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Ashs White Oak Lecture Cryptozoology 101 The Wild Wild West 241019
In an educational session on Cryptozoology within Lam's Arcology at White Oak, an engaging lecture unfolds, focusing on the peculiar and disturbing aspects of supernatural creatures, with characters Irene, William, Ash, Illyana, and Sienna taking active parts in the analysis and discussion. The lecture, led by Ash, dives into disturbing biological facts about creatures such as slave ants and the process of metamorphosis in larvae, before shifting focus to a large taxidermied spider, drawing intense curiosity from the attendees on its exoskeleton and hypothetical respiratory system that could allow for gigantic sizes if it possessed more efficient lungs akin to those of a horse. As William speculates on the anatomical limitations and hypothetical adaptations that could support such a size, Irene investigates the spider's thorax, hinting at the magical or cryptozoological explanations for its existence.
The discussion transitions to the defensive and survival strategies against these creatures, including the importance of remaining on proper roads within and around Haven for safety, due to a protective enchantment that creatures avoid crossing. As attendees like Irene and Sienna take meticulous notes, debating the economic and alchemical value of creatures such as boar-men and velociraptors, the lecture takes a darker turn with the revelation of the giant spiders’ reproductive methods, leaving some attendees uncomfortable. Ash explains the spiders do not eat their prey but rather use them as hosts for their offspring, injecting eggs through an ovipositor into unconscious victims. This gruesome survival strategy underscores the dangerous and alien nature of the cryptids studied, while also emphasizing the need for knowledge and caution in the supernatural world. The lecture concludes with a strong caution from Ash: if ever captured by such spiders, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention in White Oak to remove the infestation, underscoring the grim realities faced by those who venture into the realms of the unknown.
During a unique lecture within Lam's Arcology at White Oak, Ash, an avid researcher of the supernatural, presents on various terrifying creatures to a keen audience including Illyana, William, Irene, and Sienna. Illyana exhibits a mix of horror and intrigue when Ash explains the deadly nature of certain creatures, comparing them to infamous beings from horror fiction and emphasizing the grave consequences of failing to remove certain infestations in time. Ash's detailed descriptions evoke visceral reactions from the attendees, ranging from William's intellectual curiosity to Illyana's discomfort, especially at the mention of zombies and their valuable brains. The lecture delves into the realms of cryptozoology with mentions of zombies, werewolves, and the lucrative goblin market, stirring a mixture of fear, fascination, and ethical quandaries among the students.
The class discussion transitions from zombies to white wolves, revealing Ash's vast knowledge and prompting varied reactions from the class. While Ash educates on the dangers and values of these beings, questions about zombie cognition and the use of their brains in alchemy spark a philosophical debate among the attendees, particularly between Irene and Sienna. The conversation shifts to the ethics of using such creatures for study, juxtaposing scientific curiosity against moral considerations. As the lecture moves to its conclusion, Ash introduces the concept of gargoyles, emphasizing their difference in behavior and the unique challenges they pose, notably their role in capturing humans for unknown masters. The students, now thoroughly intrigued and perhaps a bit more informed of the dangers lurking in their world, express their appreciation for the lecture, leaving with no questions but likely many thoughts on how they might navigate encounters with these creatures in their explorations or research endeavors.
(Ash's [White Oak] Lecture, Cryptozoology 101: The Wild Wild West )
[Fri Oct 18 2024]
Inside the Laboratory within Lam's Arcology at White Oak
It is about 60F(15C) degrees.
"What were the other disturbing facts?" Irene inquires of William with interest, pocketing her hands. "Slave ants? Surprise me."
Ash already appears to be surprising Irene, who turns in the direction of all the taxidermy they're setting up with interest.
William tilts his head "Well, do you know what really happens inside of the cocoon when larvaes start the metamorphosis?"
"They liquify," says Irene, eyes on the ... "Is that a dinosaur?"
"I do. Disgusting things that shouldn't be known by man or beast." Illyana tells William.
Ash says "Yep! "
William nods his head "Well, there was a lot of that... Some moles actually having eyes... Some mutation things... The typical"
Irene ends up turning her back to William, and perhaps the subject of disturbing animal facts in general. Her interest latches much more on the taxidermy. "No way," she says, staring down at the giant spider. "How does its exoskeleton not collapse in on itself?"
Illyana grins at the spider. "Grim."
William huhs, glancing over at the spider, tilting his head yet again "Actually, with spiders the exoskeleton is not normally the limiting factor... It's the oxygen intake, spiders could be huge if they had efficient lungs, like those of a horse instead of, well, how were they called? Book lungs?"
William says "If they had efficient lungs, they could probably grow to be meter and a half tall or something like that..."
William adds "That's the point where the exoskeleton would become the issue"
Hearing William's words, Irene crouches lower down underneath the spider, dropping her knees to the floor, and tries to get a good look up its thorax to see if it has the structure for lungs.
William muses to himself "The legs in itself would also probably pose a challenge, you know, they'd have to become a bit wider to kind of, not exert so much pressure and distribute it correctly. But you know what I mean"
"This is so cool," Irene enthuses, clambering back up to her feet in front of the spider. "I don't think it has big enough lungs, though, the anatomy just looks like a normal spider, only bigger. I'm guessing it's sustained somehow with magic? Well, Ashen will explain, no doubt." She then turns to examine the dead undead.
Sienna deposits herself into a seat along one end of the long table, the irritable pout of her bottom lip lessening as the allure of science pulls her toward a slowly warming room. She inhales a breath, nose twitching, before her arms unfold, lifting her eyes curiously to Ash. "This is going to be interesting."
When it seems like Ash is more or less ready, finally, Irene shrinks back from the taxidermy and slides herself into a chair. She appears to have brought some food with her, and unfolds a reusable fork to dive in.
Crossing her arms, Illyana pays attention to Ash as they teach, eyeing the creatures as if they might suddenly stand up. Just to be certain, Illyana generates a spark of angelfire, letting it dance across her knuckles ready to blaze into an inferno if required. She's likely being overly suspicious.
Ash claps, drawling, "Alright! Sorry about the late start, everyone. Someone caused me complications earlier that I had to immediately deal with, so I had to rush. I hope you're all ready to begin! Remember, feel free to walk around and look over the displays, but make sure that you raise your hand for questions. Are you all ready to begin?
"
William nods his head at Irene "I would have assumed so, yeah, the same thing went for the rodent from last time... That's the part that makes it crypto instead of just normal zoology after all..." He says as he looks for a seat himself
Ash says "And if you said anything while I was setting up, I may have missed it. I'm autistic and ADHD, so I tend to hyperfocus. Anything I need to hear?"
"Thanks so much for letting me audit," is Irene's only answer, before she quiets down again and goes back to her salad.
Ash smiles to Irene, drawling, "The purpose of this school is to prepare the Supernatural and aware who deal with them for the magical world we live in. This course is to prepare people from some of the dangers that do not walk and talk amongst us today. It's important for anyone looking to interact with these other worlds to understand what that actually means. Additionally, these creatures can be found in other places... I believe I mentioned that last class. Does anyone remember or know where else these creatures can be found?" They look mostly to Illyana and Sienna, the actual students.
William glances a bit towards the white wolf model, turning to look at Ash for a moment, going to answer before stopping and actually rising his hand
"The god realm, wilds and other." Illyana answers, looking at each thing. "The forest, too as the veil thins with the mist."
