blight buddies <3

[beleos]

WHO: The Blight Buddies (aka those who signed up here)
WHAT: The Blight still needs curing
WHERE: Various
WHEN: great question
WARNINGS: I’m going to guess morally questionable things, so,

TURN BACK TIME

Before making their valiant return, a small group will feel their consciousness touched by a presence that’s familiar now. Just like the force that sent them to the dead Tree, the force of Aetós’s magic envelops them again. They hear the distinct tick tick tick of a watch’s hand moving, though it’s soft. Aetós speaks through it.

Less than I would like, but it’ll have to do. We have a Blight to solve.

It’s a similar sensation as the first time as their time magic does its work. The group is vaulted through time and space, but this time they land somewhere that will be familiar to some and new to others: The Scorching Isles. The isle isn't cold, it's vivacious and full of life as the Atrirat go about their everyday lives in the castle and the surrounding area. However, filaments of teal light randomly thread throughout the area that seem to go unseen by the Atirat... Nor do they seem to acknowledge your presence as strange.

Their Blight was developing at this point. It should provide ample, repeatable testing grounds. When you've found the answer, I'll bring you back.

Is that strain you hear in their voice? Maybe, since this level of magic can't be easy to maintain... But regardless of your opinions of Aetós and their work, it seems you’re allies… For now.

OOC EXPLANATION

Welcome (back) to the Scorching Isles! Aetós has gathered the characters that had previously worked on trying to cure the Blight and sent them back in time to the Scorching Isles after it had begun to spread there. These characters are tasked with finding and developing the cure for the Blight while Aetós essentially holds time in place for them... For 24 hours at a time. Aetós has created a time loop, where every 24 hours, the day will repeat. The Atirat have no memory of (or injury from) the previous loop, but player characters will retain what they've learned and experienced, naturally.

As such, characters who participate in this mini plot will not be excluded from post Oracle event happenings. By the time they return to Kenos, they’ll have already experienced this log’s events and will have the knowledge of how to develop the cures! Time travel, baby. This log is more for y’all to thread out learning this process, should you wish to do so. Sharing/creating the cure back in Kenos-proper will then be up to them.

Characters will be able to fully explore the Scorching Isles (with more info also on the original event post and related ooc post), and will remain there for what they’ll likely experience to be a few days. They’ll be able to find food, comfortable beds, and maybe more importantly, well-stocked laboratories for science and magic both that are operated by Mr. Tibbs’s (former) master and best friend, Mimsy the wizard. It may take some exploration, but essentially whatever they need, they won’t have a problem finding it.

So, how to go about finding that cure? Well—

FIND A CURE

To give the players maximum freedom for how this works and how you want to thread this process out, we’re going to work backwards! This is all the information that characters could/will learn through their time (“time”) on the Scorching Isles. How they discover it, how they test their theories etc., is all up to you guys! There’s a plotting thread in Discord for you to chat about things OOC, but this log is hopefully a spot for them to make Questionable Science Friends, so feel free to thread things in whatever way you think is most fun. So, without further ado:

THE SCORCHING ISLES & THE BLIGHT

• The Scorching Isles are a kingdom called Vhen, which split off from the county of Rascheel. Through whatever forces split off chunks of worlds to have them float in the astral sea of Kenos, Vhen suddenly arrived. For a time, the kingdom was in chaos at their new situation, but the court wizard, Mimsy, discovered time magic. Not long after, he summons his familiar, “Mr. Tibbs”.
• Time magic was used to stabilize the Atrirat way of life. Widely used by the Atirat, this allowed them to vastly increase the production levels of their meagre farmlands. Plants could grow to productive levels in a matter of a week, and animals could be raised in a month.
• Decades pass, and over time, the time magic begins to show its flaws. Plants and animals start to die too quickly, so new methods are developed to grow supplies independent of “life”. Seeds are fast-forwarded into an edible form, and edible muscle is grown independent of intelligent life. They will indeed find a slaughterhouse of (perfectly edible!) meat blobs that lack anything but the most basic systems needed to grow the meat.
• Eventually, the magic becomes outright unstable and develops into a condition the Atrirat call “Timerot”, better known as the Blight. Food becomes scarce as The Blight begins to spread. People are seen as “sick” and are murdered when quarantines prove ineffective. Crops die. Winter comes.
• Mimsy breaks the island’s isolationist streak and reaches out to contact Aetós, the wizard of Springstar, who was in the service of the 4th Tribune. A letter from Aetós explains that the only recourse at this point is to “pause the situation” before it gets worse and develop a solution in solitude. By the time of the loop, it seems Mimsy still has hope of finding it without that measure... But you already know how that turns out.



