View source for Bloodstone Crisis, 153 AR

Bound in red dyed leather and given a gold filigree about the cover, this book appears a lot more welcoming than the contents within. A heavy gold clasp with an inset (untainted) bloodstone keeps the pages shut until pressed.

=== A Foreword ===
The details contained in this book were collected by Paige Mosbrooke and associates. This completed book is merely a reorganizing of Mosbrooke's initial notes and findings as she discovered them during the crisis in question. All notes are her own, penned by my hand for the sake of distribution and informing the public in an easier to digest manner.

The experiences penned by my hand, what happened with multiple patients, are my own.

This book is not for the faint of heart, or weak of mind. This book is a gruesome recount of a woman's mad experiments that plagued Arelith, and caused undue distress to many inhabitants of this isle. Some details in this book may resurface some of those most unpleasant memories.

Read at your own risk.

       Day 27, Month 11 (Uktar), 153 AR
<br>       Rena Leisner        

=== Those Responsible ===
A woman named Sable Torneau is the cause of all cases of affliction seen on this isle. Her and her infected associates are referred to as a cult that performs a catch-and-release experimentation program on the denizens of Arelith. Their practices involve Faerzress infused bloodstones and their interaction on sapient, organic individuals.

A second mage was involved, at first, going by the name 'Zayn'. He is the one who produced the method of infusing the bloodstones, and provided them to his business partner Sable. Upon seeing the results of what she was doing with his stones, he refused to participate and fled. As of writing, she is attempting to kill him to fulfill a prophecy (as seen by Garrett Kelson).

       Day 27, Month 11 (Uktar), 153 AR
<br>       Rena Leisner        

=== Bloodstone Observations ===
Stones are primarily green with red streaking colorations. They are notably charged with power by the Faerzress and mined from somewhere in the Underdark.

The stone, when ingested by living creature, will begin to corrupt the being both body and mind. It is parasitic in nature, and will change the host to produce more bloodstone shards in a process called Shattering. Stones taken from the hosts skin will have the same effects as stones mined from the earth.

Those grasped by the shards influence are compelled to use their newly produced stones to indoctrinate other individuals and have them rejoin or open the Sky. They do this through forcing others to ingest their shards in some form.

Treatment is simple, if risky. The stone swallowed must be expelled, and blood treated to filter out any remaining residual affliction. The stone must then be destroyed, to prevent further accidental afflictions or magical mishaps resulting from the stones Faerzress properties.

Those in the earlier stages of affliction are expected to make a full recovery from their exposure if treated quickly. However, the mind is a fickle, fragile thing and this method will not treat the mental traumas incurred through prolonged exposure to the stone.

       Day 27, Month 11 (Uktar), 153 AR
<br>       Rena Leisner        

=== Order of Operation ===
Once a target has been secured by either roving mercenary band or Dhaerrow, the target is shipped to [REDACTED] where the target is forced to imbibe a tainted bloodstone.

The target is then left to incubate in this facility with other prisoners before being released back to their home, where they initially came from.

Targets are always released by a handler, usually a powerful transmuter magi (female, Sable Torneau).

Once home, the target (now known as patient) will show full signs of their infection from the bloodstone.

       Day 27, Month 11 (Uktar), 153 AR
<br>       Rena Leisner        

=== Symptoms & Stages ===

==== Stage 1 ====
Initial infection.

+ No physical changes

+ Emotional instability

+ Prone to breaking routine

==== Stage 2 ====
+ Darkened veins visible

+ Bloodstone protrusions on face/neck

+ Violet eyes

+ Rambling; topics include an open/closed sky, and convincing others to go Home (not to be confused with their home, where one rests their head)

+ Potential violent outbursts

+ Strange behavior; breaking routine

+ Particularly prone to suggestions and commands

==== Stage 3 ====
All symptoms of Stage 2

+ Kidnaps others to force-feed them bloodstones or murders them

+ Glowing violet eyes

+ Scratching at bloodstone protrusions

==== Stage 4 ====
In essence, the victim will have become a shard themself. There is no treatment. Victim will have eyes and mouths all over their body, and multi-colored prismatic gaze. They will terminate quickly, but the conflict afterwards is difficult.

