Omegaverse

Below is a list of the way omegaverse works in lethe. Not everything is exactly the same as in other places, or even the commonly held lore, so make sure to read if you will be dabbling!

## Important Differences

Alpha Females/Birth Givers - They don't have penises just because they're an alpha and while getting pregnant is a little more difficult normally, their ruts drastically increase their odds and nearly always leads to a pregnancy.

Omega Males/Those with a penis - Much like the above alphas, they have problems getting pregnant most of the time unless they're in heat. These omegas will always need to have a c-section since there's no way for their bodies to give birth naturally. They do still retain the ability to get others pregnant.

Majors - These have been merged with sigmas and deltas instead of being their own thing.

Betas - They aren't simply regular beings. Betas stand as the middle ground between the other genders and have their own abilities here.

Marks - All the second genders have fangs and can mark one another, though it must be desired by the recipient for the mark to take. There is no forced mating here.

Scents - While a lot of people have a preference for which gender smells like what, in Lethe scents differ across the board.

## Alpha

### Temperament

Typically known to be territorial and can be a bit more aggressive. This doesn't have to translate into anger issues, simply more forceful or passionate about things. They tend to be protectors and providers, though this shows in how they care for the ones important to them. If their partner thrives being in charge of the household, then it's not uncommon to find an alpha who fulfills their role by supporting their partner and perhaps even being a stay at home parent.

Alphas lead with love and protection, not toxic red flags in this house. They can be a bit forgetful, running onto the next task before completing the one previous, but it's typically not a malicious choice. It's also important to note that alphas are susceptible to the ruts and heats of others and can be pushed into their own rut if not careful.

### Anatomy

Only those who have undergone gender affirming surgery or are born with a penis have one. Not all alphas have penises, only those who choose to have one do. All have ruts, but an alpha without a penis in rut acts the same, still leading the charge and loud about what they want. Some take their pleasure, others drive their partners to extremes for it.

While alphas who can can carry children have a harder time of it, during their ruts their chances of getting pregnant drastically increase. In fact, most alpha pregnancies happen during their ruts and has become a very common time to plan for. Those who don't have the ability to carry children have glands at the base of their shafts that produce a special fluid that floods the knotting muscles and cause them to swell. This fluid builds the closer the alpha gets to orgasm and the knot won't go down until the fluid is fully gone and the muscle no longer has anything to react to.

## Sigma

### Temperament

Sigmas aren't as controlled by their emotions or others pheromones as alphas. They are much more in control of themselves, important considering a loss of emotion could lead to an explosion of their pheromones, ultimately ending in the demotion of those around them. Due to this ability, sigmas train their self control constantly, always aware of how dangerous it could be for those around them if they lost control.

Caring, empathetic, protective and possessive, sigmas are an interesting blend of characteristics. They're reliable in many situations, especially when it's needed to interact with those that either let off strong pheromones or might be close to a rut/heat. Sigmas aren't susceptible to such things from others and due to their self control they're a great option for trying to defuse most situations. Luckily during their ruts the second set of glands go into a type of hibernation, still producing the pheromones, but nowhere near as strong so it's less likely for someone to be promoted during their rut.

### Anatomy

On the outside there aren't any special differences sigmas have, but inside they have twice as many scent glands which is how they're able to produce enough pheromones to demote someone. They have the same issues getting pregnant as alphas, though infertility can also be an issue for any who frequently produce an excess of pheromones or demote often.

Alongside this, the ruts sigmas experience are far more intense than that of alphas. It's incredibly important for sigmas to stay inside during their ruts to avoid thrusting others into their respective ruts or heats. Pregnancy and knotting work exactly the same for sigmas as they do for alphas.

## Beta

### Temperament

Betas have the most freedom of self of any of the secondary genders. They neither have to worry about losing control nor being at risk of others influencing them. Betas don't produce strong pheromones, though their skill lies in how their pheromones act as a kind of blanket when any other secondary gender is around. Because of this ability, ruts and heats are pushed back as well as keeping the other's pheromones under control.

### Anatomy

There are no special differences between a beta and someone outside the verse.

## Gamma

### Temperament

While fairly calm and easy-going, gammas are also known for being very protective. Their strength lies in the ability to imitate a rut or heat depending on the organs they have in order to help others through their ruts or heats. Such a thing has to be handled carefully since going into a false heat or rut can trick a gamma's body into thinking it belongs to that secondary gender and try to change.

### Anatomy

Those that can imitate heats have an additional set of glands that are used to produce extra lubricant that imitates slick. Those who can imitate ruts have a set of glands at the base of their shaft that swells with blood to imitate a knot. These aren't nearly as large as actual knots and they go down much sooner. It's not uncommon for a gamma to use their knot as extra stimulus during intercourse, something true knots won't allow since they need to stay in place.

## Omega

### Temperament

They can be caring, ma/paternal, empathetic and kind. Though this isn't a hard and fast, especially if someone they care for is hurt or taken advantage of. There's a reason so many of them are compared to mama/papa bears. They're typically much better at keeping track of what needs to be done so it's not out of the norm to see relationship where they're the ones in charge. Being in tune with their emotions is an asset, allowing for them to draw from deep wells when in need of power or inspiration. It's also important to note that omegas are susceptible to other's heats and ruts and can be pushed into their own heat if not careful.

### Anatomy

Those without a vagina have a cloacal flap in their anal cavity that allows for insemination during sex. It also houses the glands that produce slick, though omegas never produce so much slick that it could be confused for having relieved themselves. While they're able to carry a pregnancy to term, they must have a c-section in order to give birth. This also makes it a bit more difficult for them to get pregnant, most omegas with penises relying on their heats to achieve pregnancy.

Omegas with vaginas need to be careful to not get pregnant too often. Such a thing is hard on the body and due to their high fertility, they have the second highest accidental pregnancy rate amongst all secondary genders. Omegas also tend to be more sensitive than others, but this isn't a hard and fast rule.

## Delta

### Temperament

Deltas tend to be a bit more forceful about what they want, typically more the type to see in black and white. It isn't that they're cruel or intentionally mean, they just believe that they're in the right and will correct anyone they think is wrong. This could be because of how much more intense their heats tend to be, but they do approach life in a passionate way, wanting to share their passions with everyone.

Due to being able to promote others, deltas tend to stop before getting angry as temper is usually their trigger for losing control of their pheromones. Unlike their sigma counterparts, deltas thrive off feeling deeply and strongly, it's only the truly negative emotions that start to trigger things. Because of this it's a bit more common to find an accidental promotion than demotion. Luckily during their heats the second set of glands go into a type of hibernation, still producing the pheromones, but nowhere near as strong so it's less likely for someone to be promoted during their heat.

### Anatomy

They share a lot of mechanics of their heat with omegas, only theirs is much worse. It's important deltas stay inside for the duration of their heat so they don't risk throwing everyone around them into an immediate heat or rut. The difficulties getting pregnant are also shared, though they have the same infertility risks as sigmas due to their ability to promote others with their pheromones. Of course this means they also share the doubled scent glands as well.