Rigel system

[Vastator]

I've been very curious recently about what novels and personal views are on the Rigel system and its inhabitants.

There is also at least 16 planets within Rigel with upto 9 races within it which range from the Orions to Kaylar to Vulcanoid Rigelians to Chelonians. Despite this, has it ever been truly explored in a novel or is there any plans to do so? Is it unusual to see so many races within such a star system? Mind you, the Xindi developed into six different civilizations and races on a single planet so its not like its uncommon for such a thing to happen.

I know we see a pair of Rigelians in Enterprise though I must confess I did not expect them to look like that, I always thought they were a race of Vulcanoids; perhaps even being part of the diaspora from Vulcan long ago.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

I've been very curious recently about what novels and personal views are on the Rigel system and its inhabitants.

There is also at least 16 planets within Rigel with upto 9 races within it which range from the Orions to Kaylar to Vulcanoid Rigelians to Chelonians. Despite this, has it ever been truly explored in a novel or is there any plans to do so? Is it unusual to see so many races within such a star system? Mind you, the Xindi developed into six different civilizations and races on a single planet so its not like its uncommon for such a thing to happen.

I know we see a pair of Rigelians in Enterprise though I must confess I did not expect them to look like that, I always thought they were a race of Vulcanoids; perhaps even being part of the diaspora from Vulcan long ago.

There is some confusion. The Kaylar are apparently from the true Rigel, out towards the Orion nebula region, while the Federation Rigellians are from "Beta Rigel", which the Star Charts invented to justify Enterprise-NX-01 visiting Rigel X in "Broken Bow". Despite this, some works place the Kaylar in the same system as the Fed Rigellians. According to books like "Ex Machina", the Beta Rigel system is believed to possibly be artifical, seeded by Preserver-like races. There are four major Federation Rigellian species that we know of from on-screen sources and the books, all unified in the United Rigel Colonies, which serves as an economic and commercial hub in Federation space (and predating the Federation, according to "Enterprise"). The four races are the "Chelons" (The Motion Picture, Vanguard et al), a Vulcanoid race that look like Humans externally ("Catalyst of Sorrows" et al), a yellow-skinned tattooed race as seen in "Enterprise" and a silver race with red eyes (Stargazer et al). Possibly the silver and yellow races are actually variants of the same race. As for Orions, Role Play Game material placed them at Rigel, but that's not part of the modern novel continuity. Which planet in the Beta Rigel system each of the Rigellian races comes from is not certain, although as it is a very old inhabited system maybe that's no longer relevant, they may have colonized all over and live inter-mixed. Rigel IV appears to be the capital world ("The Fire and the Rose", post-Destiny books et al), Rigel II has been mentioned several times as having resorts, Rigel VI appears to be a population centre, Rigel VII is its gas giant companion (or, if Kaylar are included, their world comes here instead), Rigel V is known for its contributions to medicine, and Rigel X is a trade outpost. Rigel III and IX have also been mentioned as colonized, but if they are class-M or not is unclear. Personally, I place the Chelons as originating on II (with the other races having established resorts there in those regions not used by Chelons), the yellow/silver guys on IV (although it's now very mixed) and the Vulcanoids on V (as both TOS and "Catalyst of Sorrows" seemed to suggest), with VI a combined colony (many humans share it, as humans from Rigel show up a lot).

 

[Christopher]

The human-looking Rigellians are from Rigel IV; this is based on Hengist from TOS: "Wolf in the Fold," who was from that planet. They're often assumed to be the same as the Rigellians with Vulcan-like biology, who were alluded to in "Journey to Babel."

A while ago, I read a compelling argument that Rigel VII from "The Cage" was also in the Beta Rigel system, but I don't recall the specifics.

 

[Lonemagpie]

The Chelonians aren't even from Star Trek, they're from Gareth Roberts' Dr Who novels.

The Chelons, OTOH...

 

[Christopher]

^Well, they're both taken from Chelonia, the name for the taxonomic order to which tortoises belong, and ultimately from khelone, the Greek word for "tortoise." They're both basically just ways of saying "tortoise people." Kinda like referring to lizard-like aliens as Saurians...

 

[Paris]

That's a lot of planets inside the "habitable zone" of the Rigel solar system . Is there any way that some if not most of those worlds are actually moons around a gas giant or something?