Termination of victim will result in large (?) with eyes and mouths, too many. Whispering by a means that even deafening yourself will not stop. This causes extreme emotional and mental instability in those weak of mind.

       Day 27, Month 11 (Uktar), 153 AR
<br>       Rena Leisner        

=== Treatments ===

==== Method 1: Divine Ritual ====
Speak to Ezekiel Klennald for more information.

==== Method 2: Cleansing Ritual ====
Speak to Paige Mosbrooke for more information.

==== Method 3: Antidote(s) ====
A mojo elixir will cure most second stage and below victims when imbibed in its entirety. Drinking it will cause them to expel the bloodstone within them, and come back to their senses.

A second antidote is effective on those at stage three and below. It is created with powdered greater magic-null gems and honey.

       Day 27, Month 11 (Uktar), 153 AR
<br>       Rena Leisner        

=== Bloodstone Disposal ===
When bloodstones are expelled from a patient, they must be destroyed to prevent any accidental contamination or cases among others. However, the process is dangerous and any individual seeking to destroy them should not do so alone.

Breaking a bloodstone will cause a number of tendriled growths to emerge in the vicinity. They will attempt to flee the area. You must not let them. When they are destroyed, they will crumble to ash. This too, will need to be disposed of. Collect the dust - an air elemental has shown to be exceedingly effective - and put it into a bag. Then burn it.

       Day 27, Month 11 (Uktar), 153 AR
<br>       Rena Leisner        

=== Patients 1-3 ===

==== Patient 1: [___] Male, Human ====
Captured by Dhaerrow mercenaries outside of Sibayad

Stage 1 infection

Treated with clerical magic and induced vomiting

Blood sample clear, subject mentally sound

==== Patient 2: [___] Hin, Female ====
Gone missing from her patrol in Bendir

Deposited in front of Bendir by a magi handler (female)

Stage 2 infection; shard protrusions, raw gums, violet eyes, and lunacy manifested

Patient remarked on closed sky and wanting to go to the clouds. Volatile, but open to following suggestions.

Treated with a ritual of cleansing to induce vomiting (performed by Paige Mosbrooke) and given a mojo elixir.

Blood sample remains 33% dust contamination density, subject remains mentally unsound.

Follow up: Patient remains unstable, and occasionally violent.

Two counts of badger murder, one count attempted drowning of another.

Veins remain discolored. Initial blood sample suggests remaining contamination contributes to odd behaviors.

==== Patient 3: [___] Male, Human ====
Taken from Guldorands logging camp

Deposited in logging camp by magi handler (female)

Stage 3 infection; shard protrusions, raw gums/missing teeth, violet eyes, discolored veins, lunacy manifested, hostile nature, and paranoia easily dispelled with suggestion.

Witnessed tampering with leyline by planting a shard at its center and rambling of opening the sky.

Patient found assisting female handler (?) in kidnapping travellers from the road, and infecting others with the shard.

Patient found attempting murder (against Dimitrios) in Logjam with axe.

Treated with ritual exorcism (performed by Ezekiel Klannald), mojo elixir, and ritual of cleansing (performed by Paige Mosbrooke).

Patient remains mentally unsound and still prone to convincing others about the Sky and leading them Home.

       Day 27, Month 11 (Uktar), 153 AR
<br>       Rena Leisner        

=== Patients 4-8 ===

==== Patient 4: [___] Male, Human ====
Captured by Patient 3 outside of Guldorand

Rescued by Guldorand Shields and Paige Mosbrooke

Stage 1 infection; displayed no visible signs of infection or mental instability

Treated with ritual of cleansing (performed by Paige Mosbrooke) and a mojo elixir

Subject remains mentally sound and boarded vessel to Cormyr

==== Patients 5 & 6: [___] Female, Human & Male, Human ====
Stage 1 (2?) infection; emotional instability, but no physical manifestations

