Twi'lek
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In the fictional Star Wars universe, Twi'leks are a species with colored skin and two tails—called lekku—protruding from their heads. They have a homeworld in the Star Wars galaxy but their existence was known to the Old Republic. They understand most alien languages but prefer to speak their own kind. Twi'lek females are prized for their beauty and are thus sold to slavery as dancers for crimelords and such, while others take jobs to dance at cantinas. Twi'leks are a prominent race in the Expanded Universe series of books, games, and other media. Twi'leks served in both the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance. This article covers Twi'leks in both the movies and the Expanded Universe.
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Homeworld
In the Expanded Universe, Ryloth is identified as the homeworld of the Twi'leks. Because of the nature of Ryloth's orbit around its primary, one side of the planet always faces the sun. This results in the temperatures on the day side being very high, and the night side the temperature is very cold. There is a habitable band around the planet where the day and night sides of the planet meet.
The Twi'lek people live in a series of caverns that are located in the habitable band of the planet.
Government
Twi'leks living in the caverns on Ryloth structure their society around a five member "Head Clan." These five Twi'leks lead the society in all such matters until one member of the Head Clan dies. At that point, the remaining members of the Head Clan are cast out into the barren landscape on the day side of the planet, presumably to die. Then five new members of the Head Clan are chosen.
Prominent Twi'leks
Following are prominent Twi'leks from both the movies and Expanded Universe.
Aayla Secura
Main article: Aayla Secura
Aayla was a Jedi, feared for her lightsaber skills and capable tactics, with a blue tone to her skin. She bound her lekku in leather bracings and dressed simply for combat. She was apparently shot to death by clone troopers in the Outer Rim when Order 66 was executed, though true confirmation of her death has yet to be documented.
Mission Vao
Main article: Mission Vao
Mission's character is featured in the videogame Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. She has an interesting backstory and a side quest, and is valuable to the player for her stealth and security skills, especially near the beginning of the game.
Tol Sivron
Tol Sivron initially served as a member of the Head Clan in Twi'lek society. When chosen, it was expected that he would serve in the Head Clan for many years. However, about one year afterwards, another member of the Head Clan fell while inspecting a project, and impaled himself. Sivron and the three other members of the Head Clan were then cast out. Sivron convinced the three other members to pool their resources, and try to eke out a living in one of the nearby uninhabited caves.
While the other former Head Clan members slept, Sivron murdered all of them. He then took their supplies, and set out in a trek across the desert. Eventually he came upon an Imperial refueling station on Ryloth. He then met a young commander named Tarkin. Tarkin soon found that Sivron was an excellent manager of the complex business arrangements that Tarkin had.
Eventually, Tarkin named Tol Sivron to head up the research facilities at the Maw Installation. For over ten years, Sivron ran the facility that produced such weapons as the Death Star and Sun Crusher.
When the facility was invaded by New Republic forces, Sivron escaped with the other scientists on board the Death Star prototype that was in orbit around the facility. He took the weapon to Kessel, and used the superlaser to destroy the planet's moon, which proved the effectiveness of the weapon. He returned to the Maw Installation to destroy it rather than allow it to fall into Rebel hands. Sivron died when the Death Star prototype fell into one of the nearby black holes.
Nawara Ven
Another prominent Twi'lek from the Expanded Universe was Nawar'aven. Ven was originally trained as an attorney. However, he later became a member of Rogue Squadron, and was trained as an X-Wing pilot. Despite being a pilot, he was called upon to act as an attorney when he defended fellow squadron member Tycho Celchu against charges of murder and treason. Ven was twice shot out of his X-Wing when enemy TIE Fighters scored direct hits. While he had completely recovered after the first time he had to eject, during the second instance he lost his leg. As a result, he was unable to continue as a pilot. Later, Nawara Ven served as an officer on board the Errant Venture.
Tal'dira
Tal'dira was a Twi'lek warrior featured in the Expanded Universe. Tal'dira initially appeared in the Michael Stackpole book The Krytos Trap. He had served as a member of the small military force that Ryloth possessed. Later, he and 11 other warriors joined Wedge Antilles and the other Rogues in the war against the Bacta War and Isanne Isard. When the Rogues were invited back into the New Republic Armed Forces, Nawara Ven was unable to continue as a pilot due to injuries he sustained. As a result, Tal'dira was invited to join Rogue Squadron. He became a casualty of the war with Warlord Zsinj. He was brainwashed as part of "Project Funeral" and was activated to kill Wedge Antilles. His strong warrior's sense of honor kicked in at the last moment, however, and he was able to fight the brainwashing long enough to be shot down and killed by his fellow Rogue, Corran Horn.
Bib Fortuna
Bib Fortuna was a Twi'lek that had appeared in both the Phantom Menace and the Return of the Jedi. He had served as a majordomo to Jabba the Hutt for many years. Bib Fortuna was a member of the Una clan. At some point in the past, Bib Fortuna was found guilty of crimes and was cast out of Twi'lek society. It was noted that he preyed on other members of his society. He had captured and trained several dancers for Jabba the Hutt. After he was cast out Twi'leks then began breaking his name into two distinct parts "Bib Fortuna" when referring to him as a way of symbolizing that he was cast out.
Bib Fortuna accompanied Jabba the Hutt when he had taken Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Chewbacca to the pit of the Sarlacc to be executed. Fortuna managed to escape before Jabba's sail barge exploded, but when he returned to the palace to take over, the mysterious B'omarr Monks who inhabited the cellars removed his brain from his body and placed it in a spider-like walker, much as the monks themselves used. Undeterred, Fortuna managed to keep several of his plots going, eventually managing to get his brain placed in the body of another Twi'lek, Firith Olan. Now with Olan's resources at his disposal, Fortuna has begun to rebuild Jabba's criminal empire.
Other Twi'leks
See also Oola, Orn Free Taa, Boc, Griff Vao and Zhar.