#The Wildlife of Star Wars: A Field Guide

[haaaaaaaaaaaave-you-met-ted]

The Wildlife of Star Wars: A Field Guide - Greater Krayt Dragon by Terryl Whitlatch

[inferior-fairy]

Modern au where Obi-Wan and Anakin are rival birders going for county/state records each year

[frustrationinexcelsis]

I think I like Star Wars best when it's being unapologetically fantasy in space.

For example, you want space elves? Sure, we can have space elves.

Space mermaids? Don't see why not.

Space dragons?

So

Many

Space

Dragons.

(Pictured, top to bottom -- Jedi Master Fay from Star Wars: Republic 53, an adolescent and adult Melodie from The Essential Guide to Planets and Moons, an Arkanian dragon from the same source, condor dragons from The Wildlife of Star Wars: A Field Guide, a Sith battle hydra from Book of Sith: Secrets from the Dark Side, a Duinuogwuin from the Operation: Elrood supplement to Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, and Obi-Wan Kenobi facing the dragon Krayt from The Knight and the Dragon.)

[lsundarinfo]

Discover Vietnam: Top 10 Must-See Attractions

Vietnam, a country steeped in history and brimming with natural beauty, is a traveler's paradise. From bustling cities to serene countryside, Vietnam offers a diverse range of attractions that cater to every type of adventurer. Whether you're drawn to ancient temples, pristine beaches, or vibrant street markets, Vietnam has something to captivate your senses. Here, we present the top 10 must-see attractions in Vietnam, each offering a unique glimpse into this enchanting Southeast Asian nation.

1. Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a breathtaking seascape of emerald waters and limestone islands. Located in the Gulf of Tonkin, this natural wonder is best explored by boat, allowing visitors to cruise past towering karst formations and hidden caves. Don't miss the chance to kayak through secluded lagoons or spend a night aboard a traditional junk boat, watching the stars twinkle over the tranquil bay.

2. Hanoi's Old Quarter

Step back in time as you wander through the narrow streets of Hanoi's Old Quarter. This historic neighborhood is a labyrinth of colonial architecture, ancient temples, and bustling markets. Sample local delicacies at street food stalls, visit the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake, and explore the labyrinthine alleys where artisans craft everything from silk garments to lacquerware.

3. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is Vietnam's largest metropolis and a vibrant hub of culture and commerce. Explore the city's turbulent past at the War Remnants Museum and Cu Chi Tunnels, then immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Ben Thanh Market and Dong Khoi Street. For a taste of old-world charm, take a stroll through the French Quarter and admire its elegant colonial architecture.

4. Hoi An Ancient Town

Nestled on the banks of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An Ancient Town is a picturesque enclave of lantern-lit streets and centuries-old buildings. Explore its narrow alleyways lined with tailor shops, art galleries, and quaint cafes, or visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge and Tan Ky House. Don't miss the opportunity to participate in a lantern-making workshop or savor the local delicacies at one of Hoi An's famed eateries.

5. Hue Imperial City

Once the seat of Vietnam's emperors, Hue Imperial City is a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage. Explore the sprawling complex of palaces, temples, and fortified walls, then wander through the tranquil gardens of the Imperial Citadel. Be sure to visit the ornate Thien Mu Pagoda, which offers panoramic views of the Perfume River and surrounding countryside.

6. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

For nature lovers and adventure seekers, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is a must-visit destination. Home to some of the world's largest caves and most spectacular karst landscapes, this UNESCO-listed park offers endless opportunities for hiking, caving, and wildlife spotting. Explore the otherworldly depths of Hang Son Doong, the world's largest cave, or take a boat ride through the enchanting Phong Nha Cave.

7. Mekong Delta

Embark on a journey through the verdant waterways of the Mekong Delta, where life revolves around the mighty river. Cruise past floating markets, lush rice paddies, and sleepy villages, stopping to sample tropical fruits and traditional delicacies along the way. Experience the rhythm of delta life as you watch fishermen cast their nets and farmers tend to their fields, and marvel at the breathtaking sunset over the tranquil waters.

