Well Gorn is basically big, ugly alligator on steroids (mind the fact that I play one ). And it takes experienced zoo keeper to distinguish male and female alligator, so I guess female Gorn just look the same as male Gorn, hence no need to separate the two for the game purposes.
But as far as ingame goes, I don't think there is a female Gorn available, probably because they've never been seen and Cryptic doesn't know how to depict them.
Traditionally, with Reptiles it's the Male that is more... colourful and genuinely larger (bulk) than the female.
Thus, if Cryptic wanted to implement a Gorn Female, they'd need to do one of two things:
1) Make the Male Gorn more colourful. I don't know how, maybe give them patterned chests or something? Then have the Female Gorn standard-looking, just not as tall or bulky.
or
2) Switch it, so instead of colourful Males, you've got more colourful Females.
or
3) Just give the Male (or) Female Gorn Feathers.
Well Gorn is basically big, ugly alligator on steroids (mind the fact that I play one ). And it takes experienced zoo keeper to distinguish male and female alligator, so I guess female Gorn just look the same as male Gorn, hence no need to separate the two for the game purposes.
Possibly a brave one too.
If I remember correctly, the sex of some lizard species can only be determined by lifting the cloacal flap and taking a look at the business.
Isn't it odd to think that Cats with a pair of TRIBBLE and a short skirt are deemed attractive, yet a Lizard with a pair of TRIBBLE and a short skirt isn't. :P
Isn't it odd to think that Cats with a pair of TRIBBLE and a short skirt are deemed attractive, yet a Lizard with a pair of TRIBBLE and a short skirt isn't. :P
Evolutionary hard-wiring plus cultural exposure.
Speaking of cats and snake, I was staying with a friend one time and her daughter had been playing with little racecars and had left the track in the lounge - in a curvy snake like shape. When their cat walked into the room the fur on its back when straight up and it started hissing at the track. I've seen the same thing happen cats and garden hoses left in a windy snake-like shape.
Snakes are often dangerous. Any tendency to find them repulsive / dangerous would have survival value. On the other hand, while wild cats can also be deadly, cats are such a common domesticated animal in the west that even if there was any evolutionary hard-wiring which inclined us to find them unattractive that would probably be overwhelmed by all the cute, cuddly catty exposure.
Me personally, I have no fear of reptiles, venomous or otherwise.
Part of that is I see a rather aggressive lizard (it's not a big one, but it's feisty!) often enough.
I learnt really fast how to handle them (grab them from behind the head, around the neck and they can't bite you).
Also, we have one of the world's top 3 venomous snakes (tiger snake) in our country, but the one and only time I saw it in the wild, it just crawled away.
So I guess with long term exposure, I just was used to their presence and not really disconcerted by them.
And ironically, I'm more repulsed by Caitians/Ferasans then Reptiles.
I'm not sure exactly why, but I think it's because it's borderline bad taste.
I've seen at least 2 Felinoid species in fiction and for the most part, they resemble simian humanoids.
In point of fact, if it wasn't for minor differences (one had prominent canines, the other had yellow eyes and pointed ears), you'd think they were simians.
So to me, the Felinoids in STO just look abherrant, like they're unnatural.
As for the Saurians, the thing I object to is grafting mammalian characteristics onto creatures that aren't mammals.
The Visitors or the Silurians are more realistic Reptilian species, that's what the Saurians should really resemble!
Bees like honey, they don't like vinegar.
Everytime someone makes a character that is an copy of an existing superhuman, Creativity is sad
I've read somewhere that the Gorn female is huge compared to the male and game development wise, they cannot physically fit a Gorn female in a regular doorway.
Also, some of the male exclusive species has lore related rational for not having female as playable.
If it weren't for Quark's mother in DS9, there would be no female Feraingi walking around.
There are lots of species of lizards/reptiles out there, so not everything lizard have to look like a Gorn. I like the unique way that the Saurian stands out.
