Artes

Artes (short for artificial and artwork) are eukaryotic, multicellular organisms synthetically created by humans. Artes share several traits with the biological kingdom of animals, including breathing oxygen, a capacity for locomotion, and a metabolism based on consumption of organic matter. Artes are far from the only synthetic organism present in Verant; in fact, organisms that mimic microbes (artibacter), fungi (mycoform) and plants (syphytes) make up the largest percentage of synthetic species.

There are thousands of recognized Artes species created from companies all over Verant. While the majority are invertebrates, the most recognized species are vertebrates. Artes in Verant can be found as part of manufacturing, medical and pharmaceutical research, domestic and public work, and kept as livestock or pets.

Identifying the differences between a genetically-modified animal and an Artes species can be difficult. In general, Artes are characterized by being a unique organism unlike what can already be found in Verant, not using any single creature as template. Additionally, a majority of the Artes population is produced through synthetic means, rather than by natural or induced reproduction (in fact, many Artes are manufactured to be sterile).

Brief history

The world of Verant as a whole has seen an important emphasis into microbiology, understanding of genetics, and laboratory equipment. This is the consequence of several world powers working in conjunction as a strategy to combat pandemics and infectious disease, caused by the bloody history of early colonization and empires.

The germ theory of disease was well understood and accepted by the general scientific population by the early 36:100s, over half a century before the current day. Not only did this mean an increased quality of life, but also a deeper understanding of genetics and more effective methods of selective breeding.

It's uncertain where the first instance of laboratory genetic modification came from, but the most famous early genetically modified organism came in the shape of a warfare bacteria in 39:120, used by the Tarrukar Empire against the now defunct Atesham Empire.

The effects of this organism were devastating, leading to imposing sanctions into microorganism development and the placement of a global bioethics organization. This didn't stop genetic research, though. In fact, in a world affected by war, Atesham saw an opportunity in macroscopic weapons. They developed the Attack Dogs: dogs specifically designed for war and shock troops, being taller than a man when standing on their hindlimbs and boasting fangs that protruded beyond their lips.

This triggered an arms race with Tarrukar, who unveiled the very first Artes in 39:140. Small, humanoid creatures based on the alpine Tarrukar Macaque. Not completely sapiential, but able to be trained and raised fast. These presented scutes and dense integumentary like caimans, with spikes and quill-like feathers. And while these came with a fearful international response, they weren't enough to stop a war between Tarrukar and Atesham, and later with Menet.

The following decades came with direct confrontation between nations, who kept on developing synthetic weapons and producing new varieties of Artes, including the first Cyclone Stratos. The crushing success of the latter and their instrumental role in the victory against Menet led to an Artes Enlightenment. This period of accelerated science research led to the development of hundreds of new Artes species, including the sapiform Zephyr Stratos and Lazuli Lithos.

However, the staggering budget poured into synthetic organism development led to a population rift, especially those that had suffered the direct effects of the war. This inner unrest finally detonated in the Artes Purge of Tarrukar in 40:064: causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, and the independence of Braukar. After this war ended and with new limitations on Artes development, Tarrukar focused on designing organisms and systems that when integrated, led to a favourable public opinion. The consequence is the development of very human-like sapiform Artes, such as the Whirlwind Stratos, as well as the robust monitoring and database systems seen today.

International Artes Classification (INTACT)

Artes species are classified following the INTACT system (INTernational Artes ClassificaTion), detached from the taxonomical descriptors used with evolved organisms. Grouping reflects synthetic origin, morphology, role and regulation.

INTACT code conventions are organized as such:

[Cluster] . [Utility] . [Regulation] - [Species code] : [Generation]

High-Level Cluster

• Aviformes [A]: Avian inspired morphology. Often feature wings, aerial locomotion and extensive vocalisations.
• Mammiformes [M]: Endothermic organisms, commonly display intense social behaviour.
• Sapiformes [S]: Engineered organisms with advanced cognition and language capabilities, allowing integration in human society.
• Vectiformes [V]: Exoskeletal organisms with modular builds.
• Pisciformes [P]: Aquatic organisms with scaled integument.

Functional Utility

• A: Aesthetic, companionship.
• E: Research, experimental builds
• F: Food source
• I: Industrial and biomaterials (chitin, silk, feathers, etc.)
• P: Pollinators
• W: Sapiential workforce

Regulation tier

Regulation level	Title	Description
R1	Low Risk	The release of the organism to the environment presents little long-term risk.
R2	Moderate risk	Organism is allowed movement between country borders but must not be released to the environment.
R3	High risk	Organism must be closely monitored and its movement is restricted between country borders.
R4	Research-only	Organism must be kept under containment and be closely watched.

Species code

Includes country source. Refer to species articles for species code.

Generation

Refer to species articles for available generations

List of Artes by cluster

Aviformes [A]

Avian inspired morphology. Often feature wings, aerial locomotion and extensive vocalizations.

Mammiformes [M]

Endothermic organisms, commonly display intense social behaviours. They began production in the pet market, thanks to the sponsorship of wealthy clients. It's important to note that the vast majority of the agricultural trade is dominated by genetically modified animals, with an absence of proper Artes species. This is due to the lack of commercial incentive to develop any, as agricultural industries already present the infrastructure for organic livestock. In consequence, most genetic engineering companies present gene therapy treatments for livestock, rather than design Artes from scratch.

