Line #15 Main/ProudScholarRace


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3	[[quoteright:350:[[Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/spock_chess_5578.jpg]]]]
4	[[caption-width-right:350:[[SmartPeoplePlayChess Because 2D chess is not challenging enough.]]]]
5
6	->''"Our love of what is beautiful does not lead to extravagance;\
7	our love of the things of the mind does not make us soft."''
8	-->-- Attributed to '''UsefulNotes/{{Pericles}}'''
9
10	While the ProudWarriorRace believes in warfare and martial honor as the pinnacle of cultural achievement, they have a counterpart in the Proud Scholar Race, who instead focus on matters of the intellect. Personality-wise, they may be [[TheSpock aloof and detached]], or quite gregarious and friendly (particularly if they're also TheEmpath). Either way, they have a tendency to be more intellectual, mystical or philosophical than most of the other species in the setting. This species of scholars tends to come in two flavors:
11
12	* '''Scientific Race''': Their societal structure is centered around science, philosophy, and the arts. Their political structure may employ a [[EmperorScientist Head Scientist]], [[ThePhilosopherKing Philosopher]], or Poet as a leader. They aren't necessarily a HigherTechSpecies, although that often overlaps. The key is that learning is the main cornerstone to their society. These are most likely to be PerfectPacifistPeople possibly protected by PsychicPowers provided they can be explained away by [[MagicFromTechnology sufficient study of science]]. They may live in a CityInABottle of [[HiddenElfVillage some sort]]. Those with a more practical bent will be TheEngineer.
13	* '''Mystical Race''': A CloserToEarth species who focus more on the mystical, spiritual or philosophical sides of knowledge. If any species has PsychicPowers, it's these guys. Their culture tends to gravitate toward a CrystalSpiresAndTogas aesthetic, and their technology may share a similar feel. Unlike [[OutgrownSuchSillySuperstitions other species]], they may hold on to beliefs in higher powers (particularly if said powers are extant SufficientlyAdvancedAliens or EnergyBeings). If the species is actually alien, then they overlap with SpaceElves (and TelepathicSpacemen, if psychic). Less sympathetic versions of the species may overlap with ScaryDogmaticAliens of TheFundamentalist variety.
14
15	Proud Scholar Races of either stripe tend to be portrayed as more [[PerfectPacifistPeople peace-loving]] than some other species, but they tend to be rather [[BewareTheNiceOnes dangerous when provoked]], using superior technology, PsychicPowers and [[SuperweaponSurprise hidden superweapons]] to turn their foes into dust. They won't necessarily be portrayed as nicer people -- sometimes, their love of knowledge will make them sympathetic compared to the madmen running around hitting things with swords, but other times, it will make them [[BrainsEvilBrawnGood cold, slimy, and sinister compared to the honest fighters doing their duty for their country]]. Similarly, any non-scientists in this race (no matter how important to their society) will suffer KlingonScientistsGetNoRespect -- err, ''Vulcan Warriors Get No Respect''.
16
17	This race may be friendly toward humans, or it might shun them because it [[HumansAreTheRealMonsters detests their violent ways]], or sees them as [[SuperiorSpecies so far below them as to be insects]]. This species might be descended from the {{Precursors}}, or at least remember a time when they existed.
18
19	If both these and the Warrior Race are played as villainous, they basically become a split about the two terrifying sides of the Nazis--the Warriors are the mighty soldiers and strategists slaughtering and conquering, while the Scientists remain at home torturing people ForScience and for hate. For this reason, when villainous, the Scientist race may be prejudiced and regard other races as fodder for slavery and experimentation.
20
21	When heroic, the race is quite likely to resemble an idealised depiction of the academic circles of the Ancient Greeks. Expect CrystalSpiresAndTogas. They may or may not be a HigherTechSpecies. If their religious live is delved into, they will usually either follow an abstract and non-theistic philosophy or worship a GodOfKnowledge. Should the race have gone so far into this trope that they have gotten rid of '''''all''''' forms of entertainment or have lost their ability to think creatively, then they are an AdvancedCivilizationHollowImagination.
22
23	When the Proud Scholar Race and the Proud Warrior Race are in opposition or rivalry, they tend to form an ElvesVersusDwarves dynamic, with the former taking the role of [[CantArgueWithElves the Elves]]. This convergent evolution may be why many scholarly races [[OurElvesAreDifferent take on elf-like features]] like [[UnusualEars pointed ears]] and a humanoid appearance. They may still retain nonhuman features such as unusual skin or hair colors, though; pale colors such as light blue are popular. Females of this sort of species tend to overlap with GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe if they're actual aliens.
24
25	If they are into both learning ''and'' killing, they're a WarriorPoet Race instead. Compare ProudIndustriousRace, ProudHunterRace, ProudMerchantRace and, of course, ProudWarriorRace.
