Betazoid
| |
| Betazoid | |
|---|---|
| Classification: | humanoid |
| Planet of Origin: | Betazed |
| Environmental requirements: | Class M |
| Tech Level: | TBD |
| Warp Year: | TBD |
| Affiliation: | Unaligned |
| Typical lifespan: | TBD |
| Telepathic abilities: | TBD |
| AIX code: | TBD |
Betazoids are a humanoid race from the Federation member world of Betazed in the Alpha Quadrant. Betazoids are known for their telepathic and empathic abilities, which they generally develop during puberty when the rush of newly-activated hormones serves to activate previously latent telepathic talents. A few Betazoids are born with telepathic abilities, but they have to go through a different and very intensive psychological experience due to their inability to filter out the "noise" created by normal thoughts. With the exception of their black irises, Betazoids are otherwise visually indistinguishable with Humans.
History
Early Betazoids had a strongly religious outlook stemming from a combination of their telepathic sensitivity (giving them insight into communities and the well-being of their fellows) and their forgiving homeworld (which gave them a sense of placement-the feeling that the world was designed to suit them).
The ancient history of these Betazoids remains shrouded in myth and legend, and the Betazoids seemed to prefer it that way. Many tales spoke of the gift of telepathy which the Betazoids earned from the spirits through their stewardship of the natural world. Other stories told of great wars fought with an evil race of beings possessing similar telepathic skills known as the "demons of pain and anger." These entities floated through walls and barred doors. When these entities descended upon a community, they brought with them anger and strife. Said to be able to make primitive weapons appear out of thin air, whole villages would be found to have massacred each other. An orgy of violence spread across the land. Most modern anthropologists assume that these entities were similar to the emotion-feeding creatures like the "Redjac" encountered by the Constitution-class U.S.S. Enterprise.
The Legend of Khrystaros
All Betazoids knew the earliest legends of the clergy that formed around Krystaros and his followers, a group of legendary saviors who honed Betazoid telepathy in order to fight off incorporeal "demons." The mystical hero, Krystaros, used her great mental powers to defeat the flickering, shadowy ghost-like enemies from the stars While it appears as though all Betazoids possessed some rudimentary form of telepathy, Khrystaros found a way, according to the stories, to develop this potential. She gathered several acolytes and trained them to battle the entities. They, too, developed incredible telepathic powers. The greatest among them was Rixx, who banished hundreds of these demons and usher in a golden age. For millennia afterward the clergy spread his teachings and served as the heads of a secular government, especially the acolyte Rixx, who was granted a set of Holy Rings which are said to have the power to summon Khrystaros again during Betazed's time of greatest need. These same rings are now in the possession of Lwaxana Troi, Betazed's ambassador to the Federation; they are the ancestral property of the Fifth House.
Scholars credit the teachings of Khrysaros with the unification of Betazed. Before him, Betazoids organized into various kingdoms and city-states often fought each other. Eventually, a theocratic oligarchy gained control of the planet and brought most of the fighting to a halt. Only nobles were allowed to enter the priesthood, and the priests dictated life on Betazed. Armed with the combination of righteous responsibility and the artifacts of Krystaros, the priests defused potential conflicts, directed the growth of civilization, and comforted their brethren with the knowledge that Betazoids held a cherished place in the scheme of life.
As Betazoid technology continued to advance, the need for a more secular government became apparent. While the priesthood had succeeded in bringing feuding houses and nation-states together into a unified world governing body, their resistance to social freedoms and technological progress remained a hindrance. Betazed was still primarily a spiritual society, ruled by its beliefs, its ancient faiths, and its strong ethical nature. As the world prepared for its first spaceflight, conflict was inevitable.
It wasn't until a religious schismatic named Dainara proposed the formation of a separate, secular government that Betazed industries started to evolve beyond their religiously-ordained roles. The progressive priest Dainara was a scion of the Third House, and he argued that Betazed had finally grown beyond its ancient spiritual roots. He thought that the priesthood was no longer able to govern the world effectively, and he advocated a radical separation of the secular and the spiritual. He spoke of the new responsibilities inherent in Betazoid technology, of the casual acceptance and potential misuse of Betazoid telepathy. Dainara was a charismatic leader and his message found many willing ears; unfortunately, none of them belonged to his fellow priests or nobles. In the end, his eloquence mattered little. Even the discovery of other worlds and of space travel wasn't enough to put the nail in the coffin of theocratic authorities. The maiden flight of the Avandar took place the following year in 2139. Although the priesthood did not like the perceived spiritual ramifications of spaceflight, they accepted progress on their own terms - as a way to spread Betazoid teachings beyond their world, possibly to other sentient species among the stars. As it turned out, they wouldn't have to wait long.
