Saylew was a Rutian Twi'lek male who was a member of the religious group known as the Pilgrims during the Cold War between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire. Along with his wife, Saylew settled in Kalikori village on the planet Tython. In 3643 BBY, during a conflict with Tython's native Flesh Raiders, Saylew's wife was killed in an attack on the village, and an enraged Saylew sought vengeance on the Jedi Order for not helping the villagers—going so far as to betray the Jedi to the Flesh Raiders' leader, the Dark Jedi Bengel Morr. However, the villagers' betrayal was ultimately for naught, as Morr was defeated.