Arkanian

The Arkanians are a near-Human species which resides primarily on the frozen planet of Arkania in the Perave system of the Colonies region of the galaxy.
Biology and appearance
Arkanians consider themselves the pinnacle of evolution, and as such many are distinctly arrogant. Arkanian scientists have been experts in genetic manipulation for millennia, and by the time of the Mandalorian Wars the species has been split into many sub-species, making it hard to determine exactly what a baseline Arkanian is. Most can pass for Human, though the most pure of blood have pure white eyes and four clawed digits on each hand.
Arkanians are capable of seeing into the infrared spectrum, and their eyes are sensitive to sources of extreme heat. This is helpful on their dark and frigid homeworld, but when traveling offworld, many are forced to wear blinders on planets with hotter, younger suns. It is also not unusual for an Arkanian to enhance themselves with internal and/or external cybernetics. It is also standard practice for Arkanians to undergo genetic manipulation of their own bodies, enhancing themselves so as to be better than "lesser" species. Because of this, even the slowest Arkanian is able to memorize entire libraries of knowledge and calculate problems that even the Sith Empire's most advanced supercomputers struggle with today.

Society and culture
The most defining trait of the Arkanian species is their arrogance which stems from their belief that they are the pinnacle of evolution. This has led to them to often appear arrogant and aloof to others as they see themselves as being superior to all other species. Even those with a more moderate viewpoint tend to see themselves as being amongst the most intelligent beings in the galaxy. As such, they were highly confident of their abilities.
Visitors to their homeworld often faced unpleasant and arrogant Arkanians—despite this, Arkanians were deeply offended by impoliteness and when this occurred, the offending individual needed to make amends quickly or risk being ostracized. When offended, an Arkanian typically spoke badly of the other party once they were gone and when no apology was given—the Arkanians were known to lock up the person or detain their starship from leaving the planet with overt threats. Even at this point, however, it was possible to redeem themselves in the eyes of an Arkanian though failure meant that they became even more offended and storm away. But, if successful, the individual needed to also offer a gift to the offended Arkanian as a sign of their sincerity.
Knowledge and research were highly prized within Arkanian society which meant that many of the species were highly skilled scientists as well as academics.[2] Their near boundless arrogance and great wealth as well as dedication was unmatched by others with their scientific community creating research projects that easily matched those of the Galactic Republic and later the Galactic Empire. Imperial researchers often struggled to match the dedication of the Arkanians as their projects often took generations to unfold. In addition, they were not above using their intelligence and research to gain profit with their corporations massing great wealth due to medical treatments entering the market at opportune moments. Arkanian scientists were well known explorers and they were also famous for their skills in genetic manipulation which resulted from their fascination in the genetic make-up of other races.[1] This had led to frequent experimentation on alien species, much to the subjects' detriment as a result of Arkanian involvement.
The Arkanians themselves were not above genetic experimentation with this avenue of research leading to the creation of the Arkanian Offshoots that were engineered to perform specific tasks. Occasionally, a number of racist pure blood Arkanians were known to conduct purges of the Offshoot population. Reactions to the Offshoots varied as some Arkanians viewed them as little more than tools or even as slaves but many believed that they were an example of the cruel consequences of Arkanian corporate greed.
Results of their scientific work had led to great advances in medical techniques throughout the galaxy whilst others were considered some of the greatest atrocities known. They were known to have made significant contributions in the fields of cybernetic medical technology and micro-circuitry. Their actions had, however, led to many races holding a negative view of their kind which resulted from the actions of their scientists. However, many Arkanians were either embarrassed or even horrified at the acts their kind had gone to in the name of science. The more conscientious of their kind tended to be favored as allies of the Jedi Order and the Republic through their darkest hours.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Arkanians have white, pupilless eyes, and four clawed digits.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Extreme intelligence. Able to see into the infrared spectrum

Civilization and Culture

History

The Arkanians were native to the Colonies planet, Arkania, a world of frozen tundra and intense cold. The rich gem mines on their planet led to its great development and the construction of elaborate trade cities established by offworlders from the Galactic Republic. This influx of commerce allowed Arkanian culture to flourish and the species quickly became well known throughout the galaxy for their extremely reclusive scientists. It was believed for generations that the Arkanians, because of their tampering, had been involved in the creation of new species. In fact, their reputation for experiments on other species were largely accurate. One of their earliest known endeavours was the creation of the Quermian species from the Xexto around 19,453 TYA (13,347 BTC). Though they abandoned their clandestine experiments, fearing legal action from the Republic, the Quermians resurfaced millennium later. During the Mandalorian Wars when The Adasca BioMechanical Corporation of Arkania implemented Project Black Harvest that was launched by Lord Arkoh Adasca who intended to use it as a means of gaining further power for himself through the use of the ancient exogorths which floated through space.

Arkanians in the galaxy
Among the most well known Arkanians is the Jedi Master Arca Jeth, who rose to fame during the Great Sith War. Fighting in numerous campaigns ranging from the defeat of the Lorell Raiders and the Freedon Nadd Uprising, his final mission involved defending the galaxy against the rise of the Krath cult. Master Jeth has been highly regarded both within the Jedi Order and Arkanian society, and trained many students at his praxeum in the snow fields of Arkania.

Lifespan

100 years

Average Height

1.8 metres