Efrosian

Species Information
Efrosian(s)
Quadrant:	Beta Quadrant
Star System:	Flarset
Planet:	Efros Delta
Species Type:	Humanoid
Discovered By:	USS Surak
Leader(s):	Njállþeð (Planetary Assembly)
Contact:	2278
Affiliation:	UFP

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.

Members of the United Federation of Planets they are notable for their excellent navigational skills, and for their musical language.

Physiological description

Efrosians are somewhat similar in appearance to Klingons, save for the very slight cranial ridges in comparison to a Klingon's full crest, their smaller size, and a golden to copper toned skin complexion.

Males tend to have white or blonde hair while females usually have black or dark brown hair. It is typical in Efrosian culture for the males to grow lengthy mustaches, and most Efrosians wear their hair long. Efrosians have two stomachs and require the oils found in Levithi nuts in order to remain healthy. These nuts are found only on Efros Delta (and a bugger to replicate), but are exported to other Federation worlds where Efrosians live.

Most Efrosians have weak eyes but compensate with a heightened sense of smell and excellent hearing. Interestingly, despite their poor eyesight Efrosians appear to have a greater range of vision than Humans, being sensitive to a wider portion of the spectrum - specifically the infrared and ultraviolet spectra of light.

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.

Physically Efrosians tend to be shorter and stockier than humans, averaging about 1.6 meters and 75 kilograms.

A small percentage of the population (usually from the warrior-priest caste) has been known to exhibit empathic/telepathic abilities. More commonly however Efrosians will use their ability to detect fine nuances in other people's voices, body language and scent to determine moods and intentions.

Efrosians are often attuned to others' emotional needs. They are known as an emotionally complex people.

Culture and Society

Efrosian culture is the result of living on the harsh, frozen world of Efros Delta 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. This is a result of social specialization that dominated most of Efrosian early history as it allows greater overall expertise in a chosen field of study, which is believed to increase one's value to the clan as a whole. Navigation, Helm and Medicine are their most popular choices in Star Fleet.

The Efrosians do not have a written language. Although introduced to the concept by other civilizations, the Efrosian culture is still based on memorizing oral history, with libraries resembling other worlds' music archives. Furthermore, the Efrosian language is music based, which is more common among aquatic species such as Pacificans, than mammalian humanoids.

Efrosians lack the concept of monogamy found in many other humanoid cultures, however this lack of monogamy does not necessarily translate into sexual promiscuity. Still, Efrosians consider sexual intercourse a useful way to learn to work well with others, helping one appreciate one's colleagues. It is actually considered somewhat rude not to flirt with someone of your preferred sex.

Children are raised by their mothers; in fact, the Efrosian word for mother is the word which translates into Federation Standard as "parent". The closest term for a father is "seed-donor." Most Efrosians never meet their father. The mother is aided in caring for the child by the clan-group and current lovers.

This highly developed clan-bonding instinct prompts Efrosians into adopting entire groups into their families, and they tend to adopt crews of ships they serve on as surrogate clan groups.

Clan-affiliations and lineage are traditionally denoted by intricate tattoos which can be small and discreet or large and elaborate, depending on the individual's personal preferences. While the meaning of such tattoos generally remains lost to offworlders they are considered highly artistic.

Government

During the ice age each clan/tribal unit had at least one warrior-priest, an individual with exceptional prowess in combat as well as possessing great healing skills. When the ice age ended, the warrior-priests soon united Efros under a religious oligarchy led by the still-revered S'skotomz.

Over time this system evolved into what can be described as a Representative Meritocracy/Theocracy. While ancient clan-structures and deep spirituality still hold much sway in Efrosian society, their innate practicality has led them to adopt an elective system no longer based on caste but rather on who is best qualified for the job. If it is noted by offworlders that the majority of the planet's leaders still belong to the warrior-priest caste, Efrosians tend to view this as a case of "why fix it if it isn't broken?".

Yalhis lights

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

Efrosians are deeply spiritual, as a rule. Their religion features a binary morality as is found in many other religions. The Efrosian equivalent of heaven is known as "Endless Sky", and it is balanced by seven variations of hell. Efrosian funeral services feature a "death march" in honor of the deceased. Fallen warriors are said to be taken to the faterlife by a ship named "Yalhis"; and polar lights to mark the ship's passage.

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 25th century.

Some Federation sociologists have drawn parallels to ancient Earth Scandinavian rituals, Andorian ancestor-worship and some North American First Nation spiritual beliefs, however any comment on the matter from Efrosians is yet to be forthcoming.

History

The Efrosian species evolved in the forests of the temperate band straddling Efros Delta's equator. Federation anthropologists suggest that the race was seeded on the planet before its ice age by the Preservers.

Because of the difficult conditions during the planet's prolonged ice age technological development proceeded at a much smaller rate than other humanoid civilizations'. As a result, Efrosians developed a highly structured and fiercely observed oral tradition to pass information from one generation to the next. Such practices are observed to this day, although there is no longer a pressing need for it.

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 technological progress.

Prior to first contact with the Federation, the Efrosians were once under Klingon rule. However they rebelled, sending the Klingons reeling in defeat.

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, philosophical, and cultural exchanges with other worlds. Many serve in Starfleet and the Merchant Fleet as helmsmen, navigators, and medical personnel.

Notable Efrosians

President Ra-Ghoratreii

• Ra-Ghoratreii - President of the United Federation of Planets from 2289 to 2300. Credited with negotiating the Khitomer Accords with the Klingon Empire.

• Xin Ra-Havreii - 24th century starship designer and chief engineer of the USS Titan. Head designer of the Luna-class starship.

• Ra-Mhvlovi - 23rd century Major in the Starfleet Marines

• Hu'Ghovlatrei - 24th century Starfleet lieutenant and engineer, responsible for the innovative designs of the Defiant class Starship.

• Ra-Yalix - Foreign policy advisor to three Federation Presidents in the late 24th century, beginning with Jaresh-Inyo's administration.