Her Pound of Flesh

[Written in Academic Tretallari.]
 

data points

Screams silenced

卌 卌 ||
Data gathered from a duration of the two hours before sunrise. Full duration of event was from sundown until past sunrise.

Specimen observations

 

Clots

A standard manifestation of Carnage Tides which consume enough biological material to spawn monstrosities. Semiacidic globules of living blood, roughly five feet in diameter. Amorphous, with the ability to extrude 'tendrils' for the purpose of locomotion. Slow, both in motion and in action, they rely on their ability to weaken and immobilize prey through their poisonous excretions in order to "feed", as well as their strength in numbers. I believe their consciousness, as it were to be considered, is a gestalt of every drop of 'blood' within a Clot forming a colony structure, for when a portion of a Clot is cut away, it is immediately mobile and functions in similarly predictable ways.
 
Notable observations: Due to the abnormal nature of the Salaq Tide, Clots have appeared nightly in great numbers, with no seeming limit. Investigation during the day revealed that the Carnage Tide has formed a liminal plane within an underwater trench half a mile off the coast of Salaq. This is likely how the Tide has been able to consistently manifest Coagulations despite the desertification of surrounding waters of biological material. Additionally, the following manifestations are, as far as I am aware, unique to Salaq's Coagulations, and prove a worrying potential intelligence a Carnage Tide might be capable of under repeatable or predictable circumstances. Finally, all Coagulations showed potential regenerative abilities, though only Clots were confirmed. Fire is required to prevent this regeneration, or specialized necromantic techniques commonly known to spellcasters.
 

Gristles

A Coagulation formed of what appears to be muscular structures in a roughly bipedal shape, with long arms and appendages which it uses to climb and attempt to pry open windows, doors, or other areas of entry. Its predation seems to be a combination of ambush and pack tactics: civilians, which predicted the grounded weakness of Clots and were seeking safety upon Salaq's rooftops, were accosted and dismembered by Gristles with no such weaknesses. Of all of the following Coagulations, the Gristles seemed to be the most isolated from the rest, more able to function and hunt without the need to work together with other forms of Coagulations, though all are able to take advantage of the strength of numbers and versatility of purposes shown.
 

Sinews

A Coagulation formed of tendon and other fibrous connective tissue, the length of a human adult's spine. Bears superficial resemblance to snakes, though its movement patterns are distinctly reminiscent of "inchworms", as the common term is. It seems able to anchor itself to the ground with one end of its body. This is used to latch its other end to Clots or Bloats and act as a sort of biological catapult. Clots and Bloats are both slow-moving and unable to attain any form of height, but Sinews seem to have been formed in order to mitigate this disadvantage. I also witnessed one constrict an overbrave guard, again in a serpentine fashion, so it is not defenseless in its predation capabilities on its own.
Of all the Coagulations witnessed tonight, the Sinew frightens me the most. I apologize for the lack of scientific detachment, but this is near-undeniable proof that the Carnage Tide purposefully fashioned these new Coagulations in order to unleash what could not uncharitably be called an invading force. Granted, the biological nature of the Tide may simply mean that as it grows in age and power, it is able to form specialized Coagulations to fulfill unique roles within itself, similar to how all life evolves and functions, but regardless, it is a harrowing concept that this atrocity could only be considered abnormal and undocumented because it is the only Carnage Tide to have manifested for such a length of time.
 

Oculi

A Coagulation formed of optic nerves and eyeballs. It acts as scout and surveillance. I witnessed no offensive or defensive capabilities during the night from it and can offer little indication of its abilities. Study will be ongoing and these notes will be appended when time and knowledge permits.
 

Bloat

A Coagulation formed of refined stomach acids inside a thin membrane. It explodes at the slightest provocation or pressure, showering the surrounding area in digestive acids strong enough to cause superficial structural damage to quarried stone. Death is nearly instantaneous for those unfortunate enough to be near it. The semi-liquidation of corpses seem to aid in the digestion processes of other Coagulations such as Clots.
 
The situation in Salaq is ongoing. Notes and observations are not yet complete. Potential academic interests:
 
-Examination of Coagulations to determine biological origins, cross-compared against other recorded Coagulations'. Would require a fane or other blood mage capable of such things.
-Long-term effects of blood poisoning from inhaling air heavily saturated with aerosolized blood. Potential respiratory filters for the prevention of airborne ailments and weapons.
-Rate of restoration to prior normal levels of biodiversity and bioactivity in an area affected by a Carnage Tide.
-Do these monstrosities have consciousness? Do they have souls? We already know they are not undead in the Dominion's taxonomic determination, as fane-hunters are unable to determine their presence. But does that mean they are alive?
-They have no mouths or vocal chords. If they did, what sounds would they make? Would they scream?
 
Data is inconclusive and hypothesizing with no foundational knowledge is pointless and inevitably inaccurate.
 
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The following passage is written in Shardscape Druidic.
 
I will not allow myself to lose hope for this city and its citizens. To do so would be to give in to the machinations of The Sundered, and whatever their ritual seeks. I can see dawn will be rising soon, and with it, an end to this nightmare. I will not be broken by it. I will not. I will not. I will not. I will not.
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