List of Worldbuilding Elements

This is a list of all notable worldbuilding elements in the story.

## Timeline

* **March 3, 2015:** The Genesis Event occurred.
* **2015-2017:** Two-year recovery period.
* **September 2017:** NCPS reopens.

## Science

* **Paradynamology:** A new branch of Science dedicated to studying Dynamium and its applications as well as its effects on living things and the environment. The term roughly translates to 'the study of strange power'.
	+ **Basic Paradynamology:** A condensed form of Paradynamology containing common knowledge for high-school students to learn about the field. It has only recently been implemented as part of the updated curriculum following the re-opening of schools.
	+ **Evolutionary Paradynamobiology:** A branch of Paradynamology mainly concerned with how living things have changed and evolved (and continue to do so) under the effects of Mana.
* **Superhuman Studies:** A new branch of Social Sciences that delves into present-day society and culture in the Superhuman Era. It has only recently been implemented as part of the updated curriculum following the re-opening of schools.

### Paradynamology

* **Dynamium:** An otherworldly element that emits a mysterious form of radiation that has been dubbed ‘Mana’. Its initial application was as a power source, but it has become the primary catalyst in genetic manipulation in order to bestow extraordinary abilities on living things — especially humans — through irradiation. It has also been used in directed-energy weaponry.
* **Mana:** A form of radiation emitted by Dynamium that has a purple aura. It is described as some sort of 'essence' or energy bleed, and is a byproduct of energy that dissipates into the environment. It is also responsible for paradynamic metamorphosis in organic matter, causing drastic, supernatural mutations, as well as paradynamic terraformation.
* **Genesis Event:** A mysterious event that took place on March 3, 2015, with gigantic energy blasts occurring all over the globe that terraformed their respective areas and mutated organic life in the vicinity. This marked the beginning of the Superhuman Age, turning 75% of the global population into superhumans, with the numbers projected to continue rising.
* **Paradynamic Metamorphosis:** The process of undergoing a physiological transformation as a result of exposure to Dynamium. The end result usually has the individual manifest extraordinary mutations, usually seen as super-powers. While undergoing metamorphosis, the individual goes into a comatose state for hours, days, or even months at a time.
	+ **Complete Metamorphosis:** The individual completes their metamorphosis process.
	+ **Incomplete Metamorphosis:** The individual suffers complications or damage that interrupts a crucial stage in their metamorphosis, causing complications that result in abilities and mutations manifesting with harmful tendencies, affecting the individual's physiological and psychological status.
* **Paradynamic Terraformation:** The phenomenon when an abundance of Dynamium deposits in an area terraforms the surroundings over time. These terraformed environments tend to have drastically-mutated fauna and flora, and imitate known environmental conditions from Īmuru such as temperature, humidity, terrain, etc.

