The Viska (the singular form is Visk) were a race of winged sentients that originated from the planet Rordak.
Viska bodies typically measured between two and three meters in length, while their wings, which had a leathery texture, could extend up to five meters. Located centrally on their bodies was a pair of arms which they used for manipulating objects. They possessed elongated, slender heads, characterized by widely spaced eyes and large auditory organs. The positioning of their eyes allowed for a complete 360-degree field of vision, enabling them to see even what was directly behind them. Furthermore, they had the ability to perceive infrared radiation, granting them perfect vision in environments devoid of light.
Perhaps their most distinguishing feature was a needle-like proboscis that measured forty centimeters in length and possessed remarkable sharpness. This proboscis, known as a blossug, was extended from their circular mouth during feeding. It was constructed from multiple layers of robust muscles that enveloped a hollow bone, the tip of which was sharply serrated. During feeding, this bone would be forced into the flesh of their prey, after which the Viska would contract the muscles in their snout and skull to extract the creature's blood.
Their rudimentary digestive system meant they could not process meats or plant matter. They needed to ingest two liters of blood every 24 hours. Blood from creatures native to their homeworld, primarily grazing herbivores, provided the most substantial nutrition for a Visk. They generally avoided consuming the blood of alien species or sentients, as it often had adverse physical effects. Viska did not consume the blood of their own kind, but they could employ their blossug as a weapon in physical confrontations.
The Viska expended significant energy in their daily activities, necessitating a minimum of eight hours of rest each day.
Their planet was governed by a caleisk, a monarch selected upon the death of their predecessor. All offspring of the caleisk would engage in a battle to the death, with the last one alive ascending to the throne. This new ruler would then select three to six clans to oversee all repulsorlift-supported cities across the planet. These chosen clans were known as the lurinn, while clans without power were termed calsedra.
Each clan was led by a calsk. Upon the death of the calsk, their children would likewise engage in a fight to the death for control, mirroring the process for selecting the caleisk. Power would only transfer to a different family if a calsk died without any surviving children. In such cases, each family would nominate a leader, who would then battle all other nominees for the calsk position.
Each lurinn clan wielded absolute authority over specific calsedra clans, and each calsk similarly held total control over every Visk within their clan. Individual Viska were assigned specific tasks or occupations, with no ability to choose their own path. While they often excelled in their assigned roles, Viska society was heavily meritocratic, driving them to strive for advancement through success. Viska were perpetually seeking greater wealth, influence, and comfort, as well as elevated personal and clan status. To prevent covert methods of disrupting the Viska power structure, such as assassination - as opposed to the open battles that determined their leaders - anyone found guilty of such a plot would face execution if the victim was a member of their family. If the victim belonged to another family, the entire family of the guilty party would be put to death.
The Viska inhabited expansive repulsorlift cities. This was due to the unstable nature of Rordak's surface, prone to groundquakes and volcanic activity. Even prior to the arrival of Republic scouts with repulsorlift technology, the Viska had developed a society that avoided ground-level living. With this new technology, the Viska evolved into a completely aerial society. These cities were colossal structures, entirely open to the air to accommodate the Viska's large wingspans. Their buildings were affixed to massive repulsor columns, exceeding 500 meters in length and 100 meters in diameter. The city levels often extended thousands of meters into the sky. The upper levels were reserved for clan royalty, while the lower levels housed workers and less powerful clans. The middle levels served as spaces for manufacturing, trade, and spaceports.
Due to their dependence on large volumes of blood, the Viska maintained vast herds of grazing animals, including species like the kessarch and the drivveb. They imported significant quantities of grains and grasses to sustain these herds.
It was uncommon for a Visk to leave Rordak. Those who did were pursued by elite Viska warriors and bounty hunters dispatched by their clan.
Their blood-based diet and perceived disregard for life led to them being commonly referred to by off-worlders as "the great bloodsucking fiends of Rordak." However, this was inaccurate, as they rarely preyed on other sentients. Nevertheless, their intimidating nature was a source of pride for the Viska.
The Viska had independently achieved atomic-level technology before encountering other sentient species. Upon the arrival of Republic scouts, the Viska eagerly embraced their advanced space technology. The "bloodsucking fiends" quickly gained notoriety throughout their home sector.
By the time of the rise of the Galactic Empire, the Viska had been integrated into galactic society for over three centuries. Following the Empire's establishment, the Imperials promptly designated the planet as a prison world.