Bajor Post-DS9
Bajor Post-DS9
Canon Primer + Campaign-Ready Depth
Canon Foundation (DS9 to Post-Dominion War)
1. Occupation Legacy
For over 50 years, Bajor was brutally occupied by the Cardassians, who strip-mined its resources, enslaved its people, and desecrated its culture. The result was:
- A scarred but resilient population
- A deep distrust of large powers (especially Cardassians and sometimes the Federation)
- A strong spiritual identity rooted in the Prophets, non-linear beings residing in the Bajoran Wormhole
2. Deep Space Nine / Terok Nor
The Cardassians constructed Terok Nor, a mining station above Bajor. After the Occupation ended, Bajor requested Federation assistance:
- Renamed Deep Space Nine (DS9) and operated jointly.
- Became a gateway station to the Gamma Quadrant due to the stable wormhole nearby.
- Became a strategic and spiritual touchpoint in the Dominion War.
3. Federation Membership
As of DS9 Season 7, Bajor was on the cusp of Federation membership, but held back due to:
- Concerns over sovereignty
- Influence of religious leadership (notably Kai Winn, who stalled integration)
- The Dominion War, which put plans on pause
By the time of Picard S1, Bajor is implied to be a full member of the Federation (Joined 2376), with full Starfleet access, representatives, and regional influence.
Bajor Today: The Small World With a Big Wormhole
Bajor is a single-planet civilization with an outsized presence due to:
- Strategic location (Alpha-Gamma corridor via wormhole)
- Spiritual gravity (the Prophets, who many cultures now recognize as real, not just myth)
- Cultural memory (seen as survivors, not victims)
But they are not a military or expansionist power. They hold:
- No fleets of their own (defense is handled in cooperation with the Federation)
- No offworld colonies or empire
- Minimal influence in sector-wide politics unless the Celestial Temple (wormhole) is involved
The Prophets: Divine Enigma or Wormhole Aliens?
The Prophets, as Bajorans call them, are non-linear lifeforms who live in the wormhole and exist outside of time. Canon confirms:
- They are real entities, not myth.
- They’ve altered timelines, granted visions, and directly interacted with linear beings.
- They chose Captain Benjamin Sisko as their “Emissary.”
What makes them compelling in a campaign:
- They’re watching, but not always answering.
- They don’t perceive time, so prophecies may refer to the past, present, or future—simultaneously.
- Bajorans revere them, while most outsiders treat them with respectful caution or outright skepticism.
Campaign Expansion: “Whispers of the Temple”
In your campaign, Bajor could be small—but symbolically powerful, playing roles like:
- Cultural brokers between Federation, Prophets, and other post-warp societies
- Keepers of the Prophets' warnings, especially regarding future tech (Borg, Delta tech, etc.)
- Stewards of prophecy that intersects with Heimdahl’s missions
Potential Hooks:
- A Prophet-origin artifact is uncovered—Federation wants to study it, but Bajor insists it must remain untouched.
- A wormhole anomaly begins broadcasting in a non-linear pattern—Bajor interprets it as divine; Swayze thinks it's a signal.
- A Bajoran Vedek joins your ship temporarily to interpret a prophetic vision tied to one of your Delta Quadrant missions.
Faction Power Profile: Bajor
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Military Strength | Minimal — relies on Starfleet |
| Technological Level | Advanced, Federation-standard post-war |
| Cultural Influence | Rising — especially within spiritual, moral, and political diplomacy |
| Strategic Importance | High — controls wormhole entrance to Gamma Quadrant |
| Political Standing | Full (or near-full) Federation member |
| Unique Trait | Connection to non-linear entities capable of shaping time and fate |
TL;DR:
Bajor is not a galactic power—but they don’t need to be.
They’re the keepers of a door to elsewhere.
They hear gods who live in time’s blind spot.
And if the Prophets ever truly speak again… it might not be Bajor that needs listening. It might be the rest of the Quadrant.
Comments