In a galaxy rife with political intrigue and power struggles, one entity stands out, captivating those who dare to delve deeper into it. The Hapes Consortium, a fascinating anomaly within the vastStar Warsuniverse, entices fans with its unique social and political structure. Amidst the clamor of republics and dictatorships, it proudly flaunts its divergence: a matriarchy unlike any other, with a history and culture that sets it apart from other systems in the galaxy.
In this extraordinary society, power and authority find sanctuary in the hands ofthe female membersof the Hapan species. As the architects of the Consortium’s fate, they reign supreme in a realm where their male counterparts willingly assume the roles of consorts and advisors.
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Who Rules The Hapes Consortium?
The figurehead of this society is the Queen Mother, who rules from either the Fountain Palace on Hapes or aboard the royal transport ship Star Home as she ventures across space. The title of Queen Mother is hereditary, passing from mother to daughter. Known as Ereneda, meaning “she who has no equal” in the Hapan language, the Queen Mother embodies an awe-inspiring aura. Her mere presence evokes admiration and respect, for the Hapans believe that male rule is unsuitable for the governance of the Consortium. Thus, if a Queen Mother bears only sons, the wife of the eldest son ascends to this position upon her predecessor’s passing or abdication.
According toStar Warssources online, the Hapan term for the Queen Mother’s position may be Ta’a Chume. However, discrepancies cast doubt on the accuracy of these claims. The title Chume, used in other Hapan royal designations like Chume’da, suggests a more straightforward term for “Queen Mother.”
Surrounding the Queen Mother at the Royal Court are representatives from each member planet of the Consortium. Their role involves voting on significant matters and providing updates on their respective planets' political and social conditions, which require the Queen Mother’s attention. However, despite the council’s advisory capacity, the Queen Mother ultimately holds the final authority, with her decisions becoming law.
The character of Ta’a Chume and the title of Queen Mother were introduced in Dave Wolverton’s novelThe Courtship of Princess Leia.
Where Does The Hapes Consortium Rule?
Nestled deep within the Inner Rim lies a region known as the Hapes Cluster. This sector has a notorious reputation, governed by the ancient dominion of the Hapes Consortium for a staggering four thousand years. It proudly claims its place between the Perlemian and Trellen trade routes, located in the Galactic North by Galactic East in the Slice. Its borders intertwine with the enigmatic regions of Neshig, Japrael, and the Ktilac Regions.
Legend speaks of the Hapes Consortium as a realm consisting of either 63 systems or 63 worlds. The passage of time has given rise to new colonies andexpanded the number of inhabited planets, and the charts of the stars have become increasingly precise over the millennia. Still, the ancient lore clings tightly to the historical count of this cosmic enclave.
Delving into the official records, a glimpse into the charted celestial bodies in the Hapes Cluster reveals close to one hundred planets, along with a smattering of smaller planetoids scattered across six distinct regions. The sector pulses with a high density of stars, nebulae, and moons, casting a radiant glow upon its worlds, most notably the celebrated Hapes Prime. However, such brilliance comes at a cost. The native Hapans have sacrificed their night vision to the relentless embrace of perpetual light.
But the Hapes Cluster is no ordinary sector. It exists as a gathering of several thousand stars concealed within the Transitory Mists. These veils of cosmic intrigue are adorned with gravity wells, tumultuous ion storms, and swirling nebulae that cloak the mysteries within. Such barriers have long hindered the journeys of hyperspace travelers, isolating theinhabitants of the Cluster from the wider galaxyfor millennia. Only a handful of treacherous hyperspace routes are considered navigable, leaving voyagers with no choice but to enter the Cluster through the treacherous gateways of Lorell or Roqoo.
Is The Hapes Consortium Part Of Star Wars Canon?
The Hapes Consortium resides in the realm of Star Wars Legends, an expansive universe of books, comics, and media that existed prior to 2014. This collection, formerly known as the Expanded Universe,diverges from the officialStar Warscanon.
In 2012, The Walt Disney Company acquired Lucasfilm, the masterminds behindStar Wars, with plans to create new films and establish a cohesive narrative. Lucasfilm declared that the existing Expanded Universe would be restructured and designated as Star Wars Legends. This move aimed to draw a clear line between the preexisting Expanded Universe material and the freshly minted official canon. Thus, a new official canon was born. This canon encompassed the seven main saga films, iconic TV shows such asStar Wars: The Clone WarsandStar Wars Rebels, and any forthcoming content generated after April 2014. Carefully curated tie-in novels, comics, and various media joined the fold.
By relegating the Expanded Universe tothe realm of Legends, Lucasfilm granted itself greater freedom and flexibility in shaping new tales and characters within theStar Warsuniverse. However, the door remained open for the reintroduction of elements from the Expanded Universe, albeit in modified or transformed forms, to find their place in the new canon.
