TEXT: STAR TREK ROLEPLAYING GAME
  SPECIES PROFILE
  SPECIES NAME: 
  VISUAL REPRESENTATION
  SPECIES ADJUSTMENTS
  +1 Vitality, +1 Perception, -1 Presence
  PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
  Tamarians stand at roughly the same size as an 
  average Human and their body shape is similar to that 
  of many humanoid  species found in the Milky Way 
  Galaxy, apart from some minor differences. Tamarian 
  hands and fingers are Human-like but their thumbs are 
  elongated and have a sucker-like tip at the end.
  The Tamarian head also differs from the Human 
  counterpart. Tamarians possess two long slitted 
  nostrils and have no visible auricles, but instead have 
  two small holes located on the sides of the head, a 
  little higher than the Human ear. A large ridge runs 
  from the top of their nose to the back of the head and 
  several more bony ridges or flaps of skin can be 
  observed on the sides of the skull. Apart from typical 
  sexual dimorphism observed in many humanoid 
  species, female Tamarians feature the same 
  characteristics.
  Tamarian skin is colored light brown with several 
  darker red markings, especially on the head. The 
  species seems to be completely hairless and their 
  blood is white, which shines through in some small 
  arteries of the head. 
  CULTURE
  Tamarian culture is unusual due to their unique way of 
  communicating. Beyond this, however, they have a 
  basic patriarchal society with an emphasis on duty, 
  honor, and military service.
  But Tamarians are not necessarily warlike. They are 
  explorers, and have a similarly passive society to that of the 
  Federation. 
  Tamarians are also a deeply religious people, and their 
  culture is steeped in tradition and rituals. These rituals are 
  seldom witnessed by outsiders or off-worlders. 
  Several Tamarian customs were observed by Starfleet 
  Captain Jean-Luc Picard, during impromptu first contact 
  proceedings with the Tamarian Captain Dathon, at El-Adrel.
  Tamarian Rituals
  Before sleeping, Dathon removed five ceremonial 
  objects from the right side of his uniform. He then 
  threw those objects to the ground gazing at the pattern 
  the objects formed on the ground and repeated the 
  ritual. After each new pattern, he touched his forehead.
  After finishing the ritual, he took the five objects and 
  placed them on the ground forming a circle around his 
  sleeping spot. Again, he touched his forehead after 
  placing each of them on the ground. The next morning, 
  when Captain Picard explored his camp, he found two 
  of the objects still on the ground, Dathon had 
  reattached the other three to his uniform.
  After hearing the news of their captain's death at the 
  hands of the Creature of El-Adrel, the two Tamarian 
  bridge officers took their dagger out of the sheath, 
  touched the blade and then touched their forehead in 
  mourning or remembrance of their captain. 
  LANGUAGES
  Tamarians who do not communicate in basic Federation 
  Standard speak completely in metaphor, siting references to 
  people, places, and events in their mytho-historical 
  accounts. 
  The Tamarian language is analogous of a human 
  communicating by saying “Juliet, on her balcony” to invoke 
  an image of romance, “Scoorge, the next morning” to create 
  an image of a person who has undergone a profound 
  change, or “Holmes, at Reichenbach” to indicate a 
  presumed defeat.
  Federation Universal Translators, although they 
  successfully translate the words, present the syntax as 
  almost nonsensical
  Instead of asking for cooperation, a Tamarian would use a 
  phrase such as "Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra", because 
  their culture's stories include a tale of two Tamarians, 
  Darmok and Jalad, who fought a common foe together on 
  an island called Tanagra.
  Tamarian Language Samples
  Darmok on the ocean - loneliness, isolation
  Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra - cooperation
  The beast at Tanagra - an obstacle to be overcome
  Kadir beneath Mo Moteh - failure to communicate
  
  Kiteo, his eyes closed - refusal to understand
  Temba, his arms wide/open - signifying a gift
  Temba, at rest – declining a gift
  Mirab, with sails unfurled - signifying departure
  Shaka, when the walls fell - failure
  Sokath, his eyes uncovered/opened - realization
  The river Temarc, in winter - be quiet/silence
  Zinda, his face black, his eyes red - anger or 
  conflict, also can indicate pain or discomfort
  Rai and Jiri at Lungha - greeting between two 
  different cultures/races
  Uzani, his army with fists open - to lure the enemy 
  towards you by spreading your forces
  Uzani, with fists closed - to close rank and attack 
  after luring the enemy
  Kalimash, at Bahar - pain, or illness subsiding 
  Tamarian children learn the stories behind the 
  metaphors, and thus their meanings, through 
  enactment and repetition. Variations of meaning in 
  metaphors are conveyed through subtle vocal and 
  gestural cues that the universal translator will 
  normally miss. In fields such as engineering and 
  programming, a musical language is used to convey 
  precise equations, numbers and instructions; thus 
  explaining how Tamarians can effectively operate 
  starships. 
