Nikto/Legends

The Nikto were a reptilian humanoid species from the planet Kintan in the Si'Klaata Cluster with many subspecies

Biology and appearance


They were all reptilian humanoids that were noted for their leathery skin with an average adult standing 1.8 meters tall. Somtimes these were covered in spikes and horns.

The species held a limited range of facial expressions that was because they lacked the necessary infrastructure. All Nikto had cold black obsidian eyes. These were sometimes covered by a protective membrane. This took the form of a thin transparent membrane protected their eyes underwater and during windstorms. As a result, they were noted for their "staring" eyes and a seemingly blank expression which led to many underestimating Nikto intelligence.

The Nikto species featured five distinct mutated sub-species due to a massive radiation from a dying nearby star M'dweshuu, which sped up the rate of mutation so that traits that normally took millions of years to occur instead took only thousands of years. The five sub-species inhabited different geographic areas of Kintan, developing unique adaptations to suit the different environments on the planet.

The varying appearance of the Nikto sub-species caused confusion amongst those who were unfamiliar with the Nikto, but all Nikto had certain similarities; leathery skin, sometimes covered with spikes or horns, as well as eyes that included a protective membrane to shield against Kintan's harsh environment. Lacking the musculature required for complex facial expressions, Nikto were often underestimated in assessments of their intelligence due to their 'staring' eyes and 'blank' expressions.

The mutation caused by the planet's radiation atmosphere were triggered in the race that resulted in five different subspecies that were each adapted to a specific environmental niche. These five reptilian species all displayed unique cosmetic features. While each subspecies of the Nikto was physically distinct and originated from different parts of Kintan, Nikto from different subspecies could easily interbreed. 93% of the offspring from such unions ended up with the characteristics of only one parent's race, with the rest combining the traits of two subspecies.

Kajain'sa'Nikto


The most common subspecies, the Kajain'sa'Nikto or "Red Nikto", adapted to survive in the Wannschok, or "Endless Wastes", a desert region on Kintan. They had a series of forehead ridges and small facial horns surrounding their eyes and on the chin. Their noses were covered with a movable flap of skin and a semi-permeable membrane which allowed the Nikto to breathe without ingesting sand and grit. The Kajain'sa'Nikto also had a pair of breathing tubes on each side of the neck with openings covered by similar membranes. These membranes also trapped exhaled water vapor and sent it back into their system. Their equivalent of smiling was flattening their mouth flaps.

Most Morgukai warriors were of this race.

Kadas'sa'Nikto


Kadas'sa'Nikto, or "Green Nikto," originated in the milder climatic regions of Kintan, such as the forests and the seacoasts. Their scaly faces had small facial horns surrounding the eyes and on the chin. Their main distinguishing feature was the long climbing claws on their hands, which could also be used in combat.

Esral'sa'Nikto
Esral'sa'Nikto, or "Mountain Nikto", adapted to the variable climate of the mountains of Kintan. They had large facial fins which were used for heat regulation. These fins also improved the Esral'sa'Nikto's hearing. Their skin was blue-gray, and they had neither horns nor breathing tubes, though they did have a covered nose similar to the Kajain'sa'Nikto.

Gluss'sa'Nikto
Gluss'sa'Nikto, or "Pale Nikto", came from the Gluss'elta Islands of Kintan, causing them to be natural sailors. They had white-gray skin, eye-horns like the Kadas'sa'Nikto, and fins similar to those of the Esral'sa'Nikto, but smaller. Xenobiologists believed the first Gluss'sa'Nikto to have been born of a Kadas'sa'Nikto who mated with an Esral'sa'Nikto.

M'shento'su'Nikto


M'shento'su'Nikto, or "Southern Nikto", had no horns, a covered nose, and several pairs of breathing tubes. These tubes were larger than those of the Kajain'sa'Nikto, and also acted as primitive ultrasonic sensory organs. Their skin color varied from white to yellow or orange.

Origin
Nikto evolved on the harsh world of Kintan that was located deep in the heart of the Si'Klaata Cluster that contained a volatile star known as M'dweshuu. Many millennia ago, a massive amount of radiation was hurled from the dying star that reached the blue-green world. This radiation impacted the biosphere and affected the indigenous inhabitants. Many native inhabitants died as a result whilst the survivors were horribly mutated into fearsome monsters that rivalled the Rancors of Dathomir or the warbeasts of Onderon. Over thousands of years, the mutation led to the rise of animals such as spine dragons, gigantic gray-eyed tuskbeasts, and the immense horned trogwhale. It was in this environment that a diminutive hairless reptile race evolved into intelligence that eventually became known as Nikto. Under constant threat from predators, the Nikto people were strengthened and unified in order to survive. Their civilization emerged from the watch camps that had been built to warn of tuskbeast attacks. In addition, the predators forced the Nikto to take up arms which in turn led to the evolution of tools as their civilization developed. Being a hearty people, they survived on Kintan despite the odds and conquered their environment where they placed themselves at the top of the food chain.

Following standard cultural paradigms, Nikto society developed technology and eventually discovered atomic level technology. Their civilization at this point consisted of many isolated city-states that were all walled to keep the wildlife out. By this point, many of Kintan's forests and swamps had been burnt down to force the more dangerous creatures into extinction. Thus, the Nikto destroyed their own world's biosphere to preserve themselves that transformed it into a barren wasteland. In this time, numerous devastating planetary conflicts erupted on their home planet. During this time, the Nikto became more involved in astronomy as their technological base advanced. After the fourth planetary war, the Nikto discovered the M'dweeshu Nova and determined that it was the source of the numerous monstrous beasts that emerged on their world. The discovery of the star's effects led to news of its effects quickly spreading around their war-torn planet.

