Black Spire Outpost (BSO), often shortened to Black Spire, functioned as a settlement on the planet of Batuu, situated at the fringe of the Outer Rim Territories. It served as one of the final points of civilization before entering the uncharted regions of Wild Space and the enigmatic Unknown Regions. The outpost's designation originated from the colossal petrified trees that loomed over the area, notably one distinguished by its black coloration, known as the Black Spire.
Positioned on Batuu, a planet within the Outer Rim Territories, Black Spire Outpost was regarded as a pivotal last stop prior to venturing into Wild Space and the Unknown Regions. The settlement's name was inspired by the fossilized remains of ancient trees, transformed into gray and brown stone formations that towered above the outpost. The iconic Black Spire was particularly notable due to its black coloring and sleek surface reminiscent of volcanic glass.
Before the advent of hyperspace travel, Batuu functioned as a bustling hub for travelers seeking trade or refueling during their journeys through the Outer Rim or expeditions into Wild Space. However, with the emergence of the hyperdrive and the establishment of new hyperspace routes that bypassed the planet, it transitioned into a sanctuary for those wishing to remain hidden. The outpost subsequently evolved into a flourishing spaceport catering to smugglers, renegade traders, and adventurers navigating between the galactic frontier and uncharted territories. Eventually, Chandrila Star Line initiated luxury cruise services in the area, catering to travelers in search of both adventure and comfort on their journeys.
In 232 BBY, Kai Brightstar, Lys Solay, and Nubs, Jedi Initiates from the Tenoo Jedi Temple, journeyed to Black Spire Outpost accompanied by Celesta Kami, a Jedi Padawan from the Batuu Jedi Temple. While searching for tools to purchase for Kami's master, Carver Drow, the group encountered Ozon Nimbee, a property developer, presenting potential development plans to the residents of Black Spire. Nimbee's proposal involved constructing buildings that would offer unobstructed views of the Batuuan skies, which would necessitate the removal of the very spires that defined the outpost's character. Despite the residents' rejection of the proposal, Nimbee proceeded with testing sabotage droids to fell several spires near the outpost. Witnessing this, the Jedi confronted Nimbee, who was subsequently reprimanded by the townsfolk. Convinced that the only way to gain acceptance for his plans was to secretly remove the spires within the outpost, Nimbee unleashed a swarm of his buzz droids upon Black Spire Outpost. The Jedi and the townsfolk united to combat the droid swarm, destroying many of them. Soon after, Drow arrived and utilized his lightsaber and the Force to eliminate several more droids. However, one droid managed to go unnoticed and completely severed the spire overlooking the milk stand. As the upper section of the massive spire began to fall, the Jedi employed the Force to prevent it from crushing the milk stand, gently placing it on the ground nearby. Eventually, the fallen spire was restored to its original position, leaving behind visible evidence of the clean cut.
In 10 BBY, the pilot droid L3-37 challenged Lando Calrissian's capability to successfully complete the Kessel Run, asserting that he could not even pilot the Millennium Falcon from "here to Black Spire" without her assistance. Following the war against the Pykes, Daimyo Boba Fett and Master Assassin Fennec Shand traveled to Black Spire on a mission to recruit individuals for the Fett gotra and to track down members of the Pyke Syndicate. The Mandalorian Din Djarin and his foundling Grogu also made their way to Black Spire at some point.
In 34 ABY, the outpost became a haven for individuals seeking refuge from the expanding influence of the First Order and its conflict with the Resistance, which had escalated into a full-blown war. Among these individuals was the Weequay smuggler Hondo Ohnaka, who brought the modified YT-1300 light freighter known as the Millennium Falcon to the outpost and established Ohnaka Transport Solutions, a shipping enterprise that served as a front for his illicit smuggling activities. Operating from Docking Bay 5, the company frequently recruited flight crew members from among the outpost's newly arrived inhabitants.
The human mercenary Bazine Netal was commissioned to locate the Millennium Falcon and acquire it from its current owner. At Oga's Cantina, the smuggler regaled her with tales of his past experiences with the ship, stalling for time as a Yarkoran sabacc player secretly contacted Mahjo Reeloo, who owed Ohnaka a debt of gratitude following an incident in the Undervaults of Gwongdeen. Netal compensated Ohnaka for the Falcon and delivered it to Beixander 9, where Reeloo, posing as Netal's contact, accepted delivery of the ship before returning it to the outpost. Ohnaka then informed Chewbacca, a Wookiee and the ship's former co-pilot, that the Falcon was safe from Netal's employers. While Ohnaka continued to utilize the ship for his business ventures, he also expressed confidence that it would continue to aid "the good guys."
Around the same period, a Resistance base was established within ancient ruins located just outside the outpost. Eventually, Supreme Leader Kylo Ren arrived at the outpost and assumed command of the First Order garrison, having discovered that Rey was among a group of Resistance fugitives on Batuu. A battle ensued between the two factions both within the outpost and in the skies above the planet.
At the time of the Clone Wars, Black Spire Outpost had a population of approximately four to five hundred sentient beings, although Anakin Skywalker, a Jedi Knight, remarked that the outpost did not appear large enough to accommodate such a population. By the era of the Galactic Empire, the outpost was inhabited by humans, Darshi, Jablogians, and Shistavanens.
- Black Spire Station
- Droid Depot
- Savi's Workshop Savi & Son Salvage Trilon Wishing Tree
- Docking Bay 7 Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
- Docking Bay 9 First Order Cargo
- Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities
- Milk Stand
- Oga's Cantina
- Smuggler's Alley
- Docking Bay 5 Ohnaka Transport Solutions
- Engine Maintenance Hangar
- Black Spire Ruins Resistance Supply
- Savi's Path Savi & Son Salvage junkyard
Bob Iger, the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, initially revealed the company's plans to construct a Star Wars-themed land at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, and at Disney's Hollywood Studios within the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, during the D23 Expo on August 15, 2015. According to the announcement, these lands would span fourteen acres, making them the most extensive single-land expansions in the company's history. The two attractions announced for the land included a ride that puts guests behind the controls of the Millennium Falcon and a ride that throws guests into the middle of a battle between the First Order and the Resistance. It was also revealed that the lands would be set on a previously unseen planet situated on the edge of the Outer Rim Territories, just before Wild Space. During the Q1 FY17 Earnings call for The Walt Disney Company on February 7, 2017, Iger announced that the new lands would open in the year 2019. During the "Star Wars and Disney Parks: A Galaxy in the Making" panel at Celebration Orlando, Asa Kalama of Walt Disney Imagineering stated that what they were building would be canonical.
During Galactic Nights, a series of promotional trading cards were distributed, offering hints about the features and experiences that would be available at the Black Spire Outpost attraction. The front of the cards depicted scenes that were likely to occur, such as an encounter with Kylo Ren, negotiations with Dok-Ondar, and an agreement between Hondo and Chewbacca, among others. The back of each card contained a portion of a nine-panel map illustrating the various locations within the outpost, along with specific details about those locations. Eight of the cards featured a phrase written in Aurebesh that described the location. Thanks to Twitter user Nick Tierce, the full phrase was revealed to be: "At the edge of the galaxy so far away, black was the spire that called me to stay, a beacon for drifters forgotten and lost, the spire summoned those broken and tossed, come stay here forever or just pass on through, the spirit of the black spire will forever change you".