Lassarus Serum

*Human biochemical experiments and enhancement procedures have been a part of galactic society dating back to the Golden Age of the Old Empire. And even after the empire's fall these experiments would continue as a means of bridging the physiological gap between baseline humans and their Star Spawn and Demihuman cousins. Both of whom possess abilities which puts baseline humanity at a greater disadvantage when facing them. In recent centuries, Humanity's gains in this area have attracted widespread attention in the hopes of improving human strength and endurance as the dangers of the galaxy become more apparent. In the past, most military experimentation of such enhancements were limited for the sake of moral and ethical concerns. However, as technology began to greatly improve and as scientists continued to understand the human body, advancements paved the way for the eventual use of body enhancement chemicals.*

*At some unknown point in human history, the **Lassarus Serum** was created. This allowed for the creation of the **Lassar-born**, thefirst true superhumans. The Lassar-born are the men and women whom have had their bodies enhanced in order to become superhuman. They are bigger, more resilient, physically more powerful and possess faster reaction times than their original human counterparts. Each a bastion in their own right and a sentinel of unmatched capability and singular purpose created to counter any possible threat. Be it human, alien or demonic. Lassar-born are unsullied by plague or any natural disease and can suffer wounds that would kill a lesser being several times over, and live to fight again. The Lassar-born were designed to be remarkably agile, stronger and more durable than an average Human, resistant to sickness and with enhanced senses. Possessing heart muscles twice as strong and lung efficiency fifty percent better.*

*Despite their various superhuman abilities, there are major side effects to this genetic tampering as the Lassar-born can sometimes become belligerent, arrogant and ambitious, with a much diminished sense of morality. To counter these side effects, subjects approved to undergo the process of becoming a superior Lassar-born is often forced to participate in psychological reconditioning. As well as being made to regularly ingest specific drugs developed in hopes of curbing their more aggressive tendencies. At least until they could be unleashed upon the vast array of enemies threatening Human dominance of the Apocalypsa Galaxy. Often times the Lassar-born soldiers and warrior orders spread across human inhabited space are the first and final line of defense in the face of countless overwhelming, monstrous foes. Though their exact numbers are not known, it is generally believed that an estimated 20-60 million Lassar-born exist across human society. Their numbers could be significantly higher than this but a lack of cooperation between the many factions and organizations with access to the serum makes exact numbers difficult to ascertain.*

## *History*

*The Lassarus Serum is a barely understood alchemical concotion originally developed by a now legendary Arcanist Biologist and **Alchemist** of the Arcanum Obscura named **Thaddeus Lassarus** during the now ancient, nearly forgotten Age of Rebirth. The serum was formulated to enhance the human body and mind, and is most often utilized by the various armed forces of Humanity in order to combat the myriad dangers of the galaxy. Upon injection, the serum integrates itself with the subject's DNA. The purpose of the Lassarus Serum is to transform individuals into superhumans, with enhanced strength, agility, and endurance. Though the original formula has been slowly lost to the passage of time, over the centuries, it has been semi-reproduced by several of the more powerful major factions, most with a considerable degree of success. Ever since its initial creation, new pathways into the world of genetic research have been unveiled for talented minds to explore. This has led to a rise in wondrous scientific achievements in recent centuries, which has also resulted in a notable increase in the number of enhanced individuals. The Lassarus Serum is most frequently utilized by a multitude of powerful and influential military organizations across human dominated space for use in battling the worst enemies threatening humanity. Lassar-born is a name known to the public that defines the warriors whom have been reborn as superhumans due to being gifted with the Lassarus Serum.*

## *Overview*

*The raw serum's general properties are aimed toward enhancing and perfecting human physiology and mentality far beyond the peak of human potential. The bones and muscles of those injected with the serum are vastly denser and more resilient than a normal human's. Their speed is tremendously enhanced beyond the peak of human potential, moving into the early levels of superhuman condition. The subjects agility is vastly enhanced  as well. Their musculature produces far fewer fatigue toxins during physical activity than when compared to the musculature of an ordinary un-augmented human, allowing them to exert themselves at peak capacity for hours before tiring. Their reflexes are enhanced to extraordinary levels, being able to avoid bullets at peak efficiency. The serum can also have unforeseen physical side effects beyond what is usually expected. If subjects are not carefully chosen, this could result in various psychological and physical mutations. For example, subjects whom display a love of fighting and violent activity can receive a greater than normal increase in strength and also develop rapid healing factors. When saturated with the arcane radiation of a Chaos Star, the serum becomes unstable, and turns those injected into feral raging monsters, completely unable to tell friend from foe.*

*The normal effects of the serum is an increase in the molecular density of cellular fibers (skin and muscle) through synthetic proteins. This means that the serum can naturally enhance the proteins inside the subject, as well as their effects, effectively granting the subject enhanced physical abilities. It also naturally enhances metabolic, cellular, and chemical processes in the body, which can enhance recovery and healing abilities, as well as building up greater resistance to fatigue and exhaustion. These can also allow a subject to fully recover without drugs, medicines, or other medical or therapeutic treatments. In addition to this, the serum may also affect the subjects dopamine, testosterone, adrenaline, various other endorphins and hormones, enhancing the effects of such chemicals to further amplify the subjects physical and even mental performance. As those injected with the Lassarus Serum grow older and thus more experienced, they only grew stronger and faster as their bodies become accustomed to their augmentations.*

*The Lassarus Serum also greatly increased the human lifespan to between 8500 - 8800 years on average, as well. It will drastically alter a baseline humans natural aging process, causing them to age much more slowly than an ordinary human being. As an example, despite being hundreds of years old, a Lassarus Serum enhanced individual will maintain the physical appearance, peak conditioning and vitality of a man or woman of 30 years of age. Outwardly, there is no difference between a Lassarborn and baseline human, aside from the fact that they are much larger and all possess well muscled physiques. In fact the the main difference are their bodies, which are physically more imposing than most humans as they are built for battle and lead hard lives of combat with many dying young, or considered young by Lassarborn standards.*

