User:Chen/Temp Work Page: Difference between revisions

The '''Andorians''' are a humanoid species from the moon Andoria, homeworld of the Andorian Empire, and one of the founding members of the United Federation of Planets. The Andorian people are humanoid in appearance with white hair, blue skin and 3 to 4 inch antenna sticking up out of their heads. On the average they tend to be a very tall, slim race. They tend to be 1.7 to 2.1 meters tall. While obesity is not unknown among them, it is culturally condemed by the majority of them.  

They prefer high levels of humidity, give off a sweet floral smell when exerciseing and turn purple when they blush due to embarrassment.

Andorian zhen and shen may be taller than thaan and chan, if Tarah and Talas, seen next to their male companions, are any indication.

Due to the frigid, ozone-rich environment in which they live in which they live, Andorians have evolved a twin-layered circulatory system. This system makes intravenous injection impossible, and therefore physicians must administer medication through intermuscular injection instead. Andorians are true bluebloods, their blood being based on cobalt as opposed to the iron-based red blood of humans or the copper-based green blood of Vulcans. Andorian tongues and gums alternated from dark blue to pink.

Andorians have heightened senses. Their visual ability is astounding and well above that of what is considered as generally accepted levels for normal humans. They also have increased senses of smell and hearing thanks to their ability to recieve addition information with the use of their antenna. This information is usually superior to what they can recieve from their nose or ears. Antennae are linked to the sinus cavity, and can detect (among other things) temperature change, change in air pressure, subtle variations in air flow and sub-sonic sounds.

Andorians have two supercranial antennae that aid in balance as well as the sensory enhancements mentioned above. If one is lost an Andorian's balance is temporarily disrupted, rendering them unable to fight, but they could adapt to its loss within a day. Antennae take up to nine months to regrow, though electrical stimulation and cranial massage therapy can cut regeneration time in half. While it is true that if they lose their antenna they will grow back in about 9 months, most Andorians prefer not to survive the loss. The loss of an antenna is very similar to being mute, deaf, castrated and mutilated all at the same time in human terms. It is because of this that most Andorians suffer from a deep and wide spread fear of antenna loss. There is also the fact that while waiting for their antenna to regenerate that they are at a severe disadvantage in situations that require their balance to be unimpaired such as physical combat.  

Antennae are moved by muscles that can be controlled separately from one another. Such movement can express feelings in much the same way as other humanoids use their facial muscles to the same effect. They easily convey such emotions as fear (by quivering), excitement (by standing rigid), confusion (by lashing about), rage (by pressing back against the skull), amusement (by the antenna faceing each other), interest (by curving towards object of interest), tiredness (by drooping) and sexual arousal (by slow writhing. Andorians often point their antennae at potential mates to signify attraction, in fact the most erotic caress or intimate kiss among Andorians involves the touching of the tips of their antennae together. Antennae are considered to be more than just a sensory organ, in fact they are so important to Andorians that touching them without permission is considered to be the ultimate act of rudeness and any threat of injury to their antennae is considered grounds for assault and murder.

Andorians, with a higher metabolic rate than Humans, were especially vulnerable to phase pulse infection; even minor phase injuries could prove fatal. However, they have demonstrated resistance to a wide range of environmental conditions. In a climate where the temperature is near the boiling point of water, an Andorian could still thrive, despite losing 10% of their body weight in two days.

It is theorised that due to Andorian metabolism being higher than that of Humans they are quicker to tire during periods of physical exertion.

The Aenar are a sub-race as they are closely related to the Bish'ee but they are also radically different from any of the other Andorian races. They are blind, albino cave dwellers that live in the far north in underground cities that exist under the polar cap. They were considered to be a myth for many years but since have been proven to exist. Still very few people have ever seen one as they are isolationists who value their carefully guarded privacy.  

While they are considered to be a very secretive people it is considered fact that they are quiet, intelligent, peaceful and carry themselves with a kind of reserved dignity. They are also telepathic but are polite enough to ask for permission before they read someones mind. How they are able to get around with out being able to see is unknown. Just another one of the many mysteries that they either can't or won't explain about themselves.  

