Orion

Orion characters in Star Trek: Theurgy:

• Ashley Kerina
• Amissa
• Dantius Thi Anh-Le (MIA)
• Xelia (KIA)
• Y'Lev (MIA)
• A'vura Zeshryr (KIA)

The Orions were a warp-capable humanoid species from the Alpha Quadrant. This species originated from the planet Orion. Orions were known for their distinctive green skin, although at least some had a more pale greyish complexion. Orion males were on average taller and more muscular than the average Human male. Orion females typically had black hair. Orion females were vknown for their extreme carnal appetites and their innate skill of seduction. A Human male could rarely resist the alluring dance of the Orion slave girl.

Physiology

External Features

As a race, Orions were bipedal humanoids known for possessing a distinctive green skin tone that separated their outward appearance from other races. The green hue of their skin, which varied in tones from olive shades to almost emerald colours, was due to contribution from both their copper-based blood chemistry, and the presence of trace amounts of chlorophyll in their epidermis. Skin shade had little leaning on societal status, apart from a rare mutation that could cause a green/grey skin tone that was often regarded as inferior, though made the candidate more suitable to undergo reconstructive surgery in order to infiltrate other races.

Aside from this, on outward appearance, Orions were not physically dissimilar to Humans, though there was a more prominent physical gender divide. On average, Orion males tended to be somewhat taller and broader than human males, with larger muscles that were maintained with minimal work and developed as a natural process as opposed to a response to hard labor or exercise. The average female on the other hand, tended to be smaller and more provocative in appearance, usually with ample bosoms and slender waists. Both genders of the species tended to develop a naturally athletic physique at the end of childhood, gaining muscle definition and giving an appearance that ranged from toned to bulging. The natural athleticism however did tend to decline as an Orion aged.

Yet it was not unheard of for Orion gender physiques to be reversed. Whilst uncommon, some males were known to develop lithe and toned bodies more akin to their female counterparts. Some females were also known to become more buxom and broad as they aged, mimicking the appearance of a male. Orion medical scientists have long debated whether this is due to a natural occurrence, a result of upbringing, or a mutation.

As for facial features, Orions were also similar to Humans, though they tended towards more aquiline noses and sharper features, whilst their irises could vary between blues, greens and darker shades, along with the occasional gold and yellow tones. As a race they did not possess any physical developments, beyond skin tone, that made them appear outwardly alien, such as shaped ears, facial ridges, or epidermal patterns.

Whilst there was no recorded instance of an Orion developing body hair, well groomed head and facial hair was often seen as a sign of status within society, and evolved primarily as a means to attract others. Hair was usually dark, but it was not uncommon for Orions to dye their hair more exotic colours as a means of standing out. For lower class citizens, it was often considered disrespectful to have longer hair than someone of a higher class, resulting in the workforce and laborers to have short, sometimes forcibly, cropped hair. Within the Syndicate, many male soldiers heads were chemically treated to remove and prevent hair, as a conscious effort to make themselves appear more brutish and threatening.

Internal Biology

Internally, Orions were quite different from other humanoid races. Their copper based blood chemistry made them similar to Vulcans internally, though the similarities ended there.

Orion bone structures, though notably similar to other humanoids, did have several notable differences. For example, the joint structure of Orions was slightly different to most other humanoids, providing a wider array of articulation of limbs such as lower legs and forearms, whilst also serving as very sturdy plates that were featured prominently in Orion martial arts. The unusual, almost avian, qualities of the Orion joints could be most keenly observed when watching the typical dance style of an Orion Slave Girl.

The chlorophyll in their epidermal layers also affected the way that Orions gained energy. Whilst they still relied on the consumption of food and drinks orally to gain nourishment, and had highly efficient intestines with which they absorbed the nutrients from food, their digestive tracts were inefficient means of getting energy. Whilst the energy gained from their epidermal chlorophyll was converted handily into sugars stored in the muscles, the sugars created from food consumption were primarily used to sweeten the production of sweat, which in turn made other beings more susceptible to their pheromone production, due to the sweet aroma their bodies produced.