26
27	Compare SpaceElves, SpaceAmish, and PerfectPacifistPeople.
28
29	Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease
30	----
31	!Examples
32
33	[[foldercontrol]]
34
35	[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
36	* ''Anime/DragonBallZ'': The Tsufurians/[[DubNameChange Tuffles]] are a ''very'' science-driven race, and lived on the same planet as (and were ultimately overthrown by) the Saiyans, the very epitome of a ProudWarriorRace.
37	* ''Anime/HeroicAge'': The Silver Tribe is pretty much a textbook example of this. Space Elves: check. Unmatched Psychic: check. Aloof and Detached: check. Detests humans: check. Crystal Spires: check. Precursors bond: check.
38	* ''Manga/TalesOfWeddingRings'': The elves dedicate themselves to the pursuit of knowledge, conducting research on whatever topics strike their fancy throughout their lives. When an elf dies, their writings are stored in the [[GreatBigLibraryOfEverything Romca library]] with as much reverence as a corpse being interred in a mausoleum; indeed, this library is their equivalent of a graveyard.
39	[[/folder]]
40
41	[[folder:Comic Books]]
42	* ''Franchise/TheDCU'':
43	** ''ComicBook/GreenLantern'': The Guardians of the Universe. Traditionally portrayed as one of the {{Big Good}}s of the DC Universe, although they've undergone some CharacterDerailment into arrogance and stupidity lately. The Controllers are an offshoot of the Guardians, and have always been more prone to arrogant, jerkass behavior than the Guardians themselves.
44	** ''ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes'': The Coluans. Depending on the version, the Coluans themselves are usually well-intentioned enough, but the [[AIIsACrapshoot rebellious computers]] who conquered their planet (and gave rise to ComicBook/{{Brainiac}}) were jerks.
45	** ''ComicBook/OmegaMen'': The Psions are essentially an entire race of [[ThoseWackyNazis Dr. Mengele]] {{expies}} [[RecycledInSpace IN SPACE]]. They are the unfortunate result of an early experiment in [[UpliftedAnimal Animal Uplifting]] by the Guardians of the Universe (of all people).
46	** ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'': Krypton worshiped Science, in some versions. Most 'good' Kryptonians who were raised there (such as Superman and Supergirl's parents) were portrayed as learned scientists. A lot of the evil Kryptonians were [[MadScientist Mad Scientists]].
47	** ''Franchise/WonderWoman'' [[ComicBook/WonderWoman1942 Vol 1]]: Prior to being [[ComicBook/WonderWoman1987 rebooted]] as a society stuck in the Bronze Age Post-ComicBook/{{Crisis\|OnInfiniteEarths}} the Amazons of Paradise Island often came off this way. They had developed a range of impressive tech including having their own space worthy fleet before any other nation on earth had made it into orbit, invisible aircraft and medical advances which combined magic with lasers but generally didn't share any of these advances with their supposed allied nations like the United States. The Phil Jiminez and second Greg Rucka runs restored many of these elements to the Amazons.
48	%%* ''ComicBook/ElfQuest'': The High Ones shapechanged themselves ''into'' elves, but only after becoming planetbound. Their descendants ''did'' eventually make it back into space, though, if the ''Jink'' storyline is taken as canon.%%Not the trope.
49	[[/folder]]
50
51	[[folder:Fan Works]]
52	* ''Fanfic/{{Foxfire\|RaharMoonfire}}'': The Knowledge Seekers literally live to find any new knowledge on behalf of the Wan Shi Tong. Li even goes out of his way to experience new things to not deprive Zenko of new things to learn.
53	* ''Fanfic/MinesOfDragonMountain'': This is what the ponies are, according to Zeitgeist. Each pony is a genius in their chosen path and fairly competent in many other areas. One pony is able to equal the output of an entire team of diamond dog scientists in regards to discovery and application if properly channeled. The Doctor agrees.
54	* ''Fanfic/TheNextFrontier'' portrays [[VideoGame/KerbalSpaceProgram the Kerbals]] as equal parts this trope and {{Bold Explorer}}s, although they are most assuredly ''not'' PerfectPacifistPeople.
55	[[/folder]]
56
57	[[folder:Literature]]
58	* ''Literature/AdventureHunters'' has gargoyles who are famous for being grade A historians. [[LivingForeverIsAwesome Living for an extraordinarily long time]] is helpful in this regard.
59	* ''Literature/AgentOfVega'': The Daya-Bals are a a human-descended race of metaphysicists and artists.
60	* Creator/AndreNorton: The Zacathans, who are experts in knowledge in general and history/archeology in particular.
61	* ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'': The Andalites mostly fall under the ProudWarriorRaceGuy, but surprisingly fit this trope too--while males are supposed to be warriors, females are generally either scientists or artists, and the Andalites seem to be the dominant species in Earth's section of the galaxy as a result. It's actually shown that the conflict with the [[PuppeteerParasite Yeerks]] is what drove them to put their warrior culture on a pedestal. Before that, they were far more interested in art and science overall, and even after the war started they believe that a warrior should be intelligent and educated as well.
