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Early days yet, but this looks a stinker! I think I have the entries for 16ac and 10d, but no idea what's going on. I also have solutions for 5d and 31d, but not sure how to enter. This will need some help!

Like many solvers here, I won't even see this until tomorrow- but thanks for the early warning of what's in store!

Hmm.

10d solves for me as a nice normal clue whose answer fits in the grid, but the first word of the clue doesn’t seem to contribute: so maybe the first word “has been treated” in one of the two ways and reversing that would complete the clue — eg if the original word were “Scottish” rather than “Wish”...?

31d solves ok for me to a 7-letter word that needs to go into a 5-letter grid slot, so presumably it’s one of the answers that needs to be thematically altered.

I’m flailing too at the moment: I need to solve more to figure out what’s happening, but this one is proving slow on the cold solving. Maybe I’ll do better in the morning...

Hi mooncow, your thoughts on both these clues are correct and yes, further cold solving will identify patterns.

I would guess that in 10dn “wish” becomes Wishaw - a place in Scotland.

My pessimism was slightly premature. Nibbling away through the evening now gives me a grid half full, with some fairly standard alterations being made The SW corner is proving the hardest.

Thanks, Unclued, for the suggestion of Wishaw- I realised it had to be something Scottish. Out today on a daughter's gift of a mystery experience in London- crossword will resume this evening!

OK, I have a serious problem with this. I now have a full grid, but cannot parse 30a,38a,6d nor 22d - all of which are not part of the altered entries. That in itself doesn't present the biggest problem which for me is that I cannot distinguish any difference between how any of the entries or other clues are treated.

I am in the same position (and the same clues to parse, plus a couple more). It is very odd to have more or less a full grid and not an inkling of what is going on! I do, however, have the creature. This makes a sort of sense but is still not much help.

I am sure that the light will dawn and I will kick myself.

Hi gitto & foinavon, I'm not sure how much of a nudge either of you need but I'll give you the words that need to be altered in the 4 clues mentioned (you've already established the answers are unaffected) but if you need more post again.
30a count
38a who
6d rib
22d not

Thanks Ginge, although I had sorted 6d, I was at a complete loss with the other three. All parsing now sorted out, but still baffled - there is definitely something fishy going on here.