Ichor

Ichor is the source of the powers of all metahumanity, originally derived from the blood of an individual named Erik Strauss, who's strange bond with a mysterious meteor that fell from outer space has enabled him to become the progenitor of a new branch of the human evolutionary tree.

## Creation and Distribution

The primary source of ichor is the blood or other biological materials of metahumans, which can usually confer some degree of superhuman abilities to any individual who consumes or is injected with them. Metas who provide ichor are known as Progenitors, :which are broken down into several different types, depending on how exactly their powers transfer to ichor recipients.

### Progenitors

* Type 0: There is only one Type 0 Progenitor on the planet: Erik Strauss the first metahuman and ultimate source of all ichor. Ichor derived from Strauss is capable of creating Type 1 Progenitors.
* Type 1: Type 1s are among the rarest and most sought after Progenitor variants, being able to produce I-2 ichor, which grants random, temporary powers, and can also be refined into I-3, the ichor that bestows randomized and permanent metahuman abilities.
* Type 2: Another highly rare Progenitor variant, Type 2's are able to produce ichor that grants a permanent, perfect replica of all their abilities.
* Type 3: The most common Progenitor form, Type 3 Progenitors typically bestow a temporary version of a meta's abilities to any individual who receives a dose of their ichor. However, many forms of Ichor taken from Type 3 Progenitors have curious side effects other than directly granting powers.

## Effects and Power Manifestations

### Direct Ichor Dosages

When a human receives a dose of ichor, they spontaneously manifest superhuman abilities, the form and duration of which is based on what ichor formula was received. There is considerable variation, but generally speaking, larger doses tend to have more potent effects, and also have increased risk of negative side effects. I-3, the ichor type of choice for creating metahumans among world governments, has been known to cause nausea, sweating, and loss of consciousness at low doses. Higher ones, used to create more powerful metas, frequently induce seizures, comas, and even organ failure, often resulting in a high fatality rate. Should an ichor recipient survive the process, they will immediately manifest metahuman abilities, sometimes, accompanied by drastic changes to their appearance. Certain extremely low dosages produce no side effects, but also do not give powers, instead locking the dormant potential for metahumanity within a recipients genes, making it possible for their descendants to inherit powers.

#### Child Recpience

Ichor dosages given to children function similarly to those with adults, with numerous potential side effects and immediate manifestation of metahuman powers. However, children are more resilient to higher doses of ichor, being more likely to survive, and even more notably, their abilities continue to increase in potency from the point of manifestation until they reach adulthood. As such, giving a child an ichor dose is guaranteed to result in a more powerful metahuman, than if an equivalent dose was given to an adult.

This information is not known to the public, as projects experimenting with giving ichor to children are top secret, usually conducted by world governments at carefully hidden blacksites.

### Inherited Ichor

Another common way for ichor's powers to manifest is through inherited abilities. Individuals with metahuman parents will always develop metahuman powers, and it is also possible for ancestors who were exposed to ichor to pass down metahuman abilities to their children, grandchildren, or beyond. Inherited powers do not manifest from birth. Instead, metas-to-be spend their early life as normal humans, before their powers activate some time during adolescence.

### Effects on Animals

Humans are the only species on earth capable of surviving a dosage of ichor. All other animals usually experience immediate death, brought on by total organ failure, seizures, and other deadly biological phenomena.

## Formula Classification

### I-1

I-1 has only one singular source on planet Earth: The blood of Erik Strauss, the father of all metahumanity. I-1 transforms recipients into Type 1 Progenitors, individuals with a set of constantly shifting abilities capable of producing I-2 ichor from their blood. I-1 tends to damage the minds of those who receive it, causing the development of all manner of mental disorders, ranging from schizophrenia to bipolar disorder.

### I-2

I-2 is derived from the blood of a Type 1 Progenitor, and is capable of bestowing temporary metahuman powers to anyone who receives a dose of it. The powerset received varies by individual, though after their first dose, I-2 confers the same powerset to recipients. Higher doses of I-2 both increase the potency of the abilities received, and cause them to be maintained for longer. However, higher doses are also more likely to cause health complications, including death.

Additionally, I-2 can also be used to enhance the powers of an individual who already has metahuman abilities, temporarily boosting the potency of their abilities.

### I-3

I-3 is a refined and concentrated version of I-2, and is the primary source of metahumans on the planet, being the ichor type which bestows permanent powers to any individual who receives it. Higher dosages are known to bestow more powerful abilities, but are far more likely to prove lethal. However, experiments have demonstrated that children are more resilient to the damaging effects of high doses than adults.

