Who Though This Creature Up

[Gennadiya Lyosha]

Gennadiya Lyosha

25 Arc Human Female
Plantium Blond Hair and Sapphire Blue Eyes
Favored of Ymiden and Moseke
Blue Cloak of the Adunih

The Autopsy Butcher

Who Though This Creature Up

Ashan 23 720

Gennadiya stood in the room that she had taken over as a laboratory. It was a rather hapdash kind of place, Genna hadn’t planned on leading up a research into the biology of these flametouched monsters. She had original done her first autopsy so she could research into better ways to kill the creatures in an effort to save more life. She should have known better then to start on it. No on else had wanted to do so suddenly she found herself as the expert. Which wasn’t the best Genna though. She had done medicine research for arcs now and helped with other people research but hadn’t ever really led a project so it was her work room had assembled slowly over time.

To also be fair Genna primary occupation here was as a healer and so when needed her research would be abandoned. To help keep soldiers alive. On this trial she had been informed that she had found herself with time, and another creature for her to take apart. Genna had firmly informed them that they were NOT to drop it on her table waiting for her to get to it. Now she was aware that when the creature was killed, she would have to look into it quickly or else lose the sample, and so she was here today.

In the center of the room was the examination table. The blond-haired healer cursed that table as she really hatted scrubbing the stupid thing after each autopsy. The cleaner’s attitude was like why clean the butchers table. Genna didn’t want her research contaminated so after each session she personally made sure it was cleaned and the remains of these monsters completely deposed off. The table occupied the center of the room with plenty of room to move around its four sides so that there would be easy access to any part of the creature with out having to move it. She had confiscated a few bookcase and little shelves to hold items she needed. There was a small end table with a chair shoved under it where Genna could write notes as she came to various stopping points.

She had a shelf with bottles filled with alcohol filled with parts that she had thought about researching more but hadn’t really had a chance to. Other selves held the notebooks that she had made notes in. The small quantity of books showed a reflection of the slowness process not Genna’s unwillingness to take notes. Genna had learned from Faith and understood the importance. Though at this point most them were observations. There were other books of course that she had borrowed from the library about previous encounters with these creatures.

Genna herself was dressed in browns, the best color to hide gore, with a pair of clean gloves, and her hair up and out of the way. Currently she was waiting for the man who brough her the beast’s body to arrive with the ugly thing. Genna did find the verity and different shapes of these things quite unique, which made her very suspicious that they weren’t natural. The physiological part of her training really did make her wonder if they weren’t the by product of something other than nature.

While waiting Genna sat down at her small desk and began her entries about todays autopsy.

Effects

Hair glows slightly from Ymiden's mark
A Green tree on shoulder blade from Mosekes mark
In possession of a magic Rose which heals scares.

[Faith Augustin]

Once, so very long ago, Faith had been allowed to observe and assist at an autopsy. Despite the fact that she was a slave, the doctor had allowed her to be there. Faith had found it utterly fascinating. Indeed, for a long time, dead bodies were all that she worked on; owned by an undertaker, that was how she learned. Now, she was part of the group who were bringing in the corpse of the latest kill to Gennadiya.

Faith had arrived there this morning and she had been faced with a new disease. That had been taking her attention but, when she heard that Gennadiya was here and was going to be performing an autopsy on the creatures - that she was in fact following up on other findings she had, Faith could not resist the chance to find out. Knowing things, learning things, had always been a pull for the earnest young Zuuda and now was no different. So, as the white-cloaked head of the Order of the Adunih helped the other two members who were carrying in a very strange-looking corpse, Faith smiled at Gennadiya. "Hello, doctor," she said softly. Faith never worried about being involved, getting her hands dirty or doing the heavy lifting - part of her background, of course - and so she more than pulled her weight.

Once the creature was on the table, Faith smiled at Genna. "You've been doing a great job here. I'm sorry I couldn't come and help sooner," Faith had been, she explained, somewhere where magic, marks, and so on didn't work and thus she had not received any communication and had no means to travel even had she been able to. "Except the old fashioned kind, of course," her expression was careful - neutral, even - as she spoke about having been away. Faith wasn't going to share any information about that, so she was careful to keep what she said to a minimum.

"What have you already found?" Faith asked. She had with her, which she handed to Genna, some notes on what she'd been doing. "The new disease? I think it's mutating the blood in the victims. Is that congruent with your findings?" Faith would be the first to admit that blood was a focus of hers - but this was, undoubtedly, odd. "But there are different varieties of these creatures?" Faith took in all the information that Gennadiya could provide.