In circa 26,000 BBY, the ancient Nikto astronomers discovery of the M'dweshuu Nova star. After learning of it, a strange and bizarre faith was a formed known as the Cult of M'dweshuu. None truly knew how the cult was formed or what its initial interests were at the time. However, they quickly spread throughout Kintan where it rose in power and number with terror spreading throughout the planet as a result of their actions. This religious movement worshipped the Mdweshuu star and offered blood sacrifices that they believed appeased the spirit of the celestial body. They also began to "purify" those that they believed were not worthy descendants of M'dweshuu. This saw thousands of Nikto slain for not subscribing to the beliefs of the Cult. As the Cult of M'dweshuu dominated their culture, many joined their ranks whilst many more hid in fear and even more paid the price for not being deemed "pure". The Cult of M'dweshuu became the rulers of Kintan and controlled the planet for thirty years.

Allegiance to the Hutts


After thirty years, Kintan remained under the rule of the Cult until a new interstellar development rocked Nikto civilization. Around 25,130 BBY, the Nikto were discovered by the Hutts during a high point in the Cult of M'dweshuu's reign of fear. The Hutts, led by Churabba the Hutt, crushed the cult, and the Nikto offered their allegiance to the Hutts in return. Shortly thereafter, the Nikto fought alongside other newly discovered Hutt-aligned species like the Klatooinians and the Vodrans against the forces of Xim the Despot during the Hutt-Xim conflict. Their fierce combat skills proved crucial at the Third Battle of Vontor when Xim the Despot was defeated.

Firmly placed under the control of the Hutts by the Treaty of Vontor, the Nikto served as bodyguards and soldiers for almost 25,000 years, and had limited independent involvement in most galactic events as a result. As late as 4 ABY, Jabba Desilijic Tiure had many Niktos in his crime organization as foot soldiers and bodyguards.

Days of the Old Republic
By 4,000 BBY, millions of Nikto had been transplanted from their homeworld and had been distributed to other planets such as Nal Hutta. In this time, they began to question the value the Hutts had on their lives and began to believe that they were having less and less say on their own affairs. They noted that millions had died protecting the interests of the Hutts leading to general discontentment. Looking into their own past, the Nikto learnt that the Cult of M'dweeshu had opposed the Hutts during distant times. This led to a new period where many Nikto embraced the ideals of the Cult in the hopes of gaining freedom that led to a re-emergence in the Cult of M'dweeshu. Rapid popularity in the Cult led it to overthrowing the minimal Hutt presence on Kintan. In response, the Hutts dispatched their armies of mercenaries to retake control. At this time, the Great Sith War was being waged in the galaxy that prevented the Republic from being involved in the conflict as they were already mired in their own war.

During the time of the Jedi Civil War, the rank-and-file membership of the Black Vulkars swoop gang on Taris was composed largely of Kadas'sa'Nikto. In this time, Nar Shaddaa's Nikto Sector was awarded to the species following successful services of a Nikto warrior to his Hutt master.

The Jedi Order contained at least six Nikto during the waning days of the Galactic Republic including Fi-Ek Sirch, Bhat Jul, Ausar Auset, J'oopi Shé, Ma'kis'shaalas, and Ima-Gun Di.

Under the Empire
During the Galactic Civil War many Kajain'sa'Nikto and Kadas'sa'Nikto worked for Jabba Desilijic Tiure on Tatooine and took advantage of his demise in 4 ABY to become free beings.

The Yuuzhan Vong War and the Legacy era
In 26 ABY, the Yuuzhan Vong conquered Kintan. Over the course of the Vong occupation, 75% of the planet's Nikto population were either killed or enslaved (more often the former, due to the combative nature of the Nikto people). The remaining 25% either went into hiding in Kintan's more inhospitable areas or fled the planet altogether. The population began increasing after the war, eventually returning to prewar levels.

Society and culture
Early in their development, tensions between the sub-species erupted into four bloody wars, although as their civilizations advanced, conquering the dangerous mutated flora and fauna of Kintan united them.

Nikto civilization gradually developed to a pre-star travel level, when they gained an understanding of M'dweshuu's influence on their species and their world. Numerous cults and secret societies developed in praise of M'dweshuu, offering sacrifice through bloodshed. The most prominent of these was the Cult of M'dweshuu, which rose and fell several times through its history. Another secret society was the Morgukai.

A harsh life on Kintan combined with casual Hutt brutality made Nikto cunning combatants. Whilst lacking free will, they made up for this with their single-mindedness and tenacity. They were also able to quickly adapt to their environment.

Most Nikto were content with a life of servitude as in their eyes a life in slavery was preferable to the hardship and toil on their homeworld. In addition, they lacked charisma and preferred to follow orders instead of giving them.

As the Hutts did not trust their servants, the Nikto had no real government of their own. Instead, an attache of the Hutt Clans of the Ancients ruled them who spoke for the Nikto on every political level.

Behind the scenes
In Darksaber, they are called Niktus.

Tales of the Jedi: Knights of the Old Republic mistakenly identifies the Kadas'sa'Nikto as the "Klaatu", implying they were a different species than the Nikto.

In Star Wars: Roleplaying Game published by Wizards of the Coast, Gluss'sa'Niktos have specific rules for a natural armor and hold breath. However, the Gluss'sa'Niktos in the adventure A Mon Alone are listed with an unexplained feature, really ugly, instead of the previously-mentioned ones.

"Klaatu barada nikto" is a phrase originating from the 1951 science fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still.

Non-canon appearances

 * Force Fiction
 * Tag & Bink: Revenge of the Clone Menace
 * Star Wars Infinities: The Empire Strikes Back
 * The Revenge of Tag & Bink