Crime lord/Legends

"I want people to see me. I'm a crime lord. I can't do business if people can't find me."

- Marn Hierogryph

A crime lord was the local or planetary boss of a criminal organization. Crime lords would often surround themselves with lackeys, mercenaries, or bodyguards for protection. Crime lords who oversaw smuggling were known as "smuggling czars." Crime Lords can be either male or female.

The goal of most crime lords was to make money. They would achieve this by participating in any illegal activity that generated income, like extortion, gambling, loan sharking, kidnapping, spice cultivation, and distribution and slave trading. The Squib Slythor ran a salvaging ring on the Outer Rim Territories world of Korad.

Most successful crime lords had many police, security, and government officials on their payroll in order to operate efficiently. Gangsters also regularly entered into the service of crime lords, though usually these goons and thugs working for a crime lord were not paid nearly as well as the crime lord himself.

Some crime lords prefer to only participate in certain, more "honest" activities such as gambling, loan-sharking, and smuggling because these activities do not harm people as much as extortion or kidnapping. In these activities, the crime lords didn't use cruelty and violence as means of achieving a given goal. Some crime lords even worked with other crime lords to maximize profits.

Hutt crime lords
The Hutts were famous for their ruthlessness, and success in the underworld. Many Hutts would ransack ships for their load. As masters of the criminal underworld, they would steal, cheat, and murder without regret. They often hired smugglers such as Han Solo to transport illegal spice. They would often have a fortress of some kind, often on remote planets, such as Jabba's Palace on Tatooine. Hutt fortresses would usually be guarded by selected mercenaries or bounty hunters. Gamorreans and Weequay were common species to fulfill this duty. Leading an organization of crooks and scum meant competition. The Hutts that got involved with criminal activity were often killed, or enslaved. Only the more cunning and clever Hutts, like Jabba and Borvo, stayed at the top of the food chain. Some Hutts, like Jabba, had such an influence that they actually controlled entire planets.

Along with the Gamorreans and Weequay, Nikto and other ruthless species that wanted a piece of the action were common visitors to Hutt palaces. It was well known that no one saw a Hutt without something to offer. The Hutts associated with bounty hunters frequently, such as Boba Fett.

Known crime lords

 * Various Hutt crime lords
 * Jabba Desilijic Tiure
 * Prince Xizor of Black Sun
 * Alexi Garyn
 * G0-T0
 * Wonn Ionstrike
 * Nok Drayen
 * Davik Kang
 * Talon Karrde
 * King Sebolto
 * Tyber Zann
 * Reelo Baruk
 * Sise Fromm
 * Kleb Zellock
 * Big Bunji
 * Lannik Racto
 * Marn Hierogryph
 * Slythor
 * Lady Valarian

Behind the scenes
Crime lord is also a prestige class in various editions of the Star Wars Roleplaying game.

Appearances

 * Tales of the Jedi: The Saga of Nomi Sunrider
 * Tales of the Jedi audio
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
 * Star Wars: Darth Plagueis
 * The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader
 * Star Wars: Darth Maul
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace junior novel
 * LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
 * Star Wars: Battlefront II
 * The Clone Wars: Decide Your Destiny: Crisis on Coruscant
 * Evasive Action: Prey
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope junior novel
 * LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
 * Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike
 * Star Wars 7: New Planets, New Perils
 * Star Wars: Rebellion
 * Shadows of the Empire novel
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi novel
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi junior novel
 * Shadows of the Empire: Evolution
 * Darksaber
 * Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
 * Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
 * Star Wars: Droids
 * Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption
 * Star Wars: The Old Republic
 * Riptide
 * Allies
 * Vortex
 * Vortex