Efrosian

Introduction:

Efrosians are a species of humanoids native to the planet Efros. (Also known as Efros Delta or Efros IV.)

Efros is the fourth planet of the Flarset system.

The Efrosians are a humanoid species with red/orange skin, forehead ridges and white/blonde hair. They are members of the Federation, serving both in Starfleet and Federation government.

Racial Characteristics:

Efrosians are very similar in appearance to Klingons

save for a slight cranial ridge and a copper skin

complexion. Their faces contain fatty deposits

inherited from their primitive ancestors neglecting

to cover their faces from the harsh cold of the

planet. Males tend to have white or blonde hair while

females usually have black or dark brown hair. Some Efrosians who are blind can correct this

disability with a type of special mechanical glasses

Efrosian males all seem to have fair hair and

complexion; some almost look like albinos. On the

other hand, Efrosian females are usually

raven-haired. Studied have not yet indicated if this

is the result of selected breeding early in Efrosian

history or if it is some natural phenomenon. It is

interesting to note that giving birth to a boy with

dark hair brings shame upon a family. To most people,

such a male's coloring brands him as a female.

Since Efrosian eyesight includes some infrared and

ultraviolet ability, this adversely affects their

ability to see in the visual range used by most

humanoids. This results in mild color and contrast

blindness. Ba'alyo sometimes uses optical aids during

briefings to help. The Efrosian species has an

inherent, limited sensitivity to electromagnetic and

subspace fields.

Efrosians are very similar in appearance to Klingons

save for a slight cranial ridge and a copper skin

complexion. Their faces contain fatty deposits

inherited from their primitive ancestors neglecting

to cover their faces from the harsh cold of the

planet. Males tend to have white or blonde hair while

females usually have black or dark brown hair.

Some Efrosians who are blind can correct this

disability with a type of special mechanical glasses.

An inherent ability is their uncanny sense of

direction. This is believed to have originated as a

survival mechanism to deal with their world's often

blinding snowstorms. As a result, Efrosians are often

sought out as navigators.

The Efrosians are a humanoid

species with red/orange skin, forehead ridges and

white/blonde hair. They are members of the

Federation, serving both in Starfleet and Federation

government.

Due to their unique evolution, a majority of

Efrosians are born blind. When traveling off their

homeworld, they often need to use devices to see,

such as special glasses. Since his pince-nez glasses have very dark lenses, as

featured in one scene, we may assume that Efrosians

see different light frequencies than most humanoids.

Perhaps Efrosians are blind under our "normal"

conditions, but can see better than us in ultraviolet

or infrared situations. That would also explain the

Saratoga's dark lighting on the bridge (in ST IV).

Maybe the lighting wasn't just due to the invading

Probe; it was already shifted to the red end of the

spectrum to assist their helmsman to see?

Because of the constant storms on their planet

Efrosians have evolved a way to know where they are

even when they can not see. This ability even allows

them know were they are even in the depths of space.

Physically Efrosians tend to be shorter and

stockier than humans,

       averaging about 1.5 meters and 70 kilograms.  

their skin and hair

       tend to be paler than the human norm and 

their eyes have a second

       faceted cornea that protects their eyes from 

their planets harsh winds.

       The most striking feature about the 

Efrosian's is the sculpted look of

       their facial features. This feature is 

thought to be due to exposure to

       the cold and harsh winds on Efros. Primitive 

Efrosians wrapped their

       bodies in warm furs, but neglected such 

protection for their faces. As

       a result the wind scorched their faces and 

later generations developed

       thick layers of fatty deposits beneath their 

facial areas. Thus were

       their faces protected from the harsh, cold 

winds, and the feature has

       become an inherited racial trait.  
       
       Another distinguishing mark of Efrosian 

physiology is the difference in

       coloration between the sexes. Efrosian males 

seem to have fair hair and

       complexions - some almost look like albinos. 

On the other hand,

       Efrosian females are usually raven-haired. 

