Nuno

The Nunes (//, singular Nuno) were a sentient race of s from Tebrejj.

Biology and appearance
Though of largely the same configuration as s and similar species, the Nunes had pure white skin more closely resembling that of the and s.  Their skin was discolored by black blotches of pigment; the blotches were unique to each Nuno, but all had them around their eyes. Nuno mouths were also entirely black (lips, tongue, and tissue), as were their teeth. A rare "reverse albinism" disorder allowed Nunes to develop skin pigment on the normally white and black sections, which usually appeared sickly yellow.

The stark, disconcerting appearance of the Nunes—which clashed terribly with all the native foliage of Tebrejj—evolved as a defense mechanism against predators. Aside from the fact that smaller animals found it startling, the Nunes were also poisonous. Their various bodily fluids were all toxic to some degree, and only by eating very restrictive, synthetic diets could they even diminish their natural toxicity.

Seminal fluids were not toxic, but vaginal fluids carried a mild toxin dangerous only to sperm, which served to "weed out" inferior specimens and guarantee female Nunes would become pregnant only with the best genetic material. Some foods (and later drugs) could suppress vaginal toxicity, and were recommended for couples having difficulty conceiving. Female Nunes bore live young after a gestation period of nine standard months, but did not nurse.

Society and culture
Some Nuno religions discouraged attempts to reduce the species' natural toxicity through means of chemicals or synthetic foods, viewing them as unnatural. They also objected to the synthetic blood replacements which were the only viable transfusion methods available to Nunes, as receiving another Nuno's blood would almost invariably cause more problems than it solved. This clash of traditional faith and modern science continued to plague the species.

Despite their appearance, the Nunes had evolved as prey, preying themselves only on much smaller and weaker creatures. As a result, they had strong flight instincts when faced with clearly superior foes, and although long training and conditioning could mold them into fighters, almost no Nunes ever developed the savage killing instincts of Fyaar, Zykeds, or even Humans. Because it could prove fatal, biting deeply enough to draw blood was considered an act of either manic desperation or absolute hatred beyond reason. The Nunes developed the martial art Chag Fra to avoid the shedding of blood.

Because biological degrading into soil could negatively affect water supplies, burial was very uncommon among the Nunes, who usually cremated their dead. Even after sealing corpses in became technologically feasible, burial remained an unusual alternative.

History
The ancestors of the Nunes evolved as prey to a variety of predatory carnivores on their homeworld, and their historical biologists could trace some level of inborn poison back numerous genetic steps. As they began to form societies, Nunes used their own blood as poison for arrows, darts, and other projectiles. Slain warriors were often bled dry for armories before being cremated.

Over time, medical science became increasingly complex, as Nunes could not rely on transfusions and exposure to their bodily fluids was dangerous for medical practitioners. The Nunes consistently revered healers and medical experts as a result.

The Golden Empire arrived at Tebrejj some time after the discovery of Harth Gool in 115 ABY. The Nunes joined the Empire peaceably enough, some venturing offworld to work elsewhere. However, the culture of Tebrejj changed when soil samples demonstrated that the planet had the proper arrangement of nutrients in its soil to support the growth of pseudo-kavam, which had previously existed only on Harth Gool.

Like the Heshoos and Vosee, the Nunes were given control over production operations on their homeworld, although less than others because pseudo-kavam did not occur naturally. Nevertheless, many Nunes who ran production farms became fantastically wealthy, and Tebrejj's standard of living rose as Royal Credits from the Empire flooded the planet's economy.

In the galaxy
The Centurion Tynic Siv was a Nuno. Though training with the Order of Keltrayu helped him transcend his fear of powerful enemies, he was still no match for the Dark Jedi Sacco Vyrak, and perished in a duel with Vyrak early in the Nightmare War.

Some unscrupulous Nunes created the Nuno cocktail.