From the introduction: An instar is the term for each stage of arthropod larval development. Technically, the creature in the character is a parasitoid, i.e., it develops within a host and consumes the host to mature. To be clear, in this game, the character is not killed and the creature does not emerge from his or her body. Instead, if the process is completed, the instar (or rather adult) will now be this body's only volitional force and abilities; the original character will only exist as a helpless "rider" from that point forward.