The Pykes were a species of sentient humanoids that originated from the planet of Oba Diah. These beings were notable for the disproportionately large heads and small faces observed in some of their population. A particularly well-known group of Pykes was the Pyke Syndicate, recognized throughout the galaxy as the primary source of spice, an addictive drug mined by enslaved individuals on Kessel.
Pykes, a sentient species, were humanoid in form, generally exhibiting a more slender and taller build than most humans. They possessed two elongated, thin legs and two arms, each terminating in hands with either three or four fingers. Their heads were characterized by their large size and elongated shape, featuring a tapering skull and a relatively small face, a trait that some other species found to be unsettling. The eyes of Pykes were narrow and almond-shaped, displaying colors such as blue, magenta, purple, or black. Their heads were supported by long, slender necks. The species consisted of two sexes, male and female. Pykes had a distinctive yellow or green colored blood.
Certain Pykes displayed smaller craniums compared to others of their kind, along with short, thick necks and either four or five fingers. While the skin tones of some Pykes ranged from gray to green, these individuals might exhibit teal skin with pink highlights or a gray-green hue similar to their taller counterparts. The faces of these short-necked Pykes, often concealed by masks, bore a resemblance to fish. However, another variant of this Pyke type could possess a larger head, more akin to those of their taller relatives. Prolonged exposure to the atmosphere of the planet Kessel could trigger fatal allergic reactions in Pykes, necessitating the use of specialized protective equipment for extended stays.
The Pykes originated from Oba Diah, a terrestrial planet distinguished by its obsidian cliffs. Visitors often perceived both the inhabitants and the landscape of Oba Diah as inhospitable. The homeworld of the Pykes served as the base of operations for the Pyke Syndicate, a criminal enterprise that profited from the distribution of spice, an illegal substance extracted by slaves from the spice mines located on the planet Kessel. Pykes stationed on Kessel were required to wear specialized breathing masks and lead-lined garments to shield themselves from the planet's severe environmental conditions. To transport spice to their clientele, including criminal organizations on Coruscant, the Pyke Syndicate relied on smugglers and freighter captains to execute the perilous Kessel Run.
Prior to the Invasion of Naboo, the Pyke Syndicate was on the verge of engaging in secret discussions with Sifo-Dyas to resolve an underground conflict. Unbeknownst to Sifo-Dyas, the Pykes had formed an alliance with a figure known as Tyranus, who was, in reality, the former Jedi Master Dooku. Tyranus contracted the Pykes to destroy Sifo-Dyas' vessel above the Oba Diah moon, resulting in Sifo-Dyas' death. Subsequently, the Pykes imprisoned Sifo-Dyas' assistant, Silman, as collateral against Tyranus.
During the Clone Wars, the Pyke Syndicate, under the leadership of Lom Pyke, became a member of the Shadow Collective, a criminal coalition established by Sith Lord Maul. The collective's objective was to defeat both the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems by unifying the criminal elements of the galaxy. With Maul's guidance, the Pykes, the Black Sun cartel, and the Mandalorian extremists of Death Watch initiated a takeover of Mandalore, which led to a planet-wide civil war.
In 19 BBY, the Jedi were able to trace Sifo-Dyas' lightsaber back to Oba Diah, where Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi confronted the criminal organization. To secure Silman's release, the Pykes requested that the Jedi overlook their act of betrayal against Sifo-Dyas. Shortly thereafter, Tyranus arrived and engaged the Jedi and Pykes in combat, resulting in Lom's demise.
Ahsoka Tano witnessed the Pyke Syndicate's involvement in the spice trade when she accompanied the Martez sisters to Kessel to collect spice and transport it to Oba Diah. Despite being captured by their current leader [Marg Krim](/article/marg_krim], they ultimately managed to escape, and Tano discovered the syndicate's alliance with Maul.
