The Lakra were a species that hailed from the Lakra system found within Wild Space. These Lakra colonized the planet of Kariek, which was the homeworld of the Eickarie people, leading to a civil war that spanned centuries. Around 28 BBY, an alien figure known as the Warlord established a fifty-year tyrannical rule over Kariek, employing Lakran mercenaries to control the Eickaries. Ultimately, the Eickarie tribes united, launching a war against the Warlord's forces with assistance from the Empire of the Hand. The Warlord was eventually captured, and the InterTribal Council of the United Tribes of Kariek was created to govern both the Eickaries and the Lakra.
The Lakra were a sentient species possessing both hands and feet. One Lakra, specifically a mercenary squad leader, had notably large hands, and his voice was described as resembling the sound of rocks being processed in a fruit blender.
While the Lakra were capable of speaking Basic, they also utilized another language distinct from the primary trade language used by the Eickarie species. The Lakra were generally more aggressive in nature compared to the Eickaries.
The Lakra originated from the Lakra system within Wild Space and at some point colonized the planet of Kariek, also the homeworld of the Eickaries. This led to a civil war that lasted for centuries between the Lakra and the Eickaries, as well as conflicts among the various Eickarie tribes. Around 28 BBY, the Warlord, an alien who arrived on Kariek and allied with the Lakra, began a fifty-standard year–long tyrannical rule over the Eickaries. The true identity of this ruler remained unknown to both Lakra and Eickarie, concealed behind full-body armor. The Warlord used Lakran mercenaries, equipped with armor and blasters, to oppress the Eickaries, repurposing ancient Eickarie fortresses for their own use.
The majority of Eickarie tribes eventually joined forces to oppose the Warlord's rule, forming the government known as the United Tribes of Kariek in the process. They sought assistance from the Empire of the Hand to overthrow the Warlord, and during the subsequent eight-month war, the Imperial military forces, alongside the Eickaries, fought against the Lakran mercenaries.
By 22 ABY, the Empire of the Hand, aiming to uncover the Warlord's identity, launched an attack on the fortress where he was housed, with the intention of capturing him. Prior to the attack, Imperial stormtrooper Unit Aurek-Seven was approaching its designated position in the city near the fortress. However, inclement weather was distorting the infrared data displayed on the heads-up displays of the troopers' helmets, making gas-spectrum analysis impossible and hindering their ability to differentiate between Eickaries and Lakra.
Ultimately, with the help of a group of Eickaries, Unit Aurek-Seven managed to infiltrate the fortress during the attack. After several skirmishes with squads of Lakran soldiers, the Warlord was captured. Subsequently, the Empire of the Hand discovered that the Warlord was not a member of either the Lakra or Eickarie species. In the meantime, the United Tribes of Kariek established the InterTribal Council, a governing body responsible for the day-to-day administration of both the Eickaries and the Lakra, and began negotiations to join the Empire of the Hand.
The Lakra made their debut in Fool's Bargain, a 2004 novella authored by Timothy Zahn. The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia, published in 2008, incorrectly stated that the Lakra-backed Warlord's rule on Kariek concluded twenty-two years following the Battle of Endor, placing it in 26 ABY. However, Fool's Bargain, which depicts the event, must be set by 22 ABY instead.