Orion (species)

• Appearance: Humanoid, green skin (hue ranging from pale green to deep jade), dark-black hair
  • Blue-skinned minority, often exploited by the Syndicate to pass for Andorian (ENT Novel: Patterns of Interference)
• Homeworld: Orion
• Biological notes
  • Most women of the species emit pheromones of varying strength (ENT: "Bound"; et al.)
    • In other Orions, as well as in many other humanoid species including Humans, Vulcans, and Klingons, pheromones elicit obedience and submission in those attracted to women, irritation and discomfort in those not (ENT: "Bound"; TOS Novel: Errand of Vengeance: Killing Blow)
      • Trill and Nausicaans seem to not be as strongly effected (TOS Novel: Errand of Vengeance: Killing Blow)
    • Pheromonal strength wanes with age (ENT Novel: Tower of Babel)
    • Venus drug largely derived from hormonal treatments used to improve pheromonal strength in older Orion women. (ENT Novel: Tower of Babel)
    • Males also produce pheremones, but at much weaker intensity (SCE Short Story: "Enigma Ship")
  • Incredibly strong physically (ENT: "Borderland"; TNG Novel: A Time to Die)
  • Green-skinned Orions turn yellow rather than pale (DS9 Novel: Demons of Air and Darkness)
• Cultural notes
  • Orion language
  • Orion food
  • Native name similar to "Orion" in one of the planet's major languages (ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic)
    • Name chosen for intimidation through connection with Earth's "Orion" upon learning of the constellation and mythological characteristics (ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic)
  • Much of Orion cultural structure based in hierarchies of slavery as a result of biology
    • Most dominant forces in Orion culture are the noble matriarchal bloodlines with the strongest natural pheromones, ruling over male slavemasters who themselves rule over lower men and women
    • Higher-ranking women often pose as slaves to lure and influence other cultures (ENT: "Bound"; ENT Novel: A Choice of Futures)
    • Senior female true slaves amongst a group serve as advisers to their associated slavemaster under authority from the master's owner, but have no authority over them (ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic)
  • Male Orions have names of the form <personal>-<surname> (ENT Novel: Tower of Babel, Uncertain Logic)
  • Gynecologists and others required by station to be present around Orion women non-sexually chemically castrated to prevent pheremonal interference (ENT Novel: Tower of Babel)
  • Ritual suicide known as vyun-pa-shan, ordered for those who have failed their masters; quick and painless (ENT Novel: Tower of Babel)

History

• c.early 22nd century: First contact with Humans (ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic)
  • Name "Orion" first bestowed by human freighter crews due to position of homeworld, similarity to native names. Syndicate leaders quickly took on the name for its connotations to Humans (ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic)
• 2165: First contact with Deltans (ENT Novel: Uncertain Logic)