Hay-Zu

"On this planet things are what Hay-Zu says they are!"

―Hay-Zu^[2]

Hay-Zu, self-stylized as the Big Hay-Zu, was an overlord of the Patitite people. He was rather obese for his species, being carried by four Patitites on a throne to show power and vanity. He ruled over the people in a manner that made them hate him. C-3PO was praised for accidentally crushing him to death with R2-D2.

Biography

Ealy life

Hay-Zu was a corpulent Patitite who ruled over his homeplanet during the early years of the Clone Wars.^[2] The Big Hay-Zu did not let his diminutive size contain his ego or sense of entitlement. Indeed, the portly Patitite was a giant among his kind, ruling with the tiniest iron fist.^[1] He was usually transported over his chariot, pulled by four Patitites.^[2]

His high-pitched word was law^[3] and his Patitites, who lived in fear of his booming orders,^[1] captured any trespassers to their territory and brought them before Hay-Zu to be judged.^[3] He sent some of his subjects' children to fight in his wars, and these were considered to be the lucky ones by the Patitites.^[2]

Death

"What's this? Your friend challenges the Big Hay-Zu's authority?"

―Hay-Zu becomes angry^[2]

Whta remained of Hay-Zu after he was squashed by . — Whta remained of Hay-Zu after he was squashed by R2-D2.

In 20 BBY^[4] Hay-Zu was summoned when the droids C-3PO and R2-D2, who had crash-landed in BTL-B Y-wing starfighter following a battle, were captured and brougth to him. He told them to leave immediately while he was in a 'good mood'. C-3PO was happy to leave, but R2 was not intimidated by Hay-Zu,^[2] as he had little patience for the posturing of the puny potentate.^[1] He confronted him, willing to take him on^[2] and showing how small he truly was.^[1] In an attempt to prevent any trouble breaking for the both of them, C-3PO was going to shut R2 off, but accidentally pushed him instead, causing R2 to fall on Hay-Zu, killing him.^[2] A green spoch was all that was left of Hay-Zu,^[5] a colored shape over the astromech hull.^[6]

Legacy

The Patitites, however, were overjoyed by this new-found freedom and began worshiping C-3PO. The Patitites then asked C-3PO to be their new leader. He refused and instead helped them establish their democracy and elect their new leader. As the droids left, fighting broke out amongst them pertaining to who would be the leader,^[2] erupting in civil war^[6] that undoubtedly doomed their society to generations of turmoil and strife.^[3]

As every galactic culture agreed that squashing a planet's ruler was a breach of etiquette, sometimes C-3P0 wished he could have his memory erased,^[5] a wish that he would be granted^[7] a year later.^[8]

Behind the scenes

Hay-Zu was created for the fourth season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and appeared in the episode "Nomad Droids." He was voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson, who also voiced a number of other characters in the television series.^[2] Concept art of Hay-Zu and the other Patitites was produced by artist Randy Bantog.^[6]