Ithorian Herdship

The lower decks housed lush jungles, contrasting with the upper levels which contained cities and living quarters. These massive herdships, each with a diameter of 1,000 meters, were designed as self-contained ecosystems. A pilot and co-pilot oversaw the ship's operations, supported by a dedicated crew of up to 3,000 Ithorian workers responsible for maintaining the vessel. Each herdship could accommodate as many as 10,000 Ithorians, along with up to 20,000 metric tons of various goods.

These spacefaring vessels evolved from the earlier herd-cities. Given their extensive travels throughout the galaxy, most herdships were equipped with defensive weaponry: twenty laser cannons and four tractor beam projectors strategically positioned around the hull. Their appearance closely mirrored that of the herd-cities, such as the Tafanda Bay, but they were sealed to facilitate interstellar journeys.

Herdships were constructed in at least three distinct classes, including the peaceful, cruise-oriented Manollium-class Herdship, the Shamarok-class Herdship, and the Sky Yards-class Herdship, the latter being exclusively built and operated by the Ithorians.

While each herdship departed Ithor according to a predetermined route and timetable, the precise destinations were determined by the Ithorian pilot and their crew. Each herdship would eventually return to Ithor at a scheduled event known as a Herd Meet. Following the destruction of Ithor by the Yuuzhan Vong, the herdships became the last remaining vestiges of Ithor's verdant jungles, thereby gaining even greater significance for the Ithorian people.

As the herdships journeyed across the galaxy, many planets eagerly anticipated their arrival. Local populations actively engaged in trade with the Ithorians, exchanging goods for the exotic items they carried. Examples of individual herdships include the Errant Trader, Ithor Wanderer, and Mother Ithor.