Gand
 | |
| Gand | |
| Homeworld | Gand |
| Language | Gand |
| Average Height | 1.4-1.6 meters [1] |
| Skin color | Shades of green and brown [1] |
| Hair color | No hair |
| Distinctions | Three digit hands (some have five), exoskeleton |
| Average lifespan | 61 standard years, with some individuals living to over 95 [1] |
| Known Members | List of known Gand |
The Gands are a species of sentient humanoid life that developed in the gases of the planet Gand.
Contents
Biology and Appearance
Gands have a stocky humanoid form with an insectoid appearance. The Gand body is covered in a chitinous exoskeleton that serves as a natural, durable armor that allows them to shrug off injuries that would have crippled most other species. The Gand exoskeleton also provides extra protection in the clavicle region, which prevents most nerve or pressure point strikes to the neck and shoulder.
Gands have large compound eyes with a visual range that includes the ultraviolet spectrum and allows for excellent night vision. They however are not able to see colors in absolute darkness. A Gand's eyes are shielded by a keratinous substance that protects it from airbourne debris. A Gands natural eye color can take any shades of silver, grey, black or yellow.
Although the Gands are able to survive in the various gases of their home planet, they require a special breathing apparatus in order to survive in oxygen-based atmospheres. The lungs of the Gand are quite efficient, able to utilize nearly 85 percent of the atmosphere they breathe in with each breath. It was discovered, after the First Galactic Civil War, that the Gand have certain regenerative properties.
The Gand species has, as most humanoid species, two sexes: male and female. Despite the species' refusal to be studied, xenobiologists have managed to document several physical varieties of the species, which namely are the color of the exoskeleton, from brown to green, and the shape of the head; some Gands have rounded heads, while others possess elongated craniums. The head in some specimen is divided into sections, while for others it has pronounced cranial ridges. Most Gands possess three fingers, but there are a few who have five. The surface of the exoskeleton varies: some Gands exhibit a more pronounced plating, while others have a much smoother texture. The consumption of alcohol often provokes a depressed mood in the species. Gands can also be afflicted with asthma.[1]
"Breathers"
Even with these individual varieties however, most Gands are classified into two sub-species: the lungless or the "breathers." Scientists are not sure if the breathers were part of an older evolutionary stock destined to die out or further evolve, or if they were another viable race. Such Gands possess lungs, along with the usual assortment of internal organs that are typical in most species. The lungs function rather efficiently, able to utilize nearly eighty-five percent of the atmosphere with each breath. Gands with lungs nevertheless are adapted to breathing only ammonia and require breath masks or similar equipment to survive in the more common oxygen-rich environments found on many planets. Oxygen exposure scoures the inside of the lungs like acid and requires organ transplants if the Gand has not suffocated. If a Gand survives the initial exposure, that individual can display various respiratory symptoms, which include chest pain, shortness of breath, and coughing, which sometimes brought up blood. Since the proper bronchial and lung treatments necessary to repair the damage are uncommon off the species' homeworld, Gands stricken with oxygen inhalation usually don't not survive for long.[1]
A breathing Gand is able to hold his or her breath when needed and reduce the perceptibility of bodily functions to a point where an observer might think that the Gand has died. It is possible to make use of compressed ammonia canisters to extend respiration cessation for several days.[1]
Lungless
The lungless Gand sub-species does not respire, as they obtain all the metabolic sustenance they need through the ingestion of their food. Ingested materials aided in gas exchange, and waste passes through openings in the exoskeleton. This makes lungless Gands immune to poisonous gases and allows them to forgo respirators when they venture offworld. Nevertheless, some lungless Gands wear such equipment anyway, usually to maintain anonymity.[1]
Society and Culture
The Gand have developed a totalitarian monarchy, and various colonies of Gand live in pockets of mist in the Gas Giant's atmosphere. When renegade Gand are sought, findsmen are sent out to locate them. When the Empire overran the planet, the findsmen were presented with advanced technology with which to hunt their targets. The better findsmen became bounty hunters.[1]
Gand speak a language of the same name, made up of a series of clicks and drones. Typical Gands are unable to speak Basic due to a lack of vocal cords, although some Gands are born with the vocal cords needed to speak it.
Gands are considered to be a very humble species by galactic society. This is a result of their culture, which dictates that an individual's identity has to be earned. Accordingly, most Gands are self-deprecating and polite, and usually refer to themselves in the third person.[1]
The Gands lived in pocket colonies that dot the surface of their homeworld. These colonies, separated by seemingly endless kilometers of thick ammonia mists, are each ruled by Gand's totalitarian monarchy. The Gands make use of galactic technology, and are proficient with the usage of advanced weaponry. However, they either outsource their starship manufacturing to other companies, such as Byblos Drive Yards, or heavily modify captured ships.[1]
Xenophobia
The Gands conduct trade and commerce on orbiting space stations that allow visitors to avoid the poisonous atmosphere of the planet itself. Despite such contact with offworlders, Gands are seen as insular and somewhat xenophobic. Outsiders are rarely, if ever, allowed on the surface of Gand, as the insectoid species does not want their society to be tainted with the ideas of independence and self-worth that offworlders might bring. The few non-Gand allowed onto the planet are usually under the sponsorship of a legendary Gand, or are considered hinwuine—beings of standing. Nevertheless, Gand protocol mandates that visitors tell no one of their time on Gand; to talk of such visits is considered an insult to their Gand hosts.[1]
Findsmen
To stay awake and aware is more beneficial to the work of findsmen—a Force-sensitive religious tradition of bounty hunters that is unique to the Gand—and is a skill that is honed throughout a lifetime; so Gands need only a fraction of the sleep normally required by a Human. Shamanistic bounty hunters, these Gands track their quarry by divining omens sent to them via rituals based around the religious worship of the thick ammonia mists that covers their homeworld. Although their methods are sometimes viewed as arcane, the accuracy of the findsmen can be unsettling to the casual observer. The trait is common throughout the Gand varieties, so scientists typically attribute it to culture, rather than breeding. However, Gands are able to "store" the restorative properties of sleep for use when suspension of consciousness is inadvisable.[1]
Gand names
The Gand hold their names in great reverence. A Gand who has accomplished nothing in his life is simply known as Gand. When a Gand completes a task, they are given their family's surname. A further accomplishment provides the Gand with a proper name. Pronouns are almost never used, and are reserved for those famous Gand who have accomplished so much that their deeds are known by all. If a Gand does something to be ashamed of, or causes offence to another Gand, their name is reduced.[1]
