Metahumanity

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

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)

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

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

Nocturna (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

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

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

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 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: 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)

	HMHVV-I	HMHVV-II	HMHVV-1A
Human	Vampire	Loup-garou	Nosferatu
Elf	Banshee	Harvester	- 1
Dwarf	Goblin	Gnawer	-
Ork	Wendigo	Grendel	-
Troll	Dzoo-noo-qua	Fomóraig	Mutaqua
Effects on Non-Metahuman species
Pixie	-	-	-
Sasquatch	Jabberwock	Bandersnatch	-
Centaur	Chiron	-	-
Merrow	Nibiinaabe	-	-
Naga	Lamia	-	-
Koala	-	Drop Bear 2	-
1 - One recorded case of a Nosferatu 2 - Uninfected carrier

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.

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.

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.

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.