*Inwardly, Lassarborn bones are nearly unbreakable, being tougher than concrete in their density, and they possess various newly developed organs absent in the baseline human physiology. Their teeth are strong enough to bite through metal/steel as though it was bread, and their nails can gouge holes in stone. Lassarborn heal and recover much faster than baseline humans and are very resistant to illnesses and diseases. Their healing is powerful enough to allow them to recover from a broken neck, which merely leaves them unconscious for at least a day. When injured, a specific organ within the Lassarborn produces an substance which has the ability to instantly heal minor wounds, and speed up the healing process for larger ones. Lassarborn have tougher skin and nearly unbreakable bones, allowing them to withstand the strength of another Lassarborn, Demihumans, Star Spawn, Demons, etc... without being injured. In fact they are virtually impervious to all forms of physical harm, injury or pain. A Lassarborn's body tissue is far denser than that of a common human, punching them is like hitting a concrete wall and while bullets can just barely pierce the skin they can't pierce their muscles.*

*Only a small percentage of the human population can be turned into Lassarborn using the Lassarus Serum, as most humans die from the serum within an hour of being injected. Approximately one in ten million baseline humans are capable of surviving the conversion process from mere mortal into a transhuman Lassarborn. It is known that the Lassarus Serum can induce a deadly reaction in Star Spawn and Demihumans whom are injected with it. The physiology of these species are incompatible with the serum and so will destroy each other at the cellular level. The Lassarus Serum has a significant effect on those baseline humans whom possess psychic powers. It can be used by Quasi individuals to enhance psychic powers up to five times what they were before, along with all the other physical augmentations. Although the stronger the Quasi, the more powerful the augmentation of their powers. In the most extreme of cases, the enhanced individual lost the ability to control their psychic talents in battle. Quasi given the Lassarus Serum must undergo intense training in order to balance their sixth sense with the effects of the serum now altering their brains' biochemistry, so as to master their abilities.*

*The considerable augmentations granted by the Lassarus Serum are able to be inherited by the offspring of someone who has undergone the procedure. However, the abilities possessed by these gifted children are much less impressive when compared to that of their parents, being more a pale reflection of what the Lassarus Serum in its purest form can do. Still these gifted children, called Nuhumans, display augmented speed, strength, agility and intelligence which out classes all baseline humans and are themselves frequently sought out as candidates to be given the Lassarus Serum, so as to increase their already superior abilities even further. Nuhumans whom are given the serum experience abilities which are even more enhanced than is the norm. For this reason, the breeding habits of those whom have been given the Lassarus Serum are very closely monitored, being pressured to seek out partners whom possess exceptional physical and psychological traits, as a means of creating genetically "superior" offspring.*

*This practice has lead to a form of defacto eugenics being widely practiced among the nobles, royalty and privileged classes of many factions throughout human dominated space. Unfortunately, the successful birth of a Nuhuman is not a common occurence, as the majority of such pregnancies end in a miscarriage, while those that make it to term are most often stillborn. It is not uncommon for unaugmented human mothers to be killed during the birthing process. The rare few whom survive to maturation are treated as treasures among. Children born to two humans who have been given the Lassarus Serum possess a rare genetic defect that causes them to suffer from insanity and horrible mutations. For this reason, Purebloods are usually terminated not long after conception. However, some are allowed to grow to full maturation and these few individuals display superhuman abilities that are absent in all other Lassarborn, being larger, faster, stronger, more durable, etc... than even the Gen-0s. Were it not for their hideous appearance and violent insanity, they would be considered the ideal super soldier.*

## *Rules and Customs*

*The use of the Lassarus Serum is highly regulated, monitored and even ritualized. Being gifted the serum is not a common process and the vast majority of humans will never go through it. In the past when the serum was first being experimented with, vast numbers of humans were allowed to receive the serum so as to document its effects, producing "radical" and "monstrous" mutations, while damaging the human gene pool. This being one reason for the presence of random mutant births among some human populations. In order to stop that genetic loss, every initiate has to go through a strict genetic screening before being allowed to go through the transformation. After a millennia, that strict rule allowed the humans to restore their genetic stability to some degree. Due to the risk of uncontrolled mutations, most human factions forbid any demihumans to go through the procedure and the genetic screening prohibits the Lassarus Serum to any human with demihuman lineage.*

*As a general rule, the Lassarus Serum is predominately undertaken by younger individuals. Restricted by genetic screenings, it is considered as a sacred privilege only undertaken by a select few among them. Some individuals would prepare all their lives to undergo procedure. While those of lower status could be conscripted, among the high born nobility and others of greater political power or wealth, it is the choice of the parents (especially the father) to give up their children to be exposed to the Lassarus Serum. When offered the chance for a child of noble birth to receive the serum, most choose to go through the mutagenic process. Before being allowed to take the serum, these human children will be put through preliminary augmentation procedures so as to prepare their bodies for the stresses of the Lassarus Serum. Which has an extremely high mortality rate if candidates for its use are not chosen wisely and prepared for the effects.*

### *Cocooning & Transformation*

*After having completed their training and undergone preemptive augmentation procedures, the chosen few who have proven themselves worthy will be injected with the serum and then "cocooned" within a bioengineered shell like structure called a "Cocoon of metamorphosis" or simply "Cocoons". The time before the cocoon's hatching is down to matters of just how the recipient's own physiology reacts to the Lassarus Serum bonding to them on a genetic level, and also to the quantity and purity of the Lassarus Serum that sets off the transformation. The metamorphisis can be incomplete, triggering mutations but not resulting in transforming into a Lassarborn and, in some instances, killing the subject. Desirably, the process will produce a new gene in the recipient's genetic settings, creating new organs and possibly triggering latent mutant genes(such as previously untapped psychic powers) within the human genome. Thus granting them powers and/or a new appearance, with results impossible to predict. A belief among the Lassarborn is that the Lassarus Serum reveals the true nature of those who go through the process.*

