Lamenting Sinners

Your mind goes numb...
LIBERA MENTE TUA
Entity Description
A fleshy amalgamate with no clear origin and, rarely, any clear form. Entity 999, or as they are more commonly known, "Lamenting Sinners", are highly illusive entities that take several different forms, these being denoted as "variations." Each variation behaves differently and has varying biology, though they all maintain certain details. All Entity 999 variants (aside from Euclid's Despair if the reports of said variant are accurate) have extremely red and fleshy exteriors, often harboring several eyes, mouths, or teeth, and most, if not all, have some form of bulbous "central chamber" or stomach, where they consume the minds of human beings. Lamenting Sinners all find nutrition in the human brain; when a Lamenting Sinner finds its next meal, it will attempt to consume the wanderer, after which it adds the body to their biomass; though, consuming the body is not the main objective of the Lamenting Sinner. Lamenting Sinners acquire energy via the human mind. When a Lamenting Sinner consumes the body of a wanderer, it will digest everything other than the brain of the wanderer. The brain will be taken to a Lamenting Pylon and delivered to the mouth of said Lamenting Pylon, where it is theorized that it is psychologically tormented to produce adrenaline, which is the Lamenting Sinners primary food source.
Due to the scarcity of the entities and the rarity of surviving an encounter with one, information on said entities is often scant. It is currently unknown exactly what happens to the wanderer's minds after they have been consumed, but the most widely accepted theory is the adrenaline theory. M.E.G. recommends that any wanderers do anything in their power to avoid interacting with any Lamenting Sinner instances, for the fate one may endure when encountering a Lamenting Sinner shall most often outweigh the majority of other negative consequences. As mentioned before, instances of Entity 999 may on occasion harbor different forms; these variants differ in biology, behavior, and appearance. M.E.G. has attempted to document these variants, though doing research on Entity 999 variants proves to be quite the challenge due to the various properties of said variants.
Entity Variants
Notice: Information regarding Lamenting Sinners is scarce, and more variants or mutations of variants may be discovered. Lamenting Sinners are highly prone to adaptation and may alter themselves to better suit their environment.
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|-| Variant A: Lamenting Pylons =
Variant Description
The first known variant of Entity 999, though one of the least common variants to be encountered, It is widely thought that all other variants originate from Lamenting Pylons, as they are the most common variant and are often used as a form of hive for other variants. Lamenting Pylons have the most diverse physical appearances of any variant; though they all maintain key details, they harbor long tendrils that root them to a specific location and are used as a way to provide rest and nutrition for other variants. Lamenting Pylons also all possess a large, fleshy, tubular structure that holds the minds of slain wanderers. Atop said structure, one can see several large and jagged teeth that jut out in a ring around the "mouth" of the Lamenting Pylon. Lamenting Pylons do not move, and it is unknown how they reproduce. All instances of Variant A will remain rooted in one singular location and will remain there until death.
Other variants of Entity 999 use Lamenting Pylons as a place of rest; they will feed the pylons the minds of wanderers that they have collected and will proceed to attach themselves to the roots of said pylon and acquire nourishment. Due to the Variant A instances being so crucial to the life cycle of Lamenting Sinners, M.E.G. has attempted to dispatch any and all Lamenting Pylons; in doing so, they have successfully brought the number of Lamenting Sinners down, though in doing so, Lamenting Pylons have grown far more deadly as a form of adaptation, able to drive a wanderer into madness with ease. Because of this, M.E.G. has discontinued the extermination of Lamenting Pylons.
Variant Behavior
Variant A instances of Entity 999 remain fairly stationary and do not alter their physical state in any way aside from growing new tendrils, though they are known to be highly intelligent. When a wanderer or entity enters within a certain radius of a Lamenting Pylon, (the radius of which is determined by its size, the maximum radius being around 25 yards or 22.86 meters), they will begin to display symptoms of schizophrenia, having intense hallucinations. The goal of these cognitive hazards is to ward off any entities or wanderers and keep them from doing harm to the Lamenting Pylon. 
Variant Biology
Lamenting Pylons bodies consist of a central pillar and several root-like tendrils that branch off from the base of the pillar. These roots serve to maintain stability, keeping the pylon rooted in place. They are also used to feed other variants of Lamenting Sinners using the energy they produce via the brains of humans. These brains are acquired by other variants who deliver them to the Lamenting Pylons. Several notches can be seen along the sides of the tendrils; these are assumed to be the attachment points that other variants use. The main pillar of the Lamenting Pylons harbors a central chamber that stores the minds of humans. Little is known about the inner workings of these central chambers, but scanners suggest that the minds of humans are attached to several umbilical cord-like structures that hold them in place inside some sort of liquid, thought to be similar to that of cytoplasm. 
