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Modern '''humans''' (''Homo sapiens'') are the only extant members of the subtribe Hominina, a branch of the tribe Hominini belonging to the family of great apes. They are a space-faring species hailing originally from the planet [[Earth]] in the [[Sol]] system. They are currently among the most numerous known species in the galaxy, in both population and holdings, and are relatively technologically advanced.
Proteans are less a "species" in the evolutionary sense of the word and more a body type that a person can inhabit. It can be considered an additional type of synthetic crew member in addition to normal 'synthmorphs' and cyborgs. Unlike other species, they aren't from a single point of origin nor do they have any specific history or timeline. Instead, the characters that now inhabit a protean body could have originally been a [[Tajaran]] for example, having been resleeved into a protean body, just like they could have been resleeved into a [[Unathi]] or any other species.


Humanity is the primary driving force for rapid space expansion, owing to their strong, expansionist [[Sol Central|central government]] and opportunistic [[Trans-Stellar Corporations]]. The [[USDF]], which is the military arm of SolGov, has become a major force on the galactic stage as well. The prejudices of the 21st century have mostly given way to bitter divides on the most important issue of the times; technological expansionism, with some major human factions squabbling over their approach to technology in the face of a looming technological singularity.
The limiting factor on proteans is legality and cost. Self-replicating nanoswarms are heavily regulated in most civilized space out of fear that they could turn into walking grey goo[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_goo] scenarios. They also tend to be relatively new technology, and though useful, manufacturing pipelines and the legal hurdles required for production keep the cost high, and the market narrow.


While most humans have accepted the existence of aliens in their communities and workplaces as a fact of life, [[Nazi Remnant|some]] [[Soviet Union|exceptions]] still exist. While more culturally diverse than most species, humans are generally regarded as somewhat technophobic and isolationist by members of other species.
In a way, they are simply a continued expression of [[Nanite implant framework]] technology taken further down the road - instead of simply assisting solid body synthetics and humans, nanites form body and functions ''ad-hoc'' and ''in-situ'', with only relatively few concrete and solid parts needed to make a chassis capable of manipulating the world.


= Overview =
Proteans are a relatively new technology, but not exceptionally uncommon, with some synthetics deciding to shed their solid-state bodies for a much more fluid user experience or organics embracing the shapeshifting ability this technology offers.
* Humans have their own [[language]], Sol Common, which you can speak by typing <code>#1</code>.
* Due to how most technology in human-controlled space was made for humans in mind, they can wear most clothing, and even wear some specialized space suits designed for [[Skrell|other species]].
* Humans have no species wide restriction on diet, where as other species might.
* Humans are not barred from certain jobs, such as [[Job_Guides#Heads_of_Staff|Heads of Staff]] or [[Internal Affairs]], as [[NanoTrasen]] is a human-run company, after all.


== Biology ==
==Protean Overview==
[[File:Human.png|left]]
[[File:Protean-Ability.gif|alt=|left|frameless]]
The most commonly defined body systems in humans are the nervous, the cardiovascular, the circulatory, the digestive, the endocrine, the immune, the integumentary, the lymphatic, the musculoskeletal, the reproductive, the respiratory, and the urinary system.
Proteans are essentially a swarm of microscopic machines, each capable of linking to each other and arranging themselves such as to impersonate shapes. Imagine them like a self-building play bricks set, except the bricks are microscopic. The resulting shapes can be many, though it's far easier and more energy efficient to replicate shapes and structures that one has blueprints for, which means that they tend to emulate the shapes available from cyberlimb manufacturers, as these blueprints are widely available and easily programmed into the nanite swarms.


Humans, like most of the other apes, lack external tails, have several blood type systems, have opposable thumbs, and are sexually dimorphic. Humans are also among the best long-distance runners in the galactic animal kingdom, but slower over short distances. Humans' thinner body hair and more productive sweat glands help avoid heat exhaustion while running for long distances. Humans have about 2 million sweat glands spread over their entire bodies.
When not occupying a particular shape, they can simply collapse into an amorphous blob. Though a simple 'blob form' has no hands or fine manipulators, the utility of such shouldn't be underestimated. They are capable of fitting into small spaces (such as vents) and spreading themselves flat onto surfaces. Doing such allows them to easily hide or rest without expending much energy.


