Andorian

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The Andorians were a sentient species from the moon Andoria. They were distinguishable by their blue skin, white hair and antennae. The Andorian state was the Andorian Empire, one of the founding Federation Member States. (ST reference: Star Charts)

Contents 1 Biology 1.1 Reproduction 1.2 Antennae 1.3 Sub-Species 1.4 Medical Conditions 2 Culture 2.1 Government 2.2 Beliefs 2.3 Family 2.4 Sayings 2.5 Rituals 2.6 Recreation 2.7 Nutrition 3 History 4 Starships 5 Connections

[edit] Biology

The blue hue of the species was the result of a high concentration of cobalt in the hemogoblin of their red coruscles. They were generally stronger as well as hardier than other races except when compared to the Vulcans. This was due to the greater gravity, thinner air and harsher climate of the Andorian home world. (TOS roleplay module: The Federation) While most Andorian were the typical blue race there was also a smaller sub-species known as the Aenar, who were white-skinned, blind, and possessed very powerful telepathic abilities. The Andorians covered most of their world, and regarded the Aenar as nothing more than myths until the early 22nd century, when they re-established contact with the subterrestrial Aenar, who lived in the arctic wastelands of the extreme north and numbered only in the thousands. (ENT episode: "The Aenar")

The Andorian species was unique in that it was composed of four sexes, known in Andorii, the primary Andorian language, as chans, thaans, zhens, and shens. Chans and thaans were roughly comparable in reproductive function and appearance to the male sex, while the latter two are roughly comparable to the female sex. (DS9 novel: Andor: Paradigm, et al.)

Andorians were blue-skinned humanoids, similar in build to the average Human. Their homeworld featured predominantly icy environments with a thin, ozone-rich atmosphere so they evolved to live in cooler conditions, but were capable of living in a wide range of climates. One adaptation the species featured was a redundant circulatory system which allowed them to survive comfortably in their environmental conditions. (ST reference: Aliens; ENT episode: "The Aenar")

Andorians efficiently metabolized nutrients and regulated body heat. However, compared to Humans Andorian metabolisms tended to be higher, so they would tire more quickly when engaged in strenuous activities for prolonged periods. (ST reference: Aliens; ENT episode: "United") The Andorian body had a limited exoskeleton, as well as other insectoid characteristics. Andorians ranged in height from about 1.7 to 2.2 meters tall, with the average male at about 2.3 meters, and a female at 1.8 meters. The average weight for a male was 70 kilograms, and a female 45 kg. (ST references: Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual, Aliens)

The average body temperature of an Andorian was 42 °C, pulse rate was 110, and respiration of 28. The average life expectancy for a male Andorian was 129 years, while the average for a female was 134. (ST reference: Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual)

[edit] Reproduction

See main article: Andorian Genders.

The Andorian species was uniquely composed of four sexes. For a long time this was the source of a population crisis for the Andorian people as they struggled to maintain replacement rates for the species. (DS9 novel: Andor: Paradigm, at al.)

[edit] Antennae

One of the most noted features Andorians had were their antennae. They could obtain a great deal of sensory information through their continually waving antennae - they could detect electrical fields, changes in air density and temperature and sub-sonic sounds. (DS9 novel: Avatar; ST reference: Aliens) Their antennae were remarkably sensitive organs that gave them a sonar-like detection abilities that were similar to that of Terran bats. Due to this ability, it was very difficult to sneak up or even elude an Andorian - even in total darkness. There was a lesser desirable characteristic of these antennae which was their sensitivity to pain. A hit to them gave an Andorian as much pain as a male Human got by being hit in the groin. In Starfleet, Andorian marine personnel were often equipped with specially designed helmets. (TOS roleplay module: The Federation)

However the antennae were not particularly reliable sensory organs as they could be thrown by picking up strong emotions through surges in adrenaline or teptaline or even detecting overheating equipment. When an Andorian concentrated they could use their antennae to single out bioelectric signals nearby. (DS9 novel: Avatar)

The Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual offered a different interpretation of the function of the antennae. The book suggested Andorians were color-blind, but their antennae contained a complex network of wavelength-sensitive cones, which their brain combined adding color to their vision. Andorian vision could be described as quadroscopic, having four individual light-receptive organs (two eyes and two antennae) which gave them superior depth perception to many species.

The antennae contained some brain tissue at their base, and most damage could be done safely above this area. If a portion of antennae were cut off, it would take several months to grow back, during which time the Andorian would suffer loss of balance, among other symptoms. (ST reference: Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual; ENT episode: "United")

See also: Antenna.

