Chev The Chevs were one of the two native sentient species of the planet Vinsoth . These humanoids were slaves of the Chevin , Vinsoth ' s other indigenous people , for most of their recorded history , a fact which shaped their culture and their interactions with the rest of the galaxy . Biology and appearance . Though they were sometimes classed as Near - Human s , other sources indicate that they were humanoids who evolved from Vinsoth ' s indigenous . By the time of the Galactic Empire ' s rise , they had been enslaved by the Chevin for millennia . The outward appearance of the Chevs was generally similar to that of Humans , with pale skin , short blond or white head hair , no facial hair , and heavy brows . Their hair was often dyed in bright colors to identify them as property of a particular Chevin . Their lidless eyes were black to violet in color , and were protected by thin transparent membranes . They were physiologically much like other humanoid species , with their twin hearts being a notable exception . According to sources such as " The University of Sanbra Guide to Intelligent Life " , one Chev heart could take over when the other failed , allowing Chevs to live for up to three hundred standard years . As Chev slaves could outlive their Chevin masters , this meant that Chevin slave - owners often left prize slaves to relatives in their wills . Other sources , however , gave a more modest 75 years as a typical Chev life expectancy . Society and culture . The Chevs originally developed a civilization on Vinsoth thousands of years before the Imperial era , thriving for some time before they were enslaved by the Chevin . Since the Chevin were a nomadic people , the Chevs were forced to live that same lifestyle as well . Their temporary settlements of tents and lean - tos were ruled by a Chevin overseer , with the oldest female Chev acting as the leader among the slaves . Giving what political power the Chevs had to the oldest among them was criticized by some younger Chevs , who believed this simply perpetuated the system of slavery . Generations of subjugation had left most Chev docile and submissive . Despite this , they would gather at night to try and understand the strengths and weaknesses of their masters , in hopes that a future generation might someday have the courage and the opportunity to free their people . The Chevs even had legends which foretold that someday , they would become masters of the galaxy . As nomadic slaves , they wore simple garments , and had few possessions . Despite this , they had a rich culture , strong in folklore and the visual arts . Their cultural rituals were tolerated by their masters , and even encouraged as a way to keep the Chevs content . Some Chevin even found lucrative offworld markets for the art of their Chev slaves . Chevs were also highly skilled technically , though they sometimes hid their technical expertise from their masters . In 44 ABY , journalist Madhi Vaandt went to Vinsoth on an assignment to uncover various slaving practices throughout the galaxy , and won popular support for the Chevs after an interview with a former Chev slave . The event , along with the actions of various anti - slavery organizations , caused a galaxywide outcry against slavery , and in the aftermath , the Chev slaves were freed by their Chevin masters . Chevs in the galaxy . Chev slaves were found off - world as well , whether owned by traveling Chevin or sold to non - Chevin masters . Some free Chevs existed away from Vinsoth , escaping either by stowing away on visiting starships or fleeing their masters offworld . Free Chevs tried to keep a low profile , and avoid politics for the most part . Some became quite wealthy , and used their wealth to take almost paranoid precautions against losing their new found freedom . Off - world Chevs who had escaped slavery often dressed elaborately , or tattooed or dyed their skin , in order to express their previously suppressed individuality and set themselves apart from their enslaved brethren . During the Galactic Civil War , some Chevs became part of the Alliance to Restore the Republic , where they befriended members of other enslaved species such as the Wookiees . Interestingly , some Chevin were disgusted by their people ' s reliance on slavery . A few of these Chevin left Vinsoth , and joined the Alliance . ( It is not recorded if any of them worked alongside free Chevs , however . ) Ephant Mon , a Chevin ex - criminal and religious leader , led a movement to emancipate the Chev on Vinsoth . Jedi Master Tresina Lobi , who fought in the Yuuzhan Vong War and the Swarm War , was a Chev . Jedi Knight Sothais Saar was also a Chev . Behind the scenes . In Christie Golden ' s novel the fifth book of the nine - part series , a continuity error exists that identifies the Chevs as being the masters of the Chevins , in contradiction to most other sources describing both species . Shohta Laar , a Chev won by journalist Madhi Vaandt in a drinking game on Vinsoth , was identified as a Chevin rather than a Chev .