Jem'Hadar

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  • Appearance: Reptilian; pebbled skin, horned facial ridges
  • Dominion subject species
    • Genetically engineered by Founders as warrior servitors
      • Related to Tosk (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)
  • Biological notes
    • Amber blood (S31 Novel: Abyss)
    • At least two hearts (S31 Novel: Abyss; DS9 Novel: Mission Gamma: Twilight)
    • Relatively thick skin (S31 Novel: Abyss)
      • Tends to obscure perception of facial expressions by other species (S31 Novel: Abyss)
    • Genetically dependent on ketracel-white to ensure obedience to Vorta
      • Dependence seems to reduce over age 10 (DS9 Novel: Avatar, Book Two)
      • Ketracel-white additionally serves as an adult Jem'Hadar's soul source of nourishment (DS9: "To the Death")
        • Prior to maturity, solid food is required (DS9: "The Abandoned")
        • Those able to survive without ketracel-white require food at least once every four or five days (S31 Novel: Abyss)
          • Jem'Hadar digestion incredibly efficient, producing no waste (S31 Novel: Abyss)
      • Lack of ketracel-white leads to circulatory failure, increased aggression, death
        • Similar symptoms can emerge from improperly synthesized ketracel-white (S31 Novel: Abyss)
      • Rare mutation can result in a lack of dependence on ketracel-white (DS9: "Hippocratic Oath")
        • As such Jem'Hadar are still provided with it and able to gain sustenance from it, such mutations almost always go undiscovered (DS9: "Hippocratic Oath")
    • No physical need to sleep, but they do have the capability to (DS9: "To the Death"; S31 Novel: Abyss)
    • Innate capability to shroud oneself, becoming invisible to most forms of vision (DS9: "The Jem'Hadar", "To the Death", "Rocks and Shoals")
      • Shrouded Jem'Hadar give off a bioelectric field detectable by other Jem'Hadar at close range (DS9 Novel: Avatar, Book Two)
        • Known by Jem'Hadar as the "di'teh" (DS9 Novel: Avatar, Book Two)
        • Also detectable by, among others, Andorians (DS9 Novel: Avatar, Book One)
      • Graviton-based cloaking, generated through some biological means (DS9 Novel: Avatar, Book Two)
      • White-withdrawal impedes ability to shroud (DS9: "Rocks and Shoals")
    • Wholly male; reproduction only via technological birthing chambers (DS9: "To the Death", "The Abandoned")
      • Rapid growth following production leads to adulthood within two weeks (DS9: "The Abandoned"; S31 Novel: Abyss)
      • Estimated lifespan unknown due to nearly all recorded deaths being through combat
        • Individuals as old as 22 known (DS9 Novel: Avatar, Book Two)
    • Neurological processing of emotions significantly different than most humanoids (TNG Novel: The Battle of Betazed)
      • Leaves individuals vulnerable to catatonia from strong externally-induced emotions, such as via telepathic attack (TNG Novel: The Battle of Betazed)
  • Cultural notes
    • Social status derived via strength of character as revealed through actions, decision-making (DS9 Novel: Avatar, Book Two)
      • Oldest Jem'Hadar known as "Honored Elder", respected through proof of ability via survival (DS9 Novel: Avatar, Book Two)
    • Genetically bound to service to the Founders, viewing them as gods, in order to maintain obedience (DS9: "To the Death")
      • No such genetic allegiance is present for other Dominion subject species, including Vorta (DS9: "To the Death")
        • Obedience to Vorta granted by order of the Founders, as well as position of Vorta as keepers of ketracel-white (DS9: "To the Death")
      • Circumstantial evidence suggests that genetic programming weakens in Jem'Hadar with age (DS9 Novel: Avatar, Book Two)
    • Kar'takin (DS9: "To the Death", "Sons and Daughters"; DS9 Novel: Avatar, Book Two)
      • Traditional hand-to-hand weapon
      • Short polearm with a sharp bladed tip, for both slashing and stabbing