Maelstrom, the only Male Asari!

The asari, native to the planet Thessia, are often considered the most powerful and respected sentient species in the galaxy, and are known for their elegance, diplomacy, and biotic aptitude. This is partly due to the fact that the asari were among the earliest races to achieve interstellar flight after the Protheans, and the first to discover and settle the Citadel.

A mono-gender race, the asari are distinctly feminine in appearance and possess maternal instincts. Their unique physiology, expressed in a millennia-long lifespan and the ability to reproduce with a partner of any gender or species, gives them a conservative yet convivial attitude toward other races. Favouring compromise and cooperation over conflict, the asari were instrumental in proposing and founding the Citadel Council and have been at the heart of galactic society ever since.

A typical asari individual has a blue to purple complexion; the gas giant Sharblu was named after a famous asari soprano with a distinctive skin tone that resembled the planet's atmosphere. Some asari can also have a teal complexion, but this seems to be a rarity. Some asari have facial markings which are unique colour patterns that vary for every asari. Some of these facial markings are associated with eyebrows by humans, but the asari do not think of the markings as such themselves. In the place of head hair, asari possess semi-flexible, cartilage based scalp crests that grow into shape. These structures are rigid, and do not "flop around" as some believe. Asari also have a robust cellular regenerative system; while they do not heal faster than other species, they are known to reach over 1000 years of age.

Asari blood was purple.

Uniquely, the asari are known to be perceived as attractive to many other species.

There is some conflicting information regarding the gender of the asari. Though they resemble females, at least to humans, asari are non-gender specific. Despite this, there are several Codex's stating that the asari are an all-female race, and the Galactic Codex: Essentials Edition 2183 explains that "while asari have only one gender, they are not asexual like single-celled life—all asari are sexually female".

However asari gender is defined, they are innately different from humans, for asari can mate and successfully reproduce with any other gender or species. Although they have one gender, they are not asexual. An asari provides two copies of her own genes to her offspring, which is always an asari, regardless of the species or sex of the "father", and in the case that the offspring is of two asari, the father is the one who does not give birth. The second set of genes is altered in a unique process called melding, also known as the joining.

During melding, an asari consciously attunes her nervous system to her partner's, sending and receiving electrical impulses directly through the skin. A common phrase used before melding is "embrace eternity," presumably to help focus the partner's mind. Effectively, the asari and her partner briefly become one unified nervous system. This unique means of reproduction is the reason asari are all talented biotics. Their evolved ability to consciously control nerve impulses is very similar to biotic training. The partner can be another asari, or an alien of any gender. However, since the asari began encountering other sentient species, non-asari mates have become preferred for the diversity they provide. This reproductive process can lead to some confusion among non-asari, who might expect offspring with "mixed" genes. However, the offspring is always 100% asari as no DNA is taken from the partner, but is rather used as a "map" to randomize the genes of the offspring.

An asari's melding ability extends to a mental connection as well. It allows the asari to explore her partner's genetic heritage and pass desirable traits on to any offspring. During mating an asari and her partner share memories, thoughts, and feelings. It is also possible for an asari to meld with another for the sole purpose of transferring thoughts, without reproduction.

Asari pass through three climacteric life stages, marked by biochemical and physiological changes:

The Maiden stage begins at puberty and is marked by the drive to explore and experience. Most young asari are curious and restless, and it is not uncommon for many to try their hand at dancing in bars or working as mercenaries during this time.

The Matron stage of life begins around the age of 350, though it can be triggered earlier if the individual melds frequently. This period is marked by a desire to settle in one area and raise children.

The Matriarch stage begins around 700 years of age, or earlier if the individual melds rarely. Matriarchs become active in their community as sages and councilors, dispensing wisdom from centuries of experience. Their knowledge and guidance may be one reason why Matriarchs are rarely seen outside asari space.

However, it should be noted that each stage can be started whenever an asari feels that she has reached the correct level of maturity. While each stage of life is marked by strong biological tendencies, individuals do make unexpected life choices. For example, there are Maidens who stay close to home rather than explore, Matrons who would rather work than build a family, and Matriarchs who have no interest in community affairs.

