Ven Miya

Authored by Claire M

Character Biography

Date of Birth: 2374
Homeworld: Bajor
Profession: Medical Cadet; hopes to become a Counsellor

Ven Miya was born five years after the Cardassians left Bajor, but the trauma of their occupation had an enduring impact on her childhood and early adult life. Her mother, Ven Arly, and her father, Ven Selnis, were both prylars, lower-level members of Bajor’s religion. Although the religion was officially banned during the Occupation, in practice it continued to have a strong impact on the planet’s people, acting as a rallying force against the brutality of the Cardassians and a support for the freedom fighters who opposed the invaders.

Miya’s parents were forced to work in one of the factories set up by the Cardassian invaders but in secret, they ministered to the other workers and freedom fighters while keeping alive the hope that, one day, Bajorans could worship in public again. When that moment happened, in 2369, the religion which had underpinned Bajoran society for centuries flourished once more. Miya’s parents were promoted to the higher rank of ranjen and sent to the Calash Monastery, among the many faithful tasked with restoring the site.

As the Bajoran religion permitted its clergy to have families, the two ranjen were delighted when they welcomed a daughter into the world in 2374. Miya joined the small but growing number of children based at the Monastery, learning her religious lessons from her parents and from the vedeks who led the community. She was brought up to follow the will of the Prophets and practise charity, humility and faith, the keys to enlightenment; as a dutiful Bajoran, not to mention an obedient child, she did her best to observe these tenets willingly. Miya was fascinated by tales of the Celestial Temple and the Emissary who had brought Bajorans face-to-face with their gods. This was how she first heard of Starfleet, though it was nothing more than a word to her then. As she grew older, she studied at the Bajoran Institute of Science; her parents belonged to an order which supported the scientific method, as well as promoting religious truth, so she found much to learn there. She also enjoyed playing Bajoran springball - the full-contact game gave her an outlet for her energy and enthusiasm. Her height meant she had to think tactically, but opponents who believed they would gain an easy win were taken aback by her strength and tenacity.

It was hardly surprising that Miya became a prylar as soon as she was of age to be admitted to the priesthood. As she supported her fellow Bajorans through times of grief and despair, Miya grew interested in the scientific study of mind and behaviour and adjusted her courses at the Bajoran Institute of Science to suit. Her parents, by now both vedeks – the second highest level of spiritual leaders – were proud of their only child’s progress but there was a level of tension, or rather jealousy, from some of the others whose children were not so blessed. Religion is no guarantee of probity: one of the newer vedeks, tempted by bringing opportunity to his family, let it be known that he had apparently had a vision from the Prophets. Prylar Ven Miya, the vedek declared, should leave Bajor and help to strengthen the links between the planet and the Federation it had recently joined. And if the vedek’s own child took her place as a prylar, well, that must also be the will of the Prophets, surely?

The news came as a shock to Miya, not to mention her parents, but the word of the Prophets was everything. Quickly she came to terms with her new path in life: she remembered the name ‘Starfleet’ and discovered, with some research, that her educational scores were well above the parameters for entry. She selected the medical programme as it seemed the best fit for someone who wanted to help others; her eventual aim was to become a counsellor because she felt this built on the skills she had developed as a prylar, supporting and aiding people at times of great stress.

She joined Starfleet Academy at the end of 2393, a little nervous, but excited to be doing the Prophets’ bidding. In addition to her standard medical courses, she chose as many counsellor-related specialisms as possible and started to develop a deep appreciation for the role, though she was all too aware that she had to graduate from the Academy before she could officially begin to move towards her goal. That came a step closer when she was assigned to the USS Challenger in 2397 for what should be her final training post.

Although Miya seems very similar to any other bright young cadet, her personality and sense of self-worth is still rooted within the Bajoran faith and she draws a great deal of satisfaction from knowing that she is apparently carrying out the will of the Prophets. But if the truth of the “vision” ever becomes known, it is likely to have a devastating impact on Cadet Ven Miya.

Physical Description
Slender but strong physique
Dark brown hair, cut in a bob which frames her face
Wide-set hazel eyes
High cheekbones
Caramel-coloured skin which deepens in the sun
D’ja pagh earring on her right ear
Horizontal ridges on bridge of nose

Medical History
No major medical problems/allergies
Two fractures, well-healed - rib and right wrist - from playing springball
(Please note: the Bajoran heart is mirrored along a horizontal axis unlike the human heart, which is mirrored vertically.)

Qualifications & Specialities
General medical training
Xenomedicine
Elective courses in various specialisms relating to psychology/counselling

Starfleet Service Record
2393 - Joined Starfleet (Medical) Academy

(Thanks to Callie for her bio layout!)