Trill/Joining
Overview
Joining is when a symbiont is connected to a host through a surgical procedure. The host is always a humanoid Trill. As of the 24th century, Humans can be used to host a symbiont however this could only be done for a short period of time before it begins to cause physical harm to the human.[1]
Trill humanoids that host a symbiont are known as “joined” Trill and have personalities that are a synthesis of both host and symbiont. The main purpose of the transfer of symbionts is to experience new things in life. Unless the joined Trill objects, a prospective host may request a specific symbiont. If a host is weak, the personality of the symbiont will overwhelm it. The joined Trill has several tools at their disposal for dealing with various aspects of their previous hosts.[2]
Within the humanoid Trill population, only about 1.5% are joined to a symbiont.[3] Despite this, connection between Trill host and symbiont plays a significant role in Trill culture and society.[2]
Symbiosis Commission
The Symbiosis Commission is the Trill organization responsible for nearly all aspects of the joining of a Trill host and symbiont including all information regarding the symbionts. After joining, the Commission remains an authority in the joined Trill's life. They continue to care for the symbionts and give counseling for hosts; this includes requiring that joined Trill perform the Zhian'tara as a means of dealing with the memories of previous hosts. Joined Trill may serve the Commission by acting as field docent to prospective hosts.[4]
Symbiosis Evaluation Board
The Symbiosis Evaluation Board, also known as the Trill Evaluation Board, is a branch of the Symbiosis Commission responsible for evaluating Trill initiates and for preparing them for life after joining.[5]
Trill Initiates
Trill initiates are those of the Trill species who join an initiate program in order to train themselves for potential joining with a symbiont. Often the would-be hosts excel in their chosen fields and it is not uncommon for them to hold several degrees or distinctions prior to their joining. The initiate program consists of an intense series of exams and evaluations, both mental and physical, that are designed to eliminate all but the most suitable and dedicated applicants. On average, only three hundred symbionts are available for hosting each year and about one thousand Trill apply for joining. Because there are many more humanoid Trill than symbionts, prospective hosts are weeded out by a demanding selection procedure.[2] Initiates must pass all required tests and have their application approved by the Commission in order to become joined.[4]
Part of this program includes an evaluation by a joined Trill known as a field docent. The field docent eventually gives the Symbiosis Commission a recommendation based on an initiate’s suitability for joining. A negative recommendation usually means the initiate is cut from the program.[2]
Order of the Guardians
The Order of the Guardians is a group of unjoined Trill that work for the Symbiosis Commission, caring for the Trill symbionts in the Caves of Mak’ala.[6]
Rituals
Zhian’tara
The Zhian'tara is a Trill ceremony in which the present host can meet with past hosts. The personalities of past hosts are placed in the bodies of the current host's closest friends. Zhian'tara is an important ceremony that the Symbiosis Commission requires be performed and will go to some lengths to see it done.[7]
The telepathic ceremony of zhian'tara allows a current host to divest the symbiont of the personality and all the memories of a previous host, which are temporarily hosted in volunteers. The transferring process is performed and supervised by a symbiont Guardian, an unjoined Trill telepath. The ceremony creates a chance for closure by having the new host address the previous hosts directly as a means of distinguishing their voices and cementing the sense of finality of its latest transition.[2]
The zhian'tara ritual is roughly similar to the Vulcan fal-tor-pan ritual, since both enable the respective species to perform a synaptic pattern displacement, the transfer of what could be considered as a soul (katra, pagh, etc.).[2]
Rite of Emergence
The Rite of Emergence can focus the voice of a single previous host among the memories of the other, allowing for a more direct converse in times of need for the current host.[2]
References
- ↑ Trill symbiont, Memory Alpha
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Trill, Memory Alpha
- ↑ The Underlying Cause, Lieutenant JG Indrid Yirah, USS Constitution, 240110.03
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Symbiosis Commission, Memory Alpha
- ↑ Symbiosis Evaluation Board, Memory Alpha
- ↑ Guardian (Trill), Memory Alpha
- ↑ Zhian'tara, Memory Alpha
