Andorian

The **Andorians** are a humanoid species from the moon Andoria, homeworld of the Andorian Empire, and were one of the founding members of the United Federation of Planets.

While most Andorian are of the "main" blue-skinned race, there is also a smaller sub-species known as the Aenar, who are white-skinned, blind, and possess very powerful telepathic abilities.

The Andorians cover most of their world, and regarded the Aenar as nothing more than myth until the early 22nd Century, when they re-established contact with the subterrestrial species, who lived in the arctic wastelands of the extreme north and numbered only in the thousands.

To other members of the Federation, this species can appear violent, demanding, and some say bewildering. Andorian culture appears to be shaped almost entirely by their biology, and attempts to reach beyond biology and artificially improve the species are usually met with only partial successes.

## Biology & Physiology

Andorians have evolved to live in cooler conditions, but are capable of living in a wide range of climates. One adaptation of the species is a redundant circulatory system, which allows them to survive comfortably in their home's cold environmental conditions. The average body temperature of an Andorian is 102 °F, with a pulse rate of 110, and respiration rate of 28. The average life expectancy for a male Andorian is 129 years, while the average for a female is 134. Andorian females are generally taller than Andorian males.

### Bones & Blood

Andorians tend to have a higher cartilage-to-bone ratio in their skeletal structure in comparison to other humanoid species. This serves to compartmentalize organs from any and all potential physical trauma. The Andorian body has a limited exoskeleton, as well as other insectoid-like characteristics. Andorians also have a redundant circulatory system, which allows their blood to seep through tissues, as well as through the usual route through veins. Due to the unusual physiology of the Andorians, intravenous injection is impossible: instead, a doctor must opt for inter-muscular injection. This combined physical hardiness makes this species more resistant to pain, injury, and fatigue. It also means their bodies rarely become sore from over-exertion, or frostbite from cold-weather exposure.

In contrast, their unique circulatory system also means that certain drugs travel through the body much easier than other humanoids. Additionally, both caffeine and alcohol affect Andorians at a faster rate. Andorians have a higher metabolism than Humans. They are very susceptible to high temperatures, and an Andorian can lose 10% of its body weight in as little as two days in climates approaching the boiling point of water. This aspect of their metabolism leaves them especially vulnerable to phase pistol fire; even minor phase injuries can prove fatal. The bones, though more enduring, also take twice the time, if not longer, to heal when they are damaged.

The heavy cobalt base to an Andorian's blood and tissue make them most compatible, on a cellular level, with Bolians. Andorian bloods is blue: their blood displays nonviscous, translucent qualities, and abrasions are dark blue. Andorian tongues and gums alternate from dark blue to pink.

* Bolian blood and tissue can be given to an Andorian with little effort, and vice versa
* Both species' blood are incompatible with Vulcan blood
* Andorian blood requires great effort to make compatible with Humans'

### Skin Color

Andorian skin-tints are in the full spectrum of the color blue, and range from "cerulean" to a "blushing purple," while their hair colors are various degrees of white: ranging from silvery to platinum. The spectacular coloration of Andorians is the result of a proteinous dye, analogous to melanin in humans, which is produced by nearly all Andorian animal life. The dye-cells have a comparatively short life span, and must be produced constantly from protein sources in the diet. One of the most common symptoms of a serious illness is insufficient dye production, and a corresponding loss of skin color.

* The sub-species of Andorian, the Aenar, have white skin
* Andorians and Aenar are genetically compatible and can produce offspring

### Nutrition

Andorians have unique sensory patterns to their senses of smell and taste. For example, salt is spicy to an Andorian, and "macho" Andorians like to eat hearty Andorian, Human, or Klingon roasted meat dishes sprinkled liberally with salt. Some Andorian Star Fleet officers drink highly salted Margaritas or Bloody Marys once introduced to them by humans at Star Fleet Academy.

### Antennae

Andorians have two antennae rising from the brow, near the hairline. These antennae are five to eight inches long, filled with fluid, and act as sensory stalks. These antennae extend their perceptions for sounds and vibrations, much further and deeper than a human being's. Some Andorians can recognize familiar footfalls and heartbeats close-up, but this is a skill which takes as much practice as a human recognizing a good friend by their gait. Andorian vision can be described as "quadroscopic," as they have four individual light-receptive organs: two eyes and two antennae, which give them superior depth perception compared to many species.

Andorians have at least four anatomical variations regarding the placement of their antennae. Some have antennae sprouting from the frontal bone of their skull. This formation is called "Jini". Antennae that sprout from the parietal bone is known as "Swooth." Other Andorians have antennae that are thinner, while still others have have some that are much longer.

