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 Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 7:13 pm
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 4:41 pm
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xxxxxxxxxxxTHE HYPOTHESIS
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx───────────────────────── xThe emblem of ancient kings, the laurel is a classical symbol of victory.
This laurel, however, is tainted with the sickening taint of death, the final victor of all.~
Laurels were typically made of freshly harvested branches and presented to the champions of military triumphs or the victors of games or as recognition for completion of schooling. The cut greenery was meant to be symbolic of the fact that all glory is fleeting, only champions of the moment. Later, emperors wore laurels crafted in gold, to imply that their glory and victory was as eternal and incorruptible as gold.
But this laurel wreath rested deep in the labyrinthine recesses of the council of scientists, already tainted.
Does this laurel herald victory over death, or death's own triumph?
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 4:44 pm
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xxxxxxxxxxxTHE EXPERIMENT Achiever/Challenger
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx─────────────────────────
xxxxx »The Item: laurels
xxxxx »His Name: Caduceus (a symbol of trade, commerce, cunning, and transition)
xxxxx »A Personality:
xxxxCaduceus is quietly vainglorious; in his eyes, he was born of finer stuff than others, full of grand possibilities. A decisive Plague, he holds a clear vision of the way things eventually should be. He is the beginnings of an emperor in his own eyes, pure and clean as gold. And as an emperor, why should he rise only to fall? Resolving to never repeat the mistakes of the past, he often throws himself into long stretches of reading histories: of Panymium past, of other lands, always of the law and imperial rulers. And although he has a strong respect for the spirit and core purpose of Panymium law, Caduceus sees nothing wrong with exploiting loopholes in the flawed rule system. How can he fully support a system that does not fully support Plagues? Regardless of his own views, Caduceus will eagerly listen to an opposing viewpoint. But, if he becomes bored or the discussion is at a stalemate, he will simply walk away. People who will never agree with him, are not interesting, or do not offer something he desires are useless to him.
Every compelling leader has some measure of charisma. For Caduceus, who is not naturally very charismatic, this requires practice. Unfortunately, Caduceus finds charisma difficult in the beginning; his forced amiability a disfigured rictus of the actual emotion. It's to be expected, however; he practices by studying his reflection in metal and speaking to dust bunnies, which are a decidedly silent audience. Nonetheless, Caduceus tries his best to evoke some charm from within; his gaze is always direct, his body turned towards the speaking, and his voice is clear and enunciated. Despite all his efforts for charisma, Caduceus still struggles to control his natural tendency towards arrogance. While confidence invites loyalty, he knows too much arrogance can be detrimental. And while he's not interested in becoming less arrogant, after all, he will be a fantastical being, he tries to keep his arrogance less apparent. He knows his burgeoning ambition can be too much for others to handle so he doesn't speak of it much, instead electing to converse freely with all so he may learn from them.
Despite his superiority complex, Caduceus is often light-hearted in manner. He soaks up competition like wine; it leaves him giddy and hyperactive. Always up for a game, he especially enjoys anything physical: sparring with swords, gameball. However,he can be a sore loser at times, finding fault not with himself but his teammates or the game itself. As much as he hates losing, Caduceus could never bring himself to act dishonorably and cheat. Gaming rules are pure order in their simplest form and he sees no reason to tarnish them. Sometimes he finds himself unable to stay completely still, jiggling his leg while sitting or tapping his fingers incessantly, his need for physicality apparent in all he does. While he finds himself drawn to physical sports, he loves chess and strategy games as well. Although the win is much quieter, it is just as satisfying. When Caduceus is competing is when he is the most naturally amicable and approachable.
Caduceus hates talking about his numerous faults. Sadly, since he struggles so often with them, his failings are brought up frequently. Even something so small as an offhand comment or good-natured correction embarrasses him. His discomfort is painfully obvious; Caduceus has difficulty focusing on continuing the conversation. In some situations, he just gives up and walks away. While he realizes he is not and can not be truly perfect, having another point it out rankles him deep inside. This distaste frees itself in the form of violent outburst later, usually against pillows and things that cannot fight back.
