The Kel Dor: Exploring Plo Koon's Species and Homeworld

"We're just clones, sir. We're meant to be expendable."
"Not to me."

- Sergeant Sinker and Plo Koon, The Clone Wars, "Rising Malevolence" (S1E2)

"Not to me." Jedi Master Plo Koon's three simple words to his disheartened clone troopers reveal everything you need to know about this extraordinary Kel Dor Jedi.

If you've watched The Clone Wars, you know Plo Koon as the compassionate warrior in the signature mask — a calm, unflappable Jedi Master and member of the High Council. His dedication to protecting the clone troopers under his command, including his elite Wolfpack, reveals his high moral character. And the guidance he gives Ahsoka Tano and Anakin Skywalker illuminates his ever-balanced wisdom. Sadly, like many Jedi, Plo Koon meets a tragic end during Order 66. Yet, his legacy continues to fascinate fans, offering us a window into the mysterious Kel Dor species.

The Kel Dor are a unique species. Despite the renown of Jedi Master Plo Koon, they remain a mystery. But fear not! At Youtini, we’ve scoured the archives, including Star Wars roleplaying game guides, to provide the most complete look at this unique Star Wars species.  

In this article, we'll explore the harsh homeworld of the Kel Dor, their distinctive biology, culture, and Force traditions, along with other notable members of this intriguing species. We'll also clarify what's Canon and what's Legends, as the Kel Dor span both continuities.

The Planet Dorin

Dorin is a dangerous and tumultuous world. Located in the Expansion Region between the Inner and Mid Rim, this unusual planet has shaped every aspect of Kel Dor existence.

What makes Dorin truly unique is its position between two black holes that have profoundly impacted its development. Dorin’s atmosphere consists primarily of helium and a gas unique to the planet — Dorin gas — which is essential for Kel Dor life but toxic to most other species in the galaxy.  (More on that later!)

The black holes also produce harsh, chaotic, and dangerous weather. Violent storms have influenced the architecture of Dorin, encouraging the Kel Dor to construct homes and buildings strong enough to protect their citizens. Most spaces, including personal homes, are open to anyone who needs shelter, even non-natives. No doubt, this has nourished the Kel Dor sense of altruism. Their harsh weather, atmosphere, and environment have created a kind, steadfast species that relies on each other to survive. 

Canon tells us little about the geography of this obscure planet. According to Legends, Dorin is shrouded in dust and darkness.

Dorin’s unusual placement in the expansion region and its harsh environment have limited its contact with the galaxy. Access to the planet is challenging. This impacts trade, while the dangerous weather and rare atmosphere dissuade tourism. Visitors must wear a special breathing apparatus when on the world to survive the toxic atmosphere. Clearly, Dorin won’t top the list for a romantic getaway!

Kel Dor Biology and Physiology

Dorin's unique environment directly shaped Kel Dor evolution, creating a species distinctly adapted to their challenging homeworld. Their eyes, respiratory system, and skin are specially suited for this intense world. 

Here’s what we know about their physical characteristics:

The most crucial aspect of Kel Dor physiology is their respiratory system. Oxygen — the gas that sustains most humanoid life — is poisonous to the Kel Dor. Their biology evolved specifically to process helium and Dorin gas, the key components of their homeworld's atmosphere. This biological adaptation has several important consequences.

Dark Horse Comics

When off Dorin, Kel Dor must wear antiox breathing masks and special goggles to protect their lungs and eyes from non-Dorin atmospheres. Off-world, they cannot see without their goggles, but their vision actually becomes stronger in foreign atmospheres when properly protected. The upside of these life support aids is that their goggles, antiox mask, and rugged skin allow them to survive in the vacuum of space for a time, which is an excellent survival asset when traveling the galaxy!

