Ferengi Alliance

The Ferengi Alliance is a major galactic power of the Alpha Quadrant. The Ferengi species themselves are bipedal humanoids with large, bulbous, hairless heads and equally large ears. Their skin tone ranges from pale orange to dark brown, and their facial features include sharp, jagged teeth and nasal ridges. The Alliance is deeply rooted in the acquisition of wealth and all budding entrepeneurs of the race operate according to The Rules of Acquisition, an inexhaustive list of directives designed to aid them in getting the best deal and making the most profit. Their primary currency is latinum, a precious metal, which is normally traded in bars pressed with gold, however they have been known to trade in other currencies such as Federation credits, Cardassian leks and even bartered with slaves. It is not beyond a Ferengi to steal, launder or kidnap in order to get what he wants. Most will not enter into agreements or provide any information without the offer of a trade or contract which benefits him, making negotiation alternately difficult and easy depending on the situation. In 2409 when James Copper arrived at Drozana Station to investigate a potential threat from the Devidians, the Ferengi administrator Zek would not allow him access to the lower levels without first having his engineers fix his replicators and holodecks.

They operate a patriarchal society, and are led by a "Grand Nagus." Rights for females are extremely limited, even as far as forbidding them to wear clothes. Ferengi females are expected to serve their men and provide them with every social, domestic and sexual need they desire. Ferengi males have proven to find human females extremely attractive, and it is not unheard of for human females to suffer the romantic advances of a red-blooded Ferengi. It appears though that the feeling is often not mutual, with few recorded examples of humans co-habiting with them (at least not willingly...) A popular and well-known method of arousing a male is the caressing and rubbing of their ear lobes, an act considered highly erotic and termed "oo-mox" in their native language.

Historically the Ferengi have been both enemies and allies of the Federation, with initial contact somewhat disastrous leading to years of conflict. Legend has it that the Ferengi government perceived the Federation as a threat following their FCE and poured large amounts of resources into expanding and improving their military, however this appeared to be a fruitless policy when relations improved following the discovery of the Bajoran Wormhole.