Pyke Syndicate

"A powerful part of the spice cartel. Their criminal activities had allowed them to almost completely control the production of raw spice, used to create a powerful drug."

- Former Supreme Chancellor Valorum tells Yoda about the Pyke Syndicate

The Pyke Syndicate was a spice dealership that operated in the criminal underworld from their homeworld on Oba Diah.

History
The Pykes were responsible for ensuring the flow of spice from Kessel to Coruscant, utilizing smugglers and freighter captains to carry out Kessel Runs to ensure spice deliveries. Prior to the invasion of Naboo, Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum sent Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas to engage the Pykes in negotiations with the Galactic Republic regarding the Pykes' monopoly on the spice trade. At the behest of the Sith Lord Count Dooku, however, the Pykes killed Sifo-Dyas.

Years later, during the Clone Wars, the Pyke Syndicate allied themselves with Darth Maul and his Shadow Collective; the Pykes were eager to join after Maul had coerced the Black Sun into joining the alliance. Along with Black Sun, and at the behest of Maul and Death Watch, the Pykes staged an attack on Mandalore, allowing Death Watch to intervene as so-called defenders of the people. With the government of Mandalore unable to manage the crisis, Death Watch successfully took over Mandalore.

Later, Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi arrived on Oba Diah, hot on the trail of Sifo-Dyas. After admitting that the Pykes had indeed killed Sifo-Dyas, Lom introduced the Jedi Knights to Valorum's former aide Silman, who the Pykes had kept in captivity as insurance. Shortly afterward Tyranus arrived on Oba Diah with the intention of keeping the Jedi from discovering the truth behind Sifo-Dyas' demise. Tyranus killed Silman and engaged the Jedi and the Pykes in battle, killing Lom and escaping.

Behind the scenes
The Pykes were developed by George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars. They were first introduced in Eminence, an episode in the fifth season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Darth Maul&mdash;Son of Dathomir 1
 * Star Wars: Darth Maul&mdash;Son of Dathomir 2
 * Star Wars: Darth Maul&mdash;Son of Dathomir 4
 * Star Wars: Darth Maul&mdash;Son of Dathomir 1
 * Star Wars: Darth Maul&mdash;Son of Dathomir 2
 * Star Wars: Darth Maul&mdash;Son of Dathomir 4
 * Star Wars: Darth Maul&mdash;Son of Dathomir 4