The Fae are an intelligent, humanoid species of Chimera, native to the OTHERWHERE. Known for their mastery of Fael Fire and advanced biological and cultural adaptations, the Fae occupy a distinct role among the sapient species of the OTHERWHERE.
Morphology
Fae stand at an average height of 2 m, with digitigrade legs, four-fingered hands (quatrodactyl), and elongated, pointed ears. Their skin is bluish-grey, covered in patches of extremely fine, scale-like structures, providing natural resilience. Their eyes are large and adapted for low-light conditions, while their muscle structure supports enhanced strength and endurance, significantly surpassing human physical limits. They reproduce through mammalian reproductive processes, birthing live young that are feed with milk.
Fael Fire Abilities
Like all Chimeras, the Fae can produce and manipulate Fael Fire. Their control is extremely refined, allowing them to secrete Fael Fire through their pores in controlled amounts and from specific body locations. During high-output use, a Fae’s hair ignites, coated in oil-like Fael Fire that burns without causing harm. This flame is visually distinctive for each individual, typically ranging in red to blue hues, serving as a signature of identity and capability.
Culture
Fae culture places significant importance on armour, not just as protection but as a functional extension of their biological abilities.
- Fae armour is crafted for high mobility, resilience, and maximum Fael Fire compatibility. Designs are sleek, often colour-matched to the individual’s flame hue. Helmets resemble crowns, leaving ears and hair exposed.
- Gauntlets are a defining aspect of Fae gear, specialised to channel Fael Fire in unique forms:
- Ranged Gauntlets: Shaped like animal heads or iconic anatomical forms, they produce a wide variety of ranged attacks, from flamethrower streams to explosive bursts or rapid-fire pulses, depending on form and internal structure.
- Melee Gauntlets: Appear normal when dormant; upon activation, Fael Fire manifests as melee weapons (blades, spears, axes, etc.) directly from the arms. While active, the Fae cannot use their hands for manipulation, focusing entirely on close-quarters combat.
Genetic Compatibility
One of the most striking anomalies is the genomic similarity between Fae and humans. Despite belonging to the Allokaryota domain, Fae possess 23 chromosome pairs, mirroring human karyotypes. This permits limited reproductive compatibility. Offspring of such unions are phenotypically human, with features like plantigrade locomotion and five-fingered hands, but they inherit Aberrant Matter cells and Fael Fire generation capabilities. If a half-breed reproduces with a human, the child will always be fully human. If with a Fae, the child will always be a half-breed.
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