Frudoc Maynarei Dear Mr Breen, I have finished my preliminary investigation of the viscous matter that was gathered from within the machine. There was not much more to be learned that had not already been deduced from earlier observations. The material has a mutagenic effect, as was suspected by the presence of the oversized arachnids. However such effects are only witnessed in growing animals, either young infants or eggs. In adult, sentient mammals it has psychotropic effects, providing vivid dreams and visions. So far no prognosticative or clairvoyant properties have been observed. Undiluted the material is invariably fatal, even in small doses. However it still produces entheogenic effects when diluted, and while still a foreign toxin to the body, it is not usually fatal. Although the perceptual abnormalities in the imbiber are not as strong, the subject suffers a period of altered conscious state and gastrointestinal disturbance, rather than internal tissue necrosis. I hope this information confirms some of your earlier suspicions. Unfortunately I am unable to provide any further information regarding the materials origin, or indeed even if the matter was organic or synthetic. Please feel free to contact me at the Rock Bottom if you have any questions, or you desire my aid in investigating this matter further. Yours Sincerely Frudoc Maynare.

Basically the gist of that substance is exactly this. However, Grizabella has spoken to me about the distinct unnatural essence of it. And we have seen its effects. It is not a disease, it turns out, that I thought I was examining, but instead it is this substance that has perverted the spider species living underneath the Dunwarren Ruins. Having located the source I suppose the next step would be to determine how to neutralize the effects. We saw that it is dangerous to consume.

Tobias Breen

Mr. Breen,

I thank you for your quick response to my request. I am a little confused on a few issues, however. You said that the source has been found, but it seemed to me as if the pipes themselves were producing the tainted sludge. Have you any idea where the original source of the substance is, or how it is created? I'm basically concerned with why it is there, in the Dunwarren ruins, and how we can make it cease to be there.

Gratefully, Agent Aaron Wrinkle

That much I do not know. Beyond those pipes, I cannot say. I know they end at the canals. I would imagine that ceasing the existence of the substance is something city officials would be better suited at handling. How it is created is something I am interested in, but that might require more resources than I can muster. I have heard that the wizard Strife is quite the alchemist. He might be able to answer.

Tobias Breen