The Sculk Outbreak

The Sculk Outbreak was a devastating pandemic that struck Drevhall, causing intense fear in the many nations and people within the lands for a time. The outbreak revolved around sculk, a strange yet devastating mass that forms within the Deep Dark biomes within Drevhall and is known for being able to infect both the environment around it and the people and creatures.

As of today, a means of temporarily halting the outbreak, known as Sculk Cleanser, was found on the 10th of September, 2nd Year of the First Age - cleansing away minor sculk infections within the body. However, a means of gaining immunity against the sculk was not found until the Elixir of All was discovered on the 10th of January 2023, 3rd Year of the First Era.

### History

#### Origins

The Sculk Outbreak originated within Bogwater, after JesterinBlack broke a piece of bedrock located deep within the Temple of the Deep One in late August. It was stated that the Deep One was supposedly imprisoned in a case of bedrock in the void and had saved Jester’s life. Thus Jester believed he had freed the god he was indebted to, when in actuality - he had released sculk. Seeing this as a sign, Jester invited many to the temple to see what he had done and to celebrate. However, the sculk had infected the water that flowed from the well’s water, spreading throughout Bogwater and into those that touched it. Amongst those who came, Monkey showed the first symptoms of sculk infection, and soon others began to follow. The outbreak was small at first but due to both the infected water and individuals, its hold soon began to spread. In time, people began to take notice and concerns regarding the infection grew.

A rare yet recent pathogen from the void that emerged in Drevall, which began appearing within the deepest areas of the world - known as the Deep Dark - not long after bedrock was breached. Some theorise that this was a calling card to wake up the sculk, causing it to overtake ancient cities. Sculk only mostly appears within the Deep Dark, due to how close such is to the void, which is beneath the Bedrock. lt has been an abnormality within the world of Drevhall - due to its otherworldly appearance and how dangerous the Deep Dark has become because of it. Many adventurers have recently ventured into Ancient Cities, seeking the treasures held within or to do battle with the being known as the Warden.

#### Measures Taken

At Thoronor’s library, the High King and a group of individuals met up to discuss a few matters. It was during this that David and Jester coughed up sculk, shocking everyone who was present. David revealed to the group that he had been infected from Knights of the Withered Rose accidentally infecting him when they investigated the matter, and explained about how the outbreak began. He enlisted the aid of ClassyBritish, a nomadic alchemist, to use her skills in Alchemy to determine a means to cure those infected by the sculk. She, David, and the group spent the remainder of the day, experimenting with different ingredients to determine a start.

Eventually, the group learnt that absinthe served as a hint, as the infected who drank it found some strength from it. A list of reagents that they should try was made, through determining the necessary alchemical characteristics and properties needed to counter the sculk:

* **Moss** - Due to its spreading similarities to sculk but instead of representing death, it represented life and was thus considered important to ensure the effects of the potion spread throughout the body.
* **Grass** - Grass, though common, was chosen due to its resilient nature and being a symbol of health and well-being. These properties made grass especially important towards the healing of the body, to give it resilience during the curing process.
* **Blaze Powder** - As they were dealing with what many called an infection, many speculated that intense heat to burn away the sculk infection would be needed. Thus blaze powder was chosen to carry out such a task, without badly damaging the consumer.
* **Totem of Undying** - An unlikely reagent but one deemed necessary for the cure - as the sculk feeds on life and grows with death.Thus an ingredient representing undeath was vital to counter these traits, as well as assist in ensuring the consumer’s body regenerated from the damage the sculk had dealt to them.
* **Ender Pearl** - An Ender Pearl was considered another reagent, primarily due to found records that villagers who were infected by the sculk changed into Endermen, a form of defensive reaction to protect the body from such and grant resistance. Thus the group concluded that an Ender Pearl must be included, for a resistance against the infection.

However, this list was incomplete and the group were unsure of the quantity and brewing time needed to make a cure. They parted ways, heading into their separate labs and homes to begin figuring out where to go from here.

In an attempt to reduce the growing infection in Bogwater, the High King ordered that the rivers leading from Bogwater should be blocked up to prevent further contamination. This proved effective in protecting the Riverlands and seas from the sculk infection, though it also raised concerns of the infection being able to become rain and infect further away lands. Jester used boots enhanced with frost walker to seal the well up. It was also advised for people to maintain their distances from Bogwater, though there were those who did not listen - ultimately getting infected.

At one point, Turtle Titan went out of his way to unleash a Warden on the Commercium, much to the horror of everyone within the Riverlands. The creature was thankfully killed by both Bringiton and Ace\_of\_Julian, and a bounty was placed on Turtle’s head for endangering the Riverlands.

