Fantasy ⊞The Mistwalker's Handbook (Mistwalker Logs Lore)

[Cresion Breezes]

Welcome Mistwalker,

May the true sky watch over you.

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[Cresion Breezes]

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Basic Premise

Art & Setting by Cresion Breezes​

Humanity always lived in a specific section of land, they called it the “Clearing”. That’s because everywhere else is covered in a boundless fog known as the “Mist”. Within the Mistzone, lies the Antiquities, incomprehensible, eldritch creatures and phenomena that reign supreme. Everyone knows to not go near the Mist, because nobody who went deep into the Mist ever returned. Those who were lucky enough to be pulled back before the point of no return were changed, with deformities to their bodies and mind.

Life went on. Peace and conflict, art and commerce, all within the small pocket of land that was not covered by the dense fog. Everyone avoided the Mist and lived.

Until…The Mist came to us.

1010 A.S.C, 25 years ago.

The Mistzone suddenly expanded, swallowing the majority of humanity’s already limited land. What proceeded was some years of chaos as civilization struggled to cope with the catastrophe and loss of resources. More Antiquities emerged from the “New Mistzone”, whether they were always there, or were wrapped versions of things we once knew. As time proceeded however, it became clear that humanity’s original way of living would no longer be possible. The Mist will be coming for us.

As a response, the formerly feuding factions of humanity unprecedentedly united. All factions and nations decided to join together and sponsored an organization known as the AIMC - Agency for Investigation of Mistzone Catastrophes, 5 years after the Mistzone’s expansion. What proceeded was years of research and attempted exploration of the Mistzone, causing an explosion of new Mist-related technologies and exploration techniques. Exciting, concerning, frightening, fascinating. The feelings for this turbulent era is impossible to encompass in one word, but between sitting and waiting out their days for the judgment of fate, or risking their everything to discover the truth about the Mist, some chose the latter.

Finally, after years of continuous development and experiments, with countless sacrifices and discoveries on the way, humanity has decided to take its first steps into the Mistzone. It’s time to confront the unknown.

Whether you came here due to your own aspirations, or on orders of authorities, or some other fortunate or unfortunate circumstance, you must steel your resolve and be prepared.

Welcome, Mistwalker.

May the true sky watch over you.

 

[Cresion Breezes]

Nations and Factions​

Agency for Investigation of Mistzone Catastrophes
"Unitas in Desperation"

AIMC (Agency for Investigation of Mistzone Catastrophes)
Motto: “Unitas in Desperatione” (Unity in Desperation)
Stylistic Keywords: Cryptidcore, Noir Detective, Eldritch Horror

Membership - ~50,000

Demographics (% of population)
Radiatheology - ~32%
Firmamentism - ~50%
Divine Mist Theory - ~10%
Other/Non-Religious - ~8%

Visibly Mist Corroded - ~45%

Encode User (General) - ~13%
Encode User (Natural High Affinity) - ~8%

Created 25 years ago soon after the Mist’s expansion, this organization’s main goal is to research the Mist, the creatures it borne, and its effects on living things. But they also take requests from various authorities when it comes to matters related to the Mist, such as matters pertaining to former territory within the New Mistzone. They are given independent jurisdiction in some areas controlled by other factions, and have “outpost towns” in now abandoned territories of the other factions due to mist density.

Originally the AIMC was a small, hobbyist organization that others saw as niche at best, and insane at worst, known as the MES (Mist Expedition Society). Only after the Mistzone’s expansion was this small fringe group given any attention and a large amount of funding from various sources, and a great reshuffle in leadership, giving birth to the AIMC.

Members from the AIMC come from all over, some volunteered or requested to be put into the organization, but others were ordered to serve there as a part of an agreement to provide manpower for Mist exploration by the Clearing’s factions. Over the years, they have gained a reputation of being beacons of humanity in the thick fog, the colour of the reflective bands on their uniforms that are designed to improve visibility of allies in the Mist has been affectionately nicknamed “Sunrays” by civilians that had to remain near the Mistzone.

Although fairly respected by local civilians and those who’ve suffered due to the Mist, this feeling is far from universal. There is a fair amount of Mist Corroded individuals, people who’ve developed inhuman traits due to extensive exposure to the Mist, within the AIMC. While some see this as an honourable symbol of braving the horrific unknowns of the Mist, others see it as freakish deformities indicating someone crossing a line of no return into inhuman lunacy.

Of course, issues also exist internally, as the history of national feuds and animosity does not simply disappear. Prejudice and discrimination against members from other factions is common, however, anything too over the line can result in disciplinary action. All factions were warned to not send those who are overly zealous to the point of disfunction in an international cooperative operation. Despite their former animosity, they are at least trying to make a show of teamwork in order to conquer the Mist, though political issues and ulterior motives are not completely gone in each authority’s tactics in managing their involvement with the AIMC.

Greater Gerralian Empire
“Gloria Gerralia”

Greater Gerralian Empire (abbrv. “Gerralia”, “The Empire”, “Gerralian Empire”)
Motto: “Gloria Gerralia”
Stylistic Keywords: Dieselpunk, WW1/2, Hybrid-weaponary

Population - ~6.2 million

Demographics (% of population)
Radiatheology - ~12%
Firmamentism - ~45%
Divine Mist Theory - <1%
Other/Non-Religious - ~42%

Visibly Mist Corroded - ~3%

Encode User (General) - ~5%
Encode User (Natural High Affinity) - <1%

Major Institutions:
Gerralian Military
Gerralian Motorized Infantry
Gerralian Zepplin Fleet/National Aerial Fleet
Gerralia National Military Academy
Ferrarium U235 Mining & Exportation Co.

Governed by a military court and tribunal, the most powerful militaristic force in the known world. The Empire is the largest nation within the Clearing, both population and area wise, which came from a history of military conquest before the Mistzone’s expansion. Their current force largely came from their large population fueling a sprawling industrial production complex, and low barrier of entry to military combat training.

Most cities within the Gerralian Empire are smoke-riddled complexes of steel and iron, oil and gears, with hardworking ordinary people with hopes and cynicism about the world. Many of them are a part of the Gerralian Military, the largest combat force within the Clearing. Much of the non-industrialized land is devoted to agriculture with support from some automation technologies. It is a nation with very different sights in urban and rural areas due to its vastness.

Combatants of the Gerralian Military wield melee or mid-ranged weapons that are empowered by built-in miniature engines, known as “motorized weapons”, the contraptions inside augment their strikes with great power while being relatively easy to train new users in. Although they are rather bulky and heavy, these weapons, even the more conventionally offensive models, can serve great defensive purposes as well.

The Empire’s industries are also mass producers of steam and oil-empowered transportation, both ground and air. As a result, they are the biggest sponsor of basic resources to the AIMC, including producing and providing the mainframes of transportation within the mist-corroded zones: Filtration Airships.