When they'd spoken through what Gennadiya had already found - they'd have a structure to go with and they would be able to get on. "Do you think these are creations or mutations of existing animals?" Faith asked. She wondered because it might help them to understand. "And is there any indication of ... have you run any tests on their blood?" There were a thousand thoughts she had, but, Faith was nothing if she was not polite and so, she looked at her colleague and she smiled. "May I join you, Doctor?"

And she waited for Gennadiya to lead. Then, she would step in alongside.

[Gennadiya Lyosha]

Gennadiya Lyosha

25 Arc Human Female
Plantium Blond Hair and Sapphire Blue Eyes
Favored of Ymiden and Moseke
Blue Cloak of the Adunih

The Autopsy Butcher

Who Though This Creature Up

Ashan 23 720

Genna had finished making her entry stating the relevant information of about the date, and the planned activities and the relevant information she knew about it. It was then that she could hear the sound of people bringing in the next monster. The blue eyes healer set down the pen and grabbed for an apron. Her clothing in necessary could be disposed of but she wasn’t the rich girl who would just buy something new, anymore. She cared for her things and took efforts to protect them. The apron was also a lot easier to clean. Genna looked over and confirmed that she had gloves set aside. Originally she had only used regular gloves that would protect her hands, but now she had a pair of thick leather gloves that could take heat for short periods of time.

Now she waited to see what was brought in before she selected her handware. Genna was surprised as Faith walked into the room helping to carry the beast. Her expression showed her surprise, and just at seeing Faith. One couldn’t be a very good healer if you weren’t willing to carry a body (living or dead) so that didn’t even enter Genna’s thought. Her expression turned from surprise to true pleasure at seeing her friend, oh and the head of her Order. “Welcome doctor.” Genna returned with a broad smile

They were bringing in one of the larger Fire Rams that caused a fair amount of problems, but had been killed close enough to make it worth hauling the thing back. Genna moved forward to help direct the creature to be placed large table. There was grunting as creature was lifted onto the table and unceremoniously set down. “Thank you.” She said to her siblings in healing as they nodded and panted before stepping out. Faith offered her praise for Genna’s work and apologies for not being there sooner, Genna nodded her acceptance though her expression said no apology was necessary and she blushed a bit at the praise. The Lysorian woman realized that Faith ran a world wide organization as head of this order, and she also was the Champion of an Immortal. Being busy was in her job description.

Genna listed to Faith explanation about where she was, even while she adjusted the corpse so that it was positioned so they could more easily access critical parts. She was also well aware that Faith wasn’t sharing everything, and didn’t want to. That was okay with the healer who as a Favored of Ymiden often dealt with people who for good reason didn’t want to tell everything. Her faith and trust in Faith was such she trusted if she needed to know then Faith would tell her. Genna did smile at Faith when she mentioned traveling the old fashioned way. “Before I came to Rharne I only used the old fashioned ways to travel, so I understand.”

Then the word really began. Genna was helping with dieses, but one of the gold cloaks had taken control of that project as Genna worked on these beasts, but she did have the gold’s notes, and her own observations and then what she had seen here. “I think changing is the word of the hour.” Genna said and went over what she had seen and gathered from the others. “I know its fairly obvious but I am sure we have the same architect as the Flametouched Plague back in Rharne. The mode of transport has changed, and this is far more subtle, but yes they are trying to change blood and I suspect to make it change other parts of the body.” Genna thought for a moment. “Even though we found a cure back in Rharne to keep people alive, in a way that plague was successful. Rharne is suddenly a washed with red heads.” Genna’s eyes narrowed. “I hate to ask but what change is this disease trying to make.”

Genna eyes showed she was still in thought as she walked over and pulled out the journals she had made, the couple that showed the autopsy notes of the creatures she had worked on. In the case of the same creatures she didn’t necessarily rewrite everything she had written before, just any times something was different or she did something different. She also handed the journal with her thoughts, questions and answers. “The creatures are different, but the creature themselves all have a theme, and not to beat the obvious over the head, fighting and fire.” Together they went over the notes she had taken, and Genna pulled the samples she had collected, include her collection of gem shards.

The platinum haired healer didn’t hesitate when asked “Mutations. They are following an existing physical structure of creatures, only specific areas that satisfy certain needs have changed. I also believe the presence of the gem in the brain is a fair indicator as well.” Genna shook her head. “I would love to have help. As for testing blood, no, in that regard I failed. Originally my main focus was to find weakness in the creatures, and it was only as I reviewed note and moved to the important parts of what I was seeing. That and by the time I got to most of them the blood was drained or diluted.” She looked at the fairly fresh monster. “This one though seems to have come straight from being killed.” She looked at Faith. “Checking the blood would be good on this one. Also since its new we will need to check to see if it has a gem in the brain as well.”

