List of Star Wars substances
Encyclopedia
The following is a list of substances, including food and drugs, found in the fictional series Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...

.

Artusian crystals

Artusian crystals are crystals used to make a life form artificially force
Force (Star Wars)
The Force is a binding, metaphysical and ubiquitous power in the fictional universe of the Star Wars galaxy created by George Lucas. Mentioned in the first film in the series, it is integral to all subsequent incarnations of Star Wars, including the expanded universe of comic books, novels, and...

-sensitive by trapping energy gathered inside the Valley of the Jedi. They are similar to the Kaiburr Crystal found in the Star Wars novel Splinter of the Mind's Eye
Splinter of the Mind's Eye
Splinter of the Mind's Eye is a 1978 science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. It is a sequel to both Star Wars and its novelization Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker...

 and were introduced to the Star Wars mythos in the LucasArts
LucasArts
LucasArts Entertainment Company, LLC is an American video game developer and publisher. The company was once famous for its innovative line of graphic adventure games, the critical and commercial success of which peaked in the mid 1990s...

 video game Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast.

Bacta

Bacta is a healing substance available from the planet Thyferra, where two competing cartel
Cartel
A cartel is a formal agreement among competing firms. It is a formal organization of producers and manufacturers that agree to fix prices, marketing, and production. Cartels usually occur in an oligopolistic industry, where there is a small number of sellers and usually involve homogeneous products...

s, the Zaltin and Xucphra corporations, control almost all of the product. Bacta was invented by the insectoid Vratix of Thyferra by mixing alazhi salve with a synthetic liquid chemical called kavam. This concoction is further mixed with a colorless viscous liquid called ambori. During the Galactic Civil War, the Empire
Galactic Empire (Star Wars)
The Galactic Empire is one of the main factions in the fictional universe of Star Wars. It is a galaxy-spanning regime established by the series' lead villain, Palpatine, to replace the Galactic Republic in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The Galactic Empire is introduced in Star Wars...

 realized the importance of bacta and shut down all satellite manufacturing centers, allowing the bacta plants on Thyferra to have a total monopoly
Monopoly
A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity...

 on production. It is much more available than kolto, since the Empire occupied Manaan, severing the connection between the Selkath and the Rebel Alliance. It mimics the body's fluids and helps in regeneration. It is used to help with cuts
Wound
A wound is a type of injury in which skin is torn, cut or punctured , or where blunt force trauma causes a contusion . In pathology, it specifically refers to a sharp injury which damages the dermis of the skin.-Open:...

 and burns
Burn (injury)
A burn is a type of injury to flesh caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, light, radiation or friction. Most burns affect only the skin . Rarely, deeper tissues, such as muscle, bone, and blood vessels can also be injured...

 as well as severe cellular damage, such as frostbite
Frostbite
Frostbite is the medical condition where localized damage is caused to skin and other tissues due to extreme cold. Frostbite is most likely to happen in body parts farthest from the heart and those with large exposed areas...

.

There are several methods of bacta application. Cuts and burns can be treated with bacta patches, small disposable patches covered in bacta gel or by injection. Those suffering from serious illnesses, or serious injuries - such as frostbite - are helped by becoming submerged in the liquid in bacta tanks, such as the one that cured Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the original film trilogy of the Star Wars franchise, where he is portrayed by Mark Hamill. He is introduced in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, in which he is forced to leave home, and finds himself apprenticed to the Jedi master...

 in The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner. The screenplay, based on a story by George Lucas, was written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan...

. Also, General Grievous
General Grievous
General Grievous is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, an antagonist in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. He was voiced by Matthew Wood...

 was put into a bacta tank after being critically injured in a shuttle crash that eventually led to the creation of his fearsome bio-droid body.

Additionally, bacta seems to have a dramatically regenerative effect on Gand.

Bacta is in many Star Wars videogames; it is often used to heal the main character in the game. This is true in Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, Revenge of the Sith, Battlefront, Battlefront II and Republic Commando. Usually, the bacta is held in small cylinders, or in a robotic structure that has a seemingly endless supply. The player's custom characters in Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy are normally held in bacta tanks until they are chosen to be the main player in a level. In one of the missions of X-Wing Alliance the player has to escort bacta to a rebel hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....

.