Miscantia Academia Associa
“In Cognition shall be thy Purpose, In Clarity shall be thy Truth”

Miscantia Academia Associa (abbrv. “Miscantia”, “The MAA”, “Miscantia University”)
Motto: “In Cognition shall be thy Purpose, In Clarity shall be thy Truth”
Stylistic Keywords: Cassette Futurism, STEM Academia, Analog/Liminal Horror

Population (Only Identifies as Member of The MAA) - ~340,000
Population (Identifies as Member of The MAA and Citizen of Another Nation) - 1.2 million

Demographics (% of population)
Radiatheology - ~22%
Firmamentism - ~35%
Divine Mist Theory - ~8%
Other/Non-Religious - ~35%

Visibly Mist Corroded - ~11%

Encode User (General) - ~15%
Encode User (Natural High Affinity) - 3%

Major Departments:
Department of Sciences
Department of Engineering
Department of Medicine
Department of Historical Studies
Department of Humanities
Department of Encoding Studies
Department of Mistzone Research

Originally an academic institution with a college town sprung up around it within the Republic of Radionica, Miscania University’s sub-campuses grew in number and size over time, littered within the territories of the other nations at 30+ in total. They have been spearheading the research of the mist’s properties both before and after its expansion, and have developed technologies related to the Mist and Mistzone exploration. The filtration system and other key pieces of technology to Deep Mist exploration all came out of this organization.

The Associa’s immense academic and technological contribution have almost granted them an “extra-judicial” status within the other nations, being mostly allowed to self-govern the land that their facilities rest on. However, this also invites numerous conspiracies surrounding them, such as other nations using the organzation as a way of performing unethical research that are not permitted by their local laws or would cause public backlash.

The area that the Miscantia Associa holds is small, but the structures that are built upon them are sprawling and complex facilities with great vertical height. Even students of the Associa themselves often never navigate the entirety of its main campus’ basement in their entire academic career. They seemingly hold the most amount of technology, only in facilities of the Associa can one see items like screens and electronic devices regularly. Even though they are fairly bulky seeming, their plastic exteriors make the physical requirements to using them much lower than conventional weapons.

Most members of the Miscantia Associa are logistical personnel, researchers, or medical practitioners, however, they also have a fair amount of members who are capable of keeping up with combatants of the bigger nations. These people are often field researchers or frontline personnel that have some combat training, they usually wield unique or experimental technology to support others and empower themselves.

Radiatheocratic Republic of Radionica
“Sun, Moon, Star, We Are”font]

Radiatheocratic Republic of Radionica (abbrv. “Radion Republic”, “Radionica”)
Motto: “Sun, Moon, Star, We Are”
Stylistic Keywords: Atompunk, Christian Iconography, Cold War (1950s)

Population - ~5 million

Demographics (% of population)
Radiatheology - ~96%
Firmamentism - ~10%
Divine Mist Theory - <1%
Other/Non-Religious - ~1%

Visibly Mist Corroded - ~5%

Encode User (General) - ~5%
Encode User (Natural High Affinity) - <1%

Major Institutions:
Church of Radiatheology
Radionica Engineering Seminary
Radionica Divine Engineering School
Tri-Radia Powerplants (Solaria, Lunaria, Celestia)

The Republic of Radionica is the main provider of electrical energy of the Clearing and was historically the main forerunner of technological progress before the Mistzone became humanity’s main concern, and Miscantia pulled ahead due to their focus on the area. However, Radionica is still fairly advanced comparatively when it comes to more empirical forms of technology.

Their ability to provide energy comes from the early discovery of a “miracle power” - atomic fission. The three main powerplants of Radionica are often described as the artificial “Sun, Moon, and Star” of humanity’s own creation. Radionica is the second largest nation behind the Gerralian Empire in terms of area, however, they have a greater border with the Mistzone due to the shape of their territory. They use this as an advantage and dispose of post-processed nuclear waste deep into the Mistzone with disposable unmanned transportation.

The cities of Radionica are comparatively more clean, and organized, with the existence of suburbia between urban, rural, and industrial (powerplant) zones. This is not only due to their technology, but also a culture of reverence towards purity, organization, and cleanliness. The Republic of Radionica, rather zealously worships nuclear energy and atomic fission, they believe it is the artificial divinity created by humanity and is the ultimate savior from whatever is beyond the Mist. This is reflected in the “state religion” of Radiatheology, which around 96% of the population is a part of, with believers outside of the nation as well. This also makes Radiatheology the biggest and most popular religious belief in the Clearing. Many of Radionica’s high-end academic facilities, government institutions, and of course, the powerplants themselves also double as churches and places of worship.

Radionica’s military is overseen by the Church of Radiatheology, with their uniforms and style having a divine, decorative flare that somewhat goes against militaristic efficiency. Its combatants and logistics are often experts in anything radioactive and energy-based, including when it comes to supernatural phenomena within the Mistzone. They harvest these principles to be used in both offense and defense, commonly wielding light and volatile, but also highly resource-reliant energy weapons such as ray guns and light swords in battle. They also provide the common protective gear and unmanned devices used during the Deep Mist Exploration.

Kingdom of Aelfscyne
“Gelīfe on Manncystum”

Kingdom of Aelfscyne (abbrv. “Aelfscyne”, “The Aelfs”)
Motto: “Gelīfe on Manncystum” (Believe in Virtue)
Stylistic Keywords: Steampunk, Scientific Alchemy/Wizardry, Victorian/Edwardian

Population - 2.2 million

Demographics (% of population)
Radiatheology - ~6%
Firmamentism - ~55%
Divine Mist Theory - ~18%
Other/Non-Religious - ~21%

Visibly Mist Corroded - ~24%

Encode User (General) - ~85%
Encode User (Natural High Affinity) - 33%

Major Institutions:
Aelfscyian Royal Encoders Defense Force
Aelfscyian Royal Encoding Academy
Aelfscyian National and Historical EAD Reservoir
Laboratory for Mist Corrosion Welfare Studies

Commonly seen as a fallen giant, Aelfscyne is currently the smallest of the three “nations” that occupy the Clearing. Its technological progress is notably lacking, with most places still relying on steam-powered systems. However, in the past, back about a century and a half before the advancement of various technologies, Aelfscyne was the most powerful nation due to the population’s ability to harness “true supernatural power” - Encoding. Encodes, or “magic” as it is called in ancient scriptures and older historical documents, is a currently unexplainable way of manipulating phenomena by drawing specific glyphs and activating them through spiritual will. It is said that in ancient times, a single master Encoder could rival a hundred men alone.

As time went on, other nations developed techniques and technologies that were capable of rivaling the power of average Encoders, along with the nation’s general unwillingness to change, eventually causing their downfall. Aelfscyne is currently a monarchy, with the royal family and noble class holding most of the nation’s power. This class hierarchy formed due to the nature of Encodes requiring some sort of genetic talent to be used, which created a power divide between pure-blooded Encoders and mix-blooded Encoders that the latter could not fight back on.

But times have changed, especially after the Mistzone’s expansion. Various technological developments have already let almost anyone in other nations be able to be armed, while prejudice and vengeance caused the number of Encoders to dwindle over time from oppression and loss of resources. In recent decades, Miscantia has even developed devices that allow those with lesser birth and genetics to cast Encodes as well, greatly shaking up the current status quo.

