Rodian / Legends Rodians were a reptilian humanoid species native to Rodia in the Tyrius system . Highly recognizable due to characteristics in facial structure and skin pigment , Rodians were infamous for their violent culture , which sprang from the difficulties of life in the jungles of their homeworld . Though they were often relegated to the fringes of galactic society as bounty hunters or criminal henchmen , Rodians were not merely simple - minded thugs . The Rodian people managed to produce artists , merchants , and politicians who were found even among the upper classes of the Core Worlds . Biology and appearance . The Rodians were green - skinned humanoids from the planet Rodia . They possessed distinctive faces : large , round , multifaceted eyes ; tapir - like snouts ; and a pair of saucer - shaped antennae on their heads , which served to detect vibrations . Rodian skin normally had a rough , pebbly texture , except on their hands and snouts . The flexible snouts augmented the Rodians ' finely tuned olfactory senses , collecting and filtering the air . Their characteristically large eyes indicated a primarily nocturnal ancestry and were capable of seeing into the infrared part of the spectrum . This allowed the Rodians to visually detect the body heat of their hidden prey emanating from within the darkness . Due to their love of fighting and active lifestyles , most Rodians kept in good condition , normally lean and wiry . However , some Rodians became rather obese , typically those who could hire others to fight for them , such as Black Sun operative Avaro Sookcool or the Nar Shaddaa gangster Reelo Baruk . Rodians normally had green skin , allowing them to blend in with the vegetation of their jungle world . However , variations in pigment were not uncommon , which ranged from disfiguring birthmark s to discoloration of the entire body . This was distinctive among the race and gave rise to descriptive appellations such as " Navik the Red " and " Jannik the White . " Another notable characteristic of the Rodians were their hands . Possessing long , dexterous , sucker - tipped fingers , this trait denoted an arboreal lifestyle , which allowed the Rodians to grip trees and rocky inclines . A ridge of flexible spines crested their skulls , differing in volume , length , and even color . Instead of spines , some Rodians also grew hair . This was more common among females , though some males also grew it , as exemplified by Evo the Blue . Females were also physically distinguished by their breasts and mammary glands . Off - world females , however , oftentimes would shave their hair and wear loose - fitting clothing in an attempt to disguise their gender . Some females , though , would proudly flaunt their femininity if they knew it would work to their advantage . Rodians exuded a pungent , musky aroma , some smelling stronger than others . This scent was an oily pheromone excretion that served to moisturize the skin and attract potential mates . Most Humans and Diollan s found the scent to particularly overwhelming and likened it to the " odor of animal droppings on the bottom of your boot . " This was not the case with all species , however , as evidenced by the unsavory use of Greedo ' s pheromones ; a Tatooine bartender by the name of Wuher ground up Greedo ' s body to use in the creation of a perfect Hutt liquor . Many would assume that all Rodians smelled the same , however Rodians themselves could differentiate the scent . The scent distinguished identity , communicating to Rodians an individual ' s family heritage and breeding . One Rodian ' s smell from a feuding clan could send a rival clan member into a warring frenzy . Rodians , as other species , were subject to aging . As he grew older , Wald ' s antennae began to sag , and gray patches appeared on his snout . Rodians possessed a wide vocal range and had been known to make hooting noises . Basic - speaking Rodians had a unique accent , due to their tendency to lisp , and their difficulty pronouncing certain syllables containing " r , " " l , " or " s " sounds . Culture and history . Rodian culture was obsessed with violence and death , due to behaviors and practices that were ingrained since their earliest ancestry . Their densely packed jungle homeworld was ill - suited for agriculture , requiring Rodians to compete with vicious predators for most of their food . Some of these predators , such as ghests , could wipe out entire Rodian villages . As the Rodians developed cunning hunting tactics to survive , the hunt became central to their culture . Eventually , having driven most of the other predators on the planet to near extinction , they began to hunt each other in various wars and gladiatorial contests . Millennia later , all of Rodia was dominated by a handful of large , powerful clans , which had eliminated or enslaved their smaller neighbors . The leader of the most powerful clan , the Soammei clan , eventually