INFO: The Defel (colloquially known as Wraiths) were barely visible beings who appeared to most other species as shadows, re-enforcing the misconception that they were chameleon-like beings or "living shadows".
RACE: Defel
HEIGHT: 1 to 1.5 Meters Tall
SKIN: Green (exposed skin at snout) and orange (at jawline) in ultraviolet light (FUR: Blue to yellow in ultraviolet light, black to dark brown in visible light)
DISTINCTION: Absorbtion of visible light, light-blindness, claws
LANGUAGE: Defel
HOMEWORLD:Af'El was the homeworld to the Defel, whom dwelt in underground cities. It was a high-gravity planet with no ozone layer which orbited the ultraviolet supergiant Ka'Dedus. Because of the lack of ozone, ultraviolet light passed freely to the surface, while other light wavelengths were blocked by the heavy gases in the planet's atmosphere. Thus, all animals on Af'El could only see in ultraviolet light ranges. A main export of the planet was the metal meleenium (used in durasteel).
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE:Defel were from Af'El, a large, high-gravity, seldom-visited world orbiting the ultraviolet supergiant Ka'Dedus. Since Af'El had no ozone layer, ultraviolet light passed freely to the surface, while other light wavelengths were mostly blocked by the heavy gases in the planet's atmosphere. Thus, all lifeforms on Af'El could see in ultraviolet light ranges, but were blinded by all but the dimmest light in other wavelengths. This is why Defels normally wore a visor when they left Af'El, and expected to be exposed to daylight at their destination. Compared to other species, they could see exceptionally well in the dark.
Defel were short, stocky beings, averaging 1.3 meters tall and nearly as wide. Though they were nearly invisible in normal light, Defel were actually colorful beings. Viewed under ultraviolet light, their fur appeared in colors ranging from yellow to blue. Their snouts appeared green, with orange, gill-like slits at the base of their jawlines. Elderly Defel lost their ability to absorb light, fading to a dull dark brown under visible light.
CULTURE AND HISTORY:Due to the harsh conditions of Af'El, Defel had a society based on communal resource sharing. Co-operation was vital for survival. As a result, the typical Defel was a tough, independent being, with a strong sense of honor. Defel stood by their word, and refused to associate with anyone who broke a promise. The Defel lived in underground cities to escape Af'El's violent storms. Their subterranean society had developed highly advanced mining and metallurgical technology, though they had not developed space travel or agriculture on their own.
Their homeworld was seldom visited due to the difficulty of escaping its gravity well, making Defel rare outside of the Ka'Dedus system. This rarity, combined with their unusual abilities, meant that much of the galaxy believed they were mythical or supernatural beings. Some of the few Defel who left their homeworld went in search of adventure, and often employed their natural stealth abilities to become assassins, bodyguards, or thieves. Most Defel who left Af'El, however, were prized more for their skills in metallurgy, and were contracted by smelting operations and starship manufacturers.
The Defel did see some trade in meleenium, a rare substance used in durasteel production, which was only found naturally on Af'El. During the Imperial era, Vulca Minerals sent one ship a year to the Defel to trade fresh food for meleenium. Under the Empire, Defels were oppressed; the oppression continued at least until 11 ABY, despite the presence of Za on the Interim Ruling Council.
During the Dark Nest Crisis, a young Defel underwent Jedi training at the Jedi Academy on Ossus.
APPEARANCES:Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (Mentioned only)
Incident at Horn Station
Star Wars Republic 49: Sacrifice
Star Wars Republic: Show of Force
"The Dark Side Beckons"
"Portrait of the Artist as a Young Rodian"
Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight
A Hunter's Fate: Greedo's Tale
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (First appearance)
"Blaze of Glory" - Star Wars Adventure Journal 8
Mission from Mount Yoda
Prophets of the Dark Side
Fists of Ion
Dark Force Rising
The Last Command
Crimson Empire (Appears in flashback(s))
Crimson Empire II: Council of Blood
"Murder in Slushtime" - Star Wars Adventure Journal 14 (Mentioned only)
Specter of the Past
The Unifying Force (Mentioned only)
Dark Nest I: The Joiner King
SOURCES:Galaxy Guide 4: Alien Races (First identified as Defel)
A Guide to the Star Wars Universe
Galaxy Guide 11: Criminal Organizations
Dark Force Rising Sourcebook
Galladinium's Fantastic Technology
Star Wars Customizable Card Game – A New Hope Limited (Card: Defel)
Star Wars Customizable Card Game – Official Tournament Sealed Deck
No Disintegrations
Handbook 2: Crimson Empire
The Essential Guide to Alien Species
The Essential Guide to Planets and Moons
Alien Anthology
Ultimate Alien Anthology
StarWars.com Cantina Roll-Call: Shedding Light on Some Alien Aliases on StarWars.com (backup link on Archive.org)
Star Wars Miniatures: Bounty Hunters
Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary
"The Smuggler's Alliance" - Star Wars Gamer 3
"Alien Anthology Addendum" - Star Wars Gamer 7
"Rogues Gallery: Bounty Hunters" - Star Wars Gamer 6 (Picture only)
The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
Melas in the Databank
I would like to thank Wookieepedia for this info.