THE CURE – LIVING THINGS

To cure living things that are affected by the Blight, the group will eventually be able to create a potion that will reverse the Blight (so long as it’s not too advanced). If injected like a vaccine into a healthy person, it will give them an immunity to the Blight. If the condition is too advanced, there doesn’t seem to be a way to reverse it, and they may come to the conclusion that they’re better off quarantined/killed to prevent further spread. The potion is created as follows:


1. Based on Mimsy’s starting research, you must begin with a foundation of metals such as gold, silver, and platinum, known for their association with longevity and vitality.
2. Combine the liquid metals into water that has been purified by the energy of Meridian or Zenith. Rather than solidify, the metals will turn the water a pale gold or purple, depending on the energy applied.
3. Extract the essence of the metals through distillation or infusion, capturing their rejuvenating properties.
4. Create an herbal infusion of Blue Lotus, a flower that grows in the pools of the Atrirat, and Turquoise Vitalia, a blue flower that grows outside of the castle, but is the same one that was found in the highlands of World’s Edge.
5. Combine the metal essence with the herbal infusion.
6. Infuse the mixture with Meridian energy while heating.
7. Filter the tonic with Zenith energy while cooling.

THE CURE – ENVIORNMENTAL

Curing a non-living thing involves the use of the forces of Meridian and Zenith.

Characters will discover that by applying Meridian or Zenith energies to an object, it seems to stop the aging process, if only temporarily. Combining them seems to reverse it. However, the method and amounts will need tweaking, where they’ll be able to develop something with these general steps—Feel free to adjust, add flavor, invent something, etc.!


1. Assess the extent of the time distortion causing rapid degradation in the objects. This will help in estimating the required amount of Meridian and Zenith. This will vary from object to object and needs to be more precise the more advanced the degradation.
2. Apply the temporal reversal: Utilize a device or spell to apply the calculated temporal reversal to the affected objects. Ensure precision and accuracy to avoid unintended side effects. These side effects are free for y’all to determine!
3. Monitor and adjust: Continuously monitor the progress of the temporal reversal. Adjust the amount of Meridian or Zenith being applied constantly to ensure stability. When the forces are roughly even, the process is most effective.
Characters will find that they can use their purification spells for this purpose, but it’s draining and seems impractical at scale. Far more effective is the use of Harmonized blood, which is consumed in the process.

CODING

Comments

QUESTIONS

[beleos]

WELCOME ADDRESS!

[dawnlord]

My my, I am pleased to see so many familiar faces among us. Regardless of your personal opinion of our patron, we are currently involved in an operation to resolve this Blight — a task we care about, for all of Kenos as well as ourselves.

[ The warmth that ought to exist within him as a Meridian is artificial in presentation, a lightless heat like baseboard heat — necessary, but deadly if left unattended. ]

I offer my services as an experienced hand in laboratory and medical work. What we know of the Blight now is its origins and spread, the correlation between time and effect, as well as who Aetós is to our world and the next. I believe dividing our attentions into two fields of research: environment and living thing, as well as two camps: researchers and application, with plenty of room for overlap, will be a good starting point.

I helmed the Ido Front, in my old world, but have no need to become someone you take orders from. I am one among many people with the intention to resolve this issue. So, where shall we begin, my adorable companions?

[subsist]

[ Hm. Kaeya decides he doesn't like the artificial vibes, but he isn't going to kick up a fuss about it. It's not relevant. At least he gets the sense that Bondrewd is sincere about finding the cure, so... ]

Divide and conquer. Always a good method when it comes to tackling these things.

It wouldn't hurt to start with what we're lacking: information. While we know that the Blight originated from the Scorching Isles, we don't fully understand how it manifested. [ unless something new came up during his beauty sleep,,, ] I wouldn't be of any help in the lab, so I'll focus my efforts out on the field.

[ He may be no scientist, but at least he can do this much. ]

[dawnlord]

[ Kaeya!! ( ´ ▽ ` ).｡ｏ♡

Bondrewd would radiate affection if he was capable of feeling anything, or even emoting. Maybe one day he'll obtain some LED light panel to wear on his mask so he can adjust his "expressions". ]

Oh, I am so pleased to know you are here. It was your efforts that inspired me to lend my hand properly to this task.

I believe I will examine what space we have to establish a lab and research center, foremost. An assessment of what tools we have is necessary as well. And I would be pleased to join you once more, once I have accomplished this task. If you will have me.

