Seemla Wib was a Neimoidian male who rose to prominence within the Trade Federation in the twilight years of the Galactic Republic. Born on the colony world of Cato Neimoidia to a noble family, Wib became a member of the Neimoidian aristocracy before being introduced to Nute Gunray, Viceroy of the Trade Federation, who asked him to become steward of his palace on Neimoidia, an offer Wib's loyal parents accepted on his behalf.
Wib generally enjoyed looking after the palace (and it gave him a good paycheque), but he was always looking for something more, and always became concerned when Gunray would leave Neimoidia, but particularly during the Naboo Crisis of 32 BBY. When Gunray and his lieutenant Rune Haako were arrested, control of the palace was immediately transferred to Wib until his master's release; during that time, he made several administrative changes that the viceroy was too busy to notice in order to protect the dealings of the federation should the palace be overtaken at any point.
When the Clone Wars broke out, Wib immediately saw a change in Gunray - now being forced to mass-produce battle droids for the Confederacy of Independent Systems, Gunray slowly became more and more agitated and stressed as the war went on, and Wib feared what the Neimoidian population would think if their own leader was almost at breaking point. This feeling was not helped by Neimoidian Senator Lott Dod being suspended from office on allegations of Separatist dealings, which had not even been proven.
An opportunity arose for him to escape this life in 20 BBY, when Gunray invited a group of Jedi - Coleman Kcaj, Barriss Offee, Agen Kolar and Sora Bulq - to engage in trade negotiations at the palace. Rune Haako, who was overseeing the negotiations, overheard the suspicious Jedi making plans to investigate and ordered Wib to capture them. When Offee overheard Wib and Haako discussing Dod's suspension, he met with her and asked her to mention him as a replacement to the Galactic Senate in exchange for the droid attack, which had commenced after the capture of the investigating Jedi, to end. Barriss agreed, and the Jedi escaped; Wib told Haako that they had been killed and their bodies were being taken off-world so as not to arouse suspicion.
After Dod was reinstated as Trade Federation Senator, he officially welcomed Seemla Wib as his Junior Representative, a role he held until the very end of the Clone Wars, when the federation was absolved into the Galactic Empire and its resources distributed around the galaxy. In order to appease the Neimoidians, Supreme Chancellor (now Emperor) Palpatine gave the two senators the ability to join the Imperial Trade Council. Wib continued in this position until 15 BBY, when it was discovered that he had been aiding Jedi who had survived Order 66 and was gunned down in his Coruscant apartment.
Personality[]
In many ways, Seemla was very much unlike the traditional stereotypes surrounding his species; he was not greedy, nor cunning or cowardly, but often disliked repetition and having the same life every day. His noble birth did not make him arrogant or rude - in fact, it only motivated him more to help the needy and sick, an issue he worked towards during his short tenure as a Senate Junior Representative. As a member of the Trade Federation, he was skilled in negotiation and never fully trusted someone. In fact, there was only really one person he trusted - himself.
Biography[]
70 BBY - 32 BBY: Early Life and Stewardship Beginnings[]
Like most Neimoidians, Seemla Wib began his life in a communal hive on Cato Neimoidia and proved to be strong-willed and resilient, but also willing to share and get on with everyone. This was shown by his hoarding of food in the hive, and then passing some out to others after eating his fair share. His family, who were close associates of the Trade Federation, pulled him out of the hives at the age of five and began educating him in their values, which represented the most common value across all of Neimoidian society: the survival of the greediest. Try as they might, however, Wib discarded their teachings and focused more on studying the galaxy, though he was interested in his parents' lessons on Neimoidian aristocracy.
Like most of his family, Wib resigned himself to working as a high-ranking servant for upper-class families, until in 40 BBY he was encountered by Nute Gunray, the recently-crowned Viceroy of the Trade Federation. He took an interest in Wib after being impressed by his administrative skills, and asked him to work as steward in his newly-constructed palace on Neimoidia. Before he could respond, his parents accepted.
Wib found himself enjoying looking after the castle; he normally made most of the domestic decisions as Gunray was almost never there, and enjoyed the feeling of having his own space and being away from his greed-ridden family. During this time, he cultivated a friendship with Gunray's lieutenants Rune Haako and Aruteous Gunnay, but they did not share his views on the stereotypical greed and cowardice among their people.
32 BBY - 22 BBY: The Naboo Crisis[]
In 32 BBY, the Trade Federation became involved with a mysterious figure known as Darth Sidious. Wib never met nor saw him during this time, as Gunray only addressed him in private with Haako, but he came to fear him judging from his own master's fearful expressions whenever his name was mentioned. When Gunray chose to initiate a blockade on the planet Naboo, Wib feared for his safety but was assured by Haako that they would be fine.
