Svivreni Svivreni were short , furry , equinoid sentients native to the planet Svivren . Due to the rocky environment of their homeworld , they developed into a stout species , and created a civilization of hard - working people with a natural talent for geology . Svivreni were particularly known for their skill in mineralogy and for their stubbornness . The Svivreni had elaborate greetings and farewells , never using the word " goodbye , " which they considered to be bad luck . Initially members of the Galactic Republic , the Svivreni forbade weapons on their planet and exacted strict punishment for outlaws , including execution , which reduced crime and was one of the factors that turned Svivren into an important trade world . The species avoided involvement in the Clone Wars and tried to remain neutral during the Galactic Civil War . In the days of the New Republic , the Galactic Empire attempted to conquer Svivren , but the Svivreni resisted Grand Admiral Thrawn ' s attacks through sheer obstinacy . The species later associated with the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances and the Galactic Alliance Remnant . Many Svivreni achieved prestige as some of the best and hardest - working miners , including Saqc ' or and Kitalic Nirasik . Another Svivreni , Mihalik , abandoned his job to illegally track the people who had injured his co - workers . Svivreni working in other areas included the crime lord Torsteen and two senatorial aides — Tyro Caladian , who aided Jedi Obi - Wan Kenobi , and Tyro ' s cousin , Curran Caladian , who became a political fugitive under the Empire . Biology and appearance . The Svivreni were an equinoid sentient species whose bodies were mostly humanoid in structure . Adult Svivreni ranged in height from 60 to 90 centimeters , very rarely surpassing a meter . However , due to their stout physique and resilience , they were as strong as any Human - sized species . Unlike many other beings their size , the Svivreni had long arms , which allowed them to handle full - sized technological items , such as blaster rifles , with ease . While their shorter legs prevented Svivreni from achieving the racing speed of a Human , they could still outpace some taller species , such as the Noghri . This was partially due to the cloven hooves that served the Svivreni as feet . Each Svivreni had a large , stout head with big eyes and a wide , projecting snout which they could use to snort . They also had upright , equine ears that convulsed in moments of stress . Each Svivreni hand had four triple - jointed fingers that gradually narrowed from the hand to the nail . The body of a Svivreni was almost completely covered by short , coarse fur , except for the snout , the eyes , the hooves , and the ears . The Svivreni also had a mane of longer hair at the top of their heads — that could be orange or copper in color — and further growths on their arms . Svivreni customarily let this hair grow uncut , tying it into a ponytail instead . The mane reached from the head to below the waist in older Svivreni , who could easily reach 125 years of age . However , this was not a trait exclusive to the elders . Younger Svivreni including Tyro Caladian , a young adult , achieved a mane of that length , and his cousin Curran Caladian , who was considered young , had a braid reaching his knees . Other Svivreni , such as the miner Mihalik , tied their mane in several rear braids , to keep it from being a nuisance while performing manual activities . Svivreni could easily outlive Humans , as the equinoids only considered retirement at ninety standard years of age . They began to suffer ill effects of age at fifty - five , to a level comparable to a forty - one - year old Human . However , the Svivreni matured to adulthood at sixteen , exactly the same as Humans , and they reached adolescency at eleven , while Humans took one more year to do so . Society and culture . The Svivreni were known galaxywide for their obstinacy . Once a Svivreni had reached a decision , he or she would very rarely reconsider . This gave them the willpower to resist shrewd merchants and even the mind - influencing powers of the Force . As a species , the Svivreni disliked and strongly opposed efforts to convince them to do something of which they did not approve . They were also opposed to the mere idea of external forces conquering their home . Although stubbornness was not a universal trait , most Svivreni did share this feature to a great extent . Several Svivreni mineralogists working outside their native planet Svivren were headstrong enough to defend their ideas in a brawl if needed . When they grew older and more experienced , they fought less , but became even more adamant . Svivreni were skilled miners and mineralogists , and they had a well - deserved reputation for this work . This penchant led some of them to become scouts . Important extraplanetary businesses often hired Svivreni professionals to manage and supervise mining projects on either planets or asteroids . The species appeared to have a natural talent to appraise the value of any mined material , from gems to more mundane minerals , although this gift was honed by studying . The Svivren