Gloaranian

"Some people think that were a myth, others who actually encountered us say we are demons or something supernatural. But from my point of view, we are just another race of sentient species who evolved in the same galaxy, our home."

- Jeffie talking to Senior Anthropologist Mammon Hoole about his species

Gloaranians are a shapeshifting mammalian species native to the Outer Rim world of Gloarania. The Gloaranians were, as some might say, a primitive race because of their culture and way of life. Little is actually known of the Gloaranians or their daily life in their world. Senior Anthropologist Mammon Hoole once tried studying them, being a shapeshifter himself; but he came back later on with not that much more information then before.

It was unknown if the Gloaranians would ever came out from their isolation. But, however, their planet of Gloarania was caught in several wars from other planets battling each other. One such war was the Ki'long war in which the chicken-like Rillians battled a minotaur-like species known as the Ki'longs. The war took place on Moaz (home of the Squerk species) Tonneta, Rillia, Engalyrn, and Maran 5 (home to the Davians). The Rillians chose the planet because of its isolated history. But the Ki'longs, however, quickly found out their plans from a previous battle and quickly set off for the system. The war lasted for a several months on the planet. The Gloaranians, in turn, helped the Rillians fight off the Ki'longs.

Not meany Gloaranians were seen in the main parts of the galaxy however. Those who were seen were only known for their reputation as spies, traitors, conspirators, or even threats. However, not all became spies and assassins, some became Jedi knights and masters. A Gloaranian named Nescan bacame a information broker while a female Gloaranian outcast named Jadru became a enchantress. Another female Gloaranian named Nala was the apprentice to Jedi master Falgan. She was also the girlfriend and, later on, the wife to Jeffie. Zoi was another Gloaranian Jedi padawan during the Clone Wars, it was believed by meany people that he was killed in the Great Jedi Purge.

Biology and appearance
"At first, I thought he was a Cathar or a Bothan. Possibly a Felecatian. But he was really a Gloaranian in his "Human" form. Gloaranians can not transform into Humans, they can only transform into somthing that almost resembles one; like a Cathar or Bothan. Being shapeshifters with limits, they like to cheat. I ought to know this, being a shapeshifter myself."

- Senior Anthropologist Mammon Hoole describing his first meeting with Jeffie

Skills and talents


Males in their true forms look like tiger-like humanoids while Females look like wolf-horse-like humanoids. They have the ability to transform from Canines, Felines, and Equines. However, their shapeshifting ability is limited. To most Gloaranians their Canine forms are limited to the Canis family, their Feline forms are limited to the Panthera family, and their Equine forms are limited to the Equus family. However, some Gloaranians were able to push the limit of their shapeshifting ability, those who were able to push their limate are said to take on the forms of other close animals. When they could push their limit they were only limited from various animal families and their relitives: the Artiodactyla (antelope, cows, hippopotamus, camels and llamas, pigs, deer, giraffes, ronto-like animals and other members of that family), Carnivora (red pandas, skunks, fossa, mongooses, otters, seals, hyenas, linsangs, bears, raccoons, walrus, weasels, sea lions, and other members of that family; even the other feline and canine families), Proboscidea (elephants and other members of that family), Hyracoidea (hyraxs and other members of that family), Tubulidentata (Aardvarks and other members of that family), Sirenia (manatees, dugongs, and other members of that family), and Perissodactyla (tapirs, rhinoceros, and other members of that family; even the other equine families). They could also transform into some members of the Diprotodontia family, such as Brachalletes, Nimbadons, Thylacoleonidae, Palorchestes, and Macropodiformes (kangaroos). All the other mammals that were not mentioned in the list were impossible for them to transform into. The reason why is because the forms are out of their reach, although scientists still do not know why. One theory is that they only transform into creatures that were within their evolution. They also had another limitation; because of their wild nature they could not transform into any domestic animal species. Those who were able to push this limit could only transform into domestic animals that were closely related to their wild ancestors. However, a Gloaranian named Jeffie was able to transform into some creatures that were the mammal types that his species where able to tansform into within a sub-mammalian category; two of those creatures that he was able to transform into were a Tauntaun and a Cu-Pa, being sub-mammals in the ungulate family; Artiodactyla. However, their gift is really extreme. Since Gloaranians can not transform into any animal member of the Primate family; Gloaranians are incapable of transforming into Humans or eny other ape species. However, some Gloaranians were able to morph into species that closely resembled Humans. Their Human-like forms closely resembled that of a Bothan or a Cathar. But it was quite rare for a Gloaranian to transform into a form that almost resembled a Human however. Those who were able to accomplish this abilaty were said to appear more good-looking then normal Bothan or Cathar. For example, they are more handsome and attractive as a grown-up male or a young male, or more beautiful and gorgeous as a grown-up female or a young female.

