Andorians

**Andorians** were a blue-skinned humanoid species originating on an icy moon of the gas giant Andoria. They were one of the founding members of the United Federation of Planets.

## Physiology

Andorians were notable, not only for their blue skin, but for their white or silver hair and the two antennae that emerged from their heads. These antennae were capable of movement and could be moved independently of one another. Andorian tongues and gums could be found in both pink and blue colorations. In fact, there was a great deal of diversity in the appearance of Andorians outside of the aforementioned characteristics -- including in where the antennae sprouted from, and if there were ridges found anywhere on their faces.

The physiology of Andorians involved a much faster metabolism than many humanoids, granting them a high resistance to most harsh environmental conditions -- from extreme cold to extreme heat. It also gave Andorians impressive physical strength. However, this high metabolic rate also meant that they were highly susceptible to infection and even minor wounds could quickly become fatal.

Andorians could not receive intravenous injections, and medications had to be administered through intramuscular injections. This was likely due to the nature of Andorian blood, which was a dark blue color and very watery.

## Society & Culture

Andorian culture was highly militaristic. Military rank greatly elevated one's social position, and serving in the Imperial Guard was considered a great honor. Children were taught to fight with an *ushaan-tor* and began to build up physical endurance. A member of the Imperial Guard who died while away from their home planet could count on their companions to bring part of them -- often their blood -- back to Andoria. The blood of a dead person could be brought to the Wall of Heroes, as an especially great honor for the deceased.

The *Ushaan* was a crucial part of Andorian tradition. Following a strict but complicated code of honor, these duels could be used to settle matters of vengeance. Honor was of particular importance to Andorians, though they were fully capable of being duplicitous. Andorians were, therefore, deeply suspicious of other species yet would never fight without a compelling reason.

Although Andorians were not particularly known for compassion or sympathy, they were a deeply emotional and passionate people who placed a great deal of importance on families.

Aside from being warriors, Andorians were renowned as artists. The United Federation of Planets considered the Andorian Academy its most prestigious arts school and hand painted Andorian tiles were treasured.

Although Andorians were not a particularly religious people, they did believe in a sort of Heaven where the idea for all of creation had sprung from. The name of this place was unpronounceable by most humanoid species.

## History

*For more information, please visit Andorian History.*

Andorians developed warp drive technology in the 22nd century. Although the Andorian Empire did not spread particularly far after this, they protected what they had quite fiercely and soon entered into a long-lasting border dispute with the Vulcans. It was not until Captain Jonathan Archer and the *Enterprise* NX-01 began traveling the galaxy that this situation reached any kind of resolution. The Andorians found fast friends in the humans, who helped them to reconnect with the Aenar.

Ultimately, the Andorians found themselves allying with humans, Vulcans, and Tellarites against the Romulan Star Empire. This led to the founding of the United Federation of Planets, which they remained an influential member of until the Burn caused the Federation to fracture. At this point, many Andorians found themselves aligning with Orions and forming the Emerald Chain.

## Notable Andorians

* Jennifer Sh'reyan
* Thy'lek Shran
* Va'Kel Shon

## Source

Andorians are derived from *Star Trek*. For canon information, please visit:

* Memory Alpha