Candovantan

Candovantans, or Candovants, were a sentient species from the planet Candovant recognized by their bulbous, hairless heads and brown, tan, and red skin. The New Republic senator Zygli Bruss was a member of the species, as was the Resistance pilot Zizi Tlo. They were considered by some to be a powerful force within the political landscape of the galaxy at one point in time. In Candovantan culture it was considered a grave offense to refuse a drink when offered.

Biology and appearance

Candovantans were a bipedal humanoid sentient species distinguished by skin that was brown, tan, and red in coloration, with all three colors being present around their face. Being humanoids, Candovantans possessed two legs and two arms, each ending in five-fingered hands. Their heads were large and round, with flattened faces featuring small mouths and dark eyes capable of perceiving the ultraviolet spectrum, though they lacked visible nostrils or ears.^[2]

Society and culture

Candovantans,^[1] also known as Candovants, were known and present within the wider galaxy^[3] by at least 23 BBY.^[4] Some members of the species held prestigious political roles such as ambassadors^[3] or senators.^[2] According to Count Dooku of Serenno, refusing a drink from a Candovantan was seen as a grave dishonor within Candovantan society.^[3]

History

The Candovantans^[1] hailed from the planet Candovant,^[2] located within the Candovant system, which itself was situated within the Colonies.^[5] According to Jedi Master Gretz Droom^[3] around 23 BBY,^[4] the Candovantans were a powerful force in galactic politics.^[3]

Candovantans in the galaxy

Around 58 BBY,^[4] a Candovantan ambassador invited the Jedi Jor Aerith to the forty-eighth annual Dragonfire Air Rally hosted on the planet Coruscant, an event that drew attention from across the galaxy, and at which it was considered advantageous for Jedi to be seen. Alongside Jor, the ambassador also requested the presence of Jedi Order members Dooku, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Gretz Droom, specifically to his personal hoverpod, which supposedly offered the best view of the race.^[3]

Speaking in his native language, the ambassador offered a drink to Qui-Gon, who refused. Dooku instead accepted on Qui-Gon’s behalf, revealing that it was a grave dishonor to refuse a drink from a Candovantan, and that wars had been started over less. Upon learning Dooku's origins as a Serennian, a heritage he shared with the Dragon Air Rally racer Ramil who was, in fact, the Jedi's brother, the ambassador remarked that he knew who Dooku would be rooting for during the race, though Dooku assured him that he supported all of the racers. During the competition, Ramil would crash and be injured, only saved via intervention from his brother. When Dooku left the group to aid his brother, Qui-Gon asked the ambassador if they could borrow a speeder. The Candovantan, in turn, inquired where the Jedi were going, and Qui-Gon, apparently not understanding the language, interpreted the question instead as consent to go ahead and take one.^[3]

In 5 ABY^[6], a Candovantan was present on the planet Ferrix when Cassian Andor returned to Ferrix City speak with his friend Brasso at his job after fleeing Morlana One.^[7] Not long after, a Candovantan was present in the streets around the same location, riding on a Repulsorcraft past Luthen Rael and Bix Caleen, who discussed Cassian's killing of two Preox-Morlana officers.^[8] Later that year^[9], a Candovantan was present within the Coruscant Eastern Spaceport on Coruscant when Syril Karn walked through the terminal after being fired from the Consolidated Holdings of Preox-Morlana Corporation on Morlana One.^[10] During Senate Investiture week^[11] in 3 BBY^[12], a Candovantan was present on the planet Ghorman, entering a shop that Cassian Andor, who was then undercover as "Varian Skye," was leaving while protesters demonstrated outside.^[11]

Zizi Tlo was a female^[13] Candovantan Resistance pilot who was killed during the Battle of D'Qar when TIEs blew her A-wing to pieces, alongside fellow pilot Jaycris Tubbs.^[1] During the New Republic era, Senator Zygli Bruss represented Candovant within the New Republic Senate while on Hosnian Prime. He was injured during the Napkin Bombing incident, in which Amaxine warriors bombed a conference building of the Galactic Senate.^[14] Bruss later perished on Hosnian Prime during the Hosnian Cataclysm in which the First Order fired the Starkiller Base superweapon at the New Republic capital and the other planets that shared its system.^[2] in 34 ABY.^[15]

Behind the scenes

Candovantans were first developed for the 2015 film Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens, directed by J.J. Abrams, though they were ultimately cut from the final release.^[16] The species was named and pictured, however, within the Star Wars: The Force Awakens: The Visual Dictionary, authored by Pablo Hidalgo^[2] which released the same day as the film.^[17]

Appearances

• Star Wars: Starfighter Missions
• Dooku: Jedi Lost (In flashback(s)) (First identified as Candovant)
• Dooku: Jedi Lost script
• Star Wars: Andor — "Kassa"
• Star Wars: Andor — "Reckoning"
• Star Wars: Andor — "Aldhani"
• Star Wars: Andor — "I Have Friends Everywhere"
• Bloodline (and audiobook) (First appearance)
• Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens (Cut)
• Star Wars: The Last Jedi: A Junior Novel (and audiobook) (First identified as Candovantan)

Sources

• Star Wars: The Force Awakens: The Visual Dictionary (First mentioned)
• Star Wars Helmet Collection: Captain Phasma Weapons & Uniforms: The New Republic (Picture only)

Notes and references