Splicer is an umbrella term used to refer to any human being who has undergone genetic modification, or any animal-based humanoid entity that has been subjected to "uplifting" (granting beings human level intelligence and bipedal physiology).
The first splicers were products of genetic experiments, but since that day a few generations ago it has become a far more mainstream and accepted procedure.
Splicing is an entirely organic process, and the term itself is broad; a Splicer can range from a baseline human with minor cosmetic traits (such as animal ears), a fully anthropomorphic humanoid with an animal head and fur, or anything in between. Not all splicers possess animalistic traits; some may instead have designer DNA of a different sort, such as pointy ears inspired by vague legends from the ancient world.
What splicing doesn't include is simple biological modifications within the human norm, such as changing one's eye color or sex. These are so commonplace within Deshret society that there is no specific term used to indicate individuals who've gone through them, just as in real life we wouldn't use a specific term to indicate people who dye their hair or have worn braces.
Who Handles Splicing?
In Deshret, there are three major organizations of note when it comes to Splicing:
- Mythos (The Guild): The bio engineering guild holds the monopoly on genesplicing, surgical alteration, and biomodification in the city. They are the architects of the modern splicing process, tracing their ideological roots back to Saint Vael, who secretly utilized rudimentary genetic techniques to heal the early citizens of Deshret before the guild's formal inception.
- House Varga: This Great House is responsible for the supply side of the industry. They breed and manage the genestock (raw genetic material and living specimens) that is required to genesplice.
- House Vesalius: They control Mythos; House Vesalius is the primary beneficiary of advanced splicing technology, utilizing it heavily on their own members.
Society and Splicing
While legally and spiritually permitted, Splicers experience distinct social divides. Light cosmetic alterations are common among high-society fashion trends and street subcultures alike. Heavily modified individuals and uplifted beings often face labor exploitation, social prejudice, and legal vulnerability. Elite families maintain private collections and menageries on their estates, keeping exotic Splicers in conditions ranging from ornamental luxury to bonded servitude.
Religious Standing
Unlike mechanical cyberware and cold chrome, organic gene-splicing is accepted by the Church of the Nine. Because biological modification operates on living cellular tissue rather than synthetic computing chips or steel, it does not violate church prohibitions against technological pollution. Splicing is viewed as cultivating living matter rather than corrupting the soul.
FAQ
What level of non-human traits can I portray in a splicer PC?
In short, if it's a trait that would need to be represented mechanically because it would give your character a meaningful edge, you shouldn't incorporate it into your design.
But if it's basically cosmetic, most anything goes, although the character will need to be bipedal and with two legs/two arms for consistency with the code. Details like hooves are perfectly acceptable, or tails that are mildly prehensile (i.e., you can grab a cup but not wield a weapon).
Are the children of splicers also splicers?
Generally, yes. In most cases, the genetic modifications done for splicing are passed down through the bloodline. This is a strict requirement for uplifts, but for other kinds of splicing it can be opted out of.
If both of a child's parents are splicers with different sources (i.e., a cat splicer and a dog splicer), the child will likely fall to one side or the other rather than showing blended traces of both.
Can someone be spliced after birth?
Yes; you can have modifications done even if you didn't inherit them.
Can someone be spliced in vitro?
It's technically possible, but very rare, and would likely require considerable resources/access to elite Mythos connections.
How is splicing actually done?
The exact details of the process are proprietary to Mythos, but it is not a surgical procedure; it instead functions via fleshcrafting, a medical form of magic.
Is it possible to not know that you're a splicer?
Extremely unlikely. As splicing is only a few generations old, nobody would exist with very diluted splicer traits just yet. Moreover, any amount of non-human DNA is enough to qualify you as a splicer. Certain traits like red eyes could perhaps be mistaken for mutations, but in almost all cases splicer heritage would be known at the very least to the individual.
Are all splicers utilizing animal DNA?
A splicer is simply someone with non-human DNA. In most cases this would mean a trait taken from an animal. However, as genetic modification in Deshret is quite advanced, there are people who are spliced with characteristics we would view as mythological beings - for example, elves or dragons. In cases like these, the people of Deshret believe these beings were once real before the Great Burning, and Mythos or perhaps Varga have recreated genetic sequences believed to belong to them. If you have any questions about a specific weird splicer ancestry, check with staff!
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