Star Wars Alien Species - Kobok
The Koboks evolved on the Outer Rim Territories planet of Koboth, on the border of the Tingel Arm. As they spread across the six continents and numerous island chains of their homeworld, a planet scorched by solar flares, they diverged into several races distinguished by the color of their carapaces. Although the Koboks had no contact with the greater galaxy for millennia, they developed sub-light space travel on their own. The species spread to surrounding systems and established a sphere of influence known as Kobothi Space. Over thousands of years, they warred constantly with one another. However, with the rise of the Koboth Union several centuries before the fall of the Galactic Republic, the Koboks were united under a single government and began to encounter other sentient species.
Although they never joined the Old Republic, the Koboks brokered trade agreements with both the Trianii and the Hiitians centuries before the rise of the Galactic Empire. Corellian and Duros explorers eventually came across the Koboks and found the insectoids already engaged in intra-system flight. These contacts resulted in the blazing of trade routes to Kobothi Space and brought the planet Koboth into contact with the greater galaxy via the Hydian Way hyperlane.
Because of their proximity to the Corporate Alliance and its planetary holdings, the Koboks became engaged in territorial disputes with their neighbor. One such altercation erupted circa 15 BBY, a dispute that turned more violent than past conflicts. This caused the Koboks to increase the degree of militarization in their society to become even more combat-ready. The Koboks became heavily involved in what became known as the Mavvan Conflict, which in turn led to the creation of the Kobothi S-Corps. Those Koboks who earned distinction in these conflicts were awarded the Koboth Insurgent Mantle, a blue cape. The events further defined the Koboks' galaxy-wide image as capable soldiers.
The Koboks hailed from the planet Koboth, where they were governed by the united body of the Koboth Union. A history of violence and warfare, coupled with the harsh and unforgiving nature of their homeworld, made the Koboks a hardy and calculating species. This temperament made them particularly suited for military and mercenary work. Non-Koboks in the galaxy at large saw them as crafty killing machines, a perception only solidified by the Koboks' proclivity for violent professions.
The elite of the Kobok military was known as the Kobothi S-Corps, a body that had been created less than a decade before the Battle of Yavin. The S-Corps were charged with the duty of protecting Kobothi space and interests. The organization used its own "code" languages, known only to members of the unit. The species had access to standard galactic technology, although some Koboks modified their starships to take advantage of their 360-degree field of vision; for example, a Kobok might place radar screens directly behind the pilot. The species spread to the surrounding systems and engaged in trade with their galactic neighbors, such as the Trianii and the Hiitian species. They also came into frequent conflict with the power-hungry Corporate Alliance, as their territories bordered one another.
The Koboks were a species of thin, sentient insectoids. The Kobok body was roughly humanoid, with a bipedal stance and a slight, almost skeletal frame. Nevertheless, Koboks were quite strong despite the slight frame, and some could jump as high as half their body length. In general, their constitution was not particularly robust. Nevertheless, they were immune to the more deadly effects of an ailment known as Rooze Disease—the medicine for the illness did cause them to laugh uncontrollably, though.
Although yellow Koboks were most common, the coloration of a Kobok's carapace depended on the region of the species' homeworld, Koboth, from which the individual came. For example, the Koboks from the Kuurok Peninsula tended to sport a dark green to black carapace. Other Koboks had crème, beige, brown, orange, or green colorations. The carapace featured several spikes and protrusions, and it was rigid and fairly durable. This covering afforded the Koboks resistance to the harmful effects of exposure to radiation.
Claws, also referred to as foreclaws and stingers, grew from each of a Kobok's limbs, four on each forearm and three on each shin. Kobok combatants were able to extend these natural weapons somewhat in preparation for combat to allow for a slashing attack against enemies. Such natural weapons delivered a potent venom that was capable of rendering a victim unconscious for several hours. Not even Koboks were immune to such effects; it was possible for careless individuals to knock themselves out. Koboks possessed four-fingered hands and three-toed feet. Members of the species walked with the torso angled slightly forward.
Each Kobok possessed three compound eyes set into spiked sockets and covered by lids. Alhough the carapace was tough and chitinous like that of many insectoid species, their spiky brows were also able to move to create expressions. Two of these organs were positioned at the front of the head roughly where a Human's eyes were located, and one was at the center of the back of the head. Each eye had a wide field of vision, so in tandem, the three visual organs provided the Kobok with a 360-degree view of his or her surroundings. These visual organs were red or orange in color. Although the Kobok mouth featured insectoid mandibles, it opened to reveal a humanoid interior, including sharp, white teeth and a red tongue. This physiology allowed the Kobok to create humanoid facial expressions, such as a smile. Two small, flat nostrils perforated the front of the face. Koboks were covered in a thin fuzz, and they were able to grow the hair on their faces long, with some individuals even gathering their facial fuzz into a sort of ponytail beard.
A typical member of the species stood between 1.3 and 1.8 meters or 4.3 and 5.9 feet tall, but due to the body's thinness, rarely weighed more than 60 kilograms or 132 pounds.
Kobok age at the following stages:
1 - 8 Child
9 - 16 Young Adult
17 - 40 Adult
41 - 65 Middle Age
66 - 75 Old
Examples of Names: Gaff, Kasj, Koas, Tiska, Slis.
Languages: Koboks speak and read Kobothi, a pitched, hissing language that does not translate well into Basic. In addition, some "Code" languages are known only to S-Corps agents and other secretive organizations. Researchers know very little of the languages or their nature.