The exterior of the Lamenting Pylon's pillar appears to be highly veiny and fleshy, being unnaturally durable, though highly susceptible to fire. Atop the pillars rest several tooth-like structures with unknown functions, as they cannot be used for a tooth's natural function in other organic life; they do not move, and they are fairly dull, though unnaturally smooth like marble. Approaching a Lamenting Pylon, one may detect the malignant odor that they secrete. The function of this odor is not known, but it is theorized to have something to do with the psychological effects that Lamenting Pylons afflict upon wanderers, suggesting that this odor may be a hallucinogenic excreted as a defensive mechanism.
Discovery
Lamenting Pylons were the first variant to be discovered, though reports of the other variants had been gleaned from wanderers prior to M.E.G.'s discovery of Lamenting Pylons. A M.E.G. team who was tasked with exploring the deeper regions of Level 1.56 had stumbled upon a Lamenting Pylon during their mission. This resulted in the loss of one agent as they had incurred severe mental turmoil due to the effects of the pylon. The agent began to act erratically and violently, attempting to attack another agent. The agent was forced to terminate the afflicted.
|-| Variant B: Lamenting Spiders =
Variant Description
The most dangerous and infamous variant of Lamenting Sinners. Lamenting Spiders, or as they are occasionally known, Lamenting Scorpions, are large, many-legged creatures that resemble those of a spider or scorpion. They possess a varying number of legs (the presumed minimum and maximum being 4 and 21), a large tail that bears a stinger, a large mouth filled with needle-like teeth and one eyeball in the center, and a bulbous fleshy underbelly. Lamenting Spiders are the primary hunters of the variants and are tasked with one goal: to retrieve the minds of humans and bring them back to their designated Variant A instance. They are by far the most deadly variant and are to be avoided at all costs. If one hears the sound of skittering emanating from a hall or passage, leave the immediate area as fast as possible.
Lamenting Spiders are covered in a thick carapace comprised of long individual plates. This outer shell is highly resistant, able to withstand ammunition from most firearms. This carapace, however, does not cover the underside of the Lamenting Spiders, as their stomach is entirely exposed. The inside of the mouths of Variant B instances is divided into two sections: a right opening and a left opening, both of which are surrounded by teeth. In the very center of their mouths sits a singular orange eye, similar to that of a feline. Due to the placement of this eye and the lack of ears, they have trouble tracking their prey and can be escaped fairly easily if one simply exits their line of sight for a long enough period of time.
Variant Behavior
Lamenting Spiders, though possessing little in regards to senses, are fairly intelligent and have unpredictable methods of attack. Common methods of hunting include stalking tight corridors or hiding in dark places, waiting for passing wanderers. Once a Lamenting Spider has spotted its prey, it will attempt to penetrate the skin of the wanderer with its stinger, injecting a venom that will cause paralysis and temporary urtication in the limbs of wanderers. After the Lamenting Spider has successfully injected the venom, it will engulf the wanderer in its maw, which will strip away everything other than the brain. The brain will then be added to a pouch in the stomach and transported to their Lamenting Pylon. Lamenting Spiders can hold up to 4 human brains at once and will generally not attempt to return to their pylon until they have at least 2 human minds collected.
Variant Biology
Lamenting Spiders will attach to one of a Lamenting Pylon's notches using a corrugated barb and will rest, gaining nutrients to allow it to continue hunting. If a Lamenting Spider is without a pylon (i.e., the pylon was slain), it may either slowly shrivel and die or, if it has grown large enough, split in half, forming a new, smaller pylon, and continue to collect the brains of wanderers, though this is rarely successful as they are often too weak to continue hunting.
