Tellarite

			Intelligent Lifeform Index

Tellarite
Four Letter Code	TELL
Federation Status	Member
Planet of Origin	Tellar Prime
Encountered	2152, ENT: "Dead Stop"
T/E Rating	T0/E0
Current Tech Level	N
List of Named Tellarites
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"The only thing more enjoyable than a good meal is a good argument."

a Tellarite saying.

Tellarites are a sturdy humanoid species from the class M planet Tellar Prime with distinguished snouts and porcine features. One of the founding members of the United Federation of Planets, Tellarites are well-known for their fondness of argument and debate as well as their engineering aptitude.

Home System

• Quadrant: Alpha
• Location: Sector 001 (coordinates A25-0001-1298)
• Proper Name: Pangeos system
• Star: It orbits a class M (Red) star
• Distance from Star: its orbit is approximately 51 million km
• Companions: It is the only planet in the system

Home World

• Proper Name: Tellar Prime
• Diameter: 14,273 km (8,869 miles)
• Gravity: 1.08 standard gravity with a density of 5.3
• Axial Tilt: 12.8%, with normal terran seasonal changes
• Orbital Period: 398 days
• Rotational Period: 25 hours
• Classification: M
  • Surface Water: 43%
  • Atmosphere: 0.98% is a standard pressure with 74% nitrogen, 26% oxygen, 2% trace chemicals
  • Climate: Mainly a temperate planet with a large arctic poles region.
  • Population: Just over 10 billion

"Tellarites do not argue for a reason, they simply argue." Sarek of Vulcan, 2268

History

Voice Wars

The Tellarites are a very technically apt people, almost a race of engineers. The basis for this trait was most likely as a result of the difficulty the species had in finding sources of fresh water. It forced them to develop the necessary skills as engineers so they could begin deep mining the surface of their planet in order to find water. This later allowed for the development of irrigation and later hydroponic farms to support their population as well as their large cities.

And, as engineers, they like to improve on everything, and make everything as efficient as possible. Several centuries before the 24th century many Tellarites became involved separately in trying to find the most efficient way of communication. To streamline their language and this eventually led them to try and engineer a more efficient way to think as well.

In a short time many of the separate nations declared that they had figured out the best way to speak and think, and that everyone should conform to their standard. The world was then quickly engrossed in the Voice Wars, as each nation tried to get everyone else to conform to their standard. The Wars were ended, however, from the inside out. Various groups of people within the warring nations saw the devastation the Voice Wars were creating, and thought "Well, this surely can't be the most streamlined way of thinking, it's leading to genocide!" They reasoned that diversity was, in fact, the most efficient process, and any one mode of thinking would lead to stagnation; machines need parts that do different things. Resistance against the Voice Wars grew, until those who tried to force their methods on others were either gone, or realized just how foolish they were.

The Voice Wars resulted in the formation of a new ethic; Tellarites became profoundly argumentative. They valued other ideas and other points of view, and love argument and discussion so much that they would often take the devil's advocate position even when they believe in what they are arguing against. They believed that without ample discussion, Voices may be quieted, and that must not be allowed to happen again. Debate became the primary form of entertainment on Tellar.

Into Space

The species developed space travel in a relatively early period in their history and by the 20th century they were using impulse drives to explore their home system of Pangeos. It was in 1957 that Garas developed the first working warp drive engine prototype which catapulted his people into an interstellar power. From that moment on, the Tellarites kept a distinctive edge in creating the best propulsion technology which they held with pride. As they began to travel through space, they began to make contact with a number of other space faring species.

During diplomatic contact with the Andorians, the inhabitants of the planet Andoria decided to showcase the ColAndor Scrolls - these documents served as an inspiration on how their race had formed a government in the hopes that it would likewise evoke such a reaction amongst the Tellarites. However, High Councillor Grev removed the five scrolls from the Andorian delegates and kept them on Tellar which became a source of conflict between them and the Tellarites. This incident almost led to a war but a truce was maintained which led to the ColAndor Scrolls remaining on Tellar.

Shortly after this first contact was made between the Tellarites and Rigelian traders. Through them, the Tellarites later learned of the great wealth of the Orion Colonies.

