The Orions from Rigel VIII, a planet in the Rigel system, for the most part, are human-like beings. The dominant species of Orions have skin color ranging from ruddy, golden orange to the skin tones of Terran caucasians. Rarely though, some females (and even more rarely, males) are born with green skin. Said to be less intelligent of the dominant Orions (though this may be more lack of educational opportunity than from genetics) they behave in a semi-animalistic fashion and are considered to be workers, the backbone of Orion society, opposed to the Ruddies' positions with in Alliance as diplomats, traders, scientists, leaders... so on. They usually have long, sharp claws (but not always as they can be trimmed) and a greater physical dexterity than the dominant Orions.

Green-skinned Orion females (Orion animal women) in the past used to be held in semi-slavery by Orion males. They are extremely seductive, with legend holding that many races' males cannot resist them. Slave trade ran rampant within and without the Orion worlds trading these females until the Federation and the Orion government put a stop to it. Sometimes even today on the black market, trading of Orion animal women can still be found, despite the illegality of it in Orion Alliance space (and pretty much everywhere else).

Physical Description

As a humanoid species, Orions greatly resemble Homo sapiens. Males average 1.7 meters in height (5 feet 7 inches), and weigh around 70 kilograms (154 pounds), while females average 1.5 meters in height (4 feet 11 inches) and with approximately 60 kilograms (132 pounds). They live approximately 150 standard years.

The Orions' distinctive difference is their colors. Constituting about four-fifths of the Orion population, Ruddy Orions have skin tones ranging from ruddy orange and yellow to Terran caucasian or red-brown. Their skin is sensitive to strong sunlight (such as that from Rigel), which can deepen their color or cause an unsightly purple burn. Ruddy eye colors range from yellow to sea-blue, violet, or occasionally black. Ruddy Orions tend to be slender, and some can be quite delicate. The fat Ruddy is a rarity. By Human standards, their proportions and features are pleasing, even beautiful. Judging by physical standards, it is perhaps easy to see how Ruddies claim their racial (and socio-economic) superiority.

Green Orions often seem coarse compared to Ruddy Orions. Green Orions skin tones range from grass-green to deep pine, and their coloration deepens nicely in strong sunlight. Their eye colors are not as varied as Ruddies, with black being most common, and lighter shades of green making up the remaining variety. Some Greens (referred to as "erratics") have very different eye colors: blue, brown, gold, yellow, silver, and even pink. Physically, Green Orions tend to have powerful and fleshy builds. Most are as tall as Ruddies, but they are generally more muscular as a result of manual labor, and are also apt to be more obese than slender. Greens differ from Ruddies in a very important way, Green Orions tend to smell. Although uninformed Ruddies and other non-Orions believe this is the result of insufficient hygiene, the scent of Green Orion is a natural function. Green Orion skin is noticeably oilier and shinier than that of Ruddies. The scent is not unpleasant to humanoid races, but can prove irritable to canine or feline races, or other races with strong oilfactory abilities. The scent is unnoticeable to humanoids after about five minutes. Pleasant or not, the scent is definitely not innocuous. It is heavily laden with pheromones, or chemical agents that affect the subconscious of most humanoid races. The effect is comforting, even soothing. Ten minutes among any sizable group of Greens drains tension, and even proves tranquilizing upon the recipient. This applies with equal effect should the group of Greens be feeling fear, anger, or desire, which alters the scent. While this pheromonal scent does not compel bystanders to share a particular mood, it does make them susceptible to it.

The Orion Mind

As Vulcans are known for logic, Klingons for aggression, Romulans for stoicism, and Ferengi for avarice and rapaciousness, Orions have made a name for themselves in treachery. While Orions do not particularly work or train at it, treachery is often a side effect of their peculiar and self-centered way of looking at things.

The Orion mind is complicated because Orions think in complicated ways. There are five basic facets to their way of thinking: opportunism, egocentricity, materialism, hedonism, and barbarity. Added together, these traits make Orions maddeningly difficult to get along with, let alone understand. The wise reader should also remember there are those Orions who do not necessarily follow these traits; whether for their own reasons, or just to be additionally difficult none may say.

Orion opportunism is legendary. If there is a profit to be made, an Orion will find it no matter how unorthodox or strange the means. This is the primary difference between Ferengi rapacity and Orion opportunism, but since this issue becomes a matter of custom, the differences can be various shades of gray. Figuring chances, finding advantages, and measuring and comparing risks come naturally to Orions. In any given situation, an Orion will find out how either to clean up, or else to get out with his skin intact.

