Kerestian
Species Data
Attribute Dice: 12D (+6D for PC)
DEXTERITY: 2D/4D+2
PERCEPTION: 2D/4D
STRENGTH: 2D/4D+2
KNOWLEDGE: 1D/3D+1
MECHANICAL: 1D/2D+2
TECHNICAL: 1D/2D+2
Size: 1.8 - 2.5 meters
Move: 10/12
Homeworld: Kerest
Description:
Savage hunters from a dying planet, the Kerestians are known throughout the galaxy as merciless bounty hunters. A handful of
Kerestians have recently been rescued from "lost" colony ships and awakened from cold sleep and are providing quite a contrast to
their brutal and uncivilized fellows.
Nearly a century before their sun began to cool, the Kerestians launched several dozen colony ships. These starships, filled with
Kerestians held in suspended animation in cryotanks, were aimed at distant stars that the species hoped to colonize. Due to the
fact that they were traveling at sub-light speeds, these starships have yet to complete their millennia-long journeys.
A number of the Kerestian colony ships were destroyed by deep-space collisions or suffered systems failures, while others continue
out into deep space. A few have been recovered. Their sleeping passengers are far different from those Kerestians known today:
they are civilized, disciplined people who are stunned and saddened to learn that their home planet has all but died. They are
shocked at the barbarity of their descendants.
Kerestians in the Galaxy:
Eventually, explorers working for the House of Tagge discovered the Kerestians. They offered a handful of Kerestian warriors
passage off their dying world in return for service as assassins. Word of the Kerestians eventually leaked out to the rest of the
Galaxy. Some Kerestians joined the ranks of the Mandalorians. During the Imperial era, many Kerestians became servants of Imperial
nobles. Others became mercenaries or bounty hunters working for a variety of criminal and legitimate groups. Some, angered by the
Empire's exploitation of their people, even joined the Rebel Alliance.
One Kerestian who resisted the Empire was Nariss Siv Loqesh. An effective bounty hunter, Darth Vader offered him the bounty on Han
Solo but he refused. In response to this snub, the Empire placed a 25,000 credit bounty for his capture. This forced Loqesh to
disappear for a year and a half, until he resurfaced under the alias of "Andov Syn". He continued in the same vein of work,
including a notorious incident on Adim where he eliminated the 6 mercenaries hired to guard the town.
A contrasting approach was taken by bounty hunter Galasett. He preferred hunting down those that broke Imperial laws, often
receiving fines for the excessive damage he inflicted on his victims. Another infamous Kerestian was Limna Yith, a one-time
member of the the criminal organization Black Sun. Working on Yen-2, she eventually sabotaged Black Sun's operation there and was
forced to flee the planet.
Later this same period, the Kerestian Pormfil worked in the fringe as an engineer onboard the Wild Karrde, the flagship of
information broker Talon Karrde.
Not all Kerestians of the Imperial era were from Kerest. Before their civilization collapsed, several sublight colony ships were
launched. These starships traveled slowly, taking millennia to reach nearby star systems. A few were recovered in deep space. The
Kerestians on board, when taken out of cryogenic suspension, proved to be a highly civilized and disciplined people, quite
different from their savage cousins.
Special Skill:
(A) Darkstick: Time taken: one round. This skill is used to throw and catch the Kerestian
darkstick. The character must have thrown weaponsof at least 4D to purchase this skill. The darkstickskill begins at the Dexterity
attribute (like normal skills. Increase the difficulty to use the darkstick by two levels if the character is not skilled in
darkstick. Range: 5-10/30/50, Damage: 4D+2. If the character exceeds the difficulty by more than five points, the character can
catch the darkstick on its return trip.