62	* ''Literature/ChildeCycle'': The Exotics are mystics and philosophers with a knack for making these scholarly endeavors profitable. Their relationship with the Warrior Race of Dorsai is quite amiable and the latter often act as their bodyguards and enforcers.
63	* ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfThomasCovenant'': Every member of the Insequent race is apparently a wizard who acquired his/her powers through millennia of specialized study. From the same series, the ur-viles are a rare ''evil'' version, though [[spoiler: they end up switching sides]].
64	* ''Literature/TheDaevabadTrilogy'': The bird-like peris are quite knowledgeable about most subjects, but their smug aloofness means getting them to act is an exercise in frustration.
65	* ''Literature/TheDamnedTrilogy'':
66	** Nearly all Hivistahm seem to work in some scientific field, with the O'o'yan acting as their assistants.
67	** Most of the Wais are either scholars or translators.
68	%%* ''Literature/TheDeathGateCycle'': The Sartan.
69	* ''Literature/EmeraldPrince'': The Thyreia, who are also a PerfectPacifistPeople. They are shown positively and have a range of personality traits, since the story takes place there.
70	* ''Literature/FoundationSeries'':
71	** ''Literature/TheEncyclopedists'': The Encyclopedia Foundation is obsessed with their ''Encyclopedia Galactica'', a comprehensive book about [[GreatBigBookOfEverything everything that the Galactic Empire had learned about science and technology]]. So obsessed that they missed out on the fact that most of the population on Terminus don't actually have anything to do with the Encyclopedia. They're devastated when Hari Seldon appears on their fiftieth anniversary to say that the ''Encyclopedia'' was a fraud all along and he didn't care if it was ever published.
72	** ''Literature/FoundationsEdge'': The Second Foundation, having been established as hiding themselves on Trantor by becoming librarians, are known as "scowlers" amoung the planetary population. It is a [[LanguageDrift corruption of the word "scholar"]]. They are proud of their knowledge, especially of the way their focus on the social sciences has helped them develop [[PrescienceByAnalysis the ability to calculate the future]] and PsychicPowers. One of the Hamish women, Novi, tries to convince Stor Gendibal to let her become a "scowler", too (she thinks it means reading books and doing housework for him).
73	** "Literature/TheOriginist": Part of Deet Forska's role is to help make the librarians of the Imperial Library feel like they are part of a community. She tries experiments that will result in the employees of the library feeling like the library is something special that they are proud to belong to. She shares some stories about her successes with Leyel Forska, such as the way a librarian expresses pride at belonging to this intellectual sub-culture of Trantor when interacting with visitors.
74	* ''Literature/InsideTheSpaceShips'': The [=ETs=] like learning, travel, science, and the arts, and they have a lot of respect for their spiritual masters.
75	* ''Literature/KushielsLegacy'': The Siovalese have a reputation for being great scholars and engineers.
76	%%* ''Literature/{{Mistborn}}'': The Terrismen.
77	* In ''Literature/TheSagaOfTheBordenlands'', by the Argentine Liliana Bodoc, [[MayIncaTec the Zitzahay]] are an example, or at least their leaders are, the Supreme Astronomers, magicians and scholars. They have an army, but they have not participated in wars for many generations.
78	* ''Literature/TheShadowOutOfTime'': Yithian civilization is predicated entirely on knowledge and study for their own sake.
79	* ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'': The Noldorin elves started off as this, before being partially corrupted by their desire for revenge against [[BigBad Morgoth]] and becoming a ProudWarriorRace. Later, in ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'', Faramir laments that his people, the Gondorians, are a ProudScholarRace who are becoming a ProudWarriorRace.
80	%%* ''Literature/TheScar'': The Anophelii. At least, the men. The women, on the other hand...
81	%%* ''Literature/ShadowsOfTheApt'': The Beetle-kinden of Collegium. They have a culturally symbiotic relationship with the [[ProudMerchantRace Beetle-kinden of Helleron]].%%How are they examples?
82	* ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'': The Alethi manage to be both a Proud Scholar Race ''and'' a ProudWarriorRace, due to their society's incredibly strict gender roles -- Alethi men are ProudWarriorRaceGuys, and Alethi women are Proud Scholar Race Girls (the divisions are so sharp that it's considered sinful for women to fight, or for men to even ''learn to read'').
83	* ''Literature/TaraDuncan'': The vampire are portrayed as very scholar guys, mostly working on science and philosophy. However, Tara mostly sees them at the "cold" side of this trope, noting their diplomats are polite but not nice, and their elected president, not as easygoing as most kings. Elves in this verse, on the other hand, are hot-blooded.
84	* ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'': The Ogier. Very big on history, arts, craftmanship, public speaking, and gardening. However, while they don't much ''like'' fighting, they're very good at it if sufficiently motivated.
85	* ''Literature/{{Xanth}}'': The Centaurs. Culturally, they are academics and scholars, though many of the adult males portrayed are {{Genius Bruiser}}s who enjoy a good scrap. The Winged Centaur subspecies shows signs of this but are too busy trying to establish a stable population to embrace that particular [[PlanetOfHats hat]] at the moment.
