¶ The Nas'Beru
Loremaster:
PadLock
¶ Overview
The Nas’Beru of the fringe, colloquially named ‘Subhumans’, are an experiment gone, in the eyes of their creators, horrifically awry. Birthed to be a servant race, a collection of subdomains bound to a single origin, the Subhumans are the heirs of an age long past. Now in government labs and garage-clinics alike, their race continues to grow, adapt, and die each and every day, in a vicious cycle of eternal evolution. The Nas’Beru race consists of several generalizations, each consisting of several subtypes spliced from humans and the Fringe’s other races. All subhumans, however, share common features, most of which stems from the inclusion of human DNA in their creation; Two arms, two legs, the whole ‘humanoid’ shebang, is almost essential to their classification as a ‘Subhuman’.
¶ Physical Description (Biology)
“The idea to integrate the genetic profile of the Floran was… Unfortunate. The first few subjects were little more than Agaran, overgrown corpses with little to do and little to prove their worth. Only when we moved the location of our efforts to [REDACTED] did we create… Hybrid, Director.” - Senior Geneweaver Arnold Barthur, 3250.
While Subhumans are not particularly different from a Human in any regard, save for appearance and actions, All Subhumans feature heavy augmentation from their creation. While some may possess a level of augmented strength akin to a Human born with a higher threshold for such, their brains are one of the most glaring differences. While similar to their origin species, each brain is produced in a specific way- Implants installed directly into the matter of the mind before it has a chance to develop without by microtechnology. This gives them their abilities, specific appearance, and in many cases, their truest identity. Without the supportive tech forged by some RPG obsessed nerd, the organism would simply develop as a hideous hybrid of Human and Alien DNA. The resulting atrocity will eventually kill itself from malfunction, fall into insanity, or otherwise fail.
The true method of creation is a little known secret, buried within the crust of Nas, homed in the deepest recesses of the Elder Council’s and the Geneweaver’s minds. However, Purgatorian scientists have been able to recreate the technology required to ensure the prolonged life of cloned Nas’Beru, allowing both laboratories and “licensed” clinics across the fringe to contribute to the growing population of the Nas’Beru people. While gene splicing is a common practice in the fringe and civspace alike, the depths of which it can achieve without creating cancer-ridden mutants pales in comparison to the esoteric methods employed by the Geneweavers required to combine the DNA of two separate creatures to create one harmonious being.
¶ Breeds
Nas’Beru all fly under the same banner as a species, but there is no one true “Subhuman”. At the bottom of the page, you will find a list of almost every currently playable subspecies, or ‘Breed’ as they are wont to call themselves, created by the Geneweavers.
¶ History
“They created us… Molded us, shaped us- The Geneweavers made us to serve. We were their tools, their pitchforks and shovels. Now, we are the dagger in their back. We are the heirs to their empire, the reapers come from the dark..” -Freemason Jordi An-Alaas, 3283.
Before discovery, Nas homed a verdant jungle, teeming with dangerous life. Under unrecorded circumstances, the Nas’Beru came to be here around year 3000. Society was begun deep underground, filling the world’s natural cave network. After nearly two centuries of isolation after their creation, they were finally discovered. Purgatory had grown into a bustling metropolis, unknowing of their neighbors and the growing masses they possessed. When the first craft arrived to scout out the system, they found a civilization of poverty-struck, unfortunate creatures coexisting under the same racial banner. A race of amalgamations of Human and native creature’s DNA. The growing Empire saw opportunity, and the Nas peoples saw freedom.
So began the Freedom Lease: The ‘Subhumans’ would submit themselves as a colony of Purgatory and be granted secondary citizenship, and thus freedom from their exhausted world if they so choose. Nas’Beru began flooding into the Purgatorian systems, finally free from the rock they were given life. After their freedom from their homeworld, the vast majority of subhumans settled within the borders of the Purgatorian Empire. They currently make up roughly thirty percent of the total population due to rapid production.
