The Book of Knots - Jags

Sponsors
The sponsors of the original
project put the Liebrarian
and the Typeist in charge of
gathering data and making
plans. When the project was
shelved, it was undertaken
by the Black Rose whose
contacts with magicians gave it
purchase in the human world.
Agents of Infection
The Underground’s Upper
Echelon is the prime force
behind Llamed. The members
range from magicians (who
have never been to a support
group meeting) to survivors
who have personal and
political motivations for
wanting to see the Infection
spread. The group is so
disparate that there is no one
vision concerning what will
happen if a decent Llamed
strain is developed but the
goals range from enlightening
mankind to destroying it.
For its part, although this is
potentially the most dangerous
operation (if mishandled it
could tear reality down), it
is also the one that is, in its
way, the most conscientious: The Black Rose doesn’t want to destroy
humanity (or even, really, civilize man—the target is the order of the
Caretakers). If Llamed was properly handled (at least in theory) the
results could be far less destructive than standard Infection usually
results in. There is a least a hypothetical chance that such an outbreak,
managed and controlled and properly “calibrated” could raise mankind
to an elevated level of consciousness.
It could also destroy it.
The Lost Family
There are two of them, a man and a woman (although they are not married).
They were Infected and came together in a facility run by one of the malign
beings that calls itself an InNetwork physician. When the ordeal was over
and the doctor was dead they both escaped—and survived, as well as they
were able. They managed to control their Infection. They managed to repair
some of the damage.
Now they work with groups around the country to fi nd and exterminate the
warped things that call themselves therapists. They provide what comfort
they can to their victims and what advice they can give to the other Infecteds
(and they don’t have much good advice—they know the odds are not good).
Their “children” are those taken, often damaged, from the hospitals where
they have been imprisoned. The immediate members of the Lost Family
organize breakouts, plan escapes, and sift through information looking for
evidence of their former tormentors.
The two have deep experience in the lower Chessboards and are often
sought for help (and, often, they make sojourns down into the lower realms
to help those of theirs who have fallen … if they can). It’s an overwhelming
task and one that wears on them—but they are tireless and they are kind.
They have the respect of the rest of the Upper Echelon because of their
expertise, mastery, and the information they gather. They have contacts
within many major psychiatric hospitals and have friends throughout
the MHS whose identities they guard closely. They are aware of Big
Pharma. They are aware of Project Puritan (and Pagan) but they keep this
information secret from most of their wards as part of a deal that extends
their reach and credibility.
They believe that the only solution to the mounting series of tragedies is the
creation of a strain that will reduce the damaging effects of Nin (the name
for the “standard strain”). They have dedicated some of their safe-houses
and resources to studying this.
Operations
These are some of the historical Llamed projects. Modern ones include
similar initiatives (and a great deal of danger from Puritan, who is
dedicated to eradicating the threat).
Flower Power
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Book of Knots - The Symposium