Nausicaans

Species Name: Nausicaan
Homeworld: Nausicaa (Alpha Quadrant, near Orion and Talarian space)
Physiology: Nausicaans are large, powerfully built humanoids with tough exoskeletal ridges across the face, back, and chest. Their strength and pain tolerance exceed most humanoid norms, and they possess rapid adrenal response systems that give them a significant burst in combat. However, their cardiovascular resilience is lower under sustained trauma, and their reaction speed can be slower when not in a fight-or-flight state.

Cultural Overview:

• Strength is Truth: Nausicaan society is dominated by power hierarchies, physical intimidation, and martial dominance. Honor exists, but it is defined through dominance, not morality.
• Mercenary Tradition: Nausicaans rarely act in state-sponsored roles. Instead, they serve as enforcers, pirates, bodyguards, and shock troops throughout the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.
• Low Regard for Law: Civil law is viewed as a tool of the weak. Nausicaans typically obey only direct superiors, and only for as long as strength or fear justifies it.
• Aggressive Social Structure: Displays of dominance—verbal, physical, or performative—are constant in Nausicaan groups. Weakness, mercy, or indecision is punished quickly and visibly.
• Federation Pariah: Known for violence and piracy, Nausicaans are broadly distrusted by Starfleet and most civilian institutions.

Starfleet Roles:

• Incredibly rare, almost exclusively as rehabilitated individuals, coerced defectors, or experimental recruits in fringe programs.
• Likely to serve in Security, Tactical, or Hazard Team roles, especially for boarding, riot control, or assault response.
• May face hostility or isolation from peers due to species reputation, especially among Betazoids, Vulcans, or Andorians with historical grievances.

Species Mechanics (2e-Compatible Expansion from 1e Core):

ATTRIBUTES: +1 Daring, +1 Fitness, +1 Presence
TRAIT: Nausicaan

• Physically imposing: gain Advantage or -1 Difficulty on intimidation, coercion, or melee combat Tasks.
• Pain-resistant: may ignore 1 instance of the Stunned or Dazed Trait per mission.
• Strong but not subtle: suffer +1 Difficulty on Tasks involving diplomacy, stealth, or delicate social nuance unless specifically trained.
• Viewed as violent or untrustworthy: may suffer social Complications in Federation-aligned environments or institutions.
• Regarded with fear in criminal/mercenary networks—can leverage this for social Advantage when reputation serves.

SPECIES ABILITY — ADRENAL SURGE:
Once per scene, when rolling a Task using Fitness + Security or Daring + Security, you may:

• Treat one die result of 5 or 6 as a Critical Success (i.e., count as two Successes), even without Focus.
• This reflects the Nausicaan's rapid hormonal combat burst and brutal fighting style.