Silver Palm Neelix Award B-Plot Award Russ Bar 1-year Member TOSMA Khan Award Nebula Bar Q Award 3-year Member Genesis Award Combs Cross O'Brien Award Sheathed Sword Starfleet Academy Graduate Ribbon Orion Syndicate Service Medal Starfleet Investigation Ribbon Diplomacy Ribbon
Lieutenant Commander Laria Herren (Federation Basic: [laɹiʌ hɛɹən]) (she/her) is currently serving as a mission specialist and the second officer aboard the USS Constitution-B. Laria Herren is also an accredited consul within the Federation Diplomatic Corps, but no longer holds an active post as a Federation consul. She graduated from the Academy and was posted to the Federation Diplomatic Corps mission on New Romulus as a Starfleet attaché on Stardate 239405.24. She is an unjoined Trill from the planet Trill and was born on Stardate 237406.17.
Birthmarks/Scars: Trill spots. Small patch of red skin on her left shoulder blade. A few cuts and burns on her wrists and hands from working in her family’s bistro.
Handedness: Right-Handed
Taste in Clothing (off duty): Lots of formal wear to supplement her dress uniform for diplomatic events. Laria also has clothing in various styles she found on her previous assignments. Her wardrobe has lots of Trill, Klingon, and Romulan influences.
Mannerisms: Laria finds it somewhat difficult to be “off the clock” in her mind after a busy day. She will often stand on ceremony in casual environments and try to step in and mediate conflicts whether it is her job to do it or not. At times she may need to be prompted multiple times to remember that she is off duty and can relax. She is controlling to a fault and doesn’t do well with mistakes from herself or others.
Routines: Wherever she goes, she brings a PADD with an extensive, color-coded schedule that organized all of the day’s tasks. Even as things fall apart she does her best to keep the day planner updated. If the day allows, Laria will take a break for at least one meal in a communal setting such as a mess hall or starbase restaurant.
Speech Patterns: Laria speaks assertively but always in a controlled tone. When she is particularly emotional, rather than raising her voice she just talks faster.
Carriage and Posture: In the first few weeks of her assignment to New Romulus, Laria began practicing her posture after a Romulan diplomat took her tired posture and nervous foot-tapping as a signal of disinterest and disrespect. When she is not focused on it some nervous tics still shine through.
Laria’s Quarters
Likes and Dislikes
Favorite Book: Diplomacy and Death, by Shoggoth
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Food: Ayai'leh-hirh tolgrier (A potato and goat cheese casserole from Trill)
Hobbies: Learning new recipes, skiing, running, ballroom dancing, hosting events, and watching old Trill films
Fears: Embarrassment (especially around foreign diplomats), getting sick
Pet Peeves: Being second-guessed, things not going to plan, crewmates who don’t present themselves professionally at formal diplomatic functions
Quarters and Workspaces
Quarters: Laria Herren's quarters are on Deck 10, port side of the USS Constitution-B. She keeps most elements of her wardrobe stored in her closet. Those personal possessions she brings with her on assignment are stored in a wooden trunk at the foot of her bed. She keeps a collection of books on a shelf next to her desk. One corner of the main area of her quarters is dedicated as a work area.
Mission Specialist’s Office: Located on Deck 5, the Mission Specialist’s Office is Laria’s primary workspace. The room is equipped with a map of the Marchlands and a holoprojector for planning and presentations. Along with her desk, there is seating for two or three guests for meetings. Laria’s desk contains multiple supplies in case of emergencies. Everything is organized and the office is always kept spotless and presentable in case the ship’s command staff ever stops by.
Prized Possessions
Letters Patent: When she was accredited as a consul by the Federation Diplomatic Corps, she received her letters patent proving her accreditation. She keeps the printed version in a protective case that she keeps as a souvenir of her diplomatic career.
Laria’s Journal: Laria has used the same full-size PADD since the Academy for scheduling and for taking down notes and log entries. Documentation of her entire career is held within its memory for easy reference and review. The journal is rarely out of Laria’s reach.