8. Sapa

Nestled in the rugged mountains of northern Vietnam, Sapa is a haven for trekkers and nature enthusiasts. Embark on a guided hike through terraced rice fields and ethnic minority villages, where you can immerse yourself in the vibrant cultures of the Hmong, Dao, and Tay peoples. Be sure to visit the towering peaks of Fansipan, Vietnam's highest mountain, for panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and distant peaks.

9. Nha Trang

With its pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs, Nha Trang is Vietnam's premier coastal destination. Dive into the crystal-clear waters of the South China Sea to discover a kaleidoscope of marine life, or simply relax on the golden sands and soak up the tropical sunshine. Explore the nearby islands of Hon Mun and Hon Tam, where you can snorkel, swim, and enjoy fresh seafood on secluded beaches.

10. Da Nang and Hoi An Beaches

Da Nang and its neighboring city of Hoi An boast some of Vietnam's most idyllic beaches, perfect for sun-seekers and water sports enthusiasts alike. Whether you prefer the lively atmosphere of My Khe Beach or the serene beauty of An Bang Beach, you'll find plenty of opportunities for swimming, surfing, and beachside dining. Don't miss the chance to visit the iconic Marble Mountains, where you can climb to ancient pagodas and enjoy panoramic views of the coastline.

Driving in Vietnam for Foreigners:

Driving in Vietnam can be an exhilarating experience, but it's important to familiarize yourself with the local traffic laws and customs before hitting the road. While many travelers opt to hire a driver or use public transportation, renting a motorbike or car can offer greater flexibility for exploring remote areas.

International Driving License Vietnam Online:

To legally drive in Vietnam as a foreigner, you'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your valid driver's license from your home country. Fortunately, obtaining an IDP is a relatively straightforward process that can be completed online.

Here's a step-by-step guide to applying for an International Driving Permit for Vietnam online:

By following these steps, you can easily obtain an International Driving Permit for Vietnam

[where-dreamers-go]

An anooba. Scavengers, like raw meat, nice pets if you train them.

I have The Wildlife of Star Wars A Field Guide book!

(It goes through animals by planet. Like Naboo, Hoth, Dagobah, etc)

So, I'll add to this tomorrow!!! I need sleep first.

Edit:

Eopies, the sarlacc, sando aqua monster, and dianoga.

Per the previous vote, we are going to be doing a Favorite Star Wars Animal Poll! Please suggest your favorite Star Wars animals to be added to the race!

*some gifs for ✨inspiration✨*

[wanderingspacedragon]

Hey Disney/Lucasfilm!

Could we please get either a sequel or an update to The Wildlife of Star Wars: A Field Guide? I love this book and now we have soooo many new creatures from Attack of The Clones to the current movies and shows that could be added.

Seriously this book was fantastic! If you haven’t checked it out before and would love just to know more of the Star Wars world building through its creatures please check it out!

[sirotras]

im... not thrilled abt the new space horses in star wars

[jedi-bird]

Thanks for the tag. I'll try to be coherent in my ramblings lol.

Let me start by saying, for as much as I love Star Wars and wish I could actually be a part of it, @cappuccinoandglitter I know exactly what you mean. Star Wars has a lot of depressing locations and storylines. I mean, pretty much all of the current media revolves around the genocide of a peaceful organization and how space fascists enslaved half a galaxy and blew up billions of people (every current show or movie feels like they must reference order 66/the death of the jedi with the exception of Rogue One and Andor which just kind of hints at it without showing it). And let's be fair. If you have the chance to live in the Shire, why wouldn't you?

So you are not wrong. Unless you get deep into the expanded universe/legends, most of the current stuff is doom, gloom, and horror. Mandalor was ravaged by war way before the empire tried to exterminate the Mandalorian people. Tatooine is like an extremist survival game mixed with the most violent mobsters possible. Alderaan gets blown up by a giant death sphere.

And Star Wars fans, don't come attack me for this, because we all know how things are portrayed in the media (look how much fanfic we write to fix it).

