In the summer of 1963, it happened, the
Delta-Storm, an event where tens of thousands of crystals rained from the sky and landed on the earth. These weren't ordinary crystals (Named
Delta-Crystals), however, as they radiated with strange otherworldly energy (Nicknamed
Delta-Point Energy) that granted strange and abilities to those who were exposed to it. These can range from teleportation to super-strength, to manipulating the elements and even replicating the abilities of others, the possibilities are endless. These superhuman entities are called
Deltahumans (The older term was
Metahumans, and sometimes they are referred to as
Deltas/Metas). There are five different types of crystal/delta-point energy (Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, & White), each granting a different type of ability but there's also the chance that someone may get two different types of energy (Known as being Chromatic, which is rare). However, powers are
completely random within those categories and it's possible for someone to get a completely useless power. Only a select few are compatible with the energy (stated to be about
15% of all humanity) but once they are exposed (from the crystals or contact with other Deltahumans) it'll rapidly spread to the rest of their body.
This is known as an
Exposure-Event and once exposed a person either develop their abilities
Naturally (over time ability will manifest) or
Under-High-Stress (in high-stress situations ability develop faster). The energy within a Deltahuman is invisible to all except special equipment and when they use their ability on the environment they project a bit of it (only for it to fade away once they've ended their ability). Every person's ability is different and unique to them, however, some abilities are
Hereditary. These are few and in between but are more likely to occur if the mother is a Deltahuman and Deltahuman child usually takes after the mother power-wise. There's an
extremely high chance if the parent was compatible with the energy the child will also be compatible with the energy.
Deltahumans are naturally drawn to one another through something known as the
Black-Fall Effect. It's a subconscious draw to one another that's so subtle that nobody can notice - but even the shyest introvert will be drawn to other Deltahumans. If a Deltahuman touches a Delta-Crystal, they'll receive a massive power boost if the crystal corresponds with their type. For example, a Red Deltahuman will get boosted from a red crystal, but if they touch a yellow then it'll only be slight. There are a few drawbacks, however, as powers are linked to the body and mind, and overuse can result in exhaustion and physical pain. A Deltahuman pushing themselves too far will result in
Ashing, which is best described as the body self-destructing. They'll fade away into ash and the survival rate is also extremely low - around
4%. There's also another side effect that makes it risky for Deltahumans to use Delta-Crystals.
Throughout the years there have been technology developed around Deltahumans, most famously the
Power Nullification Collars - which disable a Deltahuman's power long as they are wearing it. Though, there's a new nefarious chemical that has developed in recent years - Power Serums. The REAPER organization is the prime distributor of these serums, these glowing vials of liquid can grant a variety of different powers once consumed. They can usually be bought by shady means, however, the REAPER organization sometimes distributes them for free for purposes unknown (either to drum up chaos, or test out a new serum). Most of the Delta-crystals have been collected by the world's governments however a few exist out there in the wild (with some theorizing that new crystals could be
growing). While Deltahumans are a recent development out in the world, some suspect that Deltahumans could have appeared far earlier. It's only a suspicion, right?
After the
Verthaven Disaster, more Deltacrystals are appearing.
