Cardassians

Species Name: Cardassian
Homeworld: Cardassia Prime (Cardassian Union)
Physiology: Pseudo-reptilian humanoids with gray skin, prominent neck ridges, cranial crests, and subdermal plating. They evolved in warm, humid environments and are physiologically vulnerable to bright light and cold, arid climates. Their cardiovascular and metabolic systems support rapid neurochemical rebalancing, which enhances focus under stress but can degrade into obsession or paranoia.

Cultural Overview:

• Hierarchy and Order: Cardassian society is intensely hierarchical, rooted in loyalty to the state and family. Obedience, discipline, and reputation are cultural cornerstones. Questioning superiors is taboo; disloyalty is tantamount to treason.
• The State as Parent: The Union is portrayed as a benevolent, guiding force—one that rewards merit, punishes deviation, and seeks order in all things. Citizens are taught that individuality is weakness and self-sacrifice is patriotic virtue.
• Information Control: Propaganda is institutional. Cardassians are skilled at compartmentalizing truth and projecting authority. Most are trained to mask true thoughts under layers of misleading sincerity.
• Family and Legacy: Lineage is everything. Advancement often depends on family prestige. Public disgrace affects one’s bloodline for generations, enforcing conformity through inherited consequence.

Starfleet Roles:

• Rare but increasing among defectors, exiles, political reformers, and those seeking a post-war future beyond the Union.
• Cardassians excel in Intelligence, Engineering, Command, and Legal divisions, especially where precision and discipline are valued.
• May draw suspicion or resentment from Federation citizens and Bajorans due to historical atrocities.

Species Mechanics (STA 2e RAW + Canon Expansion):

ATTRIBUTES: +1 Control, +1 Presence, +1 Reason
TRAIT: Cardassian

• Comfortable in heat and humidity; suffer Complications or +1 Difficulty in cold or bright-light environments unless adapted.
• Cultural upbringing favors mental control, structured logic, and rhetorical combat. May gain Advantage in interrogation, legal maneuvering, or bureaucratic navigation.
• Often distrusted due to historical behavior and Federation war trauma, especially around Bajorans or Dominion War veterans.
• Incur social tension when openly displaying arrogance, detachment, or moral relativism in mixed crews.

SPECIES ABILITY — HEALTHY SUSPICIONS:
When interacting with an NPC, you may spend 1 Threat to ask the Gamemaster: “Is this NPC lying about something?” The GM must reply truthfully with Yes or No, but is not required to clarify what the lie is or its scope.