Difference between revisions of "Plasmaman"

In an effort to encourage inter-species cooperation and workplace efficiency, NanoTrasen has compiled a series of helpful guides on the various peoples that you may be working with!

This particular guide refers to the species commonly known as the Plasmamen (singular: Plasmaman).

Plasmaman Naming Schemes

Due to their lack of a native spoken language, Plasmamen typically adopt a moniker in Galactic Common for the purposes of identification. These adopted names are often references to atomic elements, places, or religiously significant figures and events.

Plasmaman Physiology

Plasmamen appear to be the remnants of an ancient space-faring species affected by a condition known as Plasma-Restructurant Syndrome. Though studies on Plasma-Restructurant Syndrome are relatively new, chronic generational exposure to plasma appears to have caused the species to lose much of its soft tissue. It is posited that, over successive generations, high-levels of plasma in the environment introduced mutations caused the loss of carbon compounds in the body and skeletal structure - leading to their subsequent replacement with hard, mineralized deposits of plasma. While it is unknown to what extent this has affected the life expectancy of any individual member of the species, as the average Plasmaman is believed to live in excess of 150 years, the high-concentrations of plasma in the skeletal structure have rendered Plasmamen to be extremely volatile in oxygenated environments.

The tissue of Plasmamen largely consists of hard dermal deposits around the bones, with flexile ligaments and tendons binding the skeleton together. This crude arrangement of exposed ligament, likely due to mutation, often makes precise movements exceedingly difficult for individual members of the species. Anatomic reports suggest that Plasmamen likely require the first ten or fifteen years of their lives to develop the refined motor skills capable of precisely manipulating instruments. A Plasmaman's organs are held in a sac suspended in the chest cavity; the organs themselves being supported by an internal lattice-like structure.

Interestingly, respiration appears to occur by the ambient leaching of plasma gas throughout the skeletal structure, the lungs themselves serving as pump-like vessels to distribute aforementioned gas across the breadth of the body. Whether caused by mutation, or an original biological feature of the species, this unique form of respiration has allowed to species to function without the need for a network of blood vessels.

As the name suggests, Plasmamen requires plasma to survive. While they can no longer metabolize traditional foods or breathe normally, Plasmamen are capable of combusting and metabolizing trace amounts of plasma in their organs. The slowly-burning plasma dissolves into a liquid form and diffuses throughout the pores of their solid tissue and creates a telltale orange glow as the vapor passes through their eyes. This reaction both provides them with metabolic energy and helps to stabilize the solidified plasma in the rest of their bodies. Without a steady supply of plasma gas, Plasmamen quickly lose energy and their bodies begin to disassociate and break down.

Unfortunately, this also means that Plasmamen must remain within a protected suit at all times when in non-plasma environs. Concentrated plasma, such as that found throughout their skeletal structure, is prone to spontaneously combust in the presence of oxygen; even a brief exposure to an oxygenated atmosphere may cause them to disassociate and combust. Additionally, as plasma is highly toxic to most species and these suits prevent harmful exposure to other crew members. However, NanoTrasen insists that, provided you respect all workplace regulations, you will find working alongside your Plasmaman coworkers to be just as safe as with those who are not.

Note: Nanotrasen takes no responsibility for injury or disability that may occur due to faulty exhalation valves.

Language Loss

Likely due to the complications introduced by PRS in the species, Plasmamen appear to have lost their native language. Though earlier written records do exist demonstrating that Plasmamen once had a native language, there is no known translation for these written texts - the language seeming to have been dead for several centuries at least.

Despite lacking a formal language, undoubtedly due to skeletal complications, Plasmamen on Boron have been seen making rich use of both iconography and symbolism, in the case of religion, and various gestures, for daily communication, to convey information to one another.

The Plasmaman Homeworld

Boron is a plasma-rich world with an atmosphere consisting primarily of boron, with trace amounts of argon and neon. Boron 2 is perhaps notable for its lack of distinct features, being a rocky world with little mineral value or biodiversity. Much of the planet's surface is unobservable from space, being obscured by a thick atmosphere - though exploratory efforts on the ground have revealed a world of sprawling plateaus and deep, cavernous valleys.