His distaste for embarrassment is in part what spurs him to read. Whatever bit he was corrected on will be the next focus of his readings. The single-mindedness with which he pursues his knowledge mirrors Dr. Jannisari's study habits. In spite of her penchant for pretending Caduceus is not there, he finds himself grudgingly admiring of her ambition and persistence. While watching her, he recognizes that there is a lot to be learned from simple observation. When he's not immersing himself in his dry history books, Caduceus has a soft spot for epic poetry and the heroes within. And sometimes, when he's alone, he dreams up a world just for him, where all are just like him, but none equal.
Caduceus is a collector. Bright, shimmery things, golden coins, fascinating people, he tries to surround himself only with what he deems valuable. Clutter and disorder aggravate him; he will hoard nothing except books. For Caduceus, quality takes precedence over quantity and he has no qualms about throwing away the old, be it bauble or person, to make room for the new. People who do not agree with him, are not interesting, or do not offer something he desires will be met with badly concealed disinterest. As such, he dislikes gifts, for he is too picky and will refuse anything he does not value, regardless of any insensitivity.
On dark days, Caduceus often feels isolated from others, misunderstood and undervalued, as if he is taken for granted. More often than not, the trigger is Dr. Jannisari. She views him as a troublesome symptom of the plague, to be studied clinically and controlled. To Dr. Jannisari, he is a means to an end, an aberration, albeit useful. That she in particular refuses to believe in him, the one person whom he is bound to, belongs to, disheartens him. But Caduceus is just Dr. Jannisari's experiment. Somehow, he has to convince her to see him as more than a disease.
xxxxx »Those Beginnings:
xxxxThe laurel could no longer remember when he had been made. In flights of fancy, he dreamed he had sat upon the heads of kings, scholars; his gold had been poured and cast and the product of a million fine chains melted down to become him alone. He was the end. In truthful reality, these laurels were never so lofty. Dr. Jannisari's grandmother made them for herself out of pride and arrogance. Her tapestry business thrived, for she was truly gifted with the loom, and the money to spare built up around her and her husband, an opaque wall of greed. For the business to grow and be successful must mean she was better than others, superior. She looked at any failing endeavor around him with contempt. Jannisari had succeeded. In a fit of gluttonous greed, she commissioned a set of golden laurels for herself and took to wearing them to any societal function.
Later, when she died, one of her daughters snatched them from atop her age-spotted head and kept them safely. The girl had no husband, no children, no prospects. And so, she kept the laurels safe, in the fear that one day she may need the money they could garner. The girl grew older. Her brother married and produced 3 average children. And the lady watched as they grew into their roles: weaver, businessman, and doctor. And so, the lady succumbed to the plague sweeping through the land.
In her passing, the laurels wept black. Alarmed, Jannisari's family called for a council Grimm to dispose of the dangerous item. And so, the laurels journeyed across to Gadu, where Dr. Jannisari laid claim to them as her birthright, as had been stipulated in her aunt's will. Heedless of the danger, Dr. Jannisari preened: this could be her chance to study a plague in true depth from the beginning.
Though the laurel was made for a victor's crown, it had spent several years tossed in a dusty closet. And now, it rested deep in the labyrinthine recesses of the council of scientists, already tainted.
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 4:47 pm
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xxxxxxxxxxxTHE RESEARCHER Investigator/Challenger
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx─────────────────────────
xxxxx »Her Name: Dr. Helminha Jannisari 
xxxxx »The Age: 41
xxxxx »The Logical Faction: council of scientists
xxxxx »A Place to Live: from Aureola, Helios. Now in Gadu, Imisus.
xxxxx »Her Personality:
xxxxDr. Jannisari has fought to reach her current status. Always ambitious and career-focused, her moves within the medical field and forays into plagueology have been calculated precisely for maximum effect and exposure, both to assuage her ever-growing curiosity as well as further her interests and career. In her research, she is precise and a bit of a control freak. Dr. Jannisari knows she does excellently thorough work and it would truly be a shame if anyone were to pass over it. However, when Dr. Jannisari feels stuck, she solicits her previous research partners for insight. She appreciates the different viewpoints that come from working alongside another peer or having an assistant. Without a helper, she often feels overwhelmed, as if she alone could be missing crucial aspects of her experiments. It is not a feeling she enjoys.
