The Velmoc, a sentient race of humanoid insectoids, were native to the planet of Velmor. These species were characterized by their strong limbs, multifaceted eyes, a pair of antennae, and notable crests extending from their arms. They organized themselves into tribal societies inhabiting the mountains of their homeworld. Some Humans who colonized Velmor recognized them for their esteemed warrior traditions, while others looked down on them as uncivilized. Despite the occasional hostility, certain Velmoc integrated into Human Velmorian society, often serving as domestic staff. Galactic Basic Standard served as the primary language for these insectoids.
By the time the Galactic Empire rose to power, the Velmoc population on Velmor was dwindling toward extinction. Following a coup d'état that disrupted Velmorian society and resulted in a period of Imperial puppet governance, the Velmoc faced potential extermination at the hands of Imperial Captain Zeta Traal. During an insurrection that overthrew the Velmorian monarchy, the crown prince, Denid, managed to escape the planet with assistance from his Velmoc aide, Jedidiah. Jedidiah had once been a promising Jedi candidate but declined Jedi training to dedicate himself to the royal family. With the support of Rebel Alliance operatives, Denid and Jedidiah returned to Velmor, leading to a final showdown between Jedidiah and Traal. Although Jedidiah perished in the conflict, his actions led to Traal's removal from power, allowing Denid to ascend to the throne as king of the Velmorians.
Velmoc were sentient insectoids with a generally humanoid body structure. Each of their powerful legs ended in three elongated, flat toes, while their hands featured four clawed fingers. A flat, wedge-shaped crest ran along each arm, starting from the upper portion where it met the elbow, across the elbow itself, and extending to the top of the forearm. These species members were often robust and strong, sometimes taller than the average Human. Their bodies displayed colors ranging from green to a muted purple hue.
The Velmoc skull protected the brain, an organ vulnerable to head trauma that could lead to severe mental degradation. Their heads featured two multifaceted eyes, colored either gray or red, positioned on the sides. A sizable mouth dominated their faces, with a shovel-like lower jaw featuring upward-pointing, tooth-like projections that interlocked with the upper mandible. A crest extended from the back of the head, transitioning into a rectangular area of striated skin on the back of the neck. Hairlike growths sprouted above the eyes, along the sides of the face, and on the chin. A pair of antennae extended from the top of their heads.
Some Velmoc exhibited signs of sensitivity to the Force. Humans were susceptible to the Velmoc flu, developing immunity after recovering from the illness.
The Velmoc lived in small, tribal groups in the mountains of Velmor, their planet. They were known as honorable and resourceful warriors, capable of utilizing their flexible fingers for tool use and weapon handling, often employing long staffs. At least one member of the species was seen wearing a segmented tunic, a belt, and boots designed for their unique anatomy. Some Velmoc learned to ride the Velmorian creature known as the ycaqt. The Velmoc-Dac tribe even welcomed a Human, Ergric Betos, into their ranks. However, Captain Zeta Traal of the Galactic Empire held the species in contempt, particularly those residing in the mountains, whom she considered primitive.
Galactic Basic Standard served as the primary language of the Velmoc. They sometimes shortened their names for the convenience of other species; for example, Jedidiah became Jedi. Certain Velmoc integrated into the society of the Human Velmorians, with whom they shared their homeworld. These Velmoc often worked as retainers or as sideshow entertainments. Despite the prejudices they faced, Velmoc and Human Velmorians could form deep and loyal friendships.
The Velmoc originated on Velmor, a world characterized by forests and grasslands with a gravity of 0.92 standard. By the time Human colonists from the Empress Teta system arrived, millennia before the Galactic Civil War, the Velmoc population was already decreasing. Velmor and its parent system, Velm, became part of the Expansion Region and Mid Rim, but the planet never fully integrated into the wider galaxy.