Glancing towards the wolf, Illyana also adds, "The trailor park."
William says "So I've heard... Good luck I got out of there"
Then pointing at the zombie, Illyana tops that with an even better joke; "White oak student body."
Sienna remains studiously quiet, organizing her notes with perfectly technical font scrawling across the page while she listens attentively to Ash and the other students. A pause, now, when the faint crunch of fresh salad draws her eyes toward Irene.
Irene likewise listens attentively in her stool next to Sienna, without offering any comment. Not being a student, she tries to be unobtrusive, save for the occasional soft crunch of freshly cut vegetables in her lunchbox. When Sienna looks over, she seems a little self-conscious. She starts eating much more slowly, and quietly, lifting a hand to cover her mouth.
Incidentally, her salad looks depressing as hell.
Ash chuckles, then continues, "That first part is *mostly* right, not completely. The forest will *always* have these creatures in it, from *all* of the worlds that Haven is connected to. However, it is only a certain distance out of town. They do not like getting close to civilization - except during the mists, when they are... I think at least hip-level high mist? Regardless, if it's misty in Haven, it's best to stay indoors, doors closed. And number one rule? Never go out into the woods alone. Carrying a weapon is also recommended. Any questions so far?"
William lowers his hand slowly and gradually, moving his eyes to Irene and Sienna for a moment before shrugging, looking some more at the taxidermized bodies and humming to himself "I was warned by- Someone... To run away if I ever saw a white furred wolf, is this that kind or...?"
When Ash checks if anyone has any questions, Irene makes a faint sound around her salad, covering her mouth, and raises her other hand. She closes her lunchbox for the time being, pushing it to one side. "Do you think these creatures could thrive outside of Haven?" she finally asks, "I know they're here because of gate magic, but ... how easy do you think it would be to transport them elsewhere?" When William whispers something to her, she looks aside at him and frowns, but doesn't answer, returning her focus to the teacher.
William shrugs a bit, musing a bit as he glances back at Ash "You did mention the other day certain creatures were spreading some other place in the world... So I am guessing they don't depend on the gates to remain alive?"
Nodding, Illyana makes a couple of notes; At least some of that Illyana didn't apparently have confirmation on.
Ash nods to William, drawling, "The older many supernaturals get, the more powerful they become, and their body changes to fit that. So, for werewolves, their fur turns white. We will get into that in a moment." To Irene, they add, "That's the sort of question that I don't think it's beneficial to answer - these are very dangerous creatures, and the purpose of this class is prevention, and defense. Though, we will describe one use for them... because if you must defend yourself, you may as well get something out of it, no? And it plays into the sort of life that supernaturals here in Haven leave."
Ash adds, "Live, that is. And we have a lot to go over today, so we'll leave the discussion of their survival in the world for after the bulk of the lesson. Yes?"
After a quick nod of her head, Irene quiets down. And then she goes back to her salad.
William nods his head slowly at Ash, bringing out his notebook and opening it
Ash snaps their fingers and points to the rat. "First things first - rats! Yana, what do you recall from our last lesson on them?" They point to Illyana with a grin, as they walk over to the taxidermied creature.
"I recall that most of your speach on rats was drowned out by people talking." Illyana happily tells Ash. "They're one of the most common creatures, one of the easiest to kill but also plentiful. I think you said their gaul bladder was bank. But I may be confusing the animals."
Ash nods to Illyana before asking, "Does anyone else recall?" They look over William, before glancing at the others.
William nods his head "Yeah, some people rambling about Princess Bride- I think it was either their claws or teeth that were valuable? I think they can be seen around here but they are more common in the Wilds as well"
Ash smiles to William, nodding. They then explain, "Right! I call them Rodents of Unusual Size, but they're largely as Yana and Bill here have said. It's their claws and hands that are valuable. They're worth about... $50? Maybe less, in the Goblin Market. I mostly covered them last class, but what you should know is that they generally come in packs, and that's the biggest danger with them."
Irene leans forward in her seat, examining these lucrative claws from a distance.
Putting her hand up again, Irene asks, "Does anyone breed these?"
Sienna looks up from writing her notes, pen scratching to a sudden halt at Irene's question. She stares at her briefly, then quickly routes her attention back to Ash, waiting for an answer.
"Of course they do. It's how the Order got Viktorin." Illyana shrugs.
Ash brings out the examples, setting them on the ground. "These are imperfect, which is why they're here for display, rather than for sale. Now... what? No, I don't know of any breeding. They are dangerous creatures, and breed just fine, even while being hunted. And not hard to find." They snort at Illyana's comment, before drawling, "That's rude, Yana. He's a fellow student... he may not be in class today, but that doesn't justify it. Be civil. Anyways, any more questions before I move on to the next?"
William huhs a bit, seeming now a bit suspicious at the question, tying it up together with the previous, before shrugging, looking between Illyana and Ash and wondering out loud "Can I say that? I am no student..."
Irene digests this food for thought in silence, while she digests her food for stomach.
Ash drawls, "Alright, ready for the next one? We have quite a few to go through."
"Ready," Sienna chirps toward Ash.
William does smile a bit before nodding to Ash "Go for it"
Illyana says "Go on."
Ash moves to stand between the dinosaur and the humanoid. "Now, these two are the next most likely to see in the Wilds. I do believe you're more likely to come before the boar-men." They pat the boar-man on the shoulder, as if he's a pal, and leans on the corpse, to motion to him. "Now, I can imagine what you're thinking. Isn't this a person? A sentient creature? Well, they sure are smart. They can use tools and, more importantly, weapons. However, they have proven to only and openly be hostile to humans, not communicating or trading. This means, for our purposes, they are a predator of humanity, and we'll treat them as such. Prevention and protection."
Standing up, Ash then declares, "These boar-men, as we call them, have not mastered bows, and will rush forward and attack you up close. They are usually in groups, usually pairs, but sometimes larger groups. And they are physically powerful, so when they hit, it *hurts*. And if they capture you? They'll bring you home to *eat* you. They eat humans. You can take them down like any other humanoid being, so nothing special there. Any guesses as to what they have that's valuable to alchemists?"
William tilts his head slightly, considering the question "Well, either something particular about their boar nature, maybe tusks... Or something in which they are similar to humans, something like an organ, say, the heart?"
As Ash proceeds to describe in detail the strengths and weaknesses of the boar-men, Irene sets her salad aside for the moment, instead opening Evernote up on her phone to jot all this down.
Ash nods to William and points, drawling, "Correct, the tusks. Do, however, try to give the students a chance to answer first - this class is for all aware, but the students have graves to consider." They grin before adding, "Tusks are generally worth... less than $200, usually around $150. Any more questions on them?"
Illyana grimaces at the boar-man.
"Has anyone studied their material properties?" Irene inquires, without lifting her eyes up from her note-taking. "Standard keratin? I assume if they've that much value they have special properties -- or is it just a collector, superstition thing, as with rhino horn?"
Ash nods to Irene, explaining, "People have studied their properties... alchemists. I am sorry to say that I am not one. I intend to pursue it in time, but that has not yet happened. I'm not even sure what sort of potions that they're used for." They smile apologetically before they announce, "Alright, dinosaurs! Everyone loves a good dino, right? Anyone here who can tell me what sort of dinosaur this is?"
Ash pats the taxidermied dino with a grin.
