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» LCARS » Xenology Database » C » Cardassian (Alpha Quadrant)
 | Cardassian |  |
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| Playable: With approval | |
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Natima Lang, a Cardassian dissident and correspondent.
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Crell Moset, the Chairman of Exobiology at the University of Culat, in his lab.
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|
 Physiology  |
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Tall, long-necked, humanoid in appearance, marked by several bony protrusions and ridges: one from the shoulder to under the ears, whose bottom lobes in turn are more pronounced forward to the jawline; and from above the eyes and back over the head to the rear base of the skull, showing through hair. Other ridges run from the nose line to the forehead, and along the chin to define a sharp jawline. Their skin type and hair vary from light purple to a greenish hue and near black.
Cardassians dislike cool temperatures, and their preferred environment is much warmer than Human norm. They also prefer dim lighting.
Their physiology and constitution is much stouter than the Human norm, or at least Garak is: showing immunity to the effects of depressants and anesthetics, neither two-plus bottles of Kanar nor 30cc's of Triptacederine has any effect; the latter amount would knock out an Algorian Mammoth.
Cardassians are famous for their photographic memories. A well-disciplined Cardassian mind can shield itself from a Vulcan mind-meld. |
| History |
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The Cardassian homeworld is the planet Cardassia, sometimes referred to as Cardassia Prime. Cardassia has few natural resources, but in ancient times was home to a splendid civilization whose ruins are still considered among the most remarkable in the galaxy.
One of these ancient cultures was the First Hebitian civilization. The Hebitian burial vaults were uncovered on Cardassia in the last 2160s. The tombs were said to be magnificent and were reputed to have been filled with many jeweled artifacts, which were symbols of ancient Cardassian glory.
Unfortunately, many of the treasures were plundered by Cardassia's poor, and the military to fund various wars. The Cardassians were once peaceful and spiritual, but because it was poor, starvation and disease claimed millions of lives. It led to the formation of a powerful military, who sought to acquire resources by force.
In 2371, Cardassian archaeologists found the wreckage of a Bajoran solar-sail vessel on Cardassia, proving that Bajorans made interstellar contact with Cardassians before they had warp capability, some 800 years ago.
The Cardassians took control of the planet Ingavi around 2300. At the time Cardassia was undergoing a wave of expansion that would eventually consume Bajor.
The Cardassians also stole eight of the nine Bajoran prophets' orbs. Many Bajorans fled the occupation and resettled on other worlds. During the occupation any Bajorans caught preaching the word of the Prophets were arrested and often beaten. Over 10 million Bajorans were killed during the Occupation.
Crell Moset is a noted Cardassian doctor and Exobiologist, who in the 2370's was the Chairman of Exobiology at the University of Culat. He is most known for curing the Fostossa virus, and he has received the Legate's Crest of Valor. Although he has a good reputation on Cardassia, he is known to the Bajorans as a mass murderer. He performed experiments on living people, infecting hundreds of them to try different treatments. He also was known to blind people to see how they adapted to the loss of their vision.
The Betreka Nebula Incident was an 18 year conflict between the Cardassians and the Klingons, that began sometime in the 2350s.
The Cardassians engaged in an extended conflict with the Federation in the 24th century. An uneasy truce was reached in 2366, and a full peace treaty in 2367. One clause of the treaty stated that captives of either government were allowed to see a neutral representative during their captivity. The Cardassians violated this agreement on at least one occasion.
In 2367, Captain Benjamin Maxwell of the USS Phoenix destroyed a Cardassian space station in the Cuellar system, in Cardassian space. He acted without Starfleet authority, and jeopardized peace with the Cardassians. He believed the station was a military installation, and he may have been correct.
After retreating from Bajor in 2369, the Cardassians posted the Fourth Order, a military divison, near Bajor. However, they were not close enough to prevent Starfleet personnel from claiming the Bajoran Wormhole for the people of Bajor.
In 2369, Cardassian misinformation leaked that a metagenic weapon was being developed on the barren, uninhabited, Cardassian world Celtris III, in an effort to capture Captain Picard of the USS Enterprise-D.
In 2370, a treaty with the Federation established the Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ, a buffer zone along the border of the Federation and Cardassian space. Neither side is allowed to place military outposts, conduct fleet exercizes, or station warships anywhere in the DMZ. Some borders were redrawn, placing some Federation colonies in Cardassian space, and vice versa. Federation colonists banded together to form the Maquis, a terrorist organization to fight Cardassian rule, while the Cardassians secretly supplied weapons to Cardassian colonists in the DMZ. Central Command denied any involvement, however it was suspected they were involved.
An underground movement existed in Cardassia prior to the end of the Dominion war. It was a dissident political movement, that the Central command sought to silence by any means necessary. Three of the movement's most influential members in 2371 were Rekelen, Hogue, and Natima Lang, as well as Legate Ghemor, a prominent member of the Central Command. The movement did not want the military to remain in control of Cardassia. They also wanted Cardassia to become a free and democratic society.
