PHYSIOLOGY
The Tesrin (singular and plural) are a bipedal species with a mix of humanoid and vulcanoid traits. While more similar in outward appearance to a vulcanoid species their internal structure has traits more characteristic of a humanoid species. Tesrin have a slighter build and skeletal structure than the average human.
Tesrin can be differentiated from Vulcans by several distinguishing features. The first is small mark on each nostril near the bridge of the nose, dark in color. The origins of this mark have never been firmly established. Second, Tesrin hair lacks the normal variety of pigment found in most species. Tesrin youth have bright, white hair that will gradually shift to darker and darker grey as they age. On the microscopic level Tesrin epidermal and dermal layers differ drastically from vulcans and humans. The arrangement retains some traits from a semi-aquatic evolutionary ancestor, and is optimized to retain body heat in aquatic environments. Due to this trait Tesrin are incapable of growing body hair, including facial hair, with the exception of the scalp and eyebrow region.
The average Tesrin lifespan is 200 years. As a result their developmental cycle is much longer than similar species. Tesrin youth won’t reach physical maturity until their mid twenties, and aren’t considered adults by society until their late twenties.
APPENDIX 1, Empathy and Telepathy
Empathetic and telepathic sensitivities are increasingly rare among Tesrin. Less that 4% of the population exhibits these sensitivities. Tesrin that are born with sensitivity are always capable of both empathy and telepathy, but often have a dominant ability between the two. While it’s rare that a Tesrin will be born with sensitivity those that are are often powerful when compared to other species.
Tesrin, unlike other species, are not able to access these abilities until their mid to late teens. Mental abilities always manifest in the pre-pubescent stage of a child’s development and delay the onset of puberty by several years. Typically, the endocrine system in Tesrin would produce hormones related to puberty in the mid teens. However, in psionically active Tesrin this process is delayed by the release of two hormones found to trigger psionic abilities, Zaraphoid and Fernayahide.
Tesrin with sensitivity will start to experience manifestations of their empathetic abilities most commonly described as intrusive visual synesthesia. Over time the visual synesthesia becomes more integrated, resulting in a very limited impact to daily life. This final result is often described as a faint aura around an individual. Tesrin youth with sensitivity are often trained by an older mentor, which greatly mitigates the distractions associated with early development.
SOCIETY AND CULTURE
Early Tesrin society is rather well documented, displaying an overall trend of greater and greater unification. This trend is interrupted several times in their history, as early records indicate several armed conflicts. Modern Tesrin society was shaped by a series of viral outbreaks during the species early space age, roughly 150-200 years before contact with the Federation. It’s widely accepted that these viral outbreaks were the result of modifications made to several viral strains intended to weaponize them. Several documents from this period indicate this, but conclusive proof is still lacking. A unified planet emerged from these outbreaks, and no conflict has been fought since they occurred.
APPENDIX 2, Island Enclaves
During the outbreaks several island groups were isolated enough to avoid infection. The populations survived there in isolation, and a portion of those elected to remain isolated. They asked that the government leave them in peace. A small government run station operates on the island to provide medical care, and transport those who wish to return to the greater Tesrin society. These islands are off limits to anyone without proper authorization. The younger generation on these islands has been reintegrating into modern society. The Tesrin interior ministry estimates a complete return to greater society in no more than two generations.
TECHNOLOGY REPORT
Medical
RATING: above average
Tesrin society was devastated by two massive viral outbreaks during the species early space age. One of the more significant results was a society wide focus on advancing medical technology. Initially, the prevention of viral infections was the primary goal; but this pivot to medical research led to breakthroughs in almost every field of medical science. As a result, the species medical technology reached parity with the Federation’s long before the first warp flight. Post joining, Tesrin medical science has taken a prominent role in the Federation. It’s facilities and doctors are widely recognized. The planet provides medical exports and expertise to dozens of other Federation planets and colonies.
Science
RATING: below average
Scientific technology on Tesrin was, like most species, driven by the problems that the species faced pre-warp age. A limited landmass and large population necessitated constant advancement. Scientific fields directly relating to medical advancement were often prioritized. This led to a period of deficiency in fields such as physics and delayed the first warp flight by several decades. When Tesrin joined the Federation this disparity was slowly eliminated. While medical science is still a priority other fields are no longer neglected.
Engineering
RATING: average
Tesrin engineering has promoted a natural aesthetic since the planet was unified under a single government. Tesrin engineers have mastered the art of blending infrastructure into the surrounding landscapes. Society is highly urbanized, over 90% of the population live within one of the dozen mega-cities dotted along the cost, or one of two cities located inland on the main landmass. Their engineering focus has always been terrestrial based, and it wasn’t until Federation membership that any orbital infrastructure was established.