While known by little, the history of the Asari race was kept refined, hundreds upon thousands of archive were made for each generation, each event, for the simple fact of self-preservation. Of course, several key parts of their history was hidden from outsiders, even their own people, however it was necessary for the wellbeing of the whole of the asari race.

The most notable, and well known, stories of the asari history was their own origin story. The asari arose on Thessia, a rich world with abundant quantities of element zero that caused much of life on Thessia to exhibit biotic tendencies. Instrumental to the rise of asari civilization was the intervention of the Protheans. Upon discovering the asari, the Protheans crafted the guise of Athame, a benevolent goddess who imparted gifts of wisdom to the asari through her guides Janiri and Lucen, a deception that allowed the Protheans to rapidly accelerate asari development. The Protheans also genetically altered the asari to grant them biotic capabilities, and defended Thessia from an asteroid strike and the resource-hungry oravores.

When the Protheans departed, they left a single beacon on Thessia, around which the asari later built a lavish temple devoted to Athame. This beacon contained Vendetta, a Prothean VI, and over the following centuries was the source of countless technological advances that allowed the asari to eventually become the most powerful race in the galaxy. The beacon's existence became a closely-held state secret, as its revelation would have discredited the virtually universal belief that the asari attained such heights on their own merit. By 2183 CE, few outside the highest echelons of the asari government were aware of the part the Protheans played in asari history.

Another important part of their history was the Forming the Citadel Council

The asari were the first contemporary race to achieve spaceflight and discover the mass relay network. When they found the Citadel in 580 BCE, the asari also encountered the keepers, whose mute assistance enabled them to quickly settle on the station and learn how to operate its systems. Sixty years later, the salarians made first contact with the asari, and together the two species agreed to found the Citadel Council in 500 BCE, a galactic governing body that would come to unite dozens of races. In later years, the asari continued to explore the galaxy and welcomed several other races to the burgeoning galactic community.

Because of their long lifespan, asari tend to have a "long view" not common in other races. When they encounter a new species or situation, the asari are more comfortable with an extended period of passive observation and study than immediate action. They are unfazed that some of their investments or decisions may not pay off for decades or centuries. Matriarchs can seem to make incomprehensible decisions, but their insight is evident when their carefully-laid plans come to fruition. In interstellar relations, this long view manifests in the unspoken policy of centrism. The asari instinctively seek to maintain stable balances of economic, political, and military power.

Traditionally, asari spread their influence through cultural domination and intellectual superiority. They invite new species of advanced development to join the galactic community, knowing that their ideals and beliefs will inevitably influence the existing culture. The asari tend toward communal, consensus attitudes among themselves too: for example, they prefer to live in shared spaces aboard starships even if there are alternatives available.

Asari believe that their offspring acquire the best qualities of the "father" from the melded genes, but evidence is anecdotal. They frown upon intraspecies conception, since genetic traits and cultural insight is gained from mating outside their species, so it's considered wasteful for asari to reproduce together. The results of such unions are occasionally referred to as "purebloods", a great insult among contemporary asari. A rare genetic defect known as Ardat-Yakshi, which makes asari destroy the partner's mind during melding, occurs much more frequently among the daughters of purebloods.

Asari are well aware they tend to be attractive, and are comfortable expressing their sexuality. Young males of other races tend to have a fascination with asari.

Because of their natural sensuality and ability to mate with any species, asari are sometimes rumoured to be promiscuous. These rumours are mostly a result of misinformation (or wishful thinking). In fact, asari have to accept that if they mate outside their own species, they will almost inevitably outlive their partner (with the notable exception of the krogan, who have a similarly immense longevity). Therefore, they have had to apply their philosophical "long view" to relationships as well, savouring the time they spend with their partners rather than focusing on their inevitable loss. Despite their partner's death, a part of them will live within their other.

The asari celebrate the springtime fertility ritual Janiris, named for the goddess Athame's guide Janiri, which marks the start of the New Year. During this time, they create wreathes of flowers and distribute them among their friends and loved ones. As is the case with the holidays of some other Citadel species, the celebration of Janiris has been adopted by other species that operate in Citadel space.

A few asari abandon all but a few personal possessions to become justicars, members of an ancient order of asari adhering to a strict code. Justicars operate inside of asari space correcting injustices, often through harsh means, including death. It is rare for a justicar to leave asari space as it could cause a diplomatic incident with other species.