Beskar

Beskar is also known as Mandalorian iron. It is a very rare metal that only the Mandalorian armoursmiths know how to shape. It is fairly useless when mined, but when it is shaped by the secrets of the Mandalorians, it becomes a very hard metal, capable of absorbing many hits from blasters and even lightsabers. The Mandalorians make their armour and swords out of it, and in the recent "Legacy of the Force" series, have made fighters and gunships out of the rare metal.

Blue Milk

Blue Milk is a drink in Star Wars. In Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones is a 2002 American epic space opera film directed by George Lucas and written by Lucas and Jonathan Hales. It is the fifth film to be released in the Star Wars saga and the second in terms of the series' internal chronology...

and Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, originally released as Star Wars, is a 1977 American epic space opera film, written and directed by George Lucas. It is the first of six films released in the Star Wars saga: two subsequent films complete the original trilogy, while a prequel trilogy completes the...

, blue milk is shown being served on the Lars moisture farm. Blue milk is, as its somewhat basic name suggests, a dairy drink either naturally or artificially colored blue. The protein-enhanced beverage is served on planets low in natural resources—especially water. Blue milk, coming from the teats of Bantha
Bantha
Banthas are fictional creatures in the Star Wars universe. They are large elephant-sized mounts, with long furry tails, that are native to the planet of Tatooine....

s on Tatooine
Tatooine
Tatooine is a fictional planet and setting for many key scenes in the Star Wars saga, appearing in every Star Wars film except The Empire Strikes Back, although it is mentioned at the end of the movie...

, is nutritious and has certain medicinal properties.

Bronzium

Bronzium is a durable bronze-colored metal used in the Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...

 universe. Its most notable use has been in the Trade Federation droideka battle droids, whose tough layers of bronzium armor supplemented by optional reflective deflector shielding and twin dual blasters make them formidable enemies. It also appears as an armor type in KotOR II.
Bronzium also is mentioned in the Alec Baldwin 1994 movie, The Shadow, as a metal so rare it is considered mythical—yet, in that film, a chemist was able to identify it in his basement lab and knew a considerable amount about its molecular structure. It is supposedly so unstable that it could be used to make an atomic bomb.

Cortosis

Cortosis is a rare mineral
Mineral
A mineral is a naturally occurring solid chemical substance formed through biogeochemical processes, having characteristic chemical composition, highly ordered atomic structure, and specific physical properties. By comparison, a rock is an aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids and does not...

 from the Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...

Expanded Universe
Star Wars Expanded Universe
The Star Wars Expanded Universe encompasses all of the officially licensed, fictional background of the Star Wars universe, outside of the six feature films produced by George Lucas. The expanded universe includes books, comic books, video games, spin-off films like Star Wars: The Clone Wars,...

. It is a somewhat fragile light grey, chalk
Chalk
Chalk is a soft, white, porous sedimentary rock, a form of limestone composed of the mineral calcite. Calcite is calcium carbonate or CaCO3. It forms under reasonably deep marine conditions from the gradual accumulation of minute calcite plates shed from micro-organisms called coccolithophores....

y rock
Rock (geology)
In geology, rock or stone is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids.The Earth's outer solid layer, the lithosphere, is made of rock. In general rocks are of three types, namely, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic...

 that has the strange property of being impervious to both heat and energy. It is highly resistant to blaster bolts, and cortosis alloys are capable of resisting or even deactivating Lightsaber
Lightsaber
A lightsaber is a fictional weapon in the Star Wars universe, a "laser sword." It consists of a polished metal hilt which projects a blade of light about 1.33 metres long. The lightsaber is the signature weapon of the Jedi order and their Sith counterparts, both of whom can use them for close...

s, the only mineral to do so other than phrik and beskar. The process of mining cortosis requires the use of hydraulic jacks, since its properties render plasma torch
Plasma torch
A plasma torch is a device for generating a directed flow of plasma. The plasma jet can be used for applications including plasma cutting, plasma spraying, and plasma arc waste disposal....

es useless.

Cortosis is first mentioned in the Timothy Zahn
Timothy Zahn
Timothy Zahn is a writer of science fiction short stories and novels. His novella Cascade Point won the 1984 Hugo award. He is the author of nine Star Wars Expanded Universe novels, including seven novels featuring Grand Admiral Thrawn: the Thrawn Trilogy, the Hand of Thrawn duology, Outbound...