86	[[/folder]]
87
88	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
89	* ''Series/BabylonFive'': The Minbari fit this trope very well, ''especially'' the religious caste. At least as much psi potential as any other race, one of the "elder" races, on relatively good terms with the {{Precursors}}, CrystalSpiresAndTogas, ApeShallNeverKillApe (very common in SpaceElves if they're not straight-up PerfectPacifistPeople), and loads of CulturalPosturing and CantArgueWithElves.
90	* ''Series/DoctorWho'': The Time Lords as originally portrayed. A {{Retcon}} subsequently made them wear the "decadent and self-involved" rather than "scholarly" [[PlanetOfHats hat]]. Subsequently, it [[DependingOnTheWriter varied from story to story]]. Fanfic tends to emphasize the more alien, aloof, scholastic side of Gallifreyan culture. Regardless, the names of the Doctor and the Master deliberately evoked higher learning. but only those two characters are really active outside Gallifrey. Then the Time War happened...
91	* ''Series/InvasionEarth'': The Echos are implied to be this in dialog, most especially by Terrell, who lived with them for decades, but also by background material. The series and background material give the impression that they are a peaceful species of scientists and explorers, and their abhorrence of violence is demonstrated [[spoiler:by their mass suicide to prevent themselves from being harvested by the nDs as part of their interdimensional war-machine]].
92	* ''Series/TheOrville'': Surprisingly, the Xelayans, despite their HeavyWorlder race being famous for their SuperStrength. Alara is constantly berated by her parents for choosing to become an officer in the Planetary Union rather than get a "proper" higher education. When Alara points out that other cultures, like humans, see the military as an honorable profession, they express their view of humans as the "hillbillies of the galaxy".
93	* ''Series/StargateSG1'':
94	** The Ancients may have been this at various points in their history. In the various Stargate series, we end up seeing things the Ancients did at vastly separated parts of their history, so their characterization changed accordingly.
95	** Both the Asgard and the Nox. The Asgard are an odd example as they are named after (or, in-universe, inspired the legends of) Myth/NorseMythology, generally much less scholarly than most.
96	* ''Franchise/StarTrek'':
97	** Vulcans are almost the UrExample of the stoic, detached scholar race, including mild PsychicPowers in the form of the mind meld. Vulcans are an example of both subsets of this trope. While they are usually presented as the scientific side sometimes they show a mystical aspect too. Occasionally as well they show some remainders of rather dark primeval traditions in their culture as in the episode "[[Recap/StarTrekS2E1AmokTime Amok Time]]" when Spock's [[ArrangedMarriage betrothed bride]] manipulates Kirk and Spock into fighting a DuelToTheDeath for her favor. That episode is probably a remainder of the time when Vulcans were a ProudWarriorRace.
98	** Vulcans ''were'' once a ProudWarriorRace that had a HeelRaceTurn and became a Proud Scholar Race. The Romulans were Vulcans who became disgusted at what they considered to be their kin's dishonorable rejection of their badass heritage. Thus Romulans are a ProudWarriorRace that are cousins to a Proud Scholar Race. However, they're also ''not'' entirely un-Vulcan. The ones we've seen who were not enemies are more emotional than Vulcans but more restrained and in control all the time than most other races.
99	** ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'': The Angosians from "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS3E11TheHunted The Hunted]]" consider themselves scholars, to the point where they had to create {{Super Soldier}}s to fight their wars for them. It worked until they lost control of their soldiers.
100	** ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'': The Vidiians used to be this until they were struck by [[ThePlague the Phage]], driving them to do increasingly terrible things to other species (mostly involving organ harvesting) in order to survive.
101	* ''Series/WonderWoman1975'': In this incarnation, Paradise Island's Amazons are PerfectPacifistPeople. In contrast with the {{Proud Warrior Race G\|uy}}irls from the comics, the Amazons are overpowered by the Nazis in "The Feminum Mystique". However, they easily overpower the Nazis once Wonder Woman and Wonder Girl come back to liberate the Isle.
102	[[/folder]]
103
104	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
105	* ''TabletopGame/CityOfSevenSeraphs'': Zeians are a curious people with a culture firmly rooted in seemingly endless exploration. Whether it's interacting with new cultures on recently found worlds or researching to find out about the people who used to thrive on dead ones, Zeians live to seek knowledge. It is specifically knowledge that has been lost, forgotten, or hidden that truly lights a spark in their eyes.
106	* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' tends to have a few scholarly peoples in its racial lineup; the elven subraces tend to lean toward the mystical end of the spectrum. The 4th edition Eladrin, in particular, embody the scholarly side of the elven archetype. [[OurGnomesAreWeirder Gnomes]] also tend to be portrayed in this fashion, whether they're illusionists and wizards, or tinkers and inventors. (The word "gnome", by the way, comes from the Greek word for "to know", and their stereotypical pointed hats may share the symbolic origin of the [[RobeAndWizardHat Wizard Hat]] -- that is, the knowledgeable few at the top, above the uneducated masses on the bottom.)
