Vulcan: intro

40 Eridani A

40 Eridani A, the primary star (and T’Khasi’s sun) is an orange main-sequence dwarf of spectral type K1 V, which makes it a cousin to our own Sun. Because this sun is a bit smaller than ours, its planets orbit closer. The star is 500 million years older than our sun. Its solar activity runs on a cycle of 7 years, affecting all life in that solar system, including the Vulcan mating cycle.

Vulcan planet

The real name of the planet was unknown to outsiders for many years. Due to the pronunciation of a term that the Vulcans used to refer to themselves, humans at first called the Vulcans “Voolcanu” and therefore inferred the name of their homeworld to be “Voolcan”. The Vulcan name for the planet is T’Khasi, a contraction of a very ancient word.

T’Khasi is at least five hundred million years older than Earth. The planet itself is larger with a noticeably higher gravity than Earth. There is little seasonal variation on the planet T’Khasi due to an almost circular orbit around its hot sun and the very slight tilt on its axis.

T’Khasi has a thinner atmosphere than Earth. Its climate is generally harsh, with most of the surface consisting of large deserts or mountain ranges, along with scattered small seas. Desert areas are prone to large amounts of heat, light and electrical or fire storms.

Planetary vegetation is scarce, leaving the land susceptible to erosion by wind. Extremes in elevation are present across this world as sand-carrying wind carves out columns, arches, and canyons from the underlying bedrock. This wind is made more extreme by the tidal forces of T’Khut and its moon above that drive it to everhigher speeds.

The Watcher, binary companion of T’Khasi

T’Khut dominates the sky and its closeness causes gravitational stress on the planet T’Khasi. This is a major factor in planetary tectonic activity and maintains active volcanism. Its irregular orbit about a common point with T’Khasi brings the planets closer at certain seasons of the year. These are the seasons of wind storms and higher volcanic activity.

Vulcan people

Due to the pronunciation of a term that the Vulcans used to refer to themselves, humans at first called the Vulcans “Voolcanu” and therefore inferred the name of their homeworld to be “Voolcan”. After the formation of the UFP, Vulcans became known as “Vulcanians” and their planet was called “Vulcanis”.

In time, the term “Vulcan” for the people and their planet came popular and it continues to this day. Modern Vulcans call themselves “Vuhlkanu”, “Vuhlkansular” or other similar words, based on their own ethic background.

The capital city on T’Khasi, while not the largest in terms of geography, is still the busiest population center on the planet. A model of modern engineering and technical achievement, ShiKahr is also steeped in history. According to those few records that still survive as well as countless hours of archaeological research, the city is believed to be the focal point for nearly every major societal and cultural turning point in Vulcan civilization. Ancient buildings and monuments still bear the scars of numerous invasions that occurred long before the Time of Awakening, and stories of the heroic sacrifices made to preserve these timeless treasures are well chronicled in Vulcan literature as well as those historical accounts that still exist. These same ruins now stand side by side with contemporary, towering edifices that—much like the Vulcan people—continually reach for the skies and the stars beyond.

Museums and libraries abound in ShiKahr, showcasing the work of Vulcan artists in addition to those from other worlds. Thanks to ShiKahr’s many embassies representing other Federation member worlds, the city has become a melting pot, boasting a richly diverse population. Much like Tokyo, San Francisco, or New York City on Earth, ShiKahr is an effervescent metropolis that never seems to rest, and visitors can find something of interest at any time of day or night.

Public transportation is the norm in ShiKahr. Airborne vehicles as well as mass transit above and below ground connect each of the city’s major sections and operate around the clock. Additional transportation options can take you from ShiKahr to every other major city or point of interest on the planet. You’ll find that ShiKahr is a healthy city, where various forms of self-propelled transportation are promoted, particularly with regard to tourists.

The city’s largest entertainment venue stands at the center of the Multicultural Mercantile District and plays host to a seemingly unending series of musical concerts, stage productions, athletic competitions, and even political rallies. Though Vulcan culture and performing arts are a cornerstone of the activities taking place here, the center’s advertised goal is “to celebrate the arts in all their infinite forms.” To that end, it hosts an eclectic range of programs. Musical and theater festivals dominate seasonal schedules, and the center is the anchor point for the annual ShiKahr Fringe Theatre Festival. Though the venue is quite popular for private gatherings, most events are open to the public. You probably won’t get to crash a wedding, but as tourism has expanded here, Vulcans have increasingly welcomed visitors to participate in holiday observances and other celebrations that at one time would have been all but forbidden to outworlders. Be sure to take advantage of these opportunities if your trip coincides with such an occasion.

ShiKahr is home to more than 150 embassies of varying size and appointment, representing each of the Federation’s member worlds, with most of them located at points along or near the perimeter of the Multicultural Mercantile District. More embassies are in the planning stage or in the first stages of construction, slated to host diplomats from new or more recent member planets. Most of the embassies have areas open to the public, and many even have their own small museums, art galleries, and other points of interest, each chronicling their respective world’s relationship with Vulcan and the period leading up to the Federation’s founding.

Some of Vulcan’s most celebrated philosophers, diplomats, and pundits have stood at the center of this hallowed chamber. Located in a subterranean amphitheater near the grounds of the Vulcan Science Academy, the Hall has borne witness to some of the greatest debates over centuries of Vulcan civilization. The sessions are open to all, and, in traditional fashion, speakers present their positions on their chosen topic and then invite discussion and rebuttal from other speakers as well as the audience. It was here that Vulcan officials debated joining Earth, Andor, Tellar Prime, and Alpha Centauri to form what would become the United Federation of Planets.

