Humanity as a species has existed for some time, as we know them today however is, if my suspicions are correct, no different than they were before. There have been many examples for thousands of years of recorded human history and culture of humans interracting with non-humans. Many of those times, humans sought power or favor with these mysterious beings and many achieved those goals at a cost. A well known example in popular fiction is Innsmouth by H.P. Lovecraft, where a people made a bargain with creatures of unknown origin in exchange for money and long life.
It is my conclusion through personal study and exploration that many monsters and mythological creatures in recorded history were either humans who adapted with the aid of outside forces, mere ability due to affinity and chance, or were from an alternate plane of reality altogether.
In many such cases where a person sought to embody power, they adapted, becoming something with the standard human form as a base component. In today's world, we hold evidence of many such examples of human subspecies as a result in the folklore of multiple cultures.
One such example is the Native American Wendigo, an existance muddied by time as information become accessible to everyone and anyone the world over. Many who still live in the reservations that lay claim as the voice of their culture assert that not only has the image of a Wendigo been altered by the fear and suspicion of other cultures and ethnicities, but that it is considered appropriated by modern capitalism against their wishes.
In the Beyond however, where ideas and concepts take on a life of their own, Wednigo's as they exist in popular media are numerous. People who sank into madness, the self disgust due to acts of cannibalism have driven many to believe themselves no longer human, and at the moment of death ceased to be, assuming they died. Many hikers go missing every year and for decades it's assumed they become food for nature when it reaches the point it's safe to assume no body will ever be found, my findings so this to not always be the case.
For the Wendigo who view their former kind as prey, they adapted into an ambush predator that would cath them at 1st unaware, and then by surprise before they had a chance to defend themselves. As former humans, they retain some spark of thought, however the transformation brought about by a madness that consumed them dulled their minds. It still seems sufficiently functional to be cunning, and makes them still able to converse with other beings, though their minds are driven solely by the thought of eating. A level of hunger extreme enough to cause a mental debilitation as they committed cannibalism seems to be the transformation trigger for these horrifying creatures to be born from a human person. As a result, these beings are in a constant state of immaciation, their bodies burning calories at an extreme rate to create dense muscles and bones that make it impossible to fight them off, which is why the are in a constant hunting state. Such is also why there are practically never any signs of attack remaining any time they capture prey, they will not leave a scrap of food behind if they can help it.
Make no mistake however, the differences are not to be ignored. A transformation is something assumably anyone is capable of, the crux lies in diversity of intention and affinity. A person who seeks to "Become one with the ocean," may succeed and become something out of H.P. Lovecraft. And while that guy may terrify a small fishing town, another man may become a sea dragon. Meanwhile, a 3rd man may fail and drown in the attempt, this of course being a prerequisite which will cause that man to become a water spirit. The cause for differences in results are unknown, but the most astute assumptions to date are that intangible things like perception, demeanor, and all the little emotions like the result of one's upbringing that define a person are at play in this regard. Using the 3 examples above using the phrase, "Becoming one with the sea," as context we can make assumptions for these differing results. The 1st may consider a fish to be the base common entity of the ocean depths and become a fish person. The second meanwhile may focus on the idea of being a leading force in the vast oceans and become something large with supernatural powers. And the 3rd in his fleeting moments would focus on being as literally a part of the ocean and transformed into a being made of water.
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In regards to these things, there is a group of individuals who may have dealings with all such creatures of The Beyond, a Shaman. An example of humanity who took the ability to adapt and became able to contact, trade, and bond with non-man entities. As discussed before with affinities, there are a number of aspects to consider for each subject. Shamans tend to focus their powers on spirits with an attachment to nature and it's many forms. That said, many professions have some abilities, teachings, and dogma that are shared with multiple avenues. Druids for example are synonymous with nature and animals, but again, Shaman are focused towards spirits. As such, most wield power borrowed from spirits, which most would understand as anything that died but some part of the individual persists long after the body has expired and the flesh has rotted away. However, the truth is that not everything that dies becomes a spirit, and not every spirit was once alive. With this in mind, a Shaman can ask fire to burn without fuel, the sky to rain, defense from an attack, or for harm towards their enemies, all as part of a pact made with their spirits or a spontaneous request.
Many spirit animals can provide aid if you ask appropriately. As spirits The Beyond is their home, though many parts are as likely to be exceptionally hostile as there are many who are more than welcoming of guests. As natives, they are able to navigate it in a way we simply aren't. It is at this point I should make it firmly clear that they are not human, The Beyond, this infinite expanse of everything that has ever been and largely forgotten is their home. A place where time does not exist, a place where space does not either, the realness of what you understand isn't even real there, and if you lose track of that you could quickly lose your life. It may sound obvious but the fact remains that it is NOT Earth, it isn't some "Wonderland" you find falling into a hole, seasons do not change, and there are no borders for countries to fight over because there are none. None, save for the areas of space made by those who call them home. There are also those who chose to never put down roots who wander, as well as those who travel at set intervals known only to them, or why. It is an infinite expanse of every thought or moment that ever was in an assorted mess you could never hope to navigate your way out of without a guide. It is an ecosystem onto itself with no end , no walls, and no cieling, with enough space for everything. And with enough room for everything there are a number of dinizens who will help and hinder as they please. However, if you are smart, and careful, you can possibly convince them to help, or at least leave you alone.
At this time I will not be releasing my sources, nor will I be answering questions at this time as I am knee deep in research and need to focus my time efficiently. I apologize for anyone this may inconvenience but I am certain you can understand my stance on matters at this time.
Rita Carter
-Figure out who to discuss this with as a thesis since the boss man isn't talking to be difficult because "I" won't reveal my sources.
-I know you read my Email's, sir, and while that may fly to some degree for security purposes, you ain't getting a word out of me what the old woman said to me. This is for my graduate thesis and I know my rights and protections as a fellow asscociate working to gradguate, though I do work under you I DON'T have to give up my work just to make YOU happy. Especially when you go through my notes too, you DID read how I lost the equipment in the accident that almost killed me because I'm your INTERN who was on assignment? Hiking through the woods by myself for 5 days minimum ring a bell? You sure gave me a hard time for losing the stuff you paid for for me to nearly DIE in the woods for a "lead" even though I didn't TELL anyone I did, but luckily I have to stay in the department to have the right to make an official paper. A shame the executives above you want me to follow through with stuff since the old woman doesn't wanna talk to you. ALSO THESE AREN'T WORK EMAILS SO STOP READING THEM, ACCESS LOGS CAN BE TRACKED, AND IF YOU POST ANYTHING ABOUT THIS OR TALK WITH SOMEONE ELSE ABOUT ANYTHING HERE I GOT A GUY IN WASHINGTON WHO PROMISES I CAN GET YOU CANNED AND WORSE!
- Spend an afternoon talking with an English Major colleague hoping they can help me write the paper better.
-Get Scantch the donut I promised him
-Get Sam those nature pictures I promised her
-Do nothing for one day like I promised myself
-see if I can get some sort of reembursment for the equipment I lost at Wild Mike's
-buy THAT wig