William goes to talk again, but pauses on his tracks, giving a little nod "It's awfully big for what it is..."
Ash nods, then points long brown fingers to Illyana and Sienna, turning their hands over to beckon. "Gimme something, or say that you're not sure. I think I'm going to start requiring active assent and dissent - just so that I know if you're still thinking, or I should move on."
The vegetables are a little dry, so Irene tosses her salad while Ash talks.
Sienna glances up, green eyes zeroing in on Ash's pointed finger then spares a look aside to Illyana. "A raptor?"
Ash nods to Sienna with a smile, then looks to Illyana.
"It's a large raptor." Illyana affirms. "I have no idea what kind though- And case and point, so much study has been done that Tempal intel already has the answers. Go ask Emmanuel for the answers if you want the official findings." she tells Irene.
Ash nods to them both, before asking, "Bill, go ahead."
Ash nodded to Illyana and Sienna in approval.
Irene looks up from her salad and smiles at Illyana thinly, in a way that doesn't quite touch her eyes.
William nods his head "Well, probably a velociraptor, you mentioned last time those could be found in the Wilds... Though again, probably overgrown due to some sort of magic thing, actual ones are meant to be chicken sized, maybe a tad bigger but not much..." He watches the dinosaur for a couple more seconds before saying "I can't quite recall what is most valuable about them, but once again I'd venture to say either claws or teeth, must be quite sharp..."
Ash explains, "These are velociraptors, specifically. They are extremely fast, so when you face them, you must want to sprint in the direction of the nearest road if you're close... or try to kill them before they get to you. They will probably get to you before then, so take care to have a weapon at your side. Since you should always have a partner - never hunt alone - one can be prepared to take the brunt, while the other attacks from a distance. They also hurt, given that they are innately predators with sharp claws and teeth. However! Their most valuable parts are...."
Ash says "The skin and scales! I'm not sure how much they're worth, but I believe it's worth a few hundred."
Once again, Irene leans forward in her seat to examine the alchemical ingredients on display. She also lifts up her phone to take a picture. "No value in the feathers, I guess," she concludes.
Nodding to Ash, Illyana continues to take notes.
Ash asks the group, now, in quick Tejano staccato, "Questions! Say no if you don't. And not with the Goblin Market, Irene."
Ash snaps, adding, "Oh, and like the others so far, if they capture you, they will take you to their nest, and eat you, bit by bit."
Irene shakes her head rather than verbally say no, covering her mouth with the hand in which she holds her fork.
William says "I have one... Why run to the road? Are they afraid of them for some reason? Maybe because of, well, being ran over- Or is it just to have a way out through a vehicle or something?"
Ash drawls to William, "I said this last class, I'm sure of it - but there's a protection on roads made in Haven or the Wilds, or any other words. Not little foot paths, but proper roads. These make you safe from these creatures, so long as you are standing on them. They will leave if you do. They *can* cross the roads, so don't use it as a barrier, be on the road itself."
Ash looks to Illyana and Sienna next, waiting.
Replacing the reusable fork into her stainless steel lunchbox, Irene seals it back up again and stows it away. How anyone could derive any enjoyment from the sad meal she just ate is anyone's guess. It didn't look like there was any olive oil or balsamic on those veggies.
William huhs a bit "Ah, sorry, didn't catch that last time... That's odd, no? Being able to cross but not stop in between... But yeah, ready for next topic then"
"Maybe they're afraid of what humans can do," Irene suggests to William with a wry little smile.
Illyana shrugs. "Nothing from me."
"Work." Illyana tells Ash. "I need to respond to this, but I'm still listening."
William puts a finger to his chin "The barrier thing sounds more plausible to me"
"Just taking notes," Sienna supplies in apology toward Ash, when her head raises up again. "This isn't a subject I'm yet well-versed on, but I think it's starting to click in place."
Ash nods to Illyana and William. "You're not protected on the other side of the road - only on it." They slide over to the spider, evidently in good humor despite how harried they looked when they arrived. They wave to the spider proudly, drawling, "Now, the spiders! They are not particularly fast or slow, and they can't hurt you from a distance. They can, however, use their spinnerets offensively. This means, if they are up against you, they can use their webs to wrap your legs - since that's what they can reach - which makes it difficult to run away."
Ash grins a bit viciously, as they warn, "I suggest not letting them get to you. It's not an uncommon idea, for some hunting, to attack a thing, then retreat. When you face large numbers, but can't flee, this is the best tactic. However, it only really works if you start as soon as they are in range, or if you can move as a similar or superior pace." They move the taxidermied creature around until the back is seen. "Now, for something unpleasant... any questions so far?"
Ash shows the spider's spinnerets to the group before turning it back so that it faces the front.
Shaking her head, Irene continues note-taking.
Finishing the text, Illyana shakes her head. "Not a question but an observation; Their silk glands are worth worthless in the market."
"That's surprising," Irene murmurs, looking up from her notes to Illyana, then back down to the spinnerets. "If they're anything like natural spider's silk, I would've thought they'd be useful for supernatural armour augmentation. But perhaps at this enlarged size, they possess different properties."
William points a finger at the spider, taking note of what Illyana said before asking "Do they have- Well, any magical property aside from the enhanced size? Or are they just dangerous because of, well, the usual things you would expect a giant spider to be dangerous for?"
Shrugging, Illyana takes another note. "They're worth less if mer fae give them to you."
"Can you at least turn your phone on silent?" Sienna requests of Illyana, now, when she hears another concurrent beep from the woman's direction.
"I'll at least consider it." Illyana tells Sienna.
Ash shakes their head, drawling, "Only if they're poor quality, Yana. I can't tell you their worth off of the top of my head, but they're worth more than the others I've shown so far. Now, the spiders in the Wilds differ significantly from our spiders, in that they don't lay eggs the same way as most. They copulate with males the same way, but...."
Ash kneels down, reaching towards the epigyne - a sort of slot underneath the lungs - and pulls out the ovipositor. It's long and hairless, and uncomfortably phallic, though in a way that only insects have. A horror movie organ.
Ash explains with a delighted expression on their face - no doubt nerdery taking over the horror - drawling, "So, when these spiders capture you, they do *not* eat you. They take you to their nest... then, after preparing you and themselves... sometimes copulating with the males on the spot to fertilize their eggs - they'll implant their eggs within you. They use an orifice - I was unconscious when I was captured, but I'll give you a *strong guess* which orifice it was - and so, there's no wounds."
Standing back up, their expression drops as they warn the class, more seriously, "You may not even feel it, is the most terrifying part. I can't tell you if they implant it elsewhere if you are female, but regardless of sex, they will impregnate you, then cut you from the webs, and let you free. If ever captured by spiders, come to me or another medical professional in White Oak, in the clinic, and we can remove the infestation." The ovipositor slowly slides back into its poor.
"Chest bursters." Illyana mentions as she takes a note.
William makes a bit of a face at that comment, maybe imagining it "Yeah, doesn't sound all too good..." He nods a bit after wondering, and asking Ash "Where do they-" He pauses at Illyana's comment with a bit of a nod, pointing at her "That- How do they come out would they not be removed in time? And how long is really that time?"
Irene seems to be enjoying this class a lot less now. The happier Ash gets, the more unhappy Irene looks. She stares in abject horror as the lecturer starts to describe, in considerable detail, the means by which the spiders impregnate their male victims, lacking the same delight he demonstrates.
