Vulcans are natives of a hot desert with higher gravity and thinner atmosphere than Earth. They are renowned as diplomats, engineers, mediators, musicians, physicians, philosophers, and scientists.

They usually resemble tall, somewhat slender, long-faced, Caucasian humans of European or Eurasian descent, but with pointed ears and thick upswept eyebrows. A very few have heavy, V-shaped forehead ridges, as well as eyebrow ridges which bifurcate at the temples, giving them a more “Romulan” appearance. The skull might have a slightly larger braincase than in humans, with slight bulges at the temples. Height and mass is similar to humans, but whether due to genetics or strict discipline, obesity is rare. Some older or very sedentary individuals might be Overweight, but Fat or Very Fat Vulcans are extremely rare, to the point that their obesity counts as a Distinctive Feature.

Eyes are usually dark, but there are exceptions with rarer eye colors ranging from hazel to blue. Skin tone usually ranges from very pale with a slightly greenish cast to olive (medium brown with a slight yellow-green tint). Populations of Vulcans with medium brown skin and appearance reminiscent of Black humans also exist, as do populations with features more reminiscent of Asian humans.

Hair is usually dark brown or black, glossy and straight, although some individuals have sandy brown hair. Some individuals shave their hair or are naturally bald. Darker-skinned Vulcans can have tightly curled dark hair. In almost all cases, hair is worn short and straight, plastered against the head in a severe “pageboy” or “bobbed” haircut with straight bangs stopping halfway down the forehead and “sideburns” which end in a point just above the ear. In some eras, civilians might wear their hair longer, with women sometimes wearing very long hair arranged in elaborate hairstyles. Vulcan rebels or ascetics might wear their hair longer, usually loose and uncombed.

Males are capable of growing facial hair but usually keep their faces shaved. Males (and presumably females) can also have body hair similar to that of humans.

Civilian clothing generally consists of solid-colored robes in somber colors. Blacks, grays, browns, tans, and white predominate, with some subdued tints of red, green, or blue. While never formally stated in canon, it is possible that Vulcan civilian dress is based on societal position, with more senior officials and leaders wearing richer, more complex clothing.

On ceremonial or formal occasions, high officials and religious leaders wear loosely fitted robes marked with Vulcan script embroidered vertically down the lapels of the garment in gold, silver, or yellow. Additionally, they will sometimes wear flowing, peaked headdresses.

Vulcans serving in the military typically wear more tightly fitted garments; either jackets and trousers made from heavy leather-like material or flexible, form-fitting jumpsuits. In all cases, fabrics are somber solid colors - black, brown, or gray - or printed with fine geometrical patterns in those colors. Unusual individuals, particularly dissidents and rebels, might choose clothing that varies from these norms. Even so, the most fashion-conscious and radical Vulcan is likely to have conservative tastes as compared to members of “emotional species.”

Internal biology is radically different from human biology. For example, Vulcans possess teeth that humans do not have, lack an appendix, and have their hearts are located where a human’s liver would be. Their hearts beat very quickly – several hundred times per minute under normal conditions, but blood pressure is lower than that of a human.

Vulcans cells have mitochondria, but their bodies use a salt other than sodium chloride to maintain osmotic balance within their cells. Their blood is copper-based; oxygenated blood is vivid to dull yellow-green while deoxygenated blood is copper- or rust-colored. Their bruises and abrasions have a greenish tinge.

In part because of the harsh desert environment and thinner atmosphere of their home planet, Vulcans are physically superior to individuals most other species. The average Vulcan is faster, fitter, smarter, and tougher than the average human. They can live for over 200 years, particularly when aided by ultratech medicine. A male Vulcan is three times as strong as a human male. They can dent starship interior bulkheads with a punch, pry open bulkhead doors with their bare hands, and throw a full-grown human male at least two yards. Female Vulcans are strong enough that they can wrestle human males on equal terms, and can carry adult human males for at least short distances.

In order to extract the oxygen they needed from Vulcan’s thin atmosphere, their respiratory system is highly efficient. They are also capable of briefly operating in Very Thin atmospheres, such as a planet’s stratosphere. Possibly due to their thinner atmosphere, they have slightly superior senses of hearing and smell. Vulcans females have a superior sense of smell and find the smell of humans to be unpleasant.

Additionally, Vulcans have eyes adapted to bright light, the ability to go without water for long periods, and the ability to function comfortably in a broader range of temperatures than humans do. Using advanced body control techniques, some Vulcans can go without food or sleep for weeks.

At least to Andorian senses, most Vulcans smell of dust. Compared to other species, however, they seem to have little body odor.

Their brains are adapted to use a variety of psionic powers and are more resilient than human brains in some ways, but much more vulnerable in others. In particular, Vulcans can suffer brain damage from severe psychological stress, as well as certain psionic techniques, or exposure to rare chemical compounds.

Contrary to popular opinion, most Vulcans are not emotionless. Instead, they are actually a highly volatile species who use meditation and logic to control and suppress emotions. As a result, Vulcans are actually quite good at detecting subtle emotional nuances, although they find overt emotional displays to be distressing or offensive. A Vulcan who is unable to meditate will eventually revert to their "true" nature, which is often bad tempered and intolerant.

Federation Status: Founding member of Federation in 6161. Made first alien contact with humans April 5, 2063 at Bozeman, Montana. (Only 41 years from now, assuming that we're on the same timeline as the ST timeline, and you don't mind a Third World War which kills billions of people and wipes out 60% of Earth's species in the meantime.)

