The Diamond Pox
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The Diamond Pox - Studies on Thaumic Petrification
Lore by Combustionary
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OOC Note
[ This lore is to primarily serve as a tool for events, and as flavor available to those whose characters are regularly in contact with large quantities of mana. In its current form, it is not something that can be easily manipulated by a character, and is simply a description of a natural occurrence in the realm of Voidal Mechanics.
For example, mages working with Voidal Tears might opt to RP the formation of these crystalline growths, or areas with high mana concentrations can be populated with crystalline trees and petrified corpses. It is, for now, merely a worldbuilding tool. ]
Since the exploration of the first Hollow, the strange crystallization found in sights of Voidal upheaval has been noted. The exact nature of the creation of these crystalline landscapes largely eludes reason, but the emergence of sources of a more controlled flow of mana has led to cases of this process, known as ‘Thaumic Petrification’, to occur over a much more easily studied period of time. Known colloquially as “The Diamond Pox”, for its most immediate effect, the stages and consequences of convalesced mana has at last been thoroughly documented.
On The Nature of Thaumic Petrification
Any flow of a large amount of mana, be it from the explosion of a Void Node, or the gradual seepage of a Tear, will ultimately convalesce into its surroundings. Typically, less mana is absorbed into denser materials such as stone and metals; and more into into supple organic materials such as flesh and wood.
As seen in the hollows formed from explosive Nodes, highly concentrated mana tends to form into crystalline structures. While most dramatic in the ruins left from these mentioned hollows, suitable materials left near a voidal tear or other mana source will eventually begin to host such growth.
Thaumic Petrification is the process of an organic material becoming host to such growths, and eventually being overtaken by them.
On The “Stages” of Thaumic Petrification
Thaumic Petrification is much more of a scale than a series of steps. All changes are gradual, and simply describe the effects as the victim further succumbs to the effects of excess mana.
Furthermore, all stages are reversible. Should the victim be removed from the source of mana for an adequate period of time, the growths will gradually fade - leaving only the scars and wounds they may have created.
Stage One - Skin Irritants
The earliest form of Thaumic Petrification occurs only hours after contact with a suitable source of mana. This stage is neither harmful nor unsightly.
At this stage, miniscule crystal fragments form within the outermost layer of the victim’s skin. Usually, this is not even felt by the subject, and even then, only as mild pain or itches. The growths are not yet visible at this stage.
Stage Two - Minor Growths
The second stage of Thaumic Petrification, and the one for which it is called “The Diamond Pox”. At this point, the tiny shards have grown into pea-sized crystals, found within the outer layers of the skin. It is highly reminiscent of a pox, except the growths are both crystalline, and faintly glowing.
These objects are, by this point, highly painful to the victim. By this point, this pain combined with the obviously-voidal appearance of the growths leads to the majority of victims removing themselves from the vicinity of any obvious source.
By this point, most victims who leave the area and let the mana disperse will be left with scars from the outermost growths.
Stage Three - Major Growths
Should the victim, by choice or not, persevere through the pain of stage two petrification and linger still, the growths will continue to both grow in size, and appear deeper within their tissue.
The defining aspect of this stage is that, by this point, the growths have appeared within the victim’s muscular system. While the exact effects vary with the location of these initial muscular growths, they are typically lessened function within the affected muscles.
This is the first stage where the affliction can regularly prove fatal, usually due to growths appearing near the arteries in the neck.
Permanent effects for a survivor vary, based on the exact locations of these growths. Usually, it is simply damage to the affected muscles - a victim who experienced numerous growths in his legs may forever have trouble running, for example.
Stage Four - Lethal Growths
Stage four is simply defined - It is the point at which these growths have interrupted vital life functions, and given the victim a lethal injury. Typically, this is the result of the growths piercing an organ, or obstructing blood flow.
Stage Five - Petrification
Thaumic Petrification, as a whole, fully begins to occur after the victim’s death. Should the corpse remain within the vicinity of the mana source, the dead tissue will continue to grow the crystals as the flesh decomposes around it.
Depending on the nature of the mana source, there are two primary classifications of Thaumic Petrification - Petrification and Ossification. These are based on the general mana output of the source.
They are in no ways exact classifications, and are more of a scale - with victims appearing more petrified as a result of more powerful sources of mana.
Petrification
The result of Thaumic Petrification through a fast-acting mana source, typically the explosion of a Void Node (where all five stages are almost instantaneous).
A petrified victim tends to, ultimately, resemble a smattering of crystals vaguely in the shape of a man (or whatever creature was petrified). Little to no identifying features can be found, and in extreme cases, it becomes difficult to discern even whether it was a living thing in the first place.
Ossification
The opposite of Petrification, Ossification is the end result of a victim to a slower source of mana. As such may imply, this takes a much longer amount of time, but as a result, the crystallized remains will grow more closely to the shape of the victim.
Ossification can create nearly life-like replicas of the victim, and in many cases, faces, expressions, and any other features are nearly perfectly preserved.