107	** ''TabletopGame/{{Eberron}}'': {{Exaggerated\|Trope}} and {{deconstructed\|Trope}}. The gnomes of the nation of Zilargo are known for their intellects. In their land is the largest library (which doubles as the most respected university in the world), as well as the most respected newspaper which is distributed across the continent. Their prowess in elemental binding has made gnomes a match of the various {{Mega Corp}}orations that deal in MagiTek. But the Gnomes' value and thirst of knowledge is so great it has taken a dark side -- spying on one's neighbors and family for secrets and blackmail is not only common, but expected. Their entire society is held together by blackmail, and because of their affinity for knowledge, Zilargo is a police state run an intelligence organization that rivals the two {{Mega Corp}}orations that specialize in spying. Criminals in Zilargo are not tried or arrested, they have "[[TheCoronerDothProtestTooMuch accidents]]" or simply vanish. Similarly, it is a common saying that the gnomes do not go to war in the traditional sense -- they wage their battles through information warfare and intelligence warfare.
108	** Gnomes were portrayed this way in the setting-generic, late-3rd Edition sourcebook ''Races of Stone''. Using their racial affinity for illusion magic as a springboard, the writers portrayed gnomes as having a culture based around the concept of truth and the philosophical pursuit of uncovering or obscuring it.
109	* ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'':
110	** Most Blue-aligned races, as well as blue-aligned humans civilizations, fall under one of these tropes. The Vedalken are probably the most blatant example, because they don't exist outside of the ''Magic'' storyline and have no other role to fulfill other than being the people obsessed with knowledge, magic and technology.
111	** Same with some of the White-aligned races, which tend towards the mystic scholar archetype, like Alara [[BirdPeople Aven]].
112	* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'': If the Garundi humans have a [[PlanetOfHats hat]], it's this. Their various nations are typically ruled, or at least heavily influenced, by mages, scholars, and alchemists.
113	* ''TabletopGame/TheSplinter'': The Tzaetzi and Mnemonics are primarily interested in discovering and studying the history and technology of The Realm, respectively.
114	%%* ''TabletopGame/{{Traveller}}'': The Darrians.
115	* ''TabletopGame/TwilightImperium'': The Hylar are ruled by a government that is called the Universities of Jol-Nar. They also fulfill the "stuffed-up jerks" part of this trope, an attitude which bit them in the ass big time at least once, when it didn't occur to them they need the other races as much as these needed their science.
116	* ''TableTopGame/VampireTheMasquerade'':
117	** The Tremere carry around "proud" by the wheelbarrow-full, having set themselves up as the Camarilla's greatest (and often sole) authority on the mystical arts. Mind you, being vampires, their manner is less "detached, reserved, and philosophical" and more "we're the only ones with the potential to know this, and if you try to know this, we will end you."
118	** Clan Brujah was known during the dark ages as the Learned Clan, and were proficient in the scholary arts primarily as well as physical prowess, creating a clan of passionate {{Warrior Poet}}s. Sadly, this degenerated over the centuries, and in the final nights they are more of a ProudWarriorRace with only the older members dedicating themselves to the more intellectual side of things.
119	** The Nosferatu are legendary for their abilities to gather information. While many take on a KnowledgeBroker role, dealing information in exchange for favors and coin, the clan has a number of pure scholars and researchers among them.
120	* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'':
121	** The Eldar, being SpaceElves, naturally believe themselves to be this and in fact the only hope the galaxy has against Chaos. Note that this only applies to Craftworld Eldar who survived [[NegativeSpaceWedgie the birth of Slaanesh]], the Dark Eldar (descendants of the Eldar who caused said birth) are a Proud Sadist Race, and the Exodite Eldar are those who pulled a ScrewThisImOutOfHere before the inevitable happened.
122	** The Ethereal caste of the Tau project this image (the Fire Caste and Water Caste being ProudWarriorRace and [[ProudMerchantRace Proud Merchant/Diplomat Caste]]), though it's a little more sinister than the usual trope (it's implied they exercise some form of mind control over other Tau and some of the species of the Tau'va).
123	[[/folder]]
124
125	[[folder:Toys]]
126	* ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}'': Ko-Matoran are not very social, preferring silent studies -- [[ElementalPersonalities they are the ice tribe after all]]. Doesn't mean ice Matoran are not nice: it's very hard to anger them.
127	[[/folder]]
128
129	[[folder:Video Games]]
130	* ''VideoGame/{{Civilization}}'' has a few civs well-suited for a Science Victory:
131	** In ''V'', Babylon gets a free Great Scientist upon researching Writing, and develops subsequent Great Scientists more quickly, allowing them to build lots of science-producing terrain improvements or just rush individual techs.