's The Hand of Thrawn duology
The Hand of Thrawn duology
The Hand of Thrawn are a pair of novels set in the Star Wars Expanded Universe galaxy, which were written by famed Star Wars author Timothy Zahn...

, and gradually adopted into the EU canon
Canon (fiction)
In the context of a work of fiction, the term canon denotes the material accepted as "official" in a fictional universe's fan base. It is often contrasted with, or used as the basis for, works of fan fiction, which are not considered canonical...

 in later works.

In The Hand of Thrawn duology
The Hand of Thrawn duology
The Hand of Thrawn are a pair of novels set in the Star Wars Expanded Universe galaxy, which were written by famed Star Wars author Timothy Zahn...

, Cortosis is described as causing a feedback loop with a lightsaber
Lightsaber
A lightsaber is a fictional weapon in the Star Wars universe, a "laser sword." It consists of a polished metal hilt which projects a blade of light about 1.33 metres long. The lightsaber is the signature weapon of the Jedi order and their Sith counterparts, both of whom can use them for close...

 by "shorting out" the blade, requiring it to be reactivated (but not damaging it permanently). In the duology, Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade are in fact able to cut their way through an outcropping of cortosis by hours of repeated lightsaber strokes and reactivations. Later they encounter guard droids with an armor made up of alternating layers of cortosis and blaster-proof armor. Many fans dispute the true nature of cortosis as both definitions have been included in established canon literature. The sources that describe it as "shorting out" the lightsaber blade also describe it as a brittle mineral; bladed weapons used a cortosis alloy to incorporate the mineral's lightsaber-blocking capabilities without its fragility.

In "Darth Bane: Path of Destruction" Darth Bane was born on the world of Apatros, the planet on which Cortosis is mined.

Cortosis is common in weaponry in the Star Wars universe. Many melee weapons are made with a "weave" of cortosis to fight lightsaber bearing enemies. In the ancient times of the Old Republic, during times of war with the Sith
Sith
-Sith:The Sith is a name applied to certain characters in the Star Wars universe. In the films they are the central antagonists. They are capable of using the dark side of the Force.-The Invention of the Sith:...

, it was common for fighters to carry cortosis-weave vibroblades and vibroswords, which could be used to fight Jedi
Jedi
The Jedi are characters in the Star Wars universe and the series's main protagonists. The Jedi use a power called the Force and weapons called lightsabers, which emit a controlled energy flow in the shape of a sword, in order to serve and protect the Republic and the galaxy at large from conflict...

 and Dark Jedi in close-range combat. Sith in ancient times commonly carried a vibrosword rather than a lightsaber for two reasons, firstly, vibroblades would wound opponents in a more painful manner, due to the dicing way the vibroblades cut, secondly, vibriblade wounds are more prone to bleed-out, as the intense heat from lightsabers cauterizes any wound they make.

In the game Jedi Outcast, Galak Fyyar processes cortosis ore into a black armor that is used by his Shadowtroopers. He also builds a suit of power armor that he uses himself. It is unknown whether all cortosis ore deposits are capable of such processing; the ore Fyyar used was smuggled from Cloud City.

Death sticks

Cilona-extract death sticks are fictional narcotic
Narcotic
The term narcotic originally referred medically to any psychoactive compound with any sleep-inducing properties. In the United States of America it has since become associated with opioids, commonly morphine and heroin and their derivatives, such as hydrocodone. The term is, today, imprecisely...

 substances found in the Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...

 universe. They are relatively cheap, and are smuggled into the clubs of cities by slythmongers. The drug offers euphoria in exchange for a horrific outcome, producing a twisted version of reality enhanced by bright colors. With each dose the user's life is shortened, and the successive dosages take away larger chunks from a lifespan. Death sticks are seen by some as a thinly-veiled reference to cigarette
Cigarette
A cigarette is a small roll of finely cut tobacco leaves wrapped in a cylinder of thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end and allowed to smoulder; its smoke is inhaled from the other end, which is held in or to the mouth and in some cases a cigarette holder may be used as well...

s.