The unusually plant-like means of gaining energy also affected the sleep cycles of Orions, who had multiple small sleeps throughout the day, rather than one longer sleep like most other humanoids. This also facilitated the Orion readiness to use stimulants and narcotics much more frequently than other species, which could allow them to stay awake for longer periods of time. A typical piece of Orion technology, translated most easily as a 'Sunrise' was used to provide an Orion with high concentrated UV rays when not on their homeworld. These devices could take the forms of full beds, lights, and handheld devices.

The Orion brain was notably susceptible to psionic abilities however, and they had no natural means of preventing, or recognising, the presence of psionic intrusion into their own heads. However, as a race they had a predisposition to be extremely charismatic, and Orion's were known thought the Alpha and Beta quadrants to be greatly deceptive and untrustworthy, though they often first appeared to be very friendly and hospitable. Lie detectors in particular had little effect on Orion physiology, as the usual signs would not be present. Truth serums were also limited in their effectiveness. Whether this was down to their brain chemistry or their societal evolution however, it was difficult to say.

Pheromones

A notable biological feature that distinguished Orions from other species were the potent pheromones naturally secreted within their unusually sweet smelling sweat, which many humanoid races (as well as animals, including insects) found be very pleasant. Whilst all Orions possessed naturally strong pheromones when compared to other humanoid species, some Orions possessed far more potent pheromones that were theorised to have evolved as part of a Darwinian defensive mechanism.

Almost all Orions exuded a natural pheromone which was more potent than that of the typical humanoid. The intensity of such pheromones varied on an individual basis, as did the effects they could present. The most common effects of the average Orion's pheromones, when exposed over a period of at least a few hours, could include: mild arousal, relaxation, a raise in metabolic rate, a increase in adrenaline production, lightheadedness, a slight rise in aggressive tendencies and an inability to concentrate. It was comparable in most humanoids to the slight 'buzz' experienced upon consuming alcoholic beverages.

However, some Orions possessed far more potent pheromones that had more debilitating effects on those exposed to them. These more potent pheromones were almost exclusive to a small percentage of female Orions, though it was possible for males to possess the same abilities if they had a strong genetic disposition. Whilst the effects also varied depending on the individual, they were generally much more potent than the effects exuded by most other Orions. Increased exposure could result in effects such as disorientation, lethargy, extreme vertigo, dangerous rises in metabolic and adrenal systems and heightened aggressive impulses. The pheromones could also act as a potent aphrodisiac, cause the affected individual to become intensely enamoured to the producer of the pheromone, and even make individuals especially prone to suggestion and manipulation.

As the chemical composition of the pheromones could differ greatly between different genetic groups, the effect on other species could sometimes greatly vary. One such pheromone was known to cause headaches in Human females, disrupt the sleep cycles of a Denobulan, whilst not having any effect on a Vulcan or her bonded mate. Yet in other strains, the hormonal rush could be fatal to young Klingon males.

It is known that the Orion Syndicate, one of the the dominant powers in Orion society, routinely screened children as they came of age to identify the pheromone intensity. Those of high levels were usually taken and trained by the Syndicate to become agents and 'slaves' gaining immediate status and power in society. The Orion Syndicate's scientists are also known to have developed a pheromonal suppressant, though it is perhaps the most closely guarded secret in the entire Syndicate. The suppressant was known to be used as both a punishment, and also as a means to infiltrate other societies without the identifying pheromones. The well managed use of this pheromone was used by the Syndicate to enforce the illusion that only the females possessed their debilitating pheromones, which allowed their recently expanded network of Male agents to be especially effective in the field.

Sexual Organs

Due to the pheromonal biochemistry of Orions, the species evolved to use sexual intercourse primarily as a means of pleasure for as far back as their recorded history goes. The reproductive system is in fact very inefficient when compared to other humanoid species.

