Rivan was the leader of the Edo who inhabit Rubicun III. She was among the group who welcomed the officers of the USS Enterprise-D in 2364.

After the young Wesley Crusher was condemned to death for violating a law in one of the Edo punishment zones, Captain Picard brought her aboard on the Enterprise to attempt to reason with her. This way Rivan became the first Edo to see her home planet from space. When the being known as the Edo God noticed her presence on the ship, it attacked the starship. Captain Picard attached his personal communicator to her, enabling the transporter room to beam her back to the planet. (TNG: "Justice")

Rivan was part of Commander William T. Riker's memories while being infected on the surface of Surata IV and treated in sickbay. (TNG: "Shades of Gray")