Non-corporeal

Non-corporeal (or incorporeal) is a term used to describe lifeforms or objects with a natural form which lacks substantiality. This usually means the lifeform or object is composed of gas or, more commonly, energy. For example, a ghost would be considered non-corporeal.

Due to their radically different nature, non-corporeal lifeforms generally exist in entirely different ways to corporeal lifeforms (those with solid bodies, such as Humans and Klingons). They interact with their environments differently, they often have no ability to utilise technology, and may be unable to communicate with corporeal lifeforms. They also derive sustenance in unique ways, such as the Redjac which feeds on the emotions of humanoids. Some may absorb energy from their environments, while others may have evolved beyond the point of requiring sustenance at all. Many non-corporeal lifeforms exhibit capabilities beyond those of corporeal beings.

Examples of non-corporeal species include the Thasians, the Prophets and the Douwd.