The protagonists in Star Wars Rebels are a new group called the Ghost crew, in contrast to Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The team is led by Captain Hera Syndulla and comprises Sabine Wren, a Mandalorian who ran away, Kanan Jarrus, a Jedi Knight who survived Order 66, Ezra Bridger, a young rebel who became a Padawan, Chopper, Hera's astromech, and Garazeb "Zeb" Orrelios, a Lasat rebel. When Ezra meets Zeb, he asks if he is a hairless Wookie, which is actually a nod to the Lasat's resemblance to Chewbacca in Ralph McQuarrie's early concept art. The Lasat are a rare species in the Star Wars universe, and Zeb is one of the last. What happened to the Lasat?
Where Are The Lasat From?
The Lasat people originally hail from the planet Lira San, located in the uncharted region of Wild Space beyond the Outer Rim. Over time, they migrated to Lasan, a world situated in the less-isolated Outer Rim. Taking cues from their Wookiee counterparts, the Lasat are renowned for their impressive physical attributes, including their towering height and impressive strength. Additionally, they possess feline-like agility, allowing them to move silently and leap great heights with ease. Their prehensile toes enable them to scale structures with remarkable ease, while their keen senses, courtesy of their large ears and eyes, give them a distinct advantage. Among the Lasat people, Zeb stands out as an exceptional warrior, having served in the Lasan High Honor Guard. A skilled fighter and intelligent strategist, Zeb is most recognizable for his use of the Bo-rifle, a signature Lasat weapon.
Were There Lasat Jedi?
In contrast to some Star Wars characters who view their warrior practices as a religion, the Lasat people place their faith in the Ashla, a spiritual force that transcends their own physical prowess. Interestingly, this Ashla is essentially the same as the Force, which Lasat spiritual leaders and Bo-rifle users are capable of tapping into. While the nature of the Lasat's relationship with the Force may be distinct from that of the Jedi, players of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order will recognize Jaro Tapal as a Lasat Jedi Master who fought in the Clone Wars and held the rank of general in the Grand Army of the Republic. Despite his impressive abilities, however, Jaro ultimately falls victim to the clone troopers during Order 66.
Why Were The Lasat Killed By The Empire?
The devastation caused by the Empire went beyond just Jaro Tapal. The Lasat as a whole suffered greatly, as evidenced by the near extinction of their entire species. According to Zeb's account to Ezra Bridger, not only were the Lasat High Honor Guard and royal family massacred, but thousands of others as well, resulting in the desolate state of their once-thriving home planet, Lasan. The Empire's actions not only took countless lives, but also eradicated the unique culture of the Lasat and stripped them of their ancestral land in the Outer Rim.
Is Zeb The Last Lasat?
In the Star Wars Rebels episode "Legends of the Lasat," Zeb's heritage as a Lasat is further explored, revealing that he is not the last of his kind. When the Ghost crew is assigned to rescue two refugees from the Empire, they are surprised to find that the refugees are fellow Lasat, including Gron, who served alongside Zeb in the Honor Guard, and Chava the Wise, an elder of their species. This revelation not only expands upon Zeb's backstory but also adds depth to the wider Star Wars universe.
Chava reveals that their mission is to locate Lira San, the original homeland of the Lasat foretold in one of their prophecies. Despite its unknown location in Wild Space, Chava discloses that a ritual involving a warrior, a child, and a fool is the key to finding the planet. Zeb, however, doubts the existence of prophecies and the possibility of saving his people. He feels responsible for their downfall as the captain of the Honor Guard. Ezra, however, convinces Zeb to help Chava find Lira San, assuring him that he can still protect his people. With the aid of Zeb's Bo-rifle and Chava's staff, both of which have Force capabilities, they manage to find a way to the uncharted planet. Despite facing perilous phenomena beyond the Outer Rim, Zeb takes the destiny of the Lasat into his own hands and pilots the Ghost to overcome the prophesied obstacles with Chava's guidance.
Upon reaching Lira San, Zeb led his kin to the planet's surface where they were met by millions of fellow Lasat. As one of the few surviving members of his species, Zeb's hope is that the Lasat will play a more prominent role in future Star Wars projects. Fans were thrilled to see a cameo of Zeb in Season 3 of The Mandalorian and eagerly anticipate his appearance alongside other former members of the Ghost crew in Ahsoka.