At first Gloaranians are able to change the color, texture, and shape of their skins but when they reach the age of Twelve they could change their height, weight, facial features, sex, voice, and physical body shape, they were even capable of changing any skintight clothing they wore, but they could not imitate an individual's features. They also could not produce extra limbs, appendages, or parts. They also could not grow or add more organs to their body; such as extra eyes or another heart or brain. Though an individual Gloaranian can not change his or her age they could change their body look and appearance making them appear older or younger. This age imitating trick is really hard for a young Gloaranian to accomplish but for those who have reached the age of twelve can do it at a minor degree, older ones have a better quantity of this skill. However, their age-changing skill is very limited. For example, individuals who have reached the age of fifteen can imitate the ages among twelve to eighteen. Another skill they have is the ability to change their gender. Scientists still do not know how they accomplish this ability. Their gender-changing skill is not that complicated to understand, however. For example, female Gloaranians are able to produce sperm while in the form of a male and males are able to produce milk and give birth to live young while in the form of a female. However, it was considered a sin for a Gloaranian to change its gender so most Gloaranians would stay away from this ability.

Besides that, like Shi'ido, they do not feel pain or discomfort when they changed shape. Also, like Shi'ido, they do not revert back to their true form when they were stunned, fatigued, exhausted, unconscious, dying, or even dead, as Clawdites did. They, also like Shi'ido, also had a form of telepathy so they could project false impressions to most other species. Besides shapeshifting they also had other abilities as well, like: invisibility, and sonic screaming (similar to Force Scream). Females of the species also give a form of milk similar to blue milk when feeding their young. All members of the species appear to be force-sensitive.

Male form


Large male Gloaranians can reach a total length of 3.5 m and a weight of well over 300 kg. Apart from those exceptional large individuals, male Gloaranians usually have a head and body length of 190–220 cm and an average weight of 227 kg (The tail of a male Gloaranian is 60–110 cm long). Male Gloaranians have rusty-reddish to brown-rusty coats, a fair (whitish) medial and ventral area and stripes that vary from brown or hay to pure black. The form and density of stripes differs between subspecies, but most male Gloaranians have in excess of 100 stripes. The pattern of stripes is unique to each animal, and thus could potentially be used to identify individuals, much in the same way as fingerprints are used to identify people. This is not, however, a preferred method of identification, due to the difficulty of recording the stripe pattern of others. It seems likely that the function of stripes is camouflage, serving to hide them from their prey. The stripe pattern is found on a male's skin and if shaved, its distinctive camouflage pattern would be preserved. Like most felines, male Gloaranians are believed to have some degree of colour vision. There is a well-known mutation that produces the white male, an species which is rare. The white male, known in Gloaranian as a Kronia, is not a separate sub-species, but only a colour variation. There are also unconfirmed reports of a "blue" or slate-coloured male, and largely or totally black male Gloaranians, and these are assumed, if real, to be intermittent mutations rather than distinct species. Similar to other big cats, like the lion, the male Gloaranian has the ability to roar.

