The Rot, The Melt

[Viraj Dobrial 319]

[!] The letter is not addressed to you… However, YOU stumble upon it. Why? A mistake? Destiny? 

It doesn’t really matter. Not yet.

 

 

To Bipip B., 

 

It is a weeping tragedy for us to transcribe this letter, though our dressers in blue have remained fearless, and the marches to the Pond remain steadfast, there is little information we can hold back. Your commerce with our dedicated members has seen fruit; to our dismay, and most likely yours. 

 

Your philanthropic and ultimately very valorable investment has led to a series of particularities we denote as will follow. Incidence of Bloodrain comes at a staggeringly low .000159147%, with continual monitoring by various watchers across the realm. Most all “watched”, or observed, remain in blissful ignorance, a state of denial, or otherwise uninfected.

 

However, we have noticed a large majority of the aforementioned population undergoing seemingly spontaneous episodes of mass hysteria, observing atrocities not yet occured, such as so-called ‘Service Dogs’ being mauled to death by masked shadowy figures, or buildings combusting at random, with no guards or vigilantes to halt the destruction.

 

We notice in these people symptoms of Stage 2 Rot (more on that later). That is why we, among our ranks, have refitted ourselves to better deal with the advancing complicated geographical socioeconomical politics of the infected descendants. 

 

Adjacent is our most recent compilation of studies and observations in a non-linear, non-chronological non-timeline, for the ease of reading. Preferably this information remains from our own to yours, as the sensitive research may be too quindlefamble to some individuals. GOD or whoever, help us.

 

- P & M

 

Last Resort

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTksi_VXGCk

 

The coinage of the terms ‘Rot’, ‘Brainrot’, and ‘Melt’ derive as slang categorizing the three respective stages of Crohme’s Disease. The earliest instance of these words date back to shortly after the Almaris Bloodrain, the second recorded Bloodrain in history. While the incident itself would be referred to as “The Bloodrain” in common vernacular for years thereafter, many ignored the short and long term effects of this rain on matters of health and sanity.

 

The first ever afflicted with Bloodrot (Odolusteltzea) were contaminated by the entry of Bloodrain into the body, usually through the eyes, ears, nose or mouth. It is most likely that the raining Blood became infected through contact with surfaces, or precipitated already adjacent, or is somehow cursed. Though Bloodrain is objectively the only cause for rot, with little actual knowledge on the why. 

 

It is hypothesized that Rotten are at will to spread the disease through bodily fluids, including (but not limited to) blood, saliva or mucus. One is more likely to become contaminated with Bloodrot if they spend a significant amount of time around others bearing the disease. Once infected, people become contagious and, as there is currently no cure, chronically ill. 

 

Ways to prevent the spread of Bloodrot include distancing from persons with the disease (approximately ten meters at minimum); Personal Protection Equipment preventing fluid transfer on the part of the infected (such as goggles, face coverings / masks, face shields, air filters, long / covering clothing, etc), or on the part of the potential infectee; or the termination of those infected, and proper and utter annihilation of an infected corpse.

 

A- Early symptoms and afflictions

 

Early symptoms of the Rot are oftentimes mistaken for other mild diseases. Continuous sneezing, tearing of the eyes, migraines or headaches, coughing and wheezing, dizziness or lightheadedness, or acute arthritis. If found in other parts of the body, the Rot will only bruise, only if under the neck (limbs, chest, abdomen, etc).

 

B- Classifications and Development

 

Stage One: ‘Rot’, or Developing Crohme’s Disease

 

The initial stage of Bloodrot manifests as a set of symptoms, oftentimes developing independently of each other, and thus developing in their own particular stages of degeneration. To reiterate, the following ‘stages’ or classifications are not in respect to the stages of “The Rot”, rather independent symptom lines of bodily decay grouped together under the umbrella stage of “The Rot”;

 

-Odolitsutasuna (OL-I)

 

-Odolgorreria (OL-G)

 

-Odolusaindu (OL-U)

 

-Odoldastatu (OL-O)

 

The above labeled symptoms share the common starting ground of Stage Zero. At this stage of development, patients may notice a significantly potent or long-lasting loss or numbing of sensations on the face and / or neck. In all documented instances, this pain comes within a Saint’s Week of other developing symptoms. 

 

OL-I:

Stage 1: Persistent headaches, general tiredness, intensified eye strain. 

Stage 2: Troubled vision, development of cataracts.

Stage 3: Clinical blindness (Can only detect movement, blurred silhouettes of large structures with glasses).

