Parahuman

Definition

Parahumans are the more scientific term in the Wormverse for people with powers. The prefix para- is likely used in the 'paranormal' or 'paragraph' sense: Above, beyond, contrary, or counter to [humanity in this case]. The slang/colloquial term is 'cape', which is typically (but not always) used to refer to people who wear costumes, but may refer to Rogues.

Parahumans began emerging either in 1982, if one counts Scion as such, with the first heroes appearing in 1987. Powers range from enhanced strength to the ability to alter the fundamental forces of space and/or time or even the ability to interact with multiple realities.

The source of parahuman abilities is unknown and widely debated among residents of the setting. Three primary triggers for one gaining powers have been noted thus far. One involves Trigger Events, another touches on Cauldron and powers that are tailor-made for customers and provided in the form of a chemical, and the third method appears to be having a parent with powers, which is tied closely with the Trigger Events.

It is implied that there are a great many capes in the world, but that they still form only a small percentage of the population. Brockton Bay has roughly seventy parahumans that have been introduced and described in the course of the story, implying that capes comprise less than one percent of the population (.5% or less if Boston is 35,000 or more people, which would not be a stretch of the imagination).