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Mindkiller - Research into Unconventional Alchemy XVI

Journal of Conrad Azohi - Day 935 after embarking

For the past months, I have been uncertain whether or not the leadership of Takik have been concerned with their populace at all, or whether they didn't concern themselves with thinking about them. A recent event has persuaded me that, perhaps, they do think about their citizens, but think very poorly of them.

During a visit to a community I had visited in the past, I noticed Gota (an older woman, one of the more astute, friendly, and quick witted individuals I have met in Takik) sitting off to the side and staring blankly into space. When I approached her, she didn't seem to recognize me or anyone else around her. Further inspection revealed that, yesterday, she had been talking about this bottle of Kuthin she had acquired which she intended to share with me upon my visit (Kuthin is a type of liquor derived from a local fruit). However, she apparently decided to take a drink that night, and, unfortunately, this bottle of Kuthin was poisoned. I have developed a taste for the drink during my time in Takik, and it seems that whoever delivered the bottle to Gota was heavily recommending that she share it with me.

After some experimentation with the drink, I was able to separate out the toxin. It's a fairly simple compound, but with an awkward structure and an overabundance of vitae and mors contained within it. It's a foul compound, which races to the brain and damages it, completely removing the brain's sense of self. Essentially, it kills the mind, leaving the body functional and catatonic. I have been attempting to devise a method of reversing it's effects, but I feel it might not be possible to do so.

This is a very powerful toxin, and could not have been easily acquired. It was likely intended for me. After considering the different possibilities, I think it is most likely that the leadership of Takik are the perpetrators of this act of espionage. This conveys that they are willing to engage in a war before they are willing to give their lower class citizens fair treatment. I think it is likely that we will encounter more attacks like this as time goes forward, and we should prepare for what might be a fight.