Talaxian

A Talaxian male

Talaxians are a warp-capable, technologically-advanced species native to the planet Talax in the Delta Quadrant.

History

The Talaxian race was an ancient one and they may have been warp capable as far back as the 1450s, when their race was contacted by the Vaadwaur. It was unclear as to how this contact went, however a legacy of this contact survived in the Talaxian language as the word "vaadwaur", which meant "foolish," seemingly suggesting it didn't go well. The ancient Talaxians referred to themselves as Talax-ilzay. (VOY: "Dragon's Teeth")

The Talaxian race engaged in a war with the Haakonian Order in the 2340s and 2350s. As a result of the war, many Talaxians emigrated to different regions of the Delta Quadrant. At least one group of emigrants had reached as far as the Delta/Beta Quadrant border. The war ended in 2355 with the deployment of the metreon cascade on the Talaxian moon of Rinax. Seeing the devastation caused by the cascade, the Talaxian government surrendered unconditionally. (VOY: "Jetrel", "Homestead")

The Borg referred to Talaxians as Species 218. A small freighter was encountered by the Borg in the Dalmine Sector. The crew of 39 was easily assimilated. (VOY: "The Raven")

A small fleet of Talaxians aided Tom Paris in retaking USS Voyager from the Kazon-Nistrim in 2373. They lured the captured ship into a nebula where Paris, with his shuttle, disabled critical systems, forcing the Kazon to abandon the ship. (VOY: "Basics, Part II")

Five years later, Voyager encountered a colony of Talaxians, of at least five hundred people, living in an asteroid. They were wary of visitors and were plagued by miners who tried to drive them out. Neelix, the Morale Officer of Voyager, assisted them by placing shield generators at key points around the asteroid, to prevent it from being breached. He was then installed as their new leader of their colony and as Federation Ambassador to the Delta Quadrant. (VOY: "Homestead")

Physiology

Physically the Talaxians were humanoid, with large amounts of yellow to reddish-brown spotting on their heads, arms and bodies. They had pale skin and a plume of ginger hair across the top of their heads. (VOY: "Caretaker")

Males also had ginger whiskers growing on either side of their face, these developed during puberty, much like facial hair in Humans, however the whiskers also have a pleasurable application as when tugged, the whiskers induced sexual arousal and feelings. (VOY: "Random Thoughts", "Homestead")

Talaxians were generally stocky and the musculature of their upper bodies was very dense. The Borg believe that this fact made Talaxians excellent combat drones. (VOY: "The Raven")

Talaxians had spotted feet with long toes; the little toe was enlarged and rivals the innermost toe in size. (VOY: "Warlord")

Talaxian blood was red. (VOY: "Alliances", "Rise")

The respiratory system of a Talaxian was directly linked, in various points, to their spinal cords. (VOY: "Phage"),(VOY: "Macrocosm")

Unlike humans, who had one spine, Talaxian have two spinal columns. (VOY: "Scientific Method")

Society and culture

They tended to be a whimsical race with a well developed sense of humor. They tended to be very friendly and helpful and were willing to offer their services to anyone who required them.

Talaxians tended to be a spiritual people, known for their enjoyment of stories and the company of others. Talaxian burial ceremonies were elaborate, involving a full week of mourning. Their mythology had a belief in an afterlife known as the Great Forest, where a great tree stands at the center. It was said that upon death, a Talaxian goes to the afterlife and meets the souls of his deceased family upon arrival. Many Talaxians kept models of the Guiding Tree and other religious/ceremonial objects. (VOY: "Mortal Coil")

The Talaxians had an old expression: "When the road before you splits in two, take the third path." The meaning of this expression was to offer an individual a third option when the two they were offered are equally unappealing. (VOY: "Author, Author")

The Talaxians celebrate a religious holiday called Prixin, which was a celebration of family life. (VOY: "Mortal Coil")

Talaxians had a great enjoyment of food and meals. It was customary for a Talaxian to tell the story of how a meal was prepared to those eating it. (VOY: "Flashback")

Talaxians did not usually take baths in water, as their sector does not have a lot of it. Water was a high commodity in the Delta Quadrant in 2371. (VOY: "Caretaker")