INFO: The Cathar were a race of feline, bipedal humanoids native to Cathar, a planet of savannas and rough uplands. They were known for their loyalty, passion, and temper. Quick and powerful, they were considered great warriors and dedicated, efficient predators. Cathar had high moral values, learned from both family and society. Their females were prized as slaves, whereas the males were generally regarded as too uncontrollable for slavery.
RACE: Cathar
HEIGHT: 1.5 to 1.9 Meters Tall
SKIN (FUR): Gold to yellow-brown with dark stripes
DISTINCTION: Lion-like aliens
LANGUAGE: Catharese
HOMEWORLD:Cathar was the homeworld of the Cathar species, filled with many ecological niches and huge insect predators. The natives lived in city-trees, while wide areas of the planet were made barren by kiltik beetles.
The planet was conquered by the Mandalorians during the Battle of Cathar, leading to the enslavement and near-extinction of the Cathar species. The few survivors were forced to flee offworld to survive. After the end of the Mandalorian Wars Cathar began to resettle their world and by the time of the Galactic Civil War, it had fully recovered from the damage the Mandalorians had done.
Prior to the planet's devastation, it was not a member of the Galactic Republic. Whether or not it joined later, remains uncertain. The Giant horned hopper were often killed by the Cathar species in blood hunts.
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE:The baseline Cathar had fur-covered bodies with thick manes. They had prominent, retractable claws that could deliver powerful killing attacks on foes and prey. Their bodies also possessed rapid healing abilities. On average, Cathar were 1.5 to 1.9 meters tall. These traits made them the perfect hand-to-hand specialists.
The Cathar species also had two additional subspecies, known as the Juhani and the Myr Rho. Both of these were notably less catlike than mainline Cathar.
CULTURE AND HISTORY:The planet of Cathar was devastated by the Mandalorians during the Battle of Cathar, leading to the enslavement and near-extinction of the Cathar species. Over 90 percent of the species were killed by the Mandalorians in the battle. The few survivors were forced to flee offworld to survive. After the end of the Mandalorian Wars Cathar began to resettle their world and by the time of the Galactic Civil War, it had fully recovered from the damage the Mandalorians had done.
On their homeworld, Cathar lived in cities built into giant trees, and were organized into clans governed by "Elders." Stories of their great heroes were often carved into the trunks of these tree-homes for following generations to see. The Cathar mated for life, to the extent that when one mate died, the survivor never had a relationship with another. Cathar clan society included great pageants and celebrations, especially for their heroes. Their religion included a ritual known as the "Blood Hunt," in which Cathar warriors individually engaged in combat against entire nests of Kiltik in order to gain honor and purge themselves of inner darkness. The native language of the Cathar was Catharese, which included the emphasis of some spoken words with a growl.
IN THE GALAXY:Force-sensitive Cathar often became Jedi, even though the Jedi way tended to be in opposition to their natural tendencies. Sylvar and her mate Crado were famous Jedi who fought in the Great Sith War. The story of Crado's fall to the dark side under the influence by Exar Kun was well-known to all Cathar, just as the story of Sylvar, who was able to turn away from the dark path and regain the Jedi way. Another Cathar Jedi of that era was Juhani, who traveled with Revan and assisted him in the destruction of the Star Forge. Famous Cathar Jedi during the Second Imperial Civil War were brothers Rasi Tuum, Ahn and Zho.
APPEARANCES:Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith (First identified as Cathar)
Tales of the Jedi: The Sith War
Tales of the Jedi: Redemption
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: Flashpoint
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 15: Days of Fear, Part 3
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 42: Masks
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 48: Demon, Part 2
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Darth Bane: Path of Destruction (Mentioned only)
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones comic
Imperial Commando: 501st (Mentioned only)
Coruscant Nights II: Street of Shadows
The Gem of Alderaan on Wizards.com (article)
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (First possible appearance) (Retcon)
The Star Wars Holiday Special (First appearance) (Retcon)
Darksaber
Star Wars Legacy: Broken
Star Wars Legacy: The Hidden Temple
Star Wars Legacy: Storms
Star Wars Legacy 37: Tatooine, Part 1 (Mentioned only)
SOURCES:Tales of the Jedi Companion
Ultimate Alien Anthology
The New Essential Chronology
Power of the Jedi Sourcebook
Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide
Planet Hoppers: Cathar on Wizards.com (article)
The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
A Guide to the Star Wars Universe (Third Edition)
Myhr Rho in the Databank
I would like to thank Wookieepedia for this info.
