Turian Section

Biology Overview

1) Turians possess the highest natural resistance to pain other than the krogan. While the sensation certainly causes discomfort, the nerve alignment throughout the turian frame appears to react less strongly when pain is involved. This is one of the credited causes of the legendary turian stoic behavior, and a possible cause of their attitude towards the military of other races. (see Turian – psychology)

2) The turian diet exists of carnivore tendencies – but actually appears to be omnivore from the perspective of their people. Protein from plant or animal origins is interchangeable, due to the unique, rich biological diversity of turian plant life. Palaven born botanists are required to study xeno-botany, in order to acquire a more accurate knowledge of what the rest of the galaxy views as 'plants' (see Turian Education – Botany graduate degree programs).

3) Nerve structure on turians, as seen in previous entries, is unique. Their closest analogue, through neural comparisons, are the quarians. By this it is meant that somatic tissue branches into energy-sensitive sensory receptors, capable of determining meteorological phenomenon by the conductivity of the atmosphere.

4) The hardened epidermal layer possessed by most turians is strengthened by rare earths. As Palaven lacks the strong magnetic fields other homeworlds provide, excess solar radiation reaches the planet's surface. This 'armor layer' is incapable of deflecting energy or projectile weaponry, as its consistency is closer in consistency to calloused skin.

5) Turian eyesight is extremely motion sensitive, and able to isolate details in excess to three kilometers. Joint studies from the Salarian University of Aegohr, on Nurum and the Ten-Clan Academy of Sahime on Makawa, have proven an average visual capability approximately three times as that of an asari. Current studies underway indicate a similar advantage to humans, but at a smaller ratio.

6) Most turians have similar coloration; a slate gray, modified by tattoos, body paint, and the natural variations found in the species. The greatest divergence tends to be found in light and dark gray, almost brown.

7) While keen of eye, the turian physiology sacrifices olfactory sensitivity for additional tactile sensory endings. Turian space-borne vessels reflect this, by having highly processed – almost brutally chemical filled – air (unlike the carefully humidified and cleaned atmospheric conditions on asari and human analogues) and carefully designed fittings. More sensitive turians can undergo a form of tactile 'blindness' if stationed on alien vessels for prolonged quantities of time.

8) Both genders are capable of emitting sounds inaudible to the majority of species in the galaxy. A complex series of syrinx/pharynx tissue within the upper thoracic region, below the 'gizzard,' allows this. Using these tissues, a turian conveys simple information without being 'heard' (see Turian biosphere: predatory behavior).

9) Like asari, turians have a highly developed sense of community. Their source of assurance comes from the general populace and tradition, unlike the asari Matriarch devotion. Honesty is a psychological compulsion in this matter, akin to the quarian bondmate impulse. Individuals can avoid placing themselves in situations where direct questions may be asked, but the act of prevarication remains a difficulty. It is due to this tendency that the volus wield such influence over financial matters.

10) Courting prior to reproduction seems to include a wide variety of visual and auditory cues. Gestation periods take seven months, twelve for twins. The state requires at least one parent to remain with the children for the first 18 months, the traditional time period established by Emperor Skal'den, circa 1500 BC.

11) Turian blood is dark blue, due to the cobalt metal present. Its natural coloration can take other hues, based on diet and/or exposure to radiation. The more radiation, the darker the blood.

11) Turian young are carnivorous at birth, although they require their meat to be processed.

Additional Characteristics:

Genus: an almost spiritual reverence to the family and culture. Only the Volus come close to having the same clan-respect as the turians, but even their comprehension fails to fully explain the sense of satisfaction a turian has, knowing his people are safer. The turian adage goes: "If there is only one turian alive at the end of the battle, and all others have fallen, it was a success."

This concept of family is so overriding, that volunteers must be turned away every time a conflict arises. If every turian capable of wielding arms were to be actually armed, the entire populace is likely to be considered an armed fighting force.

Tangret: An organ similar to the batarian shërim, affecting the immune system. Turians without this organ steadily worsen in health until respiratory failure occurs. This is due to the patterned lung structure, a 'shutter system' of passageways that continuously circulates oxygen through the respiratory system.

Turian Lexicon– abridged

Aeus Clippus: military award given for gallantry. Made of copper.

Amillula: affectionate term for little sister or sister-in-law.

Pugnator: soldier, usu. Army.

Na'Pugan: Navy sailor; invented during the initial drive to reach space.

Ignavus: honor-less; a coward. (Syn. 'barefaced')

Peregrinus: To go to war, all-out combat until the opposing side capitulates.(Alt. Def. 'Crusade')

Quadrum: Meeting room. Literal translation: townspeak

Mortuest: Death

Vate: father; aka patriarch in the older family lines.

Turian Traditions

Terms – abridged

Murus: A defense contract between two parties through which one party gains a protective detail while the second party is given compensation in monetary or labor means. The best-known example would be the Murus Amicunan, the agreement between the Hierarchy and Volus Protectorate.

