The Modern Wraith
Excerpt from the Encyclopedia Atlantica, 2050 Edition
History
The Wraith as they are known in the common era evolved as a result of the feeding habits of the
Iratus Bug. The Iratus Bug fed on humans; after hundreds of years a mutation occured which
mixed the DNA of the two species and led to completely new species, the Wraith. This new species
suffered a massive population boom; in the process they destroyed the Ancients' sphere of influence in
the Pegasus Galaxy. They also came very close to wiping out both the Ancients and humans in general before
realizing that they needed a sustainable food source. At the conclusion of the first Siege of Atlantis,
the Ancients fled through their Stargate to Earth, in the Milky Way Galaxy, and were never seen again.
When the Earthborn Atlantis Expedition
arrived in the Pegasus Galaxy, the Wraith had been the controlling influence for close to 10,000 years.
The Wraith had established a pattern of behavior allowing their human "herds" to grow in size to a
certain level and then culling them for feeding; retaining a set base population as well as irradicating
any attempts at technological development beyond what was required for basic survival. Between feeding
periods the humans would be supervised at a distance by a few assigned "Keepers". Major John Sheppard,
in efforts to retrieve victims of a culling, triggered a mass awakening some 50 years before it was
expected. According to current estimates somewhere between 70-100 Wraith Hive Ships became active; a
number unseen since the time of the Ancients.
Physical Appearance
Due to the mixing of genetics, Wraith closely resemble humans at first glance. They are bipedal,
possessing two upper limbs and opposable thumbs, hair that grows from the head on both sexes, and facial
hair on the male sex. Skin tone is universally pale, although variation does occur among the population,
from white to a pale green or yellow. While their faces are similar to those of humans, there are
distinctive differences. Wraith possess no molars, only carnivorous pointed teeth of varying size.
There are also characteristic pock-marks on the face. All Wraith possess some latent telepathic skill.
The extent is unknown.
The population breakdown of the Wraith is unconfirmed; however, recent studies have indicated that the
social and gender distribution is similar to that of the insect they evolved from. Each hive is ruled
by a Queen, the only visible female. There are likely 'sterile' females in residence who function
similarly to the male officers; this allows for the death of a queen to be overcome with minimal detriment
to the Hive.
The Great Plague
One year after arrival in the Pegasus Galaxy, Lt. Colonel John Sheppard became infected with the mutation
which had originally resulted in the evolution of the Wraith. While the infection was eventually cured
and Sheppard returned to his previous state, he had contact with numerous Wraith while suffering
various symptoms of the change. During this time a virus (Later identified as varicella-zoster, common
name Chicken Pox), which had existed inert within his system mutated in response to the molting phase induced by the
Iratus infection and became active again. The mutated virus was harmless to humans, thus went unnoticed;
it also showed no short-term effect on the Wraith.
Almost two years later rumor began to circulate the human worlds about Wraith ghost ships, Hive Ships
that did not return fire when attacked, not even dispatching dart. In Earth Equivalent 2012 the rumors
were confirmed; the Wraith had been dying by the thousands for several years from an unknown disease.
It had close to 100% fatality, and was airborne. The remaining Wraith had segregated themselves, hoping
to avoid contamination. Due to the long incubation period of the disease there was little hope that the
species as a whole would survive with a functional genetic base for long term survival.
The Changed
A single Hive Ship, commanded by a queen who had heard about the "Michael" Experiment (An attempt to
revert a Wraith to its human genetic origins by application of a retrovirus), approached Atlantis
and requested sanctuary and the application of the experimental retrovirus.
Atlantis agreed to grant the request of the queen, but imposed severe restrictions upon those who underwent
treatment. After 24 months, the treatment regimen was concluded. After eight more years had passed,
the restrictions were loosened and the
Wraithborn were allowed to integrate fully into the 'Lantean population.
It should be noted that out of the 2,000 Wraith who underwent 'The Change', less than 2 % suffered
either a reversion or a fatal reaction. The rest integrated successfully. At this time, there is no
conclusive data regarding potential inter-breeding of Wraithborn and natural-born humans.
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