Medusan
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The Medusans are a race of highly intelligent, nonphysical beings that are electromagnetic in composition. Contact between Medusa and Federation has been extremely limited.
The Medusans have demonstrated vastly advanced scientific abilities and possess telepathic capabilities far more advanced than those of any other Federation member race. When necessary, Medusans can travel aboard UFP vessels by remaining within highly specialized electromagnetic containers. However, there is a risk involved in such close contact with humanoid races; while their thoughts are sublime in nature, the Medusans' physical appearance is so hideous that a humanoid viewer will be immediately rendered insane. Special eye shields can filter out the damaging frequencies, lessening the risk to those nearby. (TOS: "Is There in Truth No Beauty?")
Medusans have developed interstellar navigation into a fine art and are extraordinary starship navigators. Their talent is the result of their radically different sensory system. One theory holds that they are able to electromagnetically identify and lock onto thousands of guide stars simultaneously, including those beyond deep sensor range.
These life forms have a distinct sense of beauty and have delighted in the many forms of art available to them since their entry into the Federation.
Personality
Medusans can seem aloof and uninterested to other beings, even in telepathic communication - they refer to species such as humans and Vulcans as "young races," often in patronizing fashion. However, Medusans who have gone to the trouble to travel among material beings are usually curious, and make an effort to be friendly to their hosts.
Physiology
Composed of superheated plasma and magnetic fields, Medusans exist partially within subspace, making them literally indescribable to conventional beings. Their non-Euclidean appearance, in fact, drives humanoid (and other material) viewers insane, although terms like "beauty" and "ugliness" do not actually apply. Telepaths can view Medusans through protective viewers; thus polarized they resemble congeries of flaring greenish lights and glowing spheres, iridescently flashing in a hidden rhythm. Medusans use "limbs" of magnetic force to manipulate the physical world where necessary, but within the Federation (and other corporeal civilizations), they usually travel inside small containment vessels that provide life-support - and protect other beings from madness.
History
Medusans possess an ancient civilization that perfected warp drives and force fields centuries ago. Their engineering centers on warping space and energy; Medusan starships contain almost no solid matter! Medusan explorers have traveled to many other worlds in these ships, but do not claim an "empire" of any kind - empaths without material possessions find acquisitions a pointless pursuit. Medusans reproduce by fission, with each "child" retaining the full memories of the "parent;" hence, Medusans are practically immortal, with memories stretching back millions of years.
Medusans are telepathic and do not possess a language as such. Medusan names consist of identity-thoughts; Medusan telepaths do not attempt to (or need to) conceal their identities from each other, and the Medusan intellect can easily remember the specifics of all fellow Medusans. Among humans and other corporeal species they usually select "neutral-sounding" names.
*NOTE* Per OF Rules & Guidelines, Medusans fall within the realm of "non-humanoid races" and therefore are NOT playable as a character in OF.
Reference(s)
- Johnson, Shane. Star Trek: The Worlds of the Federation, New York: Pocket Books, 1989. ISBN: 0-671-66989-3.