Kobollian

This article has a separate continuity. This article is in the Richard Hatch Novelizations separate continuity, which is related to the Original Series. Be sure that your contributions to this article reflect the characters and events specific to this continuity only.

Kobollians are humans who are direct descendants of the House of Kobol, also known as the Lords of Kobol. Pure-blooded Kobollians possess latent mental abilities far superior to other humans, including telepathy and clairvoyance, which can be accessed through rigorous mental training. Most inhabitants of Caprica are descended from settlers of Kobol, but only a handful carry the pure bloodline of the Lords of Kobol.

Origins and History

The Kobollian bloodline traces back to the House of Kobol, a family of priests who lived in seclusion on the original human homeworld of Parnassus. Over long millennia, the Lords of Kobol spent every moment improving themselves through concentration, meditation, and inner vision, developing mental abilities far superior to those of other humans.

When the star of Parnassus was going to go nova, the Lords led their acolytes and many followers to a remote planet they named Kobol. After mere centuries, the growing population began to squabble, and the Lords of Kobol departed the planet, leaving acolytes and followers behind. They became the Thirteenth Tribe, with legends implying they may have gone to Earth.

While many acolytes remained on Kobol, others traveled to the Twelve Colonies, specifically to Caprica, where the pure-blooded descendants of the House of Kobol ruled for millennia until the Cylons came.

Identifying Pure-Blooded Kobollians

Most people from Caprica are of Kobol descent, but the pure bloodline of the Lords of Kobol is rare. The people of Caprica elected Kobollian leaders because they recognized their wisdom, which stems from more than mere legend or study—Kobollians are "gifted."

Known pure-blooded Kobollians include:

• Adama: Commander of Galactica, descended from the original Kobollians in a direct line.
• Apollo: Son of Adama, pure-blooded Kobollian.
• Athena: Daughter of Adama, pure-blooded Kobollian.
• Zac: Son of Adama (deceased), pure-blooded Kobollian.
• Troy: Of the bloodline, though not genetically related to Adama's family.

Aboard Galactica, there are only a handful of others with pure Kobollian blood. Troy may not be aware of his heritage, as Adama notes uncertainty about whether Troy knows he is of the bloodline.

Uncertain Cases

Apollo believes Starbuck is not a full-blooded Kobollian, meaning he would not be accelerated and would face "an endless void" after death. However, both of Starbuck's parents were Caprican and might well have been full-blooded Kobollian.

During Starbuck's memorial service, Apollo witnesses an eerie light—the same phenomenon he saw with Adama when someone of pure Kobollian blood dies—filling the chamber and striking Starbuck's head with a brilliant glow. No one else sees this light, leading Apollo to wonder if Starbuck might be Kobollian after all.

When Starbuck is later accelerated and returns, he confirms Apollo's suspicion, stating: "You must be pure Kobollian!" Starbuck explains that the Lords told him "we're all Kobollians" and that while some are more pure-blooded and directly descended than others, all humans have the potential to evolve and accelerate—direct descendants of certain houses simply had more of a head start.

Mental Abilities

Pure-blooded Kobollians possess latent mental abilities that other humans could never hope to use. All humans have these talents, but humans use very little of their brains. By accessing more of the mind's potential through meditation, descendants of the House of Kobol can master mental powers that lie dormant within them.

Telepathy

Telepathy is communication mind-to-mind without spoken words, often across great distances. This ability allows Kobollians to:

• Mental Communication: Send and receive thoughts directly from other minds.
• Empathic Sensing: Feel the emotions and mental states of others.
• Long-Range Contact: Reach out telepathically across vast distances, such as from a planet's surface to orbiting vessels.

Apollo demonstrates advanced telepathic abilities, establishing mental contact with Athena during critical moments and sensing his presence across space. However, telepathic communication can be blocked by interference from certain planets or alien species.

Clairvoyance

Clairvoyance is the power to call to mind visions of the future or the present, to see what is impossible to see with physical eyes. This manifests as:

• Prescient Visions: Seeing possible futures, though it may be unclear whether these are definite predictions or warnings about what might happen.
• Danger Sense: A heightened awareness of impending threats.

Apollo experiences a powerful clairvoyant vision of the fleet's destruction, including Galactica breaking apart, Athena screaming on the dying battlestar's bridge, and Troy's Viper being obliterated. The vision causes him physical pain, making him cry out and buckle to his knees. Whether such visions represent certain futures or merely possibilities remains unclear even to experienced Kobollians.

Development and Training

Mental abilities require rigorous training to access and master. The traditional Kobollian method involves:

• Concentration: Focused mental discipline
• Meditation: Regular meditative practice
• Inner Vision: Looking inward to access dormant abilities

The mantra "concentration, meditation, inner vision" serves as a guide for developing these powers. Adama trained Apollo for more than ten yahren in the sanctuary aboard Galactica, preparing him to accept the truths of his heritage and utilize them in his role as commander.

Adama's father revealed these truths to him on the occasion of his fortieth novayahren celebration, and it took centons before Adama believed him. The revelation of Kobollian heritage and abilities is traditionally kept secret until the individual is old enough and has enough self-control to make use of them.

The Kobollian Sanctuary

A sanctuary was built into the design of Galactica when she was first constructed more than five hundred yahren ago, without the knowledge of the other colonies. This private chamber serves as a place for Kobollian meditation and training.

The sanctuary features an advanced computer more than five centuries old, light years ahead of other systems aboard Galactica. The computer has an almost organic design with curving sides, a glittering gold and silver face, and exclusively uses holo-projection rather than flatscreens. Adama left a holo-recording in the sanctuary explaining Kobollian heritage to Apollo after his death.

Acceleration and the Afterlife

Pure-blooded Kobollians experience "acceleration" after death—their spirits are called to join the Lords of Kobol aboard the Ships of Light. Those who are not full-blooded Kobollians do not receive this acceleration and face "an endless void" after death.

This selective acceleration troubles Apollo, who questions the logic and fairness of excluding those not directly descended from the Lords of Kobol. He wonders whether it is truly impossible for other humans to achieve the same level of advancement, viewing the concept as illogical at best and elitist at worst. Apollo determines to pursue the idea that perhaps one day all of humanity could expand their minds to prepare for acceleration of their spirits at the end of corporeal life.

Adama's recording refers to being "with the light now" and states that "the Lords of Kobol have taken me," suggesting acceleration occurs immediately upon death for pure-blooded Kobollians.

Leadership and Wisdom

The people of Caprica always elected Kobollian leaders, recognizing their wisdom. This tradition continued aboard the Colonial Fleet, where many believe leadership should come from the bloodline of the House of Kobol.

Dalton expresses the widely held view: "The bloodline of the House of Kobol are the wisest beings humanity has ever bred. We would be foolish not to follow your father. He might not be Adama, but he is Adama's son and certainly has much of his father's wisdom."

Adama believed Galactica could not survive if led by anyone but another Kobollian of pure blood, citing both the mental abilities and the accumulated wisdom of the bloodline as essential qualifications. However, some in the fleet oppose this view, with various groups nominating their own candidates and questioning whether leadership should be tied to bloodline.

Cultural Significance

The phrase "By the Lords" or "By the Lords of Kobol" is commonly uttered throughout Colonial society, though for most people it is merely a traditional expression. For pure-blooded Kobollians like Apollo, the phrase takes on profound significance once they learn the truth of their heritage.

The Kobollian heritage has been kept largely secret, with general knowledge focusing on Kobollian wisdom and leadership qualities rather than the specific mental abilities and direct connection to the Lords of Kobol. This secrecy serves to protect the bloodline and prevent misuse of knowledge about their abilities.