Despite the cultural obsession with bloodlines and the classist nature of society, Aelfscyne is very tolerant of those who’ve suffered deformities similar to the results of Mist Corrosion, and discrimination of those who exhibit supernatural traits is rare. This is likely due to how accidents involving Encodes can also cause these types of deformities. In fact, it is common after the Mistzone expansion for Aelfscyne’s orphanages to take in Mist Corroded children and even provide some of them with Encoder education.

 

[Cresion Breezes]

Keyword Glossary
Mistzone Exploration Related​

• The Mistzone
• Antiquities
• Mistwalker Squads
• Filtration Airships
• Mist Corrosion
• Fog Fluorescence

• 
  Mistzone
  The area covered by the Mist, which as far as anyone knows, stretches out indefinitely beyond the Clearing where humans live. Originally it was just known as the Mistzone, but ever since the Mist’s expansion in 1010 A.S.C, the terminology has split into “New Mistzone” and “Deep Mistzeon”. The New Mistzone being the area that formerly held human civilization, but was lost during the expansion, while the Deep Mistzone is the original area beyond human exploration.
  
  Currently, there have been limited expeditions into the New Mistzone to recover resources lost in the expansion or conduct some research. The Deep Mistzone remains unknown, although there have been expeditions sent out both before and after (AIMC’s Mistwalker Squad 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 11) the expansion, so far no one has ever returned from the Deep Mistzone.
• 
  Antiquities
  A catch-all term for the horrid abnormal entities within the Mistzone, this ranges from strange and hostile creatures to various eldritch phenomenon that deforms both one’s physical and mental conditions, as well as some things that cannot be described so easily. Antiquities are dubbed this due to their existence since the dawn of recorded history.
  
  Creatures of Antiquity sometimes can leave the Mistzone of their own volition and wander into human settlements, often causing great destruction or mass hysteria, making areas close to the Mistzone extremely dangerous and non-appealing to live in.
  
• 
  Mistwalker Squads
  A special type of action squad within the AIMC that ventures into the Mistzone. Currently, there exists 6 of these squads with the newest being Mistwalker Squad No.13, and squads 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 11 were completely lost during previous operations within the Deep Mistzone.
  
  Members of Mistwalker Squads are comprised of various experts and combatants from all nations of the Clearing. Idealistically, this is due to each nation often having a different field of expertise and needing each other to maximize their survival chance within the Mist, more cynically, the joint sponsorship nature of the AIMC makes no nation willing to completely shoulder the manpower request for what are essentially death marches into the unknown.
  
• 
  Filtration Airships
  A special vehicle assigned to Mistwalker Squads, they are currently the safest and most reliable method of transportation to traverse the Mistzone. Filtration airships are equipped with systems developed by the most cutting-edge technology and supernatural research from all over The Clearing, they are designed to filter out the Mist to a certain extent and let those who reside in it resist being mentally and physically corroded by the adverse effects of the Mistzone.
  
  These ships also have other facilities that are designed to maintain long-distance travel and be self-sufficent, such as greenhouses and water filtration systems. Each ship can hold and sustain up to 24 people in theory, though the high mortality rate and turnover rate of Mistwalker Squads often make it more spacious than imagined for its residents.
  
• 
  Mist Corrosion
  Long-term exposure to the Mist can cause a form of physical deformity known as “Mist Corrosion”, however, how this deformity presents itself varies greatly depending on the individual. Some of these changes are not very noticeable, such as slight changes in the colour of one’s hair, eyes, or complexion, sometimes wholly and sometimes partially. Other changes are much more obvious, such as growing extra features like horns or tendrils, even extra limbs at times. Although exposure to the Mist can definitely cause severe psychological issues in humans, physical deformities from Mist Corrosion show no correlation with how severely one’s psyche has been damaged due to the Mist.
  
  Mist Corrosion features can be passed down genetically, there have been recorded lines of Aelfscynian noble families who have had similar features for generations, but it’s not a guarantee. How long it takes to develop Mist Corrosion also varies based on the individual, some could be completely unaffected for years while others can sprout extra features just from short-term acute Mist exposure. The population of individuals with Mist Corrosion features have drastically risen since the Mist’s expansion, as many refugees and survivors of it were exposed to a large quantity of Mist.
  
  How Mist Corroded individuals are treated varies greatly depending on the area, ranging from respect to neutrality to discrimination. Generally speaking, all nations except Aelfscyne have discrimination against the Mist Corroded to some extent.
  
• 
  Fog Fluorescence
  The AIMC’s “signature colour” in a way. It is a specific shade of reflective orange that is designed to be extremely visible within the low-visibility environment of the Mistzone. The uniforms of AIMC members are adorned with reflective stripes of this colour for both practical and somewhat symbolic purposes, it is also used in various other equipment, such as outdoor lighting fixtures, signal flares, and distress beacons. Civilians have given this colour many nicknames, some adoring and some insulting, ranging from “Hope Orange” to “The Lunacy Light”.

Keyword Glossary
The World of The Clearing​

• A.S.C
• Motorized Weapons
• Folded Alkaline Batteries
• Radiatheology
• Firmamentism
• Divine Mist Theory
• Encoding
• Encode Collapse
• EADs

• 
  A.S.C
  The current standard calendar used by the people of the Clearing, it was created by the Kingdom of Aelfscyne during their rule of the entire Clearing more than a thousand years ago. It is based on ancient Aelfscynian astronomy and incorporates elements of season telling from the various scattered tribes across the Clearing. “A.S.C” stands for “Aelfscynian Star Calender”.
  
  It separates one year into 12 months and 4 quadrants based on general climate.
  
• 
  Motorized Weapons
  The specialty weapon used by the Gerralian Military, these come in the form of various melee weapons but with a built-in motor that allows these weapons to be much more destructive than conventional melee weapons. Components such as acceleration triggers that strengthen the speed and force of strikes, chain rotors that can saw away at targets, and built-in barrels that allow these weapons to somewhat double as a firearm are all popular choices.
  
  The advantage of motorized weapons is their ease of usage (relatively) compared to weaponry and combat tactics used by other nations, this combined with Gerralian Empire’s massive manpower and production lines lets most people who are willing to take up arms be armed by these weapons. Their high level of standardization and extensive documentation allows them to be modified and customized at the will of the user as well. In the post-Mist expansion era where international tensions have eased, some Gerralians are even willing to let experts from other nations examine and augment their weapons.
  
• 
  Folded Alkaline Batteries
  A special type of battery used by combatants of the Republic of Radionica to sustain their weapons and devices with, it is a highly compressed, highly dense energy unit that is leaps and bounds more efficient when it comes to the amount of energy held and output. Currently, it is only commonly used in Radionica due to the abundance of electrical energy in the nation as well as their tradition of using extremely energy-hungry weapons.
  
  Also, these batteries have an amount of output that most devices simply cannot handle and are incompatible with unless designed with it in mind, which makes them difficult to properly use as an energy source. Their high amount of potential energy also makes damage to the battery extremely dangerous, any energy leakage could cause explosions that contains various toxins and contaminants. Some systems of filtration airships specifically designed jointly by all nations employ the usage of these batteries.
  
