[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":442},["ShallowReactive",2],{"navigation-novos-public":3,"section-availability":246,"novos-paths":247,"novos-index-items-\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fspecies\u002Fterrans\u002Fexalt":301,"content-\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fspecies\u002Fterrans\u002Fexalt":302},[4,19,210,232],{"label":5,"category":6,"to":7,"children":8},"General","general","\u002Fnovos",[9,14],{"label":10,"to":11,"sort_order":12,"special":13},"Galaxy Map","\u002Fnovos\u002Fmap",0,true,{"label":15,"to":16,"sort_order":17,"secret":18},"Novos Overview","\u002Fnovos\u002Foverview",1,false,{"label":20,"category":21,"to":7,"children":22},"Setting","setting",[23,31,41,119,125,179],{"label":24,"sort_order":25,"children":26},"Cosmology",999,[27],{"label":28,"to":29,"sort_order":30,"secret":18},"Altspace","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fcosmology\u002Faltspace",2,{"label":32,"sort_order":25,"children":33},"Culture And Society",[34,38],{"label":35,"to":36,"sort_order":37,"secret":18},"Languages","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fculture-and-society\u002Flanguages",6,{"label":39,"to":40,"sort_order":25,"secret":18},"Frontier Life","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fculture-and-society\u002Ffrontier-life",{"label":42,"sort_order":25,"children":43},"Factions",[44,96,114],{"label":45,"sort_order":25,"children":46},"Corporations",[47,50,53,57,61,65,68,72,76,80,84,88,92],{"label":48,"to":49,"sort_order":17,"secret":18},"Attar Technologies","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ffactions\u002Fcorporations\u002Fattar-technologies",{"label":51,"to":52,"sort_order":30,"secret":18},"Yasuda Zaibatsu","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ffactions\u002Fcorporations\u002Fyasuda-zaibatsu",{"label":54,"to":55,"sort_order":56,"secret":18},"Aeon Dynamics","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ffactions\u002Fcorporations\u002Faeon-dynamics",3,{"label":58,"to":59,"sort_order":60,"secret":18},"Galt Corporation","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ffactions\u002Fcorporations\u002Fgalt-corporation",4,{"label":62,"to":63,"sort_order":64,"secret":18},"Innovation Technologies","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ffactions\u002Fcorporations\u002Finnovation-technologies",5,{"label":66,"to":67,"sort_order":37,"secret":18},"Redrock Resources","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ffactions\u002Fcorporations\u002Fredrock-resources",{"label":69,"to":70,"sort_order":71,"secret":18},"Xian Lothal","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ffactions\u002Fcorporations\u002Fxian-lothal",7,{"label":73,"to":74,"sort_order":75,"secret":18},"Tanngris Wright Stellarworks","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ffactions\u002Fcorporations\u002Ftanngris-wright-stellarworks",8,{"label":77,"to":78,"sort_order":79,"secret":18},"Vector Mechanics","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ffactions\u002Fcorporations\u002Fvector-mechanics",9,{"label":81,"to":82,"sort_order":83,"secret":18},"The Five Apostles","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ffactions\u002Fcorporations\u002Fthe-five-apostles",10,{"label":85,"to":86,"sort_order":87,"secret":18},"Independent Corporations","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ffactions\u002Fcorporations\u002Findependent-corporations",11,{"label":89,"to":90,"sort_order":91,"secret":18},"Notable Ship Building Companies","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ffactions\u002Fcorporations\u002Fship-builders",15,{"label":93,"to":94,"sort_order":95,"secret":18},"Notable Frame Building Companies","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ffactions\u002Fcorporations\u002Fframe-builders",20,{"label":97,"sort_order":25,"children":98},"Cultures",[99,102,105,108,111],{"label":100,"to":101,"sort_order":30,"secret":18},"Solaris Republic","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ffactions\u002Fcultures\u002Fsolaris-republic",{"label":103,"to":104,"sort_order":56,"secret":18},"Centauri Democratic Union","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ffactions\u002Fcultures\u002Fcentauri-democratic-union",{"label":106,"to":107,"sort_order":60,"secret":18},"Covenant of the Sacred Assembly","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ffactions\u002Fcultures\u002Fcovenant-of-the-sacred-assembly",{"label":109,"to":110,"sort_order":64,"secret":18},"Lyran Stellar Confederation","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ffactions\u002Fcultures\u002Flyran-stellar-confederation",{"label":112,"to":113,"sort_order":37,"secret":18},"Daedalus