Star Wars Universe Roleplaying Game

Kian'thar

Kian’thar are tall, purplish-pink reptilian humanoids native to the marshes and shorelines of Shaum Hii. Distinctive in silhouette, they possess large deep-set eyes, shifting keratin neck plates, and a pair of dangling olfactory tendrils that sway as they walk. Their evolution began in the dark swamps of their world before they gradually migrated upward toward the coastal shallows, adapting their bodies and culture to a life surrounded by slow tides, floating villages, and vast grazing herds of aquatic beasts. Though their technology remained simple for most of their early history, their empathic ability — the innate talent to sense emotions in other beings — set them apart long before first contact with the wider galaxy.

That empathic sense is the defining core of Kian’thar identity. Most use it to diffuse conflict, soothe tensions, or understand the unspoken undercurrents of a group. A few, however, have bent that insight toward manipulation or deceit, earning the Species both admiration and distrust from outsiders. When Shistavanen scouts first charted the Tragan Cluster in 300 BBY and encountered the Kian’thar, the Species was thrust into galactic awareness. Within a few generations, more than two million Kian’thar left Shaum Hii in search of opportunity, wanderlust-driven adventure, or spiritually meaningful work as mediators, advisors, and negotiators.

Their society at home remained divided between two philosophical factions: the Iith'lon, or Preservers — who wished to keep the old ways, living simply on floating villages and tending derlac herds — and the Lllun, or Progressives — who saw great potential in joining the galactic community. Though the two factions frequently disagreed, they almost never escalated beyond spirited debate over steaming cups of oceanroot. Ranchers traveled on bentails, large flying beasts they raised from hatchling to adulthood, forming bonds as strong as family. Their derlacs, immense aquatic grazers, were marked by family brands, then driven across the waters during seasonal migrations.

Despite their primitive home-tech, Kian’thar who left Shaum Hii adapted quickly to modern society. Their emotional insight proved invaluable in diplomacy, corporate mediation, criminal negotiations, and rebellion-era intelligence work. Some rose to prominence as counselors or peacemakers, while others embraced the shadows as con artists or manipulators, using their natural talents to read intentions with unnerving speed. Adventuring Kian’thar are often driven by wanderlust, curiosity, and a deeply internal sense that the galaxy still has countless emotional “currents” worth exploring.

On the outside, Kian’thar appear calm, even solemn, with slow, deliberate body language and wide, glassy eyes that seldom betray their inner thoughts. But beneath that tranquil surface is a Species attuned to the emotional resonance of others — a constant undertow of unspoken feelings, tensions, and intentions they perceive instinctively. Whether herding derlacs on bentails, debating on floating village platforms, or navigating the underbelly of Nar Shaddaa, the Kian’thar remain creatures of intuition, empathy, and deep-seated wanderer’s drive.

Home Planet: Shaum Hii
Physical Description: Kian’thar are tall, slim, reptilian humanoids standing between 1.8 and 2.1 meters, with purplish-pink skin and glassy, deep-set eyes adapted to the dim swamps of their evolutionary past. Their necks are protected by shifting keratin plates that rise and fall subtly as they breathe or turn their heads. Two long, tentacle-like olfactory tendrils hang from their faces, constantly sampling the air and providing nuanced chemical information about their surroundings. Their bodies are covered in fine scales, more visible along the shoulders and neck ridges. These distinctive features, together with their calm posture and deliberate movements, give Kian’thar an otherworldly, contemplative appearance.

Average Height: 1.9 meters
Average Weight: 75 kilograms
Age of Adulthood: 17 years

Personality & Customs: Kian’thar are natural empaths, strongly attuned to the emotional states of others. This makes them perceptive, diplomatic, and often cautious in social interactions. They prefer resolving disputes peacefully and dislike overt aggression, though their emotional depth can cause intense mood shifts. Their culture emphasizes honesty and emotional clarity, and lying is both culturally discouraged and psychologically uncomfortable for them. Kian’thar villages are typically built on stilts or floating platforms above shallow waters, where communities raise derlacs and travel via domesticated bentails. This lifestyle fosters cooperation, patience, and a deep connection to their environment. After meeting offworlders, the Species split into two groups: the Iith'lon, who strive to preserve traditional ways, and the Lllun, who seek progress and galactic participation. Despite philosophical differences, the factions rarely feud, resolving most disagreements through discussion and ritualized debate.

Languages: Kian'thar, Basic

Example Names: Khral'Nas, Kreet'ah, Llleag'Mak, Lliegis'Nevz, Ttul'Thar