Post by njrk97 on Oct 18, 2014 7:58:32 GMT
Overview: Gems are an extra-terrestrial species of Sapient Gemstones, Minerals, and Or Metals that project a bipedal/humanoid form of hard light body out of said gemstone to allow movement, communication and general autonomy. In a sense a gems entire core and existence is housed within their Gemstone, while the body is simply a solid light projection they create.
Gems while looking humanoid in nature are more similar to solar powered* sapient computers, their gemstones functions almost like an immeasurably advanced supercomputer that creates a conscious and living being that is indiscernible from literally any other advanced sapient species. Due to their projected forms gems are functionally ageless and naturally non-senescence,meaning they are unable to die from old age.
*it has been stated by Rebecca Sugar, the creator of the show that gems draw their power from solar energy, and are in laymens terms 'Solar powered robots', by this statement we can also assume that gems if starved from Solar exposure for too long can becomes, tired, lethargic, and in the worst case situations enter a form of stasis similar to when their forms are mortally damaged, due to a lack of energy.As we have never seen this though in the show, it can be assumed that it would take several days, if not perhaps weeks for lack of Solar exposure to 'run down' a gems internal battery and start causing these adverse effects.
Anatomy: Gems tend to project a Bipedal or Humanoid style form or body, although, heights, builds and shapes can vary heavily from gemstone to gemstone, the general constant seems to be that Gems of the same Caste, Share a similar Bodytype, but often have variants in Hair styles, Eye and Skin Colours. Ie Most Amethysts tend to have the same proportions. Gems also require an atmosphere to speak and communicate, but are not required in any way shape or form to breath and show a resistance to a temperature range, larger than humans. However it seems there is a limit to this, as only Garnet and Bismuth seem to have an immunity to Lava, implying there is a heat point and likely a cold point where gems forms can be damaged by the elements.
Gems also have the ability to subconsciously alter their density to match the gravity of any celestial body they are on, meaning regardless of the planets gravitation strength, gems can walk and move on it like it is Earth Gravity. Incidentally this also means gems have no issues with altering their weight to walk on the Oceans floor. Provided the pressure wont crush their form.
Creation: Gems do not reproduce in the same way most organic creatures do, instead gems are created through a somewhat more artificial process of drawing resources and minerals out of a planet.
Bacteriophage like machines (referred to as injectors) are brought in and inject a pre-programmed viscous substance created from a combination of chemicals, minerals and some form of Liquid essence from One or More of the Diamonds. Given time this Substance adsorbs minerals and resources from the surrounding area, solidifying with all these resources into a fully formed Gemstone. The Gemstone then begins to Form a Hardlight body, the process heating the rock around it and forcing the gem out of the Surface, leaving a silhouette shaped hole of the gem’s hardlight body where it emerged from the ground or crust.
Bacteriophage like machines (referred to as injectors) are brought in and inject a pre-programmed viscous substance created from a combination of chemicals, minerals and some form of Liquid essence from One or More of the Diamonds. Given time this Substance adsorbs minerals and resources from the surrounding area, solidifying with all these resources into a fully formed Gemstone. The Gemstone then begins to Form a Hardlight body, the process heating the rock around it and forcing the gem out of the Surface, leaving a silhouette shaped hole of the gem’s hardlight body where it emerged from the ground or crust.
Assuming a Gem has formed correctly and is not defective, Gems have no infancy period and form completely sapient and aware of their purpose, skills and even general contextual knowledge of their race and society.
Abilities: (all Gems can do these, albeit some need to train)
Regenerations:
Minor Damage: Gems have the general ability to self-repair small to medium injuries caused from outside trauma to their hardlight form. This allows Gems, like humans to recover from Cuts, Scrapes and other injuries, returning the surface of their form, and even their ‘clothes’ back to a complete state.
Abilities: (all Gems can do these, albeit some need to train)
Regenerations:
Minor Damage: Gems have the general ability to self-repair small to medium injuries caused from outside trauma to their hardlight form. This allows Gems, like humans to recover from Cuts, Scrapes and other injuries, returning the surface of their form, and even their ‘clothes’ back to a complete state.
Major Damage: However when a gem’s hardlight body is badly damaged (think a fatal wound on human), Then the gems projected form will be forcefully dispelled and they ‘retreat into their gem’ Leaving only their physical gemstone behind.
The Experience of this state of being ‘retreated into your gemstone’ is inconclusive and seems to vary from gem to gem, some state it feels like a trance where you can ‘feel’ the presence of the outside world but can’t focus on it, like being under anaesthetic, other claim that they seem to manifest a projection of themselves within their own mind, and others claim they can’t recall anything in this state.
Regardless given enough time a Gem will be able to restore their hardlight form returning back to a state of consciousness and perception of the real world. The Time it takes to regenerate can vary from Gem to Gem (From Several Minutes, to Several Days), and is also based on other factors, like the severity of the damage taken. A gem can also use this as an opportunity to change their appearance, usually with the manifestation of a new outfit.
Regardless given enough time a Gem will be able to restore their hardlight form returning back to a state of consciousness and perception of the real world. The Time it takes to regenerate can vary from Gem to Gem (From Several Minutes, to Several Days), and is also based on other factors, like the severity of the damage taken. A gem can also use this as an opportunity to change their appearance, usually with the manifestation of a new outfit.
Gems also can attempt to forcefully speed up this regeneration, reforming within a minute or so of their destruction, however this can often have negative side effects, ranging from dishevelment of their attire and its colours, to instability of their form.
