Vulcan (species)

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  • Appearance: Mammalian; skin tones range from sallow green to dark brown, ears slightly pointed
  • Homeworld: Vulcan
  • Distantly related to the Zami (TOS: "Journey to Babel")
  • Romulans a distant branch of Vulcans, having departed the homeworld centuries ago following the Time of Awakening
  • Biological notes
    • Gestation period approximately 13 Terran months (ENT Novel: Tower of Babel)
    • Copper-based blood (Various)
    • Generally extremely intelligent, especially towards the scientific or mathematic arts
    • Naturally talented in biofeedback
      • Capable of entering a deep "healing trance", in which metabolic processes are slowed to a minimum as the body devotes resources to healing injuries (ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic; TOS: "A Private Little War")
    • Extreme strength as compared to most humanoids
    • Average body temperature higher than that of Humans (TNG Novel: A Time to Harvest)
    • Nictating membrane protects against bright light (ENT: "The Forge"; TOS: "Operation: Annihilate!")
    • Resistant to ultraviolet radiation (TOS Novel: The Captain's Oath)
    • Heart located approximately in the position of a Human liver, low on the side of the torso (ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic; TOS: "Mudd's Women", "A Private Little War")
      • Healthy BPM of several hundred (TOS: "The Naked Time", "Journey to Babel")
      • Natural healthy blood pressure very low compared to Humans (ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic)
    • Female Vulcans have acute sense of smell (ENT; TNG Novel: Greater Than the Sum)
    • Touch telepaths, able to sense the mental state of others with physical contact
      • Varying levels of strength from individual to individual, with training allowing a person to enhance this ability
        • All Vulcans hold the potential for telepathy, expressed most fundamentally via the mating bond
          • Betrothed Vulcans are joined in a telepathic bond which persists throughout life or until the relationship is dissolved
        • Certain individuals are naturally far more capable
          • During Vulcan's militaristic period of the 20th through 22nd centuries, such individuals were known as "melders" and were generally reviled and oppressed (ENT)
            • Mating bond believed to be purely hormonal during this period (ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic)
            • Incidence of mental illness measurably increased across this span, suggesting a natural necessity of exercise of the Vulcan telepathic talent to their mental health (ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic)
      • Due to this natural touch telepathy, Vulcans generally eschew physical contact with strangers, especially non-Vulcans due to the exposure to intense emotions it can induce
      • Especially strong or well-trained telepaths can expand their awareness beyond touch to immediate area, allowing them to sense or compel others to a minor degree (TOS: "Dagger of the Mind", "The Omega Glory")
      • Intense emotions can be felt even by the untrained, or across great distances (ENT: "Fallen Hero"; TOS: "The Immunity Syndrome")
      • Some are able to directly contact a person's mind through a technique known as a "mind meld", causing a merger of self between two or more individuals
        • Though all such contacts are commonly collected under the term "mind meld", the term truly only refers to the full blending of identity and integration of both minds (ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic)
          • Lighter contact more properly referred to as a "mind touch", limited merely to viewing prominent memories or thoughts active in a given mind (ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic)
        • Most effective and easiest when contacting natural bioelectrical focal points (known as qui'lari), often located at the temples, but a meld can be initiated with effort with any amount of physical contact (ENT Novel: Beneath the Raptor's Wing)
          • Qui'lari also known as katra points (VAN Novel: Open Secrets)
          • Success has been recorded with non-humanoids, inorganic life, and artificial intelligence (ENT Novel: Beneath the Raptor's Wing; TOS: "The Changeling", "Devil in the Dark"; Star Trek: The Motion Picture; TOS Novel: Ex Machina)
            • Melding with AI only possible with a sufficiently complex and/or autonomous system bearing the proper physical and informational architecture (TOS Novel: Ex Machina)
        • Due to both the innate danger and the intense intimacy of a mind meld, since the Time of Awakening mind melds have generally been pursued only by trained adepts or via their methods (ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic)
        • Such individuals are even capable of transferring or duplicating consciousness (or the "katra") from oneself to another; often used for preservation prior to an impending death, the katra held within a vre'katra, or "katric arc", a construct designed by Vulcan mystics to hold the consciousness in some form and allow it to be preserved across ages (VAN Novel: Open Secrets; Star Trek: The Search For Spock)
        • Related rituals
          • Dashaya-Ni'Var (VAN Novel: Open Secrets)
            • Incredibly rare ritual used to restore sanity to a val'reth, or forced katra host, and separate the katra from their mind (VAN Novel: Open Secrets)
              • Predates the Time of Awakening; almost unknown in present day, considered a rumor at best (VAN Novel: Open Secrets)
                • Prior to treatment of T'Prynn March 2266, no accounts of the ritual's practice in modern times (VAN Novel: Open Secrets)
            • Requires two healers working in concert to treat the patient (VAN Novel: Open Secrets)
        • Mind melds leave a detectable neurochemical residue in the minds of both those engaged; likely particular neurotransmitters released to facilitate the connection (ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic)
      • Prior to the Time of Awakening, Vulcan telepathic abilities were often wielded in combat, both physically and mentally, with little to no respect for the sanctity of the mind (ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic)
        • Some devices were created to enhance natural telepathy to the point of allowing a Vulcan to kill with a thought (TNG: "Gambit, Part II")
    • Heightened mental capabilities result in various neurological oddities as compared with other species
      • Extreme emotional states can result in potential neurological damage (TOS: "Plato's Stepchildren")
        • Was this the case pre-Awakening?
