The low-tech reptilian Kaleesh were conquered by the devouring Yam'rii, a greedy insectoid species from the planet Huk in the same system, who mercilessly invaded numerous worlds in their sector, stripping them of their resources and selling their populations into slavery. When the Yam'rii turned their focus on the Kaleesh's homeworld Kalee, the results were horrific.
The merciless reptilian Kaleesh and their technologically advanced adversary insectoid Yam'rii engaged in a devastating and ongoing war. In time, Qymaen jai Sheelal learned brutal and determined strategy, battle tactics, and warfare during the war against the Yam'rii and the ability to excite, motivate, and lead his fellow Kaleesh warriors in an explanatory way. Sheelal would adopt the name "Grievous" and gather the best Kaleesh warriors, the Izvoshra, a group of courageous warriors, to act as his elite personal guard and fight alongside them for years. Grievous could always rely on his Izvoshra, who shared his victories and love of battle, in his various destructive campaigns on the planet Huk.
He then waged war against the Yam'rii with ferocity and determination, and the Kaleesh forces drove them off from their world, but the Yam'rii requested assistance from the Galactic Republic. The Republic and the Jedi sided with the Yam'rii against the invader. The Kaleesh were condemned, embargoes and fines were enforced, and hundreds of thousands were starved to death. After the Republic and the Jedi intervened the conflict, Grievous developed a personal vendetta against them for their assistance to the Yam'rii.
Eventually, Grievous became an agent for the InterGalactic Banking Clan, but his request to keep his loyal Izvoshra bodyguards was rejected, and he was forced to command the IGBC droids. Grievous' demand for an intelligent personal guard led to the creation of the IG-100 MagnaGuard. After Grievous became one of IGBC's most valuable assets, Count Dooku and his Sith Master, Darth Sidious, became aware of his exploits and had important plans for him. To have Grievous serve under them, Dooku, Poggle the Lesser, and San Hill planned to destroy him in order to turn him into a cyborg. Under Dooku's direction, Grievous' shuttle was sabotaged.
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