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The Mutts (and bit of alternate history)
10 years ago
Muts originally were going to be their own thing but I decided that variety of life in a single strong universe would be better than numerous half-baked projects.
Mut is a derogatory term that actually has nothing to do with dogs (necessarily). It is actually short for mutations and is a sideways reference to x-men mutant stuff. Mutts (with two t's) are people who possess 'mutations' which are, put simply ineffable or it could refer to the mutation itself independent of the individual (used with a single t in writing). It has nothing to do with genetics per se and no one has the slightest clue how they really work. There's actually a complex categorical system to measure a Mut but doing so is like a scientist categorizing animals by phenotype as opposed to genotype.
So why are Muts important in this world of magic? After all, its just one form of the impossible exchanged for another right? Wrong. I hope you saw that coming.
Mutts are dangerous. Oft-times far more dangerous than standard magic-wielders. They have no need to study their muts or practice much to use them (although its preferred if one hopes to use it effectively) and many Mutts are showing much more powerful potential within a narrower frame than normal mages.
For example, it takes a powerful and talented mage (often with years of experience) a great deal of effort and a bit of time to harness enough power just to immolate a single man-sized effigy. Meanwhile one of the most dangerous Muts known is capable of emitting such immense heat (in either explosively or in a focused ray) that he could liquefy a vault door within seconds.
The power gap is not the only problem. Muts aren't just for having a good time and everyone who has a Mut knows that a dog needs to be fed. Exactly what that means varies immensely from one Mut to the next. It could be a simple compulsion, like the need to pop a bag filled with air but it could just as easily leave the Mutt paralyzed for days.
Muts are an anomaly that began showing up in the late 1800s although no one understood what they were at the time. The first verified case that is publicly known was recorded in 1914. Some argue that the first recorded case was in 1898 but the suspected Mutt died before the matter could be verified. Several nations immediately attempted to capitalize on the existence of muts and began to corrall them as they could in an attempt to utilize them as living resource.
In 1933 a mutt named Leonard Constantine fled from the war-torn countries that formed southeast Europe to the Northland Empire. National feuds intesified and the NLE (Northland Empire) again declared its intent to subdue the 'lesser' nations under its rule and set out in a campaign that was intended to stretch across the entire globe. Many nations put up resistance to the NLE and troops found themselves at a standstill with tens of thousands dying and no apparent victor emerging. Until Leonard C. became the first registered Mutt in military service for the NLE in 1940.
After basic training Leonard was deployed initially as a much needed medic in the field due to his skills and training as a doctor. After numerous encounters with enemy forces in which Leonard used his Mut to survive by killing enemy forces the NLE reassigned him in 1942 to a special task force. This task force was tasked to study and practice the potential use of Muts in the war. Three other Muts were on this special task force as well as a number of non-Mutt scientists and soldiers.
The other Mutts were Jonathan Dunn, Aaron Dyke, and Wilford Fett. Their individual deeds are too many to be listed here but the participation of these Mutts in the war led to overwhelming victories for the NLE by the end of the campaign in 1945.
It was at this time that Muts (single T) began to be named separately from their Mutts (double T). For the deeds and manner of execution associated with it, Leonard Constantine's Mut was the first to be named by the NLE and was officially titled 'Lightbringer.
Mut is a derogatory term that actually has nothing to do with dogs (necessarily). It is actually short for mutations and is a sideways reference to x-men mutant stuff. Mutts (with two t's) are people who possess 'mutations' which are, put simply ineffable or it could refer to the mutation itself independent of the individual (used with a single t in writing). It has nothing to do with genetics per se and no one has the slightest clue how they really work. There's actually a complex categorical system to measure a Mut but doing so is like a scientist categorizing animals by phenotype as opposed to genotype.
So why are Muts important in this world of magic? After all, its just one form of the impossible exchanged for another right? Wrong. I hope you saw that coming.
Mutts are dangerous. Oft-times far more dangerous than standard magic-wielders. They have no need to study their muts or practice much to use them (although its preferred if one hopes to use it effectively) and many Mutts are showing much more powerful potential within a narrower frame than normal mages.
For example, it takes a powerful and talented mage (often with years of experience) a great deal of effort and a bit of time to harness enough power just to immolate a single man-sized effigy. Meanwhile one of the most dangerous Muts known is capable of emitting such immense heat (in either explosively or in a focused ray) that he could liquefy a vault door within seconds.
The power gap is not the only problem. Muts aren't just for having a good time and everyone who has a Mut knows that a dog needs to be fed. Exactly what that means varies immensely from one Mut to the next. It could be a simple compulsion, like the need to pop a bag filled with air but it could just as easily leave the Mutt paralyzed for days.
Muts are an anomaly that began showing up in the late 1800s although no one understood what they were at the time. The first verified case that is publicly known was recorded in 1914. Some argue that the first recorded case was in 1898 but the suspected Mutt died before the matter could be verified. Several nations immediately attempted to capitalize on the existence of muts and began to corrall them as they could in an attempt to utilize them as living resource.
In 1933 a mutt named Leonard Constantine fled from the war-torn countries that formed southeast Europe to the Northland Empire. National feuds intesified and the NLE (Northland Empire) again declared its intent to subdue the 'lesser' nations under its rule and set out in a campaign that was intended to stretch across the entire globe. Many nations put up resistance to the NLE and troops found themselves at a standstill with tens of thousands dying and no apparent victor emerging. Until Leonard C. became the first registered Mutt in military service for the NLE in 1940.
After basic training Leonard was deployed initially as a much needed medic in the field due to his skills and training as a doctor. After numerous encounters with enemy forces in which Leonard used his Mut to survive by killing enemy forces the NLE reassigned him in 1942 to a special task force. This task force was tasked to study and practice the potential use of Muts in the war. Three other Muts were on this special task force as well as a number of non-Mutt scientists and soldiers.
The other Mutts were Jonathan Dunn, Aaron Dyke, and Wilford Fett. Their individual deeds are too many to be listed here but the participation of these Mutts in the war led to overwhelming victories for the NLE by the end of the campaign in 1945.
It was at this time that Muts (single T) began to be named separately from their Mutts (double T). For the deeds and manner of execution associated with it, Leonard Constantine's Mut was the first to be named by the NLE and was officially titled 'Lightbringer.
