Races
Rodians
This bipedal race with tapir-like face and multifaceted eyes is native to the planet Rodia, in the Tyrius system. The skin of a Rodian is green in color, and there is very little physical variation within the species. Thus, non-Rodians often cannot tell two Rodians apart. The Rodian race has ears that swivel in their sockets, allowing them to hear in several directions. There is a ridge of spikes that crests their skulls, and their long, flexible fingers are tipped with suction cups. They are a race of hunters by nature, and bounty hunting seems to hold a place of high esteem. As a race, they evolved as hunters, surviving their planet's tropical environment and establishing a series of war games, which lasted for thousands of years. When an Old Republic scout team landed on the planet, the Rodians were there to meet them, armed to the teeth. They annihilated the scout team, and the Grand Protector declared that it was time to take their skills to the stars. Since then, they have not done as well as they had hoped. Many of the Rodians who make a living off-planet are working as bounty hunters for corrupt crime lords. Their weapon of choice is the thermal detonator, since a widespread explosion tends to kill more than a single blaster shot. Others are making a living as Imperial lackeys. Rodians almost wiped out themselves as a race since the birth rate could not keep up with the rate at which they were killing each other. Harido Kavila, the Grand Protector at the time, devised a way for the Rodian people to funnel their violent tendencies through dramatic plays. The stories revolved primarily around violence, but had a well-defined plot and used the violence to magnify the emotional impact of the plays. The Rodian dramas became well known throughout the galaxy, in part because they were strong dramas but also because they portrayed the full impact of violence on the perpetrator and his victim.
Gotals
Gotals are a humanoid race that possesses a limited ability to sense the Force. The Gotal have grey fur, and two cone-like horns on top of their heads. These horns are actually nerve-filled receptors that register the presence of infrared, radio, light, and electromagnetic emissions. These cones also have the ability to sense the presence of the Force as a vague buzzing. They come from a moon called Antar 4. They have an instinctual distrust of droids because their energy emissions foul up their sensitive horns. Since Gotals rely on their cones for many things they have a hard time interpreting the emotions of other races. This problem is rumored to have led to the Duinuogwuin-Gotal conflict. The one emotion most Gotal are sure of is love, and falling in love at first sight is a common occurrence among prospective mates. When two Gotals mate, they do so for life and begin raising a family as soon as possible. The Gotal are a race of hunters, and have little or no political affiliations. They are one of the few societies that exist in a peaceful anarchy. The Gotal resisted entry into the Old Republic, but had absolutely no desire to join the Empire.
Quarren
Quarrens are a humanoid race native to Calamari's deep oceans, they have helmet-shaped heads that are composed of a mass of tentacles set below close-set eyes. Being more accustomed to deep-sea living they chose to live below the water. They are a conservative race and are reluctant to accept new ideas. For these reason they were hesitant upon meeting the Mon Cal, who chose to dwell on land. They eventually began to cooperate with the Mon Cal, and together they developed a symbiotic relationship in which the Quarren provide the raw materials, and the Mon Cal provide the knowledge and expertise. This relationship led to the construction of the huge floating cities that dominate Calamari's oceans. Because of their pragmatic nature, the Quarren did not want to travel and explore the stars, as the Mon Cal did, and this began to create friction between the two races. When the Mon Cal's dream of contact with other stars became the deadly war with the Empire, the Quarren chose to ignore it, leaving the battle to the Mon Calamari who brought it upon them. However, the Quarren could not escape the Empire, and it is rumored that a Quarren helped the Empire evade the Calamarian defenses and overtake the planet. Unfortunately, the Quarren were enslaved along with the Mon Cal. When the Mon Cal resisted Imperial rule, the Empire began destroying the floating cities. This served to unite the two races temporarily, and together they were able to solidify their defenses and drive off the Empire with nothing more than crude weapons. After that, there were a number of Quarren who left the planet, seeking a life among the stars.
Barabels
This bipedal race of reptilians is covered in black scales much like fingernails. Known for their hunting and tracking abilities, Barabels have heavy claws and sharp, needle-like teeth. They are a communal race, with separate groups dominated by a pack leader. They are known for their aggressiveness but are also very loyal to their mates and parents. They are fond of fighting with the Verpine, their neighbors and many times capture them and sell their body parts to the Kubaz. Being a moral race by nature, they have a deep respect for the Jedi Knights.
Ithorians
Strange looking natives of Ithor, these creatures' heads appear to have been stretched and bent like a ladle. Their eyes are set at opposite sides of the hammer-shaped top portion of the head, and their mouths are hidden below on the sloping part of the head. They have wide, flat feet designed to keep their balance. They also have two throats, and this biological phenomenon makes them hard to understand. This caused them a great deal of pain when the Empire discovered their planet, for the Imperial xenophobia was heightened by their inability to communicate.
Twi'lek
An alien race characterized by their smooth, pointed head and twin lobes protruding from their heads. Often called head tails, the lekku contain additional sensory nerves and are very sensitive, and are thought to be erogenous zones. They have rows of pointed teeth, and close-set, pig-like eyes. They are native to the planet Ryloth. They also have multiple stomachs, and will feed on almost anything, from the fungi that grow on Ryloth to the cow like rycrits. Twi'leks live in clans, which are governed by a five-member group known as a head clan. The members of the clan append their clan name to their given name for example, Koh'shak. These combined names have a definite meaning, and subtle changes in pronunciation can be incurred by the addition of the clan name. The Twi'leki will often adapt the full name to indicate the true - or more flattering - actual name. One example it Nawara Ven. A member of the Ven clan, his full name should be Nawara'ven. However, when translated, this becomes "tarnished silver”; His family adapted his full name to be Nawar'aven, which translates to "good speaker"; (literally, "silver-tongued”). Twi'leks often belittle one another by using modified variations of their full names.
