The iconic Star Wars Legends, or Expanded Universe, the character Talon Karrde was the leader of the Smugglers’ Alliance and a future ally of the New Republic. Karrde definitively shaped the future of Star Wars galaxy after its first appearance. He was created by Timothy Zahn for his original Expanded Universe novel, Heir to the Empirealongside names like Mara Jade and Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Well known for his smuggling antics, Karrde is a much more idealized smuggler, who was initially envisioned by Zahn as what Han Solo might have been if he had never joined the Rebel Alliance. He’s a no-nonsense smuggler who still has a good heart and a charm that allows him to build a community. Just like Solo, Karrde is a naturally good person – it just takes her longer to recover.
Origin of Star Wars Legends by Talon Karrde
Jorj Car’das Smuggler
When young, Karrde originally became a smuggler working for the legendary Jorj Car’das. Car’das was the leader of a smuggling group and an information broker named after George Lucas. During this period he built a reputation as a smuggler and made numerous connections that would prove useful later in his life. As a young smuggler, he also stumbled upon the legendary lost Katana Fleet.
After Car’das’ disappearance at the time of the Battle of Yavin, Karrde decided to step into Jorj’s shoes. Karrde quickly became the leader of the smuggling organization, brutally eliminating all other high-ranking smugglers to secure control for himself. From then on, Karrde’s group quietly became one of the galaxy’s leading criminal organizations, rivaled by groups such as Jabba the Hutt’s clan.
How Talon Karrde ended up working with Mara Jade
Hand of the Former Emperor, Future Criminal Executioner
Mara Jade started out as one of the Emperor’s Hands, agents of Palpatine hidden from the public eye who were sent on top-secret missions. This often involved assassinations and other dirty work that the Emperor needed to do. After his death, however, Mara Jade moved into the criminal underworld, putting her well-established skills to good use.
On the planet Varonat, years later, Jade saved the lives of Karrde and one of her lieutenants, impressing the crime boss. He immediately offered her a role in his organization, which she accepted, becoming a key part of the smuggling group. She became a smuggler, a fierce guardian of Karrde, and second in command of the entire operation.based on the jungle planet Myrkyr.
Talon Karrde’s surprising relationship with the new republic
Ally in the Smugglers’ Alliance
During Grand Admiral Thrawn’s return, Karrde became a very important asset to the fledgling Legends. New Republic. Upon initially being approached by the Grand Admiral about the mystical Ysalamiri living on Myrkyr, he became involved in events involving Leia Organa Solo, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and their allies. His organization became involved in the conflict between the New Republic and Thrawn.
During this tumultuous period, Mara Jade became an ally of Luke Skywalker, and Karrde began organizing what would later be called the Smugglers’ Alliance. Acting as a third-party representative of the galaxy’s smugglers, this Alliance brought together the galactic underworld. The Smugglers’ Alliance would also be key to the New Republic’s victory, with their arrival at the Battle of Bilbringi – where Thrawn was defeated and ultimately killed.
Furthermore, the Smugglers’ Alliance continued to be a valuable asset, particularly for brokering information for the New Republic. Mara Jade was part of the group and served as a representative of the New Republic during its ongoing growing pains. Karrde himself continued to lead his organization and even appeared in the galactic spotlight once again to aid the New Republic in its conflict against the Dark Jedi warlord Kueller.
Over time, the Smugglers’ Alliance gradually drifted further and further away, leaving Karrde more or less alone once again. As an independent and successful leader, Karrde began seeking out Jorj Car’das once again, trying to find out what had happened to his original mentor and boss. This led him to encounter the elderly smuggler, and both Car’das and Karrde played a key role in the Caamas Document crisis in Thrawn’s Hand duology in 19 ABY.
Talon Karrde: Jabba’s (best) heir
Heir to the underworld
Much of Timothy Zahn’s original Thrawn trilogy deals with the heirs of organizations left leaderless in previous years. The heir of the Jedi was Luke Skywalker, the Republic was Leia, the Heir to the Empire himself was Thrawn, and Talon Karrde was the heir to the criminal underworld. Of course, this is due to Jabba the Hutt’s death in Return of the Jedi in Leia’s hands.
Jabba’s death, just like in Star Wars Canon, it left a power vacuum that was filled by many, but the events of the Thrawn trilogy prove that Karrde truly was the heir to the criminal underworld – but in a very different way. Karrde led with respect, honor and intelligence rather than with brute force and cruelty as Jabba did before himand as criminal organizations almost always tended to do. This was Karrde’s secret weapon and allowed him to happily align himself with the New Republic for the good of the galaxy.
Will Talon Karrde Ever Become a Star Wars Canon?
Or is Boba Fett the new Talon Karrde?
Many elements of Zahn’s Thrawn trilogy made it into the Star Wars canonical narrative during the modern era of Star Wars television. From the scheming senators who seem to be against the New Republic’s countermeasures, to Grand Admiral Thrawn’s return to the galaxy from afar, it seems that the Star Wars universe is gearing up for a loose adaptation of the Thrawn trilogy into canon. Where does Talon Karrde, an important part of the books, influence these plans?
Many are convinced that Talon Karrde will never become canon – because his role is apparently being filled by another character: Boba Fett. In The Book of Boba FettBoba goes from being a simple bounty hunter, the best in the galaxy, to fighting to lead a criminal organization in a more honorable way. Changed by his time in the Sarlacc, Boba Fett may now be poised to lead an honorable smuggling organization, playing the role of Talon Karrde in the war against Thrawn in the modern world. Star Wars canon.