Genetian

Last Updated: 3/7/2024

Name: Genetian

Humanoid: Yes

Classification: Human/Near-Human

Homeworld: Genetia

Coloration: Peach, Tan, or Brown

Biology: Visibly, Genetians are indistinguishable from any other Humans. In fact, in-universe, they are classified as a race of Humans, and not near-Humans, meaning they have identical internals as well and could produce offspring with other Humans, as well as species who were compatible with Humans. The only reason the denizens of Genetia qualify for their own distinct article is due to the fact that they have a naturally elevated midi-chlorian count, with almost all Genetians being Force Sensitive, and specifically the unique ability, “Force Empathy,” which allows them to strongly feel the emotions of those around them, and occasionally change or manipulate those emotions. Distinctions like these have been enough to distinguish other groups like the Chalactans, Korunnai, etc. from baseline Humans in the past, to the point where they have been classified as near-Humans as well.

Lore: The Genetians were Humans who had settled “Genetia,” a rather mysterious astronomical object that may or may not have been a true planet, located on the Expansion Region side of the Inner Rim/Expansion Region border. Though little remains known about Genetia, it seems to have been a less-than-diverse world, settled only by a few other near-Human species such as Theelin and Evereni, as well as other non-Genetian Humans from various worlds. Genetians were well known by the Jedi Order due to their unique connection to the Force and natural empathic abilities, often the subject of the Order’s research, as well as a common location for the selection of Jedi younglings. It was said that, without proper honing, their Force-based empathic powers could run rampant, causing distress or annoyance for those who possessed it. When understood and trained, however, these abilities were powerful enough to even manipulate or subdue the emotions of those they interacted with, leading to a beneficial yet potentially scary set of skills.

Continuity: While Humans had existed within Star Wars since its inception, the Genetians (and Genetia) are exclusively a Canon concept, originating from the Star Wars: The High Republic multimedia event.

Unexplored: On one hand, we still know very little about the Genetians, but on the other hand, they are practically just Humans, which limits a bit of worldbuilding that many other alien species can gain by default. Still, I have a few questions I believe are worth posing for the sake of further fleshing out their lore just a little bit more. For starters, what exactly was Genetia like, and can we know for a fact that it was a planet? Why would the Humans who settled there need to develop a unique connection to the Force and empathic abilities? Was it for survival, a gift from the planet itself, a random evolution, or simply the will of the Force for some unknowable purpose? How long did it take for the Genetians to get where we see them during the High Republic? How were they first put on the radar of the Jedi Order, and was there always an established Jedi presence there? Were there ever any corrupt Genetians who used their powers for evil? And what were they up to during other eras following the end of the High Republic? Exploring the answers to these, as well as some other general concepts like unique traditions, religions, philosophies, languages, architecture, etc. they developed, would definitely be welcomed!

Additional Notes: Not much to say here at the moment. I made the executive decision to create an entire article about them, despite never actually being classified as anything other than Humans, simply due to past trends regarding previously Human groups who collectively developed unique Force powers, sort of serving as the “next step” in Human evolution (though in Canon, these events are far less common than they seemed to be in the EU). I’m definitely interested to learn more about the Genetian people, and it is neat to see what’s already been revealed, including the original idea that they were ALL Force Sensitive being further expanded upon to instead now show us that it was common, but not mandatory.

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