Tiss’shar

Sample Image of Tiss’shar

Species Data

Attribute Dice: 12D (+6D for PC)
DEXTERITY: 2D+1/4D+1
PERCEPTION: 2D/3D+1
STRENGTH: 2D/4D
KNOWLEDGE: 1D/2D+2
MECHANICAL: 1D/2D+2
TECHNICAL: 1D/3D+1
Size: 1.5 - 1.8 meters
Move: 11/14
Homeworld: Tiss’sharl

Description:
"As with most species, there exists no stereotypical manner that defines the Tiss'shar, though they are generally recognized as some of the best assassin and gunbeings credits can buy."
-Tem Eliss, The University of Sanbra Guide to Intelligent Life

The Tiss'shar are a species of predatory sentient reptiles from the planet Tiss'sharl. They are comparatively strong, dexterous, and intelligent, and possess slender frames with long necks and short tails. Their mouths are filled with sharp teeth, and their eyes are dark and glassy.

Members of the species are well known for their considerable business savvy, and Tiss'shar business beings can be found throughout the galaxy. They are also known for their cunning assassins, who are sought after for their efficiency and business- like demeanor. Tiss'shar politics are dominated by the Tiss'sharl League, a group of successful business leaders who run Tiss'sharl's government. Tiss'shar politicians are known for their cutthroat practices, sometimes involving assassination of other members.

Biology and Appearance:

"They possess great strength and excellent agility, showing their hunter/predator heritage."
-Tem Eliss, The University of Sanbra Guide to Intelligent Life

The Tiss'shar are bipedal therapods descended from predatory reptilians native to the humid jungle continents of Tiss'sharl. They are relatively strong and agile, with long necks, slender torsos, wider hips, and a short but wiry tail. Their mouths are filled with short, sharp teeth, and their large tongues are pink and constantly moving. Their large eyes are black and appear glassy as a result of the clear, resilient film that covers and protects them. Many Tiss'shar have prominent sickle-shaped claws on the first toe of their feet; some also possess a crest of feathers atop their heads.

There are six subspecies of Tiss'shar, distinguished most easily by the markings on their scales. The sil-ar are the most common, and have diamond shaped markings on the backs of their heads and torsos, and on their limbs. The kal-ar are another common race, having thin, concentric bands beginning at the base of their jaws and going all the way to their feet. Other races include the ask-ar, which have red markings resembling masks on their faces; the orl-ar, which have green scales punctuated by yellow-orange stripes; the nil-ar, which have thin red bands around their eyes, wrists, ankles, and tails; and the isk-ar, which are albino Tiss'shar with translucent white scales and no other visible markings.

Society and Culture:

"I am also here to instruct each of you—league councilors, officers, the honorable Vice President—that your President is to suffer no repercussions for the Empire's decision. I do understand your local politics."
-Darth Vader

Tiss'shar social structure is inextricably tied to business. Nearly all Tiss'shar families have a corporation as a patron, which provides the family with its material needs in exchange for the dedicated labor of its members. Patron corporations regularly supply food, housing, health care, education, and security services. While most companies native to Tiss'sharl focus on enviro-technology and modern weaponry, they also produce many other high-end products such as hyperdrives and droids. Tiss'sharl is open to companies from offworld, and some of the most prominent corporations from around the galaxy set up offices there; however, these companies' less generous benefits packages often meant they could only attract less skilled Tiss'shar to their payroll.

The predatory instincts of the Tiss'shar, redirected into the realm of business, served them well. While no stereotype fully defined the species, they are often considered aggressive, resourceful, calculating business beings. These traits also make them excellent assassins and gunfighters, renowned galaxywide for their efficiency. Most Tiss'shar have an appreciation for the art of the deal, and conduct their business legitimately; even those who chose the path of the assassin remember that they are conducting business and respect their contracts. Tiss'shar tend to focus solely on success, tackling problems with a detached and calculating approach. They often prefer subterfuge over overt physical approaches when solving disputes.

