ELFs During the Gold Age, human beings mastered synthetic biology; creating whole new forms of life in a laboratory, using machines to encode their entire genetic structure. These organisms are known as ELFs – Engineered Life Forms. They range from single celled bacteria that consume waster, algae used in the terraforming of planets, crops that grow in the most inhospitable environments and various types of animal. But most people use the word Elf for pointy eared humanoids who exist as a slave race to humans. Today, all Elfs come from Lepiterra where the technology to create them was developed during the Gold Age. This planet was devastated by The Ruin, becoming a barren, inhospitable wasteland where only a few humans were able to eke out existence, but upon discovering The Mother Machines the world was transformed into a lush, green paradise. When the Silver Republic arrived, the value of the ELFs was obvious and they began to be exported to every corner of The Galaxy. Humanoid Elfs are grown inside blue ‘crystal eggs’. These eggs tend to be found in little open roofed temple structures across the surface of Lepiterra, where they absorb sunlight to feed the growth of the organism within. As they grow inside the eggs, they are taught language and all the other basic knowledge they need to fulfil their duties. They are made in the image of their human creators, except with pointy ears and usually slightly larger, slanted eyes. Elfs grow as female by default; like in mammals, the creation of makes requires an additional chromosome which is done periodically, although their appearance is purely for the benefit of their masters. Elfs themselves can’t breed in the natural manner and are pretty much asexual. Elf life spans are hard to measure; so long as they are well fed and healthy they will never age as their bodies will go on repairing and detoxifying themselves, so in theory there is no upper limit to how long they can live. They can recover from injuries that would certainly kill a human, and even regrow limbs, although of course it is possible to kill them. There are many types of humanoid, designed for different roles. On Endro, a famous resort planet with a low gravity but a thick atmosphere, the skies are filled with Elfs with angelic wings. But these are the three most commonly found interacting with humans: Hestians – House Elfs. These are the most common, and as the name implies these are Elfs who help around the home, taking on the roles of maids, butlers, valets etcetera. They are often very well read and knowledgeable since they are used as teachers as well, and are sometimes sent to uninhabited worlds to test their suitability for human settlement. Physically they are no stronger than any human the same size and weight as them, although their heightened senses allow them to react very quickly and they also have great dexterity and since it is their duty to protect their master’s lives they are often trained in self defence. Enyons – Battle Elfs. The potential of Elfs for war could not be overlooked, naturally. Enyons look much like any other Elf, but have greatly enhanced strength and reflexes. They live for nothing but battle and are generally kept separate from other Elfs and Humans; a young Enyon who doesn’t realise her strength could easily kill someone else. But a few of the richest and most important people in the Republic might have an Enyon bodyguard. Kharites – Pleasure Elfs. Kharites are essentially Hestians who are trained their entire lives in the arts of pleasure. There are Kharite Houses, or brothels as most people would call them, in every major city across The Republic. Although they are not just trained in physical pleasure; they perform music and dance and are always kept abreast of the latest news in case people just want to talk. © 2009 John Coutelier Back / Enginepedia / Home
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