Velmoc

Biology and appearance

The Velmoc were sentient insectoids whose physical structure generally resembled that of humanoids. Each of their powerful legs ended in three extended, flat toes, while their hands featured four clawed fingers. A flat, wedge-shaped crest adorned each arm, spanning from the upper arm at the elbow joint, across the elbow itself, and down to the upper forearm. These members of the species were capable of being strong and resilient, often taller than the average Human. Their bodies exhibited colors of green or a muted purple hue.

Enclosed within the Velmoc skull was the brain, an organ vulnerable to trauma; a head injury could lead to brain damage and subsequent mental deterioration. Two multifaceted eyes, typically gray or red, protruded from the sides of their heads. A sizable maw dominated the front of their faces, featuring a shovel-like lower jaw with upward-pointing, tooth-like projections that interlocked with the upper mandible. A crest extended from the back of the head, transitioning into a rectangular patch of striated skin at the nape 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 the head.

Certain Velmoc displayed signs of sensitivity to the Force. Humans were vulnerable to the Velmoc flu, although surviving an initial infection conferred immunity.

Society and culture

Living in the mountains of Velmor, the Velmoc organized themselves into small, tribal groups on their planet. They were highly regarded and astute warriors, utilizing their dexterous fingers for tool use and weapon handling, such as long staffs. At least one Velmoc was observed wearing clothing, including a segmented tunic, a belt, and boots tailored to their anatomy. Some Velmoc mastered riding a native Velmorian creature known as the ycaqt. Notably, the Velmoc-Dac tribe accepted 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.

Their primary language was Galactic Basic Standard. Velmoc names were sometimes shortened for ease of pronunciation by other species; for example, Jedidiah became Jedi. Some Velmoc integrated into Human Velmorian society, sharing their homeworld. These Velmoc often found employment as servants or sideshow entertainments. Despite the prejudices they faced, Velmoc and Human Velmorians could form deep and loyal friendships.

History

The Velmoc evolved on Velmor, a world characterized by forests and grasslands, with a gravity of 0.92 standard. By the [time](/article/time-legends] Human colonists from the Empress Teta system arrived, millennia before the Galactic Civil War, the Velmoc population was already dwindling. The planet and its parent system, Velm, became part of the Expansion Region and Mid Rim, yet it never fully integrated into the wider galaxy.

While the Velmoc maintained their tribal lifestyle in the mountains, 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, they represented only 0.3 percent of the planet's 892,000 inhabitants. Those who maintained their traditional ways occupied 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. Jedidiah, a Velmoc serving as an aide to the royal family (nicknamed Jedi), spirited away the fifteen-year-old crown prince, Denid, and his betrothed, Loren. They fled to the Tantajo system, but their poorly equipped starship crashed on Tantajoc V, killing Loren. Despite suffering a head injury that led to insanity and extreme isolation, Jedidiah remained with Denid, helping him survive on the harsh planet for two decades.

Meanwhile, the regent, Zelor, assumed control of Velmor, falling under the influence of Imperial Captain Zeta Traal. Traal devised a plan to have Prince Anod pledge the planet's allegiance to the Galactic Empire, at Zelor's urging, upon 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 from Velmorian society, the Velmoc-Dac tribe embraced him as a "soft-skin warrior," fostering a deep 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 his Velmoc protector. Disguised as a bounty hunter named Korl Marcus (Skywalker) and the prince's deceased fiancée (Organa), the group returned to Velmor to prevent Anod's coronation. Just before Anod could be crowned, they intervened. Blood tests confirmed Denid's identity, prompting Traal to orchestrate a royal forest hunt as a guise for assassinating the returning prince. However, Jedidiah arrived on a ycaqt, disrupting her plan. He attacked Traal to protect the others, but he was fatally shot in the ensuing conflict. Anod also died in the forest. 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.

Velmoc in the galaxy

Jedidiah ventured from Velmor on at least two occasions. The first time, he was identified as Force-sensitive. The Jedi Order offered him Jedi training, a dream of his. However, he believed the royal family needed his support and would be ruined without him. Therefore, he declined the invitation and remained on Velmor. He left Velmor for two decades after the Imperial-backed coup, surviving on Tantajoc V with Prince Denid until their return with Rebel assistance.

Behind the scenes

The Velmoc first appeared in Star Wars (1977) 49, a Marvel Comics Star Wars comic book issue published in July 1981. Written by Mike W. Barr and illustrated by Walt Simonson and Tom Palmer, Barr created Jedidiah as a contrast to Luke Skywalker, presenting someone who rejected the opportunity to become a Jedi. Coloring discrepancies by Don Warfield and Christie Scheele depict Jedidiah as green with red eyes on the cover but dull purple with gray eyes in the issue, suggesting both are valid phenotypes. Another inconsistency arises when a medical droid refers to Jedidiah's "Human brain," despite his non-Human nature. The issue also suffered from printing problems, which Simonson lamented. 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 added further details about the Velmoc and their relationship with the Velmorians in his article "Velmor: Royalty and Rebellion," published in March 2003 by Wizards of the Coast as part of the Planet Hoppers series for the Star Wars Roleplaying Game.