• 
  Radiatheology
  One of the religions within The Clearing, a relatively new religion with only around 300 years of history, but its more “empirical” effects won over many believers. It played a role in overthrowing the then tyrannical rule of Aelfscyne and continuously provided people with a seemingly endless amount of energy when treated improperly, it contaminated entire stripes of land and spread a painful and deadly disease.
  
  Radiatheology is the worship of the phenomenon of atomic fission and the natural element that makes it possible, known as “U235”. Its main places of worship are the three nuclear powerplants within the Republic of Radionica, only certain areas of these places are open to the public while the more intricate mechanisms are only available to Radionica’s “Holy Engineers”, those who have specifically been trained in both mechanical engineering and theological principles of Radiatheology.
  
  Currently, Radiatheology is the biggest religion within The Clearing by population.
  
• 
  Firmamentism
  One of the religions within The Clearing, Firmamentism is an ancient religion that has existed before recorded history. Naturally, being stuck in an area bound by the Mist, people began to worship the sky, mainly, the clear or “true sky”. Its doctrines are rather vague and it has countless sects and different interpretations due to its age, but usually, it never deviates from the belief in the power of a clear, mistless sky.
  
  Due to its age and former widespread status, it has left a cultural imprint even on those who are not religious or have other beliefs. Mannerisms of speech and idioms have often been influenced by Firmanmentism, such as the common phrase wishing one well: “May the true sky watch over you”.
  
  If all sects and variations of Firmamentism are combined, it would be about the same size as Radiatheology, but the standard of identifying as a Firmamentism believer is extremely low, and some do not act or practice the religion in any way.
  
• 
  Divine Mist Theory
  Divine Mist Theory was an older belief mainly held by the upper echelons of Aelfscyne in the past, it is the worship of the Mist, something generally seen as taboo or strange in the modern day. Some old Aelfscynian Encoder families believe that the Mist is the source of their powers, and turned to worship it, sometimes even performing rituals that involved human sacrifice within the Mist. Despite this, records from believers of Divine Mist Theory are some of the only examples of pre-modern Mist exploration, and are often studied by historians to attempt to understand what part of their scripture is based on the truth.
  
  After the fall of Aelfscyne, the Gerralian Empire and Republic of Radionica’s cultural influence of a century or so has caused Divine Mist Theory to become rather outcasted, or even illegal at some points in history. It is commonly viewed as a cult, especially after more “scientific” exploration of the Mist began to happen. However, it can still be seen in its old form in some areas of Aelfscyne.
  
• 
  Encoding
  Encoding is a form of supernatural reality manipulation that is capable of being used by humans, rather than just the Mist, those who primarily wield it in their daily life and in combat are known as “Encoders”. In the older documents that preceded the A.S calendar, Encoding was commonly referred to as “magic”, a term still sometimes used colloquially by old Encoder families.
  
  Encoding functions through the usage of “glyphs”, specific patterns that must be drawn out and have certain effects on the world around the caster. However, not just any person who can make a pattern with a stick can activate Encodes, it requires some sort of innate “talent” that hasn’t been properly understood yet. Encoding talent, though mysterious, has been confirmed as almost purely genetic. Although there have been incidences of children of Encoders being unable to cast and talented Encoders born from non-Encoder couples, these are rather rare and most Encoders still come from some sort of Encoder family. This is what resulted in Aelfscyne, the nation where around 85% of Encoders originate from, becoming a culture and society that is dominated by powerful noble Encoder families.
  Talent alone though, does not make an Encoder. Studying Encoding glyphs and understanding how to create and activate them is a long-term process and sometimes lifelong academic career. The Royal Encoding Academy of Aelfscyne offers Encoder education for children for as young as 4 years old if they show the proper amount of Encode affinity at that age, and there is no upper age bound for how long one can study Encoding. As a result, most people would only properly master one type of Encoding, unless they chose to stay in education for decades after adulthood. Combatants who use Encoding often focus on elemental or kinetic-based Encodes, but it is possible to creatively use almost any Encode to deal damage.
  
• 
  Encode Collapse
  Encode collapse is a phenomenon that happens when an Encode is forcefully terminated during its activation, this can happen if the Encode glyph is destroyed or if the Encoder is knocked unconscious while they are in the process of activating the Encode.
  The consequences and area of effect of an Encode collapse are based on the size, potency, and type of Encode used, they usually manifest in the form of a volatile, uncontrollable phenomenon that could damage the Encode’s caster.
  
  However, in rare instances of a complex or powerful Encode being collapsed, it can cause something known as a “Collapsial Effect”. This results in a small area where reality is…disturbed, similar to what happens within the Mistzone. Encode casters who had their interrupted Encodes manifest a collapsial effect sometimes will acquire physical deformities similar to Mist Corrosion traits, in fact, it is almost impossible to know whether someone with abnormal physical traits acquired them from Mist Corrosion or an Encode collapse if they do not personally disclose the origin of their traits.
  
• 
  EADs
  EAD stands for “Encoding Assistant Device”, this term is rather new, however, coined by Miscantia University’s Encoding Studies Department around 75 years ago. Previously, these devices were known as “wands”, and are still mostly called that within actual Encoder circles. Historically EADs were made out of wood, with some wealthy Encoders being able to afford ones made from crystal or adorned with gemstones, but in modern times, many younger Encoders have begun to use wands made from materials like stainless steel, porcelain, or even various types of polymers.
  
  The primary purpose of the long, stick-like shape of EADs is to be used as a pen to draw glyphs with while tightening one’s focus to call forth their effects. Although a high-quality EAD can help one cast Encodes more efficiently and smoothly, the most talented Encoders are capable still capable of casting with nothing but a tree branch or drinking straw.
  
  In 989 A.S.C, Miscantia University developed “artificial EADs”, which look like a wand-shaped controller that is connected to an auxiliary device. It was something that allowed those with lesser Encoding talent to also cast Encodes with enough study, and even complete with pure-blood Encoders. This naturally shook up the upper class of Aelfscyne, but due to the extreme cost of these devices, there seems to still be a way to go before Encoding can become ubiquitous in the lower class. Currently, there are only around 350 of these devices in existence.
  
  The development cycle of artificial EADs was also surrounded by controversy. Although there is no hard evidence for this as it happened during a period of unrest, it is heavily speculated that artificial EADs were developed through extensive human experimentation on pure-blooded Encoders.

