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. Efrosians sometimes uses optical aids called Ba'alyo during briefings to help. The Efrosian species has an inherent, limited sensitivity to electromagnetic and subspace fields. 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.
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. These glasses have very dark lenses, and aid in shifting the visual spectrum into the red end of the spectrum. Efrosians see different light frequencies than most humanoids.
Most Efrosians are blind under our "normal" conditions, but can see better than Humans in the ultraviolet and infrared spectrum.
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 naturalphenomenon. 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
