The Des'mar—meaning "forward-looking"—were a group of Saurtons on the planet Essowyn who supported the mining corporations. They believed that, for their homeworld to prosper, they needed the outside trade and culture that the companies brought with them. They opposed the Quenno, a faction of Saurtons who wanted to be rid of the mining corporations and return Essowyn to the control of the Saurton people.