Cathar (species)

"You insult the Cathar, many great Jedi have come from our planet!"

- Sylvar to Exar Kun

The Cathar were a race of feline-like, biped humanoids from Cathar, a planet of savannas and rough uplands. They were known for their loyalty, passion, and temper. Quick and powerful, they were considered great warriors and dedicated, efficient predators. Their females were prized as slaves, whereas the males were generally considered too uncontrollable for slavery.

Biology and appearance
The Cathar had fur-covered bodies with thick manes, They had prominent, retractable claws that could deliver powerful killing attacks on foes and prey. Their bodies also possessed rapid healing abilities. On average, Cathar were 1.5 to 1.9 meters tall. These traits made them the perfect hand-to-hand specialists.

Common Cathar names

 * Elashi
 * Feeth
 * Larducias
 * Manshara
 * Stragos
 * Tinisho

Sub-species
There were at least two subspecies of Cathar. The more common subspecies, to which Crado and Sylvar belonged; and a less common subspecies, to which Juhani and Myhr Rho belonged. Sylvar's subspecies had long fur and thick manes, with prominent claws that could deliver powerful, killing attacks on foes and prey. Juhani's subspecies had less prominent, less deadly claws, being dedicated stealth-predators. Their fur was much shorter.

History and culture
On their homeworld, Cathar lived in cities built into giant trees, and were organized into clans governed by "Elders." Stories of their great heroes were often carved into the trunks of these tree-homes for following generations to see. The Cathar mated for life, to the extent that when one mate died, the survivor never had a relationship with another. Cathar clan society included great pageants and celebrations, especially for their heroes. Their religion included a ritual known as the "Blood Hunt," in which Cathar warriors individually engaged in combat against entire nests of Kiltik in order to gain honor and purge themselves of inner darkness. The native language of the Cathar was Catharese, which included the emphasis of some spoken words with a growl.

The devastation of Cathar by the Mandalorians several years before the start of the Mandalorian Wars proper led to a large-scale Cathar offworld diaspora. By the Clone Wars the Cathar had settled and repopulated their home world.

Notable Cathar

 * Crado
 * Handa
 * Juhani
 * Kharr
 * Nodon
 * Nonak
 * Sylvar
 * Myhr Rho
 * Rasi Tuum

Behind the scenes
In Knights of the Old Republic, the Cathar Jedi Juhani speaks Basic, albeit with what can be considered a Russian accent, with rolled "r"s and "w"s that sound like "v"s. It is possible that this is meant to represent a Catharian dialect of Basic. The gameplay mechanics do not reflect aforementioned rapid healing ability: like all the other party members (with the exception of Canderous Ordo), Juhani does not regenerate hitpoints.

Juhani does have Force cloak (the only person in the game to have it) but is listed as a feat.

Appearances

 * Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith
 * Tales of the Jedi: The Sith War
 * Tales of the Jedi: Redemption
 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: Flashpoint
 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: Days of Fear
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
 * Darth Bane: Path of Destruction
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones comic
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * The Star Wars Holiday Special
 * Darksaber
 * Star Wars Legacy: Broken
 * Star Wars Legacy 25: The Hidden Temple
 * Star Wars Legacy 26