INFO: According to the Imperial treaty with the Ortolans, Ortolans were not allowed to leave the planet (for their own protection). This, however, did not stop smugglers from enslaving the weaker members of the species and selling them throughout the galaxy, resulting in a limited number of Ortolans that can be found in the galaxy now. (These individuals usually retain close ties with the smugglers and other unsavory characters that kidnapped them from their home, primarily because they know of nowhere else to go ). There are even rumors that a few Ortolans have turned traitor to their species, acting as slavers and smugglers themselves.
RACE: Ortolan
HEIGHT: 1.4 to 1.8 Meters Tall
SKIN: Covered in short fur in various colors usually blue to purple
DISTINCTION: Stocky, large ears, long snouts
LANGUAGE: Ortlo
HOMEWORLD:Orto was a small planet in the Orto system of the Sluis sector, located in the Outer Rim Territories. It was the homeworld of the Ortolan race.
It was an ice planet with a temperature so cold and an atmosphere so thin that it could not support a growing season to make crops, so food was scarce. What could be grown was located along its equator where the temperature rose just high enough for crops. Because of this, the native Ortolans, though not highly industrialized, were quite adept at food production. The planet was riddled with mines.
Orto was neutral throughout most of the Clone Wars. In the later stages of the war, the planet was betrayed to the Confederacy of Independent Systems by financial minister Belo Tusus and overrun with battle droids. It was later the site of a Republic offensive to retake the planet, the Battle of Orto.
A culinary award, the Orto Culinary Academy Award for Engorgable Excellence derived from the planet. Gormaanda won the award during the Clone Wars.
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE:Ortolans had a keen sense of smell to help them forage for food, able to sense food up to two kilometers away. This was an adaptation to their planet's harsh climate and short growing season, which made food supplies scarce. Ortolans also had hearing that extended well into the subsonic range. Naturally, their twin obsessions were food and music, and their suction-cupped fingers were suitably adapted to both pastimes: while able to absorb food through their finger tips, they were also exceptional organists. Offworld, many Ortolans found success as master chefs or musicians. They were handicapped in their business affairs by their obsession with food, however, sometimes accepting otherwise unfavorable contracts when promised enough to eat.
While most Ortolans appeared to have blue skin, Ortolans were actually covered in short velvety fur which they often dyed in bright colors, including not only blue but pink. This tradition began when a Devaronian trader tried to sell Ortolans a shipment of food dyes—they considered dyeing their food a waste of time, but found dyed fur to be quite stylish. Ortolans had a thick layer of blubber beneath their skin, which insulated them against cold weather and sustained them when food was scarce.
Ortolans were born with their teeth and musculature fully developed. Education was the responsibility of their parents, though gifted youngsters would often be traded to other families to get specialized education. At the age of seven, Ortolans were expected to support themselves, and would be forced out of the family unit unless they had a particularly valuable talent.
Ortolan society was reasonably industrialized, though not as technologically advanced as other species. Despite this, their economy was mostly based on barter, with credits primarily used to trade with offworlders.
CULTURE AND HISTORY:During the Clone Wars, the Ortolans initially tried to stay neutral. However, Orto's corrupt financial minister Belo Tusus, with the assistance of Neimoidian advisors, orchestrated a coup, and gave the planet over to the Separatists. While under Separatist control, the Ortolans were used as slaves on their own homeworld to build forts, fortresses and factories for the Confederacy war machine. However, Nem Bees led a resistance effort during the occupation, which sabotaged Confederate operations on Orto. His efforts culminated in 19 BBY, when he took down Orto's planetary shields, allowing Clone Commander Deviss's K Company to land on Orto and rout the Droid Army. The Battle of Orto did not end in freedom for the Ortolans, however: after Order 66 was issued and the rule of the Galactic Empire began, Nem Bees was killed, and the Ortolans found themselves subject to Imperial rather than Confederate repression.
Under the rule of the Galactic Empire, Orto was occupied by Imperial forces, and Ortolans were not allowed to leave the planet. Ortolans found offworld during the Imperial era were usually either slaves or associated with Rebels or smugglers.
APPEARANCES:Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: Commencement
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 31: Turnabout
"Jedi Chef" - Star Wars Tales 7 (Ambiguously canonical source) (Possible appearance)
Star Wars Republic: Prelude to Rebellion
Darth Maul: Saboteur
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace game
"Bartyn's Landing" - Star Wars Gamer 7
Star Wars Republic: Twilight
Star Wars Republic: Rite of Passage
Jedi Quest: The Dangerous Games
"Portrait of the Artist as a Young Rodian"
"Cloak and Vibroblade" (Mentioned only)
Star Wars: Jango Fett
Circus Horrificus Turns Horrific—HoloNet News Vol. 531 52 (Picture only)
"Spy Girls" - Clone Wars Adventures: Volume 7
MedStar I: Battle Surgeons
"MedStar: Intermezzo" - Star Wars Insider 83
MedStar II: Jedi Healer
Yoda: Dark Rendezvous
Star Wars: Clone Wars – "Chapter 22"
"Graduation Day" - Clone Wars Adventures: Volume 10
Star Wars Republic: Into the Unknown
Star Wars Dark Times 5: The Path to Nowhere, Part 5
Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight
Coruscant Nights III: Patterns of Force (Mentioned only)
Dark Forces: Soldier for the Empire
Death Star (Mentioned only)
Star Wars: Rebellion (Mentioned only)
The Emperor's Court (Non-canonical appearance)
Galaxy of Fear: The Nightmare Machine
Star Wars Rebellion 0: Crossroads
Star Wars Rebellion: The Ahakista Gambit
"Lucky Stars" - Star Wars Tales 15
"Stop That Jawa!" - Star Wars Tales 2
"A Hot Time in the Cold Town Tonite!" - Star Wars Tales 6
Battle of the Bounty Hunters
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (First appearance)
X-wing: Solo Command
Children of the Jedi (Mentioned only)
Exile
Millennium Falcon
Omen
Star Wars Legacy 38: Tatooine, Part 2 (Mentioned only)
Abyss
SOURCES:Star Wars: Return of the Jedi toy line
Star Wars: The Power of the Force (1995)
Galaxy Guide 4: Alien Races
The Essential Guide to Alien Species
The New Essential Guide to Alien Species
Alien Anthology
Ultimate Alien Anthology
Star Wars: The Action Figure Archive
Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary
Tricks and Traps: Mite of the Force on Wizards.com (article)
"Who's Who in the Max Rebo Band" - Star Wars Insider 67
Nem Bees in the Databank
Star Wars Customizable Card Game – Jabba's Palace Limited (Card: Ortolan)
I would like to thank Wookieepedia for this info.
