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[[File:Vorik-blood-fever.jpg|thumb|[[Vorik]], mad with ''plak tow'']]
'''See also:''' [[Pon farr]]
 
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'''''Plak tow''''' was a [[Vulcan language|Vulcan]] phrase literally meaning "blood fever". It was characterized by irrational and instinct driven behavior, a combative nature and a high [[fever]], especially during the final stages of ''[[pon farr]]''. Normally a [[Vulcan]] in this state was unable to speak or think clearly and the desire to mate was very strong and irresistible. The ''blood fever'' was initiated by a [[telepathic mating bond]] between two [[Vulcan]]s, but instances of Vulcans mating with members of other races do exist. ({{VOY| Blood Fever}})
   
 
Even a brief moment of bonding was enough to initiate the blood fever. After the blood fever or ''plak tow'' was initiated, it had to be brought to its natural conclusion, or the chemical imbalance that had resulted would lead to death. The "fever" could be broken through either successful mating or through ''[[koon-ut-kal-if-fee]]'': the ritual challenge to fight to win ones mate. Once either of these rituals had been implemented, the ''blood fever'' was purged and one would recover from the symptoms. Often the ritual combat was to the death, but could also be resolved without death. ({{VOY|Blood Fever}}; {{TOS|Amok Time}})
'''''Blood fever''''' (''[[Plak tow]]'') is an expression used to describe irrational and instinct driven behavior especially during the final stages of ''[[pon farr]]''. It is initiated by a [[telepathic mating bond]] between two [[Vulcan]]s, but instances of Vulcans mating with members of other races do exist. The desire to mate is very strong and irresistible during this time and someone who has the ''blood fever'' at the final stages of ''pon farr'', experiences a severe loss of emotional control with especially an inability to control aggressive instincts. ({{VOY| Blood Fever}})
 
   
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In [[2267]], [[T'Pau]] expressed surprise when [[Spock]], while suffering from ''pon farr'', protested [[T'Pring]]'s choice of [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]] as her champion in the ''koon-ut-kal-if-fee''. Neither Kirk nor Spock wanted to kill the other, so to avoid the situation, [[Chief Medical Officer]] [[Leonard McCoy|McCoy]] drugged Kirk with a neural paralyzer under the pretext of injecting him with a tri-oxydant so he could breathe better in the dry, hot Vulcan air. As McCoy intended, Kirk seemed to have been killed by Spock during the ritual battle. ({{TOS|Amok Time}})
Even a brief moment of bonding is enough to initiate the ''blood fever''. After it is initiated, it must be brought to its natural conclusion, or the chemical imbalance that has resulted will lead to death. The ''blood fever'' is resolved either through the act of mating, or if either one of the parties to the ceremony declares ''koon-ut-kal-if-fee'': the ritual challenge to fight to win ones mate. Once either of these rituals have been implemented, the ''blood fever'' is purged and one will recover from the symptoms. Usually the ritual combat is to the death, but can also be resolved without anyone falling to their death. ({{VOY| Blood Fever}}, {{TOS| Amok Time}})
 
   
 
In [[2373]], [[Ensign]] [[Vorik]], experiencing the ''pon farr'' himself, unintentionally initiated the telepathic mating bond with [[Lieutenant]] [[B'Elanna Torres]]. Even though B'Elanna turned down Ensign Vorik's proposal for [[marriage]], she began experiencing the ''blood fever'' herself. This not only resulted in her engaging in some irrational and extremely emotionally driven behavior, but also brought up her more aggressive [[Klingon]] mating instincts. With her baser instincts driving her, she tried to unsuccessfully seduce Lieutenant [[Tom Paris]] on an [[away mission]]. Trying to resolve the ''blood fever'' which was driving him near insanity, Vorik declared the ''koon-ut-kal-if-fee'' and challenged Tom to a fight. Deciding to take on the challenge herself B'Elanna fought Vorik and by winning the ritual battle, the ''blood fever'' was purged. ({{VOY|Blood Fever}})
In [[2267]], after being challenged to the ritual combat by [[T'Pring]] who didn't want to mate with Spock, [[Captain]] [[James T. Kirk]] was forced to fight Spock to the death. Not wanting to kill his friend, Kirk pretended to have been killed by Spock during the ritual battle. ({{TOS| Amok Time}})
 
