Or rather, excerpts of. These are entirely BS'd based on my own personal interpretation of the Trill species, and so you're not encouraged or required to take them as 'canon'. I do, however, attempt to remain close to plausible reality based on existing soft and hard canon lore involving the Trill species. This is what happens when I'm home sick for a day.
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Ancient Trill tradition is largely lost in today's age. One would expect the opposite- that the resulting culture would be historically facing given how much emphasis is placed on the multiple life experiences of a symbiont, but in reality the cult-like adoration of the symbionts has instilled many of the symbiont values into those of the humanoids- such as the obsession with new learning and experience. 'Traditional' Trill practice has been long since buried under a constant stream of extraterrestrial societal imports-- modern day Trill is a conglomerate of cultural and societal practices, holidays, rituals- a museum, almost, of popular and obscure practice alike from across the universe.
There are a few key aspects that remain uniquely Trill, however. For one, the widespread devotion to the wellbeing of the symbiont. Certainly, there are dissidents among the trill humanoids regarding the elevated status of a Joined Trill, but there are extremely few cases of violence committed against symbionts and symbiont hosts in comparison with like planetary cultures. This could be likened to the near-universal regard held for a species' offspring- the base nature inclination to nurture and protect children regardless of their genetic relation. Endangerment of a symbiont is highly irregular and equally taboo- the highest reformation sentences are handed out for such acts. It is the same inclination that gives Joined Trill priority in medical triage, adhered to in such a degree that the United Federation of Planets has to uncomfortably skirt the line it's drawn against 'classist' planetary cultures such as, undeniably, the standing culture of Trill. It is speculated that this alone is the reason for the planet to remain on an 'allied' status, rather than acknowledged as a full fledged member of UFP.
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There are a few key aspects that remain uniquely Trill, however. For one, the widespread devotion to the wellbeing of the symbiont. Certainly, there are dissidents among the trill humanoids regarding the elevated status of a Joined Trill, but there are extremely few cases of violence committed against symbionts and symbiont hosts in comparison with like planetary cultures. This could be likened to the near-universal regard held for a species' offspring- the base nature inclination to nurture and protect children regardless of their genetic relation. Endangerment of a symbiont is highly irregular and equally taboo- the highest reformation sentences are handed out for such acts. It is the same inclination that gives Joined Trill priority in medical triage, adhered to in such a degree that the United Federation of Planets has to uncomfortably skirt the line it's drawn against 'classist' planetary cultures such as, undeniably, the standing culture of Trill. It is speculated that this alone is the reason for the planet to remain on an 'allied' status, rather than acknowledged as a full fledged member of UFP.
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Religion, or belief, is a personal choice. There is no majority religion (sans that of the ritual and enforced behaviorisms surrounding interactions with symbionts such as Joinings) and so religious fanaticism has not been present on Trill from the start of its technological age- if it existed prior to that, no documentation remains. It should be noted, however, that the emphasis on logic and science- though not rivaling that of the Vulcans- takes on many religious aspects, if not in itself a codex of behavior.
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Religion, or belief, is a personal choice. There is no majority religion (sans that of the ritual and enforced behaviorisms surrounding interactions with symbionts such as Joinings) and so religious fanaticism has not been present on Trill from the start of its technological age- if it existed prior to that, no documentation remains. It should be noted, however, that the emphasis on logic and science- though not rivaling that of the Vulcans- takes on many religious aspects, if not in itself a codex of behavior.
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Another example of a distinct, though not at all unique, 'traditional' value for Trill is found within oration. That the ability to capture an audience, carry a joke, or deliver a tale entertainingly as a desirable trait is an aspect often missed by visiting amateur culturalists. That may be because the main emphasis of oration exists within the opaque requirements for Joining candidacy- or rather, in the rigorous training and examinations of those seeking to become Joined with a Trill symbiont. While secondary to the push for academic prowess, candidates for joining are expected to meet a certain level of oratory proficiency- they are expected to 'share the gift' of their Joining by regaling others with stories and anecdotes of the Joined Trill's past lives.
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Another example of a distinct, though not at all unique, 'traditional' value for Trill is found within oration. That the ability to capture an audience, carry a joke, or deliver a tale entertainingly as a desirable trait is an aspect often missed by visiting amateur culturalists. That may be because the main emphasis of oration exists within the opaque requirements for Joining candidacy- or rather, in the rigorous training and examinations of those seeking to become Joined with a Trill symbiont. While secondary to the push for academic prowess, candidates for joining are expected to meet a certain level of oratory proficiency- they are expected to 'share the gift' of their Joining by regaling others with stories and anecdotes of the Joined Trill's past lives.
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Trill society on the whole embraced environmental awareness and conservation at a significantly earlier age in comparison to similar species. This is attributed to the early cultural integration of the symbiont with the humanoid, the multiple lifetimes offering insight on environmental impact as well as a more immediate sense of obligation to future generations- of Trill children and symbiont hosts. More than seventy percent of the planet has been preserved in a near-pristine state, with large vertical urban centers dotting huge planetary parks. Surrounded by access to idyllic hiking, skiing, water rafting and other outdoor sports, Trill are typically very active and physically fit.
