Karkarodon

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Sources

The High Republic: Convergence, Dooku: Jedi Lost, A Crash of Fate, Galaxy's Edge: Black Spire, Star Wars: Smuggler's Guide, Databank Download: Terror from the Deep Squad Pack – Riff Tamson on Atomic Mass Games' official website (backup link)

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"Not many people try to take a bite out of a Karkarodon. It's usually the other way around."

―Dooku, to Jenza^[5]

The Karkarodon, a shark-like, amphibious-aquatic humanoid species that was native to the ocean world of Karkaris, were known to be fast swimmers and fierce hunters, capable of ripping-apart their enemies or their prey with their teeth. The Karkarodon Riff Tamson was a commander in the Confederacy of Independent Systems, and briefly was ruler of Mon Cala before Lee-Char overthrew and killed him. A Karkarodon was also imprisoned in the Republic Judiciary Central Detention Center around 20 BBY.

Biology and appearance

"She's alone right now, in her cell, sitting there like a Karkarodon that's lost its teeth."
"Karkarodon teeth grow back."

―Lourna Dee and Jon Wittick^[6]

Karkarodons were an aquatic species with sharp teeth and webbed hands and feet. They were fast swimmers^[3] and could rip-apart their prey or enemies with their teeth.^[4] Though they periodically lost their teeth, Karkarodons also rapidly regrew them.^[6] They swam with their legs crossed, resembling a shark's vertical tailfin. They were notably resilient; commander Riff Tamson managed two blaster shots to the chest without showing any signs of injury.^[1] The species was most comfortable in salty marine water, and preferred to be immersed in the liquid.^[7] They hailed from Karkaris, an oceanic planet which neighbored the Mon Calamari system.^[8]

History

"Tamson, have your soldiers arrived?"
"Yes, Count. We now have the city under control."

―Count Dooku and Riff Tamson^[9]

The Karkarodon Riff Tamson was the foremost among his people to join the Confederacy of Independent Systems.

At some point, the Karkarodons created a cybernetically enhanced biological weapon known as the Hydroid Medusa, on Karkaris.^[10] During the Clone Wars, Karkaris pulled away form the Galactic Republic^[11] and formally declared itself neutral in the conflict between the Republic and Confederacy of Independent Systems. In practice and as observed by the Republic, however, the planet was functionally aligned with the CIS, like most of the Nilgaard sector,^[12] and many Karkarodons would outright join the CIS anyway. The foremost amongst these outright Separatists was Riff Tamson, who believed the CIS presented the Karkarodons with the best chance for advancement.^[11] As a ruthless commander^[4] and vicious warlord, Tamson's aquatic nature as a Karkarodon made him a perfect leader for operations on ocean planets.^[13]

Tamson was sent by Count Dooku to help occupy the planet Mon Cala for the Confederacy. After capturing the planet^[1] and its prince, Lee-Char,^[14] he declared himself ruler of the Mon Cala, having Karkarodon enforcers occupy the capital. His rule was short lived, however, when the Quarren senator Nossor Ri rebelled against him. Lee-Char was able to kill Tamson shortly after.^[9] A Karkarodon was among the many prisoners detained in the Republic Judiciary Central Detention Center. One day, he confronted the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, disguised as bounty hunter Rako Hardeen, who responded by stabbing the Karkarodon's hand with a fork, threatening to eat him. He then let him go, and the Karkarodon fled back to his table.^[15]

Behind the scenes

The appearance of the Karkarodon is based on real-world sharks. Their name was also derived from the genus of the great white shark, Carcharodon.^[3] The Karkarodons first appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series episode titled "Water War" from the series fourth season.^[1]