Etikizons
Frankenstein Zombies
General
"Personally, I pronounce it as "Eh-ticki-sons."
Etikizons is an artificial Nelathi Species whose creation was designed and overseen by a Well-Arrived Individual known as Marion Franessto.
While feared and shunned by most societies, they are also pitied and victimized. Some do see their worth and true potential, although it might not always be in their best interest; some consider them invaluable subjects of study and a treasure-trove of alchemical components. Others see them as valuable servants or weapons; fates that are preferable to the alternative and less frowned upon within etikizon society.
Etikizon Hunters
A few individuals actively hunt down etikizons in an attempt to exterminate their numbers. This is not always done with malice and there may even be an understandable reason behind this quest of theirs.
These etikizon hunters rarely come out on top, however, and few live to see their twilight years. Most who do have most likely done a career change of some kind, often as a mercenary or bodyguard. It is also rumored that one or two have become the very thing they once hunted but there is no concrete evidence of this.
Geographic Distribution
"You are not something one see every day, at least in these parts. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, miss.
Etikizons are most common within the confines of Varldstan Cericor and Nekaset. One may also stumble upon one of their numbers while walking through the streets of Varldstan Niarem or wandering across Reminiscence. While within the bounds of a settlement, they will usually keep to themselves or among those they trust.
They also have access to a few safe houses, and a significant number of these are old laboratories erected by Marion Franessto. Some of them are only known to etikizon and emulator society. The most publicly well-known safe house is known among them as simply The Mansion; the home residence of Marion Franessto.
A handful of societies and locations also offer them a safe haven from those who would wish harm upon them. These are treasured greatly and services are offered in return as compensation.
Etikizon Off-Branches
Emulator Created
While Marion Franessto is considered to be the original creator of the etikizons, emulators that have attempted to replicate his work have sprung up over the years. A rare few have had a moderate amount of success and most of these worked with Marion Franessto personally as assistants. None of them have managed to awaken specimens as pristine as those who are part of the Franessto Family Line, however.
There are believed to be several reasons for this, the primary ones being that none of the emulators have been Well-Arrived Individuals nor capable of naturally manipulating the Strings of Sereoth. Another major reason is insufficient knowledge concerning the entirety of the creation process. A substantial amount of his cataloged journals have been either damaged beyond repair, confiscated by law enforcement or bought by private collectors. The rest have been scattered with the winds. And then there is the fact that the journals were written in a cipher that takes an egregious amount of time to properly decipher, even with the proper keys.
Yet despite all the hurdles, many emulators ravel in the seemingly impossible challenge that they stand before. Some jump in head-first, while others are more careful in their approach. The former ones are rarely inconspicuous and thus see either imprisonment or death more often, while the latter manages to hide long enough to produce notable specimens.
A majority of these specimens are feral and in a barely functional state. But a rare few become moderate successes. These are not as durable or as long-lived as the Franessto Line and are barely capable of manipulating the Strings of Sereoth. Emulator etikizons are shunned more than their cousins, who look down upon and pity them. In general, they are not what comes to mind when one speak about etikizon simply due to not being considered special enough.
Etikizon Created.
Those capable of creating etikizons that are reminiscent of the original Franessto Line in regards to mental coherency, durability and capabilities are Marion Franessto’s own creations. The reasons for this is primarily two-fold: A select few have perfect mental recollections of the creation process, including both journals and commentary; these were treated as apprentices of Marion. And every etikizon is capable of manipulating the Strings of Sereoth.
Etikizon & Family Lines
When discussions about etikizons occur, terms that concerns family or groups are often brought up interchangeably. Terms such as Family Lines, Lineage, or Clans. This might at first appear strange since every specimen is created sterile. The truth of the matter is that these are social constructs that were brought up after the first appearances of emulator specimens. In order to better differentiate them from those created by Marion Franessto, people began grouping together etikizons based on whoever created them. And each time a new specimen is found, they are given their own Family Line, regardless if their maker is alive or not. Thus the Lineages of Pavan, Dhesan and Jeord came to be for the emulator etikizons. And from the etikizon creators sprouted the Sanovo and Therio Lineages, although they are rarely outside official documentation or announcements. Instead, they are more often than not grouped together with the greater Franessto Family Line.
