Betazoid

Betazoids are a race of telepathic humanoids native to the planet Betazed. Their appearance is exactly the same as Terrans. They generally do not start developing their telepathic skills until 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.

A few marriages between Betazoids and non-Betazoids have produced children, the best known of whom is LCdr Deanna Troi of the USS *Enterprise*, NCC-1701-D . Children of mixed marriages generally do not get as high a telepathic ability as do full-blooded Betazoids. LCdr Troi only has empathic abilities, although she can communicate telepathically with other Betazoids. Betazoids cannot read Ferengi minds, and there are a few other races with telepathic shields through which Betazoids cannot read anything. Because of their training in the schools of Betazed, they are rarely xenophobic, and can communicate with most any other race at their level.

With the exception of their telepathic abilities, Betazoids are essentially similar to humans in all other respects.

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 vocalise 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.

### Biology

Childbearing is similar to humans, except the normal gestation rate for Betazoid females is 10 months rather than 9. Betazoid women are not considered to be *matured* until they at least reach their 40s in equivalent human years, which coincides with the timing of the female Betazoid Phase.

The Phase is a period in the life of the betazoid women during which they become completely sexual. The onset of symptoms usually occur around the Betazoid woman's average age, which is the same in Terrans - approximately in her 40's. A married woman that finds herself in the Phase does not have *to focus* her sexual energies on any one man, as is normal for Betazoid culture, married or not. It often ends in marriage in the single female, or an *upgrade* to the previous husband. It is quite normal for a woman who finds herself in the Phase to have the sexual impulses quadruplicate towards the male of choice. Lwaxana Troi entered in the Phase in 2365, and attempted to upgrade to Jean-Luc Picard and William Riker.

Betazoids are also fertile for the majority of their lives, sometimes having children in their 50s, 60s, and some even 70s.

They are also very flexible, and they can control many body functions. Their body functions (heart, respiratory, circulatory, excretory, endocrine) are very similar to humans, with the exception of their skeletal system being close to that of a cat.

Full blooded Betazoids have very dark pupils, often black. It is not uncommon however for half blooded Betazoids to have lighter coloured pupils as the gene from the non-Betazoid side often dominates.

### Psychology

Due to the nature of Betazoids, they are mostly found in positions of psychiatry, psychology, therapy, and diplomacy. Their ability to be empathic with most species makes them most suited to this area within the Federation, even though will occasionally find them in other positions.

They tend to display many various personalities, and are just as varied as humans are. Most tend to run on the introverted side, yet probably 40% of them are extroverts. They appear quiet because of their telepathic nature, and most like to ponder, meditate, and study. Most seek personal understanding and hold enlightenment as the highest goal. They also display total honesty, almost a phenomenon. It is encouraged strongly even while young, but it persists often throughout their last days. It can be viewed sometimes as brutal and impolite honesty, but they mean no harm when they speak the blind truth.

Some Betazoids are outspoken and strong willed, others can be quiet, sensitive, and subjective. Most fall in-between. They can also be extremely analytical of other races and yet show a strong interest in them.