INFO: The Bimms were diminutive humanoids from the planet Bimmisaari. The Bimms consisted of two species—one, a Near-Human race, the other a floppy-eared, furred humanoid species. Though the two species were completely unrelated biologically, they shared a language and cultural identity as Bimms. Many descriptions of Bimm culture and society ignored the biological differences between the two species.
The Bimms had a reputation as a peaceful, hospitable people. Many traveled the galaxy working as merchants and artists. Others remained on their homeworld, or lived in Bimm enclaves on a variety of planets. Some of the best-known Bimms in galactic history went against their people's stereotypical, inoffensive demeanor, however. These included the Sith adept and serial murderer Toki Tollivar, and an unidentified Bimm who impersonated the Prophet of the Dark Side Kadann and later laid claim to the Imperial throne.
RACE: Bimm
HEIGHT: 1.0 to 1.5 Meters Tall (1.6 Meters Tall for furred species)
SKIN: Tan to black (furred species)
DISTINCTION: Floppy ears (furred species)
LANGUAGE: Bimmini
HOMEWORLD:Bimmisaari, the capital planet of the Halla sector, was the homeworld of the Bimms and the adopted homeworld of a near-Human species of the same name who settled the planet in 2,000 BBY. The planet was directly represented in the Galactic Senate and allowed a RRM settlement in 22 BBY, prior to the Clone Wars. It became more and more corrupt, joining the Confederacy of Independent Systems, but escaped most of the turmoil of the Clone Wars and Imperial repression thanks to its remote location.
By 9 ABY, Bimmisaari had become a major tradeworld. In the early days of the Thrawn campaign, the governing Law Elders opened negotiations to join the New Republic. It was during a diplomatic mission here that Leia Organa Solo and Luke Skywalker had their first encounter with the Noghri, who tried to capture Skywalker and Organa Solo. Bimmisaari ultimately did choose to join the New Republic, and other worlds in the Halla sector such as Danuta followed suit. During the Yuuzhan Vong War, the planet was conquered by the extragalactic invaders, and was raided by the New Republic.
Bimmisaari was ruled by a planetary council, which met in a chamber known as the Tower of Law. This was part of a three-level, 200 year old building, which also housed a marketplace. All weapons and violence were banned from the planet's cities. Much of the planet was covered in forests of asaari trees, which could move their branches on their own.
During the Second Galactic Civil War, Bimmisaari and other allied planets in the Halla sector seceded from the Galactic Alliance and joined the Confederation.
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE:One of the Bimm species was thought to have evolved on Bimmisaari. They were slightly taller than the Near-Human Bimms, with an adult height of 1.0 to 1.6 meters (females being slightly taller on average.) They were covered in short fur, ranging from black to tan in color. Their faces had floppy ears, long muzzles, and small black eyes. They had three long fingers and a thumb on each hand.
The Near-Human Bimms differed from the Human norm primarily in their short stature (1.0 to 1.5 meters for adults of both sexes.) Near-Human Bimms were often said to resemble Human children, though males frequently (and proudly) grew full beards. Xenobiologists believed that the Near-Human Bimms arrived on Bimmisaari from a nearby planet eons before the rise of the Galactic Empire, and adopted the culture of the original Bimm species. No other animal species on Bimmisaari was related to them genetically.
Both species called themselves simply "Bimms" and lived harmoniously with each other in their shared forest cities. They considered themselves to be a united people, and were considered as such by the rest of the galaxy. Intermarriage between the two Bimm species was not uncommon, though genetic incompatibilities required such couples to adopt if they wanted children.
CULTURE AND HISTORY:Bimms were in contact with the Galactic Republic as early as the Great Sith War. One furred Bimm, Toki Tollivar, defected to the Sith Empire and became a Sith adept. At the war's end, he began a private campaign of revenge and serial murder, before being defeated by the Mandalorian Crusader Rohlan Dyre.
As the Galactic Republic's government became too corrupt in its later years, Bimmisaari quietly withdrew. Luckily for the Bimms, their homeworld was remote enough that few took notice of this, allowing their people to escape most of the chaos of the Republic's fall and the later oppression of the Galactic Empire.
After the Battle of Endor, the Bimms remained neutral, but friendly towards the Alliance to Restore the Republic and later, the New Republic. One Bimm who defied the pacifist Bimm norm during the Galactic Civil War was the false Kadann, a Near-Human Bimm and Imperial Intelligence agent who impersonated the Prophet of the Dark Side Kadann, and later declared himself Galactic Emperor. After the fall of the false Kadann, Leia Organa Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Han Solo were part of a New Republic mission in 9 ABY which was meant to open negotiations for the Bimms to join the Republic.