The two began to get things set up. Genna began a blood letting to collect the samples they needed before nature destroyed the evidence while Faith could set up the other equipment. It was a slow process but soon Genna had a few samples. She made sure they were covered and secured before they could become more contaminated. During this process Genna kept having the same thought and final spoke to Faith. “I know with out an Autopsy I am completely jumping to conclusions but I think we need a blood sample of a Ram. If this did come from Ram we will have a base comparison.”

The young woman wasn’t actually asking permission, just explaining where she was about to disappear to. Genna had trust in her knowledge and her skills that she didn’t need everyone else’s permissions. She was also aware of her own bias in this questions, but really felt the comparison would answer a lot of questions. Pulling off her gloves Genna took some sample tubes and marched from the room. She returned a bit later with some samples from a Ram.

Effects

Hair glows slightly from Ymiden's mark
A Green tree on shoulder blade from Mosekes mark
In possession of a magic Rose which heals scares.

[Faith Augustin]

She listened to Genna's thought processes and what she had done already. The gem in the brain was an interesting fact and Faith noted it carefully. What Genna had found was all important and the young Champion of Famula nodded her head. "You've done well," she said, honestly. "I'd like to have a look at these gems, too." Although not a mage, Faith wondered whether this was some magical thing or whether the disruption of ether would help fight these creatures. Something had to.

There would be an answer, she knew. There always was. So far.

Genna described things well, what she had found and what the similarities between these creatures was. Faith got busy getting everything ready as Genna took the blood samples and, as she did, Faith's mind ticked over, from one thing to another and then another. "I would suggest," she said, softly, "that we need to have a look at this in terms of not just a rams blood, but also thinking about the fire and fighting angle. Do we have anyone who is Aukari here?" She glanced up from what she was doing and gave the slightest grin. "I'm assuming none of the people here are marked by him, or openly his children.". Thankfully, though, she told Genna, "I have a literally perfect memory, thank to Vri. I'll check it against the Aukari blood that we used previously, in the Dust Quarter," Faith nodded as Gennadiya took some vials and, while the healer was gone, Faith got on with what she could here. Quickly, she came to the conclusion that Gennadiya was correct, this was something similar to the plague they had already seen.

She got blood on to some glass slides, which she then took some time to look at under the magnifier, which she brought out from her Domain Bag. She looked at it closely, making careful notes as she did. Then, Faith got started on trying to find this gem in the brain. That would be key, she was sure. So, she concentrated her work there, once she'd investigated the blood. When Gennadiya got back, Faith looked up and smiled slightly. "There's a gem," she said, although she hadn't yet removed it, she'd opened up the area so that they could. "Also, that blood is interesting. It has a lot of similarities with the Aukari blood I've studied before, but there's animal blood too." Nodding her head to the vials in Gennadiya's hands, she expressed her thoughts. "Good instincts, I'd say. I imagine when we compare them, then we'll see that somehow this is Aukari-like blood mixed with Ram-like blood and I would bet a shining golden nel that this gem is the answer."

Faith was, in all things, careful and here she was no different. "Have you touched these with bare hands? Where are they kept?" This was important because Faith wanted to make sure that they were secured. Safely locked away. Faith looked at Gennadiya and said, quite seriously and calmly. "I have an ability which will give us more information about this - potentially. But if it goes wrong, then I'd like you to pull me away, alright?" Ever since the mirror in the base in Uthaldria, Faith had been cautious.

But, either way, she looked down at the gem and frowned, concentrating. She was quiet for a moment, then she spoke. "There's a young Aukari. Full-blooded, I'd say. Pale, gaunt, his eyes are sunken in. He doesn't look well. He's somewhere dark, dank, no windows." Faith lifted her eyes which were now glowing red. "This is more than important to him. This gem. It's part of his identity, part of who he is. He's sweating, his pupils are dilated, and his breathing is ragged and laboured." Her frown deepened.

"I need to get a book, or some information, about Faldrun," Faith said, determinedly. "I need to know what his blessing does - and his curse." She looked at Genna and she gave a slight smile, though it was mirthless. "Especially his curse. " She raised an eyebrow, her eyes maintaining the red glow which accompanied her use of her Zuuda abilities. "Can we ask someone to fetch it from the library? And if we have a Faldrun cursed person here, then I'd like to know about it. I'm going to ask for a message to go out."