*Once the transformation ended the recipients mind, spirit and body are permanently altered. Their physical appearance, muscle mass, etc. are enhanced and perfected, becoming extremely attractive and handsome.  The recipient becomes a very tall, very well-built elegant man or woman with a compelling voice and overwhelming authoritative charisma. They permanently possess flawless skin, perfect dentition, beautiful hair, a perfectly proportioned body, brawny and well-toned muscles for males while females tend to display a leaner but well defined hour glass figure. Males are also extremely "well-endowed" while females possess full, womanly curves. Both males and females passively secrete powerful pheromones that make them irresistibly attractive to the opposite sex. Their senses are enhanced, enabling the Lassarborn to see, hear, smell, feel, and taste things imperceptible to humans. Despite these changes, studying their DNA results in nothing unusual, as all Lassarnorn are still biologically human.*

## *Candidate Selection & Training*

*The candidate selection process for those who will become Lassarborn is very meticulous and carefully carried out. The various sub-organizations and military orders take no time to consider the feelings of those drafted into their ranks. Conscripts are chosen from physically and mentally-gifted individuals who are drilled to the peak of natural physical strength and endurance. They are normally male and female orphans who were either abducted at a young age or children whom were willingly offered up by their families in hopes that they will be given a better life. Such candidates normally coming from extremely impoverished backgrounds. Rarer still are those whom volunteer of their own free will, these candidates are normally of higher status and have spent their young lives preparing specifically for this moment. Those accepted into the program must display a natural propensity for combat, as well as possess the kind of unbreakable spirit, stamina, and recuperative abilities that are found in perhaps only one person in ten million.*

*The worthy children are then forced to undergo a painful medical operation, leaving a severe scarring on their body from their neck down to their abdomen. The operation procedure is an implantation process for biomechanical augmentations designed to increase the young recruits chances of surviving being injected with the Lassarus Serum. Soon after recovery, these children will have to endure years of brutal training and a final actual test to prove their mettle. This test can differ depending on the organization which trains them but most often they are expected to slay some savage creature or accomplish some other task which will test them physically and mentally. It is not unheard of for batches of these children to be made to face a fully fledged Lassar-born as a final test. They are then forced to endure an extensive brainwashing process aimed at ensuring loyalty. Those elite few who successfully join the ranks of the Lassar-born are expected to be unwaveringly loyal to their parent organization and adhere to its rules without exception.*

*Although, such blind loyalty is not always achieved and rebellious Lassar-born who desire to make their own way are far from being uncommon. All conscripts are trained extensively in target shooting, multiple forms of close-quarters combat (martial arts and possibly other techniques) and vehicular expertise. Trainees are also trained to move quickly and are desensitized to combat; an example would be a trainee having a firearm placed to his/her head by a guard and being ordered to kill the guard before he kills them. A conscript will be subjected to this training at the age of twelve. Conscripts who successfully complete the program's rigorous training and indoctrination process will then receive the Lassarus serum which best suits them based on gathered physical and psychological data. The larger, more aggressive conscripts are most often injected with the Gen-2 serum and utilized as close quarters heavy assault experts. Those whom display superior leadership skills, teamwork and tactical acumen become Gen-1s, they then serve as commandos, shock troopers and assassins.*

*After being injected with the serum, the candidate will then slip into a coma for quite some time, during which the body will undergo a metamorphosis. They will grow taller, stronger and experience many other physical and psychological changes before awakening as a Lassar-born. That is if they awaken at all, as a considerable percentage will sleep forever with no hope of ever waking. These unfortunate souls are euthanized and then their bodies are ritualistically entombed with respect for their sacrifice. Those lucky few whom survivor the years of training and the Lassarus Serum must undergo more than a year of additional training so as to become familiar with their new superhuman abilities. Several different variations of the serum exist across the galaxy, with some being far more potent and stable than others. These are most commonly designated as the Gen-1, Gen-2, Gen-3, and Gen-4 Lassarus Serums.*

*A Nuhuman whom is given the serum is classed as a Gen-0, only 100 Gen-0 Lassar-born currently exist. These legendary transhuman warriors are considered to be the truest and perfected variant among the Lassar-born, being more akin to immortal demigods than mere humans. Depending on which iteration of the Lazarus Serum an individual has injected with they will be categorized as a Gen-1, Gen-2 , Gen-3, or Gen-4 Lassar-born. The Gen-1 and Gen-2 Lassar-born are the only officially acknowledged super soldiers being produced and candidates are usually selected at a relatively young age in order to begin their training as soon as possible. If they survive the training process, only then will they be made into augmented Lassar-born. And only if they meet certain criteria that would ensure a high chance of survival. Gen-1s are produced in companies of 1000 and Gen-2s in companies of 300.*

## *Serum Variations*

#### *Gen-1 Serum*

*Those who were given the Gen-1 Serum possess multiple enhanced attributes as a result. The Gen-1 Serum augments a baseline human's musculature, granting the subject a sizable degree of superhuman strength. At their peak, the Gen-1 possesses sufficient strength to lift approximately 10-15 tons. Being attacked by a Gen-1 is comparable to being struck by a vehicle, to the point where a single punch can be fatal for an unaugmented human being. This strength causes their attacks to be very weakening and debilitating to anyone they fight, including other enhanced humans. The Gen-1 Serum also increases the subjects running speed to the peak of human efficiency. This allows Gen-1s to sprint at speeds between 60-70 mph. Their augmented and superhuman musculature produces less fatigue toxins during physical activity than the musculature of normal baseline humans. At the peak of their abilities, those gifted with a Gen-1 Serum can exert themselves at peak capacity for up to 12 hours or more before the build up of fatigue toxins in their blood began to impair them.*