Boron's peculiar abundance of plasma appears to be due to a stellar phenomenon wherein its orbits closely intersects a nearby brown dwarf, Boron 5. This orbit occasionally throws up material from within the brown dwarf and forms a dusty corona. As Boron passes through this corona, material condenses on its surface, trapping plasma within cold hydrocarbon deposits.

The planet appears to have been initially settled some millennia by a species that was undoubtedly the precursor to Plasmamen with various ancient structures dotting its surface, some of which date back approximately 0.5 mya, possibly making Plasmamen one of the oldest surviving known species in the galaxy. Though many of these structures have been maintained and are now sites of religious significance, they appear to have initially been containment facilities. This has lead many scholars to believe that Boron was originally a penal colony, where criminals or slaves were sent into forced labour to mine the valuable plasma deposits on its surface.

A Brief History


Boron

Believed to be the remnants of a now extinct species that inhabited the world of Boron 3, Plasmamen history is largely based around archeological findings and speculation. Believed to have been originally discovered by an exploratory probe sent by The Technocracy in the 2300's, Plasmamen were the subject of passive study by Grey scientists. Though it is speculation, it is believed that the Grey kept the existence of the Plasmamen a well-guarded secret over fears of cultural contamination or needless exploitation.

The existence of Plasmamen remained unknown to other species until their subsequent rediscovery by Nanotrasen in 2558. Noted for its high plasma content by an NT mining probe seeking to stake out claims on various plasma-rich worlds or asteroid clusters, an exploratory vessel was quickly dispatched to the planet. In contrast to the passive observation of the Grey, Nanotrasen boldly sought to establish contact with the Plasmamen of Boron; seeking to establish both a monopoly on trade with the species as well as bringing them into the folds of the company.

Despite Nanotrasen's best efforts to incorporate much of Boron's population within the company, most Plasmamen are adamant about remaining on their homeworld.

Plasmaman Culture

Plasmamen traditionally organize themselves in sprawling, albeit tightly knit, communities lead by a religious figure of authority. The worship of "Boron", also the name of the central star within the solar system, takes precedence over all other affairs. In fact it is considered sacrilegious to air a grievance whilst worship is taking place, that such an offense is commonly punished with permanent exile. The theocracy on Boron makes heavy use of iconographical depictions of fire and places heavy emphasis on both orthodoxy and orthopraxy. Cleansing by fire is a recurring themes throughout the religious practice on Boron, the anointed person said to be born anew and washed clean when wreathed in flames. Though this practice is impossible in oxygenated environments, the peculiar atmosphere of Boron allows Plasmamen to be wreathed in fire for prolonged periods of time with little personal harm.

This practice is so prevalent that even community leaders, who serve both a spiritual and political role, are customarily anointed with fire and only allowed to hold their position so long as they remain alight. Due to subtle variances in physiology, this often leads to situations where a spiritual leader may hold authority for either the rest of their natural life or only a few minutes.

Present Day

With the assistance of both Nanotrasen and various volunteer organizations, numerous Plasmamen are now fluent in galactic common and serve as functionaries, scientists, and labourers aboard Nanotrasen facilities. Though there are many archaeological undertakings on Boron, most are often decried as defilement of relics and holy sites leaving scholars doubtful that the true age and origin of the species will ever be discovered.

Though much of the population on Boron has no desire to leave and be further away from their god, others have seen an opportunity to explore the galaxy and spread their teachings across the stars.

Remember, crewmember, a successful workplace is a productive workplace!

