Yavid, a male soldier of the Sanyassan race, served within the ranks of the Sanyassan Marauders. Born into the Sanyassan aristocracy, he faced constant derision due to his diminutive size. This led to the development of a sadistic and volatile personality, traits that proved advantageous among the boisterous and uncivilized Marauders. A student of military history and strategy, Yavid rose to the rank of general within the Marauders. Following their exile for their criminal and violent tendencies, the Sanyassan Marauders commandeered a star cruiser and turned to piracy in the Moddell sector. However, their lack of technological expertise ultimately resulted in them becoming stranded on the Forest Moon of Endor.
King Terak, the leader of the Marauders, initiated a campaign to claim Endorian territory, with Yavid leading the military efforts to defend these claims against external threats like the Phlogs and the Duloks. Yavid's diplomatic abilities also enabled him to forge a truce with Morag, a formidable Tulgah witch. In 3 ABY, Yavid commanded the Marauder troops during the Battle of Endor against the Ewoks of Bright Tree Village. The battle proved catastrophic, with King Terak and a significant number of troops perishing. In the ensuing power struggle, Yavid attempted to seize the throne, but he lacked the necessary skills for effective leadership.
Born into the Sanyassan aristocracy on Sanyassa IV, Yavid was considered short for his kind. Sanyassan culture valued strength and force over birthright, putting himself at a disadvantage because of his stature. He dedicated himself to studying military history and tactics, becoming a skilled strategist. Over time, his perceived shortcomings fueled a quick temper and sadistic tendencies, earning him a reputation among his peers.
Yavid joined the Sanyassan Marauders, a band of brutal and unruly criminals. Though they fancied themselves as pirates, the wider Sanyassan society viewed them as nothing more than uncouth outlaws and banished them. With limited technical knowledge, they sought out targets in the Moddell sector using a stolen ship. Their journey ended when they crash-landed on the Forest Moon of Endor.
Unable to leave Endor, King Terak, the Marauders' leader, decided to establish his own territory. Lacking military expertise, he appointed Yavid as his general. Yavid's strategic skills allowed him to maintain Terak's meager territory, defending it against threats such as the Phlogs and King Gorneesh's Dulok Army. He also used his diplomatic abilities to keep Morag, the powerful Tulgah witch, at bay, who could have easily conquered Terak's castle and lands had she focused her efforts.
Terak learned about "the power"—a power cell used to power starships. He captured Salak Weet, a fellow castaway, and discovered the location of a hidden ship that could allow him and his Marauders to escape Endor. Weet died in Terak's dungeons, but the king remained determined. Later, he learned of another ship near Bright Tree Village, an Ewok settlement. Believing he could finally obtain "the power," he mobilized his troops and personally led an attack on Bright Tree Village, with Yavid participating.
The attack succeeded; many Ewoks were captured, and "the power" was recovered from a ship belonging to the Towani family. The Towanis had all been killed except for Cindel, who was captured along with the Ewoks. However, Towani and Wicket Wystri Warrick escaped Marauder custody. Back at Terak's Keep, Yavid was entrusted with "the power." The Nightsister Charal failed to unlock its secrets, much to Terak's frustration, and was sent to recapture Towani.
Towani was recaptured and brought before Terak. When Yavid presented "the power" to her, she was also unable to unlock its secrets and was imprisoned with the Ewoks. While Yavid and Terak were enjoying the usual court festivities, Noa Briqualon—Weet's former shipmate—and Warrick infiltrated the castle, freeing the Ewoks and Towani. Enraged, Terak ordered Yavid to gather all the Marauder troops for battle. The king again joined the battle personally, and with Charal's help, the Sanyassan Marauders tracked the Ewoks to Briqualon's hidden ship.
The Marauders, led by Terak, cautiously entered the forest, wary of Ewok traps and ambushes. A fierce battle erupted, with the Marauders suffering significant losses. Teek, Briqualon's companion, disrupted Yavid's war effort by setting a fire near the Sanyassan's blurrgs, causing them to stampede. Although Yavid initially pursued them, he abandoned the chase and rejoined the main battle. Briqualon used "the power" to activate his ship's systems and unleashed its laser cannons, decimating the Marauder ranks. The majority of the Marauders, including Yavid, retreated to the castle, but Terak was killed by Warrick, leaving the Sanyassans without a leader.
Terak's death created a power vacuum among the Marauders. Yavid, as the highest-ranking Sanyassan, attempted to take control. However, he lacked the necessary skills to control the unruly Marauders and failed to secure his claim. Eventually, the Sanyassans turned on each other, and Zakul became their new King. Later, when the New Republic sent agents to explore the Endorian forest, they found no sign of the Sanyassan Marauders.
In Sanyassan culture, being short was seen as a weakness, leading to Yavid being constantly ridiculed during his youth. He developed a quick and violent temper, which he balanced with extensive study and tactical understanding. He channeled his suppressed anger within the Sanyassan Marauders, a group of ruthless criminals with similar temperaments. Yavid was willing to fight alongside his men and possessed diplomatic skills in addition to his violent tendencies.
He was known to express his emotions physically, especially when frustrated or active. He stood at a height of 1.1 meters.
Yavid made his debut in the 1984 television movie Ewoks: The Battle for Endor. In the film, the character is credited only as "Lieutenant" and is portrayed by Roger Johnson. The character's backstory was expanded upon by Nathan O'Keefe through the StarWars.com Hyperspace feature "What's The Story?," where his name was first revealed.