Gossam/Legends

The Gossam were a small saurian species from the planet Castell in the colonies region of space, not far from the Core Worlds, with colonies on Felucia and Saleucami. They had wrinkled skin; elongated necks; and small, shriveled heads. Known for their shrewd and cunning nature, most Gossam on Castell serve the Commerce Guild, which was headed by the Gossam Shu Mai during the Separatist Crisis and the Clone Wars. The average lifespan of a Gossam was about 75 years old.

Biology and appearance
Gossam stood roughly 1.25 meters high, had pebbly green skin, elongated necks, wide yellow eyes and a tapered head which sloped back on an inclline. Gossam balanced their thin bodies on two three-toed feet, and had long, graceful three fingered hands. Wealthy Gossam aristocrats and trade negotiators often wore elevated footwear to appear taller when dealing with other species, in addition to the exotic robes and finery favored by most Gossam.

Birth
Gossam young were hatched from eggs; the mothers safely watched over the eggs as status symbols. Because the species is so appearance driven, the Gossam families would build nests of elegant warm fabrics and cushions to show off their babies before they were even hatched. They would also throw elaborate parties for egg viewing where the eager parents would receive gifts from their friends and relatives. The higher the status of the parents, the larger the gifts. The parties were thrown late in the eggs' incubation period, in the hope that they would hatch during them.



Appearance
Gossams held their appearances as extremely important, and dressed in elaborate clothing in an attempt to impress other sentients. Females used oil-based creams to mold their hair into a wave that swept up from the back of their heads.

Personality
Most Gossam were selfish, scheming beings skilled at the art of business. Most Gossam were intelligent and independent minded, yet many spent much of their lives working for the Commerce Guild, who offered them food, housing and a decent income for a ten year exclusive contract. Gossam's goods were generally cheap to manufacture, and overpriced. Always looking for an angle they can play to come out on top, Gossam were considered untrustworthy by other beings.

Language
Gossam speak a language of the same name. It consists of lispy vocalizations, croaks and trills. Written Gossam has a jagged alphabet that combines into short words and long sentences. Due of their industrial relationships with many offworld companies, most Gossam also speak Galactic Basic.

Typical Gossam names
Gossam names were usually quite short&mdash;both first names and surnames usually only had three or four letters. Common Gossam names were Min Cho, Xiri Gan, Zim Li, Shan Sien and Mei Tran.

History
During the Clone Wars, Gossam were a species commonly associated with the Confederacy of Independent Systems and were either deported from or prevented from entering the Republic capital of Coruscant.

After the Clone Wars, Gossam were enslaved by the Galactic Empire, and very few were able to join the Alliance to Restore the Republic. Not until after the Alliance's victory did they receive their freedom, and Castell still had not fully recovered as of the end of the Yuuzhan Vong War.

Behind the scenes



 * The neck rings worn by Gossam females were most likely inspired from the Padaung women of Myanmar.


 * The sequel book to "E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial," entitled "E.T.: The Book of the Green Planet," featured the "Parent Elders" of E.T.'s species. Their description matches that of the Gossam so closely that some believe that E.T.'s race may have originated from Felucia.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 9: Flashpoint Interlude: Homecoming
 * The Approaching Storm
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * CIS Shadowfeed Dispatch 14:3:10 Edition
 * CIS Shadowfeed Dispatch 15:3:21 Edition
 * Evasive Action: Reversal of Fortune
 * ''Labyrinth of Evil
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
 * Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption
 * Sacrifice
 * Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption
 * Sacrifice