[ In a small black notebook. Identified and shown to Viktor and Jayce for easy access when they want to read and compare; otherwise it will be hidden. ]
Notes containing what she has heard and observed at the info-gathering, mainly about Lupê, their role in the Katalyth's issues. Notes from talking to people, mostly emphasizing needing to get rid of the Katalyth. (Mel's side note - So, some sort of removal process? But how exactly are they doing that safely?)
Additional notes: everyone practically knows someone who is suffering from arcane radiation, getting sicker. Many have died.
A page is folded and stuck in there, like a journal entry torn out. Mel's own experiences being close to the Katalyth: detailing how it was easier to be around certain other individuals, that touching that person seemed to result in feeling safer. Mel makes a note (twice crossed out before finally relenting to be honest) that she was having hallucinations when she was too close, all gruesome, all about home-related activities. No specific details about what she saw.
Finally, a sticky note added later: Silco mentioned rumors that pieces of Katalyth may be in the city. Smuggled? Unsure how. Assuming he's looking into it. Will be following up. Even more notes later, all in Mel's flowing script, this time a bit more formal: • Is the Katalyth alive? Shows signs of being reactive to a person's presence. • Are our 'Natural Souls' already infused with something else (i.e. magic) prior to being given to us? What makes them able to withstand the arcane radiation better? • Animals and plants in forest seem to have adapted to arcane radiation. How? • Why is it easier to manage symptoms from Katalyth if we're closer to someone else? Difference between touching their arm versus being in their presence? • Spoke with someone who 'felt' something from the Katalyth but could not identify what. Will test again.
There is an attached picture of something oddly translucent. On closer inspection, it looks like shriveled snake skin but large enough to have encompassed a human's shape at one time. It's impossible to determine what room or individual it came from and Mel did not write a name on it. Mel's notes, in her script (with some minor abnormalities in writing with longer claws nails): • Patho-Gen has access to some kind of device that can knock us cold. Likely connected to the Augmenter. Following up with C. • Transformation likely will affect our internal organs, not solely our external features. Spoke with someone believing their digestive system was being changed. (Unpleasant.) • Having dreams of flight. Woke up on the roof in Shift, was about to jump off. • More and more evidence that these nightmares may be echoes from the Natural Soul we've been given. Memories, maybe. Encountered a few who admitted to having dreams of harming others, being harmed themselves, of personal suffering. One person spoke of being in a bright room and being cut open. Patho-Gen, maybe? Note written in cypher for practice: Keep an eye on Silco.
• There are people here who have been given 'dead souls' by Patho-Gen. Uncertain of symptoms or who has these. Been told one has been feeling increasingly ill. 'Working as intended' by Patho-Gen. Individual was dead prior to coming to Karteria. • Lights in Kelesis area. They look like souls. Couldn't get further, nearly fainted. • Gojo threw several attempts at a letter to Kelesis. We both received 'word' back. There was a message traced in mud. (Picture attached): "Karteria does much. Good and bad. They have protected us. They have harmed us. They are people, like us. We do not resent them.
Sorry. It has been long. Since we exchanged words with anyone. We will deliberate showing our city to you. Treat our citizens kindly." There is a pencil drawing of Pom's Shifted form, his growths, and injuries. There are smaller notes in the corners of the picture, circling the pieces. • Why did they manifest like this? • Increased exposure to Katalyth seems to addle thoughts. Or bring out thoughts already there?
And, further down: • Can Imprints truly be forced on someone unwillingly or without their knowledge? Late in the month, pencil drawings of her new bird legs, and an attached picture of them.
Notebook filled with various sketches of her own changes as seen in a mirror, including some pictures. Sketches of various others are present, though without clarified facial features to give the element of privacy.
Things sketched: large bird wings, the arms and joints of a blue golem, a plant hand, a scorpion tail, mantis 'teeth', feathered claws, a wolf tail, a monstrous paw.
Information is also compiled about Kelesis: the appearance of soul lights, confirmation that there is something underground, instances of conversations that have gone nowhere and the topics brought up.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mel's notes
[april 2025 - IC y.931]
Additional notes: everyone practically knows someone who is suffering from arcane radiation, getting sicker. Many have died.
A page is folded and stuck in there, like a journal entry torn out. Mel's own experiences being close to the Katalyth: detailing how it was easier to be around certain other individuals, that touching that person seemed to result in feeling safer. Mel makes a note (twice crossed out before finally relenting to be honest) that she was having hallucinations when she was too close, all gruesome, all about home-related activities. No specific details about what she saw.
Finally, a sticky note added later: Silco mentioned rumors that pieces of Katalyth may be in the city. Smuggled? Unsure how. Assuming he's looking into it. Will be following up.
Even more notes later, all in Mel's flowing script, this time a bit more formal:
• Is the Katalyth alive? Shows signs of being reactive to a person's presence.
• Are our 'Natural Souls' already infused with something else (i.e. magic) prior to being given to us? What makes them able to withstand the arcane radiation better?
• Animals and plants in forest seem to have adapted to arcane radiation. How?
• Why is it easier to manage symptoms from Katalyth if we're closer to someone else? Difference between touching their arm versus being in their presence?
• Spoke with someone who 'felt' something from the Katalyth but could not identify what. Will test again.
[may 2025 - IC y.931]
Mel's notes, in her script (with some minor abnormalities in writing with longer
clawsnails):• Patho-Gen has access to some kind of device that can knock us cold. Likely connected to the Augmenter. Following up with C.
• Transformation likely will affect our internal organs, not solely our external features. Spoke with someone believing their digestive system was being changed. (Unpleasant.)
• Having dreams of flight. Woke up on the roof in Shift, was about to jump off.
• More and more evidence that these nightmares may be echoes from the Natural Soul we've been given. Memories, maybe. Encountered a few who admitted to having dreams of harming others, being harmed themselves, of personal suffering. One person spoke of being in a bright room and being cut open. Patho-Gen, maybe?
Note written in cypher for practice: Keep an eye on Silco.
[june 2025 - IC y.931]
• Lights in Kelesis area. They look like souls. Couldn't get further, nearly fainted.
• Gojo threw several attempts at a letter to Kelesis. We both received 'word' back. There was a message traced in mud.
(Picture attached): "Karteria does much. Good and bad. They have protected us. They have harmed us. They are people, like us. We do not resent them.
Sorry. It has been long. Since we exchanged words with anyone. We will deliberate showing our city to you. Treat our citizens kindly."
There is a pencil drawing of Pom's Shifted form, his growths, and injuries. There are smaller notes in the corners of the picture, circling the pieces.
• Why did they manifest like this?
• Increased exposure to Katalyth seems to addle thoughts. Or bring out thoughts already there?
And, further down:
• Can Imprints truly be forced on someone unwillingly or without their knowledge?
Late in the month, pencil drawings of her new bird legs, and an attached picture of them.
[july 2025 - IC y.931]
Things sketched: large bird wings, the arms and joints of a blue golem, a plant hand, a scorpion tail, mantis 'teeth', feathered claws, a wolf tail, a monstrous paw.
Information is also compiled about Kelesis: the appearance of soul lights, confirmation that there is something underground, instances of conversations that have gone nowhere and the topics brought up.