Have there been successful non-Asari inter-species relationships?

Question

In the Mass Effect universe, the Asari are universally compatible for mating with other species, even regardless of gender. So, it makes sense that they are the most prominent species involved when one tries to come up with a list of inter-species relations.

However, I'm curious to know if there have ever been any well-known, successful inter-species relationships (aside from those Shepard him/herself can commit to) that do not involve an Asari.

I do recall, in Mass Effect 2, a Turian was flirting with a Quarian and mentioned a movie that featured a Turian/Quarian relationship. What I'm looking for is something a little more concrete - a non-fictional (in-universe) long-term romance between two non-Asari races.

Bonus points if the relationship resulted in offspring.

Answer 1

Tali and Garrus will hook up in Mass Effect 3, if Shepard doesn't have a relationship with either of them.

Joker and EDI will also end up in a relationship if pushed by Shepard in that direction.

Also, the Fornax publication implies that there is a subculture interested in interspecies relations.

Answer 2

I’m not aware of any long-term inter-species relationship mentioned in the ME universe (games or books), unless it involved an Asari or Shepard. There is certainly no mention of inter-species offspring, hybrids or half-bloods. Again, with the exception of Asari.

A (romantic) relationship is certainly not impossible. The comments/answers already mentioned the prime examples from the games. The Human female in ME3 obviously caring for a Salarian. Enough to buy him expensive armor to keep him save. Or the Turian in ME2, trying to convince his Quarian friend that she should date someone compatible to her – which means him. And of course Tali and Garrus if none of them are involved with Shepard.

These were not relationships however, but rather the possibility of one.
So it’s not uncommon in the ME universe to find someone of another species attractive. But it’s also not the norm. Most species seem to keep to themselves, with the exception of the Asari.
For them, relationships with other species are the norm while relationships with the same species are looked down upon.
Asari are special. Not only are they in a sense universally compatible, they are also apparently attractive to most other species. Which is a curiosity in itself.

But even if there was such a relationship, interbreeding would most likely be impossible. It’s not really clear if any of the species have compatible sexual organs.
Salarians apparently lay eggs, for example. How would another species fertilize these? Even if they are compatible in such a way, it’s not said that they could successfully mix their DNA.
Both Turians and Quarians are dextro-amino based. While they have this in common, it basically only means they can eat the same food. But they might be biologically incompatible otherwise. I believe this is never clearly stated.
And Krogans would most assuredly have tried to get offspring like this, if it were possible.

We know that humans can’t interbreed with other species from our planet (at least not that I know of). Otherwise we would have hybrids running around everywhere. So it should be even harder with a species from another planet which might have a totally different genetic makeup.

Asari have a unique method of procreation which allows them to circumvent such natural barriers. They extract the genes of the father (can be male or female) and mix them with their own. And they don't even need to have intercourse to do this.
Edit: According to the wiki they don't extract the genes but use the father as a map to rearange a copy of their own DNA.

This is why Asari always give birth to Asari and not to hybrids. And this is why they are in a unique position to have such successful relationships with other species.

Answer 3

Mass Effect Andromeda has an Angaran female and a non-battle-loving Krogan that were implied to be in a relationship until she was physically assaulted and taken back to her home planet. He made her a bracelet and if you can convince her that he'd still care for her regardless, she will go to New Tuchanka to visit him again.

On the Citadel in Andromeda, there are background characters that appear to be in a relationship as well. One couple looks to be an Asari and a Turian.

On the first human settlement while playing soccer with Liam, you guys basically witness an Angaran male and female Asari flirting and it's hinted that they wind up together.

In the consort's office in ME1, there is a Salarian male that's always with a female assistant. He mentions how great she is every time you pass by.

There's also a female human and male Salarian couple on a bench near the consort's office. I also saw a female human and male Turian couple on a bench, as well.

Answer 4

There are several possibilities for interspecies relationships but, aside from the asari, children are out of the question due to biological incompatibility. That said, the Reapers managed to create monstrosities by fusing different species together, so with sufficiently high tech it could theoretically be possible, but no Milky Way species has shown it has the technological capacity.

As for those relationships, several are seen in the game: Shepard and Tali, Garrus, or Thane (depending on the sex of Shepard), Tali and Garrus, and in Mass Effect: Andromeda there's Ryder and Vetra (human/turian), Avela, or Jaal (human/angaran).

There are some others mentioned in conversations or implied. Interspecies porn is shown to exist, so obviously some people (not just human) clearly aren't put off by the idea.

Answer 5

There isn't anywhere in the universe that says it can not be done, only that it hasn't actually been tried.

Y'all are looking at this from a realistic standpoint and not a fantasy standpoint, which is what Mass Effect is, a scientific fantasy. Take Star Trek, for example, humans and Vulcans have two different chemical/bodily makeups but can still reproduce. Really fair since humans in the game haven't been in space for that long at all comparatively. And also take one of Garrus's comments in ME3 into account: if you romance him he talks about having children with you when the war is over, if you make it back.