Attribute

In the world of Recoil, superpowers are known as "attributes". If a person has an attribute, they are "attributed".

About attributes
When Kalo arrives at the Croft Center for the Attributed, he is given the following information about attributes:

"What is an Attribute?"
"Americans with attributes are defined as the following:


 * 1) Any person with an attribute(s) which surpasses capability of the human genome and function.
 * 2) Any person who possesses an abnormal physical development including, but not limited to: additional or inhuman limbs, animalian features, altered or different chemical make-up, non-human or inorganic features, etc.
 * 3) Any person who possesses a manipulation of materials without the use of machines, technologies, or craftsmanship to assist them. This includes, but is not limited to: pyrokinesis, electrokinesis, talking to or directing animals, altering the material of an object, etc.
 * 4) Any person who possesses psychic capabilities. This includes but is not limited to: mind reading, telekinesis, premonitions, mind control, etc."

"Attributes vs Powers"
"Not all attributes can be defined as a power; for instance, a person covered in scales with no other existing attribute has no powers. The scales are passive and cannot be manipulated. Therefore the scales are not a power, but an attribute. Despite this distinction, "attribute" has mostly remained in legal vocabulary. The word is not used much in day-to-day conversation by the attributed community.

Here are some examples of passive and active attributes:


 * Passive - Physical or mental aspects that can't be consciously manipulated, eg. super strength, regeneration, premonitions
 * Active - Aspects that allow conscious use or manipulation, eg. kinesis, transformation, alteration"

"What are Attribute Classes?"
"Attributes are organised into classes based upon when the attributes form and then upon how difficult they are to hide. These classes are important for determining the level of potential security surrounding an attributed person's life.

Main Classes


 * A: Person whose attribute(s) become active in early development (Womb - 2 years old).
 * B: Person whose attribute(s) become active during childhood/puberty (3 - 18 years old).
 * C: Person whose attribute(s) become active in adult life (19+ years old).
 * D: Person whose attribute(s) developed through outside means.

Security Classes


 * 1) Attributes are easy to hide in public.
 * 2) Some measures must be taken to hide the attribute(s) from the public.
 * 3) Attribute(s) are very difficult or impossible to hide from the public.

Upon the development of the attribute, the FAC will visit the household to analyze the situation and determine what assistance is needed to help hide it and control it.

A person's security class can change based on their individual situation, based upon standard periodical evaluation by the FAC. Example: a newborn boy manipulates his baby formula around in its bottle with telekinesis. This baby is Class A2 - born with an attribute that may be difficult to hide. His parents are coached in methods to prevent the attribute from being witnessed by the public. As the child grows, he learns to control the telekinesis and reserve it for closed spaces. After a successful evaluation his class is updated to A1."

Attitude towards attributes
Attributes are kept hidden from the non-attributed community by groups such as the Federal Attribute Committee. If an attributed person reveals their attribute, this is known as a breach.

List of attributes

 * animal transformation
 * audiokinesis
 * depictukinesis
 * dream manipulation
 * electrokinesis
 * floating eye
 * light manipulation
 * memory manipulation
 * mind control
 * phasing
 * plant manipulation
 * premonitions
 * puppeteering
 * pyrokinesis
 * regeneration
 * super strength
 * telekinesis
 * weather manipulation