After the failure of the blockade and the subsequent arrest of Gunray and Haako, control of the palace was temporarily transferred onto Wib during the viceroy's trial. Wib was glad to see him return following his successful trial and reinstatement as Trade Federation leader, but had made some adjustments to data encryption to stop any potential invaders from viewing confidential files during his absence. Gunray did not notice.
For the next decade, Wib continued to loyally serve Gunray as steward, occasionally increasing palace security, especially when the Confederacy of Independent Systems led by Count Dooku revealed itself. When the Trade Federation aligned themselves with the group, once again Wib feared that the federation would become leaderless.
22 BBY - 21 BBY: The Clone Wars[]
After the Battle of Geonosis (which Gunray and Haako witnessed), the Clone Wars officially broke out. With conflict beginning, Gunray and the federation were immediately tasked with mass-producing battle droids for the CIS, and Wib could see the physical strain this was taking on his leader and began to hate Dooku and the rest of the Separatists. Unlike his homeworld Cato Neimoidia, Neimoidia was relatively peaceful throughout the war as the only thing it truly contained were the vast riches of Gunray, which were safely housed inside the impenetrable walls of the palace - Wib had made sure that nobody could access the treasury of his master.
In late 21 BBY, it came to be known that Trade Federation Senator Lott Dod had been suspended following unfounded allegations of consorting with the CIS, which angered Gunray and therefore soured Wib's feelings towards the Separatists tenfold. Wib often pondered whether he would make a good senator during this time.
20 BBY: Jedi Mission to Neimoidia[]
Gunray invited the Jedi to visit the palace in 20 BBY, in order to discuss a trade deal, insisting that the Separatists were not involved and that clone troopers should not be taken. A team led by Jedi High Councillor Coleman Kcaj, comprising Jedi Knight Barriss Offee and Jedi Masters Sora Bulq and Agen Kolar, travelled to the planet where they were greeted by Wib and Rune Haako. Wib gave them a palace wing to stay in while Haako prepared for the dinner negotiations. However, the duo overheard the four Jedi discussing their suspicions and their plan for half of them to investigate while the other two went to dinner. Haako ordered for Wib to arrange for a security team to capture the two investigating Jedi - Kolar and Bulq - to present to Offee and Kcaj during the dinner. A fight broke out between the four Jedi and the Neimoidian guards accompanied by a group of battle droids, and during the confrontation Haako and Wib escaped through a corridor, being unknowingly pursued by Barriss.
They discussed the anger of Gunray at the suspension of Dod without evidence, and how that was the only reason for the fake invitation - for revenge. Offee was overheard duelling a group of droids and Haako sent Wib to meet her. He knew that she had overheard and asked her to mention him as a potential candidate for Dod's replacement in exchange for the battle finishing. Barriss agreed, and relayed the plan to Kcaj. The four Jedi escaped back to Coruscant, with Wib lying to the Settlement Officer that they had been killed and he had ordered for their corpses to be taken off-world, lest the Republic become suspicious. Haako agreed, and complimented Wib on his quick thinking and cunning.
Several weeks later, Lott Dod contacted Gunray to inform him that he had been reinstated as Senator for the Trade Federation and wanted Wib as his Junior Representative. Gunray was shocked, but accepting of the change and Wib was glad that the Jedi had followed through and delivered on their promise. He left the palace one last time to become an esteemed member of the Galactic Senate on Coruscant.
19 BBY: Junior Representative[]
On Coruscant, Seemla began using his power within the Senate to help the poor and suffering, both of his people and across the galaxy. Though his authority was limited compared to that of Dod, he treated him as an equal and shared the tale of Offee visiting him to inform him of her report calling for his reinstatement, and how she asked in exchange for him to pick Wib as Junior Representative.
Wib had limited contact with Gunray throughout the rest of the war as he was so busy helping to lead the Separatists and the federation, but they occasionally shared correspondences. Seemla became a popular public figure in the Senate despite his limited appearances, and the combined strength of the two Neimoidians helped them prove that the Trade Federation was not entirely aligned with the Confederacy of Independent Systems.
When it was revealed that the Jedi Order had been purged and the Republic changed into the Galactic Empire, it did not take long for the Trade Federation to be absolved into the numerous Imperial trade unions. In return for their loyalty (and to not spark rebellion on Neimoidia), Emperor Palpatine offered Dod and Wib the chance to join the Imperial Council of Trade in late 19 BBY. Though they were suspicious of the Empire's dealings, they accepted anyway.
18 BBY - 15 BBY: Imperial Trade Councillor[]
As one of the more junior members on the august body, Wib often felt that his views were not being heeded enough by the council, and he slowly began to distrust them while Lott Dod gained their trust. The two subsequently grew further and further apart as a result of this, and the pain of the federation being torn apart by the meddling Imperial officers.
