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Defender Text: Corruption – A Demon Made Affliction

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AFTER THE DESTRUCTION OF THE LIBRARY DEFENDERS HAVE BEEN RUSHING TO RECOVER TEXTS FROM THE PAST. SOME HAVE EVEN SPENT TIME TO WRITE NEW ENTRIES INTO THE LIBRARY.

BELOW ARE TEXTS ADDED DURING THE LAST FEW DAYS. THESE DEFENDER TEXTS ARE ALL WRITTEN FROM ONE PERSON’S POINT OF VIEW AND BELIEF…

The affliction currently plaguing these lands known as the Corruption was introduced to me soon after my joining the Defenders. 

The Corruption was first brought to the attention of Defenders following the defeat of Arua. Defender Gwyn, who was injured fighting the false goddess, became critically ill. It is believed Arua’s weapon was coated in Corruption, similar to a poison coating used by Hawkers and Dealers.

It is currently estimated the Corruption consists of 30 components, chiefly a variety of herbs that began to grow around the four planets. The Corruption is a long developed affliction, brought into being by the Demon General Samedi, and tested and administered by his demon subordinates, the Plagues of Samedi, and later corrupted native Leaders.

Known Plagues

Lowcust, Plague of insects, tester of the Twilight Flame. Status: Sealed.

Bourbawnic, Plague of… Spears?. Obsessed with spear wielders. Status: sealed.

All of the Plagues of Samedi have been sealed. 

Symptoms

The skin blackens, the eyes turn bloodshot, the veins shimmer red. These symptoms bear a strong resemblance to the physical appearance of a Jabberwocky, which suggests that while the Jabberwocky has no primary role in the Corruption, some inspiration in the Corruption’s design was taken from a Jabberwocky.

Once the physical body has changed, the aura begins to mutate and turn against the body. Creates internal pressure until the heart ceases to function from stress.

Defender Gwyn died five days after the onset of symptoms.

Kera, Warden of the Sikuku Underground Prison, developed some method to stop the Corruption from killing her after she contracted the affliction. This method is unknown, but has allowed her to harness the Corruption for her own ends. In her words, “I have Become It.”

Behavior

Once the final herb was handed in by Defender Rin, the Faction immediately set to work on recreating the Corruption for Study.

Defender Josh, upon first learning of the Corruption, likened the affliction to a mold. I personally accept this theory of behavior.

In its natural state, the Corruption is a phlegm-like substance. Make no mistake, the Corruption is a Living Thing with a will of its own, capable of movement. If not properly contained, it will latch onto exposed skin and cause severe burns. It is believed this burning is done so that the Corruption can pass through the skin of the host and begin Corrupting it. 

In the presence of cold, the Corruption becomes sluggish. For this reason it initially struggled to take hold in Lunar.

If left in the presence of an MP potion, it has been seen the Corruption will attempt to grab the bottle and start climbing walls, as if trying to carry the restorative somewhere.

In non-Defender (human maybe?) hosts, the Corruption creates a hive mind, all units following the orders of a leader. A leader will usually issue commands via screams or snorts, having lost the ability to communicate via what we perceive as intelligent speech. It has been noted by multiple individuals, including Defender Delia and Solia of the Mahdan, that even upon killing a host of the Corruption, the Corruption continues to communicate after death.

Upon granting rest to the Corrupted Calamity Behemoth inside the Ulverick Hive, the hairs of the behemoth continued to move, seemingly communicating. At this time, it does not appear that killing the host is enough to kill the Corruption inside them.

Method of Infection

The Corruption substance must be injected/applied via contact with blood. For Defenders, this is most likely during combat with a demon and suffer an injury. The Corruption cannot be transferred through proximity to the Corrupted, like a common cold.

Means of Combat and Treatment

Faction members Atyus and Ranna assisted in discovering that the highly dangerous mixture of Hermes and Enthiric crystallizes the Corruption. Poisoning it and leaving it brittle. The Faction proceeded, with the assistance of alchemist Liefang, to weaponize this mixture into 16 bombs that were used to destroy the Corrupted Hive of Junon.

When Ranna reported that Kera had found a means to harness the Corruption and prevent it from killing her, the Faction came to the realization they could liquify and extract the Corruption before the crystal fusion process could kill the host. This method is currently under investigation.

The demon Mictlantecuhtli of Eldeon, an associate of the so-called Blood King, made note that his venom could not influence those already afflicted with the Corruption. “Hmm… red sparks fight my green ones… That Hex is indeed something else. A strange energy…” 

Seemingly the Corruption stands in opposition to the Living Energy and abilities of other demons. However further investigation is needed.

Components

Aegean Aralia

Corruption Role:
Natural Effect:

Azure Echinecea

Corruption Role:
Natural Effect:

Basil Lovage

Corruption Role:
Natural Effect:

Bronze Arnic

Corruption Role:
Natural Effect:

Cedar Turmeric

Corruption Role:
Natural Effect:

Cerberus Thorn

Corruption Role:
Natural Effect:

Cobalt Cassia

Corruption Role:
Natural Effect:

Crimson Barberry
Corruption Role:

Natural Effect: when mixed with distilled water, acts as a sedative for livestock. When mixed with distilled water and sprig powder, provides the same effect in humans.

Crystal Creeper Root

Corruption Role:
Natural Effect:

Dancolion Ging:
Corruption Role:
Natural Effect: Food flavoring for goblins. Used to make chocolate treats.

Dijon Dill

Corruption Role:
Natural Effect:

Dracosite Root

Corruption Role: Potentially responsible for the hive mind state of corrupted creatures and beings.

Natural Effect: grows in Nepenthes nests, acts as a parasite with mind control properties.

Gold Zelkova

Corruption Role:
Natural Effect:

Honey Ginger

Corruption Role:
Natural Effect:

Moss Chamommile

Corruption Role:
Natural Effect:

Olive Marjoram
Corruption Role:

Natural Effect: critical poison treatment.

Pine Fennel

Corruption Role:
Natural Effect:

Plasmoid Aloe. A green herb with four sharp leaves.

Corruption role: Via insight from Defender Ranna, identified as one of the most vital components of the Corruption for its ability to cause energy spikes and manipulate the aura.
Natural effect: When not in the Corruption, behaves as the antithesis to Noctilucent Leaf, or as stated by Faction staff Pabel, “drains toxic energy”.

Sage Hyssop

Corruption Role:
Natural Effect:

Sapphire Saffron

Corruption Role:
Natural Effect:

Sky Lavender

Corruption Role:
Natural Effect:

Tawny Primherb

Corruption Role:
Natural Effect:

Walnutiscus Herb

Corruption Role:
Natural Effect:

-Defender Ranna, Charter servant

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