Trill Evening Gown: An evening gown from a prominent Trill designer chosen by Laria’s paternal grandmother. The dress has a silk cape and is embellished with sequins and gemstones. It is one of her favorite looks for formal events, which she first wore for a Republic senator’s reception at the embassy for trade talks.
Meditation Candles: While playing hosts to the Sisters of Qowat Milat, Laria was given a set of slow-burning meditation candles by Sister Hathshia. The candles produce a calming aroma and she uses them sparingly when she really needs to regain a sense of tranqulity.
Betazoid Tea Set: A tea set from Betazed, a gift from former CO Akrum Uroiso given their shared love of tea.
UFP Flag: Laria keeps a neatly-folded and well-cared for United Federation of Planets flag that flew over the Gamma Hydra II Consulate during her time there.
Prized Possessions
Letters patent declaring Laria a Federation consul
The PADD containing Laria’s journal and daily schedule
Qowat Milat Meditation Candles
A Betazoid tea set from Captain Uroiso
History
Family Background
Laria Herren is the only child of Frein and Sora Herren. Frein is the son of Lyn and Marga Herren and the twin brother of Talus. He was born in Learn Manev on Stardate 234505.11. Lyn was an outdoorsman and competed in several winter sports. He taught the twins how to snowboard, the basics of skiing, and took them on climbing expeditions on some of the tallest mountains on Trill. Marga was a linguist who taught at the University of Trill. With their mother’s busy schedule, Frein and Talus were mainly supervised by their father. After graduating from school, Talus enlisted in Starfleet. Talus asked Frein to join as well, but he refused. Frein moved to Dorvan in the Ayai'leh-hirh foothills and worked as a bartender at a local ski resort.
Arken Bistro - Dorvan, Trill
Sora Veers was born on Stardate 234710.03 and was given up for adoption at birth. She was adopted by a couple who started out as her foster parents and joined the family as the youngest of three children. Yulo and Floria Veers were a librarian and FNS reporter respectively living in the Trill city of Iklan. Sora spent her childhood reading in the public library for hours at a time and swimming in the Turek Sea. While her brother and sister both pursued careers in academia, Sora had different aspirations. One of her favorite sections of the library was a single shelf containing different cookbooks from across the Alpha Quadrant. She would read about the different cuisines of the galaxy and try making many of those recipes in the family kitchen. Yulo encouraged these culinary ambitions in her daughter and helped Sora apply to the Iklan Culinary Institute for formal training as a chef.
Frein and Sora met as coworkers at the Arken Bistro in the small town of Dorvan. The bistro is a medium-sized restaurant they would go on to own later in their careers. Sora had graduated from the Iklan Culinary Institute with impressive grades, but was having trouble finding a position in the city’s competitive culinary field. Instead, she moved to the foothills of the Ayai'leh-hirh Mountains where there was less competition. Lennoth Vim, the bistro’s owner, hired her on the spot after she made a flawless strip steak dinner as a demonstration. Frein began working at the bistro later that month as a busboy and then a waiter.
Sora and Frein didn’t speak much at the restaurant until another coworker and mutual friend set them up on a date. Despite a rocky start, the two went on a series of dates and started to spend more time together after work. Meanwhile, both were rising through the ranks at work. Sora’s skills caught the eye of the executive chef and was given greater responsibilities in the kitchen. Frein was very popular with customers and took increasing control of the front of house. He did everything from waiting tables to tending the bistro’s small bar to taking reservations and handling guest complaints. In the winter of 2370, Frein and Sora were married in a small ceremony with their families and a few close friends from work in attendance. A few months later, Sora became the new executive chef following her mentor’s retirement. Laria was born a few years later in 2374.