Ability Used

Zuuda Ability: Dedication (Adored)
This ability allows a Zuuda to dedicate a new anchor for a ghost. This new Anchor cannot be greater in number than the amount the ghost is allowed to have, according to their type. If they have lost an Anchor, they can have a new one dedicated to them with this ability, and this allows the Zuuda to dedicate the additional anchor associated with moving between types of ghost. Additionally this ability can remove one Anchor from a ghost and replace it with another. This ability cannot remove a Zuuda Anchor from a Wisp without dedicating another. Curiously this ability is also adept at discerning the true owner of certain items. When walking through a home or picking up an item, the Zuuda will see, in their minds eye, the face of the person who most strongly considers this item their own and how important the item or location is to them.

[Vivian Shiryu]

Vivian grumbled to herself as she headed down to where the autopsies of the slain flamebeasts was taking place. She had left orders with some of the privates that she was to be informed when the autopsies began, but it had evidently taken a sergeant reminding them about it in order for them to actually get around to letting her know. As it was, she was only just know finding out about the autopsies, and she hadn't even been able to leave her office right away since she had been cross checking their supplies in order to see what still needed to be ordered and that had been too important to just set aside.

Still, Vivian thought to herself as she calmed down, it was likely that she would have already been working on the supplies when the autopsies started, so she wouldn't have gotten there any sooner. So by the time she reached where the autopsies were taking place, Vivian was much calmer. There were two privates outside the room just in case something happened, and she nodded to them as she approached. The two saluted her, then stood aside for her, with one of the privates even opening the door for her. Vivian saluted back, then nodded her thanks at the private who had opened the door before stepping in, the private shutting the door behind her.

Vivian stopped and looked at the breacher ram on the table with some distaste, then looked at the two doctors conducting the autopsy and smiled. "Ah, hello Doctor. Welcome to Storms Edge. How long have you been here?" Vivian said, grinning slightly at Faith. The two women had become friends over the course of the war, though they had admittedly gotten off to a rocky start. "And hello, doctor Gennadiya." she said, nodding at the healer, who had been working at Storms Edge for some time now. "Now, those things, they were a proper pain to kill." she said, gesturing at the breacher. "So, have we learned anything useful yet?" she asked, stepping up to the table, though she made sure not to touch anything.

[Gennadiya Lyosha]

Gennadiya Lyosha

25 Arc Human Female
Plantium Blond Hair and Sapphire Blue Eyes
Favored of Ymiden and Moseke
Blue Cloak of the Adunih

Currently Preparing for War

Thread Name

Time Stamp

Gennadiya had grown used to working by herself in the lab, but she was pleased to have Faith there with her. The woman working with the Lysorian healer was younger but had pushed her bounds and achieved so much in her lifetime. Genna thought she pushed her self but had discovered since coming to Rharne that she really had spent much of the arcs before coming to the mountain city resting on her laurels. Faith had managed to grasp in this explanation what other members of the order hadn’t exactly understood.

Listening she gave a slight nod. “I am not aware of anyone claiming to be Aukari at the fortress, I have meet a few red heads while here.” Genna didn’t go into that particular encounter, “but that doesn’t actually mean anything. I would normally ask around, but with general feeling right now I don’t think they would be willing to come forth.” The young woman had forgotten about Faith’s perfect memory since she didn’t have one, but she did recall it now and smiled. “A sample would be better but if we can’t get then let’s use Vri gift. I hadn’t thought about it but looking into aggression and fire affinity would tell us quiet a lot.

Genna stepped out of the room to fetch the ram’s blood. She returned a while later having been reminded why it was that she didn’t work much with animals. The stupid creature had understandable been less than happy about the bloodletting, but the thing have been a challenge even before she had cut the thing.

Genna, holding the vials in one hand brushed a strand of hair back, which had escaped while she convinced the ram people’s lives were at stake. Before she had finished entering the room the strand had slipped back to handing along the side of her face. Genna inwardly sighed and continued with placing the vials down carefully. It was nice to find someone else working on things while she had been out. It was something that had proved frustrating. There was a certain balance to these studies, the biggest being that once you opened a creature you had to move quickly so if she needed something she had to weight carefully the balance.

Faith had already opened up the brain but not removed the gem. Genna listened to her friend’s comments, question and instructions and paused before answering. “I have never touch the gems with my hands. Beyond touching the creatures exterior to get a record of how it feels, and in these causes how hot it is, I always wear gloves so when I found it the first time I was wearing gloves, and felt since then that handling something I clearly don’t understand wouldn’t be the best practice.” She walked over to a shelf were she had a box she was keeping them in. “I keep them in here and it is one of the things I bring with me to and from my rooms when I retire. Though in all honesty since I started dissecting beasts in this room, well people have been avoiding it.” Genna’s eyes twinkled with humor. “I have found some of the knights fairly squeamish about the whole thing.” She returned the box to the shelf which anyone would have to walk past her to get to. “Though I have avoided advertising the presences of these gems.”