Discovery
Variant B was discovered shortly after the discovery of Lamenting Pylons; however, M.E.G. was unaware that Lamenting Spiders had anything to do with Lamenting Sinners at all until around 2 years after their discovery, where one wanderer purportedly saw a Lamenting Spider feeding from a pylon. After setting up some cameras near a Lamenting Pylon, the wanderer's report was confirmed to be true after the camera caught footage of a similar occurrence. Though they did not see the variant feeding, they had observed it delivering human brains to the aforementioned Lamenting Pylon.
|-| Variant C: Lamenting Beholders =
Variant Description
A far more elusive and rare variant, the physical form of which is only known from sparse encounters as any cameras will fail to capture them. Lamenting Beholders are large floating optical apertures resembling those of a human eye. Sprouting from the eye, several fleshy, predominantly interlaced tendrils thought to be almost entirely muscle tissue extend behind and around them in an unusual symmetrical pattern. Directly behind them is another long tendril, which is connected to a large sack, of which is used to store human brains, though acquisition of human minds is not the Lamenting Beholder's primary objective. Lamenting Beholders administer cognitive hazards similar to those of Lamenting Pylons, with sharply increased severity. Upon witnessing a Lamenting Beholder, a wanderer will have their gaze affixed to the entity, whereupon they will endure intense psychological manipulation and hallucinations, which will inevitably cause them to approach the Lamenting Beholder, and have their brain surgically removed.
Despite their lack of mouths, it is thought that Lamenting Beholders are capable of vocalization, either telepathically or through an unknown orifice. In the event that a wanderer has viewed the eye of a Lamenting Beholder, while not a preferable circumstance, there still remains a chance for survival. One must exercise sagacity as to not fall for any of the Variant C instance's mental trickery, and one must do everything in their power to avert their eyes from the gaze of the Lamenting Beholder. Upon looking away from a Lamenting Beholder, any and all cognitive detriments shall cease, allowing the wanderer clarity of mind. They may now safely leave the area containing the Lamenting Beholder.
Variant Behavior
Lamenting Beholders spend most of their time wandering great distances away from their pylon in hopes of finding an exit to their current level and beginning the next stage of their life at said level, though if they fail to find an exit, they may instead move to a far enough location away from their originating pylon and enter the next stage of the Variant C lifecycle in said distant area. Lamenting Beholders are far less hostile and will seldom hunt wanderers, though if agitated or lacking a proper food source (their is no brain currently contained within the variant), then they will induce severe psycho-hazardous effects upon the wanderer that has encountered them, though these hazards will only affect the wanderer if they are currently viewing the central eye of the Lamenting Beholder.
If one is to encounter a Lamenting Beholder, do not look at it; this is generally enough to avoid any harm, though it is still recommended to maintain a moderate distance from the variant. Slowly make your egress from the area currently harboring the variant, and do not under any circumstances listen to the words of the creature. Upon successfully entrancing a wanderer, the wanderer will slowly approach the Lamenting Beholder and begin to kneel down; afterwards, the Lamenting Beholder will start the process of extracting their mind, raising their tendrils to point towards the wanderer. After the Lamenting Beholder has reached its target, it will begin slowly ███████ ███ ████ ███ █████ ██████ ████ in a means to extract the brain from the target. Wanderers are fully conscious during this highly agonizing process, though at this point they will rarely have the will to run or fight back.
You will hear screaming.
Variant Biology
The biology of Variant C is not well documented, but it is known that they play a key part in the Lamenting Sinner's reproduction. Upon finding an adequate location, Lamenting Beholders will root themselves to the ground and begin the gradual process of transforming into a Variant A. After the Lamenting Beholder has successfully reconfigured its body into that of a Lamenting Pylon, it will create a relatively small Variant B instance, which will acquire more energy (human brains) for the pylon as well as matter for it to create far stronger and larger Lamenting Spiders.
The process of a pylon producing a Variant C instance is a slow and arduous one, comparable to that of a jellyfish reproductive cycle. The pylon acts as a polyp and will slowly break off its upper rim of flesh and teeth once it has acquired enough energy and biomass. This broken-off rim becomes the larva, which will feed off of the pylon, growing and changing into a Variant C. This process, on average, takes around a month to fully finish and can be interrupted if the pylon encounters notable enough stressors, such as fire.
Discovery
The discovery of'Variant C' was an unusual process. The Entity Research Committee, with help from M.E.G., was attempting to conduct more research on Lamenting sinners. Cameras were stationed near a Variant A to monitor it and hopefully uncover more about its abnormal biology. Researchers in the Entity Research Committee had witnessed the upper rim of the pylon slowly dethatching but were unsure of what exactly was the cause of this. Due to a series of unfortunate events, they were not able to actively monitor the pylon's strange behavior. Once the Entity Research Committee had finally resecured their base of operations, they checked the camera feed, only to find a puzzling sight. The upper rim of the pylon was entirely missing; attempting to review the camera feed yielded little, as there was a notable lapse in time where the camera had failed to record properly.