Pre-Federation

In 1957, a Tellarite freighter picked up the distress call of a Vulcan ship that had crash-landed on Earth, near Carbon Creek, Pennsylvania. They passed this information onto the Vulcan High Command.

In April 2152, a passing Tellarite vessel directed the Earth starship Enterprise, suffering severe damage after an encounter in a Romulan minefield, to an automated repair facility. Subcommander T’Pol then stated that Tellarites are generally considered trustworthy.

In March 2153, the Tellarite bounty hunter Skalaar, working for the Klingons, captured the Human, Jonathan Archer, captain of the Enterprise. However, he later helped him to escape from the Klingon ship. Skalaar's brother, Gaavrin, who worked on a space station at that time, used to run a freighter, the Tezra, together with him.

Some time before 2154, the Tellarites were also in conflict with the Andorians. Ambassador Gral recalled being aboard a Tellarit cruiser as they drove "those blue demons" back into their own territory by force.

In November 2154, a Tellarite delegation led by Ambassador Gral was being transported to the planetoid Babel by the Enterprise to resolve a long standing trade dispute with the Andorians. The original conference agenda covered only trade regulations for the sector. However, a Romulan plot to destabilize the region had the opposite effect and created a temporary alliance among the Andorians, Vulcans, Humans, and Tellarites. The proceeding conference later helped bring peace to the strained Tellarite-Andorian relations.

In 2155, a delegation of Tellarite ambassadors was sent to Earth to join in talks of forming a Coalition of Planets. Minister Nathan Samuels joked that the new universal translators were working a little too well when it came to talking to the Tellarites.

The new Coalition of Planets became welded together in 2156, when the conflict with the Romulan Star Empire escalated into the Earth-Romulan War. A humiliating defeat of the Romulans by an alliance of Tellarite, Andorian, Vulcan, and Earth forces at the Battle of Cheron in 2160 effectively ended the war and led to the establishment of the Romulan Neutral Zone between the two power blocs.

Now a Member

Some time prior to 2161, Shallash gained notoriety as the second Tellarite liberator. In 2161, Tellar became a founding member of the United Federation of Planets along with its old war allies Earth, Andoria, and Vulcan. As a result, the Tellarites held a seat on the Federation Council and served in Starfleet.

In 2268, the planet Coridan sought admission to the United Federation of Planets. However, due to the wealth of dilithium available on Coridan and the presence of illegal mining operations, Coridan's admission was a controversial subject between Tellarites and Vulcans. The Babel Conference was convened to settle the matter and ultimately approved Coridan's admission. Tellarite Ambassador Gav was among the delegates to the Babel Conference but was killed by an Orion infiltrator in Andorian disguise on board the Federation starship USS Enterprise. On the conference, Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan was ultimately credited with achieving the consensus towards admitting the planet to the Federation.

The Tellarite Insurgency was an event in Federation history that occurred sometime prior to 2284. This insurgency had threatened the Vulcan people, but the situation was mitigated due largely to Humans.

A Tellarite served on the ruling council of the pocket dimension Elysia, during the late 23rd century. It was unknown how long his species had been trapped in that universe.

A drunken Klingon at the celebrations for the Order of the Bat'leth in 2373 bragged about having killed the Tellarite helmsman of Laporin's starship.

During the 2370s, Tellarite freighters occasionally conducted trade through starbase Deep Space 9.

Following the fall of Betazed during the Dominion War, in 2374, many believed that Tellar could be the Dominion's next target.

Mirror universe

In the mirror universe, Tellarites have been subjugated by the Terran Empire sometime prior to 2155, though some had joined the rebellion against the Empire.

Major Malcolm Reed and Doctor Phlox of the ISS Enterprise tortured a Tellarite crewman named Terev in the agony booth as a demonstration of the device for Captain Maximilian Forrest and Commander Jonathan Archer. Reed's philosophy on Tellarites was that they were "all guilty of something".

At one point, frustrated with a lack of progress while trying to apprehend the rogue Gorn Slar aboard the stolen USS Defiant, Archer raged that "we'd have more luck sending a squad of Tellarites to capture this thing!"

