Iridonia

Category:Planets
Iridonia was the harsh homeworld of the Zabrak. Due to the harsh living conditions, the Zabrak were a hardy species. They took to flight and then space travel as soon as they could develop the technology, and by the time the Duros encountered them, they had already colonized five systems.
==History==
As a Mid Rim world situated near important hyperspace lanes, Iridonia was one of the key worlds that connected the Outer Rim to the Inner Rim. As such, it was often one of the first planets to be pulled into a war. During the Old Sith Wars, the planet was the site of numerous battles.
The First Battle of Iridonia, fought during the Great Sith War, was a major victory for the Galactic Republic. It was a turning point in the war which gave the Republic Military and the Jedi Order momentum which would help them to eventually defeat their Sith adversaries.
Several of Iridonia's colonies along the Outer Rim were conquered by the Mandalorians during the initial stages of the Mandalorian Wars. After learning of the loss of their colonies, many Iridonians, including Bao-Dur, sought revenge by joining the Republic's war effort against the Mandalorian invaders. In the same year, 3,963 BBY, the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders launched a major offensive against Iridonia. After a successful campaign, they occupied the planet for a number of months, but Iridonia was eventually liberated by the Republic Military.
Iridonia changed hands a number of times during the Jedi Civil War. The Sith Empire and the Republic fought fiercely over the planet, and both sides used it as a staging ground during the conflict. Due to the fact that Iridonia was occupied by the Sith at times, the eight Iridonian colonies became self sufficient. Following the war, they broke away and became independent worlds.
Around 1,002 BBY, the Brotherhood of Darkness operated a Sith academy on the world that trained Sith Acolytes and apprentices. The Sith also hired Zabrak mercenaries from the planet's high council.
After the Battle of Ruusan, the Zabrak established colonies on many far-flung worlds. The Zabrak of Iridonia maintained the most militant culture, and Zabrak youths from the colonies were often sent to the original homeworld for warrior training.
It is likely that Palpatine visited Iridonia at some point between 54 BBY and 50 BBY and found the young Zabrak boy who would soon become his apprentice, the fearsome Darth Maul.
Kaysil Verwood became the first New Republic Senator of her people, representing not only Iridonia but all the Zabrak colonies. The Zabrak were founding members of the government, as Verwood attended the Galactic Caucus to form the new government.