Axanar
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The Axanar come from the planet of the same name. The planet Axanar is the seventh of thirteen planets orbiting a bright, yellow-white main sequence star (Type F5 V) known as Toredar. The planet has a semi-terrestrial environment, though high stellar radiation and high density lend it a strong magnetic field. The atmosphere is heavily nitrogen-methane and quite cold; unprotected humans would asphyxiate in only a few minutes.
Personality
In a response to being hunted by a variety of large predators with highly sophisticated camouflage abilities, the Axanar evolved acute perceptual abilities. They can see, hear, and smell better than many other species, and their brains process this information at a phenomenal rate. They instinctively look for recognizable patterns in all things. Where no pattern apparently exists, they will usually find one anyway. Axanar don't like uncertainty; they are known for making snap decisions, even if they lack conclusive evidence, then stubbornly sticking to them. Once they decide upon something, it can be difficult for the Axanar mind to accept contrary information. Axanar simply have a trying time changing their ways.
Axanar do not like to deal with those of a perceived lower social class, a hold over from their ancient caste system. Even after decades living in an egalitarian society, the Axanar prefer to know the social status of those with whom they do business. They often ask personal questions and scrutinize others, and if they can't tell a person's position in society they usually assign one to him.
Physiology
With a pseudo-reptilian appearance, the Axanar were perhaps the most off-putting of the alien species first contacted by the NX-class Enterprise. Yellowish or greenish leathery skin combined with a prominent series of grooves and spherical ridges along the sides of the mouth and vertically along the forehead all distinguish the Axanar. They lack hair, and the skull case is elongated, with oddly shaped patches of pinkish flesh on each side.
History
The Axanar were first contacted in 2151, when the NX-class Enterprise, commanded by Captain Archer, rendered aid to a derelict Axanar ship. An unknown alien species had murdered the crew and was in the process of draining them of triglobulin. The captain of a second Axanar ship, sent to locate the first, neither appreciated Archer's efforts, nor seemed particularly interested in making friends.
Although humans and Axanar encountered each other sporadically for the next few years, it would not be until the Axanar War that the two governments related officially. In the early 23rd century, the Axanar pressured the inhabitants of the planet Fabari to extend extensive trade and mining rights; Axanar starships harassed Fabari merchantmen and frequently incurred into Fabari space. In response, the Fabari sued for Federation membership to protect them from the Axanar. Axanar blockaded the planet and threatened war. When a Federation starship arrived bearing an ambassador to negotiate a settlement, the Axanar attacked, and the two sides were at war.
Starfleet and Axanar starships fought in and around Fabari space for months, until Captain Garth of Izar won the final, conclusive battle that defeated the Axanar. Soon afterwards, the Axanar sued for peace. With the help of Federation experts, the Axanar set about reorganizing their society, as encouraged by the terms of the treaty. They abolished their caste system and created a more open, democratic government. When these transformations were complete, the Axanar government petitioned to join the Federation, and as a testimony to how far they'd come they succeeded. Axanar is the only planet to have the dubious distinction of having fought a war with the Federation prior to its membership.
Society
Traditionally, the Axanar lived within a rigid caste system of Thinkers, Doers, and Outsiders. The lowest echelons, various classes of Doer, were virtual slaves. Castes could not intermingle, to the point where the elite classes, the Thinkers, refused any social contact with the lower classes. Living isolated from the masses, the elites believed they knew what was best for all Axanar, even as the lower classes starved and labored under terrible conditions. Only Thinkers could govern, and one could only be born into this class.
With the conclusion of the Axanar-Federation war, they abolished their caste system and established a government drawing from all classes. Intense educational programs worked to tear down old, ingrained barriers. Thinkers and Doers were encouraged to intermingle, and adopt democratic principles.
As a society, the Axanar value order, science, and discipline. To them, everything follows an established pattern. Underlying any seemingly chaotic system, there is an order that can be perceived - in everything from rainfall frequency to sapient behavior. They expect everyone to conform to the rules of an ordered society. Yet even rogues and scoundrels have their place in society, and are accepted (if not wholly tolerated). This acceptance of pattern, any pattern, led them to evolve their rigid caste system.
Reference(s)
- Bridges, Bill, et al. Star Trek Roleplaying Game Book 5: Aliens, Decipher, 2003. ISBN: 1582369070.