Arnian

Arnians were a primarily carnivorous reptilian race originating from the planet Arnia. Their distinctive features included prominently blue-scaled skin and a long, prehensile tail tipped with a sharp spike.

Physical appearance
Arnians all possessed blue scales over their body, except for thicker, white scales running down their underbelly, from throat to about halfway down the tail. These scales could change color (although always a shade of blue) based on emotion. Some individuals could control the color change consciously, and a skilled Arnian could produce designs similar to tribal tattoos.

Another prominent features were an Arnian's head spikes. There were four main spikes: one on each cheek, just behind the jawbone, and one farther up on each side of the head, above and behind the earholes. On females, the higher spikes were typically longer and more downward-curving than on males. Arnians also had a line of smaller spikes, very short and blunt, arranged in a ridge running from the forehead to the back, between the shoulder blades.

Arnians took great pride in their tails. Usually between 1-1.4 meters long, an Arnian's tail ended in a long, sharp spike. In most Arnians, this spike produced a necrotoxin, effective for hunting.

Culture
Arnian culture was traditionally matriarchal. Males, being stronger, were sent to hunt, leaving the females free to take care of matters of society. Once the concept of a single ruling family was established, this tradition remained in the form of ruling Queen-Mothers.

Due to Arnia's rich crust, precious metals and stones were relatively easy to obtain. Thus, Arnian females had a love for ornamentation. Exquisite, complicated jewellery marked the higher classes of society, and even the lowest classes often had at least a few gold ornaments in their possession. The most common types of jewellery were bracelets and spike rings. Females in the Royal Family were often denoted by an interlocking set of white gold rings encasing the tail.

Arnians viewed a life of graceful honor as the highest achievement possible. As a result Arnians strove to make everything they did perfect and appealing. Clothes and furniture were designed with visually pleasing shapes, and their poetry had a flowing grace despite Arnai's often harsh sound.

Religion
Arnians worship Tsa'Dis, the "Heavenly Mother," whom they believe resides within their sun, and So'Vis, the "Heavenly Father," who lives in their moon. Tsa'Dis would tell the Arnians the future, using the current Queen-Mother as a mouthpiece, so that all would be able to follow Tsa'Dis' will. Every five days, with the aid of the fumes of a burning erapedi, a wild beast hunted for meat, but known to produce trance-like effects when burnt. While in this state, the Queen-Mother would write, foretelling the events of the next week. Then these writings would be read to those seeking guidance. As a result, life on Arnia was usually very orderly, and caused Arnians to dislike off-world visitors, who would rarely follow the Words of Tsa'Dis.

It is important to note that the Arnian Royal Family was known to be unusually Force-sensitive, and the trance-inducing fumes, combined with a Force-sensitive's natural ability to see events before they happened, may have combined to allow the Queen-Mother to foretell the future through the Force.

Before the Revolution
Arnian government was a combination of monarchy and theocracy. The Queen-Mother was both a monarch and a priestess of Tsa'Dis. All disputes were referred to the Queen-Mother, who would pass judgment according to the Words of Tsa'Dis. In the off chance that someone grew angry with the Queen-Mother's ruling, a Royal Guard was maintained, which was eventually extended into a Royal Navy in case of interplanetary disputes.

After the Revolution
Around 30 BBY, a non-believing extremist called Mither So'Ngah opposed the Queen-Mother, insisting that her words came from no deity, but simply her own mind. He incited many to revolution, in an attempt to depose the Queen-Mother. The revolution was not especially successful, until a young Arnian who seemed to appear out of nowhere took control of the militant forces and led a march upon the Shining Palace in Raphisrede. The Revolution won a decisive victory, killing the Queen-Mother when she fought back, though some of the Royal Family escaped the planet. In place of the former monarchy, a Ruling Council was established. This council decided upon laws and strict guidelines to be followed, instead of the previous case-by-case decisions.