The Night-Soarers, hailing from the planet of Tyluun, were a sentient species. Their physiology included a bipedal stance, but they also possessed large wings that sprouted from their arms and ribcages, granting them the ability to fly without assistance. Across the galaxy, Night-Soarers gained notoriety as exceptionally stealthy and clever assassins. Certain members of this species participated in gladiatorial contests, such as death matches on The Wheel or the Tandem Open held on Jervo's World.
As a sentient species, Night-Soarers exhibited skin tones of either brown or blue. They were characterized by pointed ears, a bald head, and a cranial projection at the center of their head. They walked upright on two legs, and their arms terminated in hands with five fingers, each tipped with sharp claws. Their most prominent feature was a pair of wings, formed by a membrane that stretched from their ribcages. The wingspan varied among individuals, with some wings extending only to the elbow and others reaching well past the wrists. These wings provided the necessary lift for independent flight.
While some Night-Soarers only wore clothing on their lower bodies, others also donned sleeveless tunics. They demonstrated the ability to communicate in Galactic Basic Standard.
Originating on Tyluun, a somber planet within the Juvex sector of the Mid Rim, the Night-Soarers had integrated into the broader galaxy by at least 3963 BBY. In that year, two Night-Soarers took part in the Tandem Open on Jervo's World, a space station in orbit around Pantolomin. This event was a highlight of the station's entertainment, featuring aerial combat between pairs of competitors using non-lethal weaponry, with the goal of being the last team standing. One Night-Soarer was eliminated in the semi-finals while trying to take out two other contestants—Goethar Kleej, a Gotal veteran, and a Mandalorian known as "Spikes," who were already engaged in combat. The Night-Soarer and his partner, equipped with a jetpack, approached from above, assuming they were unnoticed; however, Goethar and Spikes spotted them and shot them down, ending their participation.
The second Night-Soarer, known as one of the most ruthless players from the Franchise in the competition, advanced to the final round. The organizers had a strong desire to see certain finalists eliminated, namely Goethar and his son Aubin, who sought to expose the unethical practices of the franchise running the tournament, as well as Zayne Carrick and Spikes, against whom the organizer Jervo Thalien held a personal grudge. To ensure their removal, the organizers laced the Night-Soarer's claws with poison. He then directly attacked Goethar as the Gotal rode his swoop. However, Goethar accelerated into the Night-Soarer, pinning him to the front of the vehicle before crashing through a window overlooking the arena. This led to the Night-Soarer's elimination, and Spikes was ultimately declared the victor.
During the era of the Republic Dark Age, significant numbers of Night-Soarers were part of the Menagerie forces of Sith Lord Malakite. Due to his aversion to technology, the Sith Lord bred them in large quantities, employing them as organic waves to overwhelm technologically advanced foes. They saw action in the Second Battle of Skarpos, where they transported Malakite's Mutate soldiers.
By the time of the Galactic Civil War, the Night-Soarers had cultivated a reputation as stealthy and clever assassins throughout the galaxy, making them highly valued in the criminal world. In 0 ABY, one such Night-Soarer participated in a death match on The Wheel, a gambling hub and space station situated in the Besh Gorgon system of the Mid Rim. The event was held in a zero gravity arena filled with explosive planetoids, and the Night-Soarer was among the last four gladiators remaining. Aware that Han Solo, a smuggler, and his Wookiee companion, Chewbacca, would likely cooperate, the Night-Soarer concealed himself behind a planetoid, waiting for an opportune moment to strike when they were engaged with other opponents. When Chewbacca seemingly defeated Solo, the Night-Soarer approached the Wookiee from behind, intending to secure a swift kill. However, his plan was foiled when Solo, who had only faked his death, alerted Chewbacca to the Night-Soarer's approach. Chewbacca turned and fatally shot the Night-Soarer with his blaster.
The Night-Soarer species made its initial appearance in two consecutive issues of the Star Wars comic series, published by Marvel Comics in 1979. These were Star Wars (1977) 22 and Star Wars (1977) 23, penned by Archie Goodwin with artwork by Carmine Infantino. Following this, the Night-Soarers were absent from Star Wars lore for nearly three decades, until they were included in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia, which established the correct capitalization of their name; previously, the species name had always been written entirely in capital letters.
The following year, Night-Soarers reappeared in two back-to-back issues of the Knights of the Old Republic comic books published by Dark Horse Comics in 2009. Specifically, Knights of the Old Republic 40 and Knights of the Old Republic 41, authored by John Jackson Miller and illustrated by Brian Ching. Miller mentioned in his production notes for issue 41 that this story arc was partly an homage to Goodwin's work, explaining the return of the Night-Soarers, alongside other elements like a Mandallian Giant and the spectator riot at the end of the comic.
Night-Soarers also featured in Knight Errant: Escape 3 and Knight Errant: Escape 4, the thirteenth and fourteenth issues of Star Wars: Knight Errant: Escape, released on August 8 and September 12 2012. In this storyline, they served as minions of the Sith Lord Malakite, a minor antagonist within the series. Again, their story was written by Miller, with artwork by Marco Castiello.