SPECIES
Star-jelly
Planet of origin:	Unknown
Affiliation:	Pa'haquel
Warp capable:	Naturally
Biology
Classification:	Cosmozoans
Environmental requirements:	Interstellar conditions Also capable of surviving in class M atmosphere
Typical lifespan:	unknown
Distinctive Features: Shape shifting capabilities, tendrils, navigable internal compartments, natural transporter abilities, telepathic and empathic capabilities
A Star-Jelly transformed into a starship

Star-jellies are a space dwelling lifeform first encountered by the Federation in 2364. (TNG episode: Encounter at Farpoint)

They are an intelligent race of sentient telepathic beings that are capable of manipulating energy to create the effects of replicators and transporters. They possess two forms; one of large discs and the other being their 'true' form; that of a purple jellyfish-like (hence the term "Star-Jelly") cosmozoan.

BiologyEdit

ReproductionEdit

The Jellies reproduce by converting the matter from one of their dead into a new form, and in doing so can be considered a form of reincarnation. The baby is transferred using their biological transporters amongst a group of Jellies, who each add their own touches to it, like artists perfecting a sculpture. The finished baby is then beamed into space, where it then begins its life. (TTN novel: Orion's Hounds)

Telepathic CapabilitesEdit

The Jellies possess a strong affinity for psionic abilities, such as telepathy and empathy, so strong in fact, that Commander Deanna Troi was able to feel them from several light years out in 2380.

HistoryEdit

Ancient HistoryEdit

It is not known how the Jellies came to be. The fact that their biology closely imitates the technology of the Federation and other races, such as Transporters and Warp drive, suggests to some Titan crewmembers that they did not evolve naturally, but were rather genetically engineered by some ancient race.

The Jellies made contact with the Pa'haquel by landing periodically on their planet, and allowing all the life forms of the planet to move over them. Being benevolent creatures, they even provided them whatever they needed, using the equivalent of replicators. This gave the Pa'haquel the chance to kill one of the creatures and convert it into a starship, which they then used to begin hunting other Jellies. This caused them to become a space-faring race, and to leave their planet in favor of living aboard a fleet of dead Jellies. The bulk of Jelly society became aware of this violation only slowly, over many years. (TTN novel: Orion's Hounds)

Encounters with the FederationEdit

The race was encountered twice by the federation, first at Farpoint Station on Deneb IV by the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) in 2364. Farpoint Station itself was actually one of the creatures, forced into the shape by the native Bandi. The crew of the Enterprise were able to liberate the creature, reuniting it with its mate, which had been bombarding the planet from orbit. (TNG episode: "Encounter at Farpoint")

The second encounter was with the USS Titan in 2380, in the Jellies' native Gum Nebula, where they were being hunted by the Pa'haquel, who both revered - as well as hunted - them for their carcasses which they used as starships. The Jellies thought of this as an evil, until Titan arrived and negotiated a peace between the two, whereby the Jellies would allow themselves to be used as starships while alive, rather than being killed for it. The Jellies were instrumental in controlling the population of other Cosmozoans, such as Branchers, which threatened all the lifeforms of the sector. (TTN novel: Orion's Hounds)

At some unknown time after the initial encounter at Farpoint, the crew of the USS Armitage encountered another Jelly at the rebuilt Farpoint Station when Ensign Bunsen fell in love with a Jelly child, Blobulette. Blobulette's parent then returned, took its child and attacked the station again, vowing to destroy it more thoroughly this time. The Armitage retreated, not helping the colony, on the advice of Mr. Sock. (ST comic: "Brief Encounter at Farpoint")

AppendicesEdit

AppearancesEdit

GalleryEdit

True Form of a Star-jelly.

Inside a Star-jelly corridor.

A Star-jelly scans the Enterprise.

Blobulette, a Star-jelly adolescent.

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