Ocampa

The Ocampa are a humanoid species hailing from a planet of the same name in the Delta Quadrant. They are most noted for their nascent psionic abilities and their remarkably short lifespans.

The Ocampa homeworld is the fifth of six planets orbiting a single white, relatively bright, main sequence star. Because the star possesses a metal-rich gas envelope, many of the planets in the system hold rich metal deposits, attracting the likes of the Kazon-Ogla. The planets starward of Ocampa are all small, rocky planetoids orbiting too close to the star to produce life.

The planet was once solidly Class M; it possesses a gravity and density the same as Earth's, and an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere. The surface of the planet was ecologically devastated a millenium ago, when explorers from another dimension accidentally stripped the atmosphere of nucleogenic particles. This makes it impossible for water to precipitate, and rendered the entire surface of the planet a desert (a Class H world).

Personality

Having lived underground for millennia in the protective care of a powerful being from another galaxy, the Ocampa are tranquil and unassuming. Everything they could need has been provided for them - energy, food, security. Inexperienced with the hardships of life, they are not easily worried or excited; their emotions remain even, experiencing neither extreme highs nor extreme lows.

Ocampa enjoy learning for the sake of acquiring knowledge, and anything they do not understand could become a source of intense study. They prefer a rational, disciplined approach to life, also a result of their pampered lifestyle, though they do not like changes to routine or things that cause discord, which makes them appear conservative. What drive and ambition the species once exhibited atrophied over the centuries.

With the death of the Caretaker, changes come to Ocampa society, forcing individuals to change as well. Many Ocampa become more assertive, and increasingly curious about the universe beyond their world. Faced with the crisis of maintaining their vast underground cities, they learn to adapt to change and take risks. Fortunately, their natural inquisitiveness and disciplined approach will suit them well as they learn to stand on their own.

Physiology

Ocampa are near-human in appearance, standing roughly 1.7 meters on average for males, and 1.5 meters tall for females. They tend to be slighter in build, though for no known physiological reason. They exhibit fair skin and light hair, though other complexion variations likely existed prior to the Nacene disaster. They exhibit little variation, no doubt a result of living underground for centuries in a relatively closed environment. (Originally, Ocampa exhibited a range of complexions). The only noteworthy feature of Ocampa is their pointed, vaguely puffy ears.

The most stunning aspect of Ocampa physiology is their accelerated aging. At specific stages in an Ocampa's life, he undergoes an intense period of cellular maturation, appearing to suddenly age overnight. Under the protection of the Caretaker, Ocampa possess a limited lifespan of approximately 9 years, and reach sexual maturity at 1.5 to 2.5 years old. After the death of the Caretaker, however, the Ocampa lifespan began to increase to a theoretical maximum of approximately 20 years (and perhaps longer as time passes).

History and Culture

What was known about Ocampa history was lost with the arrival of the Caretakers, abandoned as the Ocampa raced from their cities with the destruction of their planet's ecology. As a result, nothing is known about this period. Legend has it that the Ocampa possessed extraordinary telepathic and psionic powers.

The arrival of extra-dimensional explorers called the Nacene radically altered Ocampa history. These highly advanced, noncorporeal lifeforms accidentally devastated the planet's atmosphere, stripping it of nucleogenic particles and making it impossible for the planet's surface to retain moisture. The Nacene accepted responsibility for the disaster and left two of their kind behind to care for the Ocampa. One, who came to be known as the Caretaker, created a subterranean city, and provided it with power from his huge orbital Array, while protecting the Ocampa from intruders like the Kazon and Vidiians. The second, named Suspiria, took approximately 2,000 Ocampa to a second Array. There, she helped them develop their latent psychokinetic powers so they could join her in Exosia, a subspace domain of pure thought.

For the next millennium, the Caretaker looked after the Ocampa, providing for their every need. As he neared the end of his life, the Caretaker searched the Milky Way for lifeforms with a bio-molecular pattern similar to his own in hopes of producing an offspring who would continue to care for the Ocampa in his place. Using a powerful displacement wave, the Caretaker abducted some 50 ships from across the galaxy before transporting the U.S.S. Voyager and a Maquis raider to the Delta Quadrant. He died shortly thereafter, his final act to persuade Voyager's crew to destroy his Array before it could fall into the hands of Kazon raiders. With the destruction of the Caretaker's Array, the crew of the Voyager lost a readily available way home.

The arrival of Voyager altered the course of Ocampa history once again. The Ocampa only had enough energy reserves to maintain their subterranean city for a few years, and the Ocampa debated what to do. Some chose to venture above ground, searching their long-lost scientific records for a means to restore the surface of the planet to habitability. Others chose to remain underground and sought ways to provide power to their city. Still others, bolstered by Voyagers example and inquisitive about the rest of the galaxy, sought to construct their own starship in hopes of finding a new world for the Ocampa to colonize.

Society

The Nacene destroyed much of Ocampa civilization, as the latter fled the suddenly desiccated surface of their world. As a result, little is known about Ocampa society, though they preserved as much of their culture as they could. Ocampa value family, with relatives forming tight-knit, extended families. In a relatively small environment, it's easy for Ocampa to keep in touch with various aunts, uncles, cousins, second-cousins, and so on. Because of their brief lifespan, the childhood relationship between parent and child is as intense as it is short-lived. Parents exert a great deal of influence on their children, doing a great deal in a condensed time to shape who they become.

Ocampe believe everyone has a comra, or spirit. In order to better their comra, Ocampa practice meditation, lighting traditional Ocampa prayer tapers to focus their thoughts. It is traditional to mourn the loss of a loved one by lighting these candles and remembering their life.

Ocampa bury their dead beneath the soil, believing their comra, or spirit, is released into the afterlife.

Isolated in their underground city, their needs provided for by the Caretaker, every Ocampa pursued some intellectual exercise for pure enjoyment. Some created great works of literature for others in the city to take pleasure in. Others composed evocative music compositions, or created sophisticated works of art to please other citizens. Ocampa scientists delved into whatever scientific endeavors interested them.

With the death of the Caretaker, Ocampa sociologists and historians have attempted to reconstruct their original way of life. Some Ocampa also take it upon themselves to forge new pathways, so as to create a future without the burden of past mistakes or limitations.

Reference(s)

• Bridges, Bill, et al. Star Trek Roleplaying Game Book 5: Aliens, Decipher, 2003. ISBN: 1582369070.