Progenitors Revisited
Another take on an old convention. A work in progress.
Enlightened Biology
This is the bedrock for all Progenitors. Generally, a Progenitor prefers to use biological technology, though only a fool would turn down the usefulness of devices from the Iterators. The divisions of the Progenitors do share some methods, but most researchers tend to stick with their favorite methodologies
Biochemistry / Toxicology
The Pharmacopoeists utilize the science of chemicals effecting the body. A properly modified medicine can become a toxin, and vice versa. This typically combines matter and life. Physicians with this type of training typically can carry a variety of medicines and poisons based on the spheres. Their effects tend to be more immediate and less permanent, but are often easily administered as a spray or dart. With some assistance from the Syndicate, they manage the pharmaceutical industry, controlling both the researchers and the sources of grant money.
Physiology / Surgery
FACADE Engineers deal with life on the organ / organism level in general, though they have been major backers of stem cell research, which they the hope to achieve popular acceptance and status as proven science. While the Genengineers work with theory and cells, the FACADE Engineers create new organisms via surgical splicing. This science has produced modern transplant medicine, and surgeons in this division are sought after by the Masses. While FACADE Engineers generally leave the fieldwork to their creations, knowledge of anatomy can make martial arts and shooting into a science. There are also the Scions - the operatives who enhance themselves via abandoning humanity. While transplant rejection (Paradox) is a problem, these soldiers can stand up to front-line combat with reality deviants.
Molecular Biology / Genetics
Genengineers created molecular biology. Watson and Crick made good public foils, but Research Director Rosalind Franklin was responsible for the work in question. Genetic alterations can be subtle, or drastic, but most minor variations fall into the natural diversity of the human genome. With the completion of the human genome project, Genengineers plan to eliminate hereditary diseases like muscular dystrophy, Huntington's disease, lycanthropy, and a number of other genetic deviants. Thanks to a mastery of gene expression, Enlightened molecular biologists can control when a gene is activated and to what degree it is turned on, allowing for transitory, rapid effects. A retrovirus or bacterium can insert a gene into appropriate cells in a target or deliver a Genengineers are also commonly in near-perfect physical shape thanks to gene therapy - while some wear glasses or walk slowly for style, only a low-end research assistant would have low physical stats or be nearsighted.
Initiatives
What do Progenitors do? Why do they study medicine and biology for long hours, laboring over experiments and performing dangerous fieldwork? These are some of the most common initiatives that this convention focuses on. It is also common to see Progenitors on assignment to other professions.
The Quiescence Project
Not the most popular of projects. By administering an agent to the Masses, the Project seeks to inhibit the Eidolons / Inner Genius of the Masses reversibly, only giving a select few the antidote. The potential for elitism is obvious, and some of the effects irreversibly damage the individuals subjected to the treatment. Still, the idea of permanently removing the tradition reality criminals in the same way one would remove any other cancer is quite tempting. The Project also has a more popular solution for eliminating Nephandi or other extreme reality criminals permanently, which is highly classified, but rumored to involved other conventions and the use of Dimensional Science.
Field Medicine
Fighting to protect reality is not easy, and injuries are part of a normal day's work. That's where Field Medicine comes in. Field Medics are usually low-level Progenitors, and it is horrible way to advance in the Convention. However, other Conventions value their field medics like solid Primium. Since most Reality Criminals could care less about a Red Cross on your arm, medics go armed and fully prepared for combat.
Abhuman Genome Project
Why do normal sleepers transform into Reality Deviants? There must be a biological trigger involved somewhere, and the Abhuman Genome Project will find it. The research often leads to researchers developing protocols that can mimic the abilities demonstrated by RDs. This is one of the leading projects for new technocrats, and is considered an excellent choice for advancement. While there is a large amount of dissection and ruthless experimentation in this field, this field attracts plenty of altruistic researchers. After all, this research may lead to an answer to the Deviant Problem once and for all that does not involve mass murder. Many deviants dislike their change, and some even voluntarily participate in studies on a cure for their condition.
Physicians
Progenitors that want a safe and ethical assignment often simply go into the practice of medicine first and foremost. Rather than lose a valuable but disenchanted Enlightened Scientist, the smart Research Director assigns her to work as a physician. By curing diseases with science as opposed to various alternative quackery, the technocrat is helping to strengthen the consensus, and inserting a little enlightened science improves acceptance of the Progenitor paradigm.
Damage Control
When you need a bioweapon to end a reality criminal threat, these are the guys to go to. If you want to kill reality criminals as a Progenitor, these are who you enlist with. Victors, tailored viruses and biotoxins, assassination clones - you name it, they do it. Considered a great way to advance in the Convention.
Harvesters
Quite possibly the most disreputable project in the Progenitor field - and that is saying something. Reality Criminals are usually rich in Primal Energy, and the Masses also can be used for this purpose. While they provide most of the Convention's portable primal energy supply, most of their practices disturb other technocrats, especially the use of normal members of the Masses. There are rumors of even shadier deals going on with the Syndicate, but nothing is proven. Despite all this, if you need Primal Energy outside of the lab, you need to deal with Harvesters, and they don't sell it cheap.