 

[Deranged Nasat]

The human-looking Rigellians are from Rigel IV; this is based on Hengist from TOS: "Wolf in the Fold," who was from that planet. They're often assumed to be the same as the Rigellians with Vulcan-like biology, who were alluded to in "Journey to Babel."

Ah, thank you. Then let's swop the Rigel IV and V natives around. The Human-looking Vulcanoids are from IV, as you say, and the tattoo yellow/silver Rigellians are from V. Of course, Hengist being from IV doesn't mean all Rigellian Human-looking-Vulcanoids are from IV, V might still be the homeworld. Now you mention it, though, "Catalyst of Sorrows" may have put the Vulcanoids on IV, and not V as I first said. So I'll go with your edit. Unless anyone has any other information, Chelons are now on II, Vulcanoids on IV, yellow/silvers on V.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

That's a lot of planets inside the "habitable zone" of the Rigel solar system . Is there any way that some if not most of those worlds are actually moons around a gas giant or something?

In "Ex Machina", I believe the number of inhabited planets is the reason why Beta Rigel is believed to be an artificial creation...

 

[Vastator]

Ah, thank you. Then let's swop the Rigel IV and V natives around. The Human-looking Vulcanoids are from IV, as you say, and the tattoo yellow/silver Rigellians are from V.

Hmm I think Mind Meld says that the Vulcanoid looking Rigelians are from Rigel V.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

Ah, thank you. Then let's swop the Rigel IV and V natives around. The Human-looking Vulcanoids are from IV, as you say, and the tattoo yellow/silver Rigellians are from V.

Hmm I think Mind Meld says that the Vulcanoid looking Rigelians are from Rigel V.

Ah, well that's an older book by my standards, so I don't have it. I'm only familiar with 21st century books, and as these tend to share one continuity while previously Star Trek books were self-contained, I tend to use only 21st century books and canon as my sources.

 

[captcalhoun]

i believe there's a Rigelian race that looks Vulcan externally. they were mentioned in Wildfire. there's another that looks human but has Vulcan physiology internally, the turtles and the ones from ENT.

dunno about any others...

 

[EmperorKalan]

From Memory Beta:
http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/Rigelian

There are several species that go by the name "Rigelian" or "Rigellian":

The primitive human-like Rigellians of Rigel VII. This species includes an infamous subspecies, the Kaylar. (TOS episode: "The Cage"; EV comic: "Our Dearest Blood")

The four (or five)-gendered Rigelians who participated in early negotiations (in the 2150s) about forming a Coalition of Planets with Earth, Andor, and others. (ENT episode: "United", et al.)

The vulcanoid Rigelians, inhabitants of Rigel V. (TOS novel: Mind Meld)

The Rigellian Chelons, said to be descended from "saber-toothed turtles," also called the Chelarians. (TOS movie: Star Trek: The Motion Picture; Decipher RPG)

The silver-skinned Rigelians (serialized novel: Starfleet: Year One), who have been known to travel as far from home as the orbital city Oblivion. (STA novel: Oblivion)

The furred Rigellians, whose reputation as sharp traders wasn't upstaged until contact with the Ferengi. (TOS novel: The Final Reflection) (also the Star Trek Spaceflight Chronology and FASA's Orion modules).

The inhabitants of Rigel IV, who appear human externally, but have a vulcanoid physiology. (TLE novel: Catalyst of Sorrows)

In 2370, there were Rigellians present for the trade negotiations at Deep Space Nine. The Rigellian ambassador was injured when a bomb exploded in Pylon 4 (Lower Pylon 1). Which Rigellian species she was, is unknown. (DS9 novel: Betrayal)

 

[Therin of Andor]

I came up with eight distinctive Rigelians, including one makeup from a cut ENT scene (on the DVD sets).
http://www.geocities.com/therinofandor/UFP2.html

People often dispute my addition of the TAS hypnoid as a sentient being, but it mimics a human female - even with speech - pretty well, and I figured "Why not?" I also like to add the amphibious-looking pimp guy from ENT's first episode.

"Star Charts" suggested that the Rigel Colonies' star, Beta Rigel, should not be confused with the "true" Rigel (Beta Orionis A), the seventh planet of which is home to the Kaylar.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

I also like to add the amphibious-looking pimp guy from ENT's first episode.

Damn, I forgot that race. "Mere Mortals" confirmed them as Rigel natives, with the character of Admiral Hastur.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

The primitive human-like Rigellians of Rigel VII. This species includes an infamous subspecies, the Kaylar. (TOS episode: "The Cage"; EV comic: "Our Dearest Blood")

As said, these are on the list but whether they are in the Beta Rigel system or the true Rigel system varies across the stories. I prefer to have them at Rigel proper, but that's me.

