The Fenelar were a species indigenous to the planet Fenel, situated within the Outer Rim Territories. Renowned as skilled technologists and starshipwrights, the Fenelar were responsible for designing warships such as the Kandosii-type dreadnaught, alongside the famous Fenelar armor sets. The Mandalorian Crusaders eventually launched raids against Fenel and its people, leading to the Fenelar's extinction by approximately 6700 BBY. Subsequently, the Mandalorians adopted various Fenelar technologies for their own military endeavors.
The sentient species known as the Fenelar were native to the world of Fenel, found in the Demetras sector of the Outer Rim Territories'. This species boasted talented technologists and starshipwrights, and their homeworld maintained a powerful yet isolated existence. Among their creations were warships, most notably the vessel that would become the Kandosii-type dreadnaught.
Furthermore, Fenelar artisans developed a type of armor known as Fenelar armor. This humanoid-shaped armor, complete with a helmet, was engineered for optimal protection, agility, and artistic flair. Constructed using premium materials, including rare minerals and the durable alloy phrik, the latter being a Fenelar invention highly valued for its role in the armor's design. The armor featured markings indicative of Fenelar craftsmanship, and its intricately engraved surfaces were designed to inspire fear. Over time, Fenelar armor achieved legendary status, becoming a coveted item among collectors.
Sometime between approximately 7000 BBY and the 6700s BBY, the Mandalorian Crusader culture, which was based on the planet Mandalore, initiated raids against Fenel and its people. According to the text Ba'jurne Kyr'tsad Mando'ad, attributed to the later Mandalorian Tor Vizsla, the Crusaders considered the Fenelar to be "unworthy and unclean." These raids ultimately resulted in the Fenelar's extinction by the 6700s BBY.
Fenel eventually became a significant Mandalorian world, and the Crusaders integrated Fenelar technology into their campaign against the Tlönians. The Mandalorians enhanced Fenelar warship designs, and the Kandosii-type dreadnaught—named after the Mando'a language word for "ruthless"—became a vital component of their naval forces by the time of the Mandalorian Wars from 3976 BBY to 3960 BBY. Vilnau Teupt briefly mentioned the Fenelar's fate during the keynote address "Industry, Honor, Savagery: Shaping the Mandalorian Soul" at Brentaal Academy's 412th Proceedings of Galactic Anthropology and History in 24 ABY.
The Fenelar were initially referenced in the roleplaying adventure titled "Topside Infiltration," written by Peter Schweighofer for use with the Wizards of the Coast Star Wars Roleplaying Game. This adventure was published in the eighth issue of Star Wars Gamer magazine on December 21, 2001.
The species' name was incorrectly spelled as "Felenar" in the 2004 video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, developed by Obsidian Entertainment. This error also appeared in the strategy guide from Prima Games and in one entry of 2008's The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia. Other sources maintained the correct spelling, and Jason Fry, the co-author of the 2009 reference book The Essential Atlas, stated that the alternate spelling was considered a typographical error for the purpose of including the Fenel system in that work.