Childhood
Laria was born in the middle of interesting times for the Federation. The Dominion War was turning against the allies and the public was worried that the Dominion might actually win the war. Despite this climate of fear, life went on. The Herrens tried not to let the looming war completely overshadow the new life they had started together and continued working at the bistro. Even after the fall of Betazed to the Dominion, Frein and Sora retained a determined optimism that Starfleet and its allies would prevail. After the war Lennoth Vim decided it was time to retire. He was old, tired, and had lost his son and niece to the Dominion War. He passed the Arken Bistro on to the Herren family and moved to Casperia Prime to escape the memories at home on Trill.
Frein and Sora did their best to juggle their home life and their restaurant and relied heavily on help from Talus Herren and his wife Valdove. They would babysit Laria when trouble at the restaurant required attention from them both. Their young daughter Kaleigh, born while Talus was fighting in the war, was Laria’s first friend. The cousins would later become inseparable as they entered primary school. Outside of school, Laria and Kaleigh still spent lots of time together. For most of the year they lived in Dorvan but would spend summers with their grandparents in Leran Manev. They would visit Marga in her classroom at the University of Trill or explore the large city during the day. At night, Laria and Kaleigh would curl up with blankets in the living room and watch classic films with their grandfather. Laria especially enjoyed visiting Marga’s classroom and first developed her interest in other languages there.
Laria and Kaleigh working at the Arken Bistro
Back in Dorvan, Laria did make one close friend in her new class. Sebben Balh was a Betazoid child who lived on Trill since late 2374. The Invasion of Betazed forced them to stay on Trill, a change they made permanent after the war. Sebben would join the Herren family for hikes through the Ayai'leh-hirh Mountains or on ski vacations in the winter. Sebben wanted to be an author and loved to discuss literature and language with Laria. Languages and linguistics were Laria’s favorite subjects, and she took classes in Federation Standard and an elective course in linguistics. While she enjoyed studying language, she was unsure whether she wanted it to be her full-time career.
Laria also worked at the Arken Bistro as a teenager. She started out in the kitchen, learning how to cook with her mother. Sora had her work with their baker and pastry chef who made all of the restaurant’s breads and many of their desserts. The kitchen was a very professional setting, and Laria took plenty of burns and accidental cuts in the fast-paced kitchen environment. She felt that being a commercial cook was not for her and began considering some other possible career paths.
Kaleigh helped wait tables at the restaurant and would spend slow shifts talking about her plans to enter Starfleet with a still-directionless Laria. Talus had taken Kaleigh to Earth to tour Starfleet Academy earlier that year. Laria was unsure whether Starfleet was the right choice for her at first. However, she was encouraged to pursue a Starfleet career by her maternal grandmothers and after several conversations with Talus. He told her that Starfleet wasn’t just a military but an exploratory force with many scientists, diplomats, and technical experts in every field. An exciting career as a diplomatic officer sounded like a great career path to her. Laria applied to the academy and was accepted in short order. In late 2391, Laria departed Trill, bound for Earth and Starfleet Academy.
Starfleet Academy
At Starfleet Academy, Laria bounced between majors during her first year and could not settle on a path. Diplomacy was her dream assignment, but Starfleet Academy did not offer a specific major in diplomacy. She had many discussions with her academic advisor and juggled majors in counseling, science, and intelligence as options. For most of her freshman year she was a science major with specializations in linguistics and history. Her assigned co-pilot partner for PILOT101 was an intelligence major and managed to convince Laria that an intelligence major would provide more skills that she could use in the field or if she ever wanted to pivot away from being a diplomatic officer. It was during this confusing time that she first applied to the Symbiosis Commission to consider being joined.
Sophomore year saw Kaleigh finally arrive at Starfleet Academy. She and Laria were roommates from that point forward. Kaleigh was a science major and told her cousin that, by taking a few extra classes and counting the requirements for her intelligence major, she could also minor in linguistics. Laria jumped at the opportunity and filled her junior and senior year schedules with courses on different alien languages, more Federation and interplanetary law, and as much as she could about the Romulans, one of her focuses in the intelligence program.