Swarm","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ffactions\u002Fcultures\u002Fdaedalus-swarm",{"label":115,"sort_order":25,"children":116},"Religions",[117],{"label":115,"to":118,"sort_order":64,"secret":18},"\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ffactions\u002Freligions\u002Freligions",{"label":120,"sort_order":25,"children":121},"History",[122],{"label":123,"to":124,"sort_order":56,"secret":18},"Timeline","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fhistory\u002Ftimeline",{"label":126,"sort_order":25,"children":127},"Species",[128,161],{"label":129,"sort_order":25,"children":130},"Asaps",[131,134,137,140,143,146,149,152,155,158],{"label":132,"to":133,"sort_order":64,"secret":18},"Alien Sapients","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fspecies\u002Fasaps\u002F_asaps",{"label":135,"to":136,"sort_order":64,"secret":18},"Carken","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fspecies\u002Fasaps\u002Fcarken",{"label":138,"to":139,"sort_order":64,"secret":18},"Da-Om","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fspecies\u002Fasaps\u002Fda-om",{"label":141,"to":142,"sort_order":64,"secret":18},"Nhazde","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fspecies\u002Fasaps\u002Fnhazde",{"label":144,"to":145,"sort_order":64,"secret":18},"Rahn","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fspecies\u002Fasaps\u002Frahn",{"label":147,"to":148,"sort_order":64,"secret":18},"Sangesh","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fspecies\u002Fasaps\u002Fsangesh",{"label":150,"to":151,"sort_order":64,"secret":18},"Sylid","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fspecies\u002Fasaps\u002Fsylid",{"label":153,"to":154,"sort_order":25,"secret":18},"Artalen","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fspecies\u002Fasaps\u002Fartalen",{"label":156,"to":157,"sort_order":25,"secret":18},"Kepukotu","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fspecies\u002Fasaps\u002Fkepukotu",{"label":159,"to":160,"sort_order":25,"secret":18},"Limea","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fspecies\u002Fasaps\u002Flimea",{"label":162,"sort_order":25,"children":163},"Terrans",[164,167,170,173,176],{"label":165,"to":166,"sort_order":17,"secret":18},"Baseline Humanity","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fspecies\u002Fterrans\u002Fhuman",{"label":168,"to":169,"sort_order":30,"secret":18},"Enhanced Humans (Exalts)","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fspecies\u002Fterrans\u002Fexalt",{"label":171,"to":172,"sort_order":56,"secret":18},"Uplifted Species (Revs)","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fspecies\u002Fterrans\u002Frev",{"label":174,"to":175,"sort_order":60,"secret":18},"Artificial Intelligence","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fspecies\u002Fterrans\u002Fmachine",{"label":177,"to":178,"sort_order":37,"secret":18},"Veridens","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fspecies\u002Fterrans\u002Fveridens",{"label":180,"sort_order":25,"children":181},"Technology",[182,185,188,191,194,197,200,203,206],{"label":183,"to":184,"sort_order":30,"secret":18},"Power Systems","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ftechnology\u002Fpower-systems",{"label":186,"to":187,"sort_order":56,"secret":18},"Materials Science","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ftechnology\u002Fmaterials-science",{"label":189,"to":190,"sort_order":60,"secret":18},"Computing & Networks","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ftechnology\u002Fcomputing-and-networks",{"label":192,"to":193,"sort_order":64,"secret":18},"Space Travel","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ftechnology\u002Fspace-travel",{"label":195,"to":196,"sort_order":37,"secret":18},"Space Habitation","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ftechnology\u002Fspace-habitation",{"label":198,"to":199,"sort_order":71,"secret":18},"Starships","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ftechnology\u002Fstarships",{"label":201,"to":202,"sort_order":83,"secret":18},"Biotechnology","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ftechnology\u002Fbiotechnology",{"label":204,"to":205,"sort_order":87,"secret":18},"Cybernetics & Enhancement","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ftechnology\u002Fcybernetics-and-enhancement",{"label":207,"to":208,"sort_order":209,"secret":18},"Industrial Technology","\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Ftechnology\u002Findustrial",12,{"label":211,"category":212,"to":7,"children":213},"Stories","stories",[214],{"label":215,"sort_order":25,"children":216},"Diegetic",[217,220,223,226,229],{"label":218,"to":219,"sort_order":17,"secret":18},"Consolidated Analysis of Veridens Adaptive Patterns","\u002Fnovos\u002Fstories\u002Fdiegetic\u002Fscientific-paper-veridens-1",{"label":221,"to":222,"sort_order":17,"secret":18},"Gateway Broadcasting Network - News Bulletin 1","\u002Fnovos\u002Fstories\u002Fdiegetic\u002Fgbn-news-bulletin-1",{"label":224,"to":225,"sort_order":17,"secret":18},"Rascal's