Reflecting pools and gardens are everywhere in ShiKahr, but none are as breathtaking as this one at the city’s center, which stands in eternal tribute to Surak, considered by many to be the father of modern Vulcan civilization. The life-size bronze statue bearing his likeness stands before a stone representation of the Vulcan symbol for Kol-Ut-Shan, or “Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.” The memorial and the surrounding garden are open to the public and are illuminated at night by torches. Many Vulcans use the park for meditation or silent contemplation at all hours of the day and night, and visitors are asked to observe proper decorum at all times.

For centuries, Vulcans have abstained from the exploitation of animals, and the Vulcan Science Academy has been a prime mover in the identification and preservation of endangered species and ecosystems on numerous Federation worlds. Advances in terraforming and genetic modification have assisted these efforts, and the Academy is at the forefront of such initiatives. Situated on a parcel of land south of the city that encompasses 57 square kilometers and features its own lake as well as climate-controlled habitats, the Academy’s preserve annex provides visitors with a close look at wildlife from dozens of planets. The preserve is one of only two facilities on Vulcan where you can see everything from graceful yet fierce shavokh birds to small, adorable aylakim, which seem to thrive on the attention of observers. You can even venture into a cave that’s home to a family of lanka-gar, the nocturnal predatory birds that live and hunt in the wastelands of Vulcan’s Forge. Don’t miss the frigid environs of the zabathu enclosure, which provides a suitable climate for these beautiful horse-like creatures hailing from Andor. Along with tending to the wildlife sanctuary, the staff here assist in ongoing research efforts to reclaim and restore the natural habitats of endangered animals on numerous worlds. Currently, the facility houses the only known living specimens of Polygeminus grex, which was believed to have been rendered extinct at the end of the previous century when the Klingon Empire destroyed its home planet, Iota Geminorum IV. Discovered by a Starfleet vessel in 2373, these “tribbles” were brought to the conservatory and genetically modified in order to curtail their extraordinary breeding tendencies. Efforts are still under way to find a world suitable for this species before restoring their prodigious reproductive properties.

Named for one of Vulcan’s principal philosophers, this is perhaps the city’s most visited museum and the closest counterpart to Earth’s Smithsonian Institution. The five-story archive contains artifacts, documents, and other items tracing Vulcan’s long, often conflicted history, beginning thousands of years ago and progressing to noteworthy events of recent decades. Within, housed in its own gallery, is the spacecraft named for T’Plana-Hath, which carried Vulcans to Earth more than three centuries ago in order to make first contact with humanity. Holographic re-creations of this milestone and other historical events add to the immersive nature of the museum’s exhibits. Guided tours reach capacity early, so plan accordingly.

Known throughout the Galaxy as one of the Federation’s premiere learning institutions, the Vulcan Science Academy has stood as a bastion of knowledge for nearly two millennia. Repurposed from the abandoned ruins of a once mighty fortress, the academy began as a refuge for the first Vulcan high masters as they sought to spread the philosophy of embracing logic over emotion. Today, it boasts one of the Federation’s most demanding university curriculums and is a preeminent research center. Visitors are welcome, and guided tours are available during daylight hours. If kal-toh’s your game, you’ll want to plan your visit to coincide with the Academy’s annual tournament, which attracts competitors at all levels from worlds throughout the Federation and beyond.

ShiKahr boasts several popular shopping areas. While the Multicultural Mercantile District is a prime destination, don’t let that keep you from the host of smaller, less trafficked marketplaces to be found throughout the city.

Local eateries are interspersed with an expansive assortment of culinary and artistic fare from dozens of worlds, making the district one of the city’s premier dining and nightlife destinations. There are even several restaurants offering fusion cuisine, combining distinctly Vulcan offerings with dishes and ingredients from several of the other planets represented in the district.

After dinner, take a stroll through the entertainment quarter and get your fill of live music and street theater. Like everything else in the district, these offerings feature local and outworlder performers, though even the term “local” gets blurred here when we’re talking about the third- and fourth-generation non-Vulcans who call ShiKahr home.

Initially a small collection of restaurants and shops intended to cater to non-indigenous embassy employees and the Starfleet personnel stationed here, the Multicultural Mercantile District has expanded and evolved to become a hub of dining and entertainment for locals, transplants, and tourists alike. It’s here that you’ll discover a wondrous assortment of local fashion items and cuisine, as well as all manner of handcrafted art and gifts. For example, Dr’thelek silk, which cannot be synthesized via replicators and is renowned for its resilience and spectrum of brilliant colors, is a prized material used in the creation of Vulcan clothing. The material is not exported; the only way to obtain dr’thelek silk is to buy it on Vulcan. Similarly, Vulcan’s volcanic rock harbors an unmatched beauty that is channeled into the creation of sculptures and other gifts that you’ll find nowhere else. As for entertainment, don’t let Vulcans fool you with their stoic nature. Like everything else, they approach the performing arts with a drive for perfection. This has produced some of the most complex and beguiling musical pieces you’re likely to experience. There is no shortage of live performances in the city, delivered by Vulcan’s legions of artists, authors, and poets. Additionally, ShiKahr’s diverse population has seen generations of non-Vulcans born and raised here contribute to a marvelous variety of performing arts, from live music to stage and dance shows to holographic cinema. You’ll also find that competitive sports and gaming are popular in ShiKahr, and everything from kal-toh to three-dimensional chess to Texas Hold’em poker has at least one tournament held here each year.