I know if we could see Alderaan pre Empire, it's a planet full of beautiful mountain ranges and forests mostly. But also they had fields and meadows and a matriarchal society. Endor has forests, as does Kashyyyk (the wookie planet). Yavin 4 is jungle and wetlands. Jedha has a long tradition of temples and desert carvings. Scarif was mostly islands and tropical paradises before the empire built their archives there. Pabu is probably my favorite place from recent media; it's tropical and coastal and the people who settle there just want to live in peace and are always willing to help each other. My best recommendations for seeing what planets can be like when the galaxy is more peaceful are the Jedi Fallen Order/Survivor games (outside of the storyline, the locations are stunningly rendered and make me want to wander), Lego Skywalker Saga game (yes, lego does the best free world wandering and makes the galaxy seem a lot more fun than it probably is), and The Wildlife of Star Wars: A Field Guide (beautiful illustrations and focused more on the nature side of planets while skipping the political side).

Now all of this is not trying to force you to want to live in the Star Wars galaxy. Just, if you wanted to see some less grimy city/destroyed planet/grungy spaceship/death staring you in the eye locations, they do exist. And truly, if I was going to be living the galaxy, I would want nothing more than to be a common citizen that would just be left alone.

But really, just join me in the Shire where I plan to have a massive garden and lots of books.

I enjoy the Star Wars as much as the next rando, but I don't interact with fandom at all.

Am I the only one who finds the whole setting depressing? Like I want to live in Star Trek, I want to live in Middle-Earth, PJO world, bring it. Heck, there are parts of Westeros I'd chill in.

I don't want to live in the Star Wars. To be fair, I haven't watched all the expanded universe stuff. Just the original trilogy, half the prequels, the sequels and uh, Mandalorian stuff. The Lizzo planet was all right I guess?

[purplealmonds]

ACON3D reached out to me for a collaboration, and I used it as an excuse to draw my and @eggdrawsthings​‘ Star Wars OCs! I’ve been chipping away at this for the better part of a month, and despite the struggles, I’m pretty happy with how it came out! ^_^

Having used SketchUp for both my professional and personal work, I’m a HUGE advocate of using 3D to streamline my workflow. Utilizing pre-made models instead of making them from scratch is a game-changer! 

Extensive notes on my process below the cut.

Default 3D Model:

For this collab, I was to use one of the many 3D model resources sold by ACON3D to create an illustration. I chose the Joseon Dynasty - Thatched House by Team Truffle. The render below is just a fragment of the lovingly crafted set design - I recommend searching it up! (I’d provide a link, but Tumblr’s external link policy might nuke this post from search results if I do)

Customizing the Model:

Modified and added some props to make the scene more thematically Star Wars. 

From top left to right:

Building Column - Altered the shape and added motifs inspired by Mandalorian architecture. Mythosaur skull mounted on top is also modeled from scratch!

Uj Cake - Surprisingly few images of this snack despite it being mentioned in many fanworks - I think I used a photo off of Wookiepedia as reference for this.

Cutting Board - Pretty straightforward - a cutting board for the cake to sit on top of. It’s not visible in the final render, but I leveraged the kar’ta motif as a fancy inlaid pattern.

Vibroblade - Basically a replica of Din Djarin’s, though much of its design isn’t visible in the final render.

Buy’ce - This was my first time modeling a helmet in SketchUp, much less a buy’ce. Geometry is a hot mess, but it got the job done.

Xing’s Beskad - Referencing my Mando OC’s weapon of choice. Overall design’s taken straight from the beskad’s blade shape, guard, and grip – though I tried to give it more of a katana-like aesthetic.

Tooka - Or rather, a limb-less and tail-less tooka. By far the most primitive of the models, but I just needed it as a placeholder which I would draw details on top of.

Voorpak - This space chinchilla was...hmm. There were discrepancies between the creature’s original concept in The Wildlife of Star Wars: A field guide (small and 8-legged) and its first appearance in The Bad Batch (dog-sized and 6-legged). Needless to say, I was a tad irritated to find out I modeled and posed two extra legs before realizing they were extraneous.

Phong’s Saber Staff - Probably one of the more complex props in this spread, but Jamie’s detailed reference sheet sped up the modeling process considerably.

Vent Covers - Replacing some of the floor boards in the foreground to give this set a more sci-fi vibe.

