Ichor

Ichor is the source of the powers of all metahumanity, originally derived from the blood of an individual named Erik Strauss, who's strange bond with a mysterious meteor that fell from outer space has enabled him to become the progenitor of a new branch of the human evolutionary tree.

Creation
The primary source of ichor is the blood of Erik Strauss, or I-1 which can then be refined into I-2 and I-3 ichor formulas, or used as the basis for additional formulas. I-1, when combined with another ichor formula, will be converted into the secondary formula, allowing for relatively easy mass production. Elsewise, ichor can also be found within the blood of other metahumans. For certain metas, their raw, unrefined blood is able to bestow some measure of metahuman abilities, whilst for others, their blood requires refinement to be able to produce some sort of useful effect. Unsurprisingly, the more refined versions tend to be more stable and less dangerous to use.

I-1
I-1, the direct blood of Erik Strauss, was first utilized as an ichor formula in 1899. When injected into an ordinary person, it results in inordinately powerful metahumans who die within mere minutes of receiving the infusion of Strauss' blood into their system. Unfortunately, the powers developed were massively unstable, and the only ever I-1 injection resulted in such destruction that it was never employed again in such a manner. However, experiments discovered that when exposed to other forms of ichor formula, I-1 transforms into a replica of that formula, making it ideal for mass producing other versions of ichor.

I-2
The I-2 formula, or "Raw Ichor" as it is often known, is the first true ichor formula. Synthesized from the I-1 in 1905, raw ichor has the ability to confer a random set of powers to whoever it is given to, with the powers being more potent the more I-2 is administered. However, I-2 is still very unstable, meaning most patients given anything beyond tiny doses do not survive the experience.

I-3
I-3 was developed in 1916, eleven years after I-2. For the most part, it functions as a weaker version of I-2, granting lesser powers, though it has a far higher survival rate (though only the former fact was known during its early years). However, it can reach similar levels of power as the I-2 formula, if it is injected into a subject who is not fully developed into adulthood. When recipients receive high doses of I-3 at an extremely young age, as early as the fetal stage, their powers will grow more potent as they develop. The most successful recipient of I-3, Aaron Ward, eventually developed into a Beta Level metahuman.

When administered at a low dose, I-3 is the most stable method of conferring new metahuman abilities.

I-4
The I-4 line began from the blood of Carter Maddis, the first successful metahuman, in 1917. Generally, I-4 formulas provide enhancements to all physical and cognitive abilities of its recipients.

I-4A
I-4A is the direct, unrefined blood of Carter Maddis, providing an exact replica of his abilities to any who survive being transfused with it. The successful recipients of I-4A went on to form Blackout Squadron. After them, use of I-4A was discontinued, as they were deemed successful for several decades, and given the high lethality rate of I-4, no more were deemed necessary.

I-4B
A refined version of the I-4A, I-4B removes the high lethality rates of the former formula at the cost of bestowing weaker versions of the abilities conferred by the original I-4 formula. When I-4B was first used for the production of a large number of superhuman soldiers during the Vietnam War, it seemed perfect. But after a few short years of operation, it became apparent that I-4B resulted in slow mental degradation, causing its subjects to degenerate into murderous, crazed barbarians. As such, once the degenerated soldiers were exterminated, use of it was discontinued.

I-5
I-5 is similar to I-4, which it was created from, and was initially designed to improve the regenerative abilities granted by I-4 and ensure a higher survival rate.

I-5A
I-5A was successfully developed in 1925, but the new formula also conferred animalistic tendencies and traits, causing all but one of the subjects to turn feral and require termination. The only successful recipient was Thomas Draven, and after him, use was discontinued.

I-5B
First synthesized in 1926, I-5B conferred the same set of abilities as I-5,with no feral ferocity inducement. However, the animalistic features conferred by I-5B were much more pronounced, causing Daniel McMannis, the one subject who received it, to be transformed into a form resembling the typical wolfman. Due to these failures, advancement of the I-5 line was discontinued.

I-6
The I-6 is a classification for ichor substances derived from the blood of metahumans with some level of superhuman strength. 1-6 was the first ichor form to be found on the streets in large quantities, having first found use in 1955, and becoming more widespread in the 1960s.

I-6A
I-6A was the first form of documented I-6, and was first found in use by gangsters during the 1950s. I-6A is simply the blood of any metahuman which bestows temporary superhuman strength to those infused with it. I-6A effects vary wildly depending on who the substance was extracted from. Some bestow stable superhuman strength when used, while others induce heart attacks, muscle tears, bone fractures, or other medical issues. For this reason, I-6A is typically not the go to for drug users.

I-6B
Known as "Supe", "Super Dope", and "Mega Roids", but most commonly as "Vim", I-6B is any substance refined from the strength giving blood of metahumans to be more stable in bestowing temporary superstrength. Quality of Vim varies considerably, such as how long the effects last, the degree by which strength increases, and other factors. Vim is highly sought after by criminals, but is also used as a general performance enhancing drug, or for simple recreational use. Vim addicts often suffer from lethargy, feelings of weakness, and irrational anger springing up from being unable to accomplish physical tasks.

1-7
1-7 is the designation for ichor which grants any level of enhanced durability to its recipients, making their bodies tougher and more resilient to injury, as well as increasing their stamina and capacity for pain. First documented being used on the streets in 1958, 1-7 forms were part of a crime surge in the 1960s.

