The Jorogumo, splintered, cells, and mayhems. These ancient traditions are hotly debated. Because of Marcwith’s turbulent past a lot of info was lost, and in their second ‘dark age’ much information about these processes forgotten by even the most prominent families. A drug called ‘mayhem’ still exists, but it is now only a dangerous and highly addictive hallucinogen (much like .exes in Erebus). The order of the Jorogumo has gone deep underground since the end of the feudal era. Much like the cults in erebus, the Jorogumo have become a small sect of those with preternatural abilities, focusing on those with stronger powers than you find on Erebus. In general, the people of Marcwith have higher natural ability than those in erebus. Like most else, the idea of splintered and cells remains unclear. It is obvious from archeological digs that the deerless did at one time saw off people’s limbs, sometimes replacing them with weapons or tools, but the abilities and lifespan of these mutilated creatures is unknown. Some appear to have scarring on the bone that would suggest some kind of life was lived with a new attachment, but some seem more like post-death composite creatures.
Splintered – experimented on, torn apart, and dumped back into the world, the splintered range from minor limb loss to perversely mutilated, often being Cell experiments gone wrong. The resulting mishaps are then sold at auction like slaves to be used for whatever, and those that don’t sell are thrown out in the street to scrape a living for themselves. They are often self-taught among weapons and thus work best with class X weapons. Often they replace their missing limbs with whatever they can find – simple weapons, weights, whatever. It’s interchangeable. Occasionally they are kept as servants, slaves, or even pets by the very wealthy and sadistic. People regard the Splintered with pity, find them servile, or may even have a strange affection for them. Any class has the opportunity to become 'splintered' from battle. Splintered only gain benefits from class X and Z Weapons.
Cell –There are generally two types of Cell – those who sold their body to science because they needed the money and those who desired to literally turn their body into a weapon. Cell surgery is dangerous, but the positive result is a creature with incredible, ridiculous abilities. Cells often have limbs removed or altered to become weapons, and most Cells end up looking like broken cyborgs or horrible animal/human crossbreeds. They suffer defensively because of their high pain tolerance. Unlike Splinters, their alternations can’t be changed on the fly. Because of their appearance, many like to avoid cells. They are seen as brash, unreliable, and dangerous. Some businesses may even refuse entry to Cells.
Jorogumo – The Jorogumo are an ancient order with strange rituals, training, and powers. Low level Joros know little of the true secrets or power behind the different clans, but all members are dangerous. The Jorogumo have telekinetic abilities that are controlled and amplified by specific instruments made by masters of the art. The training takes years to complete and does not involve any weapon training, so they are unable to use any other type of weapon proficiently. They are seen as mysterious, and people are often a little afraid of them. That fear does not translate to respect; more often it becomes intolerance and avoidance.
Mayhem – THE MAYHEM are a specialized class of warriors who have been introduced to a drug called INVINCIBLE which is all kinds of dirty nasty sweet sweet. After living with a steady stream of this drug in one’s body, the ability to shapeshift at will becomes possible. Though changes begin slow and painful the more changes one goes through the more apt and speedy they become. While transformed, the Mayhem are infected with boosted strength and speed, but are always left exhausted and fiending for a fix after the deal is done. The Mayhem can only be recognized right after a transformation which leaves the eyes red for several hours. Generally, people regard the Mayhem as dangerous wildcards not to be angered, total badasses not to be trifled with, or awkward loners. As a Mayhem, you start with a bottle of 25 hits of INVINCIBLE, which must be taken to start transformation, and can be taken right after transformation to regain 2 health. The Mayhem are not proficient with traditional weapons, so no weapon outside of class Z can modify their attack stat.