The Terabian
Betazoid history took a turn several years later with the discovery of nearby Terab IV. First contact with the Terabian occurred during the flight of the first Betazoid warp-capable vessel, the Avandar. The Terabian were a humanoid species inhabiting a world slightly more than four light-years from Betazed, and contact was greeted with enthusiasm on both worlds. Both species had reached approximately the same point in their development; however, Betazoid agrarian technology was superior to the Terabian versions of the same, while the Terabian excelled at materials engineering and electronics. The cultures began to trade, sharing their resources and technology. The Betazoids were initially startled to learn that their Terabian neighbors did not possess telepathic abilities. While they adjusted quickly to their nontelepathic neighbors, there were those among the priesthood who thought the Terabian flawed or inferior as a result. Such beliefs would be the seeds of conflict in the years to come.
As the years passed, settlers also traveled between the two worlds, and a degree of intermarriage began. All was not well on Terabia, however. While Betazoid telepathic ability was initially viewed as a curiosity, more to be marveled at than feared, the Terabian slowly began to distrust their new allies. This was partly a result of the Betazoid priesthood's assertions that telepathy was a gift and should be used widely and freely. Although there were those who recognized the dangers in this view, especially when dealing with a relatively unknown species, their voices were largely ignored. As a result, the Terabian perceived a decidedly superior attitude among the Betazoids; it was a perception that would ultimately lead to open resentment.
This resentment initially took hold in the mercantile sector, with Terabian traders accusing their Betazoid counterparts of unfair practices and advantages. Since the Betazoid predilection for honesty is now well known, it is doubtful that such accusations were true. However, they were just the fuel needed to fan the growing flames of suspicion on Terabia. Fear grows most quickly when it is accompanied by misunderstanding, and in this case, that adage held true.
The Betazoid settlers living on Terabia were quickly rounded up and thrown into makeshift internment camps to protect them from paramilitary groups roaming the streets and assaulting Betazoids. The Betazoids who avoided incarceration increasingly turned to violence to protect themselves; conflict erupted between rival Betazoid and Terrabian gangs. Fearing a retributive strike by the "mind-readers," Terabia launched a preemptive strike against Betazed itself. While neither side had amassed much of a military arsenal, the ensuing war was protracted and brutal, with the Terabian offering no quarter. After nearly seven years of fighting, with neither side gaining the upper hand, the Terabian finally agreed to enter into negotiations with Betazed. Betazed sent diplomats to resolve the situation. After lengthy negotiations, they won the freedom of interred Betazoids, persuaded the Betazed terrorists to lay down their arms, and orchestrated a mass exodus from Terab IV. Speculation continues among historians regarding the Terabian change of heart; many feel that it reflects the increased knowledge and understanding the Terabian gained from the Betazoid prisoners in their own internment camps.
The ruling priesthood on Betazed had already realized that their ways were becoming outdated though most refused to admit it. Their extreme position of the Betazoids as "blessed" or "chosen" people made it difficult to negotiate with outsiders. However, in the wake of the war, they could no longer ignore the obvious. Thus, in their time of need, they turned to the man whom they had ignored so many years before. Dainara took the lead in the negotiations with the Terabian. The Terabian Armistice was negotiated, and a provisional council was established until a secular government could take its plac.e Large-scale reforms were implemented and discrimination based on social class was abolished. The Ruling Council was eventually formed in the wake of provisional rule, and Betazed began the long process of rebuilding. The Council's first act was the promulgation of the Code of Sentience in response to the conflict with the Terabian, to guide Betazoids in their conduct among alien species. As a result, Betazoids prefer not to use their telepathy on a non-telepath without permission.
Code of Sentience
Perhaps the most lasting contribution to come out of the spiritual arm of the provisional council was the Code of Sentience. Spearheaded by Dainara, and influenced heavily by his teachings, this code set down indelibly the duties, responsibilities, and prohibitions of Betazoid telepaths. Betazoid telepathy was indeed a gift; however, the people of Betazed needed to respect the gift and use it wisely, especially during this new age of exploration and contact. The Code would ensure that the mistakes made during the Terabian conflict would never be repeated. Through careful adherence to the Code of Sentience, the Betazoids have avoided a repeat of the Terabian situation and wide-scale persecution on other worlds. In fact, Terab IV eventually joined the Federation, their delegates requesting seats alongside Betazed's representatives, as a testimony to how far the two peoples have come.