While on a diplomatic mission to Tatooine, Wib encountered Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and promised to recover any fragments of the fallen order that he could. On Coruscant, he encountered several former Jedi in hiding and protected their identities, even housing them in his own apartments. This was later discovered by the Emperor, and he was gunned down by stormtroopers after refusing to reveal the location of the surviving Jedi, becoming a martyr for the cause of the Rebellion years down the line.
Fate and Legacy[]
Due to Neimoidian corpses desiccating at an incredible rate, the Emperor ordered Wib to be cremated out of respect because although he had helped his greatest enemies, he had been a worthy and cunning opponent hiding in plain sight. His beliefs on Neimoidian culture were passed down by his political followers but ultimately lost to time, though his name was etched into the Imperial Archives, as well as the Jedi Archives upon the order's return to power, as a loyal and dutiful defector.
Battle Proficiency and Equipment[]
As an aristocrat and steward, Seemla Wib never got into direct combat but learned to survive in the communal hives of his childhood. Despite usually being protected by a security team, he always wielded a spare blaster pistol in case negotiations did not go well for him - luckily, they never did. His lack of muscle mass or height led many to assume he would be too weak to engage in proper combat anyway, much like many of his Neimoidian comrades.
Appearance and Clothing[]
Though of average height and weight for Neimoidians, for both figures Seemla was on the lower end of the average. He was quite short for a man of his species and not very heavy, meaning he was not very intimidating at all - however, this suited his role as palace steward and senator. Like most Neimoidians, he was hairless, but always wore a modest hat on his head to hide this, similar to the accessory of Rute Gunnay. He wore the traditional robes of a steward combined with his noble family's traditional marks and materials, though he toned this appearance down further when he emerged into the public eye and seemed to always wear black during the reign of the Empire.
Relationships[]
Nute Gunray[]
As the viceroy's steward, Seemla Wib was fiercely loyal to his master and willing to assist him in any way, shape or form. Over the years they formed a close bond the few times he was present at the palace, and Nute began to genuinely care for him, and was visibly saddened by the news that he would be leaving him to become a member of the Galactic Senate. Likewise, Wib grieved tremendously for the death of the viceroy in 19 BBY, but was also glad that he got out early as it was clear to him that had he stayed alongside Gunray, he would have been killed by Darth Vader too.
Rune Haako[]
Rune Haako did not seem to care much for Wib, though they exchanged pleasantries whenever they were together and worked together well; however, their relationship did not extend past formal greetings and situations within the palace. Wib was not too terribly saddened by Haako's death, just as Rune was not upset to see Wib leave to join the Senate.
Barriss Offee[]
Though Barriss and Seemla did not spend a long time interacting, Wib was incredibly grateful towards the Jedi for getting his name mentioned for nomination as Trade Federation Senator, and promised to help her if the time ever arose at some point in the future.
Lott Dod[]
Over the years of them working together, first as colleagues in the Senate and then on the Imperial Trade Council, Lott Dod and Seemla Wib became good friends. It took a while for them to become acquainted fully, but once they did they had no qualms about supporting each other both politically and personally, though they later drifted apart due to their opposing views on the Empire.
Other Jedi[]
Coleman Kcaj[]
Alongside Offee, Seemla was thankful towards High Councillor Kcaj for allowing him to leave the palace on Neimoidia and join the Senate. They only had one shared interaction, but even then Wib could sense the kindness and loyalty emanating from the Jedi Master.
Obi-Wan Kenobi[]
Through their short meeting, Seemla could sense the pain and anguish in the eyes of the Jedi Master as he described the destruction of the Jedi Order. Thereafter, he promised both himself and Kenobi to keep an eye on and protect any surviving Jedi that come his way, and they kept in close contact until Wib's death.
Other Galactic Figures[]
Sheev Palpatine[]
Wib originally served Palpatine as a member of the Senate, and prior to that unknowingly feared him as the ruthless Darth Sidious, but his policies as emperor led him to question his own morals against that of the Galactic Empire. When he was discovered to be keeping the secrets of Jedi in hiding, Palpatine viewed him as a worthy and cunning foe and granted him a respectful cremation ceremony.
Rute Gunnay[]
Nute Gunray's aide Rute was a close friend of Wib, more so than Rune Haako, and the two often spent time together in the palace whenever the viceroy was visiting. Although they did not share many views, they had a sense of worry for their master in common and shared their feelings to one another, and therefore reassured each other unknowingly that everything would be fine. Wib wept tremendously, slightly less than for Gunray but much fore than for Haako, after Gunnay's death on Mustafar.
Behind the Scenes[]
Seemla Wib is the first wholly original character I have created for this series, and very soon he will become involved in the lives of many Jedi who survived Order 66 - more details will be following soon. As he is an original character, there are no existing photos of him.