As summer draws to a close and children return to school so ends "Ewok Month". But here is one last post before the dream of an Endorian summer fades away...
Ewok
The
Forest Moon of Endor was a place of many dangers for the Ewok race. They were
habitually at war with the Duloks and had to defend their territory from
treacherous Boar-Wolves and giant Gorax. Hungry Temptors hid inside of logs and
trees and Condor Dragons hunted from the skies. In addition to native threats
there seemed to be constant invasions from off-world including the Galactic
Empire, Sanyassan Pirates, and even a Dathomir Nightsister. Still, the Ewoks
got along with some of the moon’s inhabitants, including the Wisties.
To
defend their village from many foe, Ewoks would often construct giant traps.
These traps were specifically used to fend off giant Gorax creatures, but they
also worked well against the AT-ST vehicles of the Galactic Empire.
The
Ewoks had domesticated many animals including chickens, rabbits, sheep, goats,
ponies, and horses. But the most important pack animal for the Ewoks was the
Bordok. Bordoks were fairly intelligent and extremely loyal to their masters.
At a young age, Princess Kneesaa received a Bordok as a birthday present and
named him Baga.
Dulok
The
Dulok’s evolved on the Forest Moon of Endor and shared a common ancestor with
the Ewoks. Despite their close relation the Duloks were a violent and warring
race.
Duloks
were taller than Ewoks and their fur was most commonly shades of green. The
Duloks resided in swamps and caves and referred to the Ewoks as “tree rats”.
Duloks were thought to be more primitive than Ewoks. Though Ewoks often wore
hoods and helmets and sometimes armor, Duloks wore only sparse decorations such
as earings, feathers, bones, or necklaces.
Like
the Ewoks, a Dulok chief led each tribe and theoretically the position was
passed down to male children upon the death of the leader. However, more often
a chief would be usurped through insurrection or regicide.
Yuzzum
Yuzzums
were a primitive species from the Forest Moon of Endor. Yuzzums and Ewoks
sometimes lived side-by-side and spoke a similar language. In fact it was the
Yuzzum language that C-3PO used to communicate to the Ewoks in “Return of the
Jedi”.
Yuzzums
had round bodies and stick-like limbs. They wore no clothing but used primitive
weapons such as spears and lances. Yuzzums were a hunting society and tamed
tall spider-like beasts called Rakazzaks to aid them in the hunt.
Very
early Ewok designs resembled long-legged-Yuzzums riding on long-legged-mounts
similar to Rakazzak beasts. At one stage of pre-production Yuzzums would appear
alongisde of Ewoks, however the Yuzzums proved too costly to produce and only
one Yuzzum made it into the final cut of “Return of the Jedi”. This Yuzzum is
seen in Jabba’s Palace, not on Endor.
Gorax
One
would assume by looking at a Gorax that is was some kind of giant savage
animal. Afterall, they stood over 10 meters high, had sharp fangs, and hunted
Ewoks and other creatures for food. However, Gorax were actually fairly
intelligent with the capacity to fashion tools and clothing. Gorax were a rare
sight on Endor and they were usually solitary creatures, not known to live or
travel in groups. Gorax did, however, tame giant Boar-Wolves to keep as pets.
Boar-Wolves,
like the Gorax, were nocturnal hunters. They could be heard in the night
howling at the Endorian moon. They were three meters tall and had sharp teeth
and tusks. Ewoks, however, could bring down these creatures through their use
of traps, spears, bows, or even poison darts.
Both
Gorax and Boar-Wolves originated in the 1984 film, “Caravan of Courage”. Both
have also been brought into the new Disney Canon as well.
Sanyassan
The
Sanyassan were reptilian beings covered in fur and native to Sanyassa IV.
However a sizable group of Sanyassan pirates once crashed on Endor and built a
fortress where they lived for decades. Many species recognized that the
Sanyassan faces resembled skulls of humanoids.
The
Sanyassan were an aggressive species that spent much of their history at war.
When not at war, Sanayssan would spend their time drinking, arm-wrestling, or
card playing. The Sanayssan has strict rules against cheating and any attempt
to cheat was punishable by immediate execution.
The
Sanyassans of Endor used domesticated animals such as Endorian Horses and
Blurrgs. Blurrgs were a two-legged reptilian species. They were found in
various regions of the galaxy including the Forest Moon of Endor, Ryloth, and
Zygerria.
Both
Sanyassans and Blurrgs first appeared in the 1985 film “The Battle for Endor”.
The Blurrg have reappeared in various Disney-Era Star Wars media including the
trailer for “The Mandalorian”.
Wistie
At
first glance, Wisties appear to be fast moving dots of light zipping through
Endorian nights. Look closer, though, and observers find that wisties have the
shape of a tiny humanoid. Though some residents of Endor called Wisties
flutterglows or firesprites, Wisties referred to themselves as the firefolk.
They had their own language and their own form of government with a Queen
serving as the Head of State. A single Wistie was often referred to as female
and it is not known if male Wisties exist.
Though
it is not commonly known what Wisties feed on, some say they absorbed firelight
and others say they fed on laughter. If the latter is true, it would explain
why Wisties kept peaceful relationships with the other sentient creatures of
Endor. Wisties tended to spread joy in the skies of the night time forests,
even though the forests of Endor were often dangerous, especially at night.
One species quite dangerous to the Endorian skies was the Condor Dragon. Unlike
Wisties, Condors were universally feared by all Endorian creatures great and
small. Awake both night and day, the Condors relentlessly patrolled the air
with their 3-meter wingspan. A thunderous shriek would precede an attack from a
Condor Dragon and then it would capture its prey alive and bring it back to its
cave.
Teek
The
Teek were a strange species that was not native to Endor, but a colony of Teek
lived on the planet during the Age of the Empire. The Teek were a small species
(about Ewok size) with white fur and large bucked-teeth. The most notable Teek
trait was that they were very, very quick. When they ran they would appear to
be a blur to any witnesses. Because of their speed and their propensity to
scheme, the Teek were considered a trickster species.
The
Teek were scavengers that were a nuisance to Ewoks. Teeks would sneak into Ewok
villages and steal trinkets. Though the Ewoks found this practice to be
immoral, the Teeks themselves did not consider themselves thieves because they
would always leave behind an item of similar value.
Another
creature on Endor that was considered a trickster was the Temptor. Temptors
were a reptilian species with a snake-like head and a long tongue. The tongue
of a Temptor resembled a furry creature and the Temptors would use this feature
as a lure to attract prey. Temptors waited in hollow logs or small caves and
when the time was right they would snap out of the ground and swallow their
unsuspecting quarry.
Ewok Month:
Ewok Month Part 1: Ewoks in Comics
Ewok Month Part 2: The Top 15 Ewoks
Ewok Month Part 3: Caravan of Courage
Ewok Month Part 4: Battle for Endor