Attributes: ST: +2 [20]; IQ: +1 [20]; HT: +1 [10]. +50

Optional Attributes: Increased ST or HT [10/lvl]; Increased IQ or DX [20/lvl].

Secondary Characteristics: HP: -2 [-4]; Will: +1 [5]; Per: -1 [-5]. -4

Optional Secondary Characteristics: Increased Basic Speed or Move [5/lvl]; Increased Per or Will [5]; Increased FP [3/lvl].

Advantages: Acute Hearing 1 [2]; Acute Smell/Taste 1 (Limitation: Smell Only, -50%) [1]; Extended Lifespan 1 [2]; Fit [5]; Hard to Kill 2 (Limitation: Only against neurological damage, -50%.) [2]; Lifting Strength 5 [15];

Protected Sense (Vision, Limitation: Only to resist and recover from blindness due to exposure to bright light, -60%) [2]; Racial Reputation (+1, Honest, Peaceful, Reliable, & Truthful, Federation Citizens (Large Group), All the Time) [3];

Reduced Consumption 2 (Limitation: Water Only, -50%.) [2]; Telecommunication (Telesend) (Enhancement: Universal (Margin-Limited), +40%. Limitations: Concentration Required, -10%; Empathic Disturbance, -10%; Melee Attack (C, 1), -20%; Racial (Vulcans & closely-related species), -20%; Telepathic, -10%.) [21]; Temperature Tolerance 4 [4];

Vacuum Support (Limitations: No protection against explosive decompression, -10%; Only for Thin atmospheres. Very Thin atmospheres are treated as Thin. Vacuum is still treated as Vacuum. -50%.) [2]. +57

Optional Advantages: Absolute Timing [2]; Acute Hearing [2/lvl]; Acute Smell/Taste [2/lvl] Combat Reflexes [15]; Common Sense [10]; Compartmentalized Mind (Limitation: Only for Mathematical Calculations.) [10]; Detect (Emotions or Life) [20 or 30]; Discriminatory Hearing [15]; Discriminatory Smell [15];

Discriminatory Taste [10]; Doesn’t Sleep (Limitation: Must make daily Meditation skill roll, at -1 per 2 days after the first to avoid falling asleep for HT/2 hours, -20%.) [16]; Eidetic Memory or Photographic Memory [5 or 10]; Empathy or Sensitive [5 or 15]; Increased TL 1 [5]; Indomitable [15];

Hard to Kill (Optional Limitation: Neurological Injuries Only, -50%) [2/lvl]; Hard to Subdue (Optional Limitation: Only against electric shocks and/or direct neurological attacks, -50%) [2/lvl]; High Pain Threshold [15]; High TL [5/lvl]; Less Sleep [2/lvl]; Lightning Calculator or Intuitive Mathematician [2 or 5];

Metabolism Control [5/lvl]; Mindlink (To children, parents, and/or spouse/betrothed) [Varies]; Parabolic Hearing [4/lvl]; Possession (Enhancement: Mind Swap, +10%. Limitations: Mindlink Required, -40%; No Memory Access, -10%; Preparation Required (1 hour), -50%; Specialized, Psionic Adepts of own race, -40%; Telepathic, -10%.) [20];

Rapid Healing or Very Rapid Healing (Limitations: Meditation skill roll required, -20%; Only in a healing trance, -40%). [2 or 6]; Regeneration (Slow or Regular) (Limitations: Meditation skill roll required, -20%; Only while in a healing trance, -40%) [4 or 15]; Resistant (Disease, Pain, or Poison) (Limitations: Meditation skill roll required, -20%; Only while in a healing trance, -40%) [Varies];

Resistant (Influence or Psionics) [10 or 15]; Single-Minded [5]; Special Rapport (With those to whom they are Mindlinked) [5]; Striking ST [5/lvl]; Subsonic Hearing [5]; Talent (Artificer, Mathematical Ability, Mental Discipline Talent, Musical Ability, Scientific Ability; Vulcan Intellect Talent) [Varies];

Telekinesis [5/lvl]; Unfazeable [15]; Ultrahearing [5]; Very Fit [15].

Perks: Katra Transfer [1]; Inner Eyelid [1]; Skill Adaptation (With limitations, an IQ-based Mathematics or Physics skill can substitute for any DX-based Games skill) [1]; Weak Latency [1]. +4

Optional Perks: Autotrance [1]; Controllable Disadvantage [1]; Death Sense [1]; Secret Training [1]; Skill Adaptation (IQ-based Mathematics or Physics skill for other skills which are grounded in mathematics or the applied sciences) [1].

Disadvantages: Bad Temper (12-; Limitation: Maintenance Mitigator (Requires 1 hour of meditation per day in special setting with equipment), -40%.) [-5]; Code of Honor (Surak’s Way) [-10]; Honesty (15-) [-5]; Racial Reputation (-1, Emotionless, Hidebound, Humorless, and Intellectually Condescending, Federation Citizens (Large Group), All the Time) [-3]; Weakness (Nitrous Oxide, Rare, 1d per minute, Limitation: Fatigue Only, -50%) [-5];

And at least -10 points in disadvantages from the following list. All but self-imposed mental disadvantages must have the Maintenance Mitigator limitation. Bad Temper [-10*]; Berserk [-10*]; Bloodlust [-10*]; Bully [-10*]; Compulsive Behavior (Rule-Breaking or Thrill-Seeking) [-5*]; Curiosity [-5*]; Disciplines of Faith (Asceticism or Ritualism) [-5 to -15]; Easy to Read [-10]; Greed [-10*]; Guilt Complex [-5]; Hidebound [-5];

