View source for Spice/Legends

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{{Quote|Glitterstim's all right if you're blue. Everything takes on a rise, a buzz, a life, as if your whole body had been made new and your whole future with it.|[[Greglik]]|<ref name="Planet of Twilight">''[[Planet of Twilight]]''</ref>}}
'''Spice''', also known as '''narco-spice''',<ref name="GG6-2">[[Galaxy Guide 6: Tramp Freighters (Second Edition)|''Galaxy Guide 6: Tramp Freighters'', Second Edition]]</ref> was slang for various mind-altering drugs. Varieties included [[Ryll/Legends|ryll]] and the strongest (and most expensive), [[Glitterstim/Legends|glitterstim]]. The [[Planet/Legends|planet]] [[Kessel/Legends|Kessel]] was rich with these spices, which were harvested from dangerous mines, at one point in history by [[Slavery/Legends|slave]] labor. [[Sevarcos II]], [[Rori/Legends|Rori]], [[Ryloth/Legends|Ryloth]], [[Troiken/Legends|Troiken]], and [[Mon Gazza/Legends|Mon Gazza]] were other sources of spice. The word could also refer to non-narcotic herbs and minerals used to give [[Foodstuff/Legends|foods]] or drinks flavor.

==History==
[[File:Spice_processing_LoNH.png|thumb|left|200px|Spice being processed]]
Spice was mined on [[Kessel/Legends|Kessel]] by criminals. Since Kessel lay within the [[The Maw|Maw Cluster]], in the unlikely event a prisoner were to escape they would not likely go far because of the surrounding [[The Maw|black holes]]. The spice found on Kessel was [[Glitterstim/Legends|glitterstim]], one of the most prized spices in [[The galaxy/Legends|the galaxy]]. This particular spice was created by a [[Species/Legends|species]] of [[energy spider]]s that would spin the spice into webs. Any unlucky miner that came into contact with one of these creatures would have their life energy sucked out of them in seconds.

Spice mining was a very dangerous job. Kessel had no natural [[Atmosphere/Legends|atmosphere]], and factories on the surface created air; however, the air was still too thin to breathe without an [[Oxygen/Legends|oxygen]] mask. Spice was activated by light, forcing workers to work in complete darkness or under dim, [[Color/Legends|red]] lights that lacked photons energetic enough to trigger it.<ref name="The Last One Standing: The Tale of Boba Fett">{{Shortstory|story=The Last One Standing: The Tale of Boba Fett|book=Tales of the Bounty Hunters}}</ref> Along with the obvious dangers of energy spiders, glitterstim threads were very sharp, and could easily remove digits if the worker was not careful.<ref name="The Paradise Snare">''[[The Paradise Snare]]''</ref>

The [[Galactic Empire/Legends|Galactic Empire]] attempted to keep a tight rein on the circulation of the various forms of spice, making it a frequent item for [[Smuggler/Legends|smuggling]]. It must be noted, though, that various forms of spice had medicinal uses&mdash;not every form of spice was addictive, or even illegal.

Most forms of spice were collected raw, then processed and refined. Some forms of spice were produced completely synthetically, without the use of any kind of natural material. Many organizations, and planets, took on this enterprise, notably the [[Hutt/Legends|Hutts]].

Spice was known to have gained widespread use since the days of the [[Galactic Republic/Legends|Galactic Republic]], even before [[4000 BBY/Legends|4000 BBY]]. In [[13 ABY/Legends|13 ABY]], [[Lando Calrissian/Legends|Lando Calrissian]] bought the spice mines of Kessel.

