Q (species)
| SPECIES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Q | |||
| Homeworld: | Unknown | ||
| Quadrant: | [[Quadrant|]] | ||
| Affiliation: | Q Continuum | ||
| Biology | |||
| Average Male Height: | 152 cm (5 ft. 0 in.) to 226 cm (7 ft. 5 in.) | ||
| Average Male Weight: | 45.4 kg (100 lb.) to 136.1 kg (300 lb.) | ||
| Average Female Height: | 152 cm (5 ft. 0 in.) to 226 cm (7 ft. 5 in.) | ||
| Average Female Weight: | 45.4 kg (100 lb.) to 136.1 kg (300 lb.) | ||
| Minimum Academy Age: | |||
| Life Expectancy: | Immortal | ||
| Distinctive Features: | |||
| Playability | |||
| PRC Rated: | No | ||
| NPC Rated: | No | ||
- Note: This is NOT a PC and NPC rated species.
The Q are a species of extremely powerful entities who inhabit an extradimensional plane of existence called the Q Continuum.
They claim, apparently truthfully, to be both omnipotent and immortal.
Contents
Physiology
The true form of the Q is unknown, and it may be that a member of a humanoid species may not be able to comprehend their real appearance or construction. The Q which have chosen to interact with humanoids generally take on the form of whichever species they are predominantly in the presence of, most commonly Human, but they seem to be able to exist comfortably in any form, including non-organic and non-corporeal forms. A Q who takes a humanoid form is able to retain their vast abilities and intellect, though they can choose to limit themselves if they wish. Though it seems unlikely that they possess any characteristics denoting biological sex, the Q nevertheless appear to assign themselves gender roles. They do not appear to have any need to eat, drink, sleep or breathe, though they are capable of indulging in any of these if they wish to.
Abilities
The Q claim to be omnipotent, and there is a great deal of evidence to suggest this claim is true. They have exhibited the ability to manipulate their own forms and appearance as well as those of others of their species, and can control matter, energy, space and time. The scope of this control ranges from subtle alterations and manipulations to acts of incredible magnitude. They can travel to and from the Q Continuum as they please, even taking humanoids there if they choose, and can transport themselves throughout time and space at will. The Q are capable of causing supernovae and suspending time. Regardless of the magnitude involved, it appears to require no effort for a Q to achieve these feats, and all can be done instantaneously at the whim of the Q.
They are also believed to be effectively immortal. Some Q have claimed to be several billion years old and yet they remain vital and powerful. Though they are immune from the effects of aging and disease, the Q can be killed, though it is enormously difficult to do so and requires the intervention of other members of their species. They are capable of placing limits on each other's powers, and have been known to lock a Q in the form of a humanoid as punishment. In these states, it is conceivable that the Q would be made vulnerable and could therefore potentially die. It seems that the Q cannot even kill themselves unless they are relegated to humanoid status by their own species.
Though they are not quite omniscient, the Q possess such vast IQs that they can seem to be by humanoid standards. One Q claims to have an IQ of 2005. They do seem capable of being surprised by the actions and words of humanoids, and have displayed curiosity about them, which suggests that they may deliberately limit their intellectual capabilities when interacting with humanoids in order to more fully enjoy the experience of conversing with them, or that they may simply be less all-knowing than they seem.
Though no limits on their abilities have been recorded, one Q has claimed that his species is not entirely omnipotent. He also implied that in addition to lacking mortality, the Q have also lost their desire for change, their capacity for growth, and their sense of purpose. This Q was a dissident with his own political agenda, so his claims cannot be taken as certain fact but there is evidence to support his claim. As well as being incapable of committing suicide, or of reproducing singly, another Q has implied that Humans are destined to evolve into a form even more powerful than the Q. If the Q were absolutely omnipotent, this would not be possible. Whether they are truly omnipotent or not, the Q are certainly vastly powerful and capable of having enormous impact on the lives of humanoids, entire species, and the galaxy if the mood takes them.
Reproduction
The attitudes the Q have towards reproduction and sexual intercourse are somewhat contradictory. While they have claimed that foreplay can last for decades, they also claim to have moved beyond sex. It is known that they have the capacity to engage in such activities by taking on humanoid forms, and can also reproduce in this manner. Though it is unclear whether a Q would be able to mate with a humanoid by temporarily becoming a member of their species, the Q themselves seem to believe it is possible. However, there are no known hybrids who are part Q, and it is unknown what level of power such an individual would possess. One Q who was the offspring of two Q who had assumed Human form lived her childhood as a Human, her Q powers only manifesting when she reached adulthood.
Reproduction in any sense is extremely uncommon amongst the Q but it appears that they are able to reproduce in any way they choose, simply by inventing a new means of copulation. It is certain that a Q is unable to reproduce alone, and that at least two Q are necessary.
Culture
Despite seemingly being capable of doing absolutely anything at any time, the Q are not an anarchic society. In fact, they are generally an apathetic species, having seen and done everything there is to see and do. They also seem to have applied certain rules to their society, which the majority of the Q seem content to abide by, though the nature and extent of these rules remain mysterious, as does much of Q culture.
Names
All Q refer to themselves and each other only as Q. All members of a species sharing a name would cause confusion to lesser beings, but it is not problematic for the Q since they enjoy a level of omniscience which allows them to know which Q is which automatically. On rare occasions, a Q may choose to temporarily adopt another name when dealing with humanoids to limit their confusion, but even in these circumstances they usually prefer to simply be referred to as Q.
Interaction
The Q generally only talk to each other when unfolding events require them to do so. This is not because there is enmity between them, rather it is because they have already had every conversation possible and have nothing new to add. Despite that, and despite their existence as a higher form of life, the Q do remain individuals, exhibiting distinct personalities from each other, developing friendships, romances and rivalries amongst themselves, and taking on specific artistic or occupational roles, such as writer, philosopher or judge.
