ANTHROPOLOGICAL REPORT • VULCAN
64823.6
LCDR Tiede, Paul-Santis
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 Vulcan, circa. 2387. |
Vulcan is an inhabited M-class planet in the Vulcan system of the Beta Quadrant. Though the planet had no moons, it did form a binary pair with T'Khut and was considered its sister planet. It was the homeworld of the Vulcans, a warp-capable humanoid species.
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Planetary Index
Vulcan has a considerably thinner atmosphere, and generally higher temperatures than Earth. Its climate was harsh, with most of the surface consisting of large deserts or mountain ranges, along with scattered small seas. The Vulcan sky was typically red or beige in color, though on occasion it appeared blue. Desert areas were prone to large amounts of heat, light, and electrical sandfire storms. The planet's harsh landscapes including active volcanoes, ancient ruins, deep canyons and lava fields.History
1.1 Ancient History
Proto-Vulcan humanoids, an anthropological term that was used to describe pre-developed Homo-Eridani. Proto-Vulcan visual art and literature, such as Clash on the Fire Plains, were early examples of Vulcan civilization.1.2 Pre-Surak
According to collective consciousness, Vulcan had never been conquered, making the idea of a conqueror inconceivable to 23rd century Vulcans. However, although memory went back farther than that of Humans, there were still many gaps in Vulcan prehistory. The Obelisks of ancient Vulcan were lost for many years but were an important archaeological discovery when they were finally excavated.Around 2700 BC, Vulcans were barbaric and war-like. Due to the constant conflict Vulcans of this time chose to mire themselves in, Some Vulcans began to mentally train themselves to suppress their emotions by the middle of the 3rd millennium BC.
1.3 Time of Awakening
By the 4th century, Vulcan was tearing itself apart. The Vulcans' rampant emotions, combined with a hostile warrior culture, led to many wars using terrible weapons like atomic bombs. But out of this emerged a philosopher named Surak, who proposed leading a life governed by logic rather than emotion. His teachings quickly spread and were recorded in the Kir'Shara, an ancient Vulcan artifact containing the writings of Surak. which would finally show Vulcan a path towards peace. When Surak later died of radiation sickness on Mount Seleya, the site became one of the most revered locations on Vulcan.However, one group still opposed allowing logic to govern their lives. fighting a final war with the rest of Vulcan and were eventually forced to leave the planet, becoming the ancestors of the Debrune and the Romulans.
1.4 Vulcan's Final Frontier
According to some, it took Vulcan almost fifteen hundred years after the Time of Awakening to rebuild and travel to the stars.During the first half of the 20th century, Vulcans came into contact with the Andorians. According to the Vulcans, their first contact “seemed promising,” “despite their heightened emotions.” However, it was soon discovered that “they were duplicitous,” wishing to only honor “agreements that didn’t conflict with their interests.” Soon, a border dispute – dating back to the 1950s and lasting two hundred years – began between the two powers, due to their neighboring home systems and the Vulcans being suspicious towards the Andorians’ having a territorial and militaristic nature. The Andorians on the other hand felt the only thing that kept Vulcan from invading Andoria was “the threat of massive retaliation.”
By the mid-20th century, Vulcan had made contact with the Tellarites. Vulcans considered Tellarites argumentative, but “generally reliable.”
Society and Culture
Vulcans were generally non-violent, but logic dictated that combat was sometimes necessary. Vulcans could and did use weapons and practiced martial arts.1.1 Death
Vulcans considered death to be the completion of a journey. Therefore, they did not fear it happening; however, the loss of one's katra was to be avoided if possible, since the katra lived on beyond the physical death. They also practiced euthanasia for the infirm and elderly, and saw nothing wrong with practicing ritual suicide when they reached a certain infirmity with age. As they knew death was an inevitability, they believed that fear of death was ultimately illogical.1.2 Early Development and Parenting
Naturally, the development of a Vulcan's lifelong devotion towards logic was encouraged at a very early age. Vulcan parents utilized careful and gentle methods to train their infants in primary logic. Vulcan children learned, by example, how to detach themselves from their emotions as well, and it often aided in difficult childhood situations. Despite logic being paramount in education, Vulcan children were allowed much freedom as well, and enjoyed a number of passions their controlled states allowed them to coordinate.As parents, Vulcans never restricted their children from real life. Doing so only hindered their ability to develop their own identity. A Vulcan parent’s attachment to their children could not be described as an emotion. They were part of the parent’s identity and the parent was incomplete without them.
1.3 Logic and Emotions
Contrary to stereotype, Vulcans possess strong emotions. They use meditation as a way to suppress those emotions. For instance, emotions like remorse, relief, joy, and embarrassment were all able to be expressed. Indeed, Vulcan emotions were far more intense, violent, and passionate than those of many other species, including even Humans.It was this passionate, explosive emotionality that Vulcans blamed for the vicious cycle of wars which nearly devastated their planet. As such, they focused their mental energies on mastering them. The essence of their logical society was in arriving at the truth through logical process. Emotions were illogical, thus making them impure, and deterrent to truth. Vulcans were born with the same emotions that afflicted their violent ancestors, but continual mental conditioning generally gave them the impassivity they sought.
Though not all could arrive at the ultimate pure logical state, the exacting process of mental control gave Vulcans enough to conform to the ideals of Vulcan society. The ultimate level of logical thought was achieved through the attainment of kolinahr, which was said to purge them of all remaining emotions.
Vulcans were renowned for their honesty, and indeed it has been claimed that “Vulcans could not lie.” This is true, as dishonesty is perceived as counterproductive, and ill-efficient amongst Vulcans.
1.4 Romantic Relationships
When Vulcan children came of age, having sometimes been betrothed to childhood companions by age seven, underwent the pon farr, the link compelled them to follow through with full marital rituals, which cemented their relationship.It was traditional for the female to propose marriage by presenting a necklace to the male. She may signal her intention to do so by wearing ritual mating colors on an auspicious date, such as the anniversary of a first courtship event.
If, for whatever reason, the female did not wish to go through with the marriage, then the ceremony of koon-ut-kal-if-fee was invoked. The male fought for the right to keep his mate against a challenger of her choosing. The female became the property of the male who won the contest, unless he chose to release her. The koon-ut-kal-if-fee was a fight to the death.
Touching each other with both the middle- and the forefinger was a custom practiced by married couples and was part of the Vulcan marriage ceremony. It could also help to calm down male Vulcans during Pon-Farr.
Religion
The Vulcans held a number of spiritual beliefs. Their religious system was polytheistic. They also believed in the katra, the soul and consciousness of a person, which could be transferred psionically prior to death. Vulcan mythology stated that all creation arose from a place known as Sha Ka Ree.Meditation was a central component of Vulcan life. The Vulcan Sh’vhal type ship of the late 24th century was known to feature a dedicated meditation chamber that the crew could use alone or in small groups.
Summary of Inhabitants Vulcans are a deeply passionate people. Highly self-aware, the Vulcan people have repeatedly proven themselves capable of introspection and improvement. Their achievement of warp capable space-faring vessels the final testament to how far they have progressed from their Proto-Vulcan ancestors. The now pacifistic race of people having been an integral part of not only Starfleet, but the United Federation of Planets as well.
Speculations None.
Recommendations None.
OOC Had the idea(s) to start making occupational posts (will come up with something for Sadaann). That being said, I’m no real Anthropologist, I’ve just begun to play one on the internet. If I ever update the way I do this, I’ll probably edit - most likely I’ll just carry the improvements into future entries. This was inspired by @Kala 's thesis post.
