Prophet

			Intelligent Lifeform Index

Prophet
Four Letter Code	WMAL
Federation Status	Neutral
Planet of Origin	Bajoran Wormhole
Encountered	First encountered by Captain Benjamin Sisko and Lieutenant Jadzia Dax in 2369 (DS9:Emissary Pts. 1&2)
T/E Rating	T0/E0
Current Tech Level	W
List of Named Prophets
Full ILI Gallery • Permitted Species Gallery

Wormhole Aliens, also called the Prophets by the Bajorans

Home Systems

• Quadrant: Alpha
• Location: B'hava'el/Idran
• Proper Name: Bajoran Wormhole
• Star: B'hava'el/Idran
• Pronunciation: Buh-hav-a-yel/Ee-drahn

The Bajoran Wormhole, referred to by its inhabitants and the Bajoran people as the Celestial Temple.

Home World

• Proper Name: Bajoran Wormhole
• Gravity: None
• Orbital Period: Fixed in Bajor System. Unknown in Idrani System.
• Classification: Wormhole
  • Atmosphere: None, although humanoids are able to be sustained if kept in a non-corporeal state.
  • Population: Unknown

History

The history of the mysterious aliens that reside in the Bajoran Wormhole can only be discussed from the perception of an outsider, because as a species they do not perceive time as linear. Instead, every point of time is visible to them at any given moment. Below is presented a timeline that shows key points at which the Wormhole Aliens have become involved with the events that have come to pass in both the Alpha and Gamma Quadrants. The Wormhole Aliens are recorded in Bajoran history as The Prophets as long as 30,000 years ago.

Timeline

Date	Event
c. 30,000 B.C.	The first Tear of the Prophets is recorded in Bajoran history.
c. 30,000 B.C. to present	Prophecies are passed to the Bajorans from the inhabitants of the wormhole, whom they revere as Prophets.
22nd Century	Akorem Laan is lost during an expedition into space. He was renowned as a highly talented poet on Bajor.
2369	The Bajoran Wormhole is discovered. Benjamin Sisko is named the Emissary of the Prophets by Kai Opaka. Sisko's involvement with the Wormhole Aliens will come to be further understood with time.
2371	During a joint Bajoran-Cardassian experiment to allow communication through the wormhole, fragments of a comet almost cause its collapse, according to the writings of an ancient Bajoran Prophecy. The crew of the U.S.S. Defiant are able to narrowly avert the crisis.
2371	Following first contact between the Wormhole Aliens and the Ferengi, represented by Grand Nagus Zek, the Rules of Acquisition are republished. Quark, a bartender from Deep Space Nine, takes Zek back into the wormhole after uncovering evidence that the Wormhole Aliens may have altered his perceptions of the universe for the better. Following negotiations with Quark, the Wormhole Aliens agree to restore Zek to his original state.
2372	After hundreds of years, Akorem Laan returns by way of the Bajoran Wormhole, claiming that he is the true Emissary of the Prophets. The challenge is eventually proven to be false, and affirms Benjamin Sisko's faith in his position.
2373	Returning from an expedition into the Fire Caves of Bajor, it becomes apparent that Keiko O'Brien, a botanist residing on Deep Space Nine, has become possessed by a Pah-Wraith. After coercing Miles O'Brien, the station's Chief of Operations, into aiming a chroniton pulse into the mouth of the wormhole, it is discovered that both Prophets and Pah-Wraiths are vulnerabe to this type of emission. Chroniton radiation is used to restore Keiko's consciousness and banish the Pah-Wraith.
2373	Following a trip into the city of B'hala, Benjamin Sisko is warned by the Prophets that Bajor must not join the Federation lest it be destroyed. It can be assumed that at this time the Prophets were aware of the then-upcoming Dominion invasion.
2374	After a plea from Benjamin Sisko, the Wormhole Aliens prevent an entire fleet of thousands of Jem'Hadar ships from traversing the wormhole and entering the Alpha Quadrant. The fate of the Jem'Hadar fleet is currently unknown. The Wormhole Aliens made it clear at this time that Sisko would pay a price for this act.
2374	In a series of prolonged visions, Captain Benjamin Sisko experienced life as a science fiction writer in the 1960s on Earth. It is unknown whether these visions were sent by the Prophets or the Pah-Wraiths.
2374	The Reckoning, a battle between a Prophet and a Pah-wraith, takes place on Deep Space Nine. If the Prophet wins, it will usher in the Golden Age of Bajor. However, the event does not run to a natural conclusion as Kai Winn bombards the location of the battle with chroniton radiation, banishing both Prophet and Pah-Wraith from their hosts.
2374	After using an ancient artifact to gain power from the Pah-Wraiths, Gul Dukat of Cardassia is able to close the Bajoran Wormhole by releasing a Pah-Wraith into a Bajoran Orb. With Bajor cut off from the Prophets, it falls to the Emissary to solve the problem. Overwhelmed and confused, Benjamin Sisko retires to Earth to gain perspective.
2375	While on Earth, Sisko discovers his true relationship with the Wormhole Aliens - his mother, Sarah was under the thrall of a Prophet when she married his father. Despite continuous false visions sent by the Pah-Wraiths that continue his experiences as a 1960s sci-fi writer, Sisko is able to find the Orb of the Emissary. Opening this artifact restores the wormhole thanks to the release of the entity that inhabited Sisko's mother.
2375	The Wormhole Aliens warn Sisko that his plans to marry Kasidy Yates will only result in sorrow. This foreshadows his final task in service of the Prophets.
2375	Following a confrontation with Gul Dukat, the Emissary of the Pah-Wraiths, Benjamin Sisko is taken into the Bajoran Wormhole by the Wormhole Aliens.