The four (or five)-gendered Rigelians who participated in early negotiations (in the 2150s) about forming a Coalition of Planets with Earth, Andor, and others. (ENT episode: "United", et al.)

These are on my list as yellow-skin tattoo guys, which my updated list places on Rigel V.

The vulcanoid Rigelians, inhabitants of Rigel V. (TOS novel: Mind Meld)

I discarded "Mind Meld" as an older book pre-dating the largely unified Trek lit universe of the 21st century. Again, that's just me.

The Rigellian Chelons, said to be descended from "saber-toothed turtles," also called the Chelarians. (TOS movie: Star Trek: The Motion Picture; Decipher RPG)

On my list, placed on Rigel II.

The silver-skinned Rigelians (serialized novel: Starfleet: Year One), who have been known to travel as far from home as the orbital city Oblivion. (STA novel: Oblivion)

I assume these and the yellow people are the same race, just with variation in skin tone.

The furred Rigellians, whose reputation as sharp traders wasn't upstaged until contact with the Ferengi. (TOS novel: The Final Reflection) (also the Star Trek Spaceflight Chronology and FASA's Orion modules).

Never heard of these. Until a more modern novel re-confirms them, I'm afraid they must be excluded from my personal Rigel system

The inhabitants of Rigel IV, who appear human externally, but have a vulcanoid physiology. (TLE novel: Catalyst of Sorrows)

Same race as "Mind Meld's" rejected Rigellians. Now confirmed as being native to Rigel IV.

Now we must add the amphibian Rigellians mentioned by Therin and confirmed in "Mere Mortals"

In 2370, there were Rigellians present for the trade negotiations at Deep Space Nine. The Rigellian ambassador was injured when a bomb exploded in Pylon 4 (Lower Pylon 1). Which Rigellian species she was, is unknown. (DS9 novel: Betrayal)

Plenty of species to go around!

 

[Christopher]

People often dispute my addition of the TAS hypnoid as a sentient being, but it mimics a human female - even with speech - pretty well, and I figured "Why not?"

Polly want a cracker?

Actually a lot of research is suggesting that parrots and related birds may be highly intelligent. But there are degrees of intelligence. Hypnoids may be smarter than the average lizard but still not be sapient.

"Star Charts" suggested that the Rigel Colonies' star, Beta Rigel, should not be confused with the "true" Rigel (Beta Orionis A), the seventh planet of which is home to the Kaylar.

And I don't care for its implication that "Beta Rigel" is just some unknown star that happens to be in the same direction as Rigel -- I guess hidden in its glare or something so we don't know it's there. It doesn't work that way. If there were a bright star overlapping with Rigel, we'd detect a double spectrographic signature and class them as a spectroscopic binary. The only way we wouldn't know about a star in Rigel's direction but closer is if it were very, very dim (and not directly overlapping), but then it could never support so many planets.

My pick for the nearer "Rigel" would've been Mu Virginis, which is also known as Rijl al Awwa. It's 61 light-years away, which is a reasonable distance. It's in a totally different part of the sky from Mandel's "Beta Rigel," though, which is problematical, since Destiny was written using Star Charts' assumptions about its relative position.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

My pick for the nearer "Rigel" would've been Mu Virginis, which is also known as Rijl al Awwa. It's 61 light-years away, which is a reasonable distance. It's in a totally different part of the sky from Mandel's "Beta Rigel," though, which is problematical, since Destiny was written using Star Charts' assumptions about its relative position.

I don't have my Star Charts book at hand. Are the Virgo stars coreward? From Sol, I mean.

 

[ltcmmanderdata]

is rigel also home to the green skinned orions?

 

[Deranged Nasat]

is rigel also home to the green skinned orions?

As I said in my first post, Role Play Game material placed the Orions at Rigel, but there is no canonical evidence of this and the modern Trek lit line has not made any references to Orions being native to Rigel either.

 

[Christopher]

I don't have my Star Charts book at hand. Are the Virgo stars coreward? From Sol, I mean.

Coreward and antispinward. You can find Mu Virginis on the Star Charts maps near the Romulan Neutral Zone, near Syrma (Iota Virginis). Also in that upper right quadrant, you can find plenty of other stars from Virgo.