Sakiya

Sakiyan
Location
System	Saki
Sector	Hutt Space
Galactic Coordinates	(351, -14)
System Coordinates	(0, 14)
Astrographic Entry	Sakiyan
Statistics
Type	temperate/breathable
Primary Terrain:	glacier, desert, rock, forest, ocean, jungle, swamp
Rotational Period
Orbital Period
Population	88,457,813 inhabitants
Control
Controlled By	Falleen Federation
Governor	None
Magistrate	None
Sentient Races	Sakiyan

The planet Sakiya or Saki , is the furthest planet from the Saki system's sun, Saki Prime. Saki is a largely tropical planet with mild seasonal shifts. Plant and animal life are abundant and cover all but Saki's extreme polar regions; the glaciers in these areas are unsuitable for most life forms to survive without protection. The planet's terrain is characterized by dense jungles and forests, interspersed with rolling hills, grassy plains, and the occasional deep valley trenches through which powerful rivers rage, carrying the massive amounts of melt water into the planet's sole ocean.

It is within these jungle-enclosed valleys that the most beautiful, and deadly, plants and animals make their home. Sakiyan is home to, among other predatory plant species, several varieties of carnivorous trees (borineskas) that trap their prey in thorn-laden vines (faskells). These vines hang hundreds of feet from the canopy, capable of ensnaring airborne, tree dwelling, and land-bound prey at all vertical levels of the jungle. The innocent looking vines release three inch, claw-like thorns upon impact, hooking their prey in an impervious grip. The vines then slowly encircle the prey, digging in more of the thorn-claws. The trees slowly absorb the minerals and liquids from the victim's body over a course of several agonizing days, leaving the carcass for scavengers, insects, and bacteria.

Saki has also given rise to some of the galaxy's more vicious predators such as the rass and gakata. However, while many these beasts achieve their prominence through size, strength, and speed, the most dangerous of Sakiyan's carnivores rely on subtler attributes. The dense jungle atmosphere makes it difficult for large species to move quickly over great distances, thus, Saki I's predators have evolved to rely on stealth and cunning. An adult gakata, for example, is no larger than a large womp rat, but as deadly as a nexus. Its power is in the art of camouflage, being able to adjust its skin tone, skin texture, body odour, and vocalizations to match nearly anything found in its birth territory. Gakata's typically hunt by circling in front of their prey, "appearance-shifting", laying in wait, and then striking with stunning speed. One claw scratch is generally enough to induce an infection that will kill in a few hours without treatment. One bite will cause paralysis within a few minutes, leaving the victim conscious but defenceless.

The only marginally safe areas are found at the poles, which are uninhabitable for most species, and the grassy plains that are interspersed between jungle regions. These plains are where most Sakiyans make their homes, offering safe harbour for the very young, very old, and injured. Despite the Sakiyans advanced technological and economical society, most live in simple, tightly knit, honour-bound prides, and rarely choose to leave their homeworld. Sakiyans evolved from an indigenous arboreal predator species and consequently find the dangerous environment ideally suited to their natures. They live for both the hunt, and for being hunted; experiences as natural to their daily existence as to their predatory ancestry.