==Behind the scenes==
It has been posited that [[W:c:dune:Frank_Herbert|Frank Herbert's]] classic science fiction novel [[W:c:dune:Dune_(novel)|''Dune'' (1965)]] had a heavy influence upon ''Star Wars''. The drug known as [[W:c:dune:Spice_Melange|"the spice" ''Melange'']] plays a central role in the Duniverse.<ref>{{Cite_web|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-dune-story-concepts-ideas-lucas-copy|title=Everything Star Wars Took From Dune|author=Lethbridge, Thomas|date=2021-10-20|quote=However, perhaps because of its shared genre, the book's most obvious descendent is probably the ''Star Wars'' universe. In fact, in the 2003 Herbert biography ''Dreamer of Dune'', written by his son Brian, it is claimed that ''"(Herbert) & the other science fiction writers who thought they saw their work in Lucas's movie formed a loose organization that my father called, with his tongue firmly placed in his cheek, the We're Too Big to Sue George Lucas Society."'' This demonstrates the clear parallels that Herbert himself saw between his work and the ''Star Wars'' movies. Upon closer inspection, it's clear that he may have had a claim. Here is everything that ''Star Wars'' took from ''Dune.'' (...) One of the most important plot points in ''Dune'' is the so-called spice melange, a mind-altering substance that allows for interstellar travel and that's only known source – at least in the first book – is the planet Arrakis. Possession of the spice influences everything in the world of ''Dune'' and is one of the factors that shapes the Harkonnen/Atreides feud at the center of the narrative. Although the spice of ''Star Wars'' is not as significant to the overall plot as the spice of Arrakis, George Lucas' films do feature so-called spice mines on the planet Kessel, highlighting a clear connection between the two works.|work=''[[Wikipedia:Screen Rant|Screen Rant]]''|archivedate=20211029072532}}</ref> Spice was first mentioned at the beginning of the [[Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope|original ''Star Wars'']] with C-3PO's worry to R2-D2 that "''We'll be sent to the Spice Mines of Kessel, smashed into who-knows-what!''"

The concept of spice in the ''Star Wars'' universe appeared for the first time in [[Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope|''Star Wars'': Episode IV ''A New Hope'']] and is only mentioned briefly by C-3PO and Luke.

Since then spice has appeared in countless [[Star Wars Legends|Expanded Universe]] works, and is even mentioned briefly in [[Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones|''Star Wars'': Episode II ''Attack of the Clones'']].

Prior to the ''New Game Enhancements'' introduced to ''[[Star Wars Galaxies]]'', spice was a consumable within the game that players who chose the smuggler profession could craft. Once ingested, it would improve a certain number of stats at the cost of decreasing others. After the effect wore off, you would experience spice withdrawal for several minutes, prompting your character to appear to vomit and lowering all of your stats.

Author [[Kevin J. Anderson]] noted that some "politically correct" individuals at Lucasfilm almost forced him to characterize spice as a food additive in ''[[Jedi Search]]'' out of concern for characterizing Han as a drug dealer during his smuggling days. The matter was brought up to [[George Lucas]], who confirmed that spice is a drug. Anderson compromised by adding positive qualities to the substance instead of categorizing it as a damaging substance like [[Wikipedia:Crystal meth|crystal meth]].<ref name="dwolver">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160113032611/http://www.alternativenation.net/interview-star-wars-author-kevin-j-anderson-recounts-jedi-academy-trilogy-darksaber-tales-jedi Interview: Star Wars Author Kevin J. Anderson On 'Jedi Academy Trilogy', 'Darksaber', & 'Tales of the Jedi']</ref>

