- "I offer this record of our civilization to those who will follow. Despite our wisdom and technological achievement, we face extinction. Dogma blinded us to the path of balance and gradually we allowed our pride to corrupt us. The greater control we sought, the further we fell into ruin. I lead the remnants of my people into the great unknown, hoping that we finally find peace."
- ―A Zeffonian Sage recording
The Zeffonians, or Zeffo for short, were an ancient sentient species native to the planet Zeffo. Many Zeffonians could wield the Force, which they referred to as the "Life Wind," and those who did became known as sages.
Originating as a peaceful civilization, over time they became more and more corrupt, eventually falling to the dark side of the Force. Facing extinction, the remnants of the Zeffonians fled into the Unknown Regions of the galaxy, what they called the great unknown, in hopes of finally finding peace.
History[]
Rise of the Zeffonians[]
The Zeffonians had evolved on the planet of the same name, where they had constructed many statues and relics dedicated to several Zeffo Sages, and were protected by the ancient automatons known as Tomb Guardians.[1]
Three of the more esteemed sages, Eilram, Kujet, and Miktrull, were buried in elaborate tombs, both on Zeffo and Dathomir.[1] Their culture extended beyond their homeworld, with elaborate temples and tombs built on Bogano,[1] Ontotho,[2] and Kashyyyk.[1] At one point during his life, Kujet ruled over the planet Peridea in a neighboring galaxy.[3]
The ancient Zeffonians had established a relationship with the Wookiees of Kashyyyk. Bogano had a great and vast vault built by the Zeffonians; as a result, the colony was believed to be a pilgrimage site, due to the presence of the Binog, a large creature of great important to both Zeffonian art and culture.[1]
Corruption and demise[]
- "I recently discovered the Zeffo had some interest in Dathomir. Strange for such a culture to have any fascination with a place so...dark."
- ―Eno Cordova
Though the Zeffonians originated as a peaceful culture, over time they became more and more corrupt, eventually falling to the dark side of the Force. Reigning in the time after Sages Eilram and Miktrull, Kujet ordered the destruction of the astriums the species used in their religious practices while promising his followers power and control over the Life Wind, but he proved to be treacherous and cruel with his reign marking the decline of Zeffonian culture.[1]
From his seat of power on Dathomir, Kujet staged a massacre in the halls of the palace, reducing the brave rebels opposed to his rule to ashen ruin. When Kujet died, he was entombed within a sarcophagus that was placed on the walls of his great temple. Within his dead hands, Kujet held one of the last remaining astriums.[1]
Facing extinction, the remaining Zeffonians went to the Unknown Regions of the galaxy[4] in hopes of finally finding peace.[1]
Legacy[]
- "Master Cordova, did you find the Zeffo?"
"Only faint traces of their passage, heading deep into the Unknown Regions."
"Sorry to hear that." - ―Cal Kestis and Eno Cordova
During High Republic Era, the Jedi Padawan Klias Teradine asked questions and was subsequently shown the teachings of Sabracci Sages by Jedi Master Illaga, despite the group not being Jedi. The teachings included the ability to stand on a vertical surface without falling.[5]
In the years before the Great Jedi Purge, Jedi Master Eno Cordova became fascinated by the near-extinct Zeffonians. In a record that appeared as a Force vision, the Jedi Padawan Cal Kestis heard the words of an ancient Zeffonian who was leading the remnants of their species into the "great unknown,"[1] which was how the species referred to the Unknown Regions of the galaxy.[4]
Appearances[]
- The High Republic Adventures — The Monster of Temple Peak 2 (Mentioned only) (In flashback(s))
- Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (Picture only) (First identified as Zeffo)
- Jedi Fallen Order - Dark Temple 2 (First appearance) (Appears as a statue) (In flashback(s))
- Jedi Fallen Order - Dark Temple 3 (Appears as a statue) (In flashback(s))
- Jedi Fallen Order - Dark Temple 4 (Picture only)
- Jedi Fallen Order - Dark Temple 5 (Indirect mention only)
- Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Mentioned only)
- Andor — "Daughter of Ferrix" (Appears as a statue)
- "The Princess and the Bog, A Twin Tale, Part 1" — Star Wars Adventures (2020) 7 (Picture only)
Sources[]
- "You Can't See the Forest for the Trees!" — Star Wars - Das offizielle Magazin 97
- The Star Wars Book
- "Scarif and Other Planets in the Outer Rim" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Star Wars Inside Intel: Religions of the Force on StarWars.com (article) (backup link)
- Star Wars: Timelines
- Star Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy