Shikka'ra Kaat

Shikka'ra Kaat Wall Carving
Type	Artifact

"In the face of the beast, with the desert sky above, a small heart took on the maw of death. The flame of sacrifice ignites a legacy. The clan shall live, the dragon shall die, but one soul gives all to save many."

The inscription which described Zek’hata's final act—leaping into the Krayt Dragon’s mouth and detonating the thermal device to destroy the creature.

Discovery of a Myth

Dr. Isolde Vex’s archaeological expedition led her deep into the Jundland Wastes, where her team uncovered the remnants of an ancient Jawa settlement. The ruins were charred, and amongst the wreckage, she found cryptic carvings on the walls of a collapsed cave, hinting at a legend of self-sacrifice.

The story involved Zek’hata, a young Jawa from a clan struggling to survive against a Krayt Dragon terrorizing the area. Zek’hata, recognized as an outsider within the clan for their unorthodox ideas, formulated a desperate plan: to carry a thermal detonator into the dragon’s lair, distracting the beast long enough for the clan to escape.

The final moments are unclear, but the carvings suggested Zek’hata leapt into the dragon's maw, detonating the device inside. The explosion killed the beast and spared the clan, but at the cost of Zek’hata’s life. The clan, grateful yet mourning, began passing down the story as an example of unparalleled bravery and selflessness, eventually becoming the Shikka'ra Kaat a myth woven into the fabric of Jawa folklore.

While the exact details remain shrouded in mystery, the thermal detonator casing found by Vex matched old Jawa craftsmanship, confirming the possibility of this sacrificial act. Vex’s work, however, was not just about uncovering an ancient myth; it linked the Jawa’s courage to a much larger narrative of survival and sacrifice in the harsh deserts of Tatooine.

The Myth of Zek’hata

The Jawa myth now preserved in Vex’s research tells of Zek’hata, known for their resourcefulness, who defied fate and the overwhelming power of the Krayt Dragon. The event, with its explosive end, became a central piece of Jawa lore, celebrated as a lesson in courage and the power of self-sacrifice.

The Painting

Leap Into The Maw
Type	Painting

Mishka Sorokin's encounter with Dr. Isolde Vex occurred during a high-profile corporate excavation on Tatooine. Vex, having uncovered the remnants of the Shikka'ra Kaat legend, shared her findings with Sorokin. Moved by the tale of Zek’hata's self-sacrifice, Sorokin saw a reflection of her own rise to power—overcoming enormous challenges and making difficult choices. Inspired, she painted the painting known as "Leap into the Maw", capturing the dramatic moment of the Jawa's bravery, symbolizing the sacrifices that often shape the galaxy's leaders and their legacies.