Acamarian

The Acamarians are a spacefaring humanoid species which hails from Acamar III in the Acamar system of the Beta Quadrant.

Biology
Acamarians are very similar to humans, although their blood consists of a unique mixture of iron and copper, resulting in extremely dark red blood. This particular blood chemistry is very rare.

Acamarians have a small cleft on the forehead that extends vertically upwards from the bridge of the nose to the hair growth line. They are also characterised by facial tattoos and branding that vary from individual to individual.

History and culture
Acamarian culture attached great importance to clan membership, both in society and in politics. For much of their history, this led to clan rivalries and blood feuds that lasted for generations. Clan wars were characterised by loyalty to the clan on an absolute level. Any wrong done to one of the clan members was to be immediately avenged through violent means. If one clan considered the other an enemy, the breakdown in relations could last for generations, as parents passed on prejudices to their children.

One such feud, between the Lornak and Tralesta clans, lasted for almost three centuries and ended only after the (supposed) annihilation of the Tralesta clan. As the feud they carried out was also to be avenged by the opposing clan, the planet remained locked in a brutal civil war, each clan bound by blood feuds with multiple adversaries. In 2266, the Acamarians broke the cycle of fighting, after which there was relative peace.

Those unwilling to live by the government's rules left the planet, forming a splinter nomadic group known as the Gatherers and living for the next hundred years as nomadic interstellar marauders. They raided outposts and ships in the Acamar system, its sector and neighbouring sectors in search of equipment. Despite the fact that many Acamarians regard the gatherers as barbarians and thieves, the Acamarian government has sometimes attempted to reconcile with the gatherers and offer amnesty. One unsuccessful attempt was made in 2348. The gatherers rejected the offer each time.

In 2366, the Gatherers raided a Federation outpost, attracting the attention of the USS Enterprise-D. Jean-Luc Picard decided to meet with Sovereign Maruk and convince her to make another attempt at reconciliation. She agreed and travelled to Gamma Chromi II, aboard the ship of the gathering leader Chorgan, to negotiate. Despite some difficulties, including mutual mistrust and an assassination attempt on the Gatherer leader, Picard was eventually successful and the Gatherers agreed to return home that year.

In 2381, Acamar III was almost wiped out by the Borg, leaving the species in disarray. After some time, they rebuilt their home.

Acamarians are prone to stubbornness and vindictiveness, as the ways of clan warfare have not yet completely disappeared from the Akamarian mentality. However, they are no longer prone to violence, resorting to taunts or taunts if pissed off by a member of another clan. Enlightened Akamarians tend to be patient and may be reluctant to open up. Gatherers, or even former gatherers, are usually impertinent and have a cavalier outlook on life.

Face markings are an important part of Acamarian custom, and the Federation has yet to meet an Acamarian who has not embraced this tradition. Acamarian women usually have a tattoo on their face with a design of their choice, which usually begins at the junction of the left ear with the face. They often use a mixture of purple and black colours. Males of this species often brandish geometric patterns on the face, resulting in raised bumps on the skin. Some males combine branding and tattooing, in which case the tattoo most often surrounds the branding.