Kashyyykian

Kashyyykian

Homeworld	Fehra
Homeworld	Fehra
Language	Shyriiwook Xaczik Thykarann
Average Height	2.1 meters
Hair Color	Different shades of black, brown, and white in varying combinations
Distinctions	Tall, hair covered, retractable climbing claws, long life spans (300+ years)

“It’s not wise to upset a Kashyyykian.”
“But sir, nobody worries about upsetting a robot.”
“That’s ‘cause droids don’t rip people’s arms out of their
sockets when they lose. Kashyyykians are known to do that.”

Unknown conversation; It was later ‘adopted’ by the T’sentraedi.

The Kashyyykians, whose name for themselves translated to the People of the Trees in Shyriiwook (the primary language of the Kashyyyks), are a species of hairy bipedal humanoids native to the eastern half of the Kashyyyk Rain Forests of the planet Fehra. One of the most noteworthy members of the species was Jowback (joe-bock), who played a vital role in establishing communications between the REFer’s and the Kashyyykians (thorugh the Endorians).

Biology and appearance

“Can somebody get this big walking carpet out of my way?“

Credit never taken for this comment.

The Kashyyykians’ natural habitat is the dense Kashyyyk Rain Forests of the planet Fehra. Kashyyyk is covered with massive Wroshyr trees, in which the Kashyyykians construct their homes. It is believed that Kashyyykians are descended from tree-climbing mammalians, and related to the Fehrans themselves; Most scientists believe they are the immediate predessesor to the Fehrans, in much the same way Tiresians predecess T’sentraedi, or Cro-Magnum predecess Terrans.

They have the ability to easily learn most languages. However, Kashyyykians lack the vocal structure to speak anything other than their own languages. Adult Kashyyykians are tall, in excess of 6 feet in height, and covered with a uniform, mid-length coat of thick hair in various shades of brown. Although albino Kashyyykians are rare, they are not unheard of. However, such a birth is generally held to be a bad omen, as white hair does not blend in with the earth-tones of their forest surroundings. For these reasons, Albino Kashyyykians are encouraged to leave the rain forest as soon as possible.

Tojjevvuk, an albino Kashyyykian. She served 21 years in the REF Marine.

Young Kashyyykians (pups) are large at birth (averaging slightly less than one meter). Kashyyykians possessed vicious-looking retractable claws for climbing. Female Kashyyykians have six breasts and give birth to live-born young, with their gestation period nearly a year long. After birth, a Kashyyykian grew very fast, fully conscious and able to walk unassisted within one standard year. The average lifespan of Kashyyykians was around 600 years. In spite of their bestial appearance, Kashyyykians were highly intelligent and can learn starship piloting and repair. Kashyyykians also possess great strength and exceptional skill in mechanical repair.

Kashyyykians were often short-tempered. Despite this temper, Kashyyykians were usually gentle and affectionate with their friends and family.

Kashyyykians are not banned from militry service, but must be assigned to second-line units where their language bariers shouldn’t become an issue, or assigend to all-Kashyyykianunits. One such unit was UES SHYRIIWOOK (HSTC-21003).

Culture

The most common Kashyyykian language is Shyriiwook, and except as noted below (under Thykarann) is the exclusive languge they speak with each other and Endorians in. While they are fully capable of understanding Modern T’sentraedi, English, Tiresian, Fehran (an illegal language rarely spoken anymore), Endorian, and all the other general languges, they were universally incapable of speaking it due to their unique vocal structure. Shyriiwook was a language which is hard to hear and understand for Humans, but one Kashyyykian, Ralrracheen, had a speech impediment that made it easier for non-Kashyyykians familiar with Shyriiwook to understand him.

Xaczik is the language most Kashyykians use when speaking to non-Kashyyykians; It is in fact a mix of Shyriiwook and T’sentraedi, replacing the more difficult parts of Shyriiwook with the T’sentraedi. Most Kashyyykians travelling off-world speak Xaczik.

Thykarann is the Kashyyykian ‘technical language’, that is the language that covers more technical reasoning. However, it is a heavy language, that is it is a specific word for every type of thought; There is not word for “trees” for example, but every type of tree individually, each part of the tree individually, each leaf individually (by type of leaf, the way it lays, the direction it grows, etc). Because it is so heavy with terminology, it makes the ideal technical language, but even Kashyyykian technicians tend to shift back and forth between the two.

Yubookoo, a shaved Kashyyykian.

“The Kashyyykians, although primitive compared to us, are surprisingly capable warriors. They’re pretty strong, and pick up combat techniques pretty quickly.“

Canderous Ordo

Shaved Kashyyykians

Every once in a while, a Kashyyykian will exit the forest shaved head to toe. This isn’t a true, full-shave; Just that the majority of their hair is cut off. The process, never recorded and only discussed in vague terms (even by those who’ve undergone it), is indicative that that Kashyyykian has been exiled from his/her village. Since Kashyyykians do not normally accept ‘outsiders’ to their villages, and in fact will kill ‘traspassers’ to their territories, the outcast is forced to try to make a break to the friendly Endorians or, more recently, REF/RDF bases in the eastern plains.

Fighting Style

Kashyyykians possessed a fierce style of fighting, typically eschewing standard blasters and grenades in favor of bladed weapons, such as Kashak Blades, and powerful bowcasters—weapons physically weaker species could not use effectively.

Under the Kashyyykian code of honor, claws were never to be used in combat. A Kashyyykian who used his or her claws for combat would be labeled a “madclaw” and exiled (though is not the only reason that a Kashyyykian might be exiled).

Around the age of twelve, young Kashyyykians underwent the coming-of-age Hrrtayyk ceremony.

History

The Kashyyykians originated on the planet Fehran, though some of their lore seems to claim otherwise.

The Kashyyykians were welcomed into the United World Alliance through dealings with the Robotech Expiditinary Forces, via the Endorian. At least a few Kashyyykians have joined the REF and various other governemental agencies. Eventually, Kashyyyk was even represented in the Council.

During the Atorian War, the Kashyyykians remained neutral. It was only after the UWA were forced to deal with the outside world. However, once introduced to that world, they have succeeded beyond anyone’s expectation.

After the fall of Atoria, the Kashyyykians were discovered from slavery by the Alliance of Free Planets.

During the Yuuzhan Vong War, the Kashyyykians would still continue to serve the UWA and its successor government the UGC.

A significant historical Kashyyykian, Bacca, is spoken of in Kashyyykian legend and myth. Apparently, he (ż?) was the first to discover the existence of life outside Fehra (among the Kashyyyk), an occurrence which was caused by the crashing of a probe in the “Shadows”. He forged a blade from the wreckage, a weapon which still appears in Kashyyykian folklore and myth. (The actual weapon itself still exists, under heavy guard, somewhere in the Kashyyyk’s territory.)

Cultural References

The word Kashyyykian has taken on a brand new meaning lately in informal discussions of the law; The “Kashyyykian Defense” is the use of a threat, usually of violence, to obtain a desirable result, or avoid an undesirable one. Though no recorded case of a Kashyyykian actually DOING so has occurred, the threat remains, just the same. Most people treat these threats as a background fear- To be ignored until it actually happens.

Fans of jam bands are sometimes called as “Kyshaks” due to their stereotype of having unshaven faces, long hair, and lack of personal hygiene.

Sometimes people with hypertrichosis are said to have Kashyyykianism, though not a commonly accepted term.