Gallery

Species on Paradise Station

Dionae

Grey

Humans

Kida

IPC

Plasmamen

Skrell

Slime People

Tajara

Unathi

Vox

Vulpkanin

Drask

Nian

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{wip
+{{Rewrite|reason=Under review by lore team, slated to be rewritten completely}}
-|assign = Lore Team}}
+<div style="display: grid; float: right;">
-{{toc_right}}<onlyinclude>Plasmamen are the result of Plasma-Restructurant Syndrome. They commonly hail from Boron 2, one of the earliest plasma mining colonies.</onlyinclude>
+{{JobLore}}
+{{SpeciesInfo
+ | name       = Plasmaman
+ | image      = Plasmaman.png
+ | homeworld  = Boron 2
+ | system     = Omicron Auriga
+ | language   = None
+ | height     = 190cm
+ | lifespan   = Unknown
+ | breathes   = Plasma
+}}
+{{SpeciesMechanics
+ | features =
-= Mechanics [[file:Wrench.png|32px]]=
+* Requires a containment suit.
-*''' Plasmamen cost 100 karma to unlock as a playable race '''.
+* Breathes plasma.
-* Plasmamen need to wear their hardsuit at all times. Any trace of oxygen in the atmosphere will cause them to burst into flames.
+* Doesn't have blood.
-* Plasmamen breathe pure plasma.
+ | boons    =
-* Plasmamen are equipped with a standard issue hardsuit, fitted to suit their role onboard the station.
+* They are immune to radiation
-= Plasmamen and YOU =
+* They start with welding protection
+* Plasma dust heals them slowly
+* They do not need to eat
+| maluses =
+* Combusts in non-plasma environs.
+* They take +50% burn damage.
+}}
+</div>
+Plasmamen are the remnants of a space faring species affected by Plasma-Restructurant Syndrome. They hail from plasma-laden world of Boron.
+==Plasmamen and YOU==
 Greetings, esteemed crewmember!
 In an effort to encourage inter-species cooperation and workplace efficiency, NanoTrasen has compiled a series of helpful guides on the various peoples that you may be working with!
-This particular guide refers to the those affected by Plasma-Restructurant Syndrome, commonly known as the Plasmamen (singular: Plasmaman, (colloquially Plasmawoman or Plasmids)).
+This particular guide refers to the species commonly known as the Plasmamen (singular: Plasmaman).
-== Plasmaman Naming Schemes ==
-PRS can affect several carbon-based species, and so Plasmaman names can come from many different backgrounds. Crewmembers are advised that it is better to look to someone’s ID badge, or simply ask them their name, rather than referring to them by their condition.
-== Plasmaman Physiology ==
+===Plasmaman Naming Schemes===
-Those affected by Plasma-Restructurant Syndrome lose much of their soft tissue as the carbon compounds in their bodies are replaced with plasma and hard mineralized deposits, leaving them with a skeletal appearance. The remaining tissue largely consists of hard dermal deposits around the bones, tinged purple from the heavy exposure to plasma. The flexile ligaments and tendons that bound the skeleton together typically remain, becoming able to operate similarly to muscles, which allows for an almost normal range of motion. The eyes of PRS affected rapidly lose ocular fluid, yet maintain their functionality due to the lenses being replaced with a lattice of crystallized plasma.
+Due to their lack of a native spoken language, Plasmamen typically adopt a moniker in Galactic Common for the purposes of identification. These adopted names are often references to atomic elements, places, or religiously significant figures and events.
-Curiously, however, their core organs often remain in a recognizable state, held within a sac of scar tissue in their abdominal cavities. While often partially desiccated and looking like husks of their former selves, they fortunately require no special care from medical personnel. Their remaining function is unknown, but they appear to still be necessary for the metabolic processes involved in PRS to occur.
+===Plasmaman Physiology===
+Plasmamen appear to be the remnants of an ancient space-faring species affected by a condition known as Plasma-Restructurant Syndrome. Though studies on Plasma-Restructurant Syndrome are relatively new, chronic generational exposure to plasma appears to have caused the species to lose much of its soft tissue. It is posited that, over successive generations, high-levels of plasma in the environment introduced mutations caused the loss of carbon compounds in the body and skeletal structure - leading to their subsequent replacement with hard, mineralized deposits of plasma. While it is unknown to what extent this has affected the life expectancy of any individual member of the species, as the average Plasmaman is believed to live in excess of 150 years, the high-concentrations of plasma in the skeletal structure have rendered Plasmamen to be extremely volatile in oxygenated environments.
-Uniquely, those affected by the condition require plasma to survive. While they can no longer eat food or breathe normally, they can inhale and combust small amounts of plasma gas in their altered lungs. The slowly-burning plasma dissolves into a liquid form and diffuses throughout the pores of their solid tissue (and creates a telltale orange glow as the vapor passes through their eyes). This reaction both provides them with metabolic energy and helps to stabilize the solidified plasma in the rest of their bodies. Without a steady supply of plasma gas, they will quickly lose energy and their bodies begin to disassociate and break down. It should be noted that early attempts to cure PRS via brain transplantation have proven unsuccessful. While initial surgical results were promising, plasma built up in the brain enters the bloodstream and eventually leads to fatal plasma toxicity.