For the most part, I think they need more non-humanoid species in Trek in general, but there is only so far the special effect/makeup budget would allow you to.
I agree Pakled are just too non-friendly lore wise to be a member of the Fed in the first place.
They have to have the Tellarite and Andorian as playable since they, along with human and Vulcans, are founding members of the Federation. TV wise, the Tellarite played a huge role in one of the story arcs of the later season of Enterprise.
Me personally, I have no fear of reptiles, venomous or otherwise.
Part of that is I see a rather aggressive lizard (it's not a big one, but it's feisty!) often enough.
I learnt really fast how to handle them (grab them from behind the head, around the neck and they can't bite you).
Also, we have one of the world's top 3 venomous snakes (tiger snake) in our country, but the one and only time I saw it in the wild, it just crawled away.
So I guess with long term exposure, I just was used to their presence and not really disconcerted by them.
And ironically, I'm more repulsed by Caitians/Ferasans then Reptiles.
I'm not sure exactly why, but I think it's because it's borderline bad taste.
I've seen at least 2 Felinoid species in fiction and for the most part, they resemble simian humanoids.
In point of fact, if it wasn't for minor differences (one had prominent canines, the other had yellow eyes and pointed ears), you'd think they were simians.
So to me, the Felinoids in STO just look abherrant, like they're unnatural.
As for the Saurians, the thing I object to is grafting mammalian characteristics onto creatures that aren't mammals.
The Visitors or the Silurians are more realistic Reptilian species, that's what the Saurians should really resemble!
Um, last I heard Goannas DO have a weak sort of venom.
Although it's main effect is to speed up necrosis of the wound...
Me personally, I have no fear of reptiles, venomous or otherwise.
Part of that is I see a rather aggressive lizard (it's not a big one, but it's feisty!) often enough.
I learnt really fast how to handle them (grab them from behind the head, around the neck and they can't bite you).
I've picked up a wild carpet python, to remove it from a friend's house, but I would not go near most venemous snakes. And I certainly wouldn't try to grab one by hand. Most venomous snakes in Australia are fast and aggressive.
For some reason the Saurians and Rigelians creep me out visually. Don't know why
For me with the Saurians it's the fact that their head looks too much like a human skull.
I hadn't paid much attention to Rigelians but looking at their picture in the wiki I see a similar issue. Their head is a bit reminiscent of a human's with the skin removed.
Yeah, I'm not stupid enough to pick up a venomous reptile.
The lizard I referred to is Blue Tongue Lizard
Their bite is powerful, but not otherwise dangerous, as they lack teeth and venom.
Venomous reptiles are not that common, these are the known ones:
Komodo Dragon
Gila Monster (Mexico)
Bearded Lizard (Mexico)
Little Bearded Dragon (Australia)
Any reptile belonging to the Monitor or Iguania orders (Australia)
And the article did state that the Australian lizard venom isn't produced in high enough quantities to affect humans, although it is equivalent to rattlesnake venom.
The Komodo Dragon however, is another story altogether.
This lizard feeds on large prey and therefore, is quite capable of inflicting a serious, sometimes fatal dose on humans.
I'm not that bothered by the appearance of the Rigelians, their faces just look like they're covered in dried, cracked mud (texturally, not in color).
Bees like honey, they don't like vinegar.
Everytime someone makes a character that is an copy of an existing superhuman, Creativity is sad
I think the main reason people choose the species they do, is because of the characters in each show. For example, not many people would choose Ferengi characters if it wasn't for Quark, Rom and Nog.
The only popular species that hasn't had a very notable appearance in the TV shows is the Caitians, really.
The Andorians would probably be ignored if it weren't for Shran on Enterprise. They were kind of a joke species in between TOS and Enterprise, really.
Me personally, I have no fear of reptiles, venomous or otherwise.
Part of that is I see a rather aggressive lizard (it's not a big one, but it's feisty!) often enough.
I learnt really fast how to handle them (grab them from behind the head, around the neck and they can't bite you).
Also, we have one of the world's top 3 venomous snakes (tiger snake) in our country, but the one and only time I saw it in the wild, it just crawled away.
So I guess with long term exposure, I just was used to their presence and not really disconcerted by them.
And ironically, I'm more repulsed by Caitians/Ferasans then Reptiles.
I'm not sure exactly why, but I think it's because it's borderline bad taste.
I've seen at least 2 Felinoid species in fiction and for the most part, they resemble simian humanoids.
In point of fact, if it wasn't for minor differences (one had prominent canines, the other had yellow eyes and pointed ears), you'd think they were simians.
So to me, the Felinoids in STO just look abherrant, like they're unnatural.
As for the Saurians, the thing I object to is grafting mammalian characteristics onto creatures that aren't mammals.
The Visitors or the Silurians are more realistic Reptilian species, that's what the Saurians should really resemble!
You're assuming that the Saurians took the same evolutionary path that reptiles on Earth did. Which they did not, apparently.
That's why I like the Saurians. The fact that reptiles evolved some characteristics of mammals on their homeworld, is what makes them alien by Earth standards. The Gorn on the other hand, as much as I like them, are your generic "reptoids" (i.e. Earth type reptiles given humanoid form).
We really haven't any role models for a Saurian. The President of the Federation Council, Okeg (Geko spelled backwards), hasn't been seen in public since the game launched. Perhaps if that changed, interest in Saurians might improve?
(/\) Exploring Star Trek Online Since July 2008 (/\)
i made my first Tac Captain a Pakled just because of this thread.
after the enterprise incident, the pakled became more friendly to the federation, probably because they realized we could have killed them, but choose not to. (unlike most other galactic powers)
they became a minor ally during the Dominion war, unlike every other power in the quadrant.
mostly they escorted fed freighters or did search and rescue.
You're assuming that the Saurians took the same evolutionary path that reptiles on Earth did. Which they did not, apparently.
That's why I like the Saurians. The fact that reptiles evolved some characteristics of mammals on their homeworld, is what makes them alien by Earth standards.
No, that wouldn't be possible.
DNA can change over time, but to acquire completely new features that don't exist in the genome coding is not going to happen.
The only exception I can think of is that they're not actually reptiles at all.
Prior to the rise of the dinosaurs, there was a kind of doglike creature which was part reptile and part mammal.
It laid eggs, but had milk glands much like a mammal.
But it wasn't a true reptile at all and is not classified as such.
However, this species went extinct long ago, so there are no living specimens.
If the Saurians were descended from this creature, then it might be feasible they are what they are.
But then if that was true, they wouldn't be reptiles at all!
Bees like honey, they don't like vinegar.
Everytime someone makes a character that is an copy of an existing superhuman, Creativity is sad
I have seen Tellarite and Saurian characters, but I have never seen a Pakled character.
I do have a question- Am I the only person with a Rigelian Character? I have not seen any other Rigelian chars other then my own.
I almost went for Rigellian (I had Andorian in the end) as they do have a very noble appearance almost. It does irritate me that the skin patterns end at the neck - you have any kind of low collar and it looks silly (no offence to Ensign Helna in that bikini).
With each passing day I wonder if I stepped into an alternate reality. The Cubs win the world series. Donald Trump is President. Britain leaves the EU. STO gets a dedicated PvP season. Engineers are "out of control" in STO.
Comments
Traditionally, with Reptiles it's the Male that is more... colourful and genuinely larger (bulk) than the female.
Thus, if Cryptic wanted to implement a Gorn Female, they'd need to do one of two things:
1) Make the Male Gorn more colourful. I don't know how, maybe give them patterned chests or something? Then have the Female Gorn standard-looking, just not as tall or bulky.
or
2) Switch it, so instead of colourful Males, you've got more colourful Females.
or
3) Just give the Male (or) Female Gorn Feathers.
Some have gender dimorphism, some don't.
The ones I've seen fall into two categories:
1. The males are larger, but the females are otherwise identical.
Sometimes the reverse is true that the females are the larger one.
2. No visible difference.
The popular theory is that the Gorn females are more sizeable then the males, possibly something to do with egg laying.
But I don't know if that's supported by canon or not.
Bees like honey, they don't like vinegar.
Everytime someone makes a character that is an copy of an existing superhuman, Creativity is sad
Ok, yeah, I've tried making one in the character creator now.
They all end up looking like skin stretched over a human skull, and I'm not much into Halloween.
Possibly a brave one too.
If I remember correctly, the sex of some lizard species can only be determined by lifting the cloacal flap and taking a look at the business.
Not something I'd want to try with a Gorn.
Like TRIBBLE lizards? That could certainly add some flavour to the Gorn.
Gender dimorphism means that the male (or female) is visually different from the opposite gender and therefore, easy to identify at a casual glance.
Bees like honey, they don't like vinegar.
Everytime someone makes a character that is an copy of an existing superhuman, Creativity is sad
Yeah I remembered that after posting. I was thinking of parthenogenesis.
Evolutionary hard-wiring plus cultural exposure.
Speaking of cats and snake, I was staying with a friend one time and her daughter had been playing with little racecars and had left the track in the lounge - in a curvy snake like shape. When their cat walked into the room the fur on its back when straight up and it started hissing at the track. I've seen the same thing happen cats and garden hoses left in a windy snake-like shape.
Snakes are often dangerous. Any tendency to find them repulsive / dangerous would have survival value. On the other hand, while wild cats can also be deadly, cats are such a common domesticated animal in the west that even if there was any evolutionary hard-wiring which inclined us to find them unattractive that would probably be overwhelmed by all the cute, cuddly catty exposure.
Part of that is I see a rather aggressive lizard (it's not a big one, but it's feisty!) often enough.
I learnt really fast how to handle them (grab them from behind the head, around the neck and they can't bite you).
Also, we have one of the world's top 3 venomous snakes (tiger snake) in our country, but the one and only time I saw it in the wild, it just crawled away.
So I guess with long term exposure, I just was used to their presence and not really disconcerted by them.
And ironically, I'm more repulsed by Caitians/Ferasans then Reptiles.
I'm not sure exactly why, but I think it's because it's borderline bad taste.
I've seen at least 2 Felinoid species in fiction and for the most part, they resemble simian humanoids.
In point of fact, if it wasn't for minor differences (one had prominent canines, the other had yellow eyes and pointed ears), you'd think they were simians.
So to me, the Felinoids in STO just look abherrant, like they're unnatural.
As for the Saurians, the thing I object to is grafting mammalian characteristics onto creatures that aren't mammals.
The Visitors or the Silurians are more realistic Reptilian species, that's what the Saurians should really resemble!
Bees like honey, they don't like vinegar.
Everytime someone makes a character that is an copy of an existing superhuman, Creativity is sad
And I can not in good conscience put a Pakled in command of anything more complicated than a toaster. An unplugged toaster at that.
Also, some of the male exclusive species has lore related rational for not having female as playable.
If it weren't for Quark's mother in DS9, there would be no female Feraingi walking around.
There are lots of species of lizards/reptiles out there, so not everything lizard have to look like a Gorn. I like the unique way that the Saurian stands out.
For the most part, I think they need more non-humanoid species in Trek in general, but there is only so far the special effect/makeup budget would allow you to.
I agree Pakled are just too non-friendly lore wise to be a member of the Fed in the first place.
They have to have the Tellarite and Andorian as playable since they, along with human and Vulcans, are founding members of the Federation. TV wise, the Tellarite played a huge role in one of the story arcs of the later season of Enterprise.
Although it's main effect is to speed up necrosis of the wound...
My character Tsin'xing
I've picked up a wild carpet python, to remove it from a friend's house, but I would not go near most venemous snakes. And I certainly wouldn't try to grab one by hand. Most venomous snakes in Australia are fast and aggressive.
For me with the Saurians it's the fact that their head looks too much like a human skull.
I hadn't paid much attention to Rigelians but looking at their picture in the wiki I see a similar issue. Their head is a bit reminiscent of a human's with the skin removed.
All a bit grotesque.
The lizard I referred to is Blue Tongue Lizard
Their bite is powerful, but not otherwise dangerous, as they lack teeth and venom.
Venomous reptiles are not that common, these are the known ones:
Komodo Dragon
Gila Monster (Mexico)
Bearded Lizard (Mexico)
Little Bearded Dragon (Australia)
Any reptile belonging to the Monitor or Iguania orders (Australia)
And the article did state that the Australian lizard venom isn't produced in high enough quantities to affect humans, although it is equivalent to rattlesnake venom.
The Komodo Dragon however, is another story altogether.
This lizard feeds on large prey and therefore, is quite capable of inflicting a serious, sometimes fatal dose on humans.
I'm not that bothered by the appearance of the Rigelians, their faces just look like they're covered in dried, cracked mud (texturally, not in color).
Bees like honey, they don't like vinegar.
Everytime someone makes a character that is an copy of an existing superhuman, Creativity is sad
The only popular species that hasn't had a very notable appearance in the TV shows is the Caitians, really.
The Andorians would probably be ignored if it weren't for Shran on Enterprise. They were kind of a joke species in between TOS and Enterprise, really.
You're assuming that the Saurians took the same evolutionary path that reptiles on Earth did. Which they did not, apparently.
That's why I like the Saurians. The fact that reptiles evolved some characteristics of mammals on their homeworld, is what makes them alien by Earth standards. The Gorn on the other hand, as much as I like them, are your generic "reptoids" (i.e. Earth type reptiles given humanoid form).
Saurian
Tellarite
Pakled
Innate Traits
Saurian, [URL="https://pvpbootcamp.squarespace.com/traits/2013/7/7/saurian-
physiology"]Saurian Physiology[/URL] (Great for STF)
Tellarite, Tellarite (Great Offensive Ground)
Pakled, Dumb Luck (Willpower needs to be properly specced to counter the negative effects.)
after the enterprise incident, the pakled became more friendly to the federation, probably because they realized we could have killed them, but choose not to. (unlike most other galactic powers)
they became a minor ally during the Dominion war, unlike every other power in the quadrant.
mostly they escorted fed freighters or did search and rescue.
No, that wouldn't be possible.
DNA can change over time, but to acquire completely new features that don't exist in the genome coding is not going to happen.
The only exception I can think of is that they're not actually reptiles at all.
Prior to the rise of the dinosaurs, there was a kind of doglike creature which was part reptile and part mammal.
It laid eggs, but had milk glands much like a mammal.
But it wasn't a true reptile at all and is not classified as such.
However, this species went extinct long ago, so there are no living specimens.
If the Saurians were descended from this creature, then it might be feasible they are what they are.
But then if that was true, they wouldn't be reptiles at all!
Bees like honey, they don't like vinegar.
Everytime someone makes a character that is an copy of an existing superhuman, Creativity is sad
I do have a question- Am I the only person with a Rigelian Character? I have not seen any other Rigelian chars other then my own.
I almost went for Rigellian (I had Andorian in the end) as they do have a very noble appearance almost. It does irritate me that the skin patterns end at the neck - you have any kind of low collar and it looks silly (no offence to Ensign Helna in that bikini).
Infected Borg Skin for example, stops at the neckline, so it becomes very obvious if skin is visible below the neckline, that it's pretty flawed.
Bees like honey, they don't like vinegar.
Everytime someone makes a character that is an copy of an existing superhuman, Creativity is sad