Xenomineralogy Institute was considered to be one of the best academic institutions studying this science due to the skill of its graduated students . The exploits of qualified Svivreni in mining and metallurgics , particularly in the private sector , were as renowned as their resolution . As Svivreni miners commonly had to use many tools , they favored wearing trousers with copious pockets and pouches . To improve the mobility of their arms , they preferred sleeveless robes . For the Svivreni mineralogist , recognition from their peers was important , even though the species could not agree on who was the best mineralogist in history . They nevertheless recognized Saqc ' or as one of the toughest mineralogists , Svivreni or not , ever . Certain historians compared the Svivreni with the similarly stubborn Human settlers of Poderis but , although the Poderisans tried their best to improve the status of their marginal world , they never achieved the success of their counterparts . The Svivreni managed , through sheer effort and dedication , to transform their harsh planet into an important trade world with no less than seven spaceports , including one with state - of - the - art technology , complete with repair ports and storage areas comparable to Coruscant ' s port facilities . They imported food and pharmaceuticals from other worlds while exporting computers , droids and other high - and middle - level technology . With this , Svivren achieved a population of 8 . 5 billion sentients , including native Svivreni , Humans , Sullustans , and a significant population of Ewoks in the times of the New Republic . Having become an important trade world , the Svivreni developed traditional clothing for their traders , including robes and turban s . The Farrimmer Café bar and grill , aboard the Mynock 7 Space Station , served a scented and popular dish of seasoned enyak bob s over teerlop - zikody that was called Svivreni treat . Social behavior . As their planet received constant traffic from offworlders , Svivreni enforced strict laws forbidding any personal weapons for citizens and visitors anywhere on the planet , except for the regulation gear carried by the well - armed Svivreni security force . However , circa 4 ABY , several smugglers managed to hide important cachés of blasters in the area of Wrils . Violent action on Svivren was punished with an immediate and public execution , something that , combined with the aforementioned measure , helped keep crime to a minimum , as well as deterring scoundrel s from visiting the world due to the dangers it presented to them . Other galactic groups criticized the harsh laws of Svivren , despite their effectiveness . Svivreni valued both the fur covering their bodies and the manes on their heads . Some Svivreni were known to smooth their facial pelage with their hands when nervous or focused . The hair on the head was considered most important and was customarily allowed to grow without cutting — the Svivreni considered its thickness a reflection of the bearer ' s intelligence and fertility . The elders , who could be recognized by their manes reaching below their waists , were particularly respected in their culture . However , younger Svivreni sometimes had unusually long hair . Many Svivreni tied their hair with leaves of Nalvar grass from Svivren as a gesture of homage to their homeworld ; others used metal rings . Linguistic traits . Svivreni had several traditional greetings and farewells , depending on the filial relationship between the Svivreni and the sentient the Svivreni was talking to . The most affectionate greeting included opening a hand , closing it again , and then placing it on the heart . Svivreni considered it bad luck to say " goodbye " in any language , so they preferred to part from a loved one with a phrase such as " The journey begins . So go . " When parting from a close friend , a Svivreni raised a hand with spread fingers . The friend then mimicked the gesture so that the Svivreni could press his palm with the friend ' s . The species ' native language could not be reproduced by Humans because it relied on the Svivreni vocal range . Not all the Svivreni learned Galactic Basic Standard , but some did . Naming conventions for Svivreni favored one - word names — such as Mihalik or Saqc ' or — and two part names , such as Casin Mak or Kitalic Nirasik . Relatives shared the second name , as exemplified by the cousins Curran Caladian and Tyro Caladian . History . Evolution and the Old Republic . The Svivreni came from the harsh , mountainous planet Svivren in the Svivreni sector of the Outer Rim . It was a world with extreme seasons in its various climatic zones . Several areas , including the mines of Nalvar , were relentless on their inhabitants . Due to the planet ' s severity , the Svivreni evolved into a muscular species , far stouter than many other sentients . The same conditions led to their natural suppleness . They became resolute miners by fighting the harshness of Svivren . Historians agreed that the Svivreni penchant for stubbornness was developed because of significant natural hazards on the planet Svivren during the biological and cultural evolution of the species . The