+The tissue of Plasmamen largely consists of hard dermal deposits around the bones, with flexile ligaments and tendons binding the skeleton together. This crude arrangement of exposed ligament, likely due to mutation, often makes precise movements exceedingly difficult for individual members of the species. Anatomic reports suggest that Plasmamen likely require the first ten or fifteen years of their lives to develop the refined motor skills capable of precisely manipulating instruments. A Plasmaman's organs are held in a sac suspended in the chest cavity; the organs themselves being supported by an internal lattice-like structure.
-Unfortunately, this also means that the affected must remain within a protected suit at all times. Concentrated plasma such as those found in their tissues is prone to spontaneous combustion, and even a brief exposure to an oxygenated atmosphere may cause them to ignite. Additionally, as plasma is highly toxic to most species, these suits prevent harmful exposure to other crew members. However, NanoTrasen insists that, provided you respect all workplace regulations, you will find working alongside coworkers affected by PRS to be just as safe as with those who are not.
+Interestingly, respiration appears to occur by the ambient leaching of plasma gas throughout the skeletal structure, the lungs themselves serving as pump-like vessels to distribute aforementioned gas across the breadth of the body. Whether caused by mutation, or an original biological feature of the species, this unique form of respiration has allowed to species to function without the need for a network of blood vessels.
-Note: Nanotrasen takes no responsibility for injury or disability that may occur due to faulty exhalation valves.
+As the name suggests, Plasmamen requires plasma to survive. While they can no longer metabolize traditional foods or breathe normally, Plasmamen are capable of combusting and metabolizing trace amounts of plasma in their organs. The slowly-burning plasma dissolves into a liquid form and diffuses throughout the pores of their solid tissue and creates a telltale orange glow as the vapor passes through their eyes. This reaction both provides them with metabolic energy and helps to stabilize the solidified plasma in the rest of their bodies. Without a steady supply of plasma gas, Plasmamen quickly lose energy and their bodies begin to disassociate and break down.
-While wearing their protective suits, it will be difficult to distinguish their features, but the standard-issue hardsuit will be color coded according to the individual’s job, and their heights can vary considerably depending on their original physiology.
+Unfortunately, this also means that Plasmamen must remain within a protected suit at all times when in non-plasma environs. Concentrated plasma, such as that found throughout their skeletal structure, is prone to spontaneously combust in the presence of oxygen; even a brief exposure to an oxygenated atmosphere may cause them to disassociate and combust. Additionally, as plasma is highly toxic to most species and these suits prevent harmful exposure to other crew members. However, NanoTrasen insists that, provided you respect all workplace regulations, you will find working alongside your Plasmaman coworkers to be just as safe as with those who are not.
-The condition eliminates all primary and secondary sexual characteristics, but those affected will often maintain their former gender (if any), or adopt one to suit the culture around them.
+<font size="1">Note: Nanotrasen takes no responsibility for injury or disability that may occur due to faulty exhalation valves.</font>
-== Language Loss ==
+===Language Loss===
-Plasma Restructurant Syndrome often damages the subject’s memory as their brain shrivels and mineralizes, and in particular, those affected often lose their linguistic skills at the onset of the condition. However, after a period of recovery and therapy, most are able to regain fluent use of Galactic Common.
+Likely due to the complications introduced by PRS in the species, Plasmamen appear to have lost their native language. Though earlier written records do exist demonstrating that Plasmamen once had a native language, there is no known translation for these written texts - the language seeming to have been dead for several centuries at least.
-== Causes of PRS ==
+Despite lacking a formal language, undoubtedly due to skeletal complications, Plasmamen on Boron have been seen making rich use of both iconography and symbolism, in the case of religion, and various gestures, for daily communication, to convey information to one another.
