Unidentified Naboo merchant

The title of this article is conjectural. Although this article is based on official information from the Star Wars Legends continuity, the actual name of this subject is pure conjecture.

A citizen of the planet Naboo, a Human merchant was imprisoned by the Trade Federation during its invasion of the planet in 32 BBY. According to the merchant, the arrest was a result of attempting to organize a resistance group against the invaders.

While inside the cell, the merchant was found by the Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi, who was on a mission to rescue Naboo's Queen Padmé Amidala. The merchant was released by the Jedi, and he later assisted Amidala in the liberation of the planet by giving her a stash of stockpiled weapons.

Biography

Prisoner of the Trade Federation

A Human merchant was a resident of the planet Naboo and was present on the planet when it was invaded by the droid forces of the Trade Federation^[1] in 32 BBY.^[2] The individual was captured by the Trade Federation and was put in a prison in the capital city of Theed, although the merchant managed to sneak in a thermal detonator.^[1]

A short time later, Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi—who was on a mission to escort Queen Padmé Amidala of the Naboo to her starship in order to escape the invading forces—stumbled upon the imprisoned merchant. The merchant pleaded to Kenobi to be set free, claiming to have been incarcerated for trying to organize a resistance cell against the invaders.^[1]

Although Kenobi initially suspected that the prisoner may have been a criminal, he believed the merchant's words and released the latter. The merchant then gave Kenobi the thermal detonator as a reward and advised him to use it on the Federation Armored Assault Tank that was blocking the way to the hangar housing the queen's ship. As the Jedi departed, the merchant made a promise to Kenobi about seeking people to fight the Trade Federation battle droids.^[1]

Amidala's return

After Kenobi and the queen fled the planet, the merchant began stockpiling weapons to combat the Trade Federation. During this time, the individual heard the news that Amidala had supposedly been killed offworld by agents of the Federation, and was saddened by the loss of the queen. Eventually, the Naboo and their allies, the Gungan species, launched a joint attack to liberate their homeworld.^[1]

As a battle was raging throughout Theed, the merchant stood on a balcony near the same cell in which the individual had previously been imprisoned. There, the merchant encountered Amidala herself, who was alive and had returned to the planet, personally leading the assault on Theed. The merchant informed Amidala of the earlier encounter with Kenobi and provided the queen with a stash of stockpiled weapons, including a proton missile launcher and ten flash-bang grenades. As Amidala turned to leave, the merchant wished her luck in the liberation of the planet, which soon proved successful.^[1]

Personality and traits

Upon meeting with Obi-Wan Kenobi, the merchant was very nervous, pausing between phrases and requiring time to find needed words. At first, Kenobi did not believe the merchant's story and suspected that the individual may have lied and could actually be a criminal. Even after Kenobi had released the individual, the merchant still continued to insist on innocence, claiming to ideally be viewed as a hero and urging Kenobi to "sense the truth."^[1]

However, by giving Queen Amidala the stockpiled weapons, the merchant proved to be at least truthful about working toward the liberation of Naboo. The merchant was delighted to see the queen alive, after hearing rumors that she had been killed. The merchant had light skin, gray hair, a gray-white beard, and brown eyes.^[1]

Equipment

During the Invasion of Naboo, the merchant wore an outfit consisting of a brown coat, brown pants, and black boots. While imprisoned, the merchant was able to keep a thermal detonator, which was later given to Kenobi as a reward. After being liberated, the merchant began stockpiling weapons to fight the Trade Federation, amassing an arsenal that included at least ten flash-bang grenades and a proton missile launcher. The merchant readily supplied those weapons to Queen Amidala, hoping that they would help her in the struggle to liberate the planet.^[1]

Behind the scenes

The Naboo merchant appeared in the 1999 video game Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace video game, developed by Big Ape Productions and published by LucasArts. The merchant was credited as "Prisoner" and was voiced by Tom Kane,^[1] one of the most prolific Star Wars voice actors.^[3]

As in-game Easter eggs, the game's development team made several NPCs look like real-world celebrities. This particular merchant was given the appearance of actor Sean Connery,^[4] famous for his roles in the James Bond film series and the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.^[5] Following the release of the game, this Easter egg was confirmed during a Q&A session^[4] with Big Ape Productions' 3D Modeler/Animator, Ray West,^[1] going under the alias "Zanzibar," on a fan forum dedicated to LucasArts video games.^[6]

Alternate paths

There are a number of alternate ways that the fate of the merchant can unfold in the game. The individual can first be encountered as a non-playable character in the fifth level of the game, titled "Escape from Theed," in which the player controls Obi-Wan Kenobi. Since the encounter does not affect the game's storyline, the meeting with the merchant can be avoided entirely. If the merchant is encountered, the player can either leave the merchant inside the cell or release the individual. In the latter scenario, it is also possible for the merchant to be killed right afterward.^[1]

Unless the prisoner has been killed by Kenobi, the player—this time controlling Queen Amidala—can once again encounter the merchant in the tenth level, titled "Assault on Theed." If Kenobi did not encounter the merchant previously or chose to keep the individual locked up, then the prisoner will still be located inside the cell. Amidala will then have the same options available to her, and she can either ignore the merchant's pleas and leave the individual imprisoned, can release and then kill the merchant, or she can release the merchant and let the individual live. However, if the prisoner has already been released by Kenobi, then Amidala will encounter the merchant on a balcony outside the individual's cell, and the merchant will provide her with weapons. This article currently follows the latter version of events.^[1]

Due to a glitch in the game, if Amidala releases the merchant, lets the individual run to the waiting spot at the balcony, and then kills the merchant, a new version of the merchant will respawn right next to the dead body. This copy will then act out the dialogue corresponding to the scenario in which the merchant was released by Kenobi.^[1]

Appearances

Explore all of Wookieepedia's media for this article subject:
Audio · Images

• Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace video game (First appearance)

Sources

• Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace: Prima's Official Strategy Guide

Notes and references