Asari (Mass Effect Supplement)

Asari

Physical Description

Source

The asari are a unisex humanoid race closely resembling human women, though this similarity is largely superficial. Their hairless skin varies among shades of blue and purple, as well as rarer teal shades, and their head is topped by a crest of semi-flexible cartilage. Additionally, all asari are inherently biotic and can naturally live to be over a thousand years old, which has lead to much speculation regarding prehistorical genetic meddling by the Prothean Empire.

Asari are able to temporarily "meld" with other sapients, during which the nervous systems of both individuals are interlinked. This is a necessity for asari reproduction, which operates as a form of parthenogenesis (reproduction from a single gamete rather than the union of multiple), in which genetic information is retrieved in order to modify a potential offspring's genetic structure. This process is extremely taxing on, and requires immense focus from, all involved individuals, so while it can be used to directly transmit information of any kind, it can not be used to extract information by force.

History

Much of early asari history is fairly unremarkable; resources on their homeworld of Thessia were plentiful, and made even easier to retrieve than most civilizations thanks to the asari's universal biotics, and their long lifespans allowed technology and philosophy to progress at a nearly unparalleled rate, all of which lead to a markedly limited number of asari wars.

In the early 6th century BCE, the asari became the first modern species to achieve spaceflight, and by 580 BCE they had activated the mass relay present at the edge of their home system, Parnitha, and formed a settlement on the Citadel. It would take another 60 years for another species, the Salarian Union, to discover the Citadel, and another 20 for the two to form the Citadel Council in order to establish galactic law and protocol.

In modern times, the asari dominate galactic law, with their extended lifespans allowing politicians to work through agendas over a dozen of their contemporaries' lifetimes. In particular, the Asari Republics' seat on the Citadel Council is often considered its leader.

Society

Asari culture splits an asari's life into three stages, which an individual gradually shifts between:

• In the maiden stage, an asari is driven by exploration and adventure. Most maidens take up careers in dancing or mercenary work, though any number of options fit into this life stage; archeology, colonization, and shipping would all fit into the maiden stage.
• In the matron stage, typically when an asari is around 350 years of age, an asari is driven by a desire to settle. Most matrons take up stable careers without much travel, such as those in medicine, manufacturing, and farming. It is also in this stage that an asari will seek to rear children.
• In the matriarch stage, typically when an asari is around 700 years of age, an asari is driven by a desire to lead. Most matriarchs take up careers in politics, or assume higher leadership roles in their matron careers.

Asari also have a number of cultural traditions around their unique reproduction, where it is believed that an asari bears the best traits of their "father", though this is likely untrue. Additionally, "purebloods", asari whose fathers are asari, are typically looked down upon, as at best it limits one's insight into other races, and at worst could result in an Ardat-Yakshi.

Asari culture also bears the vestiges of a variety of ancient religions, most notably the Athame Doctrine from which their home system's planets are named, in the form of Siari, a pantheistic religion roughly translating to "all is one" in which the universe is seen as a single conscious being, and death is seen as simply changing form within that consciousness.

Asari Names

Asari are given a personal name by their parents and take the surname of their mothers, even if the child has two asari parents. Outside of asari communities, they normally do not use their surnames and prefer to introduce themselves with their personal name only. Matriarchs are addressed as such, but other titles may be used for matriarchs in prestigious positions.

Personal Names: Aeian, Aethyta, Aleena, Alestia, Aria, Batha, Benezia, Dahlia, Falere, Irissa, Jona, Liara, Lidanya, Liselle, Mallene, Morinth, Nassana, Nyxeris, Pelessaria, Rana, Rila, Samara, Sarissa, Shiala, Tela, Tevos, Treeya

Surnames: Ateyne, B'Sayle, Calis, D'Layne, D'Nava, D'Ysesan, Dantius, Iallis, Iasava, Janieri, Kelis, M'Loari, M'Taros, Makenus, Nuwani, Sedela, Sederis, T'Goni, T'Loak, T'Soni, Thanoptis, Theris, V'Lanis, V'Nato, V'Tizor, Vasir

Asari Traits

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Age. Asari are considered mature at 40, and typically live to around 1000 years of age.
Alignment. Asari alignment typically changes with their life stage, being Chaotic as a maiden, Neutral as a matron, and Lawful as a matriarch, but regardless are typically Good.
Size. Asari stand over 5 feet tall, and it is rare for an asari to exceed 6-foot. Your size is Medium
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Biotic Nature. You gain two biotic powers of your choice. Wisdom is your casting modifier for these powers.
Long-Lived. You gain proficiency in two skills of your choice.
Mind Meld. As an action, you may merge your nervous system with that of a willing creature within your reach. For up to 1 hour with concentration, you and the target can communicate telepathically across any sensory information. Concentration is broken if you are no longer touching the creature. When your mind meld ends, you and the target gain 1 level of exhaustion.
Languages. You can speak, read and write Asari and one language of your choice.

Variant: Ardat-Yakshi

A very old Asari term for "demon of the night wind", an Ardat-Yakshi is an asari pureblood afflicted with a rare genetic condition affecting their nervous system. When an Ardat-Yakshi melds with another, they totally dominate their partner, causing severe neural damage typically leading to death. To exacerbate the issue, Ardat-Yakshi melding is addictive, and it is very rare for an Ardat-Yakshi to transition through life stages, so most are eternally infatuated with their own curiosity. For an Ardat-Yakshi, their future holds only two options: live sequestered in one of the Asari Republics' Ardat-Yakshi monasteries, or be hunted by Justicars for the rest of their life.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity, Wisdom, and Charisma scores increases by 1.
Age. Asari are considered mature at 40, and typically live to around 1000 years of age.
Alignment. Ardat-Yakshi development is typically arrested in their maiden stage, making them Chaotic.
Size. Asari stand over 5 feet tall, and it is rare for an asari to exceed 6-foot. Your size is Medium
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Biotic Nature. You gain Domination and one other biotic power of your choice. Charisma is your casting modifier for these powers.
Long-Lived. You gain proficiency in two skills of your choice.
Languages. You can speak, read and write Asari.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
4′ 8''	+2d8	110 lb.	× (2d4) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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