From ancient times to today, the Mortui race has existed as a shadow among the human race.
The World of the Mortui Has a Vocabulary All its Own
Mortui
An individual whose soul or mind does not leave the body after death. They are the race from which stories of zombies originated, however they are not zombies. A zombie is a body without a soul, and a Mortui’s mind and soul continue to exist within the body. The ability to become a Mortui at death is based on several factors, most importantly a genetic mutation. It is not contagious.
Antemort
A living human being. The soul is still connected to the body from the initial birth process. Most humans on Earth are antemorts. Antemorts are also the only known way for Mortuis to acquire more life source.
AfterLife
A Mortui organization that broke off from the Atumra during the early 1800s. Many members of AfterLife belonged to the Atumra before its existence. Their focus differs from the Atumra in their efforts to coexist peacefully with antemorts and to improve antemort life.
Atumra
The most ancient Mortui organization. They differ from AfterLife in that they see Mortui as a chosen race. They are led by a group of Mortuies known as The Body.
Meditation (for a Mortui)
Mortui do not sleep. Meditation is the state in which the Mortui mind rests and recuperates, usually in a sanctuary each individual constructs with their mind. It also allows the Mortui to conserve energy.
Sever / Severing
Mortui death. The mind separates from the body, leaving a dead shell.
Soul-sync
A Mortui mind connection. Mortui can also sync with antemorts, but the antemort experiences it as more of a dream than a reality.
Graze/ feed
Mortui must assimilate energy from the living in order to recuperate and survive. This is done by looking in their eyes. However, taking energy from a living being also shortens that person’s life, depending on the amount taken. Grazing is taking small amounts from many individuals while moving through crowds. Taking all their energy results in the antemort’s death.
Possession
Possession is the process of a Mortui replacing the soul of an antemort in the antemort’s body.. This process was developed and perfected by Doc for Seth and the Atumra for the purpose of infiltrating high-ranking individuals in antemort society.
EDDIE
Electrical Disabling Darts for Incapacitation Emitters. A Mortui weapon that disrupts the electrical impulses that control Mortui bodies and causes the muscles to tense up, thus temporarily incapacitating them. It is similar to a Taser, but if used on an antemort the result would most likely be death.
Astral-sync
A mind or soul-sync with another in a Mortui’s mind while simultaneously remaining and functioning in the real world. This is an uncommon ability and few Mortui exhibit this trait.
Pulse
A Mortui weapon that emits a compression wave when it’s detonated. It badly damages Mortui muscles and incapacitates those who come in contact with it. Antemorts would most likely be killed.