### I-4

The I-4 classification is given to any ichor which provides general enhancement to all human abilities -senses, strength, regeneration, etc. The first I-4 originated from the blood of Carter Maddis, the first successful metahuman and Type 2 Progenitor, in 1917.

### I-6

The I-6 is a classification for ichor substances which primarily grant superhuman strength. 1-6 was the first ichor form to be found on the streets in large quantities, having first found use in 1955, and becoming more widespread in the 1960s.

Out on the streets, I-6 is known as "Supe", "Super Dope", and "Mega Roids", but most commonly as "Vim". Quality of Vim varies considerably, such as how long the effects last, the degree by which strength increases, and other factors. Vim is highly sought after by criminals, but is also used as a general performance enhancing drug, or for simple recreational use. Vim addicts often suffer from lethargy, feelings of weakness, and irrational anger springing up from being unable to accomplish physical tasks. Complications that can result from Vim overdoses include heart attacks, muscle tears, bone fractures, or other medical issues.

### I-7

I-7 is the designation for ichor which grants any level of enhanced durability to its recipients, making their bodies tougher and more resilient to injury, as well as increasing their stamina and capacity for pain. First documented being used on the streets in 1958, I-7 forms were part of a crime surge in the 1960s.

Among criminals and militant groups, I-7 one of the more sought after forms of street ichor, who use it to aid in combat. That is not to say it is not used recreationally, as it is sometimes employed by rich thrill seekers to allow them to engage in dangerous stunts that might otherwise kill them. The most common street name for I-7 is "Grit". Those addicted to Grit, when not on it, display increased sensitivity to tactile stimuli and pain, as well as feelings of irrational fear and vulnerability, along with being easily tired. Complications from unrefined I-7 or overdosing include temporary or permanent paralysis, calcification of body parts, permanent sensory desensitization, and damage to bones and organs, as they are constricted by toughened tissues.

### I-8

Ichor which grants those who ingest it with enhanced senses is given the I-8 designation. Differing formulas of I-8 usually enhance one particular sense at a time, as most metas whose primary ability is sense related usually only have one sense that is more enhanced than others. Unlike certain other ichor formulas, I-8 does not pose a risk to the life of those who consume it. However, those unused to it are often initially overwhelmed by enhanced sensitivity, and require practice to acclimate to its effects. Those who have grown dependent on I-8 often find their senses seem dull when off its effects, however.

### I-9

Ichor is put under the I-9 title if it induces any form of rapid healing or confers regenerative abilities for any period of time to subjects it is administered to. Typically, it is derived from metahumans whose primary ability is regeneration. While many metas have some level of accelerated healing, few possess it as their primary power, and as such, I-9 formulas are relatively rare. That said, they do exist on the streets, where they are commonly referred to as "Stitch".

### I-10

Ichor that grants some form of superhuman speed and reflexes sufficient to classify the recipient as a speedster is given the I-10 classification. Like I-6 and I-7, I-10 comes in numerous forms, such as blood directly from a speedster or in more refined forms.

I-10 is among the most expensive forms of street ichor, where it is known most commonly as "Rush". Bestowing speedster capabilities for a short duration, Rush is often mixed with other drugs to provide users with a better high. Common negative side affects from I-10 include heart attacks, brain hemorrhages, muscle tears, and hyperventilation. Sometimes, a phenomena known as "Rushburn", has been known to occur when I-10A from a particularly powerful speedster is injected, wherein the recipient's metabolism accelerates to absurd levels, and their body tissues are rapidly consumed, resulting in death. Rush addicts who grow to accustomed to living life at high speed can suffer considerable withdrawal issues when trying to live at a normal pace. Additional problems addicts suffer from include shifts in metabolism, resulting in wild weight gain or loss, shaking and seizures, as well as bouts of depression. I-10 is by far the most addictive of all street ichor forms.

### I-11

I-11 Ichor formulas are known for granting some level of pyrokinesis, allowing recipients to generate and control flames to varying degrees. I-11 is noted for the fact that, depending on the mental state of the pyrokinetic when their blood is drawn, the powers granted by the ichor will be altered. When drawn from a mentally stable or unconscious subject, the powers are stable as well, but if drawn during a moment of intense duress, recipients of I-11 tend to explode.