Honesty [-10*]; Impulsiveness [-10*]; Incurious [-5*]; Intolerance (Aliens, Emotions, Illogical Behavior, and/or Self-Indulgent Behavior) [-10]; Jealousy [-10*]; Low Empathy [-10]; No Sense of Humor [-10]; Obsession [-5 or -10*];

Odious Personal Habit (Arrogant, Capricious, Condescending, Excessively Emotional, Pedantic, Provides Too Much Information, Smug, or Vengeful, -1 or -2) [-5 or -10]; Overconfidence [-5*]; Pacifism [-5 to -30]; Paranoia [-10*]; Selfish [-5*];

Sense of Duty (Family and Close Associates, Vulcan, Federation, or All Sapient Life) [-5 to -20]; Stubbornness [-5]; Truthfulness [-5*]; Vow [-5 or -10]; or Workaholic [-5]. -38

Optional Disadvantages: Absent-Minded [-15]; Callous [-5]; Clueless [-10]; Oblivious [-5]; Obsession [-5 or -10]; Loner [-5]; Reputation (Improper behavior) [Varies]; Selfless [-5*]; Social Stigma (“Excommunicated” or “Barbarian”) [-15]; Truthfulness [-5*]; Vulnerability (Cold, damp climates or high pressure environments) [Varies].

Quirks: Can suffer physical brain damage from psychological trauma [-1]; Pon Farr [-1]; Reserved [-1]; Truthfulness [-1]; Vegan [-1]. -5

Optional Quirks: Amnesia (Repressed memory) [-1]; Broad-Minded [-1]; Compulsive Behavior (Mathematical Calculations) [-1]; Dislikes Cold [-1]; Dislikes disorder, illogic, and/or randomness [-1]; Dislikes displays of emotion or irrationality [-1]; Dislikes noise [-1]; Dislikes strong scents and/or tastes [-1];

Doesn’t use contractions, colloquialisms, or slang in speech [-1]; Dull [-1]; Humble [-1]; Likes order and/or precision [-1]; Odious Personal Habit (Provides too much information about technical topics) [-1]; Odious Personal Habit (Has trouble repressing a specific emotion) [-1]; Proud [-1]; Self-Sufficient [-1]; Staid [-1];

Uncongenial [-1]; Weakness (T’lokan schism) [-1].

Skills: Area Knowledge (Vulcan) (E) IQ [1] - 11; Meditation (H) IQ-2 [1] - 9; Philosophy (Vulcan) (H) IQ-2 [1] - 9; Savoir-Faire (Vulcan) (E) IQ [1] - 11; Survival (Desert) (A) Per-1 [1] - 9. +5

Optional Skills: Acting (A); Autohypnosis (H); Body Control (VH); Body Sense (H); Diplomacy (H); Dreaming (H); Game (3-D Chess, Kal-To, Keethera, Vulcan Chess, Suus Mahna tournament rules or Kal-if-fee dueling rules) (E);

Mathematics (Any Specialty) (H); Mental Strength (H); Mind Block (E); Musical Instrument (Vulcan Lute, Vulcan Lyre, Vulcan Percussion Instruments) (H); Philosophy (Vulcan) (H); Physics (VH); Pressure Points (H).

Cultural Familiarities: Vulcan [0]; Federation [2].

Languages: Vulcan (Native, Spoken/Written) [0]; Federation Standard English (Accented, Spoken/Written) [4].

Features: Dislike talking about, or dealing with, their sexuality. DNA registered at birth and on file with the Vulcan planetary government. Immunity (Caffeine and sapotoxins). Shorter and thinner than ST score would indicate (When figuring Height and Weight use the row 3 ST levels lower on the build table).

Sensitive to strong smells and tastes. Special Rapport with betrothed for purposes of coordinating Pon Farr. Susceptibility to motion sickness in the presence of neutronic gradients. Taboo Trait (Fat or Very Fat, most “emotional” disadvantages other than those listed above, typically can’t have Psi powers other than those included in Vulcan Psi talent).

Suspectible to Bendii Syndrome, Choriocytosis virus, Pa'nar Syndrome, & Tuvan Syndrome. Weakness to Trellium-D.

Physiological Data: Interspecies Compatibility Group: IIIa. Gravity: Unknown [~1.18 or ~1.4 G]. Atmosphere: Unknown, presumably standard M-Class Oxygen-Nitrogen atmosphere, <50% relative humidity, minimal background radiation. Pressure: Unknown, less than 1.0 ATM [~0.83]. Preferred Temperature: Unknown, but considerably warmer than Earth [~92°F]. Comfort zone unknown, but wider than for humans [35 °F to 130 °F, 20 °F higher than for humans]. Height: 5’6”-6’0” Mass: 150-200 lbs. (When figuring Height and Weight, use the row three ST levels lower on the build table.) Lifespan: ~200 years.

Your disadvantage can be mitigated using variation on the Maintenance disadvantage. You may only apply this limitation to a disadvantage.

Cost is -20% if you must spend at least 30 minutes performing some activity 3-5 times a day, -30% if you must spend at least 30 minutes twice daily, -40% if you need only spend 30 minutes once daily, -50% if you need spend 30 minutes in that activity one every other day, -60% for 30 minutes weekly, -70% for 30 minutes bi-weekly, or -80% for 30 minutes every month. Reduce the value of the limitation by -10% if you don’t need tools or specialized facilities to perform your maintenance or -5% if you only need readily available supplies and facilities. Add +5% if you require rare or expensive supplies or tools or +10% if you require extremely rare and expensive supplies or tools. Add 5% per multiple of the time you must spend on maintenance after the first.

