#archotherology

Species Placement

Category 1: Anguilline, Attercop, Aurochs, Beowolf, Boarbatusk, Chorus Beast, Creep, Elytrap, Enfield, Felifiend, Grendel, Grimalkin, Haozhenjiu, Hartless, Juggernaut, Lagartodile, Nevermore, Ouroboa, Preying Mantis, Razorwing, Sabyr, Scapegoat, Typhang, Ursa, Userper

Category 2: Andras, Basilisk, Capyre, Centinel, Cingrenada, Cockatrice, Death Stalker, Flotsam, Galvanist, Imp, Isbjorn, Ixodida, Jackalope, Jetsam, King Taijitu, Lamentia, Lepice, Long Tongue, Mortiposa, Needleback, Pestilouse, Ravager, Rotweiler, Shryke, Stolas, Sunshorner, Trawl-Kite, Tyrant, Undertaker, Whisp, Wickhed, Wojtek

Category 3: Alabastet, Beringel, Blind Worm, Brachia, Cenitaur, Dromedon, Elegy, Gargoyle, Griffon, Hellcat, Hellhound, Hobbesgoblin, Lancer, Manticore, Marellen, Nemagi, Nightmare, Paralykeet, Peryton, Seafret, Seer, Seraph, Sphere Fisher, Sulfur Fish, Swarmer, Teryx, Tsavo, Virovultr, Warverine, Wringwyrm

Category 4: Apathy, Bandersnatch, Charybdis, Chimera, Fen Feilong, Geist, Goliath, Helion, Hydra, Megoliath, Mesmereyes, Necromancer, Sea Feilong, Sphinx, Suchian, Tempest, Terrapin, Tiamat, Ziraph

While the category system has done much to ameliorate Grimm threat assessment, there are, however, some drawbacks. For the sake of simplicity, the scale assumes all Grimm of each species to be nascent (young) by default. A juvenile Nevermore, for example, averages at a 2-meter wingspan and poses minimal risk to the average Huntsman. By contrast, a Nevermore of 100 years measures at 18 meters from wingtip to wingtip. Age tends to confer greater strength and endurance on Grimm, but accounting for every specific nuance would quickly render the scale useless. Thus, it serves more as a generalization for quickly gauging threat, and leaves additional variables to be factored in by the person.

Categories

Category 1 — Grimm within this category make up the most commonly-encountered species. In addition to being abundant, their populations tend to have broad geographic distribution. Beowolves are perhaps the most notorious example of this category, as their presence extends to all five continents. Category 1 Grimm lack the “flashier” elemental and biological capabilities of their brethren (fire-breathing, venom production, invisibility, etc), and must rely instead on more rudimentary (but no less effective) forms of attack, such as clawing, biting, kicking, and lunging. Don’t let their placement on the scale fool you—these creatures are capable of significant damage, and are known to take lives. Although the Huntsman Academies like to use Category 1 Grimm as training fodder for their students, the average person (without combat experience) will struggle to repel one, let alone kill it. But it can be done, provided they keep their wits about them.

Category 2 — The next rank on the scale, better known to archotherologists as the point where things “start to get interesting.” Category 2 Grimm have lower populations, making them statistically less common than the tier above. Not that it really matters—even fortified or well-garrisoned towns can be overwhelmed if there are enough of these Grimm. This is in part due to the diversity of traits they possess: cryogenesis, concussive screams, and acid-spitting, just to name a few. Furthermore, all plague-type Grimm (the primary sources of Auratic diseases) are sorted into Category 2 and upward. Overall, Grimm in this category aren’t terribly dangerous to licensed Huntsmen, although students are advised to use caution.

Category 3 — The further one climbs the scale, the less of a resemblance Grimm share with animals. While the correlation (or lack thereof) has no bearing on how Grimm are categorized, there’s no denying that the stronger species look downright monstruous. Brute force is a fool’s gamble—Category 3 Grimm are all intelligent to some extent, usually as a byproduct of social interaction with conspecifics or members outside their own species. This results in creatures that are cunning, opportunistic, and adaptive, in addition to powerful. The Huntsman who underestimates these Grimm will quickly find their ammo depleted and their Aura spent. That being said, Category 3 Grimm are almost never responsible for instigating attacks. Instead, they prefer to watch conflicts between people and other Grimm from afar, waiting to see which side has the advantage before joining in—with one exception. The only time Category 3s will attack at the onset (rather than hold off) is when they travel in the wake of a Category 4.

