These stories first appeared in Hunt's Book of Weapons, an in-game collection of found documents curated by an unknown researcher. They are replicated here in their original format. This means that many of the stories are not presented chronologically, or in one grouping, and it is left to the reader to put together the puzzle pieces and determine to what extent they contain fact, fiction, or fable.

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Stalker Beetle

STALKER BEETLE. (See also, INSECTS, ORGANICS) The lack of resources and scientific research make understanding the significance of this unnamed beetle species to the ecosystem exceedingly difficult, if not impossible. Although their origin is not yet clear, the information documented by an unnamed entomologist proves to be crucial in classifying the insects.

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Said insects, colloquially termed as Stalker Beetles, have been defined as a rare species believed to have been discovered in the last decade of the 19th century. Although not much has been stated about their origin and nature, they are described as a strong and resistant species, and the research notes seem to point at an erratic, unified movement—also called "hivemind behavior"—between the beetles and their keepers. Said documents even claim that they share a connection which allows the keeper to have “direct control" over or "sacrifice" a beetle if needed. Though the research is both obscure and unreliable, it is also indicated on several pages that certain "test subjects" gained the ability to control these insects, but the nature of these subjects remains unclear.

As current findings are relatively new, and scientists have yet to conclude their research, we can only assume that further information will be revealed in the near future regarding this species, and their origins.

Choke Beetle

CHOKE BEETLE. (See also, INSECTS, ORGANICS) In lieu of another qualified mind within a fifty-mile radius, I have named these creatures Goliathus Cetos Harriet, 1895. One can only pray it enters common parlance before the vernacular names “Stalker Beetle" and "Choke Beetle" become well known.

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It simply beggars belief that those I speak to view these beetles as two separate species. The capacity for the public to bastardize the meticulous nomenclature of scientists like myself never ceases to flabbergast me. Even a cursory glance at this newly discovered gaseous variant reveals a simple mutation of the initial explosive Goliathus Cetos. A most curious defense mechanism, as it implies these beetles' lives are worth expending as a means of protecting something. I have observed them behaving parental of their larvae, which leaves my leading hypothesis to be that they function (or at one time functioned) under a similar hierarchy to a beehive.

These specific mutations of the Goliathus Cetos are immune to the effects of smoke, however, exposure to it as larvae has caused their respiratory system to collapse. A condensed bubble of air, held in an inflated pocket beneath their elytra, serves as an alternative to the shriveled mouth. It supplies the body with oxygen until it expires, whereupon the oxygen expands and propels the latent gas outward in staggering volume. I have found guns reliable for causing this reaction.

Fire Beetle

FIRE BEETLE (See also, INSECTS, ORGANICS) Further documents, courtesy of an entomologist now only known as Harriet, indicate the emergence of several members in this new species. Classifying them remains deeply elusive, but we do now possess crucial insights.

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The most striking discovery is that most of what this "Harriet" allegedly deduced about these creatures was done by training each individual beetle personally. It is assumed that "melding minds" refers to a close bond between trainer and beetle developed over months of training. It is most curious to note that these beetles must have had dog-like intellect. Alternately, we accept that Harriet was prone to hyperbole. His ego is unquestionably rampant, after all.

He even claims to be close to creating new evolutionary branches of these beetles. I would say he is the height of folly, but in these studies, we have uncovered far bolder God complexes.

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