The Mass Effect remastered trilogy arrives in Spring 2021. Until then, many fans are revisiting the lore of Mass Effect and other alien or space games, as well. As with Dragon Age 4, fans are poring over the games and other media for hints about future titles.
There are many areas to dig up lore in Mass Effect, from religions to wars between past species and the history of the Reapers themselves.
But the Drell, unfortunately, might have the least in-game information about their species. Even the Protheans have more history about them given to the player thanks to Javik. So what lore is there on perhaps one of the most mysterious species in the current Reaper Cycle?
10 Drell Physiology And Anatomy
Though humanoid, the Drell differ a great deal from humans in terms of musculature and cell structure. They are obviously amphibian or reptilian in appearance, often having green skin, but the Drell also possess dense muscles that improve how capable the muscles can be when used.
The species can also use their throats to produce sounds humans can’t hear. This comes in handy when an assailant tries to choke or strangle a Drell. Pro-tip: they can’t do it.
There are a few inconsistencies across Mass Effect media when it comes to Drell anatomy. For example, the Drell bleed red in the games, but green in the comic series Mass Effect: Foundation. They also give live birth like humans.
9 Their Skin Produces Venom
Similarly to some reptiles and fish on Earth, the Drell’s skin secretes a venom. However, this venom is pretty harmless to most organisms. Someone then decided that it needed to be used in an alcoholic beverage because, why not? But there is an extra layer to this beverage than just raising someone’s blood alcohol content levels.
Like Absinthe with wormwood in it, the venom drink can have light hallucinogenic properties. If paired with something as potent as Ryncol, for instance, that could set someone up for a fantastic or horrendous evening. Mordin Solus also informs Shepard that interspecies intimacy with a Drell can sometimes cause a rash due to this venom.
8 Sense Memory On Steroids
Some humans possess what is known as eidetic memory or a “photographic memory.” This allows them to recall memories in greater detail in terms of images. In comparison, the Drell take this to a whole other level with their memory recall abilities.
As fans see in the game, Drell can almost re-inhabit memories as they recall them. They can remember the precise scents in the air, who was there, what they were wearing, how quickly their own heart might have been beating, and more. The problem is that, due to the vividness of these recollections, some Drell can confuse memories with the present.
7 Their Homeworld Is Arid And Dry
Although the Drell have largely evacuated or immigrated to the Hanar homeworld Kahje, they lived on Rakhana first. It had quite a dry climate and was known for its rocky deserts and barrenness, but a great industrial expansion further contributed to the inhospitable climate.
As a result of their rapid expansion, the population also ballooned into the billions. The species lacked interstellar capabilities when the Hanar first made contact around the 1980s. It was then that the traditions between both species began to take root.
Sadly, only about 375,000 Drell got evacuated to Kahje. That means that less than 1% of the population escaped to relative safety. The rest of the Drell were left on Rakhana as far as fans know.
6 Humidity Literally Kills Them
The human anatomy can thrive in more humid climates as it improves skin moisture retention. The Drell operate in the exact opposite way; humidity inhibits their ability to process oxygen. As Kahje is predominantly water (almost 90%), the Drell anatomy could not handle the vastly increased humidity.
Their bodies developed a devastating and terminal condition as a result. Think of it as slowly asphyxiating more and more until death. The Drell call the condition Kepral’s Syndrome and, as Patrick Weekes has said, it is based on cystic fibrosis. Unfortunately, much like the real-world disease, there is no known cure for Kepral’s Syndrome.
The syndrome also claims the life of beloved Shepard companion Thane Krios (cri ever tim).
5 Drell Are Kind Of Indentured Servants To Hanar
It was good of the Hanar to help the Drell escape, but the latter then entered into something known as The Compact to “pay off the debt” they owed the former for this act. The agreement, as far as fans know, was mutual. As part of it, the Drell perform acts that the Hanar struggle with such as assassinations and infiltrations.
The work extends to manual labor and other things as well. Some Drell will go so far as to get eye implants in order to better see the bioluminescent way in which Hanar communicate.
Since the Hanar are basically giant space jellyfish, the “symbiotic” relationship does make sense. It just doesn’t seem to be an entirely equal deal for both species.
4 The Species Tends To Be Devout In Religion
Many fans will remember that Thane described the Drell’s religion as viewing the body and soul separately. While the body may act as a weapon and take life, the soul is not a part of this. Thane exemplifies this when he says that, though his body was used as a weapon by the Hanar, he is not responsible for the people he has killed.
However, a soul can be traumatized in the same way a body can be injured or fall ill. This disrupts the “Whole” of the body and the soul. The Drell also follow a polytheistic religion with multiple gods. Fans know of a few such as Arashu (warrior-angel Goddess of Motherhood), Amonkira (Lord of Hunters), and Kalahira (Goddess of Afterlife and Oceans).
3 Younger Drell Eschew The Old Ways
Younger Drell such as Thane’s own son, Kolyat, don't quite get the old religion. They are disconnected from their homeworld and Drell society on Kahje. As a result, many have begun following other religions including the Asari philosophies and the Hanar religion.
What is intriguing about the Enkindlers of the Hanar is that the species they worship are, in fact, the Protheans. The species from the previous Reaper cycle had uplifted the Hanar. The Hanar then worshipped the Protheans and viewed most other races as inferior since they were not chosen to be uplifted.
2 Drell Can Have Biotics
With how little there is about the Drell in lore, there is even less about their biotics. However, the Drell can and do use biotics; in fact, Thane’s abilities all mostly stem from it. He is regarded as one of the most fearsome assassins in the galaxy.
From there, fans have extrapolated that perhaps the Hanar and Drell use biotics to further enhance their physical capabilities. It would not be unlike a human sniper getting a cybernetic eye implant (if that were currently possible at least).
1 There Are Few Drell Characters In Mass Effect
As with Legion being the only named Geth, there are few named Drell in the Mass Effect games. Thane Krios, his son, and Feron (from Lair of the Shadowbroker DLC) are the only three named Drell in the games. As expected given the little in-game interaction with them, fans have developed many questions about the species.
There are two more named Drell that appear in the comics series, but fans of the games will have to look into Quoyle and Irikah Krios on their own. If the series ever has the player character traveling to the Hanar homeworld, hopefully, they will encounter more Drell.