Karafankata

The karafankata was a creature of the Outer Rim planet Ah Re Won. Carnivorous creatures, karafankata fiercely protected their young. Between around 40 BBY and 32 BBY, a karafankata lived on Ah Re Won with several babies. After the Sith apprentice Darth Maul killed and buried the mayor of the nearby town, the creature encountered Maul, digging up the body. A party of hunters led by Prince Afolonkin later attempted to hunt the karafankata, but the Sith murdered the group before they could kill the creature.

Biology and appearance

The karafankata was a creature found on the Outer Rim Territories planet Ah Re Won, active in a forested area. A quadripedal creature, the karafankata possessed fur. The creatures had three claws on their feet, spikes atop their front legs, and a long tail that ended in a point. The karafankata possessed six red eyes, three on each side of its face. The creature had a pair of long curved horns on either side of its eyes and a pair of tusks above its mouth, which featured sharp teeth. Young karafankata had shorter horns and tusks, as well as a short stub-like tail. The creature was capable of producing sounds such as growls, snorts, and snuffling.^[1]

Behavior

Karafankata were strongly protective of their young, attempting to scare off individuals who threatened them. The creatures were carnivorous and were willing to feed on the bodies of dead beings.^[1]

History

During the Republic Era, a large, scarred karafankata lived on Ah Re Won with at least four of its young.^[1] Between around 40 BBY and 32 BBY,^[2] the Sith apprentice Darth Maul was sent to meditate at a Sith temple on Ah Re Won by his Sith Master, Darth Sidious. During his time on Ah Re Won, Maul killed the mayor of the nearby town for disturbing his meditation, burying his body in the ground near the Sith temple. The next morning, the karafankata emerged from the trees as Maul arrived at the temple. The creature stared at Maul before sniffing the ground and digging up the body of the mayor and dragging it off, leading Maul to note that the issue had been taken care of.^[1]

Not long after, a party of four hunters led by Prince Afolonkin arrived on the planet. The hunters spotted the karafankata tracks, and that night, set out to hunt the creature. As the prince and his accomplices followed the creature's tracks, the karafankata leapt out to threaten them, protecting its babies. The prince tried to shoot the creature, but his blaster did not function, leading the hunters to become frightened of the karafankata. The group quickly realized the karafankata was merely attempting to scare them to protect its young, laughing at its efforts. At that moment, however, Maul—having been disturbed once again—attacked the hunters, slaughtering all four as the karafankata and its young watched. Afterward, the karafankata and several of its young rushed to the bodies as the Sith demanded an end to the disturbances.^[1]

Behind the scenes

The karafankata appeared in the fourth issue of the Star Wars: Darth Maul – Black, White & Red comic series, written by Greg Pak, illustrated by Luca Pizzari and Will Sliney, and published by Marvel Comics^[1] on July 31, 2024.^[3]

Appearances

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• Darth Maul – Black, White & Red 4 (First appearance)

Notes and references