Crystallings

A race of humans implanted with a certain type of symbiotic crystal sometimes encountered deep in Labirynth. When it is introduced to an adult person of any race, the effects are madness and mutation. However, when a child (the earlier it is done the bigger the chance of succesfull implantation) is implanted with it, it grows in a more... coordinated and controlled way. It replaces many parts of the body (for example - nails, hair, even bones on a late stage) while releasing a number of almost alien chemical compounds and hormones, slightly altering its growing phase.
The effect is an almost genetic subspecie of humanity, with most of the changes possible to be inherited by a descendant of an imprinted person. Curiously, the implanted crystals tend to 'warp' young elfs or drakons and their descendants into a baseline, human-like form, even making it possible for them to procreate with other humans. More different species (like lamias or high dragons are resistant to crystals and impossible to be implanted with it.
Crystallings are thus considered a genetic subspecie of humanity. One almost unique to Labirynth, since they require immobile crystals to be 'truly' born - children of two crystallings won't be a crystalling but a 'simple' human with some unique quirks, unless implanted with crystal. Most of them live in civilization older than Imperium of Karadia or even Xylian Dominion.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Generally humanoid. The crystal it is implanted with overtime replaces various parts of the body. Hair and nails (as the ones that are naturally 'replaced' fastest) change into crystalline-like (with various colours of the crystals, each of them generally considered an internal subspecie on its own.

Biological Traits

There are five basic variants of crystallings. With their crystalling names mostly impossible to be pronounced by non-altered vocal cords, Imperium categorizes them with five letters of hellanan alphabet.
Omegas are baseline type of crystallings, that made up about 80% of the specie. They are practically a simple human with crystal strands instead of hair, and crystal nails (also bones, when old enough). Not really that much different than normal humans.
Deltas are the type of magicians that crystallings accept among members of their species. They are not different in looks than gammas, with the exception being the slight shining of their crystals. Which can be used to power spells.
Gammas are workers suitable for heavy duties and members of heavy infantry. After implanting the crystals they start growing. And keep growing until at least reaching 2,5 meters of height. Their bones crystalize in an accelerated speed, while simultaneously become stronger and slightly wider. The hormone cocktail the crystals unleash into gamma's blood accelerate muscle mass growth and improve the way its organs work, to make them not live shorter than smaller crystallings (due to, for example, a greater size meaning greater strain on heart).
Betas are exact opposites of Gammas. Small (up to 1,5 meters) but very light combatants, biologically 'optimized' to work as assasins, spies and fast attack soldiers. Their bones, joints etc. are 'replaced' by a variant of crystal that is quite resilient while extremely light. They mostly weight about 20-30 kilograms, while having a skeleton similarly resistant to normal humans. They also have an improved reflex and muscle system (especially in legs, to increase their mobility).
Alphas are a biologically defined aristocracy. Resilient skeleton, improved muscles, generally human stature but with more shining crystals (which also means they can be magicians). Besides being an aristocracy they are also used to form elite units on the battlefield and make up higher echelons of magician organizations.

Created by: ???.
IC: Occurence: Widespread
IC: Danger: Not Threatened

Lifespan

80 years.