Togruta/Legends

The Togrutas were a humanoid species from the planet Shili. In order to protect themselves from dangerous predators, such as the akul, and to hunt their own prey, Togrutas banded together in dense tribes and relied on their natural pigmentation to disrupt and confuse the slow-witted beasts. Togrutas worked well in large groups, and individualism was seen as abnormal within their culture, although it was also a necessary quality in leaders.

The entire race was distinguished by three, rarely four, lekku, which were similar to those of Twi'leks, perhaps suggesting a common ancestry. The lekku were more commonly called 'head-tails' and were striped, an adaptation that helped them to blend in with their natural surroundings, especially the red-and-white turu-grass which dominated Shili's scrublands. Togrutas possessed a form of passive echolocation made possible by their hollow montrals, projections from the top of their heads which allowed them to sense space and the proximity and movement of physical objects around them, even in the dark.

Biology and appearance
Togrutas had rusty red skin, and white stripes adorned various parts of their bodies, including their chests, legs, backs, arms, lekku, and montrals. The pattern of stripes varied from individual to individual. This red and white pattern was a phenotype left over from their ancestor's camouflage. Their heads bore large horn-like montrals and three, sometimes four, head-tails (lekku) similar to those of Twi'leks, with darker stripes than those of the montrals. Because the third, largest lek contained most of the the brain, it was very heavy and not mobile as were the other lekku. However, rare individuals who had four head-tails could move their posterior lekku to a small degree. Also of note was their ability to sense space and the proximity and movement of physical objects around them by means of their hollow montrals, which detected space ultrasonically. Some Togrutas referred to Twi'leks as their "distant cousins."

As predators, Togrutas had sharp incisors, which they used to painlessly kill teir primary prey, furry little thimiars, causing the creatures postmortem death spasms. This gave outsiders the false impression that Togrutas were venomous. However, Togrutas did nothing to dispel this misconception and even took advantage of the intimidating presence it gave them. Togruta had greyish lips.

While the hollow montrals of a Togruta were used for intense hearing, they were also utilized as protection. As for the white markings surrounding their eyes, they were used to denote to which clan a Togruta belonged, what their rank was in the society, and possibly for religious appeal.

Young Togrutas' montrals and posterior head-tail did not fully grow until adolescence, when their montrals become curved yet twisted, and their third head-tail grew to the length of their two main head-tails.

It is suggested that the lekku were utilized mostly in ritual combat, and that they gave Togrutas the capability to speak the Twi'lek language of lekku.

Culture
Togrutas had a strong sense of unity and togetherness. On their native homeworld of Shili, they relied on each other and would band together to take a stand against the massive monsters that hunted them. It is said that the creatures of Shili most often attacked in groups, which was even more reason for the native Togrutas to work together in a group.

While most of Shili was covered in the scrublands where the Togrutas hunted their herbivorous prey, the Togrutas lived in small communities in the forest valleys, where the canopies kept them out of sight.

Togrutas were known for their habit of not wearing shoes; they believed that the land was spiritually connected to them, and wearing shoes cut themselves from a bond with the land. In the pack, every able Togruta was expected to contribute his or her own share, as any food attained was distributed equally. Togrutas were also known for their belief that those who could not keep up should be left to fend for themselves, because that is nature's way. Other sentient species found this particular belief quite inhumane. Those within a pack who led had a difficult time with fulfilling their goals because of the risk of becoming individualistic. As hunters, the Togrutas showed off the pelts and teeth of their game as a sign of pride and maturation. Ironically, special pride was taken in the teeth of akul that a Togruta had taken down as an individual. These teeth often were made into jewelry such as an akul-tooth headdress or a necklace, which also incorporated metals, stones, and pearls found on Shili. Togrutas spoke the Togruti language, which had a few elements of Basic.

Personality
Togrutas were tranquil and silent, though when the situation called for it they were true warriors. Their fidelity to their beliefs was legendary, as was their happiness within large groups. Togrutas, not surprisingly, excelled at teamwork and the ability to associate with different cultures. To an extent, Togrutas had isolation aversion and made efforts to have friends around for companionship.

History
The Togruta were discovered by ca. 25,000 BBY. Togrutas as a whole possessed a special affinity for the Force, though they had slightly less than the normal number of midi-chlorians. It was believed that this affinity was produced from their heightened spatial awareness imparted by their montrals and their role as hunters. Their sense of spiritual connection with the land also heightened their connection with the environment, thus leading to a greater ability to feel the Force. The species had contributed members to the Jedi Order practically since its beginning.

Togruta in the Galaxy
Raana Tey, a member of the Jedi Covenant, caused a massive impact in the Mandalorian Wars and was a participant in the Padawan Massacre of Taris.

Shaak Ti, a member of the Jedi High Council, was a participant in many of the battles during the Clone Wars. Ti was one of the few survivors of the Battle of Geonosis and helped save Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Padmé Amidala from execution. Shaak Ti also protected Chancellor Palpatine, though she was unable to prevent his capture by General Grevious. Ti survived Order 66 and trained a resistance on Felucia which included Maris Brood.

Ashla was a member of the Bear Clan trained by Yoda during the Clone Wars.

Ahsoka Tano was the Padawan of Anakin Skywalker and participated in many battles during the Clone Wars.

Deran Nalual was a Padawan that survived the initiation of Order 66.

A majority of the Togruta species within the Jedi Order were females, though males were not unheard of. For example, Codi Ty was a male Togruta that served as a Padawan during the Clone Wars and saved a number of younglings from General Grevious, though he was expelled for seeking vengeance.

Records indicated that there were no known Togrutas within the early New Jedi Order, though at least one youngling survived the Massacre at Ossus along with a male Togruta who was a Hidden Temple Jedi.

Names
Some example names of Togruta were Creev Zrgaat, Dyani Zaan, Jir Taalan, Qusak Laal, and Vika Saaris.

Behind the scenes
Early concept art for the Togruta Shaak Ti, intended on her wearing a red veil, which ended up becoming the Togruta rubicund skin color.