ASARI

The asari, a race native to the planet Thessia, are often considered the most powerful and respected sentient species in the known galaxy. They were among the earliest races, after the Protheans, to achieve interstellar flight, and to discover and inhabit the Citadel. They are extremely long lived - with a lifespand that can reach a millennia. Asari are a mono-gender race, distinctly feminine, known for their elegance, diplomatic skills, biotic power and the ability to reproduce with a partner of any gender or species. They were the first to propose the creation of the Citadel Council and have been at heart of the galactic society ever since.


BIOLOGY

A typical asari has a blue to purple skin tone and some also have facial markings, either tattoos or genetic (in the later case, those markings usually represent the “father” species of that asari). Instead of head hair, asari have wavy folds made of semi-flexible cartilage covered with skin. Aside from these differences, aesthetically the asari are the closest alien species to humans. Despite the difference between them and humans, and the tremendous difference when compared to other races, asari are considered attractive by almost all species, which is useful considering their method of reproduction. Although not fully explained, some scientists speculate this attraction may be neurochemical in nature.

The asari’s cellular regeneration allows them to live up to 1000 years, though they don’t heal faster than other species. Although asari have one gender, they are not asexual. An asari provides two copies of her own genes to her offspring, which – regardless of the species or sex of the “father” – is always an asari. The second set is altered in a unique process called melding, also known as the joining or melding. During melding, an asari consciously attunes her nervous system to her partner’s, sending and receiving electrical impulses directly through the skin. Effectively, the asari and her partner briefly become one unified nervous system. A common phrase used before melding is “embrace eternity,” presumably to help focus the partner’s mind.

The partner can be another asari, or an alien of any gender. However, since meeting other sentient species, non-asari mates have become preferred for the diversity they provide. Not in terms of genes, as the offspring is 100% asari and no DNA is taken from the partner. Instead, the asari can explore her partner’s genetic heritage and use the desirable traits to randomize the genes of their offspring, thus bringing diversity to the species. This unique means of reproduction is also the reason asari are all talented biotics. Their evolved ability to consciously control nerve impulses is very similar to biotic training.

An asari’s melding ability extends to a mental connection as well. During mating an asari and her partner share memories, thoughts, and feelings. It is also possible for an asari to meld with another for the sole purpose of transferring thoughts, without reproduction. If the asari so desires, it can even force ideas and orders into the mind of her partner, possibly forcing him or her to act as she wishes – if the partner cannot resist the asari willpower that is. This is not done without consequence, however, and the partner is always aware of the attempt, even if he ends up being compelled to perform as the asari commands. This method of mind-control is frowned upon by most asari and is forbidden by Galactic Law.

Asari pass through three climacteric life stages, marked by biochemical and physiological changes:
• The Maiden stage begins at birth and is marked by the drive to explore and experience. Most young asari are curious and restless.
• The Matron stage of life begins around the age of 350, though it can be triggered earlier if the individual melds frequently. This period is marked by a desire to settle in one area and raise children.
• The Matriarch stage begins around 700 years of age, or later if the individual melds rarely. Matriarchs become active in their community as sages and councilors. They are rarely seen outside asari space, prefering the conforts of an asari community.

However, it should be noted that, each stage can be started whenever an asari feels that she has reached the correct level of maturity. While each stage of life is marked by strong biological tendencies, individuals do make unexpected life choices. For example, there are Maidens who stay close to home rather than explore, Matrons who would rather work than build a family, and Matriarchs who have no interest in community affairs.


HISTORY

The asari were the first contemporary race to achieve space-flight and discover the mass relays. When they found the Citadel, in around 580 BCE, the asari also encountered the keepers, whose mute assistance enabled them to quickly settle on the station and learn how to operate its systems. Sixty years later, the salarians made first contact with them, and together the two species agreed to found the Council.


CULTURE

Because of their long lifespan, asari tend to have a “long view” not common in other races. When they encounter a new species or situation, they are more comfortable with an extended period of passive observation and study, rather than immediate action. They are unfazed if some of their investments or decisions do not pay off for decades or centuries. Matriarchs can seem to make incomprehensible decisions, but their insight is evident when their carefullylaid plans come to fruition. In diplomatic relations, this long view manifests in the desire to maintain stable balances of economic, political, and military power.

