Ghyll:Deathbug - Revision history

Jcowan: Misspelling

2005-05-20T21:53:05Z

Misspelling

Jcowan: Jcowan boldly bolds the first appearance of every article name in the corresponding article.

2005-01-29T03:59:29Z

Jcowan boldly bolds the first appearance of every article name in the corresponding article.

Morbus Iff: Copyediting. Urination be damned!

2004-10-07T02:40:24Z

Copyediting. Urination be damned!

Jcowan: Copy editing.

2004-09-26T04:16:26Z

Copy editing.

Deusx: the deathbug/burnfly life cycle is a theory

2004-09-25T15:36:24Z

the deathbug/burnfly life cycle is a theory

Deusx: A few copy edits. Using 'many' many times too many, vaguely

2004-09-25T15:32:53Z

A few copy edits. Using 'many' many times too many, vaguely

Deusx: Added a Category: Wildlife

2004-09-25T15:28:46Z

Added a Category: Wildlife

Deusx at 15:13, 25 September 2004

2004-09-25T15:13:46Z

Deusx at 13:27, 25 September 2004

2004-09-25T13:27:52Z

Deusx at 13:26, 25 September 2004

2004-09-25T13:26:54Z

New page

DIB DIB DIB
-- [[User:Deusx|Tamlin Moon]] 09:25 (EDT)

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 Although some biologists believe the deathbug is the larval form of the [[Burnflies|burnfly]], no one has been able to reliably document said [[Burnflies|burnfly's]] pupal stage.  A few scholars have claimed the deathbug burrows underground to form a chrysalis, but to date, the discovery of a genuine chrysalis has never been reported (although, for a Quezloo or two, a town fair sideshow will provide a peek at an "amazing burnfly hatching" in progress.)
-Accordingly, this remains a missing link in the deathbug/[[Burnflies|burnfly]] life cycle theory and, indeed, most scholars vehemently deny that these two creatures are linked at all, especially since our own form of [[Ghyllian reproduction|reproduction]] bears little resemblence to the life cycle proposed by deathbug researchers.
+Accordingly, this remains a missing link in the deathbug/[[Burnflies|burnfly]] life cycle theory and, indeed, most scholars vehemently deny that these two creatures are linked at all, especially since our own form of [[Ghyllian reproduction|reproduction]] bears little resemblance to the life cycle proposed by deathbug researchers.
 == Commercial exploitation ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:59, 29 January 2005
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−	The deathbug, famously the subject of poetry by [[Arariax]] and often the focus of scientific debate, is believed by some to be the larval form of the [[Burnflies\|burnfly]]. It is found mainly in the area surrounding the [[Evesque Valley]] vineyards and plantations, where it feeds on animals that feed on grapes. Commercially, the deathbug is considered a delicacy, consumed by the wealthy and used by winemakers. Its two forms of venom have also found uses, both in wine production and by assassins and armies.	+	The '''deathbug''', famously the subject of poetry by [[Arariax]] and often the focus of scientific debate, is believed by some to be the larval form of the [[Burnflies\|burnfly]]. It is found mainly in the area surrounding the [[Evesque Valley]] vineyards and plantations, where it feeds on animals that feed on grapes. Commercially, the deathbug is considered a delicacy, consumed by the wealthy and used by winemakers. Its two forms of venom have also found uses, both in wine production and by assassins and armies.