Door - Once again, customized the screen design and panel patterning after Mandalorian motifs. This and the column will be the two biggest alterations to the set, so I took extra care to get the designs just right.

And this is what the props look like on set. Colors turned off so the lighting (which I later scrapped) is clearly defined.

Sketch:

Now’s the bit that I finally add the characters and creatures into the composition! For this one, I did have a vague idea of what I wanted out of it story-wise – some kind of low key scene with Phong and Xing hanging out at the latter’s dwelling. To help sell the casual vibes, I had Xing dressed only in his cuirass and blacks. Definitely not because I was struggling to draw his armor. Perish the thought!

Ink:

Ah yes, the cleanup stage. Arguably the most crucial, time-consuming, boring, yet satisfying part of this process.  While much of this work is retracing what’s already been drawn, the concise line art eliminates much guesswork in the next steps. The goal here is to have a clean blueprint, so I don’t have dedicate bandwidth to fixing errors in anatomy, prop position, etc. 

I try to keep element of this comp well organized. For instance, Phong’s face alone has layers for their eyelash, iris, bottom eyelid, eyebrow, nose, mouth, bangs, braid, ponytail, hair ties, ear, and face - all clustered into a group, which is then clustered within a bigger group containing the remaining parts of their body. Definitely overkill, but I like running a tight ship for pieces I can take my time with!

Color Flats:

Full disclosure: the color flats shown here are a lie. I didn’t land on these colors on my first try; it took innumerable rounds of trial and error. Color palette iterations ran the full gamut from monotonously drab to eye-searingly vibrant then back again. Lighting changed from high noon to overcast to night time in quick succession. Certain elements were individually altered to pop out more, then on second viewing, dialed back because they popped out too much. The colors you see below a grudging compromise of all the directions which it was pulled: 

This GIF below is a more honest depiction of the utter chaos which was the evolution of this illustration’s identity crisis:

Shading:

I suppose after that GIF showing these next steps is bit of a moot point, but here we are anyways! I used Brightness/Contrast adjustment layers to start lighting the color flats. I start out with the polygonal lasso tool to block out the big shadow shapes, then go back with a textured brush to soften edges where necessary.

At this point, my layer count was going upwards of 900+ and file size at over 1GB. If I so much as turned off a layer, my computer threatens to have a meltdown. So consolidated these lighting layers by making them universal - one layer for darks, another for contact shadows, etc. 

Final Render:

I guess this is where the magic happens? Textures, material renders, secondary & tertiary lights, atmosphere, etc. all kind of just happen at once. It’s a lot of stuff to describe in blow-by-blow accounts, and I’ve rewritten this several times already because Tumblr keeps prematurely closing out my unsaved drafts, so I’m gonna leave it at that!

[oh-no-eu-didnt]

Energy spiders were large arachnids native to the dark underground caves of Kessel. Their webs were the source of glitterstim spice, the notorious drug that much of galactic crime revolved around. The spiders were resistant to most energy weapons, like blasters, although they could be stunned by ion weaponry. They were a constant threat to the spice miners of Kessel, as the spice needed to be collected from their webs in complete darkness so as to preserve its quality.

Source: The Wildlife of Star Wars: A Field Guide (Art: Terryl Whitlatch; 2001)

First Appearance: Jedi Search (1994)

Read more on Wookieepedia.

[dswcp]

If you were a bantha, how curled would your horns be, and how magnificent your beard?

“The Wildlife of Star Wars: A Field Guide.” 2001. Writers: Bob Carrau and Terryl Whitlatch. Illustrator: Terryl Whitlatch. (Fictional author: Lyrre T’enna.)