Maybe she shouldn't have eaten during the class. Irene covers the back of her mouth, looking a little bit sick.
"It's just like the xenomorph, or that Hellboy comic with the wasp god in the amazon that would sting you and breed, and turn your body into a nest before bursting you open within twenty four hours." There's evident horror there, but something's made Illyana very happy. Unrelatedly so if the look she gives the spider is any assessment of her mood.
William gives a bit of a look at Illyana but then promptly looks down to his phone, huhing for a moment and lowering his head a bit at the rest "Ah, sorry..." He says typing something really quick before returning to the topic "So essentially... If time runs out you can consider yourself dead, yes?"
Ash explains to William, "It is not good, that's the point I want to make. These are terrifying creatures. And I've not had not personal experience, but It's part of my ongoing research! So that I'm ready for the intermediate corpses. But, yes. Consider yourself dead, if you do not remove the infestation. I would love to observe how long it takes, but it's the exact sort of science that is difficult to observe due to my Hippocratic oath and desire to conserve human life - not end it. Are we ready to move on?"
William nods his head "I am"
Visibly disturbed by what's been said, Irene nevertheless issues a small nod of her head.
Illyana nods, gesturing Ash to continue
Ash moves on between the zombie and the wolf. "Now... I don't know if I need to explain what zombies are... they are slow, but they will hit you hard. And I think you all know what they will do if they capture you. And can you guess what the most valuable part of them are?"
William tilts his head a bit, glancing at the zombie for a moment "Uh... I would have expected zombies to be more... Decaying- Didn't know much could be taken from them- Maybe the heart? Or the blood even if it isn't flowing" He tries to guess
"I have no idea." Illyana tells Ash. "I'd guess their heart or their brains for dramatic irony."
Sienna leans over to offer a few quiet words in William's direction before she slumps down in her chair, arms folding against the table's edge, slowly refocusing her attention on Ash as the class continues on.
William glances at Sienna for a moment, perking his eyebrow, and whispering something back
Ash nods to Illyana, drawling, "It's their brain! I'm... not sure what else there is to say on them. They're slowish, they'll capture you, take you home, then turn you into a zombie. Their brains are worth a bit over a thousand to the goblin market. Any questions before we move on to the Big Bad Wolves?"
Illyana stares at Ash. Then, she snickers. "Nature has a sense of dramatic irony... But no, no questions."
Ash looks to Sienna, then the others, waiting for them to each speak up.
"Do they ... think?" Irene asks with a raise of her brow.
"Feel?" Irene adds.
Sienna glances down at the several sheets of notes accrued in front of her, then shakes her head at Ash. "Nothing so far, though that's an excellent question," she relays to Irene next to her. "I'd like to think that maybe they're capable of some rudimentary thought processe. Feel, of course, because they have obvious pain responses."
"I'm just wondering what the brains are good for," Irene turns to converse with Sienna, leaning her elbow on the table towards her. "Given they have value ... hmm. I wonder if they continue to think when removed from the subject." She looks expectantly in the direction of Ash's box of goodies, from which he's produced every alchemical component so far, and beholds the brain with a narrowed gaze.
"It would be more ethical to study the brain of a zombie than that of a chimp, if it thinks," Irene proceeds, at this point almost just thinking aloud to herself.
William sighs a bit, standing up and saying "No questions from me..." He looks idly at the brain before giving Ash an apologetic look "I'll be right back..." He says before slipping back southwards
was somewhat fine with everything else, but the brain is enough to have Illyana turning green. There lines, and inhuman is it. But this is an actual brain that was inside something that looked like (mostly) a person.
"Their skin." Illyana answers the question before Ash can ask it, nodding to the wolf- And likely distractting herself from the brain. "Though if the packs find you, they will hunt your happy ass to the ends of the earth then kill you slowly for desicrating their pack member. As for the market, I couldn't say because I'm not dum enough to piss Dean off."
Ash nods to Illyana with a smirk, then to Sienna as they explain, "I would go with Ms Swann for this one. While I'm a master of the occult, the details of these interactions are often unique to Haven, and so a native scientist will be able to offer these finer details that I cannot. Thank you, Sienna." They gave Sienna a smile, adding to Irene, "I wish I was an alchemist. But, my theory is that the part that zombifies them, likely a disease of some sort, is evident in the brain."
Ash then pats the wolf. This isn't a taxidermied creature, but a model. "Now, as I was saying before, white wolves are said to be the oldest of werewolves. However, in the Wilds, these are not known to ever shift to a human shape. It is possible that these are purely magical, large wolves. Their pelts, yes, are valuable, but don't make the same mistake as Yana and associate them with the werewolves in Haven. Those are human in most ways, and act as such. They don't eat humans, and live as a family."
Ash lowers a gaze at Illyana, scolding, before focusing back on the wolf. "So, in practice, these are just wolves. Very big, very deadly, and smarter than the normal wolf. So, you can rely on them to attack with tactics, though they have no human morals or compunctions. They move fast, they will attack with tooth and claw, and they hurt. Fortunately, they usually hunt alone. Still, they are very dangerous."
"I mean..." Illyana shrugs. "My point remains. "I'm not making the mistake in case a bigger badder more Deany one decides to show up.""
Ash asks, "Questions, questions? Also, regardless of whether they are intelligent wolves or werewolves, you may find that werewolves may be offended if they find you wear their skin, or selling it. Your point of them chasing you for messing with their pack member is irrelevant, but the fact that werewolves may take offense is relevant."
Clearly fascinated, Irene ends up taking a great deal of notes about everything Ash has just said. She silently shakes her head when he asks if there are more questions.
"No questions from me." Illyana tells Ash, finishing her note taking, avoiding the brain and closing her ap.
William eventually comes back, sitting back where he was, noticing the brain still on display, he figures they didn't jump to the next topic yet. Simply returning quietly to where he was, hoping not to interrupt
"Great lecture, next time let's have less humany things." Illyana tells Ash as she takes a step. "Thanks for the teachification." then, she's gone in the most obnoxious way she can think of.
Ash moves to the gargoyle, the last of the menagerie. "Now, these gargoyles here are probably the most dangerous creatures in the wild. Because, to no surprise, they are as hard as stone - and they hit just as hard. They are powerful, though not too fast. However, their most valuable component... is actually not an organ! They wear necklaces... I don't have any on me, but they do, also made of stone."
They look over the class, a serious expression on their face. "Now, these are fascinating creatures... in that they don't hurt you. They're a type of golem, and work for masters. They capture you, take you home... and then, when their master's representatives come, they sell you. Who they sell you to hasn't been discovered, from what I've learned, because the slaves never return, and they're dangerous to stalk."
They look over the class again before drawling with a clap, "Alright! Homework is to describe what tactics you would take if you come across one. I went in order from the closes to the town centers to farthest, so for up to the spiders, you may come across them while travelling, but the rest, you likely would be hunting for. In the Haven forests, again, you must drive out far. Now, questions?"
"No questions," Irene smiles benignly as she assures Ash, shaking her head. She doesn't seem remotely offended by Illyanna's departing comment, and acts like she didn't even hear it or notice the disappearance. "Thank you so much. This was really very informative."
William shakes his head as well at Ash, looking over at his notebook for a moment and then doing a double take of shaking his head "I think it was very clear... I'll catch you some time and ask if everything comes up upon reviewing it"
Ash nods to Irene with a smile. "Of course, you're welcome. I hope this will keep you free of danger."
