Klatorans

"This person walked up to me, and all of a sudden I heard voices in my head. Talking to me. Most disturbing thing I'd ever seen."

- Sorian officer describing his first contact with a Klatoran

The Klatorans were a mysterious race hailing from the planet Klator, near the Rishi Maze. The species was most well known for their lower face-covering half-masks and their telepathic communication. Both distinctions were the result of adaptation due to an environmental catastrophe. The Klatorans were found by Republic scout ships soon after the restoration of hostilities following the Cold War. Since the planet's only valuable resource was lumber, it was largely passed over by Republic and Sith Empire alike. The Hutts, however, saw a golden opportunity. In a matter of months the Hutts swept over the planet, driving some Klatorans into the forest and enslaving the rest. They then began exporting the now much sought after Klatoran wood, which was hard as metal but gleamed like jewels when polished. The Hutts thought they had gained complete control over this resource, but the Klatorans weren't beaten yet. Despite their lack of technology, the Klatorans had a resource the Hutts didn't: The ability to communicate great distances without scanners. Using guerrilla tactics the Klatorans eventually drove the Hutts of their planet.

Biology and Appearence
How the Klatorans obtained their interesting biology has been a subject of debate since their discovery. According to Klatoran history, eons before their discovery Klator was rocked by an environmental catastrophe of unbridled proportions. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tidal waves shook the planet to its core, releasing clouds of ash and sulfur that darkened the sky and poisoned the air. Many species were wiped out, but some, like the Klatorans, survived by adapting to the conditions. The Klatorans themselves developed a complex system of filters in their sinuses which allowed them to breathe the toxic air. In fact, this system allowed them to breathe in almost any environment. An adaptation to their lung capacity allowed them to remain underwater for about a half-hour at a time. However, these adaptations came at a price. Since the filtration system only applied to air coming in through the nostrils, the Klatorans had to keep their mouth closed at all times when not eating. Eventually, the flap at the back of the throat permanently blocked the mouth from any source of air, rendering the vocal chords useless. A valve system allowed the Klatorans to eat without ingesting toxins. Eventually, the Klatorans developed the required technology to clean up their atmosphere, and the planet was a lush jungle paradise by the time the Republic discovered it.

Culture
The Kaltoran culture rests on unity amongst the clans. Food, shelter, and water are shared equally and no Klatoran is ever left behind. The Klatorans also shun most technology, preffering to live in a "primitive" state, althought they are capable of space travel. This stems from a desire to keep the forest safe. The only technology used on a daily basis are high-powered air scrubbers and, in the galaxy as a whole, artifical speech implants. Another key part of Klatoran culture is celebration. Every time there is a birth, or marriage, or death, the Klatorans celebrate with music, dancing, and feasting. The reason for this is to commemorate what is known as "The Age of Shadow", since during this time the Klatorans had nothing to spare with which to celebrate, and physical activity was kept to a minimum in order to eliminate the risk of the respiratory filters being over loaded. Another thing done to commemorate the Age of Shadow was the Klatorans tradition of wearing a half-mask that covers the nose and mouth. Often beautifully crafted and decorated, these masks are worn from infancy to death and never taken off. Similar to the body wraps of the Tusken Raiders, in Klatoran culture revealing your nose and mouth to one who is not your spouse is grounds for severe punishment. The masks are worn to remind the Klatorans of the adaptations that saved their species.