Government

Their argumentative skills even encompassed their politics and surprisingly provided for a peaceful government. The planetary ruling body consisted of a congress of delegates which represented the various traditionally based nation states. There was no executive branch within the Tellarite government which meant that all important matters were resolved by simple majority vote amongst the delegates. However, such votes often involved extensive debates even before the process began which consisted of loud, though never violent, arguments. Once the matter was settled, the arguments were quickly forgotten and business continued within the government.

Language

Tellaran (also known as Tellarite) is the language of the Tellarite civilization. By the 24th century, the Tellaran language is a second year elective course at Starfleet Academy.

Due to the large number of Starfleet encounters with Tellarites beginning in the 22nd century, when the Tellarites joined the Coalition of Planets and then the Federation, many members of Starfleet are schooled in spoken Tellarite. Notable personnel with instruction in this language included in their service records include Hikaru Sulu.

Physiology

Tellarites are a porcine species whose facial features are somewhat pig-like. They had black pupils set in deep eye sockets and large snouts. Their skin was pinkish-brown and coarse. They have beards and their faces normally have numerous lines and wrinkles. Their entire body is normally heavily covered with hair. Tellarite blood is purple.

On average, Tellarites were shorter than Humans with average heights of: 1.8 meters (male) 2.2 meters (female) and a life expectancy of 87 years (male) 93 years (female).

Tellarite legs ended in two-toed feet with hooves, and their femur was notable for its missing the third tochanter, and that their fibula was vestigial. Virtually all Tellarites are ambidextrous and their hands were sometimes hoof-like in appearance.

Their digestive system was designed for plants, and as such they had two stomachs which utilized bacteria to break down the food before entering their single intestine. Despite this, canines are a delicacy on Tellar Prime.

The Tellarite sense of smell and hearing was advanced for a humanoid, while their eyesight was sub par. Tellarites were almost always born in groups of six, as they approach puberty they developed a bristly yellow mane of hair. They reach adulthood by the age of twelve Earth years.

They found Human room temperature to be cold, indicative of a higher body temperature. Whereas the medical condition known as dyspnea is considered a symptom (e.g. the patient notices it him/herself) and not a sign (e.g. only a doctor notices the sign during a medical examination) when affecting most species, it is regarded as a sign when Tellarites come down with it.

Psychology

Tellarites are known to be an impatient people. They have a propensity toward strong emotion. However, they enjoy a good argument, which is even considered a sport on Tellar. Tellarites often begin an interaction with a series of complaints; this is how they start arguments with someone they have recently met. If they have nothing to complain about they will simply insult the person. Because of their ability to argue, Tellarites make excellent politicians.

Religion

In some ways their religion resembles that of the Earth religion Christianity. They have a supreme being (Hovah) that personifies all the best qualities of their people. While in place of the devil they have the wolf-like Krognik demon. He personifies all the worst qualities of their people and takes delight in tempting people away from his ancient enemy Hovah.

Their religion is based on over a thousand scrolls and debating the content of these scrolls is both a normal occurrence and one that usually inspires others to join in. Probably the best known and most often debated scroll is the Scroll of Eternal Feasting.

Mythology

They have a rich history populated with many unusual tales and beings. Probably the best known villain from these tales is the wolf-like Krognik demon who is the equivalent of the human Devil.

Society

Tellarites were well known for their engineering skills with their talent being renowned throughout the Federation. The basis for this trait was due to the necessity that their ancestors had in finding sources of fresh water and thus involved the use of deep drilling. This allowed them to construct large scale irrigation projects that increased the amount of agricultural land available to them which further allowed for the construction of massive hydroponic farms in order to support their large settlements. These traits made them skilled miners and builders with them being able to find not only industrial minerals but even precious metals in locations that other engineers were incapable of conceiving.

Tellarite Hall of Heroes

The Tellarite Hall of Heroes was a location on Tellar where famous Tellarite individuals were honored. Shondar Dorkin was memorialized at the Hall of Heroes.