The remarkable blue color that everyone has come to associate with the Andorians is due to a protein dye called HZB-41 that is very similar to melanin in humans. This protein dye is produced by almost every form of animal life on their homeworld. The dye has a very short life span and as such Andorians need to constantly replace this protein. The most common method is through their diet.  

When an Andorian becomes ill their skin coloration tends to fade. This is because their immune system is fighting off the illness and can not produce enough dye to maintain their normal skin color.  

Andorians have 4 genders, 2 of which resemble males and 2 of which resemble females. These are called Thaan, Chan, Shen and Zhen. This can result in some confusion among outsiders. Sometimes it is difficult to tell what gender an Andorian is on sight. This is especially true as a chen can appear to be feminine and a shen can appear to be masculine.

A Thaan has internal testes, retractable penis and produces sperm to fertilize the egg of a Shen.  

A Chan has internal testes, retractable penis and produces sperm to fertilize the egg of a Shen.  

A Shen has a retractable ovipositor which they use to transver the fetus from their uterus to the pouch of a Zhen. They also have a vagina, ovaries and uterus. They recieve the sperm, produce the egg which then develops into a embryo and then transfer it to the Zhen's pouch once it has developed enough to make the transfer safely.

A Zhen has a vagina which is only useable for pleasure, not reproduction. They also have 4 teats on their lower abdomen and the ability to produce a pouch that is used to house the transfered embryo while it grows.

In order for Andorians to produce a child it takes 1 of each gender. They each have a specific role to play. This starts with the Thaan fertilizing the Shen's egg. Then the Chan has to fetilize it next. The reason for this is that the 2 males, the Thaan and the Chen each have 1/4 of the nessassary genetic material needed to create a child. The Shen has the other half with in her egg.  

Once the egg has developed into a fetus it has to be transfered to the Zhen. This is because only the Zhen can nurse the young. When the Shen becomes pregnant special glands along the Zhen's spine become active. They will secrete a membrane that forms a pouch around the lower torso. At this time the 4 teats on the Zhen's lower abdomen will start to form milk. Unlike Humans these do not result in rounded breasts. The inner lineing of the pouch produces a thick gel that will protect the baby while it nurses until it is mature enough to survive outside of the pouch.  

Once the baby has emerged from the pouch the Zhen will come out of protective seclusion. Her pouch will dry up and flake away. The other 3 bondmates will then assist by rubbing her with oils and help to peel off the remains of the now useless pouch.  

As with most humanoid races most Andorians will experiment with sex at puberty. Since their fertility period is so short it is impossible to produce offspring before or after this time. If they are found to be genetically acceptable they will generally be bonded by the age of 23.  

Among Andorians a smile is convayed by a soft, liquid gaze. It is only because of their exposure to humans and other races to who facial expressions are the custom that they have learned to mimic and make a reserved human-like smile. In many different situations an Andorian's emotions can be read by looking at the position of their antennae.

Andorians are a militaristic race, exemplified in small part by weaponry without stun settings. They consider it an honor to serve in their Imperial Guard, and military rank greatly influenced social reputation. Deploring dishonesty and never fighting without reason, Andorians are nonetheless capable of duplicity. They consider themselves deeply emotional, passionate, even violent; not known for their charity or sympathy, they place a high value on family.

Andorians of all four genders enjoy an equal position in society, both in civilian and military circles. A strict code of honour is adhered to for settling disputes in order to prevent a return to the Time of Lament, an age of planet-wide civil war which almost resulted in the extinction of the Andorian species. As a race and a culture the Andorians can not stand disabilities among their people. Some even say that imperfect infants may be exposed to the environment.  

Andorians make prodigious artists; Ezri Dax's mother Yanas Tigan bought handpainted Andorian tiles for her solarium in 2375, and Andor's Academy was widely considered the best art school in the Federation.