 

[Cresion Breezes]

Major Recent Conflicts
Timeline of the Past ~150 Years​

Quick Summary Timeline

865-866 A.S.C Gerra’s Revolution

866-880 A.S.C “Age of Carved Bones”

880-886 A.S.C Gerralian Coalition Uprising

880-950 A.S.C “The Tangibility Revolution”

886-900 A.S.C Encoder Surpression Project

896-925 A.S.C Gerrelian Conquest Wars

945-947 A.S.C Radionica Salt Earth Crusade

947-960 A.S.C The Energy Wars

957 A.S.C Miscantia University Euridica Campus Massacre

982-989 A.S.C War of the Banquets (Aelfscynian Civil Espionage War)

1010 A.S.C Mistzone Expansion

1010-1015 A.S.C Post-Expansion Scramble and Recovery

1015 A.S.C Peace Agreements on Joint Investigation of Mistzone, Creation of AIMC

865-866 A.S.C Gerra’s Revolution
An uprising against the then extremely powerful Kingdom of Aelfscyne (it was the only nation within The Clearing prior.) by the Duke of Gerra, ruler of the small province of Gerra. Gerra was a place filled with mostly farmers and steelworkers without Encoding capabilities, on the edge of the Mistzone, and was often ignored and sidelined by the Kindom. The Duke of Gerra, after multiple villages being razed to the ground by Antiquities without any support or sympathy from the powerful Encoders who they believe can help them fight back, mobilized the people of a province to revolt against the royal family of Aelfscyne. His brilliant military tactics and novel ideas when it comes to creating mechanical devices to counter Encoders received the praise and faith of many.

However, the revolution itself was eventually crushed by the Archencoders of Aelfscyne, and the Duke of Gerra was executed, his bones were extracted and made into EADs - the common punishment for treason in Aelfscyne. But he was largely considered a charismatic leader and martyr by non-Encoders and mix-blooded Encoders, and his ideas and principles spread throughout the Kingdom. The bone wands made from Gerra’s remains can still be seen at the Museum of National History in The Empire of Gerralia today.

866-880 A.S.C “Age of Carved Bones”
A series of small revolutions and revolts that happened within the Kingdom of Aelfscyne after Gerra’s Revolution ended in failure. This age was characterized by instability, peasant uprisings, and a lot of executions. The name “Age of Carved Bones” refers to the sheer amount of people executed and made into EADs due to committing treason by participating in the revolution. Many of these bone-carved EADs that still remain and can still be identified were returned between the years 1010 and 1015 A.S.C, as Aelfscyne’s gesture of cooperation with Deep Mist exploration.

The economic downturn and internal corruption within the royal court of Aelfscyne, along with the non-stop social unrest caused the entire nation to become increasingly unstable. This is commonly seen as the foundation for Aelfscyne’s fall.

880-886 A.S.C Gerralian Coalition Uprising
A revolt against the Kingdom of Aelfscyne was organized by the Gerralian Coalition, a group of nobles who were given the land of the former province of Gerra after the Duke of Gerra’s execution. Although a few of these nobles were non-Encoders or mixed-blooded Encoders and sympathized with Gerra and the people, many of them joined the uprising as a method of furthering their own power after overthrowing the current royal family.

The massive progress non-Encoders made in standardized weapon production and automation allowed many Dukes to create the earliest form of munition factories, mass-producing weapons that allowed anyone a fighting chance. With confidence in the royal family waning due to the decades of unrest and internal plans of a coup, this uprising succeeded. The then royal family of Aelfscyne were either killed in the crossfire or executed after the fact.

The nobles who participated in the uprising tried to remain cordial and celebrate this achievement, promising all non-Encoders that under new rule there would be a future for them, even naming the new nation after the Duke of Gerra. This group eventually became the first military court of the Gerralian Empire.

880-950 A.S.C “The Tangibility Revolution”
A name for an age where standardization and mass mechanical production replaced the traditional usage of Encoding and supernatural forces. This was known as a period of time where there was a great explosion of the development of “Tangible Sciences” or empirical sciences. Inventions that came out of this age included the steam engine, the collection usage of diesel fuel, and the scientific method. Almost all “modern sciences” came out of this age, it was truly a revolution and industry.

This was also an age where interest in the Mist significantly dwindled in favour of other discoveries, although there has been selective research into the Mist.

886-900 A.S.C Encoder Suppression Age
A time period where many Encoders, mostly those with ties to powerful Aelfscyian families, were stripped of their titles, exiled, or even assassinated after the Gerralian Coalition Uprising succeeded. There was a large number of immediate executions of nobles who sided with the royal family or had strong ties to them, but the circle also spread into a literal and metaphorical “witchhunt” in the next few years.

During this time discrimination against Encoders was commonplace, and most decided to hide their talent and leave to the edge of the Mistzone, pieces of land that were seen as undesirable. These pieces of undeveloped land full of exiles and shunned new technology were basically the only thing that remained of the once powerful Kingdom.

It is estimated that nearly half of the most powerful Encoder bloodlines were completely lost during this time. The Greater Empire of Gerralia made a cordial apology in 1015 A.S.C for its actions as a part of the acknowledgment of the importance of Encoding in Deep Mist exploration.

896-925 A.S.C Gerrelian Conquest Wars
A series of conquest wars was waged by the still new-ish Gerralian Empire with their newly expanded military power. With most Encoders out of the way, there was little that smaller provinces and nations that fractured off of Aelfscyne could do to resist the sheer production power and military force of the Empire.

Only the second largest nation, the Republic of Radionica, remained independent due to entering into an energy export agreement with Gerralia using the newly discovered technique of atomic fission. However, it was theorized that it was actually the explosion and radiation contamination of an experimental Radionica powerplant that caused the Empire to leave them alone.

After the Gerralian Conquest Wars, the borders of The Clearing have largely been static up to the modern day.

945-947 A.S.C Radionica Salt Earth Crusade
An attempt that the Republic of Radionica made to recover lost land from the Gerralian Empire, but it was also partially due to the Empire outlawing the practice of Radiatheology within it. It is known as the Salt Earth Crusade due to this conquest ending in an entire area between Gerralia and Radionica becoming completely uninhabitable due to excessive nuclear radiation, as Radionica attempted to use nuclear waste in warfare instead of disposing of it into the Mistzone. This area is now known as the “Salt Earth Exclusion Zone”, the second most dangerous place in the known world right behind the Mistzone.

This was largely considered disastrous, causing great public outrage outside of Radionica (and in some circles within Radionica) as it was further shrinking the amount of the already small habitable land of The Clearing. Radionica eventually backed off the physical invasion, it was said that this event changed the doctrine of Radiatheology after Holy Engineers witnessed what nuclear contamination can really do.

947-960 A.S.C The Energy Wars
Although there was no more physical warfare between Radionica and Gerralia, the two nations entered into what would later be known as The Energy Wars. After the fall of Aelfscyne the two have worked together, with Radionica filling Gerralia’s increasingly expanding electrical energy needs and Gerralian mines supplying Radionica with “U235”, a special mineral used in their powerplants. During The Energy Wars, this symbiotic relationship was cut off.

The result was a severe economic downturn in both nations as production slowed and rationing became commonplace. In 955 A.S.C an early frost and long winter caused the greatest famine in recorded history of The Clearing, starvation and hypothermia taking the lives of many.

However, no real change will come until the passing of Archbishop Polon IV of the Church of Radiatheology. He was succeeded by Archbishop Thorin III, who decided to reopen dialogue with Gerralia. At the time, there was considerable social unrest within Gerralia as well, and in fear of an uprising, there was a stealth shuffle in leadership of the military court, which eventually led to energy-based trade restarting between the nations.