Her students often describe Jannisari as a hard woman. Praise rarely passes her lips; excellence should be the standard for all her students, not something rare and unexpected. Despite her reticence in giving praise, she is always ready to provide constructive criticism. It is better to be a hard, stern master than to coddle a student in a way that may result in a patient's death later. It seems the few times a smile flits across her thin lips happen when some student has brought a new and radical idea to class. Dr. Jannisari encourages odd and theoretical thinking, firmly believing that there is no progress without wild innovation. And for those who show brilliant promise, Dr. Jannisari helps them find private practitionary positions within the wealthy merchant class.
For such a hard woman, she is truly passionate about the pursuit and transmission of knowledge. When speaking of diseases, medicines, anything that captures her interest, she can become lively and animated, her words tripping over themselves except when stilled by odd silences as her brain scrambles to follow the tangents of her tongue. Her long fingers punctuate her sentences, wide gestures involuntarily adding flourishes at the end of thoughts. Dr. Jannisari's lectures often run overtime as she runs a particular bit of knowledge to the ground, like a dog with bone; she gnaws on curiosity until it cracks into knowledge.
Despite her generally no-nonsense exterior, Helminha hides a sentimental streak as wide as the eastern sea. What little time she has for hobbies is reserved for weaving on her lap-loom. Although she possesses no artistic talent for weaving, her precise nature lends itself well to creating functional, if not truly beautiful, pieces. When she is particularly flush wish money, she indulges in paper folding as well. A crisp sheet of paper transforming with only a few folds is fascinating to her. The finished foldings and her loom, a gift from her mother, usually reside in a small chest in her rooms at Trisica. Beneath those are many letters from her family, previous colleagues, and graduated students, worn and creased from re-readings. She keeps them tied by various colored ribbons, organized by sender and date. Few are the people treated to this girlish side of her.
Dr. Jannisari is a woman driven by the possibilities of the world around her. Her world revolves on "why"s and "what would happen"s. Much like any experiment, each day and situation have different outcomes that she likes to speculate on. Despite this inclination, she often acts hastily and neglects careful word choice. She is, in a word, blunt. As such, Dr. Jannisari has worked hard to curb her wayward tongue and after many years, has almost succeeded. Her control only slips when she is under too much stress or otherwise overly emotional. Her thoughts, however, remain as blunt and tactless as ever.
xxxxx »On Plagues:
xxxxThey are a disease and clearly inhuman. Although there have been reports of rebellious Plagues, most seen bound to their humans, similar to domesticated animals. It is unclear whether most possess enough self-thought to truly become an individual rather than an odd extension of a human. Are they more than a disease or do they just ape certain characteristics of their masters? Oddly parasitic.
xxxxx »An Average Appearance:
xxxxHair/Eyes- reddish brown hair with white liberally streaked throughout. It falls to bust line, but kept up in a tidy bun. Eyes are dark blue; perfect eyesight for now. Build- thin, tall, 5'9". Average size bust. Long fingers. Distinguishing Marks, etc.- has a rather large, ugly scar on her abdomen. Thin lips. Very concerned about cleanliness in the medical field, keeps a mouth/nose covering on her person to wear around anyone with signs of any disease.
xxxxx »Her History:
xxxxDr. Helminha Jannisari was born into a moderately affluent merchant family. Providing tapestries for nobles, the Jannisaris had just recently risen to their comfortable wealth a few generations ago due to the keen business sense of Helminha's grandmother and father. Helminha's younger sister married early to the heir of the Lithglows, a prominent Fabric Guild family specializing in rich dyes. Her brother was groomed to become the Jannisari heir; he now handles the acquisition of raw materials for weaving.
The middle child of the three, Helminha was rather frail as a child and was sick quite often. At the age of 11, when her menses began, she started experiencing chronic pelvic pain as well as headaches, dizziness, and fever. Concerned, the Jannisari family called in doctor after doctor. The first claimed Helminha was lying about her condition and could find nothing wrong. However, one of the doctors they had hired, a Dr. Hammerston who hailed from Ardenth, claimed Helminha's sickness stemmed solely from feminine hysteria.
