Species

The world of Superhuman has numerous species although 3 of note are important: Humans, Superhumans, and Monsters.

## **Humans**

Humans are the dominant and most populous species on Earth but have seen their dominant position threatened by the rise of Superhumans and Monsters.

## Monsters

There are many species of monster and they all fall under a 'type' which can be found below.

**Infected**: The infected, also referred to as "Mutants" are the most common type of monster to encounter.

They were once human or animal. These individuals were infected in life, but were unable to evolve into a superhuman and so were consumed by the corrupting power, transforming into a monster.

The infected body transforms to mimic their infector, generally always taking the same traits, leading to each species having a fairly uniform and identifiable body. They powers they manifest are also generally the same within each species. Once their transformation is complete and their abilities have fully manifested, the infected can infect other lifeforms and create more of their kind.

Their strength varies quite a bit. With species ranging from as weak as D class to as strong as A class.

**Natural Born**: The natural born are the monsters second most commonly encountered.

Monsters that were never human or animal, but instead are thought to have come here from another world. They are born naturally through the various methods of breeding that certain monsters possess. And like the infected, they possess a certain level of uniformity within each species. Sharing similar traits, powers, strengths and so on.

However, they can achieve a great deal of genetic diversity through crossbreeding, and have through it, birthed a vast host of new species since coming to this world. These many species are the originators of the various monster strains the infected possesses and so many infected look up to their natural born ancestors as a form of unofficial pack leader.

Two infected can mate and produce a natural born, usually resulting in a monster more powerful than either parent. These specific types of natural born monsters make up the bulk of those HERO has encountered. True natural born monsters originating from the theorized 'other world' often find it difficult to exist in our own, and must go through extreme adaptation to endure life here, particularly under our sun. As a result, very few survive, and those that do are usually quite powerful.

The diversity in strength is the most extreme of any monster type. Ranging from the weakest E class to the highest S class.

**Variants**: Variants are unique monsters, commonly born from failed Superhumans. They are the third most commonly encountered monsters.

These creatures are former superhumans who have at some point, failed during their evolution and succumbed to their rampant power.

Generally speaking the higher the evolution, they fail stronger the variant becomes. Unlike the natural born, the tainted, or the infected, no two variants are alike, both their powers and their forms, are twisted by their unique genetic makeup and mental state.

This makes them incredibly unpredictable and dangerous. Although it takes some time for them to acclimate to their new form, so putting them down early is a reliable way of handling these fearsome monsters. Variants can also be born from monsters, rather than superhumans, though the circumstances under which this occurs is unknown.

Their strength ranges from C class to S class once their transformation is complete.

**Tainted**: The tainted are monsters tainted by mysterious stone artifacts, the fourth most commonly encountered type of monster.

They are monsters that can belong to type 1, 2, or 3, but have been tainted by mysterious stone artifacts often found near their nets or on their bodies. From what HERO has seen, any type of monster can become one, and when they do, they grow in both strength and ferocity.

Becoming a tainted is one of the very few ways monsters can increase their natural strength by such a large margin, as the bulk of them cannot evolve in the same way Superhumans can.

They also all possess the ability to communicate telepathically with other tainted monsters, gaining a sort of hive mind, though they are very few in number.

Caution must be taken when approaching them or their nests, they are extremely protective of the strange artifacts they keep with them, which often resemble fossilized body parts.

Humans should also beware of touching their artifacts, as prolonged contact can produce strange and dangerous effects.

Any artifacts found must be kept secure within HERO, with limited contact with even their researchers.

Their power range from C class to S class. Beware a tainted S class!

**Uncategorized**: Unique aberrations that cannot be categorized. The rarest type of monster by far, only encountered physically once in our history, with the monster in question being a corpse. Its origins are unknown, and its form is distinct.

The power it once wielded is thought to be the strongest of any monster we've encountered, based purely on the power still remaining within its corpse.

Even dead, it seems far beyond any other creature HERO has on record.

A handful of HERO agents have claimed to have encountered the monster in visions, specifically during their evolutions, though its impossible to verify the claims.

The range of its powers are unknown and so they have not been classified.