#### The Community Bastion

With the number of infected on the rise, conditions worsening, and no progress of the cure, an order was made that all infected were to head into the Nether and remain there. It was discovered that intense heat slowed down the infection process, slowing down the sculk from further affecting those it was part of. A bastion was taken by the infected group, who converted it into a stable living area for themselves. Water and supplies were carried in by those naturally immune to sculk, ensuring that those in the Nether had enough resources to survive. To lighten up spirits, a decoration contest was held and the Drevhall Auction was held close by in a specially made auction house. It was at this auction that Julian won a series of weathered notes, describing ancient alchemical studies and a civilization that used what would become known as splash potions.

It was also during this time in the Nether that Void created a device that would infuse someone with the void, giving them immunity to sculk. However, the chances of such succeeding was low. Beafman suffered many deaths when experimenting with this device, before finally gaining immunity. It was quickly decided this was not an effective method and was no longer used.

However, not all infected chose to remain there, defying orders and heading back into the Overworld. Thus many saw their conditions worsen, along with infecting more people in the process. The worst effects of the sculk infection was seen when Monkey’s conditions worsened, growing mad and begging for death. He was eventually killed, causing sculk to spread in the process.

It was during this time that the infection began to affect mobs within the Overworld, including that of zombies, skeletons and spiders deep within the ground. Many avoided going deep underground, as the chances of being infected through these mobs were on the rise.

#### The Sculk Cleanser

In an effort to find the cure, as well as ensure attempts were passed around - Classy reached out to all working on the cure and asked them to share their research with each other. This resulted in the formation of the Drevhall Science Divison, a group dedicated towards discovering a means to heal the infected and stop the sculk. At its helm stood the old alchemist, who made sure all were updated on matters. Though they had a rough start, the group devoted countless hours into experimenting with the list of reagents discovered and looking over many books in Thoronor’s library to find a solution.

Eventually, the missing piece was found -  End Stone. Though only going off of symbolism and representations than actual facts, they learned that End Stone represented life within the End, and was a powerful source of such. Furthermore as it was a prominent form of structure in the void, it represented strength and stability -two vital aspects needed for the cure. Thus the DSD poured all resources into finding the quantity and boiling time for the cure.

Then Bringiton found it. The medicine was appropriately named ‘Sculk Cleanser’. The effects were powerful and dangerous, with the consumer levitating off the ground and being brought to near death. Should they fall, death was guaranteed. Yet when drank safely, the infected found that the sculk was safely removed from their body Thus the DSD made sure that the infected were in low ceiling rooms and had totems of undying on them. They passed the medicine around, explaining the side effects so everyone knew. Eventually those who were in the Nether were free to return to the Overworld. Yet the worst was far from over, as the Sculk Cleanser could remove the sculk - but didn’t grant immunity from it.

#### The Sculk Cult and Anima Relics

Weeks after discovering and distributing the Sculk Cleanser, the DSD was alerted to the discovery of sculk within the community bastion’s laboratory.  Many began to worry that the sculk was adapting, but this was quickly shut down upon further investigations. Upon arriving at the scene, it was discovered that sculk had been intentionally spread across one corner of the room, and that vials of Sculk Cleanser that was stored there had been destroyed.At a meeting between David, Classy, FluffySapphire and a few others, Classy was informed of a means of an immunizer by Fluffy, who had spent time researching. According to Fluffy, she remembered words of an all-cure being thrown around by the fellowship of fairies from the First World. A potion created from four of the powerful potions. However, this was cut short when the group were alerted by Thermo that Slasher was the one responsible for the sabotage. The group departed for Dunwall, where the man lived.

They managed to intercept Slasher with little to no harm, and brought him to Wacked Castle to learn about why he went out of his way to sabotage. Slasher, who’s body showed intense sculk infection, explained that he sabotaged the lab to raise awareness that the Knights of the Withered Rose were doing nothing to stop the sculk outbreak, and that there were others who were spreading the infection intentionally. He requested to speak with Classy alone and told her more of why he did it - the sculk held the capability to control and drive people insane the more infected they were. He had been infected by one of the two culprits and asked her to focus on ending the sculk infection, to find the one who infected him, and to help him move his soul to another body. Classy agreed and promised that she would find a means to transfer his soul to a new body, under the condition he remained in his cell. After explaining her meeting, David advised her to reach out to Bambus in regards to his relics - the Anima Relics.

