Gorgrond
Camp Disturbance
Evening of March the 7th
This is an open report.
Those involved: Anashae Dawnbringer, Hyrall Fairwind, Vensala Fairwind, Terenus Dawncreed, Se'lysona Moonstalker, Arindae Quel'salama
The Marshal was going over research camp procedures when a soldier alerted us to a disturbance down the road. The gnarled body of an Orc was found, infected by the Botani in some way. Some 50 yards or so farther down the road was a group of Iron Horde who had engaged unfamiliar Sin'dorei.
Through some manner or another, an Iron Star fell on them and provided a hefty distraction for us to make a move against them. Two were killed in the strike, while the rest were taken care of more directly.
I made use of one of Ahral's prototype flamethrowers and incinerated the corpses left behind; those who were obviously infected and those who were not, to err on the side of caution. One of the Sin'dorei survived and was taken back to the camp for observation, as he was exhibiting symptoms.
Notes: The living infected will be kept for observation, isolated and in quarantine, I'm sure. As for the prototype, it performed adequately. As noted, long term use is unwise. The device heats quickly, which could cause mechanical failure and pose risk to the operator. The jungle is hot enough without that thing spewing a liquid inferno mere feet from your face.
The research in the laboratory animals has been a tedious process and painstakingly slow given our current situation. Teran Duskwhisper’s presence has provided us with tools in the form of a living strain of the mutagenic pathogen in his bloodstream, but has also left us with a sense of dread that we might not manufacture a cure in time to save him.
His symptoms have progressed to tumor-like growths upon the skin which weigh his limbs down and give the appearance of ‘bark’ or a tree in texture. His nail beds are beginning to thicken as well, which is an outward sign of his condition. The thing that is perhaps the most difficult of all is knowing the scope of his pain and tortured cries. We are able to administer rounds of pain medication to help manage it but the cellular shifts progressing as fast as they are, it is akin to torture. When he is able to manage words he does not ask for death, he asks us to make his death count for something, to save his people.
The ‘thorn’ itself was removed utilizing hydrochloric acid and wax as a means of pulling it from the flesh cleanly.
Today I will be administering the TPV, strain 34h, 25mg/mL.The pH has been adjusted with sodium hydroxide and if necessary, hydrochloric acid to fall in the range of 10.7 to 11.7. Dilution in intravenous solution must be performed before infusion. Each 20 mL vial contains 500 mg of TPV-34h and 49 mg of sodium, and each 40 mL vial contains 1000 mg TPV-34h and 98 mg of sodium.
The result in the research animals is that on a cellular level, the progression halts and even begins to regress slowly. Introducing this to him at all in this stage of development is a gamble and if I felt that the duration of his life was longer I certainly would not take it at this time. But the truth is that he literally has days before he will succumb to this and the window of opportunity is closing for Teran Duskwhisper.
We have managed the dosage rate successfully in three animals who were afflicted and two of them have fared better than the third. One of them still bears outward signs of the mutation but appears to be symptom free, one of them has what amounts to tremors which could be indication that there is nerve damage, and the other is being monitored due to the influence of a high grade fever. I have been notified that the third has expired, autopsy results will be reached before the final decision is made.
Onto the subject of a preventative vaccine: The killed virus test subjects have exhibited a variety of symptoms as their bodies begin to illicit an immune response and build a defense. These include diarrhea, vomiting, body ache, weeping eyes, high grade fever, migraine, light sensitivity. Of twenty-seven subjects, four remain. They must be monitored before we move on to the subject of ‘live’ testing.
It is important to note that the rate of progress in this was greatly expedited by living cultures of active virus in blood samples by the Duskwhisper family. Normally, a vaccine such of this can take decades to develop but due to the nature of the affliction, the particular teams researching it, medical advancements and these cultures specifically, and proper funding the progress rate has been nothing short of astounding. Unfortunately long-term effects of these treatments cannot yet be measured, but given the situation there is little choice.
I will be sending along documentation of our work once we have more results and progress reports on Teran’s condition.
You have my most sincere thanks in regards to Teran and his deceased relations, Grethail Duskwhisper (Magistrix), Andoran Duskwhisper (Infantryman), and Beliath Duskwhisper (Farstrider). Teran was able to give me their names but has since fallen silent aside from the screams which he truly cannot help. I witnessed Grethail utilizing a fire spell upon arrival to the skirmish and a very nice crossbow was found alongside Beliath's corpse on the roadway. The other one fought with a two handed broadsword.
