KAL.EESH

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The Kaleesh are a nomadic species with a tribal culture. They are spiritual beings who worship their ancestors as deities, and they consider their ancestral burial grounds to be sacred lands. The Kaleesh believe that anyone who dies in honorable service to his people becomes a god upon death. The Kaleesh come to momentary prominence in the galaxy when they fight off an invasion by an alien species known as the Huk. Having already subjugated and exploited the natural resources of several worlds, the Huk capture millions of Kaleesh and sell them into slavery. However, the Huk invasion of Kalee is short lived. Under the leadership of a hero who eventually comes to be known as Grievous, the Kaleesh repel the Huk. They doggedly pursue their enemies into space, and the Huk are completely overcome by the Kaleesh. The hunters become the hunted. The Huk request assistance from the Republic, and through a number of underhanded dealings, they receive it. As a result, the Republic subjects the Kaleesh to severe economic sanctions, and the Kaleesh are marginalized by galactic society.

**Personality:** Kaleesh are a warlike species, but they reserve their ire for those who provoke them. They are protective of their territory-especially the ir ancient burial grounds. Kaleesh hold their families and tribes in high esteem, and do anything to protect them. These sentiments sometimes extend to non-Kaleesh who prove themselves to be trustworthy companions, but such a distinction is rare. Honor and sacrifice at the expense of oneself are high ly valued qualities in their society.

**Physical Description:** The Kaleesh are tall, reptilian humanoids. Their scaly skin varies from deep red to dull yellow. Their black hair is worn in long braids or tied up in a queue or topknot.

The long faces of the Kaleesh are framed on either side by two sharp tusks that extend outward from their jawbones, and their nostrils are two long slits that stretch toward their yellow eyes. However, few non-Ka leesh have seen the faces of these enigmatic aliens, for they wear masks made from the skulls of some of Kalee's most vicious predators. The Kaleesh are also distingu ished by their hands, which each feature four long fingers, two of which are ful ly opposable.

**home world:** Kalee.

**Languages:** Kaleesh.

**Example Names:** Qymaen jai Sheela I, Ronderu lij Kummar, Bentilais san Sk'ar.

**Adventurers:** The Kaleesh excel in the roles of scout and soldier. Given their inherent sense of honor and dignity, they also make excellent nobles but rare ly take on the role of a scoundrel. Although no Kaleesh Jedi are known, Kaleesh spiritual traditions view Force sensitivity as a boon granted by their ancestors.

**KAL.EESH SPECIES TRAITS**

• • Ability Modifiers: -2 Dexterity, +2 Constitution, -2 Intelligence, +2 Charisma.

• • Medium Size: As Medium creatures, Kaleesh have no special bonuses or pena lties due to their size.

• • Speed: Kaleesh base speed is 10 meters.

• • Conditional Bonus Feat: Kaleesh are a nomadic people who have learned to live off the land. A Kaleesh with Survival as a trained skill gains Skill Focus (Survival) as a bonus feat.

• • Darkvision: Because of the thermoreceptor glands next to their eyes, Kaleesh ignore concealment (including total concealment) from darkness. However, they cannot perceive colors in total darkness.

• • Driven: Kaleesh are focused individuals who maintain sight of their goals even under adverse conditions. Because of th is single-minded drive, they gain a +5 species bonus to Will Defense against mind-affecting effects.

• • Persistent: A Kaleesh can re-roll any Endurance check, but the result of the re-roll must be accepted, even if it is worse.

• • Automatic Languages: Basic and Kaleesh.