132	** Korea produces more science from city specialists and gets a research boost every time a science-themed Wonder is finished in its capital in ''Civ V'', while in ''Civ VI'' it enjoys a flat boost to science output and can build the ''seowon'', an improved campus district that makes any adjacent mines produce science points as well. The two leaders available, interestingly, have different attitudes towards other civilizations' relative scientific advancement compared to themselves: Queen Seondeok will respect fellow advanced rulers while look down upon backward rivals, while King Sejong is the opposite in disliking those ahead of him in science and culture (his quotes suggest he considers himself to be the leader of scholarship and that others are going down the wrong path).
133	** The Maya are a scientific/religious hybrid civ thanks to their stepped Pyramid buildings, which unlike normal Temples produce both science and faith. They can also get an early boost to research with a free Great Scientist if they so choose, since their Long Count calendar mechanic means that they're guaranteed a Great Person once every ''bak'tun''.
134	** Assyria is both a scientific and militaristic civ due to their Treasures of Ninevah ability, which lets them outright steal a technology each time they conquer a rival's city. They're also encouraged to build research infrastructure, since their Royal Library grants bonus experience to any units trained in the same city, so long as said library contains a Great Work of writing.
135	* ''VideoGame/DistantWorlds'':
136	** The Kiadians are peaceful humanoids with [[MyBrainIsBig enlarged craniums]] and intellect to match, along with a culture that favors careful diplomacy and [[WillNotTellALie honesty]]. Their victory conditions include performing the most research in the galaxy, maintaining the longest-lasting free trade agreement and defensive pact in the galaxy, and breaking the fewest treaties.
137	** The Quameno are a FrogMen race with abnormally high intelligence, described as enjoying difficult mental challenges for recreation's sake. They enjoy a +40% bonus to all research and a 60% higher chance to spawn new scientists, and their native victory conditions include not only completing the most research trees in the galaxy, but simply performing the most active research, period. However, they're also isolationist, as their other victory conditions include [[HeroicNeutral starting the fewest wars, and being involved in the fewest diplomatic treaties]].
138	** The Zenox are a race of CatFolk [[PlanetOfHats obsessed]] with the study of galactic history. Their racial victory conditions include [[AdventurerArchaeologist controlling the most ancient ruins, exploring every star and planet in the galaxy, and building the Galactic Archives wonder.]] They also start the game knowing the locations of two major historical sites, giving them an early leg up in the ArchaeologicalArmsRace. Their other victory conditions are to lose the fewest ships, bases and troops in the galaxy, encouraging a defensive playstyle.
139	* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls''
140	** Among the extant [[OurElvesAreDifferent races of Mer (Elves)]], the Altmer (High Elves) best embody the "mystical" aspect of the trope. They are the [[MageSpecies naturally magically inclined]] race in Tamriel, and also one of the oldest, being the most direct descendants of the Aldmer (First or Old Elves). Though non-Altmer scholars are loathe to admit, Tamriel owes much of its [[CrystalSpiresAndTogas art, science, philosophy, language, and religion]] to the Altmer. The Psijic Order, a monastic [[TheMagocracy magical society]] made up primarily of Altmer (though they do take in worthy members of other races), takes this even further. The have OmniscientCouncilOfVagueness and MysteriousBacker traits, are a RenownedSelectiveMentor that many magically inclined students would kill to join, and generally try to protect the rest of the world from [[TheWorldIsNotReady threats it is not ready to deal with on its own]]. They have so SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic that they are capable of performing feats no other group in Tamriel can match, including {{Telepathy}}, [[TimeStandsStill time-freezing]], AstralProjection, and significant WeatherManipulation.
141	** While the Altmer are the most advanced extant race, they still pale in comparison to what the extinct [[OurDwarvesAreDifferent Dwemer]] were capable of on the "scientific" side of this trope. They were an industrious, highly intelligent, and ''extremely'' technologically advanced people. They combined their [[{{Magitek}} mastery of enchanting]] with their SteamPunk technology and were known to [[RealityWarping bend the laws of physics]] to [[RagnarokProofing make their creations last]]. Essentially, they were a fantasy version of SufficientlyAdvancedAliens. While attempting to do ''[[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence something]]'' with the heart of a [[GodIsDead dead god]], they managed to make their entire race blink out of all known planes of existence in a single instant. [[RiddleForTheAges No one knows for sure what happened to them]], but the LostTechnology the left behind is still far more advanced than anything the extant races have been able to create even in the thousands of years since their disappearance.
142	** While not to the same extent as the Altmer or Dwemer, the [[UnevenHybrid Bretons]] are this for the races of Men. Bretons generally enjoy intellectual and scholarly pursuits of all sorts. The study of magic, history, and technology (particularly that of the extinct Dwemer) are all common pursuits of the Bretons. They also make up a large portion of membership in the Mages Guild, which doubles as a guild for scholars.
