Jungle Felucian

Jungle Felucians, more commonly referred to as Felucians, were the native species of the fungi planet Felucia. The Felucians were sensitive to the Force as a species, but were driven deep into the jungles by the settlement of Gossam colonists on the world.

Biology and appearance
Tall, bipedal aliens, they defied normal species categorization. The Jungle Felucian race had adapted many physical traits that allowed them to blend well into their surroundings. With blue and green pigmentation in their skin, they were capable of disappearing into the jungle and appearing just as quickly to surprise a potential threat. Extremely quick on their feet, Felucians' natural Force-sensitivity appeared to give them preternatural speed at determining where a foe's attack would fall and evading it. Able to move quickly both on land and in the shallow swamps and pools of water found amongst the jungle, Felucians were equipped with cup-like, webbed digits that allowed them to stick to large vegetation. Growing from the underside of each arm was a shorter, smaller arm that ended in three large agile fingers. The Felucian face was gaunt and unpleasant by Human standards, consisting of a protruding lower jaw with four thick, long fangs jutting upward. Lacking lips and a nose, the Felucian eye was set in spaced sockets and had narrow pupils. Similar to the Kaleesh species though, Felucians almost always wore tribal masks, which were made from fleshy plant growth and a tendril-like headdress. One trait that gave them great advantage in combat was the fact that their bones were nearly unbreakable; indeed they could resist a blow from a lightsaber. To this end, Felucian warriors often wielded the bones of fallen Felucians as clubs or staffs, deflecting enemy attacks in hand-to-hand combat.

History
While Felucia was colonized by the Gossam race as early as 27,000 BBY, the native Felucians evaded notice for many centuries by hiding out in the heart of the planet-wide jungles. Eventually, by 1,000 BBY, members of the Jedi Order had discovered the Felucians and their Force-sensitivity, as well as their bones' natural resistance to a lightsaber strike. Throughout their history, Felucians were often regarded by most other sentient species to be primitive and savage. They had long thrived and flourished in the wild jungles of their home planet without the development of any advanced technology, which was in part due to their natural affinity to the Force.

By the time of the Clone Wars, the Felucians had been driven farther into the jungles by the Commerce Guild; which had complete control over the system. Great swath of forests were wiped away by the fires of war, further damaging the Felucian ecosystem. As the war ended, the Felucians set out to revitalize the world, yet their anger at the invaders drove them perilously close to the dark side of the Force. After the fall of the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order, the Felucians were met with a great ally, the Jedi Master Shaak Ti. Fleeing the horrors of the Great Jedi Purge, Ti and Padawan Maris Brood taught the natives the ways of the light side of the Force and promoted growth and healing on the world. As the threat of the dark side grew ever stronger in the galaxy, Ti began to train the natives in combat forms in preparation for an inevitable confrontation with the Sith.

Ascending to the role of Chieftain, Ti guided the Felucians to embrace the light side of the Force. In 3 BBY, the Sith apprentice Starkiller arrived on Felucia in search of Shaak Ti. Trained by the monster Darth Vader, Ti ordered her loyal people to attack the assassin while she went and waited at the Ancient Abyss. The Felucians obeyed her every command, fighting bravely and fiercely; though it did not stop the Jedi Hunter. Despite the Felucians efforts and the skills of the Jedi Master, Starkiller defeat Shaak Ti, who flung herself into the maw of the great Sarlacc after receiving a fatal blow. With her death, the Felucians succumbed to hatred and anger, particularly under the influence of Maris Brood, who had embraced the dark side herself after Ti's light side influence was eliminated. The Felucians descended into madness, rampaging across the planet and slaughtering anything and anyone they crossed paths with. Their entire physical appearances became twisted, polluted by their hatred and bloodlust. When the Galactic Empire established bases on the world with the intention of purging the Force-sensitive species, many Felucians took shelter in the maw of the mighty sarlacc that had consumed Shaak Ti. Realizing this, the Imperials took control of the sarlacc, entering it and attempting to wipe out its occupants. The Felucians aided in holding Senator Bail Organa prisoner, briefly encountering the Senator's guards before he was rescued by Starkiller.



Culture
The outsiders viewed Felucians as strange and alien beings, because they operated on a different social level, much like the Tusken Raiders on Tatooine. But unlike other primitive species, the Felucians did not split into separate tribes but were instead all members of a single tribe, split across their various villages. Each village's members were split into various castes: Chieftains, shamans and warriors. Due to their connection to the Force, which gave them a somewhat primal attitude, Felucians were careful not to fall to the Dark Side and fed those that did to Felucia's Sarlacc. They were also influenced by the planet itself, which could result in entire villages being driven into an insane bloodlust. This also affected them physically, causing their bodies to mutate to reflect their tortured psyches. Most Felucians were subjects to rather wild mood swings, which resulted in them reacting to the same situations in a variety of different ways.

The Felucians were divided into a caste-based society, with each member fulfilling various roles. The most common of these were the warriors, who hunted and defended their people. The shamans were of a higher caste that healed their kin from injuries and served as leaders to their people, giving moral advice and teaching the ways of the Force. The highest-ranking members of the race were the chieftains.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: The Force Unleashed video game
 * The Force Unleashed novel
 * Star Wars: The Force Unleashed comic
 * Star Wars: The Force Unleashed comic