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Changes: Kaleesh/Legends

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{{Eras|type=legends}}
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{{Eras}}
 
{{Youmay|the alien species|their [[Kaleesh (language)|language]]}}
  
{{Youmay|the alien species|their [[Kaleesh (language)|language]]}}
 
{{Update|[[Galaxy at War]], [[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]}}
  
{{Update|[[Galaxy at War]], [[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]}}
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|image=[[File:Kaleesh NEGAS.jpg]]
  
|image=[[File:Kaleesh NEGAS.jpg]]
 
|name=Kaleesh
  
|name=Kaleesh
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|designation=[[Sentience/Legends|Sentient]]<ref name="TNEGAS" />
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|designation=[[Sentience/Legends|Sentient]]<ref name="TNEGAS">''[[The New Essential Guide to Alien Species]]''</ref>
 
|class=[[Reptile/Legends|Reptile]]<ref name="TNEGAS" />
  
|class=[[Reptile/Legends|Reptile]]<ref name="TNEGAS" />
 
|subspecies=
  
|subspecies=
 
|races=
  
|races=
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|height=1.6 - 1.8 [[Imperial standard meter|meters]]<ref name="TCW CG">''[[The Clone Wars Campaign Guide]]''</ref><ref name="TNEGAS">''[[The New Essential Guide to Alien Species]]''</ref>
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|height=1.6 - 1.8 [[Imperial standard meter|meters]]<ref name="TCW CG">''[[The Clone Wars Campaign Guide]]''</ref><ref name="TNEGAS" />
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|length=
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|planet=[[Kalee/Legends|Kalee]]
  
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|wingspan=
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|language=[[Kaleesh (language)|Kaleesh]]
  
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|mass=
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|skincolor=Red, orange<ref name="TNEGAS">''[[The New Essential Guide to Alien Species]]''</ref> and yellow<ref name="TCW CG" />
  
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|haircolor=Black<ref name="TCW CG" /><ref name="TNEGAS">''[[The New Essential Guide to Alien Species]]''</ref> and brown<ref name="US:TSoGG">''[[Unknown Soldier: The Story of General Grievous]]''</ref>
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|skincolor=Red, orange<ref name="TNEGAS" /> and yellow<ref name="TCW CG" />
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|eyecolor=Yellow<ref name="TNEGAS">''[[The New Essential Guide to Alien Species]]''</ref>
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|haircolor=Black<ref name="TCW CG" /><ref name="TNEGAS" /> and brown<ref name="US:TSoGG">''[[Unknown Soldier: The Story of General Grievous]]''</ref>
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|feathers=
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|eyecolor=Yellow<ref name="TNEGAS" />
 
|distinctions=Four digits, tusks
  
|distinctions=Four digits, tusks
 
|lifespan=Up to 80 [[Standard year/Legends|standard years]]<ref name="TCW CG" />
  
|lifespan=Up to 80 [[Standard year/Legends|standard years]]<ref name="TCW CG" />
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|planet=[[Kalee/Legends|Kalee]]
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|habitat=
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|diet=
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|language=[[Kaleesh (language)|Kaleesh]]
 
|members=*[[Longeye]]<ref name="SWTOR">''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]'' {{C|mission "Republic's Most Wanted"}}.</ref>
  
|members=*[[Longeye]]<ref name="SWTOR">''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]'' {{C|mission "Republic's Most Wanted"}}.</ref>
 
*[[Ronderu lij Kummar]]<ref name="TSoGG:LoW">''[[The Story of General Grievous: Lord of War]]''</ref>
  
*[[Ronderu lij Kummar]]<ref name="TSoGG:LoW">''[[The Story of General Grievous: Lord of War]]''</ref>
 
*[[Jai Quallo]]<ref name="SWTOR" />
  
*[[Jai Quallo]]<ref name="SWTOR" />
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*[[Saes Rrogon]]<ref name="crosscurrent"> ''[[Crosscurrent]]'' </ref>
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*[[Saes Rrogon]]<ref name="crosscurrent">''[[Crosscurrent]]''</ref>
 
*[[Grievous/Legends|Qymaen jai Sheelal]]<ref name="aite">''[[Aliens in the Empire]]''</ref>
  
*[[Grievous/Legends|Qymaen jai Sheelal]]<ref name="aite">''[[Aliens in the Empire]]''</ref>
 
*[[Bentilais san Sk'ar]]
  
*[[Bentilais san Sk'ar]]
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*[[Razer]]}}
  
*[[Razer]]}}
 
{{Quote|General Grievous: part Kaleesh, part droid... all creep.|[[Ahsoka Tano/Legends|Ahsoka Tano]]|Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels}}
  
{{Quote|General Grievous: part Kaleesh, part droid... all creep.|[[Ahsoka Tano/Legends|Ahsoka Tano]]|Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels}}
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'''Kaleesh''' were [[Reptile/Legends|reptilian]] [[Humanoid/Legends|humanoids]] from the [[Planet/Legends|planet]] [[Kalee/Legends|Kalee]]. They had scaly skin, tusks, and long nostrils, though few outsiders ever saw a Kaleesh face that was not obscured behind a traditional mask. Kaleesh culture was deeply spiritual and warlike. War was seen as an essential part of life, and wars between tribes were common.
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'''Kaleesh''' were [[Reptile/Legends|reptilian]] [[Humanoid/Legends|humanoids]] from the planet [[Kalee/Legends|Kalee]]. They had scaly skin, tusks, and long nostrils, though few outsiders ever saw a Kaleesh face that wasn't obscured behind a traditional mask. Kaleesh culture was deeply spiritual and warlike. War was seen as an essential part of life, and wars between tribes were common.
  
   
 
==Biology and appearance==
  
==Biology and appearance==
 
{{Quote|I fought the bone-lizards before. Their smell is worse than their bite.|[[Bowdaar]]|Star Wars: The Old Republic}}
  
