Yaka

Last Updated: 1/26/2024

Name: Yaka

Humanoid: Yes

Classification: Near-Human

Homeworld: Yaka

Coloration: Tan or Brown

Biology: The Yaka was an incredibly near-Human species, or at least they were prior to an Arkanian intervention. In their original state, the Yaka were simply large, brutish humanoids, standing around 2 meters tall on average. They had the same general build and frame as Humans, being bipedal with two arms and two legs. They also shared a number of other external details, such as number of digits, hair and eye color, pigmentation, face arrangement, etc., and we know they shared at least some of the same internal organs as well. As opposed to Humans, however, Yaka had much larger features, with wider limbs and appendages, their hands being especially enormous. Their faces were also wider, with pronounced jaws, broad noses, wide-set eyes, and protruding brows.

Where the Yaka strongly diverged, however, was when they were visited by the Arkanians, intergalactic genetic engineers who wanted to improve the “Yaka” via cybernetic enhancements. Collecting the entire species, they developed a cybernetic implant that would specifically adapt to the Yaka’s brains, forcibly inserting them into every known member of the species, as well as grafting on additional cybernetic components to their bodies that would then link to their initial cerebral implant, although the extent of these additions, and what was buried beneath the surface of their flesh, remain mostly unknown.

The previously intellectually underdeveloped Yaka, known for their low baseline intelligence, suddenly became one of the greatest computational species within the entire galaxy. Their ability to process information became unmatched, with the implants causing them to think far faster than their bodies could even respond. With continual improvements, each subsequent generation of Yaka was granted even higher levels of understanding, leading to a constant evolution of the already advanced species. This intelligence, matched with their natural strength, meant they were equal parts brute and brain. They could pronounce many languages, including Galactic Basic, as well as their native tongue of Yakan.

Lore: Based on what we know, the Yaka had only recently developed sentience in the centuries leading up to the fall of the Republic, known for living in a sort of primitive “caveman” state on their homeworld of Yaka, nestled within the “Colonies Region.” Yaka being considered a “neighboring” world of Arkania given the close proximity of their home systems, they remained undiscovered until approximately 490 BBY when the Arkanians visited them and were made fully aware of their existence. The leading Arkanian geneticists and researchers at the time (and throughout most of their history) were known for being ethically dubious, and saw the Yaka as test subjects in need of their existence to blossom as a species and speed up the timeline of their development. As such, they designed the aforementioned cerebral implants that abruptly caused the Yaka’s intelligence and awareness to sharply spike.

Suddenly, the Yaka found themselves with the galaxy at their fingertips, their understanding only limited by the underdeveloped state of their world. This was quickly changed as they entered into a technological age, developing massive, advanced cities and technologies beyond most of the galaxy’s comprehension. In fact, by many standards they were considered one of the most intelligent species throughout the entire known galaxy, although, given how they seemed to keep to themselves, they remained seldom known by most outsiders. Despite this, Yaka still technically remained an Arkanian colony, considering the Arkanians their progenitors. Many Yaka also moved to Arkania to work alongside them, somewhat integrating themselves into their society. Many Arkanians did not approve of the less-than-ethical methods employed on the Yaka, and so there was some discomfort in that regard, however, the Yaka carried on in their pursuit of progress, apparently even surpassing their “benefactors” in intellect.

Sadly, the unnatural state of their intelligence was not without its downsides. The Yaka had seemingly eliminated most of their emotions, leading to many perceiving them as cold and serious given their usually static faces. Despite lacking facial expressions, however, the Yaka did possess strong senses of humor, possessiveness, and pleasure. In the boredom caused by their supercomputer-like brains’ instant computational and processing abilities, they found themselves seeking to entertain themselves through dark humor and practical jokes. They found the misfortune of others delightful, and could not take what others considered somber situations seriously, leading them to be viewed as callous and lacking empathy. They were also infamous for their extreme levels of sarcasm, causing communication with those who didn’t understand them to be difficult. Because of their possessiveness, Yaka parents also made sure they were the ones to implant their young with the necessary tech. However, without their cybernetics, the baseline Yaka remained underdeveloped and incapable of natural evolution.

Continuity: The Yaka remain exclusive to Star Wars Legends, although the much more popular Arkanians have made their way into Canon.

Unexplored: Given their unique standing, there actually isn’t as much left unexplored as a lot of similar species. Still, there are some questions I thought would be a lot of fun to ask regarding their unknown past as well as uncertain future! So when did the Yaka first develop sentience, and was it shortly before their forced evolution, or had they remained in a perpetual primitive state for many, many years? Were the Arkanians aware of their existence prior to around 500 BBY, or did they come across them by happenstance and immediately begin the upgrade process? What did this process look like, what list of features did the initial implant contain, and what additional cybernetic parts became a mainstay of the Yaka “design?” Were the proto-Yaka oblivious to the Arkanians and the changes they brought, or was there some resistance given the Yaka were already sentient, despite the Arkanians’ views of them pre-transition?

Following their boost in awareness, what did the Yaka think of the process? Were they initially horrified, were they simply confused as their bodies struggled to keep up with their new minds, or did they immediately adapt to their new intelligence and revere the Arkanians as their creators or saviors? Over time, how did the Yaka’s perception of the Arkanians grow or change, and what did those who traveled to Arkania do? What were some of the first things the Yaka deemed important to develop or advance? And how quickly did they reach the peak of their civilization? What did the outside galaxy think of the Yaka and the ethics or their instant progress? Did the Republic ever reach out to them, or was their existence and the methods behind it kept a tight-lipped secret? What did the Yaka think of various galactic events, factions, wars, etc.? Did they hold any sort of superiority complex, and how did their morbid humor play into everyday lives and interactions? Finally, did there ever come a time that they surpassed the Arkanians so much that they either escaped their influence or flipped the power dynamics between the two races, or did some unforeseen consequence limit their development or result in their downfall?

Additional Notes: There are some fairly unique bits of history and lore here, enough that I think the Yaka set themselves well apart from other established near-Human species? And while I can’t say I’m a big fan of the whole “they’re one of if not the smartest species in the galaxy” element that exudes early EU energy, I can’t say I don’t want to see the Yaka make their way into Canon, even if bits of their characterization need to be changed.

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