History and Lifeforms
Much of the planet’s history is unknown. A few of the ruined structures date back several millennia in approximation, however the civilization which built these is unknown. It is speculated that they may have been Sith or an deviant offshoot given the nature of the architecture that remains. The planet currently has no sentient indigenous sentient population. It does have a dense population of wildlife however. Much of the planet's flora and fauna are hostile and predatory. Dianoga, Hawk Bats, Ash Angels, Gharzr, Rancors, and Divto are all known to exist here. A small population of wild Hssiss has also been bred around Usharak Keep.
Climate and Geology
Extensive tectonic activity combined with lush rainfall keeps the verdant jungles teeming with life forms. Most soils are lateritic and deeply weathered. Many clay resources exist, but hard rock is scarce and only found at great depths or in areas wracked by earthquakes and volcanism. Mineral resources in general are present but rare. Sulfur and halides are abundant near the volcanic areas, making for a tropical moonscape of boiling mud-pots and fumaroles coated in yellow sulfur.
Usharak Keep
The only major remaining intact structure on Kangaras is Usharak Keep, rebuilt in around 20 BBY by the followers of the self-proclaimed Darth Severak, a former Jedi with origins dating back to before the Clone Wars. He found and restored the Keep to house his forces in secrecy from the Emperor and later the Republic and the Dark Brotherhood. These forces were later to evolve into the True Brotherhood, a group of rogue former Dark Brotherhood.
The Keep resides on a clifftop with a sheer drop to a deep chasm behind it, and a large clearing on the other sides with forest surrounding it. It is constructed of dark grey rock that has been significantly hardened at some point in its history by some unknown chemical or mystical technique, which is assumed to be responsible for its survival down through the millennia.
It has a large reinforced metallic gate at the front which naturally can only be opened from the inside, and a number of small openings on its walls which serve as windows and were reinforced with tough duraplastic during Severak's time. Inside the atmosphere is dark and gothic, with its dark stone corridors and flickering artificial torches, as well as accommodation of varying luxury from large bedrooms to servants quarters and soldiers barracks and a large banqueting hall.
At the rear is a large walled courtyard with bushes fountains and benches and is open to the sky. However again during Severak's time a concealed mechanical transparent reinforced roof was installed, which in times of attack or severe weather silently slides over the courtyard sealing it from outside.
Deep in the bowels of the Keep, along with the stores, it was rumored that a Clan Naga Sadow top secret research facility had once been built here. In reality, Macron funneled private and hidden slush funds to build a small research laboratory. He works here along with other Dark Jedi on occasion, furthering his own evil scientific research needs. The rest of the Keep is largely empty, though facilities exist for a backup retreat and weapons redoubt should this ever be needed.
Like the rest of the structures, the origins of Usharak Keep are only to be guessed at. There is an extensive Dark Side presence left by Severak, making Dark Jedi feel right at home. Usharak Keep is considered a minor Dark Side site.
The keep is now maintained largely by droids, though a small detachment of paid mercenaries have taken residence here for security reasons. There are rumored to be Sith War droids present as well.
Recent History
Following an attack by Clan Naga Sadow, and the destruction of the True Brotherhood, Quaestor Malisane de Ath and Macron have installed their Sith-spawned Ewoks on Kangaras. They have built several communities following their accelerated breeding and indoctrination regimens. On occasion, captured enemies are allowed to "escape" into the jungle in order to test the prowess of the creatures.
This forgotten planet now belongs nominally to Malisane de Ath as Severak's heir and Macron as the leader of the forces that drove the True Brotherhood out. They have given Clan Naga Sadow the right to use it as a staging or fallback position in return for limited protection and have allowed them free passage through the system. Ironically, there is little that Kangaras could do to stop travelers anyhow. Following his retirement Malisane de Ath had been named Prefect of the forces on and around Kangaras and made his home here. Macron is noticeably more absent although he does retreat to the planet both to train, hunt, and capture research specimens in the forests and volcanic plains.