Traditionally, asari spread their influence through cultural domination and intellectual superiority. They invite new species of advanced development to join the galactic community, fully knowing that their ideals and beliefs will inevitably influence the existing culture. The asari tend toward communal, consensus attitudes among themselves too: for example, they prefer to live in shared spaces aboard starships even if there are alternatives available.

Asari believe that their offspring acquire the best qualities of the “father” from the melded genes – which, of course, depends on what a particular asari considers as being the best traits. They also frown upon intraspecies conception, since genetic traits and cultural insight is gained from mating outside their species, so it’s considered wasteful for asari to reproduce together. Such offspring are occasionally referred to as “purebloods”, a great insult among contemporary asari. A rare genetic defect known as Ardat-Yakshi, which makes asari destroy the partner’s mind during a mating melding, occurs much more frequently among the daughters of purebloods.

Asari are well aware they tend to be attractive, and are comfortable expressing their sexuality. During maiden stage, many asari take the job of erotic dancers in bars or discos. Young males of all races tend to have a fascination with asari. But because of their natural sensuality and ability to mate with any species, asari are sometimes rumored to be promiscuous, rumors that are mostly misinformation or wishful thinking. In fact, asari have to accept that if they mate outside their own species, they will almost inevitably outlive their partner (with the exception of the krogan, who have a similarly immense longevity). Therefore they have to apply their “long view of things” to relationships as well, savoring the time they spend with their partners rather than focusing on their inevitable loss. As a result of the age difference many asari raise their daughters alone, especially if the “father” species is short-lived.

The asari celebrate the springtime fertility ritual Janiris, which marks the start of the new year. During this time, they create wreathes of flowers and distribute them among their friends and loved ones. As is the case with the holidays of some other Citadel species, the celebration of Janiris has been adopted by other species that operate in Citadel Space.


ECONOMY

The asari possess the largest single economy in the galaxy. They have extensive trade and social contacts. Craft guilds, such as those within the cities Serrice and Armali, hold a virtual monopoly on advanced biotic technology. Given their political influence, an embargo by the asari would prove disastrous to any race.


RELIGION

The main asari religion is siari, which translates roughly as “All is one”. It states the universe is a consciousness, every life within it is an aspect of the greater whole, and death is a merging of one’s spiritual energy back into greater universal consciousness. Siarists don’t specifically believe in reincarnation; they believe in spiritual energy returning to the universal consciousness upon death will eventually be used to fill new mortal vessels. The religion became popular when the asari discovered they could “meld” with nearly any form of life, which is taken as proof of the religion’s beliefs.

Before the rise of siari, asari religions were as diverse as their political opinion. The strongest survivor of those days is the monotheistic religion worshipping the goddess Athame. Like the asari, the goddess cycles through the triple aspects of maiden, matron, and matriarch. Asari often swear “by the goddess”, though this may be a cultural legacy rather than reflecting an individual’s belief


GOVERNMENT

The asari came late to the notion of world government and for centuries their homeworld of Thessia was dotter with lose confederacies of republican cities. This was due to their cultural tendency for consensus and stability, where they bartered freely rather than hoard resources, prefered to understand each other than solve differences through conflict and so on, reducing the need for large unified governments. Only in the information age did the citystates grow close; communication over the internet evolved into an ‘electronic democracy’. Aside from their Council representative, the asari have no politicians or elections, but a free-wheeling, allinclusive legislature that citizens can participate in at will.

Policy debates take place at all hours of the day, in official chat rooms and forums moderated by specially programmed virtual intelligences. In any given debate, the asari tend to lend the most credit to the opinions of any Matriarchs present. In modern times, the asari normally act as the diplomatic arm of the Citadel Council.


MILITARY

The asari military resembles a collection of tribal warrior bands with no national structure. Each community organizes its own unit and elects a leader to command them. Units from populous cities are large and wellequipped, while those from farm villages may be only a few asari with small arms. There is no uniform; everyone wears what they like.

However, the asari military is not an irregular militia, those who serve are full-time professionals. The average asari huntress is in the maiden stage of her life and has devoted 20-30 years studying the martial arts. Asari choose to be warriors at a young age, and their education from that point is dedicated to sharpening their mind and body for that sole purpose.