There are many different Andorian musical instruments but Andorians have no problem learning and using off-world instruments as well. One of their best known native instruments is the hyperblat, another is the flabbjellah which is a combination musical instrument and combat weapon.

Andorians do not have very many forms of recreation as this is seen as a waste of time, however thay do play one sport, elan'tina which seems to have developed out of their strong militaristic background. It is very similar to various military simulations like capture the flag.

A crucial part of Andorian tradition is Ushaan, a code of honor demanding a duel to the death, with combatants pitted against one another using an ushaan-tor (iceminer's tool). A vast body of regulations with around 12,000 amendments binds this code. Such a fight can be called off if one combatant disabled the other enough to prevent its continuance. Though Ushaan can be called by someone to avenge a personal loss, there exists a right of substitution wherein each combatant can offer up a replacement, and married combatants could postpone duels indefinitely if they had no children to continue their clans.  

Invoked for personal grievances, the Ushaan can be settled by first strike, first blood, or in the cases of extreme actions such as murder, to the death. Most Andorians reserve these customs for other Andorians only, but traditionalists may hold other species to the same values.

Imperial Guard members who died far from home could count on their companions to transport a body part back to the Andorian ices.

|Ushaan-tor|| Unknown ||Miner’s ice-pick

*Probably the best known alcoholic drink is Andorian Ale which comes in a few different varieties. The most common is a colorful blue ale with a very high alcohol content. They also produce a yellow ale that has a nutty flavour.  

*Andorian Tuber Root may be served in a variety of ways. One way is to serve it raw sliced into a salad. It is considered a staple for most Andorians and is very high in calories.  

*Fat-grass, a grain bearing plant found growing all over Andoria except in the Northern Wastes, is a highs source of protein.  

*Most babies are fed mashed xixu fronds (a marine plant) once they have started to be weaned off of ''zhiassa'', which is the milk produced by a nurseing zhen who is also called a zhavey while nurseing.

*Hari is the traditional Andorian bread served with most meals.  

*Another popular dish is Impararay Redbat which is made using an Andorian redbat.  

*Many visitors to Andor are offered steamed Shaysha which is a barely edible orange speckled beetle like andorian insect. Many unwary newcomers to Andor have been encouraged to try them.  

This is a aphrodisiac and psychoactive chemical that is refined from a native Andorian plant. It does not replicate well and only grows successfully on their native homeworld of Andoria. It is used by Andorians during sex as it provides a number of benefits when it comes to pleasure and sexual function. Normally only sanctuary priests and priestesses are allowed to dispense it to bonded groups. It is generally only available by medical prescription.  

It is illegal to possess Saf offworld and can be fatal to some non-Andorians. It has been used by some as a recreational drug and is still available on the black market. The Cardassians were known to use it during the Bajoran Occupation.  

This is the most important Andorian holiday. It involves a chan and a shen joining together in a ritual to plead for the protection of the Water Guardian. It is a widely celebrated festival that is so important that many Andorians return home to Andor to participate even though it occurs during the stormy season.

This holiday involves fasting, prayer and personal sacrifice. In the past after the proper rituals were observed the people would indulge in drinking, overeating, saf and tezha which is sex with strangers. Many of the older practises have now been outlawed but are still practiced in the oldest levels of the cities. The recreation use of saf is still a major part of these festivities.  

Andorian dress varies as much as would be expected of any member-race of the Federation. However, there are some traditions that have been upheld since the Federation was founded.

Members of the Andorian Imperial Guard have short hair cuts. Civilians wear their hair long, and often braided.

|Shen|| A robe that exposes the whole of the shen's back. Shen often wear body paint to ritual ceremonies.

|Zhen|| Three piece bodysuit. This is knitted and form fitting. An over-garment is worn to protect the privacy of a zhen who is carrying a child to term.

Andorians speak ''Graalen'' (their native tongue) and Federation standard.