Benjamin Sisko looks on as a released Wormhole Alien makes its escape.

Description

When not occupying a host body, and not inside the Wormhole, the Wormhole Aliens take on the appearance of a comet-shaped form of light-blue energy. Their movement is akin to that of gas, seemingly floating through the air as if being taken by natural currents, unless they have a reason to move with more haste. In such a case their movement may resemble a phaser beam or missile of some kind.

"It's not linear..."

Physiology

The inhabitants of the Bajoran Wormhole are non-corporeal, but are able to inhabit the bodies of humanoid entities, temporarily displacing their consciousness so that they are still aware, but not in control of their actions. It is this ability that led the Wormhole Aliens to ensure the conception of Captain Benjamin Sisko through inhabiting the body of his mother-to-be, Sarah.

It has been theorized that the Wormhole Aliens were once physical beings who evolved into a non-corporeal state. Records from other encounters with non-corporeal races point toward this being a possibility. It it thereofre a viable supposition that the Bajoran people may someday evolve into this race of beings, lending credence to their tenet, "We are of Bajor". However there is absolutely no evidence to support this theory at present.

Senses

The residents of the Bajoran Wormhole are able to perceive more than the average humanoid. When possessing a humanoid host they are limited to the usual senses that are accorded to their host, however in their non-corporeal state they are able to make accurate judgements and assessments of a humanoid's personality, as well as to see time in a non-linear state.

Psychology

There have been no recorded incidents of a Wormhole Alien becoming aggressive towards a humanoid, or causing physical harm. The only recorded incident that can be approximated to either is the disappearance of the Jem'Hadar invasion fleet that attempted to traverse the Bajoran Wormhole in 2374. Their fate is unknown, although there is no evidence to suggest that they were destroyed.

Society

There is no formal structure to the society of the Wormhole Aliens, and they seem to rarely feel the need to identify one another by any form of name or rank of office. The only known reference to an individual Wormhole Alien is that of Benjamin Sisko's conversations with the entity that took control of his mother, Sarah.

The Pah-Wraiths

Any form of evil behaviour is not tolerated within the Wormhole. In the case of any transgression that cannot be forgiven by the inhabitants of the Wormhole, the perpetrator is cast out, to join other previous exiles. These entities are known as the Pah-Wraiths, and are dangerous enemies of the Wormhole Aliens. Their only goal is to destroy those that cast them out of their home, no matter the consequences.

Culture

The Wormhole Aliens are worshipped by the Bajorans as the Prophets. They do not adhere to many customs, other than the view that they themselves are "of Bajor". There is currently no concrete scientific or historical evidence to support this claim, however it has been proven that a similar class of entity, the Pah-Wraiths, dwell within the Fire Caves on Bajor's surface.

