Mend Tribe

The **Mend** tribe is one of the 13 tribes of Ontaria. Their role in Ontarian society is attend to the sick, create new medicines and manage outbreaks.

## Formation

The early pre-history Mend tribe members started out as communities living near swamps and jungles.

Like earth these areas are hotspots for diseases, bacteria and the insects that spread them. When Ontarians settled in these areas due to their abundant food sources, they were subjected to some of the most dangerous and virulent infections in the solar system.

These settlers survived because of how the Ontarian immune system differs to humans. Humans actually have the ability to fight off every disease they could ever come across. The human immune system keeps a biological library of cells that can combat diseases. However the human body routinely and strictly culls this library if the cells within pose a threat, not just to a virus that enters the human body, but also to the human it is designed to defend. This is otherwise known as an autoimmune disease.

Ontarians have a similar system however theirs reduces it's library a lot less and the Ontarians don't suffer from autoimmune diseases.

These early Mend tribe members, unlike other tribes, were routinely fighting off the most deadly infections on Ontaria. In response their immune systems went through the strictest training and became stronger and stronger over time. This had a cascade effect to other systems in their bodies.

While their bodies were super strong against terrible diseases, that encouraged faster reaction times to close wounds to prevent infections. Mend tribe members can heal wounds faster to prevent the entry of dangerous organisms. Their bodies also developed secondary organs as back ups against damage. Mend tribe members developed second hearts, a duel bypass digestion system and secondary skull protecting a smaller secondary brain. The Mend tribe bodies also do something very different to humans and other Ontarians. Their bodies actively recruit viruses and bacteria to the cause of protecting the body. In much the same way human guts have beneficial bacteria, the Mend immune system has turned some virus into assassins working for the cause. These virus literally live off the host but as payment support the immune system.

The secondary brain does not take over the functions of the primary brain instead it allows the Mend tribe member a greater control over their own body. Mend Tribe members can at will flood their bodies with adrenaline, rather than it being a stress induced response. They have a greater control over their emotions and hormonal responses.

As the mend tribe moved out of the swamps and jungles they encountered other tribes and were rarely at war with them. Everywhere they went they cured diseases and treated the sick. Mend tribe members can even transfer some of their health to a an Ontarian to aid recovery.

By the copper age, Mend Tribe member held a unique status in Ontarian society as the neutral tribe. They gave their services for what resources they needs but were welcomed everywhere. No tribe dared alienate them lest when struck with a disease they were on their own.

## Duty

After the Patriarchal period the Mend tribe took up the official position as health experts, doctors, nurses, physio therapists and surgeons.

Almost all health aspect of Ontarian society fall under their control.

However the tribe does work closely with the Intelligen and Stimuli tribe during pandemics and with the development of medical technology.

## Powers

### Enhanced Regeneration

Mend tribe members can regenerate damaged flesh and body at a far faster rate than humans or other Ontarians. Wounds close in minutes, damage organs repair faster and broken bones are useful again after a few hours. However while much of this is subconsciously done by their bodies, speedy regeneration requires concentration by the Mend tribe member.

It is not un heard of for Menders to regenerate arms. This power can also be used on other Ontarians however time is a factor.

### Enhanced Immune System

While they can be affected by diseases, bacteria and fungal infections, few do lasting damage to a Mender. Their immune response will protect them against almost all foreign invaders to their bodies. This also applied to human diseases.

Menders will rarely experience cancer or hereditary diseases as their cell cloning process is much more efficient than humans.

### Shared Immune Response

While the Intelligen do make some vaccines, Menders are the primary source of antibodies for all diseases, which they can share through skin to skin contact. Through touch they can also control another Ontarian's body and thus effect repairs faster.

### Endurance and Pain Tolerance

Due to the near total control they have over their body Menders can push themselves for longer than other Ontarians and turned off their pain response, allowing them to function though injured. This also extended emotional tolerance. Menders can work though stress and trauma far faster than other Ontarians.

It is estimated, that as long as they are conscious, a Mender can operate if 30% of their body is disabled by injury.

### Soul Evoking

Like all tribes Menders can use Soul Evoking to further enhance their abilities. In Menders Soul Evoking allows them to connect with other Menders can collective heal faster than usual.

### Weakness

In order to keep their bodies functioning and repair themselves Menders must consume lots of food and if not sufficiently fed are unable to use their powers. After the Motus and Frayan tribe they consume the most amount of food produced on Ontaria.

## Skills

By adulthood all Menders have a through grounding in medical science and a near complete understanding of how the body works.

Menders will specialise in various medical fields much like human doctors. However they will specialise in multiple fields and get results quicker than a human doctor.

## Martial Art

### Rowpa-Doep

Rowpadoep is a marital art practiced by Menders, because even doctors need to know how to protect themselves.

This marital art relies on the Mender's natural endurance. It emphasis strong defence moves and patience. Masters of the art endure huge punishment until the opponent is exhausted. Then the Mender will strike decisively.