By Dr. David Lake

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What is malectoplasm?

Malectoplasm is the substance from which Ghouls are formed. It's a reactionary, naturally antagonistic substance - in other words, it reacts to the presence of sentient creatures by attacking them, usually by generating a mimic of the target. In the case of human targets, malectoplasm generates the humanoid Ghouls.

Where does malectoplasm come from?

No one knows. It's assumed that the spores that serve as carriers for the microscopic building blocks of malectoplasm were somehow space borne.

How do the spores carry malectoplasm?

The spores are airborne carriers, traveling with no rhyme or reason. Studies have shown that the spores avoid human contact, even to the point where they avoid inhalation. Eventually the spores settle, gathering into colonies until the gelatinous malectoplasm forms. Malectoplasm has been known to stay dormant for months until stimulated by sentient presence. In other words, it sits there until a human or animal comes by to stimulate the formation of Ghouls.

Can malectoplasm itself be destroyed?

So far, nothing has been found that harms malectoplasm in its dormant stage. Once it forms into Ghouls, however, the substance known as Ghoo can be used to destroy it.

Why not just use Ghoo on the dormant malectoplasm?

It doesn't work that way. The 'plasm first has to generate into what scientists call the "mobile form," in other words, Ghouls.

Why do Ghouls have weak spots?

Because of the way the malectoplasm generates into Ghoul form, the last part of the Ghoul that is formed does not have the tensile strength of the rest of the Ghoul; in other words, the skin of the Ghoul at that spot is not as thick and durable as the rest of it. Also, the weak spot is more porous than the rest of the Ghoul.

Why is the weak spot in a different place from Ghoul to Ghoul?

Because Ghouls are not always formed in the same way. Sometimes they are formed feet first, other times the left or right side first. The formation of the Ghoul usually depends on the location and position of the stimulant figure, as well as the location of the malectoplasm itself; for instance, a formation of 'plasm on a wall tends to generate Ghouls differently than a formation on a floor or ceiling.

What happens if the weak spot is on the back of the Ghoul?

Again, it doesn't work that way, fortunately. Lucky for us, a Ghoul's weak spot is in an entire section of the body. For instance, if the weak spot is the torso, then the Ghoul can be destroyed if it is hit with Ghoo in the torso either in front or in back. Same with the head, arms, etc.

Can malectoplasm form anywhere?

Yes, although it tends to form mostly indoors. Malectoplasm that forms outdoors tends to form in shaded areas. Only very rarely has 'plasm formed in direct sunshine, but with malectoplasm it's safest not to assume anything.

Can't machines be used to collect malectoplasm and contain it?

Scientists use robots to collect malectoplasm in small amounts for study. But it was discovered, the hard way, that sizable amounts of malectoplasm cannot be gathered and contained. If so, it soon creates a chemical reaction that causes a form of 'plasmic explosion. Basically, the 'plasm instantaneously doubles in volume, causing it to burst from any container in which it's held. Such a reaction often causes the spontaneous formation of shapeless Ghouls, even without a human stimulus.

Once a Ghoul has killed its target, what happens to it?

It continues to roam about mindlessly, seeking subjects to attack. After a while without a target, the Ghoul begins to cease movement and lose its cohesion and formation. Eventually it decomposes into a dry, harmless substance.

If a Ghoul is not a "living" creature, then why does it scream just before it explodes?

The so-called "scream" is just an illusion of sound. When a Ghoul is hit in the weak spot, it stiffens and contracts suddenly. This contraction forces out the pocket of air that is just inside the Ghoul's "throat," and the action of the air passing through the throat passage and teeth is like a whistle or one of those party horns, except it's much more dramatic. The thing is, the "scream" can catch you by surprise the first time you hear it. I've seen professional soldiers hesitate after hearing the "scream" for the first time. Such hesitation is, understandably, very dangerous.

More questions and answers to come.