Like nothing else on the planet, the ShiKahraoke club is one of the Multicultural Mercantile District’s most popular magnets for tourists who want to stretch their vocal chords while enjoying a night on the town. Though the club originally catered exclusively to outworlder residents and visitors, don’t be surprised to see locals trying their hand at singing timeless classics and current hits. Nothing compares to hearing a Vulcan sing a twentieth-century Earth hit, like “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.” ShiKahraoke’s musical selection is unparalleled, and you may find yourself sharing the stage with T’pril or one of the many other professional recording artists who like to surprise weekend audiences with their own bit of impromptu entertainment.

While Vulcan music and performance art tend to be rather reserved, ShiKahr’s multicultural allure has seen the planet’s nightlife scene grow in recent years to rival that of Earth or Risa. Designed like a concert hall, Subspace’s interior reflects its status as one of the planet’s hottest modern dance destinations. There is no one musical focus, with the owners welcoming live bands and playing recorded classic and contemporary offerings from around the planet and beyond. That said, if you’re not a fan of eccentric musical styles like Sinnravian drad, you’ll want to pass on the Battle of the Bands live competitions held every Thursday night.

Thousands of visitors descend upon this weeklong gala that showcases the works of local and new artisans of every stripe. Music, live theater, literature, and crafts are just some of what you’ll find as you walk the festival grounds. Many artists debut their latest works here, including one of the planet’s most revered players of the Vulcan lute, S’tana. Much like the harp from Earth, this musical instrument takes years of practice to master, and S’tana has been regaling audiences for decades with his singular blend of traditional and contemporary musical flair. Though he eschews publicity while living alone in the L-langon Mountains, S’tana emerges from seclusion each year for the festival, to the delight of devoted fans.

Offering a smorgasbord of local and off-world cuisine, ShiKahr caters to the strict vegetarian diet observed by most Vulcans while providing no shortage of options for tourists and permanent outworlder residents, as well as Starfleet and civilian diplomatic personnel stationed on the planet. Finding something to eat or just a place for a relaxing drink is easy anywhere in the city, but the broadest selection of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs is located in the vibrant Multicultural Mercantile District. No matter your taste in dining or after-hours pursuits, the district is the destination of choice for many tourists when visiting ShiKahr.

More than a dozen vendors from around the planet come together at T’vela Sochya to create a zesty blend of culinary delights showcasing the very best of local cuisine. Adronn feltara, m’lu, and farr-kahli are among the most popular dishes, in keeping with the Vulcan custom of adhering to a strict vegetarian diet. Pick your favorite or enjoy samples from each of the world-class chefs on hand to dazzle you with their unmatched talents.

You could order something else, but locals as well as outworlders come here for the signature kahri-torrafeiaca, a fusion of Vulcan, Rigellian, and Earth vegetables. Yes, it’s delicious. Edrann doesn’t accept reservations, so expect to wait on weekends.

Official records list the proprietor of this popular district bar as an Andorian expatriate, but ask any of the regular patrons, and they’ll tell you a different story. Local folklore holds that Thelin came to Vulcan via a doorway through time. In business for decades, though no one seems to know when the owner arrived, Thelin’s bar is a favorite watering hole for Starfleet personnel. The walls are covered with all manner of memorabilia and keepsakes left behind by Starfleet officers dating back two centuries. Tourists often pack the bar on weekends, but locals tend to avoid it in favor of more conservative environs. Don’t leave without trying a mug of Thelin’s own signature microbrew, “Yesteryear.”

What began as a single-proprietor club on a Cardassian space station decades ago has in recent years become a full-blown franchise, with locations on more than eighty different planets. There are a number of Quark’s restaurants in Vulcan’s larger population centers, each offering similar menu selections as well as casino gaming and holosuites. Individual outlets offer merchandise and souvenirs exclusive to that location, but word to the wise: Don’t try to steal the menus. Replicas are available at the gift shop.

Hotels are abundant throughout the city, though those looking to escape Vulcan’s intemperate climate are best served by one of the Multicultural Mercantile District’s numerous hotels designed with all manner of outworlder species in mind. Several of the establishments mimic Vulcan architecture, as seen in numerous ancient shrines and other structures of cultural significance, and offer a genuine traditional flair. There are also a few all-inclusive resorts, some of which feature casinos catering to tourists who want to mix a bit of local atmosphere with some familiar creature comforts.

Located downtown and a stone’s throw from the city’s best dining and shopping areas, this luxurious hotel features a long list of amenities. Its circular design encloses a trio of natural hot springs of the sort Vulcans have long incorporated into holistic healing practices and used as a way to relax the body and mind before meditation. Water travels via underground channels from Vulcan’s Fire Plains to feed the hotel’s four pools. The therapeutic waters also supply the hotel’s award-winning spa. The hotel’s service is first-rate from the top down, routinely placing the Firr’creeta on numerous “best of” lists. Regional and outworlder cuisine are in ample supply at the hotel’s main restaurant, while satellite cafes, coffee shops, and a wine bar offer their own menus and libations.

Located less than a kilometer from Embassy Row, this hotel is popular with visiting VIPs and other diplomatic personnel. Its prime location also makes it a convenient home base for tourists wishing to spend an extended stay in the city. The building straddles the Sirakal Canal, allowing visitors access to the hotel via one of the numerous computer-guided gondolas that traverse the waterway snaking around and through the city. Keep your eyes out for o’ktath, gentle dolphin-like mammals, that travel the canal in schools and will swim up to your gondola looking for attention. Though the species was hunted to extinction more than a thousand years ago, modern genetic engineering has allowed o’ktath to be reintroduced in limited numbers via cloning. Their diet is strictly regulated by veterinarians from the Vulcan Science Academy, so please do not feed the o’ktath!

