Pipada

Pipada
Astrographical information
Region	Outer Rim Territories Western Reaches
Sector	Videnda sector
System	Pipada system
Grid square	M-18
Physical information
Climate	Humid Warm
Terrain	Swamps Marshes Bogs
Surface water	Lakes
Points of interest	Pipada Auditorium
Flora	Algae Reeds Trees
Fauna	Fish Insects
Societal information
Native species	Drabatans
Other species	Hutts Shawda Ubbs
Primary language(s)	Drabatese
Population	At least half a million
Major exports	Fuel
Affiliation	Galactic Empire (during occupation) A Drabatan movement

«You bet I have, and with over twelve thousand booms behind me, this is gonna be easy. Just like 859 on Pipada.»

―Ank Parako, to Kay Vess after being asked if she had counted all of the explosions she had set off

Pipada was a humid planet in the Pipada system of the Videnda sector, located in the Outer Rim Territories and the Western Reaches. It was home to the amphibious Drabatan species. Pipada evaded conflict during the Clone Wars; however, when the Galactic Republic was reformed into the Galactic Empire, the Drabatans protested its rule of the galaxy. By 1 BBY, criticism of the Emperor went too far, and the Empire responded with a crackdown on Pipada.

The planet was blockaded and the most vocal protester—the Drabatan Sa'Kalla—was captured. A Drabatan movement was formed in her name and spread across the planet. In an attempt to stop the violence, the Imperial governor of Pipada brought the singer to the Pipada Auditorium where she was ordered to convince her people to submit. She defied the order and was killed on stage, causing the crowd to tear the Imperial security forces apart and briefly reclaim the planet. Soon after, the Imperial forces returned and recaptured the planet, enforcing martial law.

Description

Pipada was a planet in the Pipada system of the Videnda sector, located in the Outer Rim Territories and the Western Reaches within grid square M-18 of the Standard Galactic Grid. Freshwater swamps, bogs, and marshes covered Pipada's surface, along with areas of tree growth. The humid conditions made a warm climate for both its native amphibious Drabatans and the acclimated species of Hutts and Shawda Ubbs. The planet was also home to animals such as insects and fish. It also hosted plant life, such as algae and reeds that could be used to make armor. Pipada held natural resources that could be used as fuel.

History

The crackdown

"Sa'Kalla!"

―Battle cry used by Drabatans in support of the imprisoned singer of the same name

The native Drabatans of Pipada (pictured) openly protested the Galactic Empire's tyrannical rule of the galaxy.

Pipada evaded conflict when the Clone Wars erupted throughout the galaxy between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. After the war ended in 19 BBY, the Republic was replaced by the Galactic Empire. Many Drabatans protested the tyranny of the Empire, including the young Drabatan singer Sa'Kalla—the most vocal protestor—who wrote popular protest songs condemning Imperial rule in Drabatese, the Drabatans' native language. When criticism of the Galactic Emperor went too far, the Empire retaliated by blockading the planet and capturing Sa'Kalla. While in captivity, she was submitted to torture that the Empire believed would break her. A Drabatan movement was formed in her name to oppose the Empire on Pipada.

When the violence threatened to overwhelm the Imperial forces, the local Imperial governor brought Sa'Kalla to the Pipada Auditorium in front of half a million Drabatans and ordered her to convince her people to submit to Imperial rule. Sa'Kalla instead defiantly shouted to her people, urging them to continue resisting the tyranny occupying their planet, after which she was quickly killed on stage. The enraged crowd retaliated against the Imperial security and tore them apart. The Drabatans then briefly retook their homeworld while many fled off-world after the incident.

The Empire struck back with heavy reinforcements, reclaiming the planet in its name and imposing martial law. While under Imperial occupation, the planet was harvested for its resources to expand the Imperial Military and satisfy its fuel needs, displacing most of the population and forcing them to abandon the planet.

Post-incident

At some point, the Chadra-Fan safecracker Ank Parako set off an explosion on Pipada.

In 3 ABY, Parako informed fellow thief Kay Vess that she counted the explosions that she set off and that the one on Pipada was her 859th.

Pipada was mentioned in an artist's journal as part of an entry on the Drabatan species where the planet was remembered for being harvested by the Empire. At some point no earlier than 34 ABY, the journal came into the possession of the Graf Archive—a vast depository owned by the Graf family that contained documents of historical importance.

Inhabitants

Alongside Drabatans and Hutts, Shawda Ubbs could be found on Pipada.

Pipada was home to at least half a million native Drabatans like Sa'Kalla and Paodok'Draba'Takat Sap'De'Rekti Nik'Linke'Ti' Ki'Vef'Nik'NeSevef'Li'Kek, a rebel who fought the Galactic Empire. Some Drabatans also joined the Pipada Symphony Chamber Chorus. Along with the native amphibians, Pipada was populated by acclimated sentient species such as Hutts and Shawda Ubbs. During Imperial occupation, human swamptroopers were also present on the planet. After the Empire extorted the planet for its resources, most of the Drabatan population was displaced and fled off-world.

Locations

Most residents of Pipada resided in single family-homes built in trees, perched on stilts, or floating in ponds. The largest lakes hosted cities featuring massive towers, some of which were peaked with luxurious skyhooks and which had foundations that plunged deep into the lakebeds. Many buoy-buildings housing a variety of shops were stringed together and anchored to downtown buildings. A plethora of activity also took place underneath the lake surface, with most structures having entrances both above and below the water. One building in particular was the Pipada Auditorium, the stadium where the Drabatan singer Sa'Kalla was executed for speaking against the Galactic Empire.

Behind the scenes

Pipada was first mentioned in both Star Wars: Rogue One: A Junior Novel written by Matt Forbeck and Star Wars: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide written by Pablo Hidalgo. Both books were released simultaneously on December 16, 2016.

Appearances

• Star Wars: Rogue One: A Junior Novel (and audiobook) (First mentioned, in book, and Star Wars: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide)
• Star Wars Outlaws (Mentioned only)
• Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes (Mentioned only)

Sources

• Star Wars: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide
• Star Wars: Geektionary: The Galaxy from A - Z
• Dawn of Rebellion
• Star Wars Helmet Collection: Scarif Rebel Trooper Weapons & Uniforms: SpecForce on Scarif
• Star Wars: Alien Archive
• Star Wars Character Encyclopedia, New Edition
• "The Heroes of Rogue One" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
• Star Wars: Character Encyclopedia, Updated and Expanded Edition
• Star Wars Galaxy Map
• SWCA 2022: 7 Things We Learned from the Lucasfilm Publishing Behind the Page Panel on StarWars.com (backup link)
• The Star Wars Galaxy on StarWars.com (article) (backup link)

Notes and references

In other languages

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