It is estimated that the average height for an adult human male is about 172 cm (5 ft 7 1⁄2 in), while the worldwide average height for adult human females is about 158 cm (5 ft 2 in). Shrinkage of stature may begin in middle age in some individuals, but tends to be typical in the extremely aged. Through history human populations have universally become taller, probably as a consequence of better nutrition, healthcare, and living conditions. The average mass of an adult human is 54–76 kg (119–168 lb). Like many other conditions, body weight and body type is influenced by genetic susceptibility, environment, [[Vore|diet]], and it varies greatly among individuals.
Having no structures to mend or wires to replace, they can't be repaired by [[Roboticist]]<nowiki/>s or the like, instead requiring a supply of steel which can be broken down and converted into more nanites for their swarm bodies.


Although humans appear hairless, with notable hair growth occurring chiefly on the top of the head, underarms and pubic area, the average human has more hair follicles on his or her body than the average chimpanzee. The main distinction is that human hairs are shorter, finer, and less heavily pigmented than a chimpanzee's, thus making them harder to see.
==Protean History==
Proteans have no real unified history - they are not an unified culture, nor do most think they necessarily need one. After all, it is simply another shell for an ego to impart their will upon the world. The advent of protean technology stems from the refinement of nanotechnology, specifically of the various forms of 'white goo' or 'nanopaste' technology, various devices hosting simple nanorobotic particles to fill gouges, burns and gashes in synthetic materials. These bulk nanobots weren't first functional with NIFs, as the bandwidth was too small to actually work with the massive network upkeep of controlling a large swarm of 'dumb' drones.  


=== Reproduction ===
Ward-Takahashi GMB, in conjunction of Hephaestus, developed, however, in 2305, a patent for the so called 'orchestrator module', which tackled the issue of bandwidth by attaching nanites together in thin, fibrous webs across larger masses of nanobots from which they can organise - bypassing the need of bulky processors and signal structures in favour of a morphable body, with the only drawback of limiting the overall size of a protean and making parts that are cut off its body inert or only executing pre-programmed commands.
As with other mammals, human reproduction takes place as internal fertilization by sexual intercourse. During this process, the male inserts his erect penis into the female's vagina and ejaculates semen, which contains sperm. The sperm travels through the vagina and cervix into the uterus or Fallopian tubes for fertilization of the ovum. Upon fertilization and implantation, gestation then occurs within the female's uterus.


The zygote divides inside the female's uterus to become an embryo, which over a period of 38 weeks (9 months) of gestation becomes a fetus. After this span of time, the fully grown fetus is birthed from the woman's body and breathes independently as an infant for the first time. At this point, most modern cultures recognize the baby as a person entitled to the full protection of the law, though some jurisdictions extend various levels of personhood earlier to human fetuses while they remain in the uterus.
Thus, the first generation of Proteans were born. Of course, the patent was soon violated and overturned, as miracuously several other corporations claimed to have 'invented' the technology, such as Zheng-Hu, NT, and even Greyson. Thus, the technology became publicly available, even if most Proteans still use proprietary technology of TSCs.


Compared with other species, human childbirth is dangerous. Painful labors lasting 24 hours or more are not uncommon and sometimes lead to the death of the mother, the child or both. This is because of both the relatively large fetal head circumference and the mother's relatively narrow pelvis. The chances of a successful labor increased significantly during the 20th and 21st centuries with the advent of new medical technologies. In contrast, pregnancy and natural childbirth remain hazardous ordeals in developing regions of the galaxy, with maternal death rates approximately 100 times greater than in developed systems.
While first generation swarms were largely experimental, in the Year 2320, second and third generation models are far more commercially available within the Human Diaspora and therefore in the Coreward Periphery.


Humans are considerably helpless at birth, and will continue to grow for some years, typically reaching sexual maturity at 12 to 15 years of age. Females continue to develop physically until around the age of 18, whereas male development continues until around age 21. The human life span can be split into a number of stages: infancy, childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, adulthood and old age.
There are many benefits to choosing a Protean form instead of a solid state synthetic - a relative ease of maintenance, the exhilarating ability to express themselves in shapeshifting and taking up surprisingly little volume if they so choose. However, an inherent fragility, a large upfront expense and the loss of a solid, concrete physical form might dissuade less determined people to embrace a fluid existence.
=== Gender Differences ===
The most obvious differences between males and females include all the features related to reproductive role, notably the endocrine (hormonal) systems and their physiological and behavioral effects, including gonadal differentiation, internal and external genital and breast differentiation, and differentiation of muscle mass, height, and hair distribution.


Externally, the most sexually dimorphic portions of the human body are the chest, the lower half of the face, and the area between the waist and the knees. Males often weigh slightly more than females, and are also slightly taller. On average, men also have a larger waist in comparison to their hips than women. Women however have a larger hip section than men; an adaptation for giving birth to infants with large skulls. Women also usually have substantially larger breasts due to the presence of milk-producing mammary glands.
Many Trans-Stellar Companies produce their own variants of Proteans, with performance profiles largely the same except for affectionados or specialty nanoswarms used in extreme conditions or military applications. Proteans seem to be a common progression in robot technology, as there are reports of older, more advanced species using them as well, such as the Skrell or Unathi.