For example, if you can control your Bad Temper by Meditating for an hour each day, you have a Mitigator worth -35%. The base limitation is -40%. +10% because you can perform meditation in virtually any quiet place, -5% for doubling of the time required.

In all cases, you must specify a skill which governs your maintenance. Unless someone else can use that skill to perform maintenance on you, you must buy that skill and learn to perform the maintenance yourself (e.g., Meditation).

If you miss your required maintenance, traits which don’t allow a self-control roll manifest immediately and will continue until you perform required “missed” maintenance.

For traits which allow a Self-Control roll, each missed maintenance period reduces your Self-Control number by 2, down to a minimum of 4 at which point you automatically succumb to your disadvantage. Each made-up period of maintenance increases your Self-Control number by 1 until you reach your original self-control number.

For example, if you have Bad Temper with a self-control number of 12, two missed maintenance periods mean that your Self-Control number is temporarily reduced to 8.

If you have multiple disadvantages which can be controlled with the same sort of maintenance, you must add maintenance times for each disadvantage. This means that you might not have enough time to perform all the needed maintenance and still do things like eat, sleep, or hold down a job. In such cases, you can’t apply the Maintenance Required limitation to all your disadvantages.

Most Vulcans will have a -40% limitation to Mental disadvantages, controlling each disadvantage by meditating for 30 minutes in a quiet space filled with candles and other readily available meditation aids. Since time required to mitigate mental disadvantages is per disadvantage, this means that Vulcans might need to meditate for several hours each day just to control their disadvantages in addition to meditation time used for other purposes.

Vulcans might form mental links with others via close familial relationships or sexual contact. Vulcan females always form a bond with their biological children, even if they are artificially conceived and gestated. Vulcan males might do so. Vulcans of both sexes might establish a psychic bond with those they have sex with.

Mated pairs of Vulcans will always have this lens. At the GM’s option, other forms of intense emotional or psychic interaction might also create a bond. If the other partner in the relationship is a Vulcan they must also buy this lens. If they are a psionic of another species, they must buy the Special Rapport advantage and can buy other traits from this lens. A non-psionic partner must buy Limited Special Rapport as a Perk. Vulcan psionic adepts can buy Mindlink or Special Rapport with the Interstellar Range enhancement.

Advantage: Add Special Rapport [5/lvl].

Optional Advantage: Add Mindlink [Varies].

Optional Disadvantages: Duty (Partner or Family) [Varies]; Sense of Duty (Partner or Family) [-2 or -5].

Female Vulcans are weaker than males, but have a keener sense of smell. This gives a total bonus of +1 to Taste and +4 to Smell. In some individuals, sense of smell might be acute enough to merit the Discriminatory Smell advantage.

The Pon Farr Optional Quirk indicates that the female’s mate is likely to enter Pon Farr, with potentially severe consequences for her (e.g., sudden, difficult trip to meet her mate, marriage, complications of domestic life, and possible pregnancy). When figuring Height and Weight, use the row two ST levels lower on the build table (p. B18), then subtract 10 pounds from weight.

Attributes: Reduce ST by 1 [-10].

Secondary Characteristics: Add 1 HP [+2].

Advantages: Add Acute Smell/Taste +3 (Limitation: Smell Only, -50%) [+3].

Perk: Remove the Pon Farr Quirk [+1].

Disadvantages: Reduce Lifting ST by 2 [-6].

Optional Quirk: Pon Farr [-1].

Prerequisite: Surak’s Way Training.

Advanced students of Surak’s Way can undergo a rite which removes all emotions. This rite can also be reversed, in which case all advantages and disadvantages are lost, although improved skill levels remain. Start with the Surak’s Way lens and add:

Secondary Characteristics: Will +1 [5].

Advantages: Remove all Vulcan Emotional Disadvantages [10+ points]. Add Indomitable [15]; Reputation (+2, Vulcans, All the Time) [5]; Talent 1 (Vulcan Intellect Training) [5]; Unfazeable [15] and at least 15 points in psionic advantages.

Perk: Remove Pon Farr quirk [+1]. Add Autotrance [1].

Optional Advantages: As per Surak’s Way Training (q.v.).

Optional Disadvantages: Disciplines of Faith (Asceticism and/or Ritualism) [-5 to -15]; Low Empathy [-10]; No Sense of Humor [-15]; Pacifism (Total) [-30]; Selfless [-5*]; Sense of Duty (Family, Vulcan, Federation, or All Sapient Life) [-5 to -20].

Skills: Autohypnosis (H) Will-1 [+1] - 12*; Body Control (VH) HT [+7] - 12*; Breath Control (H) HT [+3] - 12*; Mind Block (E) Will+1 [+1] - 14*; Philosophy (Vulcan) (H) IQ+1 [+7] - 12. This represents 19 points in skills beyond standard Surak’s Way Training.

Optional Skills: As per Surak’s Way Training (q.v.).

At the GM’s option, you can take additional mental disadvantages in order to buy off Vulcan Mental disadvantages and/or buy additional advantages and skills. While common, it is possible to not have the Low Empathy and No Sense of Humor disadvantages. This represents retained knowledge of emotions and humor in others, even though you don’t have emotions or react to humor yourself.