The asari possess the largest single economy in the galaxy. They have extensive trade and social contacts. Craft guilds, such as those within the cities Serrice and Armali, hold a virtual monopoly on advanced biotic technology. Given their political influence, an embargo by the asari would prove disastrous to the Alliance.

The pantheistic mainstream asari religion is siari, which translates roughly as "All is one". The faithful agree on certain core truths: the universe is a consciousness, every life within it is an aspect of the greater whole, and death is a merging of one's spiritual energy back into greater universal consciousness. Siarists don't specifically believe in reincarnation; they believe in spiritual energy returning to the universal consciousness upon death will eventually be used to fill new mortal vessels.

Siari became popular after the asari left their homeworld and discovered their ability to "meld" with nearly any form of life. This ability is seen as proof that all life is fundamentally similar. Siari priestesses see their role as promoting unity between disparate shards of the universe's awareness.

Before the rise of siari pantheism, asari religions were as diverse as their political opinion. The strongest survivor of those days is the monotheistic religion worshipping the goddess Athame. Like the asari, the goddess cycles through the triple aspects of maiden, matron, and matriarch. Asari often swear "by the goddess", though this may be a cultural legacy rather than reflecting an individual's belief.

Moving past the Culture of the Asari, the asari governmental structure, known as the Asari Republics, is relatively broad; the asari came late to the notion of world government. For centuries, their homeworld of Thessia was dotted with loose confederacies of great republican cities. The closest Earth equivalent would be the ancient Mediterranean city-states. Since the asari culture values consensus and accommodation, there was little impetus to form larger principalities. Rather than hoard resources, the asari bartered freely. Rather than attack one another over differing philosophies, they sought to understand one another. Only in the information age did the city-states grow close; communication over the internet evolved into an "electronic democracy".

Aside from their Council representative, the asari have no politicians or elections, but a free-wheeling, all-inclusive legislature that citizens can participate in at will. Policy debates take place at all hours of the day, in official chat rooms and forums moderated by specially-programmed virtual intelligences. All aspects of policy are open to plebiscite at any time. In any given debate, the asari tend to lend the most credence to the opinions of any Matriarchs present, nearly always deferring to the experience of these millennia-old "wise women".

In modern times, the asari normally act as the diplomatic arm of the Citadel Council, and asari exploration efforts have discovered many races over the years. In approximately 200 BCE, the asari made first contact with the elcor and played a key role in helping them establish a regular trade route to the Citadel. In 2184 CE, the asari cruiser Azedes encountered the pre-spaceflight raloi, who were officially welcomed into the galactic community a year later.

The asari military resembles a collection of tribal warrior bands with no national structure. Each community organizes its own unit as the locals see fit, and elect a leader to command them. Units from populous cities are large and well-equipped, while those from farm villages may be only a few women with small arms. There is no uniform; everyone wears what they like. The asari military is not an irregular militia, however; those who serve are full-time professionals.

The average asari huntress is in the maiden stage of her life and has devoted 20-30 years studying the martial arts. Asari choose to be warriors at a young age, and their education from that point is dedicated to sharpening their mind and body for that sole purpose. When they retire, they possess an alarming proficiency for killing.

Huntresses fight individually or in pairs, depending on the tactics preferred in their town. One-on-one, a huntress is practically unbeatable, possessing profound tactical insight, a hunter's eye, and a dancer's grace and alacrity. Biotics are common enough that some capability is a requirement to be trained as a huntress; lack of biotic talent excludes a young asari from military service.

While fluid and mobile, asari can't stand up in a firestorm the way a krogan, turian, or human could. Since their units are small and typically lack heavy armor and support weapons, they are almost incapable of fighting a conventional war, particularly one of a defensive nature. So asari units typically undertake special operations missions. Like an army of ninja, they are adept at ambush, infiltration, and assassination, demoralizing and defeating their enemies through intense, focused guerrilla strikes. Asari huntresses were among the first individuals to be chosen as Spectres and played a key role in the Krogan Rebellions.

As a popular turian saying puts it, "The asari are the finest warriors in the galaxy. Fortunately, there are not many of them." Despite this, the asari military is still very large.

