Volosy
Volus are a minor species on the Citadel with their own embassy, but their interests are also represented by the Turians.
Irun, the home planet of the Volus, has an ecology characterized by high ammonia content, a gravitational field 1.5 times that of Earth, and a high-pressure atmosphere. This has directly impacted the physiology of the Volus. They cannot survive in an unprotected atmosphere comfortable for humans and other carbon-based life forms without specialized suits that maintain the appropriate atmosphere. Traditional air, based on a nitrogen/oxygen mix, is toxic for them, and a low-pressure atmosphere, acceptable for most species, would simply tear their bodies apart.
History
The Volus are the third race (after the Asari and Turians) to establish an embassy on the Citadel in the year 200 CE. Their commercial aptitude has helped them play an important role in the development of a stable intergalactic economy. They were the authors of the "Unified Banking Act," which established a single standard currency for interstellar trade — credits — and they continue to control and balance the galactic economy even now.
It’s hard to even walk in such suits. I wonder what it’s like to dance?
After the first contact with the Turians during the Krogan Rebellions in the first millennium of the Council Era, the Volus petitioned for the protection of the Turian Hierarchy.
Despite their significant contributions to the Galactic community and the Citadel, they have never been offered a seat on the Council. This frustrates some Volus, particularly their ambassador, Din Korlack. The Council races are required to provide fleets, resources, and economic assistance in the event of natural disasters, something the Volus cannot afford to do.
Recently, the Volus (through the Turian Hierarchy) were negotiating with the Alliance over colonization rights for the planet Patavig. These negotiations were ongoing right up until the Reaper attack.
Culture
Volus culture is dominated by trade, whether it is trading land, resources, or even other clan members. The Volus have a reputation as traders and merchants, and many, such as Barla Von, are considered some of the best financial consultants in Citadel space.
He looks at you as if you’re... a customer!
The Volus are not cruel and may even seem overly peaceful and cowardly compared to other, more warlike races. They have two names, and no family name. In the Volus worldview, one cannot own other people, and using surnames is essentially laying claim to one’s offspring. Perhaps due to their clan-based heritage, the Volus refer to members of other races by the name of their home world rather than their species (for example, "clan Earth" rather than "human").
Government
The Volus government is known as the Vol Protectorate. The Protectorate is part of the Turian Empire, not a fully sovereign state. In exchange for Turian protection, the Volus pay taxes to the Hierarchy, cede the right to decide all foreign policy issues to the Turians, and provide the Empire's military with auxiliary forces. They still maintain an embassy on the Citadel, but currently have to share it with the Elcor.
The ambassador proves his "innocence."
Military
The Volus are not built for physical combat, whether it be full-scale war or a typical bar fight. This is why they depend so heavily on the Turians, who can protect them. The Volus will support the Turians in any war they start, and the Turians, in turn, are willing to do the same for the Volus. This may be why Volus weaponry is utilitarian rather than high-quality. Some Volus corporations specialize in cheap, low-quality copies of expensive Turian technology.
The Volus prefer to utilize air power in warfare, relying on support from Turian infantry. They have several flotillas of heavily armed frigates capable of fighting in any atmosphere.
Now here’s a true case of "all in one face suit."
The Volus built only one dreadnought, the "Kuwanu," named after the diplomat who negotiated the Volus's status as a Turian satellite state. The "Kuwanu" is the only ship of its class among the Volus and surprisingly well-armed. Its onboard weapons and main armament are Thanix Magnetic-Hydrodynamic Weapons, and the hull is fitted with the largest mass accelerator in existence. The Turian general who inspected the ship was impressed and stated that the dreadnought "could destroy an entire planet, and more than once." Although the construction was funded entirely by the Elkoss Combine, upon completion, the dreadnought was gifted to the Vol Protectorate and the Turian Hierarchy.
Volus Worlds
Irun is famous for its inhabitants having ended wars and abolished the state. Typically, cities on Irun are built along trade routes rather than in strategically defensible locations. This is why they found themselves vulnerable to the attack of the Husks when the Reapers crushed the Turian fleet and commenced war on the planet's surface.
Boro is a young Volus colony that has challenged the Terminus system pirates. The pirates, unable to use the planet themselves, "offered" the Volus to buy their "protection." In response, the Volus requested military support from their allies — the Turians. Despite the high temperatures for Volus, Boro has a rare combination of high gravity and ammonia atmosphere. The development of the colony is progressing rapidly.
Maskava is a dense, rocky planet with a thick methane-ammonia atmospheric layer. Because the living conditions on Maskava resemble those on Irun, the Volus homeworld from billions of years ago when life was just beginning, the Academy of Ten Clans — a major Volus university — holds symposiums there. Unfortunately, despite all precautions, pirates, organ traders, and slavers from all over Terminus have realized that kidnapping students and professors is a source of easy income. However, this has only added to the university's prestige — a visit to the Academy or a permanent contract with it indicates a scholar's unquestioned dedication to their work and looks good on their resume.
Talis Fia may be habitable if its inhabitants can breathe ammonia. The open Asari planet became a trump card for the Citadel Council when negotiating a colonization treaty with the Volus. The Council was to fund the establishment of the colony in exchange for significant trade advantages. With an atypical enthusiasm for Volus, the Council managed to generate profit over a decade before the colonization bubble burst. Now, Talis Fia's economic boom is behind, and the Volus are conducting business very rigorously. A real threat to trade has arisen from the pirates who see the Volus as easy prey.
Zada Ban is a large, dense planet named after the punishing god of the Volus. Its crust is rich in uranium, the radioactive dust of which winds its way across the surface. The Volus from Talis Fia explored the planet with probes and remote-controlled robots and learned that they were not the first visitors. Near the equator, they found mines that were abandoned fifty years ago. Surprisingly, they had been vacated before the uranium supplies were depleted.
Daleon is a small Volus colony on the edge of Citadel space. It is noteworthy for the fact that around 2183, the Quarian Migrant Fleet entered the nearby space. The Volus appealed to the Citadel Council to take action and convince the fleet to leave, but the Council was too busy and ignored their petition. Paul Grayson leaves Kaley and Lemma on Daleon at the end of "[Mass Effect](/games?search=Mass Effect): Ascension".
Famous Volus
Barla Von — a banker, information trader, Gray Warden agent.
Din Korlack — a Volus ambassador who openly expresses his dissatisfaction that humans achieve everything on the Citadel faster than the Volus. He was an agent of "Cerberus" but severed ties during the Reaper invasion. The Turians were unaware of this and placed a bounty on him. Korlack was captured by a group of bounty hunters, including Zaeed if he survived, but before that, he managed to leave a listening device. Shepard and Zaeed can rescue Korlack, but he admits that "Cerberus" is planning an attack on a Turian colony, although he refuses to say which one, fearing that "Cerberus" will find out who betrayed them. Instead, he will suggest to Shepard to use Volus bombers in the war. Shepard can agree to this, or persuade Korlack to give both.
Mortal beings, tremble! Kneel before the God of Biotics!
Niftu Cal — the famous "God of Biotics."
Han Olar — a Volus scientist from Noveria.
Jallid — partner to the salarian Korban, for whom Shepard scanned the Keepers.
Pitne For — a "red sand" smuggler from Illium.
Doran — owner of the club "The Flow" on the Citadel. In response to Shepard’s question, Doran says he is "the owner, the cook, the bartender."
Translation by the author.
Information about planets - codex.
Thanks for proofreading — Surt
Thank you for your attention \_\_