Wumpus

From Ewokpedia

The Wumpus is the title given to the chief of the Wampa, a tribe of large, cave-dwelling beasts who live on Hoth and Irata. According to the folklore of the Hoth natives, if one captures a Wumpus he will relinquish his treasure in exchange for his freedom.

In the opening scenes of Star Wars 5: The Empire Strikes Back, the current Wumpus of Hoth, Grravaganth, is shown attacking Luuke Skywalker and hanging him upside down in the Great Wampa Cave. Using the Force, Luuke is able to melt the bases of the ice stalactites above him and make them fall, impaling and killing the Wumpus when it approaches him.

After the death of Grravaganth, the Wampa tribe held a Wampa Stompa to choose their new Wumpus. Rrartharg, the twenty-fourth son of Grravaganth, emerged as the victor and remains the reigning Wumpus of Hoth, due to his use of what may be underdeveloped Force abilities. His struggles in the tournament and his exploits as ruler are chronicled in the King of Hoth trilogy written by Kevin J. Anderson and Orson Scott Card.

In the original version of Star Wars 5: The Empire Strikes Back, the Wumpus was a giant muppet manned by Frank Oz and voiced by David Prowse. The special edition of the film replaced this version of the Wumpus with the Snuffleupagus from Sesame Street.