Gand

The Gand were a race of insectoids developed in the gases of the planet Gand. Two distinct subspecies of Gand were known to exist, with nearly a dozen different physical variations having been identified among them. One subspecies evolved without lungs, and did not need to breathe at all, while the other subspecies retained their lungs, but could only inhale ammonia. Thus, the Gand with lungs were able to survive in the various gases of their homeworld, but required special breathing apparatus in order to survive in oxygen-based atmospheres. The lungs of these Gand were quite efficient, able to utilize nearly eighty-five percent of the atmosphere they breathed in with each breath.

It was believed that those Gand with lungs could not regenerate body parts like those of the other subspecies, a characteristic that was discovered sometime after the Galactic Civil War.

The Gand developed a totalitarian monarchy, and various colonies of Gand lived in pockets of mist in the gas giant's atmosphere. When renegade Gand were sought, findsmen were sent out to locate them. When the Empire overran the planet, the findsmen were presented with advanced technology with which to hunt their targets. The better findsmen often became bounty hunters, bringing respect and credits to their homeworld.

The Gand held their names in great reverence. A Gand who had not yet accomplished anything in their life was unable to take an individual name, and was simply known as "Gand." When a Gand completed an important task, they were allowed to take on their family's surname. A further accomplishment eventually provided the Gand with a proper name. Pronouns were almost never used, and were reserved for the janwuine - those famous Gand who accomplished so much that their deeds were known by all. However, if a Gand ever did something to be ashamed of, or caused offense to another Gand, their name was reduced.