Gupat Roshti

"The simple truth is there is not a warrior among us, Master Yoda. An armed conflict will destroy us. We will negotiate with Count Dooku if we are able."

―Gupat Roshti^[2]

Gupat Roshti was a Togruta male who served as the governor of the planet Kiros during the Clone Wars. In 20 BBY, his colony of 50,000 Togrutas were kidnapped and sold into slavery after Count Dooku formed an alliance with Zygerrian slavers. Later, the Jedi arrived on Zygerria to rescue Roshti and his people, but Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and Clone Captain Rex failed to rescue the governor. Both Roshti and Kenobi were captured and offered as slaves at the Zygerrian slave auction, before they, alongside Rex, were transferred to the slave processing facility on Kadavo.

Eventually, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, his Padawan Ahsoka Tano, Jedi Master Plo Koon, and the 104th Battalion arrived at the Zygerrian slave processing facility, rescuing Roshti and the surviving people of Kiros. On Admiral Coburn's Venator-class Star Destroyer, the emancipated governor thanked the Jedi and the Galactic Republic for saving his life and those of his people. He then spoke to Tano in private and informed her the people of Kiros would join the Republic.

Biography

Separatists invade Kiros

"I'm afraid it is too late. The Separatists have already arrived."

―Gupat Roshti to Yoda^[2]

Roshti telling Yoda that the Separatists had already arrived.

Gupat Roshti^[4] was the governor of the planet Kiros during the Clone Wars.^[2] In 20 BBY,^[6] he spoke with Yoda on a hologram and explained that there was not a warrior amongst the people of his Togrutan artisan colony and an armed conflict would destroy them. Yoda warned Roshti that he could not trust Dooku. However, it was already too late as the Separatists arrived on the planet as they spoke. Roshti and two colonists went to speak with Count Dooku, the Zygerrian commander Darts D'Nar and Dooku's battle droids. Roshti reminded Dooku his people had chosen to remain neutral in the war and asked why Dooku had launched an invasion. Dooku insisted the occupation was peaceful for the protection of Roshti and the colonists until the conflict was resolved. Roshti informed Dooku he heard of the tragic stories of worlds trapped between the Separatists' droids the Galactic Republic's clone troopers.^[2]

Count Dooku, Darts D'Nar and the Separatist forces arrived on Kiros after Roshti requested their presence.

Roshti asked Dooku what reassurance he could give the Kiros colonists, to which the Count replied he was helpless to stop the fighting but could offer a sanctuary or "a safe haven until the conflict ended." Roshti thanked Dooku, who grabbed his shoulder saying he insisted, then escorted him away. D'Nar, on behalf of the Zygerrian Slave Empire, ordered an AAT Driver Battle Droid to have the droids round up all the other colonists, so they could be kidnapped and enslaved. As a result, Roshti's artisan colony was taken over, with D'Nar setting up his headquarters in the Governor's tower.^[2]

When the plight of Roshti and his people reached the Galactic Republic, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, Padawan Ahsoka Tano, Clone Captain Rex, Clone Commander Cody, and clone troopers from the 501st and the 212th attempted to help the Togrutas. However, it had already been ten rotations since Yoda's transmission. They landed in the colony and were ambushed by the droid garrison. The Jedi and clones defeated the droids, disarmed D'Nar's bombs, and captured D'Nar. Unfortunately for Roshti and his people, the Republic's rescue efforts were too late, as they had already been taken off world and brought to Zygerria.^[2]

Enslaved on Zygerria

"Governor, I'm a friend, a Jedi, here to help. Where are your people?"
"They're... They're..."

―Obi-Wan Kenobi talks to Roshti as the governor faints^[7]

On Zygerria, the Togrutas were to be auctioned off to slavers. Rex and the Jedi infiltrated Zygerria, flying the captured Tecora, in hopes of finding Roshti and his people and freeing them. In the capital city, a disguised Rex and Kenobi spotted Roshti detained in one of the slave cells of the Zygerrian slave market. Kenobi jumped down into the pit to speak with the governor, who had been weakened and broken by the Zygerrians. The governor panicked and rejected Kenobi's help, until Kenobi removed his helmet and confirmed he was a Jedi and was there to rescue Roshti. Kenobi asked Roshti where his people were. Roshti began to reply but fainted. In response, Kenobi carried the governor and jumped out of the cell.^[7]

Roshti, Kenobi and Rex attempted to escape the slave pits.

