Twi'Lek

[Marcus Starkiller]

Twi'Lek Species Info

Phsyical Characteristics
Appearance: Humanoid
Height: 1.5-2.4m
Homeworld: Ryloth
Distinguishing features
Females: Lekku (head tails), coloured skin
Males: Lekku (head tails), coloured skin, close set eyes, sharp pointed teeth

Lekku
The Twi'leks most notable feature is the tentacle head-tails called either lekku or tchun-tchin, two of which protrude from the back of each individual's skull; distinguishing them from the multitude of other species found across the known galaxy. These fatty, tapered, prehensile growths serve both sensual and cognitive functions as well as being a source of great personal pride. The lekku contain additional sensory nerves and are thought to be errogenous zones aswell as being rumoured to be used for storing excess fat. In conversation, Twi'leks will often refer to their lekku individually: tchin is the right lekku, and tchun is the left lekku. On a few rare instances, Twi'leks are born with more than two head-tails.

Such variations affords them status and, in some cases, wealth. The Old Republic Senator Orn Free Taa, for example, was a Rutian Twi'lek with four head-tails. Apparently, the rare third lekku was a sign of Twilek Aristocracy and was more from inbreeding then random mutations. The Twi'lek people are intelligent, capable of learning and speaking most galactic languages. Their own language combines verbal sounds and subtle movements for which they use their head-tails to communicate complex concepts. Even the most advanced offworld linguists have difficulty interpreting all the head-tail movements inherent to the Twi'lek language. For this reason, when two Twi'leks converse in public their discussions may remain completely private, unless observed by another Twi'lek or an appropriately programmed protocol droid.

This ability to conduct private communication led to much suspicion on the part of many Imperial humans. However, this fear was unfounded, for the Twi'leks reserve this advantage for much more personal benefits, as revealed in the personal journal of a young female. These Imperials feel that we are treasonous spies, but what they do not realize is that the lekku are, in truth, our "spiritual appendages." In jostling them, we express the movement of our inner divinity. While this is indeed private communication, it is also a communion on the metaphysical level. While its meaning may remain a secret maintained amongst the speakers, it is not duplicitious or deceitful, nor is harm meant to those outside the communication. Without exception, it is truthful and real, and it cannot go against our verbal expression. To speak one thing and sign something entirely different would require extreme concentration, the likes of which may be impossible.



Skin Colours
The Twi'leks smooth skin comes in many variations of color, spanning the rainbow. The skin color differs between the lineage.

Ryloth Twi'Lek
The spectrum of the Ryloth Twi’lek reaches from light white to dark green. Notable Ryloth Twi'Leks are Bib Fortuna, who was Jabba the hutts Major-domo and Oola and Lyn Me who were both slaves in Jabba the Hutts Palace. The male Ryloth Twi'lek appears to differ from other lineages because of their large bumpy craniums.

Rutian Twi'Lek
Rutian Twi’leks are recognized by their blue skin tone, and are identical to most other Twi'leks in all other respects, except for their eye color. While most normal Twi'lek tend to have red eyes, a Rutians eye color can rarely vary to blue, silver or gray. Sebulba's attendants, the twins Ann and Tann Gella were Rutian Twi'Leks.

Lethan Twi'Lek
A race of very rare red skinned Twi'leks. Despite his corpulence the powerful senator Orn Free Taa can be often found with a red Lethan Twi'lek draped over his shoulders.



Twi'Lek names
Twi'leks live in clans which are governed by a five-member group known as a head clan. The members of the clan append their clan name to their given name; for example, Koh'shak, or 'Name'clan.' The apostrophe denotes a pause in the pronunciation of the name. This combined name has a definite meaning, and subtle changes in pronunciation can be incurred by the addition of the clan name. The Twi'leki will often adapt the full name to indicate the true - or more flattering - actual name. One example is Nawara Ven. A member of the Ven clan, his full name should be Nawara'ven. However, when translated, this becomes "tarnished silver." His family adapted his full name to be Nawar'aven, which translates to "good speaker" (literally, "silver-tongued"). Twi'leks often belittle one another by using modified variations of their full names. Here are some examples of the use of apostrophies in traditional names: Koh’shak, Ru’luv, Tal'dira, Hassla'tak, Cazne'olan, Car'ulorn, and Lohk'har.

Some Twi’leks who've left their homeworld drop the apostrophe from their name to form two independent names. This often denotes a Twi'Lek who either disgraced themselves and was forced into exile or one who has turned their back on traditional Twi'Lek culture. Some examples of this naming convention are: Ann Gella, Bib Fortuna, Nawara Ven, Lyn Me, Tott Doneeta, Kep Fortuna, Nuro Tualin, Arali Dil, Valsil Torr, Tann Gella, Docent Vant, Kaplin Toologin, Guldus Bemm and Jart Eyan,.

