- For other uses, see Illyrian.
Illyrians were an interstellar humanoid civilization native to the planet Illyria.
History and specifics[]
Illyrians were known to practice selective breeding of a type that bordered on genetic engineering. (TOS novel: Child of Two Worlds)
By the 23rd century they used actual genetic augmentations to enhance their capabilities and to adapt to new environments as an alternative to terraforming. (SNW episode: "Ghosts of Illyria")
Their government was a meritocracy, with aptitude testing used to select its officials. Illyrian citizens highly valued excellence, both mentally and physically. (TOS novel: Child of Two Worlds)
Set in the 14th century, the backstory of the Boralian fantasy holonovel The Skull and the Sword involved Illyrian, Thracian and Thuringian soldiers at the Battle of Greystone Dales. (Last Unicorn RPG module: Holodeck Adventures)
In 2154, the Earth Starfleet vessel Enterprise encountered an Illyrian starship in the Delphic Expanse. Captain Jonathan Archer hoped to trade with its crew for a warp coil, but the Illyrians couldn't spare one. Desperate to stop the Xindi threat to Earth, Archer took their coil anyway, stranding them with food and some trellium in compensation. (ENT episode: "Damage", ENT - Rise of the Federation novel: Uncertain Logic)
In 2255, Saru was familiar with Illyrians and described them generally as vegetarian, pacifist and non-predatory. (DSC novel: Desperate Hours)
Number One claimed to be a Human raised on Illyria and became known for her Illyrian mental conditioning. (TOS novel: Vulcan's Glory, DSC novel: Desperate Hours)
In reality, Una was an Illyrian who outwardly appeared Human and hid her real origin due to the Federation ban on genetic augmentations. Several other Illyrians also appeared as humans.(SNW episode: "Ghosts of Illyria"; SNW - The Illyrian Enigma comics: "Issue 1", "Issue 2")
Biology[]
Illyrians were avid practitioners of genetic engineering; they believed in adapting their bodies to the new planets they settled, rather than changing the planet to suit themselves. As a result, Illyrians varied widely in appearance as well as in capabilities. Some Illyrians were externally indistinguishable from Humans. (SNW episode: "Ghosts of Illyria")
Other Illyrians exhibited differing traits such as cranial ridges. (ENT episode: "Damage")
Besides the cranial difference, ther traits include webbed hands, pointed ears, and differently structured eyes.
Some Illyrians, like Una Chin-Riley, were also modified with enhanced strength and an immune system that could literally burn out infectious agents from the body rather than rely on antibodies. (SNW episode: "Ghosts of Illyria")
Notable Illyrians[]
- Da-Kil
- Honordon
- Hudek
- Ivan Ketoul
- Leighton
- Neera Ketoul
- Number One
- Usarn
Appendices[]
Appearances and references[]
Appearance[]
- ENT episode: "Damage"
- Short Treks episode: "Q&A"
- Short Treks episode: "Ask Not"
- TOS episode: "The Cage"
- DSC episode: "An Obol for Charon"
- DSC episode: "Such Sweet Sorrow"
- SNW episode: "Strange New Worlds"
- SNW episode: "Children of the Comet"
- SNW episode: "Ghosts of Illyria"
- SNW episode: "Memento Mori"
- SNW episode: "Spock Amok"
- SNW episode: "Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach"
- SNW episode: "The Serene Squall"
- SNW novel: The High Country
- SNW episode: "The Elysian Kingdom"
- SNW episode: "All Those Who Wander"
- SNW episode: "A Quality of Mercy"
- SNW episode: "The Broken Circle"
- SNW episode: "Ad Astra Per Aspera"
References[]
- TOS novel: Vulcan's Glory
- TOS novel: The Children of Kings
- Last Unicorn RPG module: Holodeck Adventures
- TOS - Starfleet Academy novel: The Assassination Game
- ENT - Rise of the Federation novel: Uncertain Logic
- TOS - Legacies novel: Captain to Captain
- TOS novel: Child of Two Worlds
- DSC novel: Desperate Hours
- SNW - The Illyrian Enigma comics: "Issue 1", "Issue 2"
External link[]
- Illyrian article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.