View source for Metahumanity

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== Metagenetics ==
Metagenetics present themselves as phenotype differences, all stemming from the same "Homo sapiens", as you can see below in each category. The phenotypical difference is caused by the return of magic in 2011, activating or modifying DNA strains previously dormant. Philosophical and scientific debate continues in the Sixth World on this topic, as more is uncovered about Metagenetics, but in this article you'll find the baseline assumptions as they are currently made in canon lore.

In game terms, metahuman characters generally have abilities beyond those of normal humans, such as increased strength or agility, improved vision, etc. They will also present differently visually, like a troll's horns, or an elf's pointed ears. And because of these phenotypical differences, those not classified as "Homo sapiens sapiens" (aka 'normal humans') are often the target of discrimination in the Sixth World.

Lastly, the phenotypical differences don't just end there, and within each Metatype you'll find a number of different Metavariants, each presenting a unique phenotypical profile often linked to a region or an ancestry.

== Metatypes and Metavariants ==

=== [[Human|Humans]] ===
''Homo sapiens sapiens.''

There are currently two known variants of the Human Metatype:

: [[Nartaki]]: Multi-limbed, blue skinned humans
: [[Valkyries]]: Winged humans in Norway and India (where they are known as Garudan)

=== [[Dwarf|Dwarves]] ===
''Homo sapiens pumilionis.''

There are currently six known variants of the Dwarven Metatype:
: [[Gnomes]]: Central European Dwarf
: [[Harumen]]: Dwarven variant from India with monkey-like appearance
: [[Korobokuru]]: Japanese Dwarven variant
: [[Menehune]]: Hawaiʻian Dwarf
: [[Querx]]: Variant from Saxony in the Allied German States
: [[Duende]] (Dour): Variant in 6th Edition in the Philippines, West Africa, and Peru

=== [[Elf|Elves]] ===
''Homo sapiens nobilis.''

There are at least five known variants of the Elven Metatype:

: [[Dalakitnon]]: Elf variant from the Philippines
: [[Dryads]]: All-female variant of the Elven species
: [[Nocturn]]a (Night Ones): European Elf noted for fine dark-coloured fur
: [[Wakyambi]]: Dark-skinned Elves of Africa
: [[Xapiri Thëpë]]: Elf variant with green spots (chlorophyl) on their skin, native to Amazonia

=== [[Troll|Trolls]] ===
''Homo sapiens ingentis.''

There are at least four known variants of the Troll Metatype:

: [[Cyclops]]: One-eyed Mediterranean Troll
: [[Fomori]]: Irish Celtic Troll
: [[Giants]]: Nordic Troll
: [[Minotaurs]]: Rare Mediterranean Troll

=== [[Ork|Orks]] ===
''Homo sapiens robustus.''

There are at least four known variants of the Ork Metatype:
: [[Hobgoblins]]: Middle Eastern Ork variant
: [[Ogres]]: European Ork sub-group
: [[Oni]]: Japanese Ork
: [[Satyr]]: Mediterranean Ork

== [[Drake|Drakes]] ==
Drakes are metahumans, regardless of metatype, whom have for one reason or another found themselves able to turn into draco-forms. This is different from [[Dragons of the Sixth World|a Dragon]] in that, unlike Dragons, Drakes start of born as a metahuman. Drakes draw their appearance from one of the four [[dracoforms]]. In addition, they can be divided into two broad groups<ref name=cod>{{Qen|COD}}</ref>: ''true drakes'', who are metahumans turned drake by Great Dragon magic; and ''bred drakes'', who are metahumans born with the traits that manifest at some later point.

== Infected (HMHVV) ==
<div style="float:right; margin-left:1em;">
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left:1em;"
! || HMHVV-I || HMHVV-II || HMHVV-1A
|-
| [[Human]] || Vampire || Loup-garou || Nosferatu
|-
| [[Elf]] || Banshee || Harvester || - <sup>1</sup>
|-
| [[Dwarf]] || Goblin || Gnawer || -
|-
| [[Ork]] || Wendigo || Grendel || -
|-
| [[Troll]] || Dzoo-noo-qua || Fomóraig || Mutaqua
|-
! colspan="4" | Effects on Non-Metahuman species
|-
| [[Pixie]] || - || - || -
|-
| [[Sasquatch]] || Jabberwock || Bandersnatch || -
|-
| [[Centaur]] || Chiron || - || -
|-
| [[Merrow]] || Nibiinaabe || - || -
|-
| [[Naga]] || Lamia || - || -
|-
| [[Koala]] || - || [[Drop Bear]] <sup>2</sup> || -
|-
| colspan="4" | <sup>1</sup> - One recorded case of a Nosferatu <br> <sup>2</sup> - Uninfected carrier
|}
</div>

[[HMHVV]] (Human Meta-Human Vampiric Virus) impacts each metatype slightly different, not to mention each individual strain of HMHVV.

Note than the HMHVV-III strain '''always''' turns its metahuman victim into a [[Ghoul]].

== Other Sapient Lifeforms ==
With the return of magic, other lifeforms were discovered and classified over time, often not classified or misclassified for many years. Below you will find a list of them, with short descriptions. For more information, go to each individual article.

In game rules, these alternate sentient lifeforms can be chosen by players as playable 'races', but they remain distinct from Metahumanity despite their sentience.

=== [[Dracoforms]] ===
Dracoforms come in 4 distinct forms, but they cover everything from Great Dragons to drakes. However, unlike Drakes, Dragons are sapient non-metahuman beings.

=== [[Pixie|Pixies]] ===
A '''Pixie''' (fairy) is a diminutive humanoid that resembles a half-meter tall elf with large, iridescent dragonfly-like wings emerging from their back (one-meter wingspan), classified in the early 2080s as fey. Previously incorrectly assumed to be a metavariant of the Elf.

<code>Not Canon until reference provided: When infected with the Human Meta-Human Vampiric Virus, Pixies become "Tooth Fairies", which have a hunger for fresh teeth. The younger, the better.</code>

=== [[Sasquatch|Sasquatches]] ===
A '''Sasquatch''' (''Pesvastus pilosis'') is a large furry humanoid that was declared a sentient species by the United Nations in 2042, although many nations had officially declared it sentient before then.

=== [[Naga]] ===
The '''Naga''' (''Custos serpens'') are giant Awakened sentient serpents. Known since the early 2060s to be fully sapient.

=== [[Centaur]] ===
The '''Centaur''' (''Equus sagittarius'') are a species of sapient creatures. Centaurs have been gene-typed to the ''Equus'' horse family, but debate continues as to both the origins of the Centaur and its sapience.

== Index ==