Plasmids

Lore & Background

However, the genetic restructuring required constant fuel in the form of EVE, a distinct substance sourced alongside ADAM from sea slugs. While EVE withdrawal causes severe sickness, it does not cause physical mutation; instead, the toxic overuse of ADAM alone erodes mental stability and drives the body to mutate. As supplies dwindled during the civil war, users pushed their bodies beyond safe limits in an attempt to harness more power, resulting in the grotesque physical transformations known as Splicing. The very tools meant to elevate humanity ultimately destroyed it.

In Their Own Story

The syringe hummed softly against my palm, cold glass filled with a swirling emerald fluid. I looked into the mirror of the bathroom stall, seeing the same tired face that had stared back for years in the city below the waves. One shot was all it took to change everything. With a sharp prick and a hiss, the serum flooded my veins. Heat surged through my chest, not painful but electric. For the first time, I felt the air around me respond to my will, crackling with static potential. The world had just become smaller, and I had just become larger.

Reader's Guide

To wield a Plasmid, one must inject the serum directly into their bloodstream using a specialized syringe device. This process rewrites genetic code to unlock latent human potential, granting access to supernatural abilities like manipulating fire or telekinesis. However, this power comes at a steep metabolic cost that cannot be ignored by any user seeking survival within the city. The body requires constant supplementation of EVE, a refined extract of ADAM, to maintain stability and recharge energy reserves without suffering severe withdrawal symptoms or neural damage. Users typically carry a small injector device to administer doses on the fly during combat or exploration through the flooded districts. Each Plasmid specializes in a specific element or function, allowing the Splicer to adapt to various threats within Rapture's corridors effectively. While initially marketed as tools for artistic and scientific evolution by the city founder, they quickly became weapons of war during the civil unrest. Caution is advised, as prolonged use without proper regulation leads to physical mutation and mental degradation over time. The line between genius and monster blurs with every injection into a weary vein. Most citizens eventually lose control, becoming Splicers driven by instinct rather than reason after too much exposure.

Did You Know?

• Plasmids were originally developed as medical treatments before being weaponized for combat use.
• Different Plasmid types are color-coded to represent their elemental affinity or function.
• Physical transformation into Splicers is caused by ADAM toxicity and overuse, not addiction to EVE.
• Dr. Tenenbaum initially devised a lethal extraction process for Little Sisters, later developing the non-lethal method to save them from death.