Government among the Tiss'shar is also tied to business. Tiss'sharl is governed by the Tiss'sharl League, a body comprised of those business beings whose companies post the highest profits for the previous five local years, with each local year being roughly eleven standard months long. The body is not restricted to Tiss'shar; foreigners were also eligible to become a part of the League, which is headed by a President and Vice President, with officers and league councilors filling out other roles. Tiss'shar politics by the time of the Galactic Civil War are extremely cutthroat, with advancement often occurring as a result of assassination.

The Tiss'shar language is made up of hisses, shrieks, and lisping vocalizations. The written form of Tiss'shar consists of sharp lines and curves in series, and is described as possessing a violent-looking aesthetic.

Tiss'shar typically do not wear clothing other than a simple tool harness, though that was far from an absolute rule. Citizens of the capital city could be seen wearing garments of various sorts covering their upper torsos. Members of the Tiss'sharl League and their guards often wore elaborate outfits about their necks and shoulders, and guards also wore wide-brimmed helmets. Assassins sometimes wore a face-concealing cowl.

Tiss'shar cuisine, befitting their predatory nature, is served unheated. Meat is served still attached to the bone of the creature of origin, with no attempt made to disguise the source; small animals are served whole.

History

"How can the Rebellion protect Tiss'sharl from the shadows?"
-President Si-Di-Ri

Tiss'sharl is a planet in the Outer Rim Territories near the Hydian Way, a hyperlane first blazed in 3,000 BBY by Freia Kallea. The Tiss'shar came under the undisputed authority of the Tiss'sharl League in approximately 1,000 BBY. The rule of the League provided stability and abundance for the Tiss'shar, though it also eventually fostered the cutthroat politics that characterized it during the Imperial era.

By the time of the Galactic Civil War, the Tiss'shar were well-integrated into the galaxy. They were key players in the galactic economy, with Tiss'sharl the focus of extensive import and export activity, often generating a trade surplus. Many galactic corporations, including TaggeCo, had set up offices on the planet. The world was loyal to the Empire, with Moff Giiedt serving as Imperial liaison to Tiss'sharl.

The Galactic Civil War brought new challenges. Darth Vader visited the world three times in a year, each time demanding a lower selling price of TaggeCo blaster cartridges.

Tiss'shar in the Galaxy:

"Tiss'shar encountered off of their homeworld are often of two disciplines: business or killing."
-Tem Eliss, The University of Sanbra Guide to Intelligent Life

The Tiss'shar were known across the galaxy as shrewd, resourceful business beings. Tiss'shar merchants could be found on all of the major hyperlanes, and Tiss'shar corporations were aggressive in their search for new markets and business opportunities throughout the galaxy. Tiss'shar who didn't care for more legitimate means of gathering wealth often became corporate or freelance killers.

A large number of Tiss'shar found their way into the Corporate Sector. Some found work in legitimate business, while others served as "protection agents" and corporate assassins. Uul-Rha-Shan, a former gunrunner turned gunslinger, was hired by Corporate Sector Authority Viceprex Mirkovig Hirken to serve as his bodyguard.

Yet other Tiss'shar turned to piracy. One of the most infamous was Abin-Ral-Xufush, the notorious leader of the Shadow Wing pirate fleet. Another Tiss'shar pirate was Pao-Neh-Lo, an experienced and merciless member of the crew of the privateering vessel Far Orbit.

As non-humans, Tiss'shar faced some discrimination during the time of the Galactic Empire. Like many non-human races, they were not welcome on Coruscant. Non-Tiss'shar sometimes referred to them derogatorily as "snakes."

"The Tiss'shar were kind of tough to get a handle on at first but now I'm really enjoying drawing them too."
-Joe Corroney

Special Abilities:
Vision: Tiss’shar can see in the infrared spectrum, allowing them to see in darkness provided there are heat sources.
Body Armor: The Tiss’shar’s thick scales gives them natural armor that provides a +1D against physical attacks and +1 against energy attacks.

Special Skills:
Business: As nearly all Tiss'shar are good at business, whenever a character adds 1D to any business skill they get 2D. This is during character generation only.