Vulcan (species)

• Appearance: Mammalian; skin tones range from sallow green to dark brown, ears slightly pointed
• Homeworld: Vulcan
  • Major offworld populations: Throughout the Confederacy of Vulcan
• Copper-based blood
• Distantly related to the Zami
  • Descendant of the peoples of the Arret Empire
• Romulans a distant branch of Vulcans, having departed the homeworld centuries ago following the Time of Awakening
• Gestation period approximately 13 Terran months (ENT Novel: Tower of Babel)
• 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
  • First came about as a result of cultural reforms instituted by Surak during the Time of Awakening
  • Strong emotions can cause literal neurological damage; without moderation, they can lead to permanent mental illness
  • Those who reject Surak's teachings and pursue other methods of moderating their own emotions known as "v'tosh ka'tur", generally rejected by Vulcan society as at best strange, at worst dangerous (ENT: "Fusion")
• Generally extremely intelligent, especially towards the scientific or mathematic arts
• Physically quite strong
• Nictating membrane protects against bright light (ENT: "The Forge"; TOS: "Operation: Annihilate!")
• 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
    • 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 "katric arc", a construct designed by Vulcan mystics to hold the consciousness in some form and allow it to be preserved across ages (Star Trek: The Search For Spock)
    • 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")
• Cultural notes
  • Forms of martial arts
    • Suus Mahna (ENT: "Marauders"; ENT Novel: Tower of Babel; DIS: "Context is For Kings")
  • "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)
• Foods and drinks
  • Plomeek soup (DIS Novel: Desperate Hours; TOS: "Amok Time")