Kenobi informed Rex he still did not know where the other colonists were located, and they had to get Roshti out of the Zygerrian capital. Kenobi Force jumped to a brezak above them and threw the Zygerrian guard into one of the pits. Rex and Kenobi carried Roshti to the lizard mount, while the guards were alerted. As the brezak ran across the slave cells, the guards opened fire on them. Kenobi was shot in the shoulder and fell, dragging Roshti with him. While Rex escaped on the brezak, the guards captured Roshti and Kenobi.^[7]

Later, at the beginning of the slave auction, Roshti was the first slave to be offered, as a sample of the Togrutan people. The slave auctioneer confirmed Roshti's colony had 50,000 members, all of whom were to be auctioned. As incentive he also reiterated Roshti's people were virtually untrained in combat and would therefore be incapable of rebellion. Soon after, two Zygerrian royal guards escorted Kenobi to the auction. Skywalker, Tano, and Rex attempted to free Kenobi and Roshti, with the help of R2-D2. However, their attempt was foiled by the Queen of Zygerria, Miraj Scintel, and her royal guards.^[7]

Kenobi, Rex and Roshti arrived at the Kadavo slave processing facility.

Roshti, now joined by Kenobi and Rex in servitude, was transported to the slave processing facility on Kadavo. Upon arrival, Roshti exclaimed that they found his people.^[7] All 50,000 Togrutan colonists had also been transported to the deplorable mining installation on Kadavo, a grueling facility fueled by the toil of the enslaved.^[3] After exiting the Zygerrian ship, Keeper Agruss congratulated Kenobi on being the first Jedi detained in his "educational center." Agruss then dropped several Togrutas to their doom, to prove his point and warned Kenobi it would be Roshti and the Togrutan people who suffered if Kenobi attempted to defy him.^[7]

Kadavo and rescue

"Keep away from me. Jedi only make things worse."

―Roshti to Kenobi after the governor was beaten by a Zygerrian's electro-whip^[5]

Roshti was whipped by a Zygerrian guard as Kenobi's punishment for talking with Rex.

At the Kadavo facility, Roshti was assigned to work in the mines. At one point, the Zygerrian guards warned Kenobi and Rex that talking was forbidden. As punishment, one of the Zygerrian pulled out their electro-whip and began to torture Roshti. Kenobi directed the attention back to him saying it was his mistake and to leave Roshti alone. Therefore, the guard rammed their electrostaff into Kenobi's shock collar and told Kenobi a slave was not permitted to give his master commands. They then pulled their whip back out, and began whipping the governor's back, while they ordered Kenobi to beg for forgiveness before Roshti died because of Kenobi's actions. After Kenobi followed the Zygerrian's orders, the guards chuckled mockingly and walked away, while Kenobi checked on the beaten Roshti. The governor told Kenobi to keep away from him, as Jedi only made things worse.^[5]

Later, Roshti and several Togrutas were barricaded in a room in the at the bottom of the Kadavo facility, when a rescue party arrived, consisting of Skywalker, Tano, Plo Koon, the Wolfpack, and Admiral Coburn's fleet. In response, Keeper Agruss electrified the walls of the room, to Kenobi's dismay. Agruss then opened a hatch, sliding the floor away from the entry point into the room and destroyed the command room's controls in the process. After Tano arrived on the platform with Roshti and his people, she recommended that Admiral Coburn brought the Hand of Justice under the facility, to rescue Roshti's people. Therefore, Coburn ordered Commander Wolffe, Sergeant Sinker, Corporal Comet, and a few other Wolfpack troopers to exit the topside of the Arquitens-class light cruiser with jetpacks and cabled guns.^[5]

The Wolfpack assisted in the rescue of Roshti and his people.

Once the Wolfpack was in position, Tano instructed the Togrutas to climb down the cables in groups. Roshti was the first to climb down, with his people following afterward. After they were all safely on the deck of the Hand of Justice, Wolffe warned Tano the facility was breaking up. They all ran to the interior of the cruiser, which then moved itself away from the processing facility. Once the cruiser was clear of the facility, Koon ordered the remaining gunships to open fire and destroy the facility.^[5]

Aftermath

"Ahsoka, you have done a great deed for your people today."
"You're sad?"
"Well, you and the Jedi have done your best, but I do not think our people will recover from this horror anytime soon."
"I understand. But in the end, surviving this will only strengthen the people."
"Perhaps. And perhaps the people of Kiros will also join the Republic."

