Gaslighter

This race of humanoids originated after a terrible experiment with non-magical energy went wrong in the Trough of Tarnport. After the explosion and subsequent destruction of a relatively large portion of the Trough and some of the Bellows directly above where the experiment took place, the people who occupied the surrounding area fell incredibly ill with a sort of energy poisoning. Some died, some got better quickly, some are still ill to this day, but the survivors and their children were changed forever more. Now, when exposed to open flames or in an emotionally heightened state, the altered humans catch flame and become gaseous in nature. The exact nature of the change is unknown, but the body of a Gaslighter appears to be formed of incredibly dense gases that allow for interaction with objects but lessen serious wounds to the subject.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Gaslighters have a strange biology. When they are in their gaseous form, they are able to sustain mortal wounds and shrug them off as minor inconveniences. A gaslighter is able to regenerate lost limbs, survive

Novakid by John Su

major organ damage, and even survive in hostile atmosphere as long as they maintain their gaseous form. While this is a major boon in most regards, many gaslighters feel uncomfortable in this form and there is a long-held belief that it actually shortens a gaslighter's lifespan while they hold this form. When they are not in their gaseous form, however, a gaslighter is utterly indistinguishable from the average Tarnporter.

Genetics and Reproduction

Gaslighter's children are always gaslighters, whether they reproduce with another gaslighter or they reproduce with a generic human.

Growth Rate & Stages

The fire of a gaslighter gets more intense as they age. This is somewhat of a trend among younger gaslighters who are just recently coming to an older-adolescence. The late teen to mid-twenties gaslighter flame is bright enough to burn illuminate an area, but not so intense that it washes out all details of the subject's appearance.

Anne Bonnie (Ghost Rider) by Darevous

The younger gaslighters have come to call themselves "skullfaces," as the lower-intensity of their flame leaves some semblance of their skeletal design, despite it being entirely gaseous. Some gaslighter gangs have even come to use this as an intimidation method.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Gaslighters are exclusively found in Tarnport. The secluded nature of the city-state and the race's relative newness make it impossible for them to be found elsewhere.

Civilization and Culture

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Gaslighters tend to keep their identities to themselves, as the state has deemed them potentially dangerous and outlawed them from "lighting" within the city. But, due to the involuntary nature of the lighting process on most occasions, the gaslighters need to conceal their nature in order to prevent major infractions. Many have resigned themselves to the Trough, while even more steer clear of the mostly aflame Bellows.