Besides being a monumental work that has inspired countless science fiction creations, Star Wars also tells the stories of every species across its boundless galaxy. This allows readers not only to enjoy the thrilling clashes of the Force and lightsabers but also to deeply experience how diverse species coexist and compete. Unlike the previously featured Togruta, the planet we are introducing this time has a much harsher environment. However, this very adversity has made its native species all the more distinctive and produced one of the most memorable Jedi Masters of all time.
>>>The Kel Dor
The Kel Dor hail from the planet Dorin in the Outer Rim. Not only is their homeworld situated between two black holes, but its atmosphere is also extremely thin, making Dorin one of the most severe planets in the galaxy. Yet, it is often the most isolated environments that give rise to the most unique species. Through millennia of evolution, the thin atmosphere, while allowing the Kel Dor to survive normally, also necessitates that they wear protective masks on oxygen-rich planets to avoid overwhelming their bodies. The Kel Dor are similar to humans in height and weight, with skin tones that are typically dark red or brown. Their eye colors range from common black to a silver hue, which is believed to indicate a high sensitivity to the Force. However, the Kel Dor's appearance is not widely considered appealing; their noses have evolved into short, beak-like structures with a gap between them and their jowly mouths. Their lips can retract to reveal toothless upper and lower jaws, which restricts their diet to soft or liquid foods for sustenance.
Because they can survive in a low-oxygen environment, the Kel Dor are able to withstand the vacuum of space for a short period. Their unique antiox breath masks not only enable them to survive on other planets but also serve to amplify the volume of their speech. The black cranial spikes on their heads are thought to enhance their reflex nerves. It is worth noting that the Kel Dor are regarded as a highly intelligent species, and some, through training, could even acquire telepathic abilities, though this was later dismissed as a hoax to promote traditionalism. The Kel Dor language is Kel Dorian, which is difficult for outsiders to understand due to the thin atmosphere of Dorin. There are no significant external differences between male and female Kel Dor; they can be simply distinguished by mammary organs similar to those of humans.
Within Kel Dor society exists a religious tradition called the Baran Do, whose practitioners are known as Sages. The Baran Do existed for millennia before the founding of the Republic and is a culture centered on understanding the Force through self-cultivation. This practice not only strengthens the connection with all living things but also allows for the prediction and prevention of future dangers. However, it was later supplanted by the Republic's Jedi Order, as the Jedi's understanding and application of the Force were far more thorough than that of the Baran Do. This led to the decline of the Baran Do, to the point where some Jedi-educated Kel Dor came to view the Sages who followed Baran Do teachings as a cult. Nevertheless, the Baran Do, at its core, also taught its practitioners about justice and the choice between good and evil. Like the Jedi, they would never abandon someone in need of help. This distinction from the Jedi ultimately allowed the Baran Do Sages to escape the slaughter of Order 66.
Another unique characteristic of the Kel Dor is their specific naming tradition. Kel Dor surnames are often related to the nature of their family; for example, Jedi Master Plo Koon's surname, "Koon," carries the meaning of "explorer." Most Kel Dor base their given names on the sounds of nature from their homeworld, Dorin. In the upper echelons of Kel Dor society, it was even believed that a name too dissimilar to the sounds of Dorin would bring misfortune. Kel Dor names are typically short or monosyllabic, a practice that can be traced back to an ancient local legend. It was said that wind spirits existed on Dorin, and if a name was too long, the excessive breath expelled while speaking it would confuse the spirits about their own children, causing them to be taken away and raised as children of the wind. Although this superstition is no longer believed, the naming tradition continues to influence the Kel Dor people.
The most famous Kel Dor is undoubtedly Jedi Master Plo Koon. Koon had already distinguished himself in the earlier Stark Hyperspace War, renowned not only for his exceptional swordsmanship and wise decision-making but also for his first-rate piloting skills. During the Clone Wars, he and Clone Commander Wolffe led the 104th Legion through life-and-death situations. Most respectably, Koon never considered the clones to be disposable assets; to him, every subordinate was a brother. Consequently, the bond between the soldiers and their Jedi General was exceptionally strong, even leading to graffiti reading "Plo's Bros" on Republic gunships.
Koon shared a close personal friendship with Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, as they were comrades during the Hyperspace War. He was also one of the masters who discovered Ahsoka Tano's potential and brought her to the Jedi for training. His insight and perspective on the Force made Koon highly respected. Like his uncle, Koon's niece, Sha Koon, also served the Republic. However, in the final days of the Clone Wars, Koon could not escape the annihilation of Order 66. He was shot down and killed in his starfighter by his own clone troopers, bringing an end to the life of this legendary Jedi Master.
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