The majority of the Q seem disinterested in the affairs of lesser species, content to allow them to play out lives which seem miniscule and trivial to the Q. They do seem to pay some attention to the overall evolution of various species, however, and occasionally become concerned that a species may evolve to a point at which they threaten the evolutionary superiority of the Q. Whether or not they would move to prevent a species from evolving into similarly powerful beings is unclear, but this is certainly something they prefer to remain aware of.
Though they are known to have had some contact with El-Aurians at some point in their history, the majority of their known interactions with humanoids have been with Humans, mostly involving one unusually inquisitive Q. It may be that the Q have a policy preventing them from interacting with lesser species too extensively as this Q has been punished by them in the past for what they see as his irresponsibility in involving himself in Human affairs, and two other Q were executed for living as Humans on Earth.
Trials
The Q appear to have a strict legal system in place to maintain order amongst their own species. Exactly what constitutes a crime in Q society is hard to say, and it seems that the Q judiciary system may act on a case-by-case basis, intervening where they deem it necessary, rather than following specific laws. In the past, they have stated that it is illegal for a Q to commit suicide, and they have enacted punishments against Q for the incitement of chaos, irresponsibility in interactions with lesser species, and for behaving in a manner unworthy of a Q. Known punishments have included the transgressor being made mortal, being confined to a comet, and being relegated to existence as an ameoba. It has been implied that the Q each have equivalents of criminal records, and that these records can be expunged when it is felt they have made suitable recompense.
The Human species has twice been put on trial by the Q, to judge their level of cultural sophistication and their ability to expand their horizons and evolve. However, it is unclear whether it is actually standard Q policy to test lesser species in this manner, or if the trials were simply a game created by the Q who held them in an attempt to better understand the true potential of Humans. The fact that this Q stated that the trial never ends suggests that these events may simply have been metaphors for the trials that all species face as they slowly redefine their capabilities and limits.
Technology
Since they are innately so powerful and do not depend on the physical world to satiate their needs, the Q generally have no use for technology. However, they have made reference to the use of weapons within their society, blaming the destruction of various stars on the misuse of such weapons during their civil war. It seems unlikely that these weapons are of a nature humanoids could comprehend, and they are certainly many times more powerful than any known weapons systems devised by humanoids.
History
The origins of the Q are mysterious at best. Whilst the Q have implied several times that they were once a humanoid species who evolved over countless millenia to become the omnipotent beings they are today, they have also stated that they have simply always existed. Their interpretation of their history may be difficult for humanoids to understand, since the Q inhabit a plane of existence which presumably does not follow the usual rules of linear time.
It is known that at some point in their history, they embraced immortality and sacrificed their physical forms. It is also believed that they abandoned their capacity to evolve further when this occurred. Another point in their history that the Q consider pivotal is an event they refer to as the New Age. The nature of this event (or whether it simply refers to the ascension of the Q to their current forms) is unknown.
Involvement With Humanity
In recent history, the interaction of the Q with various species in normal space has become slightly more common. They are known to have had some contact with El-Aurians, as well as the entity referred to as the Calamarain, but the majority of their contact has been with Humans. This is due to the unusual interest in their development displayed by one particular Q.
Usually taking the form of a Human male, this Q has fostered relationships with several Humans and other humanoids associated with them, becoming a particular thorn in the side of the crews of the Federation starships USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-D, and the USS Voyager. During his visits to these vessels, he has shown particular interest in their Commanding Officers, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Captain Kathryn Janeway respectively. Something of a prankster, Q tended to play dangerous games with these crews whenever he made appearances, even putting the Human species on trial more than once, and he was never a welcome presence, but on several occasions he seemed to have the best interests of Humankind at heart.
Q Civil War
Q society remained fairly stagnant for centuries until a Q philosopher (who came to be known to humanoids as "Quinn") unveiled a work questioning the stability of Q existence and stating that he wished to break Q law and commit suicide. As a punishment for this transgression, he was imprisoned in a rogue comet, where he remained until he was freed by the Voyager crew. A trial was held aboard Voyager to judge whether or not "Quinn" had the right to kill himself. After he made it clear that the only possible experience left open to him was death, Janeway ruled in his favor by granting him asylum. Becoming Human, Quinn briefly joined the Voyager crew before carrying out his desire to commit suicide.
It had been so long since a Q had died that Quinn's suicide fundamentally destabilized the sense of order within Q society. When a faction of Q became inspired by Quinn's philosophy and death, they demanded that Q society change, wanting a less stable and controlled culture in which they would be able to seek out new experiences. The more traditional Q resisted, and soon a civil war broke out between the two sides. Weapons were constructed to enable the Q to wage their war, resulting in a chain of supernovae within the Delta Quadrant of normal space over the span of just a few days.
Recognising that the civil war threatened to destroy both normal space and the Q themselves, the Q who had become familiar with Humans sought out Voyager's Janeway in an effort to mate with her, believing that the birth of the first new Q in millenia would bring about the change in Q society that one side of the conflict were seeking without generating the anarchy the traditional Q feared. Janeway refused, arguing that reproduction would not be enough to heal the rift in Q culture. Travelling to the Q Continuum with Q, she attempted to negotiate a truce but was unable to convince the traditionalist Q to compromise. Ultimately, Q mated instead with a fellow Q and was proved correct - the offspring of this union did indeed bring the civil war to an end. Though this youthful Q proved to be something of a handful, his existence has nevertheless returned the Q to the state of stability they previously enjoyed.
See also: the Q being
