Past Issues

Anatomical study of centauroids

Posted on April 27, 2022

Centauroids are common species in magical ecosystems, representing a half-human, half-ungulate composite animal. Although they seem perfectly logical in their appearance, their internal anatomy is far more complicated than expected. Although they look like having the upper part of a human and the whole body without the neck and the head of a horse (or another ungulate), this does not mean they also possess doubled sets of internal organs. In this paper, we made an overview of the common anatomical features of centauroids with emphasis on the main specializations.

Biodiversity of Okheania

Posted on April 14, 2022

The world of Okheania is a fabulous environment, largely shaped by gigantic trees, forming an evergreen dense surface with their crowns and a dark, hostile space around the trunks, similar to the Ocean’s depth and simply named “the profundity”. This green “ocean” developed on Earth after the sowing of the megatrees, initially developed in laboratory conditions to cope with the pollution of anthropogenic origin. As such, it forms a unique ecosystem with several well-defined biotopes and a flourishing variety of lifeforms. The dominant organismal group is that of Order Ichthymammalia, descendants of the common mammals that underwent extensive evolution and currently resemble in many ways the fishes that previously lived on Earth. Uniquely, the present ichtymammals evolved in a convergent way to these fishes and many similarities could be established between these new species and the now extinct fishes of the past.

The culture of ghols – overview of a nearly extinct species

Posted on April 7, 2022

Native to the Badlands, the ghols first came into contact with humans during the Great wars. Then, they were best known as the savage, bestial servants of the Fallen Lords. Most of the data available originated from the dwarven allies and considering the mutual hatred between these two non-human races, as old as the world itself, the bloody victory over the armies of Soulblighter during the Second war was followed by purposive massacre over the remaining ghol groups. It was not until recently that human scholars started to dig into the biological features, societal structure and cultural peculiarity of the ghols. Unexpectedly, they appeared to have much more sophisticated cultural development than expected.

Clinical aspects of voluntary therianthropy. Common risks of shapeshifting.

Posted on March 27, 2022

Voluntary therianthropy is the ability of a human being to transform into another animal species. Unlike other forms of therianthropy, often associated with infectious diseases (for example lycanthropy), during voluntary transformation the shapeshifter performs directed input of considerable magical energy and undergoes significant anatomical and physiological changes. As such, voluntary therianthropy is also a risky event that may lead to serious injuries, or other unpredictable complications, summarized in this article.

The emergence of new apex predators by hybrid speciation

Posted on March 20, 2022

The present paper discusses the possibility that rare animal interspecific hybrids may evolve into entirely new species and occupy the highest trophic level. Such hybrid speciation may have occurred in historical times and represents an evolutionary mechanism. The subject of the current study, however, is typical cases of anthropologic organisms, whose evolution was facilitated or even caused by human activity. These are typical examples of the way that human civilization changed ecological systems and affected biodiversity.

Man-eating crocodile encounters – a cryptid overview

Posted on March 13, 2022

Crocodiles are apex predators in most of their natural habitats and feed on whatever is available, from fish to mammals. With some species, reaching 6 m in length and over 1000 kg, they also represent an actual threat to humans, specifically in areas where direct contact is usual. Crocodiles do perceive humans as a potential source of food and attack when possible, actually causing hundreds of deaths annually. Most of the attacks occur within the natural range of crocodile distribution and are not uncommon in Australia, South-Eastern Asia, and Africa. In all of these cases, the usual suspects were either the saltwater crocodile or the Nile crocodile, the two largest and most aggressive representatives of the family Crocodylidae. At least five more crocodile species are known as actual or potential man-eaters, although at a much smaller scale. Such attacks are, of course, not extraordinary in any sense of this word, and do not fall into the scope of the present study. Some recent reports, however, suggest that different crocodile species may be introduced, successfully adapt and even mutate into ferocious man-eating cryptids outside of their natural range.

Deciphering Mutagen Ooze

Posted on March 7, 2022

Currently, Mutagen Ooze is considered the most potent substance known, able to cause directed mutations into both humans and other Earth species. Its origin was long known, unlike its mechanism of action, which remained elusive for years. We hereby provide an extensive overview of its nature, based on new samples collected and multiple analyses.

Toxicology of the Kartoolian paralt

Posted on February 26, 2022

The yellow paralt poison is among the deadliest substances, known across the Malazan Empire, and a preferred weapon for many skilled killers, the Claws being among them. Since now, it was only known that it is derived from the yellow-banded giant spiders of the island of Kartool and that it leads to an agonizing, painful death. In this study, the origin of the spider, along with the active compounds of its poison is elucidated.

Evolution matters – the anthropomorphism in the world of Narnia

Posted on February 20, 2022

Abstract
The world of Narnia is a high-magic world, characterized by a fauna, composed of both native and introduced animals. A land of magic and wonder indeed, the most characteristic feature of the world of Narnia is the talking, humanized animals. This uncommon quality was largely driven by the modifying effects of the magical energy, to which introduced mammals proved to be especially susceptible. Furthermore, the present study establishes the phylogenetic relation to the extent of magic susceptibility and the first evidence of magi-neuronal congestions.

The Gene Cryptor

Posted on February 11, 2022

As its name suggests, the Gene Cryptor is a virus, able to encrypt specific genetic information inside genes. The original strain was invented to design an extremely accurate tool for genetic engineering. More or less predictably, the virus mutated and escaped the laboratory, proving itself capable of infecting humans and causing epidemics with a wide variety of symptoms, depending on the affected genes and the viral titer. Currently, there is no conclusive concept on how to create an efficient cure, but strong evidence suggests that the virus may slowly vanish and disappear on its own.