*An unforeseen side effect of the Gen-1 Lazarus Serum is that the Gen-1s nerve endings have been scorched, they can easily endure extreme punishment without feeling any semblance of pain. For the Gen-1s, even the most grievous of injuries will not impair their ability to perform while on the battlefield. The Gen-1 Lassarus serums also promote enhanced bone and muscular growth, Gen-1s averaging between 7'7 - 7'9 ft tall. They are easily heads and shoulders taller than their baseline human counterparts, also possessing naturally muscular and athletic physiques to match this great height. In addition to their inability to feel pain, the Gen-1s are much more resilient than a normal human. They posses internal control over their bodies, allowing them to stop the bleeding from most wounds, even if stabbed in the torso and through vital organs. All Gen-1s bodily tissues are augmented by the Gen-1 Serum to the point that they are tougher and more resistant to most kinds of injury than the bodily tissues of an unaugmented baseline human.*

*While far from invulnerable, these individuals can withstand extraordinary impact forces. The Gen-1s can withstand blunt force impacts with little to no injury to themselves, such as being beaten by a superhumanly strong opponent or falling from several stories, that would severely injure or kill a normal human. They can quickly heal from high caliber bullet wounds within only a day of recuperation. Acting more as a sort of armor, a Gen-1s skin is so tough that when high caliber bullets are able to pierce the skin, they often will become embedded into their flesh without causing any vital harm to internal organs. The natural agility, balance and bodily coordination of the Gen-1s are also augmented to levels that are beyond the natural physical limitations of the finest unaugmented human athlete. The Gen-1s reflexes have been similarly improved, being capable of mentally calculating the physical reaction times of their opponents. A Gen-1 can very quickly anticipate the pull of a trigger, and reflexively catch a bullet, all in the blink of an eye, and only suffering minor injury to their hand.*

*Gen-1s are also further augmented with carbon-fibre muscles to enhance their already superhuman strength and durability. They possess inhuman balance, bodily coordination, and/or perfect equilibrium to a point far in excess to that of a normal human being. Gen-1s are extremely alert and fast reacting, being able to dodge and deflect bullets without much effort. A Gen-1 can react to multiple opponents simultaneously, even from behind to quickly counter. The Gen-1s sensory organs have also been exponentially enhanced by the Gen-1 Lassarus Serum. They have hyper keen eyesight, able to see many hundreds of times further than their unaugmented human counterparts. A Gen-1s senses of smell, taste, and hearing are approximately five times that of an average baseline human being. The Gen-1 Serum also significantly enhance the brain activity of any baseline human being. Allowing the Gen-1 superhumans to process information many dozens of times faster than an unaugmented human is capable of.*

*As a result, they possess enhanced intuition, pattern solving, information storage and retrieval, and logical and philosophical structuring. Gen-1s also have a perfect photographic memory with the ability to recall any moment. Their minds function similarly to a computer designed for strategy, their ability to predict probable outcomes of tactical and strategic scenarios is so advanced that it borders on clairvoyance. This enhanced brain activity can manifests itself in battle as a form of precognitive tactical awareness and significant resistance to telepathic attacks. Any subjects possessing latent quasi abilities will find these awakened as well. A possible side effect of the serum, the Gen-1s possess an inherent cruel arrogance and will treat those they deem to be inferior with open disdain or disgust.*

#### *Gen-2 Serum*

*The Gen-2 Serum is the second most commonly utilized of all Lassarus Serum variants and is "relatively" stable compared to later concoctions, granting all the same enhanced abilities as the Gen-1 Serum but to an even greater extent. It makes the subject considerably more durable and stronger than the earlier Gen-1 Serum, but at the expense of mental stability. The Gen-2 serums commonly trigger an excruciatingly painful inner metamorphosis, which afterwards leaves the subject physically more powerful than someone who has been injected with a Gen-1 Serum. However, these soldiers are not as easily controlled because of psychological side effects, as they will sometimes suddenly turn on friendly soldiers without warning or provocation. They are superhumanly strong, being capable of pressing between 20 - 25 tons. The Gen-2s are ultimately capable of exceeding their limits, and being capable of pressing over 35 tons during periods of extreme stress.*

*Gen-2 super soldiers can run up to 80-90 mph and exert themselves at peak efficiency for 24 hours before fatigue sets in. The serum causes an increase in skeletal and muscular growth, Gen-2s standing between 8'3 ft - 8'6 ft tall. Most notably, Gen-2s possess extremely durable skin, which protects them from high caliber bullets, knife wounds, blunt force trauma and explosions. Their skin is considered nearly bullet-proof, the Gen-2s being able to endure hundreds of bullets. While not invulnerable, the Gen-2s are able to continue fighting even while dying from dozens of gunshot wounds. The Gen-2 super soldiers can easily withstand great pressures without discomfort and they are naturally resistant against heat and radiation. Gen-2s can survive some of the most hostile environments in the known galaxy. Also, due to their enhanced physiology, and superhuman metabolism, any minor injuries they do sustain are healed almost instantly. Regeneration capabilities gifted by the Gen-2 serum onto a Geist* *are noticeably far more accelerated compared to all previous iterations, as the subject can completely heal and recover from every bone in their body being destroyed and being left crippled into a near death-like coma, within as little as a few hours.*

*The Gen-2's possess a reinforced skeleton allowing them to withstand higher levels of physical pressure. The reaction times of all second generation Laasarborn have been considerably enhanced, significantly improving their performance during combat in comparison to a baseline human and even other enhanced humans. The reaction times of the Gen-2s are so fast that they are capable of seeing, thinking, and reacting as if things were happening in slow motion. Gen-2s have been witnessed to decapitate multiple opponents with a single swing of a thermal blade and are capable of confidently engaging supernaturally empowered opponents, such as the Star Spawn and demonic entities, in close quarters combat when necessary. The enhancements of the Gen-2 serum combined with those provided by Power Armor are enough to transform an ordinary human being into a savagely terrifying force upon the battlefield. Although the Gen-2 serum offers many benefits to soldiers when in combat, it is not without side effects.*