Some Vulcans have formidable psychic powers. These mostly involve powerful Telepathy and Mind Shield powers, but Vulcan precognitives are known to exist & telekinetics might exist as well. The best way to model a Vulcan psionic adept is to buy at least one level of Telepathy Talent and buy off or buy down limitations on standard Vulcan mental powers. In particular, buying off the “Touch Only” limitation on Telepathy and buying levels of Extended Range or even Cosmic Range suits powerful Vulcan psionics.

Almost all Vulcans undergo rigorous mental training, based on the teaching of Surak, from early adolescence until adulthood. This improves their mental powers, but also imposes strict limitations on their behavior. This training is available to any Vulcan or half-Vulcan child who lives within a Vulcan community, or who has at least one Vulcan relative active in their upbringing.

Exceptionally bright children of other species, who are raised on Vulcan, or by Vulcans, might also have this training. Typically, this requires a 5 point Unusual Background advantage, bestows Odious Personal Habit (Emotionally Repressed) [-10 points], and possibly disadvantages such as Callous, Clueless, Incompetence (“Influence skills” other than Diplomacy), or Oblivious.

Any adult Vulcan living among Vulcans who hasn’t had full Surak’s way training is very likely to have the Social Stigma (Ignorant) disadvantage.

A core tenet of Surak’s philosophy is “Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations” (IDIC) symbolized by a stylized arrow within a circle. Another tenet is “The good of the many outweighs the good of the few.” These beliefs, plus strong pacifist ideals, pervade modern Vulcan society.

Advantages: Eidetic Memory [5]; High Pain Threshold [10]; Less Sleep 1 [2]; Lightning Calculator [2]; Fearless 1 [2]; Metabolism Control 1 [5]; Mind Shield 3 (Limitations: Psionics Only, -50%, Telepathic, -10%.) [5].

Optional Advantages: 3D Spatial Sense or Absolute Direction [5 or 10]; Absolute Timing [2]; Autotrance [1]; Fearlessness [2/lvl]; Indomitable [15]; Intuitive Mathematician [+3]; Less Sleep [2/lvl]; Photographic Memory [+5]; Reduced Consumption (Limitation: Food Only, -50%) [1/lvl]; Talent (Artificer, Mathematical Ability, or Vulcan Intellect Talent) [Varies].

Disadvantages: Honesty (12-) [-5]; Pacifism (Self-Defense Only) [-15]; Truthfulness (6-) [-5]; Vow (Suppress All Emotion) [-10].

Optional Disadvantages: Disciplines of Faith (Asceticism and/or Ritualism) [-5 to -15]; Hidebound [-5]; Intolerance (Emotions) [-10]; Low Empathy [-10]; No Sense of Humor [-15]; Odious Personal Habit (Condescending, Smug, -1 or -2) [-5 or -10]; Pacifism [-5 to -30]; Selfless [-5*]; Sense of Duty (Family, Vulcan, Federation, or All Sapient Life) [-5 to -20]; Workaholic [-5].

Skills: Autohypnosis (H) Will-2 [1] - 10; Body Control (VH) HT-3 [1] - 8; Breath Control (H) HT-2 [1] - 9; Mathematics/TL (Applied) (H) IQ [2] - 10; Mind Block (E) Will [1] - 12; Physics/TL (VH) IQ-2 [2] - 9.

Optional Skills: Bow (H); Body Sense (H); Connoisseur (Nature, Vulcan Art or Music) (E); Game (3D Chess, Kal-To, or Vulcan Chess) (E); Judo (H); Karate (H); Psychology (Vulcan) (H); Mathematics (H); Musical Instrument (Vulcan Lute) (H); Naturalist (Vulcan) (H); Polearm (A); Physiology (Vulcan) (VH); Pressure Points (H); Staff (A); Theology (Vulcan) (H); Whip (H); Wrestling (A).

At the GM’s option, students of this discipline can take additional mental disadvantages in order to buy off Vulcan Mental disadvantages and/or buy additional advantages and skills.

The Sybokian movement was a late 23rd century Vulcan philosophical movement founded by Sybok, which rejected logic in favor of exploration of positive emotions. It was possibly based on previous V’tosh ka’tur movements (q.v.). The movement presumably collapsed after the death of its founder. Start with the Surak’s Way Training Lens, but make the following changes.

Disadvantages: Change Code of Honor to Code of Honor (Sybok’s Way) [-10, 0-point change]. Add Pacifism (Cannot Kill) [-15]; and Social Stigma (“Excommunicated” Limitation: Vulcans Only, -80%) [-6]. Reduce or remove Vulcan Emotional Disadvantages.

In 2137, a Vulcan explorer named Syrran discovered Surak’s katric ark and was “possessed” by his katra. This led Syrran to found a dissident philosophical movement opposed to mainstream Vulcan society.

Syrranites believe that Vulcan society has deviated from Surak’s original teachings and has become corrupt. In particular, they reject the militarism of the Vulcan High Command. Until 2154, they were ostracized from mainstream Vulcan society and were considered to be potentially dangerous outcasts. Known Syrrannites were forced to hide in Vulcan’s treacherous wastes. In 2154, the Syrrannites were framed for a terrorist attack against the Earth embassy on Vulcan. Subsequent events led to the vindication and ultimate triumph of Syrrannite philosophy, resulting in the Vulcan Reformation.