planet Svivren was scouted by the Galactic Republic during the last millennia before the Battle of Yavin , and at some point before 19 BBY , the species joined the galactic government . The planet achieved importance due to its rich mines . The Svivreni ability in geology became famous and many of the equinoids left their world to work in that field . Others became Jedi Seer s and began roaming both the Outer Rim and the Unknown Regions . The natives who remained on Svivren worked hard until the planet thrived as a trading post . As offworlders became common on the planet , Svivreni grew intolerant of outlaw offworlders . The species forbade all violent crime and the possession of weapons . Smugglers avoided Svivren , considering it too dangerous for their kind . During the years leading up to the Separatist Crisis of 24 BBY , the Svivreni considered themselves a peaceful species and some of them grew concerned about the growing disorder in the galaxy . Senator Sano Sauro of Eeropha — a Core Worlds planet — made secret dealings to take over control of the mines of Svivren and use them in a project to develop weapons . However , his deal was uncovered and the takeover prevented . Despite their best efforts , the local Svivreni were unable to prosecute Sauro due to insufficient evidence , and the Senator avoided any negative repercussions from the scheme . Svivren was not directly affected by the galaxy - wide conflict known as the Clone Wars ( 22 BBY – 19 BBY ) . After the hostilities ceased , the planet Berchest tried to promote itself as a trading center , but it never became as important as Svivren . The Galactic Empire and the Civil War . During the time of the Galactic Empire , Svivren remained a galactically important commerce center , with Imperials present on the world , although the Svivreni Trade Alliance retained control over the government . The emergence of the Alliance to Restore the Republic in 2 BBY marked the beginning of the Galactic Civil War . The Svivreni people dismissed the conflict , calling it " political infighting " and refused to take sides . Nevertheless , many individual Svivreni helped the Alliance in their fight against the Empire , even if they would rather have been working for private interests . After the Battle of Endor . In 9 ABY , during the Thrawn campaign , Imperial Grand Admiral Thrawn placed Svivren on the list of planets he intended to conquer specifically . Thrawn sent the Imperial Navy from Farstine , arriving at the Svivren system on 44 : 7 : 24 to besiege the planet . The traditional Svivreni stubbornness gave the natives strength to organize a strong resistance . The Empire was unprepared for this and the first strikes at Svivreni were unsuccessful . The Empire retreated , but then sent more forces to occupy Svivren . The planet became an important problem for the surprised Imperials , as the invaders achieved little more than losing their own tempers . This inability to secure a victory was soon well - known . Smuggler Samuel Tomas Gillespee mentioned the problems the Empire was having at Svivren and compared the situation with their easy victory at the Battle of Ukio . That same year , even with the Imperial blockade , Svivreni traders visited the trading city of Calius saj Leeloo in Berchest , apparently for business reasons . They crossed paths with Jedi Master Luke Skywalker , who was looking for clones working for Thrawn . Initially believing that the Svivreni could be Imperial clones , Skywalker used the Force to scan them . Thrawn ' s death soon afterward in the Battle of Bilbringi meant an important breakdown in the control of the Empire . The Navy retired from Svivren , never having been able to conquer it . The Svivreni believed that their resolution had helped them resist conquest and become even more determined to repel any would - be conquerors . As the Svivreni were clearly opposed to Imperial occupation , pilots from the New Republic found the planet compelling . Unlike other planets near Imperial Space such as Morishim , Svivren was a place they could comfortably visit , enjoying an amount of freedom rarely achievable on other planets . Later , when the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances was created , several Svivreni helped this new government , although they still preferred jobs in the private sector . Svivreni in the galaxy . Svivreni commonly left their native world to work in mineralogy , geology or related fields . They were often employed by large corporations to manage and supervise mining projects on asteroids and planets . Several Svivreni considered this to be " fieldwork " to improve their education , and when they had gotten enough experience , they left these posts for self - employment . Notable Svivreni in this situation included Saqc ' or , a veteran miner who worked in the Moddell sector and whom the Empire tried to forcefully recruit to work on its Death Star project before 4 ABY . Another important miner was Kitalic Nirasik , who had worked in virtually every level of the mining industry before serving as the chief executive of Southern Bandomeer Consolidated . Nirasik ' s company threatened the planetary monopoly of the Offworld Mining