The sexual division of humans into male and female has been marked culturally by a corresponding division of roles, norms, practices, dress, behavior, rights, duties, privileges, status, and power. Cultural differences by gender have often been believed to have arisen naturally out of a division of reproductive labor; the biological fact that women give birth led to their further cultural responsibility for nurturing and caring for children. Gender roles have varied historically, and challenges to predominant gender norms have recurred in many societies.
==Proteans in Human Space==
=== Lifespan ===
With good healthcare and a reasonable lifestyle, a human can live to around 110 years. The oldest known humans are around 150 years old.
=== Diet ===
Humans are omnivores, and have evolved to be able to handle a wide variety of foods. However, even humans cannot safely ingest large quantities chemicals that are almost universally toxic to other species, like cyanide, phoron, ethanol, or heavy metals.


Strangely, some humans even take pleasure in consuming foods with certain toxins, such as capscain, or other toxins that induce a sensation of burning, numbness, sourness, etc, despite the discomfort and sometimes even extreme agony that results from consuming such foods. Scientists believe these seemingly self-destructive habits were born out of necessity, due to an abundance of vitamins present in spicy/sour foods.
===Commonwealth of Sol-Procyon===
Due to the inherent conservatism and bio-chauvinism of the Terran Commonwealth, Proteans are required to have a PAN ID card to signify they are sanctioned to operate nanotechnology within Commonwealth or Corporate Space. This ID is part of the reason for the high upfront cost, as it costs quite the pretty penny to acquire.


== Gene editing (Splicing) ==
Many newer, formerly organic Proteans are indebted to a TSC for this reason.
While editing DNA spans back as early as the 20th century, it was not until the 2090s that the first major instances of major genetic changes were applied to humans. Originally pioneered by [[Dr.  Asher Hubbard]] and then later by [[Lakewood Biotech]], human gene editing, which became known as ''Splicing'', involved the fusion of animal DNA into human subjects to alter physical appearance and cause dramatic changes to the human anatomy.


While gene editing does not necessarily ''require'' the use of animal DNA in modern patients, as current gene editing technology can change almost anything, it is still considered cheaper, easier, and safer to adapt the DNA from other creatures when possible rather than selectively edit one's genes directly. The more dramatic the changes are, the less practical it is to perform direct gene mods. As such, the technology of splicing still persists.
===Elysian Colonies===
Depending on the colony itself in the Demi-Monde, some people embrace Protean bodies as the new vogue or outlaw and hunt them within their own majesty space. After all, it is the Elysian Colonies. They can never agree on such things. Elysian Proteans are usually a corporate bought chassis with an imprint of the mind of a person. Some have restrictions and shackles set in their Orchestrator Module (see below) to ensure compliance. Some are unrestricted. Some restrict organics and other synthetic forms instead.


=== Early splicers ===
===Ares Confederation===
Although originally contrived as a means of correcting illnesses such as cancer, hereditary diseases, and deformities, Dr. Asher's research funding was initially dependent on the approval of the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]]. Due to alleged ethics violations, Dr. Asher's funding was cut, and the project was nearly cancelled in its entirety when one of his students at the school took an entrepreneurial take on the new procedure. She began distributing splicing services among members of a subculture called "furries" who are individuals interested in anthropomorphic animal characters with human personalities and characteristics. Through splicing, these furries were able to transform themselves into their own characters with what usually became permanent changes.
The Ares Confederation itself happily takes in any Protean that wishes to join their ranks, not caring much about their physicality and rather more if they are a good citizen or not. Individual member states might vary slightly, requiring a Protean to license themselves before operating in their states or forbid them to perform certain jobs. Overall, however, they are accepted as part of the expression of synthetic intelligence.


Although splicing originated in the [[United States]], which was not a member of the [[United Earth Government]] at the time, all of this occurred without any approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and was all highly illegal. While the FDA had been substantially weakened by decades of deregulation at this point, it still had the potential to shut down a small biotech startup such as what Dr. Asher found himself building. As such, Lakewood Biotech was able to convince Dr. Asher to sell his company to them, providing that they would continue research and attempt to produce the new technology through more legitimate avenues so that it would not be lost to history. Despite this, the trade secrets of splicing was quickly leaked, allowing numerous illegitimate operations to replicate the services. Splicing became such a widespread problem across the entire globe that it was soon banned by the United States and the United Earth Government due to rampant misuse and horrific crimes committed by some splicers. The most infamous example of splicing was a group of human-snake hybrids who could poison victims with venomous bites and even kidnap or murder people by swallowing them whole. Because of the disorganized and unscrupulous nature of splicing, the gene mods used to grant such grotesque abilities became inadvertently entangled with clients who had never intended to receive such alterations. It became commonplace for splicers to have side effects and unexpected abilities granted by the remnants of a lazily repurposed gene mod. <small><s>This is also why some humans can do [[vore]].</s></small>
===The Salthan Fyrds===
The Fyrds do not care for Proteans if they cannot fight. Salthan Proteans are required to serve in the military same as everyone else. In that regard, they are strangely egalitarian.


The practice of splicing was banned in the United States and the United Earth Government by 2092, but enforcement of the ban only punished those offering splicing services. It did not attempt to punish those who already had mods done, and so, gene modding went underground. Often times these genetic changes were then passed on to one's offspring, and the alterations made by splicing was spread across the human genome over the next few hundred years. Splicing later received a much harsher ban by [[SolGov]] which sought to punish those who had ''any'' unnatural changes to their DNA. This resulted in a [[Project Jasher|mass exodus]] of spliced humans who used early [[colony ships]] to escape the prosecution of humanity's government. Some of these early colonies later produced fully functional governments of their own, or were assimilated into existing alien communities not yet discovered by SolGov, such as the [[United Federation]].
==Organs==
Proteans have three solid pieces suspended inside their bodies, and are the only 'internal organ' equivalent they have. Organs marked 'vital' will immediately kill the protean if destroyed or removed.


Splicing remained illegal within SolGov space until the 26th century when SolGov officially came into contact with the [[United Federation]] in [[Timeline|2501]], at which point it surprised SolGov leaders to find descendants of humans already living among the population. Intense lobbying and the offer of an alliance with the Federation pushed SolGov to repeal centuries-old legislation against the practice.
*'''Protean Posibrain''' [Vital] - Similar to a normal synthetic's posibrain, this is an adaptation of the technology that allows vastly more resources to be packed into a small form factor shell. These resources, however, are almost entirely dedicated to the extremely complex management of the forming and dissolution of the nanostructures that make up the protean. One shouldn't assume a Protean would be more intelligent due to the model of their posibrain.
*'''Orchestrator Module''' [Vital] - Responsible for the interface between the swarm of nanites and the posibrain, the orchestrator module is effectively a tiny wireless relay. It accepts instructions from the posibrain, converts them into signals the microscopic nanites can understand, and relays them so that they can take action. Without this organ, the posibrain (and personality that inhabits it) would have no way to control their own body.
*'''Refactory Module''' - Responsible for the production and repair of nanites, this module allows the protean to repair itself or produce special custom-use nanites from other materials. The protean can consume metals and they will be stored in this module, though it only has enough space to stockpile Steel, and other materials will be used as they're inserted. See below for more information about various materials and the nanites they produce.


=== Patches to the human body ===
==Blob Form==
Since the ban's removal, splicing has taken off in the 26th century as a means to provide quality of life improvements that can eliminate faults or enhance parts of an otherwise natural human body. Far from the more dramatic alterations of early splicing, most humans in the modern day have ''some'' amount of gene modding, most often to correct longstanding issues with human anatomy.
As mentioned, proteans can collapse their shape to their "natural" form, which is just a swarm of nanites. This changes the gameplay for them in several ways:


While not all humans possess these anatomical divergences, so called "Flats" (humans who have received no gene-editing whatsoever) become increasingly less common.
'''Pros'''


'''Posterior axillary and posterior external iliac blood vessels'''
*Can ventcrawl
*Difficult to hit
*Fairly fast
*<Rest> verb causes them to become difficult to spot


A simple addition as is, additional blood vessels routing from behind the shoulder and in the buttocks down into the arms and legs simplify the tangle of arteries, veins and nerves in the limbs of humans. This leads to less pain when hit in the shin and elbows, while minorly ensuring that superficial cuts don't bleed as much. The poster child of quality of life improvements, this genemod has become one of the most commonly taken and is considered standards.
'''Cons'''


'''Spinal Realignments and Reinforcements'''
*Drops most items
*No hands
*No radio to talk into


There is many issues with the spine due to evolution - from a quadruped form to a bipedal one, the thick and heavy skull and the inefficient motion of the hips, many humans experience lower back pain and decreased motion as they grow older. A variety of fixes exist in the human sphere - from cybernetic augmentation to anatomical reinforcements with redundant muscles and spinal realignment. While many people still prefer the cybernetic spine, there is a growing number of people who simply take the genetic solution so their offspring will never suffer the same fate.
This form is usually optional and can be freely toggled with the 'Toggle Blobform' button in the Protean panel, however when a Protean is at 50% health or less, they will be forced into blobform until they can find the time/metal to repair themselves. Stored steel will start to be consumed to repair any damage (replacing any lost nanites). '''Blobform proteans can store steel by attacking the stacks, or having someone click them with the stacks on help intent.''' This is rather important since they don't have hands to use the 'Store Metals' button with.


'''Anti-senescence patches'''
==Abilities and Status==
[[File:Protean-Abilities-List.png|alt=|frame|This is what you will see in your protean ability tab. are listed directly from top to bottom on the left. ]]Proteans have a verb panel separate from the rest that displays some information about their status along with several ability buttons, which are described here.


From retaining elasticity in connective tissue to metabolic changes to suppress plaque in the arteries to removing a dozen congenital defects and shortcomings - the general sprucing up of the human genome eliminates many diseases related to age and birth defects. While rare congenital deformities still exist and not everyone takes them, some are effectively removed from the human gene pool. Even before the removal, many of these splices have been common as they directly link to longer, healthier lives, effectively pushing the maximal age of a human up substantially.  
*'''Toggle Blobform:'''  Changes back and forth between blob and 'humanoid' forms. When in blob form, you can ventcrawl through the atmos network.
*'''Change Volume:''' Changes their size at the cost of Steel. Growing and Shrinking cost 40 metal per percentile.
*'''Ref - Single Limb:''' Replace or alter a single limb to a new visual style.
*'''Ref - Whole Body:''' if you have the max amount of metal you can completely heal all limbs with this verb, though it takes time.
*'''Ref - Store Metals:''' Using this ability will allow you to store steel to use for size changing or healing when you wait in blob form. You can also store other types of metals for special perks, but they will be applied instantly so it would be wise to hold onto them until you need them. Use it while holding a stack of metal in your hand.


'''RLN patch'''


Another commonly taken genemod is the RLN patch, which is delaying the development of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in the fetus until the aortic arch has been fully developed. This leads to a much shorter RLN - one that doesn't grow from the throat to the chest and back up to the throat again.
You will gain the following instant perks when storing these types of metals:


While it has no functional difference, it drastically reduces the chance of hurting it during heart surgery, a common cause of voice loss due to chest surgery in the early 21st century.
*Steel: Causes the swarm to self-repair when in blob form, consuming steel.
*Metallic Hydrogen: Speed boost
*Uranium: Brute armor+
*Diamond: Burn armor+
*Silver: Evasion+, Accuracy+


'''Regenerative Hearing'''


The introduction of a new breed of stem cells for the eardrum and cochlea allows to slowly repair hearing loss over time. Most commonly taken by industry jobs, musicians and the military and spreading from there into the germ lines of Humanity.


'''Simplified feet'''
Under the 'Abilities' tab, they have several abilities they share with other shapeshifting species:[[File:Protean's-normal-abilities.png|thumb|511x511px]]


Primate feet are highly complex affairs with a lot of little bones and a wide range of motion - something a bipedal species not necessarily needs. Many of these bones were fused together by athletes to avoid ankle injury while the Achilles heel has been split and rerouted. One of the rarer modifications, it is not terribly common.
*'''CHANGE SPECIES FIT:''' changes which special suits they use for their suits sprites.


'''Altered Retina'''
*'''SELECT <various>:''' change their appearance to mimic many biological features. Can change their body and eye colors, give themselves wings, tails, hair, gender, etc.


While most humans opt to just replace their eyes with cybernetic equivalents when going blind, since they allow for additional ranges of light to be interpreted, there exists a "fix" for one of the leading causes of blindness - since the natural human retina is backwards in the eye, enterprising biohackers simply used octopus DNA to flip it back, avoiding these issues altogether.
<br />
 
{{Lore table}}
Rarely taken.
 
'''Pancreatic Duct'''
 
Another common genemod most people forget that it even exists - the natural human form has the bile duct also connect to the pancreas, forming the common bile duct. While most of the time this proves no issue, a gallstone can block the entrance of the pancreas in the common bile duct, leading to acute pancreatitis - a very painful condition. Avoiding the issue altogether, the pancreas receives its own duct.
 
'''Posterior Epiglottis'''
 
Aspiration is one of the dangers every human faces - the accidental inhalation of food or liquids. This is caused by the Epiglottis not closing fast enough, the leaf-shaped catriladge protecting the trachea. Attaching the epiglottis posterior to the larynx eliminates this issue, however, making this a very popular genemod for parents who fear their child could choke death on pea mush.
 
=== Demi-humans ===
As with early splicers, some humans (or their ancestors) have undergone genetic augmentation to combine animal DNA with their own in order to transform their appearance into what are clearly human-animal hybrids. These humans were originally referred to as simply ''Splicers'', but because of xenophobic connotations brought about by the prosecution of splicing, the phrase '''demi-humans''' is the preferred modern term referring to individuals who have undergone splicing for cosmetic purposes.
 
Communities of demi-humans exist scattered across the galaxy because of [[Project Jasher]], the most famous and powerful of which is the United Federation.
 
Although splicing is now a common and legal practice, it is still prohibitively expensive to perform traditional cosmetic splicing jobs, especially when the desired body has a number of unique traits or specific features desired by the client. As such, cosmetic splicing is still often performed by unsanctioned genetic engineers.
 
= Behavior =
Humanity's behavior varies immensely from system to system. Social norms, the often-unspoken rules of a group, shape not just the behaviors of humans, but also their attitudes. An individual's behavior varies depending on the group(s) they are a part of. Humans who have been adopted by other species will often adopt the mannerisms of a foster parent and the society surrounding them, even to the extent of subconsciously mimicking speech and accents. Humans are also very capable of learning and comprehending other languages, so long as they are within a human's range of hearing. Humans thrive on knowledge, much like the [[Skrell]].
 
However, unlike any other species in the known galaxy, even more than [[Sergal]]s, or [[Unathi]], almost every one of humanity's major technological advancements have been fundamentally based in the need to conduct war. The very advent of space travel was a product made not of a desire to explore, but as a means to demonstrate their military superiority over other rivaling nations on Earth. As such, humanity's core military, the [[USDF]], is arguably the most powerful military force in the known galaxy. Despite a lag in technology behind some other species, such as the [[Skrell]], humanity makes up for it with a knack for grand strategy and asymmetric warfare. Unlike other races, humans very much continue to be at war with other humans as old grudges survive to the modern day. The fighting is of such severity and ferocity that it arguably cannot be compared to the political quarrels of Skrellian city-states, despite other similarities.
 
Humans are unpredictable in how they'll respond to contact with alien species, though this largely depends on societal and economic factors that vary immensely with each population. Some humans will greet aliens as if they were just like any other human, even to the extent of forming deep and romantic inter-species relationships, while the opposite extreme is sometimes violence based on xenophobic prejudices. Humans who have been exposed to alien races since a young age will often base their opinion of aliens as a whole off that experience, while humans who had no such exposure will trend toward being xenophobic and isolationist. Notably, humans who grew up in poverty are also more inclined toward xenophobic tenancies, whereas humans who were better off will not have their views significantly affected by their economic status.
== Relations ==
The [[United Systems of Sol Central]], aka SolGov, acts as most of humanity's representative. As of 2560, there are no ongoing wars between SolGov and any known sapient species, although Sol-[[Moghes]] tensions continue to run high, and [[Vox]] raiders remain a nuisance.
 
The [[Skrell]] are humanity's oldest contact and closest allies, with free migration between the two species' space and a great deal of cultural interchange. However, some on both sides accuse the other species of tampering with their own natural growth and development, and many libertarian humans loathe the caste-based monarchy of the Skrell.
 
Humanity is still licking their wounds after their war with the [[Unathi]], and despite their victory, still regard Moghes with a good deal of fear. Efforts on both sides of the border to ease tensions have not prevented the occasional wave of xenophobic violence.
 
The [[Tajaran]] were lifted into the FTL age by human intervention, a fact neither is likely to forget. Humanity bears over the Tajaran and freely exploit migrant labor, while they look upon their uplifters with a mix of gratitude and wounded pride.
 
Like most races, humanity views the [[Dionaea]] as curiosities and little else, given their disinterest in the ways of other sapients.
 
The [[Teshari]] are a rarity outside of Skrell space, and a negligible presence on the astropolitical landscape. The average human accepts the Skrell's paternalistic view of the Teshari as fact.
 
Despite the disastrous early stages of a war with the [[Sergal]] race, many efforts have been made to build good relationships between Sol and [[Vilous]]. Having brought both Sergals and [[Nevarean]]s into the FTL age, the two races share a relationship with humanity not unlike that of the Tajaran. This is largely thanks to [[Operation Dominion]], a post-war reconstruction and propaganda campaign on [[Tal]], which began in response to the [[Vilous Incident]].
 
Individually, while humans may vary widely on how they feel of the other known species, centuries of cultural xenophobia often prove difficult to shake.
 
= External links =
* Some of this lore is based on content found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human
 
{{Species}}
[[Category:Lore]]
[[Category:Lore]]
[[Category:Species]]

Latest revision as of 13:55, 7 December 2024

Proteans are less a "species" in the evolutionary sense of the word and more a body type that a person can inhabit. It can be considered an additional type of synthetic crew member in addition to normal 'synthmorphs' and cyborgs. Unlike other species, they aren't from a single point of origin nor do they have any specific history or timeline. Instead, the characters that now inhabit a protean body could have originally been a Tajaran for example, having been resleeved into a protean body, just like they could have been resleeved into a Unathi or any other species.

The limiting factor on proteans is legality and cost. Self-replicating nanoswarms are heavily regulated in most civilized space out of fear that they could turn into walking grey goo[1] scenarios. They also tend to be relatively new technology, and though useful, manufacturing pipelines and the legal hurdles required for production keep the cost high, and the market narrow.

In a way, they are simply a continued expression of Nanite implant framework technology taken further down the road - instead of simply assisting solid body synthetics and humans, nanites form body and functions ad-hoc and in-situ, with only relatively few concrete and solid parts needed to make a chassis capable of manipulating the world.

Proteans are a relatively new technology, but not exceptionally uncommon, with some synthetics deciding to shed their solid-state bodies for a much more fluid user experience or organics embracing the shapeshifting ability this technology offers.

Protean Overview

Proteans are essentially a swarm of microscopic machines, each capable of linking to each other and arranging themselves such as to impersonate shapes. Imagine them like a self-building play bricks set, except the bricks are microscopic. The resulting shapes can be many, though it's far easier and more energy efficient to replicate shapes and structures that one has blueprints for, which means that they tend to emulate the shapes available from cyberlimb manufacturers, as these blueprints are widely available and easily programmed into the nanite swarms.

When not occupying a particular shape, they can simply collapse into an amorphous blob. Though a simple 'blob form' has no hands or fine manipulators, the utility of such shouldn't be underestimated. They are capable of fitting into small spaces (such as vents) and spreading themselves flat onto surfaces. Doing such allows them to easily hide or rest without expending much energy.

Having no structures to mend or wires to replace, they can't be repaired by Roboticists or the like, instead requiring a supply of steel which can be broken down and converted into more nanites for their swarm bodies.

Protean History

Proteans have no real unified history - they are not an unified culture, nor do most think they necessarily need one. After all, it is simply another shell for an ego to impart their will upon the world. The advent of protean technology stems from the refinement of nanotechnology, specifically of the various forms of 'white goo' or 'nanopaste' technology, various devices hosting simple nanorobotic particles to fill gouges, burns and gashes in synthetic materials. These bulk nanobots weren't first functional with NIFs, as the bandwidth was too small to actually work with the massive network upkeep of controlling a large swarm of 'dumb' drones.

Ward-Takahashi GMB, in conjunction of Hephaestus, developed, however, in 2305, a patent for the so called 'orchestrator module', which tackled the issue of bandwidth by attaching nanites together in thin, fibrous webs across larger masses of nanobots from which they can organise - bypassing the need of bulky processors and signal structures in favour of a morphable body, with the only drawback of limiting the overall size of a protean and making parts that are cut off its body inert or only executing pre-programmed commands.

Thus, the first generation of Proteans were born. Of course, the patent was soon violated and overturned, as miracuously several other corporations claimed to have 'invented' the technology, such as Zheng-Hu, NT, and even Greyson. Thus, the technology became publicly available, even if most Proteans still use proprietary technology of TSCs.

While first generation swarms were largely experimental, in the Year 2320, second and third generation models are far more commercially available within the Human Diaspora and therefore in the Coreward Periphery.

There are many benefits to choosing a Protean form instead of a solid state synthetic - a relative ease of maintenance, the exhilarating ability to express themselves in shapeshifting and taking up surprisingly little volume if they so choose. However, an inherent fragility, a large upfront expense and the loss of a solid, concrete physical form might dissuade less determined people to embrace a fluid existence.

Many Trans-Stellar Companies produce their own variants of Proteans, with performance profiles largely the same except for affectionados or specialty nanoswarms used in extreme conditions or military applications. Proteans seem to be a common progression in robot technology, as there are reports of older, more advanced species using them as well, such as the Skrell or Unathi.

Proteans in Human Space

Commonwealth of Sol-Procyon

Due to the inherent conservatism and bio-chauvinism of the Terran Commonwealth, Proteans are required to have a PAN ID card to signify they are sanctioned to operate nanotechnology within Commonwealth or Corporate Space. This ID is part of the reason for the high upfront cost, as it costs quite the pretty penny to acquire.

Many newer, formerly organic Proteans are indebted to a TSC for this reason.

Elysian Colonies

Depending on the colony itself in the Demi-Monde, some people embrace Protean bodies as the new vogue or outlaw and hunt them within their own majesty space. After all, it is the Elysian Colonies. They can never agree on such things. Elysian Proteans are usually a corporate bought chassis with an imprint of the mind of a person. Some have restrictions and shackles set in their Orchestrator Module (see below) to ensure compliance. Some are unrestricted. Some restrict organics and other synthetic forms instead.

Ares Confederation

The Ares Confederation itself happily takes in any Protean that wishes to join their ranks, not caring much about their physicality and rather more if they are a good citizen or not. Individual member states might vary slightly, requiring a Protean to license themselves before operating in their states or forbid them to perform certain jobs. Overall, however, they are accepted as part of the expression of synthetic intelligence.

The Salthan Fyrds

The Fyrds do not care for Proteans if they cannot fight. Salthan Proteans are required to serve in the military same as everyone else. In that regard, they are strangely egalitarian.

Organs

Proteans have three solid pieces suspended inside their bodies, and are the only 'internal organ' equivalent they have. Organs marked 'vital' will immediately kill the protean if destroyed or removed.

  • Protean Posibrain [Vital] - Similar to a normal synthetic's posibrain, this is an adaptation of the technology that allows vastly more resources to be packed into a small form factor shell. These resources, however, are almost entirely dedicated to the extremely complex management of the forming and dissolution of the nanostructures that make up the protean. One shouldn't assume a Protean would be more intelligent due to the model of their posibrain.
  • Orchestrator Module [Vital] - Responsible for the interface between the swarm of nanites and the posibrain, the orchestrator module is effectively a tiny wireless relay. It accepts instructions from the posibrain, converts them into signals the microscopic nanites can understand, and relays them so that they can take action. Without this organ, the posibrain (and personality that inhabits it) would have no way to control their own body.
  • Refactory Module - Responsible for the production and repair of nanites, this module allows the protean to repair itself or produce special custom-use nanites from other materials. The protean can consume metals and they will be stored in this module, though it only has enough space to stockpile Steel, and other materials will be used as they're inserted. See below for more information about various materials and the nanites they produce.

Blob Form

As mentioned, proteans can collapse their shape to their "natural" form, which is just a swarm of nanites. This changes the gameplay for them in several ways:

Pros

  • Can ventcrawl
  • Difficult to hit
  • Fairly fast
  • <Rest> verb causes them to become difficult to spot

Cons

  • Drops most items
  • No hands
  • No radio to talk into

This form is usually optional and can be freely toggled with the 'Toggle Blobform' button in the Protean panel, however when a Protean is at 50% health or less, they will be forced into blobform until they can find the time/metal to repair themselves. Stored steel will start to be consumed to repair any damage (replacing any lost nanites). Blobform proteans can store steel by attacking the stacks, or having someone click them with the stacks on help intent. This is rather important since they don't have hands to use the 'Store Metals' button with.

Abilities and Status

This is what you will see in your protean ability tab. are listed directly from top to bottom on the left.

Proteans have a verb panel separate from the rest that displays some information about their status along with several ability buttons, which are described here.

  • Toggle Blobform: Changes back and forth between blob and 'humanoid' forms. When in blob form, you can ventcrawl through the atmos network.
  • Change Volume: Changes their size at the cost of Steel. Growing and Shrinking cost 40 metal per percentile.
  • Ref - Single Limb: Replace or alter a single limb to a new visual style.
  • Ref - Whole Body: if you have the max amount of metal you can completely heal all limbs with this verb, though it takes time.
  • Ref - Store Metals: Using this ability will allow you to store steel to use for size changing or healing when you wait in blob form. You can also store other types of metals for special perks, but they will be applied instantly so it would be wise to hold onto them until you need them. Use it while holding a stack of metal in your hand.


You will gain the following instant perks when storing these types of metals:

  • Steel: Causes the swarm to self-repair when in blob form, consuming steel.
  • Metallic Hydrogen: Speed boost
  • Uranium: Brute armor+
  • Diamond: Burn armor+
  • Silver: Evasion+, Accuracy+


Under the 'Abilities' tab, they have several abilities they share with other shapeshifting species:

Protean's-normal-abilities.png
  • CHANGE SPECIES FIT: changes which special suits they use for their suits sprites.
  • SELECT <various>: change their appearance to mimic many biological features. Can change their body and eye colors, give themselves wings, tails, hair, gender, etc.


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