==Appearances==
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*{{Journal|4|The Final Exit}}
*{{WEGCite|book=The Best of the Star Wars Adventure Journal, Issues 1-4|story=The Final Exit}}
*{{Journal|2|Out of the Cradle}}
*{{Journal|3|When the Domino Falls}}
*''[[The Paradise Snare]]''
*''[[Star Wars: Droids Special 1]]''
*''[[Rebel Dawn]]''
*''[[Way of the Wookiee!]]''
*''[[Han Solo's Revenge]]'' {{Mo}}
*{{Journal|6|Ringers}}
*''[[Star Wars Journal: The Fight for Justice]]'' {{Mo}}
*{{Journal|3|Changing the Odds: The Adventures of Dannen Lifehold}} {{Mo}}
*{{Journal|3|Galaxywide NewsNets}}
*{{WEGCite|book=Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook|story=All the Extras|stext=''All the Extras''}} {{Mo}}
*{{WEGCite|book=The Star Wars Sourcebook|story=Balancing the Books|stext=''Balancing the Books''}}
*{{WEGCite|book=Star Wars Sourcebook (Second Edition)|text=''Star Wars Sourcebook'', Second Edition|story=Balancing the Books|stext=''Balancing the Books''}}
*{{Film|IV}} {{1stm}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 1|''Star Wars'' (1977) 1]] {{Mo}}
*{{Journal|11|Spare Parts (short story)|Spare Parts}}
*[[Star Wars: Rebellion (video game)|''Star Wars: Rebellion'']] {{Mo}}
*{{Journal|15|The Great Herdship Heist}}
*{{Journal|5|A Bitter Winter}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 2|''Star Wars'' (1977) 2]] {{Mo}}
*{{Journal|8|A Certain Point of View (short story)|A Certain Point of View}} {{Mo}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 8|''Star Wars'' (1977) 8]] {{Mo}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 9|''Star Wars'' (1977) 9]] {{Mo}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 11|''Star Wars'' (1977) 11]] {{Mo}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 15|''Star Wars'' (1977) 15]] {{Mo}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 18|''Star Wars'' (1977) 18]] {{Mo}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 22|''Star Wars'' (1977) 22]] {{Mo}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 23|''Star Wars'' (1977) 23]] {{Mo}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 25|''Star Wars'' (1977) 25]] {{Mo}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 26|''Star Wars'' (1977) 26]] {{Mo}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 27|''Star Wars'' (1977) 27]] {{Mo}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 28|''Star Wars'' (1977) 28]] {{Mo}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 33|''Star Wars'' (1977) 33]] {{Mo}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 34|''Star Wars'' (1977) 34]] {{Mo}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 35|''Star Wars'' (1977) 35]] {{Mo}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 36|''Star Wars'' (1977) 36]] {{Mo}}
*{{WEGCite|book=The Star Wars Sourcebook|story=Balancing the Books}} {{Mo}}
*{{WEGCite|book=Star Wars Sourcebook (Second Edition)|text=''Star Wars Sourcebook'', Second Edition|story=Balancing the Books}} {{Mo}}
*''[[Scavenger Hunt]]''
*{{WEGCite|book=Classic Adventures: Volume Three|story=Death in the Undercity}}
*{{WEGCite|book=Star Wars Gamemaster Screen|story=What Comes Around Goes Around}}
*{{WEGCite|book=Galaxy Guide 7: Mos Eisley|story=Spice Runner's Gamble}}
*{{Journal|9|Lumrunners}}
*{{Journal|10|Galaxywide NewsNets}}
*''[[A New Beginning]]'' {{1st}}
*{{Journal|12|Idol Intentions}} {{Mo}}
*{{Journal|9|Death-Hunter}}
*{{Journal|12|Festival of High Winds}}