Corporation , partly because Nirasik offered his miners good working conditions and a greater hope of survival than Offworld did . At the same time , foreman Nirasik knew how to profit from his good deeds . Several Svivreni mineralogists who were working for big companies severed their professional links during the first years of the New Republic to continue their career as freelancers . They considered themselves good enough to choose their employers and even their prices , and they wanted to be recognized by others . One such mineralogist worked for Executive D ' gaat , analyzing D ' gaat ' s mine of Vendusii Crystal s . From the moment Svivren became a trading post , Svivreni traders were a common sight around the galaxy , easily recognizable by their robes and turbans . In 9 ABY , a population of Svivreni settlers shared the barely habitable planet Corjain , in the Kathol sector , with Twi ' leks and Jarell s . Svivreni who worked in shadier businesses sometimes became criminals . For example , the smuggler Torsteen , led a group of pirates and used his scavenger droid Bruthus to collect space junk on the borders of the Corporate Sector . Some other Svivreni found their vocation as Jedi , leaving Svivren in the line of duty . Svivreni were less permissive with alien outlaws on their own planet . Violent crime and possession of weapons were strictly forbidden . Smugglers avoided Svivren , considering it too dangerous for them . However , members of the New Republic who needed to avoid the Imperial Remnant commonly enjoyed an amount of freedom on Svivren rarely achievable on other planets . During the later years of the Galactic Republic , cousins Tyro and Curran Caladian both had promising careers as aides in the Galactic Senate of Coruscant . Providing specialized counsel about bureaucracy and investigation , Tyro befriended , and helped , the Jedi Obi - Wan Kenobi in several missions Kenobi undertook to topple enemies of the Jedi such as Granta Omega , Sano Sauro , and Jenna Zan Arbor . Tyro ' s snooping eventually led him to undercover a conspiracy , and the Svivreni was assassinated by a politician wanting to keep his secrets . His cousin Curran later became a political fugitive under the Galactic Empire , but he continued fighting for what he believed to be a good cause . Following this goal , Curran Caladian joined a collective of outlaws called the Erased and worked alongside the Jedi Fy - Tor - Ana and Ferus Olin . During the times of the New Republic , a Svivreni miner and constable by the name of Mihalik felt so outraged by the damages caused by some criminals during the meleenium heist on Qua ' Tahc that he left his work and began an amateur chase of the wrongdoers through the galaxy onboard his personal starship . General Airen Cracken of the New Republic was forced to post a warrant on Mihalik on charges of unsanctioned military and police activity , but neither Mihalik or his intended prey were seen again . Behind the scenes . Svivren and the Svivreni were first mentioned in " The Last Command " ( 1993 ) , written by Timothy Zahn . The first named Svivreni to appear in a published story was Tyro Caladian in " " , by Jude Watson , a book published ten years after " The Last Command . " However , before that , West End Games had already expanded the background of the species in " The Last Command Sourcebook " ( 1994 ) , by Eric S . Trautmann . Both Svivren and the Svivreni have descriptive entries and statistics in that book , and the Svivreni are also mentioned in passing in the entry about the planet Poderis . This book also included the first published image of a Svivreni , drawn by David Plunkett . The species ' description is repeated almost entirely in " The Thrawn Trilogy Sourcebook " ( 1996 ) and then again in " Alien Encounters " ( 1998 ) . The latter source lacked a paragraph describing Thrawn ' s attempted invasion and a roleplaying rule about their stubbornness . That rule is also missing from the Svivreni stats in " Heroes & Rogues " ( 1995 ) . Wizards of the Coast ' s roleplaying game provides different statistics for the Svivreni in " Star Wars Gamer # 9 " ( 2002 ) and in " Geonosis and the Outer Rim Worlds " ( 2004 ) , disagreeing about the size of the Svivreni for the purposes of the rules . Both sources describe Svivreni as one - meter sentients , but " Gamer " specifies that their size as " Small , " meaning that Svivreni characters suffer restrictions on the amount of weight they can carry and the length of the weapons they can use , while at the same time being a more difficult target for enemies . " Geonosis " , on the other hand , considers the Svivreni to be " Medium - sized , " thus lacking these special rules . A player asked a question in " Jedi Counseling " # 69 , a section of the webpage of Wizards , about the possible typo in " Geonosis " . Wizards responded by creating a specific trait for the Svivreni , as the Svivreni are too heavily muscled to apply the rules used for the Jawas and other " Small " species . Instead , Svivreni are considered medium - sized characters for most purposes except for dodging and targeting , in which case they are considered small , and thus more difficult to hit .