While the Velmoc maintained their tribal lifestyle in the mountains, the Human colonists established a monarchy and founded settlements like Den Velmor, which became the planetary capital. The native population continued to decline, and by the time of the Galactic Civil War, the species was nearing extinction, accounting for only 0.3 percent of the planet's 892,000 inhabitants. The remaining tribes primarily inhabited the Tol Velmoc Mountains.
In the 313th year of the Mrid—approximately twenty years before the Battle of Yavin—King Lorac and his wife, Denira, were overthrown in an Imperial-backed uprising. A Velmoc named Jedidiah, an aide to the royal family known as Jedi, rescued the fifteen-year-old crown prince, Denid, and his betrothed, Loren. They escaped to the Tantajo system, but their poorly equipped starship crashed on Tantajoc V, killing Loren. Despite suffering a head injury that led to mental instability and enduring extreme isolation, Jedidiah stayed with Denid, helping him survive on the harsh planet for two decades.
Meanwhile, Zelor, the regent, assumed control of Velmor under the influence of Imperial Captain Zeta Traal. Traal devised a plan for Prince Anod to pledge the planet's allegiance to the Galactic Empire—at Zelor's instigation—at his coronation, an event that could only occur twenty years after Denid's disappearance, according to Velmorian law. Traal also suggested that the Empire bombard the Tel Velmoc mountains from orbit to eliminate the Velmoc and intimidate the Human Velmorians. When Ergric Betos, one of Anod's bodyguards, was exiled, the Velmoc-Dac tribe accepted him as a "soft-skin warrior," fostering his respect for their culture.
Eventually, Jedidiah and Denid's distress signal was detected, and operatives from the Alliance to Restore the Republic—Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, C-3PO, and R2-D2—traced it to Tantajoc V, rescuing Denid and Jedidiah. Disguising Skywalker as a bounty hunter named Korl Marcus and Organa as Loren, the group returned to Velmor to prevent Anod's coronation. They intervened just before Anod could become king. When blood tests confirmed Denid's identity, Traal orchestrated a royal forest hunt as a ploy to assassinate him. However, Jedidiah disrupted her plan by appearing on a ycaqt and attacking Traal. He was fatally shot in the ensuing fight, as was Anod. Jedidiah's sacrifice paved the way for Denid's coronation on Arloc 24th, the 310th Year of the Ycaqt. Years later, Velmor joined the New Republic.
Jedidiah ventured beyond Velmor on at least two occasions. Initially, his Force-sensitivity was discovered, and the Jedi Order offered him Jedi training, a prospect he deeply desired. However, he believed his loyalty belonged to the royal family, fearing their downfall if he left for Jedi training. Therefore, he declined the offer and remained on Velmor. Later, he left Velmor for two decades following the Imperial-backed coup, surviving on Tantajoc V with Prince Denid until their return with Rebel assistance.
The Velmoc were introduced in Star Wars (1977) 49, a Marvel Comics Star Wars comic book issue first published in July 1981. Written by Mike W. Barr and illustrated by Walt Simonson and Tom Palmer, Barr conceived Jedidiah as a contrasting figure to Luke Skywalker. While Skywalker yearned to become a Jedi, Jedidiah had the opportunity but chose a different path. Coloring discrepancies by Don Warfield and Christie Scheele depicted Jedidiah as green with red eyes on the cover, but dull purple with gray eyes inside. It's assumed that both are valid phenotypes. Another inconsistency arose when a medical droid suggested Jedidiah had a "Human brain," despite his non-Human nature. The issue also suffered from printing problems, with Simonson expressing dismay at the final quality. Dark Horse Comics recolored and reprinted the issue in November 2002 as part of Star Wars: A Long Time Ago... Volume 3: Resurrection of Evil, presenting the characters as originally intended.
Cory Herndon expanded on the Velmoc and their relationship with the Velmorians in "Velmor: Royalty and Rebellion," an article published in March 2003 by Wizards of the Coast as part of the Planet Hoppers series for the Star Wars Roleplaying Game.