Eight things we learned about Batuu from ‘Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire’

While Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is now open at Disneyland Resort, the backstory behind the First Order and Resistance’s presence there won’t be revealed until Delilah S. Dawson’s novel, “Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire,” is released on Aug. 27 – just two days before Walt Disney World opens their nearly identical land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

By Quinn Roseboom

While at the grand opening media event at Disneyland park, we were gifted with an advance copy of the book. After reading, we compiled a list of some of the book’s tie-ins you can find in the land, along with details about the state of the galaxy after the events of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” that we learned about while reading.

Keep in mind, we were given an advance, unproofed copy, so facts and details may change before the book’s actual release in August. Also, spoilers for “Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire” are ahead.

This new novel is the sequel to Dawson’s “Phasma”, which first introduced us to General Leia Organa’s top spy Vi Moradi. Guests visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge can find Vi herself running around the planet of Batuu. Those sympathetic to the Resistance can help her with a reconnaissance mission and scope out the 709th Legion of the First Order, which has just landed at Black Spire Outpost.

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1. The book serves as a prequel to the land, and is set four months after “The Last Jedi.” Unfortunately, most of the galaxy doesn’t know that Starkiller Base was destroyed after the Hosnian Cataclysm, and the First Order has been free to take control of the galaxy while the Resistance struggles to rebuild after it’s near-defeat at the Battle of Crait.

General Organa sends Vi to the planet of Batuu to establish a base and recruit more people to the Resistance’s cause. When the First Order is tipped off about this, they also head to Batuu to continue trying to destroy what remains of their enemy.

2. Savi, proprietor of Savi’s Scrapyard, and the secret Savi’s Workshop, and Lor San Tekka, the old man from the beginning of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” grew up together and shared the same ideals and belief in the Force. Lor helped Luke find the original Jedi temples on Ahch-to, and covered his tracks until Poe and BB-8 retrieved the map to Luke from him – which we see in “The Force Awakens.”

In the novel, one of the Gatherers (builders of lightsabers in Savi’s Workshop) tries to convince Savi to give Vi and the Resistance the lightsabers that Savi secretly sells. He refuses, saying the Gatherers need to help keep the balance of the force by not shifting the scales, but also that they would one day play their part in the ‘grander scheme.’

It seems he may be reluctant as of now, only since Oga Garra has forbidden him from getting involved with the conflict between the two factions. Perhaps if Batuu makes an appearance in “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” Savi will decide it’s time to equip the Resistance with the armaments they could desperately use?

3. Archex, formerly known as Cardinal, the Stormtrooper-turned-Resistance Agent from Dawson’s “Phasma,” whittles in his spare time. He carved the wooden Convors, Wortts and Tooka Cats that are actually sold at Toydarian Toymaker in the Black Spire Outpost Marketplace.

4. The planet of Batuu has three suns and two moons, according to “Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire.” This is an odd fact, considering while visiting the planet, we definitely won’t get to see more than just one of each at a time, at least while walking through the outdoor sections of the land.

5. Oga Garra, the owner of Oga’s Cantina, is the big boss who knows about everyone’s dealings on Batuu and manages them. Oga only supports two things: herself and Black Spire Outpost. She isn’t necessarily good or bad, but she certainly isn’t someone you want to upset.

Oga is a Blutopian, a species we’ve never seen before in the “Star Wars” universe. She speaks Huttese, has gray, leathery skin, eyes like black dots, a mess of pinkish tentacles for a mouth, a hunched back, flipper-like arms and huge hands. You aren’t able to actually see her in Galaxy’s Edge, but walking past her Cantina, you can occasionally hear her punishing the odd smuggler for not paying his debts.

6. The tree outside of Savi’s with ribbons tied to it is a Wishing Tree. Locals tie pieces of fabric to its branches while making vows and wishes, and as it disintegrates over time, it’s said that the wish comes true.

7. At one point, Vi mentions an upcoming assignment that involves infiltrating a Star Destroyer that has been given to a new unit in the Resistance, code-named “Green Team.” The book concludes just as the 709th and Kylo Ren arrive at Batuu, which is when the land’s story takes place while guests are there. Could this be the mission we’re being sent on in the upcoming attraction, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance?

8. The ancient ruins where the Resistance has made its base were once riddled with booby traps. Vi had to navigate through them while scouting the ruins before establishing the base. Could we see the remains of these traps, and set any off that she wasn’t able to find during the base’s hasty construction in the queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance when it opens later this year?

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There is so much still to learn about Black Spire Outpost inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, but we now know a bit more thanks to “Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire.”

You can preorder this brand-new novel now, or pick it up at your local bookstore on Aug. 27.