Genna nodded her head in understand of her assignment, not really having anything useful to say back. Her eyes focused intently upon Faith even as she grabbed her notebook. She didn’t write everything that Faith said, but neatly listed the main points that she said

Young Aukari
Full Blooded?
Sickly.
Dark and Dank – No Light
Gem connect to Identity
Sweating,
Dilated pupils
Heavy breathing

Genna finished the last of her quick notes as Faith made a, upon reflection, reasonable jump to Fauldren and his marks. Faith’s eyes turning red wasn’t new to her but it still did give her paused for a moment before she registered the questions. The young healer was aware of the two guards who were supposed to be stationed outside of the room, but that was kind of dependent of who brought the creature in that trial, as Genna tended to forget letting them know at what hours these were occurring. Thought to be honest she came in at the same time every trail to see if there was something to be taken apart.

The platinum haired woman was about to go and use one as an errand boy when Comander Vivian stepped into the room. This was a trail for visitors, but Genna smiled at the Knight who while still not to familiar with had impressed her.

Greetings were exchanged and Genna responded in kind with a nod and “Welcome Commander Vivian.” Then they got to the point. The blue cloak spoke up first and said “We haven’t gotten to far on this particular specimen, but I do have some notes on some of the other creatures such as armor weakness, blind spots and such.” Killing these things had been one of the original objectives. “Though we are beginning to strongly suspect that some….thing is changing existing creatures to make these.” She looked at Faith. “Faith and I have uncounted such activity before with the Ember Plague a couple cycles back. Hopefully this time we can maybe pin point a source.” She to let Faith add what she felt was relevant while Genna went to the door.

“Private I need one of you to go to the library and find a book on Fauldren, specifically about his marks and curses. The Librarian should be able to help you.” Then she returned the other women as the Private blinked and then went the short distance to the library. Genna then walked over and picked the chest of gems and came back. “We are finding these in brains of the creatures. Do you happen to have any highly skilled mages on staff who could help us identify what magical abilities these have?”

Effects

Hair glows slightly from Ymiden's mark
A Green tree on shoulder blade from Mosekes mark
In possession of a magic Rose which heals scares.

[Faith Augustin]

They worked together well and, Faith considered, they were finding out quite a lot. However, the lack of Faldrun-marked or Faldrun-born was difficult. Faith's mind was working overtime, especially after she had seen the young Aukari male and she was trying to work out a way of showing him to everyone, when Vivian walked in. Faith looked at the soldier and she smiled slightly - Vivian and she had become friends during the war against Ellasin and the Coven. Faith had few enough friends that she recognised how precious they were and Vivian's stalwart loyalty had impressed her. Genna spoke to Vivian, and then, Faith addressed them both.

"I've used an ability to see who the true owner of these gems is." She explained what she saw there to Vivian - the young man. "I'd like to... I can place memories in to an item and, therefore, share them. I think it would be sensible to do that, Vivian, especially with the Knights here. However," Thought flew through her mind and Faith was thinking five steps ahead, of course. But then, she always was. "that will mean I lose the memory. That won't matter, hugely, but it is worth to know. Also," she glanced down at the body. "These are constructed from Aukari and Ram blood. Made. Definitely made. I suspect that gem, which powers them, may have something to do with Graft. But, just in case, I'm going to make sure that it isn't necromancy."

Before that, though, she explained to Vivian what she was thinking. [i["When we were preparing to fight the Sessfiend in Rynmere,"[/i] Vivian knew that story, Faith knew. "My husband modified crossbow bolts. I have them. I suggest we fill them with water from a Brightgleam Oasis. That way, we can practice specifically getting in and aiming for weak spots with weapons which will hurt them." But then, she gestured again and a frown crossed her face. "If you have, Vivian, anyone on your staff, among your numbers, or up your sleeve who is Aukari, marked by Faldrun, cursed by Faldrun or born of Faldrun, then please - please ask them for a sample of blood. It can remain between you and them who they are. It would help me if you could tell me their race, and any other marks or magics they have. I don't need to know which magic or mark, just that they have them."

Looking at the soldier with a serious gaze, Faith said, quite honestly. "It might - although this is not certain - it might be the key." WHatever Vivian said or did, Faith was happy to accept. The Knight had earned her trust. So, Faith took one of the gems, placing it far enough away from the others that only it was affected, if it was. Then, she used her Zuuda-granted ability to "Sever the Imposter" and wipe necromancy and its connections. Once she'd concentrated for a moment, she smiled. "Well, it's not necromancy."