Bambus was quick to respond back and agreed to train the alchemist in how to use the three artefacts. He told her that the Anima Ancora would protect her from sculk infection, as she needed to kill monsters with the Arescent Anima to power the sword for soul extraction. The Gratia Aurea, a powerful golden apple, would be needed to give her strength when carrying a soul-infused Anima Ancora and to return life to the individual after obtaining a new body for them. With the relics in hand, Classy informed David she was ready to extract Slasher’s soul. Thus Slasher was escorted into the Nether by the Chapter Master and another of his knights, while Classy waited for them at David’s Nether Castle. The extraction was a success, although both knights had to escort a temporarily blinded alchemist back to the Overworld safely. Although this resulted in the woman being ‘haunted’ by Slasher’s soul for a time.

#### The Trial of Turtle Titan

On the 12th of November 2022, 2nd Year ofthe First Age, Turtle Titan was summoned to court over a series of accusations and crimes, with Julian standing as his representative. As this was the Riverland’s first court trial, many were on edge and nervous. Armour and weapons were not permitted within the court, although Classy gained permission to bring in extra vials of Sculk Cleanser. The court proceeded normally, with Turtle being charged with fines for his crimes. However, it was during this trial that Slasher’s soul informed Classy that the one who infected him was in the room. Moments later, Turtle unleashed vials full of sculk throughout the court and used an invisibility potion to escape in the ensuing madness. Knights chased after him while David called for order in the court, and Classy went about handing the Sculk Cleanser to those who got hit with the sculk.

It was decided that Turtle would undergo soul transferring, in an attempt to save his life. Thus while the Knights of the Withered Rose set out to capture Turtle, Classy and Thermo worked together to finalise Slasher's body. Eventually, the new body was completed and Classy was, once again, escorted to Dunwall and to Thermo's lab. Finally, the boy's soul was placed in the new body, allowing him to live a sculk free life. Turtle was captured and went under Soul Transferring, placing his soul within the Anima Ancora. An old body of Turtle’s was regained from the depth of Epheria’s Lush Cavern, the very same that the High King assassinated after Turtle defied his banishment from the Riverlands.This body was brought forth and Turtle’s soul was also placed inside, with the Gratia Aurea used to bestow life back to him. Thus two individuals were saved from major sculk infection.

#### The Elixir of All

While the events of the Anima Relics and Turtle’s trial transpired, Julian followed through with the weathered notes he gained during the Nether auction. He enlisted the aid of Retro and the pair found multiple desert temples east of the Riverlands that detailed more about the ancient civilisation in the notes. He gathered others to assist him -Quinn, Voidlord, and Capaz - in his search and they traversed to the distant outskirts of Drevhall. It was in the far west that the group discovered a grand temple that bore Galatric Runes along the walls. The group slowly translated the runes and discovered that they listed down many ingredients and gods of Drevhall. Excited, the group alerted Classy and brought her to the temple, which they referred to as the Alchemical Temple.

Such findings were brought up to the DSD, with many learning how to brew two powerful potions called Wither and Blood of the Deep One, and the importance of Dragon’s Breath. With Classy recalling Fluffy’s information about four potions needed to make the immunizer, and three of the four potions associated with the Gods of Four. However, the group’s theories were many and often confusing, with some believing the top floor of the temple was devoted to a potion associated with the Earth Goddess. Many resources were spent in an effort to determine theories, and with pressure being put on the group - some found it difficult to find a solution.

Finally, the group realised the Alchemical Temple’s runes listed all of the ingredients able to be brewed, along with how many recipes they were part of and their quantities. With additional assistance and further insight, they realised that the final potion they were trying to find… was one they already discovered. Julian additionally learnt that Wither, Blood of the Deep One, and Dragon’s blood could be placed and mixed together. With all the pieces falling together; Classy, Quinn, Jester, and Archie came together at Copper Lake and focused on combining the four potions.

The final result was the Elixir of All - a powerful potion akin to the Alchemical myth, the Panacea. The elixir was strong enough to grant immunity to all diseases and illnesses, though was also deadly enough to kill if not prepared. The DSD created more of the elixir, though some members became unwilling to give the elixir out - due to the amount of effort needed to make it, and how outside sources had treated the DSD. In spite of this, Classy informed the group they were to hand out the elixir to all, but ask the public to assist in gathering the resources.

#### Aftermath

With the creation and distribution of the Elixir of All, the number of infected decreased significantly to where the outbreak was reduced down to a controllable level. Although sculk remained in certain places, its threat level was reduced as more people became immune to it. The DSD began to monitor areas where sculk was, aiming to make sure it didn’t spread further across the lands. While it remains to be seen if the sources of the outbreak will be resealed, other matters have popped up that required attention.