{{Quote|I fought the bone-lizards before. Their smell is worse than their bite.|[[Bowdaar]]|Star Wars: The Old Republic}}
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[[File:Kaleesh2.jpg|thumb|150px|left|An unmasked Kaleesh]]
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[[File:Kaleesh2.jpg|thumb|left|150px|An unmasked Kaleesh]]
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Kaleesh had reddish-brown scaly skin, four-clawed hands, and five-clawed feet. Each Kaleesh hand featured two opposable thumbs. Because of the thermal pits under their eyes, Kaleesh could see in the dark.<ref name="TNEGAS">''[[The New Essential Guide to Alien Species]]''</ref> Tusks protruded from their [[wikipedia:maxilla|upper jaw]], and shorter ones jutted from their chins. Kaleesh had large pointed ears and long nostrils that stretched close to their eyes. They had very keen olfactory sense and were able to produce [[Pheromone/Legends|pheromones]].<ref name="crosscurrent" /> Most of their facial features were obscured behind the traditional masks they wore, and outsiders rarely saw Kaleesh unmasked.
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Kaleesh had maroon scaly skin, four-clawed hands, and five-clawed feet. Each Kaleesh hand featured two opposable thumbs. Because of the thermal pits under their eyes, Kaleesh could see in the dark.<ref name="TNEGAS" /> Tusks protruded from their [[Wikipedia:maxilla|upper jaw]], and shorter ones jutted from their chins. Kaleesh had large pointed ears and long nostrils that stretched close to their eyes. They had very keen olfactory sense and were able to produce [[Pheromone/Legends|pheromones]].<ref name="crosscurrent" /> Their internal organs were extremly flammable.<ref>[[Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith|''Star Wars'': Episode III ''Revenge of the Sith'']]</ref><ref>[[John Knoll|John Knoll's]] commentary in ''[[Star Wars: The Complete Saga]]''</ref> Most of their facial features were obscured behind the traditional masks they wore, and outsiders rarely saw Kaleesh unmasked.
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They were known to practice polygyny, a form of [[polygamy]], where a male courts multiple wives. [[Grievous/Legends|Grievous]], a [[Cyborg/Legends|cyborg]] Kaleesh, had a digitigrade stance, but this does not appear to have been representative of the Kaleesh as a whole and may derive from his reconstruction based on a [[Krath war droid]].
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They were known to practice polygyny, a form of [[polygamy]], where a male courts multiple wives. [[Grievous/Legends|Grievous]], a [[Cyborg/Legends|cyborg]] Kaleesh, had a digitigrade stance, but this does not appear to have been representative of the Kaleesh as a whole and may derive from his reconstruction based on a [[Krath war droid/Legends|Krath war droid]].
   
 
==Society and culture==
  
==Society and culture==
 
{{Quote|The Kaleesh are war-like, ritualistic people. In my brief time on Kalee, I observed the ritual by which they choose their warleader.|[[Darth Malgus]]|Star Wars: The Old Republic}}
  
{{Quote|The Kaleesh are war-like, ritualistic people. In my brief time on Kalee, I observed the ritual by which they choose their warleader.|[[Darth Malgus]]|Star Wars: The Old Republic}}
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The Kaleesh were a spiritual people, believing that those who performed great deeds in life became gods in death. Therefore, burial places were sacred to them. A large number of temples were devoted to their ancestor gods, the holiest of which was called [[Shrupak]]. [[Abesmi]], a great monolith of stone in the [[Jenuwaa Sea]], was the place the Kaleesh believed the gods ascended to the heavens. Pilgrims took the perilous voyage to Abesmi to beseech the gods.<ref name="TEoF">''[[The Eyes of Revolution]]''</ref><ref name="US:TSoGG">''[[Unknown Soldier: The Story of General Grievous]]''</ref>As of the [[New Republic era]], the late General Grievous, former Kaleesh warrior Qymaen jai Sheelal, had joined his species' pantheon of religious deities.<ref name="US:TSoGG" />
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The Kaleesh were a spiritual people, believing that those who performed great deeds in life became gods in death. Therefore, burial places were sacred to them. A large number of temples were devoted to their ancestor gods, the holiest of which was called [[Shrupak]]. [[Abesmi]], a great monolith of stone in the [[Jenuwaa Sea]], was the place the Kaleesh believed the gods ascended to the heavens. Pilgrims took the perilous voyage to Abesmi to beseech the gods.<ref name="TEoF">''[[The Eyes of Revolution]]''</ref><ref name="US:TSoGG" /> As of the [[New Republic era]], the late General Grievous, former Kaleesh warrior Qymaen jai Sheelal, had joined his species' pantheon of religious deities.<ref name="US:TSoGG" />
   
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[[File:KaleeshKolkpravisWarriors-GAW.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Kaleesh [[Kolkpravis]]]]
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[[File:KaleeshKolkpravisWarriors-GAW.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Kaleesh [[Kolkpravis]]]]
 
Their society was divided into numerous tribes, including the [[Lig]], and the Kaleesh were known to take multiple wives and have many children. War was viewed as an essential and sacred practice, and the culture's large emphasis on honor was known to spur many acts of vengeance among the various tribes. However, when necessary, the tribes would put aside their differences and bond to fend off a common enemy. Typical Kaleesh weaponry included a [[Czerka Arms/Legends|Czerka Arms]] [[Outland rifle]], a [[Lig sword]], and a [[Shoni spear]].<ref name="TSoGG:LoW" />
  
Their society was divided into numerous tribes, including the [[Lig]], and the Kaleesh were known to take multiple wives and have many children. War was viewed as an essential and sacred practice, and the culture's large emphasis on honor was known to spur many acts of vengeance among the various tribes. However, when necessary, the tribes would put aside their differences and bond to fend off a common enemy. Typical Kaleesh weaponry included a [[Czerka Arms/Legends|Czerka Arms]] [[Outland rifle]], a [[Lig sword]], and a [[Shoni spear]].<ref name="TSoGG:LoW" />
   
 
==History==
  
==History==
 
===The Old Republic===
  
===The Old Republic===
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During the time of the Old Republic, the Kaleesh were known slaves of the [[Sith Empire/Legends|Sith Empire]] and were occasionally trained when seen to have Force abilities. An example of this is a Kaleesh known as [[Xalek]] who became apprenticed to a [[Darth Nox|prominent]] [[Sith Lord/Legends|Sith Lord]] on the [[Dark Council]]. Kaleesh also trained as [[Jedi/Legends|Jedi]], such as [[Cin Tykan]], a [[Jedi Master/Legends|Jedi Master]]. They were also known prisoners of the infamous prison planet [[Belsavis/Legends|Belsavis]] and played lesser roles across the galaxy at the time. Despite segregation within the Sith Empire, one of them, [[Razer]], gained a Sith Lord title.
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By the time of the [[Galactic War]], Kaleesh had recently arrived in the civilized galaxy. They were quickly recognized as proud, honorable and deadly warriors by both the [[Galactic Republic/Legends|Galactic Republic]] and the [[Sith Empire (Post–Great Hyperspace War)|Sith Empire]].<ref name="TOR-Kaleesh">{{TORcite|type=codex|Kaleesh}}</ref> Most Kaleesh were opposed to the xenophobic Sith Empire,<ref name="TOR-Kaleesh Mercenaries ">{{TORcite|type=codex|Kaleesh Mercenaries}}</ref> but the species fought on both sides of the conflict,<ref name="TOR-Tykan">{{TORcite|type=codex|Cin Tykan (Consular)}}</ref><ref name="TOR-Xalek">{{TORcite|type=codex|Xalek (Inquisitor)}}</ref> as well as for [[Darth Malgus]]' [[New Empire]],<ref name="TOR-Ilum">{{TORcite|type=flashpoint|The Battle of Ilum}}</ref> or served as bodyguards for the [[Hutt Cartel]].<ref name="TOR-Kaleesh" /> During this time, several Kaleesh were known slaves of the [[Sith Empire/Legends|Sith Empire]] and were occasionally trained when seen to have Force abilities. An example of this is a Kaleesh known as [[Xivhkalrainik|Xalek]] who became apprenticed to a [[Darth Nox|prominent]] [[Sith Lord/Legends|Sith Lord]] on the [[Dark Council]]. Kaleesh also trained as [[Jedi/Legends|Jedi]], such as [[Cin Tykan]], a [[Jedi Master/Legends|Jedi Master]]. They were also known prisoners of the infamous prison planet [[Belsavis/Legends|Belsavis]] and played lesser roles across the galaxy at the time. Despite segregation within the Sith Empire, one of them, [[Razer]], gained a Sith Lord title.
   
