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")
• Cultural notes
  • Betazoid faith
  • Violence and war largely abandoned centuries ago (TNG Novel: The Battle of Betazed)
  • Natural telepathic abilities cause privacy to be more a lack of intrusion than a personal protection
    • Few feelings or beliefs considered requiring secrecy, with little shame in sharing opinions
    • 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)