The Hidden Secrets of the Hapes Consortium in the Star Wars Universe
Unveil the enigmatic allure of the Hapes Consortium, a unique matriarchal anomaly that governs a distant realm within the Star Wars universe Discover its ruling power, territorial reach, and its canonical presence
Within a galaxy filled with political intrigue and power struggles, there exists an extraordinary entity that captivates those brave enough to explore its depths. Known as the Hapes Consortium, this enigmatic phenomenon within the expansive Star Wars universe enthralls fans with its distinctive social and political framework. Amidst the chaos of republics and dictatorships, it proudly distinguishes itself as a matriarchy unlike any other, boasting a rich history and culture that sets it apart from other systems in the galaxy.
Within this remarkable society, power and authority find solace in the hands of the female members of the Hapan species. These women, as the creators of the Consortium's destiny, reign supreme within a domain where their male counterparts willingly embrace the roles of consorts and advisors.
Who Rules The Hapes Consortium?
The Queen Mother, who holds authority over this society, resides in either the Fountain Palace on Hapes or the royal transport ship Star Home as she explores different parts of space. The Queen Mother title is passed down from mother to daughter. Known as Ereneda, meaning "she who has no equal" in the Hapan language, she possesses a remarkable presence that commands admiration and respect. In the Hapan belief, female leadership is deemed more appropriate for governing the Consortium, thus if a Queen Mother has only sons, the wife of the eldest son assumes this position upon the passing or resignation of her predecessor.
Online Star Wars sources suggest that the Hapan term for the Queen Mother's role may be Ta'a Chume. However, discrepancies raise doubts about the accuracy of these claims. The term Chume, which is used in other Hapan royal designations like Chume'da, suggests a more straightforward term for "Queen Mother."
At the Royal Court, representatives from every planet in the Consortium encircle the Queen Mother. They play a crucial role by voting on important matters and keeping her informed about the political and social conditions on their respective planets, which demand her attention. Although the council advises, the Queen Mother possesses ultimate authority, and her decisions establish law. The novel The Courtship of Princess Leia by Dave Wolverton introduced the character Ta'a Chume and the title Queen Mother.
Where Does The Hapes Consortium Rule?
Deep in the Inner Rim lies the Hapes Cluster, a renowned region governed by the Hapes Consortium for an impressive four thousand years. Positioned between the Perlemian and Trellen trade routes, it proudly sits in the Galactic North by Galactic East in the Slice. Its borders intersect with Neshig, Japrael, and the Ktilac Regions, adding to its mysterious allure.
According to legend, the Hapes Consortium comprises either 63 systems or 63 worlds. As time passes, new colonies emerge, increasing the number of inhabited planets, while the charts of the stars become more precise. Nevertheless, the historical count of this cosmic haven remains firmly rooted in ancient lore.
Delving into official records, the Hapes Cluster reveals nearly one hundred planets and various smaller planetoids scattered across six distinct regions. This sector is home to a dense concentration of stars, nebulae, and moons that bathe its worlds in a radiant glow, most notably Hapes Prime. However, this brilliance comes at a price, as the native Hapans have sacrificed their night vision to the constant presence of light.
But the Hapes Cluster is no ordinary sector. It is a collection of several thousand stars hidden within the Transitory Mists. These veils of cosmic intrigue are adorned with gravity wells, turbulent ion storms, and swirling nebulae that conceal the mysteries within. These barriers have long hindered hyperspace travel, isolating the Cluster's inhabitants from the wider galaxy for thousands of years. Only a few treacherous hyperspace routes are considered navigable, forcing travelers to enter the Cluster through the dangerous gateways of Lorell or Roqoo.
Is The Hapes Consortium Part Of Star Wars Canon?
The Hapes Consortium is part of Star Wars Legends, an extensive universe of books, comics, and media that existed before 2014. This collection, previously referred to as the Expanded Universe, differs from the official Star Wars canon.
In 2012, The Walt Disney Company acquired Lucasfilm, the creators behind Star Wars, with the intention of producing new films and establishing a unified storyline. Lucasfilm announced that the existing Expanded Universe would be reorganized and labeled as Star Wars Legends. This action aimed to clearly distinguish between the preexisting Expanded Universe material and the newly established official canon. Consequently, a new official canon was established, which included the seven main saga films, renowned TV shows like Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, and any future content produced after April 2014. Carefully selected tie-in novels, comics, and other media were also incorporated into this canon.
Relegating the Expanded Universe to the realm of Legends granted Lucasfilm more freedom and flexibility to shape new tales and characters within the Star Wars universe. Yet, it also left the door open for modified or transformed elements from the Expanded Universe to be reintroduced in the new canon.