During Laria’s junior year, a guest lecturer started teaching Introduction to Romulans, Lieutenant Commander Arthur Banks. He was part of the Federation Diplomatic Corps and spoke at length about his experiences with the Romulan Star Empire and the new Romulan Republic. One day, after a lecture, she asked Commander Banks more about the Federation Diplomatic Corps. He offered to get her in touch with a contact he knew to help secure her an assignment in the diplomatic corps after graduating. She continued with her intelligence major and linguistics minor, hoping the variety of coursework would help her career as a diplomat. Laria was made a Starfleet Attaché at the Federation embassy on New Romulus after graduating given her extensive study of the Romulans.
Early Assignments
Laria’s first few weeks at the embassy did not go as smoothly as she hoped they would. She found out that she was not nearly as prepared as she thought she had been for diplomatic work. It seemed as if she could not get through a single duty shift without doing something that broadcasted her lack of experience to the senior diplomats that surrounded her. Laria spent long hours pouring over books on diplomatic protocol, negotiations, and famous ambassadors throughout history. She drilled herself on proper posture and decorum. In the mirror, she practiced keeping a controlled tone of voice and neutral expression that didn’t betray any emotion. Vulcan meditation techniques also helped with the latter issue.
A major gala was schedule to take place at the New Romulus embassy the month after she arrived. Laria spent each day going above and beyond with her duties and would practice ballroom dancing in her quarters at night. The party would be her opportunity to make up for the lackluster first impression she made. Laria became very involved in preparations for the event and made sure the gala was a success without any interruptions or incidents. This hard work did not go unnoticed and the ambassador began to entrust more and more tasks to Laria. She was made a liaison to the Republic military for matters of embassy security and became involved in preparations for major events or conferences.
The weeks after the gala brought other pleasant developments too. Laria received a letter from the Symbiosis Commission stating that her application had been accepted. It was only the first step in a long process to become an initiate. But the initial hurdle had been cleared nonetheless. She reluctantly visited the embassy’s sickbay and counselor for the initial medical assessments required of initiates and forwarded performance reviews for her file. Laria also began reading the books and other learning materials produced by the Symbiosis Commission for Trills interested in joining.
In September of 2396, the Federation Diplomatic Corps contacted Laria with both a promotion and a transfer to a new assignment. The USS Hood needed a diplomatic officer as it was being transferred to patrol around the Ferengi Alliance and Cardassian Union. Laria was happy to receive the recognition but had grown to love the New Romulus embassy. She reluctantly packed her bags and boarded the Hood as it passed by on its way to Bajor for a small refit.
Now-Lieutenant Herren only served on the USS Hood for a few months but made a big impact. She helped smooth tensions with a Cardassian gul during a heated rescue and helped deal with Ferengi marauders via rules-lawyering of the Rules of Acquisition. The Hood’s captain wrote a letter of commendation to the Federation Diplomatic Corps praising her performance. Another transfer order arrived for Laria two weeks later. Her skills were needed more urgently elsewhere.
The Gamma Hydra II Consulate
For her next assignment, Laria would be made a vice-consul at the small Gamma Hydra II Consulate near Klingon and Romulan space. While officially on the edge of Federation space, the consulate served Federation citizens in several outlying Klingon colonies too small for their own consulates and hosted some minor diplomatic talks. Before she could accept the assignment, she spent a month on Earth at the Federation Department of State offices receiving her initial diplomatic accreditation. She was interviewed, went through security checks, and took a written exam. Laria also took a short class on consular services and what they entailed. She also took the time on Earth to go through a more extensive medical exam for the Symbiosis Commission.
After being accredited as a Federation diplomat, Laria was sent to the border and took up the position of vice-consul. She travelled to nearby Klingon colonies frequently to assist those who requested consular assistance and managed diplomatic relationships with the local Klingon authorities while at the consulate. Laria did everything from authenticating travel documents to communicating with Klingon law enforcement to get information on cases involving Federation nationals. One notable mission involved visiting a Klingon penal colony to ensure that a Federation citizen awaiting trial was being treated fairly and help arrange for legal representation.
