Project Lethe

[Nivalis]

Description:

The purpose of the project is the formulation of a water soluble substance with long-lasting effects, meant to be introduced in the water supply of a targeted town, in order to erode the willpower and ability of the population to fight back. The purpose of this is quite simply, population control and pacification, without the use of overt violence and thus lowering the likelihood of eliciting a strong response from the enemy, as well as the formation of a resistance movement. The first stage involves the gathering of the main herbal specimens and their planting upon our available greenhouses. As we wait for the specimens to grow, we will assess the effects of the soluble substances on a smaller scale. The second stage is the larger scale experimentation of the solution upon a small village, after the formation of a successful batch. The third stage is, hopefully, the production of the substance on a larger scale for the use in our campaigns.

Ingredients: algarian torve weed, sweetblossom

Stage 1: Completed

Stage 2: In small scale testing, the effects of sweetblossom were found to be quite potent. The flowers have bloomed and are ready to be harvested.

[Hazlem]

Phase 1: Extraction

Initial processing of a sample batch of the plant products has been undertaken. Under sterile conditions within laboratories on the planet Belkadan the leaves of the Algarian Torve Weed were washed, and then immersed in a chemical bath including hydrocarbon liquids, sulphuric acids, ammonia and other miscellaneous industrial solvents. They were soaked in this mixture for several hours, before the liquid was drained and the residual material dried in conventional industrial desiccators. Finally, the residual matter was dissolved in a solvent and then distilled into a pure, stable suspension. In the case of sweetblossom, the flowers of the plant were crushed and dried, again in industrial desiccators. This product was then placed into an alkaline water solution and boiled, the relevant compounds skimmed off as they rose to the top. The resultant material was boiled, and filtered off into a paste form. This paste was finally boiled again using a solution including ethanol and hydrochloric acid, finally drying into purified sweetblossom powder. This material was then made into a stable suspension, and has been mixed with the Algarian suspension in four sample sizes - 1, 2, 3 and 4. Sample 1 is 2 parts Torve Weed to one part sweetblososm. Sample 2 is 1 part Torve Weed to 2 parts sweetblossom. Sample 3 is one part Torve Weed to one part sweetblossom. And sample 4 is one parts Torve Weed and sweetblossom to two parts distilled water.

[Nivalis]

Phase 2: Experimentation (Part 1)

This is the documentation of the first round of testing of the substances.

Premise:

For the purpose of the testing, fourty subjects were selected, and told that they would be testing out anti-anxiety medication. The method of intake was in the form of small, concentrated drops the subjects would introduce into a five liter water container they got to take home. When the container emptied, they received instructions on how to clean and refill it, and administer the drops themselves. The isolated container is crucial to mimic the circumstances of a controlled, self-contained water supply. The subjects were instructed to go on with their usual water intake. Twenty of the subjects were given out actual active ingredients, and the other twenty a placebo, none knowing which is which. The twenty given active ingredients were divided by groups of four, each given a different version of the formula as described above. The subjects were mostly humans, with a few aliens in their number. The subjects were told to log their symptoms and temperament during the course of a month, after which a short behavioral evaluation was conducted.

Outcome:

During the course of a month,  of those having taken the placebo no significant changes in behaviour were observed. When it comes to the formulas and the intended behavioral changes, the first one seems to be the most promising, with the third coming up as second. The second formula seems to be too strong, having caused a subject to die. It is to be noted that the subject suffered from prior heart problems. The fourth was already in diluted form and, diluting it even more, the results were negligible. From within the subjects testing the third formula, one also died of an unexpected allergic reaction. Such a reaction is however exceedingly rare.

Notes:

Sith Satjaza was gracious enough to offer her input in regard to the experiment. The premise, first of all, is flawed, having left the dosage and preparation of the solution to the subjects. This will be corrected in the second round of testing, where the solution will be prepared by hand and given to the subjects. Second of all, the placebo group should have been let known of the intended effects of the "formula" given to them. Thirdly, a larger variety of species should be included among the testing groups, so the formula's effects on a mixed population can be observed. For the next part of the testing, focus will be given to the first and third formulas specifically.

[Nivalis]

Phase 2: Experimentation (Part 2)

This is the documentation of the second round of testing of the substances.

Premise:

For the purpose of the testing, sixty subjects were selected, different from the ones in the first round and of a greater variety of species, and told that they will be testing out anti-anxiety medication. The method of intake was in the form of pre-mixed batches of formula given out to the subjects in large water containers. Again, the subjects were instructed to go on with their usual water intake. Twenty of the subjects were given the first formula, twenty were given the third, while the last twenty of them were given the placebo, not knowing which is which. All subjects, placebo included, were explained to that the effects of the formula are meant to make them calmer during a prolongued period of time. Regarding the species making up the participants, they consisted of 10 humans, 8 twi'leks, 8 rodians, 7 duros, 6 nautolans, 5 mon calamari, 5 cathar, 4 togruta, and a single representative of the bothan, zabrak, zeltron, kubaz, rattataki, ugnaught and aqualish. The subjects were told to log their symptoms and temperament during the course of a two month period, after which a behavioral evaluation was conducted.
For the second part of this, all subjects would then be given the formula deemed the most effective, as a means of properly judging the effects of it on a wider spectrum of species. The duration of this test was two more months, with much the same procedure taking place.

Outcome:

During the course of the four months, of those having taken the placebo there was in fact a change in behaviour, however small. The subjects attested that they felt just slightly more relaxed than their previous state, but significantly less than the subjects testing the other formulas and with none of the documented apathetic attitude. When it comes to the formulas and the intended behavioral changes, the first one once again seems to be the most promising, with the third coming up as second. The first formula seems to induce the perfect balance of enhanced mood, relaxation and a state of apathetic inaction to one's surroundings. In terms of species, none of them seemed immune to the formula during the second part of the testing, with twi'leks particularly susceptible, although cultural norms might also be at play here. Thankfully, no allergic reactions or deaths occured this time, even though a handfull of the subjects did have prior health conditions that made the endeavour risky. Notable also is the fact that the formula was accidentally consumed by a participant's offspring, with no deleterious effects other than more than usual lethargy and increased apathy, which is a positive if it is to be administered widely.

Notes:

In conclusion, the first formula seems to be the most fitting on widespread usage. The last part is testing out how different kinds of water filters stand against it.

[Nivalis]

Phase 3: Water Filters

The last part is the testing of the substance against water filters. The solution was tested against simple hand-hend filters, filters aimed for domestic use, an Industrial water-filter and an experimental desalinisation filter.
The ones that seem to fully work against it is the higher grade industrial water filter as well as the desalinisation one, with the lower grade domestic filter being semi-effective but not entirely, and the hand-held ones almost entirely useless.