Crab-harp

Crab-harps were bioengineered non-sentient creatures created by the Yuuzhan Vong species. Crab-harps had long legs, and these could be locked in an extended position so that the tendons that connected the tip of the leg to the body could be used to create music. In existence by 26 ABY during the Yuuzhan Vong War, these creatures were used by the Yuuzhan Vong as musical instruments, or were set loose at ceremonies to make their own music.

Biology and appearance
Bioengineered by the sentient Yuuzhan Vong species, crab-harps were long limbed crustaceans that were about the size of a Yuuzhan Vong chest. Colored red on their limbs and grey on their bodies, crab-harps could lock in an extended position, so that stretched translucent tendons connected the tips of each limb to the main body; in this position, the crustacean resembled a type of harp. When the tendons were stroked or plucked, an eerie atonal music could be heard.

Behavior
Classified as non-sentient, crab-harps would allow Yuuzhan Vong to play them as musical instruments when their legs were locked in their extended positions. When set to roam free, they would play themselves by rubbing their legs together to create music.

History
Crab-harps were genetically brought into existence for the sound of their music by the Yuuzhan Vong by the year 26 ABY. At that time, the Yuuzhan Vong were in the process of invading a galaxy other than their own. Crab-harps were used in ceremonies by the Yuuzhan Vong, with the crustacean musical instruments either being played by attendants, or set to roam freely to create background music. In 26 ABY, two crab-harps were used by a trio of attendents during the Yuuzhan Vong attack on the planet Duro. There, the creatures made music as Yuuzhan Vong Warmaster Tsavong Lah tortured the captured Leia Organa Solo, who was from the New Republic. Later in the war, crab-harps were used to provide music as part of a grand ceremony that took place in the Place of Sacrifice on the captured world of Coruscant.

Behind the scenes
Crab-harps first appeared in the novel Balance Point, released in 2000 and written by Kathy Tyers. Balance Point was apart of The New Jedi Order series of books. The crustaceans were later mentioned in the Unifying Force, by James Luceno, and the crab-harps later received an entry in 2008's The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia.

Appearances

 * Balance Point
 * The Unifying Force