The Federation
With the Code firmly established, a long process of healing began with the Terabian. Betazed prospered once more, and peace reigned for over a century before first contact was made with the Federation. While at first, the Betazeds feared another dispute-with the realization that a great many other species weren't telepathic and, as a result, were predisposed to suspicion and dishonesty-the nascent Federation did have a positive outlook. Vulcans, while wildly different from Betazoids on an emotional level, could deal with other telepaths. Human optimism and compassion combined with the drive and loyalty of other Federation species won over the Betazeds, who eventually saw the benefits of joining the Federation. They became a quiet but visible component of Federation affairs by the 23rd century. Betazed applied for membership at some point not long prior to 2246, however, they had to make certain reforms to their government before they could join. By 2273, the Betazoids had finally dissolved the remaining religious requirements of their matriarchal world government and their application for associate membership was accepted. In 2294, Betazed had become a full member of the Federation. Their involvement soon proved essential to negotiating a number of important agreements of the time, including the Second Khitomer Accords and the Treaty of Algeron in 2311. A few traditionalists speak of the period before Federation contact as a near utopia, but most Betazoids feel that Federation membership has only made their planet a better and more equitable place to live.
Since joining the Federation, Betazoids distinguished themselves in numerous areas, particularly in diplomatic affairs. Improved relations with the Tholians were chiefly attributed to the skills of Betazoid negotiators. Starfleet specifically created the position of ship's counselor with Betazoids in mind. the talents of the Betazoids, coupled with their honesty and outgoing natures, earned them friends throughout the Federation. As a result, Betazed has become the host site for the Biennial Trade Agreements Conference, where the economic strengths of planets are weighed against the Federation credit and Betazoid negotiators help forge interstellar trade agreements among Federation member worlds, nonmembers, and the various peaceful starfaring neighbors of the Federation. The Federation would be hard-pressed to find another world so trusted to handle such delicate negotiations.
Betazed stayed a peaceful background member of the Federation up until the Dominion War in the late 24th century. Betazed had significant strategic value to the Federation. Its location close to the Vulcan home system and many other important regions made it a strategic linchpin to be strongly defended. For this reason, the defense of Betazed had always received the highest priority; normally, the Betazed system fell under the protection of the Seventh Fleet, and patrol vessels were a common sight in the system. During times of crisis, the fleet usually assigned a detachment of ships specifically to defend Betazed from possible hostile action. While Betazoids served in Starfleet as counselors and occasionally in other positions, the overall proportion of Betazoids that traveled off-world remained low.
The Dominion War
Unfortunately for them, the Dominion War would bring tragedy. In 2374, the Seventh Fleet was reassigned to the front lines and replaced with elements of the Tenth Fleet led by Admiral Masc. However, the Tenth was badly crippled and forced to retreat from the planet when attacked by Jem'Hadar and Cardassian forces. The Dominion had decided to conquer Betazed as a staging ground for attacks against the core worlds of the Federation and as a sign of strength-the ability to penetrate deeply and take even important worlds. Betazoid's outdated and minimal planetary defenses were not enough to fight off the occupation, and millions died from the orbital bombardments and Jem'Hadar assaults. This tactic came back to haunt the Dominion, though.
As a result of the Occupation of Betazed, the Betazed resistance was formed. It consisted of a loosely organized group of Betazoids united in their efforts to oppose Dominion rule. Ambassador Lwaxana Troi was one of the initial driving forces in creating this resistance.
While Betazoids were not violent by nature, their innate telepathy made it impossible for the Founders to infiltrate the resistance. The ability to sense incoming troops and read battle plans also made it nearly impossible for the Dominion to blockade Betazed without exhaustive resources. Therefore, the Dominion committed those resources. They used Betazoid slave labor to construct Sentok Nor in orbit of Betazed. Sentok Nor was then used as a Jem'Hadar breeding facility and Dominion base of operations in the sector.
