Sa'ari

"They're a very social people, but not wholly united. Most of the Sa'ari have embraced science and technology over the centuries, but others have dedicated themselves to maintaining a more simple life."

- Silas Dan'kre

The Sa'ari were a species of monogendered Near-Humans native to the Outer Rim world of T'lessia. An entirely female and Force-sensitive species, they procreated through a form of parthenogenesis that involved one half of the mating pair initiating a Force-meld with the other half to form an embryo. Because of their endemic affinity for the Force and its use in reproduction, the Sa'ari evolved a natural form of mental shrouding that enabled them to maintain privacy; this was in addition to their long lifespan of up to a millennium or more. This shrouding had a cumulative effect which kept their homeworld isolated from the rest of the galaxy. Sa'ari went through three life-stages: maiden, matron, and matriarch, which trisected their lifespans.

Because of these characteristics, Sa'ari culture developed into a very social one that emphasized the bonds of family over that of community or nation. Though naturally Force-sensitive, most Sa'ari did not pursue any sort of advanced training, though mothers often taught their daughters the basics. Cultural and social mores and taboos precluded casual demonstrations of power, and held as most sacred the sanctity of an individual's mind. Due to their social nature, Sa'ari politics revolved around a two-tiered representative democracy, with the various nation-states forming their own legislatures, or national lawytes, as well as sending delegates to the planetary authority, or Lawyteret T'lessia. Individual Sa'ari republics maintained their own separate militaries and police forces, forming socio-economic and pollitical alliances through the Lawyteret.

As they developed socially, the Sa'ari also began to recognize their sensitivity to the Force, which they referred to as “the Blue.” Originally a flexible caste-based society that emphasized an individual's own talents over maintaining integrity, the most respected group was the matchmakers. This caste, which chose bondmates for breeding purposes, eventually developed into the Order of the Blue Light. It was this organization which helped to guide Sa'ari spiritual affairs, particularly after the Prophecy of the Starborne One. This prophecy, which also included the knowedge of, resulted in the Sa'ari learning more advanced techniques. Thereafter the Order of the Blue Light developed along the lines of the, inducting new recruits and training them to use their talents to protect others and preserve the peace.

Behind the scenes
The Sa'ari as a species itself is based almost directly off of the asari, from the computer and video game ' and its sequel, ', both of which were developed by. This includes their appearance, biology, culture and social habits, though the Force is used as a substitute for asari “biotics.” However, whereas the asari are seen as the “elder race” of the major spacefaring species within the Mass Effect continuity, the Sa'ari are only “discovered” during the of  continuity.

Appearances

 * The Great Leap Forward