### Biology

* **Superhumans:** A new sub-species of *Homo sapiens* that evolved to gain extraordinary supernatural abilities through the Genesis Event and effects of Dynamium.
	+ **Natural Superhumans:** Superhumans that gained their superhuman status from natural means i.e. gradual exposure to Dynamium, inheritance and birth.
	+ **Hybrid Superhumans:** Superhumans that gained their superhuman status or modified their superhuman abilities (whether by addition or subtraction) through artificial means, especially through genetic engineering and manipulation.
* **Power Classification Method:** A method used to classify someone's superhuman condition, judging based on extent of mutation, extent of physiological enhancement, and the extent of control that they have over objects that they can manipulate, countered by how much its flaws hold it back from being a safe and efficient ability.
	+ This is an ongoing study in the field of Human Paradynamology, and researchers argue that the current power-scaling methods and assessment perimeters are insufficient and inaccurate, as abilities exist on a broad spectrum and possess too many variables even between abilities belonging to a certain attribute, potency level, or control level to accurately classify them. Other say that the nature of these abilities cannot be measured, and that 'putting a label' simply won't do.
	+ **Power Potency:** The measure of how 'strong' an individual's powers are or the extent of control they have over a specific element or force.
		- **Category Null:** Mutations and genetic complications hinder life and daily activities.
		- **Category 1:** Average human. No powers. (example: basic augmentated physiology)
		- **Category 2:** Above average human. Demonstrates low-level manipulation of matter or force. A majority of superhumans exist in this category. (example: limited control over objects)
		- **Category 3:** Demonstrates mid-level manipulation of matter or force. (example: most forms of elemental control)
		- **Category 4:** Demonstrates high-level manipulation of matter, force, or even fundamental forces of nature. (example: most Psionics)
		- Rumors exist of a Category 5, but while it is possible in the future, it is merely theoretical in the meantime. However, there are those who suspect that C5 superhumans already exist, and are simply being kept secret. Theoretically, Category 5 superhumans would be capable of high-level manipulation of fundamental forces of nature and are either highly volatile or dangerous.
		- In reality, C5 superhumans do exist, but aren't acknowledged since they form 0.000000033% of the world's population, or 259 out of 7.85 billion. C5 superhumans aren't aware of their actual classification, and the extremely rare incidence means that only a small percentage of people have actually met a C5.
	+ **Power Control:** The measure of how much control an individual has over their powers.
	+ **Power Attribute:** The 'theme', element or force that an individual's powers present and revolve around. For example, a superhuman whose powers revolve around their ability to manipulate heat and fire has the Pyro attribute. Some superhumans' attributes are more difficult to describe as they may have abilities that manifest from multiple Attributes and possess no single distinct Attribute. Some superhumans may even possess multiple Attributes, though this is very rare in nature.
	+ **Primary Ability:** The attribute or set of related abilities that manifest themselves the most in an individual. However, some abilities may be too distinct from each other to be considered related.
	+ **Secondary Ability:** The attribute(s) or set of related abilities that manifest on a lesser scale and/or act as supplementary powers for the primary ability to improve power control and potency, especially in the case of artificially-granted primary abilities. Those who have issues with their primary abilities may go through artifical genetic manipulation to gain secondary abilities that may solve or at least reduce the complications related with their primary abilities. For example, an individual with the ability to create explosions may need secondary abilities that makes their skin impervious to the blasts.
* **Mutated Wildlife:** Humans were not the only life-form affected by the Genesis Event. In fact, the Genesis Event and Mana in general has affected almost every single life-form on Earth, and continues to do so to this day.
	+ **Superfauna:** Animal life that mutated as a result of mutation from the Genesis Event or exposure to Dynamium.
	+ **Superflora:** Plant life that mutated as a result of mutation from the Genesis Event or exposure to Dynamium.
	+ **Super-microbes:** Microorganisms of both flora and fauna have also mutated, giving rise to even more variations of already existing helpful and malign germs, and deadly diseases.
		- **Athanobacteria:** A genus of bacteria endemic to Paradise Island, a small island off the coast of Brimfell City. It was created when the ISDRAC research division operating within Brimfell experimented on various life-forms to assess the effects of Dynamium exposure. Out of the many new species of bacteria that were born, the Athanobacteria proved to be the most dangerous.
* **Superhuman-Related Disorders:** A group of disorders unique to superhumans.
	+ **Incomplete Metamorphosis:** *(see 'Paradynamic Metamorphosis' above)*
	+ **Prenatal Metamorphosis:** Occurs when a fetus undergoes the metamorphosis process whilst still in the mother's womb. This is uncommon, as normally metamorphosis takes place in puberty, or whenever an individual is exposed to too much mana or their metamorphosis is triggered artificially. The resulting transformation of the fetus in the mother's womb can cause life-threatening complications for both the baby and the mother, or even kill them both.
	+ **Hyperdynemia:** An abnormal condition where there is an excess amount of mana in the blood. The greater the amount of mana in the blood, the more likely it is that the individual's abilities are particularly potent, meaning they would be harder to control as a result of incontinence.
	+ **Hypodynemia:** An abnormal condition where there is a lack of mana in the blood (where there is normally mana in the blood, as with a superhuman). A decrease in blood mana leads to a decrease in power potency or control, leading to fatigue and power impotence.
	+ **Multiple-Ability Overexertion Syndrome (MAOS):** A condition that manifests in chronic fatigue and numerous other symptoms depending on the nature of an individual's powers, caused by the strain put on the body by either possessing too many distinct abilities at once, an unusually high-potency ability, or even both.
	+ **Obliviopsychosis:** A relatively unknown but severe, life-threatening mental disorder.
	+ **Spontaneous-Destructive Ability Disorder (SDAD):** Some abilities may cause spontaneous harm to self or others or destruction, as the individual lacks control over them. These abilities are difficult to prepare preventive measures for if not detected/addressed immediately, especially during or after metamorphosis.