Though the Bimm species had lived together for almost all of their recorded history, certain aspects of their culture were more associated with one species than with another. While some sources attributed these cultural tendencies to one species or the other, sources such as Mammon Hoole presented them as aspects of a single, shared culture.
Bimms, especially the Near-Human Bimms, were fond of art, music, and storytelling. Their favorite stories involved heroic adventures, though they were usually content to hear the stories rather than inspired to take part in adventures themselves. The language Bimmini, which was used by both species, was sung, rather than spoken. A Bimm conversation had a seemingly mystical quality, sounding to Human ears like songs being sung in five-part harmony.
The furred Bimms were particularly good merchants, and felt the day was incomplete without a good round of shopping and haggling. The art of bargaining was respected in their culture, and fair dealing was highly honored. However, cheating and theft were tantamount to murder in their society. Furred Bimms were also noted for their yellow clothing.
Both species were noted for their mild-tempered, peaceful tendencies, which was the reason the two species lived together in harmony. This tendency extended to non-Bimm visitors from offworld, who would be treated as honored guests. The Bimm greeting ritual involved a reception line which each visitor would walk through. In complete silence, each Bimm in line would reach out and gently touch the visitor's head, arm, or back. More important visitors would attract correspondingly large crowds in the procession. This honor did not extend to armed visitors, however, who would be expected to leave their weapons behind.
IN THE GALAXY:Near-Human Bimms were the most frequently encountered type of Bimms in the galaxy. While Near-Human Bimms who left their homeworld were typically entertainers or scholars, humanoid Bimms who went offworld were usually traders or businesspeople. Some Bimms became adventurers, whether as scoundrels who somehow worked their way into the circles of nobility, or as artists who followed heroes in order to witness great deeds which they could record in ballads. Entire communities of Bimms were also found in enclaves off Bimmisaari, which were noted for their hospitality.
The Bimms also held great respect for the Jedi. Bimms of both species became Jedi during the days of the Galactic Republic. Even after the Republic's fall, tales of Jedi such as Murrtaggh were popular among Bimm bards. Even Bimmisaari's laws prohibiting visitors from carrying weapons were relaxed for visiting Jedi carrying lightsabers.
During the time of the Clone Wars, a group of five Bimm investors visited the Cularin Trade Show, which was being held in the Cularin system, aboard the starship TAV Prosperity. During the show, the ship suffered a hyperdrive failure in the region of the Cularin comet cloud, causing a booth to fall on the investors.
Bimm artists such as Ha'lathin or Vasnish Kay, and traders and smugglers such as Rycar and Rayc Ryjerd, were typical of Bimms in the galaxy.
APPEARANCES:Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 38: Faithful Execution
Head Trip on Wizards.com (article)
Boba Fett: Maze of Deception
Boba Fett: Hunted (Mentioned only)
"For Fun and Profit"
"Ringers" - Star Wars Adventure Journal 6
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (First appearance of Near-Human Bimms) (Retcon)
Star Wars: Rebellion (Mentioned only)
The Star Wars Holiday Special
"The Great Herdship Heist" - Star Wars Adventure Journal 15
"Fair Prey" - Star Wars Gamer 1 (Mentioned only)
"Hunting the Hunters" - Star Wars Galaxy 6
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
The Lost City of the Jedi (Retcon)
Mission from Mount Yoda (Retcon)
Prophets of the Dark Side (Retcon)
Heir to the Empire
Heir to the Empire comic (First appearance of furred Bimms)
Agents of Chaos I: Hero's Trial
Agents of Chaos II: Jedi Eclipse
Star by Star
The Unifying Force
Inferno
Millennium Falcon (Mentioned only)
The Rycar Run on Wizards.com (article) (Timeline placement uncertain; misidentifies Rycar Ryjerd as Human)
SOURCES:Heir to the Empire Sourcebook
"Glah Ubooki's Strange & Wonderous Imports" - Star Wars Adventure Journal 1
Star Wars Customizable Card Game – Premiere Limited (Card: Rycar Ryjerd)
Star Wars Customizable Card Game – Jabba's Palace Limited (Card: Rayc Ryjerd)
Alien Encounters
Heroes & Rogues
The Essential Guide to Planets and Moons (First identified as two separate species)
The Essential Guide to Alien Species (First identified as a Near-Human and a humanoid species with shared culture)
Alien Anthology
Ultimate Alien Anthology
Evil Never Dies: The Sith Dynasties
The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
I would like to thank Wookieepedia for this info.
