Orion

Orion, Ur'eon
INFORMATION
Quadrant:	Beta
Native System:	Orion, Vondem, Kolar, Botchok, others
Status:	Extant
SOCIO-POLITICAL DATA
Affiliations:	Independent; Varies Orion Free Traders Consortium Kolari Vaj Thakolarivaj (extinct); Orion Syndicate
BIOLOGICAL NOTES
END OF BRIEFING
Template:Species

At a Glance

The Orion species are native to a Rimward, Spinward series of sector straddling Klingon and Federation space: it is alternately referred to as The Borderlands, the Orion Neutrality, and the Orion Colonies. Individual Orions can be found throughout the Alpha and Beta Quadrants and sometimes seem ubiquitous in the sectors along the Klingon, rimward Romulan and Gorn borders of the Beta Quadrant. They are less common in the Alpha Quadrant, save for around Farius Prime and the Navo Jetsam.

While Orion merchants and tradesmen can be found across the Quadrant, they are most well known for their affiliation with piracy, slavery and the Orion Syndicate, a complex, ill-understood criminal cartel. Only a small percentage of Orions have any regular contact or affiliation with the Syndicate. It is a rare Orion, however, who does not at least know of someone who is affiliated.

As wide-ranging as individual Orions can be, as a species they are not pioneers and have little interest in either exploring or conquest. To most, their primary interest is the exchange of trade goods and services. While the Orions have institutions of higher learning, they are sometimes not well-regarded by Orions in general. The enduring stereotype of the Orion race is that they are treacherous, sybaritic, and decadent, preferring both violent bloodsports and uninhibited sexual pleasure. It is a pattern of assumption that individual Orions may embrace or combat freely, but most acknowledge the stereotype as having some truth to it. However, Orions are not monolithic- as a species they are extremely individualistic.

Orion neutrality and the Orion use of slavery are well-documented socio-political phenomena, both playing complex roles within different Orion cultures.

Ethnicities

Pre-Diaspora Ethnicities

Ur'eon

Vondemi (Orion III)

Kolari

Botchoki

Other Ethnicities

Rasticini

Uryeisi

Valaqi

Velodi

Verexian

Kolari Moons

Orion System Moons

Prelinam (Orion II)

Gothei

Erratics

Gray Orions

Evolutionary Origins

Because the Orion civilizations engaged in a diaspora from their homeworld over 200,000 years ago, as a species they have had time to evolutionarily diverge and diversify. This interstellar colonization created new Orion ethnicities and eclipsed some of those that once existed on Orion. However, they share a common physiology, descended from a mammalian primate species under a blue-white star, on a hot and very humid Class M world. They are placental mammals with high but age-limited rates of fertility.

Carno-Omnivorism

Orions descend from a proto-sapient primate species that kept to the trees of Orion's vast jungles. Evolutionarily, this has created a species comfortable with climbing as well as with heights. Very few Orions are acrophobic, though agorophobia (fear of openness/lack of escape routes) is a common phobia. Orions possess two full sets of canines (for a total of eight) and a post-canine tooth where Humans possess bicuspids. The pre-hominid Orion was a meat eater and expanded from obligate carnivorism to partial-omnivorousness. They gained unique amino acids and sugars from this addition to their diet, which expanded their neurological capabilities.

Ambush Predation and Enhanced Coordination

Orions descend from ambush predators, fond of small prey. Because of their arboreal past, Orions are excellent climbers, with a superior sense of proprioception (awareness of self in space) and balance (which may explain why so many are such sensual dancers). Because of the ambush tactics, Orions also tend to be quite stealthy and light on their feet. However, because of their high metabolism, Orions have reduced endurance and are more greatly impacted by sleep deprivation.

Anatomy & Physiology

Sensory Systems

Sight

Blue-White and Ultraviolet Tetrochromacy

Reduced Red Light Acuity

Smell and Taste

Savory and Salty

Sweet and Bitter

Proprioception

Other Senses

Dietary Requirements

Sleep Requirements

Pheromones

Childhood and Adolescent Pheromones

Female Pheromones

Male Pheromones

Psychology

Cultural Notes

Cluros

Main Article: Orion Cluros

Orion Caju

Orion Slavery

Interstellar Trade

Criminal Activities

Ethnocentricity

Religion and Mysticism

Orions in Play