INFO: The pachydermoids are concentrated in their home system, primarily on Vinsoth. The world's climate and being with their own kind suits them. however, especially enterprising Chevin have left their home behind to find infamy and fortune in the galaxy. Some of these Chevin operate gambling palaces, space station, and high-tech gladiatorial rings. Otherwise work behind the scenes smuggling spice, passing forged documents, and infiltrating governments. A few Chevin, disheartened with their peers and unwilling to live among slavers, have left Vinsoth and joined forces with the Alliance. These Chevin are hunted by their brothers, who fear the turncoats will reveal valuable information. But these Chevin are also protected by the Alliance and are considered a precious resource and a fountain of information about Vinsoth and its two species.
RACE: Chevin
HEIGHT: 1.7 to 3 Meters Tall
SKIN: Gray
DISTINCTION: Stocky build, large heads, long snouts, long arms, three fingered hands, three toed feet
LANGUAGE: Vinsoth
HOMEWORLD:Vinsoth was the home planet of the Chevin and Chev species in the Quelii sector of the Outer Rim Territories. It was a temperate planet with zones of grasslands and prairies, arctic ice, and deserts.
The Chevin had a skin that could adapt to all three environments. In 3,000,000 BBY, an asteroid collided with the planet, killing most life on its surface, but the remaining survivors evolved into the Chevin. The Chevin were nomads, following herds of the native grazing backshin and keeping their Chev slaves in small farming and manufacturing villages. The planet was composed of seven continents, each ruled by a Chevin dictator who remained stationary, while the rest of the Chevin migrated. After the Battle of Endor, Ephant Mon established a Force-cult temple on the planet and advocated Chev liberation.
After the Yuuzhan Vong War, many Chevins favored abolishing slavery and joining the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances. However, they had to form secret societies, as they were persecuted as traitors by the local dictators, who sent assassins after them.
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE:The Chevin evolved from smaller relatives of the giant mammals who were wiped out when an asteroid collided with Vinsoth millions of years before the time of the Galactic Republic. Chevin had long snouts which hung down nearly to their ankles. Combined with their intellect, this made them skilled hunters of animals such as backshin, because they could smell out their prey or feed while keeping their eyes on the horizon. It was also their hunting prowess which allowed them to dominate their homeworld and conquer the Chevs. Chevin had thick legs, massive wide bodies, thin rope-like tails, and arms so long their three-fingered hands often brushed the ground. Despite their ungainly appearance, they could walk or run almost as fast as more nimble-looking humanoids. Chevin boasted a double set of eyelids, one of which was transparent to prevent dust and wind from interfering with their vision. Their thick gray skin and efficient circulatory system kept them cool in warm climates and warm in cold climates, though they preferred semi-tropical conditions. The traditional Chevin costume consisted of long, elaborately patterned robes (though they did not wear clothing until they were contacted by other species) and jewelry.
CULTURE AND HISTORY:Beginning as simple hunters and gatherers, the Chevin went on to conquer the Chev settlements and extend their nomadic civilization to dominate their homeworld. Vinsoth was rich in food and plant cover, and was eventually visited by offworlders seeking covert bases and food supplies. The Chevin soon gained galactic-level technology through trade, eventually manufacturing their own sophisticated weapons and vehicles. Though their technology was mostly acquired from offworld sources, they reverse-engineered products like starships in order to produce their own designs. Chevin starships were noted for their spacious cargo bays, roomy cabins, and large crews. Most of their technical advances went towards keeping their slaves in line and ensuring the continued domination of their homeworld. Chevin wore clothes only because other species did.
Chevin lived in small, mobile communities, with homes mounted on great wheeled carts. Even after they gained access to galactic technology, they continued to live as nomads (though more affulent Chevin mounted their lodges on large repulsorlift vehicles instead.) Their Chev slaves were usually forced to follow on foot. Nomadic groups of Chevin kept in touch via comlinks, and often converged on a single location to deal with danger.
The only Chevin settlements which stayed in place for more than one standard month were the "Government Villages", where Chevin dictators lived with their hand-picked advisors. Even these settlements were movable when necessary. Each of the roughly two dozen Government Villages ruled a Chevin nation.
These nations rarely warred against each other, beyond the occasional border skirmish, though economic competition was fierce. Warrior-politicians who won their positions through single combat roved from camp to camp, providing information to Chevin dictators.
The Chevin saw themselves as opportunistic realists interested in self-safety. Their culture valued the acquistion of power, wealth, and status by any means necessary. Most Chevin preferred to meet their goals through intrigue and subterfuge, letting others fight for them when necessary. They were calm and even-tempered if treated with respect, but quick to become bullies if angered, or retaliate if slighted or cheated.
IN THE GALAXY:Offworld Chevin were often involved in unsavory, semi-legal, or criminal enterprises such as gun-running, the slave trade, and the black market. This resulted in a poor reputation among other species. Their appearance, which many Humans considered ugly, was another factor contributing to their reputation. Chevin on Vinsoth exported Chev slaves, foodstuffs (such as fruit, nuts, and backshin meat), and imported high technology items. Others were peaceful, hardworking technicians, working for more aggressive Chevin.
During the Imperial era, most Chevin supported the Empire. Many prominent Chevin had ties to Imperial officers. The Chevin dictators were able to keep order on their homeworld, so the Empire generally stayed out of Vinsoth's internal affairs, and rarely needed to send troops. A minority of Chevin, however, were disenchanted with Chevin culture and its reliance on slavery. Many of these Chevin joined with the Alliance to Restore the Republic, and were hunted by other Chevin as a result.
Ephant Mon, a weapons smuggler, latent Force-sensitive, and associate of Jabba Desilijic Tiure, was a Chevin. After Jabba's death, Ephant Mon returned to Vinsoth, where he established a Force-worshipping religious group and spoke out against Chev slavery.
Eedund Cus, the trainer of Outer Rim Ponderweight Champion shockboxer Lobar Aybock, was a Chevin.
APPEARANCES:Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: Prophet Motive
Star Wars Republic: Prelude to Rebellion
Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace game
"A Mon Alone"
Star Wars Dark Times: The Path to Nowhere
Star Wars Dark Times: Blue Harvest, Part 2
Rebel Dawn
A Hunter's Fate: Greedo's Tale webstrip
Star Wars: Rebellion (Mentioned only)
The Emperor's Court (Non-canonical appearance)
Star Wars Empire: Idiot's Array
The Employment Test
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi novel (First appearance)
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Shadows of the Empire: Evolution
Fists of Ion
Young Jedi Knights: Diversity Alliance
Abyss
SOURCES:The Movie Trilogy Sourcebook
Galaxy Guide 12: Aliens — Enemies and Allies
Star Wars Customizable Card Game – Jabba's Palace Limited (Card: Chevin)
The Game Chambers of Questal (Picture only)
Heroes & Rogues (Picture only)
Star Wars: The Action Figure Archive (Picture only)
The Essential Guide to Alien Species
Alien Anthology
Ultimate Alien Anthology
Shadows of the Empire Planets Guide
Star Wars Adventure Journal 14
The New Essential Guide to Alien Species
The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
I would like to Wookieepedia for this info.
