NewMorphFAQ
From Pca Central
Contents |
[edit] The 'Official' Unofficial Pokemorph FAQ
[edit] Preface
Everything here is a compilation of thoughts on the state of the PCA worldsetting in terms of its primary denizens, the pokemorphs, gathered from the actual members themselves. While this is much like the Character Guidelines in that it's meant to be a basic guide for players to work with, it's much less 'solid' in terms of requesting adherence. To directly quite Rikmach's original: "Don't take it for gospel, they are merely the assumptions I'm operating under in my stories until the community at large overrides me -- if you like the ideas, by all means, please use them!"
I (dh01) reserve the right to poke people about their added data if it's just too clashing or out-there to work with the whole. The goal will be inclusion, not exclusion, although compromises and liberties may have to be take to make it work. There's also the possibility for 'this or that' additions!
[edit] We All Live In A Pokemorph World
- Pokemorphs are the dominant species...
... but pokemon do still exist. Instead of existing as fighting monsters as per the normal setting, they roughly fill the spots in the Real World that animals normally would -- as pets, wild animals, things to be found in zoos and on the dinner plate (as they're the only source of meat and animal by-products in the setting). Pokemorphs are generally omnivorous (with some obvious exceptions) and have roughly the same range of what's edible as humans would. While some species may find eating their feral counterpart disturbing, others don't seem to mind at all.
The usual terms to describe pokemon as a whole are either 'primals' or 'ferals'.
- The usual term to refer to morphs in general is 'mon'. Similar to man, yes.
[edit] Pokemorph Physiology
[edit] The Basics
Pokemorphs are, in basic terms, pokemon with varying degrees of humanoid characteristics. The origins of the pokemorph are both ICly and OOCly mysteries to allow for speculation, (intentionally interesting) discussions and other bits of interesting interaction without stating the One True Way.
[edit] Healing and Recovery
For all the terrifying attacks morphs can unleash on one another, their own bodies are perhaps the greatest miracle. Naturally meant for battle, they are exceedingly tough, can withstand extreme amounts of injury and heal at a very rapid rate. Things that would wreck humans are minor to them, and actual injuries that would hospitalize a human for months may take a morph a week or so to rebound at the very worst. Regardless, even morphs have their limits, and extreme force and flukes can lead to serious injury or even death. For the most part, these sorts of injuries can take time to recover from, or may even leave permanent injuries in the most extreme of cases.
As an innate mechanism to avoid excessive injuries to incur on a pokemorph, their bodies are tuned to 'faint' after they've sustained enough damage. Similar to shock but nowhere near as dangerous, this instinctual reaction effectively shuts the morph down physically, imitating actual unconsciousness. When a morph is in a life-or-death matter, this reaction is totally suppressed -- it can also be fought off in non-lethal combat by those trying to push themselves as far as they can go, but such an act is considered progressively risky as it could lead to unnecessary harm the longer the morph resists. Additionally, those raised in extremely hostile settings learn to suppress fainting as a matter of survival.
Fitting the combative nature of morphs, medicine is simply the most advanced of the biological sciences. Chemical sprays and salves that work on pokemon work on morphs just as well, and are vital parts of first-aid kits and battle recovery packs. Considering how vast pokemorph biology is subject-wise, this makes things decidedly easier on doctors.
[edit] Evolution
Evolution is a hard thing to pin down, as it's as varied and unique as every single morph alive is. It can be a natural matter, a ritual, exposure to strange energies and objects, and even things as simple as a location or a certain time. Even emotion and desire can force evolution... or even suppress it if the morph can sense it approaching.
Evolution generally occurs quite rapidly, and some tend to call it 'turbo-puberty' as it often comes with a size increase at the very least. Such a rapid change can make for an awkward morph, but they quickly adjust to their new shape given time and experience. In some cases, evolution is instead a slow, gradual and methodical process -- perhaps even years-long.
[edit] Breeding
Such a touchy subject. Literally.
For the most part, breeding bears similarities to how it exists in the games, with some exceptions. The various 'egg groups' exist, and these species can readily and easily produce offspring. It is possible (although not a given and sometimes heartbreaking in the case of miscarriages) for 'incompatible' species to also have children if fortune favors them. The child of any union, regardless of compatibility, ends up as the species of either parent and can sometimes also bear some mild traits from the other.
Pokemorphs generally give birth to live, squalling children, although some species can lay eggs and some can even give birth in both ways given certain criteria. A few species also have unusual and unique birthing methods and practices fitting their natures.
A newborn is usually born in their 'starting' stage of evolution, but there are exceedingly rare instances where a child is either born in their first stage of evolution, or evolves shortly after being born. Regardless, there has never been (and according to all known studies cannot be) a child born who begins life in a second evolutionary stage if their species possesses one.
[edit] The Ditto
On the matter of breeding, Dittos exist in a very unique space in the social structure of the pokemorph world, mainly due to their ability to not only assume either gender, but procreate with any gendered species. Usually, though, this involves many Dittos taking on tasks that allow them to create, strengthen and save families without actively engaging in matters sexual.
They can also serve as a go-between for what has come to be a ritualized and time-honored process, allowing the incompatible, the same-gendered and the barren to create families. Naturally, intimacy is required, and not just in regards to mere sex -- physical contact in and of itself gives as much genetic information to use towards procreation, if not more than actual coitus. Oftimes, Dittos who engage in this practice spend very long periods of time with the couple, even moreso if they themselves end up as the one carrying the child. Naturally, such services have costs, but there are those who perform this service out of duty or kindness in some cases. Nonetheless, merely being a 'surrogate' is a living, and a high-paying one at that.
To many (especially the Dittos themselves) this service is seen as an important and gracious one for them to give. Naturally, some merely see Dittos as gender-flipping whores, and such comments are considered an insult at the very least. Dittos who actually adhere to the stereotype are another source of drama entirely.