Speculative Anatomy 2

[...] in the case of the desiccated corpus the Student has the advantage of observing directly the Shape of those underlying Tendons which contribute so greatly to the function of the more subtle superstructure. In a reductive study, great care needs to be taken in removing the obscuring Viscera so as to avoid disrupting what lies beneath.

As with the observation of the cleaned and unadorned cranium, there is a superficial resemblance in the subjects. The most Perfect and Aesthetic of Elionnan Sentere shares many of its proportions with the general form of the Uannon Sapere. It is certain that individuating traits may blur the distinctions further, or mark them so radically as to make impossible any admission of similarity between the two, but it is happily the case that in examining only the osseum and the functional sub-strata of viscera and tendon, that these distinctions may be few.

Of marked interest to any student must be the Oculus orbit in itself, for not only are the children of the Moon possessed of larger eyes relative to the children of the Sun, but their eyes are larger also in relation to the cavity which holds them, and in the same proportion also the pupil is larger, even when one accounts for the distinction of shape. Thus the disparate virtues of vision to each is revealed in the very conformation of their flesh. Whether that conformation was at any point due to the influence of Arcane or Divine matters, it is a trait which is fixed in every distinct variation of the races. Even in remote regions, where the superficial shape of Elionnan features may tend to resemble those of the Uannon, upon dissection the same rules of viscera and proportion may be found.

The sole exception to this may be in those cases of true mixed heritage, but in that event, those traits which were native to the mother of the subject will be most clearly expressed, and the resultant offspring regarded as a branch from the same proverbial tree. That is, even if the oculus may have the Uannon appearance, if the mother was Elionnan the relative size of pupil and oculus will cleave to the typical proportions of the mother race. That there is some sacrifice in function in these hybrid offspring as a result stands to reason, and it is unsurprising that philosophers and statesmen have both seized upon those differences to discourage the acceptance of the hybrid Eliouannan Aganos. [...]

What is damaged or severed in this strata can rarely be repaired, despite the dedication and skill of the best of hemetic surgeons. Until some method of fabricating the unique connective elements is devised, such as is naturally undertaken in the generation of an entirely new corpus in the wake of conception, the necrotic fashion of repair must be considered the most efficacious: the Practitioner must clear away the damaged ligament entirely and bind the bones together with a twisted cord of prepared catgut.

It is necessarily less elegant than the original design, and in most cases must have its enchantment renewed with every full turn of seasons in the living host. The revenant, of course, does not need to operate its jaw or effect expression even a third as often, and may go a hand of years or more between having such delicate repairs.

The method of re-establishing the larger joints is similar in form, with heavier cords of supple hide where the catgut has not enough strength. However attractive the idea of adopting the sheathed copper cables and embedded pulleys the lesser relations are so fond of, it is not a practicable design for reconstruction. The corpus - even one under the will of a necrotic adept - rejects such foreign bodies with speed and vehemence. It is altogether too delicate a task to embed such devices so as to avoid compromising the strength of the osseum only to lose the health or control of the subject within a tenday.

{Extract from Discourse on Temporal Philosophies: Observations and Illustrations. Aequeus Aniemi. trans. &ed. M. Fiac}

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This is a further development along the same thread as this piece [link] This one also uses this stock texture [link] from =DJ-ALIEN-Olga

My apologies for another long description, but only half the idea was the image. The rest was the Voice of the Narrator yammering in my head while I was trying to drive.

Digital, corel painter essentials 3. Primarily created with the chalk tool, like the previous piece.