proclaimed himself " Inta ' si ' rin ' na " , or Grand Protector of the Rodians . Through the rest of Rodian history , the title of Grand Protector shifted from clan to clan with the subsequent changes in loyalties and power . Grand Protectors ruled all of Rodia as dictators . The following is a listing of several known clans . When scouts from the Galactic Republic arrived on Rodia , they too were hunted , until a clever Grand Protector realized the advantages of contact with galactic society . The hunts were called off , and a new policy was implemented . The Grand Protector declared that the best hunters , as proven by success in various gladiatorial contests and hunts on Rodia , would be allowed to leave the planet for work as bounty hunters , mercenaries , slavers , or similar occupations . The Grand Protector ' s Hunters ' Guild , or " Goa - Ato " , instituted annual awards for the best hunters . The awards , called " Atiang " , contained such categories as " Best Shot , " " Longest Trail , " or " Most Notorious Capture . " For what many would consider a vicious and bloodthirsty species , Rodians were renowned for their drama . Rodian Theater began as a simple series of staged fights , encouraged by Grand Protector Harido Kavila as a way for his people to burn off their aggression . Over time , it developed into a vibrant — albeit violent — theatrical tradition . Though not as honored a profession as hunting , each clan had at least one troupe of actors that performed clan legends . Because actors were barred from directly seeking political power at home , drama became an acceptable way for dissident elements to challenge established ideas . Of course , not all Rodians found off - world were bounty hunters or artists . Some were refugees from clan feuds who illegally left Rodia in search of asylum . Illegal emigrants and their descendants born off - world could travel the galaxy freely and work in a variety of professions , from peaceful merchants and technicians to arms dealers and criminal henchmen . Rodian authorities treated off - world - born Rodians as alien galactic citizens , and illegal emigrants were generally not permitted to return to Rodia ( though some used forged or legitimate documents to claim off - world status ) . Rodian politicians , such as the Clone Wars – era Senator Onaconda Farr and Palpatine ' s aide Dar Wac , were often seen on Coruscant . During the time of the Galactic Empire , the Rodians were ruled by the Grand Protector Navik the Red , of the Chattza Clan . After instigating an inter - clan war and seizing power , Navik tightened restrictions on emigration and built ties with Black Sun and the Galactic Empire . Navik ruthlessly persecuted his rivals , sentencing the entire Tetsu Clan to death . The genocide was not restricted to Rodia , as even Tetsu refugees offworld , such as Greedo the Elder and his family , were pursued by Chattza hunters . The Yuuzhan Vong invaded Rodia on their march to the Galactic Core , enslaving the population . The alien invaders planned to forge their Rodian captives into deadly warbeasts , under the direction of Master Shaper Taug Molou . He took his Rodian experimental subjects apart on a cellular level , reassembling their genetic code with bits from other creatures . This experiment resulted in the creation of the Vagh Rodiek , mindless warbeasts that moved on crab - like legs with sharp half - meter long scythes of bone in place of arms . The Rodian natural head - spines were mutated into razor - sharp quills . Again , the Rodians that managed to flee Rodia found themselves refugees from persecution . The Rodians managed to return to Rodia after the war and were represented in the Galactic Alliance Senate by Moog Ulur . Rodians in the galaxy . Criminal underworld . The strong association with violence in the Rodian culture led to many pursuing careers in crime offworld . Most popular among these professions was bounty hunting , a direct application for the hunting skills acquired by many Rodians . Some Rodians became very successful at this , such as Hulas , the leader of the secretive GenoHaradan bounty hunter group during the Old Republic period , and Menndo , Hako Armado , and Slyder , who were all active during the days of the Empire . Working for the highest bidders , Rodians also found work as assassins . Perhaps the most well - known , though considered by many to be a laughable disgrace , attempt made by a Rodian bounty hunter was that of Greedo on Corellian smuggler Han Solo . On a contract for the crime lord Jabba the Hutt , Greedo accosted the notorious Corellian in a Tatooine cantina , threatening to turn him in to Jabba . In somewhat confusing circumstances , Greedo was shot by the smuggler , although there is some controversy over exactly how this happened . Greedo ' s backup had actually been paid off by two other Rodian bounty hunters , Thuku and Neesh , who had identified him as from the rival