Homo Sapiens Viriens
"Homo Sapiens Viriens is a lot of things. Theory, aspiration, cryptid, conspiracy theory. Prophesied savior of the Perfected Path. Truth is... they may be among us already. There are certainly Mutations that become more common with every generation, Mutations that are unquestionably beneficial. There are some that are coalescing that appear almost purely aesthetic... that feels like a sign of things to come for me. It also feels intentional, sometimes. I know I mentioned conspiracy theories but... would it really surprise anyone if it turned out that Perfected Path was working behind the scenes to... flavor the human race to taste, as it were?"
Theory
The concept of Homo Sapiens Viriens (HSV) was born from the intersection of biological necessity and ideological ambition. Following the genetic upheaval caused by the Gobi Horror, humanity was forced to adapt to an unprecedented evolutionary crisis. Mutations that once would have been fatal or debilitating found themselves tempered by generational selection, leading to a population with greater variability in physiology than ever before. The religion known as the Perfected Path took this as a divine directive: if life was a process of improvement, then the survivors of the Gobi Horror represented the raw material of the next step in human evolution. Homo Sapiens Viriens, in their doctrine, was not just an inevitable successor to Homo Sapiens, but the species' true purpose made manifest. To them, each generation was an opportunity to refine the human form, to eliminate weakness, and to push towards an idealized form that would not merely survive the cosmos, but dominate it.
Aspiration
Among followers of the Perfected Path, the search for HSV is both a spiritual and practical endeavor. Many Perfectionists, as they call themselves, meticulously track and analyze Mutations, attempting to breed out perceived deficiencies while cultivating desirable traits within their bloodlines. To them, the first true Homo Sapiens Viriens is both prophecy and proof—a living confirmation that humanity can transcend its current limitations. Some are devoted scientists, working in genetics labs or fertility clinics, while others are self-styled visionaries who engage in elaborate selection processes when choosing partners. The most fanatical Perfectionists seek to accelerate the process artificially, employing gene therapy, cybernetic enhancements, or radical biological augmentation to bring themselves closer to the idealized HSV form. This pursuit often draws ethical scrutiny from the Pan Solar Consortium, but remains largely unregulated beyond the borders of Earth.
Cryptid
With the advent of the Solarnet, entire communities have coalesced around the idea that HSV already exists and walks among humanity in secret. These self-styled "Perfectionist Cryptid Hunters" scour public records, street photography, and surveillance footage, searching for individuals with telltale features. The most infamous cases involve viral images of people with subtly metallic skin, uncanny symmetry, or unusual physical capabilities. Some Perfectionists believe these individuals are actively hiding, working behind the scenes to guide humanity’s future, while others see them as dangerous aberrations that must be exposed. Conspiracy theories abound, claiming that HSVs are recruited into secretive factions, that governments or megacorporations are tracking them, or that they live in isolated enclaves away from prying eyes. While no conclusive evidence of HSV has been found, the growing list of candidates, often unwitting civilians, ensures that the legend continues to spread.
Theoretical Morphology
Though no confirmed cases of Homo Sapiens Viriens exist, the imagined form of this new humanity is almost universally agreed upon among Perfectionists. HSV is expected to be taller than the average human, standing between 2 to 2.3 meters in height, with a lean yet powerful build optimized for endurance and agility. Their musculature is predicted to be denser yet more efficient, with enhanced tendon and ligament structures granting superior strength without bulk. Their skin, owing to the increasingly common Melanin Mn+ mutation, would shimmer in shades of gold, silver, or copper, protecting them from radiation and environmental Hazards. Filter Lungs would allow them to breathe in low-oxygen or contaminated atmospheres, while a Redundant Micro-Heart would enhance their stamina and resistance to cardiovascular failure. Neurologically, HSV is expected to have Cortical Suppression of Delay, which would allow for instant reflexive action without conscious hesitation, and a Pelvic Gyroganglia for superior balance and coordination. Some even speculate that latent Psionic potential could be part of their genetic package, pushing their cognitive abilities beyond what is currently known to science. Whether any of this is realistic remains to be seen—but to the Perfectionists, it is not a question of if, but when.
Comments