**I-11A**

Raw I-11, drawn from a stable donor, is one of the most common types of street ichor. I-11A endows users with the ability to project and manipulate flames, but is derived from pyrokinetics without any sort of resistance to flame (who greatly outnumber those with heat resistance), making it extremely possible for an inexperienced users to burn themselves. For this reason, it is known on the streets as "Scorch". Other than providing no resistance to flames, however, Scorch does not have any negative side effects.

**I-11B**

A version of I-11 taken from the rarer heat-resistant pyrokinetics, I-11B additionally endows recipients with resistance or even outright immunity to flames, making it a far safer alternative to its unrefined counterpart. It is known as "Blaze" on the streets.

**I-11C**

Blood drawn from a pyrokinetic in a state of extreme agitation or duress is always lethal to any who would think to infuse themselves with it. Any recipients of I-11C instantly explode into a burst of flames. As one might expect, this variant of ichor has been used in suicidal attacks, and is highly sought after by terrorists. Due to the fact that it kills users, it is known as "Pyre".

### I-12

1-12 ichor strains endow any who ingest them with telepathic abilities. Depending on the potency of the metahuman donor of the ichor, the extent of these powers vary, ranging from simple surface mental contact to memory probing. Mental alteration, such as illusion or mind control, is almost never conferred by any form of I-12.

1-12 was initially developed in the Soviet Union during the Cold War, primarily due to the work of Soviet scientist, Kuklov Makarovich. Though Makarovich originally created it in 1959, it would not be discovered by the FOA until several years later, resulting in its designation.

### I-13

I-13 strains of ichor find their origins in metahumans possessed of one of the most common Zeta level abilities: Water breathing, and the ability to otherwise survive living in aquatic conditions.

**I-13A**

Most versions of I-13 endows recipients with the ability to breathe underwater for relatively short periods of time, usually a few minutes at most. Quick transfusions of I-13A have also been known to alleviate severe cases of the bends, though they usually do not dispel the effects entirely.

**I-13B**

Rarer and more pure forms of I-13A, I-13B grants superior results to its more basic predecessor. Injections can fully alleviate any case of the bends, and most doses have the ability to carry on for long periods of time, usually to a maximum of several hours in the case of larger doses. In addition to allowing for underwater breathing and immunity to the bends, I-13B also allows for recipients to withstand considerable water pressure and the cold temperatures found in deep water.

### I-15

I-15 ichor formula grants invisibility to those who are infused with it. I-15 invisibility is based on the physical distortion of light, rather than psychic obfuscation, as telepathy is the only psychic ability that can be conferred by temporary ichor formulas. More potent donors provide ichor that turns a recipient's clothes invisible, while inferior donors only provide effects on the body, necessitating nudity to make full effect of the ability I-15 confers.

**I-15A**

I-15A is the name for the more common and inferior brand of ichor taken from a meta with invisibility powers. Unlike its more pure variant, I-15A infusion causes a recipient to immediately turn invisible, with no ability to deactivate the invisibility until its effects wear off.

**I-15B**

I-15B is a refined version of I-15A, and allows for recipients of it to consciously control their invisibility, activating or deactivating it at will.

### I-16

I-16 ichor formula confers the ability of energy based flight to those who consume it, and is primarily taken from metahumans possessed of flight powers which confer them an Epsilon Threat Level.

**I-16A**

The more common variant of ichor derived from flight based metas, I-16A confers flight abilities to those who consume it. However, it does not confer the usual tiny energy field around a user's body that protects them from high velocity wind speeds that actual flight capable metas have. In the case of powerful I-16 donors, this can cause serious injuries if a recipient accelerates too much.

**I-16B**

The purer sister of I-16A, I-16B does grant a "flight shield" to those who use it, allowing them to safely engage in high speed flight. It is a highly sought after form of street ichor, due to the near universal appeal of flying. Most commonly, it is known as "Float". Float has been responsible for a tremendous number of user deaths, not because taking it damages the body, but largely due to accidents and crashes caused by inexperienced users of the drug.

### I-17

Dr Kuklov Makarovich, one of the foremost minds in ichor study, discovered the uses of I-17 during the vivisection of a telepath. When blood is drawn from a telepathic metahuman who is deliberately attempting to close off their minds, I-17 results, instead of the usual I-12. Instead of granting temporary telepathic abilities, the ingestion of an I-17 formula confers telepathic resistance, making them resistant to all manner of psychic abilities. Due to the useful nature of I-17 in maintaining secrecy, the clandestine FOA devotes more resources to I-17 manufacturing than almost any other ichor formula.