  The Tamarian written language consists of thin 
  horizontal and vertical lines with small letters written 
  in the spaces between the lines. The lines meet at 
  right angles in the hand written form of the language 
  but in an angle of circa 70 degrees on computer 
  interfaces. Tamarians still use paper, colored bright 
  green, to write down notes.
  The Tamarian written language
  COMMON NAMES
  Tamarian names have an unusual structure, in that the 
  only truly necessary portion of the name, and the only 
  one usually heard uttered in conversation is the final 
  name; yet all Tamarians have three names.
  The first name is always either Tama for a male, and 
  Tani for a female. Presumably these are gender-
  sepcific ways of saying, simply “I am a Tamarian”.
  The second name is familial, and functions as a 
  surname.
  The third is the proper name. The proverbial “first 
  name” in human nomenclature.
  Beyond the Tama and Tani distinctions, Tamarian 
  names have a notable similarity to Ferengi names. 
  HOMEWORLD
  Shantil III is the third  planet in the Shantil system and 
  homeworld  of the Tamarians. It is possible the planet was 
  either once known as Tama, or Tamar, or is still referred to 
  by one or both names by the Tamarians sinc they are known 
  as the "Children of Tama" in their own self-references. Tama 
  may also be a reference to either an ancient mytho-
  historical hero, or even a god-type being in the same 
  accounts form which the Tamarians draw their language.
  Shantil III is a Class-M planet with a mild climate, and an 
  ecosystem similar to Earth. The geography of Shantil III 
  runs to rocks, rough, and dry land with few inland bodies of 
  water. Technologically, the Tamarians are on a par with the 
  Klingon Empire, and have done some minor trading with the 
  Klingons. Their primary exports include clothing and food 
  stuffs, the latter consisting largely of a sweet jelly made of 
  the fruit of a thorny plant that grows in the more arid 
  regions of Shantil III. 
  Tamarians import many raw materials, including primary 
  metals, dilithium, and pergium. But most of their import 
  contacts are with Klingon, or Ferengi merchants.
  FAVORED PROFESSION
  Tamarians do not normally mingle with off-world societies 
  any more than necessary. Most encountered Tamarians will 
  be starship officers in their own stellar navy.
  Some Tamarians may also find work as craftsmen 
  (Merchants), or Soldiers. And many Tamarians met off of 
  Shantil III will be Mystics and Adepts devoted to the pseudo-
  religion of the Tamarian mytho-historical accounts, and the 
  culture they have built around those accounts.
  SPECIES ABILITIES
  Subsonic Hearing: The Tamarian ear structure is specially 
  evolved to detect sound transmitted at a very low 
  frequency. This may be due in part to the wide range of 
  sounds used in rendering the musical second language of 
  Tamarians used to perform precise calculations, and work 
  complicated equipment.
  Tamarians receive a +2 to Observe (Listen) tests to hear low 
  frequency sounds.
  Thumb-grip: The elongated, sucker-like tip on the Tamarian 
  thumb is used as one might expect upon first inspection. It 
  is used to enhance the gripping and holding ability of a 
  Tamarian. This gives Tamarians a +2 advantage in Agility 
  tests to grip, or hold an object.
  Language Barrier: (species flaw) because of their unique 
  metaphoric language, the universal translator cannot 
  accurately translate the meaning of most Tamarian phrases. 
  For this reason, anyone trying to communicate with a 
  Tamarian will suffer a -3 penalty in making themselves 
  understood, and a -5 penalty in understanding the 
  Tamarian's phrasing; unless they have been studying the 
  Tamarian language (Language (Tamarian) +2 or higher).
  Psionics: A very rare few Tamarians are able to develop 
  minor psionic abilities. Tamarians who acquire the Psionic 
  edge may begin with one skill at +2. The skill of choice will 
  be either Telepathy, or Mind Shield. Some Tamarians can 
  develop Psychokinetic abilities (see Aliens, p. 116).
  
  Life-debt: (species flaw) a Tamarian will acquire the 
  Devotion edge, being devoted to anyone who saves 
  their life, or the life of a loved one until the debt is 
  repaid in kind (ie. The Tamarian saves the individual's 
  life, or gives their life for that person).
  Bonus Edges: Great Stamina, Iron Willed
  Species Flaw: Proud (optional – not all Tamarians 
  possess this flaw automatically, but many Tamarians 
  are very proud of their people, and their culture and 
  can view outsiders not as inferiors, but as intrusive, or 
  unwanted).
  The Betoken of Uzani
  All Tamarians serving in their military carry, as their 
  primary sidearm, a small dagger called a Betoken of 
  Uzani. 
  The Tamarian Dagger
  Specifications: 40cm long, 1.03kg
  Description: The dagger, or Betoken of Uzani has 
  a green handle with a smaller yellow inset and 
  the silver blade has one smooth and one 
  serrated edge.
  Parry Modifier: -1
  Damage: 1d6+2
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Star Trek RPG/Decipher/Species/alien_Tamarian.pdf