Some common letters in found in most Twi’lek names are R's, K's, O's, N's and T's



Cultural Stereotypes
Graceful, beautiful and delicate, are words often used to describe Twi'Leks; while these may fit the female well, the male Twi'Lek would be better described as sly, patient and adaptable. As the Twi'leks learned from evolving through the harsh storms of their planet, strength does not always come from confrontation. As a Twi'lek proverb says, "one cannot defeat a heat storm, one must ride it." In general, Twi'leks are not the humble servants they would appear to be. The large portion of male Twi'leks actually plot and scheme to take over their masters' business, and all affairs. There have been many successful cases where the Twi'lek servants have overrun companies. In one particular case, a single Twi'lek called Bib Fortuna, serving under the crime lord Jabba the Hutt, was planning to take over his boss' empire as his own. Unfortunately, when Jabba the Hutt was killed, Bib Fortuna was unable to take over the crime lord's career, due to an untimely disembodiment at the hands of the Bo'marr Monks.

Like Bib Fortuna, most of the Twi'leks will attempt to gain favor and higher positions in their master's business, eventually leaving them in prime positions to take over. Twi’leks are cunning and smart, and they prefer to remain in the background, using their wits instead of violence. They like to observe, plan, and prepare--rarely does an individual Twi'lek rush into anything. Some can be vain, but most keep an eye out for a way to profit from any situation. Some work as diplomats, pursue more or less legal businesses or are entertainers or adventurers. Twi’lek are owners of renowned companies such as Galactic Exotics, who control orchid plantations on Belsavis, or SchaumAssoc, an advertisement agency that is responsible for the public relations of the Corporate Sector.



Slavery
Few things are as graceful as a female Twi'lek in motion. This beautiful image has forever doomed generations of young Twi'leks into servitude, as the wealthy and corrupt have taken to brandishing Twi'leks as badges of prestige. Ryloth is known all across the galaxy as the best producer of slave girl dancers. This business, however, has created much trouble on Ryloth, and especially in the Twi'lek colonies. Many off-world slavers will land, and attempt to take a fair number of female Twi'leks with them, and then sell them for their own profit, and not that of the the Twi'lek civilization. Twi'lek families and businesses must take extra precaution to prevent these traders from taking their only goods.It has been known for some head clans to actually force their own people into slavery, surrendering them as protection payment when threatened by the possibility of pillaging on a wider scale. And it is not unheard of for Twi'lek females to leave the planet and sell themselves as exotic dancers.

Many Twi'leks have learned to accept this misfortune as part of harsh reality. Lyn Me's village pooled their resources to hire a protector, however. They were able to secure the services of Boba Fett to do away with merciless slavers hunting their children. Though the village was left destitute by Fett's hefty fee, the bounty hunter killed the slavers and saved the young. This was one of Lyn Me's first memories, and it has deeply affected her life. She grew to regard Boba Fett as a hero, blindly ignoring his less-than-favorable reputation. She became infatuated with the hunter, tracking his career in hopes of one day meeting him

The tale of the Twi'lek slave girl Oola is a sad one of a short life. Her captivity began on Ryloth, the Twi'lek homeworld. Bib Fortuna , Jabba the Hutt's , major-domo, longed to find the perfect "gift" for his master, the perfect slave girl to meet the crime lord's depraved interests. Fortuna found Oola living in the "place of twilight," a perpetual dusk-land on the tide-locked world. Oola, the daughter of a clan chief, fit Fortuna's needs. Fortuna kidnapped the innocent girl, along with a younger Twi'lek girl named Sienn. Fortuna took them to his smuggling complex, and had other Twi'lek dancers teach Oola and Sienn the ways of exotic and captivating dance sure to get the Hutt 's attention. Fortuna deluded the girls with tales of the opulent lifestyle of Jabba the Hutt, and the promised glory of being a palace servant. Four months later, Fortuna felt his prizes were ready. He had his assistant Jerris Rudd take them to Tatooine. In the port city of Mos Eisley ,Rudd placed Oola and Sienn in hiding. A man clad in black stumbled upon the girls' hiding place. This man was named Luke Skywalker . He promised the two escape from their slavery. Sienn fled with Luke, but Oola, tantalized by visions of palace life, stayed behind. Soon thereafter, Fortuna presented Jabba with Oola, and the Hutt crime lord was instantly smitten. Oola faced the cold reality of the Hutt's palace, a dank place of corruption filled with the dregs of the galaxy. Her life was not one of decadence, but one of servitude. She was beaten by Gamorrean guards when she did not please her masters, and was often threatened by Fortuna.

With the dawn of the New Republic, some head clans on Ryloth banded together to stop the slave trade and protect one another from retribution of angry smugglers and slave traders. This has created a much safer environment on Ryloth, and more and more legitimate trading organizations have started to bring business to the world.