In Syrathe, the term "metahuman", or "meta" for short, encompasses any individual with enhanced powers, outside of the scope of what is normally possible within human biology. Metahumans are highly regulated, with any individual with powers required to register with the
International Bureau of Metahuman Regulation, which keeps detailed files on all known metahuman individuals - including a detailed classification of their powers and abilities.
Metahuman Classification
Metahumans can be divided into different categories, based on a) the sources of a metahuman's abilities, b) the type of abilities available to them, and c) the relative power of their abilities. These classification systems are not all-encompassing, and often need to change due to the emergence of a new metahuman outside of the scale. In addition, metahumans can change categories based on new discoveries regarding their abilities, moving them to a different (usually higher) power classification.
Origin Classification
The source of a metahuman's power falls into one of two categories:
Innate
A meta with innate abilities was born with their powers, though most individuals with innate abilities can't initially access their powers - usually, they must experience some sort of stressful event that ends up awakening their powers. This event is often tied to the type of abilities they end up manifesting, but this is not always this case. Innate metahumans' powers stem from a genetic mutation present in the first-ever metahuman, Polynia, though presence of the gene does not always indicate an individual's potential to gain powers - additional circumstances that allow an individual with this gene to gain powers are unknown.
Artificial
A meta with artificial abilities is one whose powers were created through a process known as metagenesis. This process is incredibly strenuous on the body, and few have survived it. The primary organisation practising metagenesis is MetaSpark, a corporation working under international directives to research metahumans, despite the international ban on the practice due to its volatility. Metahumans with artificial powers are often working with governmental organisations, usually in the field of locating (and eliminating) metahumans who refuse to adhere to international standards.
Ability Classification
The abilities that a meta has can be categorised into one or more of the following types:
| Classification | Meaning |
|---|
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Strike
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Close-ranged single-target offensive capabilities
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Burst
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Close-ranged multi-target offensive capabilities
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Shoot
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Long-ranged single-target offensive capabilities
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Blast
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Long-ranged multi-target offensive capabilities
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Defense
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Defensive capabilities; single-target or multi-target
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Move
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Enhanced mobility; movement capabilities
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Psionic
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Telepathy; telekinesis; enhanced mental capabilities
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Strength
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Enhanced physical abilities
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Environmental
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Manipulation of environmental elements; commonly water, electricity, ground
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Energy
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Power enhancing, changing, sapping, or suppressing capabilities.
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Shift
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Shapeshifting or matter-changing capabilities
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Illusion
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Illusory capabilities; commonly disguise, phantasm, invisibility
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Duplication
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Self-duplication or matter-duplication
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Generation
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Matter creation capabilities
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Reality
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Reality-defying capabilities; time, gravity, space, etc manipulation
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Threat Classification
The threat classification of a meta is a rating of the risk that a metahuman poses to their community or to society as a whole, given numerical value:
| Threat | Meaning |
|---|
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1
|
Powers just above what is achievable by humans; small team of well-equipped or well-trained individuals should be reasonably evenly matched
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2
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Power well exceeding what is achievable by humans, even with technological enhancements; requires dedicated squad of specially trained and equipped individuals to be evenly matched.
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3
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Power far exceeding what is achievable by humans, even with technological enhancements; requires trained metahuman accompanying specially trained and equipped squad to be evenly matched; engagement by untrained individuals not advised.
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4
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Power level above most other metahumans, standard anti-metahuman engangement techniques ineffective, evacuation of area advised before any engagement.
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5
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Power level potentially crisis-enducing; engagement not advised; requires a specially trained and equipped team of metahumans to be evenly matched.
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Metahuman Profiles
Infinity
Name: Lilly Whitson
Source
Innate
Prim.
Reality
Sec.
None
Threat
5
Capabilities:
Timestop: Ability to move through paused time, unknown duration to uphold
Aging: Metahuman does not seem to age at the typical rate
Foresight: Ability to see into the future (potentially possible futures, unknown extent of vision
Information sourced from IMBR
Cognizance
Name: Alexis "Lexi" Adisa
Source
Innate
Prim.
Psionic
Sec.
Move
Threat
3
Capabilities:
Memory: Can view, modify, and replace memory in an individual; requires extended physical contact
Flight: Capable of sustained flight, speed of flight far exceeded human movement capabilities; requires use of limbs to balance, vulnerable to nets & restraints
Information sourced from IMBR
Ghost
Name: Opal Ryan
Source
Artificial
Prim.
Move/Illusion
Sec.
Environmental
Threat
4
Capabilities:
Teleportation: Teleport self or others distance of up to 5 miles; needs to have previously visited destination
Projection: Project an image of self up to 100 miles from actual location; illusion is tangible, discerned from original by slight holographic sheen
Lock Disruption: Can lock and unlock mechanical locking mechanisms; requires extended touch (projection suffices)
Information sourced from IMBR
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