Star Wars Universe Roleplaying Game

Parwan

Parwans are an exceptionally rare and enigmatic species from the gaseous world of Parwa, known primarily through Canon material for their unusual physiology, floating locomotion, and natural affinity for electricity. Their most well-known representative, Derrown—the assassin from the Clone Wars era—provides a strong glimpse into Parwan biology and cultural traits, although much about the species remains cloaked in mystery. What is known presents a species adapted to a world dominated by high-pressure gas layers, volatile electrical storms, and atmospheric phenomena capable of shredding most forms of conventional life. These conditions shaped the Parwans into beings who defy typical humanoid expectations and embody a unique evolutionary path within the Star Wars galaxy.

Parwa’s ecology, while sparsely documented, features upper atmospheric regions rich in charged ion fields and floating micro-ecosystems that form temporary thermal pockets. Parwans evolved to thrive within these fluctuating layers, developing buoyant bodies and electrical resistance far beyond that of standard carbon-based lifeforms. Legends-adjacent interpretations and developer commentary reinforce the idea that Parwans navigate their world by riding thermals and manipulating electrical currents, a concept consistent with their ability in Canon to disperse themselves into multiple smaller bodies made of living energy before recombining. Although this power is shown sparingly, it reflects an extraordinary evolutionary adaptation rather than supernatural ability.

Culturally, Parwans appear to value individuality, mobility, and adaptability, traits necessary for survival on a planet where environmental stability is rare. Canon portrayals suggest that Parwans maintain tight control over their personal boundaries and possess an instinctive caution around grounded environments that limit their mobility. Their cautious demeanor is not fear but rather a pragmatic response to environments unlike their natural habitat. They are known to demonstrate professionalism and precision in mission-based contexts, indicating a species accustomed to strategic thinking.

Because Parwans rarely leave their planet, their presence in the wider galaxy is exceedingly scarce. When they do appear, it is often in specialized roles that leverage their unique physiology, such as infiltration, sabotage, or precision-based assignments requiring resistance to electricity or hazardous atmospheric conditions. Derrown’s role within the elite bounty hunter team hired during the Clone Wars highlights these capabilities. His use of electrical strikes, dispersal abilities, and floating maneuverability aligns closely with the natural advantages shaped by Parwa’s extreme environment.

Interactions with other species can be challenging for Parwans due to communication differences, physical constraints, and environmental limitations. Their vocalizations often manifest as high-pitched modulations, and Canon suggests the use of translation devices to interact with most humanoids. Their bodies also require carefully controlled atmospheric moisture and chemical composition, making specialized equipment necessary for long-term survival on terrestrial worlds. Even so, Parwans display a willingness to adapt when motivated by personal interest, obligation, or profit.

The combination of rarity, mysterious evolutionary biology, and atmospheric adaptation makes Parwans particularly noteworthy in galactic records. They represent one of the most exotic species encountered during the Clone Wars era, with physiology unlike nearly any other known lifeform. While numerous details about their culture remain unavailable, the consistency between their environmental context and observed abilities allows for reasonable, explicitly speculative assumptions—such as the idea that Parwan social structures may revolve around atmospheric currents, floating communities, or long-range communication via electrical signals. These remain conjecture but align with environmental cues.

In SWURPG campaigns, Parwan characters introduce extraordinary narrative possibilities. Their floating movement, electrical resilience, and extreme rarity make them memorable agents of stealth, infiltration, or high-risk technical operations. Their alien worldview and connection to atmospheric phenomena can shape quests involving hazardous environments, scientific mystery, or the search for others of their kind scattered across the galaxy.

Home Planet: Parwa
Physical Description: Parwans possess elongated, tapering bodies that appear weightless, allowing them to hover and glide through the air. Their exoskeleton-like outer layer forms segmented plating reminiscent of insectoid or cephalopod anatomy, though no direct biological comparison exists in Canon or Legends. Their limbs are long and thin, branching into multiple dexterous appendages that can manipulate tools with surprising strength despite their light appearance. This build enables Parwans to balance effortlessly between floating drift and rapid directional shifts.

Their heads feature large, bulbous eyes capable of perceiving ultraviolet and electrical patterns within atmospheric fields—a necessity for survival on Parwa. Their mouths are narrow and often hidden beneath plated ridges, with vocal structures producing high-frequency sounds not easily interpreted by most humanoids without translation. Their bodies exhibit near-perfect electrical insulation, and Canon demonstrates that they can channel electrical energy without harm.

Parwans display the extraordinary ability to disperse their bodies into smaller, independently mobile components composed of energized matter. When recombined, their form appears seamless, suggesting cellular or sub-cellular cohesion not observed in most species. This ability is shown only in Canon during the Clone Wars and is not elaborated upon, but its consistency suggests an evolutionary connection to Parwa’s storm-charged environment rather than supernatural influence.

Their coloration ranges from muted purples and grays to pale blues, often reflecting faint bioluminescent glows when exposed to electrical charge. Their overall appearance is alien, graceful, and evocative of gaseous-world evolution.

Average Height: Roughly comparable to a Human in overall size, though lighter and partially buoyant
Average Weight: Lighter than a typical humanoid of similar size due to gas-filled internal structures
Age of Adulthood: Approximately 50 years (though many live for centuries or longer)

Personality & Customs: Parwan personalities, based on limited Canon exposure, reflect pragmatism, caution, and a professional detachment suited to survival in hazardous environments. They tend to speak concisely, avoid unnecessary conflict, and prioritize efficiency, consistent with a species accustomed to constant atmospheric instability. Their cautious behavior is not distrust but a survival instinct honed on a world where environmental changes can be lethal.

Customs are not deeply documented, but reasonable, explicitly labeled speculation suggests Parwans may structure their societies around atmospheric patterns, forming floating communal clusters that shift position based on seasonal storm cycles. This conjecture aligns with environmental data from Parwa but remains speculative. Known behavior indicates that Parwans value independence and personal boundaries, possibly due to their need for controlled micro-atmospheres.

Their interactions with outsiders require careful atmospheric adaptation, translation support, and mutual patience. Parwans are capable collaborators but appear to avoid long-term entanglements unless aligned with personal objectives. Their sense of identity may be strongly tied to environmental freedom, explaining their discomfort in enclosed or low-altitude spaces.

In SWURPG stories, Parwan customs support characters who are highly specialized, resourceful, and unconventional. Their alien worldview and atmospheric heritage enrich narratives involving unique survival challenges, electrical hazards, or high-stakes infiltration missions.

Languages: Parwan, Basic

Example Names: Obratuk Glii, Derrown, Gubacher