 
===The Bitthevrian threat===
  
===The Bitthevrian threat===
 
{{Main|Kaleesh–Bitthævrian War}}
  
{{Main|Kaleesh–Bitthævrian War}}
   
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Around [[65 BBY/Legends|65 BBY]], the [[Galactic Republic/Legends|Republic]] had been having strained relations with [[Guiteica]], homeworld of the [[Bitthævrian]]s, due to their non-membership. After a few years of failed negotiations, a Republic-backed soldier attempted to stage a coup against Guiteica's leader in order to force the planet to join the Republic. The attempt failed, however, and caused a surge of violence and hostility toward all Republic stations within the surrounding [[Kadok Regions]].<ref name="TSoGG:LoW">''[[The Story of General Grievous: Lord of War]]''</ref>
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Around [[65 BBY/Legends|65 BBY]], the [[Galactic Republic/Legends|Republic]] had been having strained relations with [[Guiteica]], homeworld of the [[Bitthævrian]]s, due to their non-membership. After a few years of failed negotiations, a Republic-backed soldier attempted to stage a coup against Guiteica's leader in order to force the planet to join the Republic. The attempt failed, however, and caused a surge of violence and hostility toward all Republic stations within the surrounding [[Kadok Regions]].<ref name="TSoGG:LoW" />
   
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Kalee, near the edge of Bitthævrian space, though a mostly unnoticed planet considered backwater by the Republic, would have had nothing to fear from the [[m'Yalfor'ac Order]], as the Bitthævrian military was known. However, Republic administration wished to keep the rebellion a secret, and rather than making noise by having their own forces terminate it, convinced the Kaleesh that they were indeed in danger. Quietly sending a group of military instructors to the planet, the Republic trained and armed the Kaleesh military force&mdash;[[Kolkpravis]].<ref name="GAW" />
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Kalee, near the edge of Bitthævrian space, though a mostly unnoticed planet considered backwater by the Republic, would have had nothing to fear from the [[m'Yalfor'ac Order]], as the Bitthævrian military was known. However, Republic administration wished to keep the rebellion a secret, and rather than making noise by having their own forces terminate it, convinced the Kaleesh that they were indeed in danger. Quietly sending a group of military instructors to the planet, the Republic trained and armed the Kaleesh military force&mdash;[[Kolkpravis]].<ref name="GAW">''[[Galaxy at War]]''</ref>
   
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Armed with projectile-firing Czerka Outland rifle and backed by a small group of [[Jedi Knight/Legends|Knights]] sent by the [[Jedi Council/Legends|Jedi Council]], the Kolkpravis were able to end the perceived threat of the Bitthævrian to the Republic.<ref name="TSoGG:LoW">''[[The Story of General Grievous: Lord of War]]''</ref>Notably, the grandmother of [[Grievous/Legends|Qymaen jai Sheelal]] participated in the Kaleesh assault.<ref name="TSoGG:LoW">''[[The Story of General Grievous: Lord of War]]''</ref>
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Armed with projectile-firing Czerka Outland rifle and backed by a small group of [[Jedi Knight/Legends|Knights]] sent by the [[Jedi Council/Legends|Jedi Council]], the Kolkpravis were able to end the perceived threat of the Bitthævrian to the Republic.<ref name="TSoGG:LoW" />Notably, the grandmother of [[Grievous/Legends|Qymaen jai Sheelal]] participated in the Kaleesh assault.<ref name="TSoGG:LoW" />
 
[[File:Saes.JPG|thumb|left|150px|[[Saes Rrogon]], a Kaleesh [[Sith Lord/Legends|Sith Lord]]]]
  
[[File:Saes.JPG|thumb|left|150px|[[Saes Rrogon]], a Kaleesh [[Sith Lord/Legends|Sith Lord]]]]
   
 
===The Huk War===
  
===The Huk War===
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{{Main|Huk War}}
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{{Main|Huk War/Legends}}
   
 
[[File:QymaenRonderuHuks.jpg|thumb|right|154px|Qymaen jai Sheelal and Ronderu lij Kummar fighting the Huk.]]
  
[[File:QymaenRonderuHuks.jpg|thumb|right|154px|Qymaen jai Sheelal and Ronderu lij Kummar fighting the Huk.]]
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The Huk War was a long conflict prior to the [[Clone Wars/Legends|Clone Wars]], beginning when the [[Yam'rii]] of the neighboring planet [[Huk]], having overpopulated their own planet, began taking over and colonizing nearby worlds, eventually arriving at Kalee. They captured millions of Kaleesh and sold them into slavery.<ref name="TCW CG" /> The Kaleesh, led by Sheelal and [[Ronderu lij Kummar]], rebelled against their invaders in a bloody series of battles that would leave multitudes dead on both sides.<ref name="US:TSoGG">'' /></ref><ref name="TNEGAS">''[[The New Essential Guide to Alien Species]]''</ref>
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The Huk War was a long conflict prior to the [[Clone Wars/Legends|Clone Wars]], beginning when the [[Yam'rii/Legends|Yam'rii]] of the neighboring planet [[Huk/Legends|Huk]], having overpopulated their own planet, began taking over and colonizing nearby worlds, eventually arriving at Kalee. They captured millions of Kaleesh and sold them into slavery.<ref name="TCW CG" /> The Kaleesh, led by Sheelal and [[Ronderu lij Kummar]], rebelled against their invaders in a bloody series of battles that would leave multitudes dead on both sides.<ref name="US:TSoGG" /><ref name="TNEGAS" />
   
 
After obliterating the Yam'rii presence on Kalee, Sheelal led his warriors back to the Yam'rii colony worlds, massacring civilians as well as soldiers. The Yam'rii petitioned in the [[Galactic Senate/Legends|Senate]] for Republic intervention, and received as much when a dispatch of [[Jedi/Legends|Jedi]] arrived to end the war. The Senate imposed harsh sanctions on Kalee, plunging the world into an economic crisis. However, this crisis eventually came to an end when the [[InterGalactic Banking Clan/Legends|InterGalactic Banking Clan]] helped the planet in economic repairs in exchange for the services of [[Grievous/Legends|Grievous]].<ref name="TNEGAS" />
  