-Plasma-Restructurant Syndrome is an extremely rare condition, as the factors which cause it are often lethal before its onset. The symptoms commonly manifest after the subject is caught in a plasma fire. However, development of PRS also requires long-term exposure to low doses of plasma. In a carbon-based organism with an internal skeleton, such exposure will lead to small deposits of plasma forming within the victim’s bones. If the subject’s immune system has also been compromised by other factors, plasma molecules can also become absorbed within cells and damage DNA. When the concentration of plasma within an individual’s bones and cells reaches a certain threshold, they are at risk for PRS. Generally, if untreated, this contamination will lead to cancer, organ failures, and various degenerative neurological disorders.
-However, if the subject’s body is suddenly subjected to intense heat and pressure, the shock may catalyze a chain-reaction. If there is sufficient plasma in the surrounding environment, the reaction will continue until all the carbon compounds in the subject’s body are replaced. Plasma fires are still extremely dangerous, though, and even if the reaction occurs, the unfortunate subject may still perish. Should they survive the catastrophe, the individual would also need prompt medical attention and sequestration in a controlled environment.
+===The Plasmaman Homeworld===
+Boron is a plasma-rich world with an atmosphere consisting primarily of boron, with trace amounts of argon and neon. Boron 2 is perhaps notable for its lack of distinct features, being a rocky world with little mineral value or biodiversity. Much of the planet's surface is unobservable from space, being obscured by a thick atmosphere - though exploratory efforts on the ground have revealed a world of sprawling plateaus and deep, cavernous valleys.
-Very few are fortunate enough to survive such trauma. However, as plasma industry is active across the galaxy, thousands of cases are known. The largest concentration of PRS-affected people exists on the planet Boron 2, where the condition was first discovered. Formerly a human mining colony, Boron 2 orbits an unusual plasma-rich brown dwarf but has since experienced an economic decline. However, it has become a sort of resort for the PRS-affected. More choose to settle there each year, as the planet offers many amenities for those living with the condition, including facilities where they can live without need for protective suits. Boron 2 also serves as headquarters for most prominent advocacy and research organizations dedicated to the condition.
+Boron's peculiar abundance of plasma appears to be due to a stellar phenomenon wherein its orbits closely intersects a nearby brown dwarf, Boron 5. This orbit occasionally throws up material from within the brown dwarf and forms a dusty corona. As Boron passes through this corona, material condenses on its surface, trapping plasma within cold hydrocarbon deposits.
-NanoTrasen would like to remind its employees that only the highest safety standards are followed on all our installations, and that employees face no risk of PRS if they follow them at all times. Please report to the medbay immediately if you experience symptoms of plasma poisoning.
+The planet appears to have been initially settled some millennia by a species that was undoubtedly the precursor to Plasmamen with various ancient structures dotting its surface, some of which date back approximately 0.5 mya, possibly making Plasmamen one of the oldest surviving known species in the galaxy. Though many of these structures have been maintained and are now sites of religious significance, they appear to have initially been containment facilities. This has lead many scholars to believe that Boron was originally a penal colony, where criminals or slaves were sent into forced labour to mine the valuable plasma deposits on its surface.
-= A Brief History =
+==A Brief History [[file:Plasmaflag.png|32px]]==
-Boron 2 was settled early in the beginnings of the plasma industry. The brown dwarf, dubbed “Boron” for its high concentration of the element, had been little more than a way-station between grander stars and a stop for hydrogen-scooping. However, when eager plasma speculation swept through, prospectors discovered a curious dynamic. Boron 1 orbits close to the brown dwarf, throwing material up from within it and forming a dusty corona. As Boron 1 passes through this, material condenses on its surface, trapping plasma within cold hydrocarbon deposits.
+{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left:10px;"
+|[[File:Boron.png]]
+|-
+|style="text-align:center;"|<font size="2">Boron</font>
+|}Believed to be the remnants of a now extinct species that inhabited the world of Boron 3, Plasmamen history is largely based around archeological findings and speculation. Believed to have been originally discovered by an exploratory probe sent by [[Grey|The Technocracy]] in the 2300's, Plasmamen were the subject of passive study by Grey scientists. Though it is speculation, it is believed that the Grey kept the existence of the Plasmamen a well-guarded secret over fears of cultural contamination or needless exploitation.
-Small interests flocked to the remote system to stake their claim, and soon Boron 2 was home to several no-name operations exporting plasma. And yet, plasma continued to condense upon the planet.