Culture

Bells of all kinds play an important part in their music. Most of which is upbeat and suited to singing along with or tapping your toes in time to the melody. Their visual arts tend to be very mechanical and precise.

Tellarite hollow bell line

A Tellarite hollow bell line is a musical instrument originating from Tellar. This instrument was taught at the Tenaran Music Academy, and played by both Joran Dax and Temzia Nirenn.

The Feast

As one would expect Tellarites love food and any important event in their lives is normally celebrated with a large boisterous feast. This will include music and numerous kinds of strong spirits. Arguments and numerous debates are both welcomed and enjoyed by the other guests who will eagerly seek to join in.

The Debate

It is not uncommon for Tellarites to go out of their way in order to find a good argument. In fact it is both their most popular spectator sport and their fondest activity next to eating. Any subject and any point of view is fair game.

Customs

"Tellarites do not get drunk, just feisty." This is a popular belief that does seem to have some basis in fact. Due to their unique body chemistry they are better suited to consume large quantities of fermented drinks without suffering the usual side-affects.

Tellarites were known to be an impatient people. They were also known for their "stubborn pride". They had a propensity toward strong emotion. However, they enjoyed a good argument, which is even considered a sport on Tellar.

Tellarite cuisine seems to be dominated by raw fruits and vegetables. Strangely enough canine is considered a delicacy and enjoyed by many. Two of their more popular specialties that have been found to be enjoyable by a number of species are Tellarite linguine and volcanic spew.

Tellarites sometimes take mud baths. This seems to be as much a cultural thing as it is enjoyable. Due to the thick wiry hair all over their bodies the use of a mud bath can and does seem to easy and eliminate any skin irritation making it both pleasant and medicinal.

Technology

Historically during the 22nd century, Tellarites armed their torpedo warheads with sirillium and they have been warp drive-capable since at least the 1950s.

Tellarites have always excelled at engineering. In fact they have some of the best terraforming engineers in the Federation. This is due to their experience in large scale irrigation projects, land reclamation, hydroponics construction and resource acquisition.

Currently they are on par with most of the more advanced Federation member worlds when it comes to technology but they seem to still have a definite edge over many other species when it comes to engineering.

Economy

They have a very well developed trade network and a long history of seeking out trade deals with other species. If they had to they could easily be self-sufficient. Fortunately for the Federation they are not. They contribute to the over-all economic success of the central region of the Federation.

Some of their better known economic successes are:

Tellarite fizz

Tellarite fizz is a very popular type of sparkling beverage of Tellarite origin. A Tellarite fizz was one of many such drinks available at Quark's Bar on Deep Space 9's Promenade.

Wedding Gowns

Believe it or not they produce a surprising number of wedding dresses and designs. In fact one of the wedding dresses that Garak's suggested for Rom and Leeta was in the style of Tellarite modern.

Tellarite Mining Consortium

The Tellarite Mining Consortium is a Tellarite group that regulates Tellarite freighters. Skalaar and his brother Gaavrin owned and operated the Tellarite freighter Tezra under the authority of the Consortium.

Tellar News Service

The Tellar News Service (also known as the Tellarite News Service) was a prominent news agency on Tellar in the late 24th century. It is still one of the most prominent services with in the Federation.

In 2379, the Tellar News Service's Palais correspondent was a Tellarite named Kav.

Military

The Tellarite cruiser was a class of warship utilized by the Tellarites during the mid-22nd century. They were said to be inferior in design to the Andorian warships of the era.

Sometime prior to the 2150s, future Tellarite ambassador Gral stood on the command deck of a Tellarite cruiser in Andorian space during a conflict where they were "driving those blue demons back into their territory."

In 2154, one of these vessels was initially believed responsible for the destruction of the Andorian warship Kumari, though it was later found to be a Romulan drone-ship in disguise.

Several Tellarite cruisers, along with Andorian and Vulcan ships, later formed a fleet to track down and destroy the Romulan vessel. During the mission, one of the Tellarite vessels was damaged during an engagement with the drone-ship and its crew was rescued by an Andorian warship.

In the mirror universe, the Tellarite rebels utilized this class of vessel, which were among those attacking the ISS Avenger at the Terran fleet rendezvous point.

