"The Tale of the Aiwha Pod" was a Kaminoan tale translated into Galactic Basic Standard from the Kaminoan language by Ryan Kaufman. It was a story on why the aiwha species ruled the oceans of the planet Kamino and were respected by all creatures of the world.

The protagonist of the story was a god-beast named Protas, considered to be both the most powerful beast and ruler of the oceans. His claim for rule was challenged first by a titan of the deep, Melkorr, then by the sentient and legion kikla. He defeated both sets of challengers and became arrogant in his old age. In such a mind-set, he prevented a pod of aiwha from fleeing winter, requesting they return to the increasingly cold northern waters. The creatures realized they would die if they complied with the unreasonable request and fought Protas, defeating the god-beast only when one of their own sacrificed himself.

Description[]

"The Tale of the Aiwha Pod" was a mythical tale originating from the aquatic^[1] planet Kamino.^[2] It served as a lesson to the sentient Kaminoans on why the non-sentient aiwha species were to be afforded respect and seen as the rulers of the vast oceans of the planet. The story was originally told in the Kaminoan language, and Ryan Kaufman translated the tale onto a single page written in Galactic Basic Standard.^[1]

Synopsis[]

Challenged for supremacy[]

The story commenced in the distant past, before the dawn of the second sun when the oceans of Kamino were ruled by a mystical being named Protas. Melkorr, a massive titan from the deep, challenged Protas' claim as the most powerful in the seas and met Protas on the underwater ridge of Thalina, where Melkorr attacked the god-beast with a jaw full of sharp teeth and large, pointed fins. Melkorr attempted to use his size and power to overwhelm Protas, with the two battling for six days and nights. Protas used his agility and speed to evade the titan's attacks and eventually drove Melkorr to exhaustion. The god-beast then took advantage of Melkorr's faltering and dealt a killing blow, which left the seas bloodied and the fish fed for an eon.^[1]

An army of sentient kikla, with the belief that their large numbers would make up for their comparatively small size and allow them to overwhelm Protas, made the next challenge. Protas met them in the deep waters of the Ancient Trench, where they fought for a month. Although numerous, the kikla were divided in mind, arguing among themselves. Due to their comparative size, they would also leave only small wounds on the god-beast. In contrast, Protas was of a single mind and slowly ate the kikla to maintain strength. At the new moon, Protas was again victorious when the last kikla was consumed.^[1]

The arrogance and fall of Protas[]

The victories over Melkorr and the kikla gave Protas confirmation of his power, and in his advanced age, he became arrogant. He eventually came across a pod of aiwha who were swimming south to avoid the cold winter. For amusement, Protas refused to let them continue, blocking their path and instructing the aiwha to return north. With the knowledge that they would die if they turned back, the aiwha attacked without warning or desire for fame or glory. Despite the combined swarming tactics of the kikla and the powerful attacks of Melkorr, the aiwha still could not deal a killing blow through Protas' thick skin.^[1]

One aiwha noticed Protas momentarily expose the soft flesh of his throat and clamped onto it in a sacrificial attempt to defeat him. Realizing the danger, Protas attempted to dislodge the aiwha by smashing it with his fins, but it would not let go, even in death. His sacrifice allowed the rest of the pod to deal a final blow and end the god-beast's life. Their defeating Protas brought peace to the seas and was the reason why aiwha were given respect by all the creatures of Kamino, great and small.^[1]

Behind the scenes[]

"The Tale of the Aiwha Pod" was featured in a short story of the same name, which was written by Ryan Kaufman and published by Prima Games in their 2005 game guide for the Star Wars: Republic Commando video game. The story was written with an in-universe perspective and attributed as "Translated from the Kaminoan by Ryan Kaufman," thus making the real-world author an in-universe character.^[1]

Appearances[]

• "The Tale of the Aiwha Pod" — Star Wars: Republic Commando: Prima Official Game Guide (First appearance)

Notes and references[]