Batchett-Praxter project

The Batchett-Praxter project was a genetic modification and colonization program carried out by the humans living on the continent of Linnea. It's aim was to create significant and long-lasting targeted genetic alterations in discreet populations, that would make these populations particularly fit for certain sets of activities.

## Aims and assumptions

The main goal of colonization of Noraena as a whole - apart from expansion of humanity's living space and resource reserves - was a genetic modification project on an unprecedented scale, named after two scientists whose research has broken an important barrier in genetic engineering over a century prior - Terry Batchett and Steven Praxter. The main objective of the project was to genetically alter separate populations of humans over generations under predetermined criteria to develop traits that would be favorable in given areas of life. In simple terms, developing human subraces that would be well-suited to the life awaiting them.

As an example, one such population was selected for strong physical build, resistance to disease, and lower self-realization needs; they were meant to become a new working class, cheap to feed and efficient at their work. Another population was selected for high intellectual capability and longer lifespans; it was believed that these traits would allow such specimens to flourish in an academic environment, pushing science and technology forward quicker than normal, unaltered population.

## Execution

Over a few centuries the project was officially underway, it resulted in a couple new, readily distinct populations of humans. Those were most often named according to races of fantasy and fiction literature, which they superficially resembled. And so the stocky, resilient population of physical workers was most often referred to as dwarves; the long-lived intellectual types were called elves, especially since an unforeseen mutation resulted in most of their members' ears growing with a slight point at the top, strongly resembling the most visually distinct feature of the mythical race. There were also halflings, dexterous and smaller of stature; they were built to become specialist engineers and crews on spaceships, where the ever-present pursuit of efficiency in the proportion of cargo to total volume of the vessel left increasingly tight corridors for any kind of technician. Gnomes were the result of taking another path to create a 'superior scientist' - one focusing on unusual traits of the mind, such as autism or <TODO>. Their creators believed that these traits, while hindering and limiting in an individual's daily life, are useful enough in scientific endeavors that it is worth it cultivating them, especially if a society could simultaneously adjust to better support and accommodate the undesirable side effects.

There were also somewhat less successful attempts - splicing animal and plant dna with that of a human gave rise to orcs - a population capable of low-level photosynthesis due to presence of chlorophyll in their skin, but with truly animalistic instincts that led them to lead aggressive, competitive lives, contrary to what would be needed on the frontiers of as-of-yet uninhabitable planets and environments, where they were supposed to be living. There were other attempts to introduce animal dna into human populations, some of them almost successful - genetically engineered catgirls and catboys have become a reality, but alongside catlike ears and tails they possessed equally catlike hunter instincts and a strong individualist streak. Indeed, one of them was directly responsible for the death of the billionaire who funded their creation. Lizardfolk, on the other hand, were from their conception made to be instruments of war - resilient and strong, with muted emotions and almost absent sense of empathy, they mostly turned out to be psychopaths when not deployed to a battlefield.

## Evolution of the project

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TODO move Lizardfolk here as a result of rising political tensions, and one of the catalysts to the upcoming crisis.