Merj, situated in the Outer Rim Territories, was a planet and the original homeworld of the Morseerian species, who were characterized by their methane-breathing physiology. The planet aligned itself with the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the era of the Clone Wars. At this time, smugglers, such as Has Obitt, secretly provided the planet with resources and equipment. To aid the war against the Galactic Republic, Morseerian scientists residing on Merj were engaged in the development of a biological warfare weapon intended for use against the Grand Army of the Republic's clone troopers, which led to a mission designed to halt the research and capture the scientists for use in a planned prisoner exchange.