Blood samples to be found at 80% contamination density, black in color

Treated with induced vomiting, and 1 tsp honey + 1 gram of powdered greater null-magic gemstone

Both appear mentally sound and physically hale

==== Patient 7: [___] Male, Human ====
Cordorian dockworker, found in Cordors sewers

Stage 2 infection; discolored veins, emotional instability, shard protrusions

Treated with antidote by Rena Leisner; 1 tsp honey + 1 gram powdered greater null-magic gemstone

Taken by Cordor Guard to recover in the barracks

==== Patient 8: [___] Female, Hin ====
Cordorian guide, found lifeless by temporary shop stall

Regained life after a flurry of tentacles entered body.

Stage 1(?) infection; no physical indicators, aside from tentacles, but mentally knowledgeable of Home and a location in Cordor that leads to it

Treated with mojo elixir by Longtooth

Seems to have made a full recovery and is mentally sound

Spoke of a woman dressed in black, hood and veil, and a necklace of pretty stones around her neck.

       Day 27, Month 11 (Uktar), 153 AR
<br>       Rena Leisner        

=== Patient #3, Recount ===
I saw Patient 3 wandering out the gates of Guldorand and crossing the bridge of the Skull Crags. He had visible bloodstone contamination, discolored veins, and the beginnings of violet gaze. When questioned where he was going, he replied to work. I offered to escort him, to keep an eye out.

When approaching the local leyline, he mumbled that the sky would open and then ripped a shard of bloodstone from his skin to plant in the soil in the center of the portal exit. A woman came forth immediately and fled the scene, and #3 followed shortly after. I dug the stone out, and pocketed it while escorting #3 back to the logging camp.

His supervisor said he was supposed to be working the opposite end of the forest that day, and at my suggestion sent the man home for his sickness.

Jace and I returned to the leyline to see if anything else suspicious had happened in the area, only to be greeted by a sudden summoning of demons. We regrouped in Guldorand and prepared to rid them of this Plane. There, we found that the bloodstone contained a the property of Faerzress - disrupting arcane magic castings.

The demons were rid of, and Jace set about cleansing the leyline with a stone of light. I took the bloodstone away from there, after noticing that the farther away it was from magic the less active it became.

The stone was taken to Paige Mosbrooke and her associate, Dimitrios, for destruction.

       Day 28, Month 11 (Uktar), 153 AR
<br>       Rena Leisner        

=== Patient #7, Recount ===
I received a messenger regarding a warehouse in the Cultural District docks that had been storing tainted bloodstones. I went to investigate with Solveig and Longtooth, only to find that the door had been locked and a guard saying the matter was being handled.

Suspecting that someone must be moving the supplies, we split up to find them. I went to the Fools Clover back dock, knowing it was a popular place for smugglers to escape or hide out. There, I pursued someone through the sewers and up out into the Government District.

A dockworker in early stage two phase contamination was stopped at the gate and questioned. The arrival of Angwythiir spooked the man, and he went into the Nomad for a drink. The half-dragon followed him while I went to send a messenger to about the  development. A Cordor Guard commander tried to stop, to talk about a separate issue, but I led her to the warehouse after messengers could not find Solveig or Longtooth.

At the Nomad, #7 was surrounded by a mob of people. They were told to back away from the man, who had jumped the counter seeking safety. I tried to discreetly ask the bartender to slip an antidote into a drink to give to the man, but #7 heard this and fled by, presumably, running into the back and jumping over the second bar at the Cultural District end.

He was found and subdued by Angwythiir and Solveig, and forcibly administered the antidote. The stone was taken by myself for destruction, and bile on the street burned by a present mage.

       Day 28, Month 11 (Uktar), 153 AR
<br>       Rena Leisner        

=== Patient #8, Recount ===
Patient 8 was found deceased in the Government District of Cordor. A glimpse of tendril was seen before she revived, chipper and cheerful as she was in life. She offered to give us directions, which the crowd thought normal until I asked her to lead us to Home. The hin guided the group to the Cultural District, at the waters edge next to the Tattoo Parlour, and told us that we only needed to walk off the dock.

