Tunroth The Tunroth were bipedal sentients indigenous to the Jiroch system of the Mid Rim . Towering and physically strong , Tunroth had distinctive elongated heads , a vertical nostril at the top of the skull , and three - digit hands and feet . Widely spaced eyes and sharp horns that lined the chin constituted other distinct physical features . The species was renowned throughout the galaxy for their hunting and tracking skills . They had an innate ability to track a quarry , and over time , an elite association known as the Tunroth Hunter s came into demand for employment as bounty hunters and big - game hunters . The fact that the Tunroth maintained their use of sacred hunting weapons such as the klirun bow and the kilter staff even after galactic - standard blasters became available to them attested to the religious importance the Tunroth placed on hunter traditions . Each Tunroth community was ruled by the greatest hunter present . Aggressive and hard - working , Tunroth had a tendency to intimidate members of other species . The Tunroth were members of the Galactic Republic for thousands of years . After first contact with outsiders , the species spread to other habitable planets in their system . In 7 BBY , during the reign of the Galactic Empire , Lortan fanatics virtually wiped them out in an onslaught known as the Reslian Purge . The Empire intervened to save the Tunroth from total annihilation , and the Tunroth came to greatly respect the galactic government . The species slowly recovered , as expatriate Tunroth returned home to help rebuild their civilization . The system joined the Empire , although some members resisted the Emperor ' s anti - alien policies as members of the Rebel Alliance . After the transition from Galactic Empire to New Republic , the Tunroth remained wary of the new government but eventually joined it . Biology and appearance . The Tunroth were hairless , bipedal , sentient mammals who averaged 1 . 7 meters in height . The large frame supported a muscular physique , which gave the species a reputation for great strength . Tunroth had only three digits on each hand and foot : two opposable thumbs on either side of a large , central fin - like digit . The most recognizable Tunroth feature was an elongated skull that sat forward over the sloping neck . The arrangement produced a distinctive look , along with a large vertical nostril , set above the low , wide - set eyes . Each Tunroth had pronounced teeth , and a number of bony , horn - like protrusions studded the lower jaw . Many Tunroth placed similar spikes on their clothing , such as on shoulder pads and shin guards . The Tunroth people developed at a reasonably standard rate : considered younglings until around age eleven , society regarded them as full adults by age of eighteen . Tunroth reaching sixty were considered old , while those living past eighty were considered venerable . Tunroth skin coloration was typically dark brown or yellow , but orange - skinned Tunroth lived on certain remote continents . Tunroth blood was blue . Tunroth had a natural tracking ability , commonly referred to as " quarry sense " . Evolved over thousands of years of hunting , they had an innate sense of what direction their quarry had taken . Familiarity with the beast or individual heightened this skill , and it was a vital component in their hunting and tracking abilities . Society and culture . Hunting . Hunting was the most common profession for Tunroth and formed the mainstay of their way of life . Creatures common to all the Tunroth worlds , such as dlarnic grazer s and several nerf breeds , provided basic sustenance . Tunroth taught their children to hunt from very early on , and as such , hunters and trackers became the most highly respected individuals . It became not just a way of life , but symbolic of their view of life . Hunting became a serious spiritual endeavor . Ancient lore told of brave Tunroth who defeated the fiercest wild beasts armed only with the sacred bow known as the klirun . The klirun was a traditional Tunroth hunting bow , weighing around 3 . 5 kilograms . Built with a recurve , the weapon remained bow - shaped even when unstrung . Taking advantage of the above - average strength of the Tunroth hunters , the bow had an especially heavy pull . In the hands of a capable hunter , the weapon was extremely accurate and capable of piercing stormtrooper armor . The bows used caros arrow s , which were occasionally tipped with talar , a stunning agent . The talar enabled a hunter to strike a non - lethal blow and ensure a live capture . Over time , the klirun became a sacred weapon . Another traditional weapon was the kilter , a heavy staff . Gradually , the Tunroth hunting tradition developed into the highly stratified organization known as the Tunroth Hunter s . Only the most skilled Tunroth qualified as Hunters , a process that involved a three - month initiation ritual and acceptance by three approved Hunters . This was decided based on the skill , judgment and motivation of the candidate . Undesirable qualities , such as a particularly argumentative or greedy nature , could bar admission regardless of the candidate ' s skills . There were twenty - seven Hunter levels , with progression determined by strict guidelines . The twelfth level was known as " shturlan " and the nineteenth as " chirlan " . " Stiilran " was the twenty - seventh and highest level , a class virtually never achieved — no Tunroth gained it during the regimes of either the Galactic Republic , Galactic Empire , or the New Republic . Virtually all Tunroth aspired to gain a high level as a Hunter , with the greatest Hunters memorialized in the ancient Hall of Predation . This was considered a sacred edifice to the Tunroth , the only such monument they acknowledged . Organization . The three highest - level Hunters on the species ' home planets formed the governing body , known as the Assemblage of Three . The council dealt with issues that concerned all Tunroth , such as the need to deal with external threats , alleviate overcrowding , or colonize new worlds . Hunting ability and leadership were also associated in the smaller units of Tunroth society . The best tracker led each commune , which ranged from 50 to 300 individuals . Such leaders were not required to be Hunters , but it was preferred . Communes without a Hunter would often solicit other communes with more than one Hunter to take over the leadership role . This ensured prosperity for all Tunroth communities . The native Tunroth language was known as Tunrothese ; it consisted of grunts , snarls and other such vocalizations . The written form of this language used pictograms to represent various objects . Most Tunroth also learned to speak Galactic Basic Standard . Temperament . As a species , the Tunroth were aggressive and acted with certainty , traits that made them intimidating to members of many other species . Known for their strength and endurance , Tunroth were generally hard working and tenacious . Their flexible natures and ability to adapt quickly to new situations gave them an optimistic outlook . This attitude sobered after the near - genocide of their species , known as the Reslian Purge . History . Joining the galaxy . Before galactic contact , Tunroth society had developed into a peaceful hunter - gatherer civilization . They had not developed advanced technology , instead functioning on animal power and handcrafted goods . After Duros scouts , who were exploring the Jiroch system , made first contact with them around 9000 BBY , the Tunroth quickly joined the Galactic Republic . The Tunroth soon made use of galactic technology to colonize their system , with the Assemblage of Three advocating the simultaneous colonization of Kalok and Saloch . Some star - chart s identified these planets as Jiroch - Kalok and Jiroch - Saloch , and together with Jiroch - Reslia , spacers called them the Triumvirate . The Tunroth later colonized Saloch² , another world in the system . The system became integrated into the galaxy as part of the Yushan sector and the Corellian Trade Spine hyperlane . Duros immigrants settled on the Tunroth colonies of Kalok and Saloch and heavily influenced the architecture of those worlds . From 1004 to 1000 BBY , during the New Sith Wars , the Tunroth ' s home system fell within a region controlled by the Sith . During the Clone Wars , the Tunroth were allied with the Galactic Republic against the Confederacy of Independent Systems . Despite the adoption of space travel , Tunroth preferred their traditional weapons to blasters , and neither purchased nor manufactured advanced weapons . The policy persisted even while — or perhaps because of — horrific conflicts rocked the Republic , and proved effective for many centuries . The Reslian Purge . This decision had drastic consequences for the Tunroth during the reign of the Galactic Empire . For centuries , religious fanatics from Lorta had threatened to invade neighboring sectors . When the belligerent Lortan s finally carried out their threats in 7 BBY , they conquered twelve systems before they were halted . Known as the Reslian Purge , their conquests included the Jiroch system , as well as Rrulinn , Quaensan Prime and the Dalisor Merchant Fleet . With only their primitive weapons to fight back , the Tunroth were defeated by the invaders . In only three months , the Lortans decimated the Tunroth population , reducing it to a mere four million . Only the intervention of the Imperial Navy saved the Tunroth people from extinction . They ruthlessly crushed the Lortans , with a task force led by the " Dreadnaught " - class heavy cruiser " Abrogator " , and the 37th Fighter Wing commanded by Soontir Fel . Although the intervention was motivated primarily to protect the Empire ' s interests , the Tunroth were grateful for the aid . They reluctantly accepted Imperial rule , and many Tunroth became unlikely supporters of Galactic Emperor Palpatine ' s New Order . However , others resisted the ongoing presence of the Empire , either as members of the Rebellion or in the criminal underworld . After the invasion , most Tunroth returned home to rebuild their broken societies . Coming to terms with the tragedy took the Tunroth a long time , but resulted in a strengthening of Tunroth unity across their colonies . The Tunroth also changed their view on modern weaponry , and many communes began stockpiling blasters and other high - power weapons for defensive purposes . The Tunroth developed a fierce hatred for the Lortans . After the Battle of Endor and the subsequent defeat of the Empire , the Tunroth were slow to join the New Republic out of fear of being seen as Imperial sympathizers . However , these fears proved unfounded , and the Tunroth were later welcomed into the New Republic . Circa 25 ABY , the population of the Jiroch system was between one and ten billion . By 137 ABY , the system had fallen within territory controlled by the Sith Lord Darth Krayt as part of his Galactic Empire . Tunroth in the galaxy . During the period of the Old Republic , many Tunroth ventured out into the galaxy , where they made use of their renowned hunting skills . Wealthy citizens frequently hired them to lead safaris or capture rare creatures for study . Other hunters excelled as bounty hunters , beast wardens , and big - game hunters . While many Tunroth adventures were top - notch hunters , many low - ranking or aspiring hunters exploited their species ' reputation for excellence to pass themselves off as greater than their skills warranted . The Tunroth that did take to the stars tended to embrace advanced technology . They also made use of Republic bank ing worlds such as Telerath . Tunroth were less common in the galaxy after the Purge , as most returned to their home system for the reconstruction effort . Some notable Tunroth Hunters who did remain offworld were Kiran Tatch and Tonas Vueral . Vueral attained the " chirlan " level and was a renowned tracker . He often worked in the Anthos sector , home to a number of Tunroth immigrants , especially on Berchest . Kiran Tatch was one of the few survivors of the Reslian Purge and attained the " shturlan " level as a Hunter . Although never substantiated , it was rumored that Jabba the Hutt considered hiring him to capture Han Solo . Such was Tatch ' s reputation that after spitting on Glorga the Hutt , he was able to leave his employ without the crime lord ordering his death . He later joined the elite Granse Confederacy — an outfit known for its animosity to the Rebel Alliance . A less honorable heir of the Hunters ' tradition was Shotarr Kass , also known as " the Strap " . Orphaned by the Reslian Purge , Kass chose to train as a Hunter to preserve what he could of his culture . After leaving Jiroch - Reslia , he became the personal bodyguard for Black Sun Vigo , Sprax . Another " shturlan " level Hunter was Rathe Palror , a member of the mercenaries known as Churhee ' s Riflemen . Palror was a sharpshooter , and one of the few survivors of the assault on Y ' Trella , where inadequate Imperial backup led to the decimation of the Riflemen . As a result , he rejected his former pro - Imperial stance , and he later teamed up with Rebel Riij Winward in his escape to the planet Tatooine . Other Tunroth also took anti - Imperial stances , working for various outfits such as the privateer ship " Far Orbit " . Xarcce Huwla was a female Tunroth who took more direct action against the Empire . She joined the Rebel Alliance as a fighter pilot . Excelling in an X - wing fighter , Alliance High Command transferred her to the elite Rogue Squadron . However , she immediately requested a transfer , uninterested in the squadron ' s reputation for suicide missions . Commander Wedge Antilles delayed processing her request for a number of missions , during which she bonded with the squadron members and eventually withdrew her transfer request and fought in many important battles to become a famous member of the squadron . A number of Tunroth were Force - sensitive , and some trained as Jedi Knights . Others chose instead to became Force Adept s who adopted their traditional klirun bows into Force weapons . Despite fervent denial by the Tunroth , many rumors persisted of a Jedi artifact — such as a museum , tomb or temple — hidden in the Jiroch system . Behind the scenes . The Tunroth were first mentioned in " Alliance Intelligence Reports " , a book published in 1995 by West End Games , as the species for a minor character . They were first given a backstory by Craig Robert Carey in " " , published later the same year . The species continued to make appearances in West End Games products , both as background aliens and other identified individuals , including Rathe Palror , the first Tunroth to make an in - universe appearance . The Tunroth also made the leap to comic appearances with Xarcce Huwla appearing as a member of Rogue Squadron in the comic series by Michael A . Stackpole . While all other sources use " Tunroth " as both the singular and the plural for the species , in one line of dialog in " Star Wars : X - Wing Rogue Squadron : In the Empire ' s Service " , Huwla referred to her species as Tunroths . This article has used the original " Tunroth " for the plural . The Tunroth have subsequently made minor appearances in other in - and out - of - universe publications .