Kashyyyk is a lush planet, covered in Wroshyr trees which reach several kilometres above the ground, forming a gigantic canopy. In this canopy live the planet’s native inhabitants, the Wookiees. Sixty percent of the planet’s surface is water, while the land is mostly made up of swamp. The ground of Kashyyyk is incredibly dangerous, known as the Shadowlands, and is home to a host of horrifying and deadly creatures. Kashyyyk is divided into seven ‘levels’, and as one descends toward the ground, the dangers increase. Settlements are found on the first, highest level, and most Wookiees would not dare venture past the fourth level.

Flora and Fauna

Flora on Kashyyyk are extremely varied, many even have some form of consciousness. They communicate with the Wookiees, an example of which is the Orga plants which allow Wookiees to collect their roots for use in Life Day ceremonies. Some plants are parasites of the Wroshyr trees, living in crevices or on the trunks themselves. There are other, carnivorous plants which live on the lower levels, and are capable of digesting adolescent Wookiees or adult humans.

Kashyyyk is home to several kinds of fauna, including several varieties of Banthas, and a small amount of terentateks, as well as the well-known Wookiees. Wookiees live in tree-house style buildings, much like those of the Ewoks. Their capital city is Rwookrrorro, and the official language is Shyriiwook.

History

Kashyyyk was originally conquered by the Rakata Infinite Empire, and terraformed for farming. When the Rakatan Empire collapsed, however, the terraforming machines were left unattended, resulting in the huge growth of the native foliage.

It was later discovered by the Czerka Corporation, who renamed the planet Edean after a stockholders’ poll. They began to enslave the native Wookiees, due to their incredible strength. The Wookiee Chuundar usurped the position of Chieftain from his father, Freyyr, and allowed Czerka to take slaves in exchange for their support. He was overthrown by his brother Zaalbar and the Jedi Revan, which led to a revolt by the Wookiees, and all outsiders being driven off the planet.

Some time after this the Wookiees joined the Galactic Republic, after reverse-engineering a Trandoshan hyperdrive. The planet was conquered by the Brotherhood of Darkness during the New Sith Wars, but the Sith were defeated by Valenthyne Farfalla, who was honoured for his aid. Eventually, Kashyyyk was represented in the Galactic Senate. Shortly after the Battle of Naboo, the Wookiee Trade Guild tried to tax Trade Federation freight passing through their system, but Count Dooku arrived with an army of B2 Super Battle Droids and disbanded the Guild.

During the Clone Wars, Kashyyyk was non-aligned until eighteen months into the conflict, when it joined up with the Galactic Republic after the son of a prominent Wookiee family was killed by a CIS probe droid. The CIS mounted a massive invasion, however, with the help of Yoda, the Wookiees managed to defeat their droid army in the battle of Kashyyyk.

Unfortunately, it was after this battle that Order 66 was enacted, and the clone troopers turned on the Jedi. Yoda managed to escape with the help of Chewbacca and Tarfful, but the Empire was harsh on the planet, renaming it “Wookiee Planet C” and placing it under martial law. The Wookiees rebelled, but were unsuccessful. Several Jedi attempted to hide out on the planet, but they were tracked there and attacked by Darth Vader. In the ensuing battle some were killed, while others escaped either into the undergrowth or into space, after an abandoned CIS ship was crashed into the Interdictor cruiser blockading the planet.

Princess Leia Organa was held as a hostage on this planet, as a means of keeping her adoptive father under control. The Wookiees were at this time being used for slave labour by the Empire, and Leia persuaded Galen Marek to destroy the facility. It was after his death at the hands of Darth Sidious that Leia and other leaders decided to form the Rebellion, using Marek’s emblem as their own.