[edit] Sub-Species

• Aenar
• Bish'ee
• Talish
• Theskian
• Thalassan

[edit] Medical Conditions

• Haslev-Rahn disease (Shesh caste only)

[edit] Culture

Andorians had a genetic predisposition toward violent behaviour. Within their own society life was extremely structured which helped tame their tempers. In the wider galaxy many Andorians bottled up their rage, managing to contain it in public but sometime having violent outbursts in private. Compared to many other species Andorians excelled under pressure. Their bio-chemical reactions induced them either to fight or increase their sensory input levels, which led to them having great abilities at analysis and reasoning. (DS9 novel: Avatar)

To outsiders, Andorian attitudes and speech may have seemed humble and timid, but in reality their posture often owed to the fact that they were moving to give their antennae a better "view" of surrounding occurrences. Their speech was soft and sibilant due to their differing hearing apparatus, and some undertones of their communication were not immediately perceptible to other races and cultures. This predilection towards sensing vibration and pitch led to a cultural preoccupation with music, which was the original basis of Andorian language. The standard Andorian sidearm, the flabbjellah, doubled as a musical instrument. A well-known genre of their music to offworlders is their Andorian "Blues".(Production notes for ST: TMP; TOS comic: "Who's Who in Star Trek" #1, TNG episode: "Unification")

See also: Andorian languages

Duels regarding honor were dealt with through the Ushaan trial of combat, which has many rules. (ENT episode: "United")

Andorian society had 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. (TOS novel: Memory Prime)

Andorians seemed to have a belief that within society there was a need for productive members and that those that suffered from disabilities such as being blind were a burden. Such individuals were little cared-for and were only tolerated for what few capabilities they did have, such as breeding. (TNG novel: Eye of the Beholder)

[edit] Government

See Andorian Empire

[edit] Beliefs

Andorian beliefs included a deity called Uzaveh the Infinite. (DS9 novel: Andor: Paradigm; ENT novel: The Good That Men Do)

[edit] Family

Andorian marriages were set in groups of four due to their unique four-gendered biology. This arrangement affected Andorians through the early years of their lives. Andorians' mating bondgroups were arranged at a young age in preparation for the shelthreth and the conception of a child. Andorian society has, in recent centuries, become increasingly fixated on the neccessity of honouring the bond and conceiving children. Andorian youths are encouraged to identify with the bond over their own individuality. (DS9 novel: Andor: Paradigm, et al.)

Because the window of fertility was so narrow in Andorians, marriage typically took place very early in adulthood; twenty-three was considered quite old for an Andorian not to be married. (DS9 novel: Avatar)

[edit] Sayings

• "Let your woes become your deadliest weapons." (Star Trek: Starfleet Academy 12, Telepathy War 1 Renegades)
• "A man is no more than the sum of his memories, a culture no more than the sum of its history." (LUG roleplay module: The Andorians: Among the Clans)

[edit] Rituals

• Rite of Kanlee

[edit] Recreation

• Kochek • Andorian blues

[edit] Nutrition

• Andorian foods are listed below:

Akharrad: Steamed fish that is left to cook for 48 hours in an underground pit and rack.

Alardi partinna: A pasta dish served with a cream sauce and various meats.

Cabbage soup: A thick soup coloured indigo by the Andorian cabbage. This plant is supremely adapted to the cold and thus is valuable not only to the Andorians but to the wider Federation also; Andorian cabbage plantations are found on many colony worlds where the temperature is too low for most other food crops.

Dreaak: A red oblong vegetable used to make sauces or served sliced raw.

Duuploni: A type of grain.

Eth'la: An edible vine.

Frost eel: An electric eel found only in the Khyzhon Sea.

Gristhera: Thick sliced and fried tuber roots, heavily seasoned with rime leave and served with honar; suitable for consumption by, and appeals to, many different species. Commonly served in bowls or trays, individual gristhera are morsels that can be consumed in one or a few bites. As such, gristhera has become a commonly-served Hors d'œuvre at Federation diplomatic functions.

Hari: Flat bread usually served roasted; made from a plant root. (DS9 novel: Andor: Paradigm)

Honar: A type of condiment used on meats and vegetables.

Imparay: A type of spice ground from eketha tree roots; has a spicy flavour. It is traditionally served with redbat, among other meals.

Kaizis sprout: large harvested sprouts from the kaizis bean.

L'tRunye: Pink-tipped rice.

Necreena: Chopped raw fish served on ice with a salty dipping sauce made from cooked zhavey’s drippings.

Pizza, Andorian: a type of open faced sandwich served hot and sliced; hari flat bread coated in stewed dreaak and topped with shredded redbat meat; most often found in Andorian fast food. Outlets of Andorian fast food are found throughout the Federation; for example, on the Promenade of Space Station Deep Space 9, one such restaurant was located at room 01-754.

Redbat: Large flying mammal whose meat is popular on Andoria; often cooked over an open fire and eaten with hari or stewed with Andorian cabbage.

Rime leaf: A small reddish-orange leaf that is dried and used as seasoning.

Sandbush seed: Seeds toasted in their husks for a snack.

Skopar: A type of grain.

