#subdisciplines

Subdisciplines

aegothesology (Gr. aigís, a rushing storm, + thési, place, + -logy, study of) The study of Dust vortices. These self-sustaining, macrocosmic biomes are of particular interest to researchers, given their incongruity with the surrounding environment. They’re a textbook example of island syndrome in endemic organisms, in addition to a potential source of pharmaceuticals, due to the unique influence that Dust has on the biochemistry of native species. For rhizologists, vortices represent an unobstructed look into a conundrum called Gannet’s paradox—the propensity of Dust to passively radiate their elemental effects (as opposed to becoming elementally null) in the absence of a source of sufficient Aura. Theoretically, vortices should not exist, especially at the scale they do, simply because exposure to ambient Aura is a prerequisite for keeping Dust from entering an inert state. This is especially true for vortices with a paucity of animal life (like Sunspire and the Cauldron). Discovering the mechanisms behind this phenomenon could have untold applications, including, but not limited to, circumventing the barriers for space-flight.

anthrorhizology (Gr. anthro-, an alternative of anthropo-, man, + rhizōma, root, + -logy, study of) A derivation of ethnobiology that deals with the dynamic relationships between humans, Faunus, and Dust. Research in this discipline is pursued through the lens of how people perceive Dust, how they use Dust, and how they react to Dust. Perception relates Dust to the attitudes, values, and customs imposed upon them by society, and how those associations formed. Usage covers the wide array of applications Dust can have, ranging from anti-gravity airship thrusters, to auto-climate greenhouses. Reaction focuses on the long- and short-term changes Dust has on people, from both a group perspective and an individual perspective.

konic extraction (Gr. kónis, dust) The study and development of Dust mining techniques. Ultimately, the stated goal of this field is to optimize the efficiency of Dust extraction, while reducing the environmental impact and occupational hazards for colliers. Regrettably, advancements have been few and interspersed, in part due to the limitations of removing Dust from the earth without triggering an explosion. Contemporary excavation relies exclusively on underground mining as opposed to surface mining, either via shaft, drift, or slope methods. Dust crystals are removed from the earth with heavy drills or more traditional tools (like picks and chisels) composed of orium, the bony integumental armor of the Grimm. Equipment made from this material has a relatively brief shelf life and is costly to manufacture, but has the ability to nullify a Dust crystal’s elemental properties when struck. Another means of reducing Dust explosions is monitoring ambient Aura. By limiting the number of personnel on-site, it’s possible to avoid hitting Rigel’s number. The obvious downside to capping the number of employees is that it slows down excavation—a fact not lost on the SDC, which has been accused of violating safety guidelines in the interest of maximizing profits.

rhizochemistry (Gr. rhizōma, root, + -chemistry, the study of the composition and behavior of substances) The science that uses the tools and principles of chemistry to explain the mechanisms behind key characteristics of Dust. In addition to a number of shared behaviors, Dust types possess their own unique traits, including color, luminance, shape, mass, and element. Having exact values for these characteristics (like the energy output relative to a crystal’s mass) has streamlined the Dust manufacturing and refinement process. Lapidaries (individuals who work with Dust) also rely on these values for not only ID’ing Dust types, but for spotting counterfeits.

rhizogeography (Gr. rhizōma, root, + -geography, study of the earth) The study of the distribution of Dust concentrations across Remnant. Despite there being a vocal public interest in funding for this discipline, there’s a great deal of reluctance to implement it. Much of Remnant’s surface remains uncharted, for starters. And there’s no getting around the fact that stumbling upon new deposits often boils down to luck. (To say nothing of the omnipresent danger posed by the Grimm.) For the aforementioned reasons, expedition crews are generally spearheaded by private companies, and escorted by hired Huntsmen. As an aside, it should be noted that Dust distribution (based on prior excavation data) follows random clumping patterns of mixed-type assemblage. Outside of the mono-type vortices, Dust deposits appear to be heterogenous.