[booklindworm]

Amatakka word list part 8

massiff - massiffs, non-sentient reptiloid creatures found on Geonosis and Tatooine, somewhat canine in appearance with an armored hide and antlers, can be domesticated as guard animals [Attack of the Clones //translation by BLW]

masu - butter (not gendered) [BLW]

masu japraza - japor-butter, a remedy for sunburn (not gendered) [Naasade 01.01.1 //translation by BLW]

mattama ek - I am fine; literally wellbeing I have (not gendered) [fialleril, march 07, 2015]

mattama - health, mental health, wellbeing (not gendered) [conjecture re: mattama ek]

mei ganno - ganno juice, a sirupy, black, bitter liquid popular with Jawas, caustic to sakiyans and problematic for humans [The Official Star Wars Fact File 63 (JAW6, Jawas) //translation by BLW]

mei gilgib - sand bat venom; deadly to Humans, said to inflict excruciating pain; Tusken Raiders often dipped their gaffi sticks in sand bat venom (not gendered) [From a Certain Point of View //translation by BLW]

mei hukak - fragrant orange-colored tea brewed from h'kak beans; it had relaxing and detoxifying effects [Cestus Deception //translation by BLW]

mei shihr - meat stock (not gendered) [BLW]

mei - tea, broth, or juice, digestable fluids (not gendered) [BLW]

melee - 1 thorny bush with beautiful flowers growing on several worlds in Hutt-Space (not gendered) [BLW]

melee - 2 personal name of Melee Daiar (f), a childhood acquaintance of Anakin Skywalker [TPM //translation by BLW]

me - your, yours, for you (not gendered) [BLW]

migasha - expensive, from Jawaese m'gasha (not gendered) [BLW]

minnva - hi, hello, greetings (not gendered) [from the same fanfiction as Sleantah]

minoq - mynock (n) [SWtOR //translation by BLW]

mish - ball (not gendered) [conjecture re: tar-mish]

misu - sharing of memories after a loved one's death, from Ryl mi'sou (adapted from Zach Lee's Project Twilex) [BLW]

mittanku - someone who has saved up and bought their freedom, lit person who is free through endurance [fialleril, august 10, 2019] [fialleril, May 20, 2016]

mitt- - regarding endurance, being hard work, taking a long time [fialleril, august 10, 2019]

mittu - endurance (not gendered) [fialleril, august 10, 2019]

mivitt - meewit, a creature native to Tatooine that would screech (n) [MedStar I: Battle Surgeon //translation by BLW]

molo, molo - molo shrubs, a kind of plant indigenous to the Jundland Wastes; looking dead during the day they erupted with leaves and flowers every night (not gendered) [The Wildlife of Star Wars: A Field Guide //translation by BLW]

murek - 1 purple, an unusual color on many slave-worlds, including Tatooine, therefore symbolizing wealth and otherness [fialleril, June 01, 2016 //translation by BLW]

murek - 2 outsider (n) (In drama, a character can be marked as an Outlander by wearing a costume which includes purple.) [fialleril, June 01, 2016 //translation by BLW]

naka - porridge or pudding (not gendered) [conjecture re: chinaka]

nalanu - freeborn [conjecture re: nal, anu] (in fialleril's original notes, lukkanal is freedom)

-nal - born, hatched, spawned (not gendered) [Amatakka, conjecture]

nalla - birth, hatching (usually used for sentient beings) (not gendered) [Amatakka, conjecture]

naluka - soul or spirit (m) [conjecture re: nalu]

naluke - soul or spirit (o) [conjecture re: nalu]

naluku - soul or spirit (f) [conjecture re: nalu]

nalu - soul or spirit (n) [fialleril, December 23, 2016]

nambut - rock hornets, swarming insects known for their proverbial ire (not gendered) [Kenobi by John Jackson Miller //translation by BLW]

naolu - preserve (e.g. in salt or sand) (not gendered) [BLW]

nar- - changed, different, opposing (not gendered) [conjecture re: nar-depu]

nar-depur - reformed slaver, or: ally who is a member of a slaver society (n), one who binds and unbinds the chains of slavery [Ben Naasade: What is Sown 06.07.2]

nar-orpali - chemilizard, the mutated version of the orpali dragon (n) [SWtOR //translation by BLW]

nartu - canal, channel, river (not gendered) [BLW]

nayok - joke, specifically a bad, cruel joke (from Huttese joka, na yoka) (not gendered) [BLW]

nel, nelu - from, of (not gendered), arriving from, given by [conjecture re: tematta nel uttar]

nimdara - "power-dance" a martial art /kind of a dance (not gendered) [Heretic Pride]

