Gungan

In contrast to the peaceful human colonists of Naboo, the native Gungans are a proud warrior species. The amphibians have long maintained a huge standing army -- the Gungan Grand Army -- as one of their proudest traditions. The Gungans prefer technology that is harmonious with the ecology of their world. Their weaponry is no different. The Gungan Grand Army uses domesticated animals for transport -- Gungan scouts ride swift-footed kaadu into combat, while hardy falumpasets and fambaas haul heavy weapons and shield generators into place.

The stout and stern leader of the Gungans, Boss Nass was a proud keeper of his people's ways. His booming voice issued decrees on behalf of all the Gungans of Otoh Gunga. He kept a tight rein on Gungan affairs, continuing a longstanding custom of isolationism. Though Nass' temper is short, displays of courage and humility can pierce through his preconceptions. When Queen Amidala prostrated herself before the Gungan leader to request his aid in fighting off the Trade Federation invasion, he was impressed. Nass committed the Gungan Grand Army to wage war against invading battle droids.

One of the wealthiest corporate organizations in the galaxy, the Trade Federation controlled most of the interstellar shipping passing through the Rim territories. The Trade Federation was headed by Viceroy Nute Gunray, and even had its own representative in the Republic Senate to lobby for even greater power. On the orders of Darth Sidious, the Trade Federation sent its battle droids to invade Naboo to create a government crisis. During the Clone Wars, the Trade Federation secretly signed on as a member of Count Dooku's Separatist organization, though representatives in the Senate tried to deny this.

A clumsy, well-meaning Gungan outcast on Naboo, Jar Jar Binks struggled to prove his worth throughout his life. Putting his awkward past behind him, Jar Jar left the swamps of Naboo to enter the even murkier waters of Coruscant politics, becoming a representative for his people in the galactic capital. There, his best intentions and eagerness to serve were exploited by scheming Senators and others in positions of power.

During the Clone Wars, Boss Lyonie served as the local leader of the Gungans of Naboo, chairing the Rep Council in Otoh Gunga. When the Republic needed reinforcements to prevent the Separatist takeover of Mon Cala, the Jedi Council asked Boss Lyonie to send in the Gungan Grand Army. Jar Jar Binks was quick to insist the Gungans help, especially since their loyal ally Senator Amidala was endangered. Though Lyonie proved a boon to the Republic during that campaign, a sudden tide of unrest among the Gungans against the Naboo caused many to fear that he would be siding with the Separatists.

The gravelly-voiced patrol chief of Otoh Gunga, Tarpals has endured many a headache caused by the antics of Jar Jar Binks. Tarpals kept an eye on the bumbling outcast, making sure the youngster didn't re-enter Gungan society. During the Trade Federation occupation of Naboo, Tarpals was part of the Gungan Grand Army that fought against the battle droid invaders. Ironically, Tarpals served under Binks, who had unexpectedly received the rank of general by Boss Nass himself. Tarpals stayed close to Binks, trying to keep his commanding officer out of trouble. By the time of the Clone Wars, Tarpals was promoted to general, and served as leader of the Gungan Grand Army.