Usually, death sticks are taken as an additive to a drink and are commonly seen in small tubes of red or yellow liquid. Death sticks are banned on all republic worlds, but are sold freely on lawless worlds such as Tatooine
Tatooine
Tatooine is a fictional planet and setting for many key scenes in the Star Wars saga, appearing in every Star Wars film except The Empire Strikes Back, although it is mentioned at the end of the movie...

 and other Outer Rim worlds, often exported to civilized worlds such as Coruscant
Coruscant
Coruscant is a planet in the fictional Star Wars universe. It first appeared onscreen in the 1997 Special Edition of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, but was first mentioned in Timothy Zahn's 1991 novel Heir to the Empire...

 where they are peddled by drug dealers. The Bando Gora distributed a more potent and deadly form of death stick laced with a powerful neurotoxin until the cult
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...

 was destroyed by Jango Fett
Jango Fett
Jango Fett is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe. He first appeared as one of the main antagonists in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and later served as the protagonist of the LucasArts video game Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, played by Temuera Morrison.Jango Fett serves as...

.

Elan Sel'Sabagno attempted to sell Jedi
Jedi
The Jedi are characters in the Star Wars universe and the series's main protagonists. The Jedi use a power called the Force and weapons called lightsabers, which emit a controlled energy flow in the shape of a sword, in order to serve and protect the Republic and the galaxy at large from conflict...

 knight Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe. He is one of several primary characters in the Star Wars series. Along with Darth Vader, R2-D2, and C-3PO, he is one of the few major characters to appear in all six Star Wars films...

 death sticks in a nightclub on Coruscant
Coruscant
Coruscant is a planet in the fictional Star Wars universe. It first appeared onscreen in the 1997 Special Edition of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, but was first mentioned in Timothy Zahn's 1991 novel Heir to the Empire...

, however he abruptly reconsidered under some Force
Force (Star Wars)
The Force is a binding, metaphysical and ubiquitous power in the fictional universe of the Star Wars galaxy created by George Lucas. Mentioned in the first film in the series, it is integral to all subsequent incarnations of Star Wars, including the expanded universe of comic books, novels, and...

-powered suggestion and went home to "re-think his life".

For more information see .

Durasteel

Durasteel is one of the most used alloy
Alloy
An alloy is a mixture or metallic solid solution composed of two or more elements. Complete solid solution alloys give single solid phase microstructure, while partial solutions give two or more phases that may or may not be homogeneous in distribution, depending on thermal history...

s in the Star Wars galaxy. It is a brown, heavy substance, yet very flexible and can resist heat, cold and monumental physical stress. Because of its properties, it was an important material for the manufacturing of spacecraft hulls. It was seen in Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a role-playing video game developed by BioWare and published by LucasArts. It was released for the Xbox on July 15, 2003, for Microsoft Windows on November 19, 2003, and on September 7, 2004 for Mac OS X. The Xbox version is playable on Xbox 360 with its...

and mentioned in the Jedi Apprentice book series
Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice
Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice is a popular series of books in the fictional Star Wars universe. Jude Watson, is the primary author of the series, although the first book was written by Dave Wolverton. The books follow the adventures of young Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, before the...

 as well as casual references throughout almost all of the books.

Kaiburr crystal

The Kaiburr crystal is a fictional archaeological relic from the planet of Mimban. Local Mimban legend said that the god Pomojema used the crystal to heal the wounded, but in reality it was the Force that was responsible. The crimson-colored gem had the ability to enhance Force powers. The crystal's mystical powers diminish proportional to its distance from an ancient temple on Mimban.

The crystal is, however, the most powerful crystal that can be used in a lightsaber
Lightsaber
A lightsaber is a fictional weapon in the Star Wars universe, a "laser sword." It consists of a polished metal hilt which projects a blade of light about 1.33 metres long. The lightsaber is the signature weapon of the Jedi order and their Sith counterparts, both of whom can use them for close...

. They were normally used in the lightsabers in the old Jedi
Jedi
The Jedi are characters in the Star Wars universe and the series's main protagonists. The Jedi use a power called the Force and weapons called lightsabers, which emit a controlled energy flow in the shape of a sword, in order to serve and protect the Republic and the galaxy at large from conflict...

 Order, but for unknown reasons the mines were lost, fading out of history and making the crystals extremely rare.

In the 1978 novel Splinter of the Mind's Eye
Splinter of the Mind's Eye
Splinter of the Mind's Eye is a 1978 science fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster. It is a sequel to both Star Wars and its novelization Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker...

