Post by Saenia on Nov 4, 2005 12:44:08 GMT
Just some general info about our Blue skinned friends taken from an American site which records lectures given in the Universities out there...
“Our subject for today is the creature known as the shapeshifter." By now, I had not found my notes. I gave up and left the jumbled papers to sit on the podium. This would be from memory.
“As you know, shapeshifters are composed almost entirely of water. But I won’t tell you what they are, or what they do. I will tell you how they do it. I will tell you why they do it. To understand a shapeshifter, you must start with the most obvious part. The nucleus.
“I believe you are all familiar with the recent works of the Akhorim priests on biology?”
A narrow-faced youth spoke up. “Yes, sir. Professor Timius told us last week.”
“Very good.” This would make my job much easier. “Well, the nucleus is like the human brain in many ways, including size and shape. You all have probably heard the finding that man uses only ten percent of his brain? And that, if he can access the other ninety percent, that he could use extraordinary powers?
“Well, a shapeshifter can, and does use every last bit of its brain to its fullest extent, expanding logic, reasoning and memory. This,” I paused, looking into the eyes of the narrow-faced student, “Is why a shapeshifter can survive without an actual body, without a heart, lungs or skin.
“From the nucleus, many long nerves extend out into its surroundings, nearly filling the water. The nerves release chemicals and energy. These chemicals, called enzymes, interact with the water when energized, causing it to change shape, condense, or expand. By using combinations of enzymes at specific points, a shapeshifter can manipulate its shape into infinite varieties, such as arms, legs, or even weapons.
“These enzymes can also manipulate water so that it bends light and changes color. This can paint an extremely effective illusion, as the colors are fine enough to pass for human skin.”
The students sat in rapt attention, some hurriedly taking notes. I smiled, and said, “The energy that the shifter uses to catalyze these reactions is very potent, and if a human comes into contact with the shapeshifter’s fluids, he can be temporarily paralyzed. To support these reactions, a shapeshifter must constantly absorb nutrients from its surroundings and its prey.
“Back to the nerves. They are very fragile, and if they are severed by, say, a sword strike, that portion of the water will lose its shape and fall back into chaos. A strike to the nucleus has the same effect, except on the entire body of water, and is therefore a shapeshifter’s only weakness.”
This was my element, my life’s studies. And what’s more, it was interesting to them. “Now that you know of a shapeshifter’s physiology, let us explore its mentality.
“Shapeshifters have no concept of good and evil as known by men. They value knowledge and order above all else. To them, the only good is consistency and holding true to an inner plan, and the only power is intelligence. Which makes sense, seeing as how a shapeshifter’s intelligence determines how many nerves it can support, and thus the complexity of shapes it can assume. Therefore, since humans use less of their mind than a shapeshifter, they consider humans to be inferior, and evil. Because of the latter, their race is in constant war with the human nations.
“The order that a shapeshifter values can be used against him. If a shapeshifter gives his word or accepts a task, he will unfailingly follow and accomplish the deed and fulfill his duty, or die trying. He will abide by it, even if it means forsaking his war against humans for a while.
“A shapeshifter must be in near-constant feeding, and so combat is a natural part of its life. A shapeshifter makes no prejudice in killing, though it will always give fair warning before it strikes. Sometimes, it will seek to impress its quarry, using its skill or knowledge to its greatest extent.” I began to shove the notes back into my case, and sealed it. The clouds that had been gathering overhead broke, and rain poured out over the hillsides and onto the roof of the school.
“This now brings us to a shapeshifter’s feeding habits. Some say that it devours its prey’s minds and souls.”
“Our subject for today is the creature known as the shapeshifter." By now, I had not found my notes. I gave up and left the jumbled papers to sit on the podium. This would be from memory.
“As you know, shapeshifters are composed almost entirely of water. But I won’t tell you what they are, or what they do. I will tell you how they do it. I will tell you why they do it. To understand a shapeshifter, you must start with the most obvious part. The nucleus.
“I believe you are all familiar with the recent works of the Akhorim priests on biology?”
A narrow-faced youth spoke up. “Yes, sir. Professor Timius told us last week.”
“Very good.” This would make my job much easier. “Well, the nucleus is like the human brain in many ways, including size and shape. You all have probably heard the finding that man uses only ten percent of his brain? And that, if he can access the other ninety percent, that he could use extraordinary powers?
“Well, a shapeshifter can, and does use every last bit of its brain to its fullest extent, expanding logic, reasoning and memory. This,” I paused, looking into the eyes of the narrow-faced student, “Is why a shapeshifter can survive without an actual body, without a heart, lungs or skin.
“From the nucleus, many long nerves extend out into its surroundings, nearly filling the water. The nerves release chemicals and energy. These chemicals, called enzymes, interact with the water when energized, causing it to change shape, condense, or expand. By using combinations of enzymes at specific points, a shapeshifter can manipulate its shape into infinite varieties, such as arms, legs, or even weapons.
“These enzymes can also manipulate water so that it bends light and changes color. This can paint an extremely effective illusion, as the colors are fine enough to pass for human skin.”
The students sat in rapt attention, some hurriedly taking notes. I smiled, and said, “The energy that the shifter uses to catalyze these reactions is very potent, and if a human comes into contact with the shapeshifter’s fluids, he can be temporarily paralyzed. To support these reactions, a shapeshifter must constantly absorb nutrients from its surroundings and its prey.
“Back to the nerves. They are very fragile, and if they are severed by, say, a sword strike, that portion of the water will lose its shape and fall back into chaos. A strike to the nucleus has the same effect, except on the entire body of water, and is therefore a shapeshifter’s only weakness.”
This was my element, my life’s studies. And what’s more, it was interesting to them. “Now that you know of a shapeshifter’s physiology, let us explore its mentality.
“Shapeshifters have no concept of good and evil as known by men. They value knowledge and order above all else. To them, the only good is consistency and holding true to an inner plan, and the only power is intelligence. Which makes sense, seeing as how a shapeshifter’s intelligence determines how many nerves it can support, and thus the complexity of shapes it can assume. Therefore, since humans use less of their mind than a shapeshifter, they consider humans to be inferior, and evil. Because of the latter, their race is in constant war with the human nations.
“The order that a shapeshifter values can be used against him. If a shapeshifter gives his word or accepts a task, he will unfailingly follow and accomplish the deed and fulfill his duty, or die trying. He will abide by it, even if it means forsaking his war against humans for a while.
“A shapeshifter must be in near-constant feeding, and so combat is a natural part of its life. A shapeshifter makes no prejudice in killing, though it will always give fair warning before it strikes. Sometimes, it will seek to impress its quarry, using its skill or knowledge to its greatest extent.” I began to shove the notes back into my case, and sealed it. The clouds that had been gathering overhead broke, and rain poured out over the hillsides and onto the roof of the school.
“This now brings us to a shapeshifter’s feeding habits. Some say that it devours its prey’s minds and souls.”