Cephalophores
General
Cephalophores are unique Paras who can, literally, lose their head and function with their heads and bodies separated from each other.
Language
Often referred to as "the headless" or, even "heads".
Powers
Powers don't activate until the head and body are separated. Once separated both head and body are virtually indestructible
When recalled (which is done telepathically by thought) a body will do just about anything to return to its head. It can't be distracted or thrown off the trail. It somehow automatically knows where its head is at and will do whatever it takes to return to it.
Head can talk, can taste (but can't eat), can see and can hear. The body can somehow see and hear and feel without the head.
When rejoined the body's experiences are "discovered" by the head and assimilated all into the whole. But while separate, both experience things different and apart from the other.
Depending on the strength of the Ceph, they can keep head and body separate for a long while. But as they run out of energy, the head find it harder to talk and stay awake. It mumbles, slurs words and acts as if it was drunk. Often gets eye ticks. Facial twitches. Drools. Body tends to stagger and stumble more. May pause from time to time as if disoriented before starting again.
Average Cephs can actually stay separated around 2 weeks or so, at the most. Strong Cephs can last a full lunar cycle. Weak Cephs, may only be able to stay separated a matter of hours.
Even though it's magical, the head can't move on its own. Just saying.
When in close proximity, the body always obeys the commands of the head. Always.
No other head can be put on the body. Bodies and heads are linked, even when they're, you know, not.
Many Cephs can raise their heads and spin them around, a full 360, even while they're still attached.
Decapitating a head, in combined form will never kill them. Go figure.
A Ceph's eyes tend to flash real bright for a short amount of time when their head is being detached.
In detached mode, ceph's are immune to mind control and telepathic powers. When all formed up, however, they are susceptible as anyone else.
Cephs always have a full set of hair, regardless of their gender, regardless of their age. Not only that but they have very, very strong hair which comes in useful as, when their heads are detached, their bodies often hold onto their heads by their hair.
Separated Cephs can sleep and often use falling asleep as a survival strategy.
Asleep both parts will conserve energy. The headless body merely stops what it's doing, its arms falling limp at its sides, its knees becoming somewhat slack.
Neither part can sleep separate from the other, as the head controls sleep for both at once and sends a message out to the body telling it to shut down. If the connection between the two is lost, both will forgo sleep in order to keep trying to regain their connection.
Weaknesses and Limitations
Long times apart, requires some re-orientation when they reattach. Can feel lightheaded or real heavy. Takes a bit to recalibrate.
Lead is a problem. Sealing a head in a lead box, for instance, will almost always guarantee death. The head won't be able to communicate with the body and the body won't be able to find it.
Shooting a Ceph's body or detached head with a silver bullet is always fatal.
Fire will always destroy them.
Power is used up more and faster during the day than at night.
Roughly half of Cephalophores have a reaction to garlic. If garlic is at hand, sticking it in the mouth of the ceph's separated head will also cut the connection it has to its body. In addition, it will blister and irritate the head, causing it to use up energy faster.
If either the head or body runs out of energy before the other and before both are re-united, both will die.
Legal
Due to the traumatic nature of their power, it is illegal for Cephalophores to take off their heads in public, pretty much everywhere. Even in solid blue states. In blue states though, it's more likely than not allowed to take off your head in a private residence.
Lifestyle
An legend says that if you stare hard enough you can see a wire thin crack in the neck of Cephalophores where their heads come off. No proof of this exists, however.
Many Cephalophores quietly express pleasure in watching their bodies have headless sex with their lovers. How their lovers feel about it is a whole other issue.
Some say they can hear an audible click when a ceph reattaches their head. It's thought to be psychological thing and not a real sound however.
Though no Ceph has come forward to admit to it, they can theoretically give themselves oral sex.
Side Effects
Sometimes suffer a lack of feeling in their extremities, especially as they get older. Also sometimes have a chronic tingling sensation.
Other Paras
Ghouls love the taste of a dead, separated Cephalophore.
In separated form, Cephs are invulnerable to vampyres.
Copyright 2012, M.R. McCaffery. All rights reserved.
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