 

OL-G:

Stage 1: Persistent headaches, general tiredness, intensified auditory difficulty. 

Stage 2: Increased ringing, advanced auditory difficulty, earbleed. 

Stage 3: Deafness.

 

OL-U:

Stage 1: Regular stomach aches, vomiting or diarrhea, congestion.

Stage 2: Increasing trouble describing the scent or taste of things, bloody nose. 

Stage 3: Regular trouble breathing, ‘walking pneumonia’, decreased athletic ability.

 

OL-O:

Stage 1: Irregular bad mouth hygiene (Regardless of actions against), trouble biting, stuttering.

Stage 2: Troubled speech (slurred words, swelling tongue, increased stutter) patchy white spots on tongue, tooth decay, distinct loss of taste.Stage 3: Swollen mouth; technical mute (Incoherent speech, inability to formulate words).

 

NOTE: While the other stages are progressing, the intensity of Stage Zero may increase in tandem. That is, the severity and impact of numbness on the patient’s nervous tissue can progress, until they can no longer feel their head attached to their own body.

 

Stage Two: ‘Brainrot’, or Crohme’s Disease

 

There is no specific threshold to where a patient on Stage One progresses into Stage Two, colloquially referred to as ‘Brainrot’. The noticeable pattern, however, is at least for one or more of the Stage One symptom lines to have progressed to such a degree where they come into direct contact with the brain.

 

The Rot’s contact with the brain, it is assumed, degenerates the flesh and organs surrounding the cranium’s surfaces and interrupts blood and nervous networks. With this gateway, the Rot is allowed to permeate the brain, and begin its process of degeneration therein. This point is seen as of no return, and is where the effects of the Brainrot truly show their true colors.

 

Symptoms of the Brainrot commence nearly immediately as it is diagnosed, the first altering the patient’s perception of morality, societal norms or civil decency. They develop eccentric, taboo or unusually specific obsessions or delusions with concepts, ideas or artifacts of either regular or irregular use. They can act with hostility, or flagellation, or emotional breakdowns if questioned or approached, or disallowed to continue with their “particular” behavior.

 

As the Brainrot continues, the symptoms are likely to draw less pity from the societies patients live in, and instead, more contempt. This is not recommendable, as deprecation and insults can only worsen the symptoms, believed to be intensified through stress or anger. 

 

The process worsens when patients suffer from auditory and / or visual hallucinations, an unfortunate side effect found especially for those with Stage 3 OL-I or OL-G. A few patients remain self aware, knowing that they are indeed not ‘real’ to other people, but the majority refuse to admit the machinations of their own decaying minds.

 

Thereafter, patients are prone to fits of manic positivism, or depressed negativity, almost never reaching a proper balance of emotions between episodes that can last anywhere from fifteen Saint’s Minutes to Saint’s Years. Furthermore, patients begin to suffer through mild episodes of memory loss - whether it be metal fog to events that transpired just minutes before, or specific logistical or nostalgic information important to the patients (Such as dates, names, places, faces, etc). 

 

Stage Three - ‘Melt’, or Advanced Crohme’s Disease

 

After a while, a patient’s face will cease to exist. Incomprehensibly, looking forwards towards where their head should be will only reveal the visage of what would be behind their head, were they not standing in the way. The visible neck will display inner organic structures, such as the esophagus, trachea, and spine; it is important to either stitch or constantly disinfect this area in hopes of preventing the very likely chance that this area will become infected, leading to a full bruising of the patient’s body. When the patient dies, two things will happen. 

 

It would be nearly impossible to write this section. Admittedly, patients suffering with Brainrot often commit suicide, or get themselves killed through their own affliction. However, if an individual is kept alive long enough, the Rot can develop into a much more terrifying and unpredictable version of itself known as ‘The Melt.’

 

Those afflicted are immediately considered terminal, and placed within appropriate containment for reasons of both own self preservation, and public safety. There is little known treatment but painkillers or other alleviators until proper disposal (and subsequent annihilation) of the body can take place.   

 

We don’t understand why it happens, but the melt is officially recognized once a person’s body begins to disappear. This is a stage beyond rot; rather, instead of a victim’s skin giving way to flow blood and sinew forth, they simply begin to stop existing. This, of course, starts with the head, where symptoms most prominently display themselves during a patient’s degeneration.

 

Of the effectively recorded instances, the visual effects of the melt are nearly indescribable in text. It is a mix, a voidal combination of boils, bruises, scabs and lacerations with the complete loss of motor skills, to the point of losing all senses. Hearing, speech, smell, sight and touch are lost, if they were not previously.