While Syrrannites are admirable in most ways, they consider the Vulcan High Command’s willingness to ally itself with “emotional” and potentially violent species as another sign of cultural decadence. Because of this, they dislike and avoid members of other species, as well as distrusting and shunning the Vulcan government.

In addition to the usual Vulcan disadvantages, and the Surak’s Way lens, known Syrranites will have the following traits:

Optional Secondary Traits: Increased Perception and Will [5/lvl].

Optional Advantages: Allies; Contacts or Contact Group; Danger Sense; Fit or Very Fit; Indomitable; Intuition; Unfazeable; as well as advanced psionic powers. They might also have paranormal advantages such as Blessed or Very Blessed or Higher Purpose.

Disadvantages: Enemy (Vulcan High Command (Utterly Formidable Group), 6-) [-20]; Intolerance (Vulcan High Command and its minions, members of “emotional” or violent species) [-10]; Pacifism (Total) [-30]; bad Reputation (-2, Potentially dangerous deviants and dissidents, Large Group (Vulcans), all the Time) [-5]; Sense of Duty (Vulcan species) [-15]; Social Stigma (-3, Excommunicated) [-15]; Truthfulness (12-) [-5]; and reduced Wealth (Poor) [-15].

Optional Disadvantages: Disciplines of Faith (Asceticism and/or Ritualism) [-5 to -15]; Pacifism (Cannot Kill and Self-Defense Only) [-20].

Likely Skills: Camouflage; Expert Skill (Psionics); Hidden Lore (History and teachings of Surak); History (Vulcan); Intelligence Analysis; Meditation; Philosophy (Vulcan); Propaganda; Religious Ritual (Vulcan); Scrounging; Stealth; Survival (Desert).

Secret followers of the Syrrannite movement exist throughout Vulcan society from the time it is founded until the Vulcan Reformation. They express their Intolerance of the Vulcan High Command by avoiding it as much as possible, but can be found elsewhere in Vulcan society. If questioned about their loyalties, their philosophy of truthfulness demands that they admit to being sympathetic to the Syrrannites. This will quickly result in the loss of any social advantages they might have, as well as gaining all the disadvantages associated with being a known Syrrannite. Prudent secret Syrannites will make arrangements to flee to the desert as soon as they are discovered.

Secret Syrrannites have the Surak’s Way lens, plus the following traits:

Disadvantages: Intolerance (Vulcan High Command and its minions, members of “emotional” or violent species) [-10]; Pacifism (Total) [-30]; Secret (Syrrannite) [-20]; Sense of Duty (Vulcan species) [-15]; Truthfulness (12-) [-5].

Optional Disadvantages: As for Syrrannite (Known).

The V’tosh ka’tur (“People Without Logic”) are adherents of various Vulcan philosophical fringe philosophical and social movements. V'tosh kat'ur typically believe that the Vulcan primal nature isn’t as dangerous as commonly believed, and that logic must complement emotions not exclude them. They attempt to balance logic, meditation, and active dreaming to integrate positive emotions into their lives while keeping negative emotions in check. Because of the danger the V’tosh ka’tur represent to mainstream Vulcan society, they are typically exiled from their home planet.

V’tosh ka’tur movements emerged sometime after the time of Surak, and periodically flourish on the edge of Vulcan society. By 2151, the term “V’tosh ka’tur” was commonplace. In 2151, NX-01 USS Enterprise encountered a group of V’tosh ka’tur who were using their ship as a sort of mobile monastery, and their exile from Vulcan, as a reason to explore the universe. They were also making attempts to accelerate the Vulcan mating cycle, presumably to integrate healthy sexuality into their society. The fate of this particular movement after the 22nd century is unknown, but it probably faded into obscurity.

While normal Vulcans shun V’tosh ka’tur, members of such groups are usually eager to talk about their beliefs. They sometimes aggressively proselytize Vulcans who are willing to listen to them. They are often curious about the ways of “emotional species,” and might try to integrate alien practices into their routines. More recent V'tosh ka'tur focus more on the superiority of historical Vulcan culture. They might be sympathetic to Romulan philosophies and hostile towards non-Vulcans or Romulans.

Start with the Surak’s Training lens, but make the following changes:

Disadvantages: Change Code of Honor to Code of Honor (V’tosh ka’tur) [-10, 0-points]. Add Pacifism (Cannot Kill) [-15]; Social Stigma (“Excommunicated” Limitation: Vulcans Only, -80%) [-6]. Reduce or remove Vulcan Emotional Disadvantages except for Bad Temper.

Optional Disadvantages: Compulsive Behavior (Exploring Emotions, Proselytizing) [Varies]; Disciplines of Faith (Asceticism) [-10]; Fat or Very Fat [-3 or -5]; Gluttony [-5*]; Intolerance [-10]; Xenophilia [-10*].

Optional Perks: Remove Reserved and/or Vegan [-1 each].

Skills: Add Dreaming (H) IQ-2 [1] - 9.

Culturally human” Human-Vulcan hybrids presumably lack the mental traits imposed by Vulcan training. See below for further information about this hybrid. Lorian Tucker, who appeared in an alternate timeline in Enterprise (Episode 3:21, E^2), is the only culturally-human Vulcan-Human Hybrid depicted in canon materials.

Attributes: ST: +1 [-10].

Optional Attributes: Reduced HT [-10/lvl].

Advantages: Remove Code of Honor (Surak’s Way) [+10] and Honesty [+10] disadvantages.

Optional Advantage: Unusual Background [5 or 10].