In 2375, the Betazed resistance successfully transmitted a plan to Starfleet at Starbase 19. Coincidentally, Starfleet had begun assembling the Twelfth Fleet at Starbase 19 to drive Dominion occupying forces from Betazed. However, the thirty-six ships comprising the fleet were destroyed in a pre-emptive attack by the Dominion. This caused Starfleet to send a special operations team in to execute the resistance's plan giving fleet admirals time to combine the 10th and 4th Fleets with Romulan forces in a final attempt to break the Dominion grip on Betazed. The Battle of Betazed that followed resulted in a Federation alliance triumph and the liberation of Betazed.
Physiology
Usually tall, 5.5'-7.0', with slim-line appearance, and approximately 115-220 lbs on average, dependent on height.
As all Betazoids are telepathic, they usually do not need to vocalize their thoughts to one another in order to communicate, but can do so for the benefit of offworlders. It is a natural ability, and likewise the strength of the skill varies from one to another. Most develop the ability in adolescence, but a few have congenitally active telepathic abilities that may cause severe mental problems due to their inability to screen out other peoples minds. Screening is a skill that is absolutely necessary for the well-being of a Betazoid, particularly for those with keen telepathic sensory skills.
Externally, Betazoids are among the most humanoid species on record, and are indistinguishable from Humans in every aspect. They can reproduce with Humans, although this often dilutes the telepathic abilities of the offspring. The children of such a union often develop empathic rather than full telepathic abilities, though they can still communicate telepathically with their Betazoid parent and a bonded mate. Full Betazoids are unable to read the minds of Ferengi, Breen, Ullians, Dopterians, or Changelings due to their unusual brain lobe formations, but some half Betazoids have been occasionally successful in sensing the emotions of these species.
The telepathic and empathic abilities of Betazoids need strict discipline to control and confine to oneself. In more mature Betazoids, medical conditions such as Zanthi fever can occur and a breakdown of control mechanism allows empathic thought to influence surrounding people. Ambassador Troi had once been aboard Deep Space 9 when she was under the influence of the fever and she unwittingly projected her emotions onto those in close proximity to her for the duration of her condition. For even the most disciplined Betazoid, the ability to feel what thousands of people are feeling can be too much, and a mental block must be firmly placed between the Betazoid and the outside sources.
There are also cases of over-empathic abilities, and those who suffer from such extremes must be counselled and trained to avoid insanity, but are almost always affected throughout their life. Betazoids are actually uncomfortable around those, like the Ferengi and Breen, whose minds they cannot read. Similarly, the minds of animals can be a bit frightening to them, and they tend to prefer smaller animals.
Their mind contains the paracortex, their telepathic lobe, which is highly capable of recovery from injury, and includes the metaconsciousness, or a trauma filter; psilosynine is the neurotransmitter involved. In addition, their REM sleep frequency is different than for most humanoids.
Culture
The Betazoid people appreciate fine arts, literature, and philosophy. Their culture is one of great beauty and an ancient history, with family records up to 40 generations.
Betazed is an egalitarian society of telepaths who celebrate intimacy in all forms. This dictated family dynamics, what they believed in, and what they placed importance in. Unlike other planets where physical strength shaped how society was formed, the Betazoids' mental abilities meant emotional intelligence rather than physicality shaped their society. The importance of intellectual aspects for Betazoids was exemplified by their fondness of nudity. Every important Betazoid celebration—birth, death, and marriage—was held in the nude. Until Betazed made first contact, much of their lives were lived in the nude as well. Once a person's emotions are laid bare for all to see, there is very little room for shame in other aspects of their life—because thoughts are far more intimate than a person's outside appearance.
Noble Houses and Social Class
Although their power has dwindled in the millennia since their founding, the noble houses of Betazed maintained a privileged status in Betazoid society. The houses have been a Betazoid institution since before the time of Khrysaros, their origins intertwined with Betazoid spirituality and the inception of the priesthood. It is said that the houses had their origins in a place far beyond the stars, and were brought to Betazed with the first inhabitants. While this story may or may not be true it had an apocryphal impact on Betazoid history, and the houses retain much of their previous power and importance even into the 24th Century.
Although most opportunities are open to all Betazoids, a cultural distinction still existed between the wealthy great houses and the commoners. Betazoids are quick to downplay this in the presence of outsiders, but claims of noble blood remain highly respected and are accorded special significance during religious rites. The Betazoid priesthood has become an open brotherhood, but house affiliation or membership remains the surest method of entrance.