Benjamin Sisko is named Emissary by Kai Opaka

The Emissary of the Prophets

In 2369, Starfleet Captain Benjamin Sisko and Lieutenant Jadzia Dax discovered what would come to be known by the Bajoran people as the Celestial Temple. Referred to by non-Bajorans as the Bajoran Wormhole, it led to first contact between Sisko and the Wormhole Aliens. This resulted in his being given the title of Emissary of the Prophets by then Kai Opaka. Despite initial reluctance to accept this title, it was later proven that Sisko's birth was a direct result of intervention from the Wormhole Aliens, and he would go on to be taken into their realm in 2375.

The Wormhole Aliens refer to the Emissary as "The Sisko", which suggests that they did not intend for him to hold a religious title, simply that they saw him as a necessary and useful tool in their quest to subdue the power of the Pah-Wraiths.

One of the ten Tears of the Prophets.

Tears of the Prophets

The Bajorans believe that the Prophets have sent Prophecies to them over the course of their entire history. This theory would seem to be supported by the reception by the Bajoran people of several artifacts that enable contact with the Prophets themselves. These artifacts are known as Orbs, or Tears of the Prophets. The Prophecies that are imparted to the Bajoran people are seen as a great gift, and are renowned for their coming true. However, if the Prophets' perception of time is as they say it is, it would be reasonable to assume that these Prophecies are made using concrete evidence drawn directly from experience of the future.

The Orbs themselves are interesting constructions. Inside their trapezoid cases, they are hourglass shaped, and when opened can provide the user with visions based on their own perception and memories. Should the Wormhole Aliens choose to communicate directly with an individual who is using an orb, they will do so by talking through a manifestation of someone they know or have seen recently.

The Orb of Prophecy & Change.

The Bajoran Orbs
Orb of Prophecy & Change
Orb of Time
Orb of Wisdom
Orb of Contemplation
Orb of the Emissary
Orb of Memory
Orb of Destiny
Orb of Truth
Orb of Souls
Orb of Unity

Prophet vs. Pah-Wraith on the Promenade of Deep Space Nine.

The Reckoning

The overall goal of the Wormhole Aliens is to ensure that their evil counterparts, the Pah-Wraiths, cannot cause any damage to Bajor, and to some extent the rest of the galaxy. Many of their Prophecies refer to the Reckoning, a final cataclysmic battle between Prophet and Pah-Wraith, which will decide the future of Bajor forever by banishing the Pah-Wraiths once and for all and ushering in a new age of prosperity and enlightenment. This battle came to pass in 2374, a while after the discovery of an ancient relic in the recently uncovered city of B'hala. Major Kira Nerys was possessed by a Prophet, and ironically the Emissary's son, Jake Sisko, was possessed by a Pah-Wraith. Their battle took place on the Promenade of Deep Space Nine, and the Prophet was inches from winning the fight when Kai Winn flooded the area with chroniton radiation, forcing the entities from their hosts. A similar battle took place in 2375, when Benjamin Sisko, Emissary of the Prophets, confronted Gul Dukat, Emissary of the Pah-Wraiths in the Fire Caves of Bajor. Although Sisko possessed none of the superhuman abilities that had been granted to Dukat by the Pah-Wraiths, he was able to destory their scion, an ancient and malevolent tome, which resulted in the Pah-Wraiths and their Emissary being sealed away with no known way of escape or release. Whether or not this battle fulfilled the same role in the culture of the Wormhole Aliens or the religion of the Bajorans is not fully known or understood.

Pah-Wraith (left), Prophet (right)

Federation Intelligence Files

• The Wormhole Aliens have proven to be largely benevolent to the Federation due to its alliance with Bajor. However, the same cannot be said of the related species, the Pah-Wraiths, who do not hold the Federation, or indeed Bajor, in such high regard. The difference can be seen visibly either during possession or when the entity is outside of a host as Pah-Wraiths have an orange hue, or cause irises to become red.

• Both Prophets and Pah-Wraiths are vulnerable to chroniton radiation.

Sources

• Star Trek:Deep Space Nine ("Emissary", "Destiny", "Prophet Motive", "Accession", "The Assignment", "Rapture", "Sacrifice of Angels", "Far Beyond the Stars", "The Reckoning", "Tears of the Prophets", "Image in the Sand", "Shadows and Symbols", "Penumbra", "What You Leave Behind")
• Memory Alpha (various pages)
• Memory Beta (various pages)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophet_(Star_Trek)

		SPECIES PROFILE UPDATED This profile was revised by the Species Development Committee.		REV 239008.19
		Please add any new information discovered during the course of a mission or shore leave.
SB118-SDC