Meta-humans

**Meta-humans** *(Homo meta)* are human beings born with a genetic marker known as the Meta-Gene, which when activated usually expressed itself in the form of superhuman abilities that manifest at puberty or periods of heightened emotional stress. Meta-humans are believed to be the next evolutionary phase of humanity.

## History

> Meta-humans, born with extraordinary abilities, and yet still, many are children stumbling in the dark, searching for guidance. A gift can often be a curse. Give someone wings, and they could fly too close to the sun, give them the power of foresight, and they may live in fear of the future. Give them the greatest gift of all, powers beyond imagination and they may think that they are destined to rule the world.
>
> Talia DeVille

Due to evolution, meta-humans are born with superhuman abilities and they usually manifest at puberty, although they can manifest earlier in youth or even adulthood.

Meta-human traits can often skip a generation, or many as the meta-gene itself is recessive. Meta-human children are not always, or even usually, born to meta-human parents. Meta-human parents do not always, although usually bear meta-human children, as they would need a partner who is also a meta-human and they often have children with humans, allowing the meta-gene to sometimes skip several generations.

## Characteristic Traits

Meta-humans have many distinctive traits in regards to biology, physiology and genetics from other humans. Meta-humans can have wildly varying biological traits depending on the nature of their mutation.

### Meta-gene

The mutation in the bodies of meta-humans are caused by the meta-gene in the meta-humans' DNA. Those who possess the meta-gene or have a *recessive genetic code* which can easily be overridden by the genetics of another. It can be split into three categories, affected, carrier and unaffected:

* **Affected**: The individual gets their powers from a parent, grandparent or ancestor. If the individual in question possesses powers, then their children will, more often than not receive the powers of their respective parent if their other parent has no powers. However. if the individual in question has children with a fellow meta-human, then their children will most likely receive their parents' powers. Despite the small likelihood of powers skipping a generation, there is still a slim chance of an individual not passing their powers onto their children, if their partner does not have powers.
* **Carrier**: The individual doesn't possess any powers. In contrast to the aforementioned, those offspring who do not receive powers can carry the genetic potential for their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc, to inherit their ancestor's powers. Usually if said individual's partner is also a carrier of the gene.
* **Unaffected**: The individual does not have powers like the aforementioned. However, unlike the aforementioned if the individual is unaffected, they do not revive a copy of the meta-gene that grants powers and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, etc, will not receive powers of their ancestors unless they receive the gene via their other parent.