Inhumans

Across time and space, humans have shared their world with non-human beings, known today as inhumans.

These people have many unique abilities and physical features that make them stand out from humans, features that unfortunately have invited discrimination and persecution upon them for thousands of years. In modern times, social justice movements have pushed hard for acceptance of inhuman peoples, and some progress has been made. Still, even in the so-called utopian Virtua City, predjudice against inhumans remains strong, and Sukajan Senshi aim to continue the fight for equality for all inhuman peoples.

Here we have listed just a few of the many groups of inhuman peoples, which most members of Sukajan Senshi are part of.



Demon / Devil / Oni

Demons are perhaps the most vilified of all inhumans, having connections to elemental magic and bold physical features that make it impossible for them to blend in with humans. Though they share the same average height and weight of humans, demons have a range of brightly coloured skin tones, and usually sport one or more spiked horns on their heads. Some may have thin, flexible tails that end with sharp spades, and those who are greatly skilled at harnessing elemental magic may even sport fleshy wings.

These unique features have been seen as directly opposing holy figures like angels in Judeo-Christian theology, and thus they are often assumed to be evil incarnate. Thousands of years of religious persecution have forced most demons to live in communities outside of human settlements, and recent pushes for integration have been strongly opposed in most countries around the world. The battle for equality for demons in Virtua City has been difficult, but proud demons like Ondori are making waves in changing perceptions of the nature of demons and their place in modern society.



Vampire / Chupacabra / Leech

Vampires are one of the few types of inhumans that begin life as humans and become vampiric through blood transfer with other vampires. After being bitten by a vampire and drinking the blood of said vampire, a transformation occurs that drains the subject of their blood and imbues them with vampiric abilities. After transformation they can no longer eat human food and must obtain nutrition from consuming blood, and lose human features like body heat, limited lifespan, and the ability to tolerate UV light.

Vampires have been feared and persecuted throughout human history, but are generally capable of blending in with human society. Aside from being nocturnal and no longer eating food, vampires retain the physical features of their former human selves, and with some lifestyle adjustments they may continue living amongst humans undetected.



Ghost / Spirit / Banshee

The term "ghost" encompasses a wide range of spirit-form inhumans, beings who exist in the human realm but do not have a physical body. They may appear as human-shaped transluscent figures, humanoids missing limbs or digits, or something entirely unrecognizable as human. While ghost is an umbrella term used for clarity, individual ghosts may have their own preferred terms to identify themselves. Ghost abilities also vary between types, but generally they can shape-shift, reduce their visual opacity to become transparent or totally invisible, and may pass through physical barriers like walls and trees. Although some ghosts were once living humans who have returned to the physical plane as spirits, some were never human at all and were born from natural sources like bodies of water or deep within mountains.

Though still greatly misunderstood and feared in human society, they have historically been revered and were important parts of many religions, offering them some protection from persecution that other inhumans face. Still, being feared may lead to discrimination, and ghosts may experience deep lonliness if they are unable to find a community that welcomes them as they are.



Lycanthrope / Werewolf / Kitsune

Lycanthropes are humanoids who can shapeshift into an animal form, usually a canid but other species are not unheard of. Lycanthropes can be born from two lycanthrope parents, or they may gain lycanthropic abilities through blood transfer with a lycanthrope in animal form. Unlike vampires, lycanthropes can pass on their abilities to a human without feeding that human their own blood; the transfer of saliva to the bloodstream through a bite is sufficient. Unlike common myths surrounding lycanthropes, they do not only shapeshift during full moons or under moonlight. When young, lycanthropes may shape shift uncontrollably, but generally with age they learn to control this ability and only transform when they choose to. While in animal form, older lycanthropes maintain the intelligence and self-awareness of their human form, though when young they may lose conciousness to a degree and revert to the instincts of their animal form.

Lycanthropes can spend their entire lives as humans without shape shifting, and so may easily integrate in human society without detection. As they age, some may lose the ability to shape shift as transformation becomes physically difficult, and some may even choose to live out their final days in animal form.



