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Biology and Culture[]
Rodians are a humanoid species native to the hot, humid jungle world Rodia in the Tyrius system. They are infamous for their violent culture, which sprang from their hunting culture which in turn resulted from the difficulties of life in the jungles on their homeworld. Though they were often relegated to the fringes of galactic society as bounty hunters or criminal henchmen, Rodians were not merely simple-minded thugs. The Rodian species had managed to produce artists, merchants, and politicians who could be found even amongst the upper classes of the Core Worlds.
Rodian facial features included multifaceted eyes, a tapir-like snout and and a pair of mobile and expressive antennae atop of their foreheads. The saucer ends of the antennae could pick up subtle vibrations. Rodians also had a prominent ridge of spines running along their heads from between the antennae to the back of their neck though some, particularily females grew a mane of hair ranging from blue through orange and other wild colours rather than the spines. Their fingers were long, flexible and ended in suction cups. These suction cups were not vestigal and were capable of picking up small objects in them and manipulate them quite well, though the suction was not very strong. Their skin was bumpy green to green-blue shades; however rare mutations were known to occur such as blue, albino and even red or black birthmarks. Their large faceted eyes hinted at a nocturnal ancestry and were capable of seeing into the infra-red spectrum, allowing the Rodians to hunt their prey by their body temperature. Due to their warrior and hunting culture, the vast majority of Rodians had lean, sinewy bodies, with only the rare Rodian growing obese due to sedimetry life away from Rodai. Females differed from males in that they possessed breasts and mammary glands.
A female Rodian singer.
Rodians also had a musky, and often described as animal droppings body odour. While humans found the scent unpleasant and believed all Rodians smelled the same, Rodians could distinguish each other based on scent alone. Information, such as clan, breeding and health was passed along through the body odour. While this was useful in looking for potential mates, this information could also send a Rodian into a battle frenzy should he or she catch the scent of rival clan member.
While the tapir-like snout was useful in picking up scents, it gave Galactic Basic speaking Rodians a lisp. As such many elected to not speak Basic, though the species was able to.
A Rodian blasterslinger.
The Rodian culture was obsessed with violence and death because their jungle-covered homeworld was ill-suited to agriculture, thus, requiring Rodians to compete with vicious predators for most of their food. Some of these predators, such as ghests, could wipe out entire villages, forcing the Rodians to develope cunning hunting tactics to survive and thereby made the hunt central to their culture. Over time, the Rodians managed to drive most of the predators on the planet to near-extinction, they began to hunt each other in various wars and gladiatorial contests. Millennia later, all of Rodia was dominated by a handful of large, powerful clans which had eliminated or enslaved their lesser rivals. The leader of the most powerful clan, the Soammei clan, eventually proclaimed himself Inta'si'rin'na, or Grand Protector of the Rodians. Throughout the rest of Rodian history, the title of Grand Protector shifted from clan to clan as loyalties and power shifted. Some Grand Protectors were able to rule all of Rodia as dictators, while others were limited to domination of one or two major clans.
When scouts from the Galactic Republic arrived on Rodia, they too were hunted, until a clever Grand Protector realized the advantages of contact with galactic society. The hunts were called off, and a new policy was implemented. The Grand Protector declared that the best hunters, as proven by success in various gladiatorial contests and hunts on Rodia, would be allowed to leave the planet for work as bounty hunters, mercenaries, slavers, or similar occupations.
A Rodian mercenary.
Rodians were also famous for their drama. Rodian theater began as a simple series of staged fights, encouraged by the Grand Protector Harido Kavila as a way for Rodians to burn off their aggression. Over time, it developed into a vibrant - though violent - theatrical tradition. A well-staged Rodian drama is realistic in its presentation and provoked strong audience emotional response. Rodian drama was renouned throughout the galaxy because of this. Though not as honored a profession as hunting, each clan had at least one company of actors which performed clan legends. Though actors were barred from directly seeking political power at home, drama had also become an acceptable way for dissident elements to challenge established ideas.
Special Abilities[]
A female Rodian Jedi with a blue mutation.
Infrared Vision: Rodians are capable of slipping their vision into the infrared to hunt by heat signatures when in complete darkness. Depending on the ambiant temperature this can grant a Rodian a 1D-3D bonus, as granted by the scene's GM. However, if flares or flashbangs are used, the Rodian is stunned for a round, taking a 2D penalty for the this round, then 1D penalty the next round, and then no penalty on the third round.
Hunter Culture: Rodians gain 1D bonus to Survival, Sneak and Search during hunts, be it to track prey, evade predators or ambush targets.
Story Factors[]
Reputation: Rodians are notorious for their tenacity and eagerness to kill someone in cold blood for the sake of a few credits. They are almost universally distrusted except within criminal circles, where they are valued employees.