Elyona: Order of the Evokers
———————————————————————–
We are now making preparations for the Entity’s destruction. I do not have the words to describe how I feel. Everything we’ve done. All we’ve worked for. I can only hope that we can stop it before all is lost. And Drusera? By the ancient gods of Orias. I cannot bring myself look into her eyes…
Quick Facts
Type: Datacube
Ohmna: Order of the Progenitors
———————————————————————–
The time has come. All preparations have been made for the destruction of the Entity, and Vorion seems confident that we have at least some chance of success. I can only hope that he is right. Drusera, not surprisingly, is frightened, and desperately wishes that she could be of more help. As do we all. Blessed with all of that power, and yet she is still powerless to do anything at all.
Quick Facts
Type: Datacube
Drusera: The Genesis Prime
———————————————————————–
Oh, no. I… I… I couldn’t do it. Couldn’t save them. I wasn’t strong enough. But there’s still time. I can still stop it. The Entity… it doesn’t think I have the power to do it, but I do. I can do anything. I can lock it away… maybe not forever… but long enough for someone to come here. Someone strong. Someone that can help me. And then, just maybe… I can make all of this right.
Quick Facts
Type: Datacube
DOMINION: On a table in front of Mondo Zax, Rootwood Collective area. This journal is obtainable after the successful completion of the quest Side Effects .
Expedition Day 7
The infestation is dire. It spreads quickly and envelops all around it, twisting creatures, contorting them into ravenous monstrosities. Last week a large grazer buck was bitten by a corrupted garr. Now, green spittle flows freely from the buck’s maw and bulbous sacs of pus protrude from its body, violently popping every so often. Most animals keep a good distance from the Strain, but it has overtaken the area’s prime food and water
sources, leaving wildlife little choice but to risk contamination.
Expedition Day 8
Confound it! Last night a varmint sneaked into camp and coated all of my materials in muck before I chased it away. I cleaned up as delicately as I could, but nevertheless managed to wipe some of the filth onto my brow. Already the bio-phage is taking hold. Odd bumps dot my face and my skin seems to be hardening into some kind of shell. I also feel strong, able to lift
great weights with ease. I must work quickly to finish my latest antidote formula, though it shall likely be my last.
[The text on the next page resembles haphazard scratches, each letter varying greatly in size and shape]
Expedition Day ???
My spine has become twisted and my limbs elongated. I fight back urges to kill, but that compulsion grows stronger. I feel I am fading away. I can no longer remember the name of my wife. My children. May they
never suffer this fate.
[The rest of the journal is nothing but smudges of green and orange. Indecipherable scribbles are strewn erratically about the journal. There are no further entries.]
Quick Facts
Type: Journal
Ohmna: Leaders and Scions
———————————————————————–
Despite being near the completion of our great work here on Nexus, Vorion continues to develop technology to improve the inherent flaws in lesser organisms. His latest work, which he calls Project Legacy, uses an advanced prototype weapon to test the physical and mental capabilities those who wield it, allowing us to ascertain the strongest and most capable individuals in the galaxy.
Arming such individuals with our technology does pose certain risks, but only in the unlikely scenario that something catastrophic were to befall us here.
Quick Facts
Type: Datacube
[The final dictated diary entry of an unfortunate explorer has a singular focus, and is burned onto the broken, blood-encrusted screen.]
MY LEGS! Oh gods it hurts it hurts it HUUURTS why did I ever try that jump? Why did I think it was a good idea to – oh gods is that bone poking through the skin? And is that my – sitting on top of my – oh gods, it is. GYAAARGH! The pain the pain the PAIN why the stars did I come to this gods-forsaken planet in the first place?
Okay just – just calm down. Medishot… numbing pain enough… to talk. Legs… shattered. My attempt to reach the heart of the Sanctuary… doomed to fail. If you are reading this, turn back. TURN BACK before you take one lousy STINKING MISSTEP and plummet to the floor of this hellscape of a – oh stars the pain’s coming back. Too much to concentrate. Must reach… medishots. Belt. Where’s my belt. Oh, it’s on my – with the – oh no. Hey! Get away from that!
I need it! Well… I will need it. If I can – why are you looking at me like that? Oh gods. Your eyes. Why are they like that? Please, I need help. Don’t – please, no – not my legs. Not my legs! What are you – don’t eat that! Gods – nerves must be – totally severed – or pain would be oh NO GODS NO THOSE ONES AREN’T SEVERED gyagharghGODS ALMIGHTY the chewing the chewing oh gods OH GODS HELP ME the horrible chewing and crunching and
GYAAAAAAAAGHHHH –
[The remainder of the screen is filled with the autorecord AI’s valiant attempts to write out the agonized sounds.]
Quick Facts
Type: Journal
– FIRST DRAFT –
Property of Dr. Harkov Zelvic
May not be reproduced without the express consent of Dr. Harkov Zelvic
“Dr. Harkov Zelvic” is a trademark of Dr. Harkov Illic Markev Dakor Kizkov Zelvic
All Rights Reserved
NATURE OF THE INFECTION
The nanobiotic nature of the highly adaptable infection known colloquially as “corruption” appears to allow it to spread at an even more alarming rate in hive-mind species of insectoids.
The rapid infectiousness of this bio-phage displays similar behavior to the techno-phage which affects mechanical beings such as constructs, bots, even Mechari. And just as the techno-phage spreads incredibly quickly by hijacking communications signals between mechanicals, it appears a mild form of latent telepathy in the hive-mind insectoid species of Nexus allows the bio-phage to do the same.
OBSERVED BEHAVIOR
Although “ordinary” Strain-corrupted creatures are generally mindless and aggressive, with little in the way of coordinated strategies, both hive-mind insectoids and mechanicals continue to display unexpected cunning and intelligence – fighting together, planning complex attacks, and even protecting their area of influence in the same way an army would protect its flanks.
POTENTIAL TREATMENT
At this time, there is no known or accepted treatment for the so-called “Strain” corruption on the planet Nexus, unless one considers extermination a form of treatment. The Strain, which displays clear signs of hive sentience, conclusively spreads more quickly among beings with hive-mind intelligence, be it biological or mechanical. If we can document the principles behind corruption’s heightened infection rates within such populations,
interrupting these signals could profoundly slow the rapid onslaught of the disease and might even be used to reverse the effects. Even if infected creatures cannot be saved, this resistance must be studied if the Strain is ever to be defeated once and for all.
RECOMMENDED DISPOSAL
Complete and total incineration still appears to be the best way to deal with the remains of experimental subjects or encroaching corrupted insectoid hives.
Quick Facts
Type: Journal