Because of their faculty for gauging odds and their drive to win, Orions make formidable negotiators and able diplomats. From interstellar conferences to family confrontations, their politics are always multifarious and riddled with several flavors of intrigue. They are the black belts of the bluff, the concealed motive, and the ringer. An Orion enjoys matching wits in bargaining, and will play a complicated deal like a chess match. In fact Orions will often prolong dickering in a business deal for its own sake.

If left unchecked, opportunism would make the Orions very dangerous. Fortunately, other traits balance their barganing skill. For example Orion egocentricity leads to overconfidence, which can be used against them. Most Orions are confident that they can get away with what they want, and are not shy abou letting other people know. Proud of their brains, muscles, wealth, powerful friends, and ancient culture, they may show off just enough to trip themselves up.

Orion egocentricity is not limited to individuals. An Orion is loyal to his family, company, and any other group to which he belongs. Every Orion crewman knows his ship is the best in known space, and every Orion archexecutive believes his corporation is destined for glory. Greens pride themselves on being the backbone of Orion might and the muscles of Orion civilization while Ruddies are proud to be the nobility, brains, and rulers. Furthermore, because they are members of such a proud, ancient, and puissant race, every Orion feels just a bit superior to the other peoples in space. Although it makes Orions hard to deal with, it also makes them vulnerable.

Orions and their materialism are an old cliché. If the Orions could rent the sunset, they would have three per day, and schedule them before five so that they would not have to pay overtime. Only the Ferengi cares so passionately about material things, or puts monetary value on things other races take for granted. Orion mothers really do sell cookies to their own children. The reason for this is that Orions are excellent at estimating value. Material value is a universal language among Orions-the one thing upon which everyone can agree. To have a price for everything is not crass; it is a necessity, and the very foundation of polite discourse and business. Orions themselves joke about the value of a particular sunset, the cost of clouds, and the dearness of dust. To and Orion, it is a comfort to rely on some standards. They are a measure of sincerity.

Of course, Orions know there is also more to life than credits or gold-pressed latinum. A mother may sell cookies to her family, but she dispenses them with a kiss. True friends are never bought-loyalty is bound to blood, and blood alone. Although money can never replace love and devotion, Orions are like Ferengi in that both believe money more reliable.

Orion taste for luxury is so unfettered that it embarrasses less self-conscious races, and seems to be the only thing so closely similar to Ferengi belief. Living as well as their means will let them, Orions spend all they make on rich clothing and jewelry, ornate furnishings and hangings, and lavish mansions and vehicles. They enjoy displays of wealth and comfort as much as they enjoy being rich and comfortable (though of course, not all Orions are). Orions see no virtue in poverty, or acting impoverished. Life is to be enjoyed right down to the bottom of the pocket.

Orions enjoy large-scale entertainment: from street circuses to concerts, holomovies, to festivals. It gives them a chance to dress up and to see and be seen in all their finery. Upper-class Orions are proud of their large and sumptuous banquets, which feature musicians, dancers, entertainment, and food from many worlds. Even the most pragmatic and hard-driven business meeting is not properly concluded until the final feast, with all participants trying to out-spectacle each other-an Orion corporation without a major Entertainment Division is unheard of. In such business gatherings, of course, the goal is more often to impress than to relax.

Even Klingons, who are not known for their gentility, remark on Orion barbarism. Of all Orion characteristics, this one differentiates them most from any other spacefaring peoples. Occasionally, a Ruddy Orion will comment that Orions are merely decadent, and not barbaric at all. After all, how could a race that plied the stars when Humans, Vulcans and Klingons could not cross their own oceans be barbaric?

The crux may lie in the way Orions perceive themselves. Far from disagreeing with any unflattering descriptions of themselves, they enjoy their reputation. Being secretive and treacherous has made them a great deal of money over the millenia, and to conquer a lot of planets, which is all they really ever wanted.

Let the Klingons vie for mastery, the Federation seek peaceful settlement of the galaxy, and the Romulans pursue whatever it is Romulans pursue. The Orions have no such racial purpose because they live for self-indulgence, and devil take the hindmost. The average Orion thinks it is silly to argue about racial destiny when he has a business to run. Although they may seem stagnant and purposeless, at least they thoroughly enjoy themselves.