Deadmen

-Initial Description-Are people who upon their deaths bonded with the substance known as Ectoplasm, generating a psionic imprint capable of granting them a new body made of the interdimensional Ectoplasm or merging it with their already existing bodies to grant them enhanced physiology and abilities. Unfortunately this resurrection comes at a dark price that forces them into a life of cannibalism if they wish to live.

-Historical Note- While there have been a number of Deadmen over the years, up until the last century or so the majority tended to limit themselves to dwelling within the ‘Deadlands’.

There are a number of theorized reasons for this but due to the hazardous nature of studying Deadmen, a true cause has yet to be found. The most widely accepted theory is that with the human death and birth rate spiking after the second world war, this led to a larger number of Deadmen. Causing the Deadmen population that remained on earth to pass a threshold where they could realistically avoid notice even with the majority still making their way to the Deadlands.

-Deadman Powers- Deadmen possess a number of powers on a spectrum that ranges between the physical and meta-physical. These powers can range from simple strength, durability, and speed on the physical side, with elemental generation towards the center of the spectrum, and the more infamous ghost-like abilities such as possession and phase-shifting dwelling within the meta-physical side of things.

Additionally it is also possible for Deadmen to develop more esoteric abilities revolving around their given Obsessions. Enabling them to mix the more basic abilities into more complex powers such as minion generation, dream manipulation, and etc.

-Obsessions- Every Deadman possesses several Obsessions, concepts or ideas that fill a Deadman with enough thought or emotion to allow them to bond with nearby Ectoplasm. These Obsessions are capable of ranging from things that were important to the Deadman in life to significant aspects of their own Death.

It should be noted however that while a Deadman can shuffle between their Obsessions, -thus choosing which one takes priority- that no Deadman is capable of outright refusing their Obsessions. At times even risking their very existence to protect their greater Obsession, whatever it may be.

-Ectoplasmic Cores- Are the base source of all Deadman abilities, and have been shown to function as an odd cross of a heart and a secondary brain (similar to a cell nucleus) within a Deadman’s body.

It has been seen that should a Deadman manage to gather enough Ectoplasm it is capable for them to generate a new Core unlocking a new power, or a new Sub-Core improving a pre-existing power. And should these cores become damaged it can disable whatever ability is related to that given core, be it energy manipulation, phasing, motor-control, or thought until a Deadman gathers the Ectoplasm necessary to heal said damage.

Additionally, it has been shown that the number of Cores functions as a direct correlation between a Deadman’s complexity and power, with most Sapient Deadmen possessing a ‘Brain Core’ that functions as the Deadman’s true brain. Meaning that even if their actual brain is damaged they can function unimpeded without the structure necessary to their pre-Deadman existence.

(Note: As an ironic twist most Deadmen naturally develop this ‘Brain Core’ in the same place as their actual brain, negating much of the advantage of this alternative nervous structure.)

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-Ectoplasmic Hunger- Given how a large portion of every Deadman is made up of Ectoplasm mimicking or maintaining their base physiology and neurology, each Deadman must maintain a steady flow of active Ectoplasm to remain alive.

And while it is possible for Deadmen to generate small amounts of Ectoplasm by giving into their Obsessions, should they become too active outside of those Obsessions they will generate a Hunger causing them to seek out a source of external Ectoplasm to maintain themselves. Be it through the cannibalistic consumption of their fellow Deadmen, to triggering a response in the residual ectoplasm within certain humans and consuming that.

(Note: Due to the fact that Ectoplasm has been shown to react to and mimic strong emotional responses, it has been shown that this ‘hunger’ generates a feedback loop of sorts slowly growing until it is the only emotion a Deadman is capable of feeling until satiated.)

-The Courts of the Dead- represent what could be considered the governing bodies of the Deadlands. With each Court representing a different group of Deadmen who have gathered together due to a number of personal, spiritual, or philosophical reasons and then typically led by a ‘King’ who protects the ideals of each Court.

Unfortunately the actual details of each court is limited to those who dwell within or frequently interact with said courts, and very few details have made it into mass circulation.

-Sub Deviancies- Due to existing on a wide spread spectrum Deadmen possesses possibly the largest number of sub-Deviancies between all of the main Deviancies. Of the more well seen of these sub-Deviancies there are the

--Death Echoes- Arguably the weakest of all Deadmen, Death Echoes are a form of weak Spectral that is forever trapped reliving its death.

(Note: Most ‘good’ Death magics possess several spells built specifically to help break Death Echoes out of their loops. A feat that frequently enables them to move on with relative ease.)

--Skeletals- Are considered the weakest form of physical Deadmen, given how the only part of their body to resurrect with them is their skeletal structure. This lack of overall mass is the reason that very few Skeletals are capable of reaching a level of power beyond three or four cores.

--Corpses- The strongest of the physical Deadmen due to their immense strength and durability despite their inability to use ectoplasm for energy based feats. Unfortunately many of these physical enhancements also come with a number of physical mutations such as exponential bone or muscle growth, making them one of the most obvious Deviancies amongst all Deviants.

--Ghouls- Who while largely physical do possess the ability to manipulate ectoplasm on a small scale granting them one or two of the more widely known Spectral abilities. Due to their physical nature and lack of mutations, these Deadmen are the ones who can most easily blend into non-Deviant society, with some capable of covering up their deaths altogether.

--Spectrals- Possibly both the most common and ‘ghost-like’ of the Deadman Sub-Deviancies as well as one of the physically weakest. These are the more commonly seen Deadmen capable of walking through walls, turning invisible, possessing the living, and the largest range of energy manipulation.

--Wraiths- Being another ghost-like Deadman, this sub-deviancies shares many of the ghost-like abilities of the spectral while taking a deeper focus on their chosen elemental generation. What’s most notable about this sub-deviancy however is the fact that it seems to have given a larger portion of its greater mental functions in exchange for a greater initial power. Often possessing only a single powerful -and often violent- Obsession.

--Spirits- These Deadmen represent a unique amalgamation of thoughts and feelings, and are typically born from events with a large amount of death or emotion rather than an individual death. Because of this there is a fair amount of debate whether this sub-Deviancy even counts as a Deadman regardless of biological similarities and acceptance within the Deadlands.