Thape (SWA)

Thape, called Ando Prime by the, was a cold, ous located in the 's , in the 's third position from the. The planet was notable for being the of the Dai Bendu, an ancient and legendary religious organization focused on studying  and all of its aspects. The planet was the homeworld of the Talid, a who lived primarily in the Andobi Mountains, and from there in their ancient   of Fosso Oldar.

The "off-worlders" of Thape were based in the mining town of Elesa, located at the Andobi foothills. Due to Thape's harsh climate and having been relatively lost to history since the Dai Bendu's dissolution, it became a hub for criminal activity, primarily the Fujari Clans based on nearby Algara.

The Fujari Clans controlled the business on Thape, which was lucrative and brought the racers fame and fortune, and also the mining business. From towns like Elesa, Thape exported refined ores and precious gems which made the Fujari Clans' leaders rich, helping increase their status in the sector.

Description
Thape was the third ing around the yellow mid-sequence star, in the , located within the 's. The planet was dominated by snow-capped peaks and similarly snow-capped valleys high in the of Thape. It was located on the outer edges of the, and as such was able to support  &mdash;in this case the Talid.

Thape's atmosphere was unique in that the upper parts of it, around the mountain ranges such as the Andobis, were not as thin as on other worlds. This allowed the Talid, who had evolved to survive in the rocky terrain, to breathe without straining much. The lower parts of the planet, such as the deep gorges, had a very thick atmosphere, making them difficult for baseline species to survive, but some s, with the aid of breathers, were able to mine in the heavy pressures do to their homeworld,, having a high atmospheric pressure throughout.

Early history
"The Dai Bendu's history is far longer than the Jedi, and even the Je'daii. Their origins were on the icy world of Thape..."

- Rivos sal Cyros

Thape's early history was marked by the creation of the Dai Bendu as spiritual leaders of the Talid people, led by the Council of Sirics and the High Siric. The High Siric was also called the "Reader of Prophecies," and foresaw the as an "order of light which will, against all odds, survive." The Talids' was designated Fosso Oldar.

The Talids led a very strict life, and those deemed "" became Dai Bendu monks in the mountains, many becoming lorekeepers in the Sulu Koro, or "deep mountain." If an individual did not adhere to the Dai Bendu beliefs&mdash;they were banished to Thape's Star Temple, where they were welcomed by the Kwa, and brought to unknown locations&mdash;this was part of a deal between the Dai Bendu and the Kwa Holdings in which non-believers would be sent to the Kwa in exchange for protection, and access to a remote part of the Andobi Mountains.

In the year 36,453 BBY, several Dai Bendu monks uncovered the Tho Yor, hidden within the snow of Thape. The monks' interference awoke the ships, sending them across to collect individuals sensitive to  and bring them to Tython, in the. The monks departed Thape, eventually going on to form the Kali Bendu on Kalimahr.

Fall of the Dai Bendu
At some point, the Dai Bendu's influence over the Talid people waned, and their usefulness came to a complete end when they were entirely dissolved around 19,000 BBY, although the Kali Bendu continued on. The Talids remaining on Thape began to utilize technology, and many of them became explorers for the, or joined the Jedi Order. Particularly, a group of Dai Bendu adherents traveled to Xhaera in the, and they believed it to be the prophesized "Violet World" which was rich with the Force.

Following the Dai Bendu's dissolution, the seized Thape and began to call it "Ando Prime," much to the remaining Talids' protest. Mining towns, such as Elesa, began to be founded due to a rapid influx of Aqualish and members of other species immigrating in hope of finding precious metals and gems. As such, the Fujari Clans arrived hoping to make their own fortunes, monopolizing the mining towns and keeping the metals for themselves, to send to s at Matacorn and Chayloc.

At some point, s also began to arrive on Thape, setting up courses within the plateaus and valleys of the planet. The Fujari Clans, seeking to make money off gambling, encouraged the podracers to come to Ando Prime, and soon they would be televised on a scale.

A-Canon

 * The Essential Guide to Star Wars Aftermath