessarily have to apply to you, but I still think it poses some interesting questions and challenges for creativity.
Additional Notes – This is where I interject with all of closing thoughts my personal opinions, as well as any additional fun facts about the species including their development or if I had a hand in their identification or something. I’ll explain why I liked or did not like the species design, history, or potential for exploration in the future. I’ll also sometimes say whether I think this species should or should not appear in your next Star Wars fan work, and what other species you can use instead of the featured one if they just don’t have a lot to offer the franchise/lore, or are what I would consider to be “overused.”
Reference Images – A collection of additional images that I believe would be useful for better understanding a species, maybe from different angles, featuring different colors, ages, sexes, subspecies, or even different art styles or mediums.
Possible Classifications:
Humanoid – This is a broad category encompassing essentially an species that is bipedal and possess two legs, two arms, and one head (though occasionally, if the size is close enough, some species with less or more arms or heads may be included, its mostly up to my discretion what I choose to assign this identifier).
• Near-Human – These species specifically have the same general appearance in relation to Humans, including facial configuration, bodily structure, and oftentimes reproductive capabilities/compatibilities, just with slight visible differences such as skin pigmentation or hair color, eye or ear features, numbers of digits, or occasionally more internal variation such as different blood, number of organs, or even baseline Midi-chlorian count.
Beastoid – A classification generally reserved for mammalians, usually resembling a real-world animal, and commonly having fur, as well as generally being either bipedal or quadrupedal in nature. The following subcategories don’t follow an established naming convention, some are real terms, some sci-fi names, and some I made up. I just sorta picked what sounded the best, so don’t think about it too much…
• Caninoid – A beastoid sub-category for anything dog-like.
• Felinoid – A beastoid sub-category for anything cat-like.
• Rodentoid – A beastoid sub-category for anything rodent-like.
• Lagamorphitoid – A beastoid sub-category for anything rabbit-like.
• Simianoid – A beastoid sub-category for anything ape-like.
• Bovinoid – A beastoid sub-category for anything cow-like.
• Ovinoid – A beastoid sub-category for anything sheep or goat-like.
• Equinoid – A beastoid sub-category for anything horse-like.
• Suidoid – A beastoid sub-category for anything pig-like.
• Ursidoid – A beastoid sub-category for anything bear-like.
• Cameloid – A beastoid sub-category for anything camel or llama-like.
• Pachydermoid – A beastoid sub-category for anything elephant, rhinoceros, or hippopotamus-like.
• Pinnipoid – A beastoid sub-category for anything seal, sealion, or walrus-like.
• Chiropteroid – A beastoid sub-category for anything bat-like.
• Xenarthranoid – A beastoid sub-category for anything armadillo, anteater, or sloth-like.
Reptiloid – Generally, this species will be covered in scales, cold blooded, and possess the traits of the average reptile.
• Lacertiloid – A reptiloid sub-category for anything lizard-like.
• Chelonoid – A reptiloid sub-category for anything turtle or tortoise-like.
• Crocodyloid – A reptiloid sub-category for anything crocodile or alligator-like.
• Serpentoid – A reptiloid sub-category for anything snake-like.
• Saurianoid – A reptiloid sub-category for anything dinosaur-like.
Insectoid – These species will always resemble and share traits with insects or other bugs. They often usually have segmented appendages, compound eyes, six or more legs, and generally stranger behavior than most species, as well as sometimes wings.
Crustaceanoid – These species have some form of exo-skeleton, usually possess claws or a multitude of appendages, and are often times amphibious, generally resembling crabs, lobsters, shrimp, pill bugs, and the like.
Gastro-Cephalopoid – Anything that looks like a squid, octopus, clam, snail, slug, or anything similar, usually with hairless, often slimy skin, and commonly possessing tentacles.
Avianoid – Most, but not all avianoids, will be covered in feathers, possess a beak, and have wings capable of allowing them to take flight. If not directly stated to be anatomically avian, they at least have to resemble a bird in some capacity, even if that just comes in the form of feathers in place of hair.
Plantoid – As the name suggests, some part of these species bodies is made out of plants or wood, and they generally take on a plant-like experience.
Fungoid – Mushroom or fungus species fall under this category, commonly also plantae, though not always the same.
Mineraloid – To qualify as a mineral species, individuals consist of some kind of living rock, or at least a part of their skin has to be rock-like in nature.
Aquatic – Species related to, and at least sometimes living in the water, with the amphibious variety having the capabilities to breath, speak, and live underwater, usually proficient with swimming and more comfortable when submerged than on dry land.
Aerial – This category is reserved exclusively for species who are capable of flight (or even just hovering/gliding), generally avianoids or insectoids, though there are occasional exceptions such as the “Angels.”
Cosmic – Energy-based life, as well as supernatural races, fall under the cosmic category.
Changeling – These species, through any sort of magical or biological means, have the ability to alter their body to take on different forms or hide it’s true identity.
Amorphous – An amorphous species has no single defined appearance, with either every instance being different, or simply consisting of a gaseous, gelatinous, or liquid state that is always changing forms
Symbiotic – This species is generally some sort of parasite or fungus, an abstract creature that inhabits certain bodies or objects, or even two non-sentient creatures that, when combined into one, gain true sentience.
Alternative – When a species is simply too bizarre or indistinguishable to classify, it will receive the Alternative classification. In a galaxy full of a variety of crazy creatures, this classification is more common than you would think.
Miniature – If you can hold it in the palm of your hand, it falls under this classification.
Diminutive – Smaller than a Near-Human, but larger than what we would classify as miniature. Species who fall into this category usually stand between 1 and 1.3 meters in height, oftentimes referred to as dwarves.
Giant – Species classified as giants hulk over Humans and similar species, generally 2+ meters in height, though not often taller than 4 meters or so.
Colossal – Anything that is unreasonably large, not able to fit into spaces designed even to accommodate larger-than-Human species, would be described as colossal.
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