Thisspiasian (Thiss-pea-Ah-see-an)

Credit here goes to Lucasfilm / Disney for the base species. This was a Jedi Master in one of the early Skywalker Saga films and was later expanded into a full spceies for comic books and other parts of their expanded universe. The Thisspiasian species is their creation, what I've done here is extrapolate and expand to, hopefully, give the species more depth.

Thisspiasians are an omnivorous, sapient species of humanoid reptiles who originate on the world of Thisspias in the Expansion Region. A member of the galactic community, the Thisspiasian species can be found in settlements scattered across the systems of that region.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Thisspiasians are one of the few sapient reptile species in the known galaxy. They are classified as a ‘near-humanoid’, but they are actually half-human in structure. From waist to head, Thisspiasians are near-human with a humanoid torso, four arms and a humanoid head. Waist down, they have a strong and appropriately sized tail, like a snake.

The most recognizable part of their appearance is their thick beards. These are an evolutionary trait the species developed to combat aggressive biting pests from their homeworld called cygnats. These beards are dense, almost to the point of being flowing curls. The same is true for their flowing locks of hair.

Thisspiasian hair and beards are dense enough that it’s common to only see the mouths and eyes of an adult Thisspiasian. The rest of their head, in normal situations, is often covered in beard and hair. In this way, it’s not unlike a Wookiee’s covering of facial fur.

Their skin is a deep olive green with reptilian that covers tail, torso, and all parts of their body. While they are a reptile species, Thisspiasians do not actually shed their skin like a snake. Instead, when a Thisspiasian “molts”, they shed individual overlapping scales in favor of new ones underneath.

As referenced, Thisspiasians possess four humanoid arms, with the upper set being stronger than the lower. All four limbs end in human-like hands with claws. Despite the size difference, a Thisspiasians can use all four arms with an equal amount of dexterity. It’s only that the upper two are often stronger, while the lower two are often more nimble.

Biological Traits

An interesting fact about Thisspiasians is that they require less sleep than other sapient species. A Thisspiasian only requires three hours of actual sleep to recover physically. Beyond those three hours, a Thisspiasian ‘sleeps’ using a meditative trace-like state lasting up to five hours.

During that meditation, Thisspiasians are aware of their surroundings in case of danger. If attacked, they are instantly alert and will react to the threat. Once the danger has passed, the Thisspiasian will return to their meditation.

If they cannot meditate, Thisspiasians become emotional, erratic, and at worst hysterical until they can fully rest and meditate.

Thick and Thin Skin

Thisspiasian skin has a scaled appearance common in many serpentine species. But the texture is different between their lower, snake-like half and the humanoid upper half.

The lower portion of a Thisspiasian body has thicker scales that are jointed. They aren't strong enough to stop a blade or blaster shot but evolved to handle the species slithering over all forms of rough terrain. Similar to a callus to protect the skin on other species.

This isn't the case with the upper portion of their body. The skin on a Thisspiasian's humanoid half is thinner. It lacks the natural callus the lower half does, despite having scales. Being thinner, it allows a Thisspiasian to better regulate their temperature, which in turn means they can survive in a wide range of cold to warm climates.

Ecology and Habitats

Their homeworld, Thisspias, is known for its slightly humid rain forests, tall mountains, and long lakes of either pink or rich blue water. Because of this, Thisspiasians are more comfortable in temperate or warmer worlds and environments.

But, this isn’t to say they can’t operate in cold or snow. Quite the opposite. While their reptilian biology is more sensitive to the cold, Thisspiasians developed a tolerance for cold temperatures through various Thisspiasian culture’s ‘Ritual of Adulthood’ where a young Thisspiasian would be sent to live in the cold high mountains for three days. Over the generations, this caused the Thisspiasians to develop a natural ability to withstand cold within the tolerance of most average humans.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Thisspiasians meals are quite the event. They are an omnivorous species, able to consume a wide variety of vegetables, because of their reptilian genetics. But they also have a healthy amount of meat in their diet, also, consisting of birds, insects, or rodents. The latter they eat whole beacuse of their hinged lower jaw.

A Thisspiasian by Lucasfilm and Fantasy Flight Games

Lifespan

90 years

Average Height

1.5 meters (while coiled), up to 3 meters when not coiled

Geographic Distribution

• Thisspias

Related Ethnicities

• Thispy

Average Thisspiasian
Dexterity 2D
Knowledge 1D+2
Mechanical 2D
Perception 2D
Strength 3D
Technical 2D

Attribute Dice: 12D
DEXTERITY 2D/4D
KNOWLEDGE 1D/4D
MECHANICAL 1D/4D
PERCEPTION 1D/3D+1
STRENGTH 2D+1/4D+2
TECHNICAL 1D/4D

Special Abilities

Constrict: On a successful brawling skill roll made to grapple, a Thisspian can wrap its prehensile tail around an opponent. In subsequent rounds, it can inflict its Strength +1D+1 with a constricting attack. An opponent so ensnared can escape, but must do so with an opposed Strength roll.

Unhingable Jaw: Thisspiasians can swallow whole morsels too large for other humanoids.

Prehensile Tail: Thisspians can use their tails to carry objects, leaving their hands free for other activities. When doing so, a Thisspian’s Move rating is reduced to 2.

Light Sleepers: Thisspiasians need only three hours of actual sleep in a standard day. After actual rest, they require five hours of a meditative trance either in silence or with music. If a Thisspiasians not able to mediate for that normal amount of time, suffers a -1D to all Stamina, Perception, and Knowledge checks. But they do gain a +1D to all Brawling skill checks due to bursts of exaggerated emotion, rage, or crying.

Move: 8/10