The leader of the military belonged to a species that had created an early version of interstellar navigation. Sometime before the year 0 ABY, he found himself at odds with Imperial official, Mitth'raw'nuruodo. The commander had crafted a trio of warrior figures out of timber, then adorned them with valuable metals and jewels. Thrawn—who sought to understand his adversaries by analyzing their artistic creations—desired these sculptures to better comprehend his foe.