        • Emotion is thus mediated by a devoted area of the Vulcan brain, the mesiofrontal cortex (VOY: "Meld")
      • Similarly, memories of emotionally intense events can cause lasting damage (ENT: "The Seventh"; VOY: "Flashback")
  • Cultural notes
    • Vulcan calendar
      • Holidays
        • Kal Rekk (ENT Novel: To Brave the Storm; VOY: "Meld")
          • Annual rite of atonement (ENT Novel: To Brave the Storm)
          • Silent day of meditation in which Vulcans are expected to reflect on the mistakes of the previous year (ENT Novel: To Brave the Storm)
          • All normal business is stopped for the day (ENT Novel: To Brave the Storm)
    • Vulcan faith
    • Vulcan language
    • Vulcan food
    • Vulcan games
    • Most Vulcans strongly devoted to the concept of cthia, commonly translated as "logic"; a system of rational analysis and detachment involving the suppression and redirection of their intense emotional urges towards healthier ends via better understanding of themselves and the universe
      • Core principle of Vulcan cthia is the right of self-determination of all sapient beings (VAN Novel: Open Secrets)
      • First came about as a result of cultural reforms instituted by Surak during the Time of Awakening
        • Baseline Vulcan emotions are extremely intense, leading to incredibly unstable interpersonal relationships and often falling to extreme violence or paranoia (ENT: "Impulse"; VOY: "Meld")
        • Maintaining emotional stability requires regular meditation (ENT: "Fusion", "Sleeping Dogs", "Damage"; VOY: "Blood Fever", "Infinite Regress")
          • External devices often used to aid in finding inner balance
            • Keethara (TLE Novel: The Sundered; VOY: "Flashback")
              • Also known as "structure of harmony" (TLE Novel: The Sundered; VOY: "Flashback")
              • Thin tiles to be stacked in a pattern whose harmony expresses the mental state of the builder (VOY: "Flashback")
      • Highest levels of devotion are found in pursuit of kolinahr
      • Branches of Surakian beliefs
        • Syrrannite (ENT: "The Forge", "Awakening", "Kir'shara")
          • Reformist group in the 22nd century founded by Syrran (ENT: "The Forge", "Awakening", "Kir'shara")
          • Opposed the conservative Vulcan society common at the time, viewing them as having departed from Surak's teachings of peace and pacifism (ENT: "The Forge", "Awakening", "Kir'shara")
          • Gained power and significance following recovery of the kir'shara proving large portions of their interpretations correct (ENT: "Kir'shara", "Daedalus"; ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic)
      • Subcultural philosophies
        • Idic (TNG Novel: Worf's First Adventure; TOS: "Is There in Truth No Beauty?")
          • Pronounced as "ee-deek" in the Vulcan language (TNG Novel: Worf's First Adventure)
          • Usually written in English as "IDIC", representing a mnemonic of "infinite diversity in infinite combinations" (TNG Novel: Worf's First Adventure; TOS: "Is There in Truth No Beauty?")
          • A philosophy of spiritual oneness with the underlying nature of the universe, and the vast array of variables that contribute to truths within it (TNG Novel: Worf's First Adventure; TOS: "Is There in Truth No Beauty?"; DIS: "Will You Take My Hand?")
            • Represented by an isosceles or equilateral triangle partially or fully overlaid on a circle, its center-line along a diameter and its furthest point just past the center, with a second small circle overlaid on the triangle centered on that furthest point (Various)
      • Well-known principles
        • T'Plana-Hath's Razor
          • "The simplest explanation is also likely to be the most logical one."