143	* ''VideoGame/EndlessSpace'':
144	** The Sophon are a race of incredibly curious tinkerers and scientists with a generally peaceful demeanor, considering war to be a wasteful undertaking pushed on them by warlike aliens; they have a massive science boost and great engines and sensors, but build slowly and can't fight worth a damn. The Pilgrims, a breakaway nation of human scientists and mystics dedicated to studying the [[PreCursors Endless]] have no innate science boosts, but are adept at gaining knowledge from salvaging enemy ships after battle. There's also the [[MechanicalLifeform Automatons]], a race of [[ClockworkCreature clockwork robots]] that dislike combat and prefer to silently [[TerraForm tinker away on planetary ecosystems]]; like the Pilgrims, they receive no innate science bonus, but their vast industrial capacity allows them to pump out science from their extremely well developed solar systems.
145	** ''VideoGame/EndlessLegend'' has the Drakken, a race of [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragon-like creatures]] which are amazing diplomats and receive huge science and influence bonuses from analyzing Endless ruins, as they are the [[UpliftedAnimal creations of the Endless]].
146	* ''VideoGame/FallFromHeaven'': The Amurites are a civilization built on widespread magical knowledge and study. The Kuriotates and Grigori are also both advanced civilizations led by philosopher-kings. The Ljosalfar ''traditionally'' fit this (although they were more artistic than magical or scientific), but only Arendel Phaedra still represents this aspect of their civilization. Finally, the Luchuirp fit TheEngineer variant of this race, being a civilization of enchanters, mechanists and golem-crafters.
147	* ''VideoGame/FreeSpace'': The Vasudans consider themselves as such and play up this perception of their culture to the Terrans. In reality, though, they're really not much more advanced than the Terrans in any respect.
148	* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' has Sharlayan, an island nation that is home to the best and brightest minds in all of Hydaelyn, and the homeland of some of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, including Y'shtola, Urianger, Alphinaud, and Alisaie. In spite of the nation's academic prowess, it also holds fast to a tradition of [[TeamSwitzerland political neutrality]] and non-interference in international matters, up to and including a potential world-ending apocalypse -- a policy that has resulted in no small amount of friction between the Scions and Sharlayan's leaders.
149	* ''VideoGame/GemsOfWar'': Adana is distinguished from its neighbours by its dedication to scholarship and technology. (Not necessarily ''peaceful'' technology, though -- it includes muskets.)
150	* ''VideoGame/GuildWars2'': The Asura; their intro cinematic sums up things nicely and quickly: "I am Asura. I personify genius." Ironically, the only other race that matches them for technology are the Charr, the ProudWarriorRace guys.
151	* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'' gives the Sheikah this characterization; they'd spent most of the prior games as the HufflepuffHouse of Hyrule. Here, it's revealed that the Sheikah developed unmatched technologies including teleportation, explosives made out of HardLight, the ability to [[TimeStandsStill freeze time]], an army of robots called Guardians, and four HumongousMecha shaped like animals. Even the individual parts of these devices are leaps and bounds beyond anything else in the kingdom--for example, they have screws that somehow never wear out despite being over ten thousand years old. Though incredibly impressive, the Royal Family of Hyrule eventually became fearful of the Sheikah's mechanical prowess and banished them all. The majority of the Sheikah then struck a deal with the Royal Family to be allowed back into society in return for forsaking their tech and becoming the Royal Family's protectors, which in turn led them to become a more agrarian society, though they're still renowned as researchers and experts on their own creations. The branch that resented the Hylians' prejudice and refused to the terms of the bargain instead pulled a FaceHeelTurn to become the villainous Yiga, although interestingly, even the Yiga rely more on stealth and trickery than technology.
152	* ''Franchise/MassEffect'':
153	** The asari fit the "mystic" description to a T, having superior talents at biotics. They are also the most advanced of the Citadel races. In the third game, it's shown that [[spoiler:they are hogging a Prothean beacon that they used to achieve their technological superiority, although [[LastOfHisKind Javik]] claims that this was intentional]].
154	** The salarians have a reputation as good scientists, albeit one overshadowed by their other reputation as spies. These are often the same people.
155	* ''VideoGame/MasterOfOrion'': The Psilons (scientists) and the Elerians from the second and third games (mystics, not found in ''[=MoO=] 1'').
156	* ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'': The Chozo. They're not humanoid, but they have great powers, are possibly magical, are wise and knowedgeable, CloserToEarth (or, more accurately, Tallon IV), and are generally mystical. They also fit the Scientific side of the trope: the thing is that they grew so scientifically advanced that they hit a dead end. Since science offered no more answers, they turned to mysticism to complement it. In fact, one game shows that they tried to advise the Bryyonians to strike a balance of science and magic in their society. The Bryyonians failed, which lead to a [[TheMagicVersusTechnologyWar world-ending Magic vs Technology War]]. For added fun, the backstory also establishes that the Chozo were once a ProudWarriorRace before giving it up in favor of becoming this -- hence Samus' power suit and the numerous upgrades for it scattered around the galaxy.
