Daledians
GEOPHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Name: Daledian
Planetary System Name: Daled
Planet Name: Daled IV
Description:
Daled IV is a Class M planet that is tidally-locked to the star, Daled, which means that one side of the planet is always night, and the other side is day. It is surrounded by three moons, one of which is similar to the Earth moon, Luna and is populated.
Mass: 2.1 x 10^24 Kg (approximately one-third the mass of Earth)
Circumference: 12,972 Km
Distance from star, Daled: 1.2 AU
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Appearance / Physiology: Appearance is determined by the current form of the individual. As allasomorphs, Daledians can change shape at will. The true nature of a Daledian is an incorporeal form, at which point appearance is meaningless. A Daledian generally takes the shape of a humanoid during regular interactions with other humanoids. The unique atmosphere of the planet Daled allows the Daledians to maintain their incorporeal form, due to a certain combination of chemicals. However, when they are off of their home planet in other atmospheres, they are forced to maintain a corporeal form resembling some creature that can survive and be comfortable within that environment. The advantage of this being that they can survive within a variety of different atmospheres.
Being exposed to the wrong atmosphere, while in incorporeal form, for more than a few seconds will cause a Daledian to be uncomfortable, then feel pain, and eventually die. This behavior was recorded by Starfleet personnel on the Enterprise-D. As Salia was leaving the Enterprise she very briefly, for a few seconds, changed into her true form for the benefit of Wesley Crusher, but spent the entirety of the trip until that point in corporeal form.
Mating: While the true nature of mating between Daledians is more of a mental and spiritual exercise while in incorporeal form, Daledians will often take on various corporeal forms to experience mating as performed by humanoids and other species they have encountered over the years.
Diet
In incorporeal form, transfer of energy occurs from the star Daled for those on the light side of the planet, and from geothermal energy from those on the dark side. In corporeal form, the Daledians will eat purely for experience and enjoyment, as no nutritional benefit is gained from food.
LANGUAGE
Daledians are very adept at picking up a language and usually use whatever language is currently being spoken when among humanoids. Among themselves they only use a form of telepathy to communicate.
Naming Standards: When among themselves, Daledians have no distinct identity and simply know each other through their form of telepathy. Among humanoids they refer to themselves through very easy to pronounce two or three syllable names. Two Daledian names well known to the Federation are Salia, their leader, and Anya, her guardian and protector.
SOCIETY
Despite their physiological advancements their society is very tribal based, with each faction choosing one leader.
Prior to 2365, two main factions existed on Daled IV -- one on the light side and the other on the dark side. A third, smaller faction inhabited one of the moons.
Government / Religion
The Daledian chosen to lead each faction was both the governing and religious leader. Not much is known about the Daledian religion as they are very secretive and private about the subject.
Relations with the Federation
Daled IV was aided by the Federation between 2349 and 2365. For this reason, the Federation has very good relations with Daled IV, and the two have worked closely since that date toward the mutual goal of accepting the Daledians into the United Federation of Planets.
HISTORY
Wars
The two main factions on Daled IV had been at war for three centuries up until 2365 when the Federation aided in the transportation to Daled of Salia, the prophesied leader of their people. Salia's arrival brought an end to the wars and she became the leader of the entire people.
Early History
The Daledians are a very ancient race, evolving into hunter gatherer humanoids approximately 400,000 years before humans on Earth did. Over the many years, their civilization rose several times to great technological advancements, including warp travel, but then eventually internal strife and lack of resources would decimate the people to near extinction and the process would have to repeat itself. They even had historical records of these events, but never were able to come up with an ultimate solution to their problems, save the occasional faction which would flee the system in search of a new home. Those that remained eventually evolved to the point where they were no longer dependent on technology, getting their energy directly from their star, Daled. Eventually, without the need for scarce resources they were able to maintain their current civilization for tens of thousands of years.
Modern History
Since the prophesied return of Salia in 2365, the Daledians maintain a stable peace and work with the Federation. Several of their people have joined Starfleet and they are working toward becoming accepted into the United Federation of Planets. The sixty year old Salia remains their leader, but over the years, she established a stable world democracy, with a three-party system and three branches of government, so she is now just a figurehead and has no actual power.
