The Strallows

Overview

Pronounced ˈstrāe-lō (STRAEH-loh).

Strallows are humanoid chimeras—creatures formed from the fusion of human and animal traits. They were engineered—made possible via the Morpher function within the Crux Omnimatrix.

They walk upright, think as humans do, and yet, they move, sense, and react in ways unlike humans. They have enhanced hearing, enlarged olfactory capacity, digitigrade speed, warm fluffy fur, and prehensile tails. And on top of this, they experience different instincts and health challenges. This allows strallows to experience a universe on a sensorily rich and sophisticated level.

What was once a symbol of human potential, strallows now sit between a growing divide two powers who seeks to definite what it means to be one. Strallows nonetheless live, eat, and sleep among humans, dreaming of a time when they can enjoy the universe unrestrained.

Origin

Strallows originated from Strallow Crux Industries (SCI) during the height of the SGOI Empire’s Golden Age—a time defined by rapid scientific advancement and experimentation. SCI was a prestigious biotechnology titan that possessed the chimera research, records, and facilities needed to make morphing a reality.

Through the Omnimatrix, a powerful and versatile multitool that allowed humans to manipulate the universe, individuals were given the ability to transform into chimeric forms. At first, this transformation was voluntary and reversible—an extension of identity, another way to exist, to experience, to become.

For a short time, it was celebrated. Many people welcomed strallows and explored what it meant to become one. Because morphing was reversible, there appeared to be no strings attached. Strallows became popular among adventurous individuals willing to try the transformation for themselves.

But that quickly changed.

As transformations became more widespread throughout the Empire, and as strallow-born individuals began to emerge, the line between human and something else began to blur. What was once considered a frontier augmentation became viewed as a divergence—and eventually, a nuisance. When the SGOI Empire began to push back, it marked the beginning of the end.

What followed reshaped how strallows were seen—and how they would come to see themselves.