Umbara

As a planet situated in the [Expansion Region](/article/expansion_region], Umbara's surface was perpetually deprived of sunlight, leading to its moniker, the "Shadow World." Located within the obscure Ghost Nebula sector, Umbara was isolated from the wider galaxy. This isolation fostered the development of advanced technologies among the native Umbarans, surpassing galactic standards.

Umbara was home to diverse predatory animal and plant species. Its flora was particularly aggressive, and bioluminescence was a common feature, evident in both Zabrak Spines and death's embrace. Furthermore, Umbara possessed substantial doonium deposits, giving rise to a significant mining and refining industry within its economy. The planet was also known to have several moons including an outermost one.

The Umbarans had been members of the Galactic Republic since its inception; however, despite their long-standing involvement in galactic politics, they consistently prioritized their own world above the galactic government. Sly Moore, an Umbaran with an obsession with the Sith, resided on Umbara until she was abducted by Darth Maul, a Sith apprentice, who transported her to the Cron Drift asteroid field. Ultimately, she would become an ally of the Sith Order, which she was so fascinated by. In spite of their history of self-interest and a reputation for deceitful practices, Umbara demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the Republic during the Separatist Crisis, a time of political instability that saw thousands of star systems break away from the Republic to join Count Dooku's Confederacy of Independent Systems. When the Clone Wars erupted between the Republic and the Separatists, Umbara remained a staunchly loyalist planet.

Senator Mee Deechi represented Umbara in the Republic's Galactic Senate, advocating aggressively for increased military spending. However, following Senator Deechi's assassination, Umbara switched allegiance to the Confederacy. Consequently, the Grand Army of the Republic launched an invasion of the Shadow People's homeworld. Jedi Generals Obi-Wan Kenobi, Saesee Tiin, Anakin Skywalker, and Pong Krell spearheaded the offensive with the 501st Legion and the 212th Attack Battalion. During the conflict, the clones faced the formidable advanced military technology of the Umbarans, struggling against their mobile heavy cannons, Impeding Assault Tanks, Umbaran hover tanks, and Zenuas 33 Umbaran starfighters.

Shortly after the landing, Anakin Skywalker was summoned back to Coruscant by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. In Anakin's absence, Krell assumed command of the 501st. The Umbarans' unique and potent weaponry and militia led to a protracted and costly conflict for the clones on the planet's surface, while battles raged in the skies between the Republic and Separatist fleets. As the fighting intensified, members of the 501st began to resent Krell's tactics, which resulted in heavy casualties despite their successes. Soon after capturing an Umbaran airbase, Krell ordered the execution of clone troopers CT-5555 "Fives" and CT-5597 "Jesse," who had devised their own plan to destroy a Separatist supply ship. Later, Krell betrayed the 501st Legion by falsely informing them that the soldiers of the 212th Attack Battalion were actually Umbarans disguised as clone troopers, and Clone Captain CT-7567 "Rex" realized Krell was working for the Separatists. Under Rex's leadership, the 501st and 212th joined forces to subdue Krell, who was stunned by clone trooper CT-5385 "Tup" and taken into custody. CT-6922 "Dogma," feeling betrayed, killed Krell during Rex's interrogation, and was subsequently taken into custody himself. Republic forces then reclaimed Umbara.

During the initial months of the Imperial Era in 19 BBY, the Galactic Empire addressed remaining pockets of resistance, including on Umbara.

Nightswan, a pirate and insurgent leader, instigated an uprising on Umbara to facilitate the Imperial takeover of the planet's mining and refining sector. Nightswan believed that bribing Imperial inspectors would be easier than bribing their Umbaran counterparts. Despite resistance from remaining Separatist forces, such as vulture droids, Captain [Thrawn](/article/mitth%27raw%27nuruodo] contributed to an Imperial victory by persuading Commander Alfren Cheno, a member of the task force, to bombard a ground-based transmitter on Umbara's outermost moon, defying Admiral Carlou Gendling's orders. Gendling was enraged by Thrawn's actions, and Cheno eventually retired as a result of the incident.

As a consequence of that battle, and to settle a debt it had no way to pay to the Empire, Umbara, like many other worlds facing similar economic pressures, relinquished its remaining independence, fully submitting the planet to Imperial rule and establishing direct Imperial control over Umbara. At one point during the Imperial Era, a new doonium deposit was discovered on Umbara. With the Empire constantly requiring raw materials for its construction projects, the Mining Guild ruthlessly exploited the doonium deposit, a fate shared by Umbara and several other planets.

Umbaran society was governed by a council comprised of members from a royal caste known as the Rootai. Ordinary Umbarans could ascend through these social hierarchies through espionage, subterfuge, and assassination. Despite being members of the Galactic Republic for centuries before joining the Confederacy of Independent Systems, the Umbarans were viewed with suspicion. Notable Umbarans included Sly Moore, who succeeded Sei Taria as Palpatine's Chief Administrative Aide, Mee Deechi, who served as Umbara's Senator in the Galactic Senate before his death, and Sorc Tormo, a crime lord who led the Haxion Brood during the Imperial Era. Orla Jareni, an Umbaran Jedi Master and Wayseeker, operated during the High Republic Era before her death in 230 BBY during the Destruction of Starlight Beacon.

Due to their isolation from the rest of the galaxy, the Umbarans achieved significant technological advancements, particularly in military technology. These breakthroughs included a gas that prolonged and intensified soldiers' combat capabilities, the development of sophisticated military vehicles employed by the Umbaran Militia, and the introduction of advanced blaster pistols. Non-Umbarans found their technology difficult to operate. Umbarans also spoke their own native language called Umbarese.

Traditional garments, such as the Umbaran shadow cloak, were worn by Umbarans. Umbaran glass was a specific type of glass, which Greez Dritus used to cover a terrarium aboard the Stinger Mantis.