Novus

When they made us, they made us a bit better than the average man. A bit stronger, a bit faster. A bit more intelligent. Not all of us got the same advantages though, and no one got all the enhancements. Just in case we would become a threat you see? Couldn't make us so strong that they would become obsolete, so inferior to us that we could get rid of them. That was their worst fear.

They made us to be used. They engineered us in multiple ways to ensure they could get what they wanted from us. Too bad that they made us good enough to rise against them. Should have made us a bit weaker, a bit more stupid. Everything that happened was their own fault.

-Beacon, Commander of the REsubjects

Novus is the name that people call the research subjects created in labs. Most have enhanced agility, intelligence, strength or some other attribute that the scientists experimented on.
The term Novus comes from the classification that the scientists came up to refer their experiments, Homo Sapiens Novus. Novus means new in one of the old dead languages. The scientist thought it was funny.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Novus differ based on where they were made, as different scientists prioritized different things in creating the Novus. Most of the Novus tend to be more muscular, taller, and have better eyesight and hearing when compared to humans. For example, the REsubjects were created to be smaller than other Novus, but more agile. Their colouring tends to be a bit duller than other Novus, creating greyish skin tones, and their hair colour ranges from light brown to black.
On the other hand, Trial Troopers tend to be more stocky than other Novus. Their colouring is usually fair, light skin tones and blonde hair. They often have blue eyes, a difference to other Novus.
Blackguards are a subgroup of Novus that are all rather tall and muscular. They were created to protect Blackpoint and the scientists working there.

Genetics and Reproduction

The Novus have been genetically enhanced before birth, modified, mutated, tested. The scientists altered their genome to suit their needs.
The Novus can reproduce with other Novus as well as with normal humans. Their offspring inherits genes from both parents.

Growth Rate & Stages

The Novus, thanks to their longer lifespan, tend to take a bit longer to mature. Their childhood lasts longer than in humans, as they are roughly one year behind in development.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Novus care very much about their families, blood or not. They form family units and have tight bonds with them.. They are very protective over children, with "it takes a village" point of view.

Average Intelligence

Most are as smart as humans, some smarter and some even achieving genius-level intelligence.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Almost all of the Novus have better, sharper senses than humans. The scientists made different Novus have different skillsets and the abilities that best suited their tasks. Therefore one Novus might have vastly better eyesight than other Novus and have a worse sense of hearing.
The scientists didn't want to create an ultimate, perfect being as they were scared that they wouldn't be able to control them.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

REsubs were not originally given names, but as research subjects, they had serial numbers. Many mothers, however, gave their children names in secret, normal everyday names.
Some named themselves or had other Novus or their close ones name them. Their names often were simply words that had a meaning for them, for example, the REsub Commander, who is named Beacon.
Most of the Novus have no last names, no family names. Most do not know, nor care who their biological parents were, so they took upon calling themselves "of the Novus". Some who know their Novus families may call themselves as the son/daughter/nephew/niece of the Novus they are related to.

Major Organizations

Undercity

Beauty Ideals

Novus don't really have beauty ideals. They had limited contact with outsiders and grew up to find even the oddest features common.

Gender Ideals

REsubs don't really have gender roles or gender ideals. They hold the ideal of being a good REsub, which is listening to their elders, being respectful and doing their jobs well. Both females and males look after their children, both of the parents taking part in raising children and providing both emotional and commodities.

Relationship Ideals

Most Novuses were discouraged against forming relationships as research subjects. After they gained their freedom, they were quick to form whatever relationships they wanted.
Because they had no template to base their relationships on, relationships are formed to be whatever the people in the relationship desire. Some form poly relationships, some have a relationship with just two people, or three, or whatever they want, as long as all parties are able to consent and do so.

Average Technological Level

They use whatever technology they can find, and most of them can operate things from simple technology to computers.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

English

Common Etiquette Rules

Because they had their autonomy taken away from them, they view consent as the most important thing. When someone wants something from another, asking their consent is vital. Sometimes etiquette demands that one ascertains, that the consent is ongoing if there is any doubt of it.
Since some of the REsubs have odd features, treating everyone the same regardless of their looks or abilities is mandatory. No matter what, all are equal and no one may make anyone feel inferior. Doing so results in penalties or punishments.

Common Dress Code

REsubs have their own uniform that most prefer to use. Other than that, they use common human clothes. When around humans, most REsubs prefer to cover their features that may stand out to keep anonymous.

Common Taboos

Another taboo is hurting children or their own family. Novus usually love children and their families because they so rarely got to see them. Hurting them in any way is considered bad.

History

Novus were originally bred from kidnapped people which made people very wary of strangers.

Historical Figures

The first Novus.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

They have a difficult relationship with humans, particularly with humans from Undercity. Because they were created in Undercity, because they were so badly treated by them, it's hard for them to have a neutral reaction to them, even if the particular human had no hand in harming them.
On the other hand, most of the REsubs are related in one way or another to the humans still living in the Undercity. Some of the humans were victims of the scientists as well, and most REsubs want to keep their relationships between their family members good. This creates tension when the common reaction to humans is distrust and anger, but love and affection towards family members, Even human family members.

Genetic Descendants

• Blackguards
• REsubject

Scientific Name

Homo Sapiens Novus

Lifespan

roughly 90-100

Average Height

males 180 cm, females 170 cm

Average Weight

70-90 kg

Average Physique

Very fit.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Their colouring tends to be a bit dull, a bit grey. Even when their skin tone is darker, it has a less saturated feel. Their skin tone does vary from very pale to dark umber.