Groshik

Groshik, a Neimoidian bartender, was the owner and operator of the only cantina in the sole colony on the mining world of Apatros. The Outer Rim Oreworks Company mining corporation had control over both the planet and its colony. Groshik made his cantina's interior intentionally gaudy and tasteless, stating that his aim was to offend the ORO leadership. This stance made him very popular among the cortosis miners who were regulars at his cantina, many of whom were trapped working for ORO due to debt and harbored resentment towards the company. Groshik maximized his cantina's profits by extending its operating hours to cover both mining shifts, allowing him to serve the night-crew workers before their shift and the day-crew workers after their shift ended. His routine was consistent and known by all the miners on Apatros.

In 1003 BBY, Groshik's cantina received a visit from the crew of a Galactic Republic cargo ship that had arrived on Apatros to collect cortosis from the mines. Later, Dessel—a Human male miner and friend of Groshik—came to the cantina after being suspended from the mines for biting off the thumb of a miner named Gerd during a brawl. Dessel participated in a sabacc game with some Republic officers in the ORO-operated gaming room of the establishment. After winning a seemingly improbable hand, he was accused of cheating by an irate Republic ensign. A disturbance broke out, which Groshik quickly quelled by firing his BlasTech CS-33 Firespray stun rifle into the ceiling and ordering everyone to leave. However, he asked Dessel to stay, and the two cleaned the cantina. Groshik also mentioned to Dessel that he had been radiating anger and hate while playing sabacc, which contributed to the riot.

After Dessel departed the cantina, he was ambushed by three Republic soldiers, including the ensign who had accused him of cheating. Dessel fought back and killed the ensign in self-defense. Dessel rushed back to the cantina, where Groshik allowed him inside. Dessel explained to Groshik that he had killed the ensign and was certain that the authorities would arrest him soon. Knowing that Dessel would be sent to a penal colony if caught by ORO, Groshik contacted some of his associates within the Sith to smuggle him off-world. Dessel expressed immense gratitude for Groshik's help and went on to fight in the Sith army during the New Sith Wars after escaping Apatros. Dessel distinguished himself, and upon discovering his Force-sensitivity, he became Darth Bane, one of the most influential Dark Lords of the Sith in galactic history.

Groshik, a red-eyed Neimoidian, was a very diligent individual who maintained a consistent daily schedule. He possessed strong business acumen and structured his cantina's hours to serve the maximum number of customers and maximize profits. He shared a close friendship with Dessel, having watched him mature from a young boy into a man. He would occasionally offer Dessel drinks like Cortyg brandy free of charge unless Dessel specifically requested it. Groshik generally kept his political opinions private and, while he permitted political discussions in his cantina, always refrained from taking sides. Groshik was known for discharging his stun rifle when situations in his cantina escalated, such as during the near-riot following Dessel's sabacc game. The Neimoidian held some animosity towards ORO; he deliberately decorated his cantina in a gaudy style to provoke them, and he violated company regulations by assisting Dessel in escaping Apatros.

Groshik made an appearance in Drew Karpyshyn's 2006 novel, Darth Bane: Path of Destruction.