Biotics abilities are also a requirement to enter the military, meaning that an asari must have developed her innate biotic talents before enlisting. Huntresses fight individually or in pairs, depending on the tactics preferred in their town. But while fluid and mobile, asari can’t stand up in a firefight the way a krogan, turian, or human could. Since their units are small and typically lack heavy armor and support weapons, they are incapable of fighting a conventional war, particularly one of a defensive nature. Thus, asari units typically undertake special operations missions such as ambush, infiltration, and assassination, demoralizing and defeating their enemies through intense, focused guerrilla strikes.


RACIAL TRAITS

Homeworld: Thessia
Lifespan: 1000 years
Creature Size: Medium
Movement Speed: 3
Talent: Asari
Level Up: 100xp


TALENT: ASARI
Rank1 Asari Level 1 Sexual Appeal:
Most if not all races find Asari attractive. The Asari are well-liked in the galactic universe and have no known enemies. They are often the first to come up with some sort of treaty of peace in any confrontation. Asari starts game with +4 Charisma.

Rank2 Asari Level 5 Insight:
The Asari are well known for being able to stay calm in situations that would shake any other race. They are able to take information from previous experiences and adapt them into new circumstances as they arrive. Asari receives +2 Wisdom.

Rank3 Asari Level 10 Mind Meld:
Asari have a natural ability to attune their nervous systems to those of another organic being, which they evolved for reproductive purposes. In order to perform a mind-meld, the asari must be within 1 square of a willing target. Establishing the mind-meld is a full-round action. Once the mind meld has been established, the asari and their target share images and thoughts. Mind Meld allows asari to exchange memories and interact with organic targets that are unable to speak or are of unknown origin and language, such is a new discovered species.

Rank4 Asari Level 15 Natural Biotic:
Asari do not suffer penalties from not using Biotic Amplifiers. An Asari that select classes without access to Biotic Powers can always swap the talent gained from that class for a biotic talent.

EvolutionA Extend Biotic: Biotic talents last longer when used by the Asari, compared to other species. When a biotic power that has duration is used by the Asari, duration effect is extended by 1 round.

EvolutionB Biotic Affinity: Biotic talents are stronger when used by the Asari, compared to other species. When a biotic power that has effective number (damage/barrier points/damage reduction) is used by the Asari, the effect is increased by 10%.

Rank5 Asari Level 20 Embrace Heritage:
Asari evolved in ways that they can reproduce with each other or with any other specie and gender. Depending on the second parent, an Asari may inherit different qualities. They may not be recognized at first because all Asari no matter of what heritage still appear as Asari. But once the Asari character reaches level 20, their heritage will be strong enough to manifest. The Asari may or may not be aware of her heritage in advance, and maybe not even upon manifestation. This choice belongs to the Player.

EvolutionA Galaxy Asari: This Asari is offspring of parents where one (the mother) is Asari, and other (the "father") is non Asari of any gender. This Asari is well received by Asari beliefs that hold strong towards mating with species outside of their own enriches Asari species with cultural insight and genetic traits of other species. At this level, Asari may select Rank 1 Racial Trait of any other organic specie as genetic trait, and may have personality common for the specie of the "father".

EvolutionB Pureblood Asari: This Asari is offspring of parents where both, the mother and the father, are the Asari. This Asari is not well received by Asari beliefs, as offspring where another specie is not involved does not add anything new to Asari specie. A known Pureblood Asari may be looked down upon by the other Asari. Referred one as “pureblood”, is a great insult among contemporary asari. At this level, Asari may add the missing evolution perk from the Rank4.

EvolutionC Ardat-Yakshi: A rare genetic defect known as Ardat-Yakshi, makes asari destroy the partner’s mind during a mating melding, occurs much more frequently (but not limited to) among the daughters of purebloods. The Asari discovered to be Ardat-Yakshi may end up hunted by other Asari, typically Justicars, but may also be target for the reapers. This Asari is capable to double prime her targets with biotic powers, meaning each time target is primed can be detonated twice. Further, this perk unlocks requirement for the specialization Demon of the Night Winds.