The Cathar are an ancient, socially advanced species of bipedal feline humanoids from the planet of the same name. Cathar itself is a large world of numerous ecological niches, including rough uplands with gigantic insect predators.
The Cathar species dwell in large living city-trees. Each tree is artistically carved with friezes showing the triumphant history of the Cathar and their heroes. Cathar use the wide grasslands known as the Vast Veldt as a place of solitude.
Two of the greatest Cathar heroes, the female Sylvar and her mate Crado, were powerful Jedi Knights. Four thousand years before the Galactic Civil War, Crado fell to the dark side under the tutelage of Exar Kun. He was destroyed in an explosion after trying to activate an ancient Sith superweapon for his master. Sylvar, angry over the death of her mate, almost fell to the dark side herself before regaining the Jedi path. Both are remembered on Cathar itself in meticulously carved works of tree-art.
Personality: Cathar are proud, passionate beings with strong morals and equally strong ties to tradition and family. They also form strong friendships and unshakeable loyalties. Cathar generally hate as fiercely as they love. although even-tempered, they are often quick to act. Their ferocity in battle is both legendary and terrifying.
Physical Description: Cathar have leonine features and flowing manes, with males' manes generally larger than those of females. Male Cathar have short beards and two tusks jutting from their lower jaw, while females merely have impressive fangs along the upper jaw. Males average 1.8 meters tall, while females average 1.6 meters tall.
Home world: Cathar, a temperate worlds located in the Expansion Region.
Language: Cathar speak and read Catharese and Basic, punctuating their spoken words with the occasional low growl.
Example Names: Cradew, Elashi, Feeth, Larducias, Manshara, Nodon, Nonak, Stragos, Syhar, Tinisho.
Age in Years: Child 1-11,; young adult 12-17; adult 18-49; middle age 50-65; old 66-89; venerable 90+.
Adventurers: Cathar adventurers belong to any occupation, although explorers and soldiers are the most common. Force-sensitive Cathar often hear the call and join the ranks of the Jedi Order. Cathar scoundrels are rare, but those that exist have moral and loyalties that they would never violate for personal gain.
Traits: Deftness higher then human norm, Intelligence lower then human norm. Cathar have sharp claws.