The Scholasticarium is honored to have been chosen to host the biennial meeting of Almery's Society of Taxonomic Studies, in which magicians and scholars from across the Dying Earth gather to share their knowledge of the world's more unusual and esoteric species. Demi-Inferator Grashpotel will chair the meeting and as such is required to assess the papers and posters proposed for presentation to the Symposium. As the new Wilderand Cup is to be awarded for the most illuminating and well-researched paper, the esteemed Grashpotel deems it necessary to investigate in advance the more unusual claims made in some submissions, in hope of revealing either true brilliance or attempted duplicity on the part of the author(s). Students will gain credits for research into these claims.

The conference starts on the Feast of Fladnflawn and will finish at a convenient time thereafter, no later than the end of Plamel. Scholars of repute who wish to submit either papers or posters should submit the working Title and Abstract of their proposed presentations to Iunatharis Grashpotel at their earliest convenience. Approved Papers must be submitted by 5th Vinstim in order to be included in the published Proceedings. Please note that mermelants, no matter how well educated, will not be permitted in the conference chamber either as delegates or exhibits. Presentations are to be strictly limited to three hours, on pain of the Dismal Itch.

 

The gid is a remarkable creature, purported to be a vat grown hybridisation of man, gargoyle, whorl and leaping insect. Although its exact ancestry is indistinct, its anatomy can clearly and easily be studied by the dedicated student. In some regions the integument is well developed, but a sharp knife and a steady hand will reveal much.

The first area for observation should be the head, in which are located the mouthparts, brain and compound eyes (Diagram 1a). It is a widely held misconception that the compound eyes are the gids actual visual organs, but upon dissection it can clearly be seen that no major nervous connections exist between the eyestalk and the rather primitive brain, which resides snugly within the braincase in a space no larger than a single fist (Diagrams 1b and 1c for cross section). It can therefore be concluded that they are merely present for decoy purposes or are the site of the so-called mesmerism effect often noted by survivors of gid attack. Indeed, a flux analysis does reveal a minor magical property per ommatidia (individual facet) and some even claim they can be of use in spell matrices. Great care is necessary to remove such items intact, as they are exceptionally delicate.

The true eye of the gid is hidden within a hooded recess above the mouthparts. The organs are small and well protected and a foolish man might consider them of little practical use. Let it be noted (as illustrated in Diagram 1d) that there is a rich nerve plexus associated with these true eyes that in fact suggests the opposite. Thus, the ocular centres are well hidden and protected from the random flailings of a victim, who will lash out at the obvious target eyes with the calculated intent of blinding the creature but to no avail.

The mouthparts of the gid (Diagram 2a) are complex and capable of mostly rasping movements, carefully controlled by paired myotomes specific to each section. Indeed, the construction of the mouthparts are the main reason the gid has difficulty with human speech (taking into account its limited brain capacity), suffering from a pronounced slurring and clicking as it does. More complex phrases are beyond it as it lacks the necessary finesse and organs to enunciate them. Note the tiny barbs on the rasp edges, which ensure that meat is stripped efficiently from the victim (Diagram 2b). The outer edges of the mouthparts also contain tiny hair-lined pits, consistent with what can only be described as a rudimentary olfactory system, conferring a limited sense of smell.

The brain, although small and primitive, is nevertheless worth dissecting (Diagram 3a and b). The females brain is larger than the males in much the same way that their overall body size differs. A detailed flux analysis of the female brain reveals a unique structure not present in the males, a nut-sized organ situated close behind the true eyes. This area is particularly sensitive to the colour red and if exposed causes the female to descend into the depths of insatiable lust and violent mating behaviour. It can be surmised that the males red ventral colouring is a natural trigger for the green females mating urges, although once embarked upon, mating is at random with any species unfortunate enough to be in the vicinity. The sex of the offspring is allegedly controlled by both the mothers diet prior to mating and the incubatory temperature of the egg mound, often resulting in single sex broods. High temperature is believed to give rise to females and hence, we believe, their predilection for the colour red.

Moving down the body we come to the arms (Diagram 4). Their construction is mostly insectoid, with hyperflexible joints (in particular the reversed wrist joint) that allow the prey to be clasped tightly whilst attack from the mouthparts commences. Note again the presence of barbs (diagram inset), ensuring a firm grip can be maintained at all times. Aiding in grip is the arolium, a suction pad-like region between the wrist and hand. The hands are underdeveloped, claw-like and almost vestigial.

The main body of the gid reveals a structural symmetry reminiscent of a mollusc, which you will recall is a component of its diverse make-up. The major organs are well protected behind a sturdy integument, whose ventral region differs in colour between the sexes (see above). The muscle is thick and richly supplied with blood. Although there are what we would recognise as lungs, in keeping with its invertebrate heritage, there are also spiracles or breathing holes along both sides of the body. The dual respiratory system and well-defined muscle structure are no doubt responsible for the gids speed and strength, while its small brain is responsible for its limited mental capacity and ferociousness. Of especial interest is the differential colouring of the musculature that which is of mammalian origin is red whilst that supplied by the insectoid lineage is light grey to translucent.

The legs of the gid are perhaps its most important physiognomical feature (Diagram 5a). In structure they closely resemble those of a grasshopper and again exhibit the reverse jointing seen in the wrist. The thigh muscle is of disproportionate size when compared to the rest of the leg and exhibits both mammalian and insectoid morphology; the muscle structure is well defined, with a large double blood supply and dense nerve tissue (Diagram 5b). This gives great power to the leaps as well as a surprising turn of speed and pronounced stability.

It is within the feet that we find evidence for perhaps the most important detection mechanism within the body (Diagram 5c). A complex nerve plexus is present in both feet, although differences in size and density do exist between tarsi. The nature of these plexi indicates an advanced sensory organ that detailed flux analysis reveals are sensitive to vibrations over a large distance. Minute hairs line the soles of the feet and toes and these form the detectors for the system, allowing range and direction to be determined from the asymmetrical tarsal arrangement to a very high degree of accuracy. Thus, the gid can perform massive leaps with its highly developed leg musculature with unerring accuracy, even in conditions of poor visibility or virtual blindness.

Statistics: Persuasion (intimidating) 4, Rebuff (obtuse) 4, Attack (strength ~, female changes to ferocious 1.5~ after exposure to the colour red), Defence (intuition) ~, Health 2~, Athletics 2~, Perception 10 (no levies for darkness), Stealth 8, Tracking 6, Wherewithal 8.
Special note: Eyes: Magic (forceful) 4. Gazing into the compound eye is the equivalent of being subjected to Javanne's Ennervation of Will. Once a victim is enspelled, the gid gains a boon to its Attack rating of 2.
Special note: A levy of 1 on every roll associated with Manual Dexterity

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