*{{WEGCite|book=Instant Adventures|story=Heavy Lifting}} {{Mo}}
*{{WEGCite|book=No Disintegrations (West End Games)|text=''No Disintegrations''|story=Abregado-Rae Intrigue}} {{Mo}}
*{{WEGCite|book=No Disintegrations (West End Games)|text=''No Disintegrations''|story=Seregar Turnabout}} {{Mo}}
*{{WEGCite|book=The Far Orbit Project|story=Raid on Brentaal}}
*{{WEGCite|book=The Far Orbit Project|story=The Grand Prize}}
*{{Journal|14|Crimson Bounty}} {{Mo}}
*''[[Side Trip]]''
*{{Journal|15|Laughter After Dark (short story)|Laughter After Dark}}
*[[Star Wars Annual (1977) 2|''Star Wars Annual'' (1977) 2]] {{Flash}}
*{{Journal|11|The Longest Fall}} {{Mo}}
*{{WEGCite|book=The Black Sands of Socorro|story=Rude Awakening (short story)|stext=''Rude Awakening''}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 50|''Star Wars'' (1977) 50]] {{Mo}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 52|''Star Wars'' (1977) 52]]
*[[Star Wars (1977) 55|''Star Wars'' (1977) 55]] {{Mo}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 58|''Star Wars'' (1977) 58]] {{Mo}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 62|''Star Wars'' (1977) 62]]
*[[Star Wars (1977) 63|''Star Wars'' (1977) 63]] {{Mo}}
*[[Shadows of the Empire (novel)|''Shadows of the Empire'' novel]]
*{{WEGCite|book=Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook|story=An Old Flame in Need...|stext=''An Old Flame in Need...''}} {{Mo}}
*{{WEGCite|book=Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook|story=Just Another Day's Work|stext=''Just Another Day's Work''}}
*{{WEGCite|book=Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook|story=A Very Special Meal|stext=''A Very Special Meal''}} {{Mo}}
*[[Star Wars Annual (1977) 3|''Star Wars Annual'' (1977) 3]] {{Mo}}
*''[[Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance]]''
*''[[Star Wars Journal: Hero for Hire]]'' {{Mo}}
*{{Shortstory|story=A Free Quarren in the Palace: Tessek's Tale|book=Tales from Jabba's Palace}} {{Mo}}
*{{WEGCite|book=Twin Stars of Kira (West End Games)|text=''Twin Stars of Kira''|story=The Package (adventure)|stext=The Package}}
*{{WEGCite|book=Twin Stars of Kira (West End Games)|text=''Twin Stars of Kira''|story=For a Few Kilotons More}}
*''[[X-Wing: Rogue Squadron]]'' {{Mo}}
*[[X-Wing: Rogue Squadron (unabridged audiobook)|''X-Wing: Rogue Squadron'' unabridged audiobook]] {{Mo}}
*''[[X-Wing: Wedge's Gamble]]''
*''[[X-Wing: The Krytos Trap]]''
*''[[X-Wing: The Bacta War]]''
*''[[X-Wing: Wraith Squadron]]''
*{{Shortstory|story=Hutt and Seek|book=Tales from the New Republic}}
*{{WEGCite|book=The Politics of Contraband|story=The Politics of Contraband (adventure)|stext=The Politics of Contraband}}
*{{WEGCite|book=Classic Adventures|story=The Politics of Contraband (adventure)|stext=The Politics of Contraband}}
*{{WEGCite|book=The Politics of Contraband|story=The Art of Betrayal}}
*{{WEGCite|book=Classic Adventures|story=The Art of Betrayal}}
*{{Journal|4|It's a Gambler's Life}}
*{{Journal|7|Missed Chance}} {{Mo}}
*''[[The Last Command]]'' {{Mo}}
*[[The Last Command (unabridged audiobook)|''The Last Command'' audiobook]] {{Mo}}
*{{Journal|6|Relic (article)|Relic}} {{Mo}}
*{{Journal|8|Counterstrike (Adventure Journal)|Counterstrike}} {{Mo}}
*''[[Jedi Search]]''
*{{Shortstory|story=The Last One Standing: The Tale of Boba Fett|book=Tales of the Bounty Hunters}}
*''[[Young Jedi Knights: Trouble on Cloud City]]''
*''[[Young Jedi Knights: Crisis at Crystal Reef]]''
}}