¶ In the Fringe
During the Rakehell Uprising, those on Nas seceded from the empire, and established a rather xenophobic and further isolationist government, the Nas’Beru Bloc. Those offworld were offered citizenship within the NBB. Subhumans were finally free to explore and spread to the rest of the Fringe. Those who are out and about probably have extensive experience of a Purgatorian citizen, or have been created offworld entirely by some schmuck in their garage within the past 70 years and have been immersed in the fringe for their entire life.
¶ Technology
Nas’Beru are a crafty and resourceful lot, often managing to macgyver together weapons of lethal force from little but their own hands and the metal around them. Most often, you will come across dangerous bundles of scrap that only just manage to function as a gun, prone to exploding in the operators hands at any moment. Things that have been built to last however, adopt an almost universal advanced-yet-simple design philosophy that calls designs from the ages past in human history. Bows that fire spears of hard light and lasers alike, las-crossbows, swords edged in plasma and bodied in crystalline hardlight, the like.
On a less offensive approach, the Nas people feature a range of cybernetic implants that allow their biology to exist, such as the necessary brain implants to meld Human and Alien genetics in their creation, or the lobe implants enabling their minds to wander and speak with others. Some choose to augment themselves further, replacing limbs for aesthetic appeal. Extremists often further augment themselves with form changing cybernetics, blending metal and flesh together in an unholy harmony, while some still further becoming mere nervous systems suspended within machinery.
¶ Culture and Society
Subhuman culture widely depends on the nation in which they reside, although their heritage provides some unique grounds. They believe in an afterlife of eternal suffering, where they will be judged and sentenced accordingly to their enjoyment of mortal life. Those who lived in utter agony will be awarded a glorious seat in the towers of their gods, while those who existed in luxury will be forced to live amongst the demons and angry spirits of those wrongfully slain. The ultimate sin is to speak to an outsider as if they were kin, for the only kin is those of their breed; although this sentiment has greatly faded with their introduction to the galactic community. Some extremists still hold these beliefs and refuse to even look upon offworlders.
The natural disposition of subhumans is one of potential brilliance, but a severe lack of common sense pervades the mind. While many rise above this nature through the nurturing of their childhood, those who originate from Nas uphold this as the ideal. Most often they are experimental and unhinged, always concerned more with whether or not they could than whether or not they should. Art originating from Nas is abstract, and rarely makes sense to non-subhumans. Weapons made by Nas’Beru are often as dangerous to the wielder as they are to the target. They will taunt those around them, heckling allies and foe alike.
¶ Nas'Beru Thoughtspeech
Unique among the languages of the Fringe is the Subhuman language. Unlike other tongues, it is not spoken by the mouth-apparatus, but rather by implants in the mind, visualizing the feelings of the speaker in a form little can comprehend in mere writing. Simply put, telepathy. Not many can do it beside the Subhuman; It requires intensive implants and biological components most beings are not born with, while the subhuman has them from conception. These will be only available to non-Subhuman players if they contact the Loremaster with a logical reason and explanation as to how a character had the implants added.
The Subhuman implant systems are complicated feats of biomechanical engineering; There is little way to replicate them in common circles outside the finest of Civspace facilities. Drawing upon the background ECF that is constant in all areas of the galaxy, this is melded into the desired message; Such it is that Subhumans are more vulnerable to Hyperspace phenomena than most, while at the same time living off of it.
¶ Using the Implants
“Speaking” Using the Subhuman implants should come with some difficulty, as it does not come quite as naturally as speaking with one’s mouth. When enough concentration is given to a given thought, it will be “projected” to the minds of those within 5-15ft of the speaker. This projection will be felt within the mind for a few moments before the thought dissipates. Those who are experienced in the use of this telepathy may have an increased range, or may even single out a specific person to speak to, and allow their thoughts to come in reply.