This little slice of Ferenginar is located on the city’s outskirts, with the entire resort contained within its own climate-controlled habitation dome. While the resort caters to Ferengi working or visiting their embassy, all species are welcome. Guests can expect to be treated like the Grand Nagus himself for the duration of their stay. The hotel’s central attraction is its three-story casino featuring the latest table and interactive computer games of chance. Dom-jot, dabo, and poker tournaments are frequent events, attracting players from numerous worlds.

Located within the provincial limits of ShiKahr, the Lake Yuron region has evolved into one of Vulcan’s most popular vacation destinations. Once a small settlement dedicated to agriculture and holistic medicine, this once quiet community’s beautiful beaches and resorts have made it a target for tourists from throughout the Alpha Quadrant. Tranquil daytime pursuits are balanced against a high-energy nightlife, which makes Lake Yuron a favored getaway locale for university students and Starfleet Academy cadets, especially during the annual uzhaya wak-krus, or “season of renewal,” which is roughly equivalent to “spring break” on Earth, though far less outlandish. Members of other species who call Vulcan home are also attracted to the lake and the small yet energetic city that has grown up around it, but don’t be surprised to see a number of locals enjoying the lively atmosphere.

One of the few sizable bodies of water on Vulcan, Lake Yuron spans an area of more than eighty thousand square kilometers and is fed by an expansive system of underground rivers. Most of the region’s major villages and other settlements occupy the area along the lake’s southern edge, though there are several smaller settlements and monasteries scattered along the shore and in the neighboring foothills. The region plays host to several festivals and other events throughout the year, so plan your trip accordingly, as resorts and hotels fill up quickly.

Though I am only half-Vulcan and was not born here, I remain linked to this world. Perhaps it is my mixed lineage that is responsible, but I have never felt comfortable in any of the larger cities. Instead, I have always been drawn to the smaller settlements and villages far away from the major population centers, with one exception: Lake Yuron, which I have called my home on Vulcan for my entire adult life.

I continue to be fascinated by the inherent contradiction that is the lake and its surrounding regions. Large inland bodies of water are rare on Vulcan, of course, so it makes sense that the lake would attract natives as well as outworlders. One would think this mixture of cultures would provoke all manner of disputes, but, like the residents of ShiKahr and other metropolitan areas, the people of the lake region have found their own sense of community. This does not preclude a healthy dose of otherworldly diversity and the unpredictability that accompanies such variety, which for me is the lake region’s greatest appeal.

—Captain Saavik

Once you arrive via air or ground transportation, the fastest and most enjoyable way to get anywhere on or near the lake is by boat. Ferries run around the clock on regular schedules to a dozen major hubs and minor harbors. Private transportation with optional chauffeurs is also available. Among the most popular boats are those guided by scholars from the nearby P’Tranek Monastery. Despite the availability of transporters, the lake still supports an extensive shipping industry, which serves several of the smaller settlements and monasteries where the use of modern technology is restricted or sometimes prohibited.

Trails and paths connect most of the southern boundary’s major points of interest, as the region’s original layout was designed to accommodate walking and other self-propelled personal conveyances. This sensibility has remained a priority even as the region continues to expand and evolve to welcome an ever-growing tourist clientele.

One thing that surprises many visitors to Lake Yuron is the number of businesses operated by Vulcans. It may seem very much at odds with their lifestyle for the locals to be supporting the vast number of frivolous pursuits found here, but many of the region’s best restaurants, popular bars, and hottest nightspots are run by locals.

Variations of this sport exist on numerous worlds, though it is most popular on Earth, Pacifica, and Risa. Like the courts on other planets in the tour circuit, Vulcan courts are designed so that each half accommodates the natural gravity and atmospheric requirements of individual players. A force field serves as the net at center court, and the ball is equipped with gravity sensors that alter its mass as it passes back and forth across the net. In recent years and with the resurgence of the Interstellar Association of Volleyball Professionals, the Eridani Beach Open has become one of the most exciting stops on the beach volleyball tour. The beach perennially ranks among the top five locations for tournament play, beating out such venues as Risa, Argelius, and Nimbus III. And don’t underestimate the locals: Vulcans are some of the best players on the tour and, as with anything else, they play sports with cool, logical precision, combining superior athleticism with unerring strategy. If you’re lucky enough to be here when a tournament’s in town, don’t miss out. It’ll be love at first spike.

Vulcan historians cannot say with any certainty how long the ruins of this once magnificent structure have stood on the lake’s southeastern shore. Myths and legends describe a shrine serving as a sanctuary thousands of years ago for clerics and other religious leaders fleeing the tyrannical rule of ancient Vulcan warlords. What remains of the structure has been deemed a protected historical site, overseen by the Vulcan Science Academy as archaeologists continue to study the ruins and other excavated artifacts.

The largest and most popular of the three beach areas at Lake Yuron, Eridani’s fine pearl-white sand stretches nearly 5 kilometers around the lake’s southeastern edge. The ruins of the ancient T’rinsha temple mark the beach’s western boundary. Dating back more than one thousand years, the temple once served as a haven for a long-extinct religious sect, the Krah’jehl, whose members worshipped Vulcan’s sun, 40 Eridani A. The ruins are accessible to visitors during daylight hours, and several regional companies offer guided tours. Sandcastle Cove, the beach’s primary gathering spot, attracts heavy traffic from boats that drop anchor at the inlet’s outer boundary. During the height of tourist season, it’s not uncommon to see hundreds of boats floating offshore. Come ready to enjoy full days of sun and fun before darkness falls and the party really starts.