[Vivian Shiryu]

As Genna gave her part of the report on what the two doctors had found, Vivian looked over the corpses they has already dissected. "If one of you can either make a list of what weaknesses you've found or dictate to a scribe, I'll make sure it gets circulated around the base and a copy sent to Rharne. The easier we can kill these things, the safer everyone will be." she said, her tone serious. When the topic of someone deliberately engineering the creatures came up, Vivian nodded. "It tracks. They haven't been acting like wild creatures. There's been a definite intelligent to their attacks, and they've all been a bit too well suited for whatever they're doing for it to just be random attacks." she said, her tone grim. "I was not looking forward to another war so soon." she said, before looking at the gem that Genna showed her. "Not any really strong mages that I'm aware of. I'm a mage myself, but I deal in Hone magic, which I don't believe touches on magic gemstones. I'll ask around, but I suspect you'd have better luck in Rharne proper or with a skilled alchemist." she said, shaking her head.

When Faith started on her part of the report, Vivian turned her attention to her friend. She cocked her head of the explanation of the memory showing and frowned slightly. "If you put the memory in a gem, couldn't you just watch the memory so that you know it as well, even after having given up the memory? Or are the gems a single-use thing? Someone watches it and then it breaks or something like that." she asked, her tone slightly confused, before she looked down at the Ramernickel. "Are you sure these stones are powered by magic, rather than being divine in origin? The Stormwastes were Faldrun's doing, after all, and he still has it in for Rharne and vice versa. These creatures are flame based, they could be his doing and not magical. Or one of his Champions with a unique ability." Vivian said, her tone calm.

Vivian went still when Faith talked about the demon that had possessed Zvezdana, but then seemed to shake herself a bit. There was nothing she could do for Zvezdana now, and getting angry or depressed about what had happened to her again would serve nobody. "The crossbow bolts would would help. I could wish we could do something similar for melee weapons, but I think that would make the steel too weak to be useful in combat." she said, before Faith asked if she had any Aukari or anyone with a connection to Faldrun at her command. Vivian's expression blanked for a moment, then she held up a hand and walked to the door. "Private, go stand guard at the end of the corridor. No one goes by you until I say otherwise, for any purpose." she said, her tone a very crisp order. When the private was at his new station, Vivian shut the door and walked back to Genna and Faith, before stopping to look at them both. "As we are all Wardens of the Lake, I ask that you both keep what I'm about to say to yourselves. None of this is gossip to be spread around." she said, her tone soft.

If either of them refused to keep what she said quiet, Vivian would shake her head and refuse to go on. If they both agreed, however, she would continue. "There are three Faldrun-born in the base at this very moment. All three are not only Lightning Knights, but also Wardens of the Lake. Two of them have given no permission to share their identities with strangers, but I'll ask them if they'd be willing. As to the third..." Vivian said, before shrugging. "Well, I can speak for myself plainly enough. I am of Faldrun's get, technically speaking, but as far as I'm concerned, that's just another failed bloodline that got, for lack of a better way to explain, melted out of me a while back." she said, before looking at Faith. "I can offer my own blood, but I don't know how helpful it will be. I don't know if I explained it during the war, but thanks to a mission in Emea, my blood is literally a liquid metal with a whole host of strange properties. I don't know if any blood connection to Faldrun remains. You're welcome to it if you think it'll help though. As for the rest of the details, I've got three different Blessings and one magic, and physically speaking I appear to be half-human and half-biqaj. Might just be half-human though." she said, her tone calm.

[Gennadiya Lyosha]

Gennadiya Lyosha

25 Arc Human Female
Plantium Blond Hair and Sapphire Blue Eyes
Favored of Ymiden and Moseke
Blue Cloak of the Adunih

Currently Preparing for War

Gennadiya had made notes of the different theories being presented so that as they collected information they could help prove, disprove, or expanded upon these theories or even see if they were different parts of the same thing. After making some notes she looked up and said, “I will get a list to one of Knights scribes. Unfortunately even with this knowledge this things will be a pain to kill.” She said making a note to make that list before continuing on. “You are correct commander it could be divine, and Faldrun is certainly a very likely candidate, and would have a lot of access to Aukari blood easily enough. Though I don’t think there is enough knowledge about magic among the three of use to really disqualify magic. So we will continue to follow down each path, until one proves correct, or more scarry maybe even both are used.”

Genna found the idea of the crossbow bolts filled with the water very interesting but didn’t really say anything since at this time she could barrel shoot a regular bow all that well. Though she did wondering if maybe a crossbow would be easier for someone in her position. It was during these though that the Faith brought up getting blood samples of a Faldrun offspring and from anyone cursed or marked by the Immortal. Genna though that would be a stretch since really how many mortalborn children were floating around the world.