Perks: Remove Dislikes Displays of Emotion [+1]; Peaceful [+1]; Reserved [+1]; and Vegan [+1].

Disadvantages: Reduce Lifting ST by 2 [-6]; and Temperature Tolerance by 1 [-1]. Add Social Stigma (Ignorant) (Limitation: Vulcans Only, -80%) [-2].

Optional Disadvantages: Social Stigma (Second-Class Citizen) [-5]; Terminally Ill [-50 to -150]; Unusual Biochemistry [-5]; Remove some Vulcan “physiological” advantages (e.g., Acute Hearing, Acute Smell, Hard to Kill, etc.); Vulcan-Human hybrids might also have increased Vulcan Emotional Disadvantages or poorer Control Numbers.

Optional Quirks: Curious about Vulcan heritage [-1]; Denies Vulcan side of personality [-1]; Dislikes Vulcans [-1].

Optional Feature: Sterile.

Skills: Change Area Knowledge (Vulcan) to Area Knowledge (Home Planet or Region of Space). Remove Meditation [-1]; Philosophy [-1]; Savoir-Faire [-1]; and Survival (Desert) [-2].

Languages: Make Federation Standard English the native language at Native Fluency. Remove Vulcan language [-4].

Cultural Familiarity: Make Federation the native Cultural Familiarity. Remove Vulcan [-2].

Taboo Traits: Any Vulcan mental training regimens (including the Maintenance Required limitation on mental disadvantages)

Sometime between 2154 and 2230, medical technology advanced to the point that it was possible to create viable Vulcan-Human hybrid children. Such offspring are Vulcan in most respects (including physiology) but are slightly weaker and more emotional than a pure Vulcan. But, since their emotions are less intense than those of a pure Vulcan, and because they usually have greater familiarity with human culture, they sometimes have an easier time integrating emotion and logic. While Elizabeth Tucker was the first Human-Vulcan hybrid ever produced (born 2154), Spock (born January 6, 2230) was the first Human-Vulcan hybrid to survive to maturity.

After about 2300, it is possible that Human-Vulcan hybrids are common enough that no Unusual Background is needed to play a Vulcan-Human-hybrid character, and hybrids no longer face Social Stigmas. Before then, the GM might require a 5 point, or even 10 point Unusual Background, especially if the character has full familiarity with both species’ cultures.

Attributes: ST: +1 [-10].

Optional Attributes: Reduced HT [-10/lvl].

Optional Advantage: Unusual Background [5 or 10].

Disadvantages: Reduce Lifting ST by 2 [-6] and Temperature Tolerance by 1 [-1].

Optional Disadvantages: Social Stigma (Second-Class Citizen) [-5]; Terminally Ill [-50 to -150]; Unusual Biochemistry [-5]; Remove some Vulcan “physiological” advantages (e.g., Acute Hearing, Acute Smell, Hard to Kill, etc.); Vulcan-Human hybrids might also have increased Vulcan Emotional Disadvantages or poorer Control Numbers.

Optional Quirks: Curious about human heritage [-1]; Denies human side of personality [-1]; Dislikes Humans or Vulcans [-1]; Tries to live up to idealized Vulcan standards of behavior [-1].

Optional Feature: Sterile.

While Surak's Way has done much to temper Vulcans intolerance and paranoia, there are still extremists who believe that Vulcans should avoid contact with "lesser" species and that the Vulcan government should withdraw from interstellar affairs. Some Vulcan extremists use terrorism to make their point - either to drive aliens from Vulcan territory or to force the Vulcan government to adopt their policies.

Optional Advantages: Higher Purpose [5].

Disadvantages: Enemy (Vulcan Government (Utterly Formidable Group), Watcher (0.25x), 6-) [-5]; Intolerance (Non-Vulcans and Vulcans seen as being sympathetic to aliens) [-10]; Reputation (-2, Dangerous Extremists, Vulcans and interested aliens (Large Group), All the Time) [-5].

Optional Disadvantages: Increase the value of the Enemy or Reputation disadvantages. Delusion [Varies]; Fanaticism [-10]; Obsession [Varies]; Social Stigma (Criminal or Excommunicated) [Varies]; Wealth (Struggling or Poor) [-10 or -15].

This lens represents either a less advanced “Vulcan-like” species or a stripped-down NPC template for minor characters. It also provides a bare-bones template for Vulcan-like characters with a reasonable point cost.

Attributes: ST: +1 [-10]; DX: +0 [-20]; IQ: +1 [0]; HT: +0 [-10].

Secondary Characteristics: HP -1 [-2]; Will -1 [-5]; -7

Perks: Remove Can suffer physical brain damage from psychological trauma Quirk [+1].

Disadvantages: Remove Acute Hearing [-2]; Acute Smell/Taste [-2]; Fit [-5]; Hard to Kill [-5]; Lifting Strength 3 [-6]; Protected Sense [-2]; Reduced Consumption [-2]; Talent (Mathematical Ability) [-10]; Telecommunication [-21]; Temperature Tolerance 1 [-3]; Vacuum Support [-2].

Quirks: Remove Death Sense [-1]; Katra Transfer [-1]; Inner Eyelid [-1]; Skill Adaptation [-1]; and Weak Latency [-1].

Skills: Remove Philosophy [-1]; Savoir-Faire [-1]; and Survival [-2].

In addition to variations on psionic abilities based on Mind Melding, some Vulcans have additional psionic powers. These include:

Mass emotion control at short ranges. Treat this as Mind Control with the Broadcast and Extended Range enhancements, possibly with the Involuntary and Unconscious limitations if the Vulcan is suffering from Bendii Syndrome.

