Orions

Species Name: Orion
Homeworld: Orion (Rigel system; original planetary designation often obfuscated)
Physiology: Humanoids with green or olive-toned skin, notable for sexual dimorphism and strong musculoskeletal development. Orions possess above-average strength, toxin resistance, and a heightened capacity for endurance in low-oxygen or chemically volatile environments. Orion females exude powerful pheromones that can affect the behavior of many humanoid species—though cultural and biological conditioning have moderated this effect among those raised in regulated societies.

Cultural Overview:

• Dual Identity: Orions exist between two contradictory images—galactic outlaws vs. savvy traders and diplomats. Many capitalize on both.
• Syndicate Legacy: Historically linked to the Orion Syndicate, a criminal confederation rooted in smuggling, slavery, and black-market tech. Though not all Orions are part of it, their species-wide reputation is shaped by centuries of complicity or survival within such structures.
• Adaptability: Orions thrive in shifting power structures. Socially agile and streetwise, they are skilled at reading people, navigating shadow economies, and making deals where official channels fail.
• Perceived Untrustworthiness: Federation officers often treat Orions with suspicion—deserved or not. This prejudice can be weaponized as distraction, or must be subverted through earned trust.

Starfleet Roles:

• Orions in Starfleet are uncommon but increasingly present, particularly following the loosening of Syndicate dominance in some sectors.
• Many serve in Intelligence, Security, Engineering, or Field Diplomacy roles, where adaptability, improvisation, and lateral thinking are prized.
• Their instinctive understanding of informal power structures often grants them leverage where official channels falter.

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

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

• Comparable environmental tolerances to Humans.
• Resilient physiology: Advantage or reduced Difficulty when resisting toxins or physical stress.
• Socially stigmatized: suffer Complications or increased social Difficulty with characters who distrust or stereotype Orions.
• May gain Advantage in criminal, espionage, or negotiation tasks, especially in gray-market contexts.
• Pheromonal influence (GM discretion): female Orions may gain narrative leverage in certain social situations, though most modern contexts mitigate this via discipline, awareness, or medical adaptation.

SPECIES ABILITY — NEVER AT FACE VALUE:
Once per scene, you may spend 1 Threat to ask the Gamemaster a question about the current situation—exactly as if you had spent Momentum to Obtain Information. This reflects the Orion knack for reading between lines, sensing ulterior motives, or picking up on overlooked cues in socially unstable environments.