[wolof]

[ Bon is so cute. He has such a psychopathic but honest vibe!! ]

Your hands are quite skilled at such things as well, I will admit. Much better than mine for medical work, and your lab care is impeccable.

I agree that we need to divide into two different sections, but I would like to point out that since this Mimsy is a mage... [ There is a soft laugh, now. ] Perhaps those of us magically inclined will be able to delve something out of his efforts, hm?

[dawnlord]

We all make up for one another's weaknesses, of that, I am certain.

It has been pleasure to work alongside you and Mister John all this while.

[ and he means that! the words are obviously sincere, in that bondrewd has ZERO ability to disguise them with emotion or nuance ]

I would love to have Miss Gavial helm the medical work, as well. Working with her let me know where I still had much to learn. However, should you require any heavy lifting done, you may call on me any time.

The Cure - Environmental

[sharethememory]

Well, this is a quite remarkable way of investigating a means to stop the Blight, and an opportunity that should not be wasted considering our numbers.

While I would be willing to assist others in their endeavors, I believe my own skills would be most suited to addressing the effects of the Blight on the environment. A vibrant and living earth is much easier to speak with, especially since we should be able to predict when and where the afflictions will occur.

However, I will openly admit that many others here present have more knowledge in the areas of science and experimentation than I. Perhaps it would be best to address such an issue alongside someone with both a complementary skill set and alignment.

[consolation]

When we were here before - or rather, later - the food storage was ravaged. In Highstorm, its spread was the greatest threat to the Yards. You remember that, don't you? A lot's changed since then.

[That could mean a great many things. The world is different. They are also different. She does not know if she'll be able to return to Greenwood Yards. Caren's voice is cool and calm.]

When it comes to science, you're on your own, but I miss having someone I could count on to water a garden. Maybe we start with essential supplies... a building cannot feed a man even for a day.

[sharethememory]

A wise suggestion, even more so that most of the initial time magic was concentrated on improving the efficiency of their food supply. Perhaps we might uncover at which point the effects began to break down into its negative side effects.

[ And with any luck, perhaps they might run into Mimsy the magician himself, or a younger less bitter version of Mr. Tibbs. ]

That is one garden I can attend to if you have other potential threads to unravel.

[dawnlord]

I have heard of the Scorching Isles in hindsight from other Shard-bearers, but what a magnificent premise for an agricultural revolution. It was truly unfortunate that the entire situation destabilized, and is incapable of repair.

[ Sighs. ]

That being said, I believe I have spotted my co-workers at the Burning Gardens. Madam Sahelian and Mister John are both exemplary scientists in their own ways, should you like to reach out to one of them. I, myself, will be available to all, too.

[sharethememory]

The Burning Gardens? What a quaint revisioning for such a place. I hope the work has been treating the three of you well.

[ Since Zhongli only stops by every once in a blue moon to see if any creatures from his homeworld have turned up and care for them. ]

I known of Master John's affinity for life, death, and constructs. I suppose I should not be surprised that he harbors a similar talent for science. Lady Akua as well.

As suggested, the best place to start should be that very agricultural revolution you spoke of. Have you ever had the chance to experiment on that which had just started to succumb to the Blight?

The Cure — Living Things

[hyperpotamous]

What have we got in terms of resources here? I don't know all of you, so I have no idea what everyone can do, but I think we should take a divide-and-conquer approach and gather as much information as possible to have a foundation to work off of.

We have the advantage of excellent conditions for testing, so I think we should take advantage of it. Throw everything at the wall and see what sticks; we can refine it later.

[cutlery]

I will say that I am likely better to act in an assistive capacity, since compared to most, my knowledge of magic and medicine both tend towards being outdated by comparison. I have been attempting to bridge the gap with the latter upon arriving in Kenos, but I would still not call myself an expert. Knowledgeable, as my memory is quite sharp, but Mr. Bondrewd is far more so than I, as an example.

So, please direct me as you wish, whoever should need it.

To the matter of the testing conditions, it is indeed ideal, in a sense. [ if you don't have morals. which he doesn't! but he's not going to just say that and make people mad. ] Presumably the... repeatable nature of things is why Aetós put us in this situation. However, actually collecting those volunteers may prove to be complicated, yes?

[hyperpotamous]

As most magic is concerned, I'm still a beginner, so I'm sure even outdated knowledge is more useful. I think some things require a bit more imagination than I possess.

[ plenty of magic is as computational as his necromancy, but there are reasons he asked others to become experts on the kinds of things you might need a ritual for. ]

What complications do you foresee? [ moral outrage is easily the last thing on his mind. ] If you mean literally, we have plenty of options. I'm very good for that, although help is always appreciated.

