Rodian

Rodians were a species characterized as reptilian humanoids. Their distinctive features included sizable, pupil-less eyes capable of perceiving the infrared spectrum. The Pantoran Kevmo Zink even pondered if Rodians perceived a different light spectrum than his own people, though the exact difference remained uncertain. They also possessed a pair of saucer-shaped antennae atop their heads that could detect vibrations. Rodians had slender snouts, pointed ears, and a ridge of spines along their skulls. The shape of their snouts was often likened to those of tapirs.

Their bodies were covered in green scales, although red, yellow, or turquoise variations were also observed, and their skin had a rough, pebbly texture, except for the snout and hands. Being cold blooded, their blood was green. Females could be distinguished by their mammary glands, and some, like Greeata Jendowanian, could grow long tresses. Rodian hands had five long, dexterous fingers with suction cups at the ends. These pads aided them in navigating the diverse conditions of a swamp environment and facilitated climbing aquatic vegetation. However, the unique shape of their hands meant that tools designed for Rodians were often uncomfortable for human use. Their toes mirrored their fingers, being long and tipped with suction cups.

Despite being oxygen breathers, Rodians could tolerate air saturated with Clouzon-36 without needing a respirator. Humans often found their scent unpleasant.

The languages spoken by Rodians included Rodian and Galactic Basic Standard. A common gesture of greeting or respect involved placing an open-palmed hand across the chest, using either one or both arms. Prior to the Galactic Civil War, Rodians commonly hunted ghests, serpentine creatures that preyed on them, although these hunts often resulted in casualties. Rodians possessed self-awareness, and some used perfume to create a more agreeable atmosphere for humans.

The jungles of Rodia instilled a cultural emphasis on hunting. Many inexperienced individuals pursued careers as bounty hunters in search of respect and recognition.

The Rodian species evolved on the planet [Rodia](/article/rodia]. In their past, conflict arose between Rodian factions on their homeworld. One faction eventually embarked on a pilgrimage to the stars, establishing a settlement on Maldroth. There, they used the stories of the war to encourage peace among themselves. The Rodians later joined the Galactic Republic and dispersed throughout the galaxy. Jabba the Hutt, a notorious crime lord, employed numerous Rodians as bounty hunters, including Greedo. Rodia eventually gained representation in the Galactic Senate through Senator Onaconda Farr. He developed a friendship with Ruwee Naberrie, a senator from Naboo, and collaborated closely with him. Later, Ruwee's daughter, Padmé Amidala, succeeded him as the senator for Naboo.

During the Clone Wars, Rodian space vessels were targeted by pirates, resulting in widespread poverty and a shortage of offworld [food](/article/foodstuff] for the Rodian people. Farr, deeply concerned for his people, appealed to the Republic for assistance but received none. In desperation, he turned to the Trade Federation and struck a deal with their viceroy, [Nute Gunray](/article/nute_gunray], who promised to deliver supplies to Rodia in exchange for control of the planet and Senator Amidala, whom Gunray considered an enemy. Amidala went to Rodia to negotiate her own agreement but was captured by Gunray's battle droids. As events unfolded, Farr reconsidered his decision and rejoined forces with Amidala. Gunray was then tricked into believing that a Jedi was attacking his forces, when it was actually the clumsy Gungan [Jar Jar Binks](/article/jar_jar_binks]. The viceroy admitted to Farr that he had not brought any provisions for the Rodian people. Gunray was eventually apprehended by the Republic, only to escape later. Farr was subsequently assassinated during the war by his aide Lolo Purs, who blamed him for bringing the war to Rodia.

Following Rodia's incorporation into the Galactic Empire, many Rodians opposed Imperial rule and were subsequently recruited by the Alliance to Restore the Republic. During the [Galactic Civil War](/article/galactic_civil_war], the Betu continent of Rodia was governed by the Chattza clan, which faced opposition from the Chekkoo clan. Shortly after the Battle of Yavin, Luke Skywalker embarked on a mission to enlist the Chekkoo clan into the Rebel Alliance. Rodia eventually joined the New Republic established by the Rebellion after their victory over the Empire at the Battle of Endor. By the time of the Battle of Jakku, which formally concluded the Galactic Civil War with the Empire's defeat, the Rodian Dor Wieedo represented the planet in the New Republic Senate.

During the High Republic Era, a Rodian child named Hallisara was one of the Little within the Path of the Open Hand cult on the planet Dalna. While in the town of [Ferdan](/article/ferdan] with her fellow Littles under the care of Marda Ro, Hallisara met the Jedi Padawan Kevmo Zink, who allowed her to touch his lightsaber, though he was unsure if she would see the colors the same as him, before the cult discovered he was a Force user.

Greedo was a Rodian bounty hunter who was active during both the Clone Wars and the Galactic Civil War. His life ended when Han Solo killed him on the planet Tatooine. Jakoli was a bounty hunter hired by Count Dooku during the Clone Wars, who perished during a subsequent test in the Box. Jakoli was known for only accepting assignments that allowed him to kill his target. Tsoklo was a Rodian who resided on the planet Lothal and worked in a factory. He also served as an informant for the Galactic Empire, reporting to Supply Master Yogar Lyste on the activities of citizens who broke the rules or unproductive workers. Some Rodians, like [Bolla Ropal](/article/bolla_ropal], were sensitive to the Force. Ropal was a Jedi Master who guarded the [Kyber memory crystal](/article/kyber_memory_crystal]. He was murdered by the bounty hunter Cad Bane. Another Rodian Jedi, Huulik, was killed as a result of Order 66. At least one Rodian was a member of Enfys Nest's Cloud-Riders and fought alongside her on Savareen.

Rodians even made their way to Lothal, where some of them worked for the Galactic Empire. Some of these Rodians lived in Lothal re-settlement camp 43, also called "Tarkintown," which housed farmers who had been displaced by the Empire. Tseebo was a Rodian who worked for the [Imperial Information Office](/article/imperial_information_office], but after stealing a large amount of Imperial data, he attempted to escape the Empire and was eventually rescued by a band of rebels. Another Rodian on Lothal, Frid Kelio, played grav-ball for the AppSci SaberCats in Capital City.

Rodians were initially conceived for the 1977 film Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, the inaugural installment of the Star Wars original trilogy. Their large dark eyes, antennae, and suction-cupped fingertips were reminiscent of aliens from classic science-fiction films. Costume Designer John Mollo's sketches for the three Rodians in the Mos Eisley Cantina referred to them as "Martians." Originally, the Rodian masks were intended for a four-armed body, which would later be known as a Morseerian, but the heads were switched before filming. While the terms "Rodian" and "Rodia" were first established for the Star Wars Legends roleplaying sourcebook Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope in 1989, the names persisted and were incorporated into the prequel trilogy.

Director George Lucas tasked sound designer Ben Burtt with creating a voice for Greedo, the first Rodian in Star Wars. Linguist Larry Ward provided the voiceover, and Burtt was responsible for making the voice compelling. Initially, the word "oink" was considered for manipulation with "the right rhythm and electrical equipment" to create a strange language, but the result was unsatisfactory. Burtt and a UC Berkeley grad student explored multiple languages, including the Quechua, and ultimately created their own. A combination of multiple languages and expert editing techniques were used to produce Greedo's voice.