Neimoidian/Legends

Neimoidians were a species of humanoids that were related to the Duros. They were native to the planet of Neimoidia, and lived on purse worlds like Cato Neimoidia, Deko Neimoidia, and Koru Neimoidia.

Physiology
Since the Neimoidians are distant genetic relatives of the Duros, they still retain many similarities to the Duros, including basic form, noseless faces, and green skin (though Neimoidians tended to be grayer). Their eyes also have pupils that split horizontally and they are distinguished by small lumps on their foreheads and down-turned mouths. Their sense of smell came from glands under their eyes. These genetic differences are attributed to the distinct features of their homeworld, Neimoidia, including its gravity, which was heavier than Duro. In addition, the planet's star was dimmer, and the planet itself was humid and widely shrouded by fog and mist.

Many Duros took great offense at being compared to their Neimodians cousins. In the TriPlanetary Press reference source known as the Encyclopedia Galactica, the entry for Neimoidian read, "See: Duros".

Society and culture
Neimoidians were raised as grubs in communal hives on Neimoidia until the age of seven standard years. They were given limited amounts of food. This method weeded out the weaker species and allowed the stronger Neimoidians to eat more than they can. The stronger and more aggressive Neimoidians would go off-world where they would be trained for occupations within corporations like the Trade Federation while the weaker and less capable Neimoidians were sequestered on Neimoidia and the purse-worlds.

Many low-level worker drones were kept malnourished so as to never reach full mental maturity. Combined with the planet's natural unpleasantness, it was usual for Neimoidians to chose not to return home unless absolutely necessary. As adults, Neimoidians have a reputation of being skilled in matters of business and were well known for their leadership of the Trade Federation. Unfortunately, Neimoidians were stereotyped by other species as greedy, fearful of death, lazy, and corrupt. This is evident by the use of droids for almost everything. Neimoidians are also very conscious of rank and elaborate clothing asserts the wearer's wealth and social position in Neimoidian society. Even hats, cloaks and drapes as well as colors and texture, all have certain symbolic meanings.

History
In 25,000 BBY, a Duros colony was established on Neimoidia. Due to the distinct features of Neimoidia including its gravity which was heavier than Duro, the Duros colonists became a separate species from their genetic cousins, thus starting the Neimoidian species. During an expansionist period in the Galactic Republic era, the Neimoidians colonized several worlds. The wealthiest and most resource-rich colony worlds were known as "purse worlds" that also served as administrative posts and ruled their own set of colonies. Notable purse worlds included Cato Neimoidia, Deko Neimoidia, and Koru Neimoidia.

In 350 BBY, the Neimoidians help found the Trade Federation, an association of business and trade groups which grew to dominate entire star systems. In 33 BBY, the Neimoidian Trade Federation Viceroy, Nute Gunray, had all the non-Neimoidian members of the Trade Federation Directorate murdered at the Eriadu Conference. As a result, the Neimoidians assumed complete control of the Federation.

When the Galactic Republic began taxes trade routes to the outlying regions, the Neimoidians were furious. This resulted in the Trade Federation's Blockade of Naboo. However, the Trade Federation forces were defeated during the Battle of Naboo. This resulted in the species being stereotyped as greedy and cowardly.

During the Separatist Crisis, the Neimoidians aligned themselves with Count Dooku's growing Separatist movement. With the start of the Clone Wars at the Battle of Geonosis in 22 BBY, Neimoidians became a species commonly associated with the Confederacy and were either deported from or prevented from entering Coruscant.

In 19 BBY, the Republic retook Neimoidia and its purse worlds from the Confederacy before Viceroy Gunray and Settlement Officer Rune Haako were killed at Mustafar by Darth Vader. During the assault on Neimoidia, the planet was ravaged and the destruction of many Neimoidian grub-hatcheries would affect the Neimoidian species.

Under the Galactic Empire, the Trade Federation was disbanded after acting viceroy Sentepeth Findos signed a treaty on Neimoidia, and Neimoidians began adopting the culture of the baseline Duros to disassociate themselves with the Trade Federation's shameful legacy, something which the Duros vehemently deny (as it is considered a great insult by the Duros to be associated in any way with the Neimoidians, despite their genetic similarities).

Fewer Neimoidians also traveled far from their homeworlds, although their vehicles and weaponry&mdash;such as Sheathipede-class shuttles, Vulture droids, Lucrehulk-class battleships, and core ships&mdash;were often used by various corporate entities, particularly in the Corporate Sector.

In 6 ABY, Neimoidia was quarantined due to viruses. During the Yuuzhan Vong War, some Neimoidians joined the New Republic and Galactic Alliance as pilots. Many others fell in with criminal organizations as well.

Notable Neimoidians

 * Dod, Lott
 * Dofine, Daultay
 * Dofine, Lushros
 * Findos, Sentepeth
 * Gunnay, Rute
 * Gunray, Nute
 * Haako, Rune
 * How, Tey
 * Libkath, Gilramos
 * Moh, Yee
 * Monchar, Hath
 * Unch, Sil
 * Vale

Behind the scenes
Much as Imperial officers were given British accents, some have argued that the Neimoidians have been given Asian accents. However, typical phonetic characteristics of Japanese or Chinese accents in English (e.g. rhotic [l] or lateral [r], dropped sounds in certain consonant clusters, or weakening of consonants closing syllables) are absent in Neimoidian speech, and characteristics of Thai, Vietnamese, or other accents are also not present. Thus, it is difficult to provide a cogent or concrete linguistic justification of this claim. The "mushmouthed" accent has been interpreted as stereotypically Chinese by some, despite the lack of concrete or specific characteristics of Chinese-accented English. Much of this may be due to the poor lip-syncing on the Neimoidian puppets used in The Phantom Menace, giving the impression of Japanese horror movies (incidentally, many Americans cannot tell the difference between Chinese and Japanese people), as well as the horizontal slits found on Neimoidian eyes, similar to the slit-like eyes used in Asian caricatures, often deemed to be offensive.

Appearances

 * Darth Maul: Saboteur
 * Cloak of Deception
 * Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * Labyrinth of Evil
 * Reversal of Fortune
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Destiny's Way
 * Ylesia
 * The Unseen Queen

External link

 * HoloNet News 45
 * HoloNet News 45