Ecorb

This article is non-canon within the Star Wars Legends continuity. This article covers a Star Wars Legends subject that was published under the Infinities label or that Lucasfilm otherwise declared non-canon within the Legends continuity.

Ecorbs were a sentient species that inhabited the Detral Pits. They had coiled attachments called hampas on their gelatinous heads and possessed red, pulsating blup sacks. Ecorbs were said to have grown hampas after excessively feeding themselves with a particular species of radiant orange and blue flower, a trait that was supposedly hereditarily transmitted to following generations.

Biology and appearance

Ecorbs were dark yellow-colored, scaly-skinned sentient social beings that hatched from eggs in nests. Each ecorb possessed a gelatinous head with a painfully constricting, coiled shell-like hampa on top and a large red blup sack that pulsated rhythmically when the individual was happy. The species was capable of dreaming while sleeping and was known to have nightmares on occasion. Ecorbs had sharp teeth and amber-colored eyes, as well as dark patterns on their backs. They were able to speak and possessed at least two sexes, male and female. Older ecorbs were known to produce spit from their nostrils. They inhabited a location known as the Detral Pits, and they freely and unhurriedly slid across the region.^[1]

History

According to a story known to every ecorb, their species did not always have hampas on their heads. During a period referred to as "the Mercurial and Long Time Away From Here Times," they lived happily and slid freely and lazily across the Detral Pits until one night, when an orange and blue flower grew from a slimy rock. The ecorbs, having never before seen a flower, were tantalized. All of them gathered around it, puzzled by its appearance. They then discussed what it could be and what they should do with it, eventually deciding on eating the flower. An elder ecorb warned against this, but he was ultimately ignored. The flower petals were divided among the ecorbs and eaten.^[1]

The plant had a psychotropic effect on the ecorbs, who felt giddy, laughed, and danced. After they went to sleep, however, they had nightmares of disembodied eyes and bloody teeth. When the morning came, hundreds of orange and blue flowers blossomed, surrounding the ecorbs. They decided to eat all of the flowers, against the advice of the older ecorb, who eventually proved to be right: the overconsumption of the plants made them feel very sick. Painfully, hampas then suddenly started to sprout atop of their heads, which made the ecorbs feel constantly miserable from that point on, while the flowers themselves had all but disappeared, never to be seen again. According to the story, hampa growth became a hereditary trait passed down to new generations due to this incident.^[1]

Behind the scenes

The ecorbs were featured in a one-page story titled "How the Ecorb Got Its Hampa," written by Bob Carrau for the 1993 book Monsters and Aliens from George Lucas, a publication that combines creature designs and photographs from various projects of George Lucas, creator of the Star Wars franchise, with original text by Carrau.^[1] Lucasfilm employee Leland Chee, who maintains the Holocron continuity database, has indicated that information contained in the book is non-canonical with respect to the Star Wars Legends continuity.^[2]

Sources

• Monsters and Aliens from George Lucas (First mentioned)

Notes and references