INFO: Kian'thar were humanoid nomadic people from Shaum Hii, most notable for their ability to sense emotions. Though they evolved from land-dwelling reptiles, their culture was based around the seas and oceans of Shaum Hii. They only became part of the galactic community in about 300 BBY, due to the difficulty of travel in the Tragan Cluster and the Bakisian Drift. They were finally discovered by the Shistavanen scouts who charted the cluster.
RACE: Kian'thar
HEIGHT: 1.8 to 2.1 Meters Tall
SKIN: Purplish-pink
DISTINCTION: Facial tentacle-like olfactory organs, emotion sense
LANGUAGE: Kian'thar
HOMEWORLD:Shaum Hii was a planet in Tragan Sector. The native Kian'thar rode bentails and herded derlacs for meat. The planet was discovered 300 BBY. In 297 BBY, the natives began developing strong ties with Black Sun. The planet had direct representation in the New Republic. It was conquered by the Yuuzhan Vong during the Yuuzhan Vong War.
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE:Kian'thar were humanoids, standing 1.8 to 2.1 meters tall. They had purplish-pink heads, keratin plates protecting their necks, and large, deep-set eyes. One of their most distinctive features was the two dangling, tentacle-like olfactory organs on their faces.
The Kian'thar emotion sense was their most notable feature. They used this ability to avoid conflicts with others, though unscrupulous Kian'thar used it to manipulate people and start conflicts. This ability even worked well on non-Kian'thar. Though this put Kian'thar in demand on other planets, many non-Kian'thar were wary of the Kian'thar's empathic ability.
CULTURE AND HISTORY:In around 300 BBY, the Kian'thar were discovered by Shistavanen scouts. Many of them embraced their newfound connection with the wider galaxy, hoping to become famous and wealthy. From 278 BBY to 211 BBY they unsuccessfully attempted to colonize the world of Bestine IV, but were thwarted by the harsh environement. By the Imperial era, nearly two million Kian'thar had left their planet to seek their fortunes, often using their empathic skills as mediators or counselors. These Kian'thar were noted for their wanderlust and appetite for hard work. Kian'thar emigrants included Rebel operative Kkral'Nas, MadisCorp mediator Ttul'Thar, and criminal Lleag'Mak.
Kian'thar usually lived in small villages near marshes and shorelines. Their main economic activity was the ranching of derlacs, large grazing beasts that roamed Shaum Hii's oceans. These herds roamed freely, with each Kian'thar family branding the derlacs of their individual herd to avoid confusion when it came time to take them to market. Derlac herders traveled on bentails, large flying beasts. Kian'thar ranchers frequently developed close bonds with their mounts.
Their technology was fairly primitive, even after contact with the Shistavanen. Aquatic speeders were rare on their homeworld, and most Kian'thar claimed to have no use for other sophisticated devices like droids. Not all of the Kian'thar were isolationists, however—they were divided between the Ith'lon, or Preservers, and Lllun, or Progressives. While the Ith'lon wanted to keep their traditional way of life, the Lllun desired greater integration with the galactic community. The disagreements between these two factions rarely went beyond arguments over cups of oceanroot, however.
APPEARANCES:Evasive Action: Prey
Shadows of the Empire novel (First appearance)
Slave Ship (Mentioned only)
Shadows of the Empire: Evolution
Specter of the Past
SOURCES:Galaxy Guide 11: Criminal Organizations
Galaxy Guide 12: Aliens - Enemies and Allies
Ultimate Alien Anthology
Wretched Hives of Scum and Villainy
Alliance Intelligence Reports
The Essential Guide to Droids
Coruscant and the Core Worlds
"Race for the Tessent" - Star Wars Gamer 9
The Essential Atlas
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