Currently, the greater Franessto Family Line has the largest amount of members; that being thirty-one as of the writing of this text. The other lineages have a collective number count of merely twelve.
Artifically created
"We are not born, Tonarus, but created. I thought that would be kinda obvious. I mean, look at me. Do I look even remotely natural to you?
The exact process used to create a etikizon is buried within the countless journals written personally by Marion Franessto. It has been described as egregious and stressful by his assistants, and involve several components, some of which are notable enough to deserve a mention:
Human body parts & organs
"I am not sure why he only picked humans. I would honestly think that mésvéstellian vampires would be a better choice, considering your supposed origin as a species of magically altered humans. No, I am not gonna ask Endrise about it, because every time I speak to him, he somehow manages to sell me useless trinkets! What need do I even have for an old geiger counter?
Arguebly the most infamous component concerns the human body, whose body parts and organs are surgically removed from still-living subjects. For a single, newly created etikizon, a seemingly random selection of body parts and organs from at least three humans are used. Due to them having the option of body modification, the count in general goes up to roughly eight.
The Prime Body of Etikizons
Etikizons have what is known as a Prime Body, and picking the correct one determines solely whether the creation process will result in failure or success. It is the template whose measurements the body parts of the etikizons need to conform to for both a seamless appearance and optimal functionality. It is also the origin of the body parts and organs that plays a critical role in their creation and continued existence; those being the heart, head and brain.
Without these three, the psychology of the etikizon will be too unbalanced and ferality and madness is likely to follow as a consequence of it.
Modified Vhaigur-Tech
Vhaigur-Tech that have been modified by Marion Franessto is utilized heavily in the creation process. Most are incredibly dangerous to be near while active due to the irregular off-charge of electricty. It appears that the electricity in question, produced by alchemically tampered volatile Vhaigur Crystals, is an absolute necessity in the reanimation process.
Some of his confiscated technology's inner workings also elude understanding by tech-specialists, and is believed to be partially affected by the reality-warping effects of the Strings of Sereoth. A handful machines also appear to only function when submerged in various alchemical concoctions.
Franessto Alchemy
Alchemical concoctions created by Maroin Franessto play a crucial part in the creation process. Some are utilized to conserve whole human bodies, individual body parts or organs. Others are for modifications or altercation purposes. A majority are highly lethal for most species to ingest, and even the fumes from some can cause irreperable damage to exposed flesh and internal organs. The ingredients for this putrid alchemy appears to involve everything from emeralds and frog eyes, to the ink-blood of Bosakere and crystal-hairs from Anishans.
The Strings of Sereoth
Besides being a Well-Arrived Individual, Marion Franessto was also capable of manipulating the Strings of Sereoth. It is said he was proficent in the its Advanced Forms, allowing him to transmutate matter and create spatial portals. While he primarily used the Strings in noncombatative ways, such as for sticthing together various body parts into one whole, he was still an acceptable String Combatant.
Appearance
Patchwork look
Etikizons consists out of human body parts that have been stitched or fused together, giving them a patchwork appearance. This look is enhanced by the varied skin tones, which alternate between various shades of grey and purples. Excluding the head, each body part has been altered to adhere to the measurments of the prime body, which all in all gives them a seamless appearance.
Peculiar eyes
"I do wonder sometimes, if the eyes that I use to see are my own. From my prime body I mean, like my head and heart. People always talk about how the eyes are the window to the soul, and for most that is the truth in a certain regard, I guess. But ... does that remain the truth for those like us? Is that something I even want to know the answer to, or is it best to remain ignorant about it?
Their eyes, altered heavily using alchemy and magic, are particularly interesting. Each etikizon has one crimson-shaded right eye with a diamond-shaped pupil and an amber-colored left eye with an "X" as the pupil.
No specimen has been noted to deviate from this, except feral or failed creations incapable of revival. Removing an eye from a living specimen has no adverse effects aside from the loss of sight. The loss of sight can be restored if they receive an eye similar to the one they lost. Cybernetic enhancement utilizing Vhaigur Tech has also proven to be an acceptable alternative.
Candy-cane patterned hair
Etikizons may also stand out due to their hair. Surprisingly, all specimens have lush hair that grows at an accelerated rate, and thus needs to be trimmed regularly. Their hair has been described to be soft as silk that does not quite feel natural in a way that is difficult to put into words.
