Introduction aux Études Comparatives du Développement de l'Esprit Humain et de l'Esprit Arachnide

"Introduction aux Études Comparatives du Développement de l'Esprit Humain et de l'Esprit Arachnide" is a book written by Giles de Mauvais. It contains all his notes and observations on the physical and mental development of a juvenile Red Widow, compared to the development of human children in similar stages of life, as well as a case study wherein a Red Widow in its metamorphosed state was introduced to a group of human youngsters and engaged in joint activities -- under controlled circumstances.

The first half of the book was compiled by Giles during his travels with Richelle de Mauvais, en route from Dementlieu to Nova Vaasa, and the latter at the University in Kantora, using Richelle as the source of all observations to do with Red Widows. Several copies exist, with one in Richelle's private possession, and two others hidden among the books of the libraries of the University in Kantora and the University of Dementlieu.

Sadly, although the work is extremely thorough, it is not valid. Richelle is an aberrant specimen of Red Widow, as she lacks the powerful procreative drive that motivates so much of her species' behaviour, and may have suffered permanent physical and psychological damage at the hands of Albert de Mauvais before Giles could start observing her. In this, his only claim to scholarly fame is a dismal failure - a fact which has not motivated Richelle to rid herself of her copy, as she appreciates it as her adopted father's seminal work on herself. Any Monster Hunter who relies on the book for a hunt on Red Widows is sure to suffer painful, even lethal surprises.