Dullahan / Gan Ceann / Cephalophore

Dullahans share all of the same physical features as humans, except that the head is naturally detached from the body. The space between the shoulders, where the neck would normally sprout, produces a transluscent mist that is attracted to the head of the individual dullahan. This mist gives the body a way to find the head if they are seperated by a great distance. At rest, the head is suspended several inches above the shoulders by the mist, creating the illusion of a floating head. Dullahans still eat food with their mouths, but nutrition is only passed to the body when connected by the mist.

Historically dullahans have lived alongside humans by hiding the seperation of their head, usually with fabric like a scarf or more ornate decor like neck rings or full head and shoulder coverings. Dullahans do not possess any particular affinity for magic, but the ability for the head and body to exist in two places at once can be helpful in some circumstances.



Dryad / Ent / Tree Nymph

Dryads are skilled shape-shifters that derive their magical energy from trees and plants. Born from within the roots of a plant, dryads are highly attuned to the language of greenery, especially their birth plant species. They can easily inhabit human society thanks to their shape-shifting skills, but must return to a plant-like state regularly to feed through their roots. Dryad plant-forms vary in size, from diminutive flowers to towering trees, though larger tree species may prefer to only partially transform while feeding so as to not cause damage to their human-sized homes. While in human form dryads are capable of various magical acts like aiding rapid plant growth, curing plant diseases, and summoning strangling vines or roots when threatened. Tree-species may also call upon their barkskin to protect them from physical damage.

In modern society dryads may find city environments challenging due to a lack of green spaces, and spending too much time away from their fellow plants can cause their health to wilt. Most city-dwelling dryads find work as gardeners, botanists, or simply manage a home garden in order to alleviate this issue.



Undine / Merfolk / Selkie

Undines are water-born people, inhabiting both fresh water and marine environments, capable of living both in and out of water. While on land they take on a fully human form, able to breathe without gills so long as they are adequately hydrated and can take regular full-body dips in clean water. However their elemental magic is only accessible while within reach of water, and most avoid land-locked cities or other settlements without a natural water source nearby. When near water they are capable of moving liquid telepathically to create many shapes and forms, and have some control over localized rain and clouds. Some may even communicate with fish and other water-dwelling life, though this is usually limited to either fresh or salt water creatures. Their aquatic forms vary widely: some remain human while taking on features like fins or gills, while others are capable of transforming their entire body to a non-human amphibious being.

Undines find city-dwelling manageable so long as they have ready access to water, via bathtubs or pools, though marine variants must have sea salt available to add to their baths. Water pollution is a major issue for undines, and many prefer to live in rural towns with access to natural clean water sources like hot springs or mountain rivers. So long as they remain hydrated, undines have little issue living among humans.



Naga / Lamia / Gorgon

Naga are humanoid people with reptilian features, most often scales, claws, venom, and slit pupils. Some are capable of shape-shifting into full reptilian forms, but most maintain an overall human appearance. Naga is an umbrella term for various reptilian beings; lamia are shape-shifters who most often take on a partial or full serpentine form, while gorgons appear human with snakes sprouting from their scalps in place of hair. All naga have transformative magic stemming from their eyes, capable of casting those who hold their eye contact into wood or stone. In modern times, these powers can be contained through specialized contact lenses or glasses that prevent accidental transformations. They are capable of conversing with many reptile species, and may prefer warm environments due to a reduced ability to generate body heat.

Naga have been historically vilified for their affinity with snakes, seen in many cultures as evil and dangerous. This connection has kept them outcast in human society, and those who choose to live among humans may take steps to hide their reptilian features. Head coverings allow gorgons to hide their snakes, while coloured contacts or dark glasses can obscure their unusual pupils. Scaley skin is harder to hide, and some may only go out in public while wearing concealing clothing. In recent years many naga have pushed for public acceptance of their unique features, and some human counter-cultures emulate naga features with scale-shaped tattoos or slit pupil contacts.

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