Coristanti

The Coristanti are a hyper-adaptable alien species that exist in virtually all realities.

Culture

Coristanti Culture is rooted in hegemony. The Coristanti Empire spans several star systems (in each reality) and due to their ability to adapt to environments, even the harshest of environments prove to be no problem for them. They have what could loosely be termed as a neo-feudal monarchy based on a caste system.

Caste System

Coristanti castes chart an individual's trajectory and social status. As is the case in many cultures, certain castes are held in higher regard than others and all castes have specializations and all Coristanti are born into the caste system. The caste system is not sexist; males and females may belong to any caste and may hold any station within any caste. Coristanti are incapable of changing castes, they are permanent. If a Coristanti or one caste chooses to procreate with a member of another caste (barring Slave Caste) genetics will determine the caste of the offspring as will natural talents in the direction of that caste.

Although smaller, lesser known castes can and do exist, the following are the most well-known:

Sovereign - The Sovereign Caste are the rulers and governors of the Coristanti. They serve as diplomats and advisors, also judges and politicians. While there is only ever one monarch (King or Queen respectively) that individual will always come from the Sovereign Caste.

Scholar - The Scholar Caste are the intellect of the Coristanti. They are the doctors, scientists, engineers, historians, and inventors of the Empire. They are held in high regard, as they push the boundaries of technology and possibility within the Empire.

Warrior - The Warrior Caste are the soldiers of the Coristanti Empire. Trained in various forms of armed and unarmed combat, they are the physical might behind the Empire and uphold its laws. They also serve as its law enforcement, policing their own as well.

Artisan - The Artisan Caste serve as the entertainers, artists, and performers. They push the boundaries of known mediums, always searching for new inspiration and expression. On the less reputable end of the spectrum, they also serve as courtesans and the equivalent of court jesters. From time to time, they are also drafted into the military for espionage and infiltration-based operations.

Slave - The lowest caste, slaves are used as servants and, when needed, physical labor. Slaves typically have the lowest life expectancy of all Coristanti. They are only permitted to procreate through a system similar to a lottery. Their numbers are carefully monitored to preclude the possibility of an uprising.

Hybrids - Although not technically a Caste, they are recognized as part of the overall Coristanti population. They can never officially hold an office or title, but do typically find work in the government sector. Meta-hybrids are of particular interest to the Coristanti and are urged (almost expected) to put their talents into public service.

Metahumans - Held in even less regard than Hybrids or Slaves, individuals with metahuman abilities that the ruling body finds useful are allowed to remain on Earth but absolutely must belong to a public service branch; most often relegated to dangerous positions such as law enforcement or military support. Additionally, they are also marked as to not be mistaken for undesirable humans (or even metahumans). High-value abilities include but are not limited to:

• Psychic abilities: telepathy, empathy, precognition, postcognition, telekinesis
• Elemental abilities: weather control, pyrokinesis, thermokinesis, electrokinesis, magnetic control, geokinesis
• Spatial abilities: teleportation, heightened senses/scanning, radar sense, sonar/echolocation
• Physical abilities: super strength, super speed, resistance to damage, shapeshifting, imitation

Metahumans aligned to the Coristanti Empire are referred to as Brakii (singular Brakih), which translates to 'canines' or 'dogs'. They are viewed as fluid resources to be used as necessary depending on an operation or assignment.

Meta-hybrids with high-value abilities, such as telepathy, empathy, teleportation, precognition, etc., are closely monitored if not coerced into enrollment in public service. Law enforcement and military personnel always have first pick of these individuals.

Biology

The most distinguishing character of Coristanti biology is their unique ability to reactively adapt, almost instantaneously, to external stimuli. For example, if placed in an oxygen-rich aqueous environment, they will form gills in order to achieve respiration. If they are placed in pitch darkness, they may develop a sonar-like ability or begin to see through other spectrums. They are resilient to both aging and disease, as their immune systems adapt to pathogens.

Their base strength and agility is similar to non-enhanced, peak athlete humans. However, if undue strain is placed upon them during periods of physical activity, their bodies will respond accordingly. If attempting to lift something outside of its normal range, muscle tissue will multiply.