### Technology

* **Gene Seeder:** A complex machine used in genetic engineering to induce extraordinary mutations on organic matter through irradiation with mana.
* **Realm Engine:** A device built to maintain an interdimensional breach. There are only 6 in existence.
* **Directed-Energy Weaponry:** Dynamium has been used in the development of directed-energy weaponry through the weaponization of compressed mana in the form of energy-based projectiles. There are now directed-energy firearms as well as explosives.

## Geography

### Relevant Locations

* **Newheart City:** After the Genesis Event, the world struggled to get back on its feet as we didn't know what to do after everyone suddenly started gaining superpowers. A year later, Newheart City has been a leading example of those that got back up. Newheart became a city representing resilience, connections, and opportunity, and prided themselves on being adaptable enough to be successful. It opened its doors to people from all around the world.
* **Brimfell City**
* **Imuru**
* **Oblivion Drift**

### Climate/Weather

* Ball lightning, while an already-existing albeit rare phenomenon, has become increasingly frequent nowadays.

### Terrain

* The epicenters of the Genesis Event blasts have been terraformed to look like otherworldly lands, mirroring those from Imuru.
* Large Dynamium deposits often jut out of the ground, like giant, blue, glowing crystals.

### Natural Resources / New Elements

* **Andeoxine:** If living things on Earth are carbon-based lifeforms, those from Imuru are andeoxine-based lifeforms.
* **Canklum:** A metallic substance.
* **Dynamium**
* **Hardenin:** A metallic substance that's lightweight and also extremely durable.
	+ **Hardenin-G:** Hardenin was mixed with one or more other substances to increase its durability.
	+ **Hardenin-X:** The most durable form of the substance and also the most durable known substance in existence. Its use is very limited, as it is almost impossible to shape it through normal means.
* **Nyctonite:** A mysterious element said to be the element of what dark matter is actually made of, and has properties similar to that of a 'solid shadow'. Nyctomancer superhumans have been known to be able to manipulate this element.

## Culture and Society

### Art

* Fashion in the superhuman era is highly varied. Vigilante fatigues and combat accessories and armor are readily available for civilians, either for general protection against their own or other people's harmful powers, or to use as public or indie heroes (or even villains). On the other hand, fashion is also very inspired by fictional pop culture in general, with people having more freedom to dress either more provocatively or creatively, with examples of inspirations being that of cyberpunk, mystic, or vintage superhero costume themes.
* There are biographies about heroes, villains, and even instructional manuals called "Superpowers for Dummies". Tutorials for specific attributes of powers also exist, as there are many.

### Events

* **Genesis Event**
* **Genesis Event Anniversary:** March 3 has been made an international holiday to commemorate the Genesis Event, for the many who were lost and affected, and the day the world changed forever.

### Attitudes Toward Superhuman Culture

* **The Significance of Power Classification:** Power classification is a big deal these days as they are now part of your identity. Your identification, documents, and even your passport will now include a card or file containing information like your power potency and attribute there, as well as any other important information regarding your powers including inhibition measures or risks regarding you, others, or the environment.
* **Power Inhibition Measures and Stigma:** Many powers are dangerous and easy to exploit to cause harm, and it's equally as hard to always be prepared for countermeasures, so the most straightforward solution is to employ power inhibition measures in places where powers cannot be used, whether intentionally or unintentionally, to put anyone in danger. While many believe that this is the best solution, there are those who claim the opposite and that power inhibition is an infringement on their freedom and rights.
* **Desensitization and Glorification of Violence:** It is not an uncommon occurrence for heroes and villains to fight anywhere in the world, even as close as the neighborhood. While they can be very destructive and violent and the police usually do their best to keep people out of harm's way and evacuate the area, it is difficult to deny that these fights are usually spectacles to behold, with two or more superhumans going at it with their powers at full display. However, this happens so often that some people are traumatized and desensitized by the violence. Some even want these fights to happen just so they can gaze at them with wonder, record them on their phones, and exploit them for clout. This has resulted in this morbid fascination where people watch these brutal fights for fun and entertainment, and there are some companies that even relish in this newfound exploit, capturing their heroes' fights with drones or other cameras for use in commercials, promotions, propaganda, and entertainment media. It is rumored that some heroes are even encouraged to be more violent with their fights for the spectacle, and harming the villain more than necessary.
* Superhero Glorification
* The Superhero Mega-Corporation Monopoly
* The Superhuman Profession Identity Crisis