Studies have not yet

       indicated if this is the result of selective 

breeding early in Efrosian

       history or is it is some other natural 

phenomenon. It is interesting to

       note that if a female is born with fair hair 

or a male with raven hair,

       that it is considered a shame to the family 

and most people assume that

       the girl is a boy and visa versa.

Efrosian Culture:

a selection of strange

Efrosian music — all chimes and strings —

Although not widely known throughout the Federation,

many Efrosians live and work as teachers and

philosophers on other worlds as part of cultural

exchanges. Efrosians serve in Starfleet as well,

especially many of the lower grade warrior priests.

Navigation, Helm and Medicine are their most popular

choices in Star Fleet. The warrior-priests perform

excellently in medicine because of their innate,

almost psychic ability to intuitively diagnose a

patient’s problem and treat them with the minimal

amount of medicine or equipment.

They are also very adept as navigators and helmsmen

due to their highly developed sense of direction.

They seem to have developed this survival mechanism

to deal with their worlds blinding, disorienting

snowstorms. They instinctively know correct courses

and can make adjustments to stay on course even

without the aid of a computer. Efrosians who do not

choose to join Star Fleet are often pressured to join

the Merchant Academy.

The Efrosian culture maintains a strict secrecy about

their religion. All that is known about the faith is

that it is very esoteric and mystical. They are

extremely open and friendly about every other aspect

of their culture, but they guard their religion

jealously claiming that it was their religion that

helped them survive the ravages of the ice age, and

they refuse to even share is principles with others.

Most Federation races understand and respect this

need for such privacy, and the Efrosians have ignored

Tellerite speculation about "child-sacrifice" and

"ritual murder".

It is rumored that addressing Efrosians by name is an

insult to their religion, though obviously those in

the public light don't always follow this. Other

races are known to refer to Efrosians as Ateniods or

Atenids, the same way some races call humans

"Earthers" or "Terrans".

Efrosian culture is the result of living on the

harsh, frozen world of Efros for generations. Both

technological and social development were minimal

during the millennia-long ice age that ravaged the

planet. Close-knit tribes formed out of a need for

survival. Once the immense glaciers began to break

up, the planet eventually united.

Efrosians prefer to specialize in one area of

expertise.

The Efrosians do not have a written language.

Although introduced to the concept by other

civilisations, the Efrosian culture is still based on

memorising oral history, with libraries resembling

other worlds' music archives. Furthermore, the

Efrosian language is music based, which is more

common among aquatic species than mammalian humanoids

(TTN novel: Taking Wing).

Efrosians lack the concept of monogamy found in many

other humanoid cultures.

Government

Each tribe during the ice age had at least one

warrior-priest, an individual capable of exceptional

combat as well as great healing. When the ice age

ended, the warrior-priests soon united Efros under a

religious oligarchy led by the still-revered

S'skotomz.

As members of the United Federation of Planets, an

Efrosian delegation sits on the Federation Council.

In 2289, Ra-ghoratreii was elected President of the

United Federation of Planets and served until 2300.

Religion

The Efrosians are a deeply spiritual people from the

windswept planet of Efros. Their world is almost

constantly shrouded in fast moving windstorms, and

can be a deeply disconcerting place for non -

Efrosians. Efrosians can be found serving in all

branches of Starfleet. It is known that the majority

of Efrosians are religous but the actual details of

their religous practice are not discussed with off

worlders leading to much speculation on the part of

other species.

All that is known about the faith common to all

Efrosians is that it is non-traditional and mystical.

Their faith is rumored to obligate their names not to

be spoken aloud, on Efros. Nothing else is known

because Efrosians refuse to discuss the matter with

outsiders, except to mention that their religion is

what enabled them to withstand the Efros ice age.

Unfortunately, this has been the subject of

speculation and some Tellarites believe

child-sacrifice and ritual murder are common

religious practices. This guarded secrecy very much

remains in place in the 24th century.

