The Zeffonians, or Zeffo for short, were an ancient sentient species native to the planet Zeffo. Many Zeffonians could wield the Force, which they referred to as the "Life Wind," and those who did became known as sages.
Originating as a peaceful civilization, over time they became more and more corrupt, eventually falling to the dark side of the Force. Facing extinction, the remnants of the Zeffonians fled into the Unknown Regions of the galaxy, what they called the great unknown, in hopes of finally finding peace.
The Tomb of Eilram on Zeffo
The Zeffonians had evolved on the planet of the same name, where they had constructed many statues and relics dedicated to several Zeffo Sages, and were protected by the ancient automatons known as Tomb Guardians.
Three of the more esteemed sages, Eilram, Kujet, and Miktrull, were buried in elaborate tombs, both on Zeffo and Dathomir. Their culture extended beyond their homeworld, with elaborate temples and tombs built on Bogano, Ontotho, and Kashyyyk. At one point during his life, Kujet ruled over the planet Peridea in a neighboring galaxy.
The inscription of Miktrull with an astrium.
The ancient Zeffonians had established a relationship with the Wookiees of Kashyyyk. Bogano had a great and vast vault built by the Zeffonians; as a result, the colony was believed to be a pilgrimage site, due to the presence of the Binog, a large creature of great important to both Zeffonian art and culture.
Kujet's reign brought about the decline of the Zeffonians.
Though the Zeffonians originated as a peaceful culture, over time they became more and more corrupt, eventually falling to the dark side of the Force. Reigning in the time after Sages Eilram and Miktrull, Kujet ordered the destruction of the astriums the species used in their religious practices while promising his followers power and control over the Life Wind, but he proved to be treacherous and cruel with his reign marking the decline of Zeffonian culture.
From his seat of power on Dathomir, Kujet staged a massacre in the halls of the palace, reducing the brave rebels opposed to his rule to ashen ruin. When Kujet died, he was entombed within a sarcophagus that was placed on the walls of his great temple. Within his dead hands, Kujet held one of the last remaining astriums.
Facing extinction, the remaining Zeffonians went to the Unknown Regions of the galaxy in hopes of finally finding peace.
The Zeffo Temple ruins on Bogano
During High Republic Era, the Jedi Padawan Klias Teradine asked questions and was subsequently shown the teachings of Sabracci Sages by Jedi Master Illaga, despite the group not being Jedi. The teachings included the ability to stand on a vertical surface without falling.
In the years before the Great Jedi Purge, Jedi Master Eno Cordova became fascinated by the near-extinct Zeffonians. In a record that appeared as a Force vision, the Jedi Padawan Cal Kestis heard the words of an ancient Zeffonian who was leading the remnants of their species into the "great unknown," which was how the species referred to the Unknown Regions of the galaxy.
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