I suppose it might be wise to keep a track of things. After all, who knows what might happen. I can no longer rely on everything to go my way, I've learned the hard way.

How do you even write a report? Am I supposed to be professional? Just go with what I think's important? Am I weird for overthinking this?

I'll be the first to admit, I wasn't prepared for everything that's happened today. I think To start with the beginning, I wasn't aware that I was going to be joined by others who shared ambitions similar to mine, however I am not at all bothered. I just wish things could have turned out otherwise. Perhaps. What if. 

I'm not completely aware of what they did to end up as they did, but I don't think I could've done much else. Or is this all my fault? 

No, thinking like that is going to get me nowhere. Things like this happen. Move on.

But what if I can't?

I can't keep second guessing myself. I'd almost gotten myself killed back at the hostage situation. Even now, I don't know if I made the right choice. Truly, I do believe that the girl deserved to live, even after everything done to her. But, is that truly what she wanted? Was what I did wrong? What if I'm wrong? What if she was right? No, I refuse to believe death is preferable to imprisonement.

I just wish I could've done more. To help the girl. To help Connor and Greg. To help myself. I guess even after everything, I'm still just a naive, rich kid. I still haven't learned anything, even after this taxing journey.

At least there's someone I managed to help today, Jacob Miller, and Za'kar. I hope Za'kar's doing alright. Miller's on a good pathway to full recovery, I've been keeping an eye on his situation, and his sister's a lifesaver. However, to learn what the bandits in the gambling district were doing, even after rescuing Za'kar and scamming them out of their money, I can't overlook the situation. There has to be something I can do.

Can't help everybody

I can try

Well, I guess they did get what they deserved, though. I'm still surprised I managed to pull off that stunt with the medkits, to be honest. Well, I have to find a way to deal with them some day, but perhaps this is not the day.

Oh, would you look at the time, I have a meeting with the Harbinger I need to attend. Well, I'll finish the report some other day.

Probably won't.

Hypothesis

Hypothesis 1:
Subject: Xuflirelium chemical composition, effects on the body

Xuflirelium, as it is commonly known across the continent, is a heavily addictive and hazardous substance derived from what i presume to be a descendant of some kind of herbal plant, perhaps created with extensive genetic modification or absorbation of chemical particles in the past.

Upon consumption of the substance, individuals observed are known to enter a state of a heavily boosted metabolic state, during which the chemicals stored in the leaves of the plant contribute greatly to the subject's physical and psychological abilites, improving their strength, dexterity, cognitive capacity etc. Possibility of side effects: overstraining of muscles, brain decay, stroke?

After a period of continued non-absortion of, what I presume to be a biochemical agent within the plant, the subject enters a state of withdrawal during which symptoms such as present, in order:

         Stage 1

• Anxiety
• Craving
• Aggression

         Stage 2

• Increased heart rate
• Visual and auditory hallucinations
• Shock

         Stage 3

• Coma
• Death

During research on the subject, I have come to a hypothesis that the afforementioned symptoms are caused by a previously mentioned biochemical agent (which will be referred to as the override agent) which enters the brain upon consumption of the substance, binding itself to neurological cells and rewiring the brain's electrical signal response into believing that the substance is required for survival (similar to what happens in regular addiction). Differing from normal addiction is the physical response that follows, the same response that usually happens when the body is entering a state of shock (i.e limiting bloodflow to non-essential organs, slowly shutting down the body's physical functions in an attempt to prolong lifespan), due to what I believe is the override agent tricking the neurological system into believing the body is slowly being deprived of an extremely essential substance such as oxygen.

This, I believe is part of the plant's natural reproduction cycle, at first acting in a symbiotic relation with its host, before eventually resulting in the host's death, which then serves as sustenance and as a suitable enviornement for more Xuflirelium to grow. This is of course all currently unconfirmed.

I believe that with the proper equipment, I may be able to seperate the chemical agents that make up Xuflirelium's composition, splitting the override agent and the substance that results in its beneficial qualities apart, after which the override agent can be disposed of and the beneficial substances further refined into a variety of medicines.

Note to self: Continue research as soon as you acquire proper funds, equipment and assistance
THIS IS IMPORTANT RESEARCH, DO NOT FORGET

Observation report

Observation report 1.
Unknown parisitic infection: dubbed P-tar/102-405 (TAR plague/virus/parasite, in short)
First observed: Zafra village (Unconfirmed, personal experience)
HEAVILY CONTAGIOUS -- AVOID PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH AFFLICTED / POSSIBLE AIRBORNE HAZARD

Description: The TAR parasite is an unknown, presumably new, invasive species of parasite that infects human hosts (animal infection has thus far been unconfirmed). The parasite is heavily harmful to the human body, no symbiotic qualities are present, mortality rate is (presumed to be) 100% without immediate medical intervention. The parasitic infection is known to affect primarily the brain, alongside the body's neurological systems and immune systems.

Mortality: 100%

Symptoms: Cough, rash, auditory/visual hallucinations, delirium, other symptoms commonly associated with the common cold/flu.

Incubation time: Immediate, 15 minutes (presumed) until symptoms begin. Fatal: 2-10 hours (presumed).

Causes: Parastic spores released by mature specimens of the TAR parasite. Transmittion possible via: mucus membranes (nose, mouth, eyes, ears), direct skin contact, inhalation, consumption/digestion.

Treatment: Immediate surgery of the brain and removal of parasitic growth/rendering parasitic growth deceased if removal impossible.
NOTE: If TAR parasite has already reached mature status, patient is to be considered DECEASED, the body is to be considered a biohazard and disposed of. Minimize contact.

Summary: The TAR parasitic infection begins upon patient coming into unprotected contact with TAR spores. During a period of 15 minutes, infectious spores begin to spread from the source of infection towards the brain. Parasitic growth begins as soon as the spores reach the brain. While in the process of growth, the parasite is (PRESUMABLY, ALWAYS TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS) considered non-contagious. During this time, patients will begin to report symptoms of the common cold/flu, as the infection progresses hallucinations and delirium begins to set in. It is possible to save the patient during this time, by peforming invasine brain surgery and removing the growth from the brain. After the parasite reaches full growth (2-10 hours, presumed) the patient is to be considered deceased, as the parasite begins to turn the body's immune system against itself, expelling the body's immune agents and other beneficial liquids through a black, tar-like substance out of the mucuous membranes of the body (it is unknown if this liquid serves as a vector for infection, however, necessary precautions should be taken when interacting with it).

During the time of maturity, the parasite becomes heavily aggressive and defensive, spewing a cloud of black smoke as a defensive measure. This smoke consists of parasitic spores, and serves as further vector for infection. The parasite has not yet been observed to survive in the body after the patients death for an indeterminate period of time, most likely as long as there remains nutrients in the form of the deceased body to feed off of, as such bodies remain highly infectious even afet death. It is currently unknown whether the patient is still alive during the initial period of the parasite reaching maturity status, however, recovery is considered heavily implausible due to the destruction of the body's immune system.

Note: Antibiotics/immunal boosting medicine/herbs possibly delay onset of symptoms/growth, unconfirmed, do not take for granted.

Draft 01,
Author: Dr. Leonard Alean, MD Neurology & General Medicine