Assignment Report - CoOA-24925 (Undark)

Assignment ID: CoOA-24925 Report Date: October 4th, 1907

Lightkeeper: Quinten Daalmans Circle Of: Obscurantist Actors

Report Filled By: 'Ol one Eyed Pete

Assigned Circle Members

'Ol One Eyed Pete	Sebri Ploephonk	Trigg Boodle
Corleone Waters	Cedric Rowe

Did you contain or destroy a source of Bleed? Yes: [ ] No: [X]

Did you provide comfort or support for those affected by a phenomenon?   Yes: [X] No: [ ]

Did you bring something of importance back for Candela Obscura to protect or study?   Yes: [X] No: [ ]

Assignment Summary

While attending the annual invention fair at Briarbank College, a grisly death occurred in front of a live audience. A famous model took the stage to promote a new glow-in-the-dark compound manufactured by the Radiance Corporation. The model wore a stunning green dress designed to glow in the dark. However, when the dress illuminated, her flesh melted off her bones. This wasn't due to actual x-ray exposure, but the description of melting skin was meant to evoke the effects of x-rays as a stylistic metaphor.

The crew investigated the crime scene, where stanchions had been placed. After interviewing a few unhelpful people, we examined the lead-lined crates in which the dress had been shipped. The return address on the shipping label led us to the Radiance Corporation's mining facility. The Circle traveled to the mining town of Mordant Springs which the Radiance Corporation had taken over.

The Circle discovered horrendous working conditions and numerous OSHA violations. It was decided that the best course of action would be to undermine the structural integrity of the mine by placing explosives, which, when detonated, would destabilize the excavation and trigger a cascading collapse of the internal structure, sealing (but evidently not containing) the bleed into the earth. This plan was executed and carried out by the Circle with only minor injuries being sustained by some of its members.

Injuries (If Yes, Explain Below) Yes: [X] No: [ ]

Both Cedric and Trigg were wounded during the course of this assignment. They have however been healed and are ready for additional missions.

Notes of Importance

The bleed was not fully contained. This may cause problems in the future and may negatively affect the region if mining activities are continued.

Items and/or People Recovered

Green Glow in the Dark Dress

Lightkeeper's Notes

The death of Vera Mongomery, a famous model within the city, is a somber way to find out about an active phenomenon. Much more so given her brutal flesh-melting demise onstage at the World Innovation Faire. It breaks my heart to think of those young aspiring minds in attendance, eager to glimpse at the marvels of tomorrow, only to be scarred by imagery I can only hope will be buried with time and age. By the time my circle arrived, much of the faire had already been fled and those remaining were busy packing up their inventions and gadgets to avoid being caught up in the coming police and media blitz.

The source of Vera's death was identified as the dress she was wearing. It was made using some material/substance being marketed as Undark. An invention that allowed the dress to glow a brilliant green. According to shipping records my circle discovered, the creators of Undark were the Radiance Corporation. The Circle of Field and Feather made concerning reports on their activities at the Nine Irons. But they vacated their operations there before a proper investigation could be launched.

The company had relocated to the far-flung town of Mordant Springs deep in the Bridleborne Mountains. According to public records, it was a mining town and had been purchased by the Radiance Corporation shortly after they left Newfaire. It made me wary of sending the circle so far out without support. But there was little choice as no circle operates that far into the mountains.

It was discovered the place and been converted into a company town, with the residents working under the corporation in abysmal conditions. Long hours, minimal pay, and most troubling was their health. Undark was being extracted from the town's mine as a corrosive liquid that causes ungodly mutilation with direct contact, and mutated features with passive contact. 

My circle worked with one Olu Adjei, an office employee of the Radiance Corporation, who was the one who had foolishly sent the dress in hopes of getting someone's attention about the dangers. Dying clothing was apparently not the primary use of Undark. Instead, it was being shipped out to an unknown location. Little was shipped before my circle arrived. But I couldn't find any records of shipments coming out of the mountains. By the Radiance Corporation or any other associated company. It is concerning that even a small amount of the deadly liquid is still out there.

The exact source of Undark is still a mystery. In order to stop a massive shipment and shut down the heavily guarded mine, my circle used explosives to collapse it completely. While I do understand their actions, I do wish they had been a little more careful. If the explosion did not destroy it completely, there is a chance the liquid could continue to fester within the mountain. The Circle of Silvered Hair, Circle of Gloved Fists, and Circle of Hill and House were requested to help aid the town after the collapse of the mine.  

Research on the Undark itself has proven inconclusive as we don't have much in the way of samples. The Radiance Corporation didn't have any data on-site. Which is strange considering they knew enough to be mining the substance. I highly recommend a new circle be formed within or near Mordent Springs to monitor the area. Heaven knows the mountains could have used one even before this incident. 

Wellcomeimages.org, Two skeletons dressed as lady and gentleman. Etching, 1862. Wellcome V0042226 (crop and cleaned up), Coloration by Michael DeBondt, CC BY 4.0