Helminha's pain was worsening, so, desperate for anything, her parents agreed to a dangerous surgery suggested by Dr. Hammerston. He removed the ovaries and uterus on the belief that bad humours had collected in her womanly organs and they were tainted and beyond use. Luckily, removing the cyst-ridden ovaries was exactly what could save her. It was a hard and long recovery, but Helminha managed to pull through with nothing more than a large, jagged scar crossing her pelvis.
Unfortunately for Helminha, she found her herself untalented with her family's business. Her fingers were deft and quick and accurate, but staid and they carried no true inspiration for making tapestries. However, her experiences under the knife sparked her interest in medicines. She was soon teaching herself different poultices and herbal remedies. With a family confused how to treat a burgeoning doctor, Helminha was left largely to her own devices. She visited often with her aunt, Landrys. There Landrys taught Helminha how to grow herbs and birth babies and other intricacies only a midwife knows. When she decided to attend Trisica University, her family acquiesced; they were glad Helminha had found something to do with her life. Her brother and sister approved as once her terms were over, they would not have to support a girl that had neither talent for tapestries nor marriageability. Despite her family's lackluster interest in her life, Helminha writes them letters often.
Dr. Jannisari began university with a concentration in surgery, but organ after organ with varying stages of disease fascinated her more. One of her teachers, Professor Alighieri, acted as her adviser and advocated her early switch to the study of diseases and contagion. She now has graduated with the title of Doctor and proudly teaches at Trisica and serves the Council. Her research consists largely of conducting tests to measure the the rate of contagion and spread of various illnesses. Within this field, it was natural for her to study Plagueology as well, although that scientific branch has left her with more questions than answers.
xxxxx »And Other: Speaks Vossanian, Ardenian, and Panymese fluently. Has some knowledge of most other Ecaran languages.
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 4:57 pm
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xxxxxxxxxxxTHE VARIABLES
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx─────────────────────────
 Basis of Disease:
Four bodily humours: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. Each of the four humours reflected the elements of the body: air, water, earth, and fire, respectively. The humours also had temperature and moisture properties. Blood was hot and wet, phlegm was cold and wet, black bile was cold and dry, and yellow bile was hot and dry. When a person became sick, one of the four humours was out of balance. To balance the humours, one needed to take a prescription, usually made from some combination of plants or animals. Thus, if a patient's illness was caused by an imbalance of phlegm, which is cold and wet, he or she needed to counteract that humour with its opposite, yellow bile. Therefore, he or she would need to take a prescription made from plants and animals that were hot and dry. Alternatively, a patient's humours could be reduced by bloodletting and forced vomiting, amoung other methods. However, it has been proven that bloodletting n particular serves only to weaken patients.
AREAS OF RESEARCH
Plagues [the additions of the Plagues in 1399 have been a mystery. studied them through others' observations since 1407. have own sample now]
1- ITEM
- determine if the addition of the taint has effected the original material's makeup the material exhibits the same properties as untainted gold.
- attempt to separate the plaguemarks from the item unsuccessful so far, material flakes are pure gold
- must decide: keep item in isolation for study or allow it normal contact with other grimms
- items can induce the plague... do they have any effect on those already infected? inconclusive, seems no effect
- would allowing contact speed the process to stage 2?
2- EXCITO
- attempt to gain blood sample for study - only use of bloodletting STILL NEED PHASMAS & SERVOS
- test learning capabilities; compare to human children
- have Dr. Kempe assess it's mental state often
- test (within the realm of ethics) the hardiness and constitution of the plague
- as a product of disease, is plague immune to all other disease/most harm? Sources say yes to disease immunity
- have short sessions with other plagues? to test in comparison to Caduceus?
