Kasci

The Kasci (//, singular also Kasci) were a species of metallic-skinned humanoids from the planet Iomis in the Unknown Regions.

Biology and appearance
The Kasci were unusual in their evolution, as they were predators, but not the apex predator of their homeworld, Iomis. They had evolved preying upon smaller creatures, but themselves being the prey of the fearsome resshet birds, giant avians which hunted by snatching hapless Kasci from above. This singular superior predator gave rise to the two facets of Kasci physiology considered most striking by other humanoids.

The first were Kasci eyes, which blinked horizontally instead of vertically. Kasci scientists theorized that the defense had arisen due to predation from above by the resshet birds; with nothing of serious danger to them on the ground, the Kasci were more in need of vertical than horizontal peripheral vision. Due to their eye structure, they had almost 180 degree peripheral vision up and down, but a reduced field of vision sideways. Off their homeworld, many Kasci tended to look surprised or startled, as they kept their eyes slightly wider to take in their surroundings.

The other and most instantly noticeably facet of Kasci physiology was skin color. Iomis was a world of vast surface mineral and metal deposits, and the Kasci themselves evolved with skin in metallic colors such as silver, bronze, steel, and various quartz configurations, as well as the rare gold. This allowed them to blend in slightly with their surroundings when viewed from above, making them harder to see to flying resshet birds. Some Kasci developed features that other humanoids found strikingly beautiful, while others (most often those said to resemble mineral deposits) were considered ugly by most humanoids.

Aside from their two most striking features, Kasci had slit pupils and slightly pointed ears. Though they could see in color, their perception of most metallic colors was slightly weaker, and their eyes were predominantly evolved to focus on movement rather than color.

At some point, the Kasci as a whole evolved into omnivores; while some preferred a meat diet, nearly all were capable of subsisting without it indefinitely.

Kasci reproduced sexually, giving birth to live younglings, and reached physical maturity around the age of seventeen standard years. Giving birth to more than one youngling at a time was very rare.

History
Though they evolved as less than the peak of the food chain, it was the Kasci, not their predator, who developed sentience. Over time, the Kasci learned to build tools and shelters to counter the threat of the resshet birds. By 3,000 BBY, the resshet birds had been hunted to extinction, leaving the Kasci as both apex predators and undisputed masters of their homeworld.

The growth of Kasci society, however, was drastically impeded by limited resources. Over 70% of Iomis's surface consisted of mineral or metal deposits. Another 15% was consumed by the planet's freshwater but shallow oceans, leaving only 15% of the entire planet divided among mountains and other hills, beaches, and the much-prized arable farmland. Though nearly all land that could be cultivated for farming was, and irrigation techniques were perfected, the Kasci numbered only a few million until the late first century after the Battle of Yavin.

By the time Iomis was recruited into the Golden Empire in 91 ABY, the Kasci had used their vast metallic resources to craft metal cities, and had mastered a great many electronic techniques, including wireless communication and a variety of physical projectile weapons. They had also explored the sculpting arts in depth, since what trees grew on Iomis could not be wasted on paper or parchment; even in decades to come, Kasci metalsmiths were considered some of the best in the Empire.

Once the Kasci joined the Golden Empire, they collaborated with Queen Rin Sakaros to drastically alter their situation on Iomis. With the introduction of repulsorfarming and the importation of vast water supplies from other worlds in the Empire, the Kasci were able to quickly increase their numbers, building towering vertical cities over the metal fields of Iomis. They were easily able to afford this expense—and then some, many times over—after the Great Liberation; once the Vall`to Sector Bank agreed to back the Royal Credit, Iomis became the natural supplier of metal to the government for producing credits, able to offer their vast supplies at much lower rates than any other system.

Despite the changes on Iomis, many Kasci felt stifled by their homeworld now that they had another option, and the end of the Great Liberation was followed by a substantial exodus from Iomis of Kasci seeking their fortunes offworld. Many Kasci found success as artisans, while others pursued careers in the Glorious Armada of the Golden Empire or the Royal Integration Corps. Some Kasci females also took jobs as dancers and entertainers.

Society and culture
Initially evolving in packs and tribes of hunters, the Kasci gradually settled into towns and small cities once the resshet birds had been exterminated. In 413 BBY, struggles among the various Kasci city-states finally ended at the species unified under a single government, led by a Prelature. Each city-state's leader became a Prelate of Iomis; the Prelates then elected one of their number to preside over the Prelature as primus inter pares. Following its incorporation into the Golden Empire, the Kasci received a Royal Consul, who kept the Prelature in place and worked with them to govern Iomis.

Though metallic skin colors were the norm, some Kasci were born with duller skin; this carried a social stigma for many centuries, and though the Prelature eventually passed laws to protect Kasci from skin-color discrimination, the stigma persisted in some areas. On the other hand, golden skin was also very rare, but viewed as a harbinger of great things from the Kasci so "blessed". Whether because of some real inherent skill or because it was expected and abetted by society, golden Kasci tended to rise to positions of leadership in politics, the military, and business.

In the galaxy
The most famous Kasci in the Golden Empire at large was the Centurion and Royal Guard Jira Seezhli. Menina Robraso was also a Kasci Centurion, the first officer of the Order killed in the Nightmare War.