Betazoid

• Appearance: Mammalian; black irises, otherwise largely indistinguishable from Humans
• Homeworld: Betazed
• Telepathic, able to communicate directly among one another, other telepathic species
  • In certain particular situations, able to communicate with non-telepathic species
  • Telepathy tends to be extremely powerful as compared with other species
  • Vast majority of Betazoids gain telepathic abilities upon puberty (TNG Novel: The Battle of Betazed; TNG: "Tin Man")
    • Small fraction of a percent are telepathic from birth (TNG Novel: The Battle of Betazed; TNG: "Tin Man")
      • Such individuals generally suffer debilitating social and psychological damage if not carefully guided due to uncontrolled and constant exposure of thoughts of the general populace (TNG Novel: The Battle of Betazed; TNG: "Tin Man")
  • Telepathic abilities mediated by psilosynine, Betazoid neurotransmitter (TNG: "Dark Page", "Eye of the Beholder"; TNG Novel: The Battle of Betazed)
    • Psilosynine levels deplete with heavy telepathic usage (TNG: "Dark Page")
    • Levels can be artificially suppressed to reduce telepathic sensitivity (TNG: "Eye of the Beholder")
• Cultural notes
  • Betazoid faith
  • Culture heavily impacted by natural strong telepathic talent throughout the population (TNG Novel: The Battle of Betazed)
    • Violence and war largely abandoned centuries ago, due to natural ability to allow for mutual understanding of inner state (TNG Novel: The Battle of Betazed)
    • Privacy viewed as more a lack of intrusion than a personal protection
      • Few feelings or beliefs considered requiring secrecy, with little shame in sharing opinions
      • Residences still tend to be built with an eye towards physical distance, to allow some telepathic quiet (TNG Novel: The Battle of Betazed)
      • Lack of nudity taboo likely a result of this as well
  • Betazoid society divided into noble houses
    • At least five houses
    • Each designated with a number
    • Male heirs known as "Scions", female heirs known as "Daughters" (TNG Novel: The Battle of Betazed)