      • Quotes
        • "Logic is the cement of our civilization, with which we ascend from chaos, using reason as our guide." - T'Plana-Hath
      • Those who reject Surak's teachings and pursue other methods of moderating their own emotions known as "v'tosh ka'tur", or "without logic" (ENT: "Fusion"; TOS Novel: Ex Machina)
        • Generally rejected by Vulcan society as at best strange, at worst dangerous (ENT: "Fusion"; TOS Novel: Ex Machina)
    • Original permanent settlements consisted of cliff-dug warrens, allowing for easy defense, relatively survivable temperatures (TNG Novel: A Time to Die)
      • Many such cities still occupied into the present day (TNG Novel: A Time to Die)
    • In especially secluded or traditional villages, those who leave the isolated community and later return are declared "ri-gla-yehat" (VAN Novel: Open Secrets)
      • Such individuals are neither approached nor addressed except as is necessary for their continued well-being until the completion of a probationary period of approximately 12 Earth years (VAN Novel: Open Secrets)
        • Intended to allow an individual to prove re-commitment to the community ideals (VAN Novel: Open Secrets)
    • Traditional farewell
      • The "Vulcan" salute is given - right hand raised, index and middle finger spread apart from ring and pinky finger - with the words "live long and prosper" (Various)
        • Associated specifically with Surak (TOS Novel: Ex Machina)
      • Traditional response is to return the gesture with the words "peace and long life" (Various)
    • Traditional for adolescent Vulcans to undergo a survival ritual known as the kahs-wan as a coming-of-age (TOS Novel: Vulcan's Soul: Exiles; ENT: "The Catwalk"; ENT Novel: Beneath the Raptor's Wing; TAS: "Yesteryear"; TLE Novel: The Sundered)
      • Ten days of survival in the Vulcan desert without bringing food, water, or weapons (TAS: "Yesteryear")
      • Ritual dates back to before the days of Surak (TOS Novel: Vulcan's Soul: Exiles)
      • Traditionally underwent in groups with the aid of an expert, to uphold spirit of the ritual at a minimum of risk to the children (TOS Novel: Vulcan's Soul: Exiles)
        • Some still choose to undergo the ritual alone
    • "Debate houses" common social gathering spots, serving as crosses between coffee shops and public fora (ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic)
    • Civilian city police forces known as "reasoning forces" (ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic)
    • Vulcans consider danger associated with green, safety with orange (ENT Novel: The Good That Men Do)
      • Derived from the fact that their blood is naturally green, and plant life is extremely rare on Vulcan, giving little-to-no innate association between nature and green
      • As a result, status displays use a green/orange color scheme rather than the more common Human red/green scheme (ENT Novel: The Good That Men Do)
    • Rituals
      • Kahs-wan
        • Traditional Sas-a-shar coming of age ritual performed at age seven (ENT: "The Catwalk"; TAS: "Yesteryear")
          • 10 days spent without food, water, or weapons in Vulcan's Forge
          • Formerly obligatory by all children
          • By modern era, optional, maintained largely out of tradition
            • Much more regimented, scheduled and with chaperones to ensure safety (TAS: "Yesteryear")
        • More severe four-month version known as the ritual of tal'oth (TLE Novel: The Sundered; VOY: "Displaced"; TTN Novel: Taking Wing)
          • Single weapon allowed, sessilent ritual blade (TLE Novel: The Sundered; VOY: "Displaced")
      • Tarul-etek (ENT: "Horizon"; ENT Novel: To Brave the Storm)
        • Purposeful exposure to horrifying imagery in order to test emotional control (ENT: "Horizon"; ENT Novel: To Brave the Storm)
    • Combat traditions
      • Forms of martial arts
        • Suus Mahna (ENT: "Marauders"; ENT Novel: To Brave the Storm, Tower of Babel; DIS: "Context is For Kings"; TNG Novel: A Time to Harvest)
          • Thousands of years old by 2378 (TNG Novel: A Time to Harvest)
          • Originally applied to general close-quarters combat, but eventually evolved into a purely defensive style (TNG Novel: A Time to Harvest)
          • Maneuvers
            • Ke-tar-yatar (TTN Novel: Taking Wing)
              • Flying kick (TTN Novel: Taking Wing)
            • Navorkot (ENT: "Marauders"; ENT Novel: To Brave the Storm)
            • Talshaya (TOS: "Journey to Babel"; TTN Novel: Taking Wing)
              • Predates Age of Awakening (TOS: "Journey to Babel")
              • Previously used as an execution method (TOS: "Journey to Babel")
              • Kills a subject via precise pressure applied to the neck (TOS: "Journey to Babel"; TTN Novel: Taking Wing)
        • V'Shan (ENT Novel: Kobayashi Maru; VAN Novel: Harbinger; TNG Novel: A Time to Kill)
          • Graceful style of combat reminiscent of dance (TNG Novel: A Time to Kill)
          • Includes comprehensive study of pressure points of various species (VAN Novel: Harbinger)
        • Vulcan neuropressure can be applied to this end
      • Weapons
        • Lirpa
          • Staff weapon with a slicing blade at one end (TOS: "Amok Time"; TNG Novel: Worf's First Adventure)
        • Sessilent
          • Ritual blade used in tal'oth survival tradition (TLE Novel: The Sundered)
        • Tricheq
          • Throwing knife (ENT Novel: Kobayashi Maru, Beneath the Raptor's Wing)
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