	== Anatomy ==		== Anatomy ==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 The deathbug, famously the subject of poetry by [[Arariax]] and often the focus of scientific debate, is believed by some to be the larval form of the [[Burnflies|burnfly]].  It is found mainly in the area surrounding the [[Evesque Valley]] vineyards and plantations, where it feeds on animals that feed on grapes.  Commercially, the deathbug is considered a delicacy, consumed by the wealthy and used by winemakers.  Its two forms of venom have also found uses, both in wine production and by assassins and armies.
@@ Line 17: / Line 13: @@
 Primarily, deathbugs are nourished by sugars and compounds found in the lifeblood ichor of animals that have digested large quantities of grapes or fermented grape juice (i.e. wine).  Grapes themselves are toxic to deathbugs, so they live in a parasitic relationship with other animals, needing their digestive systems to filter grape toxins.
-Much of a deathbug's time is spent prowling for prey.  When the deathbug has spotted another animal, it generally does one of two things:  If it senses that the animal hasn't recently fed on grapes or wine, it attempts to strike with the first of its stingers, with the intent of inducing a hunger for grapes.  However, if it senses that the animal has recently consumed grapes, it attempts to strike with the second of its stinger.  If successful, the toxin from the second stinger will paralyze the animal, allowing the deathbug to feed in leisure upon the grape-rich ichor.
+Much of a deathbug's time is spent prowling for prey.  When the deathbug has spotted another animal, it generally does one of two things: if it senses that the animal hasn't recently fed on grapes or wine, it attempts to strike with the first of its stingers, with the intent of inducing a hunger for grapes.  However, if it senses that the animal has recently consumed grapes, it attempts to strike with the second of its stingers.  If successful, the toxin from the second stinger will paralyze the animal, allowing the deathbug to feed in leisure upon the grape-rich ichor.
-A strange, as yet unexplained property of the second venom of the deathbug, is that it has disproportionately greater effects on larger animals (such as us Ghyllians).  While smaller creatures attacked by a deathbug can survive many cycles of being struck and fed upon, others experience almost immediate death.  This explains the name historically given to the animal.
+A strange, as yet unexplained, property of the second venom is that it has disproportionately greater effects on larger animals (such as us Ghyllians).  While smaller creatures attacked by a deathbug can survive many cycles of being struck and fed upon, others experience almost immediate death.  This explains the name historically given to the animal.
 == Life cycle ==
-Although some biologists believe the deathbug is the larval form of the [[Burnflies|burnfly]], no one has ever been able to reliably document a pupal stage for the [[Burnflies|burnfly]].  A few scholars have claimed that the deathbug burrows underground to form a chrysalis, but to date, the discovery of a genuine chrysalis has never been reported.  (Although, for a Quezloo or two, a town fair sideshow will provide a peek at an "amazing burnfly hatching" in progress.)
+Although some biologists believe the deathbug is the larval form of the [[Burnflies|burnfly]], no one has been able to reliably document said [[Burnflies|burnfly's]] pupal stage.  A few scholars have claimed the deathbug burrows underground to form a chrysalis, but to date, the discovery of a genuine chrysalis has never been reported (although, for a Quezloo or two, a town fair sideshow will provide a peek at an "amazing burnfly hatching" in progress.)
-Accordingly, this remains a missing link in the deathbug/burnfly life cycle theory -- and indeed, most scholars vehemently deny that these two creatures are linked at all, especially since our own form of [[Ghyllian reproduction|reproduction]] bears little resemblence to the life cycle proposed by deathbug researchers.
+Accordingly, this remains a missing link in the deathbug/[[Burnflies|burnfly]] life cycle theory and, indeed, most scholars vehemently deny that these two creatures are linked at all, especially since our own form of [[Ghyllian reproduction|reproduction]] bears little resemblence to the life cycle proposed by deathbug researchers.
 == Commercial exploitation ==
-Any discussion of the deathbug would be remiss without at least a passing examination of commercial harvesting and use of deathbugs.
+Any discussion of the deathbug would be remiss without at least a passing examination of commercial harvesting and use of deathbugs. Although very dangerous to capture and collect, especially to Ghyllians who have recently imbibed wine, deathbugs are treasured as a delicacy by the [[Amphitheatre aristocracy]].  Roasted bodies of deathbugs, when the tails and toxin sacs have been removed carefully, take on a very rich and intoxicating flavor of fine wines and fruit due to their diet.  In fact, some high-quality wines have been rumored to have ground or squeezed deathbugs mixed into their preparation vats to enrich the flavor.
-The other toxin of the deathbug has its uses as well, having long been a favorite poison of assassins and armies.
+What has also been rumored, less charitably, is that the grape-thirst-inducing venom (commonly called [[Winelust Syrup]]) of the deathbugs has been used by winemakers for generations to increase the demand for much less palatable products.  While there has never been any official record of such a practice, renowned wine connoisseurs have occasionally remarked upon a certain addictive, inexplicably good quality found in some varieties.
-'''Citations:''' [[Burnflies]], [[Ghyllian reproduction]], [[Winelust Syrup]]
+'''Citations:''' [[Burnflies]], [[Ghyllian reproduction]], [[Winelust Syrup]].
 -- [[User:Deusx|Tamlin Moon]] 25 Sep 2004 11:10 (EDT)
 [[Category:Wildlife]]