Federation Intelligence Files

According to some records Gral is shown to be the Tellarite that signs the Federation Charter.

Bera chim Gleer was a Tellarite representative on the Federation council in the late 2370s, and early 2380s known for his long speeches, and opposing Federation President Nanietta Bacco's inauguration.

Kav glasch Vokrak, is a well know Tellarite reporter.

A Tellarite named Colv served as an Engineer on a cargo freighter.

"The Tellarite story" is a tale recounting an unfortunate encounter between Crewman Fabian Stevens and a pair of Tellarites in a bar on Syrinx III in or around late 2375. Kieran Duffy, who was a witness to the original incident (along with Carol Abramowitz), enjoyed repeating the Tellarite story often to members of the crew of the USS da Vinci.

Stevens was often embarrassed by Duffy's telling of this story; however, following Duffy's death at Galvan VI in 2376, he told the Tellarite story in his memory at a gathering of the surviving da Vinci crew at the home of Captain David Gold. In 2377, Abramowitz told the Tellarite story to the da Vinci's new medical officer, Dr. Sarjenka, a gesture of including her into the close-knit crew.

A Tellarite called Mor glasch Tev takes over the position of Second Officer after Kieran Duffy's death.

Tellarites are listed as composing less than 28% of the Vulcan Science colony Nisus.

Kirk, Spock, and McCoy encounter a Tellarite on Pollux V who describes the Krognik demon – a creature from Tellarite mythology. This creature is the traditional shape of the Tellarite devil and his minions. Its physical appearance is described as being decidedly wolfish, with sharp teeth in a long snout.

Christopher Pike encountered some Tellarites on Babel in 2265 when he was being feted as Fleet Captain. One, Administrator Muso, was a wanted criminal and bounty hunter, and was taken into custody with the help of an Orion slave girl.

While investigating a conspiracy in Starfleet, Jean-Luc Picard was fired on by a Tellarite in the shadows on the grounds of Starfleet Academy.

Sources

Both Memory Alpha and Memory Beta were used as references as well as the following movie, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Also used were the following TV episodes, ENT: Carbon Creek, ENT: Dead Stop, ENT: Bounty, ENT: Babel One, ENT: United, ENT: Demons, ENT: Zero Hour, ENT: The Forge, ENT: In a Mirror, Darkly, ENT: In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II, ENT: These Are the Voyages..., TOS: Journey to Babel, TOS: Balance of Terror, TAS: The Time Trap, TNG: Sarek, DS9: Apocalypse Rising, DS9: Shadowplay, DS9: Call to Arms, DS9: "Inquisition and DS9: In the Pale Moonlight.

The following novels were also used TOS novel: The Rift, TOS: The IDIC Epidemic, TOS novel: Strangers from the Sky, ST - Destiny novel: Gods of Night, ST novel: Avenger, TNG novel: A Time for War, A Time for Peace, TNG: The Space Between, TNG: An Inconvenient Truth, TNG - Gateways novel: Doors Into Chaos, DS9 - The Lives of Dax, DS9 novel: Antimatter, DS9 novel: Devil in the Sky, CoE eBook: Turn the Page, SCE eBook: Breakdowns, SCE eBook: Foundations, Book One, short story: Allegro Ouroboros in D Minor, the novel Articles of the Federation, Worlds of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Volume 2, A Time to Heal as well as the non-canon novel Last Full Measure. Tellarites have made two appearances in comics from IDW Publishing.

Other references used include Decipher RPG module: Worlds, ST reference: Star Charts, ST reference: The Worlds of the Federation, ST reference: Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual, Last Unicorn RPG module: The Price of Freedom, FASA RPG module: The Federation, FASA RPG module: Star Trek: The Next Generation Officer's Manual, FASA RPG module: Cadet's Orientation Sourcebook as well as Star Trek Monthly issue 46, p. 83, Cinefantastique, Vol. 22, No. 5, p. 34 and Star Trek: Communicator issue 145, pp. 31-32.

SDC

This file was updated and approved by the SDC on 15 April 2013

Content from this article may have
come partially, or entirely from
 Memory Alpha

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