Their hair has a candy-cane pattern that is either in two or three shades, with red and grey being the most common. White, black and blue is also a moderately common sight. Green, purple and blonde shades are rare.
Etikizon Anatomy
Heart & Pulse
The heart of an etikizon is semi-organic in nature, and has been enhanced and altered by both alchemy and the Strings of Sereoth. Both external and internal portions of the heart has received a crystalline coating that is not too dissimilar to the molecular structure of sugar. The hearts are crimson-shaded with a faint transparency and hardness similar to rubies.
Etikizons have a very slow pulse l, with a resting heart rate between 20 and 30 beats per minute. The highest recorded is about 50 beats per minute.
Low body temperature
Etikizons body temperature is a few degrees below their surroundings. For example, if the room temperature is 18 degrees celsius, then the etikizon will have a body temperature of about 15 degrees celsius.
Lungs & Breathing
The lungs of etikizons have recived similar treatment as the heart; they has been bathed in alchemical concoctions and has recived both external and interal crystalline coating by the Strings of Sereoth. To the surprise of many, using these lungs is a choice for them, not a necessity.
Breathing is not something etikizons do instinctivly. Instead, they need to make a conscious effort to start the breathing process, which will be ongoing for several hours. Afterwards, they will need to restart the process again.
The choice of taking a breath
They do not need to breath to survive, and it is theorized that they can go on indefinetly without taking a single breath. Most do so at least occasionally, however, especially while within the bounds of a settlement in order to put the living at ease. Others simply feign the breathing motions in those instances and makes a conscious effort not to breath in order to seperate themselves further from the living, and only breathes when something necessitates it.
Positives of breathing
There exist positives for etikizons to breath. It brings them additional energy, and most claim it calms their nerves in stressful situations. They also recive faster reaction time and some slight additional strength. Further more, it makes it far easier for them to speak with a clear voice, as well as being able to whistle.
Electrocharged brain
The brain of an etikizon has been enhanced and altered by alchemy, cybernetic enhancement and the Strings of Sereoth. It weighs about 1,8 kilograms and is discolored with black and grey shades. Every tenth heartbeat, a notable blue electrical current jumps between needle-like metallic rods that have been surgically inserted; seven on the left side and nine on the right side. The frontal lobe is coated in a thin sheet of transparent red crystal, similar to the heart and lungs.
Sweet black blood
The blood of Etikizon is a combination of both organic and synthetic materials which have been altered and brought forth by both alchemy and the transmutational capabilities of the Strings of Sereoth. It is shaded dark crimson and has a subtle sugar sweetness to its metallic smell and taste. It is also quite poisonous to humans; a handful of drops is rumored to be enough to kill a full-grown ox. Officially, this substance is known as Etikizon Ichor.
Tanned leather muscles
Etikizons are stronger than one might first suspect, and it is primarily thanks to their enhanced muscles. According to the notes of Marion Frankenstein, this was an unexpected but not unwelcome side-effect brought forth during the creation process. Their muscle fibers have a greyish-yellow shade to them and are visually akin to thread-thin tanned leather straps that are intricately woven together. Strong and as flexible as spider-silk, an audibly noticeable creaking sound comes from them when their muscles flex in movement, as though one had clenched a glowed fist.
Digestive System
"You know the worst thing with having as high a metabolism as we do? Alchocol tolorance! No matter how much I drink, I cannot get drunk! I want to get black out drunk...
One organ-system of the etikizons that have been altered and enhanced to a surprising degree is their digestive system. They have an incredibly durable stomach that is acidic enough to dissolve solid calcium bone. Their nutrient intake and metabolism is also substantial and will ensure that nothing that has been consumed goes to waste. It is suspected to exist an esoterical element to this aspect as well, though exactly how it functions is thus far unknown, hidden by the more natural processes.
Created sterile
"I am literally undead! I cannot have children! Why then am I capable of feeling aroused? I mean, I guess it has its uses in certain situations but those are few and far between, let me tell you!
Etikizons are biologically incapable of sexual reproduction and are reanimated sterile. While this might not come as a surprise for the fellow reader considering their undead nature, according to what Marion Frankenstein wrote in his journals, it was a great hurdle he attempted to overcome using both magical, technological and alchemical means.
