A Study of Lesser Kin:
The Honey-Squid
By: Hayden Brin – Humanologist & Physician
My recent study of Human anatomy has led me to explore the anatomy of other lesser kin in a similar fashion. I propose that all creatures can be traced back to two separate creation events, each recognized by similar designs. The first creation, Elven-like, and the second creation, Human-like.
The Honey-Squid is part of the bony squid family native to the Crimson Sea, and I argue part of the first creation, as their anatomy show some similarities with the Elves. They are known for producing honey and living inside the shell of hive-leviathans, a much larger variant of the same kin. They are one of the few sea creatures that can be reasoned with and is often neutral, or even friendly, to Elves, and will sometimes approach ships or docks to trade honey, ink, or goods salvaged from the bottom of the sea. Some squids also choose to live on land and can integrate into Elven society without much trouble.
Diet and Honey
Squids are mostly carnivorous, feeding on fish, whale, and any other creature they catch. When on land they also eat meat from land-based animals, for which they have a particular liking.
The Squids produce honey both to feed the young and as a reserve of food for the hive. The honey is also used to trade with the elves, as it’s considered a delicacy. It has a meaty sweet flavor which varies based on the Squid’s own diet; excellent to spread on toast or your lover.
External Anatomy
Top tentacles
Six tentacles are attaches to the top of the head and are primary used for grabbing and manipulating.
Bottom tentacles
Six longer tentacles are attaches at the bottom of the skull behind the jaw and are used for locomotion. Squids are excellent swimmers and, thanks to their tentacle bones, can also walk on land, though they tire easily when they do so and prefer to ride on the shoulder of a land-walking kin.
Siphon
Connected to the gills, used to breathe both air and water.
Side fin
Aids the squid in swimming and maneuvering under water.
Abdomen Anatomy
Backbone
A bowl shaped bone that protects the internal organs and gives structure to the squid’s body. When threatened the squid can fold the backbone up to the jaw to offer further protection.
Upper Abdomen
- Ambrosia
- Nectar Bladder
- Afterthought
- Gut Feeling
Digestive System
- Biffer Buffer
- Twangy Tangle
- Stomach
- Ender-Bells
- Dessert Stomach
- Filifjonk
- Flunkidunk
- Badusk
- Honker Stonken
- Digestive Tube
- Ink Bladder
- Lower Intestine
Phlegm System
While the Squid is very different from elves, the phlegm system, used to condense and store energy, is remarkably alike. One of the main reasons to propose Squids are related to Elves.
- Globular Row
- Flumix Tubes
- Nutrient Distiller
- Recondenser Coil
Skull Anatomy
Brain
The Squid’s high intelligence is often attributed to their segmented brain, allowing them to think several thoughts at once.
- Big Brain
- Speculator
- Brain Links
- Afterthought
- Soul Sphere
Soul
The soul sphere is one indicator that Squids are of the first creation, as no Human-like creature has one. Side note: Why is it that only Elves require seers to gain a soul? A question for a future study, I feel.
Other Skull Organs
- Eye Cleaner
- Eyeball
- Hearts (One on each side of the brain, each connected on a gill)
- Gills
- Diaphragm
- Honey Tube
Speech
Squids use a vibrating membrane in the front of their face to communicate both in air and in water. They can reproduce most elven sounds, but with a recognizable humming intonation. As this organ is completely separate from their respiratory system it allows them to speak without opening their mouth or stopping to take a breath.
- Noise Membrane
- Resonator
Mouth Anatomy
The squid has six sharp upper teeth with a gap in the middle and two on each jaw. The split jaw allows for independent movement of each side.
- Sharp Teeth
- Flat Teeth
- Rostrum
Triple tongue
Squids use their tongues to manipulate objects that require more dexterity.
- Lickinator Majoris
- Lickinator Minoris x 2
Queen & Leviathan
If you ever seen a squid on land, it would be of the drone or female variety, as depicted here, but the squid also comes in two other forms: the queen and the leviathan.
Queens are the only reproductive females of the kin and they are the rulers of the hive, either alone or in small groups.
The fourth and by far largest variant is the hive-leviathan. They can grow thousands of times larger and have a shell that the smaller squids live inside. The leviathan is an unthinking beast whose feral nature can only be tamed by a queen.
Leviathans are released young to live freely in the sea, and when they grow to sufficient size a new queen can attempt to tame them to start a new hive. Uncontrolled leviathans should be considered highly dangerous.
Appearance
Squids are short in stature, with large heads, and large eyes. Their skin comes in many colors; purple, green, brown, and orange.