Yes, Vulcans like kal-toh, but they also enjoy a rousing game of golf, perhaps owing to the game’s deliberate strategy and the skill required to navigate some of the planet’s more difficult and even treacherous courses. It’s a mystery to us, too, but Vulcan is home to many of the finest players in the quadrant. Le-matya Flats is designed with an unrivaled aesthetic beauty and is also one of the most intimidating courses on the professional circuit. Dense forests and rolling dunes conspire with water and lava hazards to create a series of increasingly daunting blind shots that can challenge even the most experienced players. Outworlders from lighter gravity worlds may require a brief period to acclimate to the game as played on Vulcan, though anti-grav clubs and balls are available to help overcome this obstacle.

Rivaled only by Vulcan’s Forge, Lake Yuron offers one of the most diverse hiking environments on the entire planet. A number of the trails here are thousands of years old, connecting the lake to inland ruins and several smaller villages, and many of the paths still contain paving stones placed there millennia ago during the Age of Antiquity. You’ll want to consult with an experienced guide before setting off on your own, as several of the inland villages aren’t welcoming to outworlder visitors.

This well-worn trail snakes down from the hills along the lake’s southwestern edge to a small cove that is shielded by natural rock formations save for a small passage accessible only to smaller waterborne craft. In ancient times, Adepts—Vulcan acolytes who had attained kolinahr, or the successful purging of all remaining emotions in favor of total logic—would follow the path from the P’Tranek Monastery, located in the foothills above the lake, and use the long walk to free their minds and prepare for meditation after bathing in Yuron’s purifying waters. The path features numerous etchings and paintings on the hillsides and other rock formations, each depicting legends and folklore dating back thousands of years. One such illustration even shows the acolytes mind melding with o’ktath, i’teth, and other underwater denizens.

We couldn’t resist including this small, out-of-the-way exhibit, which you’ll find at the far end of Eridani Beach. A’kweth, known to locals as “underliers,” are large, whalelike creatures that dwell beneath the sands of Vulcan’s deserts. Many scientists believe the animals evolved from an earlier life form that swam in the lake or perhaps even the Voroth Sea. Sightings are rare, as is finding any real proof of their existence. Leave it to the enterprising townspeople of Lake Yuron to make available the only known verified specimen of petrified underlier dung, authenticated by the Vulcan Science Academy. You’ll find no finer holophotographic moment anywhere in the city.

Plan to spend several hours exploring every nook, cranny, hidden room, and secret passage of this centuries-old retreat for High Masters and their acolytes. For generations, P’Tranek has been a preferred destination for High Masters and other Vulcan elders who desire a temporary respite from the demands of their office. Those who have attained kolinahr are invited to live and study here while renewing their mental discipline and bond with total logic. The hot springs beneath the monastery, tucked away hundreds of feet within the bedrock, provide a rejuvenating cleansing of the body and a tranquil meditation space. Outsiders are welcome, but only during specific hours and on certain days. During these periods, visitors are reminded to observe strict protocols so as not to disturb the shrine’s day-to-day activities.

Because of its size, Lake Yuron provides ample opportunities for underwater excursions. The area boasts a great number of seasoned dive masters, but if you’re here during uzhaya wak-krus, you may find yourself on a waiting list. Most of the tour groups offer scuba classes and certification. There are dozens of wrecked boats and other vessels littering the lake’s bottom, most of them making for fascinating dive destinations. Be prepared to swim with schools of i’teth and other smaller aquatic life, most of which is harmless. Though some species like the ul’vath are predatory, similar to certain classes of sharks on Earth, those animals tend to keep to deeper water, and attacks on humanoids are rare. Rumors and folktales maintain that several spacecraft, including a few from unknown extraterrestrial visitors, also lie among the wrecks, though no evidence of this has ever been found, and the Vulcan Science Academy routinely publishes vehement denials of such claims. This doesn’t stop adventure seekers from conducting their own excursions to the lake’s bottom in relentless attempts to prove the legends.

While the options aren’t as numerous as those you might find in one of the larger cities or other tourist centers, shopping in Lake Yuron still offers a nice selection of retail and specialty stores. The usual assortment of curios and other souvenirs can be found in establishments both around town and along the water. Because the lake and surrounding region is popular with artisans of every stripe, you’ll find several shops and galleries displaying their work. Musicians and other performers flock here during festivals and other tourist-friendly events, displaying their talents on the beaches and in the nearby parks. Everything from dueling Vulcan lutists to people juggling ancient combat weapons can be found here. Impromptu street concerts and other live performances are a common sight most evenings, offering an easy way to unwind after a long day on the water. There are few spectacles that can compare to a Klingon street troupe performing The Dream of the Fire, Rock of Ages, or Hamlet (all in Klingonese) in the open-air amphitheater at the head of Eridani Beach.

A two-minute walk from the beach puts you on the stone paths that wind in and around this intimate cluster of boutique shops. The buildings that make up the mall have stood here for centuries, originally serving as a commune for students studying kolinahr at the nearby P’Tranek Monastery. Just about everything in each of these establishments is handcrafted by local and regional artisans.

When you’re done buying souvenirs and other mementos of your vacation, be sure to grab lunch at one of the mall’s six restaurants featuring the best regional cuisine in the area. There are also plenty of choices for those seeking outworlder fare. Yonsavas, a succulent fruit grown in abundance in this region, are a signature ingredient in many dishes you’ll find here.

