Betazoids

Betazoids are humanoid telepaths from the Federation planet Betazed. Most Betazoids develop their telepathic abilities in adolescence, although a few individuals are born with their telepathy fully functional. These troubled individuals generally require extensive therapy to survive in society, since they lack the ability to screen out the telepathic noise of other people. Their empathic/telepathic contact leads to a natural trait of complete honesty, somewhat troubling to outworlders when practiced fully. Also Betazoid REM frequency is different from most humanoids.

Betazoid are, however, incapable of reading Ferengi, Breen or Dopterian minds, possibly a result of the unusual four-lobed construction of their brains. They are also unable to read Ullians. Betazoids are empaths, that means that they are capable of sharing the feelings of others. Similarly, the minds of animals can be a bit frightening to them, and they tend to prefer smaller animals. Betazoids are completely honest, sometimes to the discomfort of those around them, and never think twice about speaking their mind.

They are very social among themselves, because of course trying to hide something from a Betazoid is futile. Because of their telepathy, Betazoid society has shaped in an erratic way. Education of children is very important in Betazoid society, but they consider it of paramount importance to not push the child and let him/her choose his or her onw way. Mothers can sense the thoughts of their babies while in the comb, increasing the mother's understanding of the baby.

Betazoids have usually dark eyes and hair which are the distinguished traits from humans.

Betazed

Betazed is a Class-M planet and a member of the United Federation of Planets. Betazed, or as its inhabitants call it Cyndriel, is the fifth world in an eight-planet system orbiting Beta Veldonna a medium size yellow star. Betazed is also the only planet to support life or have a moon. This large body, named Lonita, is Class K and supports a large colony of Betazoids. Betazed is a remarkably beautiful world and is sometimes referred to as "the jewel of the outer crown" by traders and other visiting personnel. Great expanses of natural wilderness cover much of the planet, home to thousands of forms of native wildlife. High mountain peaks of multicolored crystal catch the rays of the Betazed sun, throwing delicate layers of color upon the landscape. The soil possesses crystals of a faceted green mineral called Versina, which gives it a sparkling, glittering appearance.

It is Earth-like in appearance with large blue oceans. It is within a standard shuttlecraft's range of Starbase G-6, and it lies close enough to the Tagus/Kaelon route.

The biennial Trade Agreements Conference was held on Betazed in 2366. Around stardate 51721 during Dominion War, Betazed was captured by Dominion invasion forces. The Federation Tenth Fleet had been assigned to defend Betazed, but was caught out of position on a training exercise. Once Betazed had been captured, other nearby Federation systems and planets, including Vulcan, Tellar, Alpha Centauri, and Andor, were at risk of Dominion invasion.

• Population: 8,474,659,500
• Sex: 55% female, 45% male
• Etnic groups: 21% hybrids, 70% white Betazoids, 9% super telapethic
• Literacy rate: 99,9%
• Occupations: 35% educators, 10% finance, 9% governement, 2% military, 3% manufacturing, 11% computers, 4% engineering, 3% science, 23% others.



• Lake Cataria: Pituresque lake on the planet Betazed.
• Lake El-Nar: Lake on Betazed.
• Janaran Falls: Spectacular water fall located on the planet.

Biology

The Betazoid Mind: It 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.

The Phase: Stage in the life cycle of a Betazoid female during which she becomes fully sexual. Normally occurs at midlife. An unmarried Betazoid woman in the phase is expected by her culture to focus her sexual ebergy on one particular man who will normally become her husband. It is common for Betazoid female to experience a sex drive of quadrupled in tensity during the phase. It usually doesn't happen until they at least reach their 40s in equivalent human years.

Pregnancy: The normal gestation period of a Betazoid is ten months. Sometimes pregnant Betazoid women can sense the thoughts of their unborn babies.

Traditions

Genetic Bonding: In Betazoid culture, a term for ritual telepathic joining of children at an early age as a prelude to eventual marriage.

Gift Box: A traditional Betazoid means of presenting gifts of great value or importance, these ornate containers were decorated with the sculpted image of a humanoid face. In the presence of the intended recipient, the face on the gift box would briefly come to life, delivering a message or greeting before the box would open.

Holy Rings of Betazed: Relics of great significance.

Betazoid Chime: A small, flat crystalline gong, traditionnaly used by certain members of Betazoid society as a means of expressing thanks for food being eaten. Unfortunately, some non-betazoids find the use of the chime at meal time to be quite annoying.

Sacred Chalice of Rixx: An important artifact in Betazoid culture, held for ceremonial purposes.

Fifth House of Betazed: A family that is still considered something of royalty to the inhabitants of Betazed.


Weddings

Bonding Gifts: Betazoid word for wedding presents.

Genetic Bonding -> see under traditions

The Wedding Ceremony: The ceremony is resplendent with ancient Betazoid culture, requiring the bride, the groom and the guests to go naked honoring the act of love being celebrated.

Love: On the same note, Betazoids are known for their ability to love more than one person without losing their ability to love their mate.


Funerals

Betazoid death rituals display the deceased's corpse in a coffin in the center of a room with all relatives, friends, and close acquaintances around him in a circle, reflecting and meditating quietly.


Food, Flora and Fauna

Uttaberries: A blueberrylike fruit found on Betazed

Uttaberry Crepes: A pastry, made with the Betazed fruit.

Oskoid: A leaflike Betazoid delicacy

Chameleon Roses: Flower from planet Betazed that changes colors with the mood of its owner.

Muktuk Plant: Variegated bristle-like foliage found on planet Betazed able to live for hundreds of years, the muktok blooms gave off a pleasant sound when shaken.


Vocabulary

Imzadi: Qord meaning "Beloved", a kind of nickname you give to someone you love.

Bonding Gifts -> see under wedding


Miscellaneous

Plexing: A Betazoid relaxation technique in which one gently taps a nerve behind one's ear, unsing the index and middle fingers. Plexing stimulates a nerve cluster behind the carotid artery, causing the release of natural endorphins.