Mindlink and/or Long-ranged Telecommunication with family members, sex partners, and/or those who carry the katra of a loved one within their minds. These traits often have the Interstellar Range special enhancement.

The ability to channel the thoughts and emotions of robots, extremely alien lifeforms, and unconscious, irreversibly brain-damaged humanoids either on contact or at short ranges. This can be treated as the normal version of Telecommunication, or as a form of Mind Reading, Mind Probe, or Psychometry.

The ability to feel the (strong) emotions of an alien life form when standing a few feet away from it. Treat this as ranged Mind-Reading and/or Telecommunication with the “Universal” special enhancement and the “Vague” special limitation.

The ability to implant simple suggestions at limited ranges of no more than a few yards. Treat this as Mind Control with reduced levels of the Touch Only limitation.

The ability to enter “full communion” with other psionic adepts with whom they have a Mindlink, typically family members or loved ones, allowing full sharing of emotions, thoughts, and memories. Treat this as simultaneous use of Telesend, Mind Probe, and Mind Reading powers with the Melee Attack (C), -30%; Mindlink Required, -40%; Preparation Required (10+ minutes), -10% or more; Specialized, Psionic Adepts of own race, -40%; and Telepathic, -10% limitations. A critical failure using this power might result in an involuntarily mind swap which can only be reversed using specialized medical techniques.

The ability to switch minds with fellow psionic adepts with whom they have a Mindlink, typically family members or loved ones. Treat this as Possession (Enhancement: Mind Swap, +10%. Limitations: Melee Attack (C), -30%; Mindlink Required, -40%; No Memory Access, -10%; Preparation Required (1 hour), -50%; Specialized, Psionic Adepts of own race, -40%; Telepathic, -10%.) [20]. A critical failure with this ability might result in the parties to the mindswitch being unable to return to their own bodies without external aid.

The ability to sense observation. Treat this as a limited form of Danger Sense or Intuition, or as version of the Detect advantage with the “Vague” special limitation. Alternately, it might just be a variation on the usual Detect (Life) power.

Additionally, Vulcans might have an enhancement to their psionic abilities which allow them to communicate with, or mentally control, AI computers, robots, and similar entities.

While not explicitly mentioned in canon, it is possible that Vulcans have Special Rapport with those with whom they are Mindlinked.

Other possible psionic powers implied by canon material are: Affliction (Coma, Heart Attack, Pain, or Unconsciousness), Alternate Form (Being of Pure Thought, but with constant Dependency on a suitable host or katric ark), Clairsentience, Danger Sense, Doesn’t Sleep, Detect (Emotions, Life, Mental Activity, and/or Psionic Use), Empathy,

Extra Life (Limitation: Only if you can store your katra prior to dying and have a suitable clone body and someone to perform the Fal-tor-pan to restore the katra to the body), Healing, Healing (Resurrection) (Limitation: Only to perform the Fal-tor-pan ritual), Less Sleep, Longevity,

Metabolism Control, Mind Block, Mind Control (Conditioning), Para-Radar, Possession (Limitation: Only to affect someone carrying your katra), Precognition (Optional Limitations: Nuisance Effect (Requires Fright Check), and/or Vague); Psychometry (Optional Limitation: Only to communicate with katras contained within katric arks), Reduced Consumption, Regeneration, Resistance (to Disease or Poison), Telekinesis, Terror, Unaging, or Very Rapid Healing.

Very Rapid Healing or Regeneration are likely to carry the same limitations as the regular Regeneration power. Other psionic powers are likely to have the same limitations as the basic Mind Meld power.

A form of Unaging is possible, although with serious physical disadvantages, if a Vulcan’s katra is transferred to a katric ark.

It is possible that Vulcans, especially “Mirror Universe” Vulcans, can use their psionic powers to kill. While the “Vulcan Death Grip” has only been described as an idle or hypothetical threat, such a power could exist. Given that the ancient Vulcan artifact, the Stone of Gol, can kill by amplifying the victim’s negative emotions and using them against him, improperly applied Mind Melds can cause a lethal Pan’ar syndrome, and that ancient Vulcans were an incredibly violent species, it is conceivable that a Vulcan psionic adept could learn (or discover) an actual Vulcan Death Grip.

Treat such abilities as an Affliction which imposes a Mortal Condition, or an Innate Attack which inflicts Toxic damage, but with the limitation that the attack is a Follow-Up Attack to either a successful Vulcan Nerve Pinch or a successful Mind Meld. In either case, the intended victim can resist with HT or Will, as appropriate.

Finally, Vulcan psionic adapts might have even more formidable psi powers. See suggestions for Betazoid psionic powers and Ocampa psionic powers.

This template uses a very conservative interpretation of Vulcan racial attributes while preserving canon physiological and psychological traits. It provides a more reasonably priced racial template ("just" 62 points), giving players greater freedom when designing a Vulcan character. Not surprisingly, it's similar to the Vulcan-Human hybrid templates.

Attributes: ST: -1 [-10]; HT -1 [-10].

Disadvantages: Reduce Lifting ST by 1 [-5]. Reduce Temperature Tolerance by 1 [-1].

This lens represents a Vulcan isolated from Federation culture. It is appropriate for most Vulcans prior to 2161. In any era, it might be combined with the Vulcan Isolationist lens.

Languages: Remove English [-4].

Cultural Familiarities: Remove Federation [-2].