Jashco Phurus, a male human pirate, operated in the Arrowhead Region of the galaxy, specifically east of the planet Coruscant. Approximately thirty years following the Battle of Endor, Phurus stood by a wall across from the entrance of Maz Kanata's castle on the planet Takodana. At that moment, Han Solo, a smuggler, entered alongside Rey, a scavenger, Finn, a former stormtrooper, and BB-8, an astromech droid. Soon after their arrival, many of the castle's occupants, including Phurus, hurried outside to witness the destruction of the Hosnian system. This destruction was caused by the First Order's Starkiller Base superweapon. Subsequently, First Order forces attacked and demolished Kanata's castle. Following this assault by the First Order, Phurus, along with another smuggler, joined the Resistance after being introduced to General Leia Organa by Maz Kanata.
While present at the castle, Phurus was attired in red Tricorraan raider robes and possessed a field-accelerated blaster rifle. His physical appearance included dark skin and shaved black hair.
The initial appearance of Jashco Phurus was in Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens, a film that premiered on December 18, 2015. The character's identification was provided in Star Wars: The Force Awakens: The Visual Dictionary, a companion reference book penned by Pablo Hidalgo and launched alongside the movie.