SPECIES: TAAG

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Name: Taag
Homeworld: Taagath, Vendor Sector, Alpha Centauri Block.
Estimated Population: Currently less than 500,000
Discovered: 2153
First Contact: Not available.
Political Status: Neutral
Compiled by Robert Blackman, Starbase Sierra 39.
Annotations made by Commander Kozath, DS13 Security Chief

Taag Male
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Taag Female
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Biological Notes:
The Taag are a race of omnivorous humanoids with several features similar to humans. They tend to be rather large in stature, the average height for their species being approximately 2.1m. The Taag have a reputation for physical toughness due to several characteristics in their physiology. Their skin tones range from medium to very pale, and all Taag have distinctive scale-like features on the forehead, chin, neck, elbows, knees, and down the spine. Hair colors and pigmentation on head spines and earlobes typically vary between black, shades of gray, and white. All Taag possess bony spines that sprout from the side of the head, which are thought to be hollow or filled with a type of fluid. These spines apparently have a microscopic honey-comb structure in which a Taag is able to sample the humidity of the air and detect the slightest variation. Water was an extremely scarce resource on Taagath and the Taag had adapted to enable them to locate this precious commodity.
Taag earlobes are another peculiar feature of their species. Their hearing is well above normal. Acute and sensitive, their long ears can detect a surpising range of frequencies, as well as sense accurately the direction of the sound. Their ears can accurately detect changes in wind direction as well.
Taag eyes have a reflective quality to them to shield against the harsh environment of their home planet. They also have a translucent second eyelid that helps in the clearing of dust and debris from the eye.
Taag bone structure is fairly normal compared to most species, but the density of their bones is very robust; Taag bone density is nearly 4x that of a human. Taag bones are laced with what appears to be a naturally occurring carbon fiber which lends a greater degree of strength to the bone structure as well as a small degree of flexibility.

The Taag respiratory system is similar to that of most humanoids, with a pair of lungs that function to extract oxygen from the atmosphere and transfer it into the bloodstream, and to also release carbon dioxide from the bloodstream into the atmosphere. Of particular note is a powerful immune response should any foreign particulates enter the respiratory system (which would be plentiful on a planet such as Taagath), in which the lungs and esophagus produce a phlegm-like fluid to capture any particulates. Shortly after this an involuntary coughing response will continue until the foreign particulates are expelled from the body. While this process can be painful or even debilitating, it will preserve the health of the lungs from foreign contaminates.

In rare cases in which the individual's airway is constricted, the body is unable to expel the captured particulates. This leads to a potentially fatal condition in which the esophagus and lungs continue to produce fluid, leading to the individual suffocating as their lungs fill up with the fluid. Anti-inflammatory medications targeting the airway of the individual are an effective treatment, as once the airway is clear the body's involuntary response will take over and purge the particulates from the body.

Of particular note is the Taag cardiovascular system; the structure and arrangement of the veins is similar to that of a Human or Romulan. Taag heart rate is considerably slower to that of a human, and the blood vessels are somewhat smaller to keep the pressure at desired levels. A Taag will have a lower typical blood pressure then most humanoids. The Taag liver seems to work at a much more efficient levels than most species. This is a necessary adaptation to prevent clotting and other issues in the thinner blood vessels that the Taag possess.
The most unusual feature about Taag physiology is their very blood. In a normal, healthy specimen, Taag blood toxicity is off the charts. It seems that large Uranium 238 deposits were found across the surface of Taagath, and it seems that high levels of Uranium were absorbed into the Taag blood over time. While this would normally be fatal and debilitating to most species, the Taag seem to have adapted to this trait, allowing them to be remarkably resistant to toxins and the harmful effects of radiation. It is possible that due to the destruction of Taagath this trait will die out, but due to the long half-life of Uranium 238, it will be millions of years before this will happen.

The Taag mature slightly faster than humans, reaching physical maturity at the age of 16 standard years. The Taag lifespan is currently difficult to estimate due to lack of empirical evidence, but before the destruction of Taagath, the average lifespan of a Taag was 180 standard years for males and well over 200 standard years for females of the species. Perhaps related to their unique blood, Taag show very little in outward signs of aging. A specimen's age could be determined by the efficiency of their internal organs, but as most Taag are well built with significant muscle mass, a Taag in all likelihood would remain physically fit until the day of their natural death.
The birth-rate of the Taag is fairly normal, with normal gestation lasting up to approximately 50 standard weeks. Due to the lifespan and apparent long-lasting health of their species, overpopulation could have been a concern on Taagath. Birth-rate was apparently tightly controlled by the ruling powers of Taagath in order to maintain political balance amongst the various hereditary clans.