*The Gen-2 Lassarus Serum also causes the Gen-2s to become reckless and dangerous, especially to those posing an immediate threat or perceived by the Gen-2 as such. Their unstable behavior makes them highly dangerous and very unpredictable individuals when engaged in battle, thus requiring the Gen-2s to regularly take specialized medications. Gen-2s will frequently lose their strategic judgment over time and become far more susceptible to instinct driven behavior or berserker rages in combat. When a Gen-2 is overcome by this berserker rage, they are reborn into a world of constant anger, hatred, fury and nothing else. Often resulting in the slaughter of allied personnel and civilians alike. Because of the extremely high risk which accompany deploying such individuals into war zones where civilian populations could possibly be present, the Gen-2 Lassar-born are most frequently utilized as super heavy shock infantry and close quarters assault experts. They will usually be deployed into the worst theaters of war imaginable and forced to undertake blatantly suicidal missions where even the Gen-1s would not be expected to succeed or survive.*

*Such as being sent to "take back" worlds which have been completely overrun by Necrospawn. Gen-2s will most often be set loose upon mutants, aliens, demons, demihumans and Star Spawn, where their mental instability and savagery could benefit them on the battlefield. Even when not suffering from the psychological ramifications of the Gen-2 Serum, they are noted to have a much more difficult time than a Gen-1 interacting with non-Lassar-born. The Gen-2s will frequently treat baseline human beings with suspicion and disregard. Although physically superior in many ways, Gen-2s are less valued compared to the Gen-1s. This has inevitably lead to friction between these two groups, usually spilling over into open hostility and violence. This is only further complicated by the fact that the Gen-2s are more often than not subordinate to the more stable Gen-1s.*

#### *Gen-3 Serum*

*While both the Gen-1 and Gen-2 Serums are generally considerably more stable, the Gen-3 Serum can grant the subject much further enhanced abilities but are at a greater risk of mutation and psychological issues arising. These individuals are most commonly referred to as "Berserkers" because of their extraordinary violent rages. The serum, usually injected into the base of the neck, will almost instantly transform a normal human being into a hulking mass of unbridled physical strength. While in comparatively small doses it acts as little more than a highly addictive super steroid, capable of gifting the user with superhuman strength. The Gen-3s can produce adrenaline which can considerably increase their physical power. This adrenaline is mostly active when they are angered, agitated or excited. Continued use of the Gen-3 Serum will eventually result in turning any user of it into a malformed, completely insane, berserker monster. Their bodies will become horribly disfigured, and their rationality is lost to a blood maddened haze.*

*The serum drastically enhances the human body, adding several hundred pounds of muscle and bone. The transformation is usually completed within 30 seconds of ingestion. A mild regenerative healing factor is also developed, allowing users to recover extremely quickly from injury and making them highly resistant to sickness or disease. Gen-3 Serums enhance the physical bone and muscle density, constitution, size and strength to an inhuman level. This grants a dramatic increase in overall size as well as making the Gen-3s almost immune to most forms of physical harm. Causing them pain is nearly impossible for beings weaker than themselves. Over time the afflicted person will eventually undergo a dramatic increase in physical stature, eventually growing to stand between 10'5 ft to 11'0 ft tall. The Berserker's serum enhanced musculature generates significantly less fatigue toxins in their bloodstreams during physical activity than the musculature of an ordinary human being. This enables them to exert themselves for up to 48 hours before fatigue begins to take an effect.*

*Berserkers oftentimes need to eat whole carcasses of large animals at a time. This is done as a way of coping with their extremely high metabolism and the accompanying subsequent rapid loss of physical energy, as a Berserk's monstrous form requires a staggering intake of protein. A side effect to their superhuman metabolism is the unleashing of high temperatures of heat from their bodies, which becomes hotter and hotter the more enraged the Berserker becomes. A significant downside that comes with this side effect of the Gen-3 serum is that the Berserkers cannot easily support the intense heat being generated when their tempers flare out of control. Unlike most living creatures that would normally just sweat it out, the heat is so intense that every liquid would most likely evaporate instantaneously, essentially baking the Berserker from the inside-out. This in turn makes them very dizzy, lose conscious control of themselves and causes intense pain if allowed to increase further.*

*If unattended this can result in the agonizing death of the Berserker, as they will literally burn to death from within without outside intervention. Even so, a Gen-3 Berserker can regularly exert themselves at peak capacity for about 24 hours before fatigue begins to impair them or overheating becomes a threat. Despite their great size, Berserkers are capable of running and moving at speeds much greater than even the finest human athlete. At their peak, a Berserker is capable of running at speeds up to 60 miles per hour. Berserkers possess superhuman strength sufficient to lift 60-80 tons. The body of a Berserker is much tougher and superhumanly more resistant to conventional physical injury than the body of a normal human being. They can withstand high caliber bullets, falls from great heights, exposure to extreme temperatures and pressures, powerful energy blasts, and tremendous impact forces without sustaining injury. While the more stable Lazarus serums are tightly controlled, their creation being very heavily regulated and strictly guarded, the Gen-3 Serum has made its way into the criminal underground.*

*This has resulted in warlords and ganglords throughout the galactic underworld trying to create personal armies of these bloodthirsty fiends as well as finding a use within the underground fighting pits where these ferocious mutant warriors murder one another to the roar of an equally bloodthirsty audience. The Gen-3 Serum has been outlawed due to its effects and those affected by its usage are hunted down and killed off by special squads.*