Enjoy the simple brilliance of P’dralek’s, one of the most successful retailers on and off planet and the largest discounter of just about anything and everything. Contained within a six-story structure, discontinued clothing, jewelry, home accessories, and personal entertainment are offered at unbelievable savings. The hunt for real bargains is part of the thrill for hard-core shoppers searching through the selection that is refreshed almost daily as inventory is brought in from P’dralek’s locations around the world and points beyond. If you’re seeking spices unique to Vulcan cuisine, jewelry handcrafted from the volcanic rock of Mount Tar’hana, or Vulcan wines and other spirits, this is the place for you.

At Lake Yuron, the fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. That’s when the action shifts to the town’s entertainment quarter, where visitors and locals have been known to keep the festivities going until dawn and beyond. While this might not be the best option for anyone looking to unwind after a day packed with sightseeing and other activities, it’s definitely where you want to be if you’re looking for the heart of Lake Yuron’s nighttime party scene.

If you’re a lover of trendy modern music and pulse-pounding dance, this is the must-visit club at Lake Yuron. Holographic dancers interact with patrons throughout the club’s five enormous levels of illuminated floors and accompanying elevated platforms, all of it synchronized to a state-of-the-art sound system. Each floor boasts its own bar featuring the town’s largest selection of beer, wine, and spirits. Don’t leave without trying the club’s signature drink, the tolik sour fizz, made from the juices of the succulent tolik fruit, that is just as intoxicating as any cocktail you’ll find. Trust us; you’ll only need one. If you can make it, come for Noncorporeal Night on Thursdays, which has to be seen (or not?) to be believed.

This small, unique “joint” is housed within the wrecked hull of a centuries-old sailing ship that ran aground during a fierce hurricane. The vessel, one of the last to use steam as a source of power, sat undisturbed for decades when its owners declared the ship a loss, after which an opportunistic Vulcan claimed it and began repairing and renovating it. He added a support structure that includes part of the restaurant as well as a functioning dive tour company and supply shop. The diner’s menu is basic fare, but the diving charters include tours of other wrecks claimed by the lake.

Visitors pack this beachside bar long after the sun sets, continuing the party until dawn. Started a decade ago by a Terran freighter captain who’d grown tired of hauling cargo, Okona’s has become a favorite waterfront party haven, thanks to the broad range of live bands who command each of its three stages. One of the lake’s best-stocked bars is complemented by a menu jammed with Earth delicacies. If you’re going to travel hundreds of light-years for a pizza, this is the place to find it.

There are three reasons you may end up at Lake Yuron during the popular uzhaya wak-krus, or season of renewal: You want to be part of the scene, you had no idea your vacation dates coincided with this annual festival, or your transportation broke down and you were forced to make an emergency landing.

Despite what you may think about Vulcans and their reserved nature, the locals are actually very tolerant of the behavior associated with this often boisterous season. This is aided by the large number of outworlders who have established permanent residence on Vulcan and operate businesses in the region. Still, visitors are expected to respect the natives.

The lake is a popular destination for university students from numerous planets and, in recent years, has become a favored setting for Starfleet Academy cadets who make the trip from Earth or one of the other campuses.

A number of myths, legends, and outright lies have been propagated over the years with respect to what happens at the lake, so let us help with some of the more persistent fables:

MYTH: It’s total bedlam here. Originally intended as a time of reflection and restorative meditation and exercise at the beginning of each new calendar year, the uzhaya wak-krus has evolved to encompass seasonal traditions from several worlds. The influx of younger visitors, particularly Starfleet Academy cadets and students from universities on dozens of planets, has given the annual observance an added flair. Though partiers are given a great deal of latitude, the constabulary ensures that order is maintained. Don’t try to argue with Vulcan cops. If they’ve put restraints on you, the logical conclusion is that you did something wrong.

TRUTH: If you’re a student and think you’ll catch up on your term papers or other homework during your week off, quit lying to yourself. Don’t even bring your datapad.

MYTH: The locals hate it. Definitely not true. Most restaurants, clubs, and shops bring in extra workers to handle the upsurge in business. Even the students from the P’Tranek Monastery have been known to descend from the foothills on occasion to partake in the various festivities, though they always do so in a forthright and logical fashion.

Hotels are plentiful in and around the lake region. Discerning visitors likely will want to avoid the typical beachfront shanties and smaller hotels with attached clubs or entertainment venues and opt instead for one of the quieter, all-inclusive resorts and hotels situated farther from the water. However, if you’re here for the party, there are deals and packages aplenty enticing patrons to the numerous lakeside hotels and inns.

The larger resorts and trendy hotels have nothing on this landmark bed and breakfast, owned and operated by a small, dedicated staff. Traditional Vulcan decor and dining are the order of the day, and guests are invited to help tend the garden that provides the fruits and vegetables for every meal. As one might imagine, this isn’t the first lodging choice for your typical vacationer. The inn is also the region’s primary supplier of pla-savas, a rich citrus-like fruit used in a variety of food and beverage recipes around the lake. For those who might benefit from such information, pla-sava juice is often prescribed as a fast, simple hangover remedy.