Andorian names are comprised of a given name, which may be considerably longer than the name as to which they are referred. This is followed by an abbreviation of their gender, which prefixes their clan name. For example, and Andorian zhen referred to as ''Indra'' may have the full given name KalIndra, and her surname would be prefixed by ''zh''' to represent her gender. Assuming she is a member of the Idrani clan, her full name would be KalIndra zh'Idrani. Federation practice often allows Andorians to be referred to by a section of their given name with their rank attached.

Below is an example of ''Graalen'', showing the ways in which the four genders are referred to in various situations and through varying levels of politeness.

Examples taken from the table above include the Andorian equivalents to the Federation Standard "sister", being ''shi'' or ''zhi'', depending on gender, and the equivalents for "father" being ''charan'' and ''thavan''.

Andorians are divided not by countries or political boundaries, but by family and clan groups. The clans, known as keth, each specialise in an area of expertise, as well as representing a portion of the Andorian government. Below is a sample of some major Andorian clans and their specialisms.

One Andorian clan of note is Reiji, a near-forgotten clan who devote themselves to representing the old way of life. They have been known to take part in an archaic form of gambling in which they stake their own teeth.

The upper floor of council chamber contains an eight-sided room known as the Heroes’ antechamber. The Andorian Chancellor and the Federation Ambassador are both elected by members of the keth and serve on the Andorian government.

Andorian wedding rings are worn on the left antennae. To give an Andorian antennae jewellery or bells for their antenna is considered an act of friendship or courtship. Andorian weddings commonly required four people.  

Once a bonding has occured between a compatable set of 4 Andorians, only the clan's ruling Zhavey (oldest zhen) can give permission for one of them to be released from their bond. In rare cases bondmates can ask the elder to invoke the Whole Vessel Law to evict a bondmate from the bond. This is an extreme act as all 4 Andorians will suffer but not nearly as much as the one evicted, who will suffer the most psychologically from being alone.  

A nurseing zhen is called a zhavey and will go into seclusion for the safety of her child while it is growing within her pouch. During this time she will wear a modesty drape over her pouch. She will also have a purplish pigmentation on her neck that will identify her as a nurseing mother. This is usually still visible once she comes out of seclusion.

The most promising form of research has been into altering the Andorian chromosome #17. It is believed that by altering this chromosome they could increase the length of fertility considerably, thus increasing the number of years during which conception would be possible.  

Another area of research is into the possability of altering the way the gametes divide in the body. If successful, this would make both the Thaan and the Chan fully functional males with viable sperm. The long term implications for them as a race would be the elimination of the need for paired quads as their would eventually only be two sexes.

However this research has produced great controversy within the Andorian society. It goes against all their customs and traditions. Many Andorians are outraged by this research and feel that any and all work into altering the four sexes should be stopped and destroyed.  

*The ritual is timed to be completed before midnight. Clan members are summoned by five tolls of a bell, at which time the coffin is brought out from the keep by hooded, robed figures to the rhythm of a drum beat. The procession is led by the three surviving bond mates of the deaceased, and a priest or priestess who represents the missing gender from the bond. Each one represents one of the four Andorian elements – Wisdom, Strength, Blood and Passion.

The Time of Knowing is a ritual of betrothal between a member of each of the four sexes. A locked containing a strand of each member’s hair, and the symbols of each sex placed around a cross-shape is given to participants.

As members of the United Federation of Planets, the Andorians have access to many different types of Starfleet Vessel. However, Andorian Battle-Cruisers are used as the mainstay of the Andorian Imperial Guard.

*Andorian Volna Viria gangsters are often involved in the affairs of the Orion Syndicate.

*Andor is among the many planets providing a registry home to numerous ships that use Deep Space Nine.  

*Chirurgeon Ghee P'Trell, an Andorian, was nominated for the Carrington Award in 2371.  

*This Federation member-race was the subject of some kind of gender-swapping joke by Quark but Morn was slow to catch; the punchline was "and the Andorian says, 'Your brother? I thought it was your wife!"