Radio;

[purered]

Good evening, everyone. I understand that recent events and revelations have been... shocking, to say the least. I would hope that all of us will reserve any judgment until we have heard the whole story, including Doctor Milyn's side. And that is all I will say on that.

There is another matter that I need to bring to your attention, and one that is quite pressing.

We have been grounded a few weeks. As most of you are aware, the purpose of landing Tu Vishan here was to afford us more time in finding a way to awaken him. I believe a means may be found by utilizing the power of the Xunutane. However, before I go to the heads of the families and the Dexedi with this request, I had hoped to gain both information to see if it is a viable means, and also input and suggestions from other foreigners.

Now something most intriguing occurred while I was making my inquiries- my path crossed with a number of metalworkers who were researching the crystals that caused last month's truth compulsion. I agreed to work alongside them in a number of experiments - one of which involved setting active crystals alongside those that gave no readings. There was a brief reaction in which the "dead" stones gave off a bit of light and I...

[He hesitates here because it's not so much that it sounds absurd, but more he simply doesn't have the words to describe it.]

...I saw many things, all at once. The interiors of caves and homes. It was as though I had hundreds of eyes all in different places.

[To tell the truth, he was rather disoriented after the whole ordeal and needed to go sit down and have a headache.]

Needless to say, the other metalworkers did not share in this vision. I believe it came about due to my soul gem - a hypothesis the metalworkers agreed to be possible, though I would like to repeat the experiment with other foreigners to verify. They have kindly permitted me a secure facility as well as aid in writing up questions.

As I'm sure you've gathered, we would require volunteers for this. I am seeking those willing to sit through the same experiment as myself. I am also looking for people with psychic or magical capabilities for getting a read on things.

I will ask that no volunteers be under the age of eighteen for these experiments as I cannot guarantee there is no risk involved.

If you would prefer more discretion than speaking here, you can contact me privately on this frequency.

I thank you, and bid you all a good evening.

Comments

private;

[purered]

There will be other Kedan taking part as the first control group. If we are able to establish who this effects, we can start working on the why.

[He frowns, rubbing his chin]

I cannot guarantee this will not have averse effects, especially considering we don't know what was done to the tampered gems.

continued private;

[ruinsprofessor]

Good. That's the first logical step.

[She approves of science done well!]

After that, common elements can be ascertained.

[There's a brief hesitation.]

That's true. I can guess what was done to mine, given the mark remaining, but the how of that remains to be seen. Still, it may be valuable to test the experiences of those with unaltered gems as opposed to those whose gems were damaged.

Re: continued private;

[purered]

I am glad you approve then.

Though what do you guess was done to yours? Even if it's just an educated guess, it may help us minimize potential risks.

[ruinsprofessor]

While I don't know the precise method, it appears to have been bisected and rejoined, judging by the mark that remains.

Occasionally, it fractures further before healing itself again. I don't know if that's a reflection of my abilities, or the nature of soul gems. Unfortunately, there's no reasonable way to experiment with that.

[For a variety of reasons, including impracticality and having ethical standards.]

[purered]

Then if there is any sign of things going amiss, we will promptly separate you from the crystals.

Have others who had their soul gems tampered with experienced the same effect? It's very possible that these gems would reflect an individual's powers.

[ruinsprofessor]

Understood. A sensible precaution.

[Raine hesitates. She's not sure if she wants to disclose what the fracturing does to her; but she's learned how to cope with it, and Klaus needs complete data. This is one scientist to another.]

So far as I can tell, what was done to every gem appears to be different. Further, it's what happens when my gem fractures that's of more interest; it temporarily mutes one of my senses until the gem heals. Which sense varies.

[purered]

[Klaus internally winces at that.]

So there are physical manifestations of the damage... have you noticed any patterns in timing or the order in which they're affected?

[ruinsprofessor]

[It is not fun, no.]

I've been keeping track as much as I can, but there isn't an apparent pattern, no.

[Sometimes she'd like to say one is more affected than the others, but there's no substantiation.]

[Wry, Raine adds:]

Occasionally it affects something a little more esoteric than the usually considered senses, such as my sense of balance, or my proprioception. For the most part, I've learned to handle it.

[purered]

[It's amazing what people can get used to]

That's rather impressive on your part. Hopefully we are able to find some way of repairing them.

[ruinsprofessor]

[Is it? Hm. Raine didn't have much option but to get used to it, so it hardly feels impressive from her end.]

Ideally, yes. Perhaps this experiment will tell us something more, if these crystals really are responding to soul gems.

Frankly, any more data than we currently have would be useful.

[purered]

Interaction with the Xunutane may be a step in the right direction in solving many mysteries.

But now I worry that it may also become a target for the cultists.

[ruinsprofessor]

The Xunutane is fairly well protected, isn't it?

If you're concerned, it may be wise to warn its keepers to expect something.

[purered]

Very well-guarded, yes.

I will make mention of it when I'm there next. It just dawned on me that this could be a possible threat.

[ruinsprofessor]

That's a good idea.

If there's anything else I can do to help-- I'm happy to be of assistance.

[purered]

Thank you, Miss Sage. We will likely need your medical expertise as well, if you're willing to provide such.

[ruinsprofessor]

Of course. Let me know when you'll need me.