S'kak: pejorative, flexible in usage. Literal translation – 'redacted'

Luteus: turian spice, similar to turmeric. Literal translation – 'south-wind'

Manirae: tiny rodent, approximately six centimeters long. Literal translation – scurry-scurry

Mallelous: Sledgehammer; also a nickname for a rocket launcher. Developed in the pre-Categonian period for use against armored vehicles. Literal translation – 'big hammer.'

Padu'amu: father-in-law, feminine form. Literal translation – 'father of my beloved.'

Padu'fradu: father-in-law, masculine form. Literal translation – 'father of my brother.'

Nepa: Giant sea scorpion approximately 2.5 meters long, with delicious meat in both legs and tail. Literal translation – 'tasty-pain.'

Phasela: a turian vegetable, high in protein content. Visually similar to gourd family Cucurbitaceae. No literal translation available.

rlata/rlatae: domesticated animal, between 2.8-3.5 meters in length. Bipedal, with long grasping arms and strong back legs. While reptilian in origin, the lineage appears similar to the Opisthocomus hoazi (aka 'hoatzin') of Earth fame; possessing both claws and abbreviated feathers. Unlike the hoatzin, this animal bears feathers along the spinal ridge and anterior portions of the limbs, for signaling purposes. Capable of running at 70 kph for thirty minutes, or 55 kph for hours. Carnivorous, as most Palaven life forms, but usually restricted to vegetative lifeforms. Literal translation: 'to run.'

Vilai: small flightless raptor, similar in proportions to a Thessian silna bird. Hunts in packs.

Turian Traditions

History – abridged

Origins of turian history are remarkably well-kept. Historians occupy a well-respected niche within the Hierarchy, serving as recorders for the Army divisions and policy advisors to the upper strata. Precedent is considered the ultimate authority, requiring deviation from the accepted mode to be proven in multiple formats.

Early turian history is widely acknowledged to begin with the first empire, the Dawn Kingdom during the 13th millennia BC. The only records from this period are a series of ground-scans, depicting turians in flight, visible only through satellite imagery. The meaning behind these images have been debated eer since their discovery in 600 BC.

Turian combat evolved on Palaven, a planet similar in composition to Virmire (Hoc System, currently owned by the Council) but with a much lower water content. Consequently, the populace traveled frequently, uninhibited by massive bodies of water like the asari and humans. Record-keeping became vital, due to the high-volume transients. Only through the strong application of regulated travel did the ancient Turians retain order.

By the Third Imperium (3000 BC), warfare had become a highly developed science, frequently used as an assist to political affairs. The usage of assassins became prevalent during this time period, also known as the Priamus – Bad Times.

The Unification War (500 AD) can be considered the most important turning point in modern history. Current military doctrines, and the emphasis upon 'victory at any cost,' have roots in this timespan.

Turians had discovered the Relays at this point in time, and while the asari were discovering the Citadel and making First Contact with the Volus, the turians were establishing colonies far throughout their region of space. Many of these colonies were ruled by local chieftains, in the tradition of the Third Imperium's local governance policies. Separated from the central authority of Palaven, the colonies became increasingly isolated and xenophobic. Members of individual colonies highlighted their differences with facial markings and emblems on various items – as a matter of course, open hostilities became commonplace.

At this point (450 AD), the multiple factors became embroiled in a massive-scale intersystem war. The Hierarchy, based on Palaven, maintained a policy of strict diplomacy, and refused to become involved in the affair, until the number of participants gradually reduced to less than two dozen. Then, the Hierarchy took action, overwhelming the weakened factions to utter defeat. Hostilities declined in the following decades, but individuals will wear colonial markings to this day, in memory of their histories.

The Krogan Rebellions (beginning in 700 AD) took this hardened attitude, and increased it to an exponential degree. The asari and salarians, unable to repel the vast hordes of krogan fleets, discovered and implored the Hierarchy to assist. The krogan turned on their new foe with savagery unheard of, destroying three turian worlds by launching asteroids, and wiping out entire fleets with sheer numbers. In response, the turians increased resistance, resorting to Project Kal241 – better known as the Genophage. The resulting effect destroyed krogan population levels, turning what had been a war of attrition into a farce.

By 800 AD, the krogan were subdued, although insurgent activity continued long into the next century. Mistrust on both sides continues, despite centuries of efforts to the contrary. The best of asari diplomats have proven unable to mend this rift – but the turians remain vigilant for another attempt. It is clear that their view of a successful victory will result in an extinction, should conflict again arise.

Government – abridged:

The Hierarchy consists of a central command, the Primarch of Palaven as the chief executive officer. Every colony boasts its own Primarch, creating a central authority figure responsible for ensuring efficiency and military preparedness are acceptable. Unlike a monarchy, the Primarch does not wield absolute authority; it would be more accurate to compare the position to that of a senior advisor that takes command during times of conflict.

Bureaucracy within the Hierarchy consists of multiple layers. Higher-ranking officers command lower echelons, and auxiliary professionals ameliorate gaps in the professional ranks.