After a prolonged period of discussion amongst the highest ranked researchers, a few members of the Entity Research Committee had made a sudden intrusion upon their meeting, claiming that a large, floating eye covered in flesh had passed close by the base. After surveying the area, they had discovered an instance of Variant C, though this resulted in the loss of two researchers.
|-| Unconfirmed Variant: Euclid's Despair =
"Euclid's Despair"
Sparse reports from various sources have revealed a possible fourth variant, though very little information has been gathered as of yet on said variant. Reports include that of a large, predominantly white creature, the body of which appears to be comprised of impossible geometry, possibly that of a higher dimension. It was not thought that this undocumented entity was related to Lamenting sinners until a passage of a book from the Primum Oculus stated that this variant did exist and was in some way related to Lamenting sinners. Despite this evidence, the passages of the text are highly vague, and any information gleaned from the Primum Oculus should be considered not fully reliable. The passage from the Primum Oculus stated that this variant was supposedly a singular being and was in some way responsible for the creation of Lamenting Sinners as a whole. Euclid's Despair is often depicted similarly to that of a seraph from the Christian Bible, though the significance of this is debatable.
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"Primum Oculus"
Around the time Variant B was discovered, M.E.G. had encountered an unusual organization that supposedly worshipped Lamenting Sinners. Very few members of the cult were willing to converse with M.E.G., most being highly volatile and combative. From what information M.E.G. could glean via interviews with cult members, the cult believes that the pylons do not torment the humans who have their minds trapped within, instead granting them a sort of paradise. Primum Oculus members believe that the human minds within the pylons are put into a simulated heaven, and the pylons are merely attempting to grant respite to weary wanderers. M.E.G. attempted to not engage with the cult outside of interviews due to their hostility; however, on March 12th, 2008, an incident known as "The Flesh-Heaven Incursion" took place, causing relations between M.E.G. and Primum Oculus to become hostile.
"The Flesh-Heaven Incursion"
On March 12th, 2008, a group of around 50 to 55 cult members performed a highly lethal incursion on a now abandoned M.E.G. outpost. This raid resulted in over 34 casualties of M.E.G. personnel. The remaining personnel were forced to flee from the outpost, which has now become a base of operations for the cult members. Under normal circumstances, with some difficulty, M.E.G. would be fully capable of handling this situation; however, Primum Oculus, via unknown means, had managed to weaponize Variant B instances against M.E.G.. After this incursion, M.E.G. has attempted to perform several raids on what is now the Primum Oculus's main base. These raids proved predominantly fruitless; however, some useful information had been gathered from the base, namely a book titled "The Red Haven" that had been presumably written by the cult, a small, possibly ancient manuscript containing a poem, and several other documents.
"The Red Haven"
Details of "The Red Haven" shall be predominantly excluded from public view due to cognitive and information hazard related concerns. The book is known to contain valuable information relating to Lamenting Sinners, but it is also thought to be a prime item of manipulation, capable of persuading readers into joining Primum Oculus, and the information contained within often leads to severe psychological turmoil. The book most notably contains mention of a god-like figure the Primum Oculus denotes in high regard, this supposedly being that of an unconfirmed variant known as "Euclid's Despair", as well as detailed historical or possibly pseudo-historical documents on the creation of Lamenting Sinners. M.E.G. is to terminate any, specifically human, life that may have unauthorized knowledge of the contents of The Red Haven.
> OPEN "LAMENTING SINNERS"
"LAMENTING SINNERS"
"Do they not weep for our fallen?"
"The pollen used to fertilize that of the ill gotten cotton."
"We use the fibers of what we do not own."
"Sowing from world separate, forever they remain alone."
"The blood of man is sourced from the stone."
"Yet they hoard their riches from the world, even the bone."
"You who goes against true freedom."
"You whose sins shall never be truly atoned."
"The pure and true shall know their way."
"The generous and untethered shall arrive at a brighter day."
"For the sun so pure, able to whether our skin."
"Our forms freed, true sight given."
"Though some remain, refusing to relent."
"Those sinners who continue to lament."
"They remain tethered to their forms."
"Give up your flesh, new mind shall be adorned."
Category:Entities
Category:Rare