As stated in the previous note, we have been immersing him in cold baths which have slowed the effect to a degree. He is being sedated with a drug that showed no change at all in the cellular structures and bears no impact on the virus itself. The reason for this is so that his body is not thrust into cardiac arrest from the sheer magnitude of pain.
The new samples have allowed us to make significant progress with both the killed virus vaccine and the theraputic vaccine. In the TPV, we are applying it to the filtration process as we speak, it will be tested in cultures and the rabbits before we inject Teran with it. In the rabbit studies, so far it has been promising, although the exact dosage is a little tricky depending on the stage in the subject. All in all, we are making micro-adjustments to ensure a safe delivery vehicle.
The next clutch of rabbits has been injected with strain 16g of the killed virus. These are specimens that are not previously infected. Thus far, they've been exhibiting flu-like symptoms which were projected in the initial studies. As these symptoms even out, we will impose the thorn upon them and measure the immune response. We are doing what we can to make this process go faster but unfortunately with things of this nature, accelerating something too quickly leads to disasterous results. Better to do the job right the first time. Results should be available soon and with a little luck, answers. But we cannot really leave it to luck, now can we?
Additional hands would be helpful, we maintain a strict schedule around the clock and have teams of researchers working at all times. Please inform any who come to us that resting, waking, and all meal activity are logged to ensure that the team is in good health and best possible mental state while working. I will send you news as soon as I have it.
Thus far the testing is going well. I am writing this hasty note to you to relay information on we have on ground zero patients number two through four. While the girl who was brought to your facility is known as patient 0, a small group was located on the roadway about half a mile from our camp. One was dead upon arrival though samples were drawn before he was incinerated with the new flamethrower model. The other three were engaged in a confrontation with a small group of Iron-horde. One died to a blast of flame expelled with a propelled weapon known in the region as an Iron star. Lucky for us it missed the camp and our party, allowing us enough time and distraction to intervene. Patient three had her throat ripped out by the hooked arm of one of the orcs who was quickly dispatched from behind. Patient number four was injured but remains intact. He is infected recently.
His name is Teran Dawnwhisper, 34 years of age and cousin to the deceased. His exposure to the spore was approximately seven hours prior when he was trying to help his cousin up. The area of exposure is the back of hand and he described a stinging sensation followed by this itching fire under his skin. Currently, we initiated decontamination protocols for all that accompanied us and have revamped one of the clean room tents before our arrival to camp to be changed into a medical room for him. We have soft leather restraints for his arms and legs as we do not wish to take chances or endanger anyone. He is bearing all of this as best he can and after decontamination and blood draws, we have immersed him into a water cooled 'tub' of sorts which basically amounts to a rubber sleeve filled with water atop ice.
We are trying to slow the rate of progress with this virus by cold treatment first. We are also taking the samples into immediate testing with this dreaming glory compound to see if we can dramatically slow it. Though I am not without compassion, Teran and his kin may unwittingly have given their lives for the sake of being a key into the development of a cure. I would like his name and the names of his kin submitted for formal honors as he has consented to aid our research no matter the outcome. His exact words were, "If it means dying for my people, I will die. Use my body and corpse to find a way through. It will be an irony that my greatest accomplishment might occur and make a difference after my last breath has been drawn."
It is my sincerest hope that we can save him, good doctor. He is a remarkable young man.
In the course of study on manufacturing a cure, it has also been concluded that because the pathogen base of this thorn or ‘spore’ is mutagenic, it is too unstable for use in research involving weapon development.
Quite frankly, it ate through the containers when mixed with certain chemical and plant based substances and in some cases there were few common denominators at all. This makes it unstable and a danger even to trained researchers in the handling. In some cases, the petri dish was overflowing with a volatile substance within seconds and ATE THROUGH two containment modules. Thankfully the technician handling it did NOT get it on their gloves as they would have been subjected to it at full potency and could have potentially lost a limb or their life.
The bottom line for those of you reading this who have an interest in weapons development is this: If it is too volatile for those trained in handling hazardous materials to be able to contain in method or manner with professional grade equipment, or if the growth rate is such that it cannot be contained, it is useless to you. Will you kill people? Yes, but it is likely you will kill yourself and team of researchers long before you have a chance to weaponize this.
Due to the extreme multiplication rate and shifting cellular properties of this particular plant spore, it is a bad choice. The rate of increase means that it will overcome anything that tries to contain it and thus far, the only way to stop the rate was to incinerate the multiple containers and substance in the incineration unit.