Survival Guide - Greenshine Brewing","\u002Fnovos\u002Fstories\u002Fdiegetic\u002Frsg-1-greenshine",{"label":227,"to":228,"sort_order":30,"secret":18},"Atzlan Maritime Patrol Report - Atlantic","\u002Fnovos\u002Fstories\u002Fdiegetic\u002Famp-patrol-report-1",{"label":230,"to":231,"sort_order":60,"secret":18},"Camp Conrad Market Bulletin 1","\u002Fnovos\u002Fstories\u002Fdiegetic\u002Fmarket-bulletin-camp-conrad-1",{"label":233,"category":234,"to":235,"children":236},"Apps","apps-inline","\u002Fapps",[237,240,243],{"label":238,"href":239,"sort_order":12},"Manifest","\u002Fmanifest\u002F",{"label":241,"href":242,"sort_order":17},"Spiral","\u002Fspiral\u002F",{"label":244,"href":245,"sort_order":30},"Loom","\u002Floom\u002F",{"novos":13,"aeldos":13,"somnos":13,"praxis":13,"blog":13,"reviews":13,"apps":13},[248,249,250,251,252,253,254,255,256,257,258,259,260,261,262,263,264,265,266,267,268,269,270,271,272,273,274,275,276,277,278,279,280,281,282,283,284,285,286,287,288,289,290,291,292,293,294,295,296,297,298,299,300],{"path":16},{"path":29},{"path":40},{"path":36},{"path":55},{"path":49},{"path":94},{"path":59},{"path":86},{"path":63},{"path":67},{"path":90},{"path":74},{"path":82},{"path":78},{"path":70},{"path":52},{"path":104},{"path":107},{"path":113},{"path":110},{"path":101},{"path":118},{"path":124},{"path":133},{"path":154},{"path":136},{"path":139},{"path":157},{"path":160},{"path":142},{"path":145},{"path":148},{"path":151},{"path":169},{"path":166},{"path":175},{"path":172},{"path":178},{"path":202},{"path":190},{"path":205},{"path":208},{"path":187},{"path":184},{"path":196},{"path":193},{"path":199},{"path":228},{"path":222},{"path":231},{"path":225},{"path":219},null,{"id":303,"title":168,"author":304,"body":305,"capital":301,"corporation_type":301,"created":426,"date":301,"description":411,"extension":427,"faction_type":301,"founded":301,"gallery":301,"headquarters":301,"homeworld":428,"image":429,"influence":301,"last_reviewed":301,"leadership":301,"lifespan":430,"meta":431,"metadata_type":432,"navigation":13,"path":169,"physiology":301,"relations":301,"seo":433,"society":301,"sort_order":30,"status":434,"stem":435,"summary":301,"tags":436,"territory":301,"visibility":440,"__hash__":441},"novos\u002Fnovos\u002Fsetting\u002Fspecies\u002Fterrans\u002Fexalt.md","Elias Black",{"type":306,"value":307,"toc":410},"minimark",[308,313,317,321,324,334,338,341,345,348,353,356,360,363,367,370,374,377,381,384,388,391,395,398,402,405],[309,310,312],"h2",{"id":311},"overview","Overview",[314,315,316],"p",{},"Deriving from the designation 'Extremely Altered' used to distinguish individuals with substantial genetic modifications in Solaris Republic files, Exalt is now the preferred term used to refer to humans genetically modified whose features have been bioengineered to enhance cognition, appearance, healing, sleep, immune function, or lifespan. The broad term encompasses any human genetically modified in a substantially beneficial but optional way, but each variant or 'Line' has their own term and, in some cases subculture. Example Exalt lines include; Asoms, modified to require 2-3 hrs sleep per day; Eternals, modified to extend their lifespans by centuries and amplify their physical resilience; and Paragons, modified to significantly increase their physical and mental capabilities.",[309,318,320],{"id":319},"origins-development","Origins & Development",[314,322,323],{},"The technology used to create Exalts has been developing since before the fall of Earth but advanced particularly rapidly in the aftermath of the exodus. As corporate power exploded and government oversight disappeared, and the need for genetic treatments for a variety of space-born ailments became critical, the wealthy saw an opportunity to leverage discoveries and advancements made towards genetic treatments for microgravity and radiation induced developmental disorders for their own purposes. The egos and grand aspirations of oligarchs led to dozens of public and private projects dedicated to significantly altering the human genome, from those seeking to create 'the next stage of human evolution' to relatively modest endeavours simply aimed at increasing human longevity and resilience. While enormous advancements were made in genetic science, most magnates and oligarchs dreaming of gaining god-like physiques and unlimited lifespans saw their dreams shattered under the monumental complexity and cost of genetically engineering human biology to such specific purposes, particularly in modifying the genome of already mature individuals. This was exacerbated by an aggressive and competitive environment which valued intellectual property over advancement. Ambitious genetics projects came and went and entire branches of genetic science grew and withered over the following decades before the first breakthroughs were