Female form
The female's height varies from 1.6–1.15 meters at the shoulder, and weight from 32–62 kilograms (70–135 pounds). Female Gloaranians are built for stamina, possessing features ideal for long-distance travel. Their narrow chests and powerful backs and legs facilitate efficient locomotion. They are capable of covering several miles trotting at about a pace of 10 km/h (6 mph), and have been known to reach speeds approaching 65 km/h (40 mph) during a chase. While thus sprinting, the females can cover up to 5 meters (16 ft) per bound. The female's paws are able to tread easily on a wide variety of terrains, especially snow. There is a slight webbing between each toe, which allows the females to move over snow more easily than comparatively hampered prey. They are also digitigrade, which, with the relative largeness of their feet, helps them to distribute their weight well on snowy surfaces. The front paws are larger than the hind paws, and have a fifth digit, the dewclaw, that is absent on hind paws. Bristled hairs and blunt claws enhance grip on slippery surfaces, and special blood vessels keep paw pads from freezing. Scent glands located between the female's toes leave trace chemical markers behind, helping the female to effectively navigate over large expanses while concurrently keeping others informed of its whereabouts. A female Gloaranian sometimes seems heavier than it actually is because of its bulky coat, which is made of two layers. The first layer consists of tough guard hairs designed to repel water and dirt. The second is a dense, water-resistant undercoat that insulates the female. The undercoat is shed in the form of large tufts of fur in late spring or early summer (with yearly variations). A female will often rub against objects such as rocks and branches to encourage the loose fur to fall out. The undercoat is usually grey regardless of the outer coat's appearance. Females have distinct winter and summer pelages that alternate in spring and autumn. Females tend to keep their winter coats further into the spring than the males. Coloration varies greatly, running from gray to gray-brown, all the way through the canine spectrum of white, red, brown, and black. These colors tend to mix in many populations to form predominantly blended individuals, though it is certainly not uncommon for an individual or an entire population to be entirely one color (usually all black or all white). A multicolor coat characteristically lacks any clear pattern other than it tends to be lighter on the animal's underside. Fur color sometimes corresponds with a given the female population's environment; for example, all-white females are much more common in areas with perennial snow cover. Aging females acquire a grayish tint in their coats. It is often thought that the coloration of the female's pelage serves the purpose of camouflage. This is not entirely correct, as some scientists have noted that the blended colors are more to do with emphasizing gestures, much like eye shadow or lipstick on humans.

At birth, Gloaranian female pups tend to have darker fur and blue irises that will change to a yellow-gold or orange color when the pups are 8–16 weeks old. Though extremely unusual, it is possible for an adult female Gloaranian to retain its blue-colored irises. Adolescent females with golden-yellow eyes. The female's long, powerful muzzles help distinguish them from Gloaranian subspecies. females also differ in certain skull dimensions, having a smaller orbital angle (>53 degrees) and a comparatively larger cerebral capacity. Larger paw size, yellow eyes, longer legs, and bigger teeth further distinguish adult females from other females, particularly subspecies. Also, precaudal glands at the base of the tail are present in females. Females share identical dentition. The maxilla has six incisors, two canines, eight premolars, and four molars. The mandible has six incisors, two canines, eight premolars, and six molars. The fourth upper premolars and first lower molars constitute the carnassial teeth, which are essential tools for shearing flesh. The long canine teeth are also important, in that they are designed to hold and subdue the prey. Capable of delivering up to 1500 lb/sq. inch (~10 MPa) of pressure, the female's teeth are its main weapons as well as its primary tools. Therefore, any injury to the jaw line or teeth could devastate a female, dooming it to starvation or incapacity.

Equine form (any gender)


The "Equine" (as it is called because no name was given) are a subspecies of the Gloaranian. Scientists are not so sure how these Gloaranians evolved but their best theory is that they were once a race of predetory Gloaranians that took to eating plants. But like all Gloaranians they are capible of shapeshifting. They are also capible of mixing with their predetor relatives as well. The "Equines" have, on average, a skeleton of 205 bones. A significant difference in the bones contained in the "Equine" skeleton, as compared to that of their relatives, is the lack of a collarbone--their front limb system is attached to the spinal column by a powerful set of muscles, tendons and ligaments that attach the shoulder blade to the torso. The "Equine's" legs and hooves are also unique, interesting structures. Their leg bones are proportioned differently from their subspecies. For example, the body part that is called a "Equine's" "knee" is actually the carpal bones that correspond to the human wrist. Similarly, the hock, contains the bones equivalent to those in the human ankle and heel. The lower leg bones of a "Equine" correspond to the bones of the human hand or foot, and the fetlock (incorrectly called the "ankle") is actually the proximal sesamoid bones between the cannon bones (a single equivalent to the human metacarpal or metatarsal bones) and the proximal phalanges, located where one finds the "knuckles" of a human. A "Equine" also has no muscles in its legs below the knees and hocks, only skin and hair, bone, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the assorted specialized tissues that make up the hoof. A "Equine's" teeth include incisors, premolars, molars, and sometimes canine teeth. A "Equine's" incisors, premolars, and molars, once fully developed, continue to erupt throughout its lifetime as the grinding surface is worn down through chewing. Because of this pattern of wear, a rough estimate of a "Equine's" age can be made from an examination of the teeth. The hoof of the "Equine" encases the second and third phalanx of the lower limbs, analogous to the fingertip or toe tip of a human. In essence, a "Equine" travels on its "tiptoes." The hoof wall is a much larger, thicker and stronger version of the human fingernail or toenail, made up of similar materials, primarily keratin, a very strong protein molecule. The "Equine's" hoof contains a high proportion of sulfur-containing amino acids which contribute to its resilience and toughness.