For all intents and purposes, this is a “natural” form of Neuroinvasive psionics. Staff and the Loremaster hold the ability to revoke a character's thoughtspeech if abused.
¶ The Breeds
¶ KnifeEar
KnifeEars, or Nas’Nif, are the most common of all Subhumans- especially so in offworld societies due to their general palatability. While they are considered the most similar to humans in appearance, their true ancestry hails back to a native Nas species. Their pointed ears are often anywhere from four to seven inches long, their hair and eye coloration is naturally of a vibrant hue, and their hands possess only three fingers and a thumb, for a total of four digits. Otherwise, they are fairly similar to humans in height and build.
Those who originate from Nas will typically have a fantastical name, with more vowels than consonants. Their tendency of whoring attention and acting haughty around others garners a much deserved reputation among the general populace, leading to ostracization amongst their peers and fights of the ego between two KnifeEars.
¶ GreenSkin
Greenskins, or Nas’Dak, despite the name, have leathery skin that ranges in hue between greys, greens, and brown. They are second most populous due to their timid nature and low cost of production. While loud and rambunctious, Greenskins are incredibly cowardly when their life seems to be on the line- which they think is rather often. This behaviour stems from their progenitor: a social prey animal that would turn to stone during the extreme Nas summers as a form of estivation. Unfortunately, the ability to revert this transformation has been lost, and stone skin must be removed surgically. Those who are brave enough may solidify portions of their skin into shapes and patterns, much akin to a tattoo.
A rare mutation that cannot be controlled for within the Greenskin sometimes manifests about ten years into their life, growing from a once short and wiry weakling to a tall, muscular, and tusked “Ironhide”. Ironhides are rarely as cowardly, thrice as stupid, and will still solidify when exposed to high levels of UV and heat. Names of Greenskins and Ironhides are often guttural and short.
¶ LongBeard
Nas’Dorf are short and stocky folk, averaging out to be three and a half feet tall. From a young age all Longbeards begin growing their beard, and being barefaced is seen as the ultimate humiliation, even for non-subhumans. They are a rather lonesome breed, as their incredible hearing makes even normal conversation sound like a match of who could yell the loudest, and their violent UV light allergy forces them to live a nocturnal life, or one within the caves of Nas. It is Longbeard tradition to mine with reckless abandon deep into the crust of the planet, hoarding whatever they perceived as having any value inside of vaults.
Longbeards are one of the few Subhumans to have a sense of family, often aligning themselves to a Guild or House whose interests align with their own. They often take up their Surname as a sign of respect to those within the organization. Otherwise they go by short, singular worded names.
¶ Djinneer
Nas’djinn are a common breed, and generally well rounded. This title is another banner for a group of subhumans who lack a cohesive role within society, and possess many traits of random animals. Traits that Djinneer express are often random, but generally focus around one kind of animal. One may have scales and independently moving eyes, while another can have spotted fur and pointed ears sat atop their head.
¶ Godheads and Fifty-Fifties
Rarely, a Nas’djinn will instead be born as a Nas’djinn’ka. Humans with the head or lower half of an animal who are most often found in Djarus. They are predispositioned with a god complex, and the eternal hunger for power. Because of this, you often find them as Dune Barons, heads of companies, or even an official within a governmental body.
¶ Leatherback
A rather uncommon breed, found mostly in dark caverns on Nas and in the third layer of the Undercrypt, Tartarus. The Nas’ura are of shorter and thinner stature to your average human, and possess large leathery sails running along the bottom of their arms, hardened leathery white-red skin, a flat and upturned nose, poor eyesight, and superb hearing. They are loath to fly in ships- believing that their homes and manpowered flight to be superior to what a starship may be capable of, but are more than dandy to take a teleporter or a portal to somewhere.
¶ IslandHopper
Nas’nat are an aquatic breed, mostly traversing rivers and flooded tunnels on Nas. There are many races of Nas’nat, but your average joe will be covered in sleek scales, have fins lining their back, face, and limbs, gills on their necks, and many electroreceptors on their stiff cheeks and cheekbones. Much like sharks, these are used to detect life around them, as their eyesight in water is often rather poor. Outside of water, Islandhoppers are unable to breath without an assistive device.
