[laurelhach]

Vulcan Redesign addenda

 My redesigned Vulcans, unlike the canon species, do not have an excellent sense of smell that would be useful to find water, but they evolved other senses. The face and fingertips of Vulcans are dotted with electroreceptive ampullae. In the hot, dry, environment on Vulcan, electric signals do not travel well, but, unlike the aquatic animals that precise (active) electrolocation to find prey in the water, Vulcans use less specific fields to find water and to judge the weather. Since the air is usually dry, any humidity causes electrical signals to travel better, allowing Vulcans to sense different fronts. This sense is especially useful in the wadis, which provide shelter from the harsh sun and wind, but can flood violently. A Vulcan would be able to feel the change in humidity through electricity, and escape to higher ground.

It takes a Vulcan some time to adjust to a more humid environment, like Earth’s atmosphere. It could be likened to stepping into a candle shop—the odor is overwhelming at first, but you gradually get used to it. It takes time for the Vulcans to adjust to so many electric signals. It should be noted, however, that the Vulcan electrolocative sense is not particularly accute, and they would not be able to make out specific movements, only a generalized (to go with the candle shop analogy) ‘scent’ of activity.

Vulcans sense electric fields best with their fingers straight, since curling them pinches the ampullae and prevents the currents from reaching the nerve ending at the ends of the tubes (towards the heel of the hand.) The presence of the ampullae is what gives Vulcans their famed touch-telepathy, though we’re not exactly sure how. The people are notoriously closed on the subject. In any case, the face and hands of Vulcans are sensitive areas culturally and biologically.

The green areas just show where the ampullae are usually found on the face—around the eye socked (above the zygomatic bone) and around the temple. The tubes of the facial ampullae are shorter and don’t sense as well. If a Vulcan manages to find a storm front (which is the entire purpose of the ampullae) the facial ampullae help them avoid the most electrically active parts, so they don’t get struck by lightning. So—find a storm, which are usually pretty fierce, but don’t get struck by lightning. Two major concerns for ancient proto-Vulcans. 

Nowadays, the ampullae aren’t necessary for survival (you’d survive pretty well without a sense of smell, right?), but their use has become a part of the culture. By touching someone, they can feel the currents running through the body, and certain types of touch have become intimate, symbolic gestures.