A key thing for those who develop weapons and poisons as a living is to not be reckless or hasty in development, and to always have a means to contain, to cure, and to neutralize. Researchers neglecting ONE of those keys is evident in the outcome, look to Hillsbrad for proof if you need it.
Preliminary tests involving the herb commonly known to us as ‘dreaming glory’ have been established with good results. Intern Noirwind selected this herb, presumably after thinking that perhaps the answer was found in another form of vegetation. Several were tried, some with bad result.
Dreaming glory is an odd sort of plant that we found in the Outlands some time ago. It has healing properties and unlike many of the plants from that region, has a very low influence of fel in its genetic make up. Under the microscope, initial tests showed a slight shrinking of the mutagenic pathogen.
Further tests were done in which we utilized a combination of methods to adhere it to a killed virus samples that we had grown from cultures. These are the same cultures in our last report by Lydianah Silverstorm and Terenus Dawncreed. Seventeen test subjects were utilized intiially and all but three perished. Two who survived appear to be ‘almost’ normal, even on a cellular level. Their blood is being screened to study immune response and how it behaves when introduced or reintroduced again.
The third test subject mutated in strange ways, we believe that in part this is due to the strain chosen that held a different type of blood sample in it. It is the oddest looking rabbit I have ever seen, having small fangs and nubs upon its head that are hard and knobby. All in all the creature remains docile and under examination at this time. When it feels threatened, the rear leg twitches and causes it to begin thumping against the ground. Other than that, it seems perfectly normal. It is likely that this animal will have to be put down.
The killed virus cultures are being utilized to piggyback onto a known vaccine known as PH20, commonly used to prevent poliomyelitis. Of twenty test subjects two survived. It is important to note that we kept five of this number in a ‘cold room’ where their temperature was suppressed through climate and it did have an effect on the rate at which the virus attacked. It slowed the process, meaning that if a person comes into contact with this, putting ice on it and lowering their core body temperature could buy them time. Not much, mind you, but in cases like these it should be included in an emergency protocol.
Overall, the killed virus cultures look to be promising in regards to a preventative vaccine. We have already injected the killed virus culture into a fresh batch of rabbits. It will take seventy two hours for the incubation period to reach full potency in them and blood draws are being done hourly. One of the things we are observing is the immune response specifically. Two rabbits of this batch are already dead and the culture base they were developed on, while kept on record, has been removed from the potential candidates for a positive result. One of them began bleeding out of every oriface, the other suffered from erupted bowel. More reports will follow.
To be forwarded to Doctor Azuriann in reference to Bio-hazard Protocol 311a, Section 4, paragraph 9. Notably, the use of fire to purge and kill bio-hazards as a stopgap measure to prevent contamination or outbreak.
Regarding the request for a flamethrower
Author: Ahral Duskwhisper
Date: March 5th
Type: Resource / Material
Priority: Beta
Access: Open
Recipient: Anashae Dawnbringer
Secondary Recipient: Hyrall Fairwind
Let me preface this with: This is a prototype and is not one hundred percent safe nor is it void of any flaws. I don't create perfect weapons in a matter of days.
We took the time to study possible alternatives, the weaponry in use by the enemy and while many in Silvermoon would claim the contrary, we reached this conclusion:
We do not possess the technology to field weaponry that relies on the safe dispersal of flames thoroughout an area nor do we have the perfect fuel for that and I do not think there's a magical alternative, as many would boast, short of a spellcaster who can beckon flames into existence. Our enemy has the upper hand on military technology.
Now that that is out of the way, let me explain what we've been able to assemble, our two prototypes.
We took parts from a pair of rifles and adapted it. We could use the wooden handle, after we fixed some minimal flaws in it and the base of the barrel, but we had to, first and foremost, replace the barrel entirely ( the base is not a part of the barrel per see, it's only what you fit it into, as it's not built in ) by a larger metal barrel with a round exit and no entry or way for gas to escape.
We've welded a small, reliable, steel cylinder to underneath the barrel and we passed a hose that leads into it. Now, there's also a secondary frame, very thin, it stops next to the barrel and one light a flame with the gas in it, a second canister next to the first steel cylinder.
You squeeze the trigger, fuel is released, the fire is sparked, the pressure of the barrel proppel it outwards. You've flames.
How do you operate this prototype?: In one word. Carefully. In two. Very carefully. You aim it at the intended target for incineration and you GENTLY squeeze the trigger, once you have lit the flame by the barrel's end manually.
Can I simply spray flames all over?: Sure! If you've a death wish. You cannot move too fast with it. Or run. Why? The heat trail you leave may intoxicate you, as it produces a fine, thick smoke. The flames may not exit the barrel entirely and remain confined within, in which case the barrel could melt. Or you could burn yourself alive as the flames soar across the air as you run forward and catch some of the heat.