The male reproductive system features a penis and testicles like many other humanoid species. However the nerve endings in the area were almost three-times the amount of a typical Human male, enabling them to get much more pleasure out of sexual intercourse. Their penises were also particularly textural, which maximised pleasure during intercourse to the receiving party. The semen of an Orion male contained very little genetic material and it would take at least twenty five deposits to contain the same amount of genetic material as the average Human male. The semen of an Orion male also contained a high concentration of sugars, which lead to a very sweet taste and smell.

The female reproductive system was also designed for pleasure, with large concentrations of nerve endings throughout the external and internal regions of the vagina. The species did not possess a clitoris, but instead had a fleshy ridge above the vaginal opening which provided great pleasure on contact. The vaginal canal also featured ridges that would cause great stimulation during penetration. Orion women also experienced overwhelming pleasure during childbirth, and very little pain, due to the elasticity of the vaginal canal.

Pleasure centres across both genders included the anus, the tongue, and the index and middle finger, all of which had high concentrations of nerve endings that made it very pleasurable to give, as well as receive, a number of sexual acts considered hedonistic by many other cultures. Orion sexuality was very open, with no consideration as to the gender of their other party when initiatives sexual relations. The same was also true of romantic relations, but whilst Orions did engage in monogamous relationships, these tended to be dedicated to emotional and financial well-being, rather than for sexual purposes. This fact made Orion cross-species relations unusual and typically difficult to maintain without lots of compromise from one party.

Home World

Artist's impression of Vondem's Western Hemisphere as seen during the night. Original image from Memory-Beta

The Orion homeworld, also known as Vondem, or simply Orion, was a two mooned planet in the Alnilam system, surrounding a blue-white Star within the Orion Sector in the Beta Quadrant. The system was located on the border between Federation and Klingon space, with a full orbit taking approximately 796 Earth days. An unusual planetary feature of Orion was its tilted axis, which caused the planet to experience just one day and night every 796 days. The equatorial region of the planet however, experienced a rapid day-night cycle during the dawn and dusk equinox, when the equator was closest to the sun and rotating on axis. During the early evolutionary stages of the Orion species, they were forced to be a heavily nomadic people whose to follow the sun in order to get enough energy to survive.

Another notable feature of Orion, was that the Orion’s were not the first occupants of the planet. Orion once harboured a highly advanced civilisation, which served as the basis of the mythology for the Orion people. Scriptures found in Orion ruins have even been examined by Federation archaeologists, the information found providing a basis for which to revolutionise modern immunotechnology. However, despite numerous archaeological digs and invitations to the best archaeologists in the Federation, there was not any information found regarding what happened to the ancient inhabitants of Orion, nor were any physical remains discovered.

The gravity on Orion was slightly higher than that of Earth, but not significant enough to be uncomfortable for visiting species. The landscape was relatively flat, with minimal seismic or volcanic activity. As dusk approached however, rain was almost constant, whilst as the dawn drew in, tornadoes, hurricanes and other severe weather conditions were not uncommon to develop.

The topography of Orion was difficult to map as it differed greatly between the day and night. During the night on either the East or West hemisphere, a network of oceans and archipelagos formed, whilst during the day, the oceans receded greatly and instead the landscape became more savanna like, with interspersing lakes and smaller seas. Around the equator was a jungle-like region, whilst both poles were blistering deserts during the day, and frigid wastelands at night. Orion also had a surprising lack of seawater, with over 90% of the planet’s naturally occurring water being salt-less. Due to the copper-based biochemistry of the Orions however, they needed significantly less salt in their bodies than humanoids with iron based blood, which allowed them to thrive on this planet.

Due to the landscaping vastly changing during the day and night, Orion cities were usually built on higher ground, often with multiple tiers; tending to grow upwards rather than outwards. Some of the most notable natural disasters on Orion occurred during the dusk, when flash flooding occurs, where entire cities were drowned without warning. However, these disasters were all but eradicated once the technology was developed to map the Oceans and learn which locations would be safest to build. The ruins on the planet were most well preserved around the equatorial region, in the lush forests that bloomed around the most climatically stable region of the planet. The city holding the seat of power for the Orion governing bodies, Kinarvon, was also located in this region.

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