Kaleesh mask

"I fought the bone-lizards before. Their smell is worse than their bite."

―Bowdaar^[3]

The Kaleesh mask, also known as Kaleesh hunting mask, was a battle mask worn by the Kaleesh from the planet Kalee, carved from the skulls, bones, and teeth of their planet's fearsome predators—karabbac, mumuu, and erkush—drenched in karabbac and mumuu-blood before used in battle.

Description

"You used to wear a mask of real bone."
"I reserve that now for only special prey."

―Relin Druur and Saes Rrogon^[2]

The Kaleesh masks^[1] also known as Kaleesh hunting mask,^[2] was a battle mask worn by most Kaleesh native to the world of Kalee made out of the skulls,^[1] bones,^[2] and teeth of their homeworld's fierce predators, karabbac, mumuu,^[1] and erkush,^[2] to hide their faces.^[1] The white masks had black holes for eyes, no nose,^[2] and a row of six pointed^[4] fangs in place of a mouth.^[2] Furthermore, elite Kaleesh warrior families wear ancestral battle masks passed down within a house from one generation to the next. Prior to a battle, their masks were painted with karabbac and mumuu blood^[1] on its brow and cheeks^[2] in distinctive patterns for each family. After usage in warfare, they are cleaned and stored until needed again.^[1] Bowdaar referred to the Kaleesh as "bone-lizards,"^[3] while Overseer Harkun couldn't understand Xalek's name in his native language and referred to him as "bone face."^[5]

History

After his father died in battle, Grievous inherited the one that was carved from a mumuu skull. He created a new one that resembled to his father's when he was transformed into a cyborg.^[6] The Jedi-turned Sith Lord Saes Rrogon possessed five hand-carved ancient Kaleesh hunting masks from the bones of an erkush with a shamanic rune on it, calling upon the spirits to provide the wearer strength, speed, and skill. Wearing the mask he had worn as his former master's padawan, Rrogon confronted Jedi Master Relin Druur aboard the Harbinger over Phaegon III. In that one act, he felt transformed and bonded to the wonderous, faceless barbarism of his ancestors.^[2]