Following the establishment of the Galactic Empire, the Pykes persisted in expanding their influence throughout the galaxy. On one occasion, they entered into an agreement with the Devaronian Roland Durand of the Durand crime family in exchange for spice. However, Clone Force 99, aided by Cid, stole the spice, prompting the Pykes to threaten Durand's life. The spice was eventually returned, and the Pykes punished Durand for his failure by severing one of his horns. The Pyke responsible for this act was later captured by Clone Force 99 and handed over to the Durand crime family in exchange for information. The family imprisoned the Pyke as retribution for the dishonor he had brought upon them by removing Roland's horn.
The Pyke Quay Tolsite held the position of capo within the Pyke Syndicate and oversaw a spice mine on Kessel until his death at the hands of Qi'ra.
Subsequently, several members of the Pyke Syndicate were present at the auction for Han Solo aboard the Vermillion on the planet Jekara. The auction was conducted by Lady Qi'ra and her newly reinstated criminal organization, Crimson Dawn. The Pykes attempted to purchase the smuggler but were outbid by the Hutt Clan.
By 3 ABY, the Pyke Syndicate wielded considerable influence on the moon of Toshara, with Gorak Palas commanding their operations on the world, which involved an agreement with the Empire. Despite the Pykes controlling nearly the entire moon, their dominance on Toshara faced challenges from other criminal organizations, including the Hutt Clan and Crimson Dawn.
In 5 ABY, a train operated by Pykes routinely terrorized a Tusken tribe in which Boba Fett resided. Eventually, Fett and several Tuskens captured the Pykes on the train, forcing them to walk to Anchorhead and depart Tatooine via spacecraft. Around 5 ABY, after this incident, Fett visited the Pykes' headquarters on Tatooine and engaged in conversation with the leader of the Pykes in that region. Fett requested that the Pyke boss fulfill the promised protection money payments to the Tusken tribe. The Pyke boss responded that his superiors on Oba Diah had forbidden him from providing protection money to two groups, as the Kintan Striders were already receiving such payments.
By 9 ABY, Jabba's former territories on Tatooine had been pledged to the Pykes by mayor Mok Shaiz. Subsequently, a contingent of Pykes arrived on Tatooine aboard a starliner and began to establish a strong presence on the planet, including in the settlements of Mos Espa and Mos Eisley. Law enforcement agencies declined to intervene in their activities.
Later, marshal Cobb Vanth disrupted a Pyke spice transaction within Freetown territory, declaring his opposition to the spice trade within the town's boundaries. The Pykes attempted to eliminate him for his interference, but Vanth reacted swiftly, killing all but one, who retreated from the confrontation. Vanth instructed the survivor to relay his prohibition to the syndicate, confiscating and discarding the spice in the process. In response, the Pyke Syndicate dispatched the bounty hunter Cad Bane. When Bane failed to persuade Vanth to reconsider, the two engaged in a duel that resulted in Vanth's injury and the death of Scott, the marshal's deputy. Subsequently, they bombed the Sanctuary, causing numerous fatalities. Following a battle that unfolded in the streets of Mos Espa, the Pykes resolved to abandon the world due to the significant losses incurred during the conflict. However, before their departure, Master Assassin Fennec Shand assassinated the Pyke leaders on Tatooine.
The Pykes were conceived by George Lucas for the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The species was first introduced in the season five episode "Eminence," which premiered in 2013. The design that ultimately became the Pykes originated from a sketch of a Jedi character created by David Hobbins in April 2007, which was later selected by Lucas. In mid-2009, Douglas Wheatley refined their appearance, and they were initially intended to be included in the canceled game Star Wars: 1313. The 2018 film Solo: A Star Wars Story marked the live-action debut of the species, although they did not appear unmasked until The Book of Boba Fett. This live-action design differs from the animated Pyke design initially featured in The Clone Wars. Rather than simply representing a difference in species appearance across different media, a Star Wars: Unlimited card illustrated by Amad Mir confirmed that both designs coexist within the same universe.