Veierka

"They are called 'Veierka' because the first people who had the misfortune of becoming them were considered witches, and rightly so. But I can't help but feel that a better name for them would be 'slave'." -Scholar Aasalia

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Veierka are very similar to humans but have an altered outward appearance. Their skin acquires a green tint and, if developed long enough, becomes bark-like. The integration between Priwoen and the abhuman takes place through a tendril connecting through the base of the neck where the megacreature uses tendrils to encase and overtake the nerves of the abhuman. Over time, the abhuman become more plant-like and dependent upon Priwoen for survival and begins to lose control of itself. If the connection is severed early enough, typically within a period of less than a few months, the body retains the plant-like qualities and some dependencies but regains control of itself and development slows down to a near halt, although not completely.

Genetics and Reproduction

Veierka are able to conceive human children if their infection has not progressed too far.

Growth Rate & Stages

The infection of Veierka progresses through 5 stages, with stage 5 being the complete loss of humanity. Stage 1 is regarded as a disease or affliction which can be cured through expensive medical means, while the middling stages are considered being abhuman. Progressing from one stage to another takes 2-3 weeks while connected to Priroen and ranges from months to years while disconnected.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Veierka have reduced dietary needs and have a hunger for air, water, and sugary foods.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Veierka all exhibit an increased sensitivity towards the aether and have at least a minor ability to perform aether manipulation. Those who were psionically powerful before being infected have a vastly increased ability to perform aether manipulation and compete with some of the more powerful uninfected human psions in the Empire of Man.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Priwoen

Civilization and Culture

Average Technological Level

While the abhumans are physically able to utilize modern technology, they have an aversion to doing so. Somewhere around stage 3 or 4 of development, the idea becomes repulsive. If the Veierka are attached to Priwoen, they will not use or recognize technology at all.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Communication amont Veierka seems to be mostly done using psionic powers to communicate raw ideas rather than through any actual language

History

These abhumans first made an appearance in some of the neighboring systems to Priwoen. Those who were first infected believed the Veierka to be magical due to their aether manipulation and named them after their word for witches, "Veierka".

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Priwoen

Lifespan

Veierka live indefinitely while connected to Priwoen (as far as has been observed), but after being disconnected, they live normal life-spans. If the infected individual has progressed to Stage 5, then it is only a matter of hours before death.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Green or bark-like skin