What are Kinetics?

Everything Elemental

Kinetics

In Elemental, there exists a race of beings known as “kinetics.” Kinetics are human-like creatures with access to immense power. Moreover, kinetics have animalistic traits that offer them greater facility as well as unnaturally-long lifespans. Here we’ll explore some of the differences and similarities of the human race and their counterparts.

Where do they come from?

Kinetics hail from all human races, creeds, and nations, and no specific human race (as in, Gallean, Britannian, Sengoku, usw.) has a higher chance of producing more kinetics. Kinetics can come into the world in a few different ways:

By Birth
Also known as a “birthright,” one may be born as a kinetic either from one or two kinetic parents, or, in rare cases, a human couple may have a kinetic child. In the general case, a kinetic or half-kinetic couple have no guarantee that their elemental abilities will be passed on to their child. For instance, a pyrokinetic that has a child with a human woman has a good chance that the child will not be pyrokinetic, assuming the child is a kinetic at all. That being said, if, say, two heliokinetics have a child, there is a fairly decent chance that the child will also be heliokinetic, and may even inherit a semblance or combination of his parents’ Privileges (though that occurrence is fairly rare).
A kinetic child may also be born of two human progenitors. This usually happens if a kinetic was at one time part of either parent’s lineage, such as a great-grandfather or other relative. It is possible for two non-ancestral humans to have a kinetic child (such as the case of Anatolia or Wanderer and many others). This occasion is usually terms for celebration, although some cultures still regard kinetics as a sign of ill-fortune, or even demonic involvement.

By Assumption
Also known as being “chosen,” a human may obtain kinesis, a kinetic form, and all the bells and whistles of being a kinetic. Assumption can occur only when certain events are lined up, and those events constitute a closely-guarded secret held by none other than Wanderer himself. The human who becomes a kinetic is indistinguishable from a naturally-born kinetic. The one chosen may have to adapt to their new way of living, however, as being a kinetic grants certain advantages and disadvantages. The first recorded assumption occurred in 1278 Ancient Age, when Anosh of Hemathet became a pyrokinetic after waking up one morning. He foolishly and impetuously used his power to steal and abuse, until he was killed by an unknown assailant.


Alright, neat. What else? How do kinetics live?

Kinetics, being commanders of the elemental forces of nature, subsist in a variety of ways. Traditionally, or rather, when kinetics were more rare, they would live in areas that exemplified the element they controlled. Aerokinetics would live high in the mountains, cryokinetics in frozen tundras, venokinetics in swamps, and so forth. That trend saw a decline after kinetics became more numerous, and currently kinetics live in cities and villages amongst their human compatriots.
The integration of kinetic life with human life is not always seamless, and there are still many cities and even nations that remain passively or actively hostile towards the presence of a kinetic. A variation of Christianity holds the belief that kinetics are demonic creatures and not to be trusted, and this thinking is echoed in other religions (especially in the Far East). Racism and the threat of violence aside, most kinetics live in peace with their neighbours, even if it’s tenuous at times. Most humans understand that a kinetic can be dangerous if angered to the point of swords being drawn, especially psiokinetics.
Something I should have explained earlier is that kinetics have exceedingly long lifespans. The average kinetic, even in deteriorating health, will live for at least 800 years. Kinetics who take care of themselves can live for over 900. Interestingly enough, kinetics who command legendary elements such as time or shadow seem to live for much longer, and are perhaps immortal (unless slain by another). At any rate, all kinetics retain their youth and beauty over the course of their life, albeit with some minor exceptions. For instance, Anatolia never physically aged past 9 or 10 years. Likewise, some kinetics continue to age as if they were human before stopping, usually at around 40-60 years old. In very rare instances, a kinetic might age to look like they’re well into their 80s, or a very elderly man might suddenly become a kinetic. And now I’m sort of rambling.

Moving on!

Alright, so that’s how humans and kinetics get along. What about kinetics and their kin?

Right. So all kinetics recognise that they’re different in very obvious ways. You know, a furry man with a snout and tail sticks out in a crowd. That said, kinetics are usually kind and courteous to each other. Even grouchy or stubborn kinetics will open up to another of their kind, but react with hostility to a human making the same approach. Kinetics often form guilds within cities or large towns to provide for each other, and in some cases, a city may require every kinetic citizen to join a guild so as to keep track of them all.

Do kinetics have to deal with the same kinds of problems that humans do?

Sure. Any disease or malady that can afflict a human can easily afflict a kinetic as well. In fact, kinetics tend to be susceptible to more types of ailments. For instance, a kinetic who is part lizard must guard himself against scale-rot, a kinetic who is part dog must be wary of fleas, usw. There is also a kinetic-specific disease that causes one’s elemental energy to charge at a constant rate. This charge can be useful in some circumstances, but if a kinetic lets himself gather too much KP, he runs the risk of doing serious harm to himself and others, and even the threat of death is present. With a regular expulsion of KP, a kinetic can avoid an untimely demise, and the disease becomes very manageable. Thankfully, it isn’t contagious by any known means.
Kinetics also have to deal with the normal day-to-day struggles of life. The argument could be made that they have to deal with more than the average human, but either way, life is what it is, and even kinetics with all their power cannot overcome the forces of fate.

Anything else before I fall asleep?

Well, there are countless small things that separate kinetics and humans further. Kinetics with tails must buy specially-made clothing with a loop in the breach so their tail isn’t constricted. Others with non-human feet either have to buy specifically-made shoes or go barefoot (the latter option being more widely adopted). Also, some kinetics just have a tough time navigating crowds and small spaces simply because their form isn’t conducive to being around too many people. For example, a kinetic who is part porcupine has a ton of pointed quills, and it’s almost a full-time job making sure that they don’t accidentally do any harm to someone.

So that’s that. I began to brain-dump, so it’s best I stop before I get too absurd. Thanks for reading.