Star Wars Universe Roleplaying Game

Nightbrother

Nightbrothers are a warrior caste of Dathomirian Zabrak males who live on the deadly world of Dathomir, bound to the Nightsisters by blood, fear, and tradition. Once descended from criminal Zabrak exiles who sought refuge on the planet, they were gradually folded into the Nightsisters’ designs—trained as obedient muscle, bodyguards, and breeding stock rather than equal partners. Over generations this created a harsh culture defined by strength, endurance, and unquestioning loyalty, where weakness is scorned and emotional vulnerability is dangerous. The infamous Maul and his brother Savage Opress are among the most notorious Nightbrothers, their ferocity reflecting the brutal expectations placed upon their kind.

Nightbrothers grow up in isolated villages, drilled from youth in weapons drills, survival trials, and arena combat. Pain, scars, and constant danger are a normal part of life on Dathomir, and the planet’s twisted energies harden both body and mind. The strongest undertake lethal rites of passage: facing monstrous predators like chirodactyls, enduring punishing trials in haunted ruins, or proving themselves in ritual duels watched by Nightsister overseers. Those who survive earn tattoos, respect, and coveted positions as elite warriors—while those who fail are forgotten quickly.

Although many Nightbrothers are only minimally trained in the Force, they live in constant proximity to Nightsister magick and the dark ichor that suffuses Dathomir. This environment sharpens their reflexes and instincts, and some rare males awaken as powerful Force-sensitives or are transformed through Nightsister rituals into terrifying living weapons. These rare adepts channel the Force to enhance speed, strength, and aggression, often at the cost of their own emotional stability. Even Nightbrothers without formal training often display uncanny reactions, battle intuition, and a disturbing tolerance for pain.

Culturally, Nightbrothers are suspicious, territorial, and intensely loyal to their own clans. Outsiders are usually treated as threats—useful only if they can prove overwhelming power or offer a path to survival or vengeance. Within the clan, however, bonds between brothers are strong. They protect one another from the worst whims of the Nightsisters and stand together against invaders, droids, or Sith who trespass on their lands. Their sense of honor is harsh and pragmatic: betrayal is repaid in blood, failure is rarely forgiven, and mercy is a luxury few can afford on Dathomir.

A small number of Nightbrothers escape or are released into the wider galaxy. These wandering warriors often become Soldiers, enforcers, bounty hunters, or Force-using guardians teetering on the edge of the dark side. Their upbringing makes them formidable front-line combatants with a natural inclination toward aggression and ruthless tactics. Away from Dathomir they struggle with trust, subtlety, and diplomacy—but in battle, few can match the relentless fury of a Nightbrother fighting for his own survival or his chosen cause.

Home Planet: Dathomir
Physical Description: Nightbrothers are Dathomirian Zabrak males with powerful, athletic builds and the distinctive horns and facial structure of their species. They typically stand around the height of a standard Zabrak or Human, but are markedly more muscular and battle-hardened due to their harsh upbringing. Their skin tones range from pale to reddish or ochre shades, often contrasted by bold, jagged tattoos that cover the face and body. These tattoos are not merely decorative; they mark rites of passage, victories, and Nightsister rites that have shaped the warrior’s life. Their eyes tend to be intense and predatory, and their posture almost always reads as coiled and ready for violence. Scars, ritual brands, and old injuries are common and often worn proudly as proof of endurance. Nightbrothers favor practical, rugged gear: hardened leathers, scavenged armor plates, and wargear designed for mobility and brutality rather than ceremony. Many carry melee weapons—axes, spears, vibroblades, or archaic blades—alongside more modern technology, reflecting their deep cultural focus on close-quarters combat. Despite sharing many physical traits with other Zabrak, Nightbrothers are distinguished by their bearing. They move with the predatory confidence of hunters raised in a world where everything is either predator or prey. Even at rest, they rarely appear relaxed; tension, vigilance, and readiness are written into every motion.

Average Height: Around 1.8 meters
Average Weight: 80–95 kilograms
Age of Adulthood: 15 years

Personality & Customs: Nightbrothers are shaped by a life of subjugation, ritual combat, and constant threat. They are disciplined, stoic, and intensely focused, with emotions that run deep but are rarely expressed openly. Their culture teaches that fear, doubt, and tenderness are weaknesses that invite punishment, so most Nightbrothers learn to bury their feelings behind cold, guarded façades. They respect strength, decisive action, and victory above all; honor is defined less by mercy and more by fulfilling one’s role, avenging slights, and surviving no matter the cost. Among their own kind, Nightbrothers value camaraderie, loyalty, and shared hardship. They watch each other’s backs in battle and often risk themselves to protect their brothers from the most capricious demands of Nightsister masters. Rites of passage—such as hunting dangerous beasts, proving oneself in arenas, or enduring grueling trials—are central to their identity. Success in these trials earns status, tattoos, and sometimes the attention of powerful witches or offworld patrons. To outsiders, Nightbrothers come across as hostile, emotionally distant, and frighteningly quick to violence. They rarely trust non-Dathomiri and tend to interpret diplomacy as manipulation or weakness unless backed by clear demonstrations of strength. At the same time, their sense of obligation is intense: once a Nightbrother accepts someone as an ally or benefactor, he may fight ferociously on their behalf, even to the point of self-destruction. Many who leave Dathomir struggle with guilt, rage, and a lingering pull toward the dark side, but also see offworld life as a rare chance to define their own purpose beyond the Nightsisters’ control.

Languages: Paecian, Basic

Example Names: Freff, Mak Eak, Merrin, Savage Opress, Taron Malicos, Viscus