Half-Gods are the strange products of unions, sexual or otherwise, between Gods and organisms. The mechanics behind the creation and operations of Half-Gods are not well understood and are the focus of hemitheogenesis. Because of Gods’ sexless natures there is no particular arrangement that the union must consist of to create a Half-God, either member is capable of fertilization of the other member. Half-Gods come in two varieties depending on the carrier of the child, Demi-Gods if the organism carries, Womb-Gods if the god carries.
Womb- and Demi-Gods are nearly entirely distinct phenomena in regards to the ways in which they function and exist. But, despite this, share many aspects in common, particularly in regards to abilities which were passed down from their Godly parents. Both Half-Gods seem to display an instinctive and intuitive understanding of God Tongue and starforging. Both Half-Gods are also capable of material manipulation like Gods, though to a significantly lesser degree.
Womb-Gods in general display higher intelligence, proficiency, and strength than Demi-Gods.
Conception & Birth
Half-Gods are the result of unions between Gods and organisms. What requirements might exist for these unions to conceive a Half-God are unclear; what little details are known are sourced from the few stars on the topic, primarily the Relations Act. From what hemitheogenists know these unions require that the God feel highly emotionally bonded to the organism, to the extent that the God has undergone a materialization feedback loop.
The process by which a God becomes fertilized or otherwise fertilizes an organism is a mystery. Hemitheogenists predict it to be a subconscious act on the behalf of the God. It remains unclear if any part of the union decides which party carries the child.
The process by which the child is carried and born appears reliant on the organism half of the union, regardless of the carrier. There’s only a handful of witnessed and recorded non-sophont Half-Gods, and of them an even smaller fraction are non-mammalian. Among those which are documented their births are described as one would expect from an organism of their biological classification.
Demi-Gods
Demi-Gods are the result of a God fertilizing an organism. As it is currently understood and predicted by hemitheogenists using the USM, Demi-Gods are organisms, Real entities, who, by some decree of their lineage, are composed of such dense Real that they exert a pressure on the Unreal enough that it must compensate in much the same way as it does with Gods. That is to say, the Unreal alters and improvises the relationships which are imposed upon Demi-Gods. Hemitheogenists do not understand the physical mechanics behind many of the abilities and behaviors which Demi-Gods exhibit.
Demi-Gods are described as having been conceived and born with the typical inner morphological structures associated with their parental organism. However, they are always born with mild or major visible deformities which would otherwise be considered potentially or completely fatal to the typical organism. Despite this, Demi-Gods bodies appear capable of maintaining their survival in spite of these deformities. Demi-Gods are also capable of surviving major physical trauma which would kill the typical organism, including surviving trauma to vital organs such as their brains, hearts, and major arteries.
Demi-Gods possess an innate understanding of the mechanics behind God Tongue, although do not know the language itself. They are also completely oblivious to the mechanics of Starscript. Educated and trained individuals are capable of using their material manipulation to speak basic God Tongue in much the same way as Gods are capable, allowing them further manipulation over reality.
The nature of a Demi-Gods ability to perform material manipulation seems to be dependent on their parental God. A God’s lineage has been theorized by some hemitheogenists to be able to predict the range of influence and strength of a Demi-Gods manipulation. Demi-Gods also do not seem limited by legal stars in the same way that Gods are, with individuals capable of performing feats which Gods are barred from performing.
Womb-Gods
Womb-Gods are the result of an organism fertilizing a God. As it is currently understood and predicted by hemitheogenists using the USM, Womb-Gods may be the result of some kind of domain subdivision-like phenomena which Gods are capable of undergoing. Womb-Gods appear to be mechanically similar to Gods, compose of a singular heart which represents their position in space.
It is unclear what a Womb-Gods domain is, as it does not seem related to their parental God’s domain. Womb-Gods are incapable of dematerialization, so it is assumed by hemitheogenists that their domains exert a strong force on Reality. It has been theorized that their domains may be organisms themselves.
Womb-Gods appear to construct organic facades around their hearts which imitate the morphological structures of their parental organisms. This is believed to be a subconscious act, and they are capable of changing their facade at will. Stars describing injured or otherwise dead Womb-Gods have described that individuals inner morphology does not match the expected inner morphology of the organism which their morphology is based on. It’s debated whether the inner morphology of Womb-Gods performs and biological function. While Womb-Gods may perform biological functions such as eating, drinking, resting, and disposing of bodily waste, these functions do not appear necessary to sustain their survival.
Womb-God’s material manipulation abilities seem significantly more powerful than that of Demi-Gods, but weaker than that of true Gods. Much like Demi-Gods, it’s believed by hemitheogenists that their position in the Godly Lineage influences their abilities over material manipulation.
Unlike Demi-Gods, Womb-Gods do not just possess an innate understanding of God Tongue’s mechanics, they are also capable of innately speaking and writing in the language—though not as proficiently as well-educated scholars. Womb-Gods also possess a minor understanding of the mechanics behind Starscript, and well-trained and educated individuals are capable of forging stars written in it.
Womb-Gods, like true Gods, are capable of publishing stars to the heavens. Womb-Gods appear incapable of publishing legal or index stars, but they are capable of readily publishing documentary stars.
This article is considered complete for the moment, but is missing sections which can be elaborated on as the setting develops! If you think it needs expansion now, suggest an edit through a GitHub issue!
This article could use expansion on the history and cultural impact of Half-Gods.