After obliterating the Yam'rii presence on Kalee, Sheelal led his warriors back to the Yam'rii colony worlds, massacring civilians as well as soldiers. The Yam'rii petitioned in the [[Galactic Senate/Legends|Senate]] for Republic intervention, and received as much when a dispatch of [[Jedi/Legends|Jedi]] arrived to end the war. The Senate imposed harsh sanctions on Kalee, plunging the world into an economic crisis. However, this crisis eventually came to an end when the [[InterGalactic Banking Clan/Legends|InterGalactic Banking Clan]] helped the planet in economic repairs in exchange for the services of [[Grievous/Legends|Grievous]].<ref name="TNEGAS" />
   
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Following the Huk War, the Yam'rii desecrated the burial grounds of the Kaleesh on the planet [[Oben]], prompting Kaleesh warlord [[Grievous/Legends|Qymaen jai Sheelal]] to return from working for the Banking Clan to again lead the Kolkpravis. The IBC sabotaged Sheelal's [[Shuttle/Legends|shuttle]], nearly killing him and killing seven of the eight [[Izvoshra]], elite warriors who protected him and carried out his will.<ref name="GAW">''[[Galaxy at War]]''</ref>
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Following the Huk War, the Yam'rii desecrated the burial grounds of the Kaleesh on the planet [[Oben]], prompting Kaleesh [[Warlord/Legends|warlord]] [[Grievous/Legends|Qymaen jai Sheelal]] to return from working for the Banking Clan to again lead the Kolkpravis. The IBC sabotaged Sheelal's [[Shuttle/Legends|shuttle]], nearly killing him and killing seven of the eight [[Izvoshra]], elite warriors who protected him and carried out his will.<ref name="GAW" />
 
Qymaen was later resurrected as the [[Confederacy of Independent Systems/Legends|Separatist]] [[Cyborg/Legends|cyborg]] [[General/Legends|General]] [[Grievous/Legends|Grievous]]; who played a pivotal role in the [[Clone Wars/Legends|Clone Wars]].<ref name="TNEGAS" />
  
Qymaen was later resurrected as the [[Confederacy of Independent Systems/Legends|Separatist]] [[Cyborg/Legends|cyborg]] [[General/Legends|General]] [[Grievous/Legends|Grievous]]; who played a pivotal role in the [[Clone Wars/Legends|Clone Wars]].<ref name="TNEGAS" />
   
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The Kaleesh supported the [[Confederacy of Independent Systems/Legends|Confederacy of Independent Systems]] during the Clone Wars until its defeat in [[19 BBY/Legends|19 BBY]] and the death of General Grievous at the [[Battle of Utapau/Legends|Battle of Utapau]]. Years afterwards, Grievous would be worshiped as a deity on Kalee.<ref name="US:TSoGG">'' /></ref><ref name="TNEGAS" />The sole surviving Izvoshra, a tyrant of Kalee's western hemisphere named [[Bentilais san Sk'ar]], rallied the Kolkpravis and led the slaughter of the Yam'rii on Oben, where he subsequently moved his people.<ref name="GAW" />
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The Kaleesh supported the [[Confederacy of Independent Systems/Legends|Confederacy of Independent Systems]] during the Clone Wars until its defeat in [[19 BBY/Legends|19 BBY]] and the death of General Grievous at the [[Battle of Utapau/Legends|Battle of Utapau]]. Years afterwards, Grievous would be worshiped as a deity on Kalee.<ref name="US:TSoGG" /><ref name="TNEGAS" />The sole surviving Izvoshra, a tyrant of Kalee's western hemisphere named [[Bentilais san Sk'ar]], rallied the Kolkpravis and led the slaughter of the Yam'rii on Oben, where he subsequently moved his people.<ref name="GAW" />
   
 
===Galactic Empire===
  
===Galactic Empire===
 
{{Main|Kaleesh–Imperial conflict}}
  
{{Main|Kaleesh–Imperial conflict}}
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Due to their ties to the [[Separatist Crisis/Legends|Separatist movement]] and their role in the [[Clone Wars/Legends|Clone Wars]], the species was presumably targeted for retribution by the newly risen [[Galactic Empire/Legends|Galactic Empire]]. For nearly a decade, the Kaleesh under [[General/Legends|General]] [[Bentilais san Sk'ar]] [[Kaleesh Resistance|held out]] against the Imperials until they were finally routed on Oben by [[Captain/Legends|Captain]] [[Mitth'raw'nuruodo/Legends|Thrawn]], who was usually able to study his adversaries' art and devise a strategy to defeat them from there. In the case of the Kaleesh, Thrawn was unable to comprehend the works of art, and so leveled Oben with his [[Star Destroyer/Legends|Star Destroyers]]; presumably inflicting heavy casualties and bringing an end to the insurrection.<ref name="AitE">''[[Aliens in the Empire]]''</ref><ref name="GAW" />
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Due to their ties to the [[Separatist Crisis/Legends|Separatist movement]] and their role in the [[Clone Wars/Legends|Clone Wars]], the species was presumably targeted for retribution by the newly risen [[Galactic Empire/Legends|Galactic Empire]]. For nearly a decade, the Kaleesh under warlord [[Bentilais san Sk'ar]] [[Kaleesh Resistance|held out]] against the Imperials until they were finally [[Bombardment of Oben|routed]] on Oben by [[Captain/Legends|Captain]] [[Mitth'raw'nuruodo/Legends|Thrawn]], who was usually able to study his adversaries' art and devise a strategy to defeat them from there. In the case of the Kaleesh, Thrawn was unable to comprehend the works of art, and so leveled Oben with his [[Star Destroyer/Legends|Star Destroyers]]; presumably inflicting heavy casualties and bringing an end to the [[Kaleesh–Imperial conflict|insurrection]].<ref name="aite" /><ref name="GAW" />
   
 
[[File:SkarCrushPunyPinkBoy-MSW53.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Sk'ar holding up [[Aron Peacebringer]] in a single hand; showing his unusually large stature for a Kaleesh.]]
  