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 == Anatomy ==
-The body of the deathbug is composed of a series of wide, hard-shelled segments, usually numbering between six and twenty, with a half-dozen cilia-like feet distributed beneath each.  The locomotion of a deathbug is extraordinarily swift, combining cilia action with a unique ability to compress its body like a spring for bursts of velocity.  With documented reports of almost a quarter sugro-nanit per hour, deathbugs often strike much larger prey animals and retreat before they have a chance to react.
+The body of the deathbug is composed of a series of wide, hard-shelled segments, usually numbering between six and twenty, with a half-dozen cilia-like feet distributed beneath each.  The locomotion of a deathbug is extraordinarily swift, combining ciliary action with a unique ability to compress its body like a spring for bursts of speed.  With documented reports of almost a quarter sugro-nanit per hour, deathbugs often strike much larger prey animals and retreat before they have a chance to react.
 Deathbugs grow to be between 5 and 14 inanits in length, not including the tails.  Most notable about the deathbug are its two stinger-tipped, whip-like tails, each producing a different form of venom.  The first form causes an intense thirst for grapes and wine, while the second causes paralysis and often death.
@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 Much of a deathbug's time is spent prowling for prey.  When the deathbug has spotted another animal, it generally does one of two things:  If it senses that the animal hasn't recently fed on grapes or wine, it attempts to strike with the first of its stingers, with the intent of inducing a hunger for grapes.  However, if it senses that the animal has recently consumed grapes, it attempts to strike with the second of its stinger.  If successful, the toxin from the second stinger will paralyze the animal, allowing the deathbug to feed in leisure upon the grape-rich ichor.
-A strange, as yet unexplained property of the second venom of the deathbug, is that it has disproportionately greater effects on larger animals (such as we Ghyllians).  While smaller creatures attacked by a deathbug can survive many cycles of being struck and fed upon, others experience almost immediate death.  This explains the name given to the animal, historically.
+A strange, as yet unexplained property of the second venom of the deathbug, is that it has disproportionately greater effects on larger animals (such as us Ghyllians).  While smaller creatures attacked by a deathbug can survive many cycles of being struck and fed upon, others experience almost immediate death.  This explains the name historically given to the animal.
 == Life cycle ==
-Although some biologists believe the deathbug is the larval form of the [[Burnflies|burnfly]], none have ever been able to reliably document a pupal stage for the [[Burnflies|burnfly]].  A few scholars have claimed that the deathbug burrows underground to form a chrysalis, but to date, the discovery of a genuine chrysalis has never been reported.  (Although, for a Quezloo or two, a town fair sideshow will provide a peek at an "amazing burnfly hatching" in progress.)
+Although some biologists believe the deathbug is the larval form of the [[Burnflies|burnfly]], no one has ever been able to reliably document a pupal stage for the [[Burnflies|burnfly]].  A few scholars have claimed that the deathbug burrows underground to form a chrysalis, but to date, the discovery of a genuine chrysalis has never been reported.  (Although, for a Quezloo or two, a town fair sideshow will provide a peek at an "amazing burnfly hatching" in progress.)
-Accordingly, this remains a missing link in the deathbug/burnfly life cycle theory-- and indeed, most scholars vehemently deny that these two creatures are linked at all, especially since our own form of [[Ghyllian reproduction|reproduction]] bears little resemblence to the life cycle proposed by deathbug researchers.
+Accordingly, this remains a missing link in the deathbug/burnfly life cycle theory -- and indeed, most scholars vehemently deny that these two creatures are linked at all, especially since our own form of [[Ghyllian reproduction|reproduction]] bears little resemblence to the life cycle proposed by deathbug researchers.
 == Commercial exploitation ==
@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 Although very dangerous to capture and collect, especially to Ghyllians who have recently imbibed wine, deathbugs are treasured as a delicacy by the [[Amphitheatre aristocracy]].  Roasted bodies of deathbugs, when the tails and toxin sacs have been removed carefully, take on a very rich and intoxicating flavor of fine wines and fruit due to their diet.  In fact, some high-quality wines have been rumored to have ground or squeezed deathbugs mixed into their preparation vats to enrich the flavor.
-What has also been rumored, less charitably, is that the grape-thirst-inducing venom (commonly called [[Winelust Syrup]]) of the deathbugs has been used by winemakers for generations to increase the demand for much less palatable products.  While there has never been any official record of such a practice, renowned wine connoisseurs have occasionally remarked upon a certain addictive, inexplicably good quality found in some varieties.
+What has also been rumored, less charitably, is that the grape-thirst-inducing venom (commonly called [[Winelust Syrup]]) of the deathbugs has been used by winemakers for generations to increase the demand for much less palatable products.  While there has never been any official record of such a practice, renowned wine connoisseurs have occasionally remarked upon a certain addictive, inexplicably good quality found in some varieties.
 The other toxin of the deathbug has its uses as well, having long been a favorite poison of assassins and armies.