The senses of a "Equine" are generally superior to those of a human. As prey animals, they must be aware of their surroundings at all times. They have very large eyes (among land animals only the Jakian ostrich has a larger eye), with excellent day and night vision, though they may have a limited range of color vision. The side positioning of the eyes gives the "Equine" a wide field of vision of about 350°. While not color-blind, studies indicate that they have difficulty distinguishing greens, browns and grays. Their hearing is good, and the pinna of their ears can rotate a full 360 degrees in order to pick up sound from any direction. Their sense of smell, while much better than that of humans, is not their strongest asset; they rely to a greater extent on vision. A "Equine's" sense of balance is outstanding; the cerebellum of their brain is highly developed and they are very aware of terrain and placement of their feet. "Equine's" sense of touch is better developed than many people think; they immediately notice when a fly or mosquito lands on them, even before the insect attempts to bite. Their sense of taste is well-developed in order to determine the nature of the plants they are eating, and their prehensile lips can easily sort even the smallest grains. "Equines" will seldom eat most poisonous plants or spoiled food unless they have no other choices, although a few toxic plants have a chemical structure that appeals to animals, and thus poses a greater risk of being ingested. "Equines" exhibit a diverse array of coat colors and distinctive markings, and a specialized vocabulary has evolved to describe them. Often, one will refer to a "Equine" in the field by its coat color rather than by breed or by sex. The genetics of the coat colors has largely been resolved, although discussion continues about some of the details. "Equines" have developed very loud voices, which can be heard for over three kilometers, to keep in contact with other "Equines" of their herd over the wide spaces of the grasslands. "Equines" have large ears to hear the distant calls of fellow "Equines", and to help cool the "Equine's" blood. The "Equine's" tough digestive system can break down inedible vegetation and extract moisture from food more efficiently. "Equines" can defend themselves with a powerful kick of their hind legs to protect them from predators like the large jakas, and their relitives, if they don't know that their pray is really a member of their own species. The "Equine" are well known for their humps. They do not, however, store water in them as is commonly believed, though they do serve this purpose through roundabout means. Their humps are a reservoir of fatty tissue. However, when this tissue is metabolised, it is not only a source of energy, but yields through reaction with oxygen from the air 1,111 g of water per 1,000 g of fat converted. Though this metabolization of the fat generates a net loss of water through respiration during the process. The kidneys of the "Equine" are very efficient. Urine comes out as a thick syrup and their feces are so dry that they can fuel fires. The "Equine" are able to withstand changes in body temperature and water content that would kill most other animals. Their temperature ranges from 34°C (93°F) at night up to 41°C (106°F) at day, and only above this threshold will they begin to sweat. The upper body temperature range is often not reached during the day in milder climatic conditions and therefore the "Equine" may not sweat at all during the day. Evaporation of their sweat takes place at the skin level not at the surface of their coat, thereby being very efficient at cooling the body compared to the amount of water lost through sweating. This ability to fluctuate body temperature and the efficiency of their sweating allows them to preserve about five litres of water a day. A feature of their nostrils is that a large amount of water vapor in their exhalations is trapped and returned to the "Equine's" body fluids, thereby reducing the amount of water lost through respiration. They can withstand at least 20-25% weight loss due to sweating (most mammals can only withstand about 3-4% dehydration before cardiac failure results from the thickened blood). A "Equines" blood remains hydrated even though the body fluids are lost; until this 25% limit is reached. The "Equines" eating green herbage can ingest sufficient moisture in milder conditions to maintain their body's hydrated state without the need for drinking. Their mouth is very sturdy, able to chew thorny desert plants. Long eyelashes and ear hairs, together with sealable nostrils, form an effective barrier against sandstorms. Their pace (moving both legs on one side at the same time) and their widened, hooved feet help them move without sinking into the ground.