(picture of the crystal on front cover), the old woman Halla along with companions Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the original film trilogy of the Star Wars franchise, where he is portrayed by Mark Hamill. He is introduced in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, in which he is forced to leave home, and finds himself apprenticed to the Jedi master...

 and Princess Leia sought out and found the crystal. It was used to heal the wounds of Princess Leia and of Luke after they had been injured. The crystal was then given to Halla, who had been searching for it for seven years.

In Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords is a role playing video game released for the Xbox and Microsoft Windows. The Xbox version of this sequel to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic was released on December 6, 2004, while the Windows version was released on February 8, 2005...

, the Jedi Exile and her companions could use the Kaiburr crystal to enhance their lightsaber
Lightsaber
A lightsaber is a fictional weapon in the Star Wars universe, a "laser sword." It consists of a polished metal hilt which projects a blade of light about 1.33 metres long. The lightsaber is the signature weapon of the Jedi order and their Sith counterparts, both of whom can use them for close...

s. The crystal was described as the most powerful crystal that can be used in lightsaber construction.

Kolto

Kolto is a highly effective healing agent, and the competitor to the medical fluid bacta. It is applied the same way in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a role-playing video game developed by BioWare and published by LucasArts. It was released for the Xbox on July 15, 2003, for Microsoft Windows on November 19, 2003, and on September 7, 2004 for Mac OS X. The Xbox version is playable on Xbox 360 with its...

. Kolto is naturally found only on the planet Manaan, where the native Selkath mediate and sell it to both the Galactic Republic and to the Sith
Sith
-Sith:The Sith is a name applied to certain characters in the Star Wars universe. In the films they are the central antagonists. They are capable of using the dark side of the Force.-The Invention of the Sith:...

, not wanting to cause conflict. Kolto is found in a single, massive chasm at the bottom of the great ocean which completely covers Manaan. The main kolto deposit was guarded by a giant firaxa shark, which the Selkath named as the mythological Progenitor, legendary guardian and source of kolto itself.

During the Jedi Civil War the Republic attempted to devise a procedure which would allow them to synthesize a kolto-like substance. This was not known to be successful, but a synthetic substance with similar properties, bacta
Bacta
Bacta may refer to:* BACTA, the British Amusement Catering Trade Association* Bacta, a substance from Star Wars; see List of Star Wars substances#Bacta...

, was eventually developed independently by the Vratix of Thyferra.

During the course of Knights of the Old Republic it is possible that Revan could irreparably damage the kolto supply causing a galactic shortage by poisoning the water to kill the giant shark. However, this shortage is not carried into Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II.

Membrosia

Membrosia is an alcoholic spirit of the Star Wars Universe. Normally gold-coloured, there is a type called Dark Membrosia which comes from the Dark Nest Killiks. Dark Nest Membrosia has a narcotic effect on insectoid species. The death of Alliance Supreme Commander Sien Sovv was brought about when his ship was hit by a tanker whose Vratix pilot had been drunk on Dark Nest Membrosia.

The Name Membrosia could Be derived from the name, Ambrosia which is the food and drink of greek gods

Permacrete

Permacrete is a substance used to pave roads and walkways. It is also often used in the construction of buildings. It was developed over 9000 years previous to the Battle of Yavin. Like Durasteel, permacrete is implied to be stronger than its real world equivalent
Concrete
Concrete is a composite construction material, composed of cement and other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate , water and chemical admixtures.The word concrete comes from the Latin word...

. In KotOR I, the permacrete detonator is an extremely powerful bomb which the player can use to help a Twi'lek escape a bounty placed on his head by blowing up his entire apartment to make it look like he was killed.

Phrik

Phrik is a very dense alloy in Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...

. It is able to resist lightsabers. General Grievous traveled with his droid bodyguards, a set of IG-100 series MagnaGuards, who wielded electrified staffs made of phrik. Darth Sidious' lightsaber had a phrik alloy covering. The dark troopers also had body armor made of the alloy.

Phrik is mined, as portrayed in Star Wars Droidworks. The alloy was also featured as a component in Dark Trooper manufacture in the game Dark Forces.

Plasteel

Plasteel is a durasteel-reinforced plastic substance in Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...

