STAGE 1: 0-365 Days

Exterior Symptoms:

Strange cut where the virus first made contact (via the blood splatter of an infected patient). Refuses to heal, but is not sensitive to touch. The skin is clearly stretched around the diamond shaped wound. At both the top and bottom of the diamond further cuts can be found, though these act more like regular injuries. They are painful when aggravated, occasionally 'weep' either blood or pus, and slowly start to heal over time.

"Tendrils", similar in shape + size to the sting of a jellyfish, extend from the center wound. They are a dark purple in shade, and are raised at most 1mm from the skin. Each one is highly sensitive to touch. Not painful, merely creates a strong reaction in the host (Avaskian Caldwell). Described as turning one's thoughts to statics; very distracting, as if the host cannot focus on anything but the sensation of touch.

Numerous 'circles' of various sizes form around the tendrils. They are soft to the touch, pliable, and filled with trace amounts of liquid. If prodded, they are prone to bursting, which the host rates at a minor 2/10 on a standard pain scale. Should they be burst, they will proceed to fill back in over the period of roughly 48 hours.

Interior Symptoms:

Although difficult to prove/record, it is estimated that the host showed signs of an advanced healing rate as early as one hundred days post infection. This "advance" was initially as small as a 2% increase in healing efficiency, compared to a 50% increase by year 2 (see stage 2 for further notes).

Despite the increased healing rate, the host noted a sharp rise in overall pain levels. Even ordinary scrapes or bruises could leave them hunched over in pain. Notably, this did not effect pain related to the virus itself. Over time this change reversed, and eventually the host recorded less pain than prior to infection. It is unknown what caused this, but the current hypothesis is that the virus forced its host to adjust to a large amount of new stimuli, which the brain eventually adapted to.

STAGE 2: 1-2 Years

Exterior Symptoms:

Center "wound" increases in depth, with the outer ridge being 3mm above skin level. Cuts located above and below the diamond become superficial, no longer bleeding, weeping, or reacting to outside stimuli.

Older tendrils shift in color, to a dark red. They occasionally appear to "pulse", which the host describes as "super [redacted] uncomfortable. Just the [redacted] worst". Note: Remind host not to use profanity during recording sessions.

Older circles become darker in color, and completely dry out, hardening into what could be compared to scales. Incredibly durable, more likely to crack then be cut through. Damaged scales heal themselves within 24 hours, unless the host has a more serious wound, in which case their body will seemingly "take priority". If a scale is removed entirely (requiring the use of a scalpel to cut underneath the skin) a strange, purple substance oozes from the wound, similar in quality to tree sap.

Interior Symptoms:

Rate of healing increases to roughly 150% of the host's original capabilities. A wound which might have taken 30 days to heal would only take 15. and one that would take 10 would take 5, and so on. Host describes healed wounds as "tense" for several days after healing, however. No physical correlations were noted during any of several examinations.

By the start of year 2, the host started to note changes in personality. Speaking became physically uncomfortable, which the host responded to by becoming mute. They also noted an increase in aggression, a slight decrease in empathy, and an increased level of paranoia. Note: Subject has a noted history of depression, anxiety, and possibly undiagnosed ADHD.

Host's canine teeth grew notably sharper, as well as slightly longer.

STAGE 3: 2.5 Years

Exterior Symptoms:

Center wound has turned to a bright crimson, with the very middle glowing slightly. Warmer than the rest of the host's skin.

Tendrils continue to spread over the host's skin, and at this point start appearing independent of any connections. All new tendrils show up as a dark red, no longer needing to 'mature'.

Similarly, the scales (which have progressively increased in average size) show up as their final form. They still only grow near tendrils, typically in small clusters.

It is estimated that they will continue to grow over time, eventually covering the host's entire body. Currently there are no theories as to how this will affect the host.

Interior Symptoms:

Healing rate skyrockets to 300% of original, pre-virus rate. Process is still described as "tense" and "uncomfortable".

Host struggles with their perception of reality, often blurring the lines between real memories and dreams. Environment (among other test subjects) only worsens this.

Heart rate averages at 150 BPM. Host is noted to have a pre-existing medical condition which affects heart rate (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, but suggests that this is still a noteworthy change.

STAGE 4: 3 Years+

Exterior Symptoms:

All tendrils now exhibit bio luminescence, with the lights glowing and shifting as an unknown substance moves within. Glow noticeably increases when host is injured, with the increase relating directly to the severity of the injury.