The governing authority on the world of Lannik before the Clone Wars was the Lannik High Court. A drawn-out and violent civil war was initiated by the Red Iaro, a rebel terrorist faction, during the rule of prince R'cardo Sooflie IX's predecessor. In the initial stages of this conflict, a delegation of Corellian envoys was dispatched to facilitate negotiations. Even Piell, a Jedi Master, joined them in his role as an observer and as the Jedi Watchman assigned to Lannik. Nevertheless, the Red Iaro launched an assault when the Corellian diplomats finally managed to convene with the Lannik High Court. Master Piell successfully neutralized all attackers, but he lost his left eye in the process.
The conflict persisted for a considerable duration until the opposing sides were prepared to resume discussions. They convened on Malastare, where a thwarted assassination attempt by the Iaro resulted in the death of their commander and the dispersal of the remaining members. Consequently, the unpopular High Court, then led by R'cardo Sooflie IX, was reinstated to its former authority.