A major galactic political power based in the Gamma Quadrant, the Dominion controls thousands of worlds. Created by the Founders, a species of shapeshifters, the Dominion's will is exerted by Vorta administrators and formidable Jem'Hadar soldiers.

History

Origins

Thousands of years ago the Changelings were a peaceful people who explored the galaxy; however, they were hunted and persecuted by "solids" and forced to return to their native territory. Facing extinction, the Founders created the Dominion to defend themselves from potential threats to their way of life and impose order upon the galaxy. To help manage their new government, the Vorta were genetically modified to serve as the Founder's administrators. Needing a military caste, the Dominion made contact with the Hur'q shortly after their formation. The Dominion began to modify the Hur'q; however, this led to the fall of the Hur'q civilization. Later, genetically manipulated Klingons were intended for use as a soldier caste, but the Dominion's plan to control them via addicting them to Ketracel White failed leading the Dominion to create the Jem'Hadar. Through their military might, the Dominion has subjugated hundreds of races.

First Contact

Following the discovery of the Bajoran Wormhole, expeditionary missions were launched from representatives of the Alpha Quadrant to explore the distant Gamma Quadrant. Seeing these intrusions as an existential threat, the Dominion deployed the Jem'Hadar to destroy a number of colonies and starships established within the borders of their territory including the New Bajor Colony and the Starship Odyssey. Seeing that the Federation was undeterred, the Dominion began using espionage to destabilize the Alpha Quadrant with Changeling infiltrators replacing key representatives of multiple Alpha Quadrant governments. Using their power and influence, the Dominion arranged for multiple governments to attack each other with multiple large-scale conflicts resulting.

The Dominion War

Despite their efforts to destabilize the region, the Dominion identified that their efforts were not as successful as intended and chose to establish their own foothold in the Alpha Quadrant by allying with the Cardassian Union in 2373. With the Dominion transferring resources and vessels from the Gamma Quadrant to support their new alliance, Captain Benjamin Sisko petitioned Starfleet Command and was approved to place thousands of self-replicating mines at the entrance of the wormhole. The Dominion responded by sending a fleet of warships to attack the station, capturing it and igniting the Dominion War.

The early period of the War featured several decisive victories for the Dominion with the Federation Alliance taking heavy losses. It was not until 2374 when the alliance captured Deep Space 9 (with the help of the Prophets, who removed a fleet of 2,800 Jem'Hadar warships in transit within the wormhole) that the tide of war started to turn in the Federation's favor. Soon after the Romulan Star Empire discovered evidence that the Dominion planned to invade Romulus, leading the Star Empire to join the war against the Dominion. The Federation Alliance went on the offensive soon after, capturing the Chin'toka system.

Seeking victory through any means necessary, Section 31 infected the Founders with a morphogenic virus to weaken the Dominion's leadership. This led the Dominion to negotiate an alliance with the Breen Confederacy, who used their enhanced weapons technology to devastate the Alliance during the Second Battle of Chin'toka. The Cardassians, who had been relegated to second class citizens on their own world, became disillusioned with the Dominion and formed a resistance movement. Through the efforts of the Federation Alliance and the resistance - which included the Cardassian military - the Female Changeling surrendered at the Battle of Cardassia in exchange for the cure to the morphogenic virus. Soon after the Treaty of Bajor was signed at Deep Space Nine, officially ending the Dominion War.

After the Dominion War

Retreating to the Gamma Quadrant following the Dominion War, the worlds of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants would have little to no contact with the Dominion. In the interim, Laas formed a New Link in the Alpha Quadrant that served independently from and unbeknownst to the Great Link in the Gamma Quadrant, he allied himself with the True Way and conscripted the services of the Alpha Jem'Hadar. The Dominion transmitted a statement to the Federation disavowing the actions of any shapeshifters in the Alpha or Beta Quadrants and stating that any Changelings operating outside their authority were rogue.

No additional contact with the Dominion would occur until 2409 when the fleet of warships that were lost in the Bajoran Wormhole in 2374 reappeared, resulting in Deep Space 9's capture. As the Dominion Fleet refused to acknowledge the end of the war without a Founder, Starfleet launched a mission to enter the Gamma Quadrant to obtain the support of the Dominion. Locating the Vorta Weyoun, the Dominion agreed to assist with removing the occupation under the condition that the Female Changeling be released. The Federation agreed to the terms and the Dominion fleet eventually stood down and returned to the Gamma Quadrant. The Dominion would, temporarily, return to the Alpha Quadrant for peace talks in 2410; however, a relationship could not be established.

Politics

Absolute rule of the Dominion remains in the hands of the Founders and their Great Link, whose decisions cannot be disputed under any circumstances. The Founders are rarely seen, even by their servant races, and are often treated as gods or myth to the servitor races of the Dominion. Actions taken by Dominion member races are for the glory of the Founders, similar to how religious figures would pray or act to please their god(s). The daily affairs of the Dominion are managed by the Vorta, with their loyalty being genetically-engineered to ensure absolute obedience.

The Dominion prefers to eliminate threats through influence and espionage and launch military strikes through the Jem'Hadar when their usual tactics are unsuccessful.

Starships

Jem'Hadar Fighter

Jem'Hadar Fighters are lightweight and easily replaceable ships originally considered by the Dominion as only a small step above replaceable drones. Odo's influence has led these smallcraft to be refit to the best of their capabilities, enabling them to serve effectively as short-range attack craft, when supported by larger ships with hangar bays.

Jem'Hadar Attack Ship

The Jem'Hadar Attack Ship was the staple ship of the Dominion fleet in the mid-24th Century. These ships were used with deadly effect during the Dominion War. Small, fast and maneuverable, the Attack Ship packs a punch that is larger than expected for a ship of its size.

Jem'Hadar Heavy Escort

A Jem'Hadar warship design developed in the Gamma Quadrant after the end of the Dominion War, the Jem'Hadar Heavy Escort is a ship designed to complement the tactics of Jem'Hadar warriors. This heavy escort is a midsize Dominion vessel, with capabilities filling the niche between the Jem'Hadar Attack Ship and the Jem’Hadar Dreadnought Carrier‎. Often supported by a wing of Jem'Hadar Fighters, the appearance of a Jem'Hadar Heavy Escort in a battle can turn the tide for the Dominion.

Jem'Hadar Battlecruiser

The Jem'Hadar Battlecruiser is a flagship vessel originally seen as one of the primary vessels present in the adversary fleets that assaulted the Alpha and Beta Quadrants during the Dominion War. Heavily armed, after the events that led to the disappearance of an enormous Dominion fleet, derelict vessels of this type were periodically spotted near Bajoran and Cardassian space over the subsequent decades.

Jem'Hadar Dreadnought

A ship design introduced during the Dominion War, the massive Jem'Hadar Dreadnoughts were some of the most powerful ships ever created by the Dominion. More than twice the mass of a Federation Galaxy Class starship, the Jem'Hadar Dreadnought was first seen in the Alpha Quadrant by the crew of the U.S.S. Valiant in 2374. Later in the war, Dreadnoughts were used to destroy outposts and provide heavy support during the Battle of Cardassia.