Creating an alien species for a science fiction franchise can be a daunting task, as certain physical attributes can convey certain personal traits. For instance, non-humanoid skin colors such as green or blue can suggest a species' divergence from the human norm. Similarly, crimson skin, facial tattoos, and horns can conjure up images of evil and demons, as evidenced by the notorious reputation of the Zabrak species. Darth Maul, a character with minimal dialogue and personality, may have been forgettable as a villain, but his iconic design and thrilling fight scene have made him a fan favorite, resulting in increased interest in his species.
What Are the Zabrak?
The Zabrak, a distinctive alien species, are commonly recognized for their unique features such as horns, facial tattoos, and a strong sense of independence. These beings are primarily from the planet Iridonia, but a subspecies is found on Dathomir, with the latter being more widely known. While the Iridonian Zabraks have skin tones similar to humans, Dathomirian Zabraks come in a range of striking colors such as red, yellow, orange, blue, gray, or white. It is interesting to note that Zabraks possess two hearts, and only male Zabraks have horns, while Dathomirian females are entirely bald. Despite being the same species, the behavior and characteristics of Iridonian and Dathomirian Zabraks are vastly different.
What is Dathomir Like?
Dathomir, a distant planet in the Star Wars universe, is infamous for its harsh conditions and dangerous inhabitants. Its landscape is dominated by murky swamps and barren mountains, bathed in an eerie crimson light emanating from the nearby red star. The planet is notorious for its most iconic export, the massive reptilian carnivores known as rancors, but it's also home to a plethora of other deadly animals and plants. One of the most intriguing aspects of Dathomir is its inexplicable affinity for the Dark Side of the Force, which has drawn the attention of many Jedi and Sith alike. Fans of Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order can now experience the treacherous terrain of Dathomir firsthand.
The population of Dathomir is limited, with just over 8,000 sentient beings as the highest estimate. Majority of the residents are humans, while the number of Dathomirian Zabraks is considerably lower, at around 1,000 at most. The cultural tradition of the Dathomirian Zabraks is divided into two castes, namely Nightsisters and Nightbrothers. Nightbrothers are known for their brutality and tendency to solve issues through violence, while Nightsisters possess exceptional magical skills that enable them to enslave their male counterparts. The presence of a distinct dark side on Dathomir has led most of the planet's Zabraks to adopt cruel, violent, and insidious behaviors. To observe ideal representations of male and female Dathomirian Zabraks, refer to Darth Maul and Asajj Ventress, respectively.
What Did the Zabrak Do?
The Iridonian Zabraks were initially loyal to the Galactic Republic, but they fiercely opposed the Empire's rule. Although two Iridonian Zabraks became Jedi and battled the Sith, the Dathomirian Zabraks had a different fate due to the planet's affinity for the Dark Side. As a result, the Dathomirian Zabraks were one of the most significant threats to Darth Sidious' leadership in the galaxy. Talzin, a Nightsister, managed to unite the divided clans into a formidable force. She was known as one of the most powerful dark magic practitioners in the galaxy, which caught the attention of Sidious. He took Talzin's son Maul as his apprentice and nearly killed him during the events in Naboo. Talzin vowed to seek revenge.
What Happened to Dathomir?
Despite Talzin's years of effort to assassinate Count Dooku, her attempts ultimately failed. In a desperate move, she sent Nightsisters Asajj Ventress and Savage Oppress to the Sith as potential apprentices for Dooku, but both were unsuccessful in their attempts to kill him. In response, Dooku unleashed a powerful attack that decimated most of Dathomir, leaving only Talzin, Ventress, and Merrin as the surviving Nightsisters. Maul and Oppress formed the Shadow Collective to gather power and challenge Sidious, but they were also defeated. Maul later kidnapped Dooku and brought him to Dathomir, where Talzin tortured him. However, Grievous and Sidious intervened, resulting in Talzin's death and ending the Zabraks' reign on Dathomir. Despite the complexity of the Zabrak species, they are often overshadowed by their failures to make significant changes in the galaxy, with many of their notable figures meeting tragic ends.
