Yuzzem
Sentient: Mammalian
The Yuzzem were large, heavy, furred humanoids with long snouts and large black eyes. Their homeworld was the forested planet Ragna III. They were quite strong and temperamental. They fought fiercely, and their large size made them hard to subdue.
Basic Information
Anatomy
| Four limbs |
| Humanoid |
Biological Traits
- Yuzzem are skilled climbers.
- Yuzzem possess natural weapons: sharp claws and large tusks.
Growth Rate & Stages
(Data given in years)
| Child | Young Adult | Adult | Middle Age | Old | Venerable |
| 1-8 | 9-15 | 16-40 | 41-59 | 60-79 | 80+ |
Ecology and Habitats
Yuzzem are able to adabt to a variety of environments.
Dietary Needs and Habits
| Carnivore |
Behaviour
Yuzzem stereotypically contrast their noteworthy physical size with generally reserved social behaviors. Despite their calm demeanor, when sufficiently provoked their rage puts fears in the eyes of any opponent.
Additional Information
Social Structure
The social structure varies from enclave to enclave, but a shared characteristic between each of them is their appreciation for strength; not so much in a violent sense, but in work, leadership, etc.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
- Yuzzem slaves were commonly sent to harsh conditions, forced to work difficult, and often dangerous, manual labor.
- As free workers, they often leverage their strength for *paid* labor jobs, enforcers, guards, etc.
Facial characteristics
Yuzzems typically have a prominent snout and an equally prominent pair of tusks juttig up from its lower jaw.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The species is spread across the galaxy, but there are a few enclaves seeking to revive the population.
Average Intelligence
| Average |
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Yuzzem have a stronger than average sense of smell.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
| Common names |
|
Gender Ideals
Males are less likely to join an enclave than their female counterparts.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
| Language | Yuzz |
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Generations of slavery eroded the Yuzzem culture. Scholars are making active efforts to search for artifacts in an effort to revive the Yuzzem culture.
History
A proud and loyal people, the Yuzzem of Ragna III were among the first volunteers to assist the Republic effort when the Mandalorian wars broke out. Although the Republic ultimately won, by the time victory came Ragna III had seen multiple destructive battles that left the planet's infrastructure and economy devastated. Seizing on the the planet's weakened defense, slave traders began focusing heavily on capturing the capable specimen. Before the Republic responded the Yuzzem society collapsed. Spread across the galaxy as forced laborers, it only took a single generation for the species to become critically endangered.
The Yuzzem, who fought bravely alongside the Republic during the war with the Mandalorians, felt betrayed. As one might expect, their culture eroded as the species struggled to servive.
A small group of free Yuzzem struck a deal with a Hutt crimelord to help free their enslaved brethren. The Hutt secretly funded their efforts, which were at least somewhat successful. The population never recovered, but their efforts (combined with the eventual fall of the slave trade) narrowly enabled the Yuzzem to survive.
Years later the Republic launched an assistance mission aimed at helping the surviving Yuzzem establish enclaves at various points across the galaxy. Although it certainly helped smooth tensions, the Yuzzem have been forever altered by their unfortunate history, and they are unlikely to ever formally side with the Republic in any conflict again—even if they had the manpower to do so. The negative population trends did reverse, but they are still considered endangered.
Those that reside one of the Yuzzem enclaves work hard to keep their group together, hoping to revive some semblance of the culture that died long before they were born. Researchs, archaeologists, etc. search ancient Yuzzem sites for cultural artifiacts in hopes of finding something that could contribute to this revival effort.
Those not affiliated with an enclave often become mercenaries, body guards, grunts, simple laborers, or spacers taking on a variety of work. Some individuals are paid by the enclave to contribute to mating for the purposes of genetic diversity, which is the furthest extent to which most of these folks get involved with the efforts of the enclave at all.
Individual Yuzzem are unlikely to associate with anyone they know to be Republic affiliated.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
- The Yuzzem have a negative relationship with the Zygerrians and Pikes, who have both enslaved them.
- Some Yuzzem hold a grudge against the Mandalorians, who they fought generations ago in the Mandalorian wars. The Mandalorians have radically changed culturally since that conflict, but the war was the spark that lead to the Yuzzem's downfall, which is a difficult truth for some to forget.
| Homeworld | Ragna III |
Not many Yuzzem still live on Ragna III after it was devastated during the Mandalorian Wars.
Lifespan
80+
Conservation Status
Endangered
Average Height
8'2"
Average Weight
400 lbs
Average Physique
| Bulky and muscular |
| Long arms and broad shoulders |
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
| Hair color |
|
| Eye color |
|