Sure, you’re vacationing on a desert planet, so why not spend part of that time underwater? This one-of-a-kind hotel situated on the lake’s southeastern shore has three dozen suites accessible only by turbolift as you descend fifty meters beneath the surface. Each room features curved transparasteel windows, which offer unfettered views of life beneath the lake, so don’t be surprised by the curious onlookers you’re liable to attract. It’s not uncommon for families of dolphin-like o’ktath to bump their noses against the transparent barriers in a bid for attention. The latter half of the year is when the kylin’the bloom. This plant only thrives in or near the planet’s few water sources and is abundant in the lake’s shallow areas, growing across rocks and artificial underwater structures.

Ancient architecture merges with modern sparkle to create an eye-popping hotel that commands attention from anywhere around the lake. Taking its cues from several Vulcan temples and shrines, the hotel’s marble façade extends to an immense 80-meter pool and surrounding deck. The fountains that give the hotel its name are active all year long and are as unique as the hotel itself, depicting scenes and figures from across Vulcan history. Guided tours take you beneath the surface to a subterranean waterfall and along several tunnels from a trillium mine that in ancient times drew prospectors to the region.

Located some distance from the madness that can consume the waterfront properties during the height of tourist season, this modest collection of lodges is found in the foothills west of the lake. Given its proximity to the P’Tranek Monastery, quiet and serenity are the orders of the day here, which might be the perfect prescription for visitors looking to refresh their minds and spirits as well as their bodies. Hot and cold mountain spring water feeds the twenty-four natural pools scattered across the property, and the hotel’s private botanical gardens play host to flora from around the planet as well as several other worlds. Botanists from the Vulcan Science Academy have achieved a near-perfect harmony here, cultivating a variety of specimens from the planet’s different, often disparate, regions. Adun cactus plants stand among a field of lush g’tesh bushes. Plomeek, gespar, and soltar plants from the garden are used to make soup and other delicacies served in the visitor dining areas.

Seasoned travelers know that Vulcan’s Kir Province is one of the planet’s best-kept secrets. Located along the coast nearly five hundred kilometers east of ShiKahr, the much smaller city of Kir and its neighboring network of villages and farms don’t attract the attention of most tourists but are actually the ideal setting for those seeking a microcosm of “the Vulcan experience.” Tourists who come here are often looking for something different from what they’ll find in the larger cities and areas listed as “the places to be.” There’s also been an increase in expatriates from a number of different planets who have come to enjoy living here. Immigration into the area became so constant at one point that the Kir City Council had to enact zoning restrictions in order to stem the influx.

The Thanor Sea provides the region’s eastern boundary, while the northern and western borders are dominated by an array of waterless grasslands, which are choked by spiny wahmlat plants. These areas can be challenging for hikers and campers, but don’t let this discourage you. Once you get past the grasslands, you’ll find yourself amid the region’s most notable geographic features: Mount Tar’hana and the Fire Plains. Both are frequent destinations for geologists and mineralogists from the Vulcan Science Academy. Prospective treasure seekers often find specimens of kevas, trillium, and even dilithium amid the canyons and crevasses carved millennia ago by lava from the still-active volcano.

Expect to find public transportation that’s in line with what you’d encounter in one of the larger cities, though the schedules tend to be more structured and limited. Most magnetic-rail lines halt service in the late evening, though taxis can be found around the clock. The city itself is small enough that most points of interest are within easy walking distance of your hotel. If you’re truly daring, you can rent unicycles from one of the local merchants. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen a Vulcan riding a unicycle.

Though I was born in ShiKahr and still consider the capital city my home, I have journeyed to many of my home world’s other cities and provinces. Each has its own allure, but it was in the province of Kir that I discovered a tranquility unlike anything else I had found in my travels, either on Vulcan or on any of the seventy-six worlds I have visited. The foothills of Mount Tar’hana and the Fire Plains are conducive to meditation, and while I prefer solitude during my visits here, I find myself enamored with the growing number of non-Vulcans who are discovering this region for themselves. It is agreeable to see this heightened interest. In many ways, Kir provides one of the most accurate living depictions of traditional Vulcan society, though not one hopelessly locked in the past.

—Ambassador Sarek

Unlike with the more popular destinations, such as the larger cities or Lake Yuron, once you leave Kir City proper the rest of the province remains, in many ways, untouched by the passage of time. Monasteries and other historical sites are maintained with an eye toward preservation, not just of the physical structures but also of customs and traditions dating back hundreds if not thousands of years. Outworlders are welcomed at most of these locations, but disruptions and other misconduct are not tolerated. Be on your best behavior when visiting these sites.

This is definitely not the place you want to visit if you’re looking to escape the heat. Situated to the west of Kir City, the lava fields of the Fire Plains wind through scores of ancient ruins and thousands of years ago provided a natural buffer against enemy forces attempting to advance on the original Kir settlement. Enormous statues carved to depict Vulcan warriors tower over the fierce, intimidating vista, reminding visitors of the planet’s turbulent past and Kir’s origins during the Age of Expansion. Though the plains can be observed from surrounding plateaus and ridgelines, the best way to experience them is to follow the paths used by Adepts and other High Masters, who often venture deep into the region in order to meditate.

Vulcans observe the Kal Rekk, or day of atonement, by individually reflecting on perceived lapses in logic or emotional control during the previous year. The influx of offworlders to the outlying provinces and cities has seen to it that the occasion now is marked by a variety of festivals and other events. Most of these celebrations are very modest and respectful of the observance’s established protocols, serving as a means to honor the Vulcans who have welcomed the outsiders in their midst. If you happen to be visiting during this period, take advantage of any opportunity to participate in one of the ceremonies, as they offer unique insight into long-standing Vulcan customs and societal mores.

Visitors are drawn to the hot springs here, which flow into natural pools in and under the volcanic rock, formed after thousands of years of abrasion and erosion from the subterranean rivers running beneath the canyon. Remnants of a long-abandoned fortress bear mute testimony to the wars fought here in ancient times, for control of the springs was a driving force behind the establishment of the original Kir settlement. In ancient times, priests and Adepts incorporated the springs into a host of religious ceremonies including betrothal and marriage rites, inviting those receiving such sacraments to let the waters cleanse their bodies and souls. Visitors are invited to tour the excavated dig site, where historians offer insight into the city’s genesis and the battles fought here by rival clans to rule the precious water source. The low-alkaline waters are an excellent restorative for sore muscles after a day spent hiking the Fire Plains.

Observe and interact with talented potters and other artisans as they create all manner of functional and decorative vessels, stones, sculptures, and just about anything requested of them. The fires are hand-stoked just as they’ve been for centuries, and it’s rumored that the trio of elder Vulcan women working the kilns have been here all that time. A gallery overlooking the city houses a vast collection of antique ceramics, ancient weapons, and other artifacts recovered from the numerous archaeological expeditions that have been undertaken in the area.

Though the majority of Vulcans have not observed Rumarie for nearly a thousand years, those living in some of the smaller villages and settlements outside Kir City still celebrate this rather anachronistic holiday. The festival’s ribald, heretical ceremonies and dances evoke Vulcan mores from the Age of Antiquity and have understandably fallen out of favor with mainstream society. Not all of the communities that celebrate Rumarie welcome outworlders, so check before you attempt to observe such a ritual.

A coastal province on planet T’Khasi, located on the shores of the Voroth Sea.

An ancient city on the planet T’Khasi, destroyed after the Great Awakening

Matron of Vulcan philosophy

A great Vulcan philosopher, scientist and pacifist

Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations

Peace and long life

Live long and prosper

Thank you

Where is your restroom?

What time is it?

Where is a good restaurant?

I am sorry

A term of endearment, loosely translated as “friend,” “brother,” or “lover.”

The Vulcan “time of mating,” which affects Vulcans approximately every seven years of their adult life. This aspect of the Vulcan reproductive process is dominated by a neurochemical imbalance that impedes logic and rational thought and is often likened to a period of “madness.” Left untreated, the condition can prove fatal.

Hormone complex causing pon farr

As the imbalance in Pon farr worsens, the afflicted Vulcan will enter a state of “blood fever.” While the condition can be treated through meditation, it can only be truly remedied by successful mating with a bonded partner or through a similarly intense emotional experience, such as undergoing the kal-if-fee combat ritual.

An ancient ritual that translates to “marriage or challenge.” In the event that a female Vulcan does not wish to be married to the male partner arranged for her during childhood, she can choose a defender to challenge her betrothed.

“Passion fight,” during which a Vulcan can confront another to win the hand of a prospective wedding partner.

A traditional Vulcan combat weapon that consists of a staff with a fan-shaped blade at one end and a bludgeon at the other. Today, it is one of the weapons used during ceremonial proceedings such as the kal-if-fee.

The oldest of traditional Vulcan combat weapons, which resembles an Earth sling. In modern times, it is often used during various rituals and ceremonies.

A defensive martial art. Unarmed combat experts often compare it to such Earth disciplines as aikido and jujitsu

A “living spirit,” or the essence of a Vulcan’s intellect. When death is near, some Vulcans are able to transfer their katra into the mind of another living being.

Once the transfer is complete, you may become overwhelmed with sudden desires to emulate the behavior of the consciousness you’re harboring. Go with that feeling. You should also find the nearest law enforcement or government office and explain your situation, as there are procedures for dealing with katras transferred into unprepared recipients. The potential good news is that unless you already happen to be there, Vulcan High Masters will whisk you away for a three-day, two-night all expenses paid trip to Mount Seleya, where you’ll participate in an ancient Vulcan ceremony, the fal-tor-pan, so that the katra you’re carrying can be transferred to an Adept or someone else better suited for handling it.

Please note that katra-hosting is not something visitors should seek out on their own. Almost without exception, katras are transferred to Vulcans who are practiced in the mental arts and who have prepared for the responsibilities they undertake. Only on rare occasions has a non-Vulcan played host to a katra, and to say that results are unpredictable is putting it mildly. Curious or adventurous tourists are advised to steer clear.

Also called “the refusion.” An ancient ritual used to reunite a Vulcan’s katra—a Vulcan’s living spirit—with their physical body.

A ten-day test of survival, courage, and maturity undertaken by Vulcan children and conducted in the unforgiving climate of Vulcan’s Forge.

The purging of all emotions and the embracing of total, pure logic.

No other game offers such a formidable trial as kal-toh, the ancient Vulcan game of strategy. For millennia, kal-toh has challenged the planet’s foremost minds, and each year the Vulcan Science Academy’s annual interplanetary kal-toh tournament attracts players from numerous worlds, each of them seeking to pit themselves against the game and one another.

Kal-toh is a Vulcan game that keeps a person’s logic sharp and is a test of balance and concentration. About 20 centimeters in diameter, kal-toh is a construction of short metallic-crystal rods, called t’an. They are joined in a roughly spherical, seemingly chaotic manner. The object of the game is to turn the jumble into a perfect sphere.

Each player takes a turn positioning t’an and whoever gets the sphere to appear ɹrst wins. If you place your piece correctly, the shape changes. If you place it incorrectly, part of the structure falls apart. A completed game of kal-toh is in the shape of two nested icosidodecahedra connected by the center points of their edges.