[[File:SkarCrushPunyPinkBoy-MSW53.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Sk'ar holding up [[Aron Peacebringer]] in a single hand; showing his unusually large stature for a Kaleesh.]]
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Given the species' cultural focus on valor and honor in combat, Sk'ar recognized the Empire's superior technology and tactics and held no ill will against the victors since his people had died with honor. Thus when approached by Captain [[Rel Bentin]], Sk'ar offered his life or his services. Bentin, intimidated by the towering figure of Sk'ar, brought the Kaleesh before [[Galactic Emperor/Legends|Emperor]] [[Palpatine]]. Despite the Empire's [[Speciesism|xenophobia]] towards [[Alien/Legends|Non-Humans]], the Emperor was impressed enough by the Kaleesh's courage and potential to accept Sk'ar into the ranks of his [[Imperial Military/Legends|Imperial armies]].<ref name="AitE" />
 +
Given the species' cultural focus on valor and honor in combat, Sk'ar recognized the Empire's superior technology and tactics and held no ill will against the victors since his people had died with honor. Thus when approached by Captain [[Rel Bentin]], Sk'ar offered his life or his services. Bentin, intimidated by the towering figure of Sk'ar, brought the Kaleesh before [[Galactic Emperor/Legends|Emperor]] [[Palpatine/Legends|Palpatine]]. Despite the Empire's [[Speciesism|xenophobia]] towards [[Alien/Legends|Non-Humans]], the Emperor was impressed enough by the Kaleesh's courage and potential to accept Sk'ar into the ranks of his [[Imperial Military/Legends|Imperial armies]].<ref name="aite" />
   
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Thus, Sk'ar went down in galactic history as one of the few Non-Humans to reach an important position within the humanocentric Galactic Empire besides [[Grand Admiral/Legends|Grand Admiral]] Thrawn, [[Fleet Admiral/Legends|Fleet Admiral]] [[Krieg]], [[Procurator of Justice]] [[Hethrir]], and a few others. With an Imperial strike force under his command, Sk'ar embarked on a campaign across the [[Jahilid Drift]], conquering several worlds and making a name for himself in the Imperial military.<ref name="AitE" />
 +
Thus, Sk'ar went down in galactic history as one of the few Non-Humans to reach an important position within the humanocentric Galactic Empire besides [[Grand Admiral/Legends|Grand Admiral]] Thrawn, [[Fleet Admiral/Legends|Fleet Admiral]] [[Krieg]], [[Procurator of Justice]] [[Hethrir]], and a few others. With an Imperial strike force under his command, Sk'ar embarked on a campaign across the [[Jahilid Drift]], conquering several worlds and making a name for himself in the Imperial military.<ref name="aite" />
   
 
Preferring to use divide and conquer tactics rather than flat out bombardment, Sk'ar's plans put his [[Troop/Legends|troops]] at lessened risk while putting the worlds he overran under stronger Imperial control. His campaigns eventually brought him to [[Shiva IV]]; however, there he was thwarted by agents of the [[Alliance to Restore the Republic/Legends|Alliance to Restore the Republic]]. Attempting to evade defeat, he was [[Death/Legends|killed]] when the [[Wookiee/Legends|Wookiee]] [[Chewbacca/Legends|Chewbacca]] threw a solid [[Steel/Legends|steel]] gun mount at his [[Starship/Legends|starship]], causing Sk'ar's aircraft to explode.<ref name="m54">''[[Star Wars 54: Starfire Rising]]''</ref>
  
Preferring to use divide and conquer tactics rather than flat out bombardment, Sk'ar's plans put his [[Troop/Legends|troops]] at lessened risk while putting the worlds he overran under stronger Imperial control. His campaigns eventually brought him to [[Shiva IV]]; however, there he was thwarted by agents of the [[Alliance to Restore the Republic/Legends|Alliance to Restore the Republic]]. Attempting to evade defeat, he was [[Death/Legends|killed]] when the [[Wookiee/Legends|Wookiee]] [[Chewbacca/Legends|Chewbacca]] threw a solid [[Steel/Legends|steel]] gun mount at his [[Starship/Legends|starship]], causing Sk'ar's aircraft to explode.<ref name="m54">''[[Star Wars 54: Starfire Rising]]''</ref>
Line 85: Line 90:
 
===Darth Krayt's Sith Empire===
  
===Darth Krayt's Sith Empire===
 
[[File:Kaleeshstormtrooper.jpg|thumb|right|150px|A Kaleesh stormtrooper during the [[Second Imperial Civil War]]]]
  
[[File:Kaleeshstormtrooper.jpg|thumb|right|150px|A Kaleesh stormtrooper during the [[Second Imperial Civil War]]]]
−
By the time of the [[Second Imperial Civil War]], 137 ABY, Imperial [[Human High Culture|discriminatory]] policies had been eliminated, several Non-Humans served within the Imperial military. Such was the case of a Kaleesh [[Unidentified Kaleesh stormtrooper|stormtrooper]], stationed aboard the ''[[Relentless (Sith Imperial ship)|Relentless]]'', a ship that served as transport for the [[Galactic Emperor/Legends|Galactic Emperor]] [[Darth Krayt]].
 +
By the time of the [[Second Imperial Civil War]], 137 ABY, Imperial [[Human High Culture|discriminatory]] policies had been eliminated, several Non-Humans served within the Imperial military. Such was the case of a Kaleesh [[Unidentified Kaleesh stormtrooper|stormtrooper]], stationed aboard the [[Relentless (Sith Imperial ship)|''Relentless'']], a ship that served as transport for the [[Galactic Emperor/Legends|Galactic Emperor]] [[Darth Krayt]].
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
  
==Behind the scenes==
Line 93: Line 98:
   
 
===Inconsistencies===
  
===Inconsistencies===
−
Although General Grievous was shown to have digitigrade stance, possibly because his cyborg body was constructed based upon the Krath War droid; most other images of Kaleesh show a standard plantigrade stance, much like most humanoid species. However, the statues of Grievous as a Kaleesh warrior shown in ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (TV series)|Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]'' episode ''[[Lair of Grievous]]'' show a digitigrade stance even before he was a cyborg, as do the prequel comic on Starwars.com, ''[[The Clone Wars: The Dreams of General Grievous|The Dreams of General Grievous]]'' and the ''[[Galaxy at War]]'' sourcebook. Another inconsistency is the leg structure of the species. The image from Galaxy at War sourcebook, showing the Kaleesh Kolkpravis shows them having splayed four toed, reptilian feet which are quite tall giving the appearance of digitigrade stance. However, the picture from ''[[The New Essential Guide to Alien Species]]'' reveals them to have five toed feet and normal plantigrade stance.
 +
Although General Grievous was shown to have digitigrade stance, possibly because his cyborg body was constructed based upon the Krath War droid, most other images of Kaleesh show a standard plantigrade stance, much like most humanoid species. However, the statues of Grievous as a Kaleesh warrior shown in [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (TV series)|''Star Wars: The Clone Wars'']] episode ''[[Lair of Grievous]]'' show a digitigrade stance even before he was a cyborg, as do the [[Prequel trilogy|prequel]] comic on [[StarWars.com]] [[The Clone Wars: The Dreams of General Grievous|''The Dreams of General Grievous'']] and the ''Galaxy at War'' sourcebook.
  +
  +
Another inconsistency is the leg structure of the species. The image from the ''Galaxy at War'' sourcebook showing the Kaleesh Kolkpravis shows them having splayed four-toed, reptilian feet which are quite tall, giving the appearance of digitigrade stance. However, the picture from ''[[The New Essential Guide to Alien Species]]'' reveals them to have five-toed feet and plantigrade stance.
   
