The Iron Box Trio is an odd and unique Abnormality Object, even amongst its already strange siblings. The box, no larger than a briefcase, is simple in appearance, and constructed of a matte black iron-like material. Though when carried it is no heavier than a few pounds. Further, the Iron Box itself does nothing, it merely safely holds what is within.
When opened, via twin clip locks on the front of the box’s side, the cushioned velvet interior has three custom impressions. In each impression, when first discovered at least, are three palm-sized icons each made of a specific material: a frog icon made of jade, a beetle icon made of stone, and a bird icon made of gold.
Each of these icons has a specific ability, but like most Abnormality Objects their use comes with a significant danger of severe repercussions. Furthermore, the collected objects are supposedly cursed, and their use may see their owner fall into their doom.
Supposedly, when the objects are separated they are constantly trying to find each other. Pulling and tugging ever so slightly in the direction of their sibling icons. There have even been reports of the icons suddenly disappearing upon activation, only for them to reappear once more together inside the Iron Box somewhere in the Delta Space.
When all three icons are kept together, they impose a terrible curse on their owner. No one is sure as to why the icons do such a thing, though the reasoning behind what any Abnormality Object does is often an exercise in futility.
If the three objects find themselves in the possession of one individual, within a single month's time the owner will begin to feel the effects of the Iron Box Trios curse.
First, the user will find themselves with sudden and strange urges and desires. Those associated with the imagery in which the icons have been chosen. The owner may have a strong desire to eat flies like a frog, or to burrow themselves within the ground like a beetle. Over time, these desires become irresistible turning into a ravenous hunger in which the victim only desires foods in which the icons would eat, flies, carrion flesh, and even dirt.
If the Iron Box Trio is separated at this point, either on purpose or not, then the victim may survive and gain his normal facilities back. But if these symptoms are ignored, or if the victim does not know the trio must be separated, then the following symptoms will soon arise and become permanent.
After a month, the victim's body will begin to change, with the curse slowly transforming it into a grotesque amalgamation of the icon's imagery. At random intervals over the following days or weeks, a wing may sprout from the victim's back, their tongue may grow and become like sticky paper, and their skin may harden and turn into chitin.
Their psyche will not be unharmed either, as the victim will soon begin to experience constant, disjointed visions. Visions of frogs leaping about, of beetles digging through sand and dirt, and of birds ripping apart their prey by the beak. These hallucinations become so intense that the victim loses all ability to focus, communicate, or even recognize reality. Eventually, they lose all sense of self and become a monster in mind and body.
The Iron Box Trio is a mysterious Abnormality Object consisting of a matte black box containing three cursed icons: a frog made of jade, a beetle of coarse stone, and a bird of gold. While the box itself is unremarkable and serves only as a vessel, the icons within possess powerful yet perilous abilities. The frog icon allows for extraordinary leaps, the beetle grants the ability to burrow through any surface, and the bird enables short bursts of flight. However, each power comes at a cost: the frog distorts motor control with overuse, the beetle induces claustrophobia, and the bird leads to avian-like compulsions.
When kept together, the icons curse their owner in horrifying ways. Initially, the user develops strange urges tied to the icons’ nature, such as a craving for flies or carrion. Over time, these compulsions evolve into monstrous transformations: sticky tongues, hardened chitinous skin, and even wings may emerge. The victim’s mind also deteriorates, plagued by hallucinatory visions of frogs, beetles, and birds, ultimately leaving them as a grotesque and mindless amalgamation. Separating the icons may halt the curse, but their strange pull ensures they seek reunification, often reappearing together within the Iron Box.
At current time, the trio has been separated from each other and are spread out throughout the galaxy. Having been found by an archeologist exploring ancient tombs in the dangerous reaches of O.Sec F initially, the archaeologist immediately recognized the Iron Box having heard the tale of it from associates. Immediately, the the archeologist sought to separate the icons, though understanding their values he put them up for auction.
The frog icon was sold to a private collector and adventurer who primarily conducts business in the Federated Territories of Vash. The beetle icon was sold to a private miner, who has been using it to mine asteroids and sell their findings at a great price, however, his current whereabouts are unknown leading some to believe he has fallen victim to the beetle's claustrophobia curse. And the bird icon is currently in the possession of a Far-flung Curios and Pets Monger who intends to display it at the Interspace Crafts and Arts Spaceships Fair.
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