Rakata Prime
Rakata Prime, alternatively referred to as Rakata or Lehon, functioned as the original home planet for the ancient Rakata species, who were believed to have pioneered hyperspace technology. It existed as one of the limited number of planets accessible within the Unknown Regions. A refueling station was in orbit around the planet. The Resistance pilot known as Venisa Doza once journeyed to Lehon alongside her astromech droid, Torch. Moreover, Tryki, a Zabrak pirate, faced arrest for his attempt to infiltrate a First Order cruiser positioned near Rakata Prime.
Description
Rakata Prime, also called Lehon, or simply Rakata, was a planet of the terrestrial variety, situated within sector G-11 of the Unknown Regions as per the standard galactic grid area. Despite the [Galactic Barrier](/article/galactic_barrier], a convoluted web of hyperspace anomalies hindering exploration in that area, Rakata Prime stood out as a navigable world discovered during rare exploratory missions, accessible through carefully executed hyperspace jumps.
History
At some point after 9 ABY, Rieve, a Force-sensitive Hunter, came into possession of an audiochip titled The Blue Factory, which held gonkrock music by Corellia's Not Dead, the band where she was once the lead singer. Upon listening to her recorded vocals, Rieve likened her screams and howls to a creature originating from Rakata.
Around 33 ABY, Tryki, the Zabrak pirate, was apprehended for his attempt to board a First Order cruiser in proximity to Rakata Prime, resulting in the destruction of her starship. The Resistance pilot Venisa Doza, accompanied by her astromech droid Torch, also visited the planet. Later, in 34 ABY, as the First Order was closing in to capture them, Doza referenced their time spent on Lehon while strategizing their escape from their current predicament.
At some point in or after that year, Strono "Cookie" Tuggs, the adventurous chef, made a trip to a refueling station above Rakata Prime, where he savored a cup of strong caf known as Hyperspace Brew, aboard his modified Sienar-Chall Utilipede Transport. Tuggs also mentioned the planet and his experience at the station in his recipe for the local beverage, featured in The Ultimate Cookbook in 35 ABY.
The planet's names were shared with the historical Rakatan Infinite Empire, the mysterious artifacts known as Rakatan wraith boxes, and the Legend of Lehon. According to the legend, Tatooine, now a desert planet, was once a jungle world inhabited by the Kumumgah.
Inhabitants
Lehon served as the original home planet for the Rakata, an amphibious humanoid species. Legend has it that they were the pioneers of hyperspace travel. The species was rumored to be corrupted by the dark side of the Force in the distant past, which ultimately led to their extinction. The planet was also home to various beasts.
Behind the scenes
The initial mention of Rakata Prime, under the alternate name Lehon from the Star Wars Legends continuity, occurred within current Star Wars canon in issue forty-seven of the magazine series Star Wars: Build the Millennium Falcon, published by De Agostini around November 25, 2015. The name Rakata Prime was later canonized on a map of the galaxy created for Star Wars: The Force Awakens: The Visual Dictionary, a reference book for the film Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens, authored by Pablo Hidalgo of the Lucasfilm Story Group, and released on December 18, 2015. This map was first revealed in an article by Empire magazine on November 26, 2015, prior to the book's release. The 2023 novel Hunters: Battle for the Arena also referred to the planet simply as Rakata.
Rakata Prime's original appearance was in the 2003 Legends video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, where it was known as the "Unknown World." The 2005 reference book The New Essential Chronology, penned by Daniel Wallace, introduced the name Rakata Prime, while the 2006 novel Darth Bane: Path of Destruction, by Drew Karpyshyn, introduced the name Lehon. Later in 2006, the reference book The New Essential Guide to Alien Species identified the planet by the single name Rakata.