Tholian

• Appearance: Silicon-based, crystalline
  • Faceted form, six arachnid-like legs (ENT: "In a Mirror Darkly, Part II"; VAN Novel: Summon the Thunder)
  • Manipulator limbs tipped with two long finger-like structures (VAN Novel: Summon the Thunder)
  • Body filled with swirling gasses (ENT: "In a Mirror Darkly, Part II")
  • Different individuals have differing hues of outer body shell (SCE Short Story: "Interphase Book 1")
    • Used as distinction between Tholian castes (SCE Short Story: "Interphase Book 1")
      • Nobility indicated by reddish hues (SCE Short Story: "Interphase Book 1")
• Homeworld: Tholia
• Biological notes
  • Native to class N environment, unlike most intelligent species (VAN Novel: Harbinger)
    • Incredibly high temperature and pressure, naturally corrosive atmosphere (VAN Novel: Harbinger, Reap the Whirlwind)
  • Uplifted by Shedai c.600,000 ya from crystalline scavenger species known as the Kollotuul (VAN Novel: Reap the Whirlwind)
  • Translates as "Voice of the Shedai" (VAN Novel: Reap the Whirlwind)
    • Served as living biocomputer system (VAN Novel: Reap the Whirlwind)
    • Revolted from control, resulting in eventual independence, collapse of the Shedai Hegemony (VAN Novel: Reap the Whirlwind)
    • Genetic memory of Shedai continued through to present day, leading to general aversion of their space (VAN Novel: Harbinger)
  • Tholian minds interconnected in an interstellar subspace telepathic network known as the Lattice (ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II"; VAN Novel: Harbinger)
    • Provides for dissemination of memories and knowledge as well as constant communication without subsuming individuality or personal sapience
    • Within the Lattice, individuals identify their individual mindlines via specific hues distinct from physical coloration (VAN Novel: Harbinger)
      • Hues can be adjusted in order to demonstrate agreement, disagreement, solidarity, etc. (VAN Novel: Harbinger)
      • When under stress or danger, projection of hue falters, giving an impression of transparency (VAN Novel: Harbinger)
    • Further subdivided into SubLinks organized by caste according to individual duties, social subgroupings (VAN Novel: Harbinger)
      • SubLinks function somewhat akin to individual chat channels, requiring admission to enter a cross-caste SubLink (VAN Novel: Harbinger)
      • Access between SubLinks facilitated via the Lattice InterLink (VAN Novel: Harbinger)
      • Known SubLinks
        • Political Castemoot SubLink (VAN Novel: Harbinger)
        • Warrior Castemoot SubLink (VAN Novel: Harbinger)
    • Also capable of touch telepathy distinct from Lattice communication for private discussion (VAN Novel: Harbinger)
  • Families are incredibly large, involving dozens of children to a single mated pair (VAN Novel: Open Secrets)
  • Individual Tholians have an estimated lifespan of 6 to 8 months, but full totality of memories are passed to the Lattice upon death, providing for continuation of projects and tasks as well as preservation of thoughts and, rarely, remanifestation of specific individuals (TLE Novel: The Sundered; TNG Novel: Vendetta)
• Cultural notes
  • Tholian language
    • Described as "the screech of a tritanium blade on glass" (SCE Short Story: "Interphase Book 1")
      • Frustrated or aggressive tones?
    • Diplomatic discussion described as "chiming tones" (VAN Novel: Harbinger)
    • Scream of pain described as "metallic shriek" (VAN Novel: Harbinger)
  • Tholian calendar
    • Time measured in "cycles" (SCE Short Story: "Interphase Book 1")
  • Most individuals generally xenophobic towards humanoid species (VAN Novel: Summon the Thunder)
  • Noted for Tholian silk
    • Incredibly vibrant, durable material (VAN Novel: Harbinger; DS9: "The Way of the Warrior")
    • Used in construction of Tholian environmental suits for interaction in class M environments (VAN Novel: Harbinger)
• Technological notes
  • Starship infrastructure, computer interfaces based on metallic obsidian-like substance (VAN Novel: Reap the Whirlwind)
    • Generally techno-organic appearance (VAN Novel: Reap the Whirlwind)
  • FTL propulsion matter/antimatter based, but not traditional warp drive (VAN Novel: Reap the Whirlwind)
  • Command deck located at the upper section of a vessel (VAN Novel: Reap the Whirlwind)
  • Strong technological continuity with Shedai (VAN Novel: Reap the Whirlwind)