Arkanian/Legends

"Aren't Arkanians fascinating, Squint? So loving of science&mdash;and so willing to use it."

- Demagol

The Arkanians were a Near-Human race which resided primarily on the planet of Arkania, though they were not indigenous to it.

Biology and appearance
Arkanians considered themselves the pinnacle of evolution, and as such many were distinctly arrogant. Arkanian scientists had been experts in genetic manipulation for millennia, and by the time of the Mandalorian Wars the species had been split into many sub-species, making it hard to determine exactly what was a baseline Arkanian. Most Arkanians could pass for Human, though the majority had pure white eyes and four clawed fingers on each hand. One particular sub-species were bred as workers for the famed Arkanian gem mines. These people had five-fingered hands and Human-like eyes&mdash;sometimes even pointed ears. Members of this breed included the fugitives Camper and Jarael, who were actually considered offshoots or outcasts by other Arkanians.

Arkanians were capable of seeing in infra-red light, and their eyes were sensitive to sources of extreme heat. This was helpful on their dark and frigid homeworld, but when traveling offworld, many were forced to wear blinders on planets with hotter, younger suns. It was also not unusual for an Arkanian to enhance themselves with internal or external cybernetics, or in some cases both. It was also standard practice for many of the Arkanians to undergo further genetic manipulation on their own bodies, enhancing themselves even further and better than lesser species.

Common Arkanian names

 * Dolvan Genarik
 * Jaro Salaban
 * Kalor Nelprin
 * Marael Korvata
 * Sulan Bek

History
Regarded as some of the greatest scientists in the galaxy, members either made some of the greatest advancements in medical science, or performed atrocities which surpassed even those of the Galactic Empire. The Arkanians saw the genetic betterment of their neighboring systems as their duty, though many of their experiments were unwelcome.

One of their earliest known endeavors was the creation of the Quermian species from the Xexto around 16,950 BBY. Though they abandoned their secret experiments, fearing legal action from the Galactic Republic, the Quermians resurfaced millennia later.

Centuries before the rise of the Galactic Empire, much criticism was leveled at the Arkanians for their experiments on the dim-witted Yaka. Though they dramatically increased the species intelligence of the Yaka with their cybernetic enhancements, they also removed all trace of emotion from the people. The controversy culminated in 50 BBY with the Arkanian Revolution. A group of renegade scientists on Arkania, disapproving of the systematic alteration of the Yaka, built an army of cyborg knights to overthrow the Arkanian Dominion, the dominant government. The rebels were defeated when the Jedi intervened in the war.

During the Swarm War, Han Solo disguised himself as an Arkanian.

Appearances

 * Tales of the Jedi: Knights of the Old Republic
 * Tales of the Jedi: The Freedon Nadd Uprising
 * Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith
 * Tales of the Jedi: Redemption
 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: Commencement
 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: Flashpoint
 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: Reunion
 * Labor Pains
 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: Days of Fear
 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: Nights of Anger
 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: Daze of Hate
 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 23: Knights of Suffering, Part 2
 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 28: Vector, Part 4
 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: Exalted
 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 31: Turnabout
 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: Prophet Motive
 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic
 * Republic Commando: True Colors
 * Yoda: Dark Rendezvous
 * Boba Fett: A New Threat
 * Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight
 * In His Image
 * A Two-Edged Sword
 * Star Wars Galaxies
 * Dark Nest III: The Swarm War

Notes and references
Arkanianer Arkaniano