Organisms

The world of Vagrant Skies is packed with complex fauna and flora. The progress of genetic engineering in Verant, and the extensive research into microbiology, has led to a debated definition for 'organisms' and 'life'. As such, for Vagrant Skies, an organism is defined as an individual capable of metabolism, has an immune response that separates the self from the outside, and can maintain a level of homeostasis.

Evolved organisms

Evolved organisms are those that, through the passage of millions of years, have adapted their traits based around biological and geographical pressures. During casual talk they are represented by the adjective of organic (e.g. organic human vs synthetic Artes), though this is technically an inaccuracy as all synthetic organisms are made up of organic molecules.

Genetically-modified organisms

Genetically modified organisms are any evolved organisms whose genetic material has been deliberately altered to express a particular trait. Genetic modification is a very widespread industry in Verant, being used in crops, livestock, and even in humans for treatment of genetic disorders.

Synthetic organisms

Synthetic organisms are organisms created synthetically. They differ from genetically modified organisms by these main characteristics:

• The majority are sterile, or only able to breed under the presence of synthetically-created substrates.
• They don't use a single genetic source.
• They don't physically resemble any evolved organism.

It's clear that some of these may be vague, and thus the definition of what entails a synthetic organism vs a modified one is constantly disputed between international bodies.

Artes

Main article: Artes

Artes are synthetically created organisms. Artes share several traits with evolved animals, including being fueled by consuming organic matter, engaging in physical and chemical metabolism, and locomotion. While sapiential Artes are the ones that receive most media attention, they are far from the only synthetic, animal-mimicking organisms present in Verant. In fact, insects and domestic companions make up the largest percentage of Artes.

The following list mentions some featured Artes species, but it's far from an exhaustive example of the Artes present in Verant.

Sapiform Artes

• Stratos family
• Cyclone Stratos
• Whirlwind Stratos
• Zephyr Stratos
• Lithos family
• Lazuli Lithos
• Slate Lithos
• Basalt Lithos
• Pelagos family
• Torrent Pelagos
• Cascade Pelagos

Mammiform Artes

• Shirdal
• Morsican hare
• Snow rat

Artibacter

Artibacters are synthetically created microorganism, mostly resembling bacteria and archaea. They see a lot of application in industry, medicine, and conservation, with uses such as material and drug synthesis and degradation of toxic material.

Mycoform

Mycoforms are synthetically created organisms that resemble fungi. Due to the historical importance of mycology placed by cultural practices from the Teotlanco Union, the use of fungi in the industry has been well-researched. Mycoform products (eg. cherin, myobrin) are some of the preferred materials for disposable items, leather subtitutes, packaging, furniture, architecture, etc.

Syphyte

Syphytes are synthetic organisms resembling the kingdom of plants. They were initially developed for the agriculture industry, designing plants able to withstand intense environments. However, it has since evolved into a massive, profitable industry. From crops designed for hydroponic warehouses, to decorative purposes. The city of Evorden, despite being located in a hemiboreal climate, presents a dense, tropical foliage of Syphytes.