 

The body will slowly, as the name suggests, melt, and inexplicably also de-materialize, as if they were never there. It begins with the face, then to the throat and leaves exposed the esophagus or other internal organs, and for the first time in the entire process, affect other parts of the body that are not the head. 

 

In the second recorded instance, they, now completely rendered devoid of the ability to speak, hear, see, smell, or touch, will stop existing entirely. If they are wearing clothes, they will fall to the ground as though they are not being worn. Searching for the body is fruitless, as it simply no longer exists.

 

After the process repeats over and over, the body ejects its insides in gruesome fashion, leaving a puddle state of remains, or complete nonexistence. In the recorded instances, the bodies could never be found, only the remaining clothes or personal artifacts being carried at the time of death.

 

IV. Case Studies

 

Study #1 - 

 

Helvetia ein Ariskiy;

Human, Male, Mercatorii;

28 (Young Adult);

Status: Diseased.

 

Study #2 -

 

De;

Human, Male, Unknown;

Age Unknown;

Status: Diseased.

 

Study #3 - 

 

Home Crohme;

Human, Male, Originally Caucasian;

Unknown Age, Hypothesized 20-30s (Young Adult);

Status: Alive.

 

NOTES:

 

Currently the only living subject, and inspiration for the denomination of “Crohme’s Disease”. We have entrusted Home Crohme with the information detailed above, including previous findings with Subjects #1 and #2. Stage 2 has progressively taxed his abilities to comprehend, to the point of any visual or auditory stimuli consisting of glassy-eyed “stares” and muffled grunts.

 

Stage 3 has already arrived. He is currently the only descendant, human or other, to live in the constant agony of the Melt. It is in its initial stages, however, has already hindered his physique and general aptitude completely. We have taken necessary precautions on the appropriate disposal of his body, after he melts, and the mental toll it will take on the members of our team.

 

Crohme has unfortunately lost his face. A dark, fleshy void exists instead of it, and aparatuses for feeding and breathing have been made to keep him alive for the longest possible. After a controlled incident in Elysium, involving flogging and general tyrannous behavior, he nearly lost his life. Thankfully, after a surprising fight and determination to live, he was released and promptly treated for injuries.

 

We do not fear his death, but we dread it. 

 

V. Treatment

 

For Developing Crohme’s Disease, any and all regular medical practices and HOME special care procedures are to be delivered to patients, providing dedicated caregivers to follow assisted living and continuous washing to avoid Rot spread. As of the date of this document, the HOMEs (In collaboration with the) are seeking out a cure in various descendant settlements who dwindle in mystical or clandestine practices.

 

Xannic healing abilities seem to slightly improve the morale of a patient, through an advanced and extremely effective painkilling method, but the procedure performed within Elysium’s chancery could not be documented. As such, we cannot confirm the efficacy of its immediate effects on the Rot itself.

 

No other magi, including shamanic practitioners and voidal magis, were willing to assist in the treatment of any of the aforementioned subjects. Therefore, their healing capabilities are also unknown. We request further finance to fund our projects, as the Cure looms farther and farther away in these desperate times.

 

[!] The document ends here. Was there more? Who penned this? Nobody signed it. Maybe it never existed in the first place. Maybe you already knew this. You should by now.

You need to.

Edited May 31, 2022 by Viraj Dobrial
LIST WAS MESSED UP

[makeitsoyoucandeleteaccounts 610]

Benevolent cityscapes destroy our earth in joyous cacophony. The Skies open for Rot disaster For effects, taking refuge in neverbefore, under the earth and under the sea, beyond the awkward, funny, tired old tree. Maybe not, he laughed, maybe not? Soon as the clothing becomes blue, and the sundays fade to black.

 

Lonely stood the HOME in pity of self, dreading the day of never before. Perhaps it was chance, or perhaps it was faith? He did not know, he could not read. Not yet. He did not have the right eyes, not yet. Not yet. But, how could he? Perhaps the answers laid before him? Perhaps his own blindness limited the fury of the Blood? 

 

Only if he could say something. Only if he could scream, shout, bite, cry or act. He could not. A force immobile, never on the horizon, and never under the Locks. The Dunes affected him, the Nuns as well. He could not think clearly. He wanted to vomit, perhaps he already had. Could he? How could he?

