The Kingdom of Onderon

[Star Wars Legacies]

Onderon​

History

An amethyst jewel against the black of space, and one of eight planets in the Japrael system in the Inner Rim, Onderon stands together with Hapes, Alderaan, and Serenno as one of the greatest human civilizations in the galaxy—ruled, as they are, by a powerful monarchy from the capital of Iziz. Orbiting the star, Prael, Onderon sports four moons: Dagri, Evas, Suthre, and the jungle moon of Dxun, with whom it shares an atmosphere.

Unlike other human colonies and monarchies, such as the one found on Alderaan, Onderon had harsh beginnings. Human arrival in 8200 BBY was quickly challenged by the arrival of monstrous predators from the nearby moon of Dxun, who had access to the planet through shared atmospheres. To protect themselves, the human colonists were forced to work together and develop rapidly, building a walled city they would eventually call "Iziz." Great walls were erected to keep land-based predators out, while technology was rapidly developed to repel flying beasts. Eventually, peace was achieved and the seeds of an Onderonian civilization were planted.

In 7400 BBY, however, the peace was disturbed again when House Nomar—a clan of descendants from the first settlers of Alderaan—contested the throne, which was presently held by House Nadd. They were promptly exiled from the city, but the Nomars were far from done. The exiled House returned, having tamed great flying beasts known as drexel, and rode them into a war for the throne. The Beast War ravaged the planet for the next century, decimating both Houses. In the end, House Nadd lost its grip on the throne, and House Nomar replaced it. The new monarchs raised the Sky Ramp and erected the modern-day Iziz Royal Palace, which dominates the city skyline, in the years following their victory. This marks the beginning of the modern Onderonian monarchy, though it was far from the last time the throne was fought over.

At the beginning of the Hundred-Year Darkness, Onderon was besieged by civil unrest. Dubbed the Naddist Uprisings by contemporary historians, this period was a series of civil wars, led by the remnants of House Nadd—together with their allies in Houses Tobin, Rash, and Vaklu—to reclaim the throne. The civil war was long and bloody (though shorter than the Beast War) and saw he Nadds reclaim the throne. The beasts of House Nomar were decimated, leaving only a few dozen drexel eggs left on Dxun, and the so-called "Beast Riders" which made the House great were exterminated at the Battle of the Sky Ramp. The Nomars were subsequently exiled to Dxun, where they remain to this day.

Government​

Onderon is governed by a monarch from the capital city of Iziz. This monarch is both advised and trusts some small power to the Royal Court of Onderon, which is composed of the household and trusted entourage of the reigning monarch. In its totality, the government operates out of the Royal Palace of Onderon: a staggering structure, linked to the lower parts of the city via the Sky Ramp, which dominates the Iziz city skyline.

Monarch

Onderon is ruled by a monarch. Preference is not shown to gender, and the whole planet has been ruled by a King and Queen, or both should the monarch be wed. The monarchs of the present day Onderon hail from House Nadd, though the ruling line is determined by the House in power. Traditionally, upon the death of the reigning monarch(s), rule is passed to the eldest child (male or female). Absent a child, the monarch is permitted to establish a successor prior to their death to keep the monarchy alive.

Royal Court of Onderon

While the monarch alone has the power to make, change, and abolish law, the Royal Court acts as advisors to the monarch and, depending on the monarch in power, can wield some small power. The Court oversees matters of national security, finances, war, education, and other matters important to the monarch. All members of the Court are granted the title of "Lord" and hold sway over an area of expertise. Positions include the Lord of Whispers (also known as the Spymaster), the Lord of the Treasury, the Lord of War (also known to bear the title of General), and so on.

The Court is led by the monarch's most trusted advisor: the "Hand of the King/Queen," whom is traditionally known as "Lord Hand." The Hand is not only in charge of maintaining the Court, but also serves as de facto successor to the throne should no proper heir exist to claim the monarchy in the event tha tthe monarch passes. This failsafe exists to preserve the monarchy should the monarch not produce a lawful heir or name a proper successor before their demise.