157	* ''VideoGame/{{Myst}}'': The D'ni race lived in a large cavern BeneathTheEarth and spent most of their time developing mining and stoneworking technologies. But moreover, they had the ability to write {{Portal Book}}s to any world they could imagine, and while many of these were used for resource gathering, they were used mostly for exploration and study of various scientific principles. The cornerstone of their society was the guild system and its corresponding set of advanced schools, but they were also deeply religious, being the descendants of a [[SpaceAmish simplistic sect]] that rejected the unscrupulous practices of an older society which was happy to exploit its worlds, and the people within, to the point of ruin. Unfortunately, the D'ni still had a major superiority complex, which led to xenophobia, slavery, and a series of interracial conflicts that undermined and eventually led to the destruction of their civilization.
158	* ''VideoGame/NoMansSky'': The Korvax are a near-immortal sentient machine species that appear to value science and exploration. Korvax worship and venerate the Atlas machines, making their priests a considerable boon for players searching for Atlas-related phenomena, from Atlas technology, to Atlas Stations, to even black holes that will eventually bring one closer to the center of the galaxy. Korvax commonly share their memories and discoveries with one another by uploading them onto special platinum cubes that are slotted into each other's brains to copy their contents.
159	* ''VideoGame/OuterWilds'': The nomai fit this trope to a t. Their philosophy centers around identifying and explaining the natural world, and their scientific endeavors range from gravitational manipulation to teleportation to [[spoiler:time travel]]. At the same time, their technology tends towards CrystalSpiresAndTogas, and their cities prominently feature shrines and temples. Other nomai clans are implied to stick more towards the scientific side of this trope, but still play it fairly straight.
160	* ''VideoGame/{{Stellaris}}'':
161	** Scientific Race: the "Erudite Explorer" AI personality, the Lokken Mechanists and the Voor Technocracy preset empires, and the Keepers of Knowledge [[VestigialEmpire fallen empires]]. Also, any player-race that embraces the materialist ethic. (Especially the Science Directorate government in which the only leaders eligible for presidency are scientists.)
162	** Mystic Race: the "Spiritual Seeker" AI personality, the Scyldari Confederacy preset empire, and the Holy Guardians fallen empires. Player races that embrace spiritualist ethic -- especially those that actually choose the spiritualist ascension path - are also this trope.
163	* ''VideoGame/SidMeiersAlphaCentauri'': The University of Planet are a collection of scientists whose primary goal is the expansion of human knowledge. Admittedly, that process involves a [[ForScience loose interpretaion of ethics and human rights, but....]]
164	%%* ''VideoGame/StarControl'': The Syreen.
165	* ''Franchise/StarCraft'': The two Khalai caste Protoss, in contrast to the [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Templar]] and [[ScaryDogmaticAliens Judicators]] who make up most of the Protoss cast in the wargames, are proud and enthusiastic scientists for sure.
166	* ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia'': The Krityans would like to believe that they're this. The problem, however, is that most of them are A-Grade {{Cloudcuckoolander}}s who like to prattle on about magic vegetables that probably don't even exist when they're not designing new pieces of technology. The fact that their token "rebellious" representative who ends up in your party is a constantly-sedated BloodKnight who may or may not also be AxCrazy and is considered ''similar'' to the main race speaks volumes. All in all, they're not exactly the best safeguards of the knowledge that a giant space octopus made from global warming is going to utterly rape the planet.
167	* ''Franchise/TouhouProject'': The Lunarians see themselves as more spiritually pure than absolutely anyone else who are not Lunarians... scratch that, they believe that they are simply better, period. It's strongly hinted that Lunarians were humans who attained great spiritual height. They have expendable servitors, the {{Moon Rabbit}}s. And just in case anyone is up to challenge their claim: [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy in the past, they thwarted a Youkai invasion from Gensokyo led by Yukari Yakumo]]. Yukari Yakumo is a ''RealityWarper''. Though it's speculated that Yukari [[XanatosGambit intended to lose]] just to teach the Youkai a lesson.
168	* ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}}'': The setting has blood elves for the magic sort and gnomes (the descendants of ancient machines) and arguably [[ProudMerchantRace goblins]] for tech. The draenei are somewhere in between, as they've always been magically-oriented and are implied to have picked up some degree of {{magitek}} knowledge as well. And the tauren are both a ProudScholarRace (of the mystic variety) ''and'' a ProudWarriorRace.
169	* ''VideoGame/WarWind'': The Shama'Li live in harmony with Yavaun's ecosystem, have natural magic abilities, and genuinely strive for peace and harmony among all races on the planet (including humans in the second installment). All this doesn't mean they cannot be a dangerous foe in combat, especially when it goes about the weak and oppressed.
170	[[/folder]]
171
172	[[folder:Western Animation]]
173	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'' sees the newts of Newtopia hold what is easily the most advanced setting in the amphibian world.
174	* ''WesternAnimation/BuzzLightyearOfStarCommand'' has the blue-skinned [[IntangibleMan Tangerians]], the people of [[RebelliousPrincess Princess]] [[TheLancer Mira Nova]].
175	* ''WesternAnimation/InvaderZim'': Most of what we learn about the Vorts implies this trope -- most of the Irkens' advanced technology came from them, both before and after their planet was conquered.
176	[[/folder]]

Context Main / ProudScholarRace