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Journal Entry: Preliminary Study of Vvurden Rot

Abstract

Vvurden Rot is not a well-known or documented disease outside of the Vvurdeni people; as such, I am recording my preliminary findings for broader study. Two individuals have emerged from a Vvurdeni hold bearing this rare affliction, one of whom falls under my direct care. This entry focuses specifically on the arcane aspects of the disease and the irregularities observed in the patient’s mana. These early observations are intended to support future research, the development of a cure, and potential containment methods.

Background

The primary patient, Condor, currently displays only mild symptoms and is resting as much as possible to slow progression while we work toward a cure. Due to the disease’s origin within a Vvurdeni hold, I suspect an arcane influence rather than a solely physical pathology.

To investigate this, I have extracted samples of Condor’s mana through wytchweed and distilled them into multiple experimental forms. The two primary preparations consist of raw wytchweed and isolated Aether Fluid reserves, the latter chosen for its stability and replicability across a wider range of conditions. These samples will be subjected to varied stimuli and controlled environments to assess their reactions, behavior, and potential indicators of the underlying mechanism of the disease.

Materials and Methods

The materials are what any respectable mage should have lying around. For the broader experimentation, I made use of Aether Fluid samples, a Cleansing Rod, and wytchweed. The finer instructions and exact tools used can be found in the related logs.

The experiments focused on a few key concepts common to this field of study. I made use of isolation, alignment, replication, and stabilization.

Isolation Procedures

The first tests focused on simple isolation. I attempted to separate the infected mana from the samples. Notable methods included standard mana weaving, aligned cleansing, and wytchweed threading.

Alignment Studies

The second round of tests included alignment. Without a sample from the stone god, I was unable to test the most likely aligned mana source, however I did make use of various other alignments as well as cleansed mana. The list of samples used: The Blood Tree (Wild), June (Ephalen), Pebble (Pallite), Revan (Winterling).

Replication Tests

Replication tests revolved around the use of Aether Fluid to manipulate samples. Primary goals were to observe impacts of sample size over time and test consistency.

Stabilization Attempts

The final round of tests focused on stabilization. When all else fails, one should simply try to stabilize the mana in place. At best, this sort of approach prevents escalation of diseases in the mana sickness family, which I suspect Vvurden Rot may be. The primary method used for stabilization was to block the inflow of mana.

Results

Isolation Attempts

• Mana Weaving – The Vvurden Rot did not submit to mana weaving.
  
  

• Aligned Cleansing – The Vvurden Rot did not noticeably react to aligned cleansing.
  
  

• Wytchweed Threading – The wytchweed was unable to isolate the Vvurden Rot.
  
  

Alignment Trials

• Alignment Flooding – None of the tested samples reacted uniquely.
  
  

Replication Observations (24-hour sampling)

• Enlarged Sampling – Increased rate of progression.
  
  

• Reduced Sampling – Reduced rate of progression.
  
  

• Replicated Sampling – Each replication appeared identical.
  
  

Stabilization Efforts

• Mana Restriction – Reduced rate of progression.
  
  

• Force Stasis – Increased rate of progression.
  
  

• Cleansed Infusion – No discernable impact.
  
  

Discussion

Considering the development of the arcane portions of the disease in isolation of a body, I will be formally classifying Vvurden Rot among mana sicknesses. The disease progresses with only mana to feed on. As each experiment was conducted with and without a host body, I have also noted that the results are near identical, so a unified approach will be needed to treat symptoms. Unfortunately, the similarities mean that isolating mana or body as the route for the cure is impossible from these results.

No standard forms of mana isolation yielded helpful results, ruling out isolation as an easy resolution. As I learn more about the disease, specialized tools may be able to be developed to perform isolation procedures, but for the time being I will look to other methods.

Alignment with the mana sources I had available proved useless. My leading theory in the alignment field involves using a mana source from the god of stone. I do not currently possess such a sample, so I am unable to test if such alignment is possible. With the samples I was able to test, I could not observe any distinction between the reaction of each alignment.

Sampling will continue to be monitored closely in the coming days. I do not like leaving the sampling duration so short, but time is not a resource given freely in this process. The samples reacted much as expected, a larger sample resulted in more concentrated disease, which allowed for a more rapid development. Likewise, the smaller sample progressed slower. Unfortunately, without the use of mana weaving or wytchweed threading, this information is currently limited in value.

Mana Restriction was the only stabilization method that proved to provide positive results. The impact was limited, but it provides a starting point to help the patient resist the effects for longer.

Conclusion

Vvurden Rot is very resistant to the common treatments of mana sicknesses. Without the ability to isolate the disease, few things are proving useful for the cure effort. The leading solution remains replacement of body. Restricting mana flow appears to be the most effective treatment for the moment.

Next Steps

I intend to begin focus on ways to prevent mana from collecting around the patient. I suspect that creating a mana void will slow the progression of the disease. If created effectively, perhaps it could even stop the progression.

In the event that progression stops, it should be considered whether the disease will die out with a prolonged lack of mana. Some mana sicknesses die out in such way, but this one involves the body and may not be so cooperative.

Substitutes for infected portions of the body may be possible. In Condor’s case, I suspect my usual alternate organs will not take as his body runs warmer than those in my forest. I may reach out to others for expertise in a more fitting replacement.

If all else fails and it is this solution or death, I will insist upon a new body for his soul. The transfer procedure is standard, but this patient likes his body and fusses about getting a new one.