The Lillith Virus is technically an arceovirus, tens of thousands of years old. There was very little of it left in the ice cores we brought back from the ice shelf, but it was enough to infect two people in the research team. One of these women would be instrumental in the exponential spread of the virus around the world.
The Virus
Lillith is an archeovirus that seeks out nerve cells. It enters the cells, infests them, and then starts replicating. This causes minor changes in the structure of the brain, especially sections like the pituitary gland, the amygdala, and can cause the appearance of tumor masses. It is easily spread through fluid exchange.
The Lillith Virus behaves like influenza that only infects women, and after recovery the infected manifest parapsychic powers.
Known Manifestations
Common
These manifestation account for over 75% of parapsychic powers caused by the Lillith Virus
Telekinesis - the ability to move things with the mind
Biokinesis - the ability to control the bodily function of the self, and then of others
Magnetokinesis - the ability to control the power of magnetism
Uncommon
These account for 20% of powers caused by Lillith
Pyrokinesis - the ability to control heat and flame
Hydrokinesis - the ability to control heat and water, typically manifesting as ice manipulation
Terrakinesis - the ability to manipulate matter
Rare
This power accounts for less than 5% of the victims of Lillith
Psychokinesis - the power to control power, mind control
Vectors
Unlike a disease vector, a parapsy vector is how many ways a parapsychic can use their powers. A telekinetic with one vector can only manipulate one object at a time with her power. The average parapsychic has between two and four vectors. With training and practice, this number can be increased. There is a link between the severity of the disease, and the number of vectors manifested. Those who have serious reactions to the virus can manifest as many as a dozen vectors. Those who walk through with the sniffles for a week have one or two.
Magnitude
Magnitude is the relative strength of parapsychic powers, independent of the number of vectors. Typically measured on a ten point scale. This scale was created around the common power of telekinesis, and it is approximated to the other powers.
M1 - 1 lb
Car keys, a drink, a pinch
M2 - 10 lbs
Tools, weapons, a distracting punch
M3 - 100 lbs
bag of concrete, people, a hard punch
M4 - 1000 lbs
motorcycle, group of people, lethal punch
M5 - 10,000 lbs/5 tons
cars and trucks, rip doors open, armor defeating punch
M6 - 100,000 lbs/50 tons
tanks, big rigs, pull buildings apart, bunker defeating punch
M7 - 1,000,000 lbs/500 tons
Boats, generators, heavy machinery
M8 - 10,000,000 lbs/5,000 tons
Most things this heavy don't have the strength to be lifted without breaking
M9 - 100,000,000 lbs/50,000 tons
Destroyers, cruisers, nuclear reactors
M10 - 1,000,000,000 lbs/500,000 tons
Cruise ships, aircraft carriers
Prevalence
The vast majority of parpsychics created by the Lillith Virus range between M2 and M3. The ratings from M8 through M10 are theoretical, as the strongest telekinetics are currently in the M7 range.