made, mostly by government and university laboratories, and many limited to the modification of 'germline genetics', aka the alteration of human gametes, zygotes, and embryos prior to their gestation. This did not prevent many groups from continuing to pursue these technologies with varying degrees of success. Where it succeeded, the first Exalts emerged. The first three generations of Exalt were subtle, limited, and often flawed. Most early Exalts were notably above average but still existed within the spectrum of baseline human capacities. These early enhancements were marketed well enough to be worth it to rich oligarchs looking for any edge they could give their offspring and efforts continued, leading to subsequent generations of Exalt that hewed closer to the visions of their creators, exhibiting capabilities beyond even the most gifted of their ancestors. The increasing success of Exalt technologies, accompanied by several notable incidents and disasters such as Gulch Incident* were met by cross-cultural and increasingly restrictive 'Genetech' laws which required monitoring and heavy restrictions on the use of such technology. This, combined with the already prohibitive expenses involved, forced most Exalt projects to scale back or cease their operations, reducing the number of Exalts to just a few. The timing of these laws are a matter of speculation and often attributed to regulatory capture by the same hyper wealthy groups and individuals who now controlled the technology. While Exalt technology was originally developed by countless labs, both corporate and independent, the patents and underlying technologies are now owned almost entirely by Attar Technologies and Xian Lothal and both the Solaris Republic and Centauri Democratic Union require official registration of any Exalt birth. This does not prevent black-market laboratories from creating unregistered Exalts but the risks and costs are high enough that such operations are exceedingly rare. The cost to create Exalts remains prohibitive, even for legally approved projects.",[325,326,327],"blockquote",{},[314,328,329,333],{},[330,331,332],"strong",{},"The Gulch Incident","\nRefers to an attempt by Galt Corporation to create a class of physically enhanced but subservient workers using a combination of cloning and genetic modification. The isolated GaltCorp colony of Gotthelf's Gulch located in Eos Chasma on Mars was the basis for these experiments and was destroyed when hundreds of genetically modified \"servants\" began to experience severe and hyperaggressive psychosis alongside other unexpected physical genetic mutations. The resulting riots and violence led to a breach in the colony environmental systems that killed most of the occupants. Recordings and testimony from survivors who escaped GaltCorp security were widely publicised leading to scandal and sanctions on Galt Corporation which eventually reduced it to a tertiary corporate power.",[309,335,337],{"id":336},"genelines","Genelines",[314,339,340],{},"Genetic modification is spectacularly complex; there is no gene or even set of genes for 'intelligence' or 'strength'. These traits which humans understand categorically are multifaceted abstractions that are difficult or impossible to measure at the macro level and meaningless at the micro level. Even the smallest change to a human's genetic code, intended to apply some minor benefit, can cause a cascade of issues and disorders once the subject is matured, or trigger secondary genetic or epigenetic effects only detectable long after the fact. In these circumstances the first semi-successful method of 'genetic enhancement' arose from a school of thought known as 'Geneline Evolution'. In this method, genetic modifications are organized into concepts called 'Lines'. Each line is a complex set of interdependent procedures, gene group modifications, and epigenetic triggers, all meticulously organized, timed, and executed to produce a specific resulting capacity or capability in the resulting entity. The term 'line' derives from the use of simulated evolutionary systems, run on powerful quantum computers using immensely complex predictive selective pressure algorithms to create billions of simulated 'lines' and predict the resulting output. Running trillions of these simulations against a specific pre-configuration of human genes made it possible to identify specific interventions aimed at specific outcomes but only within the narrow band of genetic preconditions (typically the base genetic pattern of the funding patrons). In essence, phenomenally expensive and rare computational systems run by uniquely talented groups of genetic scientists leveraging advanced machine learning were able to simulate evolutionary pressures on a handful of individuals genomes and use the resulting data to make targeted modifications that work only on that handful of genomes. The