#### *Gen-4 Serum*

*The Gen-4 Serums is entirely outlawed because of its extreme mutugenic effects due to being saturated with the chaotic arcane energies of the Chaos Stars. Any unfortunate subject injected with the Gen-4 Serum will unavoidably mutate into a raging, berserk monster of unimaginable bloodlust and fury. Massively muscled, grotesque monstrosities, each of these abomination will transform into a slightly different monstrous appearance, however, the same general template is always achieved. That of a hideously malformed mutated amalgamation of flesh and bone. Possessing grotesquely misshapen heads and bodies, these Abominations are very thickly muscled, slightly stooped and highly aggressive forces of mass destruction. Standing between 20'0 ft and 22'0 ft tall, the Abominations are grotesque titans of bone and muscle, able to withstand incredible amounts of firepower before being brought down in battle. Virtually unstoppable killing machines of nearly unlimited strength, endurance and bloodlust, these towering abominable rage infused beasts are seen as living disasters made flesh.*

*Abominations are in a constant state of flux, their bodies developing new mutations seemingly at random. They are the strongest of the superhumans spawned by the Lassarus Serum, possessing sufficient strength to lift between 100 to 130 tons without aid. Such extreme physical strength makes controlling these behemoths nearly impossible. Aside from being the reason behind their abnormal size and malformed physiques, the Gen-4 Serum also causes the body to begin producing abnormal amounts of adrenaline, enabling the enraged Abomination to experience heightened amounts of aggression and endurance, their strength is also doubled when made sufficiently angry.*

*Their size is very deceptive, as the Abominations speed and reflexes are also superhuman, making them able to run, move, and react beyond the limits of the finest baseline human athlete. The Gen-4s durability is heightened sufficiently to shrug off most blunt force trauma, yet they are not completely invulnerable. The Gen-4s can withstand blows from most superhumans, withstand falls from great heights, and even shrug off high caliber anti tank weaponry at close range. Abominations also have a regenerative healing factor, which enables them to remain in combat for much longer. Once the transformation has taken place, the body will begin producing the serum. Thus allowing it to be abstracted from an afflicted person's blood stream. Only a small dosage is required to be administered to the subject to trigger the transformation due to its extreme mutagenic potency. Thus allowing for the creation of barely controllable mobs of these raging beasts, ready to be unleashed.*

*The highly advanced musculature of these Abominations produces vastly less fatigue toxins during physical activity than the musculature of an ordinary human. They are capable of physically exerting themselves at peak capacity for several days before the build up of fatigue toxins in their bloodstream begins to impair them. Despite their extraordinary bulk, these Abominations can run up to 60 miles per hour. When a Gen-4 receives too much damage to properly regenerate from, their regenerative abilities begin mutating them so as to develop adaptions in response to the physical traumas. These mutations can take the form of natural weapons consisting of numerous spear like tentacles that can easily tear through both human bodies and armored vehicles and developing the ability to spit highly corrosive acid. Because of the extreme danger such creatures represent, they are normally hunted down and destroyed. However, some organizations are known to utilize the Gen-4 Serum as a penance for convicts serving life sentences, turning these unfortunate souls into mindless engines of destruction to be unleashed upon unprepared enemies and quickly killed when no longer useful.*

*Due to the inherent flaws of their creation, Abominations rarely live for very long, so even if they do manage to escape extermination, their own ever growing body temperature and unstable physiology will eventually ensure their agonizing demise. Even so, before this happens it is possible for a single Abomination to murder thousands of unaware civilians.*

## *Rare Lassar-born Variations*

### *Nubreeds*

*Though many become Gen-5, some opt to choose their own destiny and professions, becoming mercenaries, athletes, gladiators, Quarrymen, etc... while human beings hold them up as the future of humanity, demihumans and Star Spawn often detest them as sworn enemies. While it varies from individual to individual, Nubreeds usually inherit half of the abilities of their Lassar-born parent – half their strength, speed, sight, hearing, and so on. Some of the faster-healing Nubreeds can break every bone in their body and rupture some internal organs, yet heal completely in about 72 hours. They can see in the dark. In general, their Lassarborn biology dominates. Nubreeds whom are destined to become Gen-5s are forced to train regularly and work out to enhance and maintain their abilities, they would atrophy otherwise. A "normal" workout routine that would enhance a regular human's strength and speed increased a Nubreeds abilities much faster and at greater magnitude.*

*Nubreeds are endowed with increased physical strength greater than that of any unagumented humans. The considerable augmentations granted by the Lassarus Serum are able to be inherited by the offspring of someone who has undergone the procedure. However, the abilities possessed by these gifted children are much less impressive when compared to that of their parents, being more a pale reflection of what the Lassarus Serum in its purest form can do. Still these gifted children, called* Nubreeds, display augmented speed, strength, agility and intelligence which out classes all baseline humans and are themselves frequently sought out as candidates to be given the Lassarus Serum, so as to increase their already superior abilities even further. *Nubreeds whom are given the serum experience abilities which are even more enhanced than is the norm. For this reason, the breeding habits of those whom have been given the Lassarus Serum are very closely monitored, being pressured to seek out partners whom possess exceptional physical and psychological traits, as a means of creating genetically "superior" offspring.*

*They are capable of lifting and throwing human-sized subjects sizable distances, propelling enemies into the air with a single blow, bending solid metal with their bare hands, breaking human bones with ease, and punching into concrete walls to no ill effect. A The considerable augmentations granted by the Lassarus Serum are able to be inherited by the offspring of someone who has undergone the procedure. However, the abilities possessed by these gifted children are much less impressive when compared to that of their parents, being more a pale reflection of what the Lassarus Serum in its purest form can do. Still these gifted children, called* Nubreedss*, display augmented speed, strength, agility and intelligence which out classes all baseline humans and are themselves frequently sought out as candidates to be given the Lassarus Serum, so as to increase their already superior abilities even further. Nubreeds whom are given the serum experience abilities which are even more enhanced than is the norm.*

*For this reason, the breeding habits of those whom have been given the Lassarus Serum are very closely monitored, being pressured to seek out partners whom possess exceptional physical and psychological traits, as a means of creating genetically "superior" offspring.s strength, healing, and endurance improves as they mature, eventually reaching a peak. Much like all other superhuman beings throughout the galaxy, the Nubreed's strength is largely metaphysical, as it does not add to their body mass and they remain buoyant enough to swim. Female The considerable augmentations granted by the Lassarus Serum are able to be inherited by the offspring of someone who has undergone the procedure. However, the abilities possessed by these gifted children are much less impressive when compared to that of their parents, being more a pale reflection of what the Lassarus Serum in its purest form can do.*

