Overview
The term 'Baseline Humanity' refers to the 70% of the sapient population of the known verse that generally describe themselves as 'Unmodified Humans'. This is a misnomer as, with the exception of some cryogenically frozen specimens, there are no 'unmodified' humans at this point in history. Population bottlenecks caused by a litany of cataclysms and disasters have resulted in a Humanity that now descends almost exclusively from people who were either modified by the Panacea and it's epigenetic effects, had various forms of gene therapy, or those who underwent selective reproductive pressures to handle the perils and ailments of space and colonial life. At this point in history 'Baseline' is broadly understood to mean a human whose genome has only been modified to preserve their life and not to enhance base human features like physique, appearance, or intelligence. This vague language is the norm among the general population but is at odds with more precise scientific language preferred by academics and scientists.
Evolution & Adaptation
Baseline Humanity is itself not a unified group. There are three notable phenotypes of baseline humanity that have evolved out of specific gravitational environments:
Wellborn
(0.6-1.5g) Individuals born on Earth, Venus, certain extrasolar worlds, or in any of the habitat or creche stations are referred to as 'Wellborn'. The term was originally used to refer to people born 'within a gravity well', but has now taken as a value statement by many since individuals born within the 0.6 to 1.5g gravity range suffer far fewer health conditions and are able to adapt to both higher and lower gravities more easily than others. Wellborn make up the majority of Baseline humanity.
Low-G
(0-0.6g) Individuals who develop in a microgravity environment such as those found on Luna, Mars, or any of the low-gravity colonies and outposts that dot the moons of Sol are well adapted to those specific environments but suffer significant disadvantages in higher gravities. Known colloquially by various terms such as 'Low-G's, 'Logos', 'Lunars', 'Loogs', 'El-Gs', or 'Elves'. Low-G's are generally taller and more slender than Wellborn, with lower bone density, enlarged hearts, elongated limbs, and a gracile skeletal structure. The degree of these traits can vary, between relatively minor effects for Mars-born individuals to major ones for Moon-born individuals. The former can typically survive in standard gravity environments with preparation via commercially available prophylactic medical treatments, and minor augmentations. The latter however cannot survive at 1g+ for any significant length of time without major medical supports or invasive augmentations. The physical challenges experienced by Low-G's is severe enough that most factions have to tried to limit their birth via the development of a variety of advanced genetic treatments as well as the construction of Creche stations and settlements which act as long term facilities and habitats that can provide consistent near 1g conditions during critical foetal and natal development periods.
High-G
(1.5g+) Individuals who develop in gravities higher than 1.5g tend to be shorter, with dense bones, thick muscles and enhanced joint and connective tissues, and possess efficient respiratory and strong cardiovascular systems. While initially seen by some factions a potential path towards a more robust human specimen, the advantages of High-G development have yet to prove substantial enough to mitigate the extremely low birth rates, high infant mortality rates, and cardiovascular anomalies that accompany High-G development. This has not stopped some groups from building High-G creche stations hoping to produce such individuals, either in preparation for colonizing High-G worlds, or for industrial or military purposes. High-G individuals are rare and far less visible than Low-Gs but some have developed their own subcultures, referring to themselves as 'Higgs', 'Goats', or 'Dwarves'.
Common Modifications
Though the term Baseline excludes individuals with substantial genetic modifications, it does not typically exclude modification in the form of direct mechanical or biological augmentations. The variety of augmentations is expanded on more in the Technology section and range from relatively simple and minor luxuries like 'Lenses' (digital contacts) to specialized limb or organ prostheses, to extensive somatic conversions that replace entire anatomical regions or systems. The primary distinction held between Humans and Exalts is heritability; Exalts are modified at the germline so that any offspring are also Exalts, while the modifications of Augmented humans die with them.