Synnott

The Synnotts (//) were a sentient species native to Synno.

Biology and appearance
At first glance, Synnotts were often mistaken for hairy s. Their hair grew all over their bodies, and in dark colors which contrasted with their khaki-colored flesh. Only male Synnotts grew facial hair, but both sexes grew sideburns; men usually incorporated them into their beads, while women often grew them long and curled them into ringlets. The cranial hair of male Synnotts came down almost to their eyebrows; female Synnotts usually had widow's peaks in the centers of their foreheads.

Male Synnotts tended toward naturally husky, burly builds, somewhat reminiscent of Human weightlifters. Synnott females were more slender than their male counterparts, but almost always had full breasts and curvy forms. Both sexes usually had noses which other humanoids found prominent.

Synnotts gave birth to live young, usually one at a time, after an eight-standard-month gestation period. Baby Synnotts were born with nearly full heads of hair, as well as some body hair already in place.

Despite their phenotypical similarities, there was no biological link between Synnotts and Humans, and Synnotts could not reproduce with Humans or any known species.

Society and culture
Hairstyle was a prominent means of expression among Synnotts. Both sexes grew their hair long, and thousands of hairstyles went in and out of fashion throughout the species' history. However, wearing hair to excessive shagginess was seen as a sign of religious ascetism, while cutting it short or shaving it altogether (except for medical reasons) was associated with youthful rebelliousness and various counterculture movements. Shaving was usually associated with an unbecoming desire to emulate alien species like Humans and Doloy; this was particularly problematic among Synnott females who shaved their body hair (or even had laser or surgical hair removal) to look more attractive to Humans, and resulted in numerous cultural pushes against alien culture on Synno. Males almost always wore full beards.

Due to the importance of hairstyle in self-expression, hair stylists were treated as artists rather than working class employees, and the very best Synnott hairstylists could become wealthy by catering to rich clients. Offworlders were often surprised by the fact that no self-respecting Synnott would ever get a haircut from a droid.

Synnotts were enterprising and industrious by nature, and other species considered them to be as adaptable as Humans. Synnotts were to be found in all range of occupations. Socioeconomic divides between former nobles and other Synnotts had faded by the time Synno changed hands from the Tetrarchy of Mezlagob to the Golden Empire, although there were still echoes of earlier resentment.

Burial at sea was an ancient Synnott custom which, while somewhat suppressed in later times, was still regarded as a traditional and especially dignified practice for those who could afford it.

History
Numerous biologists, both Synnotts and offworlders, attempted to explain the unusual hairiness of Synnotts. Synno was not an uncommonly cold world, nor were Synnotts any worse at surviving cold temperatures, even when shaved, than most other humanoids. The leading explanations by the time of the Nightmare War were that common or extinct but formerly common plants on Synno were toxic to the flesh, and ample body hair helped protect the Synnotts' ancestors from exposure, and the competing theory that body hair had previously been useful to Synnott ancestor species in carrying and conveying pheremones.

For centuries before the arrival of the Tetrarchy, the Synnotts across the planet were ruled by oligarchys and aristocracies. Absolute dictatorships were rare, but most societies were governed by a small group of ruling elite. Historically, many of these had arisen from democratic societies. Tribes, city-states, and even nations would elect the most qualified among them to be leaders. These leaders could afford to give their children the best education and early exposure to the demands of leadership. Gradually, as each ruling generation was succeeded by its own descendants with popular approval, societies did away with elections and allowed power to pass directly from parent to child.

These oligarchies concentrated wealth and power in the hands of the nobles, but after a few centuries, the merchant class began to challenge the nobles for economic control. When the option was presented, many disaffected lower class Synnotts would spend their money with merchants, eroding the power base of the Synnott elite. Eventually, most societies did away with nobility altogether and returned to various forms of representative government; those which allowed nobles to retain their titles still stripped them of governing power. Nonetheless, many formerly noble families remained wealthy, though others spent themselves into ruin with frivolous indulgences.

The Tetrarchy of Mezlagob arrived at Synno some time after 214 BBY, fresh from its conquest and incorporation of Vall`to and Baes. Faced with a military far beyond its ability to fight, the Synnotts opted to petition for membership in the Tetrarchy instead. Rewarded with full member status for their pragmatism and cooperation, Synno became a trade hub in the Vall`to sector. Though many Synnotts joined the Tetrarchy forces or worked for the Tetrarchy government, Synno never became the economic powerhouse that Vall`to was, and few Synnotts rose to key government posts.

Most Synnotts remained loyal to the Tetrarchy during the early years of the Great Liberation. When the Empire defeated the Tetrarchy at Tizgo V, however, many began to reconsider their loyalties. By the time the Empire conquered both Baes and Vall`to, Synno was ready to again surrender without a fight.

In the years after the war, many Synnotts sought their fortunes offworld, though Synno remained majority Synnott. The entire planet and its native species were criticized across the Empire for Synno law enforcement's failure to assist in the attempted arrest of Zhin-Vel which resulted in the deaths of the Centurions Aquila Corcer and Melnanooin. Humiliated and suffering economic repurcussions, the Synnott government responded by creating its own force of gendarmes. Within a decade, Synno's law enforcement was a model for the Empire, and many Synnotts volunteered for service.

In the galaxy
Cousins Atrelle and Evelyan Sovex were Synnott Centurions of the Order of Keltrayu who both perished in the Tribulation; Evelyan was shot down in a fighter during the Vagaari War, while Atrelle became one of the Shest Minor Seven. Royal Navy officer Torin Saedrin was also a Synnott.

Less positively, the pirate, murderer, and Nightside Raider leader Kilwyo Kesh was a Synnott as well.

Appearances

 * "It Takes Only One"