Goauld

The Goa'uld are a fictional parasitic humanoid species in the Stargate franchise. They are symbiotic beings that inhabit hosts, typically humans, and use the host body to extend their life and power while presenting themselves as gods to the populations they conquer. They project an impressive technological and magical veneer, which they use to enforce control over subject worlds.

Biology and life cycle: A Goa'uld enters a suitable host as a larval symbiont and gradually integrates with the nervous system. The host remains ambulatory but is controlled by the Goa'uld mind and, in many cases, their memories. The symbiont generally grants enhanced strength, longevity, and access to advanced healing through the use of a sarcophagus, a device that can revive or heal, though repeated use can cause dependency and instability for the host and symbiont alike.

Society and technology: The Goa'uld operate an expansive empire led by rival System Lords who vie for power and territory. To build and maintain their dominion, they deploy Jaffa as elite soldiers and living incubators, with larval Goa'uld housed in the Jaffa abdominal pouch. Technologically advanced, they rely on stolen or adapted human and alien technologies, along with religious propaganda to maintain obedience.

Opposition and legacy: The Goa'uld are opposed by human explorers from Earth and by the Tok'ra, a faction of Goa'uld who seek peaceful coexistence with hosts. The Goa'uld remain a central antagonistic force in the Stargate saga, illustrating a parasitic empire that manipulates belief and dependence to sustain itself.