Cacophonus Strongylida

the Banshee Wyrm

The present dossier is an assortment of excerpts and field notes of Sr Researcher Alasdair Grout, on their covert operation to discover the inner workings of a group of interest (then presumed an later identified as a cult). The items are arranged in order of presumed authorship, though unfortunate events allowed for only a small part of the analysis to be reclaimed. Accompanying the excerpts are comments, observations and suggestions made by faculty of the School at a later date, upon examination and assembly of this file.
For the purposes of transparency and reference, attached is the original research assignment, as initially given:

"Senior Researcher Alasdair Grout, as part of your work on the parasite Cacophonus Strongylida, you are given the following orders: You are to infiltrate the group of unknown naming that presumably aims to expand into Septa - henceforth referred to as TG (standing for Target Group) within the bounds of this assignment - masquerading as an aspiring member. Upon successful admission, you are to gather any and all information concerning the founding, machinations and goals of the TG using your guise of an interested initiate as you see fit. For the purposes of this mission you are permitted the use of unethical means within reason, so long as they do not risk your exposure to the administration of the TG and conflict with the authorities. When it is in your judgement that you have acquired all possible information, you are to return to Septa. During your deployment, any urgent messages and reports will be addressed to Senior Researcher Kelmoris Abernant. For any additional information and equipment, you may also speak with her.

The contents of this message are exclusively addressed and confidential to the named recipient. Sharing of this message is prohibited, and will be apprehended by Providential Law."

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First item. Repossessed with Sr. Res. Grout's cadaver. Contents were recorded approximately two days after departure.

"The occupants of the Serf Lauda manor have met my arrival with friendly smiles and great hospitality. If I didn't know any better, I would be quite excited for my stay here. Of course, I will continue to play the role of the ignorant apprentice and see how long it takes for me to convince the higher ups that I am but another aspiring member. I try to keep my guards up at all times. Cultists, as history has proven, can be quite tricky."

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Second item. Deemed as high priority and sent through magical means by Sr. Res. Grout during dispatch. Contents were recorded approximately four weeks after the first item.

"The past few weeks have been proven to be quite insightful. A system of catacombs seem to run under the estate, where the most meetings and ceremonies take place and the vast majority of the members reside. Those who reside in the estate itself aboveground are the leading members, as well as their immediate subordinates. To the outside world, they pose as the owning family and estate faculty respectively.

After a brief stay in the manor halls, I was also moved to the shared living spaces of the catacombs. Through a pompous little ceremony I was introduced to the rest of my "brotherhood" and we all had the pleasure of receiving a speech on the importance of unity and respect. I do believe I was the only reasonable enough to discern the underlying reference to submission and obedience. An interesting observation is that, unlike most "conventional" cults, this one does not seem to follow a designated leader. Rather, they unite under the teachings of a group of three members, which have been introduced to me as Brother Rommeraud and Sisters Istrava and Genevieve. I will need to ascertain whether one secretly pulls the strings or they truly lead this equally.

Among the many other acquaintances I have made (I count a total of about 60 followers), I have a specific interest in a member by the name of Merriam. Truly, her errant mind seems vulnerable to divulging what I shall call, for lack of a better word, gossip. I will attempt to build a close relationship with her, as I feel she will prove herself a valuable asset."

-Researcher Trillis Amarin's proposal: "We may need to request a staff list of our colleagues in Providence, one of these names rings a bell. Really, who names their child Istrava?"

-Lead Researcher Miles Chorda's reply to Researcher Amarin's proposal: "While I encourage the voicing of all ideas, let's limit comments irrelevant to the examination within our lunchtime conversations, shall we? We will contact the administration for the names as soon as possible."

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Third item. Deemed as high priority and sent through magical means by Sr. Res. Grout during dispatch. Contents were recorded approximately two months after the second item.

"Today I witnessed an event of major religious importance to this group of people. "The Ravings", as it is apparently named by the cult. During the ceremony, we filled the main underground hall in the evening to observe the mad thrashing about of a woman whom I had never met before. I believe I know exactly what caused that behaviour from her. She was brought in screaming and kicking, and we watched her shout nonsense for quite a long while. My fellow "brothers and sisters" seemed to pay close attention; I wonder if they truly heard something that I could not. When the event ended, I presume they put the woman under the influence of some drug, because she was docile while they dragged her out.

Now, sitting here in a secluded corner and writing down my observations, I fear that poor woman has not found rest yet. Occasionally I will lay my hand on the wall and feel it vibrate. I can only wonder where they keep her, so that her screams do not reach us anymore.

In order to test her dedication to the cult, after the ceremony I expressed to Merriam a desire to leave the community. She seemed to accept, if not sympathize with my thoughts. Indeed, I may have found an ally in her."

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Fourth item. Delivered via homing pigeon from unknown sender. Contents were recorded approximately two to three weeks after the third item.

"They were preparing us, the new arrivals, for days. The rest were practically shaking with anticipation. I was told I was lucky to finally experience The Reclaim for the first time. Same hall, they entered with the woman. The way they lifted her head and pulled the worm out of her, I thought it was her spine. I admit, I felt the rush too when she crumbled to the floor and the crowd threw their bodies in the center of the room, ready to play the gamble - and if I were to receive It, so be it. That's what was in my mind at the time. Numbness took me over next morning. I sometimes vomit at the thought that I might be carrying It inside me.

This mission disgusts me, I am done with it. I will soon grab Merriam and leave this wretched place. To hell with cults and the idiots in them. She asked for details, I told her my plan. Gods, I cannot wait until we are free from here.

I hope this notebook reaches Septa, so that you can all know how much I fucking hate you. All you bastards at the School make me sick."

-Researcher Urh'mzhu Maenott's comment: "Any ideas what may have caused such an outburst? Well, now we know there was no parasite in him, so there's that..."

-Doctor Clifford Teague's comment: "Our colleague was obviously very shaken by this point, so I suggest we take everything with a grain of salt. For all we know, Grout could have made all of this up."

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Fifth item. Repossessed with Sr. Res. Grout's cadaver.