. It is mentioned often in Star Wars books and in the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a role-playing video game developed by BioWare and published by LucasArts. It was released for the Xbox on July 15, 2003, for Microsoft Windows on November 19, 2003, and on September 7, 2004 for Mac OS X. The Xbox version is playable on Xbox 360 with its...

 video game series, in which many items can be found stored in "plasteel cylinders". The Imperial Stormtroopers' well-known white armor was made of plasteel pressed thin enough to be worn comfortably, yet still able to provide total protection from melee and slug weapons. Unfortunately, such thin plasteel cannot completely deflect blaster bolts.

Spice

In the fictional Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...

universe, spice usually refers to an illegal stimulant drug
Drug
A drug, broadly speaking, is any substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function. There is no single, precise definition, as there are different meanings in drug control law, government regulations, medicine, and colloquial usage.In pharmacology, a...

.

There are several different kinds of spice in the known galaxy; they are all grouped under the spice rubric not because of any chemical derivations, but rather because they "spice up" the user in some fashion, either temporarily boosting physical strength and stamina, making the user feel invincible, or heightening awareness or creating euphoria
Euphoria (emotion)
Euphoria is medically recognized as a mental and emotional condition in which a person experiences intense feelings of well-being, elation, happiness, ecstasy, excitement and joy...

. These "spiced" up abilities do not last long and the user eventually needs another dose of the substance and quickly becomes addicted
Substance dependence
The section about substance dependence in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders does not use the word addiction at all. It explains:...

.

Glitterstim

One of the most common types of spice is glitterstim spice. Also known as glitterstim, it is a psychoactive substance harvested in the Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...

 universe, with both intoxicating
Drunkenness
Alcohol intoxication is a physiological state that occurs when a person has a high level of ethanol in his or her blood....

 and telepathic effects. Glitterstim is activated by light and consumed orally, crackling in the mouth in a manner much like Pop Rocks
Pop Rocks
Pop Rocks is a carbonated candy with ingredients including sugar, lactose , corn syrup, and flavoring. It differs from typical hard candy in that it creates a fizzy reaction when it dissolves in one's mouth.-Background and history:...

. Glitterstim is only found on the planet Kessel.

Although harvesting and dealing glitterstim was highly restricted under the authoritarian rule of the Galactic Empire
Galactic Empire (Star Wars)
The Galactic Empire is one of the main factions in the fictional universe of Star Wars. It is a galaxy-spanning regime established by the series' lead villain, Palpatine, to replace the Galactic Republic in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The Galactic Empire is introduced in Star Wars...

, the Old Republic government did not presume that it was their role to prohibit it. One firm, authorized by Palpatine
Palpatine
Palpatine is a fictional character and the main antagonist of the Star Wars saga, portrayed by Ian McDiarmid in the feature films.Palpatine first appeared as the unnamed Emperor of the Galactic Empire in the 1980 film Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back...

 himself, was allowed to import glitterstim to Coruscant
Coruscant
Coruscant is a planet in the fictional Star Wars universe. It first appeared onscreen in the 1997 Special Edition of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, but was first mentioned in Timothy Zahn's 1991 novel Heir to the Empire...

, among other worlds. The prices were so astronomical that only elites like Grand Admiral Miltin Takel could afford to buy Wendell Wright-Sims' wares. Only highly experienced smugglers, such as Han Solo
Han Solo
Han Solo is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise played by Harrison Ford. Introduced in the film Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope , Solo and his Wookiee co-pilot, Chewbacca , become involved in the Rebel Alliance against the Galactic Empire...

, even attempted to smuggle the substance past the many Imperial patrols despite the dangers. Fear of the "spice mines of Kessel" was not confined to C-3PO
C-3PO
C-3PO is a robot character from the Star Wars universe who appears in both the original Star Wars films and the prequel trilogy. He is also a major character in the television show Droids, and appears frequently in the series' "Expanded Universe" of novels, comic books, and video games...

.

