Chagrian

The sentient species known as Chagrians are amphibian, commencing their lives as immature tadpoles. Typically born in groups of two or three, these tadpoles reach approximately thirty centimeters in length and are initially fully aquatic. Only after developing lungs during their maturation process can Chagrians begin to breathe air, subsequently developing two arms and two legs. Upon the complete development of these limbs, Chagrians transition entirely out of the water, with other aspects of their intermediate physiology disappearing.

In their adult form, Chagrians are bipedal humanoids equally at ease both in and out of water. Their ability to breathe underwater allows them to remain submerged for extended periods, potentially lasting weeks, months, or even years. Possessing muscular and powerful bodies, they excel in both swimming and physical labor. Given their constant exposure to the saltwater seas of their homeworld, Champala, Chagrians possess a notably weak sense of taste, rarely perceiving flavors other than salt. Consequently, their tongues serve to enhance their sense of smell, similar to certain reptiles. Chagrians briefly flick their tongues to assess the suitability of new food and drink, using their tongues to stir the air, capturing identifying particles and vibrations. They can readily adapt to the aquatic environments of other planets, provided the water's chemical composition is similar to that of Champala. Additionally, Chagrians secrete green sweat when exposed to heat.

With an average height of two [meters](/article/meter], Chagrians bear a visual resemblance to other bipedal humanoids, with their vibrant skin color and cranial horns serving as their most defining characteristics. The color of Chagrian skin varies from light blue to cerulean to indigo, a result of the species' evolutionary adaptation to radiation emitted by their unstable sun. This adaptation led to the development of an inherent resistance to harmful radiation, a dominant trait within the species.

All Chagrians possess a pair of elegant horns, referred to as lethorns, which extend downward from fleshy head tentacles on either side of their head, draping over their torso. Male Chagrians additionally feature a second set of horns that protrude vertically from the top of their head. These horns typically exhibit a darker purple or brown coloration at the base, transitioning to white or yellow in the upper and mid portions. A Chagrian's head also includes two eyes adapted for low-light sub-aquatic vision and a nose situated above the mouth, with hands featuring five fingers.

Chagrian settlements are constructed within the tidal zones of Champala's oceans, reflecting the species' preference for aquatic environments. Consequently, the communities are regularly submerged by the planet's predictable tidal cycles, akin to the regularity of sunrise and sunset or seasonal changes. This amphibious adaptation means that the flooding of their homes does not hinder Chagrians. The only structures specifically designed to remain above sea level are spaceports, including the one located in Tidros, the capital city of Champala.

Champala's striking tides and picturesque coastlines have established it as a sought-after resort destination for wealthy travelers from the Core Worlds, leading to a tourism-centric economy for the Chagrians. The planet's warm climate, pristine beaches, and welcoming inhabitants attract millions of visitors annually, contributing to the affluence of Champala and its residents. This emphasis on tourism has fostered a generally compliant and accommodating nature among Chagrians, sometimes to an excessive degree. This includes the expensive hiring of offworld chefs to cater to the culinary preferences of non-native visitors, due to the Chagrian's limited sense of taste.

Thanks to this prosperity, the average Chagrian on Champala enjoys a high standard of living, with access to amenities and benefits such as medical care, social equality, and advanced education. This privileged position means that basic needs like greed or avarice rarely motivate Chagrians, and they are easily affected by encounters with those less fortunate. Exposure to poverty, prejudice, homelessness, disease, or starvation often prompts Chagrians to take action, either directly or through charitable efforts or by advocating for lasting change through local legislation. Despite their accommodating tendencies, Chagrians are aware of social injustices like cruelty or bias and, as an affluent society, are able to address them more effectively than more disadvantaged species. Chagrians also tend to be serene, balanced, and stoic.

Chagrian culture places a high value on justice, both in legal and social contexts, leading them to adhere strictly to rules and established legal or bureaucratic systems. This contributes to a law-abiding and peaceful society, characterized by some of the most equitable and well-balanced courts in the galaxy. Law enforcement is taken very seriously on Champala, with every criminal or civil investigation conducted meticulously, scrutinizing even the most minor evidence. Trials are typically brief and understated, as Chagrians generally admit their guilt. Those who deny accurate charges are viewed as particularly dishonorable.

Most Chagrians on Champala communicate in their native tongue, Chagri, with relatively few learning Galactic Basic Standard. Due to their limited sense of taste, most Chagrians regard meals as an inconvenience. As such, many members of the species consume nutritional supplements or food capsules to minimize the time spent eating. Celebratory banquets or feasts are rare within Chagrian society, except in resorts and facilities catering to offworlders.

Chagrian males historically used their lethorns in mating rituals and formal duels, though such duels were outlawed by the time of the Galactic Civil War. Nevertheless, males still view their horns as symbols of status and dedicate significant time to their care, displaying vanity in filing and decorating them. During their juvenile tadpole stage, Chagrians are cared for by their parents, who keep them in sealed tubs within their homes.

Following the birth of the Galactic Empire and the rise of Galactic Emperor Palpatine, the Chagrian population swiftly and accurately recognized the cruelty and ruthlessness of the Imperial regime. Champala was placed under Imperial occupation, leading to a tenfold increase in mining and manufacturing activities on the planet. Consequently, industrial pollution began poisoning Champala's once pristine seas.

The Chagrians endured the occupation with their characteristic stoicism but were conflicted between their desire for freedom and their reluctance to witness their society suffer under Imperial rule. Many Chagrians chose to oppose the Empire by joining the Alliance to Restore the Republic, where they proved invaluable in liberating various water worlds, including Mon Cala. The combination of Chagrian support for the Alliance and Imperial occupation resulted in a sharp decline in tourism on Champala during the Imperial Era.

Despite their generally peaceful nature, Chagrian history has experienced occasional periods of conflict or unrest. Due to their adherence to rules and laws, ancient Chagrian conflicts were highly regulated affairs that strictly followed various codes. One such code was the color of war, which designated a specific shade of red as exclusively wearable by combatants during times of conflict, marking them as valid military targets. Many Chagrians who joined the Alliance during the Galactic Civil War incorporated this color into their uniforms, often as epaulets, piping, combat webbing, or a combination thereof. This color promoted solidarity among rebel Chagrians and identified their commitment to the rebel cause.

Chagrians excelled as military commanders due to their species' inclination to adhere to the rule of law, including military codes. This also resulted in the species producing many successful diplomats, [soldiers](/article/soldier], and spies. Chagrians in positions of authority prioritized the well-being of those under their command, even being unwilling to sacrifice their troops' lives when necessary. Units commanded by a Chagrian were likely to be well-fed, properly equipped, and highly motivated, assuming that supply lines remained open and logistics were managed competently. Due to their lack of technological development, few Chagrians became engineers. Those Chagrians who left Champala could learn Basic relatively easily, while Chagri was rarely heard outside of their homeworld.

Chagrians made their debut in the 1999 prequel trilogy film, Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace.