The Inhibitor

The Durat are renowned throughout Sol for their psychic abilities. Every member of their race possesses some psychic talent be it meagre or mighty. It is this that has made them feared and much sought after for the services they provide. Those who can read minds become truth-seekers for the powerful, those of a more aggressive bent find ample work as assassins and soldiers.

But there are some whose powers are so powerful that they struggle to contain them and risk transforming into a second stage of development; A Tyrant. Tyrants are physically and mentally far stronger than a regular Durat and long ago ruled their people as cruel and oppressive overlords. The Unification Crusade broke the control of the Tyrants over the Durat and with the aid of the Ascendants a technology was developed that would prevent them from returning.

This was the Inhibitor.

A relatively simple collar the Inhibitor is fitted around the neck of those showing signs of transformation such as elevated aggressive and lack of control. Watchers amongst the Durat look for signs of this amongst their kin and when one is discovered the matter is dealt with swiftly. So long as the collar is fitted in time the Inhibitor halts the transformation and can save the Durat, allowing them time to learn how to control and harness their increased capabilities. Whilst they may well forever be forced to wear the Inhibitor the Durat in question will often become a leader amongst their people, proof of what is possible for their kind and that they no longer need fear their history. It is anathema to willingly remove an Inhibitor once it is bonded and for the Durat there are fewer more sacrosanct laws amongst their people. If ah Inhibitor is damaged in some way and its ability to halt the metamorphosis fails it is considered honourable and noble to end one's life before it is too late. Such is the collective fear of the Tyrants and their return amongst the Durat.

There has been no emergent Tyrant for centuries, a testament to the effectiveness of the Inhibitor. Yet who is say that somewhere in Sol a Tyrant does not exist. Perhaps they are of the Old Guard, those Tyrants who ruled the Durat before the Unification Crusade. Or perhaps they are of a newer breed, one that is more patient and cunning and is simply biding their time.