IN-GAME DATE
September 21, 9 AFE (10 BBY)Scattered across their native planet of Selvaris, the Odho are a race of near-Humans known for their spiritualism and cryptic manners when dealing with outsiders.
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
The Odho possess elongated sloped ears and shallow ridges running across their noses from one cheek to the other. They often decorate their skin with tattoos and painted designs, mostly on the face, but some groups have them on their limbs or torso as well.
Showing indifference to galactic customs or fashion, Odho dress in robes and other simple garments made from local materials. Apart from tattoos and painted markings, jewelry or other adornments are only seen on those of high social rank or renown.
CULTURE AND HISTORY
The Odho are an enigmatic race, preferring to keep their distance from outsiders. While rarely rude to people who show interest, they show a perverse delight in being obtuse or cryptic when people query them about their ways. What little is known has been gleaned from observations of their interactions with the settlers on Selvaris.
Their society appears to be a deeply spiritual one, with vague references to a natural flow of existence or fluidic destiny. Conversations with elders are often peppered with such references, and confusing parables are not uncommon during interactions. Meditation and rituals are an important part of their daily life, with crystals and natural monuments being important focuses for these activities.
Many locations around the planet are considered sacred, and are often accompanied with dire warnings to avoid them at all costs. While hard details on their reasoning for such warnings is rare, people rarely fare well that ignore their warnings, and as such many local governments on Selvaris have often taken to posting advisories in or about such regions to prevent more people from getting into danger, or outright disappearing without a trace.
In interactions with outsiders, the Odho prefer to keep such contact brief, as they don’t like being disturbed from their contemplations and rituals. Outsiders are seen as a distraction that prevents them from joining the natural flow of existence, and should thus be dealt with as quickly and as little as possible. They are, however, fully aware of what is happening on their world, and settlers in one community have been surprised to have a native approach them about something that is happening on the other side of the world as if the native had personal knowledge of the event.
The government of Selvaris has had a long policy of non-interference in regards to the Odho, finding it much better for all involved to listen to their concerns and do their best to make any concessions needed to heed their warnings. Past history has shown that disaster will follow when such warnings are not followed, but no evidence of the Odho being involved in such events has ever been found. Events such as these have led to a rumor that the Odho have some sort of ability to predict the future. The Selvarin government vehemently denies that they can do so, and the Odho ignore or sidestep any inquiries about such things.
ODHO IN THE GALAXY
Odho are never encountered off Selvaris. The few records that exist detailing an Odho leaving the planet indicate they quickly suffer from withdrawal symptoms, and soon become catatonic and die over a series of only a few days. The Selvarin government has put in place harsh penalties for anyone attempting to remove an Odho from the planet’s surface.