+The existence of Plasmamen remained unknown to other species until their subsequent rediscovery by Nanotrasen in 2558. Noted for its high plasma content by an NT mining probe seeking to stake out claims on various plasma-rich worlds or asteroid clusters, an exploratory vessel was quickly dispatched to the planet. In contrast to the passive observation of the Grey, Nanotrasen boldly sought to establish contact with the Plasmamen of Boron; seeking to establish both a monopoly on trade with the species as well as bringing them into the folds of the company.
-With the dangers of plasma poorly understood back then, the fine-grain plasma particles prevalent, and the slapdash nature of those operations, it was only a matter of time until an accident occurred. On March 27th, 2399, the St. Belchan’s Corp plasma mine exploded due to improper maintenance of its atmospheric system. Intense insurance litigation would later reveal that all the mines systems had experienced chronic low-level plasma contamination, and that the miners had reported strange mutations in hydroponics. The small handful of survivors became known as the first cases of the syndrome, to much scientific curiosity.
+Despite Nanotrasen's best efforts to incorporate much of Boron's population within the company, most Plasmamen are adamant about remaining on their homeworld.
-Across the galaxy, reports of the condition increased as mining operations expanded. It would be decades before proper widespread safety regulations came into force, but despite its rarity (occurring in only one of 3 million of those who worked with plasma), PRS’s dramatic effects began to draw public attention to the dangers of improperly handled plasma.
+===Plasmaman Culture===
+Plasmamen traditionally organize themselves in sprawling, albeit tightly knit, communities lead by a religious figure of authority. The worship of "Boron", also the name of the central star within the solar system, takes precedence over all other affairs. In fact it is considered sacrilegious to air a grievance whilst worship is taking place, that such an offense is commonly punished with permanent exile. The theocracy on Boron makes heavy use of iconographical depictions of fire and places heavy emphasis on both orthodoxy and orthopraxy. Cleansing by fire is a recurring themes throughout the religious practice on Boron, the anointed person said to be born anew and washed clean when wreathed in flames. Though this practice is impossible in oxygenated environments, the peculiar atmosphere of Boron allows Plasmamen to be wreathed in fire for prolonged periods of time with little personal harm.
-However, when the time came, as always, NanoTrasen led the tide of innovation. The Galaxy’s finest for over 300 years, it was the first to manufacture the suits which allow the PSR-affected to continue enjoying life as before, and of course, the first to show that they can be just as much an asset to the workforce as anyone else.
+This practice is so prevalent that even community leaders, who serve both a spiritual and political role, are customarily anointed with fire and only allowed to hold their position so long as they remain alight. Due to subtle variances in physiology, this often leads to situations where a spiritual leader may hold authority for either the rest of their natural life or only a few minutes.
-== Present Day ==
+===Present Day===
-The condition is still poorly understood. However, research is always underway, and every day medical science advances. Interestingly, the syndrome has yielded unexpected benefits to its bearers. Those who have managed to maintain good care and a steady supply of plasma have found their lifespans extended. The mutation processes changes the body such that, provided constant plasma to reverse deterioration, no appreciable aging occurs. Consequently, they make for valuable, experienced workers, well worth their medical expenses.
+With the assistance of both Nanotrasen and various volunteer organizations, numerous Plasmamen are now fluent in galactic common and serve as functionaries, scientists, and labourers aboard Nanotrasen facilities. Though there are many archaeological undertakings on Boron, most are often decried as defilement of relics and holy sites leaving scholars doubtful that the true age and origin of the species will ever be discovered.
-The wealthiest usually retire to Boron 2, but the majority of those with the condition remain mixed amongst the Galaxy’s population and workforce. Rising safety standards have reduced the rate of new diagnoses, but there are always those who treat plasma carelessly, and occasionally those who survive the results.
+Though much of the population on Boron has no desire to leave and be further away from their god, others have seen an opportunity to explore the galaxy and spread their teachings across the stars.
-NanoTrasen always welcomes those leaving less thoughtful corporations, and has always been a friend to the PRS community.
+'''Remember, crewmember, a successful workplace is a productive workplace!'''
-'''Remember, employee, mutual respect and joint efforts are the way to success.
+==Gallery==
-Nanotrasen Humanoid Relations department'''
+[[File:Plasmaman.png|frameless|250x250px]]
 {{Species}}
-[[Category:Fluff]][[Category:Lore]][[Category:Species]]
+[[Category:Lore]]

Difference between revisions of "Plasmaman"

Latest revision as of 13:06, 3 April 2024

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