STRING FAQ.
Q1: What are these strings you keep mentioning?!
A: It's never really truly explained what they are, but fandom has a few theories -- primarily, the strings are a form of biomechanical ~lost technology~ that Dietrich discovered/perfected/created himself at the age of six.
Q2: What do the strings do?
A: When used, the strings let Dietrich control other people like puppets, allowing him to either control their bodily functions of cause them to experience any amount of mental or physical distress he so chooses. He may also "reanimate" them under his control if they've recently died.
Q3: How do they work/what are they?
A: The strings are made of some kind of biosynthetic material -- either a bacteria and enzyme combination or nanomachines -- that Dietrich
discovered/perfect/created some time ago. They work by embedding themselves within the whole of the subject's nervous system, and are undetectable by even sensitive immune systems, sensors, of heightened physical sense. They work by transmitting electrical signals identical to those of the brain, forcefully overriding those sent out by the subject's brain.
Q4: Is it possible to make the strings go away?
A: Er -- yes and no, really? Extreme heat is the canon way that Radu purged himself of them, but these temperatures were high enough to char his body black. So. I'm going to say that, outside of this, magic and any other kind of nanomachine may be able to remove the strings, albeit maybe not completely? If you have any theories as to why your character could remove them on their own, please let me know!
Q5: Who will be able to sense the strings and how?
A: Psychics, in and of themselves, will not be able to sense the strings unless they go probing into Dietrich's mind to figure out that's what they do and that he has done so. Creatures with a very strong sense of smell will be able to sense them, but bear in mind that...it smells like common bacteria. So unless your character is both, there are some holes.
Q7: If my character has strings on them, will they automatically be controlled by Dietrich?
A: No! The strings are by Dietrich's will as well. He cannot unconsciously control a person. So, unless specified otherwise and commented on OOC, your character is not being controlled.
Q8: What are the range of the strings?
A: Not exactly stated in canon, but several miles, at least. I work that he has to be within fifty feet of a person to really use them perfectly, however.
Have a question about the strings and how they work? By all means, please ask.