History

Efrosians: humanoids with striking features; olive

skinned with white irises in their eyes, white mane-like hair; usually

wear beards; they prefer lower lighting levels; originally a Barrier

Allance member race, they have since joined the

Federation; an Efrosian served aboard the Saratoga as its navigator during the Whalesong Probe

crisis; in 2293, Federation President O’run’tha was an Efrosian, and

following Demora Sulu’s death in 2295, Ensign Grenoka, an

Efrosian, took her position as helmsman; offer prayers for deliverance

for those who die honorably in battle Efrosian Embargo: in the 2270's, the Efrosians were

embargoed by the Federation; the Vulcans objected, but were

outvoted (source: Chekov's Enterprise by Randall Landers, OAL)

Background: While the surface of their planet was

encompassed by ice, the Efrosians’ technological and

social development was minimal. They remained in

close knit tribes, and subsisted on animals that they

cold bring down with stone knives and spears, but

once the massive glaciers began to break, both

technology and unity swiftly developed. The most

esteemed members of the tribes were warrior-priests,

who were respected not only for their prowess as

warriors, but also for their abilities as great

healers. The warrior-priests ruled Efros as a

religious oligarchy. Technological development did

not suffer (as it often has under religious

leadership elsewhere in the galaxy), but actually

increased due to the priests belief that technology

and invention would make their lives better, and

preserve and further what was so precious to the

race. As the climate warmed somewhat, the Efrosians

discovered previously hidden energy and mineral

resources that boosted their technological progress.

By the time the Federation (Vulcan-crewed USS Surak)

discovered them, the Efrosians had developed radio

telescopes and atomic power. The Efrosians were

overjoyed to learn that there was an abundance of

intelligent life in the universe, both unlike and

like themselves. They accepted the Federation's offer

of friendship, and joined the UFP soon afterward.

For the Efrosians, life in the past was

harsh to the extreme. They had

       no technology to get them food, keep them 

warm or help them survive.

       They lived in close-knit tribes  and 

subsisted on what ever they could

       find or bring down with stone knives and 

spears. The most respected

       individuals in the tribes were the Warrior 

Priests, esteemed not only

       for their prowess as warriors but for their 

abilities as great healers

       as well.  The Warrior Priests still survive 

today, as leaders of Efros.

       Although the planet is ruled by a religious 

oligarchy, technological

       development did not suffer (as it often has 

under other religious

       leaderships in the galaxy). On the contrary, 

the Warrior Priests'

       technology and innovation would make life 

better for all Efrosians.

       Thus life was improving quickly on Efros.
       
         By the time the UFP discovered them, the 

Efrosians had developed fusion

       power and long range sensor equipment. It was 

the Vulcan crewed USS

       Sarak that first detected the powerful sensor 

emissions from the cold

       world. The Efrosians were overjoyed to learn 

that there was other life

       in the universe and heartily accepted the 

offer of membership from the

       UFP. 
       
         Although most Efrosians elect to stay on 

Efros, the ones that do

       venture spaceward are known to be excellent 

Navigators and Doctors.

       They seem to have an uncanny sense of where 

things are in the galaxy

       and have been known to pilot starships with 

little or no navigational

       sensor equipment. They also seem to be able 

to diagnose a medical

       problem with out sensor equipment and 

administer just what was needed

       to resolve the situation.
       
          The Efrosians' are very open to visitors 

and enjoy talking to them

       about almost anything. The one thing that 

does seem to annoy other

       cultures is their steadfast unwillingness to 

talk about their religion.

       All that is known about it is that it is very 

esoteric and mystical.

       They claim that it is their religion that 

helps them survive their

       world. They will say nothing more.

Some Federation anthropologists claim there is some

evidence that the Efrosians did not originally evolve

on Efros. Other anthropologists suggest that the race

was seeded on the planet before its ice age by the

Preservers.

Unlike other planets where technology suffered under

religious rule, the Efrosian warrior-priests believe

technology betters life. As the climate warmed (at a

very slow rate), additional energy and mineral

resources were discovered that contributed

substantially to their technological progress.

