Arkanian

The Artans were a race of near-humans native to the Outer Rim planet Arta.

Biology and appearance
Artans considered themselves the pinnacle of evolution, and as such many were distinctly arrogant. Artan scientists had been experts in genetic manipulation for millennia, and by the time of the Mandalorian Wars the species had been split into many sub-species, making it hard to determine exactly what was a baseline Artan. Most Artans could pass for Human, though the majority had pure white eyes and four clawed digits on each hand. Artans were capable of seeing in infrared light, and their eyes were sensitive to sources of extreme heat. This was helpful on their dark and frigid homeworld, but when traveling offworld, many were forced to wear blinders on planets with hotter, younger suns. It was also not unusual for an Artan to enhance themselves with internal or external cybernetics, or in some cases both. It was also standard practice for many of the Artans to undergo further genetic manipulation on their own bodies, enhancing themselves even further and better than lesser species.

History
The Artans were believed to be natives of the planet Arkania though it was stated that they were not always residents to that world. In fact, they were not true natives of the planet but the fact that they had been there for countless generations meant that it was considered their homeworld, because they were native to the Outer Rim planet Arta. The rich gem mines on their planet led to its great development and the construction of elaborate trade cities on Arkania. This was the reason why Artan culture largely flourished as a result of off-world contact. They were well known throughout galaxy for their extremely reclusive scientists and for the rumored whispers on many worlds of their actions in genetic experimentation. It was believed for generations that the Artans, because of their tampering, had been involved in the creation of new species. In fact, their reputation for experiments on other species were largely accurate. One of their earliest known endeavors was the creation of the Quermian species from the Xexto around 17,000 BBY. Though they abandoned their clandestine experiments, fearing legal action from the Galactic Republic, the Quermians resurfaced millennia later. Among the most well known Artans was the Jedi Arca Jeth who arose by 4,030 BBY and fought in numerous campaigns ranging from the defeat of the Lorell Raiders, the Freedon Nadd Uprising and finally defending against the rise of the Krath cult. The next involvement of the Artans in galactic politics was during the Mandalorian Wars when The Adasca BioMechanical Corporation of Arkania implemented Project Black Harvest that was launched by Lord Arkoh Adasca who intended to use it as a means of gaining further power for himself. This would not be the last questionable scientific program they conducted. As in 490 BBY, they began experiments on their dim-witted Yaka neighbors in order to uplift the species, bestowing intelligence upon the previously simple minded race. Much criticism was leveled at the Artans for their actions toward the Yaka and protests were made against their government, the Artan Dominion, by their own people. Though they dramatically increased the intelligence of the Yaka species' with cybernetic enhancements, they also removed all traces of emotion from them. The controversy culminated in 50 BBY with the Artan Revolution. A group of renegade scientists on Arkania, disapproving of the systematic alteration of the Yaka, built an army of cyborg knights to overthrow the Artan Dominion, the dominant government. The rebels were defeated when the Jedi intervened in the war. Following the revolution, the typical Artan mindset continued to dominate their culture and they proved to be among the most vocal members of the Galactic Senate. These eras saw at least one investigation conducted by the Senate into the activity of Artan scientists. This state of affairs continued into the emergence of the Galactic Empire. During that time, it was known that many Artans worked in the secret laboratories of Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin and Grand Admiral Zaarin. During the Rebellion era, many blamed the Artans for unleashing bio-weapons during the Clone Wars. Upon the emergence of the New Republic, the stance of the Artan people meant that they refused to join the new government. This further incriminated Artan scientists for their complicity with the previous Imperial government as information regarding their role during the New Order came to light.

Culture
The most defining trait of their kind was their arrogance which stemmed from their belief that they were the pinnacle of evolution. This led to them often appearing arrogant and aloof to others as they saw themselves as being superior to all other species. Even those with a more moderate viewpoint tended to see themselves as being amongst the most intelligent beings in the galaxy. As such, they were highly confident of their abilities. Visitors to their adopted homeworld often faced unpleasant and arrogant Artans. This was only the case when they even recognized the existence of such beings on their planet. This arrogance was a notable barrier to any visitor that encountered them on their adopted homeworld though cautious beings were able to be prepared in their interactions with them and expect the worst. Impoliteness deeply offended Artans and when this occurred, the offending individual needed to make amends quickly or risk being ostracized. When offended, an Artan typically spoke badly of the offending party once they were gone and when no apology was given—the Artans were known to lock up the person or detain their starship from leaving the planet with overt threats. Even at this point, however, it was possible to redeem themselves in the eyes of an Artan though failure meant that they became even more offended and storming away. But, if successful, the individual needed to also offer a gift to the offended Artan as a sign of their sincerity. Knowledge and research were highly prized within their society which meant that many Artans were highly skilled scientists as well as academians. Their near boundless arrogance and great wealth as well as dedication was unmatched by others with their scientific community creating research projects that easily matched those of the Galactic Empire. Imperial researchers often struggled to match the dedication of the Artans as their projects often took generations to unfold. In addition, they were not above using their intelligence and research to gain profit with their corporations massing great wealth due to medical treatments entering the market at opportune moments. Artan scientists were well known explorers and they were also famous for their skills in genetic manipulation which resulted from their fascination in the genetic make-up of other races. This had led to frequent experimentation on alien species, much to the subjects' detriment as a result of Artan involvement.

The Artans themselves were not above genetic experimentation with this avenue of research leading to the creation of the Artan Offshoots that were engineered to perform specific tasks. Occassionally, a number of racist Pureblood Artans were known to conduct purges of the Offshoot population. Reactions on the Offshoots varied as some Artans viewed them as little more than tools or even as slaves but many believed that they were an example of the cruel consequences of Artan corporate greed.

Results of their scientific work had led to great advances in medical techniques throughout the galaxy whilst others were considered some of the greatest atrocities known. They were known to had made significant contributions in the fields of cybernetic medical technology and microcircuitry. Their actions had, however, led to many races holding a negative view of their kind which resulted from the actions of their scientists. However, many Artans were either embarrassed or even horrified at the acts their kind had gone to in the name of science. The more conscientous of their kind tended to be favored as allies of the Jedi Order.

Artan offshoots
This particular sub-species was bred as workers for the famed Artan gem mines. These people had hands with five digits, pointed ears in some races, and eyes whose iris contrasted in coloring to the rest of the eyeball. Members of this breed, including Zadawi, Gorman Vandrayk and Jarael, were viewed as lower species and forced to live as outcasts by other "pure" Artans.