Ash says "Sienna? Anything from you?"
Sienna quietly gathers herself from the table, bowing her head in appreciation toward Ash. "Thank you again for all the time and energy you put into this class series, Professor Starling." She tucks her backpack against her chest, saying, "No questions at all."
Ash says "Very good. Thank you all for coming!
The discussion transitions to the defensive and survival strategies against these creatures, including the importance of remaining on proper roads within and around Haven for safety, due to a protective enchantment that creatures avoid crossing. As attendees like Irene and Sienna take meticulous notes, debating the economic and alchemical value of creatures such as boar-men and velociraptors, the lecture takes a darker turn with the revelation of the giant spiders’ reproductive methods, leaving some attendees uncomfortable. Ash explains the spiders do not eat their prey but rather use them as hosts for their offspring, injecting eggs through an ovipositor into unconscious victims. This gruesome survival strategy underscores the dangerous and alien nature of the cryptids studied, while also emphasizing the need for knowledge and caution in the supernatural world. The lecture concludes with a strong caution from Ash: if ever captured by such spiders, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention in White Oak to remove the infestation, underscoring the grim realities faced by those who venture into the realms of the unknown.
During a unique lecture within Lam's Arcology at White Oak, Ash, an avid researcher of the supernatural, presents on various terrifying creatures to a keen audience including Illyana, William, Irene, and Sienna. Illyana exhibits a mix of horror and intrigue when Ash explains the deadly nature of certain creatures, comparing them to infamous beings from horror fiction and emphasizing the grave consequences of failing to remove certain infestations in time. Ash's detailed descriptions evoke visceral reactions from the attendees, ranging from William's intellectual curiosity to Illyana's discomfort, especially at the mention of zombies and their valuable brains. The lecture delves into the realms of cryptozoology with mentions of zombies, werewolves, and the lucrative goblin market, stirring a mixture of fear, fascination, and ethical quandaries among the students.
The class discussion transitions from zombies to white wolves, revealing Ash's vast knowledge and prompting varied reactions from the class. While Ash educates on the dangers and values of these beings, questions about zombie cognition and the use of their brains in alchemy spark a philosophical debate among the attendees, particularly between Irene and Sienna. The conversation shifts to the ethics of using such creatures for study, juxtaposing scientific curiosity against moral considerations. As the lecture moves to its conclusion, Ash introduces the concept of gargoyles, emphasizing their difference in behavior and the unique challenges they pose, notably their role in capturing humans for unknown masters. The students, now thoroughly intrigued and perhaps a bit more informed of the dangers lurking in their world, express their appreciation for the lecture, leaving with no questions but likely many thoughts on how they might navigate encounters with these creatures in their explorations or research endeavors.
(Ash's [White Oak] Lecture, Cryptozoology 101: The Wild Wild West )
[Fri Oct 18 2024]
Inside the Laboratory within Lam's Arcology at White Oak
It is about 60F(15C) degrees.
"What were the other disturbing facts?" Irene inquires of William with interest, pocketing her hands. "Slave ants? Surprise me."
Ash already appears to be surprising Irene, who turns in the direction of all the taxidermy they're setting up with interest.
William tilts his head "Well, do you know what really happens inside of the cocoon when larvaes start the metamorphosis?"
"They liquify," says Irene, eyes on the ... "Is that a dinosaur?"
"I do. Disgusting things that shouldn't be known by man or beast." Illyana tells William.
Ash says "Yep! "
William nods his head "Well, there was a lot of that... Some moles actually having eyes... Some mutation things... The typical"
Irene ends up turning her back to William, and perhaps the subject of disturbing animal facts in general. Her interest latches much more on the taxidermy. "No way," she says, staring down at the giant spider. "How does its exoskeleton not collapse in on itself?"
Illyana grins at the spider. "Grim."
William huhs, glancing over at the spider, tilting his head yet again "Actually, with spiders the exoskeleton is not normally the limiting factor... It's the oxygen intake, spiders could be huge if they had efficient lungs, like those of a horse instead of, well, how were they called? Book lungs?"
William says "If they had efficient lungs, they could probably grow to be meter and a half tall or something like that..."
William adds "That's the point where the exoskeleton would become the issue"
Hearing William's words, Irene crouches lower down underneath the spider, dropping her knees to the floor, and tries to get a good look up its thorax to see if it has the structure for lungs.
William muses to himself "The legs in itself would also probably pose a challenge, you know, they'd have to become a bit wider to kind of, not exert so much pressure and distribute it correctly. But you know what I mean"
"This is so cool," Irene enthuses, clambering back up to her feet in front of the spider. "I don't think it has big enough lungs, though, the anatomy just looks like a normal spider, only bigger. I'm guessing it's sustained somehow with magic? Well, Ashen will explain, no doubt." She then turns to examine the dead undead.
Sienna deposits herself into a seat along one end of the long table, the irritable pout of her bottom lip lessening as the allure of science pulls her toward a slowly warming room. She inhales a breath, nose twitching, before her arms unfold, lifting her eyes curiously to Ash. "This is going to be interesting."
When it seems like Ash is more or less ready, finally, Irene shrinks back from the taxidermy and slides herself into a chair. She appears to have brought some food with her, and unfolds a reusable fork to dive in.
Crossing her arms, Illyana pays attention to Ash as they teach, eyeing the creatures as if they might suddenly stand up. Just to be certain, Illyana generates a spark of angelfire, letting it dance across her knuckles ready to blaze into an inferno if required. She's likely being overly suspicious.
Ash claps, drawling, "Alright! Sorry about the late start, everyone. Someone caused me complications earlier that I had to immediately deal with, so I had to rush. I hope you're all ready to begin! Remember, feel free to walk around and look over the displays, but make sure that you raise your hand for questions. Are you all ready to begin?
"
William nods his head at Irene "I would have assumed so, yeah, the same thing went for the rodent from last time... That's the part that makes it crypto instead of just normal zoology after all..." He says as he looks for a seat himself
Ash says "And if you said anything while I was setting up, I may have missed it. I'm autistic and ADHD, so I tend to hyperfocus. Anything I need to hear?"
"Thanks so much for letting me audit," is Irene's only answer, before she quiets down again and goes back to her salad.
Ash smiles to Irene, drawling, "The purpose of this school is to prepare the Supernatural and aware who deal with them for the magical world we live in. This course is to prepare people from some of the dangers that do not walk and talk amongst us today. It's important for anyone looking to interact with these other worlds to understand what that actually means. Additionally, these creatures can be found in other places... I believe I mentioned that last class. Does anyone remember or know where else these creatures can be found?" They look mostly to Illyana and Sienna, the actual students.
William glances a bit towards the white wolf model, turning to look at Ash for a moment, going to answer before stopping and actually rising his hand
"The god realm, wilds and other." Illyana answers, looking at each thing. "The forest, too as the veil thins with the mist."
Glancing towards the wolf, Illyana also adds, "The trailor park."
William says "So I've heard... Good luck I got out of there"
Then pointing at the zombie, Illyana tops that with an even better joke; "White oak student body."
Sienna remains studiously quiet, organizing her notes with perfectly technical font scrawling across the page while she listens attentively to Ash and the other students. A pause, now, when the faint crunch of fresh salad draws her eyes toward Irene.