*Still these gifted children, called Nubreeds, display augmented speed, strength, agility and intelligence which out classes all baseline humans and are themselves frequently sought out as candidates to be given the Lassarus Serum, so as to increase their already superior abilities even further. Nubreeds whom are given the serum experience abilities which are even more enhanced than is the norm. For this reason, the breeding habits of those whom have been given the Lassarus Serum are very closely monitored, being pressured to seek out partners whom possess exceptional physical and psychological traits, as a means of creating genetically "superior" offspring, whom are often of relatively slender build, have performed great feats of physical strength without any apparent added muscle mass.* Nubreeds are able to access even greater levels of strength when upset or angry. *The considerable augmentations granted by the Lassarus Serum are able to be inherited by the offspring of someone who has undergone the procedure.*

*However, the abilities possessed by these gifted children are much less impressive when compared to that of their parents, being more a pale reflection of what the Lassarus Serum in its purest form can do. Still these gifted children, called Nubreeds, display augmented speed, strength, agility and intelligence which out classes all baseline humans and are themselves frequently sought out as candidates to be given the Lassarus Serum, so as to increase their already superior abilities even further. Nubreeds whom are given the serum experience abilities which are even more enhanced than is the norm. For this reason, the breeding habits of those whom have been given the Lassarus Serum are very closely monitored, being pressured to seek out partners whom possess exceptional physical and psychological traits as a means of creating genetically "superior" offspring.*

*The Nubreeds have the ability to move at great speeds and possess incredible reflexes. They are capable of snatching a crossbow bolt in mid-flight, dodging gunfire from multiple ranges, including point blank. The Nubreeds running speed is also quite impressive. They are able to run fast enough to keep up with and outrun a motorized vehicle when going at full speed. Nubreeds are able to reach speeds between 40-50 mph. They are capable of superhuman feats of agility. A Nubreeds can leap to great heights and distances; though the maximum is unknown. They are able to leap from one building to building. A Nubreed's agility can work by mere instinct, being able to land perfectly on their feet on reflex alone, often much to their own surprise. A Nubreed's body is substantially more durable and resistant to blunt force trauma than an ordinary human's. Nubreeds also have several times the endurance of a common human, so it is difficult, though not impossible, to bruise them, break their bones or strain their joints.*

*Their superhuman physiology allows them to recover from even very severe injuries in remarkably short periods of time. Usually being completely healed within 24 hours of being injured, though more serious injuries have taken at least a few days. Despite these abilities, the Nubreeds are far from invulnerable, as they can receive scars.* Nuhumans *possess great stamina, rivaling the combined endurance of ten men. They are capable of training and fighting for hours without experiencing exhaustion. Nubreeds possess a heightened awareness of their surroundings. This heightened awareness can, with experience, allow the Nubreeds to know the position of an attacker and fight them blindfolded or in the dark. This allows them to effectively combat and defeat opponents whom are invisible or using cloaking devices with relative ease. A Nubreed's enhanced senses makes it extremely difficult to catch them off guard, as well.*

*A Nubreed naturally has formidable fighting abilities. Being easily capable of fending off multiple opponents at the same time while having no combat training — relying entirely on natural instincts. Nubreeds have innate an ability in and understanding of combat. Nubreeds training often consist of learning to hone these talents, and to teach them specific combat practices, such as various martial arts. This training helps them to battle the occasional enemy whose physical strength outclasses their own upon becoming a Gen-5. For most situations, however, their strength will suffice. This natural fighting prowess also extends to their weapon proficiency and accuracy with firearms. The blood of the Nubreeds can be consumed by a number of beings, most notably the Sanguinarians, to either strengthen themselves or to cure affliction. As with all Lassarborn, Sanguinarians also consider the blood of these superhumans to be a powerful aphrodisiac.*

### *Gen-5*

*Unlike the other generations of Lassar-born, Gen-5s are superhuman prior to their injection with the Lassarus Serum, being Nubreeds whom were born from the union of a Lassar-born with an unaugmented human. All of them possess certain special genes considered "superior" in their blood that make them immune to viral infections, age at half the rate of a baseline human and exhibit superior physical abilities. After being injected with Gen-5 Lassarus serum, due to the increased metabolism of their body, Gen-5s gain a number of physical attributes above even the superhuman parameters of most Lassar-born. Their physical strength increases to an astonishing level, so much so that they are capable intercepting and throwing missiles bare handed, crush reinforced armor plating, lift multi-ton vehicles, and kill a lesser Lassar-born with one strike. The Gen-5s resistance is also amplified to the point that magma can't easily burn their enhanced flesh and being crushed underneath thousands of pounds of ruble only succeeds in dazing them for a few seconds.*

*Their speed and reflexes are perhaps a Gen-5s most notable skills. They can easily avoid close range gunshots, perform short dashes of speed faster than the human brain can comprehend, giving them the appearance of teleporting, and leap great heights. They are fast enough to outpace even those with enhanced senses, being able to move between 111–115 mph over long strides and possibly faster during shorter bursts.*

*The serum also gives them a strong healing factor, allowing the Gen-5s to regenerate from light to fatal injuries in a short time and they have also shown the power to resurrect themselves from the dead so long as the majority of their body remains intact. After taking the serum, a Gen-5s physiology also appears to cease from physically aging. Due to their extreme rarity and extraordinary abilities, the Gen-5s are held in high esteem by the rest of humanity and treated as living legends for their great feats of power. Indeed, the many organizations responsible for creating the Lassar-born are most often lead by a Gen-5 Lassar-born. They also possessed the ability to astral-project into the dreams and visions of others, as well as the precognitive ability to foretell impending dangers.*

