Bothan/Legends

Bothans were furry humanoids, about 1.5 meters tall. Hailing from Bothawui and several colonies, Bothans differ in facial structure from canine to feline to equine. The Bothans were members of the Old Republic at least from 4,000 BBY, but likely from a significantly earlier point. Through numerous conflicts the Bothans remained officially neutral, although their Spynet always played each side and commercial interests sought profits. The Bothans played a large role in the founding of the New Republic and in the development of its government. Bothan is also the name of the native language spoken by Bothans, where Botha is the written form.

Culture
Bothan culture was guided by the philosophy and principles set forth in the ancient text The Way by Golm Fervse’dra. In this "Bothan Way", the pursuit of power and influence was paramount. Thus, individual Bothans put their own political and economic success above all other concerns, and as a species, Bothans put their own advancement ahead of other intergalactic interests. The volume of backstabbing, subtle character assassination and political maneuverings in Bothan society was dizzying, and resulted in many species stereotyping Bothans as untrustworthy.

In times of crisis, the focus of Bothan society shifted to a survivalist state known as “Ar’kai”. When engaged in Ar’kai, all fit Bothans volunteered to defend their species from impending annihilation. The last known calling of Ar’kai was during the Yuuzhan Vong invasion after the death of Borsk Fey’lya and the practical defeat of the New Republic.

Clans
Immediate Bothans families were organized into large clans, which were the more important social unit in Bothan society; family and clan loyalty were equally important as power accumulation. Clan associate was denoted as the last component in a Bothan name. For example, the name Girov Dza’tey would mean that Girov is his given name, Dza his family name, and that he was of the Tey clan.

Government
The Bothan Council, a representative body of selective Bothan clans, was the primary governmental body of the Bothan people. Renamed the “Combined Clans” during the New Republic era, the body was still commonly referred to as the Council. At the height of the Galactic Civil War, the council was comprised of representatives from 608 registered clans. A constant flow of new clans petitioned for membership with the numbers soaring during crises like the Yuuzhan Vong invasion. At the head of the Council was the First Secretary, who led the council from their headquarters in Merchant’s Square in the capital of Drev’starn.

Beginning with the Clone Wars and continuing after the fall of the Old Republic, the Council absorbed many of the Bothan political bodies, such as the Bothan Independent Treasury, seeing them as wasteful, corrupt and inefficient. Highly centralized, the Bothan Council governed all social, political, economic and security issues of Bothan life.

The Bothan Diplomatic Corps was one of the few government organizations to survive the culling, and was in fact expanded. The Diplomatic Corp operated as a branch of the Bothan government, and held the responsibility of furthering Bothan ideals through diplomacy. Its agents meets with the leaders of other worlds, forged treaties, and represented Bothuwai in the New Republic, to ensure that Bothan ideals were met in any alliance.

Military
Although a neutral planet during the Galactic Civil War, the Bothans maintained a small defense force to protect Bothawai, and Bothan colonies and economic interests. Bothan soldiers and officers were trained at the oft-mocked Bothan Military Academy.

After the Empire subjugated the Bothan worlds, Alliance General Bob Hudsol organized many Bothan into a resistance movement that eventually overthrew the Imperial garrison. As Bothan involvement in the New Republic increased, so did Bothan military advancement. From 4.5 ABY to 8 ABY, the New Republic Defense Fleet maintained a Bothan-only Bothan Combat Response Element as a quick response force, giving early experience to many future Bothan New Republic officers. By 25 ABY, Bothans such as Traest Kre’fey held high ranking posts in the New Republic military, and the Bothans had developed several warships, such as the Bothan Assault Cruiser.

Spynet
As an extension of the Bothan Way, the Spynet was developed circa 300 BBY as a means to collect intelligence on potential political enemies, which to Bothans, includes all individuals, species and governments. The Spynet consisted of thousands of spies, informants and data collection droids that fed into a centralized command structure.

Together its military component, Bothan Military Intelligence, the Spynet was the most comprehensive and thorough intelligence outfit in the galaxy. Serving Bothan interests first and selling its services second, the Spynet, under the leadership of Koth Melan, proved crucial to the Rebel Alliance in providing information on Imperial military plans, commerce shipping schedules and personnel intelligence, although their services were also bought by the Empire and Fringe elements. Their usefulness culminated in the capture of plans for the second Death Star. After the Galactic Civil War, the Spynet continued to operate independently of New Republic Intelligence.

Notable Bothans

 * Borsk Fey'lya, former First Secretary, former Senator, and former New Republic Chief of State
 * Ceok Oruo'cya, First Secretary during the revelation of the Caamas Document
 * Gatrara Shey'Tyan, last Ambassador of Bothawui to the Empire
 * Glynn-Beti, Clone Wars-era Jedi Knight
 * Karaksk Vet'lya, Cheif of Staff to Admiral Pors Tonith during the Clone Wars
 * Karka Kre'fey, grandson of Laryn Kre'fey and Bothan leader
 * Knol Ven'nari, Clone Wars-era Jedi Master
 * Koth Melan, Spynet leader during the Galactic Civil War
 * Kursk Mal'ia, New Republic Commodore, leader of the Bothan Combat Response Element
 * Laryn Kre'fey, New Republic General, designer of plans to retake Coruscant
 * Traest Kre'fey, New Republic Admiral and Supreme Commander of the Galactic Alliance