Chiggnash

"Your electrified smart-harpoon [is] hardly the weapon of choice for going up against a Chiggnash extortion ring. After all, the Control Mind of the scorpion-like Chiggnash breeds warrior drones like a termite queen lays eggs."

―Advice for confronting Chiggnash

The Chiggnash were a sentient species that resembled scorpions. The species had the ability to control the minds of other beings, and sometimes used that faculty to rapidly accumulate an expendable force of "warrior drones." At least some Chiggnash formed criminal extortion rings. Among bounty hunters, it was acknowledged that due to their control mind ability, special tactics were required to confront Chiggnash. For instance, an electrified smart-harpoon was an inappropriate weapon as it would soon short out against so many warrior drones. Similarly, a blaster would be of only temporary use against their hordes.

The Chiggnash criminals Riley and Banda were active on Nar Shaddaa, the smuggler's moon of Nal Hutta, shortly after the rise of the Galactic Empire. In 19 BBY, they worked with Pacithhip docking bay attendant Shnozitskigante-maximilliana in an attempt to rob the incognito Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Confronting Kenobi with Squib tensor rifles and a force of warrior drones, the Chiggnash were instead cut down by the Dark Jedi Mei.

Behind the scenes

Brian Daley created the Chiggnash for his article "Predators of the Empire," published in Star Wars Galaxy Magazine 6 in 1996. The article details the origins and cultural influences of bounty hunters in Star Wars, and is written in a style that intermingles in-universe and out-of-universe perspectives. The reference to the Chiggnash appears to be in-universe, and this article has treated it as such.

Appearances

• Lone Wolf: A Tale of Obi-Wan and Luke (First appearance)

Sources

• "Predators of the Empire" – Star Wars Galaxy Magazine 6 (First mentioned)