―Governor Roshti and Ahsoka Tano after the liberation of the people of Kiros^[5]

Ahsoka Tano spoke with Governor Roshti after the Battle of Kadavo.

After the Republic left Kadavo, Roshti talked with Tano, Skywalker, Kenobi and Koon onboard Coburn's Venator-class Star Destroyer. The governor thanked the Jedi and the Republic for saving his life and that of his people. Skywalker replied Tano was the real hero and without her creativity, he did not believe Roshti's people would have been brought to safety.^[5]

In private, Roshti told Tano she had done a great deed to her people. Tano questioned why Roshti was sad. He replied that he was relieved that she and the Jedi did their best. However, he did not believe his people would recover from the horrors they just went through anytime soon. Tano reminded Roshti that surviving the endeavor only strengthened his people. The governor smiled and announced to Tano that the people of Kiros were considering joining the Republic, an idea Tano agreed was a wise choice.^[5]

Personality and traits

"Count Dooku, we have chosen to remain neutral in this war. Why have you launched this invasion against us?"
"Think of our presence as a peaceful occupation for your protection as well as ours."

―Roshti and Dooku^[2]

Similar to most Togrutas, Roshti was peaceful, quiet, dependent on others,^[7] and reserved.^[3] He refused to let his people go to war and believed that peace was the best answer. Roshti cared deeply about Kiros and his people and would do anything to keep the Togruta safe.^[7] An elder Togruta,^[3] Roshti stood at 1.98 meters tall (6 feet, 6 inches)^[4] and had orange eyes. His yellow skin had white markings, and he had blue stripes on his montrals and his short lekku.^[2]

Skills and abilities

"I have heard the tragic stories of worlds caught between your droids and their clones. What of my people?"
"While I am helpless to prevent the fighting, I can offer your people sanctuary, a safe have until the conflict has ended."
"Thank you Count. Yours is a kind offer, but..."

―Roshti negotiating with Dooku^[2]

Roshti was known for his skills in diplomacy and as a leader,^[4] ruling Kiros as the governor of the artisan colony.^[2] Roshti was known for his art,^[4] and he was devoted to the exploration of the arts, alongside the people of his beautiful colony.^[1] As Roshti and his people were not warriors, they were defenseless against Dooku's invasion.^[2]

Equipment

"Virtually untrained in combat, there will be no rebellion from these slaves."

―The Zygerrian auctioneer referring to Roshti's people as they introduced the governor at the Royal Slave Auction^[7]

As the governor of the peaceful colony of Kiros, Roshti did not use any weapons.^[1] Roshti wore a long-sleeved shirt that was dull green in color. White segments adorned this shirt, while intricate, golden patterns decorated these white segments. A thick, sturdy brown belt was worn around his waist; one rectangular, closed pocket was placed on the right side of this belt. Draped over Roshti's shoulder was a thin, wrinkled purple piece of material.^[2] Tight, dark purple pants were worn over his legs while white, metal boots were worn on his feet. The boots reached up to Roshti's knees and were sealed up by dark yellow buttons.^[7]

Behind the scenes

"We had debated ... having Roshti mention that he knows Ahsoka's parents, or knew her parents ... and that that would somehow play out for why she had an instinct to save the people. In the end, we ended up not going with that because ... we don't have something later that goes on to explore that more, and I thought it'd kinda be almost a mean thing to do."

―Dave Filoni^[8]

Gupat Roshti, as he appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars — Gupat Roshti, as he appeared in *Star Wars: The Clone Wars*

In the current Star Wars canon, Gupat Roshti first appeared in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars episode "Kidnapped," the eleventh episode of the show's fourth season^[2] that first aired on November 25, 2011.^[9] He was first identified as "Gupat" in the 2021 reference book Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Character Encyclopedia - Join the Battle!, written by Jason Fry.^[4] In the Star Wars Legends continuity, Roshti's first appearance was in the comic The Clone Wars 1,^[10] which was released on September 10, 2008.^[11] The comics were later adapted into The Clone Wars Season Four story arc.^[12] The comic was illustrated by Scott Hepburn and written by Henry Gilroy,^[10] who also wrote the TV series adaption of the storyline.^[2]

According to Supervising Director Dave Filoni, the script originally had Roshti knowing or having known Ahsoka Tano's parents as a means to imply that Ahsoka's instinct to save people is motivated by that. However, the idea was dropped as the crew didn't want to flesh out that scene and Filoni personally felt that Roshti saying that to Ahsoka would sound like something "mean."^[8]