Esseles

The planet Esseles is located in the Darpa sector of the Core Worlds along the Perlemian Trade Route. For years, Esseles dominated all the other planets within the Darpa sector, but the planet lost territory during the pre-Clone Wars era, and still more with the rise of the Empire. Esseles is a warm world covered with young mountain ranges, and its 24 billion inhabitants live in the few scattered valleys and plains. The Esselians are loyal to their homeworld, and prefer to meet their own needs before those of the Empire; an active New Order party has been trying to force Esseles more fully into the Imperial mold. Calamar, the planet's capital city, is viewed as a center of high culture with its many parks and museums. New Calamar is located on the planet's southern continent (which is often called Calamar) and is home to Terril Naval Base. Other cities include Alabar. Esseles' government is composed of the elected representatives of the Hall and President Cambira Ralle, who are all overseen by Imperial Governor Griff Takel. President Ralle, a hero who led Esseles through the Clone Wars, is a member of the Forad political party. After the Battle of Yavin, Ralle was challenged by both the rival Cardean party and the pro-Empire Esselian New Order (ENO) party, the leader of which asked Ralle to step down voluntarily in favor of the ENO candidate. The planet is a center for high-tech research and development, including hypernautics and advanced hyperdrive engines. Prior to the Battle of Yavin, Esseles' economy was hurt by Lord Tion's blockade of the nearby world Ralltiir. This severely harmed Esseles' alien population, who largely work in the transportation industry. The controversial jatz musician Fitz Roi created a stir when he appeared on stage dressed as a Jedi Knight during a concert in Calamar, and Roi later declared his intentions to live on Esseles full-time. Doctor Pippa Rosheed taught at Sperinad University on Esseles between her stints with Fernandin Scouting Expedition. [SWAJ, GG2]