Irene likewise listens attentively in her stool next to Sienna, without offering any comment. Not being a student, she tries to be unobtrusive, save for the occasional soft crunch of freshly cut vegetables in her lunchbox. When Sienna looks over, she seems a little self-conscious. She starts eating much more slowly, and quietly, lifting a hand to cover her mouth.
Incidentally, her salad looks depressing as hell.
Ash chuckles, then continues, "That first part is *mostly* right, not completely. The forest will *always* have these creatures in it, from *all* of the worlds that Haven is connected to. However, it is only a certain distance out of town. They do not like getting close to civilization - except during the mists, when they are... I think at least hip-level high mist? Regardless, if it's misty in Haven, it's best to stay indoors, doors closed. And number one rule? Never go out into the woods alone. Carrying a weapon is also recommended. Any questions so far?"
William lowers his hand slowly and gradually, moving his eyes to Irene and Sienna for a moment before shrugging, looking some more at the taxidermized bodies and humming to himself "I was warned by- Someone... To run away if I ever saw a white furred wolf, is this that kind or...?"
When Ash checks if anyone has any questions, Irene makes a faint sound around her salad, covering her mouth, and raises her other hand. She closes her lunchbox for the time being, pushing it to one side. "Do you think these creatures could thrive outside of Haven?" she finally asks, "I know they're here because of gate magic, but ... how easy do you think it would be to transport them elsewhere?" When William whispers something to her, she looks aside at him and frowns, but doesn't answer, returning her focus to the teacher.
William shrugs a bit, musing a bit as he glances back at Ash "You did mention the other day certain creatures were spreading some other place in the world... So I am guessing they don't depend on the gates to remain alive?"
Nodding, Illyana makes a couple of notes; At least some of that Illyana didn't apparently have confirmation on.
Ash nods to William, drawling, "The older many supernaturals get, the more powerful they become, and their body changes to fit that. So, for werewolves, their fur turns white. We will get into that in a moment." To Irene, they add, "That's the sort of question that I don't think it's beneficial to answer - these are very dangerous creatures, and the purpose of this class is prevention, and defense. Though, we will describe one use for them... because if you must defend yourself, you may as well get something out of it, no? And it plays into the sort of life that supernaturals here in Haven leave."
Ash adds, "Live, that is. And we have a lot to go over today, so we'll leave the discussion of their survival in the world for after the bulk of the lesson. Yes?"
After a quick nod of her head, Irene quiets down. And then she goes back to her salad.
William nods his head slowly at Ash, bringing out his notebook and opening it
Ash snaps their fingers and points to the rat. "First things first - rats! Yana, what do you recall from our last lesson on them?" They point to Illyana with a grin, as they walk over to the taxidermied creature.
"I recall that most of your speach on rats was drowned out by people talking." Illyana happily tells Ash. "They're one of the most common creatures, one of the easiest to kill but also plentiful. I think you said their gaul bladder was bank. But I may be confusing the animals."
Ash nods to Illyana before asking, "Does anyone else recall?" They look over William, before glancing at the others.
William nods his head "Yeah, some people rambling about Princess Bride- I think it was either their claws or teeth that were valuable? I think they can be seen around here but they are more common in the Wilds as well"
Ash smiles to William, nodding. They then explain, "Right! I call them Rodents of Unusual Size, but they're largely as Yana and Bill here have said. It's their claws and hands that are valuable. They're worth about... $50? Maybe less, in the Goblin Market. I mostly covered them last class, but what you should know is that they generally come in packs, and that's the biggest danger with them."
Irene leans forward in her seat, examining these lucrative claws from a distance.
Putting her hand up again, Irene asks, "Does anyone breed these?"
Sienna looks up from writing her notes, pen scratching to a sudden halt at Irene's question. She stares at her briefly, then quickly routes her attention back to Ash, waiting for an answer.
"Of course they do. It's how the Order got Viktorin." Illyana shrugs.
Ash brings out the examples, setting them on the ground. "These are imperfect, which is why they're here for display, rather than for sale. Now... what? No, I don't know of any breeding. They are dangerous creatures, and breed just fine, even while being hunted. And not hard to find." They snort at Illyana's comment, before drawling, "That's rude, Yana. He's a fellow student... he may not be in class today, but that doesn't justify it. Be civil. Anyways, any more questions before I move on to the next?"
William huhs a bit, seeming now a bit suspicious at the question, tying it up together with the previous, before shrugging, looking between Illyana and Ash and wondering out loud "Can I say that? I am no student..."
Irene digests this food for thought in silence, while she digests her food for stomach.
Ash drawls, "Alright, ready for the next one? We have quite a few to go through."
"Ready," Sienna chirps toward Ash.
William does smile a bit before nodding to Ash "Go for it"
Illyana says "Go on."
Ash moves to stand between the dinosaur and the humanoid. "Now, these two are the next most likely to see in the Wilds. I do believe you're more likely to come before the boar-men." They pat the boar-man on the shoulder, as if he's a pal, and leans on the corpse, to motion to him. "Now, I can imagine what you're thinking. Isn't this a person? A sentient creature? Well, they sure are smart. They can use tools and, more importantly, weapons. However, they have proven to only and openly be hostile to humans, not communicating or trading. This means, for our purposes, they are a predator of humanity, and we'll treat them as such. Prevention and protection."
Standing up, Ash then declares, "These boar-men, as we call them, have not mastered bows, and will rush forward and attack you up close. They are usually in groups, usually pairs, but sometimes larger groups. And they are physically powerful, so when they hit, it *hurts*. And if they capture you? They'll bring you home to *eat* you. They eat humans. You can take them down like any other humanoid being, so nothing special there. Any guesses as to what they have that's valuable to alchemists?"
William tilts his head slightly, considering the question "Well, either something particular about their boar nature, maybe tusks... Or something in which they are similar to humans, something like an organ, say, the heart?"
As Ash proceeds to describe in detail the strengths and weaknesses of the boar-men, Irene sets her salad aside for the moment, instead opening Evernote up on her phone to jot all this down.
Ash nods to William and points, drawling, "Correct, the tusks. Do, however, try to give the students a chance to answer first - this class is for all aware, but the students have graves to consider." They grin before adding, "Tusks are generally worth... less than $200, usually around $150. Any more questions on them?"
Illyana grimaces at the boar-man.
"Has anyone studied their material properties?" Irene inquires, without lifting her eyes up from her note-taking. "Standard keratin? I assume if they've that much value they have special properties -- or is it just a collector, superstition thing, as with rhino horn?"
Ash nods to Irene, explaining, "People have studied their properties... alchemists. I am sorry to say that I am not one. I intend to pursue it in time, but that has not yet happened. I'm not even sure what sort of potions that they're used for." They smile apologetically before they announce, "Alright, dinosaurs! Everyone loves a good dino, right? Anyone here who can tell me what sort of dinosaur this is?"
Ash pats the taxidermied dino with a grin.
William goes to talk again, but pauses on his tracks, giving a little nod "It's awfully big for what it is..."
Ash nods, then points long brown fingers to Illyana and Sienna, turning their hands over to beckon. "Gimme something, or say that you're not sure. I think I'm going to start requiring active assent and dissent - just so that I know if you're still thinking, or I should move on."
The vegetables are a little dry, so Irene tosses her salad while Ash talks.
