Lunar Flyer
Biomorph [Genotype, Ideal Parahuman]
This is one of the most ambitious genotypes ever designed, and is one that still stands as an impressive genotype even today. It first appeared on Earth's moon, Luna, in the late Interplanetary Age, but initially only as an android. However, once the problems with the genotype were worked out, the engineers quickly adapted the genotype for humans, and soon, a whole clade of winged humans were flying their way around the Moon's deep caverns. From there, the genotype spread, first to the Belt, then to the outer system's moons, and finally, to the stars, where they found a number of different homes on normal gravity habitats with low-grav or no-grav annexes or on low gravity worlds.
The Lunar Flyer is a conventional Exalt with a major addition: there are two large, feathered wings that emerge from the lower back of the genotype, and it features the modified muscles, circulatory system, nervous system, and skeletal system, as well as the augmented respiratory system, required to make such wings possible. This require a huge overhaul of the basic human genome down to the HOX genes, since it involved taking a tetrapod and turning it into a hexapod, which is a very difficult operation. As a result of this, they are lighter and frailer than a conventional Exalt is, by necessity. The alterations to the metabolism mean they eat more food than average in order to stay fit, since flying burns a great deal of calories. But in exchange, they gain the ability to fly in gravities lower than 0.2G, which is a surprisingly large number of bodies in the universe. Their wingspan is roughly 9' long, which isn't large enough to fly under normal gravity conditions (given they average around 5' 5" inches tall) but is enough to fly in low gravity. Engineers also upgraded the appearance of the Flyer, making them startlingly attractive as well. And despite losing the conventional durability of the Exalt, they keep all of the other features.
The Lunar Flyer is a conventional Exalt with a major addition: there are two large, feathered wings that emerge from the lower back of the genotype, and it features the modified muscles, circulatory system, nervous system, and skeletal system, as well as the augmented respiratory system, required to make such wings possible. This require a huge overhaul of the basic human genome down to the HOX genes, since it involved taking a tetrapod and turning it into a hexapod, which is a very difficult operation. As a result of this, they are lighter and frailer than a conventional Exalt is, by necessity. The alterations to the metabolism mean they eat more food than average in order to stay fit, since flying burns a great deal of calories. But in exchange, they gain the ability to fly in gravities lower than 0.2G, which is a surprisingly large number of bodies in the universe. Their wingspan is roughly 9' long, which isn't large enough to fly under normal gravity conditions (given they average around 5' 5" inches tall) but is enough to fly in low gravity. Engineers also upgraded the appearance of the Flyer, making them startlingly attractive as well. And despite losing the conventional durability of the Exalt, they keep all of the other features.
Interesting Facts
- The first generation of flyers suffered from a number of problems related to the back, and these problems still crop up in later generations: issues like Bad Back [-15 to -25], Chronic Pain [varies], and Klutz [-5 to -15] are all very common regardless of the generation - especially the last one, which represents poor proprioception with regards to their wings. Furthermore, they can only be born in artificial wombs or via C-section, since vaginal delivery of a child with wings would be far too traumatic and probably impossible.
- Their wingspan of 9' is not large enough to allow them to fly under normal gravity conditions even if they could make the muscle mass for it; in order to fly under normal gravity, they would need a wingspan of 15' or more and radical alterations to the chest and torso muscles as well as the circulatory system. Despite this, it's still common to see them on habitats with normal gravity, where they are often prized for their good looks. This is especially true on worlds like Bluefall.
- These genotypes have a very different lifestyle from normal genotypes that don't feature wings; the largest being that they sleep differently, since they can't sleep on their backs. They also need to mind their wings when they wash, and getting their wings isn't always the best option because of oils in the feathers. Designs without feathers do not exist, since the genotype needs rectrices, or flight feathers, in order to fly.
Lunar Flyer 58 points
Attribute Modifiers
Advantages Perks Disadvantages Quirks Features |
ST -1 [-10]; DX +1 [20]; IQ +1 [20]; HT +1 [10]
Appearance (Very Handsome/Beautiful, humans only, -20%) [10]; Flight (Requires Low Gravity, 0.2G, -40%; Winged, -25%) [14]; Resistant to Disease (+8) [5]. Sanitized Metabolism [1]. Distinctive Features [-1]; Increased Consumption 1 [-10]. Thin Frame [-1]. Extended Lifespan; Longevity; Reproductive control, Taboo Traits (Genetic Defects, Mental Instability). |