| Ophuchi sanctuary | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Constructed | |
| Location | |
| Builder | |
| Usage | |
| Era(s) | |
| Affiliation | |
The Ophuchi sanctuary was an underground enclave, deep in the Dune Sea on Tatooine, used by the Ophuchi Clan as their main headquarters. The sanctuary was built during the Great Hutt Wars atop one of the few areas of frequent underground moisture on the planet.
History[]
The Ophuchi Clan was formed by Elias around 12,978 BBY after he brought together descendants of the ancient Order of the Jedi Bendu. Elias envisioned the Ophuchi as a small civilization that understood and respected the Force but did not wield it. To that end, he and the first Ophuchi built the sanctuary deep in the Dune Sea on Tatooine, far removed from galactic civilization.[1]
The sanctuary stood for thousands of years, lasting until at least 22 BBY, as the Ophuchi were able to find a way to sustain their underground desert society. They came to live in harmony with the desert.[2]
Layout[]
The Ophuchi sanctuary was deep in the Dune Sea, a number of kilometers from Anchorhead Station. It was located near an ancient and, during the Great Hutt Wars, forgotten temple called the Temple of Desire. The sanctuary was built on top of one of the few areas on the planet that contained underground moisture, which allowed the Ophuchi to live in a cooler environment with water that would allow them to live and grow.[1]
Within the sanctuary were a number of sealed chambers that held secrets about the galaxy, such as the existence of the Jedi Bendu as well as many other secrets. While some of this knowledge was passed to the Ophuchi, much of it remained sealed in the chambers, which could only be opened by the Chosen One.[1]
Inhabitants[]
Elias constructed the sanctuary to house only a few hundred people. These Ophuchi would go about their lives performing daily community tasks and jobs. As children, Ophuchi would choose which jobs they wished to hold. If such a job was available for them, they would begin a period of apprenticeship with an adult who was already adept in that field of work. Once the child was of an appropriate age, they would formally assume the job and, eventually, take on an apprentice of their own.[1]
All Ophuchi would live in the sanctuary in order to give up material possessions, instead focusing on a simple spiritual existence. Many Ophuchi would become archaeologists, sages, and historians, the latter of which would oversee the collections of scrolls and knowledge in the sanctuary. The sanctuary was overseen by the Council of Elders.[1]
Behind the scenes[]
The Ophuchi sanctuary was created by Brandon Rhea for the novel Star Wars: Episode I - The Chosen One. It was first seen in The Chosen One chapters released in 2008, part of the novel's now-defunct first draft. Rhea described the sanctuary as having been based on sietchs in Dune; sietchs were the cave-based homes of the Fremen people.[3]
The sanctuary's statue of the Ophuchi prophet mentioned in the first and second drafts of The Chosen One was based on a statue within a sietch in the mini-series Frank Herbert's Dune, as were the Ophuchi going about their daily routines within the underground society. These elements paid homage to the fact that the inspiration for the Ophuchi Clan itself was the Fremen people from Dune and the Dune sequels, as scenes similar to that were featured in the Dune miniseries.[3]
In the also-defunct second draft of The Chosen One, the Ophuchi sanctuary served much the same purpose as in the first. Rhea did, however, add in an attack on the sanctuary by Darth Maul and the Guardians of Lettow.[4]
Rhea later introduced the Ophuchi Clan into the Great Hutt Wars timeline on TheStarWarsRP.Com. Although the Clan was officially role-played, the initial write up for the faction included various mentions of the sanctuary, which played a similar role as the first two drafts of The Chosen One.[1]
The Ophuchi Clan and the sanctuary will appear in the third and final draft of The Chosen One, the release date of which has yet to be determined.[2]
Appearances[]
- Great Hutt Wars (First mentioned)
- Star Wars: Episode I - The Chosen One (First appearance)
Sources[]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Ophuchi Clan on TheStarWarsRP.Com
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2
"Introducing The Chosen One," Brandon Rhea's Alternative Star Wars Saga wiki blog
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Revision as of November 18, 2009 on Star Wars Fanon
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode I - The Chosen One – second draft