I would have waited, but because of Sorceress Nadira's wonderful review and subsequent PM, I chose to put it up today. Right, this is NOT game compliant for the most part. I took some cues from the game, but this is really my musings on how a living creature like a remnant would be 'put together' so to speak. I have also modified it slightly for the AU story I'm writing right now. (25 thousand words and counting ^_^) All anatomical knowledge comes from adapting the animal anatomy information from the college course I am doing right now. The oxytocin bit you can blame on the masterful writer Vathara's fic Project Asclepius. She is actually a big influence on the ideas I come up with. I really like her style of writing. If you like FFVII and 'winged' Cloud, read her story Thorns, you won't regret it.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

(An exert from Remnants throughout History by Pagus Mardew, with contributions by Dr's John and Marina Sykes, Chapter 3: Therioid Anatomy and Physiology)

As previously mentioned, Remnants are unlike any other life form currently existing on this planet. This includes their biology. As core Remnants lack the typical physical structure of most organic creatures, researchers turned to Therioid Remnants in an effort to understand how these creatures function as living organisms.

Thanks to the nigh indestructible quality of Remnants, extensive invasive surgery on sedated subjects was possible to thoroughly investigate their anatomical and physiological structure. Before these investigations, some differences had been noted through observation:

Unusual blood composition, containing traces of an unidentifiable compound, which appears to impart a golden shimmer when under direct sunlight

Naturally high body temperature

Extreme healing abilities

Therioid Remnants need to consume solid food as well as energy to maintain good body condition

Inability to process solid food when low on energy

Highly developed sensory abilities

Durable bodies, able to withstand extensive physical trauma

Unusual vulnerability to magic

Inability to perform magic

Of the many new differences discovered in the investigation, these were some of the most noteworthy:

Denser bone structure

Specialised cells for energy absorption found on the surface of the tongue and lining the mouth, varying slightly from body type to body type

High tolerance for extremes of temperature

Very efficient immune system, the presence of white blood cell 'super cells' able to eradicate any invading micro-organism within moments

The introduction of silver significantly slows their regenerative process, probably due to the high conductivity of the silver (greater than any other metal) interfering with the natural flow of energy within their bodies.

The secretion of a chemical compound from the salivary glands, similar in property to oxytocin, but still very different from the actual hormone found in mammals. Oxytocin, aside from its uses during pregnancy, promotes emotional bonding between members of a group, between parents and offspring, and between mated pairs. When it is in an individual's system, it makes them more likely to trust those around them. Testing discovered that this modified oxytocin proves to have a much stronger effect than a corresponding dose of the typical oxytocin found in mammals. In large enough doses it can cause a soporific effect, relaxing the recipient within moments of being administered. In small amounts it is able to be absorbed through the skin, or for larger doses, injected via a bite, suggesting some use between mated Remnants, and intriguing possibilities for newly speculated hunting methods.

One of the most radical differences noted was the lack of true connective tissue. Instead of cartilage, tendons and ligaments, highly conductive fibres with similar properties to the many different types of connective tissue were found throughout their bodies. This substance had the same highly conductive quality as copper, and was found replacing all connective tissues, coating nerves and blood vessels, threading through cardiac, smooth and voluntary muscle, and also presenting high concentrations in the integumentary system (the skin). Thin membranes of a similar substance were also found covering the internal organs. Due to the lack of these fibres within the internal organs, the membranes must serve as protection for these naturally delicate structures. Further tests proved that these fibres (apart from doubling as connective tissue) were solely responsible for directing and distributing the large amounts of energy generated by the Remnants body. The presence of this substance allows energy to be generated and distributed smoothly throughout their body, without the risk of it damaging the more delicate tissues. The excess heat created by the constant production of energy is also absorbed by these fibres, and directed harmlessly outwards, away from the internal organs, resulting in increased surface body temperature. It also explains their ability to withstand greater temperature variants than most animals, the heat production protecting their core temperature from dropping in cold climates, and likewise the fibres reflecting excess heat outwards in hotter climates…