   
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{{bginfo|''Plak tow'' has made appearances in a number of novels including ''[[Sarek (novel)|Sarek]]'', ''[[Vulcan's Heart]]'', ''[[Vulcan's Forge (novel)|Vulcan's Forge]]'', and the "[[Rivals Part 1]]", "[[Pon Farr (comic)|Pon Farr]]", and "[[Blood Fever (comic)|Blood Fever]]" comics.}}
In [[2373]], [[Ensign]] [[Vorik]], experiencing the ''pon farr'' himself, unintentionally initiated the telepathic mating bond with [[Lieutenant]] [[B'Elanna Torres]] to whom he had proposed [[marriage]]. Even though B'Elanna turned down Ensign Vorik's proposal, she began experiencing the ''blood fever''. This not only resulted in her engaging in some irrational and extremely emotionally driven behavior, but also brought up her more aggressive [[Klingon]] mating instincts. With her baser instincts driving her, she tried to unsuccessfully seduce Lieutenant [[Tom Paris]] on an [[away mission]]. Trying to resolve the ''blood fever'' which was driving him near insanity, Vorik declared the ''koon-ut-kal-if-fee'' and challenged Tom to a fight. Deciding to take on the challenge herself, however, B'Elanna fought Vorik and by winning the ritual battle, the ''blood fever'' was purged. ({{VOY| Blood Fever}}).
 
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==External link==
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* {{NCwiki}}
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[[it:Plak tow]]
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[[Category:Vulcan]]
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[[Category:Sex and reproduction]]
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[[Category:Medical conditions]]

Revision as of 15:53, 8 December 2010

File:Vorik-blood-fever.jpg

Vorik, mad with plak tow

Plak tow was a Vulcan phrase literally meaning "blood fever". It was characterized by irrational and instinct driven behavior, a combative nature and a high fever, especially during the final stages of pon farr. Normally a Vulcan in this state was unable to speak or think clearly and the desire to mate was very strong and irresistible. The blood fever was initiated by a telepathic mating bond between two Vulcans, but instances of Vulcans mating with members of other races do exist. (VOY: " Blood Fever")

Even a brief moment of bonding was enough to initiate the blood fever. After the blood fever or plak tow was initiated, it had to be brought to its natural conclusion, or the chemical imbalance that had resulted would lead to death. The "fever" could be broken through either successful mating or through koon-ut-kal-if-fee: the ritual challenge to fight to win ones mate. Once either of these rituals had been implemented, the blood fever was purged and one would recover from the symptoms. Often the ritual combat was to the death, but could also be resolved without death. (VOY: "Blood Fever"; TOS: "Amok Time")

In 2267, T'Pau expressed surprise when Spock, while suffering from pon farr, protested T'Pring's choice of Kirk as her champion in the koon-ut-kal-if-fee. Neither Kirk nor Spock wanted to kill the other, so to avoid the situation, Chief Medical Officer McCoy drugged Kirk with a neural paralyzer under the pretext of injecting him with a tri-oxydant so he could breathe better in the dry, hot Vulcan air. As McCoy intended, Kirk seemed to have been killed by Spock during the ritual battle. (TOS: "Amok Time")

In 2373, Ensign Vorik, experiencing the pon farr himself, unintentionally initiated the telepathic mating bond with Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres. Even though B'Elanna turned down Ensign Vorik's proposal for marriage, she began experiencing the blood fever herself. This not only resulted in her engaging in some irrational and extremely emotionally driven behavior, but also brought up her more aggressive Klingon mating instincts. With her baser instincts driving her, she tried to unsuccessfully seduce Lieutenant Tom Paris on an away mission. Trying to resolve the blood fever which was driving him near insanity, Vorik declared the koon-ut-kal-if-fee and challenged Tom to a fight. Deciding to take on the challenge herself B'Elanna fought Vorik and by winning the ritual battle, the blood fever was purged. (VOY: "Blood Fever")

Plak tow has made appearances in a number of novels including Sarek, Vulcan's Heart, Vulcan's Forge, and the "Rivals Part 1", "Pon Farr", and "Blood Fever" comics.

External link

  • Template:NCwiki