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"Good evening, citizens of Delphi. I am Jeremiah Knox, acting head of the Cerberus Reserve. I am here before you to read out the summary of a now-publicly available report released by my colleagues in Cerberus, concluding our past months of research into Inflammatory Mana Syndrome, better known as The Calling Curse.
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Before I begin, I would like to thank you all for your patience with the ongoing city emergency lockdown, and the kindness and support you have shown—not just to me, but to each other."
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He turns to the paper and begins to read.
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"The paper outlines eight known facts about the calling curse. First, that is is not contagious, as was always established. It remains unclear why or how witches first developed the curse. Second, as we can see, the curse has progressed, and, unfortunately, is capable of entirely breaking apart a witch and familiar's bond if left unchecked.
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We have isolated four identifiable stages: Onset, which looks like minor personality changes and trouble casting magic. Stage 2, which looks like prolonged periods of disconnect, disconnect of bonds during sleeping hours, visions. Stage 3, which looks like witches and familiars that are indefinitely disconnected, with no ability to voluntarily dematerialize (currently, 90% of witches are in this stage). And Stage 4, which looks like the growth of demonic characteristics (such as gems, etc.) along the skin of the witch and the familiar. And Stage 5, which looks like a loss of sanity, and possible complete corruption and changed form of the familiar.
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Victims of this curse will see their conditions deteriorate due to exposure to ruptures and daemons.
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Witches that reach "Stage IV" may be considered threats to humanity. However, at a 10-11 split by the board of Cerberus alumni and researchers, "does not present adequate reason to neutralize to prevent development into Stage V."
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Cerberus researchers believe that Stage IV, like all other stages, can be contained with the application of a temporarily stabilizer known as the NULL NECKLACE. If the cursed familiars can be brought within a witch's materialization radius, the necklace can be used to rejoin the witch's two halves, allowing for a temporary stop-gap measure that will prevent the curse's deterioration.
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In addition, the Reserve would like to make clear the only two identified stages of Stage IV IMS—one in High Priest Cain Delacour of coven Pegasus, and novice Sylvaine Vaillancourt of Cerberus. Both witches are under quarantine, and, in good faith, have been turned over to the court of Delphi for proceedings."
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The room erupts into a rancorous thunder and Jeremiah looks as though he has set down the paper, but he is quick to hold up his hand for quiet, and give a terse smile.
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"The paper concludes, Ad Meliora." Another pause, but this time the silence waits for him. "In recognition of these developments, and striving, at our best, to act in the interests of safety and science, and to preserve the integrity of cursed witches, who are all victims, not enemies, the Cerberus Reserve will be taking the following actions: we will be retaining the lockdown of the city to keep all cursed witches within the borders of Delphi.
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However, in order to locate, protect, and deliver cursed familiars to their witches, the borders of Delphi will be opened to non-cursed witches to engage in expeditions to the Jairwood swamp, where we believe the majority of cursed familiars are currently located. This will prevent further developments into Stag IV of the calling curse.
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Cursed witches must submit a formal request through Cerberus channels to create a registry of familiars, which will serve as a guide for witches of Pegasus and Cerberus to help find and return their familiars. In doing so, they must agree to reunification via NULL NECKLACE, at one of the three designation reunification centers: FELICITY STADIUM, THE OLD CITADEL, and PEGASUS PARK'S NORTH LOT."
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He takes a breath.
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"In addition, I am honored to announce publicly that Cerberus currently has a vaccine in development for the curse, procured by the joint efforts of the heroic witches of Project Trishula. The details of the vaccine are to be released in the coming months.
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In light of this potential—and likely cure—our official official recommendation to the City of Delphi is to retain custody of Cain Delacour, Sylvaine Vaillancourt, and any other Stage IV witches until a cure can be developed and tried on them.
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Thank you for your patience. I will now be taking questions."
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In the ensuing chaos, Jeremiah takes a breath, and drinks nearly half a glass of the water supplied, before the first reporter starts—