Nikto/Legends

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

History
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 their environs.

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 deep black 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.

Subspecies
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.

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 distinguising 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 Kadas'sa'Nikto.

Gluss'sa'Nikto
Gluss'sa'Nikto, or "Pale Nikto", came from the Gluss'elta Islands of Kintan. They had white-gray skin, eye-horns like the Kadas'sa'Nikto, and fins similar to those the Esral'sa'Nikto, but smaller.

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.

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.

Cult of M'dweshuu
Nikto civilization gradually developed to a pre-startravel 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.

Allegiance to the Hutts
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. 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, the Nikto served as bodyguards and soldiers for almost 25,000 years, and managed to avoid most galactic events as a result.

Days of the Old Republic
The Nikto produced at least three Jedi during the waning days of the Old Republic, the Kajain'sa'Nikto Fi-Ek Sirch, Ausar Auset and Ma'kis'shaalas.

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

Kajain'sa'Nikto

 * Ausar Auset
 * Bhat Jul
 * Bok
 * Chian
 * Fi-Ek Sirch
 * Jasper McKnives
 * Ma'kis'shaalas
 * Meddun
 * Nysad
 * Tsyr
 * Vedain
 * Vizam

Kadas'sa'Nikto

 * Giran
 * Klaatu
 * M'sadaar
 * Redros
 * Royce
 * Wooof

M'shento'su'Nikto

 * Kelbo

Other

 * Gondrin Upal (Unknown)
 * Mois Pardon (Unknown)

Behind the scenes

 * The names Nikto and Klaatu is a reference to Klaatu barada nikto, a famous quote from the classic science-fiction film The Day The Earth Stood Still. The same quote was the source of the character names Klaatu, Barada, and the name of Barada's species, the Klatooinians.
 * In Darksaber, they are called Niktus.
 * Tales of the Jedi: Knights of the Old Republic mistakenly identifies the Kadas'sa'Niktos as the "Klaatu", implying they were a different species than the Nikto.