*Although the Lassar-born number in the tens of millions, there only exist an estimated 10,000 Gen-5s. Thus making them among the rarest of all superhumans in the galaxy.*

### *Purebloods*

*Purebloods are the completely insane and very often malformed offspring of two Lazarus serum enhanced human beings who managed to conceive a child. They normally will exhibited exceptional superhuman abilities as a result of being born with the Lassarus Serum in their system, resulting in enhancements exceeding even transhuman levels. However, despite being conceived by the mating of two genetically "perfect" specimens of superhuman development and conditioning, the Purebloods suffer from often dangerous mental instability and early metabolic collapse when their bodies begin to reject their augmentations. They are plagued by numerous genetic flaw which manifest in most Purebloods from a young age, turning their skin an unnatural crimson and suffering from perennial headaches which causes debilitating, agonizing pain, furthering pushing the Purebloods deeper into insanity. Their bodies bulge with malformed muscles, and black veins are visible through the skin.*

*Exposed muscle tissue and visibly ridged spins are common, they also have ears which come to subtle points. A Pureblood possesses a number of less visual mutations, such as alteration of the body's organs, making them appear radically different from human anatomy. They have developed numerous internal redundancies not seen in baseline humans. Similarly to all other Lassarus spawned superhumans, Purbloods are colossal, averaging between 9'6 ft to 10'6 ft tall. They are easily more than a match for both the Gen-1s and Gen-2s, frequently outperforming them during combat. Even while severely deteriorated Purebloods are capable of fighting multiple superhuman enemies at once. The physical abilities of the Purebloods are far greater than the Gen-1 and Gen-2 superhumans, even being comparable to the Gen-3 and Gen-4. Being more of a stable middle ground where they all meet. Possessing strength equivalent to one hundred men, a Pureblood's physical might is beyond all non-augmented humans and even surpasses most other Lassarus-born.*

*In controlled conditions, Purebloods have demonstrated strength sufficient enough to knock out a fully developed adult human with as little as a tap to the head and when rampaging have been shown to easily kill hundreds of armed men with their bare hands; furthermore, a Pureblood's strength also extends to their legs enabling them to leap far greater heights into the air without a running start. A Purebloods speed is enhanced well beyond the limits of the finest human athlete. They are able to easily move faster than any other Lassar-born, as well as outrun most speeding motorized vehicles. A Pureblood can obtain speeds of up to 111-115 mph or greater. The Purebloods also displaying the ability to leap up to 105 yards out in a single bound. Their reflexes as well are on a superhuman level. They possess reaction speeds of up to 90 kph, which makes it possible for a Pureblood to avoid gunfire even at close range from multiple assailants simultaneously. Purebloods display multiple redundant systems to keep them fighting in the worst of conditions. One example of this is a second heart.*

*They possess nearly impenetrable skin, which protects them from high caliber bullets, knife wounds, blunt trauma and powerful explosions. If wounded, Purebloods have a superhuman tolerance for pain and as well as a healing factor, allowing them to fight on whilst healing from severe injuries, such as a broken neck, broken limbs, impalement through the chest, etc... A Pureblood's bones and muscles are far denser and harder than normal, enabling them to withstand great impacts, such as falling from multiple stories high buildings, being struck by an opponent with superhuman strength that would severely injure or kill an unaugmented human, with little to no discomfort. The Purebloods are able to heal broken bones and torn muscles within minutes, while bullets and knife puncture wounds heal almost instantly. Purebloods also develop a natural immunity to poisons, toxins and illnesses. The Purebloods are entirely unaffected by all natural diseases, infections, and radiation. They are impervious to gas attacks, poisons, and nerve-toxins of any kind.*

*Possessing impressive superhuman strength, the Purebloods can normally press between 80 - 90 tons on their own. Similar to their predecessors, the body of a Pureblood superhuman can far more efficiently eliminate the excessive build-up of fatigue-producing poisons in their muscles. Their musculature generates considerably less fatigue toxins than the muscles of an ordinary unaugmented human being, granting them phenomenal endurance. Purebloods can physically exert themselves at peak capacity for several days before fatigue begins to take effect on them. Though prone to mutation and insanity at later stages, there does exist the extremely rare exceptions to these genetic flaws whom manages to maintain their "sanity", suffering from comparatively minor physical mutations. Perhaps because of their extraordinary healing abilities and resistance to illness, Purebloods possess the greatest potential for longevity of all superhumans(with the exception of the Gen-0), being capable of living for five thousand years or even much longer while maintaining good health. Because of their berserk nature and extraordinary superhuman abilities, the Purebloods are almost impossible to control even under the best of circumstances.*

*All Purebloods are kept in cryo-suspension at all times between missions, and are only revived once they are needed for their next assignment. The Purebloods specialize in shock and terror tactics, instilling fear of retribution into the hearts and minds of all who would face them in battle. An awakened Pureblood rarely has just a single target. His mission will be to rip the heart out of an insurgency, wreaking havoc and destruction. Such brutality ensures that the enemy forces are totally cleansed and that no would-be successors may take over. The sheer terror left behind in the wake of a Pureblood's onslaught ensures that none will dare to oppose the will of whomever authorized its use. In order to be even marginally sane and thus controllable, sanctioned Purebloods have undergone a varied regimen of cybernetic and additional genetic augmentations meant to stabilize their mutant physiology to some extent, transforming them into the ultimate killers. In essence, Purebloods are one-person heavy shock trooper units.*

*All Purebloods enjoy battle and harbor an insatiable psychotic blood thirst that they seek to satisfy whenever awakened. In order to keep them semi-focused on the task, subliminal messages are constantly being fed into the Pureblood's mind through cerebral implants. This allows them to be if not controlled then at least aimed toward the enemy. These implants are quite sophisticated and capable of withstanding a fairly substantial amount of punishment -- particularly useful when such a device is borne by a Pureblood.*