[dawnlord]

[ irradiates sebastian's stargazer brain with his own ]

Ah, Mister Michaelis. You sell yourself short — if anyone could convince someone to do something they are readily opposed to, it could be you.

[consolation]

Say it directly if you mean it.

No one will notice what we do from one day to the next, or to whom. That is the conclusion you're trying to arrive at, isn't it? We can arrive there a little faster this way.

[hyperpotamous]

Well, yes. That is what I mean.

I didn't need to say it; you got there on your own.

[dawnlord]

Mister John, how wonderful that you are here!

[ And that the two of you traded Factions. Discord go BRRRRRRRRR. ]

When it comes to the matter that I know you are suggesting, I would normally request that we begin with testing on ourselves. It is what I have done in the past. However, because we are so limited in number and also Shard-bearers, to ensure the curative we develop is accurate and adequate for the number of non-Shard-bearers of Kenos — we may wish to ask the Atirat for their aid.

[ or force them, he doesn't mind that ]

[hyperpotamous]

Fashionably late, I think. I took the scenic route getting here, apparently.

[ mostly he was dead. ]

Sure, we can ask them, if you'd prefer. I was under the impression that these people are all already dead in our present time anyway.

[ so it's not like they're gonna care?? ]

[wolof]

I wonder if the residents here would put up a fight or two, hm? We may wish to put some focus on finding ways to... abduct them quietly, so as not to cause suspicion.

As it stands, I think our greatest resource will be the people. Perhaps we can find them at different stages, and pull apart the effects one by one, to find the root... symptom, and how it is transmitted? If we can do that, perhaps we can innoculate against the Blight, if we cannot simply reverse the effects outright.

[ She says, to John. Emotional talks earlier? It's nothing. ]

[kinaesthesia]

Woah, woah. Maybe we don't need to be jumping so quickly to abducting people, yeah?

CHATTER.

[dawnlord]

You know, I enjoy the idea that the Scorching Isles is a microcosm of our battles for the Oracle.

Technically, we know that it met an ill fate and no longer has the ability to exist. However, with a combination of time magic and our existence being inflicted upon it in the past, we are developing a cure that could save it. [ Or could have saved it. ] How delightful, that the question of our desires and the reality of them continues to exist in all forms, in both directions.

Just like infinity.

[ He tends to blast his little thoughts into the Communion space while working, the sound of glass vials clinking and clattering, and Bondrewd's deep, dark "merriment" leeching across the other Shard-bearers' minds like oil slick. There's truly no heart to be found in him, since y'all JUST got done with battling for an Oracle and he's not even bothered by what happened. ]

[sharethememory]

[ Guess who is always ready to chatter over communion. While Zhongli himself appears to still be processing all that happened in the battle for the Oracle, it seems disassociating and immersing himself fully in finding the cure is serving him well in delaying much of those thoughts. ]

An interesting observation.

Might I get your opinion then, Master Bondrewd, if you think the past to be a malleable thing or is it only our perception of it that is changed?

EXPERIMENTATION - MAGIC

[wolof]

[ Eventually, the cycle repeats itself. Whether the subjects are gotten through abduction, or coercion, it does not matter in the end.

What matters is the subjects lay before them on the table. Strapped down, and there are materials, scattered about. Flowers such as the ones from World's edge, liquids, some in vials and beakers, and some elsewhere. It is spread out in multiple stations. The subjects are asleep, though whether it is through the manipulations of one or the magic of another is unimportant. ]

I have not the skill of a surgeon, but I have some ability with delving into ones body, and...pulling or reconnecting things.

I think we need to first test certain materials on the bodies. We will not learn much, until we see how the blight reacts to it, and first, we have to figure out where the blight resides. Is it in the blood, the muscle, or the soul? If we stand a chance of developing something to withstand it, we must know where to target.

8) smiles

[dawnlord]

[ Lightly said: ] That is the exact origin I attempted to find in Highstorm, when the Blight first began to impact the cities. When I dissected the young woman caught in the throes of the Blight via a flower, she showed no signs of reacting to the physical stimulus save for that she cried silently. Likely, she felt the pain, but could not control her form to flinch nor flee.

The muscle was entirely frozen and nonreactive, tissues the same. Organs were slowing long before I reached them with my scalpal, and my samples did not linger once they were parted from her body. The physical body was affected — undoubtedly, by a greater force than is purely pathological.

[ This is his forte. The surgery, the manipulation of body and, to a lesser degree, the soul. ]