Mordin Solus, Renaissance Alien

*This post is a brief yet sentimental look at our favorite Salarian in the "Mass Effect" games, voiced by Michael Beattie in "ME2", and then William Salyers in "ME3"!*

Maybe the most complex character in the "Mass Effect" trilogy, Mordin is defined by traits that should naturally conflict. He's a brilliant scientist and doctor, yet at the same time he was a former Salarian Special Tasks Group soldier, one of the best of his world's military. Mordin has strong moral standards, yet will become part of the most morally questionable of acts if his scientific perspective demands it, namely the modification of the Krogan genophage. Eccentric and so hyperactive he voices his thoughts faster than Alvin and the Chipmunks, Mordin's a truly unique part of the "Mass Effect" story.

*Spoilers follow for those who haven't played "Mass Effect 3"! You've been warned!*

Or I should say, 'was', depending on your choices. In "Mass Effect 3", Shepard discovers The Shroud facility on Tuchanka to be used to disperse the genophage cure had been sabotaged. To ensure the cure is deployed successfully for the Krogan across their world, Shepard lets Wrex and Mordin know. The situation ultimately leads to Mordin volunteering himself to take an elevator to the top of The Shroud and bypassing the sabotage, giving the cure the chance to be sent into the atmosphere, but that will mean the doctor's death. Mordin, however, sees the logic in the situation that the Krogan revitalization is more important than one life...and, one suspects, he wanted to take this chance to redeem himself once and for all because of his part in the genophage modification. Shepard can do little but watch sadly as Mordin leaves...

Rest In Peace, Mordin...you were one of the quirkiest elements of "Mass Effect" and, dare I say it, source of the most out-of-left-field moment in the games... :)

Shepard: "I'm sorry, I know that was important, but...you performed Gilbert and Sullivan?
Mordin: [Nods...and then launches into song!]
"I am the very model of a scientist Salarian, I've studies species Turian, Asari and Batarian.
I'm quite good at genetics (as a subset of biology) because I am an expert (which I know is a tautology).
My xenoscience studies range from urban to agrarian, I am the very model of a scientist Salariaaaaan!"