### Civilians

* There are support groups for those affected by the Genesis Event - whether their loved ones were killed, or they can't cope with the fact that they have powers, that they don't have powers, or that the world has changed forever.

### Theories

* **Heroic Principles: Kent’s Paradoxical Commandments:** Not as much a theory as it is a generally-accepted list of soft guidelines or 'commandments' to live by for both public heroes. The list also acts as a criteria of sorts for people to compare heroes to to assess their heroic capacity. The commandments are as follows:
	1. People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.
	2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.
	3. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
	4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
	5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.
	6. The biggest men with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.
	7. People favor underdogs, but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
	8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.
	9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help people anyway.
	10. Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.
* **Theory of Manipulation of Fixed and Conditional Evil:** A highly controversial experimental theory and proposed societal model that examines whether or not it is possible to manipulate and take advantage of the public perception and concept of ‘evil’ and ‘villains’. Working under the proposal that the human condition is ‘always 50% capable of beneficial acts and 50% capable of maleficent acts at any given point’, it has been hypothesized that if it stands to reason that evil will always exist, then ‘evil’ acts might as well be controlled and mediated for the benefit of society.
* **Theory of Human-Mana Incompatibility and Gradual Total Somatic Destruction:** This theory suggests that Mana is incompatible with the human body and slowly corrupts human physiology, driving it to gradual self-destruction.

## Politics

### Power Inhibition

* The issue regarding that certain abilities whose uses are regarded to be widely prohibited, such as klepto. Many abilities, while they have offensive capabilities, are not forcefully inhibited solely for that reason if they are not specifically offensive. For example, the ability to control the wind is a general ability that may also be used to cause harm, but the ability to induce a comatose state on another person is very likely to cause harm. Some debate that those who are born with such offensive powers should be inhibited at birth, meaning they would not be able to use their powers, or their offensive capabilities would be minimized or removed, while others say that this act infringes on autonomy and bodily integrity.

### Laws

* **Law Permitting the Use of Power-Inhibiting Measures in Establishments:** Many establishments ban the use of superhuman abilities within their premises and employ the use of power-inhibiting measures, as the use of superhuman abilities may allow the user to break the law, such as committing theft in a supermarket using super-speed.
* **Law Against Non-Consensual Psionic Intrusion:** This law prohibits the use of mind-control-related powers to intrude on other individual's cerebral spaces and influence or change their behaviors and actions without their consent.
	+ **Mind Rape:** Defined as the act of intruding another person's mind without their consent.
	+ **Mind Control:** Defined as the act of influencing or controlling an individual's behaviors, thoughts, and actions.
	+ **Villainification:** A form of mind control wherein the motive is to turn someone into a ‘villain’, committing acts of violence or harm against themselves, other people, or the environment, usually without the victim's consent. This is usually done through mind-altering substances or mind-control powers.
* **Law Against Illegal Manipulation of Fundamental Forces of Nature:** This law prohibits the use of powers that control significant aspects of our environment and daily life, such as the weather, space, time, reality, etc.
* **Law Against Power Leeching and Theft:** This law prohibits the act of 'stealing' or 'replicating' powers from other individuals without their consent.
* **Law Against Illegal Replication of Matter and Property:** This law prohibits the act of using one's powers to duplicate items of value, such as money or property owned by an individual to claim for their own.