Cautionary Measures: This is not meant for an extended delivery of flames. It's meant for a small burst. Squeeze once. Let it burn. Squeeze once more. It's important that the wielder wear a mask to prevent asphyxia or smoke inhalation. If you try to spray flames for a period longer than ten seconds, it will start to overheat very quickly. In five seconds, the flow of fuel slows down and you've thicker flames. The device starts to become hotter. The mouth of the barrel is burnt. In extreme cases, overheating may cause an explosion of the cannisters underneath it. In that case, you will lose probably four fingers in your left hand, assuming you are right-handed and you will likely be on fire.
Could this be used in combat?: Maybe. If it's versus an enemy in a spellcaster's robes, you will incinerate their fancy clothes, ruin their concentration, render any spellcasting impossible and have yourself some nice toast. If it's leather, because of the fact leather has to be kept well-oiled to be flexible, if you aim it at that, it will catch fire and render the piece useless. Very new ( and sometimes very cheap, ill kept ) leather does not catch fire as easily. Any alloy, metal plating and so on and so forth, will only feel hotter. This cannot produce flames of so extreme a temperature to have any effect on a sturdy metal plating.
Someone struck the barrel or shot at it. Or one of the cannisters. What do I do?: There's a chance it will explode in your hands and in their face. It's not a weapon. Get rid of it. It's a clumsy, crude prototype, an exceptionally hasty product of our limited engineering. If there's a hole or cut or deep scratch in the barrel, the flames will come out of it, instead of the barrel and that may be too close to the fuel or gas cannister. If it's either cannister, you probably will be burning alive along with your enemy.
Can we improve this?: Yes. How? We steal their own weapons and reverse the engineering by learning how it works as we dismantle it. Could we have a tank strapped to someone's back? Yes. Would it be safer? No. Why not? You'd be carrying a bomb all across your back. It's a tempting target. Also, fuel in a small compartment, when it's being funnelled into a barrel, is often under a lot of pressure. The release of pressure would cause it to destabilize.
Even if we could weaponize this... :... or build a better prototype, it would still be volatile, because we lack alloys and knowledge of how to craft this. Also, you may notice you don't see any orcish warlord or ogre chieftain or anyone important with one of those strapped to them. That's for a reason. They don't want fire all over them. They equip the grunts. The people they don't mind losing and who go wide-eyed when they see that burst of flames melt everything in it's path. Pyromania is more common than you'd think.
So, what good is this? If you have to destroy resources quickly, this will burn them. If you have to set an empty building on fire, that will do it. Or a building full of people barricaded in it. If you have to clear foliage or any contaminated material. There's also the intimidation factor. If you use one of these, you -will- make any onlooker afraid. There's an ancient fear of fire in every and each one of us. Do not underestimate it.
Is it unstable? Yes. But it doesn't mean that it's one vibration and run for it. If you simply had a hole in it, fuel would leak out of it... if it were not in operation. Notice that, in some cases, if while under operation, the fuel canister has been breached, the pressurized gas would cause you to lose control of the weapon.
Do remember that...
The use of fire upon an enemy would have enormous psychological impact on unprepared onlookers, inflicting a particularly horrific death. In case of Blackrock flamethrowers, it is primarily used against fortifications or inaccessible locations. A flamethrower projects a stream of flammable liquid ( ours is gas flame, which is less effective and not as hot, but functions similarly ), rather than flame, which allows it to bounce off the walls and ceilings to project the fire into covered spaces, such as inside some room from it's hallway or into a tower's second floor from the outside.
In this model, the gas is expelled by it's own pressure.
It's heavy, impairs one's mobility and it uses fuel very quickly, so you need to measure it's application and not simply waste it.
You will find a crate with them inside delivered by Initiate Quel'salama shortly.
-Ahral Duskwhisper
Thank you for your reply to my previous letter. I look forward to speaking with you and perhaps working with you in the future. We are also training a few interns and teaching them along the way so that we have a broader based team for future endeavors. They will, of course, have traditional methods offered to them and the opportunity to pursue their own doctorates in time but this is a beginning point.
Unfortunately, I may not be able to be at the next meeting. Phase 1 is nearly complete but ongoing. We have some promising news with one of the strains as it has been slowing the mutative rate and actually shrinking the cells from the spore in the blood culture. This may not be the preventative vaccine but it is possible that it is a treatment for those afflicted. More testing needs to be done.
