Codru - Ji The Codru - Ji were a race of four - armed humanoids that inhabited the planet Munto Codru . Born as six legged canines known as Wyrwulves , they encased themselves in a cocoon at puberty , emerging weeks later as a two meter tall adult humanoid . Codru - Ji slept standing up , and communicated on a hypersonic level . As their homeworld had very few significant exports , the Codru - Ji were able to stay isolated from the affairs of the Galactic Empire and the New Republic . This allowed them to concentrate on their own complicated internal politics . Leading Codru - Ji families were often the target of " coup abductions " , ritualized kidnappings of children by political rivals . These abductions almost always ended with the payment of ransoms and the safe return of the children . Ornate stone castles were scattered across Munto Codru . These castles were produced not by the Codru - Ji , but by an unknown extinct civilization . Many Codru - Ji avoided these castles , considering them to be haunted . However , they were sometimes used as provincial capitals . In 137 ABY , the citizens of Munto Codru were forced to join their tribes under the rule of the Empire controlled by Darth Krayt of the One Sith . A Sith Lord named Darth Kruhl personally visited the planet to coerce the Codru - Ji leaders into accepting Imperial rule and assassinate any opposing figure . Biology and appearance . The Codru - Ji had a highly differentiated two - stage life cycle separating adults from adolescents . Codru - Ji children were born as meter long canids with the six limbs that were distinctive of all Codru - Ji . These pups , known as Wyrwulves , were frequently mistaken by outsiders as no more than family pets , an impression aided by their inability to speak in anything more than snarls and growls . The juveniles were sociable , often licking guest as a sign of greeting , however , they could also deliver a strong bite to deter attackers . Wyrwulves were given affectionate nicknames such as " Hrika " or " Lirri " and did not receive their real names until adulthood . Wyrwulves mature for 8 years before entering a cocoon . They remained in this rubbery blue cocoon for a period of a few weeks before emerging in adult form . Adult Codru - Ji appeared as humanoids , albeit with four arms . They lost the thick pelt of their earlier form , but retained other features such as their strong skin . Codru - Ji hearing extended to a supersonic level undetectable to many species . The mature form averaged 1 . 6 meters in height . Of their four limbs , Codru - Ji had one primary hand , with which they were most skilled . The remainder were “ off hands ” , though still utile . An unusual trait of the Codru - Ji was that they slept standing upright . They developed sleeping harnesses to secure adults in this position . Adults could learn quickly using one hand they could then duplicate their ability with all their limbs . They could go days without food and water and had senses that allowed them to scan the surrounding area . Some scientists speculated that the Codru - Ji were descended from a highly advanced , yet extinct , species that left a number of ruins on Munto Codru . Society and culture . Highly xenophobic , Codru - Ji were reluctant to allow members of other species access to their society . Although not particularly afraid of off - worlders , the Codru - Ji were concerned that outside influences would " rub off " on their society . Several aspects of their culture , such as ritual kidnapping of children of political rivals , were considered barbaric by galactic standards , and as such the Codru - Ji thought it best to remain removed from the greater galactic scene . Behind the scenes . The Codru - Ji were created by Vonda N . McIntyre for her novel " The Crystal Star " , published in 1994 by Bantam Spectra . Since that appearance , their backstory was expanded on in such reference works as " The Essential Guide to Alien Species " , " The Essential Guide to Planets and Moons " , and the " Ultimate Alien Anthology " . After a number of cameo and background appearances in subsequent novels , the Codru - Ji again had a prominent role in the Dark Horse comic " " published in 2007 .