==Sources==
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*''[[A Guide to the Star Wars Universe]]''
*''[[The Star Wars Sourcebook]]''
*''[[Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope]]''
*''[[Galaxy Guide 4: Alien Races]]''
*''[[Galaxy Guide 5: Return of the Jedi]]''
*''[[Galaxy Guide 6: Tramp Freighters]]''
*''[[Planets of the Galaxy, Volume One]]''
*[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition|''Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game'', Second Edition]]
*[[Wanted by Cracken (sourcebook)|''Wanted by Cracken'']]
*''[[Galaxy Guide 7: Mos Eisley]]''
*''[[Star Wars Gamemaster Handbook]]''
*''[[Dark Empire Sourcebook]]''
*''[[Planets of the Galaxy, Volume Three]]''
*''[[Star Wars Technical Journal of the Planet Tatooine]]''
*''[[The Movie Trilogy Sourcebook]]''
*''[[Han Solo and the Corporate Sector Sourcebook]]''
*{{Journal|1|Lan Barell (article)|Lan Barell}}
*''[[Galaxy Guide 10: Bounty Hunters]]''
*''[[The Last Command Sourcebook]]''
*[[Galaxy Guide 6: Tramp Freighters (Second Edition)|''Galaxy Guide 6: Tramp Freighters'', Second Edition]]
*''[[Cracken's Rebel Operatives]]''
*{{Journal|2|The Free-Trader's Guide to Sevarcos}}
*{{Journal|2|Smuggler's Log}}
*[[Star Wars Sourcebook (Second Edition)|''Star Wars Sourcebook'', Second Edition]]
*''[[Star Wars Screen Entertainment]]''
*''[[The Star Wars Planets Collection]]''
*''[[Star Wars Technical Journal]]''
*[[Star Wars Sourcebook (Second Edition)|''Star Wars Sourcebook, Second Edition'']]
*''[[Galaxy Guide 11: Criminal Organizations]]''
*{{Journal|5|Zirtran's Anchor (article)|Zirtran's Anchor}}
*''[[Platt's Starport Guide]]''
*''[[Alliance Intelligence Reports]]''
*{{Journal|7|Into the Core Worlds}}
*[[Galaxy Guide 2: Yavin and Bespin (Second Edition)|''Galaxy Guide 2: Yavin and Bespin'', Second Edition]]
*''[[Galladinium's Fantastic Technology]]''
*''[[Galaxy Guide 12: Aliens — Enemies and Allies]]''
*[[Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope (Second Edition)|''Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope'', Second Edition]]
*''[[The DarkStryder Campaign]]''
*[[Galaxy Guide 5: Return of the Jedi (Second Edition)|''Galaxy Guide 5: Return of the Jedi'', Second Edition]]
*{{Journal|8|The Gree Enclave}}
*{{Journal|9|ISB Intercepts}}
*''[[The Jedi Academy Sourcebook]]''
*{{WEGCite|book=The Best of the Star Wars Adventure Journal, Issues 1-4|story=The Free-Trader's Guide to Sevarcos}}
*{{Journal|10|Wanted by Cracken (Star Wars Adventure Journal)|Wanted by Cracken}}
*''[[Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook]]''
*{{ShadisCite|27|Corellian Smuggler}}
*''[[The Secrets of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire]]''
*{{SOTE|cardname=Ferreting Out a Traitor|link=https://www.rebelscum.com/photo.asp?image=/sote/soteTC008.jpg|archivedate=20151231182957}}
*{{SOTE|cardname=Xizor Wants it All|link=https://www.rebelscum.com/photo.asp?image=/sote/soteTC021.jpg|archiveurl=https://archive.is/ibAh}}
*{{SOTE|cardname=Guri Turns the Tables|link=https://www.rebelscum.com/photo.asp?image=/sote/soteTC037.jpg|archivedate=20160911150335}}
*''[[The Thrawn Trilogy Sourcebook]]''
*''[[Live-Action Adventures]]''
*''[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded]]''
*''[[Shadows of the Empire Planets Guide]]''
*{{Galoob|set=Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire Micro Machines|text=''Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire'' Micro Machines|pack=Collection II|link=soteMM2.asp|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010083833/www.rebelscum.com/soteMM2.asp}}
*''[[Gamemaster Toolkit: Live-Action Adventures]]''
*''[[Star Wars Gamemaster Screen, Revised]]''
*''[[A Guide to the Star Wars Universe, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded]]''
*''[[Wretched Hives of Scum & Villainy]]''
*[[No Disintegrations (West End Games)|''No Disintegrations'']]
*''[[Mos Eisley Adventure Set]]''
*{{Journal|13|Alien Encounters (article series)|Alien Encounters}}
*''[[Pirates & Privateers]]''
*''[[Cynabar's Fantastic Technology: Droids]]''
*''[[The Black Sands of Socorro]]''
*''[[Secrets of the Sisar Run]]''
*''[[Lords of the Expanse]]''
*''[[Player's Guide to Tapani]]''
*''[[Star Wars Trilogy Sourcebook, Special Edition]]''
*''[[Platt's Smugglers Guide]]''
*''[[Stock Ships]]''
*''[[Hideouts & Strongholds]]''
*''[[The Far Orbit Project]]''
*''[[Alien Encounters]]''
*''[[The Essential Guide to Planets and Moons]]''
*''[[Star Wars: Rogue Squadron: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide]]''
}}

==Notes and references==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.echostation.com/editorials/spice.htm EchoStation Article: Drugs in Star Wars]

[[Category:Slang]]
[[Category:Spice variants| ]]