The asari possess one of the most powerful navies in the galaxy. The asari navy had 21 dreadnoughts in 2183 CE, including the Destiny Ascension, a formidable warship boasting almost as much firepower as the rest of the asari fleet combined and the flagship of the Citadel Fleet. Despite the considerable force their numerous dreadnoughts can bring to bear, the asari prefer using fleets composed mainly of frigates and fighters, embodying their hit-and-run mindset with a nimble swarm rather than a slower collection of vessels.

Weapons developed by the asari include the Acolyte heavy pistol and Disciple shotgun. The Acolyte excels at stripping enemy shields and barriers, but is less effective against armour; the shooter's biotics are expected to make up for that shortcoming. The Disciple uses shells packed with microscale submunitions to deal staggering amounts of damage, stunning even shielded enemies.

Notable units of the asari military include the Second Fleet, Sixth Fleet, Serrice Guard, and Armali Sniper Unit.

While this was amazing, there was something that the Asari kept a secret, even to its people, which far suppressed all amazement that the all-female race had experienced, if they had known of course. On the 10th day of October on 2067 a shocking anomaly occurred in the centre Anerzesa, a young Asari with pale skin and pure blue eyes was born. Unlike most children, this new-born did not cry when born, it didn't even make a noise, the only thing that told the doctors that it was alive was the light uprising it's chest.

However the silence of the baby was not what baffled the doctors, the child, like most asari, was born with white markings on it's body, tracing nearly all the main outlines that muscles would be, as well as the usual tentacle like hair. Like it's father, the baby had light purple eyes and dark purple skin.

The similarities, however, stopped right there, unlike any other Asari, this purple little child was born… as a male.

No matter how many check-ups the doctors place the child through, all of the answers came back as one piece of shocking information. This child born on the 10th of October was birthed as the first ever male Asari. Of course, outbursts of shock and confusion spread across the hospital as the news was leaked out. Asaris panicked all over as doctors and scientist alike tried to figure out just how this happened, only for no conclusions to match.

While this happened, only two Asari remained calm, the "mother" and the "father". Cheiss Lefi and Kasheen M'crymi Lefi both looked at their first child in delight, neither cared that he was a pure blood, nor did they care for his difference, they loved their little baby.

Chiess Lefi, the mother, like most Asari from Anerzesa, had light purple coloured skin, green eyes, and light grey marking all around her forehead eyes. She was a beautiful women, being around 245, and stood around 5'6, the asari also had a well-endowed body.

Like her partner, Kasheen, the "father", was 245, but unlike her partner, she had a dark purple tone skin colour and light purple coloured eyes. She stood around 5'8, 2 inches taller than her lover, and had had smaller breasts and curves then her mate, something that made her envious.

Cheiss smiled weakly as she looked up towards her partner. "He's amazing." She started, her smiling becoming larger as she played with her first born. "What do you call….him?" The green eyed asari asked Kasheen with a short break between talking of the child's gender.

Kasheen smiled in a similar way to her wife, wiggling her finger infront of the baby's face, which he grasped not a second later, before he placed the blue finger in his mouth. "How about Yakshi? In honour of your mother." She subjected with a smile.

Chiess smile dropped ever so slightly as the memory of her mother's death came back to her. "No, that name brings to many bad memories up, and plus, it's also a, quote on quote, girl's name." the light purple Asari remarked with a smirk, electing a small smile from Kasheen. "What about your parents? I know that your father is Human. Wasn't he Japanese?" The mother asked with a slightly raised eyebrow.

Kasheen nodded slightly. "My mother was on one of the many expirations to Earth when they met." She remarked with a small smile as she continued to play with the baby. "You know, my father wanted to name me Maelstrom, he was very intent in doing so, but my mother said no, she wanted me have a name with a Asari meaning." The purple Asari continued on with a thoughtful look, slowly tracing the markings on the child's head with her free hand. "Say, maybe we could call our child Maelstrom. After all, the name stands for someone who is strong and powerful, a free spirt."

The mother look from her wife to her child, smiling to herself as she rubbed the boy's face. "Naruto." She whispered with a large smile as she turned towards Kasheen. "It's perfect, maelstrom in Japanese."