Lucasfilm

Fortunately for some intrepid travelers, there are off-world dwellings with atmospheres specifically designed for the Kel Dor, such as Plo Koon's room in the Jedi Temple and the Kel Dor quarters of the Galactic Senate. However, Kel Dor can’t always rely on such accommodations being available. This makes interplanetary trips dangerous and limits their travel. It's mostly nobles and highly adventurous types who journey off-world. All this serves to keep Dorin isolated and adds to the unique mystery of the Kel Dor.

Dorin's harsh conditions have not only shaped Kel Dor biology but have also fostered a culture that values both community and justice. The need to survive in this challenging environment has created a society built on service and decisive action — traits we see reflected in Jedi like Plo Koon.

Kel Dor Culture and Society

Dorin's extreme environment is the primary driver of their cultural practice, creating a truly specialized species adapted to a world that would be lethal to most other beings.  Perhaps raising families and building communities on such a dangerous planet has fostered a sense of altruism. 

Kel Dor culture is built on a foundation of kindness, morality, and justice. Their society places high value on both community strength and individual integrity — values we see perfectly reflected in Plo Koon's leadership style during the Clone Wars.  They are known to be calm and collected. How else to survive on such a volatile planet?

“Your emotions are clouding your judgment.”  

Plo Koon to Anakin Skywalker, The Clone Wars “Padawan Lost” (S3E21)

Plo Koon's compassion for his clone troopers exemplifies this commitment to moral balance. When they describe themselves as expendable in a war they were literally made for, his response — "Not to me" — demonstrates the Kel Dor belief that all beings deserve respect and fair treatment.

Wizards of the Coast

A razor-sharp sense of justice is at the beating heart of Kel Dor's ethical philosophy.  The Kel Dor act decisively upon this sense of justice and take matters into their own hands when necessary.  Some species may see this as a form of vigilantism, but to the Kel Dor — a cool-headed species from a turbulent planet — it’s a means to survival.

This leads us to the awesome Electric Judgment of Jedi Master Plo Koon!

The Force Power Electric Judgment

In Legends, Plo Koon wields a controversial Force power called "Electric Judgment," which is similar to Sith Force lightning but manifests as yellow or green energy. Unlike dark side lightning born of hate, Electric Judgment comes from a place of justice. Though not officially Canon, this ability illustrates the Kel Dor approach to power:  principled yet decisive.

Baran Do

In Legends, one of the most fascinating aspects of Kel Dor culture is the Baran Do Sage tradition, which we see in the novel Fate of the Jedi: Outcast. Known as the Sages or the Baran Do Sages, this Force-sensitive tradition predates the Kel Dor's involvement with the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order by thousands of years.  As legendary Force users, the Baran Do serve as seers and weather-predictors on Dorin, using their Force sensitivity for precognition to guide their people through disasters, violent storms, and political challenges.

The Baran Do Sages focus more on inner peace and meditation than combat. They don’t wield lightsabers and view the Jedi as a more militant order. The Baran Do approach to the Force emphasizes prediction and guidance over direct intervention. However, they act when necessary, trusting the Force to reveal the perfect moment. This philosophical difference enables the Sages to survive the Jedi Purge during the Empire's reign by retreating further into isolation.  

It’s interesting to note that in Legends material, the Kel Dor have heightened intuitive abilities that change with air density or atmospheric pressure. They can harness telekinesis and even summon powerful whirlwinds! This natural sensitivity might explain their species' connection to Force-based precognition, which is particularly evident in the Baran Do Sage tradition.

Notable Kel Dor

While Plo Koon remains the most famous Kel Dor in Star Wars, several other members of this fascinating species appear across various media. Here’s a brief dossier on Kel Dor characters in the Star Wars universe. 

Plo Koon

As a member of the Jedi High Council during the Clone Wars, Plo Koon provides steady leadership during the Republic's most turbulent period. His calm demeanor makes him a stabilizing presence, both on the Council and on the battlefield, as seen not only in the TV series but also in John Jackson Miller's novel The Living Force.

Plo Koon's most significant contribution might be discovering a young Ahsoka Tano and bringing her to the Jedi Order. This single act has profound implications for the galaxy, as Ahsoka becomes one of the most important Force users in the Star Wars mythos.

Lucasfilm

In battle, Plo Koon leads the elite 104th Battalion, known as the "Wolfpack.” His relationship with his clone troopers reveals his true character: he sees them as individuals rather than disposable soldiers. That relationship is one of the reasons his death during Order 66 is one of the most tragic moments of Revenge of the Sith, shot down by his own pilots while flying over Cato Neimoidia. 

Dave Filoni, supervising director of The Clone Wars, has often cited Plo Koon as his favorite Jedi, which explains the character's expanded role in the series.  

Sha Koon

In Purge – Seconds to Die, a Dark Horse Legends comic, Sha Koon is introduced as Plo Koon's niece. Also a Jedi Knight, she carries on her uncle's legacy of service and commitment to justice, even battling Darth Vader himself!

Dark Horse Comics

Though less prominent than her famous uncle, Sha Koon's existence suggests that Force sensitivity might run in Kel Dor families. Her character reveals much of what we know about the Kel Dor in Legends.

Tol Braga

Appearing in Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR), a massive online role-playing game, Master Tol Braga is a Kel Dor Jedi Master in the Old Republic era. A respected member of the Jedi Council, Tol Braga is known for his pacifist ideals and his belief that even the Sith Emperor could be redeemed.

Bo Keevil

Bo Keevil is a young Kel Dor pilot for the Resistance in Ace Squadron during the Rise of the First Order. He appears in the animated series Star Wars Resistance.

Lucasfilm

Ithia Paan

The newest addition to Kel Dor representation is Ithia Paan, a Jedi from the High Republic era who appears in The Acolyte. On a team mission to locate Jedi Master Kelnacca, she faces a Sith Lord mysteriously known as “the Stranger.”

Kel Dor in Star Wars Media

The Kel Dor have appeared across various Star Wars media, though often with Plo Koon as their primary representative.  

Canon Appearances

In the Prequel Trilogy films, Plo Koon appears as a member of the Jedi Council in The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith, where we witness his tragic death during Order 66.

The Clone Wars animated series develops Plo Koon into a fan-favorite character. Episodes like "Rising Malevolence" showcase his leadership and compassion, while others reveal his special bond with Ahsoka Tano. He also appears with Ahsoka in the animated series Tales of the Jedi, and you can read about him in the novel The Living Force.

Legends Appearances

The Kel Dor receive more treatment in Legends material, particularly comics and games. Dark Horse Comics introduced additional Kel Dor characters, including Sha Koon.

The various Star Wars Roleplaying Games provide detailed information about Kel Dor biology, culture, and the Baran Do Sages. These game sourcebooks remain valuable resources for understanding the species, even if they're no longer strictly Canon.

Star Wars: The Old Republic features Kel Dor characters, notably Master Tol Braga, placing the species within the Old Republic era.

Other Star Wars Resources

For fans wanting to learn more about the Kel Dor, several additional resources exist:

• Youtini’s Ultimate Guide to Plo Koon contains canonical information about Star Wars' most famous Kel Dor.

• Various Star Wars visual dictionaries include sections on the Kel Dor and their homeworld.

• Wookieepedia offers more details on Kel Dor and their heroic individuals. 

• StarWars.com has a great Plo Koon gallery and short biography!

Conclusion

The Kel Dor represent one of the most intriguing species in the Star Wars universe. Their unique biology, adapted to Dorin's harsh environment, and rich cultural traditions make them stand out among the galaxy's countless alien species.

Through Plo Koon, we've seen the best qualities of the Kel Dor brought to life.  And as initiatives like The Acolyte and The High Republic introduce fresh Kel Dor faces, we're bound to discover even more about these masked enigmas and their ancient Force traditions. 

So next time you spot that distinctive antiox mask, remember you're seeing one of the galaxy's most extraordinary species whose wisdom speaks directly to our hearts!