- For other uses, see Old Ones.
A pair of Old Ones in 2267.
The Old Ones were a non-humanoid, sentient ornithoid[1] lifeform of extragalactic origin. They commanded powerful transmuter technology. In the 23rd century, Old Ones visited the Milky Way Galaxy. (TOS episode & Star Trek 8 novelization: Catspaw)
Biology[]
Anatomy graphic, 2369.
In their natural form, the Old Ones were small, gold and blue colored birdlike[1] creatures from outside the Milky Way. Their eyes set on stalks. Their two-legged body appeared plump, with a small head. The tail-end split into two. (TOS episode: "Catspaw")
Their bodies contained vital organs. The Federation included lessons on ornithoid biology in school classes. In 2369, Old Ones biology was taught at the School on Deep Space 9. (DS9 episode: "If Wishes Were Horses")
History[]
Korob and Sylvia in Human form.
By the 23rd century, the Old Ones controlled transmuter technology, which allowed them to change the environment to their needs, partially through illusions. The tech was deployed in a way that made it appear magical.
In the 2260s decade, the Old Ones Sylvia and Korob were dispatched to the Milky Way. They set up a base on Pyris VII, a planet previously found to be uninhabited by the Federation.
The Old Ones' castle.
On stardate 3018.2 in the year 2267, the crew of the Federation starship USS Enterprise under Captain James T. Kirk made first contact with the Old Ones when Kirk's landing party reached their castle. At the time, Sylvia and Korob assumed a typical humanoid form, and styled their environment like a Gothic castle with vintage horror trappings. Intent on learning about the peoples of this galaxy, the pair wanted to keep Kirk and his party but were thwarted by the Starfleet crew. Kirk and his people escaped when they destroyed the transmuter gadgets, eliminating the illusion. Korob and Sylvia were too frail to survive and quickly withered and died. (TOS episode & Star Trek 8 novelization: Catspaw)
Yenvep speaks to the Khitomer Alliance.
The Old Ones returned to the Milky Way in the 25th century. They established Castle Pyris on Pyris VII in the 2410s to explore worlds and lifeforms. Their transmuter technology made them a target for the phase-shifting Devidians. As a result, the Old Ones reached out to the Khitomer Alliance for help in 2411. Yenvep provided a transmuter wand to helpful Alliance captains in return for their assistance. Some Old Ones would remain with those captains, ostensibly to act as shipboard pets but really to study them. (STO website: Reflections: The Fall of the Old Ones)
Known Old Ones[]
Technology[]
The Old Ones used transmuter technology to reshape their environment and alter their appearance. This tech could be itemized and carried by an Old One as a pendant or wand. (TOS episode & Star Trek 8 novelization: Catspaw)
A limited form of this technology was shared with the Khitomer Alliance in 2411, in the form of a wieldable transmuter wand. The Old Ones allied with the Khitomer nations to prevent the Devidians from gaining transmuter technology. (STO website: Reflections: The Fall of the Old Ones)
Appendices[]
Appearances and references[]
Appearances[]
- TOS episode: "Catspaw" (first appearance)
- TOS episode & Star Trek 8 novelization: Catspaw
- TOS novel: Assignment: Eternity (referenced)
- TOS reference: Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual
- DS9 episode: "If Wishes Were Horses" (graphic)
- STO website: Reflections: The Fall of the Old Ones
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 DS9 episode: "If Wishes Were Horses"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 STO - Terran Gambit mission: "Cat's Tale"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 TOS episode: "Catspaw"
- ↑ STO website: Reflections: The Fall of the Old Ones
External links[]
- Old Ones (ornithoid) article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
- Old One article at Star Trek Online Wiki.