Massiff/Legends

The massiff was a reptilian creature found on Geonosis and Tatooine. The species' original world is unknown; however, the Geonosis and Tatooine populations were by far the most numerous. Canine in appearance with an armored hide, the beasts could be domesticated and used for sentry and guard tasks. On Geonosis, possession of a massiff was a sign of authority and aristocracy. The Geonosians and massiffs had a somewhat symbiotic relationship; in exchange for shelter, the creatures would rid the hives of pests. It was easy to tell the age of a massiff, for they grew a new pair of antlers every standard year.

Biology and appearance
Massiffs had coarse skin, large jaws, toothy mouths, big dark eyes and line of hard spikes along their backs.

History
In addition to being introduced to Malastare, the massiff was domesticated by the Tusken Raiders of Tatooine. Researchers believe that an interstellar freighter carrying the animals crashed in one of the planet's sandstorms around 222 BBY. The resulting slaughter by the Sandpeople left only one survivor, while a small portion of the massiffs were kept by the attackers. Their senses being attuned to the clear conditions of Geonosis, massiffs were useless as sentries in Tatooine's constantly blowing sand. Instead, they found their niche as camp defenders, attacking any intruders on sight. The presence of massiffs was a contentious one among the Tusken clans, as many felt that they were a departure from tradition. Because of this, warring clans would often try to slay each other's pets as gestures of insult.

The close proximity of Geonosis and Tatooine undoubtedly led to the migration of the creature from one world to another, most likely the result of careless traders introducing the animal into a new ecosphere. On Geonosis, massiffs were emblems of the Geonosian aristocracy, and domesticated massiffs were used to rid the hives of vermin. On occasion, massiffs were used in arena fighting. On Tatooine, they were similarly domesticated as camp guard animals.

Behind the scenes
The creature's name is a play on the word "massive" and is inspired by "mastiff", a breed of large dog.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Bounty Hunter
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones comic
 * Boba Fett: The Fight to Survive
 * Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds: Clone Campaigns
 * Star Wars Galaxies
 * Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds: Clone Campaigns
 * Star Wars Galaxies

Notes and references
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