¶ Hardshell/Trawler
Nas’kohl, Trawlers as they are known in the Undercrypt, and Hardshells nearly everywhere else, are an incredible union of the native Purgatorian Worms and Humans that has resulted in quite the hardy people. Most often in the form of a bipedal cockroach with four arms ranging in size from large dog to tall human. Their beady black eyes watch the world about them, a plain and simple lust for battle glazing their eyes as these genetically coded guardians scan the horizons. In the heat of battle, their brains do not warn them of distractions such as pain, nor do they even dare thinking of retreat.
These guardians live freely within Djarus and the rest of the greater Undercrypt, accessed through a portal on Nas. Aside from this portal, Nas’kohl are notoriously difficult to transport to any other site. They will fall violently ill in space, often perishing from the space-sickness- and thus must originate from the planet they currently reside, or otherwise found a means of teleportation.
¶ BarkSkin
Nas’try are common surface dwellers of Nas, often living in communes deep within forests. They are rather tall, with bark like skin and golden eyes. The hair of a Nas’Try ranges in color from greens, reds, and yellows, and is stiff- with a natural tendency to cling to itself with small outgrowths. Popular hairstyles resemble dreads or afros.
The combination of Human DNA and the natural Flora of Nas have led to a Breed more concerned with nature than they are the squabbles of those down below. This is also in part from their inability to stay underground for long periods of time- they are carnivorous and must have their hair exposed to UV light for photosynthesis. This has since been reduced by the introduction of modern technology, but their skin remains hyper-flammable.
¶ FireBlood
Firebloods, or Nas’rok, are one of the stranger breeds under the Subhuman banner. Normally found deep within the tunnels of Nas, burrowing ever deeper alongside the Longbeard friends that they tower over. Built larger than their Human counterparts in general, they have rocky skin that is rough like desert sand, and blood that runs like hot oil. Their general diet consists of rocks and minerals, but most importantly: Fuel. They perform best in hot environments, as the heat their body radiates is enough to begin frying eggs. Inversely, colder climates are bound to freeze their body due to poor heat regulation, causing their joints to seize up first and later their skin to lose its elasticity entirely. A frozen Fireblood is seemingly no different than an outcropping of rocks.
¶ SludgeKin
A wretched existence, given to those unfortunate enough to be born a Nas’pud. Their gelatinous forms hold within it the bones and neural system of a Human, but are only just Human in that respect. The rest of their body is made of a slimy, jelly like material, and must be contained within airtight suits, as exposure to gaseous oxygen causes it all to liquidize within hours. With time, the lost mass will regrow. Sludgekin eyes are black orbs with vibrantly colored irises.
They originate from blob-like creatures found in the natural caves of Nas, with no mouth to feed or to speak from, as their acidic form slowly digests almost anything organic shoved into it. Because of this, they are often masters in the subhuman language of mental imagery and thought transference.
¶ RubberBones
The Nas’Farri are a rather recent addition to the subhuman breeds, created through the unorthodox union of Thaniifarri Purgatorum and Humans. The body of the Nas’Farri is malleable to the individual's mind, capable of taking on any rough humanoid shape if they have the mass to support it. Because of this ‘fluid’ body, Rubberbones have grown notorious for their multiple identities. While many treat these as masks to wear over their own face, others will fall into a state similar to DID, where each identity happens to be its own personality with its own memories.
Nas’Beru Bloc officials have taken advantage of the natural abilities of the Nas’Farri, often employing them in positions of espionage. Their uncanny ability to mold their bodies can be trained to mimic other people, from the face to the voice. Unfortunately, kinetic force based weaponry is prone to shattering the Rubberbones- turning them into a puddle of flesh and bones if enough of their body is hit.