Coridanite
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The Coridanites, also known as Coridans, are a humanoid Federation species hailing from the dilithium-rich planet Coridan located in the Beta Quadrant.
Personality
Coridanites are a pragmatic people and very business-like in all their dealings with other species. Most consider themselves realists and unsentimental in their ways. Often they will "blur" the concepts of right and wrong, good and bad if it serves their purposes. They can come off rather cold when first approached and are often very pointed in their words and jestures. They love to play the devil's advocate, and can be argumentative to a fault. However, Coridanites hold to their traditions steadfast, and tend to treat their elders with a sense of reverance. They are not easy to sway, but once convinced of a course they hold to it with determination.
One tradition they immerse themselves in is that of wearing eloborate masks. Rarely will one leave indoors without one, no matter where in the universe they are. The masks were once status symbols between the families and depending on how eloborate, the design, and/or the materials it is made from signified your rank in life.
Physiology
Physically, Coridanites are similar to Humans. Anatomically they are almost identical, except they have no spleen making them more prone to catch certain diseases if not properly vaccinated. Although they typically don't live as long than humans, they do age much slower.
Society & History
The Coridans traded with the Orions for centuries prior to 2155. (ENT: "Demons"; TOS: "Journey to Babel")
The planet Coridan had a population of three billion in 2151. Most of the population was concentrated in several cities in the equatorial region. The capital city was surrounded by a shantytown, and there were almost as many bio-signs outside the city as there were within it. In 2151, the Coridans had the largest starship construction yards in the sector. However, the planet was also embroiled in a conflict between rebel forces, supported by the Andorians, and the government, backed by the Vulcans. The Vulcan agenda was to keep the planet's chancellorship stable, which in turn assured its dilithium exports to Vulcan. (ENT: "Shadows of P'Jem")
The Coridans are a sponsor race for the Interspecies Medical Exchange.
In 2155, Coridan took part at the talks on Earth to form a Coalition of Planets. Here the Coridans rejected the Tellarite proposal of a trade embargo against the Orion Syndicate.
The Babel Conference in 2268 was to consider their admission into the United Federation of Planets. The planet was considered underpopulated at that time, making it susceptible to illegal mining operations. Federation membership would provide the planet with protection under interstellar law. (TAS: "The Pirates of Orion")
Mining operations were maintained there by the Orions and Tellarites, among others, a concern that led some to think they should be denied Federation membership. Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan spoke in favor of admittance, and was given credit for passage of the measure. Coridan joined the Federation that same year. (TNG: "Sarek")
In 2374, during the Dominion War, Coridan's dilithium mines were attacked by the Jem'Hadar, as they made the planet a strategically important target. (DS9: "One Little Ship")