 
==Appearances==
  
==Appearances==
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*{{TOR|Knights of the Fallen Empire}}
  
*{{TOR|Knights of the Fallen Empire}}
 
*{{TOR|Knights of the Eternal Throne}}
  
*{{TOR|Knights of the Eternal Throne}}
−
*''[[Darth Plagueis (novel)|Darth Plagueis]]''
 +
*[[Darth Plagueis (novel)|''Darth Plagueis'']]
 
*''[[Maul: Lockdown]]'' {{Mo}}
  
*''[[Maul: Lockdown]]'' {{Mo}}
 
*''[[The Eyes of Revolution]]''
  
*''[[The Eyes of Revolution]]''
−
*''[[Dark Jedi (comic)|Dark Jedi]]''
 +
*[[Dark Jedi (comic)|''Dark Jedi'']]
 
*{{CWACite|2|Hide in Plain Sight}}
  
*{{CWACite|2|Hide in Plain Sight}}
 
*{{CWACite|3|Rogue's Gallery}}
  
*{{CWACite|3|Rogue's Gallery}}
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*''[[The Clone Wars: The Battle Begins]]''
  
*''[[The Clone Wars: The Battle Begins]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels]]''
−
*''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars 6|The Clone Wars 6]]''
 +
*[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars 6|''The Clone Wars 6'']]
 
*''[[The Clone Wars: Shipyards of Doom]]''
  
*''[[The Clone Wars: Shipyards of Doom]]''
 
*''[[The Clone Wars: Shakedown]]''
  
*''[[The Clone Wars: Shakedown]]''
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*{{CW|24}}
  
*{{CW|24}}
 
*{{CW|25}}
  
*{{CW|25}}
−
*[[Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith|''Star Wars'': Episode III ''Revenge of the Sith'']] / [[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (comics)|comic]] / [[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (novel)|novel]] / [[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (junior novelization)|junior novel]] / [[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (video game)|video game]]
 +
*[[Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith|''Star Wars'': Episode III ''Revenge of the Sith'']] / [[Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith|comic]] / [[Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith (novelization)|novelization]] / [[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (junior novelization)|junior novel]] / [[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (video game)|video game]]
  +
*''[[Obi-Wan's Foe]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron]]''
 
*''[[Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight]]'' {{Mo}}
  
*''[[Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight]]'' {{Mo}}
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*''[[Heir to the Empire]]'' {{1stm}} {{Ret}}
  
*''[[Heir to the Empire]]'' {{1stm}} {{Ret}}
 
*''[[Crosscurrent]]''
  
*''[[Crosscurrent]]''
−
*''[[Riptide (novel)|Riptide]]''
 +
*[[Riptide (novel)|''Riptide'']]
 
*''[[Legacy 31: Vector, Part 12]]''
  
*''[[Legacy 31: Vector, Part 12]]''
 
*''[[Celestia Galactica Photografica]]''}}
  
*''[[Celestia Galactica Photografica]]''}}
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*''[[LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga]]''
  
*''[[LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga]]''
 
*''[[LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars]]''
  
*''[[LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars]]''
−
*''[[LEGO Star Wars: The Quest for R2-D2 (film)|LEGO Star Wars: The Quest for R2-D2]]''
 +
*[[LEGO Star Wars: The Quest for R2-D2 (film)|''LEGO Star Wars: The Quest for R2-D2'']]
−
*''[[Path of the Jedi (game)|Path of the Jedi]]''
 +
*[[Path of the Jedi (video game)|''Path of the Jedi'']]
 
*[[Star Wars Miniatures: The Clone Wars advertisement|''Star Wars Miniatures: The Clone Wars'' advertisement]]
  
*[[Star Wars Miniatures: The Clone Wars advertisement|''Star Wars Miniatures: The Clone Wars'' advertisement]]
 
*''[[LEGO Star Wars: The Padawan Menace]]''
  
*''[[LEGO Star Wars: The Padawan Menace]]''
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==Sources==
  
==Sources==
 
{{Imagecat|Images of Kaleesh}}
  
{{Imagecat|Images of Kaleesh}}
  +
*''[[Star Wars: The Complete Saga]]''
 
*''[[Episode III: Revenge of the Sith: Prima Official Game Guide]]''
  
*''[[Episode III: Revenge of the Sith: Prima Official Game Guide]]''
 
*{{InsiderCite|86|Unknown Soldier: The Story of General Grievous}}
  
*{{InsiderCite|86|Unknown Soldier: The Story of General Grievous}}
−
*{{Hyperspace|url=hyperspace/member/insideronline/86/indexp2.html|text=''The Story of General Grievous: Lord of War''|int=The Story of General Grievous: Lord of War}}
 +
*{{Hyperspace|url=hyperspace/member/insideronline/86/indexp2.html|text=The Story of General Grievous: Lord of War|int=The Story of General Grievous: Lord of War}}
 
*''[[The New Essential Guide to Alien Species]]''
  
*''[[The New Essential Guide to Alien Species]]''
  +
*[[Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force (real-life book)|''Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force'']]
−
*{{Hyperspace|url=hyperspace/member/insideronline/97/indexp4.html|text=''Aliens in the Empire, Part 2: To a Traitor Go the Spoils''|int=Aliens in the Empire}}
 +
*{{Hyperspace|url=hyperspace/member/insideronline/97/indexp4.html|text=Aliens in the Empire, Part 2: To a Traitor Go the Spoils|int=Aliens in the Empire}}
  +
*''[[Star Wars Fandex Deluxe Edition]]''
 
*''[[The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia]]''
  
*''[[The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia]]''
−
*{{SWArchive|url=video/view/000738.html|text=Episode Commentary #10: ''Lair of Grievous''}}
 +
*{{SWArchive|url=video/view/000738.html|text=Episode Commentary #10: Lair of Grievous|nobackup=1}}
 
*''[[The Clone Wars Campaign Guide]]''
  
*''[[The Clone Wars Campaign Guide]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Official Episode Guide: Season 1]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Official Episode Guide: Season 1]]''
 
*''[[The Art of Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]''
  
*''[[The Art of Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]''
−
*''[[Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Praji]]''
 +
*{{Hyperspace|url=hyperspace/source/praji/20090205.html|text=Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Praji|int=Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Praji}}
 
*''[[Galaxy at War]]''
  
*''[[Galaxy at War]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: The Official Starships & Vehicles Collection 27]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars: The Official Starships & Vehicles Collection 27]]''
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*''[[The Essential Reader's Companion]]''
  
