The R'ora were a sentient species indigenous to the world of Luprora. Their relationship with the Lupr'or, a humanoid group of colonizers on Luprora, was one of opposition. Following the events of the Battle of Starkiller Base, First Order officer Sol Rivas was taken prisoner by the R'ora. Subsequently, Captain Phasma orchestrated a Lupr'or offensive targeting the R'ora's base with the goal of eliminating Rivas and concealing her involvement in the destruction of Starkiller Base.
The R'ora possessed a unique physiology: they were aquatic bipeds characterized by red skin, prominent sharp teeth, rough facial features, and a distinctive pair of tentacles located on each side of their torsos. While exceptionally well-suited for life in the oceans of Luprora, their planet, the R'ora were also capable of breathing and moving on terrestrial environments.
By 34 ABY, the R'ora existed as a relatively underdeveloped species. They utilized tools such as spears and ropes, and resided in settlements, notably the R'ora stronghold. It appeared they shared a symbiotic bond with the massive tentacled Tsw'ells, creatures that served as guardians of their island stronghold. Their interactions with the Lupr'or, the humanoid colonizers of Luprora who arrived centuries prior to the First Order-Resistance War, were marked by hostility.
The R'ora evolved as an aquatic race within the seas of the planet Luprora. By 34 ABY, rising sea levels had submerged a significant portion of the planet's land. As the R'ora expanded into these newly submerged areas, they encountered conflict with the Lupr'or species, humanoids who had established colonies on Luprora centuries before. While the Lupr'or struggled to adapt, the R'ora thrived in the planet's changing environment.
Around the time of the Battle of Starkiller Base, the Lupr'or population had dwindled to a small village situated near a lake. Within this lake was a rocky island, the site of a R'ora stronghold. Shortly after arriving on Luprora, the wanted officer Sol Rivas was captured by the R'ora. When Captain Phasma and TN-3465 journeyed to the planet in pursuit of Rivas, the Lupr'or leader Jair'i informed them that Rivas was in the hands of the R'ora and likely doomed. Phasma, unwilling to accept Rivas's presumed fate, was then offered a chance by Jair'i for her and TN-3465 to be escorted by Dar'en to the location where Rivas was being held by the R'ora, so that they could see for themselves the hopelessness of the situation.
Refusing to be discouraged, Captain Phasma conceived a strategy to assault the R'ora fortress. This plan involved using generators to eliminate the Tsw'ells that inhabited the lake around the island. Phasma then commanded the Lupr'or to cross the lake in boats and attack the R'ora stronghold. Upon scaling the cliff, Phasma, TN-3465, and their Lupr'or allies engaged the R'ora, who fiercely defended their home. Amidst the conflict between the two alien races, Phasma assassinated Rivas to ensure her role in disabling Starkiller Base's shielding remained a secret. When TN-3465 voiced concern for the Lupr'or, Phasma declared that the Lupr'or were being outpaced by the R'ora, who were better suited to the planet's evolving conditions.
The R'ora made their debut in Star Wars: Captain Phasma, a four-part 2017 comic series published by Marvel Comics as part of the Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi promotional campaign. The species was the creation of Kelly Thompson, with illustrations by Marco Checchetto, and colors by Andres Mossa.