The "Kessel Run" is a dangerous spice run from the planet Kessel, where glitterstim is harvested. A black hole
Black hole
A black hole is a region of spacetime from which nothing, not even light, can escape. The theory of general relativity predicts that a sufficiently compact mass will deform spacetime to form a black hole. Around a black hole there is a mathematically defined surface called an event horizon that...

 cluster near the system is a particularly perilous stretch of space to traverse, and only Han Solo piloting the legendary Millennium Falcon
Millennium Falcon
The Millennium Falcon is a spacecraft in the Star Wars universe commanded by smuggler Han Solo and his Wookiee first mate, Chewbacca...

could pass close enough to the cluster in order to shave the distance down to a mere twelve parsec
Parsec
The parsec is a unit of length used in astronomy. It is about 3.26 light-years, or just under 31 trillion kilometres ....

s. A black hole also shaved a portion of the Falcon's ventral hull off, showing how narrowly Solo made it through the run.

Glitterstim is actually the secretion of a crystalline, spider-like lifeform indigenous to the caves of Kessel. It must be harvested deep underground, away from any light, or else the drug will activate before it can be shipped off. Likewise, spice is usually carried in a tube with black paper on the sides, which allow for the user to peel off only the paper covering a dose of spice without activating the whole tube.

Under the influence of glitterstim, the consumer may lose control of himself, much like someone who is drunk. What makes glitterstim so widely sought after, however, is its ability to induce temporary telepathy. Lovers, warlords, and even spies have been known to make use of it. In fact, while imprisoned on Kessel, Han Solo was subjected to a mind probe by the leader of the Kessel spice mines, Moruth Doole, while Doole was under the influence of glitterstim.

Han Solo began his running of glitterstim while working for the T'landa Til (relatives of Hutts) on the planet Ylesia, where the T'landa Til ran a spice market controlled by the Hutts.

Carsunum

Carsunum was a rare and highly illegal spice variant mined on Sevarcos. Use of carsunum granted a boost of both mental and physical abilities as well as a pleasurable sense of well-being; however, once the spice hit ended, side effects could vary from jitters to death.

The Healer's Guild used carsunum in some of its medical cures, and it is believed that carsunum was present onboard the Katana fleet, possibly contributing to its disappearance.

Ryll

Ryll, mined on the planet Ryloth, is a relatively weak form of spice used to create a number of medicines used throughout the galaxy. It is also smuggled into the Corporate Sector for illegal sale to the workers. As a recreational substance, ryll can be addictive and dangerous.

Ryll was one of the forms of spice processed on Ylesia prior to the Battle of Yavin.

Ryll, specifically of the rarest variety, ryll kor, is instrumental in creating rylca, a medicine used to cure the deadly Krytos virus.

Stygium

Stygium was a crystal only found on Aeten II. The Galactic Republic, in 22 BBY, passed a law controlling the trade of stygium, as it was a crystal that, when used properly, could entirely cloak a vehicle. In the Galactic Republic's early years these devices were common, since Aeten II held an abundance of them. A notable later vehicle to utilize the crystals was the Scimitar, Darth Maul
Darth Maul
Darth Maul is a fictional character in the science fiction saga Star Wars. He is one of the main antagonists of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, portrayed by martial artist Ray Park and voiced by Peter Serafinowicz....

's starfighter, which carried an array of stygium crystals in its long prow. During the events from the capture of the Tantive IV
Tantive IV
The Tantive IV is a fictional spaceship in the Star Wars film series. It was used by Bail Organa in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and by Leia Organa in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, and was the first vessel audiences saw when Star Wars premiered in 1977...

 to the Battle of Endor, Grand Admiral Martio Batch sent an Empire
Galactic Empire (Star Wars)
The Galactic Empire is one of the main factions in the fictional universe of Star Wars. It is a galaxy-spanning regime established by the series' lead villain, Palpatine, to replace the Galactic Republic in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The Galactic Empire is introduced in Star Wars...

 superweapon to Aeten II, the Tarkin. There, the Tarkin blew open the planet to reveal its stygium core. Using the crystals and the original stygium implementation, he started the Phantom TIE project. However, saboteurs from the Rebel Alliance
Rebel Alliance
The Alliance to Restore the Republic is an interstellar faction of the fictional universe of Star Wars....

 destroyed the project and Batch fled. The stygium crystal cloakings disappeared after the creation of the New Republic
New Republic (Star Wars)
The New Republic is a government in the fictional Star Wars universe.When the Rebel Alliance re-established the Old Galactic Republic after the downfall of the Galactic Empire, it became known as the New Republic, just as the original Galactic Republic had become known as the Old Republic by that...

