Draethos

Last Updated: 11/8/2023

Name: Draethos

Humanoid: Yes

Classification: Alternative

Homeworld: Draethos

Coloration: Pink, Purple, Blue, Green, or Gray

Biology: The Draethos were a rather bizarre humanoid species found throughout the Star Wars galaxy. They had the same general height, weight, and body shape as the average Human or near-Human species, however, they also possessed some quite noticeable differences as well. Draethos maintained very muscular, rigid bodies, with much more musculature than most species despite their generally lean appearance. Their torsos possessed a number of downward facing grooves. And their skin was leathery and hairless, coming in a variety of pigmentations including gray, blue, mauve, pink, etc.

Their limbs were long and firm, and their legs ended in rather small feet. Their arms were thick and veiny, with large spikes extending from their elbows. Their large hands sported four long fingers each, with pointed, elongated fingernails that matched the color of their skin. These talons were incredibly sharp and durable, capable of slicing easily into flesh. There was also small, thin webbing connecting each of their fingers. Draethos did not possess nipples, with male and female instances being essentially visibly identical. They had slightly elongated, thick and muscular necks.

A Draethos’ head was smooth and elongated, with a couple of ridges found running up and over their forehead. They had small eyes on the sides of their heads, usually possessing white, red, green, blue, or occasionally black sclera. This gave the Draethos a blind spot in their vision, which was already poor in bright environments.. They had large, downward facing nostril holes found on the front of their face, with an adept sense of smell. Their small mouths were tucked away under their chin, which was surrounded by a jaw-like row of pronounced external teeth, although the purpose of these teeth is unknown. They also had small aural cavities hidden on the back sides of their head/neck, although they usually remained covered.

The Draethos’ massive craniums which housed rather large brains. They also had extremely high natural midichlorian counts, which, when paired with their complex brains, gave all of the Draethos natural telepathic capabilities. This gave them the ability to project their thoughts into the minds of any being within approximately a five hundred meter radius, although they could not read thoughts in return. Draethos had a natural lifespan of approximately eight hundred to one thousand years, although some were rumored to live well over a millenia. They were considered fully mature at eighteen years of age, and elderly by seven hundred. They also had a difficult time pronouncing galactic Basic due to the size and shape of their mouths, and usually preferred to speak in their native tongue of “Draethos.”

Lore: The Draethos were an ancient, mysterious race who were known for being some of the greatest warriors the galaxy had ever known. In fact, their entire identity and society revolved around “warrior culture.” Draethos frowned upon the concepts of “peace” and “mercy.” Young Draethos were raised to be hunters, taught how to use many forms of weaponry as well as brought up in various forms of martial arts. Certain rituals were undertaken during the first eighteen years of their life, and by the time they had matured, they were expected to be fully fledged, strong willed warriors. These warriors were recruited by any number of factions, tribes, or families spread across Draethos, although they were also highly valued by the outside galaxy as bodyguards, mercenaries, or gladiators.

Draethos itself had remained a rather primitive world, even after tens of thousands of years of housing a sentient population. This is because the Draethos were rooted heavily in tradition and abhorred change. They never progressed past stone structures, basic technologies, and ornate, cultural robes. In addition, due to all of the warring clans and families, Draethos was perpetually stuck within a state of destruction and disrepair, caught in a number of never ending civil wars. Because of this, the Draethos did not have a structured government, nor any strong alliances or affiliations with major groups or organizations such as the Galactic Republic.

It was actually somewhat common for young Draethos to take on much more pacifistic philosophies, although these perspectives were considered disrespectful and taboo. Draethos pacifists or “Intellectuals” were banished offworld, although most reveled in this as it gave them the unshackled ability to explore the galaxy and the many differing species and cultures it boasted. Many of the Draethos would go on to become legendary explorers, archivists, or philosophers, as their extended lifespans and passionate attitudes allowed them to explore, remember, and collect many things.

Draethos were considered bizarre by the outside galaxy, both due to their ideals as well as their overall appearance. Because of how slowly Draethos society progressed as opposed to the rest of the galaxy, they often experienced severe culture shock and were uncomfortable and awkward when around non-Draethos. They were actually discovered by the Galactic Republic early into the Old Republic era, and due to their unique beliefs and practices, they were strongly monitored and observed by both the Republic as well as the Jedi Order. Many Draethos had been integrated into the outside galaxy by the time of the High Republic era, a number of them joining the ranks of the Nihil, but as time went on, more and more Draethos did seemingly subscribe to pacifistic mindsets and lifestyles.

Legends/Canon: The Draethos originated from EU lore within Star Wars Legends, with essentially all of the lore above being currently Legends exclusive. Excitingly, however, they recently made their way into Star Wars Canon due to media from The High Republic, although they are still awaiting any sort of substantial Canon history or lore at the moment.

Unexplored: Within Canon, we only know that the Draethos exist and still look as they did in Legends, being discovered sometime prior to the High Republic era with at least one member siding with the notorious Nihil. Because of this, they are essentially a blank slate within the confines of Canon. However, should their distinct lore from Legends be adapted one-for-one into Canon, then here are some questions that, if answered, would help flesh the Draethos out even further. General questions include: When did the Draethos first gain sentience, were they among some of the first great races in the galaxy, when were they first discovered, and why did they progress so very slowly? Did they ever attempt to make allies among the galaxy, or did their pride, hubris, and aversion to change always get in the way? How did the Republic and Jedi view them, and were they ever treated as any sort of threat by governing powers such as the Galactic Empire?

Why did Draethos evolve the way they did? Why do teeth grow on the outside of their mouths, what’s with the elbow spikes, and how and why do they receive and use Force-related telepathic powers? Given that they were all Force Sensitive, how common was it for a Draethos to be recruited into the Sith, Jedi, or any other order of Force adepts? Were the Draethos aware of what was going on in the outside galaxy, such as major events, shifts of power, or galaxy-spanning wars? Furthermore, were they ever affected by these, or was their suffering at the hands of their own civil wars more than enough to keep them occupied and distracted? What fueled their desire for warrior culture, and why was pacifism so frowned upon? And with the ever increasing push for peace, was there ever a resistance movement made to fight for reform and progress across Draethos as a whole?

Additional Notes: The Draethos possess one of my favorite designs in Star Wars! They are bizarre and alien, but still very sleek and cool. I’ve never turned away the idea of a species with a warrior-based society, and their extensive history within Legends really had me enthralled with them as a child. I was so very happy to see one appear within the pages of a High Republic comic, and it just goes to show that Star Wars has not forgotten this once fairly iconic species. Hopefully they will continue to appear and be explored within future media, and hopefully we can see them in live action or even in one of the animated series (where I think they would fit the best)!

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