time, cost, and complexity were all substantial enough, and the reward minimal enough, that only a few such projects survived. Up until the past decade attempts to generalize these treatments were either too expensive or consistently failed. Only recent breakthroughs have opened up the possibility of broader genetic enhancement, and these tend to come with considerable complications.",[309,342,344],{"id":343},"major-lines","Major Lines",[314,346,347],{},"To mitigate such risks early Exalt programs were highly focused on specific outcomes. This is evident in the first three stable forms of Exalt, the Asom, Empath, and Eternal lines. As the technology has matured and understanding of human genetics and epigenetics, and the tools to manipulate them, have expanded, so too have the possibilities of modification.",[349,350,352],"h3",{"id":351},"asom","Asom",[314,354,355],{},"The Asom line represents the first commercially viable genetic modification package, targeting the fundamental mechanisms of sleep regulation. These modifications alter the expression profiles of key circadian rhythm genes and restructure adenosine receptor sensitivity in the basal forebrain. The primary modification pathway involves enhanced glymphatic system efficiency, the brain's waste clearance mechanism typically active during deep sleep. The resulting Asom neurophysiology reduces required sleep to 1-3 hours per 24-hour cycle while avoiding the accumulation of neurotoxic byproducts and complementary modifications to the prefrontal cortex prevent cognitive fatigue during extended wakefulness. While functionally effective, Asoms demonstrate altered dream architecture and often report subjectively \"deeper\" sleep experiences. The practical advantage of nearly doubling available conscious hours has created high demand among scientific, corporate, and academic communities. Demographic analysis shows Asoms disproportionately pursue polymathic career paths, with 78% maintaining expertise in three or more distinct disciplines. Longitudinal studies indicate potential costs: Asoms show altered emotional processing capabilities and exhibit vulnerability to specific classes of neurodegenerative conditions absent in baseline populations.",[349,357,359],{"id":358},"empath","Empath",[314,361,362],{},"The Empath line originated from research into neurobiological factors affecting social cognition and emotional processing. Initial modifications targeted genes regulating oxytocin and vasopressin receptor density, mirror neuron development, and facial microexpression recognition pathways. Unexpectedly, these modifications created pleiotropic effects on physical development. Many Empaths exhibit distinct facial symmetry, subtly enhanced secondary sexual characteristics, and microscopic changes to dermal structure. The primary advantage of Empaths is their enhanced ability to process emotional and social information through multiple simultaneous channels: improved pattern recognition in facial microexpressions, heightened olfactory sensitivity to biochemical markers of emotional states, and enhanced limbic-prefrontal integration allowing for rapid emotional processing without cognitive overload. This creates a sophisticated talent for navigating complex social environments, a capacity that has made them valuable in diplomatic corps, negotiation teams, and therapeutic settings. However, these advantages come with documented vulnerabilities: many Empaths experience difficulty filtering emotional stimuli in high-density environments and require periods of social isolation to maintain psychological equilibrium.",[349,364,366],{"id":365},"eternal","Eternal",[314,368,369],{},"The Eternal line emerged from integrating multiple longevity pathways discovered through comparative genomics of exceptionally long-lived human populations and non-human species with negligible senescence. Key modifications include restructured DNA repair enzymes with enhanced error-correction capabilities; telomerase regulation systems that maintain chromosome integrity without oncogenic risk; optimized lysosomal function for efficient cellular waste processing; and transformed immune mechanisms that identify and eliminate senescent cells prior to inflammatory cascades. These modifications work in concert with metabolic recalibration that reduces oxidative damage while maintaining energy production efficiency. While marketed under the hyperbolic \"Eternal\" designation, these modifications more accurately represent a comprehensive deceleration of aging processes rather than true biological immortality. The oldest confirmed Eternals, now approaching their second century, physically resemble baseline humans in their mid-forties, though subtle metabolic and cognitive differences become apparent under clinical examination. The Eternal line demonstrates the complex interaction between genetic intervention and