Golak

This article is non-canon within the canon continuity. This article covers a subject from a Star Wars: Visions story that Lucasfilm declared is set in an alternate history within a reimagined galaxy.

Golak was a desert planet home to rocky mesas and large, expansive deserts. The planet's surface was covered by little vegetation. Many of the rocks and sand on the planet were tinted cream to golden color. Frequent sandstorms plagued the planet and many settlements on the planet were far apart from one another. These settlements were connected via a train track that went through the Jangori settlements to a town. However, frequent bandit attacks by Jangorians were known to happen on trains crossing through the Jangori settlements during much of the Empire's reign leading to increased security on trains going through these settlements. By 3 BBY, the planet was under the control of the Galactic Empire.

At some point during the Empire's reign, Charuk and his Force-sensitive sister Rani were forced to flee as the Empire burned their village. The pair then boarded a train before being pursued by Stormtroopers. Charuk and Rani however managed to evade the troopers and arrived at a town. They then made the trek to the Golak Mahal where they were confronted by an Inquisitor and two purge troopers. Before the Inquisitor could do anything, Rugal, the leader of the roadside motel, revealed herself to be a Jedi and fought the Inquisitor who she managed to defeat. Rugal then went to Rani and promised to protect her by coming with her.

History

Between 18 BBY and 3 BBY,^[2] the Empire burned a farm village leading Charuk and Rani to flee from their home. Hearing about the Golak Mahal from their father, the pair boarded a train bound for a town. While on the train, Rani asked if she could play her dad's flute however Charuk said no. Feeling hungry, Rani asked Charuk if she could eat some Le'bi when she saw a vendor selling Le'bi. Charuk agreed and to avoid Rani revealing her force powers, Charuk asked Rani if she could be the bandit chief and "hold down the fort." Rani agreed and stayed put while Charuk went to the vendor. Before Charuk could reach the vendor, Rani used her Force power to take her Dad's flute from Charuk revealing her Force-sensitivity in the process. While Charuk was waiting in line to get Le'bi, a scavenger approached a Stormtrooper and told him that there was a girl with special powers. Hearing this, Charuk stole some Le'bi in order to divert attention away from Rani leading to him getting pursued by two Stormtroopers. Charuk managed to evade the Stormtroopers by climbing to the top of the train. During this, the train entered the Jangori settlements and called for some reinforcements. The train was then attacked by Jangori bandits. While the bandits were attacking the Imperial speeder bikes, Charuk attempted to find a hatch. Though he eventually found one, it was sealed. Before Charuk could get killed, Rani managed to open the seal allowing Charuk to re-enter the train before it passed a tunnel exiting the Jangori settlements.^[1]

Charuk and Rani then managed to reach their stop and traveled to Golak Mahal. Upon reaching the place, the pair were greeted by Rugal who allowed them to eat there. Before Rani and Charuk could eat some Le'bi, an Inquisitor and two Purge Troopers in Phase I armor arrived. The Inquisitor then questioned Charuk about the reports of a force-sensitive girl on Golak. In an attempt to toy with him the Inquisitor added that he went beyond the train tracks, burned all the farm villages, and left no survivors. Sensing that Rani was the force-sensitive girl, the Inquisitor force pushed Charuk aside. He then attempted to capture Rani resulting in a storm where many of the inhabitants were fighting one another. Before the Inquisitor could capture Rani, Rugal revealed herself to be a Jedi to protect Rani and Charuk. She then dueled against the Inquisitor and killed him by slicing his throat. After the Inquisitor died, Rugal guided Rani to a tunnel hidden in a body of water. As Rugal told Charuk that Rani would be safer with her, Charuk said his last goodbyes to Rani before she entered the tunnel. After Rani entered the tunnel which closed immediately and became submerged in the body of water, Charuk's father's flute floated in the water. Charuk picked up the flute and started to play it.^[1]

Behind the scenes

Golak appeared in the animated anthology television series, Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 episode "The Bandits of Golak,"^[1] produced by Indian animation studio 88 Pictures and released on May 4, 2023.^[4] It was first revealed at Star Wars Celebration on April 10, 2023 during the Star Wars: Visions panel. The planet was designed by the creators and staff behind the episode as a way to show Indian culture to those watching the episode.^[3] The planet was also created as a way to juxtapose Indian culture with Star Wars.^[5]

Appearances

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• Star Wars: Visions — "The Bandits of Golak" (First appearance)

Sources

• Star Wars Celebration LIVE! – DAY 4 on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) (First mentioned)
• Star Wars: Visions Filmmaker Focus — "The Bandits of Golak"
• "Jedi Master's Quiz" — Star Wars Insider 224
• Why We Love the Unique Stories of Star Wars: Visions on StarWars.com (backup link) (Picture only)

Notes and references