Early Life and Reproduction


Usually, the instinct to reproduce drives young Gloaranians away from their birth packs, leading them to seek out mates and territories of their own. Dispersals occur at all times during the year, typically involving Gloaranians that have reached sexual maturity prior to the previous breeding season. It takes two such dispersals from two separate packs for a new breeding pair to be formed, for dispersing Gloaranians from the same maternal pack tend not to mate. Once two dispersing Gloaranians meet and begin traveling together, they immediately begin the process of seeking out territory, preferably in time for the next mating season. The bond that forms between them often lasts until one of them dies. Generally, mating occurs between winter and early spring — the higher the latitude, the later it occurs. A pack usually produces a single litter unless the alpha male mates with one or more subordinate females. The pack tension rises as each mature Gloaranian feels urged to mate. During this time, in fact, the alpha male and alpha female may be forced to prevent other ones from mating with one another. Under normal circumstances, a pack can only support one litter per year, so this dominance behavior is beneficial in the long run.

A female is only receptive for a few days and mating is frequent during that time period. A pair will copulate frequently and noisily, similar to cats. The gestation period lasts between 60 and 63 days, and 3–4 cubs and pups. Young males are about 1 kg (2 lb) each when born while the females are at a weight of 0.5 kg (1 lb) each. The young are born blind, deaf, and completely dependent on their mother. The females rear them alone. Wandering males may kill cubs to make the female receptive. Pups reside in the den and stay there for no longer than two months. The den is usually on high ground near an open water source, and has an open "room" at the end of an underground or hillside tunnel that can be up to a few meters long. They begin eating regurgitated foods after 2 weeks — by which time their milk teeth have emerged — and are fully weaned by 10 weeks. During the first weeks of development, the mother usually stays with her litter alone, but eventually most members of the pack will contribute to the rearing of the pups in some way. During a certain time, the young will become more independent, and the males eventually begin to explore the area immediately outside the den before gradually roaming up to a mile away from it at around 5 weeks of age. At 8 weeks, the young (including the females) are ready to follow their mother out of the den. The females are often moved around so they can stay safely while most of the adults go out to hunt. One or two adults stay behind to ensure the safety of the females. After a few more weeks, the young males and females are permitted to join the adults if they are able, and will receive priority on anything killed, their low ranks notwithstanding. Letting the young fight for eating privileges results in a secondary ranking being formed among them, and allows them to practice the dominance/submission rituals that will be essential to their future survival in pack life. During hunts, the young remain ardent observers until they reach about 8 months of age, by which time they are large enough to participate actively.

The young males become independent around 18 months of age, but it is not until they are around 2–2½ years old that they leave their mother. The cubs reach sexual maturity by 3–4 years of age. The females generally own territory near their mother, while males tend to wander in search of territory, which they acquire by fighting and eliminating another male. Over the course of her life, a female will give birth to an approximately equal number of males and females. Captured Gloaranians, often mistaken for non-sentient creatures, breed well in captivity.

Religion
"We all live in a circle, as one dies and enters the next world a new one is born and takes its place. When we die, our bodies become the dirt, the dirt feeds the grass, the antelope eat the grass, and we eat the antelope. When the light of day fades and darkness replaces it light is born again. Even though the circles of life stay the same, they still change. Life and Nature always changes. Winter turns into spring, young become old, the moons change shape, the color of the leaves; even our bodies. Cycles and transformations are a part in the universe, created by the Creator Spirit, who loves and protects us all."