 

Only if Bipip B. could respond. The sooner, the better, the merrier, the life... lier? Lifelier. He's sure it means something. He's sure? I mean, I'm sure. We're sure. It's uncertain; but one thing isn't, it's not lifelier. He couldn't remember what the correct word was, or perhaps he already knew. Perhaps this was the right word. Perhaps

 

Do not fret, live only, free only, for once in a blue moon a man like him melt in puddle, only clothing remnant of the forgotten men. Perhaps HOME was closer than he thought. 

[satinkira 5798]

Spoiler

Oh no

 

Yavonna looks over the letter, eyeing it with an unhealthy interest.

[Palastartes 93]

An unnamed fellow, a masked figurine, knowledgeable of much and yet entirely unaware as to the course of history for the foreseeable future, slaved over his bench of oaken wood. This was a fools errand, to predict the future, to understand the meanings and nonsense in between the lines of nonsensical ramblings, pictures and images deemed "Jokes" or perhaps just "Nonsense."

 

Lantern doused, the man, a descriptor more physical than anything else, paused as he glanced toward the darkened skies, reflecting on the stars outside his home. It was so beautiful this time of year, when the snow covered the farmers fields and the men and women bustled about with their coats of fur and torches, to shield themselves from the nipping cold. Perhaps it was a fools errand, as he had thought but a moment ago. He should go to his wife, and sleep. Tend to his children once dawn was to rise, and forget all of it. Damn the letters, the notes, the declarations. It was pointless. It was all the ramblings of fools- and yet, was it only the ramblings of fools? Sure, it might just be nonsense, but there was something here.

 

It was too coordinated. 

 

The madness was too refined. It simply couldn't be.

 

Thusly, he went back to his work. His pen etched itself upon the pages, these scrawled images and constant flow of words must have a deeper meaning, must have something more about them. The blood rain, the rot, the "Cleaning" as it was so thusly called. Perhaps it meant the end of the world. It must be so, mustn't it? The calling of an apocalypse, the saviors of this world, named something so trivial he hadn't bothered to remember it if only for assuming it to be nothing more than a joke. What was it again? Janitors? Jacks? It was something with a k, surely. In less than a moment, a murmur escaped his throat.

 

"Never mind that Nescaff. . .pay it not a moment of your. . .precious. . . time. . ."

 

Then, he simply paused. The pieces began to slide together, porcelain thoughts connecting into a vase of realization, if that was even a senisical term any longer. Perhaps all he had was madness, or perhaps what he was experiencing was more clarity than he had ever realized. This was a revelation. It was so clear- how could it not be?

 

Yet, he paused in his thoughts, halting but a moment before the words slipped from his lips. He glanced leftwards, rightwards- and yet, found himself still alone. There was no-one here, surely. This was his study, in his republic, in his home. This was his safest place, within his deepest basement. Yet he felt it. The prickling of the hairs on his neck, the slimy feeling of breath on the back of his net, of eyes peering over his shoulder. The silence emanated, not a sound but the creak of the house settling- or steps above? It didn't matter. His hand reached out, grasping-

 

"Long live the republic, you godless wretches."

 

The lantern was shuttered.

Edited May 31, 2022 by Palastartes

[High_On_Math 398]

A masked woman frantically transcribed the letter.  She ran back to Krugmar, shouting, "Pamphilos!"

 

In the days to follow, the woman would begin frantically making art, armor, and clothing for people, with the intent of using the minas to fund the production of alchemical masks.

(DM me if u want a skin/art)

[Wet_Roaches 80]

A RAT was in the Middle of the Woods laying in the shrubs and listening to the trees. It gave a longing look to the Rot Docs as it proceeded To eat the paper. After the paper had been properly eaten and disposed of in his Gut, he looked around and pondered to himself. Did the Sun Just get bigger? Did it just get Bigger? This wasn't right... no, surely it didn't get Bigger. "It was all in my imagination!" He thought to himself, nodding affirmingly to his own statement. This was the Only logical explanation, after all. The Sun? Expanding? It was simply too far-fetched to be plausible. The Mouseman knew better than to believe that the Sun had just expanded. He knew what was, and what wasn't real. With confidence brimming and a relief washing over him, the Mouseman went and scurried away back into his Cave, off to make another crude invention that brings joy to him and his many friends. And so, the Mouse was happy.

[WonkManBad 763]

 

"Where is your mask, child?"

 

 

[XOCO 502]

Pisspot squinted at the letter at his feet.

 

"Wot t'fock is this?" He scoffed, kicking the piece of parchment away, because alas, a man who could not read had no use for a letter.