Skakoan
Species Data
Attribute Dice: 12D (+6D for PC)
DEXTERITY: 1D/3D+1
PERCEPTION: 1D+2/4D+1
STRENGTH: 1D+2/4D
KNOWLEDGE: 2D/4D+1
MECHANICAL: 1D+1/4D
TECHNICAL: 2D/4D+2
Size: 1.4 - 2.1 meters
Move: 10/12
Homeworld: Skako
Description:
Biology:
The atmosphere on Skako is extremely dense, so Skakoans evolved to survive under great pressures. This means that Skakoans will
decompress and die in low pressure environments. Thus, the few Skakoans that leave Skako ware special protective suits. Very
few non-Skakoans ever see a Skakoan without their suit on, though they were believed to look somewhat like Humans with a more
sickly colored skin.
History:
The Skakoans are relatively unknown in the galaxy, except for their control of the Techno Union. They spoke Skakoverbal, and had
a developed religion. They were also known to be proficient with micro-electronics that were considered quite advanced.
After the Clone Wars, their role in the Confederacy of Independent Systems resulted in them being persecuted by the Human-centric
Galactic Empire. Most retreated to their homeworld, which remained in isolation even after the Battle of Endor. This had led many
to believe that the Skakoan species had become xenophobic after their experience at the hands of the Empire.
The Skakoan pressure suit is an armored suit designed and worn by the Skakoans of Skako.
Because the Skakoans had evolved in the high-pressure atmosphere on Skako, they were unable to live on worlds without a similar
heavy atmosphere or mix of unique air chemicals. Hence, Skakoan scientists created the pressure suit, enabling the natives to
travel offworld. This was particularly useful for members of the Techno Union; Foreman Wat Tambor always wore his pressure suit
(which he had designed himself) while visiting Union foundry worlds or on business for the Confederacy of Independent Systems.
Skakoan pressure suits were equipped with synthesized vocalizers that distorted the wearer's speech patterns, making them sound
more like a battle droid than a sentient being. This, coupled with the fact that few non-Skakoans ever saw a member of the
species without a pressure suit, gave the Skakoans an air of mystery. Many in the galaxy saw the Skakoans as heartless automatons,
little different from the droids they constructed.
Although highly useful for the space-faring members of the species, Skakoan pressure suits had their downsides. For one, they
were very expensive, so only a limited number of Skakoans ever left their homeworld. Most distressing, however, was the effect
of a breach or failure in the pressure suit while on a low-atmosphere world. If the Skakoan was ever exposed to low-pressure
environments, they would explosively decompress. This horrific trait was occasionally used as a weapon; the mercenary Durge
caused a huge explosion in a factory on Queyta by firing upon pressure-suited Skakoan workers, and a pair of Skakoan mercenaries
breached their own pressure suits to cause an explosion during the rescue of Wat Tambor from a Republic prison.
Also, toward the climax of the Clone Wars, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker used the Force to kill Skakoans during the Battle of
Nelvaan, without making their bodies explode. He used a similar technique when he pierced the suit of Wat Tambor during
Skywalker's execution of the Separatist Council on Mustafar.
Special Abilities:
Unique Physiology: Standard oxygen atmospheres are poisonous to Skakoans, burning their
lungs for 2D damage per round of exposure. Skakoans also require a highpressure atmosphere and take 2D damage each round they
are exposed to the “standard” air pressure preferred by most other species. A Skakoan exposed to both conditions simultaneously
takes 4D damage per round. They rely on special pressure suits to negate the harmful effects of a hostile environment.
Gearhead: Skakoan characters get +2 pips to spend on one Technical skill during character
creation.
