Barabel

The Barabels were a saurian species native to the irradiated planet Barab I. They had blaster-proof scales and were incredibly strong, earning a fearsome reputation that put them in high demand as hired muscle in the criminal underworld. The species revered the Jedi Order and its combat prowess, but shared little of their morality and found the pain of others amusing.

Biology and appearance

The Barabels were a bipedal saurian species^[2] that possessed an imposing form with prodigious physical strength. Their bodies and tails were covered in dark green scales that were blaster resistant, and their reptilian visage and mouth full of needle-sharp teeth struck a primal fear into many mammalian species. Barabels made a "sissss" sound when laughing.^[1]

Society and culture

Barabels were native to the irradiated planet Barab I and revered the Jedi Order, telling tales of their combat prowess across their homeworld. The species shared little of the Jedi's morality however, finding the pain of others comical, particularly "squishy" species such as humans, who endlessly amused them. Barabels took some getting used to, considering apologies to be insulting, but Barabel loyalty ran deep once given.^[1]

Barabels in the galaxy

Barabels had a fearsome reputation that lead to them being coveted as hired muscles in the criminal underworld, and Barabel enforcers could be found serving at the right hand of many crime lords. Often found wielding the Gamorrean Arg'garok, they acted as bodyguards or doled out their employer's twisted sense of justice. On some occasions, the Barabel cultural hatred of apologies led to violence when they were sent to collect from debtors. Due to their deep sense of loyalty, some Barabels would form lasting partnerships with minor criminals such as smugglers, slicers, shipjackers,^[1] pirates,^[4] or arms dealers.^[1]

Sanver was a Barabel senator who was active as part of the Imperial Senate during the early Imperial Era. As an outgrowth of his culture's love for the Jedi Order, however, Sanver disobeyed the Empire's Order 66 and hid three Jedi Padawans within his quarters, enabling all three to arise to the rank of Jedi Knight in time.^[5] In 17 BBY,^[6] Barabel's actions were discovered and resulted in the execution of both himself and the Jedi at the hands of the Inquisitorius. Galactic Emperor Sheev Palpatine further used the event to disconnect Inquisitorius operations from the Empire's politics, and it also served to spread anti-alien xenophobia by raising the question as to whether "aliens" were loyal to the Empire.^[5]

Behind the scenes

In the new Star Wars canon, the Barabels were first mentioned in the 2019 Fantasy Flight Games roleplaying supplement Allies and Adversaries.^[1] The species originated in the Star Wars Legends continuity, where it was first mentioned in Galaxy Guide 4: Alien Races, a 1989 Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game supplement written by Troy Denning and published by West End Games.^[7]

Appearances

• The High Republic — The Blade 1
• The High Republic: Path of Vengeance (and audiobook)
• "Shield of the Jedi" — The High Republic: Tales of Light and Life (and audiobook) (Mentioned only)
• The High Republic Adventures (2021) 3
• Darth Maul (2017) 1 (First appearance)
• Jango Fett 3
• Rogue One - Cassian & K-2SO Special 1
• Friends Like These (First identified as Barabel)

Sources

• Star Wars: Destiny — Awakenings Card: Ace in the Hole (backup link) (First pictured)
• Allies and Adversaries
• Gadgets and Gear
• Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire

Notes and references