- must decide between controlled isolation or exposure (if only I had two! alas)
- attempt to separate the essence of the plague from the blood
AROMATHERAPY [original research project. slow going, but progressing a bit]
- camphor, rose, mint
It appears that oils of a menthol nature seems to be most effective for ridding the nostrils and lungs of disease-ridden air. Camphor and mint both cause an increase in mucous from the nose, cleansing the flesh of any unsavory contagion lodged within. Other alternatives include ambergris and rose. I typically use camphor and rose together. If such scents lay heavy within you, there is less room for a plague to take root.
- a white cloth tied about the mouth & nostrils
THE SEEDS OF DISEASE [newest research concept, only having begun research into it since 1409]
The three seeds are the beginnings of a disease and, in the city, you must start at the root. Until such time as we are proven otherwise, we must treat the plague as though it infects in any manner it can: human contact, indirect contact, which is to say through objects, and through the air and water. These are the seeds of the plague and if you can prevent the disease from taking hold wherever possible, there will be less containment issues and less clean-up.
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 5:04 pm
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xxxxxxxxxxxTHE ANALYSIS
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx─────────────────────────
RP LOG
chronological order
xxxxxxxxxxxxx »[PUTESCO]
xxxxxxxx »[PRP/prog] Fresh Meat - meeting Aysel for the first time {SPRING 1412}
xxxxxxxx »[SOLO/prog] Refelections on Education - A scientist never stops learning {WINTER 1413}
xxxxxxxx »[SOLO/fin] Nocturnal Wanderer - late-night research {SPRING 1413}
xxxxxxxx »[PRP/fin] Secret Paths - Claune pops in {SPRING 1413}
xxxxxxxx »[SOLO/prog] Counting Diseased Sheep - do plagues dream of diseased sheep? {SPRING 1413}
xxxxxxxx »[PRP/prog] After Lecture Office Hours - Shati Pac is curious and maybe Jannisari can help {SUMMER 1413}
xxxxxxxx »[MRP/prog] An Issue of Contagion - preventative measures against the plague {SUMMER 1413}
xxxxxxxx »[SOLO/prog] An Intriguing Offer - Sir Delacroix's parting words {SUMMER 1413}
xxxxxxxx »[PRP/prog] Peppermint, Camphor, & Laurel Leaves - supplies for aromatherapy {AUTUMN 1413}
xxxxxxxx »[SOLO/fin] The Daily Correspondence - Jannisari has a secret passion for letter writing {AUTUMN 1413}
xxxxxxxx »[PRP/prog] A Scientific Questioning - Dr. Jannisari pulls Lady de Clare aside after class {AUTUMN 1413}
xxxxxxxx »[PRP/prog] Plagues and Pages - Jannisari is approached by a young girl {AUTUMN 1413}
xxxxxxxx »[SOLO/fin] Word Watcher - Someone unexpected has been watching Dr. Jannisari {WINTER 1413}
xxxxxxxx »[PRP/prog] invaghito di qualcuno - Wallace meets Chayele [WINTER 1413]
xxxxxxxx »[SOLO/fin] Washed Clean - Although her hands betray her, she makes a promise {WINTER 1413}
xxxxxxxxxxxxx »[EXCITO]
xxxxxxxx »[SOLO/fin] An Emblem of Kings - an excito is grown in darkness and white linen {WINTER 1414}
xxxxxxxx »[SOLO/prog] Sharp Needles, Sharper Swords - it's only a cut, a p***k {WINTER 1414}
xxxxxxxx »[PRP/fin] A Cry in the Dark - a fool in the darkness, a rudely helpful one {WINTER 1414}
xxxxxxxx »[SOLO/fin] And With One Cut, Another - a clarification of status {WINTER 1414}
xxxxxxxx »[SOLO/prog] The Nameless Emperor - Caduceus - a symbol of cunning, trade {WINTER 1414}
xxxxxxxx »[PRP/prog] Tall, was he, and fair - someone waited for Caduceus' return {WINTER 1414}
xxxxxxxx »[PRP/fin] King of the Lost - Caduceus meets a small servos & does a favor {WINTER 1414}
xxxxxxxx »[TYPE/status] Title - description
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 5:43 pm
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 5:46 pm
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 5:47 pm
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 5:48 pm
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 6:13 pm
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 6:31 pm
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