*''[[The Essential Reader's Companion]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic Encyclopedia]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic Encyclopedia]]''
−
*{{Blog|official=true|2013/10/17/drawing-from-the-imagination-mythological-creatures-in-star-wars-part-1/|Drawing from the Imagination: Mythological Creatures in ''Star Wars'', Part 1|int=Drawing from the Imagination: Mythological Creatures in Star Wars}}
 +
*{{SW|url=news/drawing-from-the-imagination-mythological-creatures-in-star-wars-part-1|int=Drawing from the Imagination: Mythological Creatures in Star Wars|text=Drawing from the Imagination: Mythological Creatures in ''Star Wars'', Part 1|archivedate=20170908061455}}
   
 
==Notes and references==
  
==Notes and references==
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==External links==
  
==External links==
−
* {{SWTOR Wiki|Kaleesh}}
 +
*{{SWTOR Wiki|Kaleesh}}
   
 
{{Interlang
  
{{Interlang
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[[Category:Kaleesh| ]]
 
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[[Category:Reptilian sentient species]]
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[[Category:Sentient species]]
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[[Category:Wild Space species]]

Revision as of 15:41, 10 May 2020

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"General Grievous: part Kaleesh, part droid... all creep."
―Ahsoka Tano[src]

Kaleesh were reptilian humanoids from the planet Kalee. They had scaly skin, tusks, and long nostrils, though few outsiders ever saw a Kaleesh face that was not obscured behind a traditional mask. Kaleesh culture was deeply spiritual and warlike. War was seen as an essential part of life, and wars between tribes were common.

Biology and appearance

"I fought the bone-lizards before. Their smell is worse than their bite."
―Bowdaar[src]
Kaleesh2

An unmasked Kaleesh

Kaleesh had maroon scaly skin, four-clawed hands, and five-clawed feet. Each Kaleesh hand featured two opposable thumbs. Because of the thermal pits under their eyes, Kaleesh could see in the dark.[1] Tusks protruded from their upper jaw, and shorter ones jutted from their chins. Kaleesh had large pointed ears and long nostrils that stretched close to their eyes. They had very keen olfactory sense and were able to produce pheromones.[6] Their internal organs were extremly flammable.[8][9] Most of their facial features were obscured behind the traditional masks they wore, and outsiders rarely saw Kaleesh unmasked. They were known to practice polygyny, a form of polygamy, where a male courts multiple wives. Grievous, a cyborg Kaleesh, had a digitigrade stance, but this does not appear to have been representative of the Kaleesh as a whole and may derive from his reconstruction based on a Krath war droid.

Society and culture

"The Kaleesh are war-like, ritualistic people. In my brief time on Kalee, I observed the ritual by which they choose their warleader."
―Darth Malgus[src]

The Kaleesh were a spiritual people, believing that those who performed great deeds in life became gods in death. Therefore, burial places were sacred to them. A large number of temples were devoted to their ancestor gods, the holiest of which was called Shrupak. Abesmi, a great monolith of stone in the Jenuwaa Sea, was the place the Kaleesh believed the gods ascended to the heavens. Pilgrims took the perilous voyage to Abesmi to beseech the gods.[10][3] As of the New Republic era, the late General Grievous, former Kaleesh warrior Qymaen jai Sheelal, had joined his species' pantheon of religious deities.[3]

KaleeshKolkpravisWarriors-GAW

Kaleesh Kolkpravis

Their society was divided into numerous tribes, including the Lig, and the Kaleesh were known to take multiple wives and have many children. War was viewed as an essential and sacred practice, and the culture's large emphasis on honor was known to spur many acts of vengeance among the various tribes. However, when necessary, the tribes would put aside their differences and bond to fend off a common enemy. Typical Kaleesh weaponry included a Czerka Arms Outland rifle, a Lig sword, and a Shoni spear.[5]

History

The Old Republic

By the time of the Galactic War, Kaleesh had recently arrived in the civilized galaxy. They were quickly recognized as proud, honorable and deadly warriors by both the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire.[11] Most Kaleesh were opposed to the xenophobic Sith Empire,[12] but the species fought on both sides of the conflict,[13][14] as well as for Darth Malgus' New Empire,[15] or served as bodyguards for the Hutt Cartel.[11] During this time, several Kaleesh were known slaves of the Sith Empire and were occasionally trained when seen to have Force abilities. An example of this is a Kaleesh known as Xalek who became apprenticed to a prominent Sith Lord on the Dark Council. Kaleesh also trained as Jedi, such as Cin Tykan, a Jedi Master. They were also known prisoners of the infamous prison planet Belsavis and played lesser roles across the galaxy at the time. Despite segregation within the Sith Empire, one of them, Razer, gained a Sith Lord title.

The Bitthevrian threat

Blue Glass Arrow Main article: Kaleesh–Bitthævrian War

Around 65 BBY, the Republic had been having strained relations with Guiteica, homeworld of the Bitthævrians, due to their non-membership. After a few years of failed negotiations, a Republic-backed soldier attempted to stage a coup against Guiteica's leader in order to force the planet to join the Republic. The attempt failed, however, and caused a surge of violence and hostility toward all Republic stations within the surrounding Kadok Regions.[5]

Kalee, near the edge of Bitthævrian space, though a mostly unnoticed planet considered backwater by the Republic, would have had nothing to fear from the m'Yalfor'ac Order, as the Bitthævrian military was known. However, Republic administration wished to keep the rebellion a secret, and rather than making noise by having their own forces terminate it, convinced the Kaleesh that they were indeed in danger. Quietly sending a group of military instructors to the planet, the Republic trained and armed the Kaleesh military force—Kolkpravis.[16]

Armed with projectile-firing Czerka Outland rifle and backed by a small group of Knights sent by the Jedi Council, the Kolkpravis were able to end the perceived threat of the Bitthævrian to the Republic.[5]Notably, the grandmother of Qymaen jai Sheelal participated in the Kaleesh assault.[5]

File:Saes.JPG

Saes Rrogon, a Kaleesh Sith Lord

The Huk War

Blue Glass Arrow Main article: Huk War
QymaenRonderuHuks

Qymaen jai Sheelal and Ronderu lij Kummar fighting the Huk.

