Species: Barabel
Home Planet: Barab I
Attribute Dice: 12D
DEXTERITY 2D/4D
KNOWLEDGE 1D/2D+1
MECHANCIAL 1D/3D
PERCEPTION 1D+1/4D+2
STRENGTH 3D/5D
TECHNICAL 1D/2D+1
Special Abilities:
Natural Body Armor: The black scales of the Barabel act as armor, providing a +2D bonus against physical attacks, and a +1D bonus against energy attacks.
Radiation Resistance: Because of the proximity of their homeworld to its sun, the Barabel have evolved a natural resistance to most forms of radiation. They receive a +2D bonus when defending against the effects of radiation.
Vision: Barabels can see infrared radiation, giving them the ability to see in compete darkness, provided there are heat differentials in the environment.
Story Factors:
Jedi Respect: Barabels have a deep respect for Jedi Knights, even though they have little aptitude for sensing the Force. They will almost always yield to the commands of a Jedi Knight (or a being that represents itself believably as a Jedi). Naturally, they are enemies of the enemies of Jedi (or those who impersonate Jedi).
Reputation: Barabels are reputed to be fierce warriors and great hunters, and they are often feared. Those who know of them almost always steer clear of them.
Move: 11/14
Size: 1.9-2.2 meters tall
Background: Barabel were a species of sentient cold-blooded reptilians native to the dark, murky world Barab I. A highly aggressive and territorial species, Barabel who traveled off their homeworld often found work as fringers or soldiers.
Barabel were a bipedal race of reptilians who were covered in very tough, dark-colored scales. The Barabel evolved from nocturnal lizards and adapted a thick layer of fat which allowed them to retain their body temperature when temperatures dropped. A blaster set on stun would not damage them at all or slow them down, as it would merely bounce off their scales. Barabel were able to shed their tails if necessary, an ability that proved the undoing of many startled foes. They also possessed heavy retractable claws along with needle sharp teeth which could grow to be 5 centimeters in length. A carnivorous species, Barabel possessed two stomachs in order to process the massive amount of food they required to survive.
For breeding, Barabel devised a system in which the nest eggs of two females were fertilized by two males. Subsequently, the four individuals protected the nest. As fathers would end up not knowing which of the offspring were their own, Barabel younglings took the surname of their mothers.
Living in low tech communities ranging from a few dozen individuals to no more than ten thousand, the Barabel community would be built around a warren where the group thrived and hunted from. The Barabel species was noted for its hunting and tracking prowess. This was because many of their actions were fueled by their hunting instincts, leading to the general feeling that Barabel were always angry, or in the very least, ornery. They were well known for their aggression but were also extremely loyal to their mates and parents. They also had a great deal of respect for the Jedi, because of their first experiences with a Jedi Master who settled a dangerous clan dispute. Apologies, whether for a misdeed or in sympathy, were an unknown concept to Barabel. It was considered mildly insulting to a Barabel to be apologized to and apologizing tended to actually make a situation worse. This sometimes was disconcerting for members of other species, especially Humans, who were more ruled by emotions such as guilt or sympathy. Barabels also found the term “shorttail” a grievous insult, and the response was usually a violent one. Had Saba Sebatyne not been a Jedi Master, she would have slashed off the arm of a Yaka who called her shorttail and beaten him in the head with it.
Barabel had a native language, though they also expressed emotion—such as amusement or grief—by “sissing.” They were a communal race, with separate tribes on their homeworld numbering up to 10,000 individuals under the guidance of a pack leader. Unlike Humans, Barabel were much closer to the subconscious parts of their brains than other species. Lone Barabel tended to refer to themselves as “this one” instead of typical first person pronouns such as me or I. Some common Barabel names were Ragath, Vangar, Tesar, Saba, Zal and Zozoped.
The Barabel had a rich mythology which revolved around a historic landing of a group of Jedi Knights early in their history. Worshiping the Jedi as gods, the Barabel mythology revered these ‘warriors from beyond the clouds.’ Among Barabel beliefs were a group of demons called the Blight of Barabel. Their names were often used as curses.