TRANSHUMANS

Transhumans tend to appear occasionally in humans populations and seem to represent individual evolutionary mutations pointing toward a new stage of racial development. It has best the hypothesis of some geneticists that the 'Transhumans' or Transitional Humans is evidencing some of the traits of the parent ForeRunner Race as ForeRunner genetic manipulations of the humans stock grow weak with the years and permit the release of the potentials carefully restrained in the interests of breeding 'warriors.' Detection of these unique individuals is rare, and many say inconclusive as well, for there are little external or infernal differences to really set Transhumans start from the humans races from which they arise. However, they are clearly superior specimens, with no characteristics below 10, and with Strength/15+. Constitution/15+, Quickness/14+, Dexterity/ 16+, Intelligence/15+, Braveryll3+, and Leadership/15+. It is also suspected that most have naturally developed Psionic powers of 15+, but such powers tend to be carefully hidden from general knowledge by Transhumans. Any PC with these personal characteristics may elect for Transhumans status.

Races of Transhumans are very rare. In fact, only two are known. They evidence some external differences from humans, notably in such factors as shape of facial features (more angular, almost hawklike) and cars (which tend to a pointed form at the tips). These races still belong to the humans race and can intermarry successfully with humans, their offspring having all of the Transhuman's superiority but also the strong humans emotionality. Transhumans cultures have tends to be very intellectually oriented, placing reason above emotion and developing powerful mental disciplines to suppress all emotional response in the interests of Logic. This racial drive toward reason is clearly an intellectual revulsion against the violence of their ancestors, but Transhumans are capable of even more terrible violence when their perception logically argues for the application of force. Development of Psionic Talent as a mental science also marks the Transhumans starcultures. This is quite in keeping with the general thrust toward intellectual attainments which stands as the ultimate goal of individuals and society.

Stellar Primary, Home Planet, and Atmosphere: all full within humans norms, except that it appears that all Transhumans have a capacity to adjust to oxygen levels ranging from a low 35mm to a high of 1000rpm of i.p.p, of oxygen in the lungs. Furthermore, they can hold their breath for 5 to 10 minutes while still performing moderate activities. A 'suspended' state can be attained through transe which lowers the metabolic rate so that a Transhumans can survive for a number of hours without breathing equal to his Constitution score. Tolerance to climatic variations is superb and covers the entire range which humans can survive in, with adaptability to cold or hot, humid or arid conditions so rapid that a full adjustment is made in hours. The same is true of adjustment to gravity variations. Even tolerance of many toxic atmospheric contaminants is superior, with up to 500'x, higher tolerance than those indicated for humans in 15.8 Breathable Atmospheres.

Radiation Tolerance: Transhumans all evidence the extreme radiation tolerance of highly adapted humanoids, about 50% above humans norms,

Appearance, Transhumans are essentially 'humans' in appearance, with only minor variations as noted above. One feature noted in the Transhumans races known to date is the presence of nictating eyelids which protect the being from wind-blown dust and from sudden flashes of brilliant light. Transhumans appearing within humans races may or may sot evidence this feature. Also, the two Transhumans races have double hearts and arrangements o( infernal organs which are somewhat different than in humans. Transhumans appearing within humans races tend toward seemingly conventional infernal make-up, but organs are far more efficient and approach or equal the effectiveness of the Transhumans races presently known.

Vision: Transhumans vision is capable of the ranges noted for humans and humanoids, and is even keener. Whether in brilliant or exceedingly dim conditions, vision is very, very good indeed.

Smell: Transhumans olfactory senses are sharper than in humans and humanoids. A few individuals evidence capacities appraoching the sensitivity of the Canines (see below).

General Comments: Transhumans PCs should evidence a characteristic 'coldness' in their master rarely becoming excited and almost never losing their tempera or showing strong emotion. The Transhumans is devoted to logic and the maintainance of mental discipline. He will sot give into 'base' impulses and is high-minded in all of his actions. Even if he fails in a Bravery check, he will instantly use his Intelligence and check again, so 'panic' rarely results. A PC of this type can be considered as near-superhuman in many respects. But he is a superhuman lacking the need to assert his dominance, so he will sot seek power for ifs own sake. Even a warlike Transhumans starculture will conduct itself according to the dictates of cold logic, and individuals will seek authority only because they can logically strengthen the security of the state (as they reasonably assess their talents, of course).

A transhumans can expect to live long, usually 200 - 250 years, with minimum physical decline. Metabolisms may be iron-based or copper based, with a dietary preference toward vegetarianism. Resistance to disease and toxins (poisons) is remarkably high, while healing capacity is 50°/ higher than normal because the Transhumans can apply his mental discipline to physiological processes. With such a high resistance to natural death and many decades of life to look forward to, Transhumans have a patience rarely noted in humans characters. They can afford to wait.

Finally, if it is true that Transhumans reflect some of the possible traits of the ForeRunners, it is possible to conclude that the ForeRunners were being with optimum humans potential, combining superb physical characteristics with truly awesome intellectual and Psionic talents.