In the seventy years since the Awakening began, the world has seen the gradual emergence of metahumanity alongside its human ancestors. The five common metatypes—Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Orks, and Trolls—are now familiar faces in the global mosaic, each contributing uniquely to society. However, the post-2089 period, known as the Great Awakening, brought a seismic shift to the evolutionary landscape, leading to the emergence of new, rarer metatypes now collectively referred to as the “Emergent Seven.”
These new metatypes are more varied and distinct than their predecessors, challenging established definitions of metahumanity and raising fundamental questions about the nature of life itself.
The Awakening vs. The Great Awakening
The original Awakening, beginning in the 2020s, saw the gradual reintroduction of magic into the world, accompanied by the appearance of the five common metatypes. This slow-burning transformation rewrote the social and political landscape, as humanity grappled with the reemergence of old myths and the rise of new realities. However, it wasn't until the Great Awakening in 2089, when magic surged dramatically, that the world truly began to change in unprecedented ways.
The Great Awakening supercharged Earth's transformation, bringing forth a host of never-before-seen magical creatures, phenomena, and, most notably, the Emergent Seven—a collection of metatypes whose existence challenges our understanding of both science and magic.
The Emergent Seven: Beyond the Known Metahumanity
1. Oni: The Nightborn Giants
Oni are a formidable metatype, distinct from Trolls due to their vibrant skin tones—ranging from deep reds and blues to greens and purples—and a cultural heritage rooted in East Asia. Oni possess a blend of physical power and magical sensitivity, often manifesting in their mastery of elemental forces. Despite their fearsome appearance and imposing size, Oni are known for their intelligence, adaptability, and resilience, forming tight-knit communities within urban centers across the world.
2. Kitsune: The Feral Tricksters
Kitsune are characterized by their fox-like traits, including elongated ears, sharp features, and, in some cases, additional tails that appear to reflect their magical potential. Unlike the traditional myths, Kitsune are not shape-shifters, but they do possess a natural affinity for illusion and deception magic. Emerging primarily in Japan, they have spread worldwide, often taking on roles in the arts, espionage, and arcane research.
3. Dracosaurs: The Scaled Outliers
Dracosaurs exhibit reptilian features such as scaled skin, sharp claws, and elongated snouts, evoking the image of mythical dragons. With robust physical resilience and an ability to withstand extreme environmental conditions, they have appeared in regions as diverse as Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Their origins remain a subject of intense debate, with some suggesting a deep connection to ancient dragon bloodlines, while others see them as a spontaneous magical mutation.
4. Sylphs: The Airborne Ethereals
Sylphs are marked by their light, almost ethereal build and a translucent quality to their skin that shimmers in the light. With a natural ability to glide and an innate command of elemental air magic, Sylphs are found in areas with strong magical ley lines or high altitudes. Their rarefied nature blurs the line between metahuman and magical being, sparking debates about their true origins and place in the metahuman spectrum.
5. Jotunn: The Iceborn Colossi
Jotunn, known for their towering stature and cold resilience, are believed to have evolved in response to the extreme conditions of the Arctic and high-altitude regions. Their blue or white skin and natural affinity for cold-based magic make them both formidable and mysterious. Jotunn communities are sparse but deeply connected to the harsh environments they inhabit, thriving where most would perish.
6. Asrai: The Astral Beings
Asrai are the most enigmatic of the new metatypes, often mistaken for spiritual or even alien entities. Possessing an innate ability to interact with the astral plane, their physical form seems to shimmer, as if caught between realities. Emerging in places of high astral activity—such as ancient ruins, ley line intersections, and deep wilderness areas—Asrai challenge the boundaries of what it means to be a physical being. Their appearance has intensified the debate over the intersections of metahumanity, magic, and the spirit world.
7. Serpentis: The Reborn Nagas
Serpentis are a metatype that displays a striking resemblance to the mythical nagas of ancient folklore, possessing elongated, sinuous bodies, scaled skin, and eyes that seem to pierce into the soul. Their lower bodies resemble those of giant serpents, while their upper bodies retain a more human form. Serpentis have shown an extraordinary command over both magical and physical domains, with some able to manipulate poison, venom, or even shape the very terrain they inhabit. Most sightings and reports originate from Southeast Asia, India, and the Amazon Basin, where they are believed to guard hidden treasures and ancient secrets.
The Ever-Expanding Horizons of Metahumanity
The emergence of these new metatypes has reignited debates within scientific and academic communities worldwide. What defines a metatype versus a new species? Are these beings the result of evolutionary adaptation, magical mutation, or something else entirely? As the lines between biology, magic, and technology continue to blur, so does the concept of "humanity."
Some scholars argue that metatypes like the Oni and Kitsune should be categorized alongside the five common metatypes, while others believe beings like the Asrai and Serpentis represent an entirely new frontier in the evolutionary landscape—perhaps closer to magical entities than traditional metahumanity.
A New Era of Discovery
As we move further into the 21st century, the appearance of these new metatypes suggests that humanity is not done evolving. With the world changing faster than ever, more variants are likely to appear in the coming decades. This presents both opportunities and challenges as societies adapt to new forms of life, and individuals find their place in an increasingly diverse world.
Whether these metatypes are the next step in human evolution, a byproduct of magical forces, or something else entirely, one thing is clear: the world of 2097 is more diverse and wondrous than ever before. As humanity continues to evolve, so too will our understanding of what it means to be human—or metahuman—in this ever-changing world.
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