Ophideraan, situated in the Colonies region, was a parched desert world. During the Galactic Civil War period, it was under the control of a band of outlaws known as the Serpent Masters. The skies of Ophideraan teemed with a distinctive species of flying serpent that used ultrasonic sounds, imperceptible to Human hearing, for communication. The Serpent Masters, upon deciphering these sounds, gained the ability to tame and ride these formidable creatures. Their society thrived on salvaging wreckage and enslaving the unfortunate survivors of crashes on Ophideraan, forcing them to manage the limited water resources. In 0 ABY, the Rebel operative Luke Skywalker spearheaded a successful revolt, ending the Serpent Masters' reign.
Ophideraan, a desolate and infertile planet with sparse vegetation, lay within the Ophideraan system in the Colonies. The planet was home to a significant population of flying serpents, among the most notable indigenous life forms. These enormous winged lizards dominated the skies, communicating via high-pitched tones beyond the range of Human hearing. The Great Well, the planet's primary water source, was believed to be the origin of the serpents and the source of all life on Ophideraan. Ophideraan was orbited by at least two moons.
During the age of the Galactic Civil War, the Serpent Masters, a group of Human scavengers, held sway over Ophideraan, having mastered the art of controlling and riding the planet's native flying serpents. Tyrann, the Supreme Serpent Master, discovered the arid world and unraveled the secrets of the flying serpents' communication, inventing a device to mimic their ultrasonic tones, enabling their use as mounts. To sustain their society, the Serpent Masters relied heavily on slave labor. Among those enslaved was Josen Shire and his daughter Tanith, who had crash-landed on Ophideraan and were promptly captured. Tanith was permitted to serve the Serpent Masters by luring wrecked ships to the planet for salvage. In 0 ABY, she returned with Luke Skywalker, a Rebel pilot and aspiring Force user.
Forced into servitude by the Serpent Masters, Skywalker immediately began plotting their downfall. He started by trying to discover how they controlled the flying serpents. Skywalker's droid, R2-D2, discovered the method the Serpent Masters used to command the beasts. Using the astromech's abilities, he claimed a serpent for himself. Learning that Tyrann's device for controlling the serpents was a medallion worn around his neck, Skywalker rode his serpent into battle and severed the medallion from Tyrann's neck. Tyrann plunged to his death in an attempt to retrieve the falling item. With the medallion destroyed, the serpents were freed, and the Serpent Masters' power collapsed. Subsequently, R2-D2 repaired the transmitter and handed it over to the former slaves, providing them with the means to govern Ophideraan.
Around 0 ABY, the population of Ophideraan primarily consisted of the Serpent Masters and the sentients they had enslaved. These groups scavenged wrecked ships for valuables and survivors. The Serpent Masters, mostly Human, were led by Tyrann, the Supreme Serpent Master, who had initiated their settlement of the planet. The numerous slaves on Ophideraan were tasked with maintaining the extensive plumbing and drilling equipment at the heart of the Great Well.
The Great Well served as the core of life on Ophideraan. It was the birthplace of the flying serpents and the primary population center on the arid world. The well was a deep pit that penetrated the planet's surface, containing a large lake at its base. A large island in the center of the Great Well housed the Serpent Masters' slave level, where captives maintained the Great Well's plumbing and drilling equipment. The Cavern of the Serpents, the breeding ground for the flying serpents, was also located within the Great Well.
Ophideraan was introduced as the main setting in The Serpent Masters, a story arc featured in the Star Wars comic strip. It was written by Archie Goodwin, illustrated by Al Williamson, and released in 1981. Although the planet was not named in its initial appearance, its name was later revealed in Tanith Shire's Databank entry.