Hybrids

* Elves
* Dark Elves
* Strigoi
* Failed Hybrids

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> I fucking **hate** elves.
>
> Most pilots, most contexts

Although their reasons for doing so are not known, the Vannai conquered the planetary gulf between humanity and their own species' evolutionary history and provided a means to artificially create Human-Vannai hybrids via AO-01 nanites. Because of their relation to the Vannai, these hybrids, or 'Elves' as they are more commonly known by, are occasionally the subject of some prejudice, even from fellow pilots, and particularly from among those of the human-centric Green Initiative.

The effects of this hybridization can be difficult to hide for those wishing to avoid attention. Hybrids tend to be extremely fair-skinned as a result of a loss of melanin in the dermis, making them vulnerable to sunlight, although there is known to be an extremely rare mutation that causes the inverse to occur, resulting in darkening of the skin. Their hearing and eyesight is slightly better than a humans, owing to both of these sensory organs being somewhat larger, which can be disorienting for newly-transformed hybrids but gives them very sharp senses (although curiously, their sense of smell appears to be unchanged).

Previously existing physical ailments are removed by the nanites, and as a result they are naturally more fit than the best conditioned of humans, and are likely to have a longer natural lifespan because of this. They also appear to weather the strains of Wilder Syndrome far better than humans, but it is not known whether or not the condition is ultimately lethal for them as it is for pure Homo Sapiens.

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> Think they taste like chocolate?
>
> Most pilots, most contexts

The so-called Dark Elves are a race of Human-Vannai Hybrid born of a fluke in the gene splicing process causing the skin to darken in color. A very rare minority of an already rare species, Dark Elves are few in number but always tend to draw a lot of attention to themselves as result. Aside from their coloration, however, there are no differences between an Elf and a Dark Elf, and the distinction is simply a cultural one. Maria Clark is a known Dark Elf.

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> Sometimes I find myself fighting people I didn't really need to, if only they'd been less foolhardy or stubborn or straight up daft. Like, the vampire gimmick, what even is that? So you've basically got an abnormal medical condition...and you use it as an excuse to play act like teens in theatre camp who've just discovered that 'dark fantasy' is a genre? Making yourselves out to be ridiculous like this only hurts your position, you know.
>
> Marauder, meeting with the Sighisoara clan.

Strigoi are a minor offshoot of  **Human-Vannai Hybrids** originating from Romania. They possess all of the biological traits of the Hybrids, as well as a handful of minor physiological differences caused by a mutation process called Strigosis.

The term 'Strigoi' refers to a conclave of Romanian Hybrids afflicted by a parasitic disease which is known to cause a form of Wendigo Psychosis in the host. The microscopic parasites can be transmitted from person to person via body fluids (blood, saliva, etc.) but do not affect humans. For reasons that are probably readily apparent, they are commonly just referred to as 'Vampires'.

The psychosis is the first stage of an Elf's transformation into a Strigoi, and is usually only signaled by flu-like symptoms. Once the parasite spreads to the brain, it will multiply and eventually form cysts in the amygdala and frontal cortex. This causes the behavioral changes that the Strigoi are known for: paranoia, jealousy, haughtiness and cannibalistic urges. The parasite will also spread to and cause damage to the eyes, leading to most Strigoi to possess poor eyesight during the day. Their eyesight during night, however, is actually superior to a Hybrid's, owing to a metallic-like outer coating of the parasitic cysts reflecting sufficient light back through the retina that can also cause their eyes to appear to glow when observed under the right conditions. Hybrids becoming Strigoi will gradually lose all of their remaining melanin, causing their skin to become translucent. As a result of these changes, they avoid sunlight whenever possible, wearing eye protection and many layers of clothing when going outside.

Although there is no definite point at which a Hybrid becomes a Strigoi, further mutation is possible. Most Strigoi seek to avoid this and maintain as much of their elven semblance as possible, and as a result think little of consuming formerly fellow human beings to prolong their lives. With the Strigoi's homeland having become a protectorate of the American Coalition, however, they have since been able to acquire some form of regular treatment that neutralizes the progressively degenerative symptoms of Strigosis in exchange for their services.

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> Chrystus, they've got a fucking camaderie of tripe shit around here don't they?
>
> Last words of Eddy Wójcik before being eaten by a Failed Hybrid.

Failed Hybrids are creations of the Kappa Facility Engineers. Their goal of restoring genetic viability to the Hybrid population produced a number of Hybrid clones, which were kept for study for other related projects. While the intent was for these clones to be grown brain-dead in order to study their living biology easily, the clones produced were instead still functional and possessed feral, savage demeanor, leading to the death of the staff involved and abandonment of the facility (although facility director Dr. Ikeler insisted that the accident was due to sabotage from an unknown actor).

Infused 2.0.JPGThe Infused option from the 2.0 PDF