, although they were still available from Aeten II.

Stygium as a Lightsaber Crystal

In its pure, crystal form it was known to be suitable for use as a lightsaber
Lightsaber
A lightsaber is a fictional weapon in the Star Wars universe, a "laser sword." It consists of a polished metal hilt which projects a blade of light about 1.33 metres long. The lightsaber is the signature weapon of the Jedi order and their Sith counterparts, both of whom can use them for close...

 crystal. When a Force-sensitive individual was wielding a weapon with this crystal in it, he was somehow more gifted in natural stealth and dexterity.

Tibanna

Tibanna gas is a main export of Cloud City on Bespin
Bespin
Bespin is a fictional planet, a gas giant in Star Wars films and books. The planet was first seen in the 1980 feature film Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back...

. It is briefly mentioned in The Empire Strikes Back, when Solo discovers that Calrissian is now running Cloud City, but its use was never revealed in the movie. The novels eventually explained it as a blaster gas, used in many small-arms laser weapons, and in the first Rogue Squadron
Rogue Squadron
Rogue Squadron is a starfighter squadron in the Star Wars science fiction saga. Many of the pilots that will join Rogue Squadron are initially members of Red Squadron, the X-Wing attack force that Luke Skywalker joins during the Battle of Yavin in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope...

 game for the Nintendo 64
Nintendo 64
The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...

, Tibanna gas was noted as being used in the blasters of Imperial TIE Fighters as well as Rebel Fighters. Tibanna gas in a cooled, liquid form is also used as a coolant in hyperdrive engines, and its sale and distribution is regulated by the Imperial Mining guild. Semi-legal operators of illicit spacecraft seek out sources of Tibanna gas that are not regulated by Imperial authorities, so as to keep their operations secret. However, it is flammable, and must be handled with care.

Transparisteel

Transparisteel is a transparent metal alloy used in Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...

. It is used to make windows and viewports on all manner of ground, air and spacecraft.

Mesh tape

Mesh tape An adhesive tape made of very dense fibers and completely capable of making a seal strong enough to remain on a ship for years even with regular hyperspace jumps. The fibers used in Mesh tape are a titanium filament and aeromesh filament and a heavy durasteel layer filament making the tape difficult to work with but very versatile. It is most likely a reference to duct tape
Duct tape
Duct tape, or duck tape, is cloth- or scrim-backed pressure sensitive tape often sealed with polyethylene. It is very similar to gaffer tape but differs in that gaffer tape was designed to be cleanly removed, while duct tape was not. It has a standard width of and is generally silver or black...

.

Black Ale

Black Ale a Mandalorian alcohol that is uncommonly found in the galaxy but is well known by Mandalorians.
Black ale is a smooth sweet alcohol with a dark brown color and no smell.

Tihaar

Tihaar a strong Mandalorian spirit made with mixed fruit juices, and aged until it's clear.

Uj'alayi

Uj'alayi also known as Uj Cake, is a Mandalorian dessert made with dried fruit and crushed nuts. Uj'alayi is very sweet and soft, and usually is made in a disk-like patty.

External links

- (this article is based on Wookieepedia's)
  • Article on Science News
    Science News
    Science News is an American bi-weekly magazine devoted to short articles about new scientific and technical developments, typically gleaned from recent scientific and technical journals. Science News has been published since 1922 by Society for Science & the Public, a non-profit organization...

    mentioning stygium crystals
  • Entry by Dan Wallace on the official Star Wars site laying out the full Expanded Universe history of cloaks, weaving together the confusing stories of Grand Admiral Martio Batch, Grand Admiral Thrawn
    Grand Admiral Thrawn
    Grand Admiral Thrawn is a fictional character and major antagonist from the Star Wars galaxy. He first appeared in Timothy Zahn's Thrawn trilogy, published between 1992 and 1994...

     and Zaarin, Rebel Assault 2, the Star Wars prequel materials, TIE Fighter
    TIE fighter
    TIE fighters are fictional starfighters in the Star Wars universe. Propelled by Twin Ion Engines , TIE fighters are depicted as fast, fragile starfighters produced by Sienar Fleet Systems for the Galactic Empire...

    etc.
  • News story from the HoloNet
  • SWI Criminal Organizations & Spice Guide
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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