Those present were told to send for others who were currently investigating the bloodstone crisis, and to take the woman to the Temple in the meantime - away from the masses. She was escorted by a group of five, all very confused about the situation they were witnessing.

At the Temple, the Red Knight Guards were told of the situation, and #8 ushered further into the shrine areas. She stopped at Savras and commented about the books, before beginning to tear pages from them and eating them. Longtooth arrived, and convinced one of the group to give him a potion of mojo to treat #8.

She imbibed the contents, expelled the bloodstone, and was asked about the last thing she remembered. She spoke of a woman dressed in black; wearing a hood, a veil, and a necklace of pretty stones around her neck. The woman in question had asked where to find the Museum, and #8 then reports she blacked out.

       Day 28, Month 11 (Uktar), 153 AR
<br>       Rena Leisner            

=== Cordor Incident ===
Following Patient 8's recovery, a group of those present were sent to the Museum to investigate while I stayed with Dimitrios to clean the bile and inform the Temple about the incident.

After, I went to the Museum to see if anything had been found and happened across three individuals reportedly hearing voices. Invicta, one of the women, found a bloodstone by a haunted painting. Savol, a Cordor Guard at the time, thought he should take it to the Barracks.

I gave them a short run-down of what it was, and that it needed to be destroyed. Invicta decided to take it to the Arena, and Savol thought to put up the anti-magic field to prevent the creatures in the stone from putting up too much resistance.

After the stone was broken, growths and a green haze emerged from the stone and affected nearly all of us to the point of uselessness. I pursued a growth that escaped, which made it into the Outskirts and were killed by a mob that had been speaking with Rannos Susidan.

Returning to the Arena, none of the individuals were present, but the foes they were fighting must have escaped since the city was started to be coated in a green ichor. Rannos and I rallied everyone to the Government Districts Square for evacuation, while Berenor performed a ritual at the Arena to stop the incident.

Evacuation didnt happen. Reinforcements came in Guldorands help, and more of the creatures from Beyond came to attack the city. Everyone was instructed to wear a cloth over their nose and mouth to prevent breathing in the dust remains. After hours of battle, it came to an end and clean-up procedures began. There was a briefing to the city regarding the bloodstones, and notices posted with summarization of symptoms and treatment options.

       Day 28, Month 11 (Uktar), 153 AR
<br>       Rena Leisner        

=== Warehouse Investigation ===
A team comprised of Mather Allias, Valencia Cruz, Rena Leisner, Garlyn Jones, Garrett Kelson, and a Guard recruit entered the warehouse located at the Cultural District Docks.

The area was surprisingly empty, until other levels were investigated. Warehouse guards and canines were found slain, and the tendril growths of bloodstone contamination rummaging through the corpses.

Presence of Faerzress indicated the presence of stones previously thought to have been seized in previous investigations. Every nook and cranny were filled with growth, haze, and a new horror which I will call 'Collectors' since they were originally seen attempting to gather the bloodstone associate mage, Zayn.

Further investigation found a creature unlike the others, feeding on the corpses strewn in the rooms and bloodstones left behind. I suspect it to be a victim of stage four bloodstone exposure, but Mister Kelson - a prophet - says it was summoned from Beyond by Sable, the woman responsible for the attacks across settlements.

When slain, bloodstones of varying stages fell from the beast and were collected by myself for destruction with the aid of my associates. The remains of the other creatures of Beyond were burned in controlled incineration.

No losses were incurred on our side, not counting the warehouse guards who were presumed long dead before our arrival.

       Day 20, Month 11 (Uktar), 153 AR
<br>       Rena Leisner        

=== THE SIGN OF SILENCE. ===
THE CURSE OF WAR WILL BE DEVOURED. 

THE IGNORANT SHALL REJOICE, 

NOT REALIZING MAGIC FEEDS THE COSMIC EGG.

A FAITHLESS WOMAN WILL TRY TO REPLACE THE SUN WITH EYE, INVOKING GODLESSLY. 

BETRAYAL, DECEPTION, MURDER. SACRIFICE. 