Emissary

Acting on behalf of the monarchy in maintaining foreign relations are the emissaries. The diplomats are well-versed in the sciences, religions, and customs of the wider galaxy, as well as Onderon; they are skilled politicians and, most importantly, trusted go-betweens which the monarchy uses to maintain its relations with its outside allies. Emissaries are also important for parlaying with enemies to negotiate terms of surrender, armistices, and peace treaties during times of conflict or outright war.

Highborn

The political class is occupied by the so-called "highborn." This class of people traditionally includes the Greater and Lesser Houses of Onderon—in other words, the nobility. There are six Great Houses of Onderon: Dendup, Nadd, Rash, Tandin, Tobin, and Vaklu. The Lower Houses are more numerous, but a big name among them is House Gerrera. House Nomar was formerly the seventh Great House, but was recently exiled to Dxun.

Highborn live either in the city of Iziz, the planet's capital, or maintain their own fortresses spread out across the planet of Onderon. Towns and cities usually crop up within these walled fortresses, which allows for civilization to flourish despite the dangers and ferocity of Onderon's vast jungles. Highborn are generally educated in a variety of skills and possess some manner of wealth.

Lowborn

Also known as the "commoners," the lowborn are the largest class on Onderon. They consist of the every day Onderonian: the citizens of the monarchy. Unlike in most monarchies across the galaxy, the term "lowborn" is not derogatory in nature and merely denotes a member of Onderonian society born outside political power and wealth. Lowborn can live within the capital city or in one of the fortress settlements spread across the planet. Most can read and write, but are primarily only educated in a single trade—usually the trade of their parents and grandparents.

Law & Order

Law is created and rescinded by the monarch of Onderon. It is enforced by the Onderonian Peacekeepers: a military organization consisting of the Kingsguard (or Queensguard), the City Watch, and the namesake Peacekeepers—who maintain both the ground forces and the naval forces guarding the planet from space. The Peacekeepers swear oaths of loyalty and fealty to the reigning monarch to prevent repeating the past civil wars, where each House maintained its own standing army.

Onderonian law is somewhat draconian compared to the monarchy on Alderaan. While "public speech" is protected, this does not extend to treasonous statements, thus "free speech" still does not exist on Onderon. Religious freedom is celebrated; however, Force-traditions are outlawed and Force-users are looked upon with suspicion by Onderonians. This is because House Nomar was said to control its beasts (namely, the flying drexel) with some manner of Force power. The recent schism and war within the Jedi Order has done little to improve this stance, and has actually seemed to worsen it.

The monarchy of Onderon still practices the death penalty, but only in severe cases: such as high treason and murder. A prison system also exists for lesser crimes, while some criminals are sent to man the great walls of Iziz, to defend the realm against the predators that still seek ways into the city. The trade of spices and other narcotics is also outlawed and carries with it a stiff sentence.

Culture​

The people of Onderon are much less educated than their contemporaries on Alderaan. Each man or woman possesses a craft or trade, usually inherited from their parents, and knows how to read and write—but not much beyond that. Even so, songwriters and bards thrive on Onderon, particularly in the marketplaces, which serve as hubs of social activity in Onderonian culture. These markets bring in rare goods from all over the galaxy, allowing for a spectacular blend of cultures and ideas.

Onderon exports silks and medicinal herbs, taken from its lush jungles, and imports mostly technology and weapons, which allows the government to maintain a hold on those same jungles—beating back the beasts that plague Onderonian settlements. The planet's cuisine is noted to be exotic and unique, owing to the rare spices found in its jungles and the tasty meats produced by its exotic wildlife. This cuisine is rarely found off-world, which makes Onderon a tourist destination for those food-enthusiasts wealthy enough to afford the trip.

Historic Timeline

— 8,200 BBY - Humans settle Onderon
— 8,150 BBY - The city of Iziz is founded
— 7,400 BBY - The Beast War begins
— 7,300 BBY - The Beast War ends
— 7,000 BBY - The Hundred-Year Darkness begins in the larger galaxy
— 6,990 BBY - The Naddist Uprisings begin
— 6,950 BBY - The Naddist Uprisings end; House Nomar is exiled to Dxun