The initial recordings, fragmented and distorted, speak of a phenomenon known as the “Thornfall.” Before Cycle 784, Urticants were considered purely geological anomalies – dense, obsidian-like formations clustered along subterranean ley lines. However, during that cycle’s peak, they began to *pulse*. Not with heat, not with light, but with a low-frequency vibration that seemed to resonate directly with the nervous systems of any sentient being within a hundred meters. The earliest accounts, gleaned from the submerged ruins of the Sylvani Collective, describe a feeling of overwhelming calm, followed by a profound disorientation. Subjects reported ‘seeing’ patterns within the thorns themselves, intricate geometries shifting with impossible speed. The Sylvani believed these were echoes of a forgotten race, the Lithos, masters of manipulating stone and vibration.
The discovery of the Resonance Cascade fundamentally altered our understanding. The Cascade, located deep within the Obsidian Peaks, wasn’t just a source of the vibrations; it was actively amplifying them. It became apparent that the Urticants were not merely emitting these pulses, but were responding to external stimuli - specifically, human thought. The more intense the concentration, the more pronounced the response. This led to a period of intense, and ultimately disastrous, experimentation by the Chronos Institute. They attempted to ‘communicate’ with the Urticants, using complex mathematical sequences and intricate sonic patterns. The results were… unsettling. Reports flooded in of individuals experiencing vivid, shared hallucinations – landscapes of jagged obsidian, whispering voices, and the sensation of being simultaneously present and absent. The Institute was ultimately shut down after one researcher, Dr. Elias Thorne, vanished entirely, leaving only a perfectly formed, pulsating thorn on his desk.
Recent analysis of the “Thornfall” data has lent credence to the Sylvani’s theory regarding the Lithos. The vibrational patterns aren’t random. They exhibit a complex structure, resembling a form of…language. Furthermore, the structures within the Urticants themselves – the internal channels, the crystalline formations – appear to be designed to facilitate this communication. It’s hypothesized that the Lithos didn’t simply vanish; they were *absorbed* into the Urticants, becoming part of the network. The pulsating thorns are not just geological anomalies; they are the remnants of a civilization that mastered the art of vibrational consciousness. The current research team, led by Professor Lyra Vance, is attempting to decipher this “Lithos Script,” hoping to unlock the secrets of their technology and, perhaps, understand the true purpose of the Thornfall.
Legends speak of a “Cycle of Stillness,” a period preceding the Thornfall when the Urticants were dormant. During this time, the Lithos were said to have achieved a state of perfect harmony with the planet, drawing energy directly from the Earth’s core. The Thornfall, it's believed, was a catastrophic event – a breach in this harmony, triggered by reckless experimentation or perhaps, by a fundamental shift in the planet's magnetic field. The Urticants, reacting to this disruption, began to pulse, attempting to re-establish equilibrium. The current research suggests that this Cycle of Stillness is not a singular event, but a recurring phenomenon, tied to the planet’s geological cycles. Identifying these cycles is key to understanding the Urticants' behavior and predicting future “Thornfalls.”
The Urticants’ vibrations have a measurable effect on localized chronal distortion. Within a five-meter radius of a major pulsating thorn, time itself seems to flow differently. Observations have recorded subtle shifts in temporal perception, including accelerated aging of organic matter and brief, localized “time loops.” These effects are incredibly unstable and difficult to predict, making any attempt to study them from close range extremely dangerous. The Chronos Institute initially attempted to weaponize this phenomenon, but the results were predictably disastrous – creating miniature temporal rifts that consumed everything within their radius. Dr. Thorne’s disappearance is now considered a direct consequence of this unstable temporal field.
The following are transcribed excerpts from the journals of researchers who have spent extended periods in proximity to the Urticants. These accounts are highly subjective and unreliable, but offer valuable insight into the nature of the phenomenon.
The team has managed to isolate a few recognizable patterns within the vibrational frequencies. Here’s a partial translation (highly speculative):
"Rhythm...Echo...Return...Balance...Disturb...Unravel..."
It appears to be a warning - a desperate plea from the Lithos civilization to prevent a similar catastrophe from occurring again.