Pau'an/Legends

"Tell your people to take shelter. If you have warriors, now is the time."

- Obi-Wan Kenobi

Pau'ans were gaunt Near-Humans native to Utapau. Also known as Utapauns and Ancients due to their long lifepsans, they co-existed on Utapau with the Utai. The two species got along well, with the Pau'ans assuming leadership roles on the planet. Though some viewed the Pau'ans as frightening, they were friendly, and were more than happy to welcome visitors to their little-known world. Due to Utapau's remoteness, the Pau'ans were isolated for most of their history. However, they played a part in galactic events in 19 BBY, when the Confederacy of Independent Systems conquered their planet. The Pau'ans opposed the Confederacy and later the Empire after Imperials took control of their planet. Perhaps the most famous Pau'an was Darth Desolous, a fallen Jedi who aspired to become a Sith.

Biology and appearance
The average Pau'an stood taller than a Human, at approximately 1.9 meters. They were bald and their head was striped with furrowed gray skin. Pau'ans weighed 70 kilograms on average. They had large, sunken black eyes and jagged, fang-like teeth used for tearing into raw meat, as they were carnivores. They had pale, wrinkled skin, due to the fact that the species lived in the sinkholes of Utapau, giving them limited access to light. These traits caused some to view them as frightening. However, most Pau'ans were friendly, and were happy to welcome guests to their often overlooked world.

Pau'ans had long lifespans, living up to 700 years, much longer than the Utai, the other species native to Utapau. Their eyes allowed them to see well in darkness. Pau'ans had four fingers and toes, but were more mobile than they appeared. Members of the species wore elaborate clothes intended to heighten their impressive stature. Most Pau'ans spoke both Utapese and Basic.

Society and culture
The Pau'ans fulfilled most of the administrative duties on Utapau, as the Utai did not desire such work, serving as laborers instead. Most Pau'ans served as leaders early in their life, often managing teams of Utai laborers. This gave them experience which would be used later in their life. Pau'ans were kind leaders, and sympathetic to their subordinates. Despite the many differences between the Pau'ans and the Utai, the two species were able to co-exist peacefully, although inhabitants of the different Utapaun cities often had conflicts. Each city had its own culture, and competition were fierce between the groups. However, they were able to cooperate when the situation necessitated it, such as during the Confederate invasion of the planet in 19 BBY.

Pau'an society was a blend of a variety of styles and cultures, borne from the ancient merger with the Utai. Built into the sinkhole walls, Pau'an settlements such as the Pau City spaceport were divided into different areas, each a mix of architectural styles and other-worldly design. Pau'ans developed an industrial society, despite their seemingly primitive and natural image, though the Utai were the ones who actually did the hard work. However, the Utai did not mind, and much preferred labor to positions of leadership. They were able to power their city by wind, harnessing it through massive windmills.Most Pau'ans rode varactyls and dactillions instead of speeders.

The Utapauan Committee, which was composed of representatives from the different cities, governed the planet. However, it rarely made crucial decisions, as the cities were able to function on their own most of the time, turning to the Utapauan Security Force when necessary.

History
Pau'an civilization began around 57,000 BBY. It is believed that settlers traveled to Utapau hoping to find a hospitable world to colonize. Some created homes in the sinkholes, while others lived on the surface. Over time, the species changed genetically, becoming the Pau'ans and the Utai, two species with many differences but some similarities. Researchers from the University of Sanbra discovered evidence which supported the theory that the two species were related, although exact specifications are not certain. Eventually, a climate change which caused severe winds forced the Pau'ans underground, into the sinkholes. The Utai welcomed the Pau'ans, and over time, the two societies merged together to live in a mutually beneficial civilization. Timon Medon was the Pau'an responsible for this, and he was held in high esteem by Pau'ans for his actions. Tion Medon, Port Administrator in 19 BBY, was named for Timon Medon. Pau'ans represented only about thirty percent of the population on Utapau, though as the administrators and bureaucrats of the sinkhole cities, their influence made up for their lack of numbers.

Due to trade restrictions placed in them by the Trade Federation, Pau'ans were unable to import many goods, and were forced to create their own technology. As Utapau was located in the distant Outer Rim, few independent traders ventured to their planet, although many people ventured there around 30 BBY after hearing rumors that the waters on the planet had miraculous healing properties. Once this was proven to be false, people forgot about Utapau, leaving it alone once more. The Pau'an culture was disturbed during the Clone Wars by the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Though the neutral Utapauns attempted to fight back with several Rendili Star Dreadnaughts, the CIS succeeded in conquering the planet as a stronghold. Administrator Tion Medon was forced to host General Grievous and his allies on Utapau, turning the planet into a Separatist safehouse. With the arrival of Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, many Pau'ans fought back against the droid forces, though Utapau was subjugated once more with the formation of the Empire. Pau'an captives were shipped as slaves for several Imperial projects including the colonization of Byss.

Following the liberation of their planet by the New Republic, they joined the new galactic government, hoping to avoid enslavement and poor treatment at the hands of the leaders of the galaxy again.<ref name="

Pau'ans in the galaxy
Pau'ans were rarely found on a world other than Utapau, owing mainly to the remoteness of their planet. However, one individual who did acheive notoriety was the Pau'an Darth Desolous, who served as a Jedi prior to Order 66, when he fell to the dark side and become a Dark Jedi. Following the rise of the Empire, many Pau'ans were taken as Imperial slaves. Some were shipped to Byss, the location of many of Emperor Palpatine's treasures, as well as his top-secret citadel. As the Pau'ans were skilled leaders, some were recruited by the Corporate Sector Authority to work as managers of corporations. They could also be found as aides to nobles and senators.

Behind the scenes
The design of the Pau'ans for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith was originally intended for the natives of Mustafar. They were originally lemur-like creatures, and were changed to their current appearance as Revenge of the Sith developed. Their backstory was later expanded on in The New Essential Guide to Alien Species. The Pau'ans in Revenge of the Sith were created through a mix of prosthetic makeup effects and Computer-generated imagery. The design of their face was inspired by an African tribal mask.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 17: Nights of Anger, Part 2
 * Evasive Action: Reversal of Fortune
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith comic
 * Evasive Action: Recruitment
 * Star Wars: The Force Unleashed game

Notes and references
Pau'aner