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 Although some biologists believe the deathbug is the larval form of the [[Burnflies|burnfly]], none have ever been able to reliably document a pupal stage for the [[Burnflies|burnfly]].  A few scholars have claimed that the deathbug burrows underground to form a chrysalis, but to date, the discovery of a genuine chrysalis has never been reported.  (Although, for a Quezloo or two, a town fair sideshow will provide a peek at an "amazing burnfly hatching" in progress.)
-Accordingly, this remains a missing link in the deathbug/burnfly life cycle-- and indeed, most scholars vehemently deny that these two creatures are linked at all, especially since our own form of [[Ghyllian reproduction|reproduction]] bears little resemblence to the life cycle proposed by deathbug researchers.
+Accordingly, this remains a missing link in the deathbug/burnfly life cycle theory-- and indeed, most scholars vehemently deny that these two creatures are linked at all, especially since our own form of [[Ghyllian reproduction|reproduction]] bears little resemblence to the life cycle proposed by deathbug researchers.
 == Commercial exploitation ==

@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 The other toxin of the deathbug has its uses as well, having long been a favorite poison of assassins and armies.
-Citations: [[Burnflies]], [[Ghyllian reproduction]], [[Winelust Syrup]]
+'''Citations:''' [[Burnflies]], [[Ghyllian reproduction]], [[Winelust Syrup]]
 -- [[User:Deusx|Tamlin Moon]] 11:10 (EDT)