The Huk War was a long conflict prior to the Clone Wars, beginning when the Yam'rii of the neighboring planet Huk, having overpopulated their own planet, began taking over and colonizing nearby worlds, eventually arriving at Kalee. They captured millions of Kaleesh and sold them into slavery.[2] The Kaleesh, led by Sheelal and Ronderu lij Kummar, rebelled against their invaders in a bloody series of battles that would leave multitudes dead on both sides.[3][1]

After obliterating the Yam'rii presence on Kalee, Sheelal led his warriors back to the Yam'rii colony worlds, massacring civilians as well as soldiers. The Yam'rii petitioned in the Senate for Republic intervention, and received as much when a dispatch of Jedi arrived to end the war. The Senate imposed harsh sanctions on Kalee, plunging the world into an economic crisis. However, this crisis eventually came to an end when the InterGalactic Banking Clan helped the planet in economic repairs in exchange for the services of Grievous.[1]

Following the Huk War, the Yam'rii desecrated the burial grounds of the Kaleesh on the planet Oben, prompting Kaleesh warlord Qymaen jai Sheelal to return from working for the Banking Clan to again lead the Kolkpravis. The IBC sabotaged Sheelal's shuttle, nearly killing him and killing seven of the eight Izvoshra, elite warriors who protected him and carried out his will.[16] Qymaen was later resurrected as the Separatist cyborg General Grievous; who played a pivotal role in the Clone Wars.[1]

The Kaleesh supported the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars until its defeat in 19 BBY and the death of General Grievous at the Battle of Utapau. Years afterwards, Grievous would be worshiped as a deity on Kalee.[3][1]The sole surviving Izvoshra, a tyrant of Kalee's western hemisphere named Bentilais san Sk'ar, rallied the Kolkpravis and led the slaughter of the Yam'rii on Oben, where he subsequently moved his people.[16]

Galactic Empire

Blue Glass Arrow Main article: Kaleesh–Imperial conflict

Due to their ties to the Separatist movement and their role in the Clone Wars, the species was presumably targeted for retribution by the newly risen Galactic Empire. For nearly a decade, the Kaleesh under warlord Bentilais san Sk'ar held out against the Imperials until they were finally routed on Oben by Captain Thrawn, who was usually able to study his adversaries' art and devise a strategy to defeat them from there. In the case of the Kaleesh, Thrawn was unable to comprehend the works of art, and so leveled Oben with his Star Destroyers; presumably inflicting heavy casualties and bringing an end to the insurrection.[7][16]

SkarCrushPunyPinkBoy-MSW53

Sk'ar holding up Aron Peacebringer in a single hand; showing his unusually large stature for a Kaleesh.

Given the species' cultural focus on valor and honor in combat, Sk'ar recognized the Empire's superior technology and tactics and held no ill will against the victors since his people had died with honor. Thus when approached by Captain Rel Bentin, Sk'ar offered his life or his services. Bentin, intimidated by the towering figure of Sk'ar, brought the Kaleesh before Emperor Palpatine. Despite the Empire's xenophobia towards Non-Humans, the Emperor was impressed enough by the Kaleesh's courage and potential to accept Sk'ar into the ranks of his Imperial armies.[7]

Thus, Sk'ar went down in galactic history as one of the few Non-Humans to reach an important position within the humanocentric Galactic Empire besides Grand Admiral Thrawn, Fleet Admiral Krieg, Procurator of Justice Hethrir, and a few others. With an Imperial strike force under his command, Sk'ar embarked on a campaign across the Jahilid Drift, conquering several worlds and making a name for himself in the Imperial military.[7]

Preferring to use divide and conquer tactics rather than flat out bombardment, Sk'ar's plans put his troops at lessened risk while putting the worlds he overran under stronger Imperial control. His campaigns eventually brought him to Shiva IV; however, there he was thwarted by agents of the Alliance to Restore the Republic. Attempting to evade defeat, he was killed when the Wookiee Chewbacca threw a solid steel gun mount at his starship, causing Sk'ar's aircraft to explode.[17]

Meanwhile, the Kolkpravis was taken over by a female Kaleesh believed to be the second coming of Grievous's dead soulmate, Ronderu lij Kummar.[16]

Darth Krayt's Sith Empire

Kaleeshstormtrooper

A Kaleesh stormtrooper during the Second Imperial Civil War

By the time of the Second Imperial Civil War, 137 ABY, Imperial discriminatory policies had been eliminated, several Non-Humans served within the Imperial military. Such was the case of a Kaleesh stormtrooper, stationed aboard the Relentless, a ship that served as transport for the Galactic Emperor Darth Krayt.

Behind the scenes

The Kaleesh first appeared in Clone Wars Chapter 20, an episode of the Clone Wars animated television series on Cartoon Network. The species was later retconned to be mentioned in multiple other sources, including Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn.

According to Dan Wallace in his endnotes for the Galaxy at War RPG book, the concept of the Old Republic supplying the Kaleesh with advanced weapons to fight off a threat only to create an enemy with the Kaleesh in the process was analogous to the arming of various natives of Afghanistan, most notably the Mujhadeen during the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, only for its successor group, the Taliban, alongside Al-Qaeda, to become hostile towards the United States.[18]

Inconsistencies

Although General Grievous was shown to have digitigrade stance, possibly because his cyborg body was constructed based upon the Krath War droid, most other images of Kaleesh show a standard plantigrade stance, much like most humanoid species. However, the statues of Grievous as a Kaleesh warrior shown in Star Wars: The Clone Wars episode Lair of Grievous show a digitigrade stance even before he was a cyborg, as do the prequel comic on StarWars.com The Dreams of General Grievous and the Galaxy at War sourcebook.

Another inconsistency is the leg structure of the species. The image from the Galaxy at War sourcebook showing the Kaleesh Kolkpravis shows them having splayed four-toed, reptilian feet which are quite tall, giving the appearance of digitigrade stance. However, the picture from The New Essential Guide to Alien Species reveals them to have five-toed feet and plantigrade stance.

Appearances

Non-canon appearances

Sources

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Explore all of Wookieepedia's [[:Category:{{{soundcat}}}|audio files]] for this article subject.

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 The New Essential Guide to Alien Species
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 The Clone Wars Campaign Guide
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Unknown Soldier: The Story of General Grievous
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Star Wars: The Old Republic (mission "Republic's Most Wanted").
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 The Story of General Grievous: Lord of War
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Crosscurrent
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Aliens in the Empire
  8. ↑ Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
  9. ↑ John Knoll's commentary in Star Wars: The Complete Saga
  10. ↑ The Eyes of Revolution
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 SWTOR mini Star Wars: The Old Republic — Codex: "Kaleesh"
  12. ↑ SWTOR mini Star Wars: The Old Republic — Codex: "Kaleesh Mercenaries"
  13. ↑ SWTOR mini Star Wars: The Old Republic — Codex: "Cin Tykan (Consular)"
  14. ↑ SWTOR mini Star Wars: The Old Republic — Codex: "Xalek (Inquisitor)"
  15. ↑ SWTOR mini Star Wars: The Old Republic — Flashpoint: "The Battle of Ilum"
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 Galaxy at War
  17. ↑ Star Wars 54: Starfire Rising
  18. ↑ http://geekosity.blogspot.com/2009/09/endnotes-for-galaxy-at-war.html#!/2009/09/endnotes-for-galaxy-at-war.html

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