Kasheen smirked brightly as she nodded to her love. "That sound perfect." Just as she finished saying that, the door burst open, shocking the two inside, before five Asari-commandos rushed in with their rifles pointing around the room. "What are you doing?!" She shouted as she rushed infront of her child and wife in a protective fashion, her biotics glowing a bright blue.

"Calm yourself, Kasheen M'crymi, we mean no harm." A light blue skinned Asari with light green eyes said as she walked in, with no noticeable marking on her face. She had dark purple lip stick and eye shadow on, and was dressed in a light green dress that travelled from her neck to her feat.

Kasheen took a silent step back in shock, her hands tightened in defence. "Matriarch Benezia?" Behind the purple skinned wife, Chiess's eyes widened in shock and confusion, her arms brought Naruto in closer in a defensive Nature. "Why are you here?!" the father demanded in anger as she continued to keep up her cold aura.

If the Matriarch was bothered by it, she didn't show it, Benezia kept her face in an emotionless locked state as she raised her hand, singling her shoulders to lower their weapons. "Calm yourself, young one, I simply wish to see if the reports are true." With a silent step, the Asari stepped past the very unnerved Kasheen.

Smiling lightly to the mother, the blue Asari peered down at the bundle huddled up in the frightened looking Chiess's arms. Seeing her baby being starred at, the new mother tried to drew her baby towards her in a protective manner. "Stay away." Chiess threatened Benezia while trying not to make her baby distressed.

Not even slightly bothered by the sudden aggressive nature of Asari, Benezia slowly unwrapped the bundle wrapped inside Chiess's arms, ignoring the blue botics slowly being released from said mother's spare hand, as well as the glare that Kasheen was sending her way. "So the rumours are true, a male Asari baby." Benezia said with a small amount of shock lingering in her voice.

The Commandos standing at the door all looked at each other in shock, their minds lingering off topic as they tried to catch a glimpse of the baby, only to be blocked off by a very angry looking purple Asari. Tension was high, near unbearable, so much so that one could cut it with a knife. It, however, was calmed as Benezia took several steps back, standing only two feet infront of her Commando guards. "Thank you for your corporation, I will take my leave now." She remarked with a slight bow of her head before leaving.

**The first male Asari*

When the first reports of a male Asari being born came through, Matriarch Benezia didn't know what to think. For the first time in her life, the powerful biotic had not a single clue as to how this event acquired, not a single one. So, like any other curios person, she went to investigate, what she found was… shocking.

Goddess, even with all her years of training and experience, nothing would've prepare her for this. Something that seemed so small, as small as a child compared to the universe, was actually something extraordinary valuable, the child was not only prof of evolutional gender, it… he was also the only ever male Asari born, the first of his gender.

However, this also placed a lot of worry into the Matriarch, while the child was a gift of life, the baby had a huge, massive even, bounty placed on his tiny little head. Because of how rare he was, many people would want that child for many things: breeding, money, slaving, experimentation, and even as a sick type of pet. Benezia wasn't the type to worry, the baby's parents were both very strong commandos, even if one of them had just given birth. Even with their young age, both commandos had more experience than most seasoned Justicars, and together they make one of the most deadliest tag teams to this date.

Shaking her head, the blue Asari silently waved off one of her team's commandos, ignoring the worried support she tried to express without breaking format. Turning to the side, Benezia let a sigh as she looked at the many worried Asari running around in panic, shock and fear easily scriptable on their faces. It didn't a genius to figure out that someone needed to take command, so with a long sigh, Benezia cleared her throat rather loudly.

The effect was immediate, all the Asari suddenly stopped in their activities and turned towards the sound. Quite a few eyes widened in recognition as they saw the blue asari standing amongst them, some even knelling to show their respect. "Calm yourselves, young ones, there is nothing to fear." Just like before, Benezia's voice was emotionless, cold with a wired sense of warmth. "As most of you have heard, news of a male Asari being born has been rumoured amongst you all, however this news is incorrect." A lie, one that all of the Asari believe, except for the commandos standing behind Benezia. "There is no need to fret, please return to your duties."

The blue female quickly turned and existed the area, avoiding all of the other Asaris in the immediate finicality. However, the leader could not escape the questioning of the commando following her, they were at the scene of the crime, so to speak. "Matriarch Benezia, ma'am, why is the gender of the baby being kept secret from the public?" Asked one of the commandos as she looked to her captain with a frown. "Surely the Asari race should know about this, the boy is an anomaly that should be studied to see the difference in gender."