1-7A
Any blood drawn from a metahuman possessed of inhuman durability, which temporarily confers some of that same durability to humans who ingest it is classified as 1-7A. Problems known from consuming raw 1-7 such as this include temporary or permanent paralysis, calcification of body parts, permanent sensory desensitization, and damage to bones and organs, as they are constricted by toughened tissues.

1-7B
A more refined form of I-7, 1-7B usually reduces the negative effects of its more raw predecessor. Among criminals and militant groups, it is one of the more sought after forms of street ichor, who use it to aid in combat. That is not to say it is not used recreationally, as it is sometimes employed by rich thrill seekers to allow them to engage in dangerous stunts that might otherwise kill them. The most common street name for 1-7B is "Grit". Those addicted to Grit, when not on it, display increased sensitivity to tactile stimuli and pain, as well as feelings of irrational fear and vulnerability, along with being easily tired.

1-8
Enhanced senses

1-9
Ichor is put under the 1-9 title if it induces any form of rapid healing or confers regenerative abilities for any period of time to subjects it is administered to. Typically, it is derived from metahumans whose primary ability is regeneration. While many metas have some level of accelerated healing, few possess it as their primary power, and as such, 1-9 formulas are relatively rare.

I-10
Ichor that grants some form of superhuman speed and reflexes sufficient to classify the recipient as a speedster is given the I-10 classification. Like I-6 and 1-7,  I-10 comes in numerous forms, such as blood directly from a speedster or in more refined forms.

1-10A
1-10A is the classification given any metahuman blood which grants temporary speedster capabilities to humans infused with it. Typically, 1-10A from more potent speedsters grants longer lasting and more impressive effects, but with the downside of greater instability. Common negative side affects from 1-10A include heart attacks, brain hemorrhages, muscle tears, and hyperventilation. Sometimes, a phenomena known as "Rushburn", has been known to occur when I-10A from a particularly powerful speedster is injected, wherein the recipient's metabolism accelerates to absurd levels, and their body tissues are rapidly consumed, resulting in death.

1-10B
Refined from 1-10A, 1-10B largely stabilizes the negative effects of its more crude cousin. It exists on the street market, being among the most expensive forms of street ichor, where it is known most commonly as "Rush". Bestowing speedster capabilities for a short duration, Rush is often mixed with other drugs to provide users with a better high. Though not as dangerous as raw 1-10, Rush still carries the risk of addiction. Addicts who grow to accustomed to living life at high speed can suffer considerable withdrawal issues when trying to live at a normal pace. Additional problems addicts suffer from include shifts in metabolism, resulting in wild weight gain or loss, shaking and seizures, as well as bouts of depression. I-10B is by far the most addictive of all street ichor forms.

I-11
I-11 Ichor formulas are known for granting some level of pyrokinesis, allowing recipients to generate and control flames to varying degrees. I-11 is noted for the fact that, depending on the mental state of the pyrokinetic when their blood is drawn, the powers granted by the ichor will be altered. When drawn from a mentally stable or unconscious subject, the powers are stable as well, but if drawn during a moment of intense duress, recipients of I-11 tend to explode.

I-11A
Raw I-11, drawn from a stable donor, is one of the most common types of street ichor due to the abilities it can grant without any need for refinement. I-11A endows users with the ability to project and manipulate flames, but does not give them any sort of resistance to flame, making it extremely possible for an inexperienced users to burn themselves. For this reason, it is known on the streets as "Scorch". Other than providing no resistance to flames, however, Scorch does not have any negative side effects.

I-11B
A more refined version of I-11, I-11B simply endows recipients with resistance or even outright immunity to flames, making it a far safer alternative to its unrefined counterpart. It is known as "Blaze" on the streets.

I-11C
Blood drawn from a pyrokinetic in a state of extreme agitation or duress is always lethal to any who would think to infuse themselves with it. Any recipients of I-11C instantly explode into a burst of flames. As one might expect, this variant of ichor has been used in suicidal attacks, and is highly sought after by terrorists. Due to the fact that it kills users, it is known as "Pyre".

I-12
1-12 ichor strains endow any who ingest them with telepathic abilities. Depending on the potency of the metahuman donor of the ichor, the extent of these powers vary, ranging from simple surface mental contact to memory probing. Mental alteration, such as illusion or mind control, is almost never conferred by any form of I-12.

1-12 was initially developed in the Soviet Union during the Cold War, primarily due to the work of Soviet scientist, Kuklov Makarovich. Though Makarovich originally created it in 1959, it would not be discovered by the FOA until several years later, resulting in its designation.

I-13
I-13 strains of ichor find their origins in metahumans possessed of one of the most common Zeta level abilities: Water breathing, and the ability to otherwise survive living in aquatic conditions.

I-13A
Unrefined I-13 endows recipients with the ability to breathe underwater for relatively short periods of time, usually a few minutes at most. Quick transfusions of I-13A have also been known to alleviate severe cases of the bends, though they usually do not dispel the effects entirely.

I-13B
Refined from I-13A, I-13B grants superior results to its more basic predecessor. Injections can fully alleviate any case of the bends, and most doses have the ability to carry on for long periods of time, usually to a maximum of several hours in the case of larger doses. In addition to allowing for underwater breathing and immunity to the bends, I-13B also allows for recipients to withstand considerable water pressure and the cold temperatures found in deep water.

I-14
Shapeshifting, developed by Kuklov

I-15
Invisibility

I-16
Flight

I-17
Mind protection, developed by Kuklov for the Americans