Genna found a triple surprise waiting for her. The Commander got a funny lock on her face and after sending away the private and closing the door she made them promise to secrecy. Genna tilted her head and spoke. “I will not repeat anything you tell me in confidence.” That was true enough of the healer who guarded a number of people’s health information. That was the first surprise.

The Lysorian then found out that the Commander herself was a child of Faldrun. The young woman frankly wasn’t sure what to think, especially as she found out there were two others. So she drew upon her medical expression. Her expression was honestly interested and accepting, and in all truth the news didn’t change her view of the Commander at all. Genna more then anyone knew that you made your own person and your parents just made shell for you to live you life in.

The third surprise was the news about Vivian’s changed blood. At this an eyebrow shot up and interest overtook her expression completely. She tilted her head then and though about what she said about the changes. “I honestly have no clue.” She glanced at Faith. “I think that would depend on how it was changed. It is something completely different or was what you had altered so maybe it still has a similarities.” She was still looing at Faith. “Faith is more of the expert on blood so I would leave that up to her decision. Though from an academically view point, and possible even for you health, it might still be good to have an idea of how similar or not it is to the original blood.”

Effects

Hair glows slightly from Ymiden's mark
A Green tree on shoulder blade from Mosekes mark
In possession of a magic Rose which heals scares.

[Faith Augustin]

They had options now, and so Faith listened to Vivian and Gennadiya and she nodded her head. "Alright, then, this is what I suggest we do. Vivian, in a moment, I'll take some of your blood, if I may. While I'm doing that, Gennadiya would you mind getting started on preparing samples of blood from each of the creatures we have? Also, from each associated, or potentially associated animal? " That was the start of it, but only the start. "Then, Vivian, I'd like you to collect - or arrange to be collected - blood from a number of people. If you can't get them all, that's fine, but as many as we can, please?" Because they should leave no stone unturned, Faith knew - it was vital that they tried this. And, being who she was, she wanted to do it thoroughly.

So, first she took the blood from Vivian. Each vial she filled was labelled and numbered, then she wrote out a list.

List for Vivian

• A sample of blood (3 x vials) from each available race from a non-marked, non-magic using individual. Remember the note on mixed races.
• A sample of blood (3 x vials) from each available race from a non-marked, magic using individual. Preferably from each type of magic there is (Defiance, Attunement, Necromancy, Abrogation, Becoming, Empathy, Graft, Hone, Rupturing)
• A sample of blood (3 x vials) from each available race from a marked, non-magic using individual. As many of the Immortal marks as you can muster.
• A sample of blood (3 x vials) from each available race from a cursed individual. As many of the Immortal curses as you can muster
• A sample of blood (3 x vials) from as many Mortal Born that you can get. Please note the name of their Immortal parent.
• For all of the above, each one I'd like, ideally, one male Dreamwalker, one male non-Dreamwalker. One female Dreamwalker, one female non-Dreamwalker.

The known races are:

• Aukari
• Avriel
• Biqaj
• Eidisi
• Ellune
• Human
• Ithecal
• Lotharro
• Naerrik
• Qi'ora
• Sev'ryn
• Tunawa
• Also - mixed races from as many possible combinations of the above.

Each vial should be clearly labelled with the following information.

• The donors race (race/race for Mixed), (name of Immortal for Mortalborn).
• The donors gender (if you can get a male and a female of as many samples as possible, that would be fantastic)
• The donors magic-using status (mage: Defiance, Hone, Graft - for example).
• The donors Blessing status (Blessed: Moseke, Ymiden - for example).
• The donors Curse status (Cursed: Cassion - for example).

For the above - if the information isn't there or the donor isn't willing to give it - PLEASE put "Not provided" rather than "None" - as the person who doesn't tell you whether they're a mage or not could belong to either category. If they say they aren't a mage, put "None".

When she had finished, she handed the list to Vivian. "I think that's everything. If there's any more, please let me know. Also, if this takes a few trials because we have people coming from Rharne, or so on, that's just fine. I'd rather have the information in a few trials and be able to be thorough." That said, she looked at Vivian's blood and frowned. "And if there is anything unusual about their blood, please let us know. You can put a tick next to the human, marked, non magic, female box," she said with a smile. Then, another thought struck her. "Also, please find out if they've... actually, let me add it to the list. I need to know if they've ever had a blood disease, or had a blood infusion. Some of the cures for things we've found and worked with have involved changes in blood, so Flamefever, for example, is very relevant."

