Utapau

From the Encyclopedia of Speculative Fiction - http://encyclopedia.wizards.pro

Utapau
Image:Img utapau img01.jpg
Region	Outer Rim Territories
Sector	Tarabba Sector
System	Utapau system
Suns	1
Moons	9 (including Utapau 7)
Native Species	Pau'ans, Utai
Other Species	{{{otherspecies}}}
Population	95 million
Official Language	Pau'an, Utai
Primary Terrain	Scrublands, Grassy Plains, Rock Spires, Canyons, Sinkholes, Grottoes, Underground Ocean
Major Cities	{{{cities}}}
Points of Interest	Pau City, Grottoes of Coranth
Affiliation	Confederacy of Independent Systems, Galactic Empire

Utapau (pronounced /'juːtʌpaʊ/) was a sinkhole world in the Utapau system of the Tarabba Sector in the Outer Rim Territories. Orbited by many moons, Utapau was the adopted homeworld of the Pau'ans and the Utai, more commonly referred to collectively as Utapauns. These species lived in the many sinkholes, caused by erosion from an underground sea, that littered the planet's scrub-covered surface.

Utapau was a peaceful, arid world that attempted to remain neutral in times of galactic conflict. The sinkhole world was shared by two symbiotic near-human races whose ancestors settled the planet 57,019 BBY. The languid, grey-skinned Pau'ans comprised only thirty percent of the planetary population, but served as the port masters, bureaucrats and patricians of the world. The stubby, humble Utai comprised the Utapaun labor class, maintaining the windmills of their sinkhole cities and serving as handlers for the native varactyl and dactillion dragonmounts.

Originally, the Pau'ans and the Utai lived separate lives; the former on the unremarkable surface, the Utai deep underground. However, thanks to the efforts of Utapaun nobles such as Tion Medon and the Fey family - in conjunction with a natural climate change - the two species were united. The Pau'ans moved underground, and added their own, unique touch to the Utai cities. The sinkhole communities soon became a mix of Pau'an and Utai architecture. One type of architecture was Ossic. These cities were built into the crevasses and rocky ledges that lined the edges of the sinkholes. The planet was headquarters of Buuper Torsckil Abbey Devices.

Template:EpIIIspoiler

During the Clone Wars, Utapau remained neutral, but allegiance was forced upon the current Master of Port Administration, Tion Medon, when General Grievous and the Separatist Council took the world as their own, at the command of Darth Sidious. Grievous threatened to destroy Pau City should Tion attempt to call for help, though luckily, a saviour arrived of his own accord. Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi landed in Pau City, and was greeted by Tion Medon, who secretly gave Kenobi the location of Grievous's hideout. With the help of Commander Cody's forces and local Utapaun warriors and pilots, Obi-Wan defeated Grievous and the droids.

Sadly, trouble on Utapau was not ended. The clone troopers, following Order 66, turned on Obi-Wan, forcing the Jedi Master to flee Utapau. The fates of Tion Medon and his people remains unknown. Interestingly, certain texts speculate that Utapau may have been one of the birthplaces of the Jedi Order.

[edit]

Behind the Scenes

Utapau was the original name for Tatooine in the early drafts of Star Wars and the original name for Naboo in the early drafts of The Phantom Menace.

[edit]