Xoquon

Xoquon was a planet in the Xoquon sector of the. The homeworld of the Curhax, it was one of the sector's few full member worlds in the Tetrarchy of Mezlagob before it defected to the Golden Empire.

Geography
The first impression of most alien visitors to Xoquon was that it was nearly totally dark. The planet's ozone layer and atmospheric gases filtered out the vast majority of visible light and allowed in far greater concentrations of ultraviolet light than on most planets. Though the Curhax and most other native species had evolved to see in the ultraviolet spectrum, non-Force-sensitive visitors to the planet usually required ultraviolet goggles or specially constructed and lighted facilities. Direct exposure to the radiation from Xoquon's primary could burn the skin of more sensitive species (including s) in a matter of minutes.

The second impression of those who found a way around the problem of visibility was heat. Receiving relatively high doses of UV radiation, most of Xoquon was steamy to offworlders, though native species rarely found it so. The equatorial deserts on the planet were unbearable for nearly all alien species, and even the Curhax did not live in them.

Plant life grew abundantly on most of Xoquon, and in numerous colors. Outside Curh cities, plains and forests took up nearly equal portions of the surface. Due to its heat, Xoquon had no ice caps, but broad oceans as well as seas, lakes, and rivers. Rainfall was usually warm, and snow unheard of.

Society and culture
Given its heat and darkness to non-native eyes, very few aliens resided on Xoquon even when it belonged to the Tetrarchy and the Empire, leaving the native Curhax as masters of their homeworld. Their focus on fastidious cleanliness led to a number of distinctive practices considered strange and obsessive by aliens, such as bathing multiple times a day and avoiding any strenuous activity unless completely isolated. Droid labor was common on Xoquon, though it was not as dominant as on Hudrel.

Remnants of the old Curh caste system remained even after Xoquon joined the Empire. Those physically demanding activities not performed by droids were usually conducted at night, when they were less visible to wealthier (and more frequently cleansed) Curhax, who performed their work in the day.

History
Geological research confirmed that there was never a period in Xoquon's history in which its atmosphere had allowed in "normal" amounts of visible light. The planet had evolved from its beginning favoring ultraviolet radiation, and all its native species had developed accordingly. Though not the largest or most dangerous fauna, the Curhax were the only species to evolve sentience, and were gradually able to establish enclaves for themselves using tools and weapons to keep their predators at bay.

Curh cities expanded over the centuries, though not often by war. By the time the Curhax could form major armies, they had developed their sensitivity to lack of cleanliness, including sweat and physical contaminants. Some wealthier Curhax used poor Curhax as armies, but most preferred to avoid strenuous violence and the weeks and months of filth involved in long campaigns. It was around the same time that the Curhax caste system evolved, with wealthier and cleaner occupations filling the higher castes.

The development of robotic technology changed Xoquon. No longer required to personally fight, several Curh states developed primitive s and waged war on one another, though living Curhax still served as officers. This situation persisted until the Tetrarchy of Mezlagob arrived around 100 BBY. Initially planning to conquer the world as a vassal planet, the Tetrarchs were intrigued by the Curhax use of droids and offered them the choice to join the Tetrarchy willingly as a member world instead. Knowing they could not face the Tetrarchy's military, the Curhax agreed to join.

Xoquon's two centuries in the Tetrarchy were not smooth. Though few other species settled on the planet, leaving Curh collaborators to run the Tetrarchy's government with imported battle droids, the majority of Curhax were not comfortable with the Tetrarchy's oppressive conquest of other worlds. There were regular protests against various Tetrarchy actions, and even occasional rebellions, but the Tetrarchy forces put them all down and kept the planet under control.

When the Great Liberation began and the Xoquon sector started to fall to the Golden Empire, protests picked up. With forces from Tizgo V deployed fighting the Empire, there were fewer units available to crush the rebellion. After the Battle of Hudrel, the Tetrarchy chased the Empire back to the Romasi sector. The Tetrarchs planned to destroy and absorb the Empire before punishing the rebellious Curhax, but never got the chance, as the Empire won a stunning victory at the Battle of Tizgo V. With its neighboring military depot captured, Xoquon experienced a number of sudden and violent rebellions, including several saboteurs who reprogrammed Tetrarchy battle droids to fight for the rebels. By the time the Empire arrived at Xoquon and mopped up the Tetrarchy loyalists, the planet's decision to join the Empire was less of a surrender and more of a defection.

Xoquon had little part in the remainder of the war or the following history of the Empire. It exported some minerals and a few native crops which became delicacies elsewhere in the Empire. During the Nightmare War, Tariun Sakaros and later Tarse Medrego used Xoquon as a refueling base for their Xoquon Sector Fleet, given the planet's central location in its eponymous sector.