epigenetic drift: while modified repair mechanisms delay standard aging pathways, novel patterns of cellular senescence have emerged in older subjects. This has prompted continuous iteration of the platform, creating subdivisions within the line itself as earlier cohorts receive supplementary modifications to address unforeseen degradations. The prohibitive cost of these ongoing interventions has further reinforced the line's exclusivity, concentrating extended lifespans among the ultra-wealthy and raising significant concerns about long-term socioeconomic stratification.",[349,371,373],{"id":372},"paragon","Paragon",[314,375,376],{},"The Paragon line represents the integration of multiple discrete enhancement pathways rather than a singular modification approach. Using computational models that mapped gene interaction networks across millions of simulated human lifecycles, Paragon designers identified key regulatory nodes where minimal genetic intervention produces cascading beneficial effects. The modifications include: restructured mitochondrial membrane proteins to increase ATP production efficiency, altered myostatin inhibitor pathways that maintain muscle mass with reduced metabolic cost; enhanced calcium sequestration mechanisms in neural tissues allowing for faster signal propagation; and significantly upregulated cellular repair mechanisms derived from study of planarian regenerative genetics. While these modifications create objectively measurable improvements in certain physical and cognitive parameters, Paragons face significant challenges: their enhanced metabolism requires precisely calibrated nutrition; their neural enhancements are intrinsically neurodivergent and often create vulnerability to specific neurotoxins absent in baseline humans; and their regenerative capabilities come with elevated autoimmune risks. Rather than representing \"the superior human template\" or \"Humanity 2.0\"' as advertised, Paragons embody a particular set of evolutionary trade-offs optimized for specific environmental conditions. Their creation has sparked ethical debates over what constitutes an \"enhancement\" versus an attempt to create a successor species.",[349,378,380],{"id":379},"thark","Thark",[314,382,383],{},"Named after the eponymous species from Edgar Rice Burroughs 'John Carter of Mars' series, the Thark line represents the first public-private collaborative genetic modification program, developed specifically for prolonged habitation on Mars. Unlike earlier Exalt platforms designed for status or competitive advantage, Thark modifications address concrete environmental challenges: Mars' 0.38g gravity, thin atmosphere, high radiation exposure, and extreme temperature fluctuations. Key modifications include reinforced bone matrix structures resistant to calcium depletion in low gravity; hypertrophic cardiac tissue with adjusted stroke volume; enhanced erythrocyte oxygen-binding capacity; integumentary adaptations including subcutaneous ferrous deposits that provide radiation shielding while creating the line's characteristic copper-red skin tone; and metabolic recalibration for efficiency in resource-limited environments. The distinctive metallic sheen in Thark irises results from specialized crystalline structures that filter harmful radiation while enhancing vision in Mars' unique light spectrum. The Thark initiative marked a pivotal shift in modification politics, moving from elite enhancement to practical adaptation, and democratized access through Martian government subsidies and corporate sponsorship programs. Consequently, Tharks now outnumber all other Exalt lines combined, creating the first true Exalt subculture with distinctive social norms, artistic expressions, and political representation. This demographic shift has begun reshaping Martian society, with Tharks increasingly viewing themselves as indigenous to Mars rather than as modified Earth emigrants. Paradoxically, while Tharks were designed for Martian habitability, their modifications have unintentionally created challenges for offworld visitation to Earth-modelled habitats, reinforcing their cultural separation from baseline humanity.",[349,385,387],{"id":386},"pioneer","Pioneer",[314,389,390],{},"The Pioneer platform represents a paradigm shift in human genetic modification, transitioning from standardized enhancement packages to adaptive environmental specialization. Unlike previous lines requiring embryonic intervention, Pioneer modifications utilize targeted viral vector delivery systems capable of editing specific genetic regions in fully differentiated cells during childhood and adolescence. This approach permits phenotypic modifications previously considered impossible outside embryonic development. The platform's defining characteristic is its modular adaptation clusters: customized genetic lines optimized for specific planetary environments. These