Angels
From Alternative History
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Angels possess the ability of flight and synthacardium and bone-lacing biotechnology. Angels must consume much larger quanities of food than normal and also emit a powerful electomagnetic field called the Halo Effect. Angels must also deal with the physical limitations of 6" long wings and must alter their lifestyles accordingly.
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[edit] Identification
Angels appear as normal homo sapiens sapiens, the only notable exception being pair of feathered wings that extend from the shoulder-blades up past the top of the head and down to the backs of the knees. Plumage ranges from glossy black to chalk white. Mottled plumage is sometimes evident in young specimens but is less common and usually lightens or darkens with age. Pterylae are much heavier than sapiens , due not only to their wings but also because of their reinforced skeletal structure and iron-rich, wire-like muscle fibers. Physiogamy includes a highly-specialized ligature, an absence of the appendix and hypertrophism of the pineal gland and upper-body musculature. The cardiovascular system is also similarly augmented.
[edit] Habitat
In urban areas, Angels prefer to nest in buildings with high ceilings and exposed rafters. Old buildings and warehouses (called Aviaries), often with roof access for launches and landings, are common dwellings. Because of the Halo Effect and subsequent anti-Angelic legislation, many Angels have opted to live in more rural Angelic communes called Coops.
[edit] Habits
Angels are active during the day and the night but prefer to stay indoors during inclement weather. Angels tend to live in small groups or alone. Life expectancy is unknown, presumably 80 years or more. Breeding season is unrestricted. Gestation is 270 days. Due to the accelerated metabolism of Angels, food sources must be high in calcium, magnesium and iron (dietary supplements may be used) and suggested caloric intake is doubled during and following the first signs of Angelism.
[edit] Flight
Angels possess the ability of flight and have a higher center of gravity. Fledglings are often taught to fly by older, more experienced Angels but even lone Angels are "hatched" with the instinct of flight and will eventually learn with enough practice. Angels are capable of sustained flight for several hours (depending on physical fitness and preparation) and also of hovering in place for up to a half hour (again, depending on the strength stamina of the Angelic). Despite the ability of ground launches, most Angels prefer to launch from a high perch in order to prevent the inevitable swell of dust and debris that accompanies flapping wings.
When going on extended flights, Angels often wear protective goggles, ear plugs and warm, non-restrictive clothing to fend of the effects of wind and cold temperatures. Most also carry water and salt tablets for electrolyte balancing, cough drops for dry mouth and antacids to combat indigestion caused by swallowing air. Flying in inclement weather is not advised; the wings, although resistant to moisture, can become too saturated to stay airborne and cold weather will cause ice-crystals to form on the feathers which can lead to cracking and bleeding wings.
[edit] Young
Angelic newborns are usually born premature and underweight; twins have never been reported. Due to their birth weight and other anatomical complications with both mother and child, infants must be delivered through a Cesarean section and viable infants are usually placed into intensive care upon delivery. Wings are present at birth but stunted and featherless. Down appears within the first week and the wings are fully plumed at approximately 5 months. Infant Angels often climb and dive off of objects, using their wings to glide, and should be tethered to avoid injury.
[edit] Viral Angelism (Human Wing Growth Syndrome)
Human Angeloproficiency Virus (HAV strains I, II and III) is spread through the blood. Semen, saliva and other bodily secretions show minimal amounts of the virus and have been determined not to be viable vectors for HAV. Once infected, the carrier will begin to suffer from a highly-increased metabolism and an increased appetite for highly unusual items. Other early symptoms of infection include nausea, irregular or arrested menstruation and sensitivity to sensory input.
Stage two of Human Wing Growth Sundrome (HWGS) includes a higher than normal body temperature and inflamed, irritated tissue on either side of the spine that soon swells and hardens into dorsal ridges that emerge from between the scapulae. At stage three, the carrier must consume incredible quanities of food, especially iron-rich foods like beef liver or dietary supplements. The soon-to-be-Angelic's mental health at this point is slightly abnormal; strange dreams and cravings begin to occur with greater frequency and the carrier may even have hallucinations and fantasies about flying, cannibalism and dying.
Stage three of HWGS is a green crust that begins at the fingernails and toenails (effectively fusing them together) and spreads across the epidermis over the course of a week. By this stage the carrier will be all but helpless and will spend the next month encased in a greenish chrysalis until he or she awakens and breaks free with a pair of fully-formed wings. Clumsiness and disorientation while walking is common, as will the feeling that the Angelic's new wings are "alive." Many Angels actually relate to their wings as sentient beings that act independently of the bearer's will.
[edit] The Halo Effect (Angelic Field Syndrome)
The wire-like muscles fibers and magnetized heart muscle of the Angelic physiogamy generate a powerful electomagnetic field that adversely affects electronic equipment and other EMF-sensitive apparatus. The field is so strong that Angels are able to magnetically adhere small metal objects to their chests through their skin. Although this presents many obstacles to Angels in this modern age, small advances in AFS-negating technology (armband-mounted "anti-static" generating boxes) have helped the situation somewhat. Still, most Angels decry technology and eschew gas-lit homes and more Victorian ammenties in their Aviaries.
Cybernetics are virtually useless to Angels (although implanted AVS boxes allow minor modifications) and all unshielded electronics and cybernetics will suffer from the damaging electromagnetic field that extends in a one meter radius around the Angel. Angels possess highly sophsticated lymphic, cardiovascular and myoskeltal systems; cybernetic and bio-modification of these systems is ill-advised. On account of their highly magnetic aura, Angels are unable to interface with the Matrix or utilize any kind of neural modification (datajacks, chipjacks, skillwires, wired reflexes or interface rigs) even with anti-static boxes. Cyberoptics and audio, filtration sytems, chemical alterations, dermal armor and other similar modifications are possible but cost double the normal amount.
Recently, anti-Angelism laws have been passed in most metropoliton areas to prohibit Angels from entering areas where sensitive electronic or cybernetic equipment might be in use. This measure is being fought by various pro-Angelic Rights groups, citing developments in anti-AVS technology and EMF shielding.
[edit] Molting
Angels shed their feathers in a two-week long process called molting. Similar to molting in birds, Angels go through this shedding process every year (on average). There are two types of molting: the first is called dropping and involves large patchs of plumage literally dropping out. The resultant naked wing has a decidedly unattractive appearance. The other type (called thinning) is a gradual shedding of plumage where each wing loses an even number of feathers all year around in a regular pattern. This gradual process avoids the "plucked" appearance of dropping. Angels are either droppers or thinners and this is believed to be hereditary (50% base chance of being a dropper or a thinner).
[edit] Post-Angelic Stress Disorder
Unfortunately, the physical and mental trauma of the Change (as it is called) is too much for some Fledgelings. Suicide is commonplace (especially in urban centers) and pre-Change deaths from malnutrition and stress on the heart are still being reported (although this number continues to drop annually as more information on pre-Change care comes to light). Angels often feel cursed with their wings, thinking themselves as "unworthy" or other times freakish. Feelings of paranoia and persecution (sometimes warranted) are also common and can be difficult to deal with. Several Angelism support groups have been founded recently to deal with these issues.
