The Atavitae are an open species based in a solarpunk world.
🧬 ROOT BIOLOGY
LAW 1: Every splice has a tail, which is the biological source of their power. Those without a tail cannot shapeshift into a chimeran beast.
LAW 2: Each tail is a codex that contains one base animal genome and two or more alts. The base genome cannot be altered.
LAW 3: All splices can transform into a chimeran beast that must always possesses the same mass as their human body before and after.
🧬 BIOLOGICAL TRAITS
Eye colors and tail features always vary between individuals, which can be different from natural human eye color and skin depending on the nature of their chimeran beast. Tail color is the same regardless of form and an indicator of their bestial nature, and unnatural colors for tails are easily available through genetic modification.
In a similar vein, most individuals can opt in to aesthetic sculpting in order to fully customize their tails and bestial forms to their hearts' content - within the natural parameters of their genomes, of course. A surplus of possibilities has lead to much physical expression of a bodily variety, making something as mundane as how one looks more than just biology, but a work of art.
🧬 ALTER GENOMES
Three genomes is the inheritance for all splices. Adding another base genome or tapering with one's additional genomes is possible, but highly discouraged for several reasons, the most prominent two reasons being the physical and mental ramifications it can have, namely a unique form of psychosis that causes individuals to be overloaded with animal instinct and go mad. Due to this, it is illegal to alter genomes within a one year period as well as after a recently committed crime.
To graft additional genomes, one can visit gene clinics or even doctors of a more shady variety. While there is no theoretical maximum amount of genomes one can graft, it is not recommended to go beyond four. Those who have five or more genomes or change their genomes monthly are more likely to develop disorders.
🧬 TRANSFORMATION
Transforming is a purely biological process involving the secretion of hyper-charged hormones that induce a rapid form of physical mutation. The source, a pair of glands located near the inner base of the tail, are responsible for triggering this mutation, and since the amount of chemicals the body can produce at a time are finite, so are the amount of times one can transform between short rests.
Human intelligence is retained in both human and chimeran forms, although a beast's ability to speak is still limited by their natural vocal chords. One workaround for this are partial transformations, which most splices are able to achieve at the cost of a fraction of their stored energy, so to speak. Even though transformations don't have to be permanent, that is their default state, and if one were to perish while in this form, they would not revert back.
🧬 RANDOM TRIVIA
Both carnivore and herbivore genomes are present in most splices, making them omnivorous, and some individuals have specific tastes. For example, while the carnivorous-inclined find themselves drawn to meat, it often comes with restrictions. Someone with a cow gene may be adverse to consuming cow meat, and restaurants cater to these needs.
🧬 NEURAL NEXUS
One thing that every Atavitae has in common regardless of genome is the ability to tap into a pseudo-extrasensory network with related animals and other people they may be familial with. A state known as "Nexus" allows users to download data from the natural world, resulting in things like acute empathy and danger premonition.
Tapping in is often involuntary by the average individual, and high levels of emotion will dampen the ability to connect, making neutrality the best state to receive data. Like with everything else that comes with being Atavitae, the tail is the source of this power, and those who severe their ties with it willingly or not can never reclaim that vast network.
🧬 REPRODUCTION
Just like the fluid biology of a splice, reproduction can take one of two forms. More often than not, mating with the intent of bearing offspring is done in human form, which requires no common animal genomes in order to reproduce. In chimeran form, both members must share a common base animal genome that are capable of naturally procreating.
Depending on the form in which gestation occurs, the mother may be biologically locked in either human or chimeran form. Shifting is an arduous process on the body, and doing do while pregnant could theoretically cause severe damage to the mother and child, resulting in a miscarriage. The gestation period typically lasts for 9 months.
🧬 LIFESPAN RECORD
Most splices are considered adults by society at 20 years of age. The average lifespan for most individuals hovers around 120 years thanks to scientific advancements in healthcare and genetics, the boundaries of which are constantly being pushed for the better. In the record books, the longest-lived splice was 151 years old at the time of passing, making her the oldest known individual from any human timeline.
🧬 ANIMAL INSTINCT
The more time a splice spends in their chimeran form, the more harmful conditioning could be applied. Likewise, too much time in human form dampens their connection to the natural world, which is just as important. A healthy balance of time as both human and beast is recommended.
Even though the human mind typically trumps animal instinct, it's not uncommon for splices to become defensive in the presence of a threat. The accusation of, "He bared his teeth, first!" is a frequent one.
