Mutant

**Nephilim,** more commonly referred to as **Mutants**, are a race of sub-sapient humanoids that inhabit the uncivilized areas of Eris, that are colloquially known as The Outlands. Mutant physiology varies greatly between different types and roles, but always have humanoid and animalistic features, red eyes, and a jutting jaw with large tusks. While the majority of mutants are male, female mutants do exist, such as the Profligates, Vainglory, and Vanity. Mutants as a whole usually have supbar intelligence, and speak in barks and grunts, but they are also capable of building structures and using tools, which makes their sapience debatable.

## History

### Early History

Mutants were developed as a byproduct of PROJECT:CHIMERA. Described as the failed version of what was originally desired, the mutants, dubbed Nephilim, were used as a slave race by the Ancient Humans. Though their intelligence was poor, their strength meant that they could be used for manual labor. When ethical debates started to arise, they were dumped on A Massive Aspidochelone and forgotten about. The Nephilim would be rediscovered many years later during the colonization of Eris, being called Mutants in the modern day.

### Erebus

In the modern day, Mutants have been living on Eris for many years. As time has passed, their intelligence has increased somewhat, and they are capable of building their own society. After being dumped on an island for years, they tend to have a strong dislike for other humanoids, and view themselves as the rightful, true people of Eris. When the Chimeras began to move to Eris, the Mutants felt threatened and began to quickly militarize.

## Biology and Types

Like the Chimeras, mutant biology differs greatly based on an individual's type and role within the horde.

### Brute

Mutant Brutes are the backbone of the mutant horde. They have doglike feet, facial hair, and walk like large apes. As the most base form of a male mutant, they possess very little special abilities, but they are noted to be hardy and bred for both manual labor and later took on a foot soldier type role when the mutants militarized.

### Profligate

Profiligates somewhat resemble the Brutes, but are all female. As the only ones who were able to bear children, they traditionally did not see live combat, as their role in procreation made them extremely valuable to the horde. In the past, their role was primarily to reproduce extremely quickly, expanding the growth of the horde indefinitely. However, as the mutants militarized more, more Profligates began to take combat roles. A Profligate who has seen many victories in battle is promoted into a **Vainglory**, and receives a mount.

### Lacerator

Lacerators are aggressive, tiger-like mutants that possess extremely large claws and great speed. Their agility makes them dangerous stealth attack units, or they can be used as makeshift shock troopers. Because of the feral and volatile nature of the Lacerators, they are given muzzles at all times save for when they are eating.

### Vanity

Mutant Vanity are an elite caste of **Profligate**, who have evolved to be more effective in taking a combat role. They are similar to the Profligate, but larger and more muscular. As elite soldiers, they are more heavily armored and use axes in combat.

### Sadist

Sadists are a race of mutants that habitually collect trophies of the things that they kill. Sadists often wear the pelts of animals, humans, and everything in between, and use large glaives as weapons and hunting tools. Although resembling the **Brutes** in body type, their temperament more resembles the **Lacerators**.

### Triggermen

Triggermen are mutants who use firearms. Typically, their weapons will be scavenged or makeshift. They have leopard like spots on their legs, and overall have a slimmer build than the Brutes.

## Trivia

* Mutants were developed as an "enemy race" or a group of "mobs" that were human enough to be credible threats, but also inhuman enough to be killed with minimal moral weight.
* Most, if not all mutants were based on existing NPCs from video games that the author played during childhood or teenhood:
	+ The Brutes were based on the Heninger from Golden Axe.
	+ The Profligates were based on the Zuburoka from Golden Axe.
	+ Sadists were based on the Raider Sadist Armor from Fallout 3.
	+ Lacerators were based on the Greness from Golden Axe 2.
	+ The Behemoth was loosely based on the Bulldozer from Payday 2.
	+ The Triggermen were loosely based on enemy SWAT teams from PAYDAY 2.