- A Gloaranian shaman explaining the universe’s order



The Gloaranians believed that every aspect and thing had a spirit presiding over it, but did not hold a belief in multiple gods. All figures identified as 'gods' were simply greater beings in their belief whose names were so great there were no such words for them, and thus they were recognized as 'gods' by researchers. However, the Gloaranians paid direct respect to and worshipped only Yawo, meaning “the great almighty-one”. They held that signs, visions, dreams, and powers were all gifts of the spirits, and that their world was intertwined and presided over by the spirit world. The Gloaranians venerated the mythical Sun dragon “Gargon”, who appeared to very intelligent and resourceful male youths (although in general Gloaranians, thought that snakes could block spiritual blessings to a den, therefore, it was traditional for Gloaranians to never keep any object made from or resembling a snake, or part of a snake in their den), as well as Ulak' Lust (the spirit of the hunt) and Hiewanoo (meaning "the wise-singing wind", a spirit of the wind). The Anniyunt were people of thunder and lightning, known as the thunder beings. The Anniyunt caused fires in trees. The Anokwi, known as the Thunder Beings of the West, was a thunderstorm spirit, also called Agaya. The Gloaranians held that there were two classes of the thunder beings, those who lived close to their planet, and the holiest and most powerful of the thunder beings that lived in the land of the west beyond the Fral Mountains, and visited the Gloaranians to bring the rains and blessings from the South. It was believed that the thunder beings that lived close to Gloarania's surface could and did harm the people at times. The thunder beings were viewed as the most powerful of the servants of the “Creator Spirit”, and were revered in the first dance of the Falno fruit held each year, as they were directly believed to have brought the rains for a successful harvest.

History
"Im great. Im strong, smart, and "shifty". I say shifty because Im great at shapeshifting. I can transform from a wolf to a pig to a goat to a cow in ten seconds! That's enough to make a Clawdite faint."

- Nala talking about her great shapeshifting skills



Gloarania was known for its natural resources and smugglers often stopped on the planet to collect some samples and sell them on the black market. Because of the big numbers of smugglers dropping by some Gloaranians managed to sneak aboard some of their ships and they were shipped out to other planets and space stations in that sector region. Some Gloaranians, however, managed their way throughout the galaxy, becoming smugglers, traders, and sellers. But, because of their reputation of being Shapeshifters, most Gloaranians living on other planets died off, similar to the Shi’ido.

Besides their shapeshifting ability's nasty reputation, Gloaranians were well known for their great courage during the Ki'long war. During the Rillian's slavery rebellion against the Ki'longs, Gloaranian scouts and spies were able to sneek into Ki'long territory while in humanoid Bovine forms that almost resembled the Ki'longs themselves. One of the Gloaranian warriors who fought in the war was Hozan. But because of Hozan's bravery in the war he was renamed "Kre'nar", which in Rillian means "The Fighting Warrior". He earned the name because of his faith in never giving up a fight. After his death, the Rillians named one of their newly discovered constellations after him.

Besides their part in the Ki’long War, not much is known about their history. In the Gloaranian history notes, recorded by Mammon Hoole, the story of “Kernoi” provides one of the earliest examples of a Gloaranian history. But many other alternative stories have also been told by the Gloaranians, giving a hint that some may have been stories or legends. According to one version of the story, a young Gloaranian male was transformed into a horse-like creature as a result of eating his brother’s flesh. Mammon was also told that the Kenob, Kernoi's tribe living in a place to the north-east of the continent of Jana, were annually transformed for his sin. Some, who believe the legend say that is were the “Equine” Gloaranian breed originated from.

Another one of the Gloaranian legends tells the story of the origin of humanity in the galaxy. According to the story, Humans came in a slave shipment owned by an ancient alien civilization which traveled in trade routs from other distant galaxies. They were kidnapped off of a distant planet in another faraway galaxy. The slave ship which the Human slaves traveled in was captured by Rakatan pirates and taken to a base over Gloarania. It is believed by some people that the Rakata built a base on the planet as well in order to communicate with the legendary space station, but no evidence was found to support this theory. Most researchers rejected the story because it contradicted the popular theory of Humans originating on Coruscant. Others thought that some of the Humans were somehow transported to Coruscant and mixed with the native species known as the Zhell. No evidence was found to support either theory

Behind the scenes

 * The Gloaranian was made by Endor chicken.
 * The idea for the Gloaranian was based on the Were-wolf and Were-tiger legends froum Europe and Asia.

Appearances

 * Evil Eyes (retcon)
 * Star Wars: Ewoks
 * "Baga's Rival" (retcon)
 * Lucky Stars (retcon)