Tiburonian

SPECIES
Tiburonian
Homeworld:	Tiburon
Quadrant:	Alpha
Affiliation:	United Federation of Planets
Biology
Average Male Height:	160 cm (5 ft. 3 in.) to 188 cm (6 ft. 2 in.)
Average Male Weight:	59 kg (130 lb.) to 95.3 kg (210 lb.)
Average Female Height:	160 cm (5 ft. 3 in.) to 188 cm (6 ft. 2 in.)
Average Female Weight:	59 kg (130 lb.) to 95.3 kg (210 lb.)
Minimum Academy Age:	18
Life Expectancy:	145
Distinctive Features:
Playability
PRC Rated:	Yes
NPC Rated:	Yes

Dr. Sevrin, a male Tiburonian (2269).

Dr. Zora, a female Tiburonian.

Culture

Tiburonian society includes many tribal structures.

Tiburons as a whole project an easy-going, sensual, and hedonistic image. They enjoy respect without formality, and honor those with open minds. However, their desires can easily become drives.

At an early point in Tiburonian history, a scientist named Zora conducted gruesome experiments on the body chemistry of several subject tribes of Tiburonians.

• Her work and methods were condemned by later generations, and in the 23rd century, she was seen as one of the most evil members of the Tiburonian species.

Physiology

Tiburonian ears are large and almost fin-like in appearance, and are also noted for having a row of tiny, bony protrusions running across the head and down the neck.

Skin tone varies from light brown to greenish skin.

Females tend to have long hair, whereas males are often bald, with some males not having eyebrows.

Some individuals possess a small ridge-line across their foreheads.

It is common for Tiburons to adorn their skin with tribal markings, often taking the form of blue tattoos.

Study of the evolution of this species has shown that they are descendants of Humans, with a degree of genetic mutation causing their outward differences from the Human norm.

Tiburon corpses decompose rapidly when they die, even in cold temperatures.

• For this reason, a Tiburonian funeral must take place less than 32 hours after the death.
• It is customary for the deceased to be cremated at the funeral, and those attending honor their memory by swallowing some of the ashes.

Modern Tiburonese are described as hybrids of native Tiburonese and the Ucali, a species that conquered Tiburon 1,400 years ago.

• The Ucali were aggressive conquerors who considered physical pleasure to be taboo, but over time, the native Tiburonese were able to tempt their conquerors into a life of pleasure.
• Modern Tiburonese culture is devoted to experiencing joy, and the Tiburonese rely on robots to perform almost all economic activities.

History

Products of one of the most intensely technological cultures in the Federation, Tiburons have plenty of opportunities to study advanced scientific techniques even before joining Starfleet.

Many Tiburons become scientists, and their easy-going charm makes them natural diplomats or lovable rogues.

• Tiburon culture does not embrace mysticism.

The highly technological society of the Tiburons is a direct outgrowth of alien conquest. When the warlike, authoritarian Ucali conquered the pastoral inhabitants of the planet Tiburon, the Ucali ruled Tiburon with cruelty. They allowed the infamous butcher Zora to conduct atrocities, in the name of "genetic experimentation", on the Tiburon populace. However, the native Tiburon were able to escape from their captors, and managed to tempt them into pleasure, gratification, and eventual decadence. The Ucali as a whole finally underwent a total cultural meltdown: their young military cadets and elite soldiers refused to follow the orders of a corrupt regime that no longer practiced the stern asceticism it preached. During a period of absolute anarchy, the Tiburon population interbred with the Ucali, removing the problem, and ending the caste system the Ucali had enforced.

Although Tiburons rejected science for centuries, they were forced to maintain an intricate technical infrastructure to keep their planet alive after its looting and devastation by the Ucali. This work led to a culture and economy heavily dependent on robots and labor-saving devices, freeing the Tiburons themselves to pursue only joy and pleasure. Physicist Dr. Sevrin rebelled against this insulated culture, claiming that over-reliance on technology had weakened the Tiburons. It has suppressed their immune systems, causing the incurable and deadly disease synthococcus novae to infect hundreds of thousands of Tiburons.

Fortunately, Tiburon's high level of technology helped/helps to control any problem it may have created. The joys of scientific investigation and exploration animate Tiburon culture. They also delight in subverting intolerant or authoritarian regimes. Ever since joining the Federation in 2229, Tiburon representatives on the Federation Council or in Starfleet constantly urge it to take a more active role in deposing despotic rulers. To many Tiburons, there are self-evidently higher virtues than the non-interference doctrine of the Prime Directive.

• In 2149, Tiburon hosted an Interspecies Medical Exchange conference.

• Fun fact: While Denobulans and Mazarites were present, no Klingon representatives were invited, though one Klingon was disguised as a member of the Mazarite delegation.

• In 2269, Dr. Sevrin, a brilliant Tiburonian research engineer, led an ill-fated sect in its obsessive quest for the mythical Eden.

• By the late 24th century, at least one Tiburonian was serving in Starfleet.

• In 2370, a party of Tiburons visited Deep Space 9 to witness the "Illumination of The Prodigal."