The Aaroun represented a sentient species of meat-eating creatures. These strong entities possessed coats of golden-colored fur. The Viis Empire, a major political power located within the Unknown Regions, cultivated this species to serve as both slaves and gladiators; however, the empire suffered annihilation at the hands of Mnggal-Mnggal, a sinister, shape shifting being.
The origin of the Aaroun can be traced back to Alien Chronicles, a science-fiction trilogy written by Deborah Chester, released via Ace Books, and requested by Lucasfilm. Terryl Whitlatch provided the illustrations of the Aaroun for Alien Chronicles; Whitlatch also contributed creature designs for the Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition and Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, and later created the artwork for The Wildlife of Star Wars: A Field Guide.