When the consul himself was occupied or off-world handling a situation, Laria manned the consulate and handled day-to-day operations. The consulate was also a popular venue for diplomatic discussions with local Klingon and Romulan officials. Laria was put in charge of organizing accommodations, meeting space, and cuisine for these meetings. The meetings usually involved a few trade representatives sitting around a conference table comparing charts and timetables, but Laria found the meetings fascinating to sit in on and observe. She also took pride in helping Federation citizens in need living abroad. Her linguistic skills also proved useful on a few occasions when the universal translator was not working reliably.
However, not everything at the consulate was enjoyable for Laria. The busy schedule left little time for her to continue with the education required for symbiosis candidates. Frequent visits by Klingon, Ferengi, and even Romulan representatives brought interesting diplomatic challenges such as dealing with unique interpretations of acceptable diplomatic etiquette. Worst of all, some Federation citizens requiring consular assistance were in dire circumstances that didn’t always end well. Laria lost sleep for weeks after the fight to help a couple caught between two feuding Klingon families ended with their farm burned down and needing to notify their next-of-kin of what happened. Laria requested to leave the Klingon border the next day and was moved to a starbase in the Lappa Sector.
Branching Out
Laria in disguise as a 23rd century Starfleet officer
When she arrived, Starbase 709 was dealing with its own diplomatic crisis. There was much discussion over a Ferengi freighter caught smuggling in Federation territory and the subsequent claims of piracy by the Ferengi Alliance. Laria worked with the starbase’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps attorney to navigate the situation. When a seasoned member of the Federation Diplomatic Corps arrived at the starbase to replace her, Laria moved over to the local JAG officer as a paralegal. She built on her law courses from the Academy and assisted in legal research to support current cases. Her tenure in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps was uneventful but personally enriching. During this time, she also received word from the Symbiosis Commission that she was approved for the next stage of applicant screening.
After spending four months in her new role, her commanding officer convinced her to take an assignment as a mission specialist. Her multi-disciplinary background meant that she could do well as a jack-of-all-trades officer who could support a ship’s senior staff with whatever challenges their current mission brought. It was not a difficult decision for Laria. One of the best parts of any new assignment for her was all the research required to catch up on whatever new regions and political climates she was entering. With a second golden pip on her collar and an eagerness to prove that she was worthy of her new role, Laria boarded a transport bound for the USS Constitution-B.
Aboard her new ship, Laria worked to be a better command division officer. She assisted with the detention of pirates and became immersed in procedure. She set up an office and worked hard to prove her value as a mission specialist and diplomat. When the ship received a distress call from the USS Enterprise, she led a team aboard the ship and helped broker peace with a contingent of Iotian mobsters who launched a mutiny. Having proven her abilities, she was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander and named the ship's second officer in addition to her role as mission specialist.
Relationships
Frein Herren, Age 56, Trill (Unjoined) Male (he/him)
Father
Current Status: Alive, co-owner and front-of-house manager at Arken Bistro in Dorvan, Trill.
Frein is supportive, fair, and the definition of a people person. Whether it was an argument between herself and her father or her father and angry bistro customers, Frein never outwardly lost his temper or acted unreasonably. Laria tries to remain as collected and charismatic as that, even when she’s dealing with negotiations a lot more tense than an undercooked entrée..
Sora Herren née Veers, Age 54, Trill (Unjoined) Female (she/her)
Mother
Current Status: Alive, co-owner and executive chef at Arken Bistro in Dorvan, Trill.
Most of the Herren family say that Laria is Sora’s clone. Both are highly driven individuals who found their own career paths and dedicated themselves fully to their professions. She also inherited Sora’s uptight professionalism and perfectionist tendencies. Sora expects great things from Laria, having as high a standard for her daughter as she does for herself.
Current Status: Alive, science officer aboard USS Quasar.