Societal Notes:
The Taag societal structure is primarily composed of several hereditary clans with strict castes dividing up the population. There were believed to have been ten or twelve different clans. There were four castes:
Nen'zar (Nobility) Caste: Primarily composed of clan leaders and influential philosophers, scientists, and politicians. Their duties were to ensure the safety and well being of the society.
Rek'zar (Warrior) Caste: Primarily composed the most experienced military leaders as well as the most well trained soldiers. Their duties were to protect the society from threats within and without.
Tel'zar (Merchant/Craftsman) Caste: Primarily composed of merchants, skilled craftsmen, tradesmen, and medical professionals. Their duties were to apply their trades in order to benefit society.
Mel'zar (Laborer) Caste: Primarily composed of average citizens and slaves. Their duties were to work in order to benefit the society.

The castes were primarily a guide to retain order in Taag society. It was rare for an individual to rise beyond the caste they were born into, but not unheard of. Slavery was primarily a tool used for punishment and rehabilitation. The justice system in Taag society was simple and straight forward: You follow the rules enforced by the Clan Council, or you will become a slave and work off your debt to society. Individuals convicted of murder were typically executed, although due to inter-clan conflict, it often came down to the judgment of the individual's clan. After serving time as a slave laborer, an individual was often allowed to return to society to the position they formerly occupied. If an individual was unruly or unwilling to perform tasks given to them as a slave, they were often exiled from society to fend for themselves in the wilderness. Most disputes between individuals came down to “an eye for an eye,” and were typically resolved with an arbitrator from the Rek'zar caste.

Clan conflict was always a constant. While occasional bloodshed could break out, such conflicts were viewed as the glue that adhered the Taag together and not entirely discouraged. In order to help ensure that no one clan suddenly outnumbered all others, pairing of mates for the purpose of reproduction and the numbers of offspring allowed by lifemates was strictly controlled by the Clan Council. It was common for a mated pair to produce offspring within the first few years of their bond to ensure that the population of the clan did not diminish significantly. It was not uncommon for lifemates to be encouraged later in life to produce more offspring if population levels were low.

Taag religion would be viewed as relatively primitive by some societies, but due to the harshness of their homeworld, every scrap of food and puddle of water was a sacred blessing by the Dez'rin, or the Great Wind Spirit. The winged lizards which roamed the skies of Taagath, called Nich'zerth, or Sky Dragons, were thought to be the spiritual servants of the Great Wind Spirit and were often seen as good omens.

Government:
The Taag primarily governed themselves with a planetary Clan Council. A representative from each caste from each clan would sit at the Council to ensure that all levels of society were given a voice. Typically members from the Rek'zar caste would perform the role of arbitrators for the council meetings, ensuring order was maintained.

Technology:
The Taag once had a level of technology similar to that of Earth soon after First Contact with the Vulcans. While wind was the primary source of power on Taagath, Taag scientists were able to develop a primitive warp drive in 2301. Upon achieving FTL flight, the Taag began to expand their influence throughout their home system and established small colonies on the outskirts of their territory.

Homeworld:
Taagath was a class H planet characterized by vast wastelands of sharp rocks and harsh winds. Vast canyon ranges made up the primary settlements of the Taag where cities would be shielded from the constant wind. While flora and fauna were relatively scarce, small pockets of fertile soil were often found in underground caves where natural springs would run. Fauna was often limited to beetles and other insects that braved the arid wastelands of the surface. The most iconic animal of Taagath was the Nich'zerth, or the Sky Dragon which soared the skies despite the constant winds.

First Contact:
Discovered by the Romulans in 2153, the Taag were left alone until their society was further developed, quoted as being “little more than primitive bipedal desert creatures” by a Romulan scientist. Little is known of first contact with the Taag after their development of FTL flight due to any relevant records having been destroyed along with Taagath and Romulus.

Assessment:
The Taag are currently a scattered people found amongst the Federation, the Klingon Empire, the Romulan Star Empire, and the Romulan Republic. Despite their aggressive tendencies as a war-like people, Starfleet would have much to gain if we are to help them rebuild their society.
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