In 2371, the Romulan Tal Shiar and Cardassian Obsidian Order launched a massive attack against the Founder's Homeworld, bombarding the planet with a fleet of 20 starships. The Founders learned of the plan, and staged an ambush, by evacuating the planet, and placing a fleet of 150 Jem'Hadar ships nearby to destroy the invading fleet. Both organizations were decimated by the Jem'Hadar.
In 2372, the Detapa Council won control of Cardassian when a civilian uprising overthrew the Central Command. The Klingon High Council took this as proof that the Cardassian government had been taken over by shape-shifters working for the Dominion. The Klingons shortly invaded Cardassian to protect the Alpha Quadrant. They intended to execute the Detapa Council and install an imperial overseer to put down any further resistance. Gul Dukat helped the council flee the Klingon invasion fleet by evacuating them from Cardassia Prime and providing convincing evidence that the council had not been replaced by agents of the Dominion.
The Klingon attack destroyed industrial production on several Cardassian worlds, and devastated the Cardassian economy. In an attempt to maintain good relations with the Cardassians, the Federation offered 12 industrial replicators, but they were stolen by the Maquis.
These events contributed to the Cardassian alliance with the Dominion in 2373. The agreement was secretly negotiated by Gul Dukat, who in turn became leader of the Cardassian Union. |
| Society |
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The Obsidian Order is the ever-vigilant eyes and ears of the Cardassian Empire. It is said that a Cardassian citizen cannot sit down to a meal without each dish being duly noted and recorded by the Order. Even the Romulan Tal Shiar can't compete with them when it comes to intelligence gathering and covert operations. Enabran Tain was head of the Obsidian Order.
On Cardassia, family is everything. Cardassians care for their parents and children with equal devotion. In some households, four generations eat at the same table. Swearing the truth on the lives of one's children is tantamount to the highest honesty a Cardassian can attest to; as Dukat does to Commander Sisko. The revelation that the prominent politician Kotran Pa'Dar abandoned a child on Bajor, even one thought dead, would be enough to publicly and privately humiliate him, ruining his career. However, children without parents have no status in Cardassian society and many Cardassian war orphans were left behind on Bajor when the Cardassian Occupation ended.
The elderly are highly respected on Cardassia.
Attention to detail is a Cardassian trait. They are meticulous record keepers. They taught record-keeping skills to many planets, including Bajor.
Cardassian children may keep pets. Children as young as 4 are given intense mind-training programs, contributing to famous Cardassian photographic memories. Education is power and joy is vulnerability, Dukat asserts in Orwellian-like tones. The mental training can extend to enough discipline to deflect a Vulcan Mind Meld. Kovat says one old native saying is, "Confession is good for the soul."
Similar to Humans, Cardassians celebrate birthdays, respect marriage, and use a given name before the family name.
Cardassians sometimes express irritabilty toward each other as a precursor to a sexual relationship.
The Detapa Council is the ruling body of the Cardassian government. It was created about 500 years ago, and the Cardassian Central Command and the Obsidian Order were under it's control, although in practice, they acted with virtual autonomy. The Central Command and the Obsidian Order have often been at odds with each other. Cardassian civil leaders have no direct authority over military officers.
Funeral rites are very strict. It is considered a dishonor if a non-cardassian views the remains. |
| Technology |
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The Cardassians are technologicaly advanced, warp-capable species. Galor-class warships are one type of Cardassian vessel. Type-3 Galor-class ships are the most powerful in the Cardassian fleet. They are deisgned with plasma banks, a heavy weapons array. Kelindide and rodinium are materials commonly used in Cardassian ship construction.
A standard issue Cardassian phase-disruptor rife has 4.7 megajoule power capacity, three milisecond recharge, and two beam settings.
The Obsidian order uses a classified medical device called a cranial implant. The implant is situated in the postcentral gyrus and has filaments that connect it to the entire nervous system. It is designed to stimulate the pleasure centers of the brain to trigger the production of vast amounts of natural endorphins. It is designed to be used in case of torture. The purpose of the implant was to make the user immune to pain, and it cannot be removed. It was never meant for continuous use. Continuous use can cause deterioration of the cranial nerve cluster and can alter the molecular structure of leukocytes, causing an accumulation of toxins in the user's system. The Requisition code number is for classified biotechnology, and even the number is classified.
A diboridium core is a small power-generation unit used in Cardassian technology.
Carbon reaction chambers are a Cardassian technology that involves laser-induced fusion. According to Miles O'Brien, it is an inefficient system. |
| Cardassian Space |
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The population of Cardassia Prime is 7.9 billion. The Capital is Lakat. The Imperial Plaza and the Lakarian Amusement Park, are landmarks on Cardassia Prime. Most major cities were destroyed when Cardassian rebelled against the Dominion.
Amleth Prime is a Cardassian planet, located in an emission nebula. The Cardassians have a station on the planet. Arawath Colony is a Cardassian settlement where Enabran Tain retired. The Cardassians have a fuel depot on the planet Aschelan V. Bryma is a Cardassian colony in the Demilitarized Zone, that concealed a weapons depot inside a civilian center. The planet Kora II is the location of a Cardassian military academy where Aamin Marritza taught filing.