Shirdal (species code MDS)

The oldest species of domestic mammiform is the Shirdal. They are characterized by showcasing traits of both birds and felines, with taloned forelimbs, a pair of stunted wings, and cat-like hind legs. While they present good health, they were designed for looks rather than flight. In consequence, they aren't particularly graceful when gliding.

• Toy Shirdal are small, often colourful and friendly, and completely incapable of flight. They are common as household pets.
• Working Shirdal are designed to accompany humans or sapiential Artes with jobs. The most common roles they can be found at are security, ground transportation, medical assistance, and pest control.

Sapiformes [S]:

Engineered organisms with advanced cognition and language capabilities, allowing integration in human society. Their production is closely regulated, and to the current day, only two countries have participated in their invention: Tarrukar and Menet.

Tarrukar-made sapiformes (species code TK--)

Tarrukar has worldwide renown for being pioneers in the field of Sapiential Artes, and currently they hold the title for the biggest producers and exporters of Sapiential Artes in the whole world. While most of the TarSap.Artes were initially designed for military and public service, in recent years they have begun taking on domestic and entertainment roles. The approximate world population of Artes is of ~7.6 million.

Stratos (TKS-)

See also: Stratos

The Stratos are a family of Artes with traits inspired by birds. Two of these species are capable of aerial locomotion.

• Cyclone Stratos (TKSC): Cyclone Stratos are the oldest variety of Sapiential Artes. While they still have a humanoid body plan, their proportions are closer to those of apes than of humans. This grants them the ability to walk either bipedally or quadrupedally. Additionally, they have prehensile feet, and display great climbing capabilities.
• Whirlwind Stratos (TKSW): Whirlwind Stratos are a modern variety of Sapiential Artes, and the most recent addition to the Stratos clade. While they are designed to sustain flight, they differ from Cyclones by displaying proportions similar to organic human bodies. Whirlwinds were designed approachable and friendly, to be used in more day-to-day jobs that require more public facing.
• Zephyr Stratos (TKSZ): Zephyr Stratos are the most widespread of the Stratos clade. Unlike the Volant Stratos species, Zephyrs are present in several countries outside of Tarrukar. This has resulted in greater international tolerance of Stratos in general. Zephyrs are characterized by their closely human build, dwarfed wings, and often ornate plumage. They often carry out roles for customer service, nursing, private management and performance.

Lithos (TKL-)

The Lithos are a family of Artes designed for terrestrial environments, based around the design of organic mammals.

• Lazuli Lithos (TKLL): The Lazuli Lithos are a variety of ornate Artes; following a similar role to the Zephyr Stratos but presenting mammalian-traits such as tails, ears and fur coverage.
• Slate Lithos (TKLS): The Slate Lithos are Artes designed for ground-based public work, in particular being geared for brawn, security jobs, and law enforcement. They are nimble, fast, and strong.
• Basalt Lithos (TKLS): The Basalt Lithos are designed akin to the Slate Lithos, with the stark difference that they are completely hairless and have long, prehensile tails. They are very good climbers, but due to lacking on the aesthetic department, they take on ground-based work out of the public eye.

Pelagos (TKP-)

The Pelagos are a family of Artes designed around aquatic locomotion. Their role and purpose are limited to niche areas, hence their lack of representation in public media compared to Lithos and Stratos

• Torrent Pelagos (TKPT): Torrent Pelagos are designed for both terrestrial and aquatic movement. Their build is based around otters and seals, and they present dense fur, high body fat, and long, powerful tails. They often carry out roles within the Navy branch of the Tarrukar Military, as well as being lifeguards, aquatic veterinarians, and commercial divers.
• Cascade Pelagos (TKPC): Cascade Pelagos were developed out of a growing oceanic industry. They are closer to cetaceans, presenting a more streamlined body shape, large flippers, and a muscular tail with a fluke tip. However, unlike organic cetaceans, Cascades still present prehensile hands on their forelimbs, and legs that allow for limited ground locomotion. Cascades are designed for long-term aquatic jobs, such a soldering, underwater construction, salvage operations, and contributions to the Navy branch of the Tarrukar Military.

Menet-made sapiformes (species code MNV-)

Menet's approach to sapiential organisms has focused on the improvement of the human function without tapping into the physical traits of other animals. Due to the confidential nature of Vastare (the title for Menet's sapiential Artes) production, and the little introduction of these Artes into civilian society, not much is known about these species.

• Rorgas Vastare (MNVR): The Rorgas are human-like Artes, retaining the same general external design. They count with dozens of inorganic implants that improve their function, making them capable of incredible feats while requiring very little food.
• Insi Vastare (MNVI): The Insi are Artes focused on processing power, with extensive cognition capabilities. Not much is known about their appearance or non-mental faculties.

Vectiformes [V]

Invertebrates with variable body plans, often being hexapodal or octapodal. They are extremely diverse, and have been developed for almost all climates of the world. They see use in the pollination of both plants and syphytes, for mass food and material production (eg. various types of silk or chitinous products), conservation efforts and research, and for aesthetic purposes.

Pisciformes [P]

Aquatic organisms lacking limbs, mostly in usage for food production, conservation, underwater research, toxin disposal, and aesthetics.