From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe

Contained here is a reasonably brief summary of some terms and concepts that may come up during Nation-based roleplay that aren't deserving of a full page all of their own, or that can be summarised easily or briefly. If you need an explanation for something, this should be your central port of call.

Alpha Radiance: A fundamental force that unites energy types that many Evolved tap in some way to perform their science-defying abilities. More...

Awakening: Some Evolved's powers evince themselves at a particular turning point, usually puberty or some other point of growth spurt. Because most mutations are the result of specialised cellular growth, puberty is the most common time for an Evolved to experience an Awakening.

Note that not all Evolved under go an Awakening. Some Evolved may have a single event in their life that brings their powers to their attention (such as Dr. Nihilus), but who have powers that have been with them since earlier stages of development. Some Evolved undergo a long period of transition, their evolution evincing itself over time as they develop (such as Kaizen).

That said, some Evolved undergo a single fulcrum point where their Evolution evinces itself in a major event, where the capacity to use their evolution did not exist before a certain point in their development. Examples include Recoil and Battlebriar. This is known as an Awakening.

Bateman Effect, The: Known by several names but best examined in the instance of Auroral and Windsaber (aka Ausha and Adrian Bateman). The Bateman effect is whereby two Evolved of close genetic stock (sibling-to-sibling, or child-to-parent) are inherit enough of one another's genetic code that they are nearly immune to one another's powers. The Bateman effect is not oblative across all powers, however.

On the other hand, Auroral and Windsaber both have powers that stem from energy manipulation - as such, their bodies are designed to handle the strain put on them by their own powers. Thanks to this, their bodies are also predisposed to handle the kind of powers the would use on one another. This can make battles between close genetic relatives very difficult.

The premise continues into other types of mutation; typically, entropy-multiplying evolved share similar keys in their genes, and telepaths and telekinetics relatives tend to think very similarly, leading to the powers cancelling one another out, like positive and negative charges.

The Bateman Effect incarnates itself in three major ways:

Oblative: The two Evolved simply cannot impact one another with their powers. Windsaber and Auroral are the iconic example of this, and it is not a conscious matter. Fights between the two are much more about using their powers on their environment in an attempt to affect the other.

Partial: Partial Bateman Effect is where some powers of an Evolved overlap and thwart themselves, making any close relatives immune to some, but not all the powers of the Evolved. An example would be Battlebriar. While Battlebriar's metabolism means that he would be immune to any poisons or toxins (such as seeds of confusion) that he used on himself, he would nonetheless be very capable of hurting a clone of himself with his generated bone-sword and thorns.

Null: Some Evolved, like Kameleon, do not have powers that directly impact another person. She can manipulate her own appearance, change how she looks. Even an identical twin of Kameleon would have no special insight to when she was using this ability, nor would Kameleon have any ability to detect them while they were using their powers.

The Bateman effect is best expressed in closed genetic stock. Second-generation mutants are often more likely to demonstrate the Bateman effect, as are twins. Some more diverse genetic histories - such as between Sin Sonic and Equatorial Glacier - show almost no expression of the Bateman effect at all.

Note that the Bateman effect is by no means a reason that lies behind any Evolved being capable of ignoring one another's powers. Broken Sky and Argent Tempest both have similar powers that cancel one another out - this does not mean the two are related.

Circle A very wide term covering many distinct social groups on Nation today. With an extended family structure built around an Elder or other influential or popular individual they closely resemble tribes inside the greater Nation. The term Circle is however used instead because the word tribe implies blood relation whereas Circles actually align themselves around causes and activities. In this they bear similarities to both old-fashioned trade guilds and political parties.

Citizen An inhabitant or member of Nation who adds to the community rather than just being a part of it. Be it by fighting its enemies or supporting the actual station or its people in one way or another. Engaging in any mundane profession for the good of all of Nation is considered a Citizen. Nation is primarily populated by Evolved of this rank.

Defiler: An individual whose magic harms the world. Agony has posited that all magic does this, and that every spell or magical effect, regardless of its origin, is extradimensional, and harms Terra in the way that emptying the oceans a thimbleful at a time would.

Because this theory relies on Agony's personal perceptions - perceptions that are unique - there is much dissent amongst the more scientifically minded members of Nation. There has been no evidence that all magic users are defilers, but all defilers are magic users. Regardless, some extradimensional entities and powerful magically-driven monsters are all the proof that some members of Nation need that Magic is itself the root of great evil.