include xeromorphic adaptations for arid worlds (enhanced water conservation, temperature regulation); cryomorphic modifications for ice planets (restructured circulatory systems, specialized thermogenesis); halomorphic variants for high-salinity environments; and baromorphic configurations for high-pressure conditions. Visible adaptations range from subtle (marginally thickened skin, altered melanin distribution) to dramatic (nictitating membranes, tapetum lucidum eye structures, thermally responsive dermal layers). Despite substantial variation, all Pioneer variants incorporate standardized immune enhancement, radiation resistance, and stress response optimization, creating a unified baseline beneath diverse specializations. Pioneer engineering has sparked intense ethical debate around the boundaries of human identity, with some critics arguing that more extreme Pioneer variants represent a distinct post-human category. This controversy intensified after documented instances of Pioneer cohorts developing independent cultural practices and communication systems optimized for their modified sensory capabilities. Military and corporate interests have invested heavily in Pioneer development, recognizing the strategic advantage of personnel biologically adapted to environments that would otherwise require resource-intensive technological mediation. Conversely, as with Tharks, Pioneer modifications often create challenges for modified individuals who decide to leave environments aligned with their adaptations.",[309,392,394],{"id":393},"common-limitations-of-augmentation","Common Limitations of Augmentation",[314,396,397],{},"Exalt enhancements can offer significant advantages but they hamper mechanical augmentation. Traditional cybernetic implants necessitate immune response modification to avoid rejection but Exalt immune systems are always more difficult to modify than baseline humans since most have been previously modified already. Exalts seeking or requiring invasive cybernetics can opt to take powerful immune modifying drugs on a regular basis to compensate for this but even these can cause unexpected side effects. The net result is that most Exalts instead rely on organic replacements for lost organs and limbs.",[309,399,401],{"id":400},"integration","Integration",[314,403,404],{},"Exalts are largely integrated into baseline human societies but possess an oversized influence proportional to their small numbers. This is as much an issue of how the tech is monopolized by the wealthy and already powerful as any actual advantage granted by individual modification. Opinions regarding Exalts vary, with some persecuted by 'genetic purists' and others venerated by post-human advocates. Fortunately, most Exalts have alterations that are innocuous enough that no one even realizes they are Exalted and many have the wealth or connections necessary to ensure such details about them are kept entirely private. The recent exceptions to this are the burgeoning populations of Thark and Pioneer Exalts which are beginning to form subcultures of their own. Many humans feel threatened by these types of Exalt and their obvious divergence from humanity, but growing bias and prejudice haven't had a chance to calcify in a broader public opinion and these new types of humanity are at least partially integrated within their local communities.",[325,406,407],{},[314,408,409],{},"The Paragon Exalt moves like liquid lightning through the demonstration arena. Her enhanced physiology makes baseline human movement look like stop-motion animation in comparison. She catches a railgun round between her fingers - a trick that requires reflexes and coordination far beyond natural human limits. The corporate executives in the observation booth lean forward, checkbooks ready. This is why they buy Attar Technologies' services: the promise of human perfection, available to the highest bidder. The Exalt completes her demonstration with a backflip that briefly defies physics. She bows, perfect and inhuman, as the bidding begins.",{"title":411,"searchDepth":30,"depth":30,"links":412},"",[413,414,415,416,424,425],{"id":311,"depth":30,"text":312},{"id":319,"depth":30,"text":320},{"id":336,"depth":30,"text":337},{"id":343,"depth":30,"text":344,"children":417},[418,419,420,421,422,423],{"id":351,"depth":56,"text":352},{"id":358,"depth":56,"text":359},{"id":365,"depth":56,"text":366},{"id":372,"depth":56,"text":373},{"id":379,"depth":56,"text":380},{"id":386,"depth":56,"text":387},{"id":393,"depth":30,"text":394},{"id":400,"depth":30,"text":401},"2025-05-03T00:00:00.000Z","md","None","\u002Fimages\u002Fdefault.png","Variable",{},"setting-species",{"title":168,"description":411},"published","novos\u002Fsetting\u002Fspecies\u002Fterrans\u002Fexalt",[437,438,439],"species","biological","genemod","public","hAfchO4GxA9qZSGsRLDZd3OzbdF4J3lIRwSsmC4B2yQ",1776259765253]