Barabel

"What are invaders called on Barab I? Prey!"

- Barabel joke

The Barabels were a cold-blooded reptilian species from Barab I. Many of their actions were fueled by their hunting instincts, but this also led to the general feeling that Barabels were always angry, or in the very least ornery. They expressed emotion&mdash;such as amusement or grief&mdash;by "sissing." The Barabels had very tough, dark colored scales. A blaster set on stun would not damage them at all or slow them down, as it would merely bounce off their scales. Barabels were able to shed their tails if necessary, an ability that proved the undoing of many a startled foe.

History
"You know what they say: If you're captured by Barabels, don't let them give you to the females."

- Han Solo

According to Barabel legend, a small group of Jedi, led by the Ithorian Noga-ta, came to Barab I circa 900 BBY. Noga-ta helped settle the civil war that had plagued Barabel society for thousands of years. Consequently, the Barabels held Jedi in high esteem and would accept a Jedi's judgment in any dispute.



After this contact with the Jedi, the Barabels had little contact with offworlders for centuries. Soon after the rise of the Galactic Empire, Planetary Safaris began organizing hunting trips to Barab I, with the quarry being the Barabels themselves. After a few Barabels were killed, a Barabel leader named Shaka-ka organized groups of her fellow hunters into armies which overwhelmed the safari ships. When an Imperial investigation led by Captain Osted Alater revealed that the Barabels were sentient, the safaris were ended. Shaka-ka formed an alliance with Imperial Governor Paro Lanto and had the spaceport city of Alater-ka built. Some Barabels began to go offworld, working as mercenaries and bounty hunters.

Later, during the days of the New Republic, several Barabels became part of the Jedi Order. The most prominent of these was Saba Sebatyne. The Barabels were nearly wiped out when Barab I was destroyed by the Yuuzhan Vong during their invasion of the galaxy.

Common Barabel names



 * Ragath
 * Vangar