957 A.S.C Miscantia University Euridica Campus Massacre
Miscantia University was a Radionican university that bordered Gerralia, and was one of the inner circles that disagreed with the actions taken by the Church of Radiatheology during the Salt Earth Crusade. They also criticized the refusal to engage in energy trading with Gerralia, especially after the great famine. But most importantly, Miscantia University had campuses all over The Clearing, including Gerralia. Although ordered by the Church to stop, the Eurdica Campus of the school still engaged in academic activities and idea-sharing with campuses within Gerralia.

This eventually caused Archbishop Polon IV to denounce the Eurdica Campus and accuse them of committing treason. What happened after was considered one of the most brutal acts a nation has done on its own people post-fall of Aelfscyne, where the entire campus was sealed and used as a test site for the effects of long-term radiation exposure. All students and faculty of the campus, 1105 people, perished, many of whom took their own lives or each other's lives to spare themselves from a slow cruel death through nuclear radiation.

This is commonly seen as the moment where The Miscantia Academia Associa truly “formed”, cutting its ties from Radionica and becoming its own unique political entity. The campus today is sealed as an exclusion zone, the walls surrounding the area are carved with memorials of those who died in the massacre.

982-989 A.S.C War of the Banquets (Aelfscynian Civil Espionage War)
After its fall, the new Kingdom of Aelfscyne has largely kept to itself, only occasionally engaging in some cordial academia in regard to the principles of Encoding. However, it has kept its traditions alive, such as the discrimination based on Encoding capabilities and having a royal family as its head.

The War of the Banquets is a succession crisis that occurred in Aelfscyne after its former head, Queen Vermildegard II, passed away without any direct relatives to succeed her. It is called that name due to its conflicts being confined within ballrooms of the noble class, where conspiracies and assassinations reigned supreme as the method of warfare.

A major aspect of this civil conflict is that it coincided with the development cycle of the artificial EAD at Miscantia. The man who came out on top, King Azurhurst VI, was a once nameless noble that many thoughts was a frail, nerdy bookworm. He conspired with the MAA, who needed research subjects who were pure-blooded Encoders to develop the artificial EAD, and used the promise of equality to the lower class and extensive human trafficking to secure his throne. Currently, there are an estimated 350 pure-blooded Encoders who are still missing from this conflict.

1010 A.S.C Mistzone Expansion

1010-1015 A.S.C Post-Expansion Scramble and Recovery

1015 A.S.C Peace Agreements on Joint Investigation of Mistzone, Creation of AIMC

 

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Current Clearing Map

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Geographic Facts:

Gerralia:

• Ferrarium Mine, the biggest U235 mine in the clearing is situated at the very North of Gerralia, near the border of Radionica
• Gerralia's largest city, City of Gerra, is about 4 grids Southwest of the Lake of Fission
• Owns the majority of flat agriculture suited land in the Clearing

Radionica:

• All three major powerplants are located near the Lake of Fission, as they use the water from the lake as a cooling agent
• The entirety of the Lake of Fission is territory of Radionica, despite sharing a border with Gerralia
• Home of the highest altitude permanent AIMC outpost, it's further out into the Mist due to the high altitude thinning out the Mist

Miscantia:

• The map displays Miscantia's largest campuses, being: Miscantia Academia Associa Main Campus the head of all campuses (Center), Neo-Euridite Campus that focuses on energy sciences and nuclear physics (North of Trisurge Lake), Lanthan Campus that focuses on natural sciences and engineering (Most Northern), and Recondina Campus that focuses on the study of Encoding and Mist corrosion (Between Gerralia and Aelfscyne)

Aelfscyne:

• The only nation where there is technically civilization within the New Mistzone, including the permanent AIMC outpost that is the furthest into the New Mistzone by raw distance
• Actually claims part of the Voidwaters as territory, unlike Gerralia (The small 3 grid gulf above Aelfscyne)

Ocean (Voidwaters):

• Unlike on land, where antiquities rarely venture out far from the Mist, things wander everywhere in the water. This makes the ocean extremely dangerous even if not within a Mistzone, as there could be anything lurking in the depth. Little exploration has been done in the Voidwaters, its beaches are often considered ominous, dark, and oppressive.

 

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AIMC Tools

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All field agents of the AIMC wear uniforms with reflective bands attached to be identifiable to allies in the low visibility environment of the Mistzone. The uniform can be turned inside out to hide the reflective bands and becomes dark blue if agents encounter situations where they do not wish to be seen.

Agents are free to wear anything else they are comfortable with for other portions of their dress and can request a custom-made uniform if they have unique special needs. Agents are also free to decorate or stylise their uniforms as long as it does not severely impede themselves or others.

The Lumley Encyclopedia to Mistzone Antiquities Fifth Edition

The most authoritative collection of information on all encountered creatures and phenomena in the Mistzone. It was first penned as a memoir about Mistzone exploration by the Mist Expedition Society, but has expanded greatly in both content and influence since the creation of the AIMC. Currently, entries are commonly written by outpost staff, AIMC field agents, and of course, Mistwalker Squads, if they managed to survive whatever skirmishes they had with an undocumented antiquity.

Available in print (hardcover or paperback, total of 3 volumes) & in digitalized index for selected computational devices (set of 4 floppy disks - including 1 index disk)

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AIMC Staff
(NPC Directory)

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Lumley Guilde
Current Superintendent of the AIMC
Head Editor of The Lumley Encyclopedia of Mistzone Antiquties

Most AIMC members would only know the enigmatic "leader" of the AIMC by name or perhaps a very blurry headshot photo on some documents, as they are somewhat timid and don't like to appear in public due to severe Mist Corrosion features, but is quite punctual and polite when interacting with others.

Lumley Guilde's name commands a great deal of respect in the area of Mistzone exploration despite this, as they are the main author of the first edition of the Antiquities Encyclopedia. There are many rumors surrounding them, but they don't seem adverse to speaking about their past and the origin of their corrosion too much, if there's free time for it.

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Marrianne Yvona
AIMC Human Resource Officer

A human resource officer of AIMC and usually one of the first people you'll see when joining the AIMC (meta joke because she's on the interest check poster), despite her unusual corrosion of having tendrils coming out of her right eye, she maintains a positive attitude. She was a former field agent who once sustained a severe injury, along with spreading Mist corrosion that took sight from one of her eyes, she was forced to retire from that post quite early.

Tangram Moore & Rubika Quaille
Navigation and Maintenance Crew of Mistwalker Squad No.13

All Mistwalker Squad ships have dedicated staff that manage the piloting and maintenance of the airship, but these individuals are non-combatants and are generally not allowed to leave the airship unless in times of emergency.

Tangram, a man who was ostracised by his family and friends due to failing the basic physiological tests to enlist in the Gerralian Military due to his sickly childhood and teenage years, but eventually found his calling as an airship pilot. He doesn't need much sleep, but he does get motion sickness very easily, which is one of the motivations he had to become as skilled as possible in piloting. Using directional encodes and experience, he was the pilot for Mistwalker Squad No.12 for a long time, to the point where his eyes were corroded by the Mist even if he never went outside into the Mistzone. He was one of the pilots trained to use the newer flight systems equipped on airships assigned to Squad No.13 and beyond and was subsequently transferred.