nimka - male person with power, agency, sovereignty (m) [conjecture re: nimku]

nimke - third- or fourthgender person with power, agency, sovereignty (o) [conjecture re: nimku]

nimki, nimku-ki - person with power, agency, sovereignty (n) [conjecture re: nimku]

nimku - female person with power, agency, sovereignty (n), (f) [DAV 18 Rocks and Water]

nim - power, agency, sovereignty (not gendered) [DAV 18 Rocks and Water]

ninchif - edible, subterranean fish from Tatooine (n) [Boba Fett: Hunted //translation by BLW]

nittu - night (not gendered) [DAV 1 Shapechanger]

noma, noma-ka - son (m) [conjecture re: ikkalla-noma]

nomi, noma-ki - little son, younger son (m) or (n) [conjecture re: ikkalla-noma]

nuna - fish (n) [BLW]

nunertu - fishing, activity of an angler (not gendered) [BLW]

nunukal - fishcake (not gendered) [BLW]

nu, num - name, callsign, identity (not gendered) [BLW]

nuro - judge (n) [BLW] (from Ryl nuro, as in the Star Wars Roleplaying Game Galactic Campaign Guide)

nushu - abundance, prosperity, fertility (not gendered) [BLW]

[electro-strike]

What is Hound up to in your Dinoetae AU?

Hound is living in a house on Dinoetae with Stone and Thire. They are not in a relationship just platonic bros sharing a house. He obviously took Grizzer with him when he left and also adopted a domesticated spotted Tatooine Anooba named Scout on Dinoetae. Scout is more calm and collected and likes to observer situations before going into them, but that doesn't mean he doesn't enjoy having fun. If Hound is not at home he likes to sit by Stone. Grizzer may seem intimidating but she just wants to give and accept love. The two get along well and will often sleep on Hounds bed during the night with one on each side of him.

Hound works at a therapy center that uses animals as a way to help the patients. This center is open to all life forms but clones use this specific center the most. Hound doesn't do the therapy session but more so takes care of the animals there, but if a brother reaches out to him he won't turn them down. Grizzer and Scout occasionally put some time into the center themselves as support animals.

Grizzer:

Scout: Image from The Wildlife of Star Wars: A Field Guide

[heedra]

my ten year old self being channeled in furious indignation, every time a star wars spinoff has beasts on screen: “This isn’t what The Wildlife of Star Wars: A Field Guide said.”

[whitewingedcrow]

Have you ever considered making more documentary style art designs like the Disaster Ghosts? They're inspiring as a DM for D&D

Ah, this is such a kind comment! To be honest I do this sort of stuff while worldbuilding for my own story all the time, but it’s often note-based or sometimes supplemented in my sketchbook and I rarely get around to properly compiling it into a nice format like I did with Disaster Ghosts! It’s definitely something I enjoy doing, but it’s still constantly surprising to me that people have been so supportive of the ghosts project so I always assume my projects are purely for my own enjoyment. I’ll definitely think about sharing more of that stuff in the future but I never expect it to see the same popularity, to be honest! I’m very flattered to hear that it’s interesting though, if I can spark cool ideas for other people that’s the most I can ask for. If you like this sort of stuff (creature design with additional notes and sketches) I would highly recommend stuff like James Gurney’s Dinotopia or The Wildlife of Star Wars: A Field Guide by Terryl Whitlatch; they were huge childhood inspirations of mine when it came to cultural worldbuilding and creature design respectively, and they’re both phenomenally illustrated in a similar sort of sketchbook style that you seem to enjoy!

[where-dreamers-go]

Goals for this week:

Finish the Luke Skywalker x Reader

Work on Valentine's Day headcanons my sister asked for.

Rework the outline of requested Boba Fett x Reader because I had an idea the other night while flossing.

Go through Wildlife of Star Wars a Field Guide book because of a request I got.

Work on art

Don't be afraid to promote art/work

Start journaling again

Consistently repeat positive affirmations in the morning

Read

Adding:

Get closer to finishing the bow chicka bow wow Merlin fic 😐😶

Watch a new movie (got a couple I hadn't seen)