His greatest suspicion was that it had something to do with the alchemical concoction that was used in the conservation process of the human body parts. In the end, it was a futile endeavor where the only big success was giving the etikizons the ability to get sexually aroused and experience the related physical and mental effects and reactions.
Detatchable head
"I sometimes have a tendency to lose my head, so to say... But I always attach it after a while!
An experienced etikizon is capable of detaching their head from their body while still exercising control over their limbs. It needs to be done in a specific way in order for them to still remain alive afterward, and the Strings of Sereoth are essential for the procedure.
If done poorly, their body will become unresponsive and go limp like a corpse, and at worst it will truly kill them. Attaching the head is said to be a moderately easier procedure, and requires more stitching than anything else.
While their head is detached, they can still speak and utilize their vocal cords, although it is said to be tiring in the long run.
Body and head can remain separate for approximately 34 hours at best, although this window of time will decline if the distance between the two increases. Roughly one minute for every hundred meters.
Body modifications & altercations
"One good thing about being able to change body parts, is that I can finally have the chest size I feel comfortable with!
Etikizons are capable of modifying and altering their bodies to better suit their needs and tastes. Some have likened their body parts to various types of clothing. They cannot utilize any ordinary body parts but instead need to use parts that have been alchemically and magically altered and modified to suit them. Most etikizons apply these changes to themselves without assistance, although they will scarcely reject help. The creation of these parts is a process that requires patience, dexterity and the Strings of Sereoth.
Something that more experienced etikizons may do is attach additional arms to themselves, although these arms need to be of a specific sort to function properly. It is also said they need to have additional changes to their spine and shoulder bones, something that requires assistance from a second party to be properly applied.
All in all, these modifications and altercations are either done for practical purposes or as fashion statements. Some regularly perform changes, while others resist and still wear the body parts they were first given. Others are forced to perform changes due to damages or theft.
Construct Immortality
"How old I am? Roughly 330 years I would say.
Etikizons have no concrete life-span, but they are nonetheless long-lived entities. They have something that is known as Construct Immortality. It is akin to the abstruse life-span of a well-constructed and a well-maintained machine. The oldest of the etikizons are over three hundred years old and it is expected of them to survive to at least a thousand, if not more.
Enhanced durability
Etikizons are a lot more durable than one might first expect. Especially compared to ordinary humans. This is thanks to their body parts having been altered and enhanced during the creation process. They are capable of brushing off most physical impacts that would leave humans with severe bruises and broken bones. They have also showcased to keep going even while riddled with bullets or scorched by fire.
The only way to actually kill a etikizon is to destroy the brain completely, and even then the body might still fight one for several minutes afterwards.
Healing Factor
Etikizons have accelerated healing but only to a fault. They can heal bruises, lacerations and bullet-wounds if the damage is merely moderate. And the regenerative process usually takes several hours if not more.
Greater wounds need medical assistance to properly heal, although they might consider simply getting a new body part instead.
Etikizon Psychology
"Let me explain it to you this way. You see the coffee in this mug? Completly black with no milk or sugar, alright. That is my Prime Personality. That which is derived of the human I once was. Now, the sugar and milk represents the traits from those whose body parts did not belong to my original body. You take some of that and mix it with the coffee and ... taadaa! You got the psychology of Savanna Manir! Coffee mixed with three parts sugar and one part milk.
The psychology of the etikizons share similarities with their physicality in the sense that it is largely a patchwork of faint memories, instinctual knowledge and behavioural patterns from the individual body parts used in the creation process. It is all balanced by one core aspect of their psychology that stands at the forefront and is derived from their Prime Body. A so-called Prime Personality that is largely what makes them who they are as a person.
Etikizon Capabilities
Strings of Sereoth
Etikizons, similarly to their creator, have access to the Arcane Artform known as Strings of Sereoth. Most are experienced in the Common Forms of the Strings and primarily utilize them to modify and make changes to their own body. Offensive and defensive usage is more uncommon, but not unheard of, espeically among those who do mercenary work and adventuring.
How exactly the etikizons became able to weild the Strings is a debated topic. Some believe that Marion Frankenstein bestowed the ablity upon his creation personally. Others say that the Prime Bodies were naturally capapble of the feat, and thus it was the reason why they were picked.
330 years at least.
Nekaset.
Varldstan Niarem.
Reminiscence.
Good work. :)