He seems quite dreary most of the time, and has an extremely dry sense of humour. Most of the time he just wants to be left alone.

Rubika, a graduate of Miscantia University's aeronautical engineering program and a research assistant who formerly worked on the newer flight systems alongside AIMC. She was once caught in a petty academic scandal where her colleague plagiarized her work and in turn, framed her for plagiarization. Unwilling and unable to deal with such squabbles, she turned to her connections in the AIMC and secured her dream career of exploring the true unknown, the Mistzone, serving as a member of its maintenance crew. She has stayed in AIMC outposts and piloted unmanned vehicles into the Mist, but is still relatively new to Mistzone exploration as a whole, she's a bit uptight due to this. Her parents are very against her decision to join AIMC.

She seems a bit stoic and hard on others, and is even harder on herself. She can seem a bit overbearing, but is always eager to learn and improve herself.

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[Cresion Breezes]

Acute Mist Corrosion Symptoms
Guide to Different Types of Mist Corrosion

When dealing with corrosions in your squad, please follow the CESAE Principle:​

C - Classification: Identify and classify which type of corrosion the patient is experiencing and be prepared to administer specific treatments if need be.
E - Extraction: Remove patient from immediate area in which corrosion occured, this has been shown to be extremely effective in slowing or completely halting the progress of corrosion.
S - Sedation: Mist corrosion can cause uncharacteristically aggressive and unpredictable behaviour in patients. Please sedate the paitent for the safety of the rest of the team and the patient themselves.
A - Amputation: In severe cases of corrosion that are continuing to develop, onboard medical team may exercise discretion to amputate corroded body parts.
E - Euthanization: The ultimatum of corrosion that may cause dangerous and uncontrollable behaviour. Euthanization of Mist corroded individuals should not be done lightly, and only used as the final solution when the patient’s corrosion is significantly endangering the lives of the rest of the crew.

• Organic Assimilation
• Inorganic Assimilation
• Artificial Assimilation
• Necrosis
• Cellular Amplification
• Mutation
• Hallucination
• Disrememberance

• 
  
  
  Organic Assimilation
  Lethality: Grade 1
  Organic matter is fusing with flesh, hindrance of movement.
  
  Organic assimilation is the most common form of grade 1 lethality corrosion symptom that can occur in the Mistzone. Organic assimilation occurs when human tissue fuses with any other organic material, which can include plants, animals, fungi, and in extreme cases, other humans.
  
  The severity of organic assimilation depends on the area on the human body in which the corrosion occurred, and the secondary element that the human body is fusing with. Organic assimilation in the torso and near the head can be highly lethal due to their ability to completely destory major organs.
  
  Treatment of organic assimilation should begin with identifying what the patient has assimilated with what body part. In almost all cases, if possible, the organic being that has fused with the patient should be immediately killed to avoid further unnatural cellular growth and other complications. However, this should be done with caution if the fusion area is close to a major organ, as it is possible for the dead organic being to cause necrosis to the patient’s tissues near the fusion area.
  
  Patient should then be removed from high Mist density areas and placed in high oxygen concentration pods. Surgical removal of fused organic being should proceed immediately after the progress of corrosion has halted. If corrosion progress does not stop or revert within 24 hours of leaving high-density Mistzone, immediately proceed with full surgical removal and/or amputation of affected areas.
  
  NOTE: DO NOT MAKE DIRECT SKIN-TO-SKIN CONTACT WITH ANY INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCING ORGANIC ASSIMILATION.
  
  

  
  Organic Assimilation of Human Tissue
  Emergancy Protocol
  

  
  
  Organic Assimilation of Human Tissue
  Lethality: Grade 0
  
  In rare cases, it is possible for 2+ humans to experience organic assimilation with each other. In these cases, any mission objectives currently in progress should be immediately aborted without question and full retreat should be of highest priority. All human organic assimilation cases must be immediately reported, with patients handed over to AIMC’s medical department.
  
  The affected patients need to be extracted with the utmost caution, as it is possible for extraction team’s tissue to be assimilated as well. Avoid direct contact with patients and attempt to sedate them from a distance before transportation.
  
  After extraction, patients should be kept sedated, preferably unconscious, during transportation. Organic assimilation involving 2+ humans is not only physical but oftentimes mental as well. This can cause intense panic and aggressive behaviour in patients that would be undesirable.
  
  There have been cases of successful separation surgery from these cases, however, in almost all cases one or more individuals involved in the assimilation would have to be sacrificed in order to ensure the survival of another, depending on the specific circumstance of the assimilation.
  
  

  
  
• 
  
  
  Inorganic Assimilation
  Lethality: Grade 2
  Inorganic matter is fusing with flesh, stiffness and petrification.
  
  Inorganic assimilation occurs when various inorganic environmental materials fuse with human tissue. This can include items like rocks, sand, gravel, and in some cases manmade materials from abandoned areas.
  
  Like organic assimilation, inorganic assimilation’s severity and lethality depend on the part of the body affected. However, as inorganic materials do not cause a high degree of potential necrosis or rejection effects, it has been largely deemed less lethal than organic assimilation.
  
  Treatment of organic assimilation should begin with the extraction of the patient, and attempt to bring the assimilated object along if possible. However, if necessary, the removal of a part of the patient’s tissue and bones if the patient has fused with an object that is unfeasible to carry away (such as large boulders or abandoned houses) can and should be considered.
  
  Patients should then be removed from high Mist density areas and placed in high oxygen concentration pods. Surgical removal of fused inorganic objects should proceed immediately after the progress of corrosion has halted. If corrosion progress does not stop or revert within 48 hours of leaving high-density Mistzone, or risks damage to bone structure and/or internal organs, immediately proceed with full surgical removal and/or amputation of affected areas.
  
• 
  
  
  Artificial Assimilation
  Lethality: Grade 2 (Grade 1 in case of volatile weapon users)
  Weapon and equipment is melting and fusing into the flesh.
  
  Note: The term “artificial assimilation” specifically refers to the corrosion symptom where the patient’s own equipment and weapon fuse with the patient’s tissue. For corrosion symptoms where manmade objects in the environment are fused with tissue, see “inorganic assimilation”.
  
  Artificial assimilation occurs when objects used by the patient are fused with tissue. This is the rarest type of assimilation corrosion, and generally only occurs along with the presence of high-grade Antiquities that show signs of basic intelligence.
  
  The lethality of artificial assimilation, in addition to the area of the body affected, also depends on the type of weaponry used by the patient. Users of highly volatile weaponry (such as explosives), may be at greater risk if affected by this type of corrosion.
  
  When extracting a patient, the first treatment should be the removal of all potentially dangerous and complex objects from the patient’s person. These objects should include any explosives, gunpowder, firearms, EADs, energy storage devices, devices that contain heavy metal or toxins, etc.
  
  Patients should then be removed from high Mist density areas and placed in high oxygen concentration pods. Surgical removal of fused objects should proceed immediately after the progress of corrosion has halted. If corrosion progress does not stop or revert within 48 hours of leaving high-density Mistzone, or if the patient’s equipped items are unusually dangerous or volatile if put in an unstable condition, immediately proceed with full surgical removal and/or amputation of affected areas.
• 
  
  
  Necrosis
  Lethality: Grade 2
  Body is weaken, muscles atrophy, bleeding and spasms.
  
  Necrosis is one of the more common types of Mist corrosion symptoms, as well as one of the symptoms that takes the longest time to make a full recovery from. Depending on how severe the patient’s necrosis corrosion has developed, it could potentially take months of physical therapy and rehab to fully recover. Hence, the early treatment and prevention of necrosis corrosion is crucial when in the field.
  
  Early signs of Mist necrosis are characterized by unnatural muscle spasms, followed by near-immediate muscle atrophy. Symptoms tend to start from limbs, more commonly hands and feet, or other areas that commonly come in direct contact with objects and environments of the Mist, this is early-stage Mist necrosis. If ignored, symptoms can develop into complete muscle necrosis, pain, and sometimes bruising and bleeding without external cause, in mid-stage Mist necrosis. Left unchecked, necrosis corrosion can be lethal if it begins to affect internal organs, known as late-stage Mist necrosis.
  
  Patients who show signs of early to mid-stage Mist necrosis should be extracted from Mistzone and placed in filtration pods. Most symptoms will begin to heal and revert at a natural pace once the patient is outside of the Mist. However, in severe and rare cases, necrosis may not stop naturally even outside of the Mist, and amputation of necrotized areas may be necessary to prevent further, life-threatening spread.
  
  The aftermath of necrosis corrosion often causes massive loss of muscle mass and strength in affected areas, sometimes even permanent physical disability. Please exercise caution and do not overestimate your physical abilities when dealing with necrosis corrosion.
• 
  
  
  Cellular Amplification
  Lethality: Grade 2
  Uncontrollable proliferation of body, sapping energy from other functions.
  
  Cellular amplification is the rarest form of physical corrosion symptom, it is characterized by uncontrollable growth of a certain part of the body. Similar to necrosis symptoms, the growth often happens on limbs, beginning from areas such as the hands and feet that are often in direct contact with the environment of the Mistzone. This corrosion works similarly to diseases such as malignant tumors and cancer, however, it develops much more rapidly than conventional forms of these diseases.
  
  Survivors of cellular amplification have reported that the corrosion has given them amplified strength in the affected parts of the limbs temporarily, while this is true, it is extremely dangerous to rely on uncontrolled cellular amplification as a method of boosting physical strength. This is due to the source energy for the tissue growth being the patient’s body, if left unchecked, cellular amplification would sap nutrients and energy from other parts of the body at such a rapid pace that it could cause death in under hours.
  
  Cellular amplification is the only corrosion where removal of excessive tissue is an absolutely necessary step, however, the patient should be extracted and strongly sedated before such removal takes place, as the removal process itself can cause the amplification to immediately sap an immense amount of energy to regenerate the injuries from surgery, endangering the patient instantly. It is ideal to wait until the growth of tissue stops before beginning removal, however, if that is not possible, a full amputation of the affected limb can be considered.
• 
  
  
  Mutation
  Lethality: Grade 3
  Physical features being changed, sprouting of inhuman traits.
  
  Mutation is the most common form of physical corrosion, and is generally considered the least lethal. There are many members of the AIMC and regular citizens today who are dubbed “Mist Corroded” from the expansion, over 98% of these permanently Mist Corroded individuals have their corrosion symptom be mutation, as those who experienced other forms of corrosion nearly all perished.
  
  However, do not take this as a reason to underestimate the effects of severe mutation corrosion. These symptoms come in extremely varied forms, and hence extremely different levels of danger. High exposure to the Mist and ignoring of early or light mutation corrosion may lead to permanent physical disabilities, chronic debilitating conditions, long-term psychological issues, or even death.
  
  The acquisition of new mutation traits, though usually not extremely lethal, can be a disorientating process that will hinder combat and operation abilities in the Mistzone. Please report any feelings of bodily abnormality within the Mistzone.
  
  Patients who experience acute mutation corrosion should be removed from the Mist immediately, this will usually halt the development of the mutation. In some cases, the mutated traits will rescind with time. However, if the traits have not changed in around a 30 day period, that trait will likely be permanent. Newly acquired mutation traits can be surgically removed if desired and safe to do so, in the face of light corrosion that has become permanent, patients can also choose to accept and adapt to the new trait.
  
• 
  
  
  Hallucination
  Lethality: Grade 2
  Senses are being manipulated, cannot tell reality from delusion.
  
  Hallucinations are the most common form of psychological symptom of Mist corrosion, it is characterized by seeing and sensing things otherwise not there in reality. The experiences of each individual when under Mist corrosion hallucinations are unique, some report them being traumatic while others report them being pleasant. The hallucinations themselves rarely pose a lethal threat to the patient, however, it is the lack of ability to properly perceive reality that often causes individuals to perish by hallucination.
  
  There is little in the way of treatment of hallucination, AIMC training mandates that all travel within the Mistzone must be done in minimum groups of 2, preferably more people. This is to prevent individuals from being unable to tell whether they are hallucinating or not.
  
  The most important part of timely treatment for hallucination patients is identification. If you believe you are seeing or sensing something unusual, immediately corroborate with another team member to confirm what you are experiencing is a part of reality. If you notice a team member acting in an unusual manner or mentioning elements that others have not noticed, immediately ask them to describe what they perceived and corroborate this information within the group. Feel something, say something.
  
  The majority of hallucination cases go away on their own once the patient is out of high-density Mistzones, however, if an individual has not recovered in 72 hours after leaving the Mistzone, please send them to AIMC’s medical department for a full psychological analysis. Although rare, it is possible for Mistzone hallucinations to leave permanent psychological damage.
• 
  
  
  Disrememberance
  Lethality: Grade 3
  Memories are hazed, unable to recall identity of self and allies.
  
  The less common form of psychological symptom of Mist corrosion. Disrememberance is characterized by a sudden or gradual loss of memories within the Mistzone. This often affects short-term memory and new memories formed within 6-12 months, however, prolonged exposure to the same area of the Mistzone may cause further damage to memory.
  
  The effects of disrememberance corrosion are usually temporary and will rescind if affected individuals are extracted from the Mist. However, there have been cases documented where the effects lingered for as long as several years.
  
  If you feel a sudden onset of a sense of unfamiliarity (jamais vu) or are unable to recall specific information that your common sense dictates that you should know (such as your name, age, family members, or personal history), please inform an individual who’s clothes bear the same emblem as your own, as in such cases it is unlikely you will be able to recall the identities of your allies either. If one of your allies suddenly begins to act unnaturally or startled, ask them about information they should know about themselves (name, age, birthplace, etc) as well as information they should know about the squad they are a part of in order to determine whether they have been affected by disrememberance corrosion.
  
  It is of paramount importance that all members wear uniformed identification and carry the AIMC emergency protocols handbook. Although disrememberance is not lethal, there is little way to identify or guard against it in the moment of its effects. Please proceed with caution.