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[[File:Trill symbiont.jpg|thumb|Trill symbiont]]
== Background ==
 
 
The '''Symbiont''' was a [[sentient]] vermiform [[lifeform]] from the [[planet]] [[Trill (planet)|Trill]]. It was transferred from one [[humanoid]] [[Trill]] [[host]] to another upon the [[death]] of the host. [[Human]]s could also be used as a host to a Symbiont, however the Symbiont could not remain in their bodies for long without physically harming the Human host. ({{TNG|The Host}}) A Symbiont could survive in a partly Trill host normally. ({{DS9|Children of Time}}) The Symbiont took with it all [[memory|memories]] of the previous Trill hosts. Upon joining, the new Trill host gained these memories. The Symbionts lived in the [[Caves of Mak'ala]] on Trill and were cared for by the [[Trill Guardian|Guardians]]. They communicated with each other via [[electricity|electrical]] impulses transmitted through the milky [[water]] they inhabited.
[[Image:Trill symbiont.jpg|thumb|Trill symbiont]]
 
The '''Symbiont''' is a [[vermiform]] lifeform. It is transferred from one [[Trill]] to another upon the death of the host. The Symbiont takes with it all memories of the previous Trill hosts. Upon joining, the new Trill host will gain these memories. The Symbionts live in caves of [[Mak'ala]] on Trill and are cared for by [[Guardians]]. They communicate with each other via electrical impulses transmitted through the milky water they live in.
 
   
 
The [[Symbiosis Commission]] oversaw the joining of Trills and Symbionts. The general belief in the [[24th century]] was that one in every 1,000 Trills was suitable for joining; however, the number was nearer to 50% of the population. This was a closely guarded secret because every year about 5,000 Trills became initiates while only about 500 symbionts became available. ({{DS9|Equilibrium}})
   
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==Symbionts==
== Symbiosis Commission ==
 
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*[[Odan|Odan symbiont]]
The [[Symbiosis Commission]] oversees the joining of Trill and Symbionts. Being joined with a symbiont is a very prestigious goal, many Trill work their entire lives to become an initiate. The general belief is that one in every 1,000 Trill are suitable for joining; however, after the experience with the mentally unstable [[Joran Belar]] it was found that the number is nearer to 50% of the population. This is a closely guarded secret because every year about 5,000 Trill become initiates while about 300 symbionts become availible per year. ([[DS9]]: "[[Equilibrium]]")
 
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*[[Dax (symbiont)|Dax symbiont]]
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*[[Peers (symbiont)|Peers symbiont]]
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*[[Kahn (symbiont)|Kahn symbiont]]
   
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==Rites and ceremonies==
== Zhian'tara ==
 
 
* [[Rite of Emergence]]
The [[Zhian'tara]] is a very emotionally intense ceremony which involves the separation of the personalities of the previous hosts from the symbiont into friends of the current host. The relation allows the current host to gain a renewed sense of his/her shared lives. The process takes place with the assistance of a Guardian who telepathically transfers the personalities. ([[DS9]]: "[[Facets]]")
 
 
* [[Zhian'tara]]
   
 
==Background Information==
== Rite of Emergence ==
 
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The [[Rite of Emergence]] is a ceremony performed by a joined Trill that brings forth the personality and memories of a single previous host. Once brought forth, this personality can be interacted with directly, as if it was again a living person (as opposed to merely accessing the memories of the previous host). ([[DS9]]: "[[Field of Fire]]")
 
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The series bible of ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' mentioned that "''Many centuries ago, the symbionts lived underground while the humanoids were on the surface... and due to an environmental disaster, they were forced to 'join' to survive''". [http://leethomson.myzen.co.uk/Star_Trek/3_Deep_Space_Nine/Star_Trek_-_Deep_Space_Nine_Bible.pdf]
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For {{TNG|The Host}}, the design of the symbiont was based upon a caterpillar with an octopus' head, but when next seen in {{DS9|Invasive Procedures}}, the design had changed significantly, having what [[Michael Westmore]] refers to as a more "''streamlined''" design. (''Michael Westmore's Aliens: Season Two'', [[DS9 Season 2 DVD]], Special Features)
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According to ''[[Star Trek: Star Charts]]'', on page 33, the existence of the symbionts was not widely known until [[2367]] (the year in which {{TNG|The Host}} is set).
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==External link==
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*{{NCwiki}}
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[[de:Trill-Symbiont]]
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[[Category:Species]]

Revision as of 13:32, 31 March 2014

File:Trill symbiont.jpg

Trill symbiont

The Symbiont was a sentient vermiform lifeform from the planet Trill. It was transferred from one humanoid Trill host to another upon the death of the host. Humans could also be used as a host to a Symbiont, however the Symbiont could not remain in their bodies for long without physically harming the Human host. (TNG: "The Host") A Symbiont could survive in a partly Trill host normally. (DS9: "Children of Time") The Symbiont took with it all memories of the previous Trill hosts. Upon joining, the new Trill host gained these memories. The Symbionts lived in the Caves of Mak'ala on Trill and were cared for by the Guardians. They communicated with each other via electrical impulses transmitted through the milky water they inhabited.

The Symbiosis Commission oversaw the joining of Trills and Symbionts. The general belief in the 24th century was that one in every 1,000 Trills was suitable for joining; however, the number was nearer to 50% of the population. This was a closely guarded secret because every year about 5,000 Trills became initiates while only about 500 symbionts became available. (DS9: "Equilibrium")

Symbionts

Rites and ceremonies

Background Information

The series bible of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine mentioned that "Many centuries ago, the symbionts lived underground while the humanoids were on the surface... and due to an environmental disaster, they were forced to 'join' to survive". [1]

For TNG: "The Host", the design of the symbiont was based upon a caterpillar with an octopus' head, but when next seen in DS9: "Invasive Procedures", the design had changed significantly, having what Michael Westmore refers to as a more "streamlined" design. (Michael Westmore's Aliens: Season Two, DS9 Season 2 DVD, Special Features)

According to Star Trek: Star Charts, on page 33, the existence of the symbionts was not widely known until 2367 (the year in which TNG: "The Host" is set).

External link

  • Template:NCwiki