Laria’s closest childhood friend who grew up together in the Trill city of Dorvan. They went to school together and worked at the family’s bistro when they were both teenagers. Kaleigh was the first of them who wanted to join Starfleet, and was responsible for convincing Laria to apply as well. Kaleigh currently serves as an astrophysicist on the USS Quasar.
When first coming aboard the USS Constitution-B, Laria’s first meeting with her commanding officer was getting stuck in a turbolift with her. She found the commodore’s extremely relaxed attitude confusing and had difficulty adapting her own desire for protocol and formality to deal with Jalana’s preferences. However, once she moved past that, Laria found that Jalana was someone she could fully trust, even asking her to be her field docent to mentor her in preparation for joining.
Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Indrid Yirah, Age 27, Trill (Joined) Male (he/him)
Friend
Current Status: Alive, assistant chief science officer aboard USS Constitution-B.
Laria met Indrid on Arentis, striking up a conversation at a restaurant during shore leave. She asked him about what it was like to be joined, herself being an initiate. The two asked Lieutenant Zeylinn to help share the memories of being joined. This telepathic therapy session shared a lot of personal experiences between the two. Since that moment, the two have known each other a lot better than either of them initially expected when they stepped in Zeylinn’s office.
Mingxing Shimisi is an engineer serving aboard the USS Constitution-B. Laria has worked with him on missions and has shared conversation and a dance with him at a party during shore leave. While she is not sure if he’s just seeking a friend or perhaps more she enjoys the opportunities she has to socialize with the Pygorian engineer.
Commander Kitral, Age 33, Romulan Female (she/her)
Friend
Current Status: Alive, commander aboard RRW Lyrdrial.
Centurion Kitral is a Romulan Republic officer who is assigned as a navy attaché to Starfleet’s New Romulus Embassy. Laria worked with Kitral frequently and considered her both a friend and a mentor. They shared their diplomatic experience and training and would attend most events at the embassy together. Kitral was sad to see Laria go, but the two keep in occasional contact.
Current Status: Alive, mission specialist aboard Starbase 118.
Madison was in multiple classes with Laria's cousin Kaleigh. Naturally, the two of them met before too long through Kaleigh. Madison expressed an interest in Trills and the three (along with other friends) frequently went out to explore restaurants around the Academy and across Earth. Madison went on to go to the medical academy while Laria started her diplomatic career. They met briefly on Earth when Laria was being accredited for diplomatic service, but have not spoke since Madison's first assignment.
Captain Akrum Uroiso, Age 70, Betazoid Male (he/him)
Acquaintance and Former CO
Current Status: Alive, commanding officer aboard USS Hood.
Captain Akrum Uroiso was Laria’s Betazoid commanding officer aboard the USS Hood. He was very impressed with her performance and helped her pursue career advancement. Even after Laria transferred off of the Hood, they have kept in contact. He provided her with opportunities to vent over subspace following her departure from the Gamma Hydra II Consulate and encouraged her to accept a position as a mission specialist.
Doctor Zavien Daul, Age 72, Trill (Joined) Male (he/him)
Symbiosis Commission Contact
Current Status: Alive, serving as member of the Symbiosis Commission on Trill.
Dr. Daul is a Trill doctor specializing in applicant screening and selection for Trill symbiosis. He was eventually joined himself, also serving as field docent for a few promising candidates. He currently sits as a member of the Symbiosis Commission as a policymaker. He is also responsible for the medical screening of a group of initiates each year while the rest are covered by other doctors. He and Laria rarely meet in person, mostly conversing via correspondence.
Languages
Fluent
Trill: Learned during her childhood. Laria’s default language.
Federation Standard: Learned during her education on Trill.
Romulan: Learned at Starfleet Academy.
Conversational
Klingon: Learned at Starfleet Academy and in the field.
Intermediate
Ferengi: Learned at Starfleet Academy and in the field.
Awarded to individuals who assist the ship's command staff by performing activities critical to the successful operation of our sims. Awarded to Laria Herren.