Shaysha: An edible beetle-like insect. It is presented to non-Andorian tourists as “the insect delicacy of the Archipelago". (DS9 novel: Andor: Paradigm)

Shevt'ak: A sweet dessert, served in small portions. Shevt’ak is also an endearment among Andorians, usually used by a parent to refer to a child.

Sohla t'pocowan: Ground grain cooked until soft and creamy.

Sour grain pilaf: A mix of various grains that have been allowed to ferment. It has a nutty citrus aroma.

Spice cake: Sweeter version of spice bread. (TNG novel: Oblivion)

Spice bread: A dark brown bread flavoured with imparay spice.

Tuber root: A type of plant's root similar to Terran Sweet Potatoes; high in calories.

Taqq: Hard baked biscuits; used as emergency rations.

Vithi: An edible flower. (DS9 novel: Andor: Paradigm)

Yutann: An elongated citrus fruit grown on vines; varies from yellow to purple; often sliced and cooked in a sweet syrup as an desert or brewed into a citris drink.

Xixu: A marine plant whose fronds may be mashed and used in baby food. (DS9 novel: Andor: Paradigm)

Most Andorian foods are considered edible to Humans, and vice versa. However, chocolate, or at least Argelian chocolate, is a poison to Andorians. (DS9 novel: Time's Enemy)

Like most Humanoid species, the Andorians enjoy the intoxicating effects of alcohol. By far the most popular variety of Andorian alcohol, both among Andorians themselves and their trading partners, is their ale. Andorian ale is produced in vast quantities on Andoria and offworld colonies like Syrinx III, and is one of the Andorian Empire's primary exports. Andorian ale is coloured blue, with most varieties appearing somewhat translucent. It is similar in appearance to Romulan ale, although it is not as potent. That said, it has considerably higher alcohol content than Human ales; seeing as Andorians are no more resistant to the effects of alcohol than Humans, Andorian ale is usually served in small glasses (above). A particular variety of the drink, chemically enhanced to produce a luminous effect, is known as "glow-ale". Other alcoholic drinks include Gredlahr, which is similar to Terran rum only sweeter, and the "Andorian Sunset" cocktail, which is created from Andorian ingredients but was probably invented by Humans. The cocktail is purple in colour, resembling a genuine Andorian sunset. Popular non-alcohol beverages among Andorians include "citrus drinks" made from the juice of Yutann, an equivalent to the citrus fruits of Earth. These drinks are known for their strong odor, often unpleasant to non-Andorians. According to the Ferengi Nog, they smell like a combination of lemon oil and Terran goats. Faridd is a carbonated soda-like beverage. Srjula is a nutritious formula served to infants and young children, although it cannot of course compare to Zhiassa, the [[Zhavey’s]] milk. Katheka is an Andorian stimulant beverage roughly analogous to Earth coffee. An Andorian equivalent to tea is Fridd, which is often served ice-cold; you drink it as it thaws.

food 

akharrad • alardi partinna • dreaak • duuploni • gristhera • hari • honar • imparay redbat • kaizis sprout • necreena • pizza • sandbush seed • shaysha • skopar • sohla t'pocowan • sour grain pilaf • spice cake • spice bread • tuber root • taqq • vithi • yutann • xixu

drink 

ale • Andorian sunset • citrus drink • faridd • fridd • glow-ale • gredlahr • katheka • punch • srjula • zhiassa

[edit] History

See the Age of Lament article for that era of Andorian history.

It was the migration of early Andorian tribal clans to the the more temperate latitudes that caused the race to become violent yet efficient warriors. In the northern regions of their home world which were warmer, the Andorians found an abundance of food and learnt rudimentary agriculture. However, the warmer climate that affected the clans made them more war-like which led to conflict as they began to fight with one another for land as well as food even though there was plenty to go around at the time. The northern tribes grew hungrier for war as a result and they moved south to fight the clans in those polar regions. Fortunately, the colder climate curbed the invaders violent tendencies and led to a logical resolution to the conflict. (TOS roleplay module: The Federation)

The Andorians were one of the few races that had developed warp drive technology by themselves. This allowed them to establish the Andorian Star Clan, an interstellar empire that consisted of 13 planets. During First contact with the Terrans, the Andorians opened fired on the Human exploratory vessel leading to hostilities that almost erupted into war. But before the Terran alliance could mobilize, the Andorians recieved peaceful diplomatic overtures from the Vulcans peace mission. (TOS roleplay module: The Federation)

FASA states that the Andorians got on well with the Vulcans which contradicts canon in ENT which showed the two races to be engaged in hostilities.

During the 22nd century, Andorians armed their torpedo warheads with sirillium. (ST - Destiny novel: Gods of Night)

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[edit] Starships

See Andorian starships.

[edit] Connections

• Andorian article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
• A Rogues' Gallery of Andorians – exhaustive list of Andorian appearances (canon and non) compiled by Ian McLean
• The Andor Files