Star Wars Universe Roleplaying Game

Pau'an

The Pau’ans, also called the “Long-Fingers,” are a tall, long-lived subspecies native to the planet Utapau, sharing their world with the shorter and more numerous Utai. Known for their elongated features, refined speech patterns, and diplomatic presence, the Pau’ans stand as the governing class of Utapau in both Canon and Legends. They are administrators, advisors, and overseers who maintain the sinkhole cities that define their planet’s unique architectural identity. Their role in galactic history is most visible during the Clone Wars, where figures such as Governor Tion Medon exemplified their cautious wisdom and leadership under duress.

Utapau's geography—vast sinkholes carved into arid plateaus—has profoundly shaped Pau’an society. Their cities descend deep into natural chasms, protecting residents from harsh surface winds and predators. This vertical architecture fosters layered social structures, with the Pau’ans typically occupying administrative roles in the upper tiers and coordinating labor carried out by the Utai in the mid and lower levels. Despite this distinction, Canon and Legends both emphasize cooperation and coexistence rather than exploitation.

Pau’ans are renowned for their longevity, often living for centuries. This extended lifespan has influenced their cultural values, encouraging long-term thinking, measured diplomacy, and continuity in governance. Legends material highlights their talent for negotiation and their tendency to avoid rash decisions, traits that helped Utapau survive shifting political landscapes across millennia.

Their appearance—strikingly tall with gaunt facial features—has led some offworlders to misinterpret Pau’ans as eerie or intimidating. In reality, Pau’ans are thoughtful, soft-spoken, and welcoming when approached with respect. Their communication style is formal and deliberate, reflecting a cultural preference for clarity and stability. They value knowledge, political awareness, and civic duty, integrating these principles into daily life.

The Clone Wars marked a critical moment in Pau’an history. Their planet became a battleground between General Grievous and the Republic, placing Pau’an leaders in precarious positions as they balanced safety with ethical duty. Tion Medon's cautious cooperation with Obi-Wan Kenobi demonstrates Pau’an pragmatism and their readiness to act decisively when threatened.

Culturally, Pau’ans balance tradition with adaptation. Their centuries-long lives allow them to witness multiple eras, shaping a worldview that embraces patience and incremental change. Although not widely spread across the galaxy, Pau’ans who do travel often serve as diplomats, scholars, or administrators whose perspectives are informed by long observation.

In SWURPG campaigns, Pau’an characters excel in roles involving diplomacy, leadership, long-term strategy, or political intrigue. Their longevity and refined presence add depth to stories involving negotiation, planetary governance, or ancient secrets uncovered through centuries of memory.

Home Planet: Utapau
Physical Description: Pau’ans are tall, slender humanoids standing well over two meters in height, with elongated limbs, narrow shoulders, and long fingers that give them their colloquial name. Their skin is pale and textured with subtle ridges, often featuring deep lines that become more prominent with age. This wrinkled appearance, especially around the face, contributes to their austere and dignified look.

Their eyes are dark and slightly recessed, framed by angular facial bones that create a distinctive silhouette. Their teeth are small and sharp, visible when speaking, further adding to their unique visual profile. Pau’ans possess long lifespans, and their skin continues to crease and refine rather than sag with age, lending them an appearance equal parts ancient and elegant.

Clothing among Pau’ans is formal and finely detailed, often incorporating flowing robes, tailored tunics, or layered garments suited for Utapau’s climate and sinkhole architecture. Their attire frequently includes muted colors—grays, browns, blacks—that reflect their preference for dignified presentation.

Their overall physical presence communicates a blend of intellectual authority, calm, and ancient lineage, making them instantly recognizable among galactic species.

Average Height: 1.9 meters
Average Weight: 70 kilograms
Age of Adulthood: 31 years

Personality & Customs: Pau’ans are diplomatic, observant, and contemplative. Their long lifespans encourage introspection and strategic patience. They tend to speak carefully, choosing words that promote stability and mutual understanding. This creates an impression of wisdom that often earns them respect in political or academic environments.

Customs on Utapau include structured civic rituals, governance councils, and collaborative decision-making with the Utai. Pau’ans value cooperation, seeing themselves as stewards of the sinkhole cities rather than rulers through force. Celebrations often involve storytelling, procession, and ritual recognition of historical events that shaped their society.

Conflicts are typically resolved through mediation or council arbitration, with violence regarded as a last resort. Hospitality is formal but sincere; visitors are treated with respect but expected to follow local customs and heed civic authority. Their long memories influence social norms, and many Pau’ans take great care to maintain continuity with ancestral wisdom.

In SWURPG narratives, Pau’an customs offer fertile ground for characters driven by diplomacy, historical knowledge, or civic responsibility. Their perspective enriches political thrillers, long-form mysteries, or plots revolving around ancient planetary governance and interspecies cooperation.

Languages: Utapese, Basic

Example Names: Tion Medon, Timon Medon, Lampay Fay