The Vahla were a nomadic species of near-Human descent, wandering throughout the galaxy while trying to rediscover their homeworld. Notable for their height and lithe builds, they possessed skeletons made of cartilage, providing them with remarkable flexibility. Every Vahla individual exhibited Force-sensitivity, and they were widely considered to be inherently astute and perceptive. A significant portion of the Vahla population belonged to the Ember of Vahl, a dark side cult, and all Vahla were expected to obey the directives issued by the cult's primary council.
The Vahla were near-Humans distinguished by their height and slender frames. Males typically reached an average height of two meters, while females were slightly shorter. Their physiology closely resembled that of standard Humans, with a key difference: their skeletons were primarily composed of thick cartilage instead of bone. This distinctive feature granted the Vahla a greater degree of flexibility compared to baseline humans. However, this came at the cost of being more physically fragile than similar species.
Vahla skin tones varied, ranging from dark gray to dusky [brown](/article/brown] at the extremes. Their eyes commonly displayed pale blue, gray, or lavender hues, while their hair color spanned from black to gray to white, with combinations of these colors sometimes appearing simultaneously. Occasionally, Vahla were born with red hair; those with this trait were often seen as blessed by the goddess Vahl.
Forever searching for their lost homeworld, the Vahla were a nomadic people. They were generally perceived as naturally intelligent and shrewd. Their small-scale economy was driven by petty theft, limited piracy, and, after the Great Jedi Purge, bounty hunting.
Each Vahla was Force-sensitive, and all were connected, knowingly or unknowingly, to the dark side of the Force. The majority of Vahla were members of the Ember of Vahl, a dark side cult that venerated Vahl, a goddess associated with fire and destruction. Although not every Vahla was a formal member, all were expected to abide by the instructions of a central coven comprised of six priests, believed to be "chosen" by the goddess. As a demonstration of faith and devotion, these Chosen of Vahl would mark themselves with scars. The Chosen communicated with Vahl through the use of Force-empowered farseeing. They also deciphered omens and signs, and formulated policies for the Vahla people.
The ancient Vahla were devoted to the service of Vahl, who some theorized was originally a Force Adept who guided her people in conquering their now-vanished homeworld. Considered corrupt and degenerate, the cult was largely destroyed by the Jedi Knights several thousand years before the Sith–Imperial War in an effort to suppress their malevolent and destructive tendencies. Ever since, the Vahla have wandered the galaxy as nomads. Their resentment and animosity towards the Jedi Order did not lessen over the millennia, and many Vahla assisted the Galactic Empire in tracking down Jedi during Palpatine's purge. By 130 ABY, the Jedi-hunting tradition that began nearly a century and a half prior persisted, with numerous Vahla operating as independent bounty hunters.
The Vahla were itinerant wanderers, constantly traversing interstellar space in their ongoing search to find their homeworld. They could often be found engaging in minor acts of piracy, petty theft, or bounty hunting. Cultists of the Ember of Vahl were also known to abduct and sacrifice individuals to their destructive goddess. The cult did permit non-Vahla Force-sensitives to join, but only after they successfully completed a series of perilous, fire-related trials to prove their devotion.
The Vahla were referenced in the 2009 Legacy Era Campaign Guide, a reference book published by Wizards of the Coast.