Yanibar, a world situated in the Wild Space region, was a planet infamous for its severely contrasting seasons: scorching, arid summers and drenched, bitterly cold winters. It presented a challenging environment for habitation by Humans and related species. Despite this, a community of Jedi, accompanied by their families, established a colony there, seeking sanctuary from the aggressive actions of the Sith. The planet's remote location led to its isolation for many years, as the Jedi remaining in the galaxy gradually lost awareness of its existence. Furthermore, the planet's severe conditions led to the demise of numerous colonists. The survivors, however, adapted and developed their own unique Force tradition known as the Zeison Sha, which exhibited distinct anti-Jedi characteristics.
Subsequently, Yanibar gained some recognition within the galaxy as a waypoint for fringe traders. It featured the Tho Yorla spaceport and a thriving city that acted as a nexus between the Outer Rim and Wild Space. The planet successfully resisted Imperial attempts at conquest and remained under the control of the Zeison Sha throughout the Yuuzhan Vong War.
The planet Yanibar was located in the Wild Space region, specifically within one of the trailing sections of the galaxy's spiral arms. However, certain accounts categorized its location within the Outer Rim. Regardless, Yanibar's isolation was reinforced by the absence of major hyperlanes connecting it to the wider galactic community, contributing to its reputation as a remote and isolated world. By the time of the Imperial era, Yanibar was recognized as lying on the boundary between Wild Space and the Outer Rim.
Although Humans could survive on Yanibar, its harsh climate and extreme seasonal variations made it a less-than-ideal habitat. While many deemed the planet too challenging for successful colonization, some determined settlers managed to sustain themselves despite the hostile environment. They faced the planet's arid, sweltering summers and its icy, saturated winters, as well as powerful and destructive storms. These challenging conditions resulted in the deaths of many of the original colonists. The local wildlife also posed a periodic threat to the colonists. Yanibar was the native habitat of the voorcat, a predatory species that hunted in packs, occasionally endangering the colonists.
Prior to 3951 BBY, Yanibar was initially settled by associates and relatives of the Jedi Order who were fleeing a conflict with the Sith. The planet's isolation made it a suitable refuge from the ongoing war, as any individuals associated with the Jedi were vulnerable to attacks by the Sith. The colonists' initial intention was to find a secluded world where they could remain hidden until the war concluded, allowing them to return to their original homes. However, all of the Jedi who knew about the refuge perished during the war, leaving the colonists stranded. During the early years of the colony, the severe conditions on Yanibar led to the death of thousands. The survivors received assistance from those with strong connections to the Force, who developed their own distinct Force-based tradition known as the Zeison Sha. The Zeison Sha played a crucial role in the colony's survival, protecting it from the planet's natural hazards and developing unique discblade weapons and armor for both initiates and higher-ranking warriors.
Over time, the Zeison Sha grew resentful towards the Jedi Order, blaming them for their abandonment on Yanibar. As a result, the Zeison Sha evolved into a self-sufficient tradition designed to withstand the rugged and unforgiving environment of their homeworld. The talents and strength of the Zeison Sha ultimately enabled the colony to not only survive but also thrive.
Centuries after its initial settlement, Yanibar was discovered by spacers operating near the edges of known space. The planet developed a small settlement and the Tho Yorla spaceport to facilitate increased interaction with these fringe traders. As visits from offworlders became more common, some of Yanibar's inhabitants also ventured off-planet and explored the stars. This interstellar exchange brought a diverse range of individuals from various species to Yanibar, although Zeison Sha who left the planet maintained their hostility towards the Jedi Order. A delegation from the Jedi Order, led by Jedi Master Bodo Baas in 580 BBY, did little to improve relations. Despite the Jedi's extensive preparations, the Zeison Sha remained suspicious and antagonistic, particularly regarding the Jedi practice of taking children from their families for training. The mission concluded without any open conflict, but the Zeison Sha firmly rejected any discussion of reunification with the Jedi.
Zeison Sha who departed Yanibar after it gained access to interstellar travel did so discreetly, fearing the Jedi and later the Imperial Jedi hunters. The spaceport and outpost remained operational as late as the Galactic Civil War, and the Empire stationed troops on Yanibar, including speeder bikes and scout troopers. The Zeison Sha resisted this Imperial presence. The colonists on Yanibar and their Zeison Sha protectors endured the Galactic Civil War and even the Yuuzhan Vong War, which devastated the galaxy only five years after the Galactic Civil War ended. The Zeison Sha living during the latter conflict were pleased to see the New Jedi Order weakened by the invaders but also sought to avoid detection by the aliens, who were vehemently opposed to all Force-users.
The original colonists who arrived on Yanibar were from a variety of species, and since they were friends and relatives of the Jedi, many possessed Force sensitivity. Among them were Humans, Duros, Rodians, and Twi'leks—all of whom called Yanibar home centuries after its initial colonization. Although their initial intention was to reside on Yanibar temporarily, their subsequent abandonment forced them to struggle for survival for generations after their arrival, ultimately leading to the formation of the Force-using Zeison Sha tradition. The establishment and growth of the spaceport centuries later brought further diversity to the settlers on Yanibar.
Centuries after the colonization of Yanibar, a well-populated spaceport and city, known as Tho Yorla, emerged to cater to the needs of interstellar fringe traders passing through the region. The Zeison Sha Force-users also constructed a temple, called the Sha Kalan, which served as the center of their organization. Unlike the Jedi Order, Zeison Sha youth who underwent training there did not reside at the temple; instead, they lived with their families, as the Zeison Sha encouraged normal family life for children.
Yanibar's first appearance was in Hero's Guide, authored by Rodney Thompson and J.D. Wiker, and released in 2003, which placed the planet in the Outer Rim. An illustration by Wayne Reynolds depicted the planet's appearance for the Zeison Sha. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (2004), the Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force (2007), and the Jedi Academy Training Manual (May 2009) also indicated that the planet was located in the Outer Rim. However, in the later reference book The Essential Atlas (August 2009), the Yanibar system was definitively located within Wild Space. The subsequent Force and Destiny Core Rulebook, published in 2015, addressed this discrepancy by stating that the planet "functions as a last thread of civilization on the border between the Outer Rim and Wild Space." The Essential Atlas positioned the Yanibar system, and consequently the planet Yanibar, in grid square R-19.
Hero's Guide also stated that the refugees who later became the Zeison Sha initially arrived on Yanibar around 2000 BBY. This contradicts Knights of the Old Republic II, which suggests that the Zeison Sha were established well before that time, approximately two thousand years earlier. Later sources, including the Jedi Academy Training Manual and Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force, further complicate the issue by agreeing with Hero's Guide in stating that Yanibar was first colonized during the New Sith Wars. No official explanation has been provided for these inconsistencies.