u.s.s. Lancelot NCC-74410

diplomatic/JAG dEPARTMENT

VULCANS

Vulcans are a humanoid race, however they  differ quite considerably from humans in physiological, social and intellectual terms. They have a rather elf-like appearance, with long slanted eyebrows and delicately pointed ears, and they also possess a second eyelid to protect themselves from the powerful light of the Vulcan sun.

Because Vulcan also possess a higher gravity and thinner atmosphere than Earth, Vulcans, in comparison to humans, tend to exhibit greater strength and a far more acute sense of hearing in similar surroundings. The Vulcan heart, while similar to that of a human, is located where a human's liver would be - and even if the heart is damaged, the Vulcans have a unique way of repairing injuries to the body. Through a form of self-hypnosis they can focus their blood, strength and antibodies towards the damaged organs.

Vulcans are relentlessly logical, honest, and loyal, though the traits of individuals vary, of course. 

While Vulcans do not lie, they will 'exaggerate' if they believe they have a logical reason for doing so. They claim not to have a sense of humor, though some have been observed using sarcasm.

Vulcans are touch telepaths and can join mind with most other species. 

Once every seven years, however, logic takes the back seat for Vulcan males. This is because they go through pon farr, the part of the male Vulcan life-cycle, when he must return home and seek a mate. During this time the male experiences a mating drive know as plak-tow (or blood fever). All logic flees, and the subject is left only with the strongest urge to mate. 

The Vulcans are one of the Federation's most ancient and advanced races. Exactly how ancient and how advanced is open to question, though sources suggest that the Vulcans may be related to a humanoid race that lived on Sargons planet 500,000 years ago.

For many years, Vulcans were fierce and violent and many of their disputes were bloody and savage affairs.

The philosopher Surak is looked upon as the father of modern Vulcan civilization. By preaching the twin ethics of peace and logic more than 2,000 years ago, he was instrumental in converting Vulcans from an emotional race plagued by infighting into a peaceful society that valued pure logic as its ultimate principle. This period of Vulcan history is known as the Time of Awakening.

Around this time, a group of Vulcans left their planet and eventually founded the Romulan Star Empire. The exact date of the Romulan departure is unknown. many people believe that the founders of the Romulan Empire left Vulcan because they disagreed with Surak's teachings, but ruins of an offshoot of the Romulan Empire, the Debrune, place the Vulcan/Romulan schism more than 2,000 years in Vulcan's past, suggesting that the Romulans left before the Time of Awakening.

Vulcans were the first species to contact humans after Zephram Cochrane discovered warp drive

In the ensuing year since Surak, there has been little to disrupt the peaceful and logical existence of the Vulcans, and their message has traveled further a field thanks to the formation of the Federation of Planets in 2161

However, in recent years an extreme isolationists group of Vulcans has suggested that Vulcan should withdraw from the Federation to prevent the pollution of their culture. It seems that this group has relatively little support.

Vulcans have often been at the forefront of peace negotiations in the galaxy. Ambassador Sarek, a true successor to the illustrious Surak, had been instrumental in some of the galaxy's most historic alliances. Among his most notable triumphs are the Treaty of Alpha Cygnus IX and the Coridan entry into the Federation, while he laid much of the groundwork for the Khitomer conference of 2293, which eventually led to the historic Federation-Klingon alliance. His last achievement was the conclusion of the Federation Treaty with the Legarans in 2366 - after some 93 years of painstaking negotiations.

Sarek's family continues his diplomatic work. In 2368 Sarek's son, Spock, goes on a secret mission to Romulus in an attempt to bring about a Vulcan-Romulan reunification. Though the plan is ruined by a secret Romulan plot to invade Vulcan, Spock continues his work on Romulus and there will undoubtedly be other Vulcans willing to carry their doctrine of peace across the galaxy.

Should you have any questions or comments please e-mail the Chief Diplomatic/JAG Officer at the Diplomatic/JAG Department aboard the U.S.S. Lancelot.