HER CHILDREN WILL BE BORN FROM THE ACT. 

THE COSMIC VOICE SHALL APPEAR,

SEVEN VOICES SPEAKING AS ONE.

A RIDDLE AND PARADOX,

MORTALS ARE NOT MEANT TO HEAR. 

       Day 23, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 153 AR
<br>       Garrett Kelson        

=== THE SIGN OF SCREAMING ===
THE NEWBORN CHILDREN WILL CRY AND HUNGER. THEIR HOME IS EMPTY AND THEY MUST FEED, TAKING THE WEAVE INTO THEIR MOUTH.

THE COSMIC PATH WILL APPEAR. 

THE COSMIC FOOT WILL TAKE UNSTEADY STEPS ON GROUND,

TURN AWAY FROM THE SUN,

DRINK FROM THE WATER, 

AND BREATHE DEEP THE AIR. 

FROM THAT BREATH THE MOTHER'S NAME WILL BE SCREAMED. 

A LIFE FOR A LIFE. 

       Day 23, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 153 AR
<br>       Garrett Kelson        

=== THE SIGN OF NEST AND HOME ===
THE TREES AND LAND BEGIN TO WEIGH UNDER THE BLOOD FROM BEYOND. BLIGHTED FISH WILL WASH TO THE SHORES. BIRDS WILL FALL FROM THE SKY, BEAKS CRYSTALLINE AND TOO HEAVY TO LIFT. 

A CHILD OF DRAGON TOILS. HE DOES NOT SEE WITH HIS EYES BUT THE EYES FROM BEYOND, AND BLINDED HE WORKS TO BUILD A NEST FOR HIS FAMILY.

IN A PLACE OF SHATTERED MOONLIGHT.

UNDER A HOME OF DREAMS BROKEN,

RESTS THE COSMIC EGG. 

ONLY THE PRIMORDIAL CAN STOP THAT WHICH IS BEYOND. 

       Day 23, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 153 AR
<br>       Garrett Kelson        

=== THE SIGN OF RESONANCE ===
SCREAMS WILL SHAKE THE LAND. 

TREES WILL BLEED.

VINES WILL GRAB AND ABSORB THAT WHICH WALKS BY. 

THE FOREST FLOOR WILL BECOME A BLANKET OF ANIMAL FLESH.

WATER WILL TURN RED AND THICK,

ABSORBING THE FISH WITHIN. 

RIVERS WILL GROW LIMBS, 

AND PULL IN VICTIMS TO DEVOUR. 

       Day 23, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 153 AR
<br>       Garrett Kelson        

=== THE SIGN OF END ===
A BLOOD MOON RISES. 

THE STARS BECOME EYES. 

THE WIND WILL STOP. 

THE WORLD WILL BECOME SILENT. 

WE WILL HAVE UNTIL DAWN TO FIND JUDGEMENT. FOR THE SUN WILL NOT RISE, IN ITS PLACE AN EYE IN A SKY OF SCREAMING MOUTHS. AND THE SURVIVORS WILL NOT CARE, FOR THEIR MINDS WILL BE STOLEN BY THE SOUND. 

THE END MUST BE AVERTED. THE GODS STILL TOUCH THE EARLY STAGES, AND AS SUCH THINGS LIKE HOPE STILL EXIST. SEEK THE PRIMORDIAL. UNGODLY IN THEIR OWN RIGHT, AND BLOCKS OF CREATION IN THEIR EXISTENCE. THEY ARE WHAT IS. AND THAT OF UNMAKING AND REBIRTH HAS THE FINAL SAY. IT WILL SILENTLY CAST OUT THE SHADOW OF BLIGHT, SHRIEKING TERRORS AGHAST AT BEING REVEALED. THE TERRORS MUST BE ENDED AND THEIR PRESENCE REMOVED FROM THE WORLD. 

       Day 23, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 153 AR
<br>       Garrett Kelson    
[[Category:150-159 AR]]
[[Category:Bendir Dale]]
[[Category:Cordor]]
[[Category:Guldorand]]
[[Category:Reports & Records]]
[[Category:History]]