## Heroes and Villains

### Heroes in General

* Superheroes have become a profession. It is widely considered that there are two types of heroes: public heroes and indie heroes. Public heroes treat heroics as a formal profession and are employed by either the government or corporations. Indie heroes, on the other hand, are freelancers and make most of their money doing commissions.
* Different countries have different ways of presenting their heroes. In many regions, heroes are inspired by their culture and respective pantheon and seen as symbolic, spiritual protectors. Some heroes are treated like a part of the nation's military or security force, seen strictly as law enforcers. Others, like in Japan and South Korea, the heroes are seen as admirable and respectable public figures and even act similar to mascots or idols. Korea particularly likes to put their public heroes in groups, while Japan likes to announce new heroes through distinct 'generations'.
* **Hero-Con:** An annual superhero convention where companies like to promote their hero talents and announce upcoming talents. Some even take the opportunity to showcase and sell their products relating to heroics like merch or tactical wear and gadgets that public or indie heroes may use alike. Fans can meet and greet with their favorite heroes and even share special moments with them.

### Public Heroes

* Public heroes are either treated as if they are a combination of soldiers, police, and artistic talents.

### Indie Heroes

* Some authorities and members of the government have considered abolishing the law that lets people work as indies and take commissions due to vigilantism and failure of adherence to procedures attaining to crime scene investigations and lawful arrest. However, many are against this decision as that would mean indies would no longer exist and all heroes would be controlled by the government and mega-corporations, operating under their agendas.

### Villains in General

* **Hall of Infamy:** A list of prolific and most-wanted supervillains around the world. Getting inducted into it is considered to be an honor for some villains, as it is a challenge to do so.

## Supernatural

### Ultimordians

* Derived from ‘ultimo-‘ and ‘primordial’. Whereas ‘primordial’ would refer to an object or being that has existed since the first days, this race is said to bring about the end of days, and survive even after that.
* A race of primeval, Eldritch beings that exist beyond our comprehension. Their mere existence influences the universe, whether intentionally or not. They are meant to be manifestations of the ‘end of all things’, and before they existed, the universe was said to exist infinitely. However, the Ultimordians’ existence brings a much needed mortality to all things.
* The *Ultinomicon intelligencia* names four known Ultimordians: Zeroth (the first), Omina (malevolence), Dymensia, and Athazagor (oblivion). They exist in the 10th-dimension, in a pocket space so distant that while they influence all of existence, their effects are still very much rarely felt on Earth (as long as they don’t acknowledge us, of course).
* Only a few species throughout the universe were even aware of their existence. Upon realizing how dangerous the Ultimordians were, several attempts were made to wipe them out to absolutely no avail. Instead, they were left alone, and anyone trying to exploit them were hunted down. The race proved ultimately impossible to conquer, in addition to any and all attempts being cancelled due to the troops being completely annihilated or having gone mad.
* The *Ultinomicon intelligencia* is one of the few things that exist that documents their existence. It is a tome that contains Eldritch information and ways to tap into the powers of the Ultimordian race, rituals, etc. It was found on Earth several thousand years ago, which humans used to try to access the Eldritch arts.
* In an attempt to tap into their power, a group of humans ‘infected’ themselves, becoming part-Ultimordian in the process. However, it drove them mad, as they couldn’t comprehend what they read and what they were becoming. Many became completely catatonic or dysfunctionally insane, but a few survived and managed to have children.
* By this point, an intergalactic alliance called the Universal Coalition of Sentient Societies (UCSS) was made between different species throughout the universe to prevent anyone from associating with the race. Eventually, an alliance was made with Charlotte Damson, an Earth human, prompting her to start a Covenant on Earth to protect her planet from Eldritch threats. She started Earth’s very own Promethean Covenant, and hunted down those who possessed Ultimordian traits and anyone who tried to tap into the Eldritch arts to access Oblivion Drift and the *Ultinomicon intelligencia*.
* Over time and with multiple generations, the incidences of part-Ultimordians on Earth lessened, and the traits became increasingly recessive. Though that meant they would be harder to detect, it also meant that they were less dangerous than their predecessors.
* Today, the Ultimordian bloodlines remain ever so distant. There are currently three known part-Ultimordians: Maximilian Fontaine (1/342), Mandy Wilkes (1/3382), and Riley D’Amico (1/920). Max is stronger than Mandy, as the more Ultimordian traits one has, the more potent they are. Given enough time, assuming no one ever tries it again, the traits will eventually regress to a point where they will no longer manifest in distant descendants.