1487
The initial observations, recorded by Maestro Elias Thorne, a cartographer of the aberrant. Thorne, a man obsessed with the geometries of decay, meticulously documented the first instances of the ‘staphylotic bloom’ – a localized manifestation of cellular fragmentation he termed ‘the fractured bloom.’ His notes, penned in a cipher of spiraling lines, detail the initial symptoms: a shimmering discoloration of the epidermis, accompanied by an unsettling fragility of the skin. He hypothesized a connection to the celestial alignment of the retrograde moon, believing it to be a catalyst for this ‘re-arrangement’ of matter. His diagrams, remarkably accurate, depicted swirling vortices of light around afflicted individuals, reminiscent of miniature nebulae. A strange, almost musical hum was consistently reported, described as “the song of dissolution.”
1503
The rise of the ‘Silent Wardens,’ a monastic order dedicated to containing the bloom. Their practices, shrouded in secrecy, involved the application of pulverized lapis lazuli and a complex ritualistic chanting. Accounts from the period suggest a profound psychological impact on the Wardens – prolonged exposure leading to a state of detached observation, bordering on apathy. The efficacy of their methods remains debated, with some scholars suggesting a placebo effect, while others posit a subtle manipulation of the bloom’s progression. A recurring symbol appeared in their iconography – the inverted spiral, representing the flow of disintegration.
1522
Maestro Thorne, nearing the end of his life, attempted to decipher the ‘Song of Dissolution’ recorded in his earlier notes. He believed the song held the key to reversing the bloom. His final entry, filled with frantic scribbles and diagrams, suggests he was attempting to construct a device – a ‘resonating prism’ – designed to harmonize with the bloom’s frequency. He vanished shortly after, leaving behind only a single, perfectly formed spiral crafted from solidified moonlight.