Shapeshifting: Gems remain humanoid as a matter of convenience, in truth gems can temporarily shape shift any aspect of their form, from being able to manifest new costumes, to extending the size and length of their limbs, to for some talented enough, being able to literally transform their entire form into a new shape. Gems though can only remain out of their default form for a certain amount of time before exhaustion kicks in and they are forced to ‘relax’ back into their normal form.
Weapon summoning: Gems have the ability to able to generate hardlight weapons or tools, for defence, combat or other endeavours. Gem castes like soldiers or workers/technicians that require weapons/tools are formed with the innate ability to Summon these things, for those caste not given that luxury they often must learn or be taught how to do this.
Unless otherwise specified gems can summon three of their weapons/tools at once, if a weapons is dropped or lost it will vanish within a few seconds allowing to user to create another one. Weapons will also vanish if the creator of the weapon/tool simply wishes it.
Stasis Bubble Creation: Coloured bubbles gems can form over small objects. These bubbles, while somewhat fragile place objects within them into a state of stasis. The primary use for this is often to Bubble Gems retreated into their forms, while the Bubble blocks any regeneration attempts and stops the gems from perceiving any passage of time, there has been cases of Gems being able to reform and break a bubble they are in, although these cases are somewhat uncommon.
These Bubbles can also be warped to a ‘Mental Beacon’ the gem sets up, often times by default this Beacon is where the gem considers ‘home’, but with a conscious effort a Gem can update the Beacon to a location they are in. Gems can only have one Beacon at a time.
Flashlight/Gem Glow: Most Gems have the ability to cause their Gemstone(s) to glow, illuminating the area around them. Provided their gemstone placement is not inconvenient, most gems use this to act as a flashlight to help them navigate dark areas. This light is tinted by the Colour of their Gemstone(s).
Weapon summoning: Gems have the ability to able to generate hardlight weapons or tools, for defence, combat or other endeavours. Gem castes like soldiers or workers/technicians that require weapons/tools are formed with the innate ability to Summon these things, for those caste not given that luxury they often must learn or be taught how to do this.
Unless otherwise specified gems can summon three of their weapons/tools at once, if a weapons is dropped or lost it will vanish within a few seconds allowing to user to create another one. Weapons will also vanish if the creator of the weapon/tool simply wishes it.
Stasis Bubble Creation: Coloured bubbles gems can form over small objects. These bubbles, while somewhat fragile place objects within them into a state of stasis. The primary use for this is often to Bubble Gems retreated into their forms, while the Bubble blocks any regeneration attempts and stops the gems from perceiving any passage of time, there has been cases of Gems being able to reform and break a bubble they are in, although these cases are somewhat uncommon.
These Bubbles can also be warped to a ‘Mental Beacon’ the gem sets up, often times by default this Beacon is where the gem considers ‘home’, but with a conscious effort a Gem can update the Beacon to a location they are in. Gems can only have one Beacon at a time.
Flashlight/Gem Glow: Most Gems have the ability to cause their Gemstone(s) to glow, illuminating the area around them. Provided their gemstone placement is not inconvenient, most gems use this to act as a flashlight to help them navigate dark areas. This light is tinted by the Colour of their Gemstone(s).
Gem fusions: Due to their hardlight form, gems are able to synchronise their bodies together, merging into a stronger and usually larger body. Two types of Fusion tend to exist
MonoType Gem Fusion: Where in the Fusion is made up of only the same Gem IE 3 Rubys, 2 Amethysts, or 3 Blue Pearls
They are usually considered weaker then Intergem fusions but due to Monotype having gems that often have similar personalities they usually create very stable fusion.
Or
InterGem Fusion: Where the Fusion is made up of different types of Gems. IE A Topaz and a Jasper, or a Peridot, Jade and a Hessonite, or a Sapphire and a Ruby
Intergem fusion are often said to be both manifestation of the relationship between its components and the creation of a gem that is more than the sum of its parts. With that in mind Intergem Fusion, while being more potent, do run the risk that sometimes clashing or different personalities can create unstable fusions, be that through breaking apart extremely easily (Ie Opal), or exacerbating some of the more irresponsible personality traits of its components(Ie Sugalite).
They are usually considered weaker then Intergem fusions but due to Monotype having gems that often have similar personalities they usually create very stable fusion.
Or
InterGem Fusion: Where the Fusion is made up of different types of Gems. IE A Topaz and a Jasper, or a Peridot, Jade and a Hessonite, or a Sapphire and a Ruby
Intergem fusion are often said to be both manifestation of the relationship between its components and the creation of a gem that is more than the sum of its parts. With that in mind Intergem Fusion, while being more potent, do run the risk that sometimes clashing or different personalities can create unstable fusions, be that through breaking apart extremely easily (Ie Opal), or exacerbating some of the more irresponsible personality traits of its components(Ie Sugalite).
There are of course exceptions to this, the Topaz fusion is the show was a quite powerful Monotype Fusion, and Garnet is an extremely stable Intergem Fusion.
Unique Ability: Gems can also have specialized abilities, while most of these abilities were designed to assist the gem in whatever their Role in gem society was, sometimes usual abilities can manifest instead, or gems that seemingly don’t have Abilities when they first emerge, learn or begin manifesting an ability of their own later on.
Abilities we have seen in the show include but are not limited to, sand manipulation, lava immunity, cloud creation, metal manipulation, and Future sight