Service in the armed forces is mandatory for all turians; failure to enlist by the age of sixteen (the biological age of majority) results in fines, restrictions, and a social stigma that can take generations to remove. As a result, the entire population is considered to be armed and trained, unlike most other cultures.

Society – abridged:

Turian society revolves around the common good. There are extremes of negative behavior of course – hence the need for a military – but the overall inclination is to serve the common good. Unlike human attempts in this direction, there has been no utopia concept for over five thousand years. Most businesses exist in a form of capitalism, overseen by the Volus.

Religion, focused on the Spirits, behaves in a similar way. It is the turian belief that non-corporal beings embody the attributes of specific locations, groups or ideals, and are worshipped as such. Legions at times have guardian spirits, and specific locations may have protective beings as well. The interaction between spirit and turian can be best described as symbiotic, with both parties requiring the other to exist.

In a similar fashion, Turian and Volus relations became highly positive when the Volus discovered that Hierarchy interests extended to protection. As the volus – few in number but rich in resources – had discovered, their own interests sparked hostile reactions in multiple cases (see Volus – Hades Gamma Affair, and Volus – Month of Sorrow). When the turians discovered the financial acuity of the volus clans, a deal was quickly created and solidified; the famous Murus Amicunan, or 'Beneficial Friends' contract.

Social conventions remain fluid, but within certain parameters. Superiors put forward the names for promotion because the intended has proven his capabilities. To suggest an unfit candidate for a position brings shame, inducing a conservative meritocracy. To rise through the ranks, superiors must witness Competency, Care and Confidence – known in abbreviation as the varii. A lack of promotion is rarely a shame; the majority of turians retire from their mandatory terms to start employment in other areas.

The turian view the general galactic public as well-meaning, but unskilled. They respect military professionalism, which is a primary reason behind their lack of animosity to humans a mere handful of decades after the Relay 314 incident, as compared to the still-hostile interaction they have with the Krogan.

In closing, the turians have one of the best militaries and most cohesive societies in the galaxy. Their public interactions appear to be continuing in a positive direction. Their presence gives peace of mind to countless members of the Council Races.

Art–abridged:

It is rare to see turian art away from the colonies and homeworld. Few can truly appreciate turian art, as it has mainly tactile elements comprehensible to those that grew up among turians. Subtle variations of whorled, rough and smooth patterns give entirely different meanings, leaving nothing but confusion to the unknowing. ( note: This style is very popular amongst the kinesthae adherents of asari society.)

Strangely, turians excel at creating historic models. The lesser quality versions are used as training implements for the younger people, while the better, larger variants hold special significance to the older generations. Recently, one of the prize exhibits on loan from Palaven was stolen, creating an enormous furor, spawning enough reward promises to guarantee the discoverer of the thief and/or artwork a comfortable existence for several generations.

Domestic Habits – abridged:

Courting behavior follows similar restrictions. As an example, female turians often wear a cinctus, a metal sash that can be worn over or under the clothing. The former position draws attention to the waist, but the latter is considered flirtatious behavior, particularly when the metal links connect in a jingling sound. Additional flirting behavior includes a female rubbing a male's spurs with her own, drooping mandibles (so that the colored interior is visible to the intended subject) and competition. It is no surprise that the Intra-Hierarchy Games often results in a population increase seven months later, among both viewers and participants.

Engagement protocols have changed from a more patriarchal to egalitarian system. Given the persistence of tradition in turian culture, this alteration is likely due to asari influence – with a great deal of influence leveraged by the Dalatress-dominant salarian culture.

The contract of betrothal is agreed upon by both parties in question, sometimes years in advance; unless the gestation period has begun. In the latter case, custom demands an immediate hand-fasting ceremony, in which both parties become contractually obligated to look after the soon-arriving offspring. This however, is an improbable situation, occurring at most a dozen times a year throughout the entire turian population. Copulation is a frequent activity, but the creation of offspring is considered an almost sacred bond.

After the initial contract has been created, many couples undergo seeking approval from their respective other's families. Historically, this is where a planned nuptial could be halted, but more modern times has reduced the influence held by families over marriage choices. Given the sense of honor held by many, the influence cannot be disregarded; lending some urgency to the seeking of approval.

A wedding traditionally occurs one calendar year from the initiation date, sometimes reduced to three seasons according to custom. Pheiros, Macedyn and Chatti are notable in their avoidance of this tradition, and use a shorter time period.

Within the marriage, the original traditions are more resilient. The concept of gender-assigned labor is amusing, save for military service (active forces 78% male) and when superior muscle-mass is required (male turians typically exhibit this trait). Both parties share duties of caring for the children, often selecting one to remain home as a full-time parent, considered a vital role.

Overall, turians share a somewhat higher work ethic, and make much of similar characteristics in others. If a non-turian is said to 'work like a turian,' he should consider himself complimented in the highest order.

Please see: (Turian – Domestic Traditions, speculation)

A/N: Base language is Latin, of course. Credit to Nightstride for beta assistance, and to LogicalPremise for source-location aid.