Sienna glances up, green eyes zeroing in on Ash's pointed finger then spares a look aside to Illyana. "A raptor?"
Ash nods to Sienna with a smile, then looks to Illyana.
"It's a large raptor." Illyana affirms. "I have no idea what kind though- And case and point, so much study has been done that Tempal intel already has the answers. Go ask Emmanuel for the answers if you want the official findings." she tells Irene.
Ash nods to them both, before asking, "Bill, go ahead."
Ash nodded to Illyana and Sienna in approval.
Irene looks up from her salad and smiles at Illyana thinly, in a way that doesn't quite touch her eyes.
William nods his head "Well, probably a velociraptor, you mentioned last time those could be found in the Wilds... Though again, probably overgrown due to some sort of magic thing, actual ones are meant to be chicken sized, maybe a tad bigger but not much..." He watches the dinosaur for a couple more seconds before saying "I can't quite recall what is most valuable about them, but once again I'd venture to say either claws or teeth, must be quite sharp..."
Ash explains, "These are velociraptors, specifically. They are extremely fast, so when you face them, you must want to sprint in the direction of the nearest road if you're close... or try to kill them before they get to you. They will probably get to you before then, so take care to have a weapon at your side. Since you should always have a partner - never hunt alone - one can be prepared to take the brunt, while the other attacks from a distance. They also hurt, given that they are innately predators with sharp claws and teeth. However! Their most valuable parts are...."
Ash says "The skin and scales! I'm not sure how much they're worth, but I believe it's worth a few hundred."
Once again, Irene leans forward in her seat to examine the alchemical ingredients on display. She also lifts up her phone to take a picture. "No value in the feathers, I guess," she concludes.
Nodding to Ash, Illyana continues to take notes.
Ash asks the group, now, in quick Tejano staccato, "Questions! Say no if you don't. And not with the Goblin Market, Irene."
Ash snaps, adding, "Oh, and like the others so far, if they capture you, they will take you to their nest, and eat you, bit by bit."
Irene shakes her head rather than verbally say no, covering her mouth with the hand in which she holds her fork.
William says "I have one... Why run to the road? Are they afraid of them for some reason? Maybe because of, well, being ran over- Or is it just to have a way out through a vehicle or something?"
Ash drawls to William, "I said this last class, I'm sure of it - but there's a protection on roads made in Haven or the Wilds, or any other words. Not little foot paths, but proper roads. These make you safe from these creatures, so long as you are standing on them. They will leave if you do. They *can* cross the roads, so don't use it as a barrier, be on the road itself."
Ash looks to Illyana and Sienna next, waiting.
Replacing the reusable fork into her stainless steel lunchbox, Irene seals it back up again and stows it away. How anyone could derive any enjoyment from the sad meal she just ate is anyone's guess. It didn't look like there was any olive oil or balsamic on those veggies.
William huhs a bit "Ah, sorry, didn't catch that last time... That's odd, no? Being able to cross but not stop in between... But yeah, ready for next topic then"
"Maybe they're afraid of what humans can do," Irene suggests to William with a wry little smile.
Illyana shrugs. "Nothing from me."
"Work." Illyana tells Ash. "I need to respond to this, but I'm still listening."
William puts a finger to his chin "The barrier thing sounds more plausible to me"
"Just taking notes," Sienna supplies in apology toward Ash, when her head raises up again. "This isn't a subject I'm yet well-versed on, but I think it's starting to click in place."
Ash nods to Illyana and William. "You're not protected on the other side of the road - only on it." They slide over to the spider, evidently in good humor despite how harried they looked when they arrived. They wave to the spider proudly, drawling, "Now, the spiders! They are not particularly fast or slow, and they can't hurt you from a distance. They can, however, use their spinnerets offensively. This means, if they are up against you, they can use their webs to wrap your legs - since that's what they can reach - which makes it difficult to run away."
Ash grins a bit viciously, as they warn, "I suggest not letting them get to you. It's not an uncommon idea, for some hunting, to attack a thing, then retreat. When you face large numbers, but can't flee, this is the best tactic. However, it only really works if you start as soon as they are in range, or if you can move as a similar or superior pace." They move the taxidermied creature around until the back is seen. "Now, for something unpleasant... any questions so far?"
Ash shows the spider's spinnerets to the group before turning it back so that it faces the front.
Shaking her head, Irene continues note-taking.
Finishing the text, Illyana shakes her head. "Not a question but an observation; Their silk glands are worth worthless in the market."
"That's surprising," Irene murmurs, looking up from her notes to Illyana, then back down to the spinnerets. "If they're anything like natural spider's silk, I would've thought they'd be useful for supernatural armour augmentation. But perhaps at this enlarged size, they possess different properties."
William points a finger at the spider, taking note of what Illyana said before asking "Do they have- Well, any magical property aside from the enhanced size? Or are they just dangerous because of, well, the usual things you would expect a giant spider to be dangerous for?"
Shrugging, Illyana takes another note. "They're worth less if mer fae give them to you."
"Can you at least turn your phone on silent?" Sienna requests of Illyana, now, when she hears another concurrent beep from the woman's direction.
"I'll at least consider it." Illyana tells Sienna.
Ash shakes their head, drawling, "Only if they're poor quality, Yana. I can't tell you their worth off of the top of my head, but they're worth more than the others I've shown so far. Now, the spiders in the Wilds differ significantly from our spiders, in that they don't lay eggs the same way as most. They copulate with males the same way, but...."
Ash kneels down, reaching towards the epigyne - a sort of slot underneath the lungs - and pulls out the ovipositor. It's long and hairless, and uncomfortably phallic, though in a way that only insects have. A horror movie organ.
Ash explains with a delighted expression on their face - no doubt nerdery taking over the horror - drawling, "So, when these spiders capture you, they do *not* eat you. They take you to their nest... then, after preparing you and themselves... sometimes copulating with the males on the spot to fertilize their eggs - they'll implant their eggs within you. They use an orifice - I was unconscious when I was captured, but I'll give you a *strong guess* which orifice it was - and so, there's no wounds."
Standing back up, their expression drops as they warn the class, more seriously, "You may not even feel it, is the most terrifying part. I can't tell you if they implant it elsewhere if you are female, but regardless of sex, they will impregnate you, then cut you from the webs, and let you free. If ever captured by spiders, come to me or another medical professional in White Oak, in the clinic, and we can remove the infestation." The ovipositor slowly slides back into its poor.
"Chest bursters." Illyana mentions as she takes a note.
William makes a bit of a face at that comment, maybe imagining it "Yeah, doesn't sound all too good..." He nods a bit after wondering, and asking Ash "Where do they-" He pauses at Illyana's comment with a bit of a nod, pointing at her "That- How do they come out would they not be removed in time? And how long is really that time?"
Irene seems to be enjoying this class a lot less now. The happier Ash gets, the more unhappy Irene looks. She stares in abject horror as the lecturer starts to describe, in considerable detail, the means by which the spiders impregnate their male victims, lacking the same delight he demonstrates.
Maybe she shouldn't have eaten during the class. Irene covers the back of her mouth, looking a little bit sick.
"It's just like the xenomorph, or that Hellboy comic with the wasp god in the amazon that would sting you and breed, and turn your body into a nest before bursting you open within twenty four hours." There's evident horror there, but something's made Illyana very happy. Unrelatedly so if the look she gives the spider is any assessment of her mood.
