Palaven
Homeworld of the Turians
Palaven was the homeworld of the turians, a silver-hued world whose martial culture shaped everything from its architecture to its politics. Long unconquered, it endured its first invasion when the Reapers brought overwhelming force against it in the war of 2186.
Palaven was the homeworld of the turians, a silver-hued world whose martial character permeated every aspect of its society. The Alliance hero Jon Grissom, among the first humans to see it following the First Contact War, remarked that the only thing on the planet that was not silver were the turians themselves, who were clearly made of steel. Long unconquered, Palaven endured its first invasion during the Reaper War of 2186, a campaign that drew in Commander Shepard and the turian cause. (Mass Effect 3)
A world of steel#
Palaven's martial nature was woven into every aspect of turian life, shaping the world's architecture, its art, and its politics alike. The turians' discipline and readiness for war were so total that their homeworld had never been occupied by an invading force, a record few species could claim. Humans first laid eyes on the planet after the First Contact War, and the Alliance hero Jon Grissom summed up his impressions by observing that the only thing on Palaven that was not silver were the turians, who were plainly made of steel. (Mass Effect 3)
The planet's weak magnetic field left its surface exposed to higher levels of solar radiation than most habitable worlds, and human visitors were advised to wear enviro-suits or other protection when setting foot there. Palaven was the homeworld of many notable turians, among them Garrus Vakarian, who grew up on the planet; despite its intense radiation, he recalled it as not unbearably hot, comparing its climate favorably to harsher worlds. (Mass Effect; Mass Effect 3)
The Reaper invasion#
The turians' reputation as warriors did not escape the Reapers, who brought overwhelming force to bear against Palaven. They did not hesitate to bombard any city that resisted, and every city resisted. The dust and smoke from the pulverized cities turned the air into a breathing hazard across much of the planet, while water and power supplies all but vanished under the weight of the assault. Yet the turians' defense exacted a heavy price, and the fight on Palaven cost the Reapers dearly even as the world burned. The invasion of so proud and unconquered a homeworld became one of the defining tragedies of the Reaper War, binding the turians to the wider effort to defeat their common enemy. (Mass Effect 3)
Frequently asked questions
- What is Palaven?
- Palaven was the homeworld of the turians, a silver-hued garden world whose martial character ran through its architecture, art, and politics. It was long unconquered until the Reapers invaded it during the war of 2186.
- Why is Palaven dangerous to visitors?
- Palaven's weak magnetic field left its surface exposed to higher levels of solar radiation than most habitable worlds. Human visitors were advised to wear enviro-suits or other protection when setting foot there.
- What happened to Palaven during the Reaper War?
- The Reapers brought overwhelming force against Palaven and bombarded every city that resisted, and every city resisted. The dust and smoke from the pulverized cities turned the air into a breathing hazard across much of the planet, while water and power supplies all but vanished.
- Did the turians cause the Reapers any losses on Palaven?
- Yes. Although the world burned, the turian defense exacted a heavy price, and the fight on Palaven cost the Reapers dearly.
- Which notable turians came from Palaven?
- Palaven was the homeworld of many notable turians, including Garrus Vakarian, who grew up on the planet. He recalled it as not unbearably hot despite its intense radiation, comparing its climate favorably to harsher worlds.
Gallery
Images via Mass Effect Wiki
Sources
- GameMass Effect, BioWare, 2007
- GameMass Effect 3, BioWare, 2012
Spotted a factual error or a primary source we missed? Email a correction. Every flagged claim gets reviewed.
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