Pah Wraith
Encyclopedia
In the fictional Star Trek
universe, Pah Wraiths (also spelled Pagh Wraiths, Bajoran
for Soul Wraiths) are the opposing force to the Bajoran Prophets
. Non-corporeal life-forms, they were expelled from the Bajoran wormhole and imprisoned in the Bajoran Fire Caves on the planet Bajor. They serve as villains of the DS9 series, being served by one of the show's central villains Gul Dukat
and threatening to destroy the galaxy in the show's final episodes.
They long for revenge against the Prophets who cast them out, even going so far as to possess the bodies of corporeal beings to further their goals. Keiko O'Brien, wife of Deep Space Nine
's Chief of Operations Miles O'Brien
, was used in a nearly successful attempt to kill the Prophets. (episode: "The Assignment")
In another incident, episode "The Reckoning", the Emissary (Benjamin Sisko
) released a Pah Wraith and a Prophet from an ancient artifact. These beings fought on the Gates to the Celestial Temple (Deep Space Nine
). In the fight, a Prophet possessed the (willing) body of Kira Nerys
while the Pah Wraith possessed the (unwilling) body of Jake Sisko
.
In "Tears of the Prophets", Gul Dukat
unleashed a Pah Wraith from an ancient relic which possessed his body and proceeded to use an orb at Deep Space Nine to close the wormhole. Once this happened, the cult
of the Pah Wraiths became more popular on Bajor. Once Sisko found the Orb of the Emissary (in "Shadows and Symbols"), the wormhole reopened and the Pah Wraith was again cast out.
In the final episode, "What You Leave Behind", Dukat and Winn Adami attempt to free the Pah Wraiths from their prison. Winn, who had abandoned her faith in the Prophets, returns to them and undergoes a change of heart, sacrificing her life in an attempt to stop Dukat. Eventually, Sisko and the Prophets return the Pah Wraiths - and Dukat - to the fire caves forever, never to threaten the Alpha Quadrant again.
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
universe, Pah Wraiths (also spelled Pagh Wraiths, Bajoran
Bajoran
In the Star Trek science-fiction franchise, the Bajorans are a humanoid extraterrestrial species native to the planet Bajor. They were first introduced in the 1991 episode "Ensign Ro" of Star Trek: The Next Generation and subsequently also featured in episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and...
for Soul Wraiths) are the opposing force to the Bajoran Prophets
Prophet (Star Trek)
In the fictional Star Trek universe, the Prophets, also known as Wormhole Aliens, are non-corporeal beings who inhabit the artificially constructed Bajoran wormhole which connects a distant point in the Gamma Quadrant to the Alpha Quadrant, near the planet of Bajor and the space station Deep Space...
. Non-corporeal life-forms, they were expelled from the Bajoran wormhole and imprisoned in the Bajoran Fire Caves on the planet Bajor. They serve as villains of the DS9 series, being served by one of the show's central villains Gul Dukat
Dukat (Star Trek)
Gul Dukat is the main antagonist of the fictional television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He is a member of the fictional Cardassian species, and leader in the Cardassian Union. At times he is an enemy, whilst at others an ally of the series' protagonist Benjamin Sisko. He was played by actor...
and threatening to destroy the galaxy in the show's final episodes.
They long for revenge against the Prophets who cast them out, even going so far as to possess the bodies of corporeal beings to further their goals. Keiko O'Brien, wife of Deep Space Nine
Deep Space Nine (space station)
Deep Space Nine is a fictitious space station, and is the eponymous primary setting of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. It serves as a base for the exploration of the Gamma Quadrant via the Bajoran wormhole, and is a hub of trade and travel for the sector's denizens...
's Chief of Operations Miles O'Brien
Miles O'Brien (Star Trek)
Miles Edward O'Brien, played by Colm Meaney, is Chief of Operations in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Before DS9, he appeared as a recurring transporter chief in Star Trek: The Next Generation...
, was used in a nearly successful attempt to kill the Prophets. (episode: "The Assignment")
In another incident, episode "The Reckoning", the Emissary (Benjamin Sisko
Benjamin Sisko
Benjamin Lafayette Sisko, played by Avery Brooks, is the main character of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Early life and career:...
) released a Pah Wraith and a Prophet from an ancient artifact. These beings fought on the Gates to the Celestial Temple (Deep Space Nine
Deep Space Nine (space station)
Deep Space Nine is a fictitious space station, and is the eponymous primary setting of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. It serves as a base for the exploration of the Gamma Quadrant via the Bajoran wormhole, and is a hub of trade and travel for the sector's denizens...
). In the fight, a Prophet possessed the (willing) body of Kira Nerys
Kira Nerys
Kira Nerys , played by Nana Visitor, is a main character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Backstory:Per Bajoran custom, her family name, Kira, precedes her given name, Nerys. She has two brothers , and her parents' names are Kira Taban and Kira Meru...
while the Pah Wraith possessed the (unwilling) body of Jake Sisko
Jake Sisko
Jacob "Jake" Sisko, played by Cirroc Lofton, is a character on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He is the son of Deep Space Nine's commanding officer, Benjamin Sisko.-Overview:...
.
In "Tears of the Prophets", Gul Dukat
Dukat (Star Trek)
Gul Dukat is the main antagonist of the fictional television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He is a member of the fictional Cardassian species, and leader in the Cardassian Union. At times he is an enemy, whilst at others an ally of the series' protagonist Benjamin Sisko. He was played by actor...
unleashed a Pah Wraith from an ancient relic which possessed his body and proceeded to use an orb at Deep Space Nine to close the wormhole. Once this happened, the cult
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
of the Pah Wraiths became more popular on Bajor. Once Sisko found the Orb of the Emissary (in "Shadows and Symbols"), the wormhole reopened and the Pah Wraith was again cast out.
In the final episode, "What You Leave Behind", Dukat and Winn Adami attempt to free the Pah Wraiths from their prison. Winn, who had abandoned her faith in the Prophets, returns to them and undergoes a change of heart, sacrificing her life in an attempt to stop Dukat. Eventually, Sisko and the Prophets return the Pah Wraiths - and Dukat - to the fire caves forever, never to threaten the Alpha Quadrant again.