Star Wars Character Countdown: The Yuuzhan Vong

Today's character for our Character Countdown to Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (which opens December 18th) is less of a character and more of a species.

The Yuuzhan Vong are/were a troublesome species for a number of societies and reasons. Perhaps the most significant trait these outsiders to the galaxy possessed was that, somehow, they existed mostly outside of The Force, despite being sentient beings themselves.

Translated to "Children of Yun-Yuuzhan," this bipedal, human-like species were a race that acted heavily on their religious beliefs. These beliefs made the Yuuzhan Vong natural enemies of the New Republic - and the galaxy as a whole - because, first and foremost, "mechanical" technology was seen to be a blasphemous product, offensive to their gods, led by Yun-Yuuzhan. For this reason, all forms of mechanical technology in the universe had to face eradication in their eyes.

A Yuuzhan Vong ship (a Yorik-et)

The Yuuzhan Vong didn't shun technology altogether, however. The utilized organic and biological adaptations as armor, weaponry and as tools to great effect. In addition to this organic technology, the Yuuzhan Vong practically worshipped pain and willingly subjected themselves to painful grafts in order to improve their abilities as a result. These surgical "improvements" also served as status symbols in Yuuzhan Vong society.

When the Yuuzhan Vong turned its attentions toward the New Republic, they used disease, shaky alliances with the Mandalores, Hutts and others and voxyn, a specially created creature designed to hunt Jedi.

By the end of their efforts to cleanse the galaxy of what they viewed as "impurities," trillions of citizens would perish.

While the Yuuzhan Vong have not appeared in any films to date, they have been at least mentioned in 88 different publications, one of which is considered non-canon.

To find a much more detailed history and description of this species, check out their entry on their Wookieepedia page.