Category 4 — The species that belong to this group are subordinate to none, and often assume positions of authority within aggregate hierarchies. Examples of this include Sphinxes commanding a pride of Manticores, or a Megoliath flanked by Sabyrs and Lepice. Younger or “lesser” Grimm appear to instinctively fall in line, and carry out complex orders or tasks issued by a Category 4. This highly-coordinated social structure all but demands a similar approach from Huntsmen, if they hope to stand any chance at driving them off. Even when unaccompanied by their entourage, a Category 4 Grimm is still capable of immense destruction. There are many well-documented cases of them singlehandedly wiping entire villages off the map. If you plan on fighting one of these, you better be sure that you know what you’re doing.

Category 5 — Exceedingly rare, and dangerous on a scale comparable to natural disasters. Scattered legends that have endured through the ages paint a terrifying picture, one of beasts whose jaws can engulf a ship, or whose wings can blot out the sun. While such stories are undoubtedly rife with hyperbole, they still reveal some underlying truths. These Grimm are frequently (though not always) massive, which makes even their most basic behaviors catastrophic—the volume of water a Leviathan displaces just from walking can send colossal waves battering against the shore. In addition to the gamut of powers they wield, Category 5 Grimm are unique for their ability to secrete pitch (the black, tar-like substance that spawns new Grimm). Unlike other species, they only seem to respond to sudden, dramatic spikes in collective fear, anger, or pain. Sightings in the last few decades have become rare, undoubtedly linked to a similar decline in international tension, and a rise in joint peacekeeping efforts. A Huntsman can go their entire life without ever seeing one.

Subdisciplines

anthroarchotherology (Gr. anthro-, an alternative of anthropo-, man, + archo-, ruler, + -thero-, beast, + -logy, study of) — A derivation of ethnobiology that deals with the dynamic relationships between humans, Faunus, and Grimm. Specifically, researchers are interested in how people perceive Grimm, how they use Grimm, and how they react to Grimm. Perception is strongly tied to cultural influences or personal experience, while usage links to the benefits a person or a group can extract from a Grimm—be it the bony exoskeletal armor used by lapidaries, or the means of body disposal utilized by hitmen and assassins. Reaction is solely concerned with how people respond to Grimm threats, either on a large scale (like city defense) or a small scale (like unlocking one’s Aura and/or Semblance).

archotherian engineering — The integration of archotherology into modern construction, to predict, design, build, and restore infrastructure threatened by Grimm activity. Scientists in this discipline often collaborate with sentries and perimeter guards in order to learn what architectural practices are effective at repelling or warding off Grimm. Many novel solutions used in the modern day are the result of such endeavors, like hard-light thalassic walls or gravity suspension-grids.

geopsychometry (Gr. geo-, earth, + -psycho-, soul, + -metry, measurement of) — The study of psychometric imprints, or locational memories (such as Mountain Glenn). The mechanisms behind the phenomenon are poorly understood, as are the specific conditions necessary for a psychometric imprint to form. Geopsychometrists believe that negatively-valenced emotions (rage, panic, despair) are retained in areas where mass tragedies (usually largescale death) occurred, and continue to attract Grimm. The question remains why Grimm would gravitate toward these places, when there are no longer people left to hunt. Perhaps even more curiously, why would a physical location have the ability to retain the impressions of long-faded pain? These questions are difficult to answer, in no small part because psychometric imprints have a high Grimm density. As such, Huntsmen are often contracted as bodyguards, and paid to accompany scientists to these otherwise dangerous places.

pigoscience (Gr. pēgḗ, pigí, source or origin, + E. -science, a specific branch of learning) — The investigation into the Grimm’s origins, and the means by which Grimm either self-replicate or are derived. The earliest speculations were rooted in religion and superstition rather than empirical evidence, and as a result tended to reject or shun contrary viewpoints. Despite numerous scientific advancements made in the last few centuries, quite a few of these beliefs continue to circulate and persist into the present day. There are, broadly speaking, five categories into which these theories can be sorted, of which only three hold potential scientific merit: theological, occult, biospherical, synthetic, and cryptozoological.

teratogeography (Gr. terato-, monster, + E. -geography, study of the earth) — The study of the distribution of Grimm in geographic space over geological time. Unlike biological species, Grimm cannot directly leave behind preserved remains. However, paleorecords of Grimm do exist in the form of trace fossils, such as footprints, burrows, fire scars and fusain, fulgurites, and bite- or claw-marks on human and Faunus bones. Discoveries of this nature are invaluable to academics, as they help to eliminate the ambiguity of Grimm population dynamics and how they might have changed over time. By identifying patterns in their behavior, scientists can deduce which regions are susceptible to Grimm encroachment based on prior fluctuations.