William gives a bit of a look at Illyana but then promptly looks down to his phone, huhing for a moment and lowering his head a bit at the rest "Ah, sorry..." He says typing something really quick before returning to the topic "So essentially... If time runs out you can consider yourself dead, yes?"
Ash explains to William, "It is not good, that's the point I want to make. These are terrifying creatures. And I've not had not personal experience, but It's part of my ongoing research! So that I'm ready for the intermediate corpses. But, yes. Consider yourself dead, if you do not remove the infestation. I would love to observe how long it takes, but it's the exact sort of science that is difficult to observe due to my Hippocratic oath and desire to conserve human life - not end it. Are we ready to move on?"
William nods his head "I am"
Visibly disturbed by what's been said, Irene nevertheless issues a small nod of her head.
Illyana nods, gesturing Ash to continue
Ash moves on between the zombie and the wolf. "Now... I don't know if I need to explain what zombies are... they are slow, but they will hit you hard. And I think you all know what they will do if they capture you. And can you guess what the most valuable part of them are?"
William tilts his head a bit, glancing at the zombie for a moment "Uh... I would have expected zombies to be more... Decaying- Didn't know much could be taken from them- Maybe the heart? Or the blood even if it isn't flowing" He tries to guess
"I have no idea." Illyana tells Ash. "I'd guess their heart or their brains for dramatic irony."
Sienna leans over to offer a few quiet words in William's direction before she slumps down in her chair, arms folding against the table's edge, slowly refocusing her attention on Ash as the class continues on.
William glances at Sienna for a moment, perking his eyebrow, and whispering something back
Ash nods to Illyana, drawling, "It's their brain! I'm... not sure what else there is to say on them. They're slowish, they'll capture you, take you home, then turn you into a zombie. Their brains are worth a bit over a thousand to the goblin market. Any questions before we move on to the Big Bad Wolves?"
Illyana stares at Ash. Then, she snickers. "Nature has a sense of dramatic irony... But no, no questions."
Ash looks to Sienna, then the others, waiting for them to each speak up.
"Do they ... think?" Irene asks with a raise of her brow.
"Feel?" Irene adds.
Sienna glances down at the several sheets of notes accrued in front of her, then shakes her head at Ash. "Nothing so far, though that's an excellent question," she relays to Irene next to her. "I'd like to think that maybe they're capable of some rudimentary thought processe. Feel, of course, because they have obvious pain responses."
"I'm just wondering what the brains are good for," Irene turns to converse with Sienna, leaning her elbow on the table towards her. "Given they have value ... hmm. I wonder if they continue to think when removed from the subject." She looks expectantly in the direction of Ash's box of goodies, from which he's produced every alchemical component so far, and beholds the brain with a narrowed gaze.
"It would be more ethical to study the brain of a zombie than that of a chimp, if it thinks," Irene proceeds, at this point almost just thinking aloud to herself.
William sighs a bit, standing up and saying "No questions from me..." He looks idly at the brain before giving Ash an apologetic look "I'll be right back..." He says before slipping back southwards
was somewhat fine with everything else, but the brain is enough to have Illyana turning green. There lines, and inhuman is it. But this is an actual brain that was inside something that looked like (mostly) a person.
"Their skin." Illyana answers the question before Ash can ask it, nodding to the wolf- And likely distractting herself from the brain. "Though if the packs find you, they will hunt your happy ass to the ends of the earth then kill you slowly for desicrating their pack member. As for the market, I couldn't say because I'm not dum enough to piss Dean off."
Ash nods to Illyana with a smirk, then to Sienna as they explain, "I would go with Ms Swann for this one. While I'm a master of the occult, the details of these interactions are often unique to Haven, and so a native scientist will be able to offer these finer details that I cannot. Thank you, Sienna." They gave Sienna a smile, adding to Irene, "I wish I was an alchemist. But, my theory is that the part that zombifies them, likely a disease of some sort, is evident in the brain."
Ash then pats the wolf. This isn't a taxidermied creature, but a model. "Now, as I was saying before, white wolves are said to be the oldest of werewolves. However, in the Wilds, these are not known to ever shift to a human shape. It is possible that these are purely magical, large wolves. Their pelts, yes, are valuable, but don't make the same mistake as Yana and associate them with the werewolves in Haven. Those are human in most ways, and act as such. They don't eat humans, and live as a family."
Ash lowers a gaze at Illyana, scolding, before focusing back on the wolf. "So, in practice, these are just wolves. Very big, very deadly, and smarter than the normal wolf. So, you can rely on them to attack with tactics, though they have no human morals or compunctions. They move fast, they will attack with tooth and claw, and they hurt. Fortunately, they usually hunt alone. Still, they are very dangerous."
"I mean..." Illyana shrugs. "My point remains. "I'm not making the mistake in case a bigger badder more Deany one decides to show up.""
Ash asks, "Questions, questions? Also, regardless of whether they are intelligent wolves or werewolves, you may find that werewolves may be offended if they find you wear their skin, or selling it. Your point of them chasing you for messing with their pack member is irrelevant, but the fact that werewolves may take offense is relevant."
Clearly fascinated, Irene ends up taking a great deal of notes about everything Ash has just said. She silently shakes her head when he asks if there are more questions.
"No questions from me." Illyana tells Ash, finishing her note taking, avoiding the brain and closing her ap.
William eventually comes back, sitting back where he was, noticing the brain still on display, he figures they didn't jump to the next topic yet. Simply returning quietly to where he was, hoping not to interrupt
"Great lecture, next time let's have less humany things." Illyana tells Ash as she takes a step. "Thanks for the teachification." then, she's gone in the most obnoxious way she can think of.
Ash moves to the gargoyle, the last of the menagerie. "Now, these gargoyles here are probably the most dangerous creatures in the wild. Because, to no surprise, they are as hard as stone - and they hit just as hard. They are powerful, though not too fast. However, their most valuable component... is actually not an organ! They wear necklaces... I don't have any on me, but they do, also made of stone."
They look over the class, a serious expression on their face. "Now, these are fascinating creatures... in that they don't hurt you. They're a type of golem, and work for masters. They capture you, take you home... and then, when their master's representatives come, they sell you. Who they sell you to hasn't been discovered, from what I've learned, because the slaves never return, and they're dangerous to stalk."
They look over the class again before drawling with a clap, "Alright! Homework is to describe what tactics you would take if you come across one. I went in order from the closes to the town centers to farthest, so for up to the spiders, you may come across them while travelling, but the rest, you likely would be hunting for. In the Haven forests, again, you must drive out far. Now, questions?"
"No questions," Irene smiles benignly as she assures Ash, shaking her head. She doesn't seem remotely offended by Illyanna's departing comment, and acts like she didn't even hear it or notice the disappearance. "Thank you so much. This was really very informative."
William shakes his head as well at Ash, looking over at his notebook for a moment and then doing a double take of shaking his head "I think it was very clear... I'll catch you some time and ask if everything comes up upon reviewing it"
Ash nods to Irene with a smile. "Of course, you're welcome. I hope this will keep you free of danger."
Ash says "Sienna? Anything from you?"
Sienna quietly gathers herself from the table, bowing her head in appreciation toward Ash. "Thank you again for all the time and energy you put into this class series, Professor Starling." She tucks her backpack against her chest, saying, "No questions at all."
Ash says "Very good. Thank you all for coming!