The Hutet labor camp on Cardassia IV housed Bajoran political prisoners even after the Cardassian withdrawal from Bajor. Velos VII Internment camp was a Cardassian prison that is no longer operational. It closed stardate 46302.
There is a Cardassian labor camp on Lazon II. It is a desolate world and the vast majority of it is uninhabitable. One section has been terraformed, and that is where the camp is located. It holds 50-60 prisoners. The mortality rate of the prison is high. The planet is rich in deutronium ore. The processed ore was fuel for Cardassian weapons systems and vessels, however the technology that used the fuel has become obsolete. Now, there is little demand for the ore, but prisoners are still forced to mine it. Twin towers form a defense grid/forcefield that covered the compound. It is equipped with pulse-blasters capable of damaging vessels severely and has a sensor scrambler, which prevents any kind of transport.
The Algira sector and The Almatha sector are regions of space in Cardassian territory. The Dopa system is a planetary system located within Cardassian space.
Trelka V Starbase is a Cardassian base near the Federation border. Sheva II is a planet in Cardassian space. During the Dominion war, there was a Jem'Hadar breeding facility there. |
| Cardassian Law |
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Cardassian Articles of Jurisprudence define the rights of prisoners.
Central Prison is on Cardassia Prime. Cardassian prisoners are processed by being stripped, have a retinal scan, and are injected with a sedative while a lock of hair is cut, and a tooth removed. It is standard procedure for the Cardassians to use torture in their interrogations.
The presiding officer of a Cardassian court is called the Chief Arcon. A Public conservator is appointed to represent the criminal. Their job is to help the accused concede the wisdom of the state and to prepare them to accept the inevitable with equanimity. A Nestor is an advisor to the offender. He must be an officer of the court. Nestors have no authority to address the court.
It is customary in Cardassian Jurisprudence for the charges to be announced at the start of the trial. The verdict is determined before the trial. The trial shows how this guilt was proven. No evidence can be submitted after a verdict is reached. The trial is to demonstrate the futility of behavior contrary to good order. On Cardassia, All crimes are solved, all criminals punished, all endings happy.
It's not permitted for family members to visit Cardassian criminals in confinement. The Cardassians always invite families to trials and executions so that the public can see them weep. The Articles of Jurisprudence allow the family the opportunity to disassociate themselves from the actions of the offender by testifying against him.
Cadrassian prisoners have a right to not answer questions, but such refusal may be construed as a sign of guilt. However during the trial, the offender is compelled to testify. They cannot decline to answer any questions.
There is an old Cardassian saying, "Confession is good for the soul." |
| Notes |
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Cardies is a racist term for Cardassians.
All Cardassians are required to give the Bureau of Identification one of their first molars. It is usually extracted at age 10.
The Cardassian groat is an animal native to Cardassia. A gettle is a wild herd animal native to Cardassia. Voles are a large Cardassian rodent that can sometimes inhabit space stations. They are attracted to electromagnetic fields, and have a mating season.
There is a Cardassian Embassy on Romulus. Elim Garak once worked there as a gardener, during the time that Proconsul Merrok was assassinated. Several other dignitaries died unexpectedly that year.
Cardassia is allies with the Klaestrons.
It is tradition for Cardassian commanding officers to entertain guests on board their vessels. It is also a tradition for a frieghter captain to take a percentage of the cargo for himself. The Fourth and Seventh Orders are Cardassian Fleets. Cardassians sometimes rig supplies they leave behind during times of war with pressure grenades.
A Cardassian riding hound is a medium-sized draft animal used for transportation.
The Legate's Crest of Valor is a prestigeous Cardassian award. The Proficient Service Medallion is a Cardassian Military award once given to Gul Darhe’el.
The University of Culat is located on Cardassia Prime.
Elgol-Red is a message encryption protocol used by the Cardassians.
Cardassian architecture incorporates spaces with multiple levels, so that officers have to look up to their leaders with respect.
Continuing to hold Bajoran prisoners following the end of the occupation was a violation of Supreme Directive 2645.
The Cardassian Information Service is a Cardassian journalism outfit. Natima Lang was the correspondent attached to Terok Nor for part of the occupation. It is also called the Cardassian Communication Service.
There is a museum on Cardassia V. Bone carvings were stolen from this museum in 2370 by a Kono, one of Quark's cousins. The artifacts were recovered on Deep Space Nine.
Promazine is a poison developed by the Obsidian Order for use by their operatives in case of capture. Not only is death swift but it reduces the body to dust within hours making it unidentifiable to the enemy. |
| New Info |
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The Cardassians took over Bajor 60 years ago, and robbed the planet of every valuable resource before abandoning it. The Prefect;s office on Terok Nor was built higher than the rest of OPS, so that all others have to look up in respect. This is typical of Cardassian architecture. (DS9: Emissary)
Cardassian genetic engineering has distinctive monoclonial links are present in the DNA. (DS9: Babel)
Contributed by: Clare Bradley |
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| Non-canon information is shown like this. Use with caution or not at all. |
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