First contact was made with the Federation in 2278

when the Vulcan crew of the USS Surak visited Efros.

Delighted to learn of other intelligent life, the

Efrosians soon joined the Federation and began

educational and philosophical cultural exchanges with

other worlds. Many serve in Starfleet and the

Merchant Academy as helmsmen, navigators, and medical

personnel (some warrior-priests have become Starfleet

doctors). (FASA RPG: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Sourcebook Update)

In 2286, an Efrosian helmsman, Chitirih Ra-Dreii was

aboard the USS Saratoga when it encountered the

cetacean probe along the Klingon Neutral Zone. An

Efrosian ambassador was also present on Earth during

the crisis. (TOS movie: Star Trek IV: The Voyage

Home) (TOS novelization: Star Trek IV: The Voyage

Home)

In 2293, Federation President Ra-ghoratreii granted

extradition of Captain James T. Kirk and Doctor

Leonard H. McCoy to the Klingon Empire to stand trial

for the assassination of Chancellor Gorkon. Soon

afterward, he handled the signing of the Khitomer

Accords. (TOS movie: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered

Country)

In the 24th century, many Efrosians have protested

the Integrated Officer concept in place at Starfleet

Academy due to their cultural preference to

specialize in one knowledge area.

In 2377, an Efrosian male was serving as the chief

mechanic of the Otamaman. He was killed by the

Chalnoth bounty hunter Grauq. (DS9 novel: Warpath)

Important People:

Ra-ghoratreii - 23rd century President of the United

Federation of Planets

In 2293, this unnamed Federation President opened

negotiations with Klingon chancellor Gorkon,

following the destruction of the Klingon moon Praxis.

The President was to meet Gorkon on Earth for a peace

conference, but Gorkon was assassinated en route by a

pair of rogue Starfleet non-commissioned officers.

Enterprise captain Kirk and Doctor Leonard McCoy were

arrested by the Klingons under the rules of

interstellar law and charged with Gorkon's

assassination; when the Klingon ambassador defended

his government's actions and demanded that Kirk and

McCoy stand trial, he conceded, "This president is

not above the law."

A short time later, Starfleet Colonel West proposed a

military offensive (code-named Operation Retrieve)

aimed at rescuing the "hostages", Kirk and McCoy.

Although West was confident that the prisoners could

be retrieved, the President rejected his plan because

of the probability that such an act would cause a

full-scale war.

At the Khitomer Conference, the President was

targeted for assassination by the Starfleet and

Klingon conspirators, but the plot was foiled by the

crew of the Enterprise with assistance by the crew of

the USS Excelsior. Colonel West, the trigger man, was

killed in the attempt and others involved were

arrested. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

One of the most famous Efrosians was Federation

President Ra-ghoratreii, who served from 2289 to

2300. In 2293, he was closely involved with the

Khitomer Accords.

Xin Ra-Havreii - starship designer and chief engineer

of the USS Titan Ra-mhvlovi - 23rd century Major in the Starfleet

Marines Hu 'Ghovlatrei - 24th century Starfleet lieutenant

and engineer Ra-Yalix - 24th century Federation councillor to late

President Jaresh-Inyo

Ra-ghoratreii (blind) - Federation President Played by actor Kurtwood Smith. Zi-Harghovta (blind) - USS Saratoga helmsman Played by actor Nick Ramus. USS Justice Commanding Officer (non-blind) Played by fan actor Edward C. Tunis III So-Larynesette (blind) - 23rd century starship

captain Ra-Yalix (non-blind) - Foreign policy advisor,

Jaresh-Inyo's administration Hu'Ghrovlatrei (non-blind) - Late 24th century

Starfleet admiral Ra'toralreii (non-blind) - 24th century Starfleet officer Commander Xin Ra-Havreii is an Efrosian male. He

worked at Utopia Planitia as a head designer of the

Luna-class. Traveling with the crew on Titan 's first

mission, he took over as chief engineer after

Lieutenant Commander Nilani Ledrah's death.