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Trill society on the whole embraced environmental awareness and conservation at a significantly earlier age in comparison to similar species. This is attributed to the early cultural integration of the symbiont with the humanoid, the multiple lifetimes offering insight on environmental impact as well as a more immediate sense of obligation to future generations- of Trill children and symbiont hosts. More than seventy percent of the planet has been preserved in a near-pristine state, with large vertical urban centers dotting huge planetary parks. Surrounded by access to idyllic hiking, skiing, water rafting and other outdoor sports, Trill are typically very active and physically fit.
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There are two recognized genders- that of male or female- and an individual may choose to which they belong. Likewise, heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual behaviors are all considered equally valid. Trill sexual morality encourages, and generally adheres to, a cultural norm of serial monogamy regardless of sexual orientation.
Unlike other cultures that tout monogamous behavior as virtuous and yet are still fraught with infidelity (see the 'Telluvian Humans', a part of this cultural treatise series), the Trill seem to lack the genetic compulsions to behave counter to this morality. The average Trill will take on a sexual partner for a general minimum of a year until their interests or personalities no longer 'align' at which point they will cordially part ways, often times retaining a friendship and equal child-raising responsibilities.The average number of partners for a Trill humanoid is seven- one to two partners for each recognized 'life stage'- easily equatable to 'adolescence' to 'young adult', 'adulthood', and 'mid-life' to end. While it is not all too rare for a Trill to settle with a single partner for the remainder of their lifespan after one or two prior, cultural expectations are not set for 'life partners', but rather for multiple 'long term' partners over the course of a Trill's lifespan. The exception to this, as with most Trill exceptions, lies with Joined Trill. The forbidden act of 'reassociating', or taking on a lover or spouse from a previous host is hugely romanticized, perhaps because of the heavy consequences (the symbiont will not be re-hosted) levied against it.
Trill courtship is, like the rest of Trill culture, a hodgepodge of imported practices- chosen and enacted on a 'case per case' basis. That said, the very choice of which practice to implement on a prospective mate is weighed in the courtship process and expected to be chosen with the other individual in mind. 'Traditionalist' trill often turn to the Joining rituals for inspiration, while actual Joined Trill are far more likely to adopt the practices of their chosen mate or, in cases of intraspecies marriage, jointly decide on alien ceremonies.
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There are two recognized genders- that of male or female- and an individual may choose to which they belong. Likewise, heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual behaviors are all considered equally valid. Trill sexual morality encourages, and generally adheres to, a cultural norm of serial monogamy regardless of sexual orientation.
Unlike other cultures that tout monogamous behavior as virtuous and yet are still fraught with infidelity (see the 'Telluvian Humans', a part of this cultural treatise series), the Trill seem to lack the genetic compulsions to behave counter to this morality. The average Trill will take on a sexual partner for a general minimum of a year until their interests or personalities no longer 'align' at which point they will cordially part ways, often times retaining a friendship and equal child-raising responsibilities.The average number of partners for a Trill humanoid is seven- one to two partners for each recognized 'life stage'- easily equatable to 'adolescence' to 'young adult', 'adulthood', and 'mid-life' to end. While it is not all too rare for a Trill to settle with a single partner for the remainder of their lifespan after one or two prior, cultural expectations are not set for 'life partners', but rather for multiple 'long term' partners over the course of a Trill's lifespan. The exception to this, as with most Trill exceptions, lies with Joined Trill. The forbidden act of 'reassociating', or taking on a lover or spouse from a previous host is hugely romanticized, perhaps because of the heavy consequences (the symbiont will not be re-hosted) levied against it.
Trill courtship is, like the rest of Trill culture, a hodgepodge of imported practices- chosen and enacted on a 'case per case' basis. That said, the very choice of which practice to implement on a prospective mate is weighed in the courtship process and expected to be chosen with the other individual in mind. 'Traditionalist' trill often turn to the Joining rituals for inspiration, while actual Joined Trill are far more likely to adopt the practices of their chosen mate or, in cases of intraspecies marriage, jointly decide on alien ceremonies.
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Criminal activity on Trill was, and is, of a sophisticated nature: corporate espionage, elaborate financial schemes and IP theft are in the majority, rather than murder, assault, or burglary. Not to say the latter categories are non-existent, but in their relatively rare cases, they are usually calcuated with some larger gain weighted over the act itself. Crimes of 'passion' in murder, assault, etc, are an outlier and the commiting parties of such crimes are considered mentally unstable until proven otherwise. To Trill, such unpredictable, explosive malice is a far greater danger to society than something precalculated.
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Criminal activity on Trill was, and is, of a sophisticated nature: corporate espionage, elaborate financial schemes and IP theft are in the majority, rather than murder, assault, or burglary. Not to say the latter categories are non-existent, but in their relatively rare cases, they are usually calcuated with some larger gain weighted over the act itself. Crimes of 'passion' in murder, assault, etc, are an outlier and the commiting parties of such crimes are considered mentally unstable until proven otherwise. To Trill, such unpredictable, explosive malice is a far greater danger to society than something precalculated.
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