Benezia glanced at the young Asari of 160, eyes cold like ice, making the young one flinch. "Watch you words, Commando Vasir, they could end your life if you aren't careful." The Matriarch warned, her eyes gaining a deadly glint. "As it stands, the only way we can see the true development of the boy is from afar, we need him to grow in an uncontrolled environment."

"But Matriarch, wouldn't that leave him open for kidnapping." Wasea, another Asari under Beneiza's command, asked sceptically, getting a nod from the other Commandos in the empty hallway.

"That is where you are wrong, Commando Wasea. The parents of that child are none other than Cheiss Lefi and Kasheen M'crymi Lefi, the demonic botics." The leader reminded, making the commandos nod in realisation. "I don't need to remind you that those two are very deadly, even more dangerous when paired together, so there is no need to worry about that. All we need to do is observe from a distance." The woman remarked with a small frown. "That's a direct order."

All of the commandos saluted and went back to their emotions stature.

*The first male Asari*

Life was really was hard, it threw things at you like a thunder punch launched by a Mass effect, that was one of the first lessons that Cheiss and Kasheen found out, but never did they think that the one thing they could rely on to treat them so horribly. After being let free from the hospital, the three Asari travelled back home to meet their parents and family, ones that agreed that them being mated was fine.

However, as soon as they found out that their pure blood child was a male, it caused some rather … interesting results. Cheiss sister, Tristana, who was a Justicar, instantly looked down at the baby with one hell of a cold look, one that made Cheiss fear for his life, before she suddenly spouted a blush and started to fuss over the small baby, something that shocked everyone in the family.

Tristana, was what people called a "stone cold bitch", hardly even showed emotion, so for her to act like that was shocking. Everyone was worried for the normal emotionless Asari, each secretly thinking that it was rather cute of her.

However, unlike her step-sister, Nyxeris, Kasheen's sister from her dad's side, frowned in confusion as she looked at the baby in Cheiss's arms. "What's... wrong with it?" She remarked, getting a glare from Tristana and Kasheen.

"Nyxeris!" Kasheen hissed angrily at her purple skinned sister. "That's our baby you're talking about, watch your tongue." The father snapped at her sister, getting a frown from said person.

"Why, it's obliviously a freak of nature. I mean a male, what would father and mother think of this!" Nyxeris growled back, pointing at the baby with a look of distaste in her eyes. "You have to get rid of it, before anything bad happens." The asari continued to say, flaring her biotics in preparation of attacking.

Just as her blue powers sparked to life, Tristana moved. In one fluid motion, she stood up and punched the younger Asari in the face with a biotic infused fist. Needless to say, the purple skinned female flew across the room, slamming into the wall with a "Bang".

"Bitch, who do you think you are?! Attack my family again and I'll kill you!" The usually emotionless asari growled, flaring her energy in retaliation, only to stop when the sound of Naurto crying reached her ears.

"Shhhh, Naruto, it's okay." Cheiss whispered to her son as she rocked him gently, her aura spilling out love and warmth with each second. After about 10 seconds of simple rocking, the baby slipped back into sleep.

"Listen, Nyxeris, I'm only going to tell you this once, and only once." Kasheen warned, her eyes holding a storm of fury. "If you ever, and I mean ever, try to hurt my child again, I will hunt you down and personally rip of your arms and beat you to death with them, do I make myself clear!?" the new father growled out, her fist tightening to the point that they turned white.

"Fine, but mother and father will not accept this!"

"Accept what?" Two voices echo through the house as two people entered the room from the front entrance. "Is there something wrong?" the taller figure of the two ask, her pale white skin coming to light as he stepped into the room. The male, human in race, looked rather unique, he had cloud white eyes, signalling his blindness, and pale white skin that looked to be made out of snow. Dirty blonde hair hung around his face, and several wrinkles littered his face, showing off his age of 48.

"I am also interested." Dark blue skin shinned slightly as the second figure walked into the light, showing her to be asari. She had the iconic tentacles lingering on her scalp, semi-flexible cartilage-based scalp, and stood at 5'8, 4 inches smaller than the man beside her, with no visual markings on her face.

"Hello, mother."