The Massassi and Kissai are two subspecies of the original Sith race of Korriban. The Kissai are the priests and spiritual leaders who indoctrinate their comrades in the teachings of the Sith. The Massassi are ferocious, selfless soldiers led by the great Sith Lords. When the Sith Empire goes to war with the Republic for the first time, the Massassi fill the ranks of the Sith armies and starfleets.
The Kissai are just as ruthless as the Massassi, but they are more intelligent and observant. Their strict cultural standards demand that they serve their masters well, a trait instilled in them by the Dark Jedi who first enslave their species. When the Massassi and Kissai flee Korriban (well before the arrival of the eventual Sith Lords) to resettle on Ziost, the Kissai oversee the rebuilding efforts.
The Kissai serve the Sith directly, but the Sith Lord Naga Sadow has other ideas for the Massassi caste. The Kissai are largely left on Ziost as the servants of other Sith Lords, but Sadow uses Sith alchemy to transform the Massassi into his hulking, brutish sold iers. His Massassi crews labor under his command on Yavin 4, building temples and providing the means for him to hide his ship and practice his dark arts. After Sadow’s death, they become a primitive, tribal society worshiping one of Sadow's creations as a dark god.
A thousand years after Sadow and the Massassi arrive on Yavin 4, Exar Kun discovers the ancient Sith secrets in the temples. He uses the Massassi to fight the Jedi across the galaxy. Eventually, Kun consumes the life force of every Massassi on Yavin 4 in his transformation into a dark side spirit. A few Massassi are taken offworld prior to Kun’s final decimation of their society. Some remain loyal and find their way back to the new Sith Empire, but a few resentful individuals drift into the darker fringes of society, looking to live their own lives or seeking revenge against the Sith.
Common Characteristics
Personality: Kissai are loyal and capab le allies who prefer to work with others, making them excellent aides and assistants. They respond well to instruction and are adaptable despite great adversity.
Physical Description: Massassi and Kissai have glowing yellow eyes and crimson hides. They are humanoid with distinctly sharp, predatory features. See Kissai Growth Stages table below.
Homeworld: Korriban, later Ziost
Languages: Massassi and Kissai speak the Sith language. Kissai also speak Basic.
Example Names: Baelgren, Kelgath, Vissrar, Zythmnr
Adventurers: Massassi adventurers are rare in the Republic, even during the fall of the Sith Empire. Most beings in the galaxy would not recognize a Massassi or a Kissai on first glance, even though adventurers from these subspecies draw attention to themselves. Massassi and Kissai do not become Jedi during this time, but one might have received formal Force training at the hands of a Sith Master. Such training is forbidden, though, even among the Sith. Kissai are nobles and scoundrels, and Massassi prefer the soldier and scout classes.
| Kissai Growth Stages | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child | Young Adult | Adult | Middle Age | Old | Venerable |
| 10 Years | 11−15 Years | 16−30 Years | 31−42 Years | 43−59 Years | 60+ Years |
Species Traits
Kissai share the following species traits:
Ability Modifiers: +2 Charisma, −2 Wisdom.
Medium Size: Medium creatures have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Speed: Kissai base speed is 6 squares.
Inspired: Kissai make the best of any inspiration or information provided to them. Whenever a Kissai receives a morale or insight bonus from any source, the bonus increases by 1.
Warrior’s Awareness: Kissai grow up in a violent and warlike society, so they constantly watch for threats. Once per encounter as a reaction a Kissai can gain the benefit of the Uncanny Dodge I and Uncanny Dodge II talents until the beginning of the Kissai’s next turn.
Weapon Familiarity: Kissai treat the lanvarok as a simple weapon instead of an exotic weapon
Automatic Languages: