Ryloth

Overview

Ryloth is an Outer Rim planet and the home of the Twi’lek people. Ryloth is characterized by its rocky ridges, and elevated plateaus along with a variety of habitats ranging from barren deserts to dense jungles. Ryloth significantly contributes to the production of ammunition, starships, and vehicles. Making it a valuable asset despite the harsh environmental conditions on the planet. It was previously in control of the Confederacy until the Invasion of Ryloth (year 983) which saw the Republic take control of the planet. It is located in Sector 2 and is adjacent to Corfai along with the Keshtamor Asteroid Field. Ryloth's capital is Lessu City and has a +15 production rate.

Ryloth is most well known for it's stunning peaks, Twi'lek species, and high production rates. The population is mostly favor of the Republic, and even helped their war efforts by producing various utilities such as ships, land vehicles, ammunition, and weapons. The planet's environment is hot and humid and is most recognizable from it's dry mountainous terrain, cliffs, and jagged peaks. However, Ryloth also houses numerous jungles, snow plains, and lust temperate forests, making it one of the most diverse ecosystems in the Outer Rim. Despite the beautiful landscapes, most of the wildlife is lethal, forcing humans and Twi'lek species to enclosed safe areas such as caves.

Society & Culture

Ryloth's history is vast and complex. The native Twi'lek species suffered through two major regimes: the Hutt Cartel and the Zygerrian Slave Empire. Both of which abused the native species, forcing slave labor upon them or selling Twi'leks as slaves to different organizations. These regimes encouraged strong familiar bonds, village identities, and more importantly, a strong self-confidence and cultural identity within the Twi'leks. This unwavering self-resilience and strength made it particularly difficult for the Confederacy when they invaded the planet, with many Twi'lek villages rising up in rebellion.

Ryloth is not known for their economy and is generally considered poor, especially in comparison to the Core Worlds. Most of the landscape is not arable and extreme temperatures made it difficult to work outside, which greatly stunted economic growth. Exploitation from the Hutt Cartel and the Zygerrian Slave Empire further damaged the economy but not all Twi'leks suffered. Merchants, political leaders, and those with government or Republic-sponsored jobs lived relatively comfortably. 

One famous material was a mineral called "Ryll." It was found naturally in caves and was originally used as a medical resource but if the material was refined and processed, it turns into a highly addictive narcotic. It was highly valuable due to it's recreational drug use, becoming one of the most important exports for Ryloth's economy. This drug, however, is heavily regulated and is mostly smuggled illegally.

Government

Historically Ryloth was maintained by an autonomous system of regional governance led by Twi’lek clans and local authority, with political power often distributed among different villages rather than one centralized administration. Though the planet was culturally independent, it easily maintained diplomatic and economic ties with the wider galactic sphere. With Galactic Republic affiliation, it continued to have positive relations with other planets, using them for military and economic support as needed.

Under Separatist control, Ryloth's government was transformed into a military autocracy. Under Confederate authority, Ryloth became an operational stronghold, serving both military and logistical functions for the Separatists. After the Liberation of Ryloth campaign, the Republic successfully relinquished Separatist control over the planet. However, the reputation for the Republic isn't necessarily high, with many Twi'leks upset at the regime due to the destruction of cities such as Lessu City and bombings of civilian villages. But the Republic allowed the Twi'leks to return to their independent governments and generally helped the population with supply runs and reconstruction creating a mixed but mostly negative reception in the general population.

Military Campaign

Ryloth has been subject to numerous military's and regimes over it's long history with previous occupation from the Hutts and Zygerrians instilling a strong sense of cultural pride, self-confidence, and resilience in the population. These traits made the Confederate invasion particularly difficult, with many smaller Twi'lek tribes creating splinter military groups or generally rebelling against the occupation. 

In the year 983, the Republic held a massive liberation campaign against the Separatists which ended with the capture of Lessu City. The campaign lasted around half a year and had major contributions from the 212th Attack Battalion, 91st ARC Battalion, Starfighter Corps, Special Operation Brigade units, and the 21st Nova Corps later in the campaign. The Republic's "liberation" was invited but it didn't come without consequences. Many Twi'lek species became disillusioned with the Republic after their bombings on civilian zones and the destruction of Lessu City. The affects of this are still shown to the present day, with many Twi'leks reluctant to be under Republic rule.