#governor votaash

[reneeofthestars]

It's been so long since I've drawn my OCs, so I'm trying to remedy that! These are some of my original Togruta characters. They live during the prequels/original trilogies. . Lethaa Daal (she/her), the Senator of Shili. Married to Naras Tyn Naras Tyn (she/her), the First Physician of Corvala, Shili's capital city. Married to Lethaa Daal Votaash (they/them), Governor of Shili Hubrick Sha (he/him), former Senator of Shili. Serves on Lethaa’s staff The Shol'i (she/her), the speaker for Shili, spiritual leader of the Old Ways Me'lane Kassi (she/her), a popular actress, stars in holodramas

[holocron-inthe-restrictedsection]

For @celebrate-the-clone-wars Fanart Friday prompt: Classes, Castes, and Hierarchy, Oh My!

Decided to focus on Togruta, since they’re quickly becoming my favorite Star Wars race. There’s so much freedom in their designs, they’re a lot of fun to draw.

These are some of my OCs who appear in my story, "To Serve My People" (still in progress)

Click below to learn more about their accessories, and how it relates to their positions!

*Note: There isn’t much canon information regarding Togruta culture, so everything below is my personal headcannon. 

* As sitting Senator of Shili, Lethaa wears gold bands around her montrals and lekku, which represent her service to her planet. While the additional headdress is a personal choice, the green gem is a traditional item for a Togruta in power who follows the Old Ways. The Togruta call the gem “Shili’s Blessing”, as it is only found in a deep cavern during an individual’s Reflection Rite. Jedi have long believed these gems to actually be a variation of kyber crystal, but have been denied access to the cavern by the planet’s spiritual leaders for millennia.

On her belt, Lethaa proudly displays rancor teeth, prizes of her now-famous hunt on Felucia. Hundreds of thousands of Togruta watched her take down the massive predator on the holonet during her election campaign, and the sight of the actual teeth often impresses them more than her status as Senator. For a culture that deeply respects hunters and routinely wears trophies of their prey, the populace holds her in high esteem. The teeth were polished and attached to the belt by Lethaa’s at-the-time soon-to-be wife, Naras Tyn. 

 * Naras Tyn's formal title is First Physician of Corvala. As a renowned healer, she is recognized in public by the simple gold and grey band framing her face, with a red stone inlaid in the center. Top-tier physicians wear these headbands to be allowed unlimited access in emergency situations; in addition to being instantly recognizable, the stone contains a small chip that digitally conveys the wearer's credentials. The headbands afford the wearer intense respect, due in part to the old adage, “to take life is a simple task, able to be done by many; to mend and save it is something Shili granted only to a few”.

Though not much of a hunter herself, Naras has a deep appreciation of those who are able to fight and bring down their prey. Around her neck, she wears the teeth of a ghaie - a reptilian predator - which was a wedding gift from Lethaa.

 * Votaash wears a headwrap/cowl signifying their status as governor. These coverings are purple, blue, or green in color, fastened over the heart by a silver clasp, the shape of which shows up in ancient Togrutan motifs. By marking a governor’s status with a cloth rather than teeth or expensive jewels, it demonstrates that the governor does not display pride above the people, or deem themselves better; instead, they are a servant for those they rule. This tradition carried on when Roshti was elected governor of the colonist world Kiros.

 * By the time of the Clone Wars, Hubrick Sha no longer held a seat in the Senate. However, Lethaa invited him to join her advisory staff, and the former opponents worked together on matters involving Shili. As such, he wears circlets only on his montrals, denoting his experience in serving his people, and showing his deference to his successor. The akul teeth he wears around his neck are from the first hunt he successfully undertook alone as a young man. While wearing akul teeth is common practice among Togruta, there were many who wondered why the former Senator never displayed them more prominently, or included any other hunting trophies in his wardrobe. After his loss to Lethaa, the general consensus was that he hadn’t felt the need to display his culture while he sat in the Senate. 

 * The Shol'i is the primary spiritual leader on Shili, the name directly meaning “Speaker of Shili.” There is no higher position in Togrutan culture, and the Shol’i exists outside of normal political structure. While she does not directly rule the people, she is the final say in all matters regarding the Old Ways, and those of Shili’s Sacred Lands. She leads the Council of Elders, and her counsel is routinely sought after by the sitting governor. The Shol’i is revered by all Togruta. Her garments are simple, and she is always barefoot so she can be in direct contact with Shili. Multiple headdress of teeth and claws, beads and feathers, stones and gems, have all been handed down and added to over the generations, all with different meanings and purposes.