The Chevs were one of two sentient species that were originally from the planet known as Vinsoth. These humanoid beings spent the majority of their documented history as slaves to the Chevin, the other native population of Vinsoth. This enslavement profoundly impacted their culture and how they interacted with the rest of the galaxy.
While some classifications placed them as Near-Humans, other accounts suggest their evolution stemmed from indigenous primates on Vinsoth. By the time the Galactic Empire rose to power, the Chevs had endured millennia of servitude under the pachydermoid Chevin.
Chevs generally resembled Humans in their physical characteristics, displaying features like fair skin, short blond or white hair (lacking facial hair), and prominent eyebrows. To denote ownership by specific Chevin, their hair was frequently dyed vibrant colors. They possessed black to violet, lidless eyes shielded by thin, transparent membranes. Physiologically, they shared similarities with other humanoid species, with their dual hearts being a notable difference. According to references like The University of Sanbra Guide to Intelligent Life, one of a Chev's hearts could compensate for the failure of the other, potentially extending their lifespan to three hundred standard years. Since Chev slaves could outlive their Chevin owners, it was common for Chevin to bequeath favored slaves to relatives in their testaments. However, alternative sources cited a more conservative average lifespan of 75 years for Chevs.
Millennia before the Imperial era, the Chevs established a civilization on Vinsoth, flourishing until their enslavement by the Chevin. The nomadic nature of the Chevin forced the Chevs into a similar lifestyle. Their transient settlements, composed of tents and makeshift shelters, were overseen by a Chevin supervisor, with the eldest female Chev serving as the leader among the slaves. Some younger Chevs criticized this system of entrusting political authority to the eldest, arguing that it perpetuated the cycle of slavery. Generations of oppression had rendered most Chevs compliant and subservient. Nevertheless, they would convene at night to analyze their masters' strengths and vulnerabilities, hoping that a future generation might find the courage and opportunity to liberate their people. The Chevs even possessed legends that prophesied their eventual dominance over the galaxy.
As nomadic slaves, they wore simple clothing and owned few possessions. Despite their material deprivation, they maintained a rich culture, characterized by strong folklore and visual arts. Their cultural practices were tolerated, and even encouraged, by their masters as a means of maintaining Chev contentment. Some Chevin even capitalized on the artistic talents of their Chev slaves by selling their work in lucrative off-world markets. Chevs also possessed considerable technical skills, although they sometimes concealed this expertise from their masters.
In 44 ABY, journalist Madhi Vaandt traveled to Vinsoth to investigate various slaving operations throughout the galaxy. Her interview with a former Chev slave garnered widespread support for the Chevs. This event, coupled with the efforts of various anti-slavery organizations, sparked a galaxy-wide condemnation of slavery, ultimately leading to the emancipation of the Chev slaves by their Chevin masters.
Chev slaves were also present beyond Vinsoth, either accompanying traveling Chevin or sold to non-Chevin owners. Some Chevs managed to achieve freedom away from Vinsoth, either by stowing away on visiting starships or escaping their masters off-world. Free Chevs generally maintained a low profile and avoided political involvement. Some amassed considerable wealth and implemented elaborate precautions to safeguard their newfound freedom. Chevs who had escaped slavery often adopted elaborate attire, tattoos, or skin dyes to express their previously suppressed individuality and distinguish themselves from their enslaved counterparts.
During the Galactic Civil War, some Chevs joined the Alliance to Restore the Republic, forging friendships with members of other enslaved species, such as the Wookiees. Interestingly, some Chevin were repulsed by their people's dependence on slavery. A few of these Chevin departed Vinsoth and joined the Alliance. (It is not documented whether any of them collaborated with free Chevs.) Ephant Mon, a Chevin ex-criminal and religious leader, spearheaded a movement to liberate the Chev on Vinsoth.
Jedi Master Tresina Lobi, a participant in both the Yuuzhan Vong War and the Swarm War, was a Chev. Jedi Knight Sothais Saar was also a Chev.
In Christie Golden's novel Allies, the fifth installment of the nine-part Fate of the Jedi series, a continuity error identifies the Chevs as the masters of the Chevins, contradicting the majority of sources describing both species. Shohta Laar, a Chev won by journalist Madhi Vaandt in a drinking contest on Vinsoth, was misidentified as a Chevin instead of a Chev.