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:13, 25 September 2004
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	DIBBITY DIB DIB dribble	+	__TOC__
−	-- [[User:Deusx\|Tamlin Moon]] 09:25 (EDT)	+
		+	== Summary ==
		+
		+	The deathbug, famously the subject of poetry by [[Arariax]] and often the focus of scientific debate, is believed by some to be the larval form of the [[Burnflies\|burnfly]]. It is found mainly in the area surrounding the [[Evesque Valley]] vineyards and plantations, where it feeds on animals that feed on grapes. Commercially, the deathbug is considered a delicacy, consumed by the wealthy and used by winemakers. Its two forms of venom have also found uses, both in wine production and by assassins and armies.
		+
		+	== Anatomy ==
		+
		+	The body of the deathbug is composed of a series of wide, hard-shelled segments, usually numbering between six and twenty, with a half-dozen cilia-like feet distributed beneath each. The locomotion of a deathbug is extraordinarily swift, combining cilia action with a unique ability to compress its body like a spring for bursts of velocity. With documented reports of almost a quarter sugro-nanit per hour, deathbugs often strike much larger prey animals and retreat before they have a chance to react.
		+
		+	Deathbugs grow to be between 5 and 14 inanits in length, not including the tails. Most notable about the deathbug are its two stinger-tipped, whip-like tails, each producing a different form of venom. The first form causes an intense thirst for grapes and wine, while the second causes paralysis and often death.
		+
		+	The head of a deathbug presents a collection of piercing mouth parts, used to feed upon prey animals, as well as sensory stalks used for navigation and finely tuned to the presence of grape juice and wine in the ichor of other animals.
		+
		+	== Behavior and Diet ==
		+
		+	Primarily, deathbugs are nourished by sugars and compounds found in the lifeblood ichor of animals that have digested large quantities of grapes or fermented grape juice (i.e. wine). Grapes themselves are toxic to deathbugs, so they live in a parasitic relationship with other animals, needing their digestive systems to filter grape toxins.
		+
		+	Much of a deathbug's time is spent prowling for prey. When the deathbug has spotted another animal, it generally does one of two things: If it senses that the animal hasn't recently fed on grapes or wine, it attempts to strike with the first of its stingers, with the intent of inducing a hunger for grapes. However, if it senses that the animal has recently consumed grapes, it attempts to strike with the second of its stinger. If successful, the toxin from the second stinger will paralyze the animal, allowing the deathbug to feed in leisure upon the grape-rich ichor.
		+
		+	A strange, as yet unexplained property of the second venom of the deathbug, is that it has disproportionately greater effects on larger animals (such as we Ghyllians). While smaller creatures attacked by a deathbug can survive many cycles of being struck and fed upon, others experience almost immediate death. This explains the name given to the animal, historically.
		+
		+	== Life cycle ==
		+
		+	Although many biologists believe the deathbug is the larval form of the [[Burnflies\|burnfly]], none have ever been able to reliably document a pupal stage for the [[Burnflies\|burnfly]]. Many have claimed that the deathbug burrows underground to form a chrysalis, but to date, the discovery of a genuine chrysalis has never been reported. (Although, for a Quezloo or two, many town fair sideshows will provide a peek at an "amazing burnfly hatching" in progress.)
		+
		+	Accordingly, this remains a missing link in the deathbug/burnfly life cycle-- and indeed, many scholars vehemently deny that these two creatures are linked at all, especially since our own form of [[Ghyllian reproduction\|reproduction]] bears little resemblence to the life cycle proposed by deathbug researchers.
		+
		+	== Commercial exploitation ==
		+
		+	Any discussion of the deathbug would be remiss without at least a passing examination of commercial harvesting and use of deathbugs.
		+
		+	Although very dangerous to capture and collect, especially to Ghyllians who have recently imbibed wine, deathbugs are treasured as a delicacy by the [[Amphitheatre aristocracy]]. Roasted bodies of deathbugs, when the tails and toxin sacs have been removed carefully, take on a very rich and intoxicating flavor of fine wines and fruit due to their diet. In fact, some high-quality wines have been rumored to have ground or squeezed deathbugs mixed into their preparation vats to enrich the flavor.
		+
		+	What has also been rumored, less charitably, is that the grape-thirst-inducing venom (commonly called [[Winelust Syrup]]) of the deathbugs has been used by winemakers for generations to increase the demand for much less palatable products. While there has never been any official record of such a practice, renowned wine connoisseurs have occasionally remarked upon a certain addictive, inexplicably good quality found in some varieties.
		+
		+	The other toxin of the deathbug has its uses as well, having long been a favorite poison of assassins and armies.
		+
		+	Citations: [[Burnflies]], [[Ghyllian reproduction]], [[Winelust Syrup]]
		+
		+	-- [[User:Deusx\|Tamlin Moon]] 11:10 (EDT)

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:27, 25 September 2004
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	DIB DIB ~~DIB~~	+	DIBBITY DIB DIB dribble
	-- [[User:Deusx\|Tamlin Moon]] 09:25 (EDT)		-- [[User:Deusx\|Tamlin Moon]] 09:25 (EDT)