In the Mass Effect universe, a fantastic variety of aliens populate the Milky Way galaxy, and they have long since learned to get along (more or less) and share the stars among them. One of the minor races in the galaxy is the Volus people, who come from the distant Shrike Abyssal region.
Although they don’t have the incredible political clout of the Asari people or the formidable science of the Salarians, the Volus have contributed their fair share to the galaxy, and they are a common sight on many civilized worlds. Newcomers to the galaxy, such as Commander Shepard, have a lot to learn about them.
10 Volus Society Is Highly Malleable
While the Elcor people are known for their cautious and conservative politics, the Volus are much the opposite. These aliens tend to think in terms of business and deals, and on their homeworld, they form alliances and unions for mutual benefit. They’re not afraid to take risks.
Then, when an alliance or coalition becomes large enough, it will split up again, allowing the process to start over, but with the groups rearranging themselves into new alliances. It’s a rather fluid political landscape, that’s for sure.
9 The Volus Need Military Protection
Consequently, the Volus entered an agreement with the Turian people, becoming a client race of the Hierarchy. In exchange for significant economic advantages, the Turians protect the Volus with their mighty fleets and high-tech weapons. This deal has worked out well so far.
8 The Volus Need Specific Environments To Survive
There is a good reason why the Volus are always seen in special suits: they would actually die if they took off those outfits while aboard the Citadel or in similar locations. Their homeworld of Irune has a rather unique set of conditions that the Volus body naturally adapted to.
Irune is far from its parent star, but its thick atmosphere of methane gas kept the planet warm enough for life, and the Volus body needs high-pressure environments rich in methane so they can survive. They recreate Irune’s brutal conditions inside their suits, or else they couldn’t walk among the stars.
7 They Have Short, Hard Names
Volus names are not difficult to pronounce or write; in fact, humans such as Commander Shepard and Miranda Lawson would find it easy to say and remember a Volus’ name. A Volus’ full name (first and last) tends to be three syllables total, sometimes four, and the names don’t use any exotic sounds.
For example, Barla Von is a Volus who works for the Shadow Broker, and Shepard met a shady Volus businessman named Pitne For on Ilium. Shepard also met a Volus named Din Korlack, who worked as the Volus Ambassador in the Presidium.
6 They Sometimes Wield Biotics
Many alien races in the galaxy are able to use biotics, but for most races, the ability to use biotics is rare. The exception is the Asari race, since all Asari can use biotics to some degree or other. The Volus can do it too, but not often.
A few Volus are born with an affinity for biotics and dark matter, and their prowess and skill with biotics may contrast sharply with their short, round, slow bodies. In Mass Effect 3’s multiplayer modes, for example, players can use a biotic Volus who can fight alongside Turians and Asari with ease.
5 No Volus Women Appeared In The Games
For the sake of streamlining the production process, BioWare chose to show only the men of most alien races, while the Asari are all-female and humans appeared roughly 50/50 between men and women. The Volus are among the men-only races in the game.
Of course, Volus women must exist, but Commander Shepard never came face to face with one. So, it’s a matter of imagination what they look and sound like. Since Volus are short and thick, Volus women might have a similar vocal quality as the men, and similar suits, too. No guarantee, though.
4 The Volus Are Often Opportunistic
Newcomers such as the humans should not stereotype their alien neighbors too casually, but still, it could be said that the Volus often have an opportunistic streak to them. After all, they have a natural affinity for economics and business, where sensing and seizing opportunities is routine.
Barla Von, for example, recognized the value of working for the Shadow Broker and signed right up. Meanwhile, the shady Pitne For sold iffy Red Sand to the Eclipse mercenaries, and he tried to cut his losses and flee when his partner was killed. And the Volus Protectorate as a whole recognized the value in siding with the Turians and made that alliance at once.
3 The Volus Might Sometimes Resent Humanity’s Position
Not all aliens resent humanity; some are eager to see what humanity can do, while others choose to bide their time. Most Volus have a “hello, customer” attitude toward humans, but ambassador Din Korlack voiced his envy of humanity’s strong position. And he might not be alone.
Din noted how rapidly the Systems Alliance was granted rights, territory, and economic clout in Council space, not to mention a political presence. Humanity gained more, and in less time, than the Volus did, and some characters might resent that. But as the Elcor ambassador pointed out, the Volus people did make major gains when they became allied with the Council.
2 The Volus Have A Bomber Fleet
It’s true that the Turians have the biggest fleet of warships out there, and the Quarian people have the largest fleet overall. Still, the Volus have plenty of trade and colony ships out there, and they even have a token navy, a small bomber fleet.
The Volus make for poor soldiers, but they can crew a ship, and in 2186, Din Korlack cut a deal with Commander Shepard to lend the Volus bomber fleet to the overall war effort, to strike at Reaper targets. That fleet can’t stack up to the Alliance or Hierarchy fleets, but it’s something, at least.
1 They Care Deeply About Tribal Affiliation
Since their culture is based on alliances and deals, the Volus people care a great deal about tribal identities and politics. Now that they’re part of the galaxy as a whole, the Volus consider each civilized race to be its own “clan,” so they can view the galaxy through a familiar lens.
They consider humans to be “Earth-clan,” which is neither praise nor an insult; it’s just how the Volus greet humans. However, the Volus scorn the Quarians, who have no homeworld (or tribal territory) to call their own. The Volus consider the Quarians “clanless,” and thus worthy of contempt.
