Hybrids of various Star Wars species have been a staple of the franchise for years. The first Canon hybrid, the dancer Rhystáll Sant, appeared in the 1997 Special Edition of Return of the Jedi, and earlier Legends/EU sources featured others. Only a few besides Rhystáll are currently Canon. One famous Legends hybrid species is the Half-Bothan. Valenthyne Farfalla, a Jedi Lord during the New Sith Wars (a.k.a., the Jedi-Sith War), was a Half-Bothan and one of Darth Bane’s nemeses in the Legends Darth Bane trilogy.
Design Notes: I chose Knowledge: Warfare (Age of Rebellion) and Leadership as bonus skill options since Half-Bothans are mostly depicted as Jedi warleaders and their aides de camp and followers. The Swift Talent represents the surefootedness of ungulates on many difficult terrains, such as rocky or mountainous. The Half-Bothans are best-suited for games set in very old Legends eras, such as Tales of the Jedi, KotoR, and SW:TOR. The “notable expert” mentioned under Physiology is Leland Chee of the Lucasfilm Story Group.
HALF-BOTHAN
Half-Bothans, contrary to the name, seem to be a true species that has both equine and ungulate traits.
Physiology: Half-Bothans are able to produce fertile offspring, which breed true (and is a characteristic of a true species). They are mammalian, and it is debated in xenobiology circles how closely related they are to Bothans, if they are related at all. At least one notable expert maintains they are a variant of the Sephi species.
Half-Bothans have ungulate legs, including cloven hooves, although arms and hands are similar to other humanoid species. They also have fur over most of their bodies and a tail. The ungulate/equine traits make them very graceful compared to many species.
Society: Farfalla has a feudal government with inherited noble titles, such as Lord. Following the custom of the era’s Jedi Order, Half-Bothan Jedi Masters who are warleaders of noble lineages are usually called Jedi Lords. Half-Bothans often dress in elaborate fashions, with lots of jewelry. They are often regarded as vain and flighty, but also brave and loyal. The species has also been called “volatile” and “temperamental” by Humans and other species.
Homeworld: Farfalla, a planet in the Expansion Region’s Indra-su-Mar Sector, which joined the Republic roughly a generation before the New Sith Wars.
Language: Basic
Life in the Galaxy: Half-Bothans off-world are usually part of the Jedi Order, or serving a Jedi Lord, often another Half-Bothan. Jedi Half-Bothans almost always follow martial paths like Guardian and Warrior and favor lightsabers and other traditional melee weapons over blasters and starfighters.
Characteristics
Brawn 1 Agility 3 Intellect 2 Cunning 2 Willpower 2 Presence 2
Wound Threshold: 10 + Brawn
Strain Threshold: 10 + Willpower
Starting Experience: 100
Special Abilities: Half-Bothans begin with 1 rank in either Knowledge: Warfare or Leadership; they may not train this skill above rank 2 at character creation. They also start with the Swift Talent.
Linda Whitson
Latest posts by Linda Whitson (see all)
- Astral Projections – The Ripperdoc Is In - May 8, 2023
