Vassek 3, referred to also as the third moon orbiting Vassek, was a satellite body orbiting the planet Vassek, which itself resided within the Vassek system located in the expansive Outer Rim Territories. During the period of the Clone Wars, this moon became the location for the personal fortress belonging to the Kaleesh General Grievous, a commander within the Separatist Alliance. In the year 21 BBY of that era, forces of the Galactic Republic, under the command of Jedi General Kit Fisto, pursued Nute Gunray, the Viceroy of the Trade Federation and a fugitive, ultimately tracking him down to Vassek 3. The resulting engagement with Grievous saw Fisto compelled to flee the moon, emerging as the Republic's only surviving member from the conflict.
Vassek 3, alternatively known as the third moon of Vassek, existed as one of the three satellites that orbited the planet Vassek, situated within the star system bearing the same name. This system was positioned within the Wazta sector of the Outer Rim Territories. Located at grid reference I-17 on the Standard Galactic Grid, the moon possessed a standard level of gravitational force and a breathable atmosphere. This atmosphere provided conditions that were generally tolerable for most oxygen-breathing lifeforms found throughout the galaxy. The remote location of Vassek 3 and the broader Vassek system, situated far from the heavily trafficked Koda Spur hyperspace route, meant that the moon experienced relatively few visitors.
The moon was characterized by pervasive, thick mists and a lack of vegetation exceeding the size of lichens. These fogs significantly impaired visibility of the moon's surface from space, with only brief glimpses of its rocky terrain visible through breaks in the mist cover. Furthermore, the dense vapors surrounding Vassek 3 made landing a challenging endeavor, requiring pilots to rely on scanning equipment and sensor systems to identify suitable landing zones. The landscape of Vassek 3 was defined by rugged, moss-covered canyons filled with fog, as well as steep, towering rocky mountains, deep gorges, and prominent rock columns.
At some point during the Clone Wars, the conflict between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, the Kaleesh General Grievous of the Separatist forces established a personal fortress upon the surface of Vassek 3. Throughout the duration of the war, this fortress served Grievous as both a place for respite between battles and a secure refuge. It also functioned as the facility where his cybernetics were repaired when they sustained damage during combat.
In 21 BBY, Jedi General Kit Fisto undertook a journey to the Vassek system in pursuit of Nute Gunray, the Viceroy of the Trade Federation. Gunray had previously escaped from Republic custody with the assistance of Separatist forces. Locating a tracking beacon originating from a Republic vessel believed to have been used in Gunray's escape, Fisto tracked the signal to Vassek's third moon. He then landed on the moon using his personal starfighter. Upon landing, Fisto encountered his former Padawan, Jedi Knight Nahdar Vebb, along with a detachment of clone troopers under the command of Clone Commander Fil. This group had arrived on the moon aboard a Republic shuttle.
Unaware of the true nature of the location, Fisto and the Republic task force entered Grievous's fortress in their continued search for Gunray. As they navigated the citadel, the Jedi and the troopers detected Viceroy Gunray issuing orders to several B1-series battle droids. The Jedi promptly eliminated the droids, only to discover that Gunray had been communicating via a hologram. In the transmission, Gunray was replaced by Count Dooku, the Confederate Head of State, who offered Grievous as an alternative target to Gunray. The task force learned that Grievous was the owner of the citadel and had just arrived in orbit around Vassek 3. Fisto, Vebb, and the clone troopers then set about preparing an ambush to capture the general.
As Grievous made his entrance into the citadel, Fisto and the assembled task force revealed themselves and demanded his surrender. Grievous responded by engaging the Jedi and troopers in combat, killing several clones and sustaining damage to his cybernetics. This forced him to retreat to receive repairs from his medical droid, EV-A4-D. Following his repairs, and after Commander Fil was killed by Grievous's pet roggwart, Gor—who was subsequently killed by Fisto—Grievous left his command center, fought, and killed Vebb. Following the death of his former Padawan, Fisto began his escape from the moon, briefly encountering Grievous in the mists of Vassek 3. Despite Grievous's attempts to stop him, Fisto managed to escape in his starfighter, becoming the mission's sole survivor. Sometime after Grievous's pursuit of the Jedi, he abandoned his fortress and moved to a new location elsewhere in the galaxy, also repairing his destroyed doctor, since the Republic had discovered the location of his base.
Concealed within a mountain on Vassek 3 was the personal fortress of General Grievous. He would retreat to this citadel between engagements in the Clone Wars to rest and repair his cybernetic limbs. The fortress was a gloomy and oppressive structure filled with deadly traps and served as the home of Gor, the general's roggwart pet. The fortress was guarded by several IG-100 MagnaGuard droids and maintained by at least five B1-series battle droids and Grievous's EV-series medical droid, EV-A4-D, who was responsible for repairing any damage to Grievous's cybernetics.
Vassek 3 was first shown in the introductory newsreel of "Rookies," the fifth episode of the first season of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated television series, which was broadcast on October 24, 2008. The moon then made its first full appearance in "Lair of Grievous," the tenth episode of the first season, which aired on December 12, 2008.
Within the current Star Wars canon, Vassek 3 was officially identified in the 2017 reference book titled Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia. In the Star Wars Legends continuity, the StarWars.com episode guide for the "Lair of Grievous" episode identified the natural satellite as Vassek's third moon.