Endor

Endor. A celestial body prominently featured within the Star Wars franchise, it is a forested moon orbiting a gas giant planet of the same name. It serves as the pivotal setting for the climactic Battle of Endor in the film Return of the Jedi, where the Rebel Alliance confronts the Galactic Empire. The moon is primarily inhabited by the Ewoks, a species of short, furry sentient beings, and is covered in dense old-growth forest, giant trees, and grasslands.

In the Star Wars universe

Within the narrative of Star Wars canon, the moon plays a crucial strategic role during the Galactic Civil War. The Second Death Star is constructed in orbit, protected by a planetary energy shield generator located on the moon's surface. The Battle of Endor involves simultaneous space combat above the moon, depicted in the Battle of Endor (space battle), and a ground assault led by Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Luke Skywalker alongside Ewok allies. This engagement results in the destruction of the Death Star II and the death of Emperor Palpatine, marking a decisive victory for the Rebel Alliance. The moon's history is expanded in later materials, showing it as a site of earlier conflicts, such as during the Clone Wars, and its eventual integration into the New Republic.

Etymology and names

The name "Endor" has origins in terrestrial mythology and geography. It is derived from the biblical city of Endor (biblical village), mentioned in the Book of Samuel, which was associated with a witch of Endor. In the context of Star Wars, the name was selected by George Lucas and the production team during the development of Return of the Jedi. The moon is sometimes informally referred to as the "Forest Moon of Endor" to distinguish it from its gas giant primary. Within the Star Wars Expanded Universe, now designated Star Wars Legends, the moon's Ewokese name and other Galactic Basic designations have been explored in various novels and reference works.

Physical characteristics

The moon is a terrestrial world characterized by a temperate climate and a breathable atmosphere composed primarily of oxygen and nitrogen. Its surface is dominated by vast, global forests of immense redwood-like trees, with some forming complex ecosystems in their canopies. Other geographical features include grassland clearings, mountains, rivers, and lakes. The moon orbits the gas giant Endor (planet), which dominates its sky, and the system is located in the Outer Rim Territories within the Moddell sector. Its geology supports a variety of flora, such as palm ferns and wicket trees, and fauna including the boar-wolf, condor dragon, and Yuzzum.

Inhabitants and culture

The most notable indigenous species are the Ewoks, a hunter-gatherer society that lives in treehouse villages constructed among the giant trees. Their culture is tribal, with a strong spiritual belief system centered on nature and ancestors, led by shamans and chieftains like Chief Chirpa. While the Ewoks are the primary inhabitants, other intelligent species have been present, including the Duloks, portrayed as rival primitive beings in the animated series Star Wars: Ewoks. The moon has also seen temporary settlements by offworlders, such as Imperial personnel at the shield generator bunker and, in Star Wars Legends, a research outpost established by the University of Sanbra.

Appearances in media

The moon first appeared in the 1983 film Return of the Jedi, directed by Richard Marquand. It subsequently featured in the television films The Ewok Adventure and Ewoks: The Battle for Endor, and the animated series Star Wars: Ewoks. It has been a setting in numerous video games, including Star Wars: Battlefront II (2005 video game), Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, and Star Wars: Empire at War. The moon also appears extensively in Star Wars literature, such as novels by Troy Denning and Christie Golden, and reference books like The Essential Atlas. Its modern canonical appearances include episodes of the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars and mentions in the sequel trilogy era.

Category:Star Wars planets and moons Category:Forest moons Category:Star Wars locations