Tetsu Clan , and wished him killed . The strong association with the bounty hunter profession led to the formation of many armament companies on Rodia . These included the Salus Corporation , Sancretti Arms and Munitions , Interstellar , N ' Gant - Zarvel , Tonena Munitions Corporation and Rheshalva Interstellar Armaments . Ranged weapons , such as the N ' Gant - Zarvel 9118 heavy carbine , and bladed weapons , like the Repulsor throwing razor and Razor stick , were popular items produced by these companies . Also popular was the Rodian Stalker armor and Rodian hovercam . Rodians also became involved in many other forms of criminal activities . Some became very successful in this underworld , such as the Black Sun Vigo s Dardo , Clezo , and Avaro Sookcool . Others , such as Reelo Baruk and Ne ' Chak , went out on their own , establishing their own criminal organizations , often employing many Rodians , as well as other species , as lackeys . Rodians worked for the criminal organizations like the Exchange , the Sabiador Slavers , or as pirates such as Lekk Bazak . Other notorious Rodian criminals included Slerog Fenn , Ten - Suckers Madoom and the terrorists Beekly Grimlok and Lorgal . Many Rodians also frequently worked in gray areas , such as the smugglers Chihdo and Chordak . Legitimacy . Despite this proclivity towards crime , many Rodians found fulfillment in more legitimate professions . Rodians were apt mechanics , commonly working among podracers , while a number became successful musicians , such as Doda Bodonawieedo and Greeata Jendowanian . Others still became successful businessmen , such as Kelko , the owner of Shusko Station mining operation . Another well - known Rodian was treasure hunter and archaeologist Suz Tanwa , who discovered many precious items from her ancestor Suvam Tan . Many Rodians also joined the Rebellion and New Republic in various capacities . The elite fighter squadron Rogue Squadron contained a number of Rodian pilots such as Koobis Nu , Andoorni Hui , and Standro Jcir . Many others fought in various other capacities , such as Oepoono and Othik Wespoch — both members of the Alliance Special Forces . Rodians went on to work in high positions in the New Republic , such as the Senators Navik the Red ( who was also a member of the New Republic Advisory Council , under the name " Narik " ) and Moog Ulur . Force - sensitives . Many Rodians were Force - sensitive , and were a common presence in the major Force orders in the galaxy . A number became Jedi Knights , during the period of both the Old Jedi Order and the New Jedi Order . During the Old Republic , Dree Vandap fought in the New Sith Wars , and a Rodian Jedi fought in the Yinchorri raid on the Jedi Temple , the Battle of Geonosis , and the First Battle of Kamino . The Rodian Jedi Master Bolla Ropal was part of the Jedi Order during the Clone Wars , until he was tortured to death at the hands of bounty hunter Cad Bane . Bane later kidnapped Force - sensitive infants for Darth Sidious . Among them was the Rodian Wee Dunn , who was taken from his mother , Mahtee . In the New Jedi Order , Kelbis Nu , Jovan Drark , Toile Senn and Twool were all trained Jedi Knights . Both Nu and Drark were killed during the Yuuzhan Vong War ; Nu on Eriadu and Drark on the successful but costly mission to Myrkr . Senn was later killed in the Battle of Tralus of the Second Galactic Civil War . Twool perished months later during the Battle of Centerpoint Station during an engagement with Rogue Squadron . A Rodian was also known to be part of Darth Krayt ' s Sith Order , part of the team that ambushed Jedi on the planet Daluuj in 137 ABY . Some Rodians , such as Vinto , had close associations with Jedi , often working with them on various missions , while others , such as Paemos , were not allied with any particular Force tradition but knew and taught some tricks nevertheless . There were also a number of Rodians in Bartyn ' s Landing , the capital town of Lamaredd , c . 29 BBY . Behind the scenes . The Rodians in the Mos Eisley Cantina were referred to during production as , and in 1978 were identified in a memo as " Graffties , " a reference to the George Lucas film " American Graffiti " . The Rodian costume used for Greedo was fixed up differently with two extra arms and used for Nabrun Leids , who at the time was referred to as a " Plutonian . " In the original versions of " A New Hope " and " Return of the Jedi " , all the Rodian background characters wore the same costume as Greedo . The Rodians added to the Max Rebo Band in the Special Edition of " Return of the Jedi " were the first Rodians to have their own costumes , not to mention the first Rodians to appear on screen who were not bounty hunters . The name " Rodian " first appeared in " " , but was later used in scripts and production notes for the prequel trilogy . This makes it one of the few elements that originated in the Expanded Universe to appear in the films .