INFO: The Xa Fel were a Near-Human race that inhabited Xa Fel. They were born covered in sores and lesions from long-term genetic damage caused by the extreme levels of pollution on their homeworld.
RACE: Xa Fel
HEIGHT: 1.7 Meters Tall
SKIN: Pale flesh
DISTINCTION: Pollution victims
LANGUAGE: Xa Fel
HOMEWORLD:Xa Fel was a populated planet in the Kanchen Sector of the Core Worlds. It was the homeworld of the Xa Fel. The planet readily supported all forms of life.
Xa Fel was the site of a major Kuat Drive Yards manufacturing facility that produced 20% of the corporation's hyperdrive engines. The unscrupulous manner in which KDY managed the facility left the world terribly polluted and eroded. Xa Fel was one of the New Republic worlds which surrendered to Thrawn.
In 11 ABY a task force of New Republic warships, including Rogue Squadron, was sent to the system to enforce several judicial verdicts and decrees made against KDY that directed them to clean up their operations and to detoxify the planet itself. Within minutes of their arrival, a task force of Invids led by the Invidious and Admiral Leonia Tavira herself arrived to obtain hyperdrives to sell to other warlords.
In the ensuing fleet action and dogfights, Corran Horn, then under the alias Jenos Idanian, provided a solution to the Invids that would allow them to withdraw sooner without bringing undue harm to the New Republic forces. Unfortunately, as he fought for his own life while maintaining cover, he inadvertently drew the attention of the Jensaari to himself though later he would pass it off as Luke Skywalker having participated in the battle, leading the Rogues there.
It is unknown if KDY ever did follow through with the judgments levied against them and cleaned up the planet.
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE:The Xa Fel themselves are a species of near-humans. Before KDY began construction on the planet they were genetically almost identical to mainline humans (presumably, the planet was one of the countless "lost" colonies of ancient history). Now, though, the pollution and poverty of their world has left the Xa Fel permanently scarred, all children are born with sores and lesions from fall-out caused by the pollution.
Many Xa Fel are undernourished; ugly sores and blisters mark most of the inhabitants. The damage seems to have affected the Xa Fel at the genetic level: new generations of Xa Fel are born with these disfigurements covering their bodies. Many Xa Fel tend to have respiratory problems, due to the high acid content of Xa Fel's atmosphere. When visiting "clean" worlds, Xa Fel often choke or pass out because they are unused to the purity of a clean atmosphere, unless they are wearing their breathing apparatus. The life span of an average Xa Fel has dropped from 120 standard years to less than 50 years since the shipyards were constructed.
CULTURE AND HISTORY:The plight of the Xa Fel is a galactic tragedy and a perfect example of what modern mega-corporations without adequate supervision can do to a planet. The Kuat Drive Yards facility that eventually dominated the planet Xa Fel was constructed with cost as the only concern. Now, decades later, the planet is poisoned almost beyond repair. Environmental cleanup crews have begun work, but the process is very slow so far because the Imperials show little interest in helping out.
The Xa Fel have been trapped in a spiral of poverty since their simple tribal government was overpowered by the corporate might of Kuat Drive Yards. The Xa Fel tend to distrust and even outwardly despise visitors from other worlds, particularly corporate executives, though some have a modicum of gratitude to the New Republic for its attempts to fix the planet and heal the Xa Fel people.
APPEARANCES:None
SOURCES:The Thrawn Trilogy Sourcebook
Alien Encounters
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