Video: UN - Runeseeker (Player Plot, CW for drinking magic squid Ink?)

[onerthes]

Good evening.

[Vira-Lorr looked reasonably relaxed, if a little more serious than she liked to be. She was currently inside of her home office, which meant that it looked like something out of a Gypsy's playbook. A crystal ball was in the corner. Various superstitious baubles were everywhere. A deck of tarot cards was on the table, pushed to the side. Incense wafted in the room.]

With some assistance over the last year, I've been doing research on sleeper squid ink. Years ago, we had something similar that had a curative property. I have been trying to recreate it. I am sure that the Doorway would not love that I am offering this in her month, but for some of us? Connection can be painful. It is the best way to stave off corruption, but it comes with a price. Not everyone is willing to pay it. So, I wanted to try and offer an ... alternative.

[She held up a vial of black liquid. It glowed very faintly.]

I cannot guarantee these work. We're at the point where there's only one way to be sure. Live, sleeper testing. Their purpose is simple. To alleviate the symptoms of corruption. It likely will never cure a person, but it could ease the symptoms long enough to get them to help, such as the Night Walkers or the Luminarium. That's the goal.

...

But this is Trench. I think we all know that the odds are that until it's perfected? It could do the exact opposite. So, there's a bit of risk in participating. However, if any of you are willing? I am testing the mixture of blood to reagent mixture in these. Once it's fine tuned, I will make the recipe available so it's possible for people to make more. You may speak to me at any time to ask.

Oh, and before anyone asks? I've managed to get a few donations of ink that I acquired through various sources. So they're not from any one particular sleeper. I didn't want that to complicate findings, especially if the goal is for others to make their own with the recipe.

(OOC: This is a minor Player Plot! Live Human testing of an "Antidote" similar to the one in Deerington, which was created with squid ink too! The short version is simple: Feel free to have your character take a sample and use it when they experience corruption. They may feel temporary alleviation, or it could make the symptoms worse. That's entirely up to you. Sometime in the next month or two, Vira-Lorr will post her findings, and her success or failure will be up to the mods.)

Comments

un: eudaimonikos | video

[eudaimonikos]

Ah, why the hell not? I'll do it.

[There's a solid chance it'll be some kind of nightmare, but Michael can handle these things in the name of science! Better him than someone else, right?]

[onerthes]

Oh good. I will have one or two samples set aside for you, Michael. I would be careful when taking them. Precautions never hurt, but we'll see what we can learn and if this is going to work.

[Absolutely solid chance, but worth a shot!]

[eudaimonikos]

I've...really only had one bad Corruption incident, so far. I'll try it if it starts going in that direction again.

[onerthes]

That seems a good way to approach this. A few careful arrangements in case of something going wrong with the treatment may be wise, but knowing this place, there's always an increased risk around this time of year.

[What, with Superior's tiffs about bonding.]

video; un: ushiromiya

[entreats]

[ Ange is definitely a little bit too on edge to participate in the testing herself - though she does remember talking about this with Vira-Lorr before, so it does draw her interest despite that. ]

Are you sure we're not going to have a bunch of extra beasts all running through town at the same time?

[ Look, while Ange's own paranoia is still on the high side, she can't help but focus on the potential downsides Vira-Lorr is mentioning here. ]

[onerthes]

I'm going to be brutally honest? I have no way of being 100% sure that this won't cause more problems than help. It could go horribly wrong. I announced it in part just for that purpose.

...

Have to warn people there's a test going on for corruption alleviation, in case it goes horribly horribly wrong, right?

[entreats]

So how big do you reckon the chance of it going horribly wrong is?

[ Sure, most people might instead ask for the chance of it going right.

Ange is not that optimistic of a person, and especially not lately. Even with someone she relatively trusts in charge of this project, she still can't help but be kind of wary. ]

[onerthes]

I think the odds are less than a coin's flip. Probably closer to 10%, which is enough that people should be careful. My intent is to drop that down to a very low percent before giving out the recipe.

Pretty sure that it's better than 50/50, but we'll only be sure once it's been tested.

[What was sad? Those numbers would never fly normally, but around here? That was probably as good as one could hope to get early on.]

[imaglyphwitch]

That does sound like it'll be pretty hard to create, but at least it'll be less painful on other people who get corrupted.

I'd like to volunteer.

[onerthes]

So... creating it involves a person reverting to a squid form. It's not exactly pleasant, but it can be done from time to time. And as long as you're clean about it? You don't have to do it often.

Either way, this is not a sure-fire thing. So, the saying "It's worth a shot" applies. I appreciate you offering to help. I can have a dose ready for you.

[imaglyphwitch]

Oh. Reverting to a squid?

[Terrifying. Something Luz usually tried not to even think about].

So the dose turns you to the squid, or do you have to do that part first?

[onerthes]

Temporarily. It's technically possible for all of us without going into the ocean. My ability makes it a little... easier.

[You know, because she could morph her body and the like.]

Oh, no. The dose doesn't change you. We turn into squids to get the squid ink that is used for the draught. It can be stored naturally.

Video; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

I already know you're already doing this for our own good and so I'm less suspicious than others might be. I'll take it. Even if I don't use it personally, I might end up injecting it into Reaper or someone else.

Re: Video; un: darkness

[onerthes]

Do make sure to check with him in advance, though I trust you will. And you do know me well. Even if this fouls up, you know its intended purpose well enough.

Hopefully it won't be too disastrous at the very least.

[survivalthroughhate]

Ah well. Even if we all turn into squid monsters, at least we will have learned something from the experience.

[Besides, he'd already seen Reaper turn into a monster filled with tentacles and eyes once, and at least knew how to draw him back out of such a state if it came to that. He sincerely hoped it wouldn't though. Dealing with that once had been quite enough for Maul.]

[onerthes]

Yes. If we all transform, then we will know "this was a terrible idea. Never do it again." [She laughed darkly.] It wouldn't be the first time we'd ever encountered such a lesson.

un: kickflips, text, private

[strongroots]

[ Setting this to private, 'cause does he expect some people to worry if they see him? Sure does! ]

ill take some. sounds useful with everything ppl are researching right now

Private Text

[onerthes]

Thank you. Please make sure to be careful should you use it, just in case there are side effects. But, I appreciate you helping out.

Here's hoping this can help in the long run.

[strongroots]

yeah

do you want to know what my blood type is. idk if itll have any effect. but i trust you knowing anyway

video; un: v

[mehanizovati]

Intriguing idea. I'd be willing to test it as well, if you need more volunteers.

Re: video; un: v

[onerthes]

I will take all of the volunteers I can get. Every one of them is one more test. Just be careful and have precautions in place in case something goes wrong.

[mehanizovati]

I'll see if I can have Allen on hand to help, he can handle most situations that get eh... messy in terms of corruption. Would you like the tests recorded on video to be perused or will note taking suffice?

text un: vi

[faceblocks]

im in.

[onerthes]

Excellent. I'll have a dose prepped for you. Be careful to have some sort of backup just in case something goes wrong. Always be safe when doing these experiments, I say.

[faceblocks]

ive got people thatll have my back
and if it goes too sideways theyll take me out