Our To-Do List

Per Pumpernickel Type. (each sample of mortal blood = 4 (Male DW, Male non-DW, Female DW, Female non-DW)

1. Check pumpernickel surface reaction (skin / eyes / mouth) to:
   • blood from each available race from a non-marked, non-magic using individual.
   • blood from each available race from a non-marked, magic using individual. Each type of magic (Defiance, Attunement, Necromancy, Abrogation, Becoming, Empathy, Graft, Hone, Rupturing)
   • blood from each available race from a marked, non-magic using individual. Each Immortal
   • blood from each available race from a cursed individual. Each Immortal
   • blood from Mortal Born. Each Immortal.
2. Check reaction to pumpernickel blood from:
   • blood from each available race from a non-marked, non-magic using individual.
   • blood from each available race from a non-marked, magic using individual. Each type of magic (Defiance, Attunement, Necromancy, Abrogation, Becoming, Empathy, Graft, Hone, Rupturing)
   • blood from each available race from a marked, non-magic using individual. Each Immortal
   • blood from each available race from a cursed individual. Each Immortal
   • blood from as many Mortal Born that you can get. Each Immortal.
3. Check reaction of mortal blood when pumpernickel blood is added to:
   • blood from each available race from a non-marked, non-magic using individual.
   • blood from each available race from a non-marked, magic using individual. Each type of magic (Defiance, Attunement, Necromancy, Abrogation, Becoming, Empathy, Graft, Hone, Rupturing)
   • blood from each available race from a marked, non-magic using individual. Each Immortal
   • blood from each available race from a cursed individual. Each Immortal
   • blood from as many Mortal Born that you can get. Each Immortal.
4. Check reaction of associated animal blood when pumpernickel blood is added to:
   • blood from each available race from a non-marked, non-magic using individual.
   • blood from each available race from a non-marked, magic using individual. Each type of magic (Defiance, Attunement, Necromancy, Abrogation, Becoming, Empathy, Graft, Hone, Rupturing)
   • blood from each available race from a marked, non-magic using individual. Each Immortal
   • blood from each available race from a cursed individual. Each Immortal
   • blood from as many Mortal Born that you can get. Each Immortal.
5. Check reaction of the gem from this pumpernickel type to:
   • blood from each available race from a non-marked, non-magic using individual.
   • blood from each available race from a non-marked, magic using individual. Each type of magic (Defiance, Attunement, Necromancy, Abrogation, Becoming, Empathy, Graft, Hone, Rupturing)
   • blood from each available race from a marked, non-magic using individual. Each Immortal
   • blood from each available race from a cursed individual. Each Immortal
   • blood from as many Mortal Born that you can get. Each Immortal.
   • blood from each other type of Pumpernickel
6. Check reaction of Pumpernickel blood to:
   • coagulants
   • anti-coagulants
   • blood-altering drugs
   • extreme cold
   • extreme heat.
   • immersion in water (normal)
   • immersion in Brightgleam Oasis water
   • lightning
   • ectoplasm
   • ephemera
7. Check reaction of Pumpernickel Gem to:
   • extreme cold
   • extreme heat.
   • immersion in water (normal)
   • immersion in Brightgleam Oasis water
   • lightning
   • ectoplasm
   • ephemera
   • ether (runes?)
   • using Immortal blessings on it

She looked at Genna then and smiled. "I suggest we test these against each type of Pumpernickel that we can. Test what happens when we mingle blood- both by adding the mortal to pumpernickel and pumpernickel to mortal, then the same for each animal. Also, each type blood on the surface of each type pumpernickel and finally, lets see how those gems react to each type of blood. "

That left them with a lot to do, and so they could go about making some lists. "Each type of pumpernickel should have, I think, this?" She started writing out a list, standing next to Genna and leaving space so that Genna could add everything she needed to.

Faith looked up at Genna and gave a slight shrug. "It's thorough. But if we have to do this for each pumpernickel type, we're going to be busy for quite some time. Are you alright with that?" Faith would continue until it was done, it was her way. Thorough, meticulous, attention to detail - that was always how she approached things. The lists, of course, helped - and having a perfect memory didn't harm either. Which meant that, the first thing to do was, as far as Faith could see, anyhow.

"I think we should also do a comparative study of Vivian's blood against all the other types she falls into. Mortalborn of Faldrun is only part of it - we should compare her to other females, mages, marked by Ilaren, and so on. What do you think?" It wasn't a small job and they'd probably take weeks to accomplish this whole thing in total, but Faith knew that she and Genna both felt that it was better to do it well than to rush. Rushing it was pointless, after all. "I think that's everything, except for whether we want to try and put the blood of the pumpernickel - or the gems - into living animals. It feels harsh, but at the end of the trial if it helps us to understand better, I'm for doing it."

Well, Faith thought. This would at least - hopefully - give them some answers. And hopefully it might just give them a weapon.

Maybe.