The Aurelians were an ornithoid species who had been associated with the Federation since at least the mid-23rd century.
History[]
Aurelian historian Aleek-Om participated in historical research expeditions using the Guardian of Forever in 2269. (TAS: "Yesteryear")
In the early 2380s, Aurelians were present on Tulgana IV and Starbase 25. (LD: "Envoys", "An Embarrassment Of Dooplers") They also served in Starfleet. (PRO: "Asylum", et al.)
The Areore were described by Peanut Hamper's simile as "like the poor man's Aurelians". (LD: "A Mathematically Perfect Redemption")
Physiology[]
Standing taller than most Humans, most Aurelians had six limbs: two arms, two legs, and two wings that allowed them to fly. (TAS: "Yesteryear"; LD: "Envoys", "An Embarrassment Of Dooplers") There were also Aurelians who lacked wings and were flightless. (PRO: "Asylum", "Preludes")
According to Aaron Waltke, there might be some subspecies of flightless Aurelians, this fits with what the Star Trek: The Animated Series Supplemental Guide which mentions the Novolare, a flightless subspecies of Aurelians. [1]
They were covered by feathers that could be various colors including yellow, orange, brown, gray, and white. Their eyes typically had bright blue sclera, though Aurelians with white sclera also existed, with some possessing pupils and others lacking them. (TAS: "Yesteryear"; LD: "Envoys", "An Embarrassment Of Dooplers")
Society and culture[]
Aurelians preferred to live in spherical treehouses with a single round door, that were nestled in tree branches high above the ground. (LD: "An Embarrassment Of Dooplers")
One of the Aurelian houses in "An Embarrassment Of Dooplers" had three large eggs on wall shelves, which may have been the offspring of the resident couple.
Aurelians typically did not wear clothing, but those serving as Starfleet officers did. (TAS: "Yesteryear"; PRO: "Asylum")
People[]
- Named
- Unnamed
Appendices[]
See also[]
Appearances[]
- TAS: "Yesteryear"
- LD:
- PRO:
Background information[]
The name "Aurelian" originated from the script for "Yesteryear", where they were identified by way of Aleek-Om, who according to the stage directions was described as "a native of the planet Aurelia, and he is a bird-like creature of blue-green hue." In the actual episode, he is instead a golden color.
The novelization of "Yesteryear", appearing in Star Trek Log 1, describes the Aurelian Aleek-Om as having an "intricate scroll" – a sign of manhood – tattooed on his beak, "wide, black eyes," as well as a "brilliant gold and blue-green plumage."
The Aurelians closely resemble the Skorr, as Star Trek: The Animated Series reused the Aurelian character design for the Skorr as a budget-saving measure. (Star Trek Magazine issue 158, p. 52) In the text commentary to "Yesteryear", Aleek-Om is even described as a member of the Skorr. The Aurelian design differs from the Skorr in having a slimmer build, a thinner neck, and longer plumage on the hips. [2]
According to Brad Winters, Star Trek: Lower Decks uses a design closer to the original Skorr appearance for the Aurelians because it "looked cooler". He has suggested that the Aurelians and Skorr made peace and began to unify after discovering they were related, and thus some of the Aurelians seen on screen may actually be Skorr or Aurelian-Skorr hybrids. [3]
The Aurelians were canonically named onscreen in the Lower Decks episode "A Mathematically Perfect Redemption".
The Ornarans were first referred to as Aurelians in an early draft of TNG: "Symbiosis".
According to the Star Trek: The Animated Series Supplemental Guide, the Aurelians are related to the Skorr, having split from each other approximately 700 years ago. The same book describes the Novolare, a flightless subspecies of Aurelians that have a greater presence in Starfleet than their winged cousins as they are less prone to claustrophobia.
External link[]
- Aurelian at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works