"Don't you guys have, like, super strength?"
"Xelaya's gravitational pull is high compared to the planetary average, so, yes, in Earth's normal gravity, my physical strength is elevated.
🔈ℹ︎Alara Kitan explaining the science of her species notorious enhanced strength to Gordon Malloy.[1]

Xelayans were a space flight-capable, humanoid species from the planet Xelaya. Xelayans were an important member species of the Planetary Union.

As Xelaya's gravitational pull is higher than most planets, the Xelayans possess elevated strength and resilience in environments with an Earth-like gravity.[2] Despite their formidable power, most Xelayans, though not all, were an intellectual species, well-versed in the arts and sciences, who considered the military and physical pursuits as less "evolved"[3]

Biology[edit | edit source]

Talla Keyali lifting a Regorian with just one hand.

Xelayans have pointy indented ears and ridges on their foreheads and the bridges of the nose. Xelayans were anatomically different from humans, lacking livers[4] or appendices.[5]

Due to the comparatively high gravity of their home planet, Xelayans enjoyed exceptional strength outside of Xelaya. In these alien environments, their strength surpassed that of Moclans[6] and possibly even Kaylons.[7] Xelayan skin was very durable, resilient enough even to stop bullets from piercing vital organs.[8]

Young Xelayans who remained in lower-gravity environments such as Earth for long stretches of time could begin losing bone density and muscle mass, a condition known as gravity sickness. Normally considered temporary, gravity sickness could be permanent if the individual did not return to a Xelaya-like environment or undergo physically difficult gravity treatments in an Environmental Simulator.[9][10]

Xelayans suffered to some extent from at least two diseases, Mellara and Torin's syndrome, and they vaccinated themselves against Mellara.[9] Xelayans were susceptible to alcoholism.[11]

History[edit | edit source]

The origins of the Xelayans are shrouded in mystery. They bore a strong physical semblance to the Okudem and some scholars hypothesized the two species shared a common evolutionary ancestor.[12]

A Xelayan delegate represents his people on the Planetary Union Council.

The Xelayan people made contact with and joined the Planetary Union sometime before the 25th century. Because most Xelayans were interested in intellectual careers, few actually joined the Union's military; when one of them did, the Union usually fast-tracked them.[2] Some Xelayan families such as the Keyalis, however, had served in the military for generations.[13]

In 2421, a Xelayan served as the speaker of the house of the Union Council.[14]

Culture[edit | edit source]

A pelpifa.

Island beaches were popular holiday getaways in high season. "You can actually see sand and water," Cambis Borrin commented. "Instead of umbrellas and towels."[9]

Evidently, Xelayans had no concept of astrology as the term was wholly unfamiliar to Talla Keyali.[15]

The pelpifa was a Xelayan musical instrument which combined musical tones with holographic patterns.[16]

Education[edit | edit source]

Circa 2421, a Xelayan serves as Chairman of the Union Council.

Xelayan civilization was decidedly academic, placing a heavy emphasis on knowledge and education.

At least two universities are known: an unnamed school where the professor Ildis Kitan taught and the University of Xenara. The University of Xenara Medical School boasted a "beautiful"[17] and "lovely campus."[18] Associate professor Galdus Harona taught there at the prodigious young age of 21 until his death,[9] and Professor Kitan did "a few stints" as a visiting lecturer as well.[18]

One peer-reviewed journal was called the Xelayan Journal of Science, which "a few years" before 2419, published "The Mellara Vaccine and Its Effects on the Risk of Torin's Syndrome: A Formal Dispute" by Professor Kitan.[19]

Cuisine[edit | edit source]

Dinner in a Xelayan home.

  • Xelayans enjoyed sweetened gupsela when sad, similar to how humans ate ice cream as comfort food.[20]
  • Trivalve sauce, according to Ildis Kitan, was a "delicate thing" which should not be eaten before completely boiled.[21]
  • The Union credited Xelayans with the creation of many popular alcoholic beverages: Xelayan tequila,[22] which could be ordered as a single[23] or double shot;[4] Xelayan rum;[24] and Xelayan blossom whiskey.[25]
  • Frizzian champagne, a "wonderful" prestige drink enjoyed by "higher class company."[26]

Additionally, Chief of Security Talla Keyali made an unidentified beverage that caused both Captain Ed Mercer and First Officer Kelly Grayson to vomit.[27]

Notable Xelayans[edit | edit source]

Trivia[edit | edit source]

Alara as seen in the comics.

  • The endings of Xelyan names seem to divided by gender:
  • In the original script, the name Xelayan was spelled Seleyan.[28]
    • The original name is likely a reference to Star Trek's Mount Seleya, a mountain sacred to the Vulcans, an extremely strong humanoid species with pointed ears much like the Xelayans.
  • Creator Seth MacFarlane first describes the Xelayans as "a race of academics."[29]
  • During a March 20, 2018 Season 2 sneak-peak of The Orville to members of the Academy, drinks of "Xelayan tequila" were served (in reality a margarita). The ingredients were tequila, squeezed lime juice, and Triple Sec with a salted rim and lime garnish.[30]
  • As yet, Xelayans have appeared in every episode of The Orville with the exception of Episode 2x04: Nothing Left on Earth Excepting Fishes, the interim episode between the departure of Alara Kitan and the debut of Talla Keyali.
  • Despite their disdain for physical professions, Xelayans maintain a police force.[31]

References[edit | edit source]
