The Echani were a Near-Human species, but they had some notable differences. The first being that Echani had silver-white hair and silver eyes, and had better natural reflexes than stock Humans. They were also considered a more willful race, though this aspect of their species came more from studious training rather than any inherent racial quality.
History
The Echani were a culture of warriors who gave rise to the Sun Guard of Thyrsus. They held a long-standing rivalry with the Mandalorians, with whom they shared many similarities. Important differences, though, are that the Echani focused on light weaponry and armor, relying more on agility rather than heavier weapons and brute force. Sources indicate that females played a large role in their society. Though the details behind the conflict are unknown, it is said the Echani fought against Revan at least once, but were defeated. Like the Mandalorians, who were also defeated by Revan, they respected the combat skill of their enemy.
Due to the all-encompassing use of combat in all levels of their culture, Echani Generals were seen by others as having a 'special ability' to predict their opponents next move. This, however was simply a tactical skill arising from living in a culture where combat was seen as something akin to a form of communication.
Society and culture
Communication through combat
Members of Palpatine's Royal Guard practice Echani techniques.
Echani culture held the belief that to know one fully, you must fight them. Echani fighting was not only self-defense, but a form of self-expression, a means of communication similar to art. For the Echani, it was not at all unusual for children of the same parents to be born so as to be completely indistinguishable from one another to outsiders. Thus, being able to distinguish between like individuals through reading of body movement became an essential requirement.
The Echani were also known to be able to read feelings and emotion through combat. To an Echani, a combat between two people said more than hours of talking. They saw a certain purity in the way techniques were used in battle. The Maktites learned this to their own sorrow circa 3,951 BBY, when their stores of thermal weaponry were rendered ineffectual by relatively simple adjustments in the traditional Echani light armor.
Combat Gear
- "Personal shields, I love you so.. crafting and fighting with you... exhilarates me. You are the MAIN focus of my life... (except for my melee weapons and armor)... I love you so."
- ―An Echani Poem
The Echani were known to focus primarily on melee weapons, such as vibroswords. Echani-made double-bladed vibroblades were used by Palpatine's Royal Guard, yet again influencing their look. Though their personal energy shields were popular during the period surrounding the Jedi Exile's travel through the galaxy, they eventually fell out of general use.
With rare exception (such as the Sun Guard), the Echani eschewed the use of armor, preferring to fight in minimal clothing. Their fighting style focused more on agility and movement, and so anything that hampered their freedom of movement would be avoided.
Ergeron, a Mandalorian mercenary, was disgusted at the Echani and their relatively "light" weapons.
Notable Echani
Brianna.
- Brianna - One of the Echani handmaidens in the service of Atris.
- Shira Brie - An Emperor's Hand who, while not of Echani parentage, was taught Echani as part of her training.
- Raskta Fenni - The most skilled duelist of her time.
- Raskta Lsu - - So named for the legendary Raskta Fenni, Jedi Weapon Master also the most skilled lightsaber duelist of her time.
- Atton Rand - A pilot and ex-Sith Assassin – not Echani by bloodline, but trained in Echani martial arts.
- Mahd Windcaller - Trained in the art, along with her corps of female bodyguards.
- Yusanis - Echani General, and later senator, who was father of the six Handmaiden Sisters.
Appearances
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (First appearance)
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
- Darth Bane: Rule of Two
- Crimson Empire (First mentioned)