Andorians can obtain a great deal of sensory information through continually waving their antennae. They can detect electrical fields, changes in air density, changes in temperature, and sub-sonic sounds. They can also sense fluctuations in gravity, most likely from evolutionary-based, as their home is geologically unstable. Extreme gravity disturbances can cause pain or unconsciousness.

The antennae also express emotion, and are the prime indicators of Andorian body language. Polite interest can be expressed with the antennae curving toward the object of attention; fear or excitement by standing rigid and quivering; weariness or depression by drooping; confusion or upset by wringing and lashing; intoxication by wobbling unsteadily in different directions; and rage by pressing back against the skull. These reactions are a mixture of voluntary and involuntary response.

If there is a loss of an antenna, this is considered a mildly traumatic injury, and renders the person in question partially disabled due to pain. Though antennae grow back, it can take up to nine months to do so. Medical intervention, namely, artificial regeneration in the way of electrical stimulation, can cut that time in half. Culturally, the loss of one's antennae is considered a humiliating experience.

The uninvited touching of the antennae is considered an unpardonable rudeness, and the threat of injury to antennae is legitimate grounds for assault and murder in Andorian society.

Because they are thought to be semi-telepathic organs, and are related somewhat to the reproductive process, the antennae are also considered proper sites for valuable jewelry, particularly gifts from friends, lovers and mates. The Andorian version of the wedding ring is worn on the left antenna rather than on a finger. To give an Andorian antenna-rings or antenna-bells is to make a gesture of great friendship, if not of courtship.

### Reproduction

The Andorian species is historically composed of four sexes:

* "zhen" - infertile female
* "shen"- fertile female
* "chan" - fertile male
* "thaan"- infertile male

This is also the source for naming. A prefix corresponding with the sex of the Andorian is added to their clan surname (zh' sh' ch' th').

For a long time, these four sexes caused issues for the reproduction and replenishing of their species. The replenishing rates for their species has been continuously documented as precarious. In the 22nd and 23rd Centuries, some Andorians described themselves as male or female, at least in discussion with non-Andorians, and they began to form one-male/one-female relationships. This would eventually lead to a declining birth-rate and fears of a population crash.

By the late 24th Century, the four sexes were used in general conversation, and four-person bonds were rigidly enforced by the dominant Andorian culture, with severe social penalties for non-compliance.

Andorian reproductive organs are naturally completely retracted, and the sex of some Andorians can be difficult to discern to outsiders. In some Andorian societies, Andorians are treated as eunics until they marry.

In others, individuals are treated as gendered individuals from childhood.

## Society and Culture

Like Klingons, Andorians have a genetic predisposition toward aggressive and violent behavior. Within their own society, life is extremely structured, which helps to tame their tempers. In the general population of the galaxy, many Andorians bottle up their rage, managing to contain it in public but sometimes having violent outbursts in private. Compared to many other species, Andorians excel under pressure: their bio-chemical reactions induce them to either fight or increase there sensory input levels, which leads to greater abilities at analysis and reasoning.

Andorians are known to outsiders as a militaristic warrior race. This is underscored by the fact that their weapons have no stun setting. Service in the Andorian Imperial Guard is considered honorable, and military ranks have a great influence on social reputations. Andorians never fight without reason and deplore dishonesty. Andorians consider their race to be deeply emotional and passionate, even violent; they aren't known for their charity and have few sympathies, but they place a high value on family. Andorian females seem to have an equal position in Andorian society, being at least as capable a soldier as their male counterparts. Andorian society has little need for lawyers, with those who occupied such a profession being executed at least a thousand years before the Andorian Empire joined the Federation.

### Religion

Ancient Andorians once believed in a mystical group of beings simply known as 'the Spirits.' Knowledge of this has become diluted over time, and very little is known about what purpose they were thought to have. Modern Andorians continue to use the term 'Spirits' much as a Human would use 'God' as an exclamation. With only one exception, all of the many Andorian religions view marriage as a secular social contract, honored but not promoted by the religious hierarchy.

Andorian religions include:

* **Eila Clahd**, a "back-to-nature" faith which decries technological advancement.
* **Emasha Yul**, a polytheistic faith which is is analogous to what Hinduism is to Buddhism.
* **Hastra Bei Hastra**, a very common faith that combines beliefs in reincarnation, purification of the soul, and strict scholasticism, with one wild high holiday a year to allow for a break from its relative asceticism
* **Umarinism**, a popular modern religion that advocates the duty of Andorians to keep their passionate warrior natures alive, and strong to set a holy example for the less passionate races of the Federation.