Vila

Vila are humans with genetic mutations thought to have been originally caused by interference of athic bonds. They make up an estimated 3% of the human population, though this figure has varied greatly through periods of discrimination and prosperity. There are two types, or subspecies, of vila, one of which manipulates athic bonds mentally and the other which is born with a physical adaptation connected to their elemental morph. For example, in the first case a child might be born with the ability to manipulate air, and in the second, a child might be born with a pair of wings or a similar adaptations. Both of the above examples deal with the aerial morph, but in different subspecies.

Elemental Classifications

There are five main elemental classifications, or morphs, of vila, and although it has been argued that the Sorcerer is pure ether form of the species, there are several key differences between Sorcerers and vila, for instance, while a Vila possesses only one morph, physical or otherwise, a Sorcerer can manipulate any athic bond with practice. Additionally Sorcerers have no visible features that set them apart from other humans, while even vila with non physical (athic) abilities may have features that reflect their powers, for example, a psychic's purple eyes. Lastly, it is possible for a vila to also be a Sorcerer, but a vila cannot possess two powers of vila origin. The five main classifications of vila, terrestrial, aquatic, aerial, plasmatic, and psychic, are split into physical and athic manifestations, the two subspecies faerimus physic and faerimus athic. The main difference between these two variants is that the adaptations of the first are purely physical, the individuals of this class have no advanced affinity for the manipulation of an element, while athic abilities have no physical adaptations (although they may have identifying characteristics associated with their gift.), instead they have the ability to manipulate their element or a sub-category of their element, in the case of a glycine or electronic. In addition to this, while both are genetic traits, athic elemental classifications are not passed down specifically, a mother with a athic terrestrial morph might have a twins who are a plasmatic and a glycine, while the physical variety is passed down consistently; if the mother has wings, the child will too. It is important to note that all psychics are of the faerimus athic variety, and there is a debate over whether telekinetics, currently considered a terrestrial morph, should be a sixth elemental classification.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Vila are humanoids with fey components, which can include physical or athic abilities. For the subspecies Homo f. athic, identifying factors include the following: psychics: purple/violet eyes. Other morphs: features may vary. Physical features are more notable in the subspecies Homo f. physic, for which there are a wealth of different adaptations according to elemental classification. Aquatics: Gills, finns, or enlarged lungs, not to be confused with merpeople, which possess scaled tails. Terrestrials: Claw-like fingernails, camouflage (can also appear in aquatics, chameleon mimic v.s. octopus mimic.), keen sense of smell or hearing or a tail. Aerials: Wings, either bat-like, bird-like or insect-like, may possess further adaptations depending on ability (arboreals, a subclass of aerials and terrestrials, may have gliding apparatus like that of a flying squirrel.). Plasmatic: rare in faerimus physic class, when they do occur they may have fireproof skin, or occasionally an apparatus similar to that of a dragon, allowing them to breathe fire. *different, less common physical mutations do exist, the above listed are simply the most common manifestations of an elemental morph*

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

May vary with morph.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Most Vila clans have dissolved over the ages, however there names are still used as surnames by those that descended from them, making common surnames for vila synonymous with more prominent historical clans. Traditionally, the prefix 'fey' is added to the last clan name, resulting in most current names following the form, firstname fey-clanheritage for example, the character Khira's full name, Khira fey-Ario, comes from her father Raulin's lineage in the clan Arios, which dissolved several hundred years before her birth.

Scientific Name

Homo faerimus