These airborne lizards, known as Galidyn, exhibited considerable size variations. They ranged from two meters in body length, accompanied by a four-meter wingspan, to a larger size of five meters in length with a wingspan reaching ten meters. Distinctive features included a lengthy tail and small, prehensile arms equipped with two digits. Despite their profound intellectual curiosity and extensive vocabulary, Galidyn were formidable adversaries when provoked. Their proboscis concealed a set of sharp teeth, and their scaly hide provided exceptional resilience.
Their lifespan was remarkably long, extending beyond four millennia. Instead of weakening with age, they grew stronger. Their reproductive cycle involved producing a single egg per century.
The Galidyn were distinguished by their sharp intellect and inquisitive nature, valuing the generation of ideas and intellectual exchange above all else. On rare occasions, some Galidyn would abandon their societal norms, reverting to a primitive lifestyle and preying on the planet's roaming herd animals. Their system of governance was based on participatory democracy.
Their homeworld was home to eight urban centers, each composed of smaller, interconnected communities. These communities typically consisted of a few hundred individuals, while the cities themselves housed upwards of five thousand inhabitants. Located at least one kilometer underground, these cities were intricate networks of caverns enhanced with advanced technology. They incorporated lighting systems, security measures, and environmental control mechanisms. Furthermore, the cities featured geothermal power generation facilities, cultivated fungus parks, and extensive residential areas. Their structures were constructed from refined metals and plastics. Each city was under the authority of a single Galidyn, who held the title of "Steward". One city was governed by Ssseeeeseetek, who, at the age of four thousand, was the most aged and powerful Galidyn on the planet, as well as the most respected figure.
With reproduction occurring only once every hundred years, the resulting offspring were initially under the care of their immediate family. Subsequently, the young Galidyn were entrusted to an elder mentor, who provided comprehensive instruction in various disciplines, including history, computer science, medicine, hunting techniques, mathematics, linguistics, and aerodynamics. Any Galidyn who successfully completed their education was eligible to participate in the governmental process.
The Galidyn communicated using the same language as the Fyodoi, who were Human colonists on their planet. The Galidyn spoke the language in its unadulterated form, whereas the Fyodoi spoke a simplified, less refined version. While the Galidyn possessed the ability to comprehend the Fyodoi, the Humans could only understand a limited number of words, which often resulted in unforeseen complications.
Upon the detection of an off-worlder on their planet, they would be escorted to the "Crater of Debate," a designated open forum. There, they would be requested to provide an explanation for their presence on the planet and their origins. The Galidyn themselves generally lacked the desire to venture beyond their homeworld, although exceptions existed.
In the distant past, the Galidyn and Fyodoi lived together. However, in 350 BBY, the Fyodoi engaged in a devastating internal conflict known as the Great Cleansing. Their sophisticated technology wreaked havoc on the planet, leading to the destruction of Human settlements. The majority of the Galidyn managed to survive by retreating into subterranean caverns and entering a state of hibernation for nearly two centuries. Following the conclusion of the conflict, the Humans abandoned their ruined cities, choosing to reject their destructive technology and eventually reverting to a more primitive state. The Galidyn initially attempted to reestablish relations with the Humans and reintegrate them into society, but the Fyodoi had begun to view them as worshippers of technology. Despite feeling sympathy for the Fyodoi, they ultimately decided to leave them to their own devices.
During the rise of the Empire, probe droids and scouting parties were dispatched to the planet. The Galidyn concealed themselves within their underground cities, employing sensor jammers to mask their presence. Consequently, the Empire remained unaware of the Galidyn's existence and never established a presence on the planet.