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Fwits were a small, furry, carnivorous, mammalian non-sentient species native to the arboreal planet of Maridun. Expert hunters, they could run very quickly and catch most smaller prey. Averaging around half a meter tall, fwits were kept by Amanin on Maridun as both pets and guardians, due to their vicious, savage nature. During the reign of the Galactic Empire, hunters were encouraged to kill fwits on sight.
Biology and appearance
Fwits were nearly half a meter tall when sitting on their haunches, and had light pink skin, with bushy fur around their head, paws, feet and long, rat-like tail. Their fur ranged in color from black to brown, sandy or even gray. When their mouth was closed, fwits appeared to be smiling; however, this was rarely the case. When opened, their mouths were enormous compared to their heads, with two rows of razor-sharp teeth capable of shredding skin and crush bone. Fwits had a pair of oversized, white eyes located at the sides of their head, and two large, floppy ears, as well as a small, sharp nose.[1]
Behavior
Although they appeared to be innocent, friendly creatures, fwits were in truth vicious carnivores; they preferred the taste of freshly killed meat to any other food. Fwits were expert hunters, skilled at catching practically any small mammal. They were able to outrun most creatures that were smaller than them, and liked to eat them in one bite. When hunting larger animals, fwits would bite their prey, holding on until their enemy was rendered unconscious. They were also extremely stealthy. Fwits rarely attacked their owners and those they were used to, but they were extremely aggressive to outsiders, especially those who did not know how to care for fwits.[1]
History
Fwits were kept on the planet Maridun as pets and guard animals by the large humanoid sentients native to Maridun, called the Amani,[1][2] long before the Galactic Empire arrived on Maridun.[1] When the Empire took control of their homeworld, several incidents of gruesome or fatal injuries involving fwits were recorded, and the Empire soon banned the possession of fwits as pets.[2] Outlawed in all the major cities and ports, fwits became targets for hunters, who were encouraged by the Empire to kill the creatures on sight.[1]
After the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY, the Hutts once again took control of Maridunian slavery, and fwits were re-allowed into all the former Imperial spaceports. A favorite pet of the Hutts, many fwits were also smuggled offworld,[1] where fwit populations were quickly established on various other worlds.[2]
Fwits in the galaxy
Before the reign of the Empire, fwits were rarely found off Maridun. However, when the Hutts regained control of Maridun, fwits were transported to various parts of the galaxy in huge numbers. After some time, fwits were not uncommon on many planets in the known galaxy, although they were often outlawed because of their vicious nature, misleading appearance and voracious appetites.[1]
Behind the scenes
Fwits were created for use in Ultimate Adversaries, a 2004 sourcebook published as part of the Star Wars Roleplaying Game. The creatures were later mentioned in 2008's The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia.
Sources
- Ultimate Adversaries (First mentioned)
- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia