Not just another stone-face alien working on their ‘calibrations’, Turians are one of the most recognized species from theMass Effect franchise.With characters such asbest friend/lover Garrus to the traitorous Saren, fans will generally agree that the Turians are a well-respected, interesting, and admirable race.
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Yet many players may not recognize several unique aspects of Turian life, culture, and biology. Though they share many similarities with humans compared to other species such as the Quarians, Asari, and Salarians, there are stillsome key and interesting factsthat would fascinate and even delight any fan of theMass Effectseries.
6Their Home Planet Would Kill Humans In An Instant
Due to a weak magnetic field, the Turian home planet of Palaven is a deadly place for any human to set foot on. This can explain why Turians have evolved skin that has carapace-like qualities to reflect UV radiation to survive.
Life on Palaven has also evolved interestingly as plants repair themselves at night to repair sun damage. Although the planet does share many similarities to Earth, humans visiting the planet are advised to remain in protective suits unless they’d like to receive a large dose of cancer. Other adaptations include having smaller eyes with darker colors to prevent damage as well as having the skin around their eyes act as a sort of protective visor.
5Physiology of Turians
Another interesting fact about their skin is that because it’s heavier, Turians can’t swim as their carapace will drown them. Turian blood is also noticeably cobalt/blueish and this is because their blood is copper-based instead of iron-based. As copper isn’t as efficient at absorbing oxygen, Turians require larger lungs and therefore have larger upper torsoscompared to humans.
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Turian physiology on a whole appears to be on par with birds and reptiles as seen with their talon-like hands and their multiple razor-sharp teeth. Hairless and having earholes like birds instead of visible ears like humans, this reinforces the stark differences between Human and Turian appearances. However, theirmethods of reproduction can be seenas similar to that of humans.
4Turian Diets
Another notable difference between Turians is that they use their amino acids a little differently from humans as they use dextro-amino acids compared to humans that utilize Levo-amino acids. This means that Turians cannot consume food the same way other species do although they do eat large amounts of meat and rely on fisheries and their dextro-amino-based livestock.
It has also been noted that Turians eat rocks as it helps to digest their food more efficiently. Steak marbling might take a different turn when it’s the Turian doing the ordering.
3Turian Reproduction
Everyone’s favorite bit.Well fans of alien or interspecies copulation that is. Turians, like humans, give birth to live young although the gestation period of a Turian is slightly longer than a human’s (11 months). Baby Turians don’t have umbilical cords and are born with a full set of teeth. To transfer antibodies to their young, mothers will chew the food for their babies to transfer vital body defenses and antibodies.
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Within the franchise itself, it is suggested that amongst interspecies couples, Turians can only reproduce offspring with the Asari via the melding process.
2Turian Culture
The Turians are a proud race and honor plays a major role in society. The leadership is based on a hierarchical system and chain of command that is akin to a military organization. There appears to be an emphasis on structural order and military service which to some Turians can find too rigid. Overall, there are over 25 plus levels of citizenship that exist within the ‘Hierarchy’ and like the ancient democracy of Athens, individuals can only become full citizens after doing their military service. Male and female genders are also considered to be equal.
Turians are also known to have specific face markings and paint jobs on their faces which denote clan allegiances and heritages. Although archaic, this practice survived after the Turians became a unified people. It is the design, not color that is emphasized and Turians who do not have a mark on their face can be stigmatized and be referred to as being ‘bare-faced’ or someone who is deceptive or untrustworthy.
1Turian Firepower
The Turians are the main military arm of the Citadel and have held that position since the Krogan Genophage. With a long and proud marshal history, the Turians are most proud of their navy which boasts over 30 fleets and more capital shipsthan any other race.
The Turians are also known to have specialized military forces with combat drones used extensively. Since biotics are common, Turians who are gifted with these abilities are assigned to unique ‘Cabal’ teams. Normal armies are organized into legions that have historians who will chronicle the deeds of the particular legion. Turians also have the ‘Hastatim’, elite death squads that are used by the Hierarchy to keep their people in check. As a whole, the Turians are strategic, methodical, and patientwhen it comes to warfare,rarely conducting risky operations.
Mass Effect Legendary Editionis available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
