Arkanian society and history are among the most complex in the Old Republic. At different times in its history, Arkania has belonged to both the Republic and the Sith Empire and played important rol es in each. Knowl edge and research are extremely important to the Arkanians, and they are highly skilled academicians and scientists. It is therefore not surprising that Arkania would become a main repository of the history of the Sith Empire, as well as home to vast libraries of information from across the galaxy.
Arkanians are not afraid to profit from their research and high intelligence. Arkanian corporations amass wealth by bringing key medical treatments and technology to the market at opportune times. Many in the galaxy find the Arkanians arrogant and aloof. They are horrified by the direction of some Arkanian research, particularly their work in genetic engineering. Indeed, the Arkanians are known to have transformed entire species over the course of generations, often to the detriment of the species.
Even the Arkanian species itself has not been off-limits to research and genetic engineering. Specific subspecies, such as Arkanian Offshoots, were engineered for specific tasks. However, the Offshoots are less hardy and shorter lived than the original Arkanians— a trait not helped by occasional attempts by racist Purebloods to wipe them out. They also differ in physical appearance, typically in skin tone, eyes, and ears. Reactions to Offshoots vary within Arkanian society. Much to the horror of the occasional outsiders who visit Offshoot communities, some Arkanians regard them as merely tools or as a slave species. However, such feelings are not universal. Many regard the Offshoots as an example of the cruel consequences of Arkanian corporate greed.
Common Characteristics
Personality: Arkanians are arrogant and regard themselves superior to all other species. Even those with a more moderate viewpoint still believe themselves to be among the more intelligent beings in the galaxy. As such, they prefer the company of fellow Arkanians. Arkanian Offshoots do not share this arrogant attitude. They are highly confident in their own abilities, nonetheless.
Physical Description: Both Arkanians and Offshoots are bipedal humanoids with near Human appearance. Arkanian eyes have no visible iris or pupil, a trait not shared by the Offshoots. The Offshoots have pure white skin and might display other lesser genetic anomalies. The Arkanians also have only four clawed digits, whereas the Offshoots’ hands have five fingers. See Arkanian Growth Stages table below.
Homeworld: The frigid and inhospitable world of Arkania, in the Perave System of the Colonies Region. Offshoots who have left Arkania are scattered across the galaxy, hiding in the lower reaches of society.
Languages: Arkanians speak their native tongue of Arkanian, as well as Basic. Offshoots speak Basic and a slightly different Arkanian dialect based on an older version of the language.
Example Names: Arkoh Adasca, Dolvan Genarik, Jaro Salaban, Kalor Nelprin, Marael Kortva, Sulan Bek
Adventurers: Arkanian heroes are typically nobles, scouts, or scoundrels. Many attempt to counter the reputation that all Arkanians are greedy, out-of-control scientists out to change the galaxy to benefit Arkanian corporations. Even Jedi Arkanians meet with skepticism and distrust, despite their position. Arkanian Offshoots are typically any non-Jedi class that complements the task they were engineered for. However, most offworld Offshoots soon gain levels in scoundrel, just to survive.
| Arkanian Growth Stages | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child | Young Adult | Adult | Middle Age | Old | Venerable |
| 12 Years | 13−18 Years | 19−44 Years | 45−76 Years | 77−99 Years | 100+ Years |
Species Traits
Arkanians share the following species traits:
Ability Modifiers: +2 Intelligence, −2 Charisma. Arkanians are smarter than most species and are very arrogant about it.
Medium Size: Medium creatures have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Speed: Arkanian base speed is 6 squares.
Darkvision: Arkanians ignore concealment (including total concealment) from darkness. However, they cannot perceive colors in total darkness.
Flash of Genius: Arkanians have moments of brilliance. Once per encounter, an Arkanian can add a +5 circumstance bonus to the result of one Knowledge, Mechanics, or Use Computer skill check.
Intellectual Reputation: Arkanian prominence in the galaxy makes many individuals more willing to go along with their ideas. An Arkanian can use his or her Intelligence modifier in place of the Charisma modifier on Persuasion checks.
Automatic Languages: Arkanian and Basic