Kelpiens

**Kelpiens** were a primitive sapient humanoid species originating on the planet Kaminar. The Kelpiens were an incredibly empathetic species by nature.

## Physiology

Kelpiens were tall and lanky, with pale brownish orange skin. They had no hair on their bodies. Females had smoother skin than males.

Kelpien senses were much more developed than those of humans -- their visual, auditory, and tactile receptors were particularly acute. Their optical window was larger than that of most humanoid species, and they could see more of the light spectrum including ultraviolet light. They were also able to see heat signatures. Aside from this, Kelpiens were much stronger and had much more stamina than the average human. Kelpiens pursued by apex predators had been recorded at speeds of more than eighty kilometers per hour.

### Pre-*vahar'ai*

Before undergoing *vahar'ai* the Kelpiens were a prey species -- these Kelpiens had an innate sixth sense, allowing them to detect predators from as much as ten kilometers away. Tendrils called "threat ganglia" splayed out from the back of a Kelpien's head whenever they sensed danger.

### Post-*Vahar'ai*

For centuries, Kelpiens believed that *vahar'ai* was a terminal condition and its onset meant that the individual was ready to be sacrificed to the Ba'ul. The alternative was believed to be madness. In truth, despite the intense pain of *vahar'ai*, it was a temporary physiological process that ended with the threat ganglia detaching. At this point, vital signs would return to normal.

Following the completion of the *vahar'ai*, Kelpiens would have transformed into predators. Their fear response was supressed, and they became significantly more confrontational in nature. New structures formed in the cartilage that had once housed their threat ganglia -- keratin-based structures that could fire organic spines or "darts" in moments of stress.

## History

In ancient Kelpien history, the post-*vahar'ai* Kelpiens nearly eradicated the Ba'ul -- however, the Ba'ul used their advanced technology to retaliate, and ultimately subjugated the Kelpiens. They used their technology to manipulate the pre-*vahar'ai* Kelpiens into worshipping them, creating an ideology known as the "Great Balance." The Kelpiens believed in order to maintain this balance, they needed to fulfill their natural place as prey for the Ba'ul. The Ba'ul placed pylons called Watchful Eyes in each Kelpien settlement. For centuries, Kelpien society was shaped by this ideology. Any Kelpien who began to experience *vahar'ai* willingly submitted themselves for "Harvesting" by the Ba'ul.

Any technology that fell off of Ba'ul starships was immediately disposed of by the subservient Kelpiens. However, in the 33rd century, a Kelpien named Saru discovered a Ba'ul communications device. Defying orders to dispose of it, he began to communicate with extraterrestrials -- making contact with Starfleet. He was soon retrieved from Kaminar by the USS *Archimedes* and granted refugee status by the United Federation of Planets. Saru joined Starfleet, even though the Prime Directive prevented him from making contact with his homeworld, and soon became a decorated officer -- even earning the Starfleet Medal of Honor upon the conclusion of the Federation-Klingon War in 3257 CE.

In that same year, Saru underwent *vahar'ai* and survived -- leaving him with many questions about the implications of this for his species and his planet. Not long afterwards, a red burst led the USS *Discovery* to Kaminar. The Ba'ul kidnapped Saru and his sister Siranna, hoping to prevent them from revealing the truth of the Great Balance. As a result, Saru used Ba'ul technology to broadcast the frequencies that had caused his *vahar'ai*. Over 60% of the Kelpien population underwent the experience -- shattering the concept of the Great Balance.

In desperation, the Ba'ul attempted to commit a genocide using the Watchful Eyes. This was prevented by the appearance of the Red Angel. After this incident, the Kelpiens -- led by Siranna and following guidance from Saru -- worked to bury their past animosity with the Ba'ul in an effort to bring peace to the planet. Many Kelpiens -- led by Siranna -- learned to fly Ba'ul fighters, and even began training as warriors.

## Society

After the Ba'ul reprisal, Kelpien society was centered entirely around the Great Balance which required them to be, essentially, livestock for the Ba'ul. They were bred and harvested by the Ba'ul. Kelpien communities -- called "packs" -- were led by devout priests who were committed to the Great Balance and were unaware of the lie they were perpetuating. The priests fully believed that these sacrifices allowed others to live in peace and comfort.

Kelpien technology was extremely limited. They were agrarian, farming and harvest local flora for food and resources. They lived in huts built of available natural resources, including one that emitted a soft orange glow. They used fire for cooking, heat, and light. Kelpiens did have their own written and spoken language, and did have forms of entertainment including a dice game.

When a Kelpien entered *vahar'ai* or was otherwise chosen for harvesting, they would kneel in a circle of stones found in each village. There, a Ba'ul vessel would descend and the chosen would disappear in a flash of light.

After the USS *Discovery* and the Red Angel came to Kaminar, Kelpien society underwent drastic changes. The Kelpiens still turned to their priests for leadership during that time. Ultimately, with guidance from Siranna and Saru, they sought peace with the Ba'ul. Some went so far as to try to master the advanced technology and others trained as warriors to defend Kaminar.

### Mirror Universe

In the Mirror Universe, the Terran Empire had conquered the Kelpiens entirely. Kelpiens either served as hapless slaves, or their entrails were served as delicacies to high ranking officials. Kelpien threat ganglia were particularly prized.

## Notable Kelpiens

* Aradar
* Saru
* Siranna

## Source

Kelpiens are derived from *Star Trek: Discovery*.