Ariq Joanson was a Tatooine moisture farmer who set up moisture vaporators in a location near the Dune Sea that had previously been considered unfarmable. These vaporators were farther out than anyone else had attempted on Tatooine.

His farm, which was only marginally profitable, bordered Jawa and Sand Person lands. Ariq felt that the three races could live together peacefully, despite the stories being spread by the Imperial governors. He regularly left gifts of water to both native races, and developed a great friendship with the Jawas of Wimateeka's clan.

He developed an uneasy truce with the Sand People. Many of his friends, including his neighbor Eyvind, thought he was crazy. Ariq paid them no mind, and planned to purchase a great tract of land that he would subdivide with Jawas and Sand People. He was even going to help them submit the paperwork to make the land officially their own.

When Eyvind became engaged to Ariela, Ariq asked if he could invite Wimateeka's clan. Ariela talked Eyvind into agreeing, and the wedding reception was a success. The Jawas were impressed with human customs and civility, while the humans marveled that the Jawas could be so friendly. 

When a group of adolescent Sand People attacked the reception, Ariq was greatly dismayed. Eyvind was killed in the attack, and the local Imperial detachment used the incident to further the distrust between the races. Ariq was undaunted, and after rescuing Ariela from the Sand People, he set out to find the Alliance and work with them to overthrow the Empire.

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