Strigois

Strigois are a large group of psions distinct from espers. They possess Totems—a spiritual connection to a specific animal or creature, and require the consumption of blood to either power their abilities or to survive.

There are three types of strigois:

Abstract Embodiment Strigois possess Psinecraft abilities that embody the concept or an aspect of their totemic creature.

Rather than physically becoming their totemic creature, their abilities manifest characteristics, concepts, or powers associated with it.

Examples include Sarasvati, whose ability embodies the Leviathan, and Medira, whose ability embodies the Gorgons.

These strigois rely on blood to power their abilities, but they do not require blood to survive.

Creature Embodiment Strigois are regarded as "beast-person" and "mutant" type of strigois, even by other strigois. Their physical bodies take on traits associated with their totemic creature.

These traits can manifest in a variety of ways, including:

Wings that allow them to fly
Creature-like ears with heightened senses
Other physical characteristics associated with their totem

Creature Embodiment Strigois do not possess traditional psinecraft abilities. However, their physical abilities fall under the Manipulation or Modification classes due to the way their psine interacts with, and alter their bodies.

Some are capable of transforming completely into their totemic creature.

Unlike Abstract Embodiment Strigois, Creature Embodiment Strigois require human blood to survive.

Example: Jagya the Black Hawk.

Hybrid Strigois combine traits from both Abstract Embodiment and Creature Embodiment. In their normal form, they can use their psinecraft abilities but cannot utilize their creature-like physical traits.

In their creature form, they can utilize their physical traits but cannot use Psinecraft.

Unlike Creature Embodiment Strigois, Hybrids do not require human blood to survive. They can go for months without consuming blood and can survive without human blood entirely.

However, consuming human blood provides significant physical benefits. It increases cellular regeneration and boosts physical strength.

Therefore, while human blood is not necessary for a Hybrid's survival, consuming it can significantly enhance their physical capabilities and recovery.

Example: Dreyk Ignis.

Strigoi Types at a Glance

Type	Primary Manifestation	Blood Requirement
Abstract Embodiment	Psinecraft embodying the concept or aspects of the totemic creature.	Required for abilities, but not survival.
Creature Embodiment	Physical traits and transformations based on the totemic creature.	Human blood required for survival.
Hybrid	Combination of Abstract and Creature Embodiment traits, divided between forms.	Not required for survival. Human blood increases cellular regeneration and physical strength.

Genetic Subgroups of Kepler

While normal psions can belong to families or clans that share the same or similar abilities, their descendants may develop vastly different manifestations of their Strigoi totemic link.

Genetic Subgroups are fundamentally different. They possess inherited physical traits and Psinecraft abilities that remain consistent throughout their descendants.

Gigas are Espers with a genetic mutation causing extreme physical growth.

Individuals can grow up to 15 feet tall.

Unlike other Strigoi whose totems can produce vastly different abilities, all Degorgos possess one of two abilities:

Degorgo's Dictum — Moderator Class
Petrification — Modifier Class

The Basilican Tribe is a highly intelligent minor Strigoi subgroup originating from Evelyn. The derogatory term "Lizardmen" is sometimes used to describe them.

All Basilicans possess traits associated with their Basilisk Totem:

Scalelike skin
Green pigmentation
Vertical pupils

The Basilican Conspiracy

Conspiracy theorists believe Basilicans secretly control or are above the World Council due to their disproportionate appearance in positions of power and wealth compared to their population.

The conspiracy gained significant traction after the following events occurred within five years during the final term of Evelyn's Basilican Prime Minister, Ssymon Scephas:

█████████
The Degorgo Eugenics Program
The Calamity of Curia

The Hollowborn are a highly distinct sub-group native to Kepler's underground. Their exact evolutionary lineage is fiercely debated by anthropologists, but centuries of adaptation to lightless, high-gravity cavern systems saturated with ██████████ have fundamentally altered their biology.

Evolution

Growth became stunted to approximately 4–4.5 feet.
Bone and muscle density evolved to rival steel.
They adapted to immense atmospheric pressure.

Life in the Labyrinths

The Hollowborn form an isolated under-society of Kepler living in the upper crust of the Labyrinths.

They possess zero Psine capacity and cannot use Psinecraft naturally. Instead, they rely heavily on Psine-powered technology, mining equipment, and artificial Psinecraft systems.

They must constantly defend themselves against the dangerous fauna inhabiting the Labyrinths.

Importance

The Hollowborn are premier miners, extracting ████████ for ████████ ████████ and creating weapons.

Some assist or join adventurers, but their inability to use Psinecraft means they depend heavily on Psinecraft tools and artificials.

The Sylvan are a localized cult-like Esper subgroup in Evelyn that many believe attempted to achieve immortality by symbiotically grafting their nervous systems to mythic flora, specifically Lignum Vitae trees.

Adaptation

Elongated limbs
Pointed ears
Chlorophyll-like Psine conductors within their veins
Constant cellular regeneration
Alleged functional immortality

It is believed that they do not age normally because their bodies continuously regenerate through their connection with the Lignum Vitae.

Forest Connection

Their nervous systems are believed to be connected to the forests they inhabit because when a psion touches a tree within their territory, they are immediately alerted.

Threat

The Sylvan are terrifying eco-fanatics who view industrialization as a cancer consuming the natural world. Industrial powers such as Delsur are considered especially dangerous.

Pelagic Strigois are Creature Embodiment and Hybrid Strigois whose totems are based on marine apex predators.

Megalodons
Anglerfish
Moray Eels
Sirenia

Adaptation

Many were pushed from surface society into primordial oceans or flooded, pitch-black lower Labyrinth sectors.

Gills
Webbed extremities
Bioluminescence

Threat

Pelagic Strigois are notorious deep-water assassins. They can smell a single drop of human blood in the ocean from miles away.

The classic Siren Song is a localized fetter used by Hybrid variants. It creates an auditory illusion that compels sailors to steer toward jagged reefs. Once the vessel is destroyed, the Strigoi swarm feeds on the wreckage.

Ordinary Esper and Strigoi

While normal esper families may have the same abilities or variables, they do not possess the physical mutation or totemic links of a strigoi. Normal espers are physically indistinguishable from normans.

Normal strigoi families and clans, on the other hand, can share the same or similar totems while producing vastly different abilities and manifestations among their descendants.