Subdisciplines

anthropneumatophysics (Gr. anthro-, an alternative of anthropo-, man, + pneûma, soul, + -physics) A derivation of ethnobiology that deals with the dynamic relationships between humans, Faunus, and Aura. The three underlying topics that researchers focus on concern how people perceive Aura, how people use Aura, and how people react to Aura. Perception addresses Aura from a sociopolitical and cultural standpoint—what beliefs, attitudes, values, and relationships people associate with their Aura on an individual and societal level (be it positive or negative). Usage deals with the various applications of Aura—as a combat tool; as a survival aid; as a sanative accessory; as a Dust catalyst; as an augmentation for industrial labor; as a ceremonial component; and so on. Reaction studies the technological and biological evolution of people and their societies, and in what ways Aura has steered those trajectories over time.

apothymetics (Gr. apo-, derived from, + -thym-, soul, + E. -ics, from [?] Gr. -ikós, pertaining to) The study of Semblances. An argument could be made that apothymetics should itself be further subdivided, to accommodate the wide range of topics that apothymeticists contend with: the categorization of Semblances, the phenomena that determine which type of Semblance is given precedence (Auratic plasticity), the differences between active and passive Semblances, the physical constraints that limit what Semblances can and can’t do, and the adverse effects associated with prolonged or inexperienced Semblance-usage. Ideally, scientists in this discipline would collate their data from a wide range of demographics. Realistically, Huntsmen constitute the majority of their study sample. This is due to [1] Huntsmen disproportionately representing the number of people with unlocked Semblances because of their line of work; and [2] the reluctance of non-Huntsmen to volunteer in academic research.

dilonometry (Gr. dilóno, manifest, + -metry, measurement of) The study of the criteria needed to trigger Aura and Semblance activation. When a person’s Aura is unlocked by another person, it is described as aliquō. When unlocked through non-interventive circumstances, the term per sē is used. The general (albeit tentative and unverified) consensus among scientists is that intense, routine activity predisposes an Aura to spontaneous activation. Similarly, high-stress life-or-death scenarios can cause an Aura to activate (and result in potential simultaneous Semblance acquisition). Research in this field is particularly lucrative, due to a demand for so-called “designer” Semblances that could be artificially generated through manipulating adaptive-selection pathways. Unfortunately, progress in dilonometry is both slow-going and expensive, because the prerequisite for adaptive Semblances (immediate danger) is, needless to say, hard to safely replicate in a controlled setting. A workaround sometimes used by people involves deliberately putting themselves in dangerous scenarios in order to “bait their Aura.”

idiotitology (Gr. idiótita, characteristic, + -logy, study of) The study of inherent characteristics unique to each person’s Aura. Traits such as reservoir capacity (the quantity of Aura each person possesses), chromatic expression (Aura color), and regeneration rate (how quickly a depleted Aura replenishes) can vary wildly between individuals, to the bewilderment of those who study them. It’s not currently understood what factors influence such diversity, or if certain properties (like Aura color) have any significance relative to their commonality. One theory posits that Auratic polymorphism is the result of Grimm selection pressure, although further evidence would be needed to substantiate the evolutionary benefit of Aura color. Another possible theory is that certain Aura characteristics are genetic, or even epigenetic, and may share similar underlying mechanisms with hierarchical prioritization. The final (tentative) theory is that Aura characteristics correlate with an individual’s soul, and convey specific immutable qualities. The latter theory has been difficult to test within an unbiased capacity, given that many cultures associate certain colors with pre-ascribed traits. Without an objective, impartial metric for chromatic expression, it’s impossible to say whether Aura color can be used to identify traits of a person’s soul.

pneumatonosology (Gr. pneûma, soul, + -nosology, study of diseases) The study of Auratic diseases. Given its overlap with archotherology and rhizology, this branch is considered an integrated discipline. Auratic diseases are diagnosed using pathognomonic signs, and then treated with a tailored therapy called electromagnetic field Dust stimulation (EMF-DS therapy). The severity of these conditions ranges from mildly inconvenient, to completely debilitating, to downright lethal, depending on the pathology of the disease and the patient’s overall health. Thankfully, robust medical care ensures either full recovery or improved quality of life for those that become infected. Preventative measures, meanwhile, are somewhat limited to increasing public awareness, as it’s impossible to fully eliminate the vectors of Auratic diseases (plague-type Grimm). The most that epidemiologists can do is monitor their populations, and periodically issue warnings to keep away from areas where sightings have been reported. That being said, there is a subset of Huntsmen who specialize in culling plague-type Grimm, and who are regularly consulted on how to deal with them.

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.