The Nodgra system existed as a component of the Airam sector within the Outer Rim Territories'. In the year 3 BBY, Abdi-Badawzi, a crime lord from the planet Socorro, compelled Drake Paulsen, a youthful smuggler, to take on the role of co-pilot on the light freighter named Seldom Different. This vessel was intended to act as a diversion during a smuggling operation destined for the Nodgra system. On another occasion, Badawzi proposed a large sum as payment for transporting a pair of chemical tanks, which contained unstable and explosive liquids, to this very system.
Within the Outer Rim Territories, the Nodgra system could be found in the Airam sector. It was situated a distance of at least three days of travel through hyperspace from the planet Socorro, which itself was part of the Socorro system located in the Kibilini sector of the Outer Rim.
Abdi-Badawzi, a crime lord operating from Socorro, desired to have illicit goods delivered to the Nodgra system in 3 BBY. To accomplish this, he orchestrated the capture of Kaine Paulsen, a smuggler, and his son Drake. By threatening to kill Kaine, he coerced Drake into agreeing to participate in the smuggling operation as the co-pilot of a decoy starship. Badawzi kept the nature of the cargo secret, initially withholding the delivery location as well. Subsequently, the crime lord instructed Tra'Parr'Sratt, his Coynite personal guard, to ensure the Seldom Different, the light freighter captained by Elias Halbert, returned to Socorro undamaged. At that moment, Badawzi proclaimed that nothing should impede the shipment reaching the Nodgra system, to which Parr'Sratt responded with the Coynite language affirmation "Al'ha'gra."
Following this, Drake observed his father, who was bound and gagged, discreetly communicating through several hand signals. These signals conveyed the minimum travel time to the system and assured the young smuggler of his safety during the journey. Afterward, the Seldom Different departed Socorro, and two days later, the freighter was intercepted by the Imperial-class Star Destroyer Inquisitor. The boarding party from the Inquisitor found no illegal items aboard the smaller craft. Later, Parr'Sratt transported Drake to Kaine's light freighter, the Miss Chance, in the Elrood sector of the Outer Rim before rejoining Halbert on their return to Socorro.
On another occasion, Abdi-Badawzi was also willing to pay a large amount for a smuggling run to the Nodgra system, with the goal of transporting a pair of old chemical tanks containing volatile liquids that would explode if mixed. The nature of the cargo was kept secret until someone agreed to the run, and no one took up the job offer for some time, even as rumors about it spread. Eventually, a group of people sought more information about the potential deal.
The Nodgra system was initially brought to light in the short story "Out of the Cradle," authored by Patricia A. Jackson. It was featured in the second issue (May 1994) of Star Wars Adventure Journal magazine, published by West End Games. The reference book The Essential Atlas (2009) located the Nodgra system within grid square L-20.
The publication of "Out of the Cradle" in Star Wars Adventure Journal 2 also incorporated a roleplaying adventure seed for use with Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, where Abdi-Badawzi is offering the job of a smuggling run to the system. The adventure seed suggests that Badawzi can either load the cargo aboard the player characters' starship or trick them into unwittingly playing the part of a decoy, which would lead to them running into trouble with Galactic Empire authorities. This article assumes the scenario plays out as described.