The average lifespan of a single Coristanti can extend hundreds of years. Natural selection has ensured that only the strongest and most durable of the Coristanti survive from generation to generation. They are sexually dimorphic, like humans, with both male and female sexes. Coristanti males, much like human males, are typically taller and broader, however base physical strength and mental aptitude is equivalent between Coristanti males and females.

Coristanti can always tell Coristanti from non-Coristanti. The ability dilutes upon hybridization, but due to years of adaptation across numerous galaxies have honed their sense of recognition of their own species.

In extreme circumstances whereby there is a prolonged and total absence of either males or females, the sex of an individual Coristanti may shift to the opposite to ensure propagation of the species, although this is now considered somewhat taboo. Their physiology precludes the ability to non-selectively mutate. Said a different way, it is impossible for full-blooded Coristanti to develop meta-based abilities.

That said, Coristanti DNA can be hybridized with non-Coristanti DNA. In fact, this can be quite common as Coristanti gametes are also highly adaptive. Offspring of such unions, again, are accepted as Coristanti. Hybrids have the potential to develop meta-abilities, however, and are referred to as Meta-hybrids.

Coristanti hybrids lack the overall adaptive characteristics of their full-blood parent, but do typically display one or two resistances. Resistances can be to any number of things [cold, heat, aging, disease, radiation, etc.]

Colonization Status

Earth-5961 - The Coristanti have made their capital of New Corlai in Northern Virginia, which also happens to be where their forces are strongest. Their strategy for colonization typically begins with densely-populated cities and centers of commerce and then absorb surrounding areas, effectively cutting off centralized resources. As far as Earth goes, Europe was hit hardest followed by India and China. In North America, both coasts of the United States have seen an increase in colonization efforts while the central part has minimal presence. Both coasts of South America have also been hit hard, forcing many of their population to the continent's interior. Australia has minimal Coristanti presence.

Similar to North and South America, Africa's coasts have become hotbeds of Coristanti colonization efforts. Egypt and South Africa were savagely hit in the first wave of Coristanti attacks, cutting off numerous supply chains to the country. The islands and island nations away from its coasts have largely escaped notice for now, and densely populated areas on the coasts themselves, Kenya in particular, have begun migrating to the center of the continent, where several military dictatorships are offering varying degrees of protection in exchange for resources and loyalty.

Worthy of note is the island nation of Tierre Archizo, formerly just a blip on the map with minimal tech and resources, the Coristanti have fully embraced them due to the amount of hybrids that were living on the island prior. A great number of resources have actually been poured into the island by the Coristanti, making it a lush paradise full of amazing architecture and engineering marvels. A great number of Israfai are drawn to the area and, when not assigned by a crew or activity, many are constantly in the area whether in the skies, on the land, or under the water. Because of this, it's a popular tourist attraction for hybrids or Brakii on leave.

Not all Coristanti approve of the colonization efforts and actually do sympathize with the humans whose planet is being taken over. They do not make this information publicly known, as this would be considered an act of sedition and is a crime punishable by death or exile. Any acts to support resistance efforts would need to be executed in secret.

Technology

Coristanti make use of advanced technology involving light and sound as well as integration of biological elements. For example, the bio-organic ships (such as Sanctuary and Necropolis) were a naturally occurring species before being subjugated and genetically manipulated to serve as tools with limited consciousness and problem-solving/logic ability). Teleportation, through the use of the bio-organic ships is common, though monitored. This makes quelling potential revolts much easier.

Some known Coristanti technology is included in the list below:

• Advanced Weaponry - having been exposed to countless worlds, Coristanti have weaponized a great number of resources, including radioactive isotopes and naturally occurring viruses.
• Slideshifting - using Israfai as catalysts, Coristanti have access to slideshift-based teleportation through transmutation of organic matter into a photonic state and back again.
• Virtual Labs - using advanced photonic and hard light technology, virtual labs can be created on the fly with complete scanning capabilities, including remote/real-time analysis.

Known Weaknesses

The Coristanti have few known weaknesses, however some have been documented.

• Magic/Supernatural - Coristanti are vulnerable t non-naturally occurring phenomenon, such as magic and the claws/teeth of supernatural creatures.
• Orichalchum - A metal found only on Earth-2619, it burns Coristanti flesh as would a polar compound such as a strong acid or base.