Perhaps due to the generally vague proofs behind this, but the general ease with which individual Evolved can get behind an 'us vs them' mindset, Nation tends to crack down, and hard, on groups that use magic of this sort - significantly, the Circle of Thorns and the Banished Pantheon. The Tsoo, as a magical group that engages in generally hostile behaviour (theft, kidnapping and street gang warfare) are regarded as happy collateral damage.

Elder An ill-defined term denoting a generally respected member of Nation. Technically, anyone ranking as a Citizen or above could become considered an Elder if they earn enough respect through word or deed. In practice however these are the wisest, smartest and most powerful among the citizenry; those others would hold up as examples to new arrivals.

Emergence: Emergence is an exceptionally rare but nonetheless very valuable property amongst Evolved. Emergence is where two Evolved, usually of diverse genetic stock, represent a power together that they would not normally have on their own. Between close relatives, like siblings, this can be an expression of the Bateman Effect.

Emergence is worthy of study because it suggests that the powers the Evolved demonstrate have been long-seeded and lie in ancient genes. With that in mind, it underscores the idea that the Evolved are inheritors of something great, and that their powers derive from some fundamental direction in Evolution. Individuals who display Emergence are often strongly encouraged to explore how that Emergence operates with another individual.

Erhardt's Syndrome: A psychosis exhibiting amongst Neutrals who believe they have some form of evolution that they do not.

Unlike a medical delusion, cases of Erhardt's Syndrome are not seen as extreme forms of confirmation bias, as one might see amongst Breatharian and Cloudbuster culture. Typically speaking, the sincerely deluded who believe they have 'special powers' do not count as Erhardt's sufferers. The key traits of Erhardt's is that they believe that they are evolved, specifically mutants, rather than just 'posessing powers'. An Erhardt's sufferer will protest that they have powers, but they will not invent evidence to collaborate it.

Erhardt's is much more about potential than it is about actual power. A deluded individual will claim they can fly and never put it to the test; an Erhardt's case will claim they have the potential ability to fly, and just need the right catalyst to make their powers operant. For this reason, many Erhardt's sufferers engage in proactive self-harm, attempting to evoke their powers, attempting to bring their powers to the forefront.

Amusingly, given the quantity of individuals in the world with Erhardt's, and the quantity of individuals with an Evolution of LTR 0+ rank, one must bear in mind that one in two hundred and fifty Erhardt's sufferers is, statistically, right, and they do have powers.

Evolved: An term employed within Nation for mutants who have chosen to accept Nation as their own. It is assumed that all mutants who are not actively against Nation are Evolved. This stance has offended more than a few.

Frost's Syndrome: An Evolved who has a psychological inability to admit to their own mutation. Much like Agoraphobia, Frost's Syndrome is a psychological attachment, in this case to a state of being. Evolved with this syndrome will either substitute an excuse (often magical, religious, or technological in origin) to explain any unnatural powers they have, or will instead enter an outright neurotic state of denial, claiming they have no powers and visibly hiding them from those around them if they can.

Going Kaizen: A somewhat acidic term for an individual who, in the heat of the moment, used excessive force. It is not known what Kaizen thinks of this casually used phrase. Battlebriar has also used it to refer to a maneuver designed to cut off all possibility of retaliation.

Habitation: The lower levels of the Nation satellite. Habitation houses roughly three hundred Threat-0 and Threat-1 Evolved who have accepted Nation's ideals, embraced separatism, but are either unwilling or unable to fight for Nation at large.

Habitation also has the NX Pens, a number of large gaming and recreation areas, and since the arrival of Secondus, a number of workshops designed to refine and craft devices out of Impervium.

The citizens of Habitation, by and large, are employed. They either work in long-distance jobs for private enterprise planetside, often enterprise operated or owned by Evolved sympathetic to the cause, such as Information Technology, Call Centre, Engineering or Design work, or in the elaborate system of food development that Nation owns. Hydroponics and hygrostatics are just two areas where the 'lesser citizens' of Nation keep themselves busy and contribute to the satellite at large.

Headsex: A crude colloquialism for telepathic sex. Headsex refers to sex that is entirely telepathic in nature - two individuals sitting at opposite ends of the room can engage in headsex, often in public. It has been described as quite exquisite, and, amongst those who can provide the service, either an intense, almost spiritual sensation of connection, or, a fantastic way to make extremely large amounts of money for what can be little effort. Also, Psi-ber.

Interloper: An extradimensional entity. Nation's general stance towards these entities is that they have their own world in which they can exist, and it must have its charms - why do they need this one?

The attitude towards extradimensional entities seems at odds with Nation's idea of separatism. Despite that, Nation extols a philosophical birthright of Terra, and therefore, treats any and all incursions upon it by those who are not worthy to have it. The Evolved of Nation have fought back the Rikti and the Circle of Thorns with extreme prejudice for that reason.

Invading Poland: A colloquialism meaning to have sex. Very obviously originating with Eisregen who did in fact fight on the German Eastern Front during the Second World War (who has also shown to find enjoyment in tormenting Auroral and Battlebriar with the notion that a man who could easily be their grandfather is still occasionally sexually active).

Longbow Threat Rating: A system used by GIFT to determine the potential threat of mutants who pose a serious threat to the government and operation of the world. An individual's LTR is based on their single most distinct and beneficial power - many 4s have secondary or tertiary powers that are themselves 1s or 2s. Also note, national security is the prime motivating need for LTRs: For this reason, many individuals who have powers that seem exceptional are in fact

0: The mutation has almost no application or use in day-to-day life. It cannot seriously harm a person, nor can it glean information that is otherwise protected. The mutation may in fact be actively harmful to the Evolved's day-to-day life. Enhanced senses, cosmetic mutations (such as a tail or fur), or a savant-like grasp of a mundane task are all examples of LTR-0 mutations.

Examples: Sin Sonic.

1: The mutation of the Evolved is almost entirely internal. The power does not affect or impact other people in any way: the Evolved can fly, can resist disease, can change their colour, or has a grasp of sciences that defies mere savant intelligence. LTR-1s are by no means illegitimate as threats - in fact, it could be noted that normal anti-mutant countermeasures, like Nullifier Guns and Breaker Bracers are actually quite useless against LTR-1s who are threats, as they typically do not rely on their mutation.

Examples: Atheos, Kameleon.

2: The mutation has some distinct applications in combat. The individual can cause fairly wide-scale havoc through the use of this power, or glean information that would otherwise be hidden. The power nonetheless can be leveraged to inflict serious, widescale harm - such as collapsing a power grid, destroying a major building in a short period of time, or doing major damage to a natural resource.

Note that raw power is not necessarily enough to have one's LTR threat rated higher. Canvas, for example, is almost unkillable and represents a universal solvent, an effect that dissolves almost anything she contacts. On the other hand, she can't do it quickly, and she doesnt' chain-react her powers outwards; she has to be there, has to be a vector for her power.

Examples: Argent Tempest, Cathar, Canvas, Strawberry Poundcake.

3: The mutation has a power that represents a fundamental threat, on par with an automatic weapon or heavy explosive, to human life or property, or represents a serious potential security risk. Behavioural modification, wide-scale teleportation, the capacity to inflict severe property damage over a very large area, or the capacity to cause a widescale loss of life over time are all marks of LTR-3 status.

Information is often a very powerful resource, and in this regard, mutations that relate to telepathy - especially subtle telepathy^[1] are almost always automatically catapulted up to LTR-3 status. Very powerful telepaths - individuals capable of subtle mind reading and subtle mind control - are even more threatening, obviously.

Examples: Darkest Mercy, Sychosis, Three Miles.

4: A LTR-4 is best described as an LTR-3 whose powers are relatively unbound. An individual who represents a major security threat, and whose mutations are constantly expanding in power represents an example of an LTR-3 threat. Limiting factors tend to differentiate a LTR-3 from an LTR-4. The mutation both protects the Evolved and allows them to affect the world around them at large. The Mutant represents a major security risk and has to be carefully monitored.

Examples: Auroral, Battlebriar^[2], Hoi Polloi.

5: An LTR-5 is an LTR-4 that appears to be capable of defying even the potential caps on their powers. An individual whose powers grow over time - and who also appears to be practically immortal - are a good example of a LTR-5 threat. Another option is an individual whose powers do not appear to be conventionally limited - who can leverage their power to an unbound scale, or who do not appear able to die of natural causes. These Evolved warrant being constantly watched by some number of agents.

Examples: Agony, Eisregen, Wayfare, Kaizen, Deathglow. Oscine.

5+: An individual who has literally uncharted potential and uncharted power, who poses a constant and incontrovertible threat to the well-being of not just the country, but the entire planet.

Examples: None known^[3].

Most Evolved do not ever hear of their own LTR. It is of no concern to most of them, especially the heroes of Paragon. It is also worth noting that personality has no bearing on one's LTR. LTR is entirely about the measurable application of an individual's powers, and whether one is upright or insane does not determine anything either way. Longbow do not downgrade an individual's LTR based on their psychological deficiencies, as tempting as it might be to do. Likewise, LTR is used only to express "mutant" abilities; in the case of an Evolved who draws power from other sources as well, LTR serves only as an indication of how dangerous their Evolved powers stand to be.

Lucy Bergman: 1. An Evolved girl of LTR-0 rank, who was registered because she thought it was the right thing to do. When Agony and Run Riot toppled a banana republic in Latin America, Lucy Bergman's small town reacted in panic and fear, a sentiment felt across America at the time that led to some anti-Evolved rioting. Lucy Bergman was assaulted and killed by her own township and friends out of fear for her Evolved status. 2. An individual of LTR-0 or LTR-1 rank who has suffered persecution for their evolution through no fault of their own.

Mutant: A derogatory term used on Nation for Evolved individuals who have rejected Nation's cause. The technical definition used by Agony to differntiate Evolved from Mutants is technically incorrect, but the slur persists.

Name Day: The day an Evolved of Majority claims a new name under the Law of Names.

Neutral: A human being who has no powers at all. Different from an alien (an Interloper) or the like. Neutrals who can fight alongside - or against - Evolved are accorded respect, but not granted citizen status.

NX: See Dr. Nihilus.

One Thousandth Percentile: For every viable mutant who is granted powers, roughly one thousand LTR-0s and LTR-1s exist, many with mutations that actively harm them. Battlebriar coined the term 'One Thousandth Percentile' to delinate these individuals, of whom he is one.

Pet A derogatory term used to denote unevolved residents of Nation. Their well-being entirely depends on the patronage of an Evolved, making them little more than favoured animals in the eyes of many.

Plebe The lowest run on the social ladder of Nation is populated by new recruits who have yet to prove themselves, children intended to be left free of the responsibilities of citizenship and unevolved inhabitants who dwell on Nation under the protection and care of an Evolved (also see Pet).

Plush: A colloquialism for wealthy, well off, stylish.

Porcelain: An Evolved whose evolutions prohibit them from physical contact. Canvas, Dr. Nihilus and Kaizen are fine examples of this. 'Porcelain' is often seen as a somewhat gentle collective term, but some individuals to whom it applies find it offensive. Also, Buglight, though Buglight is generally a perjorative.

Pretender: An individual who has achieved power through scientific experiments, a type of genetic tampering, or serums or the like. Note that these individuals are ill-defined, even moreso than Defilers, and it is generally seen as another 'us vs them' discussion. A pretender is broadly defined as an individual who has superpowers courtesy to some external alteration^[4].

Princess The Evolved Sychosis, inheritor and current head of Nation.

Priori: An embassy of Nation in Paragon City. Priori houses a large number of LTR-1+ Evolved who need training and activity to refine their powers, but who are not permitted (by the judgement of their Archon) to actually engage in mercenary action in the Rogue Isles. Therefore, they are registered as Citizens of Nation, and given some latitude alongside Freedom Corps to test their strength while working alongside Longbow and other hero organisations to protect and serve Paragon City.

Sapiens A slightly more aggressive way of referencing neutral humanity (also see Neutral), possibly including powered individuals whose abilities derive from technology of gross scientific modification. There is no clear-cut distinction between Sapiens and Pretender at this end of the spectrum until it reaches genetic modification.

Secondus: An asteroid, plucked from space, and attached to Nation, being mined for Impervium.

SOG 'Sapiens Occupation Government', what humans would refer to as 'the man'. Any and all organs and agencies belonging to Neutral governments. The implication is of course that the planet earth belongs to the Evolved or is at least theirs to inherit, and Sapiens are keeping them from it by sheer force of numbers.

TIA: 1. 'Tour In Africa', an abbreviation and often motif amongst those Evolved who worked as superpowered mercenaries in war-torn African states (a common way for many to have spent their first few majority years). 2. 'This Is Africa,' an expression of hopeless despair at the insanity of war, often used by those who have completed a Tour in Africa.

Footnotes